Siberian Irises

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!

Missed Opportunities

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Been sitting here reading for an hour. 55.9° on the thermometer but one look outside gives mental challenge to the reading. I know it's right but there is a thick gloominess hanging this morning with heavy, low clouds and notice of impending rain. The only movement I can detect is that of mosquitoes which are in abundance this year as never before.

Karl the Wonder Dog is disappointed with me. I have no courage to put on his leash and walk him down the road so I rely on Gail. She's not that enamored with me this time of day either as sleep sounds better to her than walking the dog and maintaining a watchful eye for large wildlife. Every day another report comes in of bear sitings and those serve as a reminder to be attentive even if seeds of sleep and unfinished dreams weigh heavy on the dog walker. I'll soon have courage again to be pulled around and Karl's morning walks will be with me on the other end of the leash. My leg is coming along nicely says the doc and I don't want to push progress into reverse.

I never thought I would miss the end of springtime so much. Here in this part of Vermont the time from the end of May until about the middle of June is wildflower time. I enjoy walks in the woods and around the kettle ponds so frequent here. But with crutches and a little limp when I discard them it's not all that handy to take pictures and kneel and bend.

I have always liked the various orchids that bloom in spring because they are so much larger than those that come later. The pink or white Moccasin-flowers like the yellow lady slipper pictured above are easy to find. I love to find the yellows and have been known to spend too much time laying on the ground waiting for an ant to come out for a picture. If you have examined one of the yellow flowers, you know what I mean. But late spring holds other treasures and the simple white bunchberries make me as happy as the three native trilliums, the flowers of the red, white or pink baneberries, clintonia, the blue-bead lilies, or Dutchman's Breeches. This was supposed to be the spring of hiking and picture taking but that's been postponed until next spring. You have time though and easy little hikes include nearby Kettle Pond or Osmore Pond within New Discovery Campground. Today would be a great day as the light rains will calm the black fly/mosquito's appetites and this weekend is get-in-the state-park-free time. Put an extra set of batteries in your camera case, pack a snack and don't say you'll think about it later. Wildflowers offer a narrow annual window and seeing them in their glory confirms a memory you won't forget.


Writing from the moutnain above Peacham Pond where Gail and Karl have returned safely, driven back by bugs says Gail. In the nearby larch tree, two ravens show disrespect for tired forest neighbors as they shout loudly in bird words I do not comprehend. Maybe they are reminding me to get going!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens. Like us if you will.
Other gardening thoughts on Facebook at George Africa.
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Check your potatoes for potato beetles and their bright orange eggs on the undersides of the leaves. It's an especially bad year for them and "no leaves" means no potatoes.

Like Lupines?

Friday, June 10, 2011

A pleasant 67° here at 9 AM. A slight breeze is willowing the tree leaves and the air is thick with humidity from yesterday's rains. Here in Marshfield we were spared the 4-5 inches that fell across central and southern Vermont yesterday, downing power lines and flooding once again. It's warm enough now that you can almost see the grass growing.

This time of year lupines are blooming everywhere. They are evident in gardens but also in fields along the roadways where they self seed freely. At the nursery I refuse to grow them even though people ask for them as soon as they see them someplace else. I have always enjoyed seeing them myself but when they pass, the foliage looks ratty and aphids, specific to the lupines but aphids just the same, are prominent.

Aphids are vectors of other problems and I don't like the thought of encouraging insects that might spread other diseases around. As such I try to suggest to customers unfamiliar with a close up view of mature lupines what they might see. From the perspective of a garden, lupines are analogous to Oriental poppies which leave you with a big hole of brown when they finish blooming. Give both of these some thought in terms of where you plant them and what you expect from them. As with humans, if the expectation is clear, the product is not disappointing.


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where Dan and the road crew are dumping crushed stone and grading the road for the first time since February. They have been working long hours trying to clean up after the storms of the 26th of May that wiped out five counties in Vermont. Climate change anyone? Maybe, maybe not.


George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
At Vermont Flower Farm we'll help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Attack of the Wild Chervil

Monday, June 6, 2011

A beautiful morning here above Peacham Pond. Windless for a change as the sun pushes through the fog and steam rolls gently off the machine shed roof as last night's dew becomes this morning's humidity.

