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Author Archives: Joanne Toft
Becoming a gardener (or a writer) – someone who learns
“To become a gardener means to try, to fail, to stubbornly plug away at something, to endure serious disappointments and small triumphs that encourage you to try and fail again. But it means, above all, perking up your ears, sniffing, … Continue reading
Posted in Garden journal, Garden Learning, Reflections, science notebook
Tagged observation
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Bumble Bees that are not Bumbles Bees – compare and contrast
It is a perfect day – the sun is shining, there is a cool breeze and my grass is growing like crazy. So I pulled out the power mower and pulled the cord. It roared to life and we were … Continue reading
Bees and More Bees
I am a gardener. I am an organic gardener. I garden in the middle of a large city. It is a wonderful thing to do. On a glorious morning like today – sunny, cool fresh air, dew covered grass – … Continue reading
Summer Patterns
Everywhere I look there are colors and patterns. It is summer and the world around us is showing off. The flowers are in bloom, the early veggies are ready for picking. It is time to look closely at our summer … Continue reading
Earth Day, Gardens and Books for the little folks
Our earth is old but continues to grow. Today is considered Earth Day. A day to honor our earth, our plants, animals and the globe we live on. It does seem a bit odd that we find one day each … Continue reading
Gardening means I need to know my math
It is spring the leaf buds are pushing open on the lilac bushes and my indoor garden has been growing for a few weeks. It was great fun to start spring inside but I discovered I had lots of … Continue reading
February First – winter gardens
Garden Learning has been in hibernation for the last few months. For two reasons one a broken wrist made it hard to type and take pictures but more importantly in Minnesota the ground is white and frozen, the air is … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Learning, journals
Tagged beginning seedling, garden journals, grow lights and heat mats, phenology journal
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Sleeping for the winter
Closing down for the winter! The Garden Learning sight has actually been sleeping for most of the summer and now winter is just around the corner. So I am just making it official. Although I have been in the garden … Continue reading
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Spring Rains – story starters
It was a long winter here in Minnesota and we were all looking for spring sun and warm temperatures. We have instead cool temperatures and days of clouds and rain. It has not been what our emotions have wanted … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Learning, observational drawing, Writing
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Oh, No Fire! Wait, this fire is a good thing
If you take a walk in Eloise Butler Wildflower garden and climb up the big hill to the prairie land you find a big surprise. The land is darkened and burned. At first it is easy to worry and think … Continue reading
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