May Days

Posted on May 5, 2026 by shobha

Final week to get the garden ready for its close-up on May 9^th! We’ve been toiling hard to get all the Spring chores done in preparation for Open Day – its a bit of a marathon. The weather this past week has been just gorgeous which has made the garden work so much more pleasant. I’m exhausted at the end of each day but still in a good mood and that’s entirely from being outdoors in near perfect conditions. Hallelujah.

Clearly I’m ahead of most of you in completing the spring chores so guess who’s going to chillax all of next week?! Just in case you’re not clear on what you ought to be getting done, here you go ‘

What to do in May –

Weed regularly if you want to keep the thugs in check.
Put stakes in place so as plants grow it’ll be easy to secure them.
Deadhead spent blooms for a neat look. Some plants will reward you with a second wave of blooms. Of course, if you want to collect seeds, do not deadhead.
Water as necessary. Add a splash of compost tea to fertilize – about every 3 weeks.
Plant in summer vegetables, summer bulbs and tubers, new perennials as well as annuals.
Keep bird baths filled with clean water. Use mosquito ‘dunks’ to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. The same goes for garden fountains.
Start mowing lawns but do the right thing by keeping the mower blade high at about four inches. Leave clippings in place to replenish the soil.
Make sure all beds, shrubs and trees are mulched to retain moisture and keep weeds from proliferating.
To take care of weeds in areas that are paved or bricked, pour boiling hot water over them. The weeds will be killed and no chemicals were used! I use the water used to pasta/eggs/vegetables whenever available.
Stay vigilant for pests or disease. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to treat them. Always employ organic methods.
Stir the compost heap regularly. Keep adding in kitchen and garden waste.
Take time every day to simply enjoy the garden.
Visit mine and other gardens through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program. You will be vastly instructed and inspired.

Enjoy the close-ups of the tulips having their moment –

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April Showers, Flowers And Manpower

Posted on April 28, 2026 by shobha

I’ve changed my mind. March was not the temperamental one, April is. It has run the full weather gamut. From winter cold to summer warmth to perfect spring temperatures. From bone dry to super-soaked days. From whirling dervish winds to statue stillness. In all manner of permutations and combinations. But, as I write, it is most excellent outside. Clear blue sky with nary a wisp of a cloud. Sun positively grinning down at all and sundry as a gentle breeze tickles the young leaves on freshly awakened trees. And the temperature? As Goldilocks would say – just right!

Like the mail carrier, a gardener works no matter the weather. It’s been either challenging or exhilarating but the gardening is making progress. I can’t afford to take a break because Open Day is now less than 2 weeks away!

Due to the tough winter we had in the northeast, there were some unexpected setbacks. A big one being the ants that decided to take shelter in the greenhouse. Millions and millions and millions of them! After having emptied the greenhouse of all the plants the previous day (a backbreaking job in itself), all the slabs of the slate floor were lifted, stone dust replaced, environmentally friendly borax sprinkled and the slate slabs put back. Fingers crossed this should do it. The whole thing took an entire day and I cannot begin to describe how exhausted we ( self and spouse) were.

New plants were added in the meadow as well as in the front perennial beds. The early spring window boxes have been replaced with ones that should be good till fall. The aforementioned plants overwintering in the greenhouse have taken up their outdoor positions. Everything will be given a good topping of compost to get them growing.

Weeding has begun in earnest. There’s already a real nuisance bumper crop of maple seedlings everywhere this year. It behooves one to pull them out early as they prove tough to remove once they set out a few leaves. Ugh.

The daffodils are waning but the tulips, grape hyacinths and Leucojum are looking splendid. It’s happening a bit ahead of schedule because the hot spell jump started their bloom time.

I had completely redone the checkerboard garden last fall. It’s gratifying that it’s turning out as envisioned. It’s one thing to come up with the design in my head, plant accordingly and then wait 4-5 months to see if it works out. But that’s gardening for you! Because the Mazus is yet to fill out the squares, hyper-vigilance is necessary to prevent the myriad weeds from moving in. The opportunistic thugs have already started trying. Hopefully by the time fall comes around, the Mazus would’ve spread nicely.