Gail is banging around, muttering here and there, loading the truck and trying to get out the door for the nursery. She is a trooper for putting up with me and clearly my broken leg was not what either of us thought would be a good way to start the summer. Last night when she had barely returned from a long day, I begged if she would take me for a brief ride so I could get away from here for a bit. Gail is Gail and off we went down George Jewett Road to Route 2. The Jewett Road is a mess and you need real care to keep away from the wash outs as the road width lessens. Out towards Hookerville, the impact of Mollys Falls Brook rising over ten feet is still obvious as you can spot tree limbs hanging out of trees along the brook and piles of grass and rushes stuck in the top of the brook alders. The temporary bridge at the start of Ennis Road was added after folks were stranded in there for 4 days. It looks odd as we are accustomed to the old wooden bridge that this time of year always has kid's bikes leaned against the rails, waiting for them to return by school bus at the end of the day. Only in Vermont!

We headed up Route 2 to the Cabot-Danville Road and Gail turned around as enough was enough for me. As we approached the flat before Goodrich's Sugar House, I could see a black form in the distance come out of the swamp on the right. I asked Gail to slow and the "black form" turned out to be a black bear intent on crossing the road but not willing to deal with our car or the sound of more vehicles from the west. The bear looked straight at me and plopped back into the swamp. We tried but couldn't locate it in the grass so don't know if it was a sow with a cub or two or a bear that was old enough this spring to get the word from Mom to leave her company and go it alone. Regardless, seeing wildlife like this lends a great feeling and a bigger admiration for Vermont, the real place to live!

Along the road it was apparent what a giant problem wild chervil has become in Vermont. It is carried by vehicles and wherever a seed drops, it turns invasive. The University of Vermont Extension Service wrote this piece about it eleven years ago and I doubt the author knew at the time what a giant problem it would become. Try this link: wild chervil

The picture up top is a bank at a neighbors where the chervil has overtaken what was a very nice perennial garden. Years back when Gail owned the property she hired a local guy to cut the chervil down with a weed whacker. A couple days after the job he was limping around with sorry looking legs having been splattered by the plant sap as he mowed down the chervil. Maybe not everyone is allergic to the plant but for him, the reaction was no different than that of poison ivy. Right now in Vermont you can see large patches of this plant along every road. We even have some near the front door this year that must have seeded in from the road. Another invasive to add to the list. Because people love white flowers, I offer a strong cautionary note that you should not pick "wild and white" unless you know what you are doing. A flat topped white flower may look like Queen Anne's Lace to you but this is too early for that to bloom in Vermont so what you pick may not be what you think. Be careful!


Any minute now one of my friends will call demanding to know if I'm laying flat with my leg elevated. I don't want to have to tell a story. It's a beautiful day out there this morning so if you can, get out for a walk. Wonder where the bear is walking now????


George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
Growing Hardy Plants For Hardy Vermonters and Their Friends!

Checking Honey Bees

Friday, June 3, 2011

66° with bright skies and a 4 mph wind. It's a good thing the wind is blowing because the continuous rain has given us a bumper crop of mosquitoes and black flies like we have not seen in years. Here at the house where I am marooned with this broken leg, we have always had a reputation of black fly season lasting until just after the July 4th holiday. In contrast, the nursery, even though it is close to the Winooski River, never has a bug problem because water usually does not puddle up there and the wind always blows. Everything on earth has a purpose but I am at a loss as to the benefit of black flies.

This morning my friend Michelle came up to help me check our honey bees. Michelle and Mike have gone in on this endeavor with me and it's nice to have partners. Michelle has no fear of bees and almost seems reluctant to need a bee suit before opening the hive. I'm a real neophyte and a suit between me and 4000 bees still seems quite nice!

As history, we bought the bees on Tuesday the 24th and set them up at the nursery that night at about 9:30. The night of the 26th over 6 inches of rain fell and by the morning of the 27th, the hive had been entirely under flood water and we thought everything was probably dead. With the help of my neighbor Kim, we screwed the hive together for transport and brought it here to the house. We headed it into the southern sky and hoped for the best. Each day the exiting and arriving worker bees seemed stronger but I still wasn't sure if the queen had survived or the hive was in the process of being requeened by the remaining bees. Today was the test.

