Category: On The Stump

  • First Shade Day 2024

    First Shade Day 2024

    Last Friday, May 10, 2024, I looked out the window and saw well-defined shade on the lawn.

    First Shade Day 2024

    Every spring, there’s a moment when Mother Nature provides the gift of shade.

    The first time I noticed, I was driving home from high school. At the bottom of a hill, shade poured across the road on a sunny spring day.

    I couldn’t figure out how the leaves on the trees unfurled so quickly.

    It seemed impossible.

    Shady Lawn with Dandelion Seed Heads

    I am trying a practice called ‘No Mow May‘ this year; hence, my lawn looks like a meadow.

    Thank goodness for summer shade.

  • Garden Maintenance is a Journey, Not a Destination

    Garden Maintenance is a Journey, Not a Destination

    I’ve spent the last few days overwhelmed with how far behind I am in my home’s garden maintenance.

    Yesterday, I knocked the weeds down with a weed wacker because they were so overgrown.

    This morning, I flame-weeded our gravel driveway.

    Finally, I hoped to tune up the lawn mower but fell behind in my plans.

    The Perfect Day Maintaining Gardens?

    I used to think that if I woke early, had a good plan, and worked hard, I could finish my garden maintenance chores in one or two days.

    The family and I would barbecue chicken with an Italian glaze while enjoying the immaculately maintained landscape. Fresh-cut flowers adorn a vase at the center of the table.

    While I sometimes rise early, I never get as much done as I want.

    In summary, I get sidetracked, and tasks often (always) take longer than anticipated.

    Weather can also cause delays.

    How did I get so far behind?

    I stopped weeding my garden in September last year. I’ve been experimenting with flame weeding, and the hose to the torch broke.

    I searched the internet for a replacement hose, but nobody had it in stock.

    I visited a local propane supplier. The replacement hose cost more than the torch and hose did new.

    I lost motivation.

    Winter annual weeds, especially chickweed and grassy weeds, overtake my gardens.

    Sugar maple seedlings carpet parts of the landscape.

    Our Newtown, CT, arborist visited twice last winter and cut the wood to log lengths. I cut the equivalent of three large sugar maples worth of wood.

    While cutting the logs, I could have been picking up sticks, cutting back perennials and weeding.

    I don’t regret the decision.

    It gave me an immense sense of accomplishment.

    The Reality of Maintaining Gardens

    While many wait for the first warm day to start working in the garden, we should do what we can when we can.

    Work at a steady pace and gradually move forward. Enjoy time in the landscape throughout the year, not just in the spring.

    John Holden

    That’s how to make great landscapes.

  • Why You Should Never Play to the Gallery

    Why You Should Never Play to the Gallery

    I recently found this interview by David Bowie. I agree.

    When checking boxes, my work is droll and lifeless—my designs are like a pile of boxes left out for recycling.

    I work with nature, combining traditional knowledge with intuition, creating unique landscape solutions.

    Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being and go a little bit out of your depth.

    David Bowie
    Red Cannas in Pots Growing in Water

    Rotely mulching gardens or making tidy balls out of shrubs is unacceptable.

    If you want more, that’s what I do.

    Let’s Dance!

  • Signs of a Dominant Cat

    Signs of a Dominant Cat

    A cold front swept through a couple of days ago, leaving temperatures in the low 40s°F.

    An unexpected thing happened around the house: the cats started sleeping in groups.

    Outdoor Cats

    Phantom (cow pattern) and Snowball (tabby), our outdoor cats, were peacefully sleeping in the three-season room they appropriated.

    They usually sleep in different locations, so I make sure to put two of everything out for them.

    Phantom and Snowball Cats Sleeping

    Phantom, a male, likes to sleep in high positions and relentlessly chases Snowball around, though he never hurts him or her. He makes sure Snowball knows who’s the boss.

    Phantom and Snowball showed up in the yard about a year and a half ago. I started feeding them, and surprisingly, they decided to take me into the colony.

    Indoor Cats

    Phoebe (black) was up in Chloe’s (pastel tortie) usual sleeping spot, sharing the warmth. Chloe has appointed herself the top cat of our three indoor spayed cats.

