Julia Smith

Chicago

Senior Editor at Booklist

Youth books editor for Booklist, bird rescuer, aspiring aerialist. Opinions are my own. | @juliakate32.bsky.social

Articles

IN THE GARDEN | A Green Trophy »

1 month ago | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

Buck horns and heads taking up a prominent position mounted on the living room wall represent a successful hunt encouraging, too, conversation around the kill. There is a living, green alternative for those who cannot avert their gaze from the deceased animal’s sad glass eyes in its once proud head looking down at you. That’s the leafy staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) so named because its branches and fronds resemble a male deer’s antlers.
IN THE GARDEN | March — A Season Of Transition »

1 month ago | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

Come March, autumn has not quite arrived but will soon be knocking at the “garden door”. This is a time of welcome transition, as the country moves from the hot summer months to the cooler winter season. It is a season that spans from March until May. At this time of year, most gardens look as though they need tidying. Thank goodness for these cooler days, as you will find yourself more energetic and eager to pull on your garden gloves to nurture this new season of colour and growth in the garden.
IN THE GARDEN | The Norfolk Pine — A Living Christmas Tree And Tall Beach ‘sign’ »

2 months ago | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

How many of the trees you have known prompt you to tell a story? Once, a week before Christmas, there appeared to be something blatantly amiss with the perfect avenue of Norfolk Island pine trees growing down Epsom Road in Stirling. Someone had lopped off the entire top of one. Its flattened appearance stood out like a scar in an avenue of uniformly shaped trees.
IN THE GARDEN | Come Find The Love In Hogsback »

2 months ago | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

Many a love story features Hogsback in its narrative. Perhaps it will happen for you this Valentine’s weekend. You are invited to celebrate the Weekend of Love on a visit to the gorgeous gardens of Bramber, a 1.7ha property in Hogsback. Gates will open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday for you to view its stunning summer flower show. Entrance is free. Owners Eric and Gloria Robinson simply wish to share with you the beauty of their garden and breathtaking views they enjoy every day.
IN THE GARDEN | Striking Variegated Plants Offer Contrast And A Subtle Magic At Night »

2 months ago | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

Variegated leaves are the perfect agent for adding life, unique texture and visual interest to a plain green landscape and gloomy corners. Even after the sun retires at dusk, variegated leaves continue to work a subtle magic, reflecting light from the moon. Be aware though, that too many variegated plants introduced to a landscape can be overwhelming and unsettling. An example of a reflective light overload reminds me of the early evening drive ‘home’ after a family Christmas dinner in town.
IN THE GARDEN | A Place To ‘chill’ »

2 months ago | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

A garden feeds your senses and heals your soul. However, the less fortunate don’t have the pleasure or privilege of such a place. You cannot help but wonder why so little thought is given to the restorative power of greenery when architects and developers establish cheap housing products. For those who live there usually have exhausting work days trying to eke out a living. Then, after a long day of slog they walk or cram into a taxi to get home.
IN THE GARDEN | Bringing New Life To A Church Garden »

Jan 24, 2025 | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

Sometimes being within the four walls of a church is not enough to connect us with all the good things of our Creator. For some, a garden or gardening and its natural stillness is often the way we connect with God. My daughter often referred to a nursery outside Gqeberha as my “other church”. It was where its every flower and leaf in best condition ‘spoke’ to you. We’d go there to share a pot of tea, sitting at a table among the greenery to ruminate about things.
IN THE GARDEN | Marigolds — A Symbol Of Joy, Reverence Or Cheerful Folly »

Jan 17, 2025 | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

A thousand smiling marigolds, a thousand smiling sunsSweet nectar, ambrosia, for nature’s gentle onesWoven into garlands, yellow with tips of redWoven into memories with many words unsaidOrange, yellow, rust … to love, to pray, to mourn, Golden, sun kissed, blessed … marigolds that life adorn.
IN THE GARDEN | Christmas Again In July »

Jan 10, 2025 | yourweekender.co.za | Julia Smith

Poinsettias take the fake out of “Christmas in July” celebrations. This deciduous shrub with its flaming red “flowers” has its usual “flowering” period around the time of this winter event too. Poinsettias seen in stores recently have been tricked by their growers to “flower” in December. Then after presenting this forced colourful premiere performance, they revert to their natural flowering season in winter.
Prepare for a Celestial Spectacle! A Meteor Shower to Dazzle You

Dec 9, 2024 | combopop.com.br | Julia Smith

The night sky is about to put on a stunning show that you won’t want to miss! The **Geminid meteor shower**, renowned for its spectacular display, will reach its peak on **December 14**. This annual event, running from December 4 to 20, promises to fill the sky with up to **150 meteors** per hour. Astronomer **Nick Hewitt** from Northamptonshire encourages residents to take this opportunity to embrace the beauty of the cosmos.