We removed the roof, then the honey super and then the inner cover to the growing sound of disturbed bees. These bees are hybrids from three crosses made at Singing Cedars Apiaries in Orwell, Vermont and I have to say, they have nice personalities. There may be a few loose canons out there among the thousands of bees we have but all and all they are friendly and not prone to stinging.

I started with gloves, then found that trying to take pictures just didn't make it. I removed my gloves and despite plenty of bee company as we removed frame upon frame for inspection, not once did we get stung. Part of this I am told is just relaxing yourself and of course the personality of the bees is the other part. People place the blame on the queen and tell you "Be sure to get a queen with good personality" but except for giving a few laughs as you think about the suggestion, what you get and how you react are in the cards. If you question me, Google up "queens with good personality" and it will become more clear.

On the last frame we found the queen and that was a welcome sight. She had a long "to do" list so we slid the frame back and buttoned things up. The bees are making honey, the queen is laying more bees and the buzzing bee music sounded good to our ears. The bottom half of each frame had been lost to the flood waters and the bees had already retrained their thinking as if they had been through this before. They are a mystery but ever so much fun to watch. Here's a brief video to see some of what we saw.

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the warm sun makes me smile.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
At VFF we help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Lily Leaf Beetle Control

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

81° here after a high at 3 PM of 85.2°. The wind has been a steady 7 mph for half an hour now and the humidity is at 76%. We had a brief but intense thunder storm at 2 PM and a few rumbles since then. The national news reports serious storm considerations in Amherst and Northampton, Massachusetts.

Over the years Gail and I have grown thousands of lilium. That all came to an end four years ago as the lily leaf beetle got a foothold in Vermont and the time and expense for control were more than we wanted to contribute. Since that time, research at the University of Rhode Island has made some progress using parasitic wasps. When I first learned of this research perhaps six years ago I was encouraged by the benefit but discouraged by the fact that the parasitoids would not survive in zone 4 Vermont.

I'd like to refer lily lovers to a URI site that will help with some info on the success to date. If you have personal information or success with products or beneficials, please share with other gardeners. The site is forwarded to me by Lisa Tewksbury, URI Research Associate. As she points out, there are ongoing studies other lily growers may be interested in helping with.

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where another t-storm is forming.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
At VFF we'll happily help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Postponed Plans

Monday, May 30, 2011

1 PM and a beautiful day after a slow start. The phone is ringing to find out if we are open or not as folks ask for road conditions. Yes, we are open and the major roads are back open too! The current exception is Route 14 from Barre to East Montpelier and the Transportation website says it will be a few more days. The past few days have been a blur to us beginning with last week's storm that dropped 5.66" in one night amidst a thunderstorm that lasted non stop for over 6 hours here. Subsequent rainfalls of 2" and 1" and then half an inch led us to last evening. I don't know what the rainfall was last night but more than half an inch for sure so that was quite a total....quite a week! Gail tells me last night's water covered the daylilies again but should be gone by late afternoon.



Our nursery has been open every day as our office, shade houses and potted plants sit above the Winooski River so they were not challenged by fast rising water. Keeping the flag waving was inspirational during a bad time.

I finally gave up late Friday morning as waters showed a temporary decline. I cleaned up what I could and headed home leaving Gail to handle business if there was any. At that point Route 2 was in terrible shape, kinda opened from Montpelier but closed five miles beyond us all the way to St Johnsbury.

I couldn't walk very well but after a day in recovery the honey bees appeared to be alive and doing better than me even though the entire hive was under water for how long I do not know. My problem was that during a week of turmoil I fell off a ladder and broke my right tibia. It was a weird break and not a good way to start a growing season but things happen. I handle pain and kept telling myself the little pain I felt would go away. Returning home with the reality a leg cast offers didn't bring smiles but with this much trouble in a week, things have to get better.