With still plenty to do, I shall stop here. Must take full advantage of the good weather. Hope you’re as happily toiling in your garden as I am.

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Enjoy The Show!

Posted on April 21, 2026 by shobha

What a week it has been! Full of readying final plans, fine tuning details, strategizing, hoping fervently for it all to come together, finally installing what until then was all in my head to become a physical reality. Something additional I’d wanted was for my total installation to look simple. I wanted viewers to love what they saw and not be made aware of how much work went into it.

And so, by 4:00 pm Friday April 17, the 2026 Lyndhurst Flower Show was ready for her close-up – the Preview Party that evening. Just enough time for all the artist/designers to get cleaned up, dressed in party clothes and return to see each other’s fabulous creations, meet the first visitors to the show and celebrate a job well done. Over the next 2 days, the mansion hosted over 3,000 visitors . You read that number right!

Over those 2 days, I was nearby at my Seeds Of Design table selling my soft home furnishings – 100% of the money donated to the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and Doctors Without Borders. Needless to say it was very busy throughout. All for 2 excellent causes.

I am now taking a couple of days off to decompress ( more like debrief myself), tie up loose ends, get paperwork and accounts done and pivot my focus to the garden. Open Day, May 9 is fast approaching!

Enjoy these images from Flower House 2026 –

My installation – Beejal on her magic floral carpet – trumpeting the message about conservation, coexistence and community.

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Showtime(s)!

Posted on April 14, 2026 by shobha

Two big, exciting events happening within 3 weeks of each other. Getting ready for them in parallel is challenging and yet, at the same time, pushes me to get creative. It’s the final stretch for the Lyndhurst Flower House event this weekend – my mind is working overtime fine tuning details, strategizing the sequence of installation and working out the logistics.

I have flower orders scheduled to arrive this Wednesday – fingers crossed they arrive without incident. At present, with so many overseas flights delayed and/or canceled, I am on tenterhooks anticipating my shipment from India. Believe me, I tried my best to source this order within the USA (preferably even locally) but, it proved to be impossible. I am also well over budget ( tariffs anyone?) despite paring down my original design concept to something way simpler. Given all the uncertainty, I have also had to keep a back-up plan in my back pocket.

All of which can be a real buzz kill. However, I refuse to let my high spirits be dampened. Flower House is a joyous event at a joyous time of year. It’s a privilege to participate in it and I absolutely love doing this show. This will be my third year.

At the same time, my garden has been clamoring for due attention. Open Day is fast approaching after all and it is eager to look its best for the fans as well as first time visitors. There is a great deal to be done so it behooves me to go through the long to-do list systematically and without delay. This past weekend was labor intensive. Hauling big pots of bay standards out of the greenhouse to take up position around the garden, but first they needed cleaning up and pruning, we made numerous trips with the wheelbarrow hauling compost from the pile in the woods to various parts of the garden including the very large pots that await the annuals that will arrive from the nurseries very soon, the vertical garden was recommissioned (take my word, it’s a big task), new perennials were planted in assorted beds and, several other smaller tasks got done. Whew!

And so it will be all the way to Open Day. Getting ready for 2 shows at the same time is not easy. The good news is that all the garden tasks need to get done anyway. I just have to do it at a frenetic pace to get ready by May 9. Oh the weeks after will be sweet and slow. Ahhhh!

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Making The Cut

Posted on April 7, 2026 by shobha

Garden work has begun in earnest even though the weather has been waffling. Gorgeous one day, ugly-wet and windy another, suddenly warm enough for shorts and then cold and crisp right after. Makes it necessary to stay flexible enough to pivot from one planned task to another.

I’ve focused mostly on cleaning up and cutting back. Due to all the snow we received in late January and then again in February, winter pruning had to wait till the snow had melted and it was possible to access the trees and shrubs. Falling behind in seasonal tasks never feels good. Miss certain windows and it could mean a poor performance of flowers/fruit. For instance, pruning the espaliered fruit trees demands more than just thinning out and/or shaping it. Ensuring the correct cuts to expose the limbs to sun whilst maintaining the lattice design of the espaliered trees, is imperative and requires additional know-how.

