October Plant Update

Plant observations were many this month. We had a lot of opportunity to walk around town, be in our yard, and visit new places. We saw bees buzzing, squirrels scavenging, flowers blooming and dying off, creatures and plants working together and everything getting ready for Winter.

On days that were clear the sky and trees were amazing.

Hardest working bee in Asbury park.

The basil bolted a long time ago, but we just let it go for the other plants and animals.

Some of the flowers we planted are still blooming.

The dunes looked majestic in October.

We saw many mushrooms this moth but some of the best ones were shelf mushrooms.

Another active plant observer.

We visited Allentown NJ and saw these fellows enjoying the river and surrounding plants.

Allentown also had a civil war reenactment. It was neat to see a world as it may have been.

Another late bloomer.

Another busy bee.

The rainy days made everything green and vibrant.

The weather was mild and it was a lovely month. For November, we are planning on ways to keep our plants happy over the Winter.

What were your plant observations in October?

September Plant Update

September has become one of my favorite months since moving to the beach. Local’s Summer, changing of the season, back to school, and slower living, are part of why I love it. I also really love my plant observations during this month.

We went to some new beaches, new parks, got to forrest bathe and hang out in the back yard.

Higbees Beach, Cape May, NJ

We brought these plants all the way from Brooklyn and September is their time to shine.

I’m not sure what these little flowers are but they are pretty neat!

The bees are still doing the good work this month.

Our raspberries were briefly infested with these little bugs.

Our morning glories are happy.

Exploring some local parks.

Clematis at night.

More night blooms.

What month of the year is your favorite for plant observations?

August Plant Update

August was summer's bounty and did not disappoint. So many flowers, fruits, storms, veggies, and sun!! We've gotten to go to the beach, parks, and explore our own backyard. 

Summer storms.

Butterfly bush.

On our butterfly trek we saw thee delicate flowers. Anyone know what they are?

No filter!! Bright bright orange!

All the sun flowers. 

Found one!

Huge mushroom!!

The mushrooms near us have been bananas! We have seen so many huge mushrooms making huge fairy rings. Have you had a lot of mushrooms where you live?

What were your plant observations this month?

July Plant Update

We've been having such a mild Summer, but in July we've seen some very hot days so far. The plants liked it and it was a great month for plant observations. Flowers were prominent but the real stars of July were all the critters!

Our local garden center is a favorite spot to visit for Summer blooms. 

I love clematis! So pretty!

Squirrel butt!

Can anyone tell me what kind of caterpillar this is?

This bee is doing all the good work in our garden!

June bug. 

Tomato horn worm. 

Police station bunny. 

Serious tenant #watchercat. 

Our morning glories are finally blooming!

Love these day lilies that were here before we moved in. 

Our garden, mid July. I will be posting a garden tour, soon! See it in late July in my last post. 

What does every else July plants look like?

June Plant Update

A little late but here are my plant observations for June!

Lots of flowers!! Veggie garden is started! Replated roses! Farmers markets! What do June plants look like where you live?

These little light green plants popped up in our blueberry bushes all in a clump? What are they?

This weird fungus also appeared! Can anyone help us identify it? 

It was a great month for plants! Love living this plant life!

April Plant Update

Finally!! Flowers in my plant update!! This update is all about flowers, in fact. From the beginning of the month, with snow covered buds, to the end of the month when many trees and flowers are in full bloom, here are some pretty plant observations. 

Can anyone tell me what these flowers are?

This crocus was hanging on for dear life. 

Finally the magnolias are blooming. 

Same tree...

...different day. 

This apartment/tree set up always reminds me of Nola. 

Yessssss. 

What's blooming in your neck of the woods?

March Plant Update

March was another rollercoaster for plants and weather!! We were able to observe some local plants, some new areas, and even give a tour of some of the plants in our very own home. 

Croci have been popping up, then getting trampled all over the neighbor hood!

Before the big storms of March, my front garden was off to a good start!

Early morning snow. 

More of my favorite pine trees. 

I'm still working on learning YouTube. What better way than to give a tour of some of our house plants! 