If you look through the trees in these pictures you can see the Winooski River that in places swelled to hundreds upon hundreds of feet wide. At our place the water receded and then came up again last night so I never have really checked out the hosta and daylily display gardens. I know a lot of hostas are someplace between here and the mouth of the Winooski and I hope some readers can give reports sometime in the future about interesting finds among questions of "How'd this get here?"
If you look at the back of this daylily growing field, you'll see the river taking down our fence in the corner. At this point I cannot tell if fencing or lost plants was the biggest monetary loss but in another week when I can get around better, I'll answer that question too.

In the meantime, friends are asking, writing, calling about what they can do. As I write, friends Mike and Michelle are helping get the grass mowed and the water system replumbed. They are a no nonsense couple and relentless workers. They make me feel guilty and in fact called this morning to verify that I did not drive by their house at 7 and that I was in fact in bed with my leg raised. Quite the pair!

Customers are few and far between because there has been so much damage but calls are coming in and people will return soon. If you are out and about, stop by 2263 US Route 2 and say hi to Gail. As always, one of us will be there every day. Our tag line says it all:
Selling Hardy Plants to Hardy Vermonters and Their Friends!

Thanks for your support!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
At VFF we'll help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Flooded Bees

Friday, May 27, 2011

The sun is trying to break through this morning and although it's only 9:30, I feel as if I have been up for a full day. Last night at 7 PM the National Weather Forecast made an emergency announcement for parts of Vermont. It included a tornado warning and indicated that the storm was currently in Roxbury and was traveling east at 40 mph. Roxbury is 10 miles from Northfield which is 12 miles from Montpelier which is 20 miles from Vermont Flower Farm. Even though these are "crow flies" distances, I figured the storm would be here between 7:45 and 8 PM. The storm arrived in full fury at 8:10 and continued with pouring rain. When you see rain coming off your standing seam roof and shooting out 12 feek away from the "V", you know it's raining. I nodded off at midnight, three hours after the electricity went off. At 1 and 3 AM when I awoke, the storm was still pounding but the high winds never materialized.

This morning at 5 I headed for the nursery. Traveling down Route 232 suggested things would not be good at the nursery. The road was covered in places with gravel, running water and tree limbs and logs. Still no electricity. Around the corner at Creamery Street the traffic was stopped as trucks challenged water crossing Route 2. My neighbors Gerry and Duane were walking down Rt 2 looking at the water and the damage and as I rolled down the window, Gerry commented that things were not looking good for my bees. Duane, a beekeeper for years thought they were history since the hive had almost been under water. I moved on.

As I stopped to open the gate, the nursery looked different. To my left looking towards the village I saw our port-a-potty floating in a pond that was 6 feet deep. The daylily field, the hosta display garden, one rototiller--all were under water. As I walked the "shore" I could see that the water had dropped 4-5 feet since the rain had stopped and that was a good sign. Then I noticed the snowmobile bridge from the village. It now bordered what used to be my fence line.

Everyone is not fortunate to have good neighbors but Gail and I are really lucky at our house and at our nursery. Gerry pulled off his boots and walked into the water to help save the toilet as we both joked about the new vocational prospects we shared. I tied the port-a-potty to an apple tree and got on to the next chore. My neighbors were there to help.

Out back my pump house was 2 feet from the roaring river. I gathered my tools and for the sake of time, sawed off the pipes, disconnected the 220 electric and dragged the pump and tank up the bank to the tractor. Another problem averted for the moment at least. Then I moved all my equipment higher up the hill and headed to check the bees.

The water mark on the hive gave no hope that the bees were alive. The only hope was that they got into the second story and somehow by miracle the queen had climbed as the water in the hive rose. Not a good sign for a beekeeper in his second day. I lifted the top and found an angry mass of bees that had either climbed or floated to the top. I replaced the top and headed for home. Maybe, just maybe there was hope. I needed to find them a new location.

My neighbor Kim was on the road as I pulled in our drive. I asked if he could help me move the hive. He headed for tools and I grabbed a flashlight and headed down stairs for strapping material to screw the hive together for transport. Thankfully, our cellar was dry. Back at the nursery we blocked the entrance and then screwed strapping to each side of the hive to keep the supers from shifting. The sound of bees was noticeable and they were no more pleased with the day than me. As we loaded the hive on the truck, one bee nailed Kim on the leg as we left for home.

