Cottage In The Court

April Thompson, Director of BLOOM Sales and Marketing shares her foraging success, ice cream, and What We Need to Know about BLOOM. As we begin to prepare for the next season, BLOOM is a local product we just might want to know about. To find out more about BLOOM, click here It is October in 2020. In the midst of a pandemic, as we are minimizing our movements with masks on, let's also remember tha...

Picture a walk in the woods at this time of the year. Noticing the leaves that have fallen from the trees above. In the quiet of the morning, I consider the sound of the leaves gracing the grounds a song to greet the day. Like colorful chimes releasing kisses to make the walk quite the pleasure. I have to catch myself as I lift my head to receive each and every one. To read my reflections on the k...

Remember Mike Lizotte??  Mike the Seedman joins us for a few tips on fall panting, why we need to order now, and a few tips on having a beautiful meadow in 2021. Let's not just think about bulbs...but considering a future meadow as well! Check out American Meadows by clicking here I ask that you continue to follow me... Https://www.cottageinthecourt.com ...Instagram and Twitter: @cottageincou...

Linda Jones, Elements of Nature is an example of what can be done when you put your mind to it. Recently retired and a Certified Master Gardener, Linda has been in touch with earth for over 30 years. Her horticultural journey includes consultations, public speaking, design, and more. Maryland is proud to have Linda jones as an integral part of our horticultural community. Her skincare products are...

Wednesday is usually a day when one begins to consider planning the weekend. It is the perfect day to share something new that some just might want to know. Therefore What We need to Know Wednesday seemed like a great idea. From time to time, I will begin to share things of interest in the middle of the week for those who enjoy gardening. After all, why wait until the weekend? It could be a p...

Joy is something that we need more of today. Noticing simple pleasures along the way are gifts from Mother Nature. Who doesn't like presents? I gather as I walk, whether in my garden or simply as I engage with nature. I wrote about it on my blog. Click here to find out more. I also gather terrific friends. Louise Clark is one of those friends. She is a GardenComm member as well and we have served...

Simply sharing who I am, celebrating my boldness in stepping out and getting to know people in horticulture. Using Audrey Hepburn's words "...to believe in tomorrow".  The poem - My Garden Is My Sanctuary by Marie Church https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/my-garden-is-my-sanctuary-poem Follow Me... Https://www.cottageinthecourt.com ...Instagram and Twitter: @cottageincourt. ..Facebook: Co...

I first met Lady Farmer at Monticello a few years ago. It was their initial launch and I was impressed by the mission as well as their purpose.  Existing in a slow, measured way can be fulfilling and educational. How many times since we have been unintentionally pausing have you figured out that patience is quite the virtue? I continue to follow them online and their staying power speaks volu...

James Brayton Hall is the President and CEO of The Garden Conservancy.  Since 1989 this gift of love from Frank Cabot as consistently created a stir in the preservation of American gardens, sharing gardens across this nation and celebrating the importance of gardens to our everyday lives. Some might think this is an organization for your grandmother - not exactly!! The awesome programming tha...

When someone asks you have you heard of Laura Dowling, after gasping you say "YES". Admiring from afar - but reading all of her books - the opportunity to chat with her was worth waiting for. You see Laura Dowling also loves Paris. She even attended the floral Design School there and consistently shares her craft on social media. If you are not following - you just might be inspired to create auth...

Maryland offers so many different agricultural opportunities. I recently explored two Maryland Wineries. Since the opportunity to #resetrenewrestore in Europe was not possible,  experiencing Maryland as a local has been my mission. As 2020 makes us settle into our perspective places and not travel abroad,  getting to know the local agriculture community has been quite an adventure. A few...

Let it be is all I could say as this period of unintentional pausing has made all of us pay attention. Going out into the garden every day to weed or water was less important. Admiring the beauty of the garden in real-time was a gift. The opportunity to witness trees burst into bloom or plants come to life has been amazing. If it were any other year, I would have to make time to weed, make time to...

Last year I was oh so excited about my trip to Paris.  Why? I included England on this journey and I took my Aunt who was still absorbing the loss of her husband.  Most passionate gardeners know that the garden is a healer and I can not tell you how much I miss it this year. I did share a visit to Chiswick on my blog. You can read about it here Carex travel is a boutique travel company o...

