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1 APRIL 2020 AND this is no joke! In the past several years, I have often wondered to myself whether or not having a garden the size of Ashdowne was worth it or not. Those doubts have been erased by the COVID-19 event. If one must be sequestered in situ, I must admit that being … Read more

A few weeks ago our neighbor graveled the driveway. When it rains hard drainage is a problem. So over the years original gravel gave way to soil which turned to mud even after a moderate rain. We discussed ways to drain the excess water but given the cost and considerable work and disruption to other … Read more

CATCHING UP WITH 2019 I just looked at the website’s first page and was horrified to discover that I hadn’t written anything since December 30, 2018! So here it is, nearly the first day of summer (and the temperature is 68), so it’s time to update. If by some chance you missed the past post, … Read more

2018 in Review This has been quite a year. Many, many changes including a familydeath, some personal health issues (under control), a stretch of nearly 3 months dealing with the consequences of major poison ivy reaction, retirement as a hospice RN and, as a result, an opportunity to fully consider the garden, its present needs and … Read more

Quercus acutissima (sawtooth oak) – note the trellis on the right, partly covered by downed branches: it is over 6′ tall!

WHEN THE BEAUTIFUL CAN BE HORRIFYING – How often we have heard the phrase “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. I’m afraid I don’t recall where I saw this nor the author but I will never forget the rejoinder: “so is ugly.” Well, sometimes the same thing can be both. Some of our … Read more

The garden has been open for viewing since late spring, but has hardly been in a condition I would condone! Between the near-total absence of spring, some surgery, some family illness and death, much in-the-garden work time has been lost.  However, with help from some friends and a lot of grunting and sweat over the … Read more

*Bodacious Herbaceous Border Well, what else would you call it (keep it clean now); it’s nearly 140′ long and started out about 6′ deep, now 8′. It has been a dream for years; 2017 saw the first steps to reality. The area was cleared of weeds and grass during the fall and winter of 2016 … Read more

Say what? Bedtime for the garden? It’s the end of November, there have been several frosts (temps into mid-low 20s) and there are still things in bloom in the garden. I’ve had roses in bloom in December in a garden in the middle of Columbus, but never anything close to that out here in the … Read more

Day Lilies Hemerocallis – the genus for day lilies – are in their glory right now. The earliest bloomers started nearly three weeks ago, most are going great blazes as I type and some have yet to begin. Carefully selected for blooming time, they can give a garden up to 2 full months, perhaps a … Read more