Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Day of the dormant
This has maybe been the prettiest fall week ever and we have spent it celebrating the gardens’ downward spiral into dormancy — as well as its eventual rebirth. You know we have a schedule to keep before allowing … Read more.
Not goodbye
I’d prefer to think that the season is in transition rather than ending but when we start throwing some of summer’s best blooms into the bed of Blithewold’s truck, it definitely feels more like a … Read more.
Moving into fall
It was chilly this morning. No frost yet (perish the thought — our average first frost date falls in early November) but night temperatures in the forties are definitely giving us a taste of what’s … Read more.
What to do with asparagus foliage
I haven’t spent a lot of time in the vegetable garden this summer — Dan has been right on top of the planting, the weeds, and the harvests — but this week I found myself … Read more.
Constructive criticism
Our to-do list in September is blissfully short. The gardens are as lush as can be and just need to be coaxed along until frost or until we’re ready to start moving plants around (musical … Read more.
On formality and fine tuning
Mother Nature dumped almost three more inches of rain on Blithewold this week and the gardens responded by growing with an exuberance bordering on, and even crossing over the line to loose, lush informality. I … Read more.
Mid-summer shift
The gardens are going through a bittersweet transition from June’s hurrah to a mid-summer huzzah, and although we sometimes experience a “July gap,” the shift seems pretty seamless this year. Delicate oxeye daisies gave way … Read more.
GETTYSBURG
I recently visited Gettysburg and found Pardee Field where Bessie’s brother, Ario Pardee, led his men (Pennsylvania 147th) into battle on the 3rd day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 3rd, 1863. There is a … Read more.
Finishing touches (and new beginnings)
No garden is ever “done” — perish the thought! — but during planting week/month/season we all race to beat the heat. In the last couple of weeks here at Blithewold we closed in on that … Read more.
Mid-June shout out and product review
I’m jumping the gun on Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day but I can’t let a week like this one go by without crowing about Blithewold’s gardens — especially the Rose and North Gardens. Actually, I’ll let … Read more.