10 AM now. A helicopter just flew over surveying damage. The phone is working and people are calling for reports and whether the road is open and does the store have coffee ready yet. Some folks amaze me. Gail is packing the truck to head to the nursery and begin putting things back in place. I'm going to rest for a while and go down later when the water drops. The hosta garden I have worked on for 4 years will be missing some plants as the water cut a new course and I suspect all my latest plantings--almost a hundred this week, are probably gone. But here's the news about this all. Yes, we may have lost our bees and some flowers. The tiller will have to be drained and cleaned up but it will run again. The pump house will need to be restored but for now, there is no need for water anyway. Our retail area is in great shape and all other equipment is fine. Route 2 will probably reopen by late today or tomorrow and things will get back to normal. Like some in the area, we didn't loose that much. Admittedly I hate doing fencing and there is at least 400 feet that is missing and needs replacement. But there was no loss of housing or property or life like in other parts of the US. Karl the Wonder Dog was up all night during the storm but he is fine now and is sleeping soundly. As I have heard some Vermonters say "We done good." There's a ton of work to do but farmers are resilient. They have no choice, they have to be.



Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where it's 67° and calm. Another storm is approaching for tonight but for now, we are ok. Hope you are too.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Honey Bees

Wednesday, May 26, 2011

A beautiful day here on the mountain. It's already up to 68.4° with a mild wind that barely ripples the tree leaves. As much as I want to jump into the list of things to do, I'm a little tired after a six hour round trip to Orwell, Vermont yesterday with friend Michelle to pick up a joint project--our first hive of honey bees.

Honey and honey bees have been an interest of mine since I was perhaps 5 or 6 and saw bees tended by Harold, a local beekeeper who was known for his skills as well as his reputation of being a hermit. When people had trouble with their bees or when hives swarmed or were found, Harold was always called to come remedy the problem.

Being a farmer or gardener makes one more tuned to insects including bees. It's an interesting symbiosis. Trouble is that wild bees are almost nonexistent any more and mite and virus problems exist now that never prevailed when I was a kid. Local author Rowan Jacobsen wrote a good book on the demise of bees titled Fruitless Fall: The Collapse of the Honey Bee and the Coming Agricultural Crisis. It's a good read and it sure wakes you up to the trouble we are in. When he wrote the book there was no definitive cause of colony collapse but now there are strong theories and additional challenges to all theories.

So part because I wanted to and part because I felt obligated to and mostly because my friend Mike came up with a free hive, frames, hats, gloves, and smoker, I located a beekeeper named Roland Smith, owner of Singing Cedars Apiaries, and I ordered up one-five frame nucleus, a laying queen and bees like you can't count. The purpose of our trip to Orwell was to place the frames, queen bee and other bees into our hive and begin an exciting hobby.

It's an interesting affair to pull into someone's driveway in the middle of nowhere and find yourself surround first by people you have never seen in your life all donning once-white beekeeper suits..... and then being surrounded by flying honey bees in numbers that aren't even imaginable. Many people had been into beekeeping before as contrasted by our hospital-clean suits. To say that Michelle and I were standouts as beekeeping novices doesn't tell the story. Everyone we met was helpful and shared their experiences and advice freely even though we were the cleanest dressed people there. So much so that we decided on the way home that we needed to roll around a little and dirty-up the suits before returning next year so we looked like the more experienced keepers we will be by then.


The property is packed deep in little brooder boxes, each a small hive in itself. Each contains a queen bee and 5 frames of unborn bees and also a little honey. There are live bees already contributing to the health of the little colony and it is this entire collection that you swap out into your hive. You need a hand held smoker to quiet the bees and a hive tool to pry apart the frames and dig them apart for inspection as you decide what boxful you want to transfer and take home. I had prepared torn up newspaper and pine needles in my smoker and peers deemed this acceptable. Never got to use it myself though as I begged for help from the owner's helper--who by the way was the only person to be stung in the crowd of +20 customers standing in the midst of a bazillion bees. Michelle and I had no problem with any of the bees--not even one colony that was aggressive from the minute the top of the box was popped. We left those there for someone else.

