Review of 2018 – Here and There

  • Post published:01/01/2019
  • Post comments:2 Comments
Golden winterberries
Golden winterberries in January of 2018

Today, January 1, 2019 is mild and cloudy, but our year of 2018 began with a snowstorm. Fortunately I  have winter interest in the garden with my winterberries and beautiful exfoliating bark on the river  birches.

George Washington Carver

February was a month for reading and learning. George Washington Carver helped farmers turn to peanuts, and the world benefits today with Plumpy’nut.

It was also a month of learning about trees, caterpillars and butterflies and their importance to our environment.

It has always struck me that February  is a great month for reading. I wrote about Houseplants.

Stonehurst, Waltham, MA

The Greenfield Garden Club planned a great trip  to the Lyman Plant House and Stonehurst is snowy, icy mid-March. Spring is in our minds.

 

Epimediums
Epimediums

In April spring is making herself known. Primroses, crocuses and my favorite epimediums.

 

Garden Blogger Fling-ers cooling off in Austin

 

In May the Garden Bloggers went on their Annual Fling, this year in Austin. We saw lots of gardens and at Tanglewild we got to rest in the shade and cool our feet.

In June we visited the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa, and then it was on to the Olbrich Botanical Garden in Madison, Wisconsin where Beth Stetenfeld and I caught our breath.

Olbrich Botanical Garden
Pat and Beth in the Olbrich Botanical Garden
Daylilies
Daylilies

In July I spent a lot of time in floriferous local gardens.  I bought more daylilies from the Stone Meadow Gardens in Ashfield. You can never have too many daylilies.

Thyme at Pickety Place
Thyme at Pickety Place

July – Time to get together with a family expedition to Pickity Place in New Hampshire. Not that far away.

Ankle deep in rainwater

August started off the rainy season. The backyard flooded many times. By the time  the waters had receded there was another rainstorm and more flooding. The weeping cherry died, and so did the pagoda dogwood.  These rains persisted for the rest of the year.

Tulip tree newly planted and mulched at the Energy Park

In September, Nancy Hazard, passionate about the importance of trees, planted three trees including this tulip trees at the Energy Park. I do my part by tending a small garden at the East entrance to the Energy Park.

Entry to newly designed back garden in Amherst

In October I was invited by Steve Schreiber, Jane Thurber and Mike Davidsohn of Umass  to learn about landscape design that was beautiful for  the owners and beneficial to the environment.

Clarkdale apples for eating, pies AND Cider

November is for Cider Days! A weekend of delicious apples and education.

Our Christmas tree

December is for the anniversary of  this blog on The Feast of St. Nicholas in 2008, and the joyous season of Christmas with family and friends.

I wish you all a Happy New Year in your gardens and everywhere.

 

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Lisa at Greeenbow

    A fine year it seems for you. Happy New Year Pat.

  2. Pat

    Lisa – And many happy days for you in 2019.

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