Category Archives: Your Garden and the Globe

No Fooling April!

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April begins tomorrow. The first Quarter of 2026 has been rather challenging for certain. At this point, with everything going on in the world, I can’t take any additional foolery. Good humor and fun certainly but nothing else. Let’s just put our best efforts towards creating a better, healthier, sustainable environment for all. Lift each other up with kindness, compassion and empathy. Peace in every which way.

One step in that direction is of course in our gardens. Let’s get cracking!

What To-Do In April –

1. Time to restart the compost pile! Give it a good stir and add fresh compostables. If you don’t have a composter, please do make or buy one.

2. Clean up all winter debris.

3. Can you believe weed patrol begins now? Look carefully, some weeds are already emerging! Be regular about it and you will always be on top of this chore.

4. Seedlings started indoors can be planted out once the soil has warmed up and has been well prepared for planting. Stay vigilant for spells of late frost. Keep cloches and fleece covers at hand.

5. Attend to the lawn. De- thatch, aerate, reseed and finally, fertilize with a good layer of compost. Do give serious consideration to reducing the size of your lawn.

6. Similarly, feed trees, shrubs and all garden beds with compost.

7. Remove burlap and other protection from plants and pots.

8. Divide overgrown perennials. Check that the soil is fully thawed first!

9. Plant summer-flowering bulbs.

10. Remove any dead, damaged or diseased stems/branches from roses, other shrubs and trees.

11. Start using an organic control to put off slugs and snails. I’m going to lay a ribbon of copper mesh around the vegetable bed. Fingers crossed!

12. Clean out birdhouses. Wear a mask and gloves when doing so.

123 Put out nesting material such as pure wool, moss, cotton string, shredded paper, small twigs, feathers and hay for the birds.

14. Uncover the outdoor furniture and give them a good cleaning. Now you’re prepared for the first truly warm day!

15. Plant or move evergreen shrubs and conifers.

16. Get your tickets to the Lyndhurst Flower House event. Tickets sell out fast so don’t wait. I am participating in it once again – so excited!

17. Similarly, order your copy of the Open Days Directory and reserve tickets for the gardens you want to visit. Better yet, join the Garden Conservancy and the directory comes with membership. My garden is open May 9.

18. Take the time to revel in the beauty of the bulbs and early perennials in bloom. Enjoy the birdsong!

Spring up close –

Peonies pushing through

(c)2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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And The Award For Best Performance Goes To …

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the snowdrops! Emerging from a harsh winter ( I’m aware it’s not done yet!), starved for sightings of new and joyous growth, the clumps of shimmering snowdrops are glorious. I give props to the lemon-drop yellow winter aconites scattered like jewels as well. These ephemerals might be diminutive in stature but their parts are mighty in this moment. There are no small parts in a good garden. While some plants have their shining moments, it does not happen in isolation. A supporting cast is always responsible for it.

A garden at its best is a production of fine actors, great casting, creative design by way of color, texture, form and function, clever scripting that plays out seamlessly through the seasons, a dedicated director, producer and the set design, lighting etc., crews, background actors and stand-ins – a true ensemble presentation. Every element and detail matters equally. Admittedly, the humble gardener wears many hats.

As the gardener, I take my responsibilities very seriously. I want the gardening to be interesting and deliberate in creating something authentic that must take its place in the larger landscape without apology, It cannot overshadow or be overshadowed because it too is but a member of a production at a much grander scale. Just like a brilliant film, play, book, opera, ballet or symphony, I want my garden to entertain, educate, tell a fine story of life, love, loss and laughter. Timeless yet unique. It must speak to all. Then and only then will I know that I have played my part well.

That said, when I’m given praise for my garden looking beautiful, I feel quite the fraud. In the larger scheme of things, I play a small part. My efforts are mostly by the seat of my pants laced liberally with hope. When matters turn out as well or better than envisioned, I’m happily surprised. The garden looks good despite me. I’m beyond grateful for that.

What’s doing in the garden right now –

The new greenhouse
Inside the new greenhouse
Inside the new greenhouse
Gardenia
Orange blossoms
In the living room
In the living room
Witch hazel waiting to be planted
Galanthus and Eranthis playing off each other
Hellebore bud
Eranthis beaming
Snowdrops

(c)2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Spring Up!

