And she says, "Most people put lilacs in water and are amazed when they die so quickly.  Here's my trick."  She proceeds to hand the cut flowers to her husband Leon, who has a hammer in his hand.

I'm thinking to myself, Well, a hammer against some lilacs...here's a mismatch for the record books.  But before Leon could smash the petals into a fine powder, as I was expecting him to, he rested them on the driveway, took the hammer, and gently--with a light rap or two--flattened the end of the woody stems.

"You see," says Mary Ellen, "the crushed stems are more able to soak up water--and, voilá--longer living flowers.

This works with any woody stem flowers--lilacs, forsynthia, and the like.

One hammer tap or two is sufficient.  You are not trying to beat the flowers into submission.  After flattening the ends, put the flowers in water right away.

It was a great Mother's Day, spent in the company of good friends

And I got a good gardening tip, to boot. 

I'm inside right now, sipping tea and leafing through a book on home renovations.  I'm stuck on a chapter about cedar closets.  Looking at the pictures, I can almost smell the distinct scent of eastern red cedar wafting up from the page.  My parents had cedar closets when I was growing up.  I used to love them and still do. Cedar is the smell of nostalgia.  Incidentally, only eastern red cedar has the scent that people love so much.  The scent is produced as natural oils in the wood evaporate.

Cedar closets are still very desirable.  The fragrant wood is a natural insect/moth repellant and the look is clean, rich, and natural.  If you're contemplating a cedar closet, shop around for the best possible price.

Anybody out there considering a cedar closet?  Write in and share the expereince.

Inviting your mom to your home is the pefect present for her.  Give her your time, your attention, and yourself.  Your home will be a much better place.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I'll post pictures of the finished product later.

Hopefully, you have introduced a child to gardening.  I can truly say I have loved every minute doing this with my son.  From painting rocks to clearing leaves, he has been an interested participant.  I can't wait to see how he reacts to seeing his flowers grow and thrive.  It's magic!

Elephant Ear: Named for its broad leaves, these hostas are a dramatic addition to any garden.  Boasting a waxy, iridescent sheen, elephant ears draw the eye and liven up surrounding flowers and plants.  These hosta are lush and quick growing.  They prefer shady or semi-shady spots and the leaves can grow in thick clumps, sometimes reaching a size of 3'X3'.

Variegated: Usually boasting green leaves fringed with white, these hostas, like the elephant ears, do well in shady to semi-shady spots.  This variety offers a splash of color.  Very hardy.  Will grow in almost any kind of soil.  Reaches 1-2' in diameter.

There are many kinds of hostas available.  Look around and see what fits into your garden.  Hosta add color, interesting shapes, and lushness to your beds.  Check them out!

So what to do?  The article suggested spending $10 for a home soil testing kit, available at most gardening centers.  It could be that your soil doesn't even need any chemicals.  It's a good idea to do the test.  Most gardeners I know are environmentally conscious folk who wouldn't mind ponying up a sawbuck if it helped the Bay.

And, if you do need chemicals, use the minimum amount necessary.  Ask the local pros at your nursery for advice.

The key is to be aware of your gardening footprint.  Even a small garden plot can have a big impact.  Happy digging!

How are my fellow compatriots doing on their quests for gardening perfection?  Share your stories.  I need the inspiration to get my mojo back. 

But the last time I looked at the backyard, I mean really looked, I hardly recognized it. 

The grass was up to the top of my calf and thick and coarse.  My rotary mower will be working overtime this afternoon to tame the unbridled shag.  The oak tree in my neighbor's yard, a beautiful thing that looks like it's been around since the Stone Age, has begun dropping branches.  Large deciduous limbs lay in my backyard.  One is the size of a southern catfish--easily four feet long and 7 or 8 inches thick.  It is--or was, I should say--a burdensome appendage.  I'll need a hack saw to subdue it.  Our cherry blossom tree, my wife's favorite tree on the planet, has dropped its blossoms, covering the ground in a layer of soft pink down.  The sidewalk is littered with the detritus of spring's arrival--grass clippings and spent flower petals. 

So today's the day I reclaim my posession of the land.  I have about 2-3 hours of work ahead of me.  On the plus side, our back bed is coming to life.  The azalea bush is blooming.  The hydrangea vine is creeping slowly up and across the back wall; its tantalizing flowers should be out soon.  The hosta are coming up; so are the day lilies. The liriope is doing well--growing tall and sturdy.

Nature is doing its part to beautify the back...it's time to do mine.

There is a dizzying number of makes and models out there in all different price ranges.  Right now, I like Landmann's Big Sky and Moons Fire Pit.  This sturdy steel pit, with a clay-hued finish and moon and star cutouts to reveal the flames, promises many mesmerizing evenings outdoors.  This beauty sells for about $130 on amazon.com, but you should comparison shop.  Be sure to use it only on masonry surfaces--stone, brick, or concrete. 

It is so easy to envision sitting around a crackling fire with friends.  Bring on the cool evenings!