Leaning Into The Light

Posted on December 16, 2025 by shobha

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.

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December Digest

Posted on December 9, 2025 by shobha

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?

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Doing December

Posted on December 2, 2025 by shobha

December is fraught with mixed emotions as one looks back at the year that was and ahead to the one coming up. This month of festivities can be fun as well as frustrating. All of which can be exhausting if we don’t succumb to the pressure we put on ourselves and/or get from societal expectations. For myself, I have finally learned to keep it simple and stick to that which truly brings me joy. Joy of the season and those with whom I choose to share it. To everything and everyone else, I graciously and politely decline. No is a complete sentence.

To that end, I make the house cozy and inviting with flowers, candlelight, fireside comforts on the ready (warm throws, books, board games, puzzles), music and, all the makings for cold weather drinks and nibbles. Small gatherings, special (but simple) dinners, walks in the woods, theater tickets, the occasional binge watching of a streaming series, art gallery hopping, quiet hours spent reading or painting are the simple pleasures that make my December joyful.

And yes, there are some garden chores as well.

Things To Do In December

1. Hurry up and finish any pending plant protecting tasks! Ditto for statuary and other articles left outdoors.

2. Complete mulching all plants.

3. Drain out all outdoor water pipes. Store hoses properly.

4. Keep bird feeders filled.

5. Stay on top of watering plants in greenhouse and house. Be vigilant for signs of pests or disease.

6. Set aside seed and plant catalogs for making plans for next year’s growing seasons.

7. Archive garden photos taken through this year. They will come in handy when you plan and design for next year.

8. Enjoy paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs blooming indoors.

9. Make use of this down time and relax! Don’t let the Holiday Season wear you down.

Lets make it a month we deserve to have.

Happening now –

Daffodil Tazetta precooled for the requisite 2 weeks

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The Spirit Of The Season

Posted on November 25, 2025 by shobha

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 –

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Winding Down

Posted on November 18, 2025 by shobha

With most of the major tasks done, it’s been all about the little stuff. Seemingly unimportant but quite necessary. Like the unsteady garden stand – divested of the seasonal pots, it looks totally fine and therefore, it’s very easy to forget how annoying it was through the entire summer to have it wobble each time I watered or deadheaded the plants on it. A simple straightening of the rear right leg has fixed the problem.

On that vein, I’ve replenished the supply of surgical gloves which are super useful when handling anything unsanitary (dead mouse anyone?) or yucky. I also like putting them on before wearing my regular garden gloves when a fresh manicure needs protection. A girl has to do stuff like that.

A touch of paint here, a dose of WD-40 there. Getting tools sharpened, restocking the twine, replacing lost stakes (where do they go?).You get the idea. It’s those details that truly help make things so much better/easier/efficient. I can’t speak for others but for myself, by taking care of them in this period of lull, the prospect of getting started in spring feels positively exciting.

One can dive straight into the business of gardening – prepared and determined.

Now, I’m off to gather up garden catalogs, garden magazines, folders (for those inspiring pages torn from aforementioned magazines), books on gardening, notebook, highlighter and pens into my trusty trug by the fireplace. Big dreams and noble visions await.

Some of my artworks that represent this moment-

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Winter Ready?

Posted on November 11, 2025 by shobha

Whew! The slew of fall chores are mostly done. I say mostly because is one ever fully done working in the garden? At least the big stuff has been dealt with. Cut back, removal of debris and annuals, pruning, moving myriad plants to greenhouse, mulching, putting away vulnerable furniture and/or garden elements, fallen leaves management and then the biggest task of all in my garden – planting the huge number of bulbs (1300 to be precise).

A word on how I deal with my leaves. In the front garden, most of the leaves are raked and gathered from the tiny lawn and deposited on the compost pile in the woods. If left in place, they form a dense mat that literally smothers the grass to death.

Then, remaining leaves are blown on to the perennial beds in front as well as the vegetable-herb beds to provide winter protection.

Finally, in the ‘meadow’, the windfall from the surrounding trees are left in place.

One thing I never do is collect leaves in the stipulated large brown paper sacks for town pick-up.

The big pots are sitting pretty in their burlap over plastic wrappings – like brown paper packages tied up in string.

I’m exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. It’s lovely to look forward to some down time, prepare the home for winter months and more immediately, get ready for the holiday season. Thanksgiving is fast approaching!

To that point, paperwhites and amaryllis have been started – the former should start blooming by Thanksgiving and the latter in time for the December festivities. Window lights and candles have also been recommissioned – there’s no such thing as too much light in winter.

I’m enjoying the anticipation of the respite because I know myself well. By mid-January I will start poring through nursery catalogs, salivate over all the possibilities and get impatient to have my hands in the soil once more. Spring arrives early in my head.

