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Dec. 18, 2005 |
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Snowing again today, adding another layer to the white landscape. I just came in from filling the bird feeders--a daily job now that the weather is so cold, and the land is snow-covered and icy. I really enjoy watching the many feathered friends who come to visit. Especially, I like to see first-time visitors, as the number increases daily.
The greenhouses are a lovely place to spend these cold days, especially when the sun is shining. I've seeded all the pansies and violas, as well as some species primulas, that I'm going to experiment with in the new shade garden. This is in an area that has not really been planted before. We cut a path thru the woods, along the creek, when we first opened, and I stuck a few shade-lovers here and there along the path, but never really worked with it, or planned it. Unfortunately, it showed! So, last fall, I actually cleared the entire center area, created paths, cleared out more "trash" trees and actually planted it entirely. If it does well, eventually, I'll clear the outer areas and plant those as well, but somehow, right now, I like the "natural" look on the outer perimeter, which contains lots of natives like hepatica, solomon's seal, bloodroot, and WEEDS. I may just remove the weeds, and let the other things naturalize. I planted lots of spring bulbs, so I am eager to see how it looks. With all the lungworts, primulas, and other spring bloomers, it should be really nice. I'll photograph it, and put some photos here on the website.
I've been spending lots of time reading, and trying to get inspired to write articles for the newsletter (which has to go to the printer next month!!!) and the website. We hope to update the website in February, with lots of new spring-related articles. I'm also working on lists of inventory to find at the gift shows next month, so the shop can be full of wonderful products. The weeks have flown by, and I didn't even get the benching moved back into the new shade area before bad weather hit, so we'll have to do that next spring, too. It will be a hectic spring, that I'd rather not think about right now!
I repotted and watered a few amaryllis bulbs last week, so they will bloom later on, when all the Christmas decorations have been put away, and the house seems so empty. Nearly all the seed orders have arrived, and I have them filed by planting times. That's it for now. Happy Holidays, and safe traveling! |
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Oct. 16, 2005 |
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The leaves are turning, the walnuts are falling, the fields are being harvested. Autumn has definitely arrived. The weather has been terrific, although we could use a little rain for the perennials. I've been propagating like crazy, keeping the mats filled to overflowing. We've also packed up the barn, since we have now closed for the season, and hung the "Closed till Spring" sign out by the road. It is lovely to have the farm quietly to myself these fall days. The dahlias have waited until now to really strut their stuff--I've never seen such gorgeous colors, and am torn between leaving them in the garden to enjoy, or bringing them indoors in vases. Next year, I'll plant more, so I can do both! I've harvested the basils, and packed pesto away in the freezer. All the tender plants have been moved indoors, and we're just waiting for a good frost that will make the perennials in pots go dormant, then we'll trim those and move them into the coldframe. Meanwhile, the gardens are getting a good weeding, and I am collecting seeds as I go. Hope you are enjoying this lovely autumn weather as much as I am! Carolee |
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Aug. 31, 2005 |
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As I look out the office window, the lawn is covered with a layer of golden leaves. I can't help but be thankful that it is only leaves, and not debris. The photos of all the hurricane damage in the South lay heavily in my mind. I wonder if there is anything left of the beautiful gardens at Bellingrath. I think of the hard-working gardeners at the New Orleans Botanical, who were just finishing the planting of a gorgeous new area when I last visited. I worry about all the fish and sea life that were in the devastated aquarium--such a lovely building, now crushed.
Autumn is coming to central Indiana, and we should be counting our blessings, and enjoying all that we have. The crew finished the new shadehouse and recovered the greenhouses, so that big job is done. I'm replanting a redesigned area in the woods, and taking cuttings as fast as I can of anything that is ready to propagate. Of course, we're still deadheading, collecting seeds, and weeding, too. It is a joy to be able to work in the gardens in such beautiful weather. The butterflies are tanking up on nectar, getting ready to start their migrations. I'm finding it hard to believe that the season is nearly over! |
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Aug 18, 2005 |
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The days are flying by, and the Irish greens of spring and early summer are yellowing to the army green of late summer and early fall. The leaves on my walnut trees are already beginning to yellow and drift from the limbs, although I think that is more from the dry, dry summer we've had, than from the calendar. I'm spending most of my days weeding and planting, as I still feel that August is the best time to plant perennials if you can't do it in Spring. The plants have time to anchor in, before the freezing and thawing of central Midwest winters begin tugging on their roots. I'm also doing a lot of deadheading, and seed collecting. It is still a busy time of year in the gardens. We are beginning construction of the new shadehouse, and recovering the greenhouse and coldframe next week, so that is exciting. |
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