ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
A few years ago, we set out to create a butterfly garden, adapting our backyard into a bonafide stopover for migrating butterflies. In 2019 we received our official Monarch Waystation certification. A Certified Monarch Waystation means the area designated (our property) provides food, shelter and breeding habitat for monarchs.
If you build it they will come. It’s true. 
In our garden this spring, I’ve been training my climbing roses. They are still learning to follow directions, so technically that makes them trainees. So am I. Believe me, I am NOT a rose expert by any stretch of the imagination. But we are fast learners. Today I’m gonna show you our process.
Early last fall, we planted two climbing roses (their names are Rosie and Daphne) at separate ends of our rock wall. Other than planting them, we pretty much did nothing to them all winter, other than we made sure they had water. A few months later, before they began putting on spring growth, I started training them using a process called pegging. Pegging works rather well, especially in a small garden space. And the best thing about pegging your roses is that blooms will increase significantly.
Roses want to be good garden citizens. Some varieties need to be taught.Continue Reading
Dear Sunday Letter friends,
Today’s post is a mishmash of gardening and digging with a childhood trip to China. Flat Earthers, don’t bother to read the last part because you just won’t relate… Continue Reading