Sharing a few thoughts on the importance of Self Care sets the stage for this episode. As I talk to more and more people, we are all in a state of unintentional existence as we continue to unintentionally pause. This made me check in with Dr. Sandra Lewis, a friend, a confidant, and just the right person to help us see why we need each other, the realization that we have been underwater and connec...

Smart Pots has an awesome and beautiful alternative to the traditional compost bin. I like to say that my compost bin is always dressed to receive more things to compost. She blends in with the landscape and has given me a reason to look at the leaves that will inevitably fall in a new way. No more hauling from the front to the back, only to haul it back to the front again next Spring.  With...

There was a conversation on the tongue of a few folks about the transparency Mrs. Michelle Obama. She shared on her new podcast feelings of being a bit low. Some would call it depression. To see all of your hard work for good disappear before your eyes. I would be devastated. To take off the cape that many women wear is admirable. It is OK to not be okay...ask for help if needed. I personally admi...

Young people give me life. When I see young people finding their way in horticulture, it simply brings me joy. Derek Haynes is a Whole Botanist.  Sounds simple, right? He is The Crazy Botanist on Facebook and well known on Instagram as @botanical.highlander. He is so real on many levels and I invited him to collaborate on this podcast. He brings a bit of humor to the conversation about hortic...

Abernathy and Spencer - Truly a Jewel in Loudon County. With a 110-year-old historic greenhouse and some of the nicest people you could ever meet, hop on over to the bog and find out more or just click here PlantsMap - Tracy is a good friend of mine. Plantsmap has caught my attention and it should catch yours as well. Having a Digital Docent like PlantsMap on your devices will help you organize yo...

Throwback Thursday reminded me of a book that is no longer available in hard copy (but worth finding in a used book store). Eat Your Roses by Denise Schreiber is a kitchen keeper. Utilizing the things we grow in the garden which we might not consider eating, Denise offers us simple recipes in a small wrapper. St. Lynne's Press puts the best information in small books with some pretty cool authors...

The Meditative Gardener - Cultivating Mindfulness of Body, Feelings, and Mind by Cheryl Wilfong it's a must-read for those who are considering mindfully gardening. What a wonderful guide book to look at engaging with the earth in a unique way. I share my thoughts on this book here . It was a pleasure to chat with  C. Colston Burrell. In my world, I have known him for quite a while. I heard hi...

In honor of Juneteenth, I hosted a horticultural conversation with a few friends. I want to say Thank you to Abra Lee, Wambui Ipollito, Duron Chavis,  Eve Rickenbaker, and a special Thank You to Preston Montague. Sometimes, I play it safe, as I choose to not disturb the waters. Preston recognized my hesitation as he encouraged me to speak my mind, have my say, and uplift my voice as an Africa...

Not really into harvesting your food from your yard? The garden you want to grow just right be a Pollinator Victory Garden. Well...here is the book for you! The Pollinator Victory Garden. Check out the review on my blog https://cottageinthecourt.com/?p=7988 It will enlighten you on why we need to feed our pollinator foodies!! A recent chat with Wendy Brister, a fellow GardenComm member has me onli...

I decided to stop being selfish and share my review of Secret Gardens of East Anglia by Barbara Segall. During this period of unintentional pausing, I had time to focus on my dreams of visiting more English gardens. I cannot wait until we are free to travel safely again. Barbara Segall is a fellow GardenComm member and has written several books. I had the pleasure of chatting with her when we both...

#gardeningwhileaging is easier than ever with this wonderful book by Toni Gattone, The Lifelong Gardener - Garden With Ease & Joy At Any Age is a wonderful book written by Toni Gattonne ad published by Timber Press. Perfect for gifting or for use as a reference book to help us continue to enjoy gardening wisely as we age or have disabilities.  Check out the book review on my blog. Simply...

Let's celebrate Women In Horticulture by watching GROW! with Katie Dubow on Facebook Live!, 1:00 pm EST, Monday - Friday. Katie is a Region II GardenComm member and has curated the perfect early afternoon delight for the gardener. Take a few moments to listen and be surprised...just don't answer BOTH to her questions!! Click here to check out GROW! with Katie ... As GROW! with Katie celebrated Wom...