sticks and stones

One challenge I faced with this particular property was to cover an ugly wall while keeping everything as natural and 'farmy' as possible. Vining plants, such as clematis were an obvious choice, but I felt trellises wouldn't work in this environment. So I rummaged around the yard and found branches I could use - and it worked. And it's FREE! These are before and after pictures.(or rather: after and before - I am terrible at this blogging thing!)

spring cleaning

We have had wonderful weather here - last week was sunny, warm and beautiful. I couldn't wait to get out into the garden!

In the fall, I clean out very little of the garden. Basically I only prune what needs to be pruned and leave the rest. To me, a winter garden has a certain monochromatic loveliness of texture and and depth. I tend to romanticize it by thinking of it as my 'in the bleak mind-winter' garden.

However, in the spring, it just looks forgotten and ill fitting amidst the new green grass and spring buds and ambitions weeds growing everywhere. So I chop, cut back, prune away and clean like a mad woman. THIS is my spring cleaning! I prefer it a million times over to washing windows, dusting furniture and organizing drawers. Give me a garden to wake up any day.

I will be posting many pictures of the garden as it awakens. I'm off now to see if I can brave the wind and get some work done today; it's sunny and 42 degrees but so windy I may not be able to stand up straight. I will let you know...

lavender and sunshine

It is time to start gardening! Actually, it's past time, but the snow finally melted so today was the day and the project was the lavender hedge. As you can see, they look pretty bad. But it's still very early spring and they've been covered with snow for weeks.

I pruned them into a nice shape to promote growth at the bottom of the stems and to continue the idea of a hedge. It's best to prune now so that you don't hinder new spring growth. These plants have been in the garden for one year, so I can be a little tough with them. If you have older plants and haven't pruned them, you need to start slow and prune in stages.

The sun and the scent were wonderful. I'm so sick of snow.