The Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) is blooming, much to the madman’s surprise – with the moving of the cactus garden he didn’t expect any blooms this year. But, its yellow blossom signals, “Summer is here!” Time to focus on the garden at the lake. Short Season Container Gardening The garden at the lake is a totally…
The summer solstice is fast approaching and Mother Nature is not cooperating. The weather here has been on the cool side – some might say downright cold. The other morning the temperatures were in the high 40˚s. Come on, it’s June. Enough of this complaining. The madman’s peas look GREAT. In fact we’re glad we…
“Ornaments are the backbone of the garden,” says the madman. I’m not sure if that’s original, but I know he didn’t always feel that way. In fact, at one time, he agreed with my grandfather who said, “If you can’t eat it, don’t plant it.” Over the years, the madman has mellowed. Not…
Memorial Day weekend. Parades, barbecues, traffic jams – a day set aside to remember those who died in service to our country. It also signals the start of the summer season. It is okay to wear white clothes and straw hats. But, more importantly, this weekend is seen as the start of the summer gardening…
In the processes of moving the cactus garden the madman made an unpleasant discovery. Invasive plants were sneaking into the area surrounding the former cactus bed. I saw him walking towards me with a handful of greens. He didn’t look very happy. As he got closer, I noticed the orange roots – Bittersweet! Then I…
The madman’s current project is relocation of the cactus garden. We never thought his hobby would grow to this extent. The madman was introduced to the world of cactus and succulents years ago. He had always been a collector and if he saw a plant he liked, he got it. I should have seen the…
We have just left the second wettest April in the history of record keeping, and May doesn’t look any better. The madman and his hot peppers are not happy with this cold, damp weather. But the onions, beets, carrots, radishes, kale and all of its cousins are loving it. Remember those peas that the…
We have been busy. The madman spent last weekend at the 36th Annual Show and Sale of the Connecticut Cactus and Succulent Society (CCSS). If you missed it, you missed a great time and some wonderful horticulture. It is amazing what some cactus enthusiasts can grow in our damp cold climate. Of course, these…
The madman is still waiting to plant. As usual, it takes a few days to readjust after an adventure. This is a good thing because the temperature in the soil has not budged over 50˚-no matter how many times the madman looks at it, it is still 50˚. Instead of rushing around planting, the madman…