All the customers wanted to know how many hives we were picking up. Having a spanky clean suit on was as bad perhaps as saying "One" when others were picking up 2, 3, 5, "lots". One was quite fine for us as we journey into beekeeping.

If you get a chance, read the book I cite and see what a dilemma we are in. And if you are out and about and close by Vermont Flower Farm, stop for a visit, but please don't go near the bees. They are working all day long, just like me!


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the apples are in full bloom and the lilacs are finally breaking. Shad bushes are in bloom which means the trout are finally biting.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

New picture album on the trip will be posted to the VFF and Gardens FB page in the next day. Take a look!

Primrose Majesty!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

3 mph wind on the mountain and 54°. A ten degree contrast to Burlington at 64° but with mutual promise for the seventies today. There's also chance for another t-storm to add excitement to my long list of chores. I'm excited that tonight I pick up my first-ever honey bees and commence what I hope will be a successful journey. Gail is less than optimistic about what she sees as my latest expense but there aren't a lot of things I fail at so we'll see. She is optimistic about my bulldozer purchase and I expect over time this endeavor will receive smiles too. This is a mutual project with friends Mike and Michelle who have helped get things ready. More on that tomorrow.

Last night Gail and "the girls", Tracey, Diana, and Elizabeth visited primrose heaven in East Montpelier, Vermont. I couldn't make it. Arlene Perkins and her husband live at the top of a mountain off Gould Hill Road and they grow a magnificent garden of primroses as well as many, many interesting perennials and also peonies. Gail and I went last year and I am still telling people about it. This is a picture up top of one of the gardens at the Perkins residence that is situated at the top of the Winooski River Valley above the North Branch Nature Center.

This is the kind of garden that you walk around and around, each time seeing things you missed before. You can't avoid questions and comments and many, many "I can't believe how beautiful this is" statements. It really is breathtaking.

Arlene is a hybridizer and a collector and I doubt you will find a garden or a host and hostess like you'll experience at the Perkins. If you aren't interested in primulas yet, you will be before you leave. This is "the" flower for May in Vermont because of abundant and diverse bloom just when you really need to a jump start to forget about winter and mud season.

The mixed varieties are like a painter's palette and they go on and on. Last year I walked the little paths 3-4-5 times, each time seeing things I missed before. The mixed flowers are treasures to find and from the unusual trilliums to the pink bloodroot to the miniature 1.5" primrose, you will be well entertained.

There is something about the beauty of these gardens that makes it difficult to leave. Kind of like going to a great party when you know it's time to leave but you're in such great company you cannot make yourself say goodbye. The primroses hold you tight and make you want to stay.
Their enthusiasm makes you want to start a collection of your own but you already know you can never create what you are standing in the middle of and enjoying!


Couple things to consider. Purchases and spring in Vermont. Arlene always has some primroses and other plants potted for sale. Like many collectors, sales help purchase new flowers and expand the collection you get to see in future years. The opportunities are not something you'll see at other nurseries in Vermont so don't miss the potted plants. Secondly, remember it's spring in Vermont and the insidious black flies sometimes prevail and at other times they overlook the invitation. Be prepared for them just in case. And if you get to meet Arlene, tell her George recommended her gardens. Like any visit to a private collection, call first and make an appointment. 802-223-6245. Show consideration for the gardens and the gardeners and you'll take away memories like I did!



Writing from "our" mountain above Peacham Pond where just now the sun is poking through the clouds. I have to get busy. Be well!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and on my personal page, George Africa
On twitter as vtflowerfarm
At Vermont Flower Farm we'll help you grow your green thumb!

Yellow-gold Richness Rises!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Just 6 AM here on the mountain above Peacham Pond. 54.3°. The heavy rains have quieted the birds and animals and so far, nothing is moving about. I suspect if I walked towards the pond I would begin to see deer and other bigger animals but for now everything mimics the anemometer--motionless, apprehensive, waiting for the opportunity to bound and spin into a sunny day.