Was March weather and plants as wild where you live as is was for us? What were some of your March plant observations?

February Plant Update

February has been pretty up and down. With snow, 70˚ weather, rain, sun, etc... it's been an interesting month for plant observations. 

Crow crowns one of my favorite pines. 

Heavy snow and white pine. 

New flowers from work. 

This weird geranium (??) was given to me by a friend. It was doing really well until Irving knocked it down off it's perch. 

Starting to see signs of spring. 

What has February been like where you live?

January Plant Update

January was not a good month for plant observations. By far the worst month since I started this column. I wasn't out and about too much, I didn't take too many pics, it was cold, iy was snowy, it was wet. One can only hope February will be better. 

Hard to tell that this was a torrential downpour.

A snowy windblown scrub pine. 

Walking to work over a frozen lake. 

Who of my readers enjoyed a plant filled January?

December Plant Update

A lot going at home on this month meant that not too many plants were mindfully observed besides our own house plants. We did get about and about to see some plants, luckily. 

Guest room house plants have the best light. 

Blurry new shoots on our eternity plant. 

Our back yard just as the now starts. 

And more snow in Ocean Grove. 

And a little festive snow. 

Were you too busy to plant gaze this month? Or were your plants observations on point?

I'm looking forward to a new year of plant observations in 2018!!

November Plant Update

November has become decidedly cold. Trees changed colors and shed their leaves, we've had the first frost and more. Almost all our inside plants are happy, a few still need extra dirt. We acquired some plants from my grandma, mostly xmas cactus that bloomed almost immediately. 

We rarely have cut flowers in the house. 

A view to the back yard, behind the screen door. 

Our blueberry bushes, planted. 

This lovely beet. 

A walk around Sunset Lake. 

Down in Bayhead. 

Bittersweet berries. I had never seen these before!

I wish we had got out more, to hike or explore, as the weather turned. Hopefully December we will get do make more pointed plant observations. 

What were your November plant sightings?

October Plant Update

It's been a warm and wonderful October, only towards the end turning chilly. There has been a lot of plants to observe outside, and to tend to inside. Getting near the first frost means we are adding dirt, and sprucing up our plants in doors, and moving them around to make room for our inside plants that have been hanging out outside all Summer.  I also got to visit Deep Cut Gardens for the first time in many years and ogle their succulents. Then rushed out to pick up a few new ones for our home!

Repotting, and maintaining out indoor plants for Winter. 

So mant succulents!

So many cacti!

Infinity

We were a little late for the rose garden in it's prime. Next year! 

Fishermen at The Manasquan Reservoir. 

Winter is definitely on it's way Down The Shore. What are the plants doing where you live?

August Plant Update

We went exploring in the woods a few times in August, so we saw a some plants that aren't just hanging around the yard or neighborhood. What fun! We did a lot in town as well, which is always a lovely way to observe the plants!

We stumbled upon this wall of hibicus. 

And saw a million mushrooms. 

My husband said that this day he saw more variety in one place at one time than ever in his life!

Needless to say, we will be going back to this mushroom lush spot. 

These teeny flowers were so interesting!

This little guy looked like some kind of daisy/chicory highbred.  

Spotted this fellow in my driveway, on route to munch on that little weed perhaps. 

Our wall of morning glories is in full bloom and fantastic!!

We spotted this crane and a Great Blue Heron on a walk to Sunset Lake. 

It's been a lovely month to get out and explore, but buggy! I've been eaten alive! September should bring some great plant observations but hopefully with less bugs!

What are plants doing where you live?

July Plant Update

July is almost over and it's time to look back and some of the plants I observed. 

Blackberries from a neighbors yard are so tempting!

Flowers from a local eatery.

Echinacea on Ocean Pathway in Ocean Grove. 

The long road in Whitesbog. 

Our local pet shop backs up agains a magical wood. 

My lilies were huge this year!

Being out on the porch is doing the oxalis good!

Tom taking care of the house plants!

Do you take note of the plants around you? Do you keep a garden for flowers or veggies? Share your observations here. 

