Hello,
This weekend I spent some time with the littles plucking the last of the golden-leafed alpine strawberries, picking (unripe) tomatoes, and investigating seedpods. Squatted close to the ground, I got the chance to see little black specks through the eyes of a couple of four-year-olds. One after the other, we popped open papery pods and shook the seeds into our palms. Between my gardener’s hands and their curious hands lies a lifetime of growing, tending, and harvest. I never imagined this moment, now I can’t imagine a world without more of the same. Next spring when hundreds (!!!) of love-in-a-mist seedlings germinate in the gravel, I’ll think back to this wonderful moment. I’m so glad you’re here.
xo Lorene
“Seeds might seem still, quiet, passive. But in them all is a forceful dynamism not to be underestimated.” – What We Sow; on the Personal, Ecological, and Cultural Significance of Seeds by Jennifer Jewell
In the Store
This month the Autumn Equinox, a moment of celestial equilibrium, falls on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, but the shift in the season is already in the air. Balance your day by downloading this image for your phone’s lock screen. This offer is free for all subscribers, just enter the code: CLOUDS at checkout.
If you’re new to this community—Welcome! You can save $5 on each calendar you preorder before September 30, 2-23. Enter the code: YAY2024 at checkout. And for those of you who have asked, I just updated international shipping rates on my website (gulp).
Recent writing: Blessed with Blooms in The Seattle Times. Whether it’s called the Flower Guild, the Floral Ministry, or simply church flowers, houses of worship large and small celebrate beauty, mark the seasons and honor loved ones, present and passed, with flowers. Floral arrangements enhance the worship experience, connecting the spiritual with the natural world.
Recent reading on Substack:
I’ve been reading Austin’s newsletter for years, and I never fail to find a bit of wonder, creative thought, and motivation to Keep Going. This newsletter is largely devoted to basketry and working with foraged material to create fiber. Cordage, anyone? Making + Writing = Sweet Spot and I love the weekly creative prompts that always get me thinking.Sharing is Caring: Share this newsletter with anyone (and everyone) you think might enjoy it and earn free access to benefits enjoyed by paid subscribers, like the ever-growing resource library. Details here. Many thanks!
Coloring
August 30, 2023
I know the 30th of August isn’t fall, and you probably do too, but the garden feels otherwise. Burnished and even a bit tarnished, once again, the garden is my stunt double.
August 31, 2023
Someone once told me, pain is a thief. Such truth. Its been a very odd gardening season that’s involved very little gardening due to back issues.
Thankfully, earlier in the year I added Little Lime hydrangea to the back garden. Watching the flowers morph and shift from white to green and now to their autumn plumage is enchanting. It also begs the question: what else am I missing when I move too fast in my own garden?
September 1, 2023
Another color that thinks it’s a plant. Or is it a plant that thinks it’s a color.
Lavender is potent. Too much for some. Never enough for others. All parts of the plant, not just the blooms, are infused with volatile oils, a redolent floral mix tempered with camphor and flint. A popular aromatherapy oil, lavender relieves stress, promotes sound sleep, and can even be used as an adjunct treatment for alleviating depression and anxiety.
— from my book, COLOR IN AND OUT OF THE GARDEN
September 2, 2023
I have a funny little delicate vine on a trellis just off the back stoop. —> right.
For most of the year Billardiera longiflora — or blue apple vine — is easy to overlook in its subtlety. Then late summer arrives and the plant is covered in metallic purple dangling fruits and the invisible plant shifts to headliner status.
September 3, 2023
From seed to leaf to bud to bloom, nasturtium embers in the garden catch a second flush before seed season takes over. And then the cycle starts all over again next year.
September 4, 2023
Tradescantia pallida Purple Heart. Time to start looking at plants I want to take cuttings of to overwinter and/or increase. Miraculous garden math.
September 5, 2023
To my eyes, flowers are beside the point on my fancy leaf geranium—
I could spend all afternoon looking at this starburst leaf. This may be ‘Mrs. Pollock’ — Due to our (nearly complete) basement remodel, I have no idea where my tags are.
In case you’re curious…
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Going to Seed — how to bank a bit of summer
Practice some simple backyard natural selection by collecting seed from the best and the brightest of this year’s crops and you’ll be one step closer to next year’s bounty -- and it doesn’t cost a dime.
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