My humble beginnings...

...as a flower farmer, that is.

 Planning what to grow that will provide blooms for cutting in spring, starts in
August/Sept. There are hardy annuals that will handle my Zone 6a winters no
problem. Bachelor Buttons is one of them.

Seeds direct-sown in the garden looked great just a few weeks later.
I also started many other easy to grow hardy annuals.
Such as sweet peas, nigellas, poppies and larkspurs
(images from google).

New raised beds were created all around the garden.
This is a front yard island bed I extended by 3'.
Brick edgings were removed, sod cut and dug up in 12" sections, soil
loosened with hand picks and added back to new bed.
Supervisor Tilly approves!

Don't forget the bulb food!

Many bags of soil and compost later, I was ready to plant!

Since the front yard is pretty much deer country, my plantings were mostly

daffodils and alliums...all 600 of 'em!

And in the backyard, hubby built 6 new raised beds...wahoo!
5' x 10' and 6" deep.

I use a weed barrier to prevent nearby tree roots growing through,

and layers of newspapers break down fast so a good way to recycle, as well.

 

  These tulips will be treated as annuals at harvest time...

meaning I will pull up the whole bulb (to get longer stem length),
and discard the bulbs..making room to grow the next batch of plants.

Leaf mulching is a great way to add nutrients to your beds...though
be mindful that breakdown of said leaves will affect your soil's PH level.

And here I go...expanding another bed...

...for more tulips!

I can't wait to see the explosion of 3,000 bulbs!

It's going to be beautiful spring!

Have a great week!

Happy Belated...

...New Year!

Late last summer, as I toiled away in the garden, an idea took hold.

What began as a gentle tug and whisper grew too loud to ignore.
So, I did some research...

and, I got started...growing MORE flowers!

I have always loved creating arrangements for friends, co-workers,
or even just for my own dining room table.  
Using fresh picked flowers right from the garden made them even more special.

So why not get more resourceful and broaden that creative side of
my love of gardening?  Makes total sense, right?

Growing flowers strictly for harvesting and designing on a weekly basis
will have it's challenges, I am sure.  But I am ready to give it my all.

I hope you'll continue to visit and enjoy reading about
my new adventure as a flower farmer.

Happy Belated New Year, friends!
(All photos from a recent visit to Longwood Gardens)

A Special Visit...

An extra early flight out of Trenton started my journey to Orlando last Sunday.

A much anticipated trip to visit my eldest, Amanda, who'd been away since August.

We celebrated her (belated) Birthday and possibly new job with Disney!

But a barely visible take-off (and landing!) had me kinda nervous!

Frontier's slogan is "A whole different animal"

so on a wing...and a prayer!...was this adorable polar bear...lol.

  A quick curb-side pick up and off we went!

 Always such a thrill to pass under this banner...despite the raindrops.

After day or two of work (moving her out of the dorms), we were free!

So....we played 'peek-a-poo' at the zoo

 with a giraffe,

 flirted with the crocs (he did wink at me!),

and I swear this guy was hammin' it up for the camera,

ate like a...oink, oink

and even kissed a snake...

through glass!

We spent many hours window shopping,

admiring Disney's floral displays.

Wish I could grow poinsettias outdoors in NJ!

 Mandy even scored a very special Disney souvenir...YAY!

Of course, the nightlife is never dull in Orlando

 where every night is a reason to celebrate...with fireworks!

 

 The week flew by before we knew it!

I will so miss this awesome view from the hotel balcony.

 

Sadly, we must say...

 and cheers...to an internship well done!

'til next time, Orlando!  Hope I'll be visiting often!

Happy Belated New Year!

But, first a very very belated Merry Christmas!
I know....This post is a month overdue(!) but with the view of a snow-covered landscape out my window this morning, it 'feels' very Christmas(sy), so let's take a tour of a Longwood Christmas, shall we?

 If you are lucky enough to be within driving distance of Kennett Square, PA, you've probably visited this gem of a display garden.  I could plan a monthly trip and still come across something new every visit.  In fact, I do! 

Be sure to check out their website  http://longwoodgardens.org for the wonderful schedule of workshops and lectures as well. 

I find it truly amazing that it only takes 3-full days to transform the greenhouses from the Chrysanthemum show (see previous post) into Christmas magic! 

Each turn down the path leads you into another secret garden...filled with wonderment and appreciation.  I would absolutely love to volunteer here...sigh!!

This long view of the main garden made quite an impact...
and these blue delphiniums took my breath away!

Never will you see a wilted bloom or petal out of place...that's what I call attention to detail!

Do you like this feather arrangement...?

The Cascade Garden showcased this whimsical tree decorated with glass hummingbirds... 

how adorable!

 

The Music Room featured a centerpiece made from paper leaves and feathers!  Each hand cut...can you imagine?! 

The look had a much more WOW effect in person! 
I "ooh" and "aah"(ed) until my jaw hurt...seriously!

There were many theme-decorated trees but my favorite were just the more simple ones...

The show continued outside as well.  Each tree (and there are hundreds) glowed with thousands (actually, millions!) of twinkly lights.  I forgot gloves this eve so these were quick snaps as I rushed from the parking lot to the greenhouses...lol.

These cascading lights remind me of fireworks, so I'd like to wish you all a Belated Happy New Year, as well!  Better late than never...;D

With 53 days left until Spring (yes, I'm patiently counting!), visiting Longwood is not a bad way to get my garden fix!

Enjoying these lovely hellebores I scored at a trade show last weekend...hurry, Spring!