Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Slow Flowers with Debra Prinzing

You’ve probably heard of the Slow Food movement. I don’t think I know anyone who hasn’t been making a conscious shift away from processed (fast) food to local, seasonable, sustainable whole-food sources. We’re eager to … Read more.

Day of the dormant

This has maybe been the prettiest fall week ever and we have spent it celebrating the gardens’ downward spiral into dormancy — as well as its eventual rebirth. You know we have a schedule to keep before allowing … Read more.

Slow flowers at Robin Hollow Farm

I often tell people that we’re too busy in the gardens to get out much. That might sound like a complaint but it’s not. For one thing, I hate to miss anything here, and when … Read more.

What to do with asparagus foliage

I haven’t spent a lot of time in the vegetable garden this summer — Dan has been right on top of the planting, the weeds, and the harvests — but this week I found myself … Read more.

Tulip tryouts

I’m so glad the deer were put off by all the smelly stuff we sprinkled and sprayed on the tulips because they’re giving us the prettiest show right now. The Rose Garden looks like a … Read more.

Bring on spring

We’ve made room in the propagating house for trays of seedlings. We’ve ordered new tools and can’t wait to use them. We’re ready. Raring to go. Fingers tapping. Meanwhile, there’s nothing better than a bucket … Read more.

Spruced for Sparkle

Gail, Betsy and I spent this short week getting ready for Christmas at Blithewold and the first evening of Sparkle coming up this Friday. We made (that is, Betsy made) gorgeous terrariums, and put together … Read more.

Making arrangements

I don’t think I have been nearly noisy enough about the cutting garden this year. It is so knock-your-socks-off bloomerific. I’m also not sure I’ve mentioned just how fun it is to pick flowers from … Read more.

Picking from the cutting garden

One of the best perks of a garden is having a ready and steady supply of stems to pick to bring inside for flower arrangements. We’re lucky to have a whole garden — The William … Read more.

An artist in the garden

There are often artists in the garden. Some bring easels and paints, others bring notebooks and pens, or just their imagination. Ellen Hoverkamp brought her flatbed scanner and laptop. If you did as I suggested … Read more.