The sounds of a not-so-silent winter

Last week, the temperature dipped to -51C, the lowest I’ve ever experienced. And that was in the morning. Mind you, wind chill was factored in but even still it was frigging cold. We’re in the small, fabulous town of Fernie, British Columbia–our home for half the year every winter. Fernie is a ski town. We…

Lungwort, party of three

When I first spotted this thing from a distance, growing on a birch tree in southwestern British Columbia, I assumed it was a kind of ivy. But when I got up close to it, I realized that each leaf had its own unique shape. I had to know what it was and how I could…

Of damp, drought, and martinis

I so rarely see news headlines that speak directly to the deeply geekoid gardener in me that I had to share these two stories that recently popped up in my media feeds. And, really, who doesn’t love a good story about lichen or, um, martinis? 1. The mini-universes of inland British Columbia One of my…

An impatient gardener’s wish list

Dear Santa, All I really want for Christmas won’t fit in a box or under a tree. And, I’ll warn you, they’re not easy to wrap up with a ribbon and top with a bow. Yes, I am demanding. But I thought I’d give you the benefit of the doubt. So here’s my list of 15…