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Nuanced November

Posted on November 4, 2025 by shobha

November is definitely full of nuances. Within what appears to be Fall are the hints of Winter. The temperature that dips sharply at night, the light that shifts from bright to dim as though a faulty dial cannot stay fixed, the night that comes early and seems endless, the sounds of leaves being raked or blown being replaced by wood being chopped and, air swirling with aromas of decaying vegetation and wood smoke. It is a month fraught with subtle meanings. Even as we reluctantly bid adieu to warm weather pleasures, November takes us gently towards congenial gatherings around tables laden with comforting foods, cozy conversations by a blazing fireplace and invigorating walks in the woods. Everywhere one looks November reminds us of what is truly important. Connections – to nature, to family, to friends, to each other.

It’s the final push of garden chores before the December holiday season takes over.

Here’s the November To-Do list –

1. First and foremost, put away all Halloween decorations. Set up Thanksgiving display – gourds, pumpkins, ornamental kales and cabbages, chrysanthemums and asters.

2. Having cut back plants and cleared debris, mulch all plant beds.

3. Hurry up and finish all pending tasks from last month!

4. Finish planting spring flowering bulbs.

5. Protect pots to be left outdoors, vulnerable plants such as boxwood, certain roses, and garden statuary.

6. Fill bird feeders.

7. Be prepared for snow and ice. Keep snow shovels, grit or sand, firewood stocked and handy.

8. In case of power outage, have candles, flashlights, matches and batteries on the ready. A radio too – I have one that gets powered by manually cranking it up.

9. Finish dealing with fallen leaves. Leave in place, spread as mulch to protect garden beds, add to compost pile.

10. Clean and store tools. Get appropriate ones sharpened.

11. Start setting aside seed and plant catalogs. Soon you will be planning for next year!

12. As long as the weather is mild, keep on weed watch!

13. In the greenhouse, be sure the heater is doing its job. Ventilation is also important to keep plants healthy.

14. Start a routine for regular watering of plants indoors. Keep vigil for early signs of pests or disease.

15. Start forcing amaryllis and paperwhites for seasonal cheer. Similarly, put bulbs such as hyacinths, muscari , crocus and tulips in for cooling. (I use my refrigerator). In about fourteen to eighteen weeks, you can start forcing them and pretend it is spring!

16. Enjoy a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Images of Fall just outside my home –

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Adios October

Posted on October 28, 2025 by shobha

Is it just me or has October whizzed by? Perhaps it’s because I’ve been overly busy. That’s what happens when one takes off for 3 weeks – you hit the road running on returning home.

It’s been a game pf playing catch up in all areas of my life. Work, home (the kitchen renovation is moving along but my goodness, it’s painfully slow), news both national and international ( I had chosen to leave my phone at home and judiciously avoided all news and social media– highly recommend!) and then, of course the garden.

Typically, I begin tackling fall chores in the garden around the time of the autumnal equinox. Since I only returned in the first week of October, I was a full 3 weeks behind. As any gardener knows that’s a lot. I got cracking right away. At first it didn’t feel too bad. I had it all worked out. Then we got alerted of a freeze watch. That put me into high gear in a tearing hurry. Myriad pots, mostly large and heavy with tender perennials/citrus/tropicals had to be trimmed, cleaned up and ‘power washed’ to remove pesky stowaways before being moved into the greenhouse which is rather inconveniently situated. Said heavy pots have to be brought from their sites around the property, treated to the secateurs and bath, moved down some stairs and then about a few yards further to reach the sanctuary of the greenhouse. Doing all of this back challenging work under a time pressure is not fun.

Since then, it’s been cutting back, removing debris, dealing with fallen leaves, putting away, more cutting back, cleaning up, countless trips hauling all the vegetation to the woods beyond where they will earn their keep by eventually turning into compost. Whew.

Amidst all this requisite work, I’ve also ripped up the checkerboard garden. This space has increasingly become more shady – the neighbor’s cedar has grown very tall. The creeping phlox has struggled to thrive and moss has slyly crept in everywhere. As has ajuga that opportunistically decided to joypusly leap from elsewhere and make itself at home where it does not belong. So out came all the vegetation. The soil then needed loosening and tilling. Looking at the ‘emptied’ checkerboard revealed that the slate squares needed straightening and aligning. All of this work took an entire Saturday. Nothing is ever simple!

New choice of plants will go in next week. I shall duly provide an update. Note: the creeping phlox was replanted elsewhere in the hope they will be much happier.

Fall is the time of year when I’m painfully (literally) reminded of the existence of certain parts of my body. Post fall cutback and clean up, doing simple things like bending, sitting down and then standing up has my entire lower body protesting vehemently and often. Ditto my upper arms. Am I not using my entire body properly and completely at other times of the year? How can this be!

This week I’m giving myself some recovery time by taking care of lighter work like wrapping the very large pots to keep them protected in place through the very cold months of winter.

With the great bulb planting weekend happening in November, I must necessarily be ready and able. Over a 1000 bulbs await.

