This winter, my neighbor cut down a 50-year old maple tree on the east side of my back yard, instantly changing the light in my yard. My rosemary, which had crept toward the house in search of light, could now grow straight up. It needed hard pruning so that it could flourish in the new sunlight.

Of course, I hard to research how to prune rosemary before daring to attempt such a drastic pruning. My research told me to hard-prune rosemary in the winter before the rosemary started growing again. Sources also cautioned…

Folks who enjoy plants have discovered the year-round joy that magical fairy gardens can bring. I got started with fairy landscaping when I found a rusty wheelbarrow in someone’s trash, filled it with rich soil, and decorated it with finds from the thrift store and throwbacks from the grandkids’ toy box. It made me happy.

Google “fairy gardens.” The creativity and ingenuity will amaze you. Scads of elaborate miniature wonderlands pop off the page to fire the imagination. To get started, select a low pot, a basket with a liner, a wheelbarrow, wagon, barrel, crate, drawer, birdbath or appropriate terra cotta vessel. Next, select the spot in the garden to place your magical landscaping. Think about surprising garden visitors when they round a bend and view the secret, sylvan splendor.