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A thaw is underway! Since last Friday, temperatures have been rising and so has my spirit. It’s 67 degrees as I write this article. Sunny and simply gorgeous. Patches of winter weary earth are visible; the dull green has never looked more pleasing to my eyes. Behold! Snowdrops are shyly, silently, ringing their sweet bells. The birds are filling the air with all manner of song – they too are just as ecstatic no doubt. The winter must have been so hard on the wildlife.

We’re being cautioned that the temperatures will be dropping to the 40’s by Thursday which is of course more in keeping with where it ought to be. I’m fine with that. I don’t want to hurry up spring but this little taste of what will be served in a month is positively delicious.

In fact, I’m burning up with garden fever because the snow melt is a not so subtle wake up call to get ready for the season. Once all the snow has disappeared a gardener will have to hit the soil running digging. And cleaning up, clearing, pruning, planting and yes, even weeding. I’m ordering up the new plants I will be planting this year, the sharpened tools are waiting for action, an inventory of pots, seeds and other supplies has been done/replenished, chores are being scheduled and I’m giddy with the excitement of getting my hands in the soil once again.

So fair warning if one has been dragging their feet on the to-do list in preparing for spring. Don’t waste any more time. Snap out of the winter stupor and get cracking. See how the snowdrops were properly ready to shine? They didn’t know the snow was going to melt two days ago but had been doing due diligence and anticipating exactly this possibility. Carpe Diem they say!

Don’t forget – My Open Garden Day is May 9!

(c)2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Property Values

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Our resilience is being tested this winter. Super cold temperatures, a massive snow storm in January, a dangerous 24 hour blizzard that ended yesterday and still more snow expected mid-week. The garden is under about 4 feet of snow with snowdrifts so high that they beckon like hills waiting to be conquered. It all looks quite intimidatingly stunning.

My garden, my constant companion, seems to have gone AWOL. Leaving me quite bereft. It’s just been too long a separation. When I’m not moping around feeling sorry for myself, I’ve made great headway in whipping the house into shape. The excuses I typically make to avoid the big clean out, pare down and organizing projects do not hold up when there’s no demand for my attention in the garden. Having had the kitchen completely renovated this past Fall and added a small lean-to greenhouse, I’ve been more motivated to tackle the other spaces. From attic to basement, there’s been extensive purging, culling, simplifying and organizing. In working through the tasks, I’ve been made aware of the elements that are considered “property enhancing”. The stuff that adds value to the property – keep in mind this matters only when one is going to sell the house. I am not selling but that hasn’t stopped folks from bringing it to my attention. Frankly, my focus has been on making the home beautiful, functional, efficient and comfortable and more suited to how we live now. The cost of a property is not the same as its value.

However, it’s got me to consider how we add value to the property with our gardens. At a surface level, a garden that is pretty (stunning even) is a bonus. But, if it is perceived as high maintenance or catering to a very specific trend, then the price of the property is not raised. Oftentimes, the opposite can be true. Again, we cannot, must not create gardens with resale in mind. After all, gardens are impermanent and can evolve and/or change quickly. A new gardener can transform it any which way they want.

What merits we bring to the garden is what we ourselves value in our lives. Clean air, clean water, vegetation and wildlife that inherently belong to the area thriving and supporting each other, demand gardening practices that create a healthy, bio-diverse environment for human and non-human life, a space for children to explore, learn and play ( ditto for adults!). A garden where our love of land and life is apparent, a space so joyful that it raises our spirits, so fruitful that it nourishes our bodies and, most importantly, prepares us to be resilient in this time of climate change and unpredictable conditions. In being so, it demonstrates clearly to the next custodian that this space is one to cherish, protect and enjoy. And they can as well pass it on to their successor.

That is how we add true value to our properties.

Images of the garden smothered in snow book-ended by the tulips warming my heart –

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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The Gardener’s Covenant

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Gardening is a privilege. Even a luxury if you will. It implies that one has the space, the time and, depending on the type of garden, the money. While gardening is essential to my well-being, it does not escape my mind that it is not true the other way. In truth, more often than not, nature is better off without human intervention. Therefore, the real honor of having, creating and tending a garden is the responsibility. It is the granting of the custodianship of a plot of land so it supports and nurtures plants and all the wildlife that mutually depend upon each other to grow and thrive. That is not an insignificant charge. A garden demands to be taken seriously.

