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I’m in Love

November 23rd, 2010

I posted on Sunday about how beautiful the flowering kale is in my front flowerbed after our cold weather. Every year at this time I notice flowering kale all over the place and make a mental note to plant some in the spring, then I completely forget until this time of the year. I must add them to my spring seed buying list so I don’t forget next year. I want to plant this particular variety.


I purchased these beauties at Local Roots in Wooster last Friday, they were only 5/$1. Since I can’t have them blooming in my garden I’m more than happy to have them brightening up my dining room.


I love that they look like roses, only I think they’re much prettier than roses. I believe they’re White Crane flowering kale, I found some seeds over at Territorial Seeds Company, a place I don’t mind doing business with. I’m thinking I would love to grow a few extras so I can incorporate them into my Christmas decorations, both inside and out.

One of the best features of a cut flower like this, is that they last forever in a vase. These should last a few weeks or more, that’s a lot of beauty for only $1!

What’s your favorite fall blooming plant?

The U.S. National Gardens

May 8th, 2009

While in D.C. we visited a lot of museums and monuments. They were all very interesting, but of course my favorite thing was spending the morning at the National Gardens. It’s a small garden, much smaller than the one in Cleveland, but it very nice. They had some traditional herb gardens divided up into quadrants, a water feature with a pond, and a very nice conservatory filled with tropical plants, succulents and a medicinal plant section as well. (if you want to see the slide show in full size click on the little icon in the upper left hand corner)

[flashgallery folder=”National_Gardens”]

If you’re ever in D.C. I would suggest taking a morning to visit the National Gardens. It’s a great way to take a break from the museums.

Longwood Gardens

May 7th, 2009

The first place we went on vacation was Longwood Gardens. We’ve been telling our friends (that we went on vacation with) how great it is for the past 2 years, but you really can’t explain it and the photos don’t do it justice, you just have to see it in person. (here are a few photos from our last visit)
longwood-gardens-fountains
foxgloves
The spring blooms festival was in full swing while we were there, and the tulips were AMAZING!
purple-tulips
longwood-gardens-tulip-festival
dark-purple-tulips
The espaliered trees were also spectacular, they have them on various walls as well as an orchard full of them. I’m hoping to add espaliered apples or pears to my garage wall someday soon.
espalier-tree1
I was super excited to see their cold frames, something that escaped my attention on our last visit.
cold-frames-at-longwood-gardens
It’s such an amazing place, filled with all different kinds of plants, both familiar and exotic.
sea-of-hydrangea-blossoms
interesting-pink-flower
It is a truly beautiful place filled with greenhouses, fountains, woodlands, prairies and so many other wonderful things. Their vegetable garden is sure to impress in the summer, I’m hoping to go back this summer to see it in it’s full glory. If you’re in need of a vacation somewhere lovely and inspirational, I would highly recommended heading to Kennett Square, PA to see Longwood Gardens! You won’t be disappointed! The photos of this trip and my previous trip don’t even do it justice.

What’s your favorite inspiration garden to visit?

Interesting Article – Will it Happen?

November 11th, 2008

Nearly 40% of the fresh fruits and vegetables consumed stateside during 1943 were grown in school, home and community gardens. In addition to providing much-needed food, gardening helped Americans accept the nation’s plurality, providing a positive experience that transcended race, class and socioeconomic divisions. That bridged rural/urban differences. They provided a way for all Americans to provide a service to the nation.

Read the entire article Here.

Do you think we’ll find Victory Gardens making a comeback in the coming years?

Quote of the Day

August 29th, 2008

I realized I wanted to save the world. Then I realized I couldn’t save the world, but I could change my own garden.

Then I though that maybe, just maybe, my neighbors and all their friends might take up the cause. Maybe, just maybe, we could weave together a network of poison-free, bio diverse, nature-friendly gardens that would, in the end, make a difference.

And this has become my quest.

-Liz Primeau (Front Yard Gardens: Growing more than Grass)

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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