Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Vacation house

I think it’s because I work here year-round that I tend to forget that Blithewold was built as a summer retreat. The Van Wickle/McKee family came up from Pennsylvania and later down from Boston and … Read more.

Oopsie daisy

It could happen to anyone. Even the “professionals” get it a little bit wrong sometimes … sometimes in a pretty big way. Last week when I discovered a rather substantial error in mistaken identity that … Read more.

When it pours

A rainy day offers many possibilities to the dedicated gardener. Even though a few of us might see a storm as a welcome opportunity for a break (I’m sure I’d like to wrap up on … Read more.

Fight or blight

Pretty safe to say that it’s not going to be a great tomato year. If we’re very very lucky maybe we’ll get some honker waterlogged fruit with split skins but conditions are apparently favorable for … Read more.

The beetle battle

Rated NC 39 for graphic bug sex, violence and strong language In a garden as beautiful as this (the North Garden this very morning) you might not be aware at first glance of the horrors … Read more.

The axis of summer

In a way it’s a little strange that this seems (maybe especially to non-gardeners) to be the hub of our gardening year – that all of our efforts revolve around this very point.  We know … Read more.

Sunspot

Every so often I find I’m struck by a new color – something that was a “meh” only last year or even just yesterday becomes the best thing ever. It figures that I would choose … Read more.

Bee-lated update

I’ve been meaning to tell you about Fred and Dan’s discovery for a few weeks now but keep getting distracted by garden tours, award worthy blooms, days off and other shiny things. A month or … Read more.

Plants are my favorite people

It was Lilah’s suggestion when she first saw the sea of pink peony poppies (voted Most Flirtatious) in full bloom in the Cutting Garden that I do a Superlatives post. Since I spent high school … Read more.