Category Archives: observation

The Winter winds - February 1

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Joanne Toft

The wind that we do not see is still here - we just feel the sharp cold seeping into our skin as we move down the path. It pushes us back to where we started. The wind we do not … Continue reading →

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Spring begins with a chill - April’s First Blooms

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Joanne Toft

It is April first, chilly (35 degrees), sunny, clear blue skies and super wet ground. It has been raining on and off for the last few days but the ground and the plants seem very happy to drink it all … Continue reading →

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Fresh Start - learning about my garden in the winter

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Joanne Toft

It is December 28th and we are just days away from a new year. The ground in my garden here in Minnesota is frozen solid and there is a few inches of snow covering all of the yard. It is … Continue reading →

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Bumble Bees that are not Bumbles Bees - compare and contrast

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Joanne Toft

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 →

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Oh, No Fire! Wait, this fire is a good thing

Posted on April 27, 2024 by Joanne Toft

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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Spring has sprung - can you name that flower?

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Joanne Toft

  Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis, Minnesota opened last week (April 15th). It means that spring is really here. It may still be chilly but so much warmer that two months ago. It is time to put on your jacket, … Continue reading →

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How do gardens change? Looking for Cause and Effect

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Joanne Toft

Each year a garden experiences many changes. Just like us it grows and develops. A garden is expected to change each year and so are we. We get taller, stronger and our body change. These changes also happen in the … Continue reading →

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Thinking of Fall - colors, leaves? No Seeds

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Joanne Toft

It is now really fall. The leaves are changing to beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. The weather is cooler and there is a bit more rain. (even some snow if you live in the Dakotas or western mountains of the … Continue reading →

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Summer of Bugs

Posted on August 12, 2024 by Joanne Toft

It is August and I am tired of these bugs! I don’t need any more mosquitoes or flies or beetles or spiders or worms! But wait before we get rid of all these crawly things we might want to know … Continue reading →

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