Oulu Glass Gallery/Studio

06/24/2026

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06/24/2026

06/23/2026

I always wondered why my grandmother planted basil so close to her tomatoes that their leaves actually touched—until I learned that tomatoes are basically broadcasting their location to every pest in your yard. Those beautiful, aromatic tomato leaves release volatile compounds that aphids, whiteflies, and hornworms track like a GPS beacon. They don't wander onto your plants by accident. They're following a chemical trail.

Plant basil 10 inches from your tomato stem, and something fascinating happens. The basil's own powerful aromatics—that peppery, clove-like scent we love in pesto—flood the airspace around your tomatoes. Suddenly the aphids' navigation system is jammed. They're still searching, still hungry, but the signal they're tracking is buried in competing information. Your tomato is standing right there, but chemically speaking, it's invisible.

Here's the part that made me rethink everything: this isn't just about pest confusion. Basil's roots release compounds into the soil that tomato roots actually absorb. Some growers swear their tomatoes taste sweeter, more complex when grown with basil companions. The science is still catching up, but the soil chemistry suggests those shared compounds might genuinely alter flavor development.

I started planting them together five seasons ago—not in separate pots nearby, but in the same soil, close enough that watering one means watering both. The difference wasn't subtle. Fewer aphids. Healthier plants. And tomatoes that tasted like the ones I remembered from childhood gardens, when nobody knew why certain combinations just worked.

What's growing next to your tomatoes right now? Are they standing alone, or do they have backup? [JVZL4]

06/23/2026

Those thick, fleshy roots beneath your spider plant are not just anchors — they are underground reservoirs designed for feast or famine. Each tuberous root can swell to twice its size, storing enough water to sustain the plant through extended dry periods. This is why spider plants often look their most vibrant after a thorough soaking followed by days of apparent neglect. When you water lightly every few days, those roots never get the signal to fully engage their storage capacity. They remain in a state of constant alertness, unable to settle into their natural rhythm of absorption and conservation. The plant that thrives on dramatic cycles of wet and dry gets trapped in perpetual uncertainty. Let the soil pull away from the pot edges completely, then water until it runs from the drainage holes. Those roots will drink deeply and settle in for the long wait they were designed for. [O3DSH]

06/22/2026

Morgan Falls is a beautiful little waterfall tucked into the forest south of Ashland, Wisconsin.

The hike is short and easy, with a peaceful trail leading through mossy rocks, ferns, and deep woods to the falls. From the same parking area, you can also hike to St. Peter’s Dome, a tougher climb with one of the best overlooks in the area — views of Chequamegon Bay, Lake Superior, and the Apostle Islands.

Park at the Morgan Falls / St. Peter’s Dome Recreation Area in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, off Ashland-Bayfield Road / Forest Road 199. From the lot, follow the signed trail to Morgan Falls, or take the longer branch up to St. Peter’s Dome.

06/22/2026

06/17/2026

Some of what you'll see at the gallery...

06/17/2026

We make custom shades or have some available in the gallery for purchase.