By gardening, I am overseeing not just this habitat but the surrounding ecosystems as well. How I garden matters. My choices impact the health of the environment at large. The plants I select to grow must attract the correct pollinators because after all, that relationship has evolved over millennia. Those plants must take to not just my little plot but the geographical location of which it is a part. That means the weather, the climate, the soil are all critical for optimal growth. It is why we must choose plants native to where we live. The native insect pollinators will show up accordingly to do their jobs. And in this natural environment, all life will flourish. It’s that elementary.

The tools I use – gas, electric or manual mowers, do I blow leaves (again, electric or gas) or rake by hand, hand clippers or electric powered, it all matters. Air and noise pollution are important factors to consider – I do not want to increase either.

Similarly, I choose organic practices and products. I judiciously use water even whilst I collect rain water. Make compost, maintain very little lawn which is full of non-grass plants. All of which requires greater vigilance, in some cases more elbow grease as well but, the overall satisfaction of doing my part to the best of my ability is immeasurable. To view my garden teeming with life and beauty is well worth the effort for sure. And that is the highest privilege and reward of gardening.

A sacred covenant certainly.

Some images from the current Orchid Show at the NYBG. Do go for some horticultural fun and cheer – we certainly need that right now. The final photo shows the orchids that came home with me –

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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February (Nothing?) Doing

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February (Nothing?) Doing

With about 2 feet of snow deposited on us last week, I can only assume the garden is in cozy slumber under it. It’s been so crazy cold that not a creature is stirring. Including myself. Except for trudging forth to the greenhouse to check on how the residents are getting on, there doesn’t seem like there’s much else to do. Or is there?

February’s To-Do List –

(Much of the items in the January list are applicable here. Do check that list) 

  1. Stay on top of effects of snow and storms. Take quick action.
  2. Keep bird feeders full. Whenever possible provide water.
  3. Get garden plans and designs ready.
  4. Check garden supplies. Does the hose need repair or replacing? Is there enough soil, organic fertilizer, twine, stakes etc.,? Make a list and do what is needed.
  5. Towards the end of the month (assuming the snow has melted sufficiently to allow access), prune roses, wisteria, grape vines and fruit trees.
  6. Cut back ivy on walls and fences before birds start nesting. Brightly colored stems of Salix and Cornus should be cut back to about 6 to 10 inches from ground. This will encourage brighter color next spring. Again, if there’s still too much snow on the ground to do this task this month, get to it as soon as you can.
  7. Prepare for seed sowing. Get seed flats clean and ready. Check if there’s enough seed growing medium.
  8. Order seeds. Once seeds arrive, write labels and clip to each pocket. This saves time later when there is so much else to do.
  9. If there is not much snow, cut back old leaves on Hellebores. New growth and flowers will be emerging. Cut back other perennials that were skipped in autumn.
  10. Attend to indoor plants.
  11. The New York Botanical Garden’s annual orchid show opens this month. Do reserve your tickets and go! It’ll banish winter blues and get you motivated.
  12. Renew ( or join) your membership to the Garden Conservancy. Place your order for the Open Days directory. Once you receive it you can start scheduling visits to beautiful gardens near and far. Inspiration is only a garden visit away!


A little trivia – Freezing rain and partial thaws create a thin layer of ice that fuses with soil, leaves, twigs and such to create a glassy coating that reflects and refracts in the sunlight. Resembling enameled jewelry, this icy marvel is called ‘ammil’– an Old English word for enamel. What a charming word,

(c) 2026 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Leaning Into The Light

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It cannot go unaddressed – the spirit of the season is unmistakably uneasy right now. So much discontent, discord and despair everywhere that it would be delusional to say all is well in the world. Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, fearful and frustrated has become our default setting these days. It’s easy to find company in this state of misery. While the commercials urge us to shop our hearts out and party hearty, it’s pretty much impossible to ignore the news and reality of our time.

For me personally, it is a struggle to push ahead and plan for festivities with the full knowledge that there are horrible things going on. Rather than succumb to aforementioned external pressures, I unhesitatingly take a step back to regroup my thoughts and intentions. It isn’t easy to be calm and still in the midst of chaos and turbulence. However, we know better don’t we? We are fully aware that there is indeed a time tested remedy to soothe our frazzled nerves, cool our tempers and heal our hearts. Get outside and spend time in Nature.