Two weeks ago, the wisteria and hydrangea were pruned. This past week, all the espaliered trees as well as the grape vine were duly attended to. Whew.

With the peonies pushing their maroon noses through the earth, the supports were put into place. Delaying this task is not recommended as the plants grow rapidly and then it can be quite inconvenient to position the supports. The lengthy cuttings from the grapevine were, as always, wound around the peony supports to soften the look. Adds a nice aesthetic.

Now that all the pruning work is done, it’s time to procure plants that make the cut for this year’s planting plans. To that end, I’ve begun visiting my local nursery to check on what’s arrived with each weekly shipment. Heaven forbid I miss out on anything. The folks at the nursery know me as their friendly, harmless stalker-lurker.

The very big pots that stay outside through the winter have been divested of their protective winter-wear – can’t wait to pot them up. Soon, soon!

With gardening juices coursing through my body once again, I’m in my element. Hope you’re feeling just as optimistic I am.

Don’t forget the Lyndhurst Flower Show and my garden Open Day!

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No Fooling April!

Posted on March 31, 2026 by shobha

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 –

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Ain’t March Misbehavin?!

Posted on March 24, 2026 by shobha

March is arguably the month that misbehaves the most. We expect it to make up for the cold, harsh days of February and often, it starts off like it will. But then very quickly we learn this month likes to tease us with glimpses of Spring and then sock us with winter by way of steep dips in temperature, freezing rain and numbing winds. March seems to find mirth in our winter weakened condition. It’s not funny March!

I’ve taken advantage of the better days by doing assorted chores. Every little task I get done is one I can tick off on the very long to-do list of Spring chores. So far, I’ve picked up all the litter that was blown around and got buried under the snow. Why can’t folk close their garbage bags/cans securely? It’s quite unpleasant to retrieve used tissues, food wrappers and such.

The debris of fallen twigs and branches, matted leaves and other plant parts have been cleared and tossed on to the compost heap in the woods.

Having taken an inventory of what’s been damaged, needs repairing, replacing, repainting or replanting, work has begun. The mailbox that had been knocked off was put back in place, fence posts straightened, ornamental edgers straightened and aligned, broken pavers replaced. Much else on aforesaid list still remains.

Pruning has begun. The native wisteria and panicle hydrangea were taken care of yesterday. I hope to get to the roses, apple-pear espalier trees and the Concord grape this weekend.

The old leaves of the hellebores were cut away and discarded on the compost pile. It’s such fun to reveal the buds lying beneath. It won’t be long before they lift their heads and unfurl the petals to adorn the garden splendidly.

A task that was meant to get done last year was finally dealt with over this past weekend. I’d learned at a symposium at Untermyer Gardens in the fall of 2024 that a fence comprised of rows of marine grade fishing line between posts was proven to be an effective deer deterrent. I don’t recall which expert on the panel gave us that tip but he was the director of a large public garden. Apparently, the deer are spooked when they come in contact with the near invisible lines and flee. I’m very hopeful that this will prove to be the easy, inexpensive solution to the problem that plagues so many of us. Do give it a try if you are similarly troubled by marauding deer.

The spring window-boxes of daffodils and pansies are up as are several urns and pots around the garden. A witch hazel got planted as well.

The magnolia looks like it got walloped by the winter’s intense cold and enormous amounts of snow. Fingers crossed it will bounce back nicely. Meanwhile, I’ll give it some TLC and let it know that it is cherished and needed.

And just like that, the busy season has begun. Pure joy.

Happy Spring one and all!

Note: I am once again participating in the very popular annual Lyndhurst Flower House in April. Then, my garden is open through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program in May. Mark your calendars! Get your tickets!

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In Tune With June

Posted on June 3, 2025 by shobha

Right on time the roses, peonies, irises, geraniums, native wisteria and so much else are blooming wildly. Utterly thrilling when things go as anticipated. In these times when the weather is so erratic and flowers are often blooming too early or late, it is particularly nice to see June has arrived and the garden is festooned correctly.

