If you want to know what Arborvitae bushes grow up to be: trees! As snow flurries swirled I snapped a closeup picture of my tree.In my old[er] age I like to stay inside and look through the window. This is a scene I took while inside while snow blew briskly outside. That is why it looks a little dark for the morning.My good old garden bench. I photographed it in spring and in summer. Here it is … [Read more...] about Snow plus camera= pictures
2008
December Slow Down
This blog will have a seasonal slowdown. I might post some photos or poems and quotes, but until after the holidays there won't be any full size posts or regular blogging here. There are daily posts @ the Advent blog and that is more writing than I really should attempt at this time of year. Actually the theme of my Advent thoughts has to do with "planting", Planted in the Heart. Can't keep the … [Read more...] about December Slow Down
Wonder About Winter 2008-9?
So what is the skinny on winter weather predictions? I checked at the Almanac, for the Ohio Valley, and here's the outlook:November 2008Avg. Temperature: 48° (3° above avg.)Precipitation: 2" (1.5" below avg.)Nov. 1-6: Sunny, seasonableNov. 7-10: Rain and snow, then sunny, chillyNov. 11-17: Showers, warmNov. 18-22: Sunny, mildNov. 23-30: Rain to snow, then snow showers, coldSo far...not really on … [Read more...] about Wonder About Winter 2008-9?
It’s Offical: A Killing Frost
Yes, the annuals are gone, the garden is looking brown, and I left a forgotten houseplant pot outside- now a mushy brown and deflated remnant of itself. I hate when I do that... but I think I do almost on purpose as a reminder that everything is imperfect. Of course, being me, I wouldn't have to remind myself quite so often; as being me, it is quite obvious. (Note to self*)Tomorrow is supposed … [Read more...] about It’s Offical: A Killing Frost
Tomatoes- Final Verdict 2008
I like heirloom tomatoes, generally, but this year was not the best for growing tomatoes. We had wet conditions that made planting late. I grew types new to me. We had a very dry late season. I got tomatoes- but not the way I like them. I used to be very predictable when planting tomatoes: Better Boy and Early Girl with the occasional Beefsteak or trial type thrown in. I came to dislike too many … [Read more...] about Tomatoes- Final Verdict 2008
Ike’s Aftermath in Ohio
I thought you might be interested in seeing the trees that blew down a few properties away from me. These were giant burr oaks felled by the mighty winds of Ike. … [Read more...] about Ike’s Aftermath in Ohio
The Transition Time
Autumn is always a time of transitioning for me... more than spring. I think of spring as the full flung advance on all things "garden", while fall must be part inside work and part outside, and much of both are getting everything in readiness for wintertime. In between there are beautiful days where I think :"Work or enjoy the leaves, the sky, and the remains of the sunshine". From the way I word … [Read more...] about The Transition Time
Time to Note Fall Color
Years ago I wrote a bit about how fall color sometimes surprises me. Here in the Midwest we are surrounded by the rich tapestry of autumn trees and goldenrod field flowers, but sometimes overlook the many other forms of fall color. It is a great time to take your camera and notebook and make notes about plants that add to the end season picture- the last hurrah of the garden's bright colors.One of … [Read more...] about Time to Note Fall Color
Rain, finally
We've had thunderstorming on and off for the last few hours. Thank You, God. Now I hope to do some of the planting and perennial dividing that needs to be done. I had gotten around to trimming and tieing up the 'Wisteria Vine That Has Never Bloomed'. Not in more than the fifteen to seventeen years or so that I have had it... but it has pretty leaves....Anyway, so I pulled out the old bird nesting … [Read more...] about Rain, finally
3RD Season of the Gardening Year
It isn't official, but for Ohioan gardeners the passing of Labor Day marked the end of our season of full tilt gardening, and we entered our autumn in feeling and attitude. In my area this part of the year is dry, but in 2008 it is a little drier than usual. We went for a short hike yesterday, but not before I had watered all my containers...yet they still had that seedy look that comes with the … [Read more...] about 3RD Season of the Gardening Year
Plan to stroll in the garden on Sunday
photo by Aisling, August 31, 2008The Quiet Country House has a lovely idea for blogging Sunday Strolls in the garden.It is on Sundays that I often visit public gardens, so I think it is the perfect opportunity to write about it. I regularly take a tour around my garden and property, but I don't know if it is always on a Sunday... I think too much of the unfinished jobs I need to do and start … [Read more...] about Plan to stroll in the garden on Sunday
Annual Flowers in My 2008 Garden
I have mostly planted containers for this season's show of annuals, with the old stalwart re-seeders popping up in the recently cultivated parts of my garden, mainly along the lavender hedged walkaway. I lost lots of the reseeding annuals when I mulched my perennial borders around five years ago. I think that was a huge mistake. My purpose had been to keep the weeding down and to preserve … [Read more...] about Annual Flowers in My 2008 Garden