Sunday, June 12, 2011
A dismal morning here on the mountain. The rain has stopped but the darkness grasps tight on everything as if pressuring the sun from rising above Peacham Pond. It will brighten soon and people will begin stirring in camps at the pond. As soon as the first campers head to town for Sunday papers, milk, and a loaf of bread, others will follow suit and activity will begin.
Gail took Karl the Wonder Dog for his walk this morning and I half expected a big animal report. It has been raining since yesterday morning and that slows down animal movement. As the air pressure rises and rains stop, wildlife moves but this morning Gail and Karl had nothing to talk about. I keep glancing to the left and out my office window into the grassy field but so far I haven't seen anything either.
Yesterday at the nursery I noticed that the Siberian irises have begun to open. When I see Siberian or Japanese irises I immediately think of a man who was really the world's best hybridizer for those flowers. He gardens in a different world now but Dr. Currier McEwen of my favorite Harpswell, Maine hybridized until almost age 100 and brought many beautiful flowers to us. He is well documented on the Internet because of his mix of flowers and medicine and it's worth a few minutes to read about his worldly contributions and learn about the flowers he introduced. He was a special person and no matter who visited him, he found time for conversation. Jean Potuchek of East Poland, Maine, writes an excellent New England garden blog Jean's Garden, and she has recently written about Siberian irises in her piece In Praise of Siberian Irises.
Already almost 6:30 and I have to get going here. Vermont State Parks are open for free visits today and with a handful of courage and a bottle of bug dope, I recommend a hike up Owl's Head in Groton State Forest. The rangers open the gate at the entrance at about 9 and you can drive a mile up the hill, park, and climb the granite stairs for about 10-15 minutes. The 10-15 minute variation depends on your huff and puff numbers as you climb the steps. I don't climb as fast as I used to. Give it a try!
George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa. Hope you'll click "Like" on the VFFG page.
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
And remember, we are here to help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!
Gail took Karl the Wonder Dog for his walk this morning and I half expected a big animal report. It has been raining since yesterday morning and that slows down animal movement. As the air pressure rises and rains stop, wildlife moves but this morning Gail and Karl had nothing to talk about. I keep glancing to the left and out my office window into the grassy field but so far I haven't seen anything either.
Yesterday at the nursery I noticed that the Siberian irises have begun to open. When I see Siberian or Japanese irises I immediately think of a man who was really the world's best hybridizer for those flowers. He gardens in a different world now but Dr. Currier McEwen of my favorite Harpswell, Maine hybridized until almost age 100 and brought many beautiful flowers to us. He is well documented on the Internet because of his mix of flowers and medicine and it's worth a few minutes to read about his worldly contributions and learn about the flowers he introduced. He was a special person and no matter who visited him, he found time for conversation. Jean Potuchek of East Poland, Maine, writes an excellent New England garden blog Jean's Garden, and she has recently written about Siberian irises in her piece In Praise of Siberian Irises.
Already almost 6:30 and I have to get going here. Vermont State Parks are open for free visits today and with a handful of courage and a bottle of bug dope, I recommend a hike up Owl's Head in Groton State Forest. The rangers open the gate at the entrance at about 9 and you can drive a mile up the hill, park, and climb the granite stairs for about 10-15 minutes. The 10-15 minute variation depends on your huff and puff numbers as you climb the steps. I don't climb as fast as I used to. Give it a try!
George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa. Hope you'll click "Like" on the VFFG page.
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
And remember, we are here to help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!