Never mind the sub-zero temperatures – I bundle up and take a walk. The rhythmic crackle of my feet shattering the crust of snow makes a chatty, comfortable companion. Draped in crystal, the trees along my path dazzle in the sunlight. Encased in ice the floating leaves on the small pond glint like finely enameled jewelry. Such breathtaking beauty!

A flash of red grabs my attention and I observe a pair of cardinals in a hedge. How effortlessly they move through the thickly enmeshed limbs of privet and bramble. I make a mental note to return to this area later in the spring to do some “nesting” – where I can discover the nests of certain birds. Only to observe; never to touch or intrude.

Closer to home, I examine the magnolia buds warmly clad in soft fuzz and their promise of a beautiful spring warms my heart. I know the bulbs I planted in the Fall are resting quietly in the earth, insulated by the snow – they don’t care what’s happening above. For now, they lie patiently and with optimism.

So engrossed in my surroundings, I lose all track of time till I’m made aware of a shift in light. The snow is glowing in hues of pink and lavender. The sun, unfazed by earthy concerns and crises is setting with great flair and aplomb. Bewitching.

Returning home full of joy and inspiration, I’m determined to set my mind on only what truly matters to me, gives me purpose, brings me joy. That resolve will be reaffirmed anew each day with a daily walk and, with the return of Spring, work in the garden.

My covenant with Nature is what will guide me to do my part in making a positive impact in this planet we call Home.

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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December Digest

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Digest : a summation or condensation of a body of information – Merriam-Webster Dictionary

As we wind down the year and reflect on what we’ve learned and how we’ve performed, I offer this poem as a summary of what I’ve learned from the garden, the greatest classroom/workspace of life.

Masterclass In The Garden

Misty morning, heavy air

heat will rise from sun’s hard stare,

Take tools up, begin early

get work done, before moods turn surly.

Remove the weeds, the nasty thugs

check for disease from vicious bugs

Timely action creates breathing space

to grow and thrive in a state of grace.

Mix and match, create diversity

native plants for sustainability

Working together, righting wrong

It’s keeping balance and growing strong.

Climbing tendrils find their footing

reaching, stretching, pushing, pulling

Every journey needs some support

Footholds, hand-holds, gentle escort.

The circle of life holds the reins

Seed to flower and back to grain

Building homes, feeding family

a universal goal, not an anomaly

– Shobha Vanchiswar

Note: I’m not sharing any photos this week. Instead, I ask that you reflect on your own gardens and gardening year. What life lessons have you learned?

(c)2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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The Spirit Of The Season

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This week officially launches us into the holiday season. The excitement (and in some cases, the trepidation) is palpable as friends and families anticipate the reunions and celebrations. With the lampposts and trees festooned in twinkling lights, the downtown area of my small town is looking mighty festive. The tree lighting and holiday singalong happens this Friday – an annual signal to shop local and give back to the community.

With the garden pretty much put to bed, I’m more than ready to get into the spirit of the season. It is, for me, a time to gather with loved ones, be grateful for all my blessings, give back as well as give to those whose needs are greater than my own.

In getting the house ready for house guests, friends dropping by and also my own winter cocooning, I focus on bringing in elements of nature. It begins with stocking up on firewood – there’s nothing like the sight, sound and smell of a roaring fire to bring everyone together for conversation and commiseration or, quiet contemplation in blissful solitude.

With paperwhites and amaryllis placed all through the house, a sense of anticipation pulses. As the green leaves and buds emerge and rise, so does the eagerness to see the flowers in bloom. All in good time. With some luck, the jasmine will put out flowers to perfume the air just as the paperwhites get done.

Holiday trees, garlands and wreaths don’t simply adorn. They are proof that we humans need Nature.

And in this cozy, comforting embrace of home, I will start by expressing thanks for everything I have been given. From the small (but no less important) like the friendly wave and smile the garbage truck driver unfailingly gives me to the big as when my entire family traveled from great distances to gather for my beloved fathers funeral. And then, there’s everything in-between.

The list is long and deserves time and attention. Well worth it.

