I've been wondering what to replace my holiday bulbs with. I've seen wintery-themed arrangements here and there, but the ones I like are pricey. And temporary. Bad combo. Then it dawns on me -- I actually have everything I need to do virtually the same thing with items from my own back yard. For free! Time for a scavenger hunt, we're gonna get crafty today!
Read MoreNothing brightens up the holidays -- and the weeks and months thereafter -- like a fresh bloom or two, so I hereby deem 2021 the "Winter of Indoor Gardening" because sourdough is so last year. This particular post deals primarily with indoor bulbs, but I've also got greens and herbs growing in a new little hydroponic veggie and herb thingy, plus a few dormant plants that need care. By the time we cover all this it will be time to start seeds. Everyone needs a sanity strategy this winter. This is mine.
Read MoreIt is early summer and the gardens are progressing. They are new to me, so it is a learning experience. We moved in here last winter, so seeing everything come up is great for a gardener! I've added a lot of new plants, there are vegetables too, but the perennial plants that come up every year are finally starting to do their thing.
Read MoreLast year we acquired a new "second home" in Montana, and planned to divide our time between here and New Hampshire, in addition to our many travels for Bob's business. Then COVID-19 hit, and our plans to go back to New Hampshire for April and May, affectionately known as "Mud Season" and "Black Fly Season" were jettisoned. We are staying in Montana, and this gives me a chance to see all the established gardens on this property come to fruition.
Read MoreWhile the existing garden is coming along nicely, additional planting continues in both the flower beds and the veggie garden. In flower land, we're adding more annuals for season-long color, and a few additional perennials for structure. Herbs are ready for transplant, along with onion, garlic and shallot starts, plus beets, carrots and peas from seed. The tomatoes are getting used to the outside weather and should be in shortly, plus we've harvested greens for our first salad! They were delicious.
Read MoreI was told by a wise old Italian woman in New England that nothing should go in the ground until the first full moon after Mother's Day. We are in Zone 5, both in New Hampshire and Montana. New Hampshire is getting snow in May, but it's pretty nice here, and the last full moon was 3 days before Mother's Day so we are rolling the dice. Plants are going in.
Read MoreI've not posted a lot of gardening photos over the past few years with good reason. We are basically bi-coastal, so if I plant tomatoes on the east coast, by the time they are ready, I am not there to enjoy them. And vice versa. This year I am socially distancing in Montana, so we are planting seeds!
Read MoreIt's a classic fall day in New England with 65 degree temperatures and clear blue skies - what a gift! I should find something to do outdoors. Suddenly, it dawns on me -- I have not been to Rosaly's this year! How could this be? Today I shall go. And lucky for me, it is only 3 miles from home.
Read MoreIt's September 21st, two days away from the first full day of fall. The air temp is aboout 82 and the pool is warmer. My hibiscus plant is happy. Hope you are all having a great day.
Read MoreWhile shopping at Nature's Green Grocer in Peterborough, NH yesterday, I came across a large bucket of beautiful bouquets by Birch Creek Flowers, also located in town. I love flowers but have never heard of Birch Creek, so this is a revelation!
Read MoreI feel like I am so behind in my gardening efforts, and I am! It is mid-June, and I just started shopping for annuals, a few perennials and hanging baskets. We've been traveling (see posts under travel). Time to get back to New Hampshire and whip this house back into shape!!
Read MoreUsually I plant amaryllis and paper-whites around Thanksgiving so they are in bloom by Christmas, and often gift them, but we are traveling this year. So Bob picked these beauties up at Rose Mountain Floral on Main Street in Kalispell, Montana. They did a much better job than I have ever done.
Read MoreIt is a rainy Sunday, fresh on the heels of a hot, sunny week. I don't mind the rain as the gardens need it. I spent some time outside yesterday doing a little fertilizing, trimming and deadheading, and just happened to take a few pictures.
Read MoreNamed after a poem by Sam Walter Foss, the house by the side of the road in Wilton NH, is not just a greenhouse. It is a series of large and conjoined greenhouses. At least six of them if not more. They host all your gardening needs all year round.
Read MoreIt is December in this photo, not a lot of gardening going on, but I was making chili and ran out of oregano. So I got my broom and swept off the herb garden where I thought my two oregano plants were. Bingo! Thanks to Kim Poorte for her help this summer.
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