Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Container Mixology

What’s in your potting mix?  That’s the question of the day here at Blithewold as we re-examine the important components of a good potting soil.  Technically speaking, most bagged soils you can find at your … Read more.

North Garden inventory

I’m asked often enough to name my favorite plant and season that it’s a little strange that hardly anyone* ever asks which is my favorite garden. Not that I could possibly pick a favorite (the pollinator garden). But since I … Read more.

Rose Garden inventory

Thank goodness for rainy days. Without them, we stay outside and never get around to tidying the potting shed, defrosting the fridge, or keeping up with the paperwork. (Not to mention how happy the gardens are after a … Read more.

Fresh air and exercise

This past week was just what the doctor ordered. Sunshine and temperatures in the 50s and 60s made being up and out absolutely irresistible — for us and the spring flowers we’ve been waiting so (im)patiently for. … Read more.

Awakening spring

This week the temperatures softened just enough to keep spring from hitting the snooze button again and made being outside in the gardens totally irresistible. We didn’t leave a lot in the Rose or North Gardens to … Read more.

Sight for sore eyes

Winter’s mess has me craving tidiness (I understand the whole spring cleaning thing now and have gone a little nuts clearing surfaces at home) and its palette of whites, greys, browns, and bronzy greens has … Read more.

Learn something new — on fertilization

When we get busy I’m apt to forget my quest to learn something new every day. But during the winter we have the time and plenty of opportunities in the way of classes, lectures, symposiums, … Read more.

Warming up

A lot of people ask us what we do here in the winter. –A particularly legitimate question when the weather outside is as unpleasant as it has been this week as temperatures plunged and the … Read more.

In transition

Change is in the air. Gail is always the first to point out how the light has shifted — it is well into its golden slide to the south now. So pretty. And although this … Read more.

Let’s call it summer

Usually we can identify what season we’re in by the weather but this May into June has been weirdly crisp and fall-like. (I’m not complaining — it’s lovely. The only downside is that the soil … Read more.