It’s that time of year again: I’m heading off to Italy for a month and scheming about ways to keep my plants alive while I’m gone. Last year I semi-succeeded with a combination of DIY self-watering methods and the help of my neighbor, Vera. This year, Vera’s having some health issues, and I wanted a…
Category: Summer
August Reckoning: A Post-Vacation, Late Summer Garden Reset
I’m not in the best place emotionally when I get back from Italy. It’s like being spiritually plucked out of the warm, cuddly waters of the Adriatic and plunged into the icy waves of the Pacific Ocean. I go from hot to cold in every metaphorical and literal way. Back in the Bay, besides being overjoyed to…
How to Keep Your Container Plants Alive When You Go on Vacation
Summertime vacations are the best, but they have a downside for avid container gardeners like myself. How do I keep my potted plants happy and hydrated under the summer sun in my absence? I’m about to depart for my annual sojourn in Italy with my husband and his family. While I’m deeply grateful to be…
Seven Plants That Can Withstand the Punishing Afternoon Sun
If you have a south, west, or southwest-facing balcony, you know the afternoon sun struggle. While sun is generally a good thing, not all plants happily withstand the hot rays of the afternoon, especially in pots. But that doesn’t mean your balcony has to be desolate. There are plenty of plants that can take the…
How to Turn an Old Firepit into a Sumptuous Summer Planter
Before throwing away any container-like object I always ask myself, “could this be a planter?” At our last house, we inherited a rusty old firepit left behind by previous tenants. It was destined for the trash, but I recognized its potential. In this post, I’ll share some general tips for repurposing any receptacle into a…