    Chloe and Phoebe Cats Sleeping

    Chloe has some issues to work through, as we all do, but that’s for another time.

    Phoebe, the most tolerant and psychologically balanced cat we have, is Chloe’s sister. They had identical childhoods but grew up with completely different personalities.

    There’s a lesson there somewhere.

    Signs of a Dominant Cat

    Besides sleeping in high positions, the dominant cat is sleeping on top in both photos. Interestingly, the cats they’re sleeping on top of both have calm and agreeable personalities.

    If Phoebe and Snowball were people, they would offer to help move furniture or take your mail in while you were away.

    I’ve also noticed the dominant cat showing more aggression toward other cats, but it never gets physical.

    Chloe and Phantom have some unresolved issues, as we all do, but are also the most affectionate. Chloe doesn’t let me to share my affection with other cats in the room.

    Come to think of it, Snowball won’t let me pet her either, especially when Phantom is around.

    A cat that sleeps in high positions, sleeps on top of the pile, and initiates aggression toward other cats are signs of a dominant cat.

    I can’t say the dominant cat is also the most physiologically balanced cat. I can say they’ve appointed themselves leader of the colony.

  • First Fire of Season

    First Fire of Season

    About an hour ago, I started the first fire of the season in the wood stove. It’s October 14th and overcast, 53°F, and starting to rain.

    While it’s 63°F inside the house, and a sweatshirt takes the chill off, it’s cold to me.

    After lighting, I walked into the room with the stove and noticed the cats started to congregate.

    Cats in Front of Wood Stove

    I keep a knee pad next to the stove, and the cats put it to good use. The knee pad is too warm to sleep on once the stove gets going.

    Minne (Cow pattern) and Phoebe (Black) are thrilled about the arrival of wood stove season.

    Cats in Front of Wood Stove Closeup

    The temperature at my desk is now 71°F, and the room with the wood stove is 77°F.

    That’ll do.

  • PeeGee Hydrangea Window Peeping

    PeeGee Hydrangea Window Peeping

    The off-white PeeGee Hydrangea contrasts warm yellow lamp light inside the house viewed through a double-hung window older than me.

    PeeGee Hydrangeas give instant class to any landscape.

    Click on image to view larger.

    PeeGee Hydrangea Window Peeping
  • Patriotic Lambsquarters

    Patriotic Lambsquarters

    Last week, I woke early and headed out to hone my photography skills.

    While I would like to put all of my award-winning photos in one post, I realized a picture truly is worth a thousand words and decided to break up the posts.

    Click on a photo to open a larger version.

    Patriotic Lambsquarters

    Patriotic Lambsquarters

    I love how this lambsquarters frames the American flag. I should feel guilty for not weeding my gardens, but I don’t. The weeds keep coming, and all we can do is our best.

    I planted Cocktail Vodka Wax Begonias beneath the flag with Green Tower Boxwood (Buxus x ‘Green Tower’) behind. This bed is in the shade, and the wax begonias are thriving!

  • Visitors Welcome – Especially Cats!

    Visitors Welcome – Especially Cats!

    Last summer, a couple of weird things happened.

    First, I turned on the backyard light one night and saw an orange and white cat patiently sitting under a shrub by the bird feeders.

    Then, a few weeks later, as I walked across the side yard, I spotted a black and white cat carrying something.

    I ran toward the cat assuming it was holding a bird. The cat dropped its prize, a partially eaten roll, and ran.

    I felt like a heel after that.

    I Leave Food for Cats

    In elementary school, perhaps fourth or fifth grade, I spotted a cat under one of the cars. I investigated and saw a white and grey cat that looked down on its luck.

    The cat’s white fur had a yellowish tinge in some spots on its legs. While the cat wasn’t well groomed it wasn’t overly scruffy either.

    I remember looking under the car at the cat, and it looking back at me. Neither of us moving. Neither of us sure what to do next.

    I ran into the house to get something to feed the cat. All I could find was a piece of American cheese. When I returned the cat was gone so I left the cheese.

    When I got off the school bus the next day, the cat followed me to the house door. From that day on, he was part of our family.

    Cyrano and John

    Cyrano was a feral cat who decided it was time to live the good life. I hope we gave it to him.

