Local Sources
One of the great things about living in Maine, is that there are a wealth of small business around. A few months after we moved up here, we met Duane, the owner of Dewey’s Lumber & Cedar Mill. Since then, we’ve become friends. I get cedar shavings off of him for the chicken coop, as well as lumber for raised beds. When he asked if I could some take photos for his new website, I was more than happy to. Two weeks ago, I went out and caught Duane and his guys in action.
Duane and his wife Kim, get eggs from our chickens. I head out to the mill a every few months to get things I need and to drop off eggs. It’s great being able to support a friend and local business. We feel very fortunate to live in an area where small, local businesses are prevalent.
Do you have any great local businesses you like to support?
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Friday Favorite: Finding a Plant
I read about ‘New Dawn’ roses many years ago and have been looking for one for my garden ever since. A few years ago, I saw one at a local garden center, but with a price tag of $60, I decided to keep looking. I knew I could order one on-line, but generally prefer to support small independent local greenhouses when I can.
Yesterday, I was out with a friend and we stopped at Guini Ridge Farm in Rockport, Maine. There it was, a ‘New Dawn’ rose for $25! I grabbed one and a ‘White Dawn’ as well.
If this rose is as hardy and prolific as they say, I’ll be pleased as punch to have it grow up and cover the ugly part of the house. Since this is an own root rose, I’m hoping I can take cuttings and propagate my own. I have a few spots around the farm that could benefit from a large climbing rose and I’ve been wanting to try my hand at taking rose cuttings.
Naturally, I also left with a few herbs for the garden. Look at all those variegated leaves! I couldn’t pass up the lovely variety of Lobularia either (it’s ‘Deep Lavender Stream’).
Have you ever looked for a plant for years before finding it?
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Pruning Clinic
Last Saturday morning, one of my favorite local greenhouses held a pruning clinic. Fieldstone Gardens is one of my favorite places to go look for plants. It’s an fairl small place, so you don’t get overwhelmed with varieties & selections (something I really appreciate), but they focus on interesting and good quality plants. You won’t feel like they’re lacking in anything, that’s for sure.
There are two garden cats, Fred & Wilma, as you can imagine, I absolutely love them! You won’t be there long before a cat comes rubbing on your legs for some love. On this particular morning, Fred was begging for the homemade muffins.
The name of the gardens is clearly evident, there are stacked stone walls all around the property. They make wonderful backdrops for gardens, creating a sense of permanence.
I always head up to Fieldstone a few times each summer (you can see more photos of their gardens later in the season in this post I wrote a few years ago), no doubt I’ll be headed back in a month or so to see what the gardens look like. One of the best parts of this place are the beautiful gardens that surround the nursery. They also have huge beds filled with mature plants. It’s really nice to be able to see the plants in mature form and in a garden. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell what the final shape/size of a plant will be. Fieldstone’s gardens are the perfect place to walk around and get inspiration for your home garden!
Do you have a favorite local greenhouse?
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Johnny’s Seeds Research Farm
I’m lucky in that I live about 30 minutes away from the Johnny’s Selected Seeds Research Farm. Whenever I order from Johnny’s, I pick up my order that the store and stop by the research farm on the way home. Last week when I stopped the flower gardens were STUNNING. There’s not much I can say about it, photos speak so much better than I can:
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Fourth of July Fun
On the Fourth of July, we spent the day at our neighbor’s family’s camp on Lake St. George. First off, Mr Chiots was in the boat parade. Our neighbor used his vintage boat to tow Mr Chiots in his sailboat (no sails, sporting flags instead). It’s a fun little community event that is getting better and better every year!
After the parade we enjoyed the BBQ chicken from the local volunteer fire dept (of which Mr Chiots is a member) and then we sat by the lake, relaxed, went for boat ride, and Mr Chiots sailed, and sailed, and sailed.
It was a fun and relaxing day spent in the company of family and friends, just as it should be. Being on a lake on the Fourth of July is just as American as apple pie.
How did you celebrate this patriotic holiday?
