“O suns and skies and clouds of June, And flowers of June together, Ye cannot rival for one hour October’s bright blue weather.” -Helen Hunt Jackson – One of the signs of fall here in the valley is the first heavy frost that makes the morning glories no longer glorious…. Continue reading
“The summer comes with flower and bee….” Felicia Hemans Summer begins here in the valley when the baby phoebes fledge and fly away. The five of them flew away from their next on the top of a side porch pillar in mid-June. Phoebes have returned to this same spot every… Continue reading
“Gardening is half achievement and half optimism and in June we really have the best of each.” Geoff Hamilton Reluctant spring has given way to leafy June. I hope we are truly done with winter which seemed to keep coming back in April and May. The forsythia was as… Continue reading
Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage…. Richard Lovelace I couldn’t resist that particular quote which seems apt when so many people have been spending more time at home. Everyone I know has been challenged to find something constructive to do. Or some older classics… Continue reading
“The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; Little we see in Nature that is ours….” Wordsworth Spring starts in earnest here in the valley with the first snowdrops and the call of the white throated sparrow. It never ceases… Continue reading
“March is mostly a winter month, and carries the threat of a late season blizzard…. this is a month of promise, but also one of caution.” The New Victory Garden After thirty years of gardening in this particular place I have my favourites that I can’t live without. Yes it… Continue reading
“In winter’s tedious nights sit by the fire…” Shakespeare Looking at my garden notes from last spring I see that the tops of the bulbs on the warm west side of the house were showing on February 25. That cheered me up somewhat. A lot of fireside sitting has been… Continue reading
“…after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold…” Shakespeare It was definitely feeling very barren winter here in the valley in November. Like many people I was caught out by the early snow and cold. I managed to plant garlic and the last of the bulbs before… Continue reading
November’s sky is chill and drear….. Sir Walter Scott It is difficult to think of much positive about dark November. Heavy rain and wind have taken a toll on the colourful leaves and soon all will be bare. I have always been a bit envious of my English cousins for… Continue reading
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