Listicle May 5, 2025

Ponies, Pine Barrens, and Petunias. Here are 5 things to put in the Curio Cabinet this week.

1. Endurance. In all senses, but in this particular example, equine endurance events. I'm tooting my pony's horn here, but Maple is amazing. This past weekend she and I completed a major milestone: our first 3-day 100 mile ride in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey at a ride called the NJ100. She rocked it. I had a fabulous time. So proud of her. PONIES ROCK! Here's a vid of us finishing up Day 2 of 3, with a bit of bluegrass thrown in to keep us company on the lonely open road:

Sound on at your own risk!

2. Galaxy petunias are BACK! Summer is on its way! After the tragedy of not finding them last year, my trusty writer scouts have located a reliable source and I got not ONE, not TWO, but THREE different colors. Their names? Night Sky, Electric Purple Sky, and Crystal Sky. Perfection.

   

   BEHOLD the beauty of the galaxy petunia - a rare find! Credit: A. O'Brien

3. Coyotes AKA American Jackals. Saw one for the first time on the farm last week in the evening. It stalked and killed a groundhog. Nature is metal. Also that name: American Jackal. Can that be my nickname?

   

   The American Jackal on the hunt. Credit: A O'Brien

4. Spring veggies are doing well. Around here in central Maryland, the general recommendation for getting veggies like tomatoes in the ground is Mother's Day, which is this coming Sunday. I've started various types inside and they're about ready to go out.

   

   Murder is wrong? Oh. K. Credit: A O'Brien

5. Black locust trees are now blooming. Nature is rocking and rolling. These trees produce a lovely flower that looks like dangling white grapes and their scent is heavenly. The bees think so too, as this tree is the primary nectar source for honeybees in Maryland. It's a fun time of year to have bees. Honey harvest will be late June to mid July. It'll be here before we know it. Get your orders in. Our farm, Ad Astra Farm, now has an Instagram (@AdAstraApiary) account so folks can keep up with the action.

   

   The Maryland beekeeper's dream: black locust in full bloom. Credit: A O'Brien