Birches, Larches, Gingko, Oaks, Magnolia, and all flowering fruit and flowering trees as well as the Eastern Red Cedar. These trees have fleshy roots, and their feeder roots are not large when young and therefore take time to establish and are susceptible to frost heave. Perennials that do not like to be planted in fall are Artemisia, Lambs Ears, Foxglove, … [Read more...] about Early Fall Gardening Tips from The English Lady—’Take Time to Sit and Watch the Leaves Change’
‘When it Gets Crisp in the Fall’: Gardening Tips for September from ‘The English Lady’
"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Rain through August has been rather sparse. That said, our gardens need rain. In the meantime, if you are planting evergreens this month; September is the best time to plant evergreens in our zone. Evergreens planted now can begin to establish strong roots … [Read more...] about ‘When it Gets Crisp in the Fall’: Gardening Tips for September from ‘The English Lady’
Late Summer Gardening Tips from The English Lady—“August is Like the Sunday of Summer.”
Watering is so important during the heat of summer. If you planted trees or shrubs this spring, particularly evergreens, these plants require extra moisture to establish a strong root system. We have had an abundant amount of rain this spring and into the summer, however it is important to keep an eye on the weather. Here in New England, plants require at least … [Read more...] about Late Summer Gardening Tips from The English Lady—“August is Like the Sunday of Summer.”
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for June—”The Beginning of a Hopeful Summer”
We have had a few cool nights recently which are just wonderful, sleeping with the windows open. I cannot remember the last time we had a real spring like we experienced this year, with plenty of gentle rain. This beneficial rain is wonderful for all the spring plant growth and such a pleasure freshening the air for us all. I am so in awe of the miracle of Mother Nature and … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for June—”The Beginning of a Hopeful Summer”
Gardening Tips for Late Spring from ‘The English Lady’
Though April showers may come your way, They bring the flowers that bloom in May,So if it's raining have no regrets, Because it isn't raining rain you know, it's raining violets.- Al Jolson April was a month of activity in the garden, and our old nemesis, weeds are beginning to rear their heads, so we need to extract the little devils before they take hold and are … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Late Spring from ‘The English Lady’
Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
“Those March winds shall blow, and we shall have snow and what will the Robin do then poor thing? He’ll hide in the barn and keep himself warm and hide his head under his wing.” March was a month of “wait and see” as we anticipated walking around our gardens. This morning, I walked outside, into a westerly breeze and a gentle sun. I took a deep breath and as I did, I … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
This winter, as in other winters when I need a blossom boost, I enjoy the fragrance of the paper-white narcissi that I planted in tall glass vases. I surrounded the bulbs with seashells from White Sand Beach here in Old Lyme and kept them in a dark cool area, ensuring the shells and the bulbs were moist as the roots developed. When the bulb foliage reached about six … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Early Spring from ‘The English Lady’
Gardening Tips for Late October/Early November From ‘The English Lady’
“The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of.” Henry David Thoreau Over the next few weeks, with the soil remaining above 40 degrees, it is an ideal time to divide summer blooming perennials, which have been in the ground for three years or more. Dividing perennials gives them a new lease on life and encourages more … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Late October/Early November From ‘The English Lady’
Gardening Tips for Late July/Early August from ‘The English Lady’—”Deep Summer is When Laziness Finds Respectability”
Watering is so important during the heat of summer. If you planted trees or shrubs this spring, particularly evergreens, these plants require extra moisture to establish a strong root system. We have had an abundant amount of rain this spring and into the summer, however it is important to keep an eye on the weather. Here in New England, plants require at least … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips for Late July/Early August from ‘The English Lady’—”Deep Summer is When Laziness Finds Respectability”
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for May: ‘The Month of Expectation, Wishes and Hope’
“The darling buds of May” is such an apt phrase for one of the most enchanting months with bloom on spring bulbs and flowering trees, the Amelanchier, the Dogwood and the Cherry to name a few and the new awakening red foliage of Maples winking in the sun. By now, you have probably removed most of the winter debris, pruned broken branches and re-edged borders. Do … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for May: ‘The Month of Expectation, Wishes and Hope’
Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For April: The Month of ‘Suns in Showers’
Those April showers that come our wayThey bring the flowers that bloom in May.And when it’s raining, let’s not forget,It isn’t raining rain at all, it’s raining violets.~From a song by Al Jolson~ April is the month of activity in the garden, and our old nemesis, weeds are beginning to rear their heads, so we need to extract the little devils before they take hold and are … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For April: The Month of ‘Suns in Showers’
Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For March: The Month of ‘Wait and See’
‘Those March winds shall blow, and we shall have snow and what will the Robin do then poor thing? He’ll hide in the barn and keep himself warm and hide his head under his wing’. March is a month of ‘wait and see’ as we anticipate walking around our gardens. This morning, I walked outside, into a westerly breeze and a gentle sun. I took a deep breath and as … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips From ‘The English Lady’ For March: The Month of ‘Wait and See’
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for February—’the Border Between Winter and Spring’
This winter, as in other winters; when I need a blossom boost, I enjoy the fragrance of paper white narcissus that I planted in tall glass vases. I surrounded the bulbs with seashells from White Sand Beach here in Old Lyme and kept them in a dark cool area keeping the shells and the bulbs moist as the roots developed. When the bulb foliage reached about six inches, I … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for February—’the Border Between Winter and Spring’
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for January, ‘The Month for Dreaming’
Happy New Year, everyone! Well, here we go, as you sit in your arm chair and dream about fragrant bloom and delicious vegetables in your garden. However, it is never too early to plan for this season in your garden. My motto has always been to plan, before action and production. Mother Nature is waiting for us with her gifts of renewal, growth and nourishment as we begin … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for January, ‘The Month for Dreaming’
Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for December—a ‘Time to Make Amends and Tie Up Loose Ends’
Hello everyone; so much to do and so little time in this holiday season ... Remember, to breathe, stretch and take time out for yourself each day. On a pleasant December day, go out into the garden. There is still time to plant your spring bulb; the earth is still workable so enjoy the fresh air and the gentle exercise. Plant the bulbs three times as deep as they … [Read more...] about Gardening Tips from ‘The English Lady’ for December—a ‘Time to Make Amends and Tie Up Loose Ends’