Here’s the What To Do In June list –

1. Weed, weed, weed! Do it regularly and you’ll be less inundated.

2. Continue deadheading flowers after they’re done blooming. Let those that you want to go to seed remain.

3. As many plants take off this month, keep the garden looking tidy by staking and tying back.

4. Water only as needed. As summer heat and humidity increases, too much watering will encourage the proliferation of fungal diseases.

5. Keep close vigil for pests and disease. Take prompt action. Use only organic products.

6. Fertilize the vegetable beds and plants in pots every two weeks or so. Comfrey tea, Epsom salts and compost are my go to fertilizers.

7. Mow lawns regularly but keep the blades at a height of 4 inches. The slightly longer grass will retain moisture better. Leave clippings in place to enrich the soil.

8. Prune back lilacs by one-third their height. Do the same for other spring blooming plants – once flowers are done of course.

9. Net soft fruits to keep away the birds.

10. With the threat of frost over, plant out tender plants.

11. Harvest vegetables regularly.

12. Each evening, make a point of sitting still in the garden and observing the fireflies do their silent dance. Smell the roses. Gather peonies to bring indoors. This, is why you garden!

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Peony Passion

Posted on May 28, 2025 by shobha

Persistent rain and routine garden chores notwithstanding, it’s peak peony season. I’ve been indulging heavily in these beauties. A visit to the New York Botanical Gardens where the Peony Walk was abundant in blooms and a special dinner at the show garden of Peony’s Envy Farm in New Jersey that was ablaze in all colors and types of the flower have me absolutely besotted. Seriously, can there ever be such a thing as too many peonies?!

It really is time to stop and smell the peonies.

I won’t say anything more. Instead, I serve up an plethora of photographs. If only I could share the fragrance to accompany such beauties.

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Nexus

Posted on May 20, 2025 by shobha

A great garden is the perfect nexus between science and art. The science dictates the way one gardens – choice of native/ecologically beneficial plants, sound organic practices, soil amendment, water management, planting sites, pruning, propagation etc,. The arts guide the use of color, shapes, size, textures, elements of visual interest like pattern of paths/stonework, sculptures, overall design and so on. Together, a definitively pleasing garden is born. As both a scientist as well as an artist myself, I strive to apply my skills and knowledge to create a well balanced garden. It’s an eternal work in progress which is what keeps the effort of gardening challenging, interesting, exciting and deeply rewarding.

How a visitor to a garden views it is usually indicative of their mindset. While, in general, all respond positively to a beautiful garden, there is often a telling bias towards art or science. There’s no right or wrong – like in everything, we come with our preconceptions, prior knowledge and experiences. I, personally enjoy listening to the diverse comments and feedback from visitors to my little garden. Over the years, I’ve gained much in remaining open to opinions. Seeing my garden through the eyes of others is something I thoroughly enjoy. While I garden according to my own sensibilities, I love the chance nugget of information or insight that comes my way.

For some years now, my garden has played muse to artists. They come from everywhere bringing with them their unique style and ideas. This past Saturday, a group of NYC contemporary water-colorists held their annual workshop here – it’s become quite a tradition and one I look forward to. While several of them have painted here many times over the years, some were first timers. One artist who resides in Panama, plans her annual trip to the US to coincide with this workshop in my garden. That, to me, is hugely gratifying and humbling.

In any case, it is such fun to see where and what each artist chooses to paint. And how they interpret it on paper! Some make repeat paintings of the same view while others move around.

The workshop concludes with a grand showing of everyone’s output and a super-helpful critique from artist and instructor Naomi Campbell ( not the famous model). I’m invariably blown away by all the work on ‘display’.

When everybody has left, I walk around the garden with a renewed appreciation and outlook of my horticultural creation. And I’m eager and inspired to get back to my own paints, paper and easel.

Later this week, a tree expert is stopping by to see the espaliered trees. The scientist eye and word is eagerly awaited!