Thursday, December 22, 2011

Post-Its!

old
"Here's the plant, Madam.  Is there anything else you need done today?"

Monday, December 19, 2011

Aponovich 52

Week 38 of 52.  A Bunch of Radishes.  Oil on Canvas 9"x9" 2011

Gardening friend, James Aponovich is in the middle of a grueling marathon.  And, he's not running, swimming or cycling.  He's painting!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Like Hand in Glove



Still haven't found the right gift for that special gardener on your list?  Here's a suggestion from guest blogger Gordon Hayward who recommends a pair of Green Mountain gloves:

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

It's Not Easy Being Green




It's not easy being green.  And it's even tougher being evergreen!  During this time of the year when we are left with little in the way of flower power and the garden's color palette consists mainly of browns and beiges, it falls on the shoulders of the evergreens to provide the needed color boost and, in many cases, define the winter structure for the entire garden.  As I look out on our own garden today, most of the boundaries of the garden areas are delineated by the subtly different shades of green yew, boxwood or arborvitae. And, in the wider landscape the rich greens of the pines, firs and hemlocks really stand out now among the leafless oaks, maples and birches. I think most of us would agree, it would be hard to get along without green during what can feel like interminable periods of dormancy.  Our need for it is re-affirmed and celebrated every winter when we adorn our homes with evergreen wreaths, trees, and garlands, thus continuing a custom of holiday decorating begun by the Greeks and Romans.

Yesterday, I photographed clippings of some of the "evergreen heroes" in our own garden; those stalwart plants that not only define it architecturally but also punctuate the landscape with that most soothing of nature's colors.  Here are a few of the photos: 

Monday, December 12, 2011

Shopping Outside The Box: Unique Holiday Gifts Not Necessarily Destined for The Potting Shed

Franz and Bottom, porcelain figures in linen and silk by Mona Adisa Brooks

There's no doubt that a gift of a nice clay pot, a comfortable pair of gardening gloves, or a good gardening book to chase away the winter doldrums will bring a smile to a gardener's face this holiday season.  However, gardeners are not one-dimensional when it comes to gift giving and receiving; they also appreciate finely crafted items that are not necessarily destined for the potting shed. So, if you decided that you've wrapped your last pair of pruners for that special gardener on your list, and you're looking for a unique gift this year, something hand-made that you can also purchase locally, look no further than the artists and craftsmen of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.  

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Flora, Fauna and Fencing

boy

It's that time of year--when the grass has grown its last inch--to think about making the garden exclusive once again.  I hate doing it.  It goes against the grain. It's contrary to the very concept of openness and how a garden should be inclusive and welcoming.  I always feel constrained, even a little imprisoned, afterward. However, the flora here will soon become too tempting for the fauna (no pun intended), and so I can't put it off any longer.  It's time to erect the Bambi Barricade.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The Garden Media Guild Awards


Yesterday, The Garden Media Guild of the UK announced this year's winners of the GMG Awards.  The Garden Media Guild Awards celebrate the best in UK garden writing- including books, newspapers and magazines-photography, broadcasting- TV and radio- and new media- including gardening websites and gardening blogs.  Certainly within the UK they are the equivalent of the garden media 'Oscars.'
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