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Garden Ghosts, Goblins And Gore Part 2

Posted on October 21, 2025 by shobha

So this week we shall consider the fun of a Halloween garden for non-gardeners. It’s easier than one for gardeners who they are not phased so easily by the routine/normal stuff. Working with Nature has made them knowledgeable – as we know, knowledge is power.

Which then naturally means that we’re preying on the unsuspecting/innocent/naive. To scare them with the ordinary.

Note: Non-gardeners is a term I use playfully. Everyone loves a good garden but unless you are very familiar with horticulture and/or gardening, there is much that is not apparent.

To start with, there is the physical or visual – consider plants brandishing thorns and spikes on limbs (and even on some leaves) that threaten and intimidate. Roses, Pyracantha, Hawthorn, Bougainvilla, Firethorn, Barberry, Holly, gooseberry, etc.,

How about low growing, innocuous looking greenery whose serrated edged leaves casually lacerate exposed legs as they walk by – only to discover the culprit is the common hellebore.

They all shout Beware!

Some seedheads and pods can look pretty creepy too. Snapdragons look like skulls and Canna can give the appearance of eyes spying on you. Devil’s Claw seedpods have a certain air of menace about them. Those with tryophobia, the fear from viewing objects with clusters of holes can break into sweats, get chills or panic attacks can be triggered by looking at something as common as a lotus seedpod.

Sound effects from rattling seedpods can be rather effective in creating alarm. Or even the rustling of dry leaves. The imagination can do quite a number!

Then, there are the creatures one typically desires in the garden, Spiders, bats, garden snakes, bees, wasps are all valued by gardeners but give many the heebie-jeebies. Walking into a spider web or having a bat stealthily swoop by or coming upon a garter snake coiled on your path can make you jump out of your skin.

How about the smell of skunk cabbage, carrion flower, Starfish Cactus or worse but uncommon, that of the Corpse Flower can be very foul. They’ll make anyone want to leave in a hurry!

Even the familiar can take on a frightening role. Imagine a murderer’s garden full of plants known to be well-known sources of poisons and toxins. Monkshood/aconite, Digitalis/foxgloves, Datura, Convallaria/Lily of the Valley, daisy, daffodil, Lonicera/honeysuckle, the list is extensive. And yet, they bring so much color and beauty to a garden, look entirely harmless and are wildly popular. Most non-gardeners are unaware of the more sinister nature of these garden staples. It has been my experience that once the toxic properties are brought to their attention, they literally take a few steps back from the plants. Amusingly, some give quite a wide berth as though the poison is being dispersed out into the air.

It’s remarkable how our own imaginations can either trick or treat us!

There you have it. A typical garden can become quite the scariest place to be! Beat that Haunted House.

Here some images to haunt you –

Seedpods are my watercolors.

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Garden Ghosts, Goblins And Gore

Posted on October 14, 2025 by shobha

Halloween decorations abound in my neighborhood. In some cases, they’ve been up since mid-September. I’ll come right out and say it, most are neither scary nor attractive. For such a highly anticipated holiday it would be so nice to see some serious creativity on display. But, each to his/her own and I will just mind my own business.

For a long time I’ve considered the fun of setting up a garden of Nature’s horrors to spook visitors. I really think there’s nothing we can come up with that could compete with what the natural world can offer. If I had the wherewithal, I’d create a Halloween Garden. Actually, I’d make two. One for non-gardeners and another for gardeners.

This week, I’ll share my ideas for the Gardener’s Garden of Horror. The correct time to visit would be in the hour before sunset. When the light can be quite dramatic but the details are not sharp. It sets the requisite mood of mystery.

On approaching such a garden, all looks lovely. Splashes of seasonal color herald the visitor. On closer inspection, the garlands of bright orange draping the fence are bittersweet running amok. Miniature balls in shades of pink, mauve and blue abundantly adorn all manner of plants – porcelain berry! And poison ivy resplendent in deep reds and bright ocher is running riot.

A path cuts through a meadow of nothing but stilt grass. Monsters lurking around prove to be shrubs completely covered in English ivy. Huge swathes of gooseneck loosestrife wave gracefully in the breeze.

And what are those lovely iridescent ‘stones’ on the roses? Japanese beetles shimmering away that’s what. Tree trunks covered in both adults and nymphs of the spotted lantern fly look gory.

Walking by what you know to be the vegetable plot, you see a slew of slugs having an extended supper. Every plant has been decimated or defiled.

And so it goes. Invasive plants, dreaded pests! Which gardener will not be petrified by this garden? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Next week – the Non-gardeners Halloween Garden.

Note: Since I don’t want to traumatize you gardeners any further, I’ll spare you any scary images! Instead, here are images of a Patrick Blanc vertical garden I had the joy of seeing in Aix-en- Provence, France a couple of weeks ago. What a treat. What a diversity of plants! On the side of a bridge under which cars whiz by, I’m not sure how many drivers realize just how amazing this installation truly is. Nevertheless, their world is rendered significantly more healthy and beautiful. This should become a global movement I say!