This spring's New England rains have been well documented as farmers and gardeners share depressed days over saturated fields and flower beds. I would like to grab my fields and gardens like a giant wash cloth and wring out excess water but that cannot be. Three days of sun and wind would make a big difference but for this weekend the best we can expect is a half day of sun and then more showers. Customers at the nursery have been sparse as no one can consider planting at a time when the results will be so poor. Hosta admirers have been the exception. I notice one greenhouse advertising on television has repeated its ads with notes that the rain and sales continue. Sadly they will have to run those ads again as the weather lady says more rain most of next week.

Yesterday Michael completed his 4th day working with us. The work is some different than his studies at Castleton but he tells me that he feels fine and will be back Monday for another week. He would have worked through the weekend but with more rain coming, he'll visit friends and get a chance to dry out clothes and boots. In the past couple days we patched fences that were opened by errant moose and then put 3600 square feet of shade cloth on the three shade houses. That means a lot of up and down the ladders and pulling and tugging on shade fabric and bungie cords.

As bad as the rain has been, certain flowers prevail in their glory. You could not want a better spring to jump start hostas and ours are fabulous. Those in pots have unfurled and those in the display garden I am building are ready to open as soon as we get a little heat. I still wonder where the slugs and snails are as most of the leaves look clean so far.

A great plant to pick up where your daffodil yellows and creams have left off is trollius, the cultivated buttercup you know from the wild. Trollius come in various heights and flower sizes and whether you call them by their correct names or just call out "double buttercups", you'll find a plant that loves damp feet, flowers now for a good month, and then again in September if you deadhead after the early flower production.

I like the smaller flowered varieties but admit that Pritchard's Giant (last image at bottom), a little later to bloom here, is an eye catcher. Gail has not had the best luck with Alabaster, a creamy white, but that could be the luck of the draw and involve repeated plantings in areas too wet or too shady.

Trollius make a great cut flower and hold up well with other spring flowers. Give them some thought. You'll find ours potted for sale and located in front of the shed/office as you enter the nursery. Let us know if you have questions. Orange Princess is pictured up top, and here are two examples of typical bud count after a couple years. The +2" diameter flowers of Pritchard's Giant are at the bottom.







Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where fog is rolling in like a Maine morning. Have to get going. Stop by and see us if you're out and about today.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens & also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
Even if it keeps raining, we'll help you GROW your GREEN THUMB @Vermont Flower Farm!

Gingers

Monday, May 16, 2011

Just in after a second walk with Karl the Wonder Dog. Yesterday's rain kept him inside more than he wanted and since the rain has subsided for a bit, he is eager to enjoy the smells of spring and moving wildlife. I have to get going here as I need to get to Guys Farm and Yard in Montpelier and pick up some supplies.

I walked the old hosta garden here at the house last night after returning from the nursery. It rained so hard yesterday that even with complete rain gear, I got soaked over time. I spent much of the day on my knees weeding and planting hostas so it was fitting to come back to the house and view a garden that has become a reminder of what you can build. There is hardly a day that goes by but what a customer reminds us how beautiful the garden was and how much they miss it. I have to offer agreement and a constant reminder that I am working hard on a fitting replacement. I know it will be a nice garden but it sure will not be built within an old barn foundation with a history dating from the 1800s.

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The old garden had two Asurums I like. One is our native ginger, Asurum canadense plucked from our back woods. Here's a picture of it just coming out of the ground a couple weeks back. It is not that easy to find here but is in good supply along the Winooski River. Few like it because the color is dull and the flowers are hidden under the leaves and unexciting. I still like it. Up top is Asurum european, the shiny, smooth leafed European Ginger that everyone wants even though they question the price. There are lots of other good gingers out there although many will not hold up to zone 3 or 4 Vermont climates. Search around and you'll find some that have a place in your garden too! Nice groundcovers that encourage nice comments from your gardening friends!



Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the rain just started again and walking this morning is an exercise in swosh-swosh-swosh-splash! I hope the Winooski River is not as high as I fear it is this morning.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
Social Networking Works!©
Let Us Help You Grow Your Green Thumb!
Visit Us On Facebook at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens

Quick garden Thoughts

Saturday, May 14, 2011

48° with a 3 mph breeze greets gardeners here on the mountain this morning. The weather folks are depressing us again with what will apparently be 7 consecutive days of rain. Have to get to the nursery right away and make the best of the morning for planting and then probably inside for paperwork this afternoon as the rain starts.

