Ides of March

To think that I have not written in this blog since November is just appalling! But here I am in mid-March, finally making my first post of the New Year!

Much has happened in the garden since then, including projects big and small. In no particular order; we are starting seeds in sunny windows; brassicas, peppers and tomatoes, smothering grass with landscaping fabric, building a new chicken coop and preparing the house for some major updates including insulation and a new heating system!

Now is the time of year when the rain seems perpetual and the yard is a muddy mess. No matter how barren the yard seems now, I sometimes need to remind myself that in a matter of months everything will change once again!

Herb Garden, July 2010

Spring Greening

Hello, Friends!

In the past week the flower beds and some of the plants have grown by leaps and bounds. I thought that I would take some photographs to document all of the growth we've had in this unusually warm February weather. The high for yesterday was 60 degrees (15.5 C)!

In addition to having plants shoot out of the dirt at break-neck speeds, we are installing a flagstone path for our front yard. With the help of our trusty roto-tiller and mounds of dirt, we hope to replace the concrete path which was smashed out well over a year ago with some lovely flagstone. I will be leaving deliberate gaps between the stones to drop seeds for creeping plants such as Corsican Mint or Mother-of-Thyme. Can't wait to have that project finally complete!

Here is a nice interior shot of the seeds germinating in peat pots inside of the greenhouse.

Sweet Peas and Calendula emerge!

 

And so do the Tri-Color Bush Beans!

We've also hand-tilled up the rear vegetable beds and planted heirloom garlic, nasturtiums and calendula around the borders.

Tiny pea seedlings emerge around the obelisk.

 

  

And our fig tree has new rings!

What is most exciting for me is the Rhubarb!

 

And the Sweet Peas!

I also discovered that this Voodoo Lily which was planted two years ago, decided to come up and say hello! I thought for certain it was killed in the severe ice storm we had in December, 2008.

 

This is the area in the front where we have roto-tilled and made preparations for the path to be installed.

We are lucky that it has not rained much.

 

The Husband is laying down mason line.

Meanwhile, look at how much the front flower beds have grown!

 

My Delphinium has returned..

 

As has the Aconite..

The Lilies...

 

And the ever-present Foxglove!

I think it is safe to say that Spring is officially in town!

State of the Cottage: February, 2010

After a particularly mild winter, signs of life are stirring all over the cottage.

Here are a few encouraging images to share as a reminder that Spring is just around the bend!

 

Volunteer Hollyhocks emerge and I am more than happy to oblige their presence!

 

Oriental Poppies

 

'White Spires' Foxglove peeks up

The Scabiosa and Columbine are also coming back!

In preparation for the Spring, we've purchased summer bulbs and a greenhouse!

I also planted Dutch Iris bulbs around the bases of our hugely over-grown Lilacs!

Though, you won't see evidence of them until Summer!

 

We positioned the greenhouse close to the back door in case it is a particularly windy or cold day when we work inside.

Here is the back.

 

I moved a lot of the delicate plants I've been wintering inside of the house to the greenhouse. It frees up so much room and the plants are much happier!

 

Penelope approves also!

Here are a few of our peat pots awaiting seeds...

And my newly fashioned sweet pea trellis waiting for the seedlings to emerge.

 

I also fashioned this 'chicken proof' trellis to block access from the chicken yard to the front yard. They will get a chance to roam around more space this way.

 

My husband also got a chance to install his Passion Vine trellis.

 

We will eventually mount the trellis on metal bands, but the old wooden supports will have to suffice for now!

The Passion Flowers are stainless steel, with mild steel centers which will eventually rust with the weather.

Happy New Year, and Winter Gardening

Happiest of new years to all of my readers! I hope everyone had a lovely and safe holiday.

A few weeks ago, I braved the cold winter weather and traveled to Bellingham, Washington to visit a friend. While there, I was escorted to the historic Fairhaven district and found a great little shop called A Lot of Flowers.

While there, I snapped a few photos of their charming winter displays of plants, garden art and statuary. By selecting choice hardy plants and decorations, the owners had created a beautiful winter garden full of visual interest and foliage in the middle of a very cold, coastal winter! 

Once you see the images, I hope you too will be inspired by all of the possibilities a winter garden can bring.