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April 26, 2006 |
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A couple of night of frost remind us that it is still early in the season for planting anything except the hardiest of perennials, pansies, fragrant stocks, and primulas. I am behind in planting the Cook's Garden--should have the potatoes and peas in--maybe after Fairy Days this weekend. I'm still playing catch-up from events this late winter. We've been transplanting up a storm, and getting gardens tidied. David has been busy mowing anytime the ground is dry enough, but there's still plenty to do yet. I need to get field/garden plants dug and divided quickly--they are growing so fast! My lilacs just began blooming, and the early daffodils are gone. I'm hoping the late ones will still be here for Fairy Days. The Enchanted Forest has lots of bloom already, and I'm hoping they will still be in flower for the weekend. I must get a load of mulch on the path today or tomorrow! The job list just grows and grows! Get out and listen to the birds singing--it is quite a concert! |
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April 16, 2006 |
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Happy Easter! I hope the Easter bunny brought you many good things. Our bunny did not have any trouble at all in hiding eggs throughout the lawn! With all the rain we've been having, the grass is tall enough to hide the bunny, let alone eggs! I've been cleaning gardens at the farm. It is always a great feeling to get them tidied and ready to plant the annuals that will go into the ground in mid-May. Right now, the daffodils are carrying the show, along with the new growth of perennials. I especially enjoy the golden bleeding heart, in the Woodland Garden, and all the hellebores that are in bloom there. Each plant has such interesting flowers, and each is slight different from its neighbor. I love the hellebores, the Lenten Rose, as they bloom for 10-12 weeks, rivalling the primulas for endurance.
The Fairy Garden is quite cheery, with all the bulbs and primroses joining the wood poppies in bloom. Here and there are shy little fairies, some napping and some just enjoying the lovely spring weather.
The Cottage Garden just got a going over yesterday, but there is promise of lots more flowers to come, when the daffodils, guinea flowers, and primroses fade. I love the guinea flowers, as they remind me of the noisy guineas I had at the old farm. They would skulk around the yard and gardens, eating bugs. If a vehicle started up the driveway, the guineas would sqwauk and scold long before I could see it, their speckled feathers fluffed in annoyance as they rushed for cover.
I recently read a book given to me by a loyal customer, which I have enjoyed immensely. It is called The Invisible Garden by Dorothy Sucher. The "Invisible Garden" is the combination of all ones memories and experiences that one sees and feels when looking at the plants in the garden. That's why not everyone "sees" the same garden, even when standing at the same place. A flower or scent may bring back memories of grandparents, a special day, an exotic vacation, a romantic moment when we saw the same flower. Certain plants may provide comfort, others remind us of failure, funerals, or some other sad or unpleasant time. So, everyone "sees" a slightly different garden. This also explains why we are often dissatisfied with our own gardens, as we tend to recall each plant when we saw it as perfect, and in a real garden, it is difficult to have every single plant perfect at the same time.
I hope your garden is bringing you the joy and pleasure that mine is giving me at this Easter season. I don't think I can remember having a prettier one! Hugs, Carolee
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April 5, 2006 |
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The daffodils are beginning to bloom, but the crocuses still look spectacular. In the Woodland Garden, scilla, primulas, hellebores, lungworts, and miniature daffodils are decorating the scene. I walk there every day, and just marvel at God's handiwork in creating the diversity of flowers and plants for us to enjoy. Add to that the singing of the birds and warm sunshine--what could be better? Of course, the warm sunshine has been a little on the shy side, but that makes us enjoy it even more when it does occur.
We've begun moving selected tough perennials outdoors, mainly just to make room for all the hundreds of plants that are crowding the greenhouse, and need to go next door to the coldframe.
Workshops have begun, and we've had a great group of folks attending. Last week's soap workshop was especially fun, and we made a great batch of rose geranium soap. I picked rose geranium, since scented geraniums are the Herb of the Year. Now I'll have beautiful scented soap to show you what you can do with the essential oil from these wonderful plants. Next weekend is herbal teas, one of my favorites, since it was plants for teas that really got me hooked on growing herbs!
The shop is still filling with boxes arriving almost daily. I'm very pleased with the displays we have, although some of them are already looking empty! Guess you like what we offer!
As I look out my office window, the grass is really getting green, and beginning to grow in clumps. We'll need to mow before long, but first we need to pick up sticks from the many storms that have roared through. No damage so far, but I cross my fingers each time the thunder rolls.
Thanks for checking out our website. Better yet, come check us out in person! |
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March 11, 2006 |
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Finally, the first crocuses of the season. My deck garden is filled with dozens and dozens of bright yellow snow crocus. Lots of other bulbs have inches of foliage showing, so it won't be long until the crocuses are joined by other spring beauties. There are lots of reports of robins in the area, although I have not seen any myself yet.
My days are filled to overflowing with seeding, transplanting, and opening boxes in the shop. We need more sunny days to make the seedlings grow more quickly, and I have lots of outdoor work to do, too. This is just a busy, busy time of year. It will soon be St. Patrick's day, and time to plant peas and potatoes! I've already started a few salad crops indoors, and hope to set up a coldframe, and seed more in there over the weekend. I need more hands! |
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