Posts by Travis
Garden Photography: A Short Rundown of What You Need To Know
I have always been fascinated with plants. I have always been fascinated with photography. Put them together and what do you get? Plant photography (surprise!). Since this is such big part of my life, I figured that today is the day that I finally share some tips and tricks for photographing your garden. Although I’m…
Read MoreWhy Do Trees Leaf Out?
This is a question that fascinates me. When I look around in spring, I notice that although the maples and the magnolias are out, the hickories and sweet gums are not. Why is that? Today I’d like to take a shot at answering that question. I’ve figured out there seem to be three major factors…
Read MoreBattling Invasive Bamboos
Lately I’ve been having some plant issues. Major issues. The giant bamboo in my backyard (some of which exceeds 50 feet tall) is galloping into the neighboring woods at an astonishing 20 feet per year. Wherever it grows, it creates a monoculture. My neighbor planted it in the 80’s as a novelty way of distinguishing the property line…
Read MoreOrdering Seed For Spring Planting + My Favorite Seed Companies
It’s that time of year again! The time when I am glued to my comfortable leather chair in the library room paging through the three foot tall stack of seed catalogs and deciding which seeds I should plant this year. Well, that was a bit of an exaggeration, but I do have a sizable…
Read MoreThe Garden Scout – Update No. 1
Hello friends! Long time no see. I know…I’ve taken a temporary hiatus from writing due to an incredibly busy school year, a new job, and a mountain of garden work to prepare for the upcoming spring. My seed orders have been placed and new beds have been planned. Overall, I think this year will be…
Read MoreDesigning A Four-Season Garden
I don’t know about you, but I like a garden that changes throughout the seasons. I find the suburban plantings that only use evergreens for “year-round interest” boring. A certain percentage of the plants in my garden are evergreens, but I don’t overplant. Like the old mantra says, “everything is good in moderation.” The key…
Read MoreMy Secret Weapon For Identifying Warblers
Warblers. The mere mention of that particular type of bird used to annoy me. At my house, they’ve been labeled as the “feathered phantoms,” because of their jittery movements and the fact that they NEVER stick around long enough to be identified. Oh, the frustration! I was about to give up hope of ever identifying…
Read More