Not only was the weather perfect but it was a good weekend as far as projects go. For a couple of years I have debated about the amount of work I wanted to do and whether I wanted to keep the garden more manicured or wild. After working all day on a couple of beds weeding and cleaning I decided that part of the beauty of the woodland garden is due to the layout and the plantings and that the time and effort spent is well worth it. The edges of the property are basically wild with native plants that I have left to grow wild. The beds are a combination of native plants and woodland plants that I have brought in and established.

I am not trying to achieve a botanically correct version of a woodland here I am more trying to establish a retreat and haven that I can wonder in and enjoy that catches my attention and imagination. Is that not what a garden is meant to do any ways? To please and inspire it’s care taker? I think that is the case.

As I was working in one of the beds an Iris that was planted a couple of years ago was in bloom. It truly was beautiful there in bloom for the first time and reaffirmed my commitment to my vision.

Many people who are not gardeners do not always understand a garden. There perception is a beautifully manicured setting with colors that blend all the shrubs and trees pruned without a weed in sight or a blemish any wheres. A Truly great garden is one that is loved and tended with care and respect of it’s caretaker. Loved for all it’s beauty and it’s blemishes equally. One that brings joy to the heart and peace to the soul of those who’s passion has inspired it.

Some people will read the above and say “It’s Just A Garden” and to that my reply is, yes it is and depending on your beliefs all of mankind and the plant and animal kingdoms began in a garden. After all wasn’t Eden just a garden?

Sorry to get off on a side car there, but sometimes things are so much more than what they seem to the casual observer. For the artist, the musician, the poet, the builder, the baker, the inventor,the counselor, or what ever occupation those who put there whole passion and commitment into their life’s work can understand. Those who are passionate about something get the greatest amount of pleasure in their lives while pursuing their passions. It is an experience that makes you realize your potential and more so than that when you are zoned in on something that gripping it allows you to reach your full potential which is part of the human experience.

You see what a garden can do for you when you spend time there and shut yourself off from all the distraction you actually have time to reflect and come up with philosophies like the one above. Please don’t let that scare you off though because it really is amazing what happens to those who choose to involve themselves with a garden.

Until next week enjoy some time for yourself each day and do not put aside your passions but embrace them.

It is really nice to have some time to enjoy and refresh. I hope you will be able to take sometime this weekend with family and friends and to spend some time refreshing your self.

It is always a surprise when you arrive at the woodland garden you never know what will be blooming. I think that is part of the charm of being there. Of course a lot of times your mind starts to think about this weekend’s projects. Not the case this weekend I was just so happy to be there. It soothes your mind when you arrive at that serene place and just take in what nature has done. After a brief survey I stated cleaning up the twigs and branches from the spring storms. One thing about the woodland garden is that there is always plenty of kindling laying around for the campfire. As I was picking up I came across a volunteer columbine that had sprouted outside of the bed by the pond. In the picture it appears white but it had just the a blush of rose in the petals. I will transplant it and see how it does.

After picking up I mowed the lawn then set about cleaning the inside of the trailer and getting it ready for next weekend. The Memorial Day weekend is always busy at the woodland garden as it is considered the beginning of summer and the crowds show up from all over. We are so blessed to be at the end of the street with a culdesac so we do not get a ton of traffic. It is still peaceful and serene even there are 12,000 people out for the weekend. Of course there are all kinds of activities from flee markets to fishing derby’s for those who are interested.

It will be a long weekend so I will be working around the property and finish getting the place in shape. There is one project in particular that will need attending to which is thinning out the ferns. The ferns are starting to take over some of the beds and will need to be thinned out and put back into order. There are plenty of places that can used some so transplanting will not be a problem. It is amazing how quickly the ferns have filled in. The problem with them being so aggressive is that they tend to choke out some of the more desirable plantings.

Along with the landscape work I will defiantly need to get down to the lakes to check on the fishing. It should be a great weekend and on the top of the list will be my favorite meal while I am at the woodland garden and that is a weenie roast. I don’t care where you go and who makes it a hot dog cooked over the campfire is the best tasting dog you could ever eat. I hope you have a great week and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend coming up. Please take some time to remember those who have made it possible for you to celebrate this holiday. They are the ones that made it possible and also your chance to live in a free an democratic society by their sacrifices.

Click On The Picture For A Full View

When I arrived at the woodland garden the spring flowering bulbs were up and in bloom. As you can see the daffodils were in full bloom. Every year the patch seems to get bigger and bigger. They really brighten up the area and are sure a welcome sign of springs arrival. I truly enjoy there bright cheery color after such a long drab winter. At the urban garden I always get asked if it is time to plant the tulips and daffodils when ever they come up and then I have to explain that they were planted the previous fall but I do not mind because there really are a lot of people who just don’t know.

Click On The Picture For A Full View

There are three types of anemone flowers. There is a Spring flowering type, which has either rhizomes or tubers. There is tuberous Mediterranean which flowers in spring and summer. And there is a larger Fall flowering type, which blooms in late summer to fall and tends to have fibrous roots. At the woodland garden there are anemones scattered about in several different areas. It is always so exciting to come upon a patch of them in full bloom as they just seem to jump out in a burst of color.

As I wandered around I could see all the hostas and ferns were getting ready to unfurl their leaves and turn the woodland garden into a woodsy paradise very shortly. There were a lot of branches and twigs scattered about and some left over leaves that were still scattered here and there. The good thing was that there was no major damaged caused by the winter storms. Yet there is a good amount of cleanup to be done.

This weeks trip was more of a scouting trip and to open up the trailer. I got the water on and flushed the system of antifreeze. I checked the appliances and made sure the refrigerator was on and running so that next weekend we would be all set. That will be a working weekend. The grounds will get cleaned up and they screen room roof will be put back up. The last of the winter debris will be removed and the woodland garden will be ready for another season. I did jot down some notes about projects which I want to do this year but they will be shared in a latter post.

