Fake force your Paperwhite bulbs

Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are cousins of daffodils and are a common bulb to force in the Christmas season. Actually, forcing bulbs has always seemed so violent a term to me. How about if we say coaxing bulbs? Well, I purchased my paperwhites already potted, with the little buds already heading north. This is a wonderful…

Ornamental Kale is the cat’s meow

My Thanksgiving table came alive with color and drama thanks to a few hardy heads of ornamental kale. What a showstopper. Grow it next year people. I had heard tales that it could take temps that got down to 20 degrees. Then I also heard that it could go to 5 degrees. Actually I thought…