Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
On the coir bandwagon
When Fred (Blithewold’s dir. of hort.) suggested that Gail and I start making our own potting soil, we were totally game. We had already started looking into alternatives to our peat based mixes and were … Read more.
A jump on spring
The weather has been so mild this past week that we couldn’t help but be outside cleaning up – about two weeks ahead of last year. And I know we’re not alone – it seems … Read more.
Mid-March bloom day
Many thanks as always to Carol at May Dreams Gardens for thinking up and hosting a monthly blooming show and tell. I’m a little late to the Ides of March party but it’s a blow-out. … Read more.
Emerge
Take a pretty close look right about now and you’ll see it everywhere – spring is just poking it’s head out of the ground. The daffodils are 4 or 5 inches tall in some places, … Read more.
Snowed in spring
When I made my winter vacation request for last week I asked the universe for extra warm weather so that I could get a jump on spring. It snowed instead. But it really didn’t matter … Read more.
Force it
Anyone who has ever been to a flower show in February or March knows that the exhibitors work very hard to manipulate the seasons. We’re all so ready by now for winter’s end – especially … Read more.
Sow chilly
I’ve gone soft. The thaw we had a couple of weeks ago has totally ruined me for the rest of winter. I can’t go outside in the freeze anymore without complaining every bit as bitterly … Read more.
Heliotropium arborescens
When I first started at Blithewold I wasn’t the biggest fan of heliotrope. It’s been a Rose Garden staple since way before my time, and I developed an almost instant aversion to it. I found … Read more.
More decisions (and a retraction)
Our seed orders have started to come in! I discovered though that I have to offer an official retraction of a snarky complaint in this post about Select Seeds‘ shipping charges. Well, obviously, I … Read more.
Hearts
Just in time for Freaky Friday and Valentine’s day (I love that these days are back to back this year), my favorite Tim Burton creation, the Witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’) has just begun … Read more.