I would be remiss if I closed this post without a shot of my favorite spring flowering plant. This year it was fabulous and is getting bigger every year. Dicentra Spectabilis more commonly known as the Bleeding Heart or Dutchman’s Trousers. Bleeding Hearts are excellent perennial for the shade garden and they are very attractive with their light transparent green color, deeply divided and fern like foliage and blooms are borne on arching flower stems above the foliage.

Click On The Picture For A Full View

I hope you enjoyed this weeks glance at the woodland garden and that you have a great week. Next week we will continue the discussion on woodland plants. Have a Great Week!

So I hope to have a report and update as well as some pictures next weekend. In the means time a little preview of what will be happening when I head next weekend. Along with overseeding the lawn and fertilizing I will be bringing out a new ground cover for the woodland garden.

Tradescantia Blushing Bride I will be placing it in several areas that get a lot of shade and see if I can get it to grow. It seems to be well suited for the woodland garden and I think it will do well there. I will let you know how it works out.

Have a great week and Looking forward to writing about the first visit of the season next weekend!

Woodhaven Lakes will be holding a cabin fever weekend on February 13th and 14th for those that can’t wait to get out and enjoy some events. I will not be able to attend because I need to be available 24 – 7 until the end of March. But I will be out as soon as the first weekend in March when no snow is forecast . Trying to plan anything in February always backfires so I have given up.

I always get antsy at this time of year and can not wait till I can get back to the woodland garden. It will be soon though and I will be able to enjoy the spring flowering bulbs and early perennials as they start to poke their heads up out of the earth after the long winters rest. Before you know it the place will be ablaze in color and the sound of happy birds as they fill their stomachs and try to find a mate. Yes it won’t belong till the magic of the woodland garden takes over again….

Thinking about the woodland garden does bring a sense of peace but also it reminds me of balmy summer days and crisp early mornings sitting on the deck enjoying the wild life just waking up and starting to forage for the days meal.

Waking up just at dawn and taking a hot cup of coffee out on the deck sitting there at the table I have time to just relax and enjoy the moment. There is no sense of urgency or need to rush.

A great view above looking off the deck now that is a sight for soar eyes on a damp and cold Christmas morning. This is just a part of the attraction of the woodland garden the real attraction lives deep inside. It is a feeling of stability and calm that comes with being surround by nature and all her creatures and creations. It is a place to relax and dream and replenish  your soul. I can not wait for spring to get back there and once again enjoy time spent surrounded by the beauty and serenity.

Merry Christmas To All

From the Woodland Garden

Plenty of leaves and a good size chore but after a couple of hours it was tamed and the leaves were out by the roadside waiting for the vacuum truck to come along and take them away.

Of course there was other work to be done. The refrigerator and pantry had to be cleaned out. The bedding had to be removed as well as all the dishes and silverware stored away. Once the inside work was done it was time to shutdown the water. The water line was disconnected and air blown through the system until all the water was out of all the lines. Once the water was gone I pumped RV Anti freeze through all the lines and poured it down all the drains. That was it for inside.

The screen room was next!

The roof on the screen room has to come down or the weight of the snow would crush the room over the winter. The roof takes about an hour to unfasten and put away once that chore is complete the work is almost done. A quick walk around to make sure that everything is picked up and stored in the shed and it is good for another upcoming winter.

With all the work out of the way I sat down and enjoyed the fast fading afternoon sun. As it spread it’s warmth across the woodland garden I enjoying the calm and quiet of the unseasonably warm fall afternoon and reflected on the memories of this and past years at the woodland garden. Even though the woodland garden is preparing for a long winters rest I can look forward to Spring as it will burst back to life and welcome me back with all of natures beauty and surprises as it reawakens. That is probably the best as the new growth starts and the plants start to poke out through the soil and show themselves. The birds are all singing and zipping around courting their mates as the squirrels are happily jumping and chasing each other from tree top to tree top and another year will begin at the woodland garden.

As I drove away I was already counting the days till I would return to the special place known as my woodland garden

The winter will soon be upon us and I must be sure that the cabin is prepared properly to withstand the harsh weather. All of the fun and joy of the past season must now be put aside to be remembered on a cold snowy day that will provide hope for the coming of a new season at my beloved woodland garden. Over the winter I will be planning some new projects and changes. This will also give me encouragement that soon enough spring will arrive and I will be able to get back to the beauty and serenity of the woodland garden.

As I work on these new plans I will post periodic updates and also some more cultural information on woodland gardening.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the fall days ahead.

It was not as crowded as usual for a holiday weekend as school has started so not so many people made it out. There were 8 family’s out on our street over the weekend and lots of noise and clamoring . It seems as if everyone was having a good time. They are all very nice people and there kids are well behaved but it does get a bit noisy. But 2:00 Monday afternoon everyone was gone except one couple and the street was amazingly quiet. It was very welcome. The rest of the week was nice because I think I only saw 3 cars come down the street.

Being in the woodland garden when you are there by yourself is very calming and restful. I think it is a time when you can decompress and revitalize yourself. Everyone needs time to themselves when they can just relax and not have any pressure to do something or be some wheres. The woodland garden is truly just such an escape.

I did get some fishing time in which was very lucrative. The pan fish were biting so dinner tonight will be a fish fry. It has been a good while since we have had a fish fry but there is nothing like some fresh fried blue gill with home made french fries. Yum Yum!

Alas though it will not be to many more weeks before it will be time to winterize the cabin and bed the woodland garden down for another year. I do hope to get a couple more weekends though. Fall is the best time of year out there.