I now shift my focus to giving back or to and here again, the list is long. But that is by no means costly because, it is not about stuff. Instead, I give my time (company to the lonely/recuperating, a listening ear, a handwritten note), my skills to help with a project/event or pitch in for someone who is unable to do something due to injury or illness and finally, invite folks over for a meal or drop off food. I also pot up paperwhites and/or amaryllis to give away – recipients are invariably thrilled. I think an evening with neighbors for board games or some rowdy rounds of Charades along with something as simple as pizza is always a hit and fosters community. I give promissory notes to help get a garden project started in the spring, a monthly walk and talk, you get the idea.

Where I actually give money is to organizations with missions I believe in. From those that work on environmental issues like nature conservation, preservation, coexistence, sustainability etc,. to supporting the arts and sciences, women’s health, homelessness, climate change – all efforts in dire need of funding. Locally, nationally and globally one cannot give enough. I give what I can and of course, while that might not feel adequate, remember, as long as we are doing our best, it is always more than enough.

Happy, blessed Thanksgiving wishes to each and every one of you.

Some inspiration –

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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Gardening With The Changing Climate

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As promised last week, I’m sharing my thoughts on the changes we must consider making to keep pace with climate change. As gardeners, we see the impact of even the slight shifts in weather patterns – when plants emerge, when they bloom, quantity and quality of bloom, availability of pollinators, numbers of pollinators/pests, fruit production etc., We have front row seats in the climate change arena. So what are we going to do about it?

For starters, we accept that this is real. Not a one off or happenstance. There is enough scientific data to prove it if one is still skeptical despite the evidence we see in our individual gardens. Then, and only then, can any positive, productive action follow.

Given that our winters are milder and springs arriving earlier, sowing times have to be changed. At this point, it is about experimenting. For certain plants that get directly sown, when/how early must needs be determined. Can sowing in the Fall even be a possibility? For seeds started indoors, we can undoubtedly begin earlier. But how early?

Similarly, the timings of other tasks such as pruning, cutting back, harvesting, dividing, planting for spring, summer flowers and, fall bulb planting must also be adjusted. I’ve already penciled in mid-November for bulb planting. That’s a good 4 weeks later than when I used to do that job just 10 years ago. The last couple of years it was done the first weekend in November. But, last year, it was so mild well into December that some bulbs started pushing up their green snouts by Christmas.

Pest control will be a very urgent matter I predict. Along with old pests there will be new ones. This year, my neck of the woods has seen a significant increase in the numbers of the Spotted Lantern Fly. It’s been horrid. At present we haven’t any effective methods against them. There’s talk of introducing some new wasp that can combat the pest but then, will this newcomer endanger other desirable insects and/or plants?

Known problems like powdery mildew, aphids and other diseases may well be exacerbated. Yikes!

The significant reduction in the bird and insect populations has alarm bells ringing. Filling our gardens with as many host plants is imperative. Which brings us to the next matter.

What we plant will also need consideration. Some old favorites are going to struggle in the new climate conditions. Decisions must be made as to what we replace them with. Which plants we call native to our parts is going to change!

The learning curve will be steep but, we are a resilient bunch. We will learn and adapt. There is no choice in this matter.

We gardeners must recognize ourselves as civilian scientists. As custodians of our personal parcels of land, it behooves us to take our responsibilities seriously and with optimism. Together, we can not only continue to enjoy our gardens but importantly, we get to ensure that future generations inherit a better, healthier world.

Note: I’m taking the month of September off! Going off the grid! I shall see you back here in October. Here’s the list of garden chores for September –

Things To Do In September

1. Continue weeding.

2. Deadhead. Cut back anything that looks ragged or done for.

3. Mow the lawn less frequently.

4. Water judiciously.

5. Get leaf rakes, leaf bags and keep ready. Fall cometh! Preferably, let leaves remain in place wherever possible.

6. Similarly, keep bulb planting stuff like dibbler, bulb food, trowel, spade, etc., handy.

7. Continue harvesting vegetables. Remove plants that have given their all and toss on the compost heap.

8. Stir compost heap thoroughly.

9. Plant in cool weather vegetables.

10. Check if fall blooming plants such as asters and chrysanthemums need staking.

11. Inspect garden for pests or disease. Take prompt organic action if detected.

12. As days get shorter, make it a point to enjoy the garden as much as possible

(c) 2025 Shobha Vanchiswar

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