Practical advice & moral support for the small-scale gardener
September is the month of harvest, though that is perhaps too strong a word for what I do on my balcony. Without much premeditation, my garden has become quite fruit-forward — I have figs, woodland strawberries, lemons, and olives (yes, also a fruit) — and their production is comically small, both in terms of size…
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…
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…
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…
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…