The herb garden at Rutgers Gardens is a xeriscape.  There is no irrigation.  The only moisture that the plants receive is precipitation; rain, snow, sleet, etc.  All of the herbs planted in the garden are drought tolerant. New Jersey has been in a drought all summer.  Rainstorms have been few and far between.  I’ve discovered that one of the advantages … Read More

  Two surprises were waiting for me tonight in the herb garden at Rutgers Gardens.  One of the Grosso lavender plants is pushing out a second flush of flowers.  Like most second flushes, the flowers are small and sparse.  I’ve never heard of lavender blooming more than once a year, have you?  Coincidentally, it is a plant that I had … Read More

I was disappointed to only find two swallowtail butterfly caterpillars on my bronze fennel this year.  Last year, I counted eight caterpillars.  Initially I chalked it up to the dwindling number of butterflies due to habitat loss, climate change, environmental pollution, toxins in the environment, etc. Then I found a praying mantis.  Praying mantis are interesting insects.  Besides the fact … Read More

The yarrow that I grew from seed in the greenhouse last spring is blooming in the herb garden at Rutgers Gardens!  I’m hoping for more flowers next year. I’m happy to see that the white horehound that I also grew from seed in the greenhouse is doing well.  The plants are finally large enough that I’m not worried about them … Read More