I’m not quite sure how well Mary Mary Quite Contrary’s silver bells and cockle shells grew, but I am sure I need all the help I can get in order to develop a greener thumb. I’ve been scouring the Internet the past month searching for iOS apps to help my …

Last month I wrote of Adam and the animals. But did you know that the Feast Day of Adam is December 24th? And on that day the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree began? While researching for a book, I was delighted to learn of the origins of this tradition …

I’ve been pulling weeds and took note of their diversity, growth pattern and required habitat to flourish. Some were shallow rooted, prolific and easily removed. Others like the dandelion and common mallow, though fewer, had deep tap roots requiring I take more time to extricate. Then there were the pretty …

Under the apple tree and along the weathered stockade fence grows an established stand of tall Ostrich Plume ferns, Matteuccia struthiopteris. It is sometimes called shuttlecock fern because their growth pattern looks very much like a badminton birdie set on its nose. The dramatic single stemmed fronds rise four feet …

The sun is high, the breeze is warm, and summer is in full swing.  Here at the Catholic Company, summer is the time of year we catch our breath after a busy First Communion and Confirmation gift-giving season.  Now we’re focusing on our fun summer products, like our new line …

My mother is in her mid eighties. Last Saturday morning, my extended family gathered in her backyard. We were all there; my 8 brothers and sisters along with our in-laws, nieces and nephews. Bearing shovels and rakes, we were dressed in grubby jeans and T shirts. Our mission that day …

There is a lot to be said about the quality of the soil in our gardens. The soil supports all aspects of plant development and vitality. Artificial potting mixes used in greenhouses or plants grown hydroponically in nutrient rich water only give the appearance of stable development. Proper soil provides …

We all know that, “April showers bring May flowers” . . .  but that isn’t all May brings.  For Catholics, May is also the Month of Mary.  Pope Paul VI wrote a beautiful encyclical on the Month of May in which he describes how the faithful reserve this month to …

A Marian garden is the most popular Catholic garden. At one time a Marian garden was only considered such if it was enclosed by a fence or some other type of delineating structure. This tradition came from Sacred Scripture, Song of Songs 4:12: “You are an enclosed garden, my sister, …

Editor’s Note: Today, I am overjoyed to welcome Margaret Rose Realy as our newest contributor here at CatholicMom.com. As a poor but enthusiastic gardener, I have fallen in love with her wonderful book A Garden of Visible Prayer: Creating a Personal Sacred Space One Step at a Time and make her …

If you’re looking for a special summer reading opportunity for the young readers in your home, be sure to check out The Gift of Summer Snow: A Tale from the Garden of Mysteries by author Donna Alice Patton. Here’s a quick blueprint of this likable detective story: Becky McGuffey is …

Spring has come at last! It is time to plant and tend a garden. Mary Gardens, gardens dedicated to our Blessed Mother, have been gaining popularity in recent years. How does one go about creating a Mary Garden? Many flowers and plants are associated with our Blessed Mother and various …

There’s an old saying that goes like this: “Mum’s the word”. It means, “SSShhhhh. Keep your mouth shut. Don’t say anything to anyone.” Often the expression is used when something of great import is to be kept secret. “Mum’s the word on this, okay?” Yesterday I had a hankering to …

Down the street from us is the most beautiful garden full of every flower and plant you can imagine.  When you open the little green wooden gate you enter an oasis of scents that tickles your nose and visions that make colors come to life. We follow the brick and …