As temperatures continue to inch upward, trees are leafing out, and many garden and yard enthusiasts are out gathering up the remnants of last autumn's leaves and teasing out sandy deposits, which remain in our gardens and lawns. Is it wise to remove those leaves? The answer is that “it depends.”

One of my favorite treats is fresh fruit from the garden. In my own garden, I have strawberries, and so much more. I just finished harvesting my Honeyberries (sweet tasting), and soon, my Juneberrries (a.k.a. Serviceberries) will be ready.

The pathways between winter and spring, and between here and there tend to meander. If that is a true statement, then how do we create a sense of certainty as we move through the seasons and our landscapes?

Remember that trees and shrubs like donuts, and do not like volcanoes or turtle neck mulching, as is pictured here. This practice is detrimental to trees and shrubs for many reasons.