|
January 1, 2009 |
 |
 |
It just seems impossible that another year is beginning already! Where did November and December go? At least 2009 is off to a beautiful start. Thanks to a heads-up from my friend, Bob, we saw the gorgeous new moon and two planets last evening and it was definitely worth braving the cold. Now today, we have a beautiful, sunny , albeit chilly (actually downright COLD, 28 degrees, but a STIFF wind) day. I'd like to stay inside and hibernate, but the wind has blown some screens off the gazebo. If we don't replace them, we soon have birds sheltering in there, and while I have sympathy for their desire to find a haven out of the wind, I have a stronger desire to not have to scrub bird do-do off the floor and furniture! I'll also venture over to the greenhouse, and maybe even plop in a few seeds since it is sunny. I also want to turn a couple more pots of amaryllis up and give them a drink. They've been resting for over six weeks in a dry, dark place. As soon as they show a bit of growth, I'll bring them into the house and put them on a sunny window. I'll also bring a styrofoam cooler (to protect them on their short journey) of any plants that look especially nice to cheer up the house since the Christmas decorations will be coming down this week. There are several pretty primroses, a gorgeous rosemary, and a pineapple sage in bloom. The foliage of the Rex begonias always look nice, and I'll bring a pot of parsley and chives in for the kitchen windowsill. Since I have room on the propagating mat right now, I may go ahead and start a few more begonias. They are so easy to do from leaf cuttings, especially with bottom heat. Once I start seeding in earnest again, the mats will be too full of seeds that require that heat, so I should do it now.
I've been enjoying browsing through the stack of seed catalogs that always arrive this time of year. It always makes me want to till a huge space for a massive vegetable garden like I had when the kids were all home, and we were doing farmers' markets. There are so many new, and re-introduced heirloom varieties that tempt me. But, until I can find some additional employees that are willing to weed, and actually know what to weed out, I already have plenty of gardens to care for, without adding more!
One of my New Year's Resolutions is to be a better communicator for you, to be more timely with the garden journal, and to try to answer more of your questions, to provide more really useful information. If you see me lagging, zap an e-mail reminder, and I will be thankful! Hugs to you all, Blessings as we begin another year together, and may the winter be short, wherever you are! Carolee
|
|
October 8, 2008 |
|
|
|
Finally, some rain, although not nearly enough. The leaves are changing and dropping, the plants are madly forming seeds. We had just a touch of frost already, so I've harvested the basil, peppers, and tomatoes. We do have a lovely crop of turnips and late beans coming on, and a small bed of lettuce that I hope has time to mature before really cold weather. It is time already to take the shade cloths off the sales area and store it away. I've been spending lots of time taking cuttings and moving plants into larger pots for the winter. It just doesn't seem possible that the growing season outdoors is over. The pineapple sage is just beginning to be covered with its bright red nectar-filled flowers, but the hummingbirds have already left. I've been moving perennials around, filling in with mums, and generally puttering. I love the lazy pace of autumn, as opposed to the frantic speed of spring chores. There's nothing better than sitting in the lavender field taking cuttings, listening to football games, sipping apple-cinnamon tea, watching the leaves turn color and the clouds amble across the sky. May you find peace and satisfaction in your gardens, too! |
|
|
August 1, 2008 |
|
|
|
It is hard to believe the summer has gone so quickly! The gardens got off to such a great start with lovely weather. Now, we really, really need rain to keep the beautiful phlox, daylilies, liatris, coneflowers, and all the other perennials and annuals happy. The gardens are filled with butterflies, and we are getting the lavender field sheared. We'll need some rain to get new growth to propagate though. We've had several great groups come to visit, and enjoyed each one. Our trip to Italy was magical, and the HSA conference in Boston was terrific, too. I'll be traveling quite a bit in the coming weeks to do book signings. |
|
May 7, 2008 |
|
|
|
I have been so negligent in writing in this journal, and I apologize to readers. Spring has finally arrived, and with it, the work load that is overwhelming. We are cleaning gardens, deadheading bulbs, planting as we can between the storms, and re-filling the plant sales benches as quickly as we can each week. When it rains, we're working in the greenhouse, transplanting plants from seed flats and plug flats into their own little pots, printing labels, and making plant signs which keep disappearing with every storm. Somewhere in Ohio or Pennsylvania, there are dozens and dozens of "Carolee's Herb Farm" plant signs! Overall, it has been a beautiful spring. Right now, the redbuds, fruit trees and tulips are gorgeous. The lungworts, hellebores, variegated Solomon's Seal and Golden bleeding heart in the Enchanted Forest are lovely. The Cottage Garden is tidy and growing well. The Butterfly & Hummingbird garden is about half-planted, and we've begun planting in the Cook's Garden. The Sun-loving perennials, Sunrise, and Children's gardens have been tidied. So, we're making progress. It's just much slower than I'd like. |
|
