Ellen Peffley

If you have some time to enter the Lilliputian world of an insect, spend a few moments and gaze with amazement at the strange locomotion of the cabbage looper. Of all the creatures of Creation, this little critter is fun to watch for all ages.

Gardening for You: Hydrate summer gardens and gardeners

Rudbeckia is the summer flower to brighten boring garden spots.

CUISINE & CULTUREIn last week’s column were tips to keep in-theground plants hydrated as temperatures soar. Today are some ideas to manage container-grown plants during the hot summer.• Understand container growing. Plants grown in containers are totally dependent upon external irrigation. Unlike in-the-ground plants with roots that have an endless soil reservoir with which to access moisture…

CUISINE & CULTUREIt is August, and it is hot and dry. Previous columns discussed strategies to keep in-the-ground and containergrown plants maintained in the summer heat. We continue this theme with a look at maintenance of summer lawns: irrigation, weed management, fertilization, and equipment care.Irrigation. A reminder that the rule in effective irrigation is to apply water deeply and…

From the gardenIt is the end of a hot, hot August and many of us have the “garden doldrums”— too hot to be enthused about getting out into the garden. But here are some quick jobs that can be tended to before heading back into the cool indoors.• Deep-water ornamental and fruit trees, landscape shrubs weekly. Specimens that are not been supplied with sufficient water this summer will be weakened…

Autumn is prime time to choose landscape trees with a fall color display. The season’s warm fall soils favor root establishment.Not all trees have foliage that change from their summer green to autumn color. The length of days is the main trigger for the change from green summer foliage to the fall colors. Days shorten in the fall, which trigger a cascade of events starting with the green pigment…

From the gardenDoes it get much better in the dead of winter than taking out a handful of personally grown preserved herbs to add flavor to a big pot of winter soup?Saving an abundance of summer herbs is a simple activity that delivers rewards for a long time. It just takes a little effort.The simplest way to preserve herbs is to dry them. They can be hung in bunches or dried in a dehydrator. Air…

From the gardenEerie, night flying bats that evoke Halloween by sending chills up our spines are actually timid creatures for which we should be thankful. They are great for gardens.We will get the unpleasant associations of bats with humans out of the way before the plusses that bats do for gardens.Not all bats are evil vampire bats like Count Dracula, the title character in the horror novel …

From the gardenNovember has arrived and now is a glorious time in the garden. Before hunkering down for the winter months, enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons by taking some quiet time in the garden.This weekend we get our mornings back with the return of normal time. Sunlight reappears to our mornings.Snuggle in a favorite chair in the garden and take time to drink in the fresh, November…