    Back to this Century

    Getting back to where the story started.

    After chasing the black and white cat away, I put some dry food on a paper plate and left it for the cat.

    Although I never saw who was eating it, the food was gone daily, so I kept putting it out.

    Eventually, I was refilling the plate two to three times a day.

    I don’t remember exactly when or how, but over time I had two cats showing up daily for meals. Every time I fed our indoor cats, I brought food to the outdoor cats.

    Phantom

    Eventually, I named the black and white cat “Phantom” because he’s a master at not being seen. He hides in shadows and under plants to avoid detection.

    Phantom the Cat Sleeping Closeup

    In this picture, I caught Phantom at a bad time, so he looks a little irritated. He’s keenly aware I’m encroaching on his space and taking his picture.

    Initially, Phantom was the more timid of the two cats. He wouldn’t touch the food until I was at least 50 feet away. He would watch me while eating, and if I moved toward him, he would back away.

    As a matter of fact, I told my children Phantom is a wild animal and will never be interested in people.

    I’m not sure when it happened, but gradually Phantom let me get closer and closer.

    Phantom learned his name and started coming when called.

    He ‘lived’ under an abandoned shade canopy in my neighbor’s yard and slept on an old lawn tractor seat with some plywood remnants overhead.

    Below is Phantom lying in catnip, looking at Chloe, our rescue cat.

    Phantom the Cat Watched by Chloe the Cat

    Phantom’s go-to body language is rolling on his back and side looking for attention. Generally, he follows me daily while I feed the birds.

    Snowball

    Initially, Snowball was the more friendly of the two cats and more comfortable with people.

    Snowball the Cat Sleeping Closeup

    Snowball has a left ear tip, meaning they have been spayed or neutered.

    Further, Snowball spent most of last summer sleeping next to our shed. If you walked by the shed, Snowball watched you go by. Things are fine if you don’t get too close or walk directly at them.

    Snowball enjoys sleeping in the catnip growing on the side of the house.

    Snowball the Cat Laying in Catnip

    Last summer, as I was working in the garage, Snowball kept meowing, hoping for a snack. Snowball knew the exact tone that sounded the most helpless. I’m sure it worked!

    Snowball the Cat Sitting in Doorway

    Snowball has a very calm personality and is quite content to sleep and eat with some hunting mixed in. Snowball is a master at finding warm places to sleep.

    Snowball the Cat laying in Dirt

    Lastly, Snowball’s go-to body language is a long, slow blink. I have learned that means a cat feels comfortable.

    I’m fairly certain Snowball was a monk in a previous life.

    The Irony

    I occasionally wonder what brought these two beautiful creatures to me. The answer is quite hilarious.

    Two winters ago we had an overpopulation of mice and I purchased catch-and-release mouse traps.

    For this purpose, I emptied the traps in the yard away from the house. I believe the abundance of mice attracted the cats.

    There is no evidence of mice these days.

    Below Snowball and Phantom are sleeping on the covered bed I made for them. Subsequently, I purchased a K&H Pet Products Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Dog and Cat Bed when the weather got cold.

    Phantom and Snowball Sleeping
  • Pansies Yellow and Purple

    Pansies Yellow and Purple

    Yesterday I spotted pansies in front of the supermarket begging for a home. They pulled on my heartstrings until I brought two flats home.

    The truth is, my wife wrote pansies on the grocery list. She didn’t have to. By early April, I’ll take any blooms I can to add color to the landscape.

    There are still some cold nights coming. If the temperature doesn’t go much below 30, the pansies will be okay as long as they’re hardened off.

    I sometimes put a blanket over the plants if it’s unseasonably cold though I usually don’t.

    Pansies Yellow and Purple

    My wife likes traditional purple pansies. I enjoy the warmth of the yellows. I’ll mix the two colors when I plant them making everyone happy!

    Once the heat of the summer comes, I remove pansies because they don’t like the heat. If growing in a shady spot, they may survive.

    If every plant in front of your house looks great except for a few groupings of pansies by the front door, viewers will focus on that.

    That’s why I pull pansies once they start to wither.

    I purchased these pansies on April 3erd, 2023.

    Click on the picture for a screen full of color!

    Yellow and Purple Pansies