June Plant Update

June was a good month for plant observations, but maybe not the best moth for photos of those observations. I did snap a few good ones. We got to spend a lot of time out doors, in the yard, neighborhood and at the beach (going nearly twice as many days compared to last month). and we also got to see some different environments, like the Pine Barrens. 

Beach grass and beach roses. 

This massive field loved all the rain this month. 

My porch roses before it got too hot and they all dried out. 

The ivy on the back fence is going nuts. 

Another beach rose. I can't get enough!

And lastly, my favorite pine behind our house. The white speck is a mocking bird that was sitting in the tippy top branch and performing a complicated ritual. 

This month and this year, I can't help but notice how many mocking birds there are!! Growing up I feel like I never saw them, but now they are everywhere. Some people might consider them pests, but I think they are lovely!!

What nature have you been observing in your neck of the woods this month?

May Plant Update

May had flowers, that's for sure!! I never realized how much I liked some of these common yard flowers until moving to Asbury Park. I mean, I like all flowers, but azaleas and roses have jumped up to become favorites in the last two years. It's amazing to see them bloom in the spring. 

Those colors are surreal!

I worry every year that our potted plants won't return, but so far so good!

Rododendrons are native to NJ and on my list for the yard. 

Such a lovey yard I came across walking in the neighborhood. 

Last year we had tons and tons of these wild little white flowers in the front yard. This year we were happy to see them return, even in fewer number. 

Last year, I planted this iris and it never bloomed. I was ecstatic to see it thriving! I hope they go nuts and cover the front bed. 

My lemon balm came back with a vengeance. 

These were roadside in Allenhurst NJ. Anyone know what they are?

I want roses everywhere!!!

Beach roses, too!

Theses are the roses in front of the post office that I pass every day on my way to work. It's such a treat and they bloom all Summer. 

What are some of your favorite May flowers? Did you plant this year, or just enjoy what comes up?  Share your plant observations!

April Plant Update

April saw a lot of plant activity! We're still on our way through the month and I hope the old April adage holds true, bc we have a had our share of rainy days!

We moved a bunch of plants around inside to help them thrive. 

My front beds were starting to bloom at the beginning of the month. 

After clearing them out a little and giving them some love, they are doing even better. 

Trees are blooming all over town!

My herbs are slowly returning. 

I've gotta clear these guys out and add soil. 

Only about half my baby roses made it thru the Winter, but the ones that did are living it up!

I can't wait until the weather evens out. What have plants been doing where you live this month?

March Plant Update

The beginning of the month was warm and promising for bulbs and shoots, but as it went on we had snow and storms and cold temps. Hopefully most will survive and Marches plants will bloom to April flowers. 

Snow covered shoots. 

The beginnings of a bloom. 

One of the many succulents I bought last month grew a little flower that only lasted a few days. 

My neighbor's daffs get more light than mine...

But not as much as this dude.

Our kitchen tree is going nuts. 

The quality of this last photo is pretty poor and not a plant update, but a certainly a yard update. The Cooper's hawk that visited us last year has returned!

What were your March Plant Observations?

January Plant Update

I've tried to keep a watchful eye around me so far this month. Here are some botanical observations. 

Seeing these made me rue not foraging them. 

Outside, a huge snow storm, inside the plants are thriving. 

Here's how an outside plant faired. 

Teaching at The New School this month, I've been observing some of their growing experiments. 

This is more a picture of critters than plants, but the other morning there are no less than 12 morning doves on our back porch. They were huddled in the rain, and waited for the squirrel (seen behind) to finish enjoying his breakfast before alighting to the feeders. 

Have your January plant observations been what you expected? 

December Plant Update

Not too much mindful plant observing went into this month. But here are some casual observations: 

In early December there were still plenty of roses out. 

They might be struggling, but they are still here. 

This spot looked quite idyllic, despite the unmown grass and bitter cold.  

My Amaryllis budded and bloomed and then bloomed some more. 

I like the xmas color they provide. 

Pictured here, the one that has some white hanging out with some bamboo. 

And of course there are xmas trees everywhere! Manasquan, NJ

Belmar, NJ

Manasquan again, 

Spring Lake, NJ

Tell me, what are the plants doing near you?