On this page, I will add notes about how the gardens are coming along, what plants are doing particularly well, what chores we are doing, and how we are coping with Indiana's often erratic weather!
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July 27, 2005 |
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RAIN! Finally! I'm thrilled to report that we finally had a good, long rain last night, and it is still drizzling today. Hurrah--that means I have 5 extra hours to do something else besides drag hoses today! And, the plants and gardens look so much happier already. I spent much of the past two days working in my gardens at home--like the shoemaker's children, they often are the last to get any attention. I've also been planting lots of treasures in the Moonlight Garden, trying to make it look fuller and more lush. I love this time of year, as I finally have time to do some things to improve the farm. This past week, we moved all the plants from the perennial sales area into temporary rows on pallets, and tore down the entire shade structure! The space looks immense now, with a new layer of fresh, clean crushed stone. I actually moved the old shade houses from my old farm, and put them up "temporarily" until I decided for sure where I wanted them, and what style. Thirteen years later, the "temporary" structures were crumbling, and threatening to fall down upon our heads in the next gust of wind, so down they came. New structures go up in August!
The gardens looks surprisingly good, with lots of flowers blooming. The last of the daylilies are gorgeous. I always hate to see them end, as they provide such masses of color. The Joe Pye and Ironweed are coming on in the Butterfly garden, as well as the staple for August, the tall garden phlox. Mine look especially good this year. The asters are growing like crazy, so they should look great in a few weeks. I've been harvesting lots of herbs, so the barn is filled with bunches hanging everywhere. I want to make lots of teas, sleep pillows, bath mixtures, and sachets this fall. I still can't believe the season is already winding down. Hope you are getting some rain, if you need it. I'll be planting lavenders today! Hurrah, what a job I have. Happy Gardening, Carolee |
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July 18, 2005 |
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We're hoping the rain that is in the forecast finally reaches us. It is dry, dry, dry! All around us it has poured, but we've just received a light mist now and then. The gardens are holding up pretty well, but we're dragging hoses. I've been really busy since I last wrote here. We began picking lavender in earnest right after Lavender Daze, sometimes 12-14 hrs. a day! But, it is the best work ever, and I don't complain. Nothing is better than working in a field of blooming lavender! Then I traveled to Salt Lake City for a conference, and saw some great gardens. When we got back, Hurricane Dennis was supposed to bring us lots of rain, so I picked lavender every waking hour (and sometimes in my sleep!) so it wouldn't get ruined by days of rain. However, the rains never came. We've tried to do some weeding, but the ground is so hard, it is slow. We'll hopefully catch up soon. In the meantime, we are planning to move all our perennials out of the current sales area, in anticipation of new shade houses being built, weeding gardens, and dead-heading flowers. I also want to get more lavenders planted. Hope your garden is thriving, wherever you are. Hugs, Carolee |
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June 27,2005 |
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It's HOT! We just finished our Lavender Daze festival, so now we can concentrate on harvesting the lavender, up-potting plants, and clearing out the greenhouses. We got a tiny sprinkle of rain, but not enough yet so that we aren't spending most of our time dragging hoses. When it is this hot (mid-90's and 90% humidity) the flowers come and go so quickly that it is impossible to keep up with the deadheading, but we'll try. The gardens look surprisingly good, considering the heat and lack of rain. The daylilies are coming on quickly, and I'm beginning to worry that they'll all be gone before Daylily & Dinosaur Days. Of course, I always have something to worry about! There's still lots of lavender in the field, and the lavandins are just beginning, so come visit! |
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June 5, 2005 |
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Whew! What a busy, busy time! Just finished the Garden Fair in Muncie this weekend, and now must get lots done before I leave for the Herb Society of America's conference in Atlanta! We've been planting and weeding a lot, but there's always more to do. A brief shower this evening washed off the dust from all the area farmers, so the gardens look fresh and crisp again. No big storms, so that was good. The gardens are really changing fast now that we are getting warmer weather. I need to get more mulch as soon as I get back.
Today, in the lavender field, I can see the first "purple haze" beginning on the row of Betty's Blue. We'll soon be picking fragrant bunches. The cherries are beginning to turn, and the strawberries will need picking before I leave. As I said, busy, busy! |
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May 29, 2005 |
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A beautiful, sunny day. Had my morning tea on the deck, where I could admire the gorgeous columbines (yellow and red) the irises (yellow, bronze, gold) centurea "Gold Boullion", the burgundy foliage of the Velvet Night coral bells, the golden apricot foliage of "Amber Waves", the gold leaves of phlox "Becky Towe" and airy white tellima. I love the golden and burgundy foliage repeated throughout the garden, as it gives lots of visual interest even if nothing is in bloom. I finally got all the bulbs deadheaded, so it looks much better, but still haven't had time to get annuals planted. I'd better--garden club meets here next month!
At the farm, the gardens are getting planted and tidied. Still have to label the Moonlight garden, but all the signs needed repainting, so that slowed the process. However, the Shasta daisies are putting on quite a show, helped by the snow-in-summer, white cosmos, nicotiana, and all the silvery lambs ears. We planted cheerful, dwarf Fantasy petunias in the Children's Garden this week, and that really brightened the area. Also did more planting in the Cook's garden, and I'm adding a new bed for tea plants there, along with a section of fencing that has teapots and teacups on it.
The Purple Garden is lovely right now, with its purple alliums, various purple irises, pansies, Jacob's Ladder, etc. The Shade Garden is pretty, with the white viburnum blooms echoed in the sweet woodruff below. The Cottage Garden is filled with magenta winecups and hardy geraniums, purple and pink irises. I need to get the burgundy-foliaged dahlias planted there today.
Yesterday was Butterfly Day at the farm, and we had a great turnout! The Sweet Williams were all in full bloom, perfuming the air, and several butterflies made an appearance right on cue. We gave away lots of butterfly fans, and butterfly bubbles for the kids. Well, it's time to water, so I'd better get busy. Till next time, Happy Gardening! |
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