Generosity
Gardeners are a generous lot, we love sharing plants and seeds with other gardeners. There’s nothing better than passing along a favorite plant for someone else to grow.
I’ve met many interesting gardeners through the years and have received many wonderful garden gifts. Just this past month I was gifted some crosnes from a generous blog reader (thanks so much). I planted these little beauties and can’t to try some next year.
Last week, a local gardener stopped by to pick up some perennial leeks I offered to give him earlier in the week. As any gardener, he couldn’t come empty handed and brought some ‘Jeminez’ pole beans and some ‘Sirviata’ wheat. Today, another blog reader and friend is bringing me some of her father in law’s heirloom pole beans that he’s been saving.
There’s nothing better than receiving gifts like this from the garden. One of these days I hope to have more seeds to share with all of you.
What’s the best plant/seed you’ve ever received from another gardener?
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A Worthy Investment + a giveaway
I learned long ago that cheap gardens tools don’t cut it. My first garden tools were purchased inexpensively at the local hardware store, most of them have already broken or desperately need to be replaced. My mom has a wonderful collection of old garden tools, most of them were left in their first home. They’re quality tools, the kind I want to spend my hard earned money on.
I love the old tools, they’re sturdy and well made, but it can be tough to find them when you need them. As a result, I’ve been looking around for good quality garden tools to buy. I know these will last me for the rest of my gardening career. After much searching, I found Clarington Forge tools and added them to my wish list hoping I might receive one for Christmas.
Why did I choose Clarington Forge? Because they are still hand made in England, just like they have been since 1780 (that’s a LONG time). Each handle is made of ash, which is strong, beautiful, and very comfortable to use. Each spade and fork head is forged from a single piece of steel. I know investing a few extra dollars in these tools will result in a lifetime of use rather than just a few years like my previous ones. When you pick up one of these tools you know it’s made to last!
Imagine my delight when cClarington Forge contacted me about a new their affiliate program and offered to give a beautiful garden tool to one of my lucky readers!
I’m more than happy to recommend a wonderful product that I’m willing to spend my own money on. It’s even better when they offer an affiliate program that helps me pay the bills associated with this blog. If you’re looking to upgrade any of your tools or need a fabulous gift for that gardener on your list, consider investing in a tool that will last a lifetime. I know I’d be delighted to find a new spade or potato fork under the Christmas tree on December 24th! Whenever you want to buy new garden tools, click through the link in my sidebar, it helps keeps my hosting bills paid each month!
Comment below, tell me which garden tool you use most and which tool from Clarington Forge you’d like find in your garden shed should you win.
Emily K from Dirt, Dishes and Design is our winner – congrats Emily!!!
If you’d like see other ways to support this blog check out my Support Page, every little bit helps keep this blog up & running.
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Quote of the Day: Robert Frost
“Something we were withholding made us weak,
until we found it was ourselves.”
Too often it’s not the things beyond our control that hold us back but our fears and inhibitions; we can be our own worst enemies. Since I’m an introvert, this is definitely something I struggle with. I’m slowly learning to not hold myself back and to step out of my comfort zone. It can be tough, but I have found that it’s always rewarding!
Do you ever feel like you hold yourself back?
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Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Chiot’s Run. We’re thankful for you, our readers, and the community you provide. Hopefully you’re enjoying a wonderful day with family, friends, and good food.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Chiot’s Run.
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A Sweet Gift
On Sunday afternoon, a friend and her husband came over and we spent the afternoon enjoying great food and then soaked up some sun while hiking through the woods behind our house. She’s a blog reader and was the one who helped us find this place here in Maine. She’s also a gardener and brought along a few lovely sweet onions as a housewarming gift. Along with a beautiful pottery bowl she made!
Back in February and May, we stayed with her while looking at this property and a few others. While there, she was telling me about the Ailsa Craig onion she had ordered to grow. True to the description, they grew HUGE. She did provide them with the water they relish by surrounding them with soaker hoses which no doubt helped.
Two nights ago, I cut one of these beauties up for my cranberry chutney. The other two will travel back to Ohio for our family Thanksgiving meal. I’m thinking one will find it’s way into the sourdough stuffing and the other into a sweet onion gravy.
I especially fond of the fact that this onion is an heirloom and that you can find seed for it (I’m going to order them from High Mowing Seeds). When it comes to onions I much prefer to start with seed rather than with plants or sets.
Are there any new things you’ve already discovered for next year’s garden?