If you're out and about today, the pansies and violas look nice and make little children smile with thoughts of becoming real gardeners. They will. Gail has an assortment of hanging baskets that are very nice. Although I am not that keen on red, the large flowered geraniums are drawing in the very busy male hummingbirds in interesting numbers. Hummers are real competitors and stake out a plant they like and defend it from their bird friends.

The bergenias are opening. I should know the name of the red leafed variety that is coming into bloom but a short night is interfering with my morning memory. Maybe another cup of coffee with help.

Hostas by the thousands are beginning to unfurl. Hosta 'First Frost' is showing its early spring edge of yellow as we remind people this will turn to cream as summer approaches. Gail is planting 3-4 hostas of the same variety in 20 gallon pots so those who don't want to walk down the hill to the hosta display garden can get an idea idea of mature size.

Various epimedium are beginning to flower. The heat has held them back a little but they are growing well now and are a good ground cover type plant for dry, "under-that-tree" type locations.

My new honey bees should be available to pick up next week and already I am leery of this endeavor. I have never cared for a hive and I don't fear the bees or the challenge. I fear the possible interaction of the 3 year old black bear my friend Gerry, across the road, had looking in his window last Sunday morning at 5 . I'll keep you posted. But for now, it's off the the nursery. Log onto 2263 US Route 2 or Vermont Flower Farm on your GPS today, find us and stop by--rain or not, we'll be there.

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where buds are forming on the beautiful yellow leafed bleeding heart, Gold Heart. Some available at the nursery, small but nice.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
Remember: At VFF, we help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Alabama Jubilee

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

48° and a steady rain this morning. Windless which is nice but still it feels colder than I wish for. The trees are more heavily budded today and poplars, birches and maples are offering pollen challenges to those with allergies. The fields around the house are finally snow free and the grasses are greening through winter packed thatch. Much to do!

Yesterday we planted all day and despite warnings of heavy rain, it wasn't bad. Gail and I were going full bore by 6:30 AM when she called Steve and asked him if he could come down. When Gail gets something in her mind, she moves ahead. The fact that someone else may still be looking for their first cup of coffee has no bearing on her plans. Steve is a great guy and a hard worker. He always works at 2-3 jobs and he learns the first time through which is why Gail likes to work with him. He appeared before 8 and we cranked out pot after pot for hours. By noon Diana from the Marshfield Inn arrived, and like Steve, there's no need to train and retrain as she starts right in and potted plants begin flowing. I had some afternoon business to tend to with Alex and when I returned they had potted 200 more daylilies as well as some other plants.

Spring is a good time to divide daylilies. Here in Marshfield the plants are just beginning to green up so digging and dividing is easier. Saturday we did +300 including Yellow Mammoth, Yellow Monster, Ruby Spider, Ruby Throat, Rooten Tooten Red, Red Volunteer, Red Sentinel and Orange Vols. Jason helped me dig and crate them and the crew finished the dividing and planting. These are robust plants that will be good additions to anyone's spring garden.

Today has the appearance of a day to catch up on web work and paperwork. The rain is pouring down right now and since we do all our potting outside, even good rain gear makes for long days. I'm heading out in a few minutes but Gail will stay here for the day. If you have any gardening questions, give her a call. We will open for the season this Saturday at 9 and have some very nice potted daffodils we did ourselves last fall as well as some hanging baskets from our friends at Claussen's Florist and Greenhouses in Colchester. Mothers Day is a day to remember and it arrives this weekend. And don't forget--at Vermont Flower Farm we'll help you grow your green thumb!!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where 6 very wet turkeys just went past the office window.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
Social Networking Works©

May Day

Sunday May 1, 2011

Bright sunshine is everywhere and the crisp, wind-free morning made it difficult to get Karl the Wonder Dog to return to the house. I have a ton of things to do before our crew shows up at the nursery but the overwhelming cheerfulness of the morning makes me wish I could stay here on the mountain and enjoy the new sights and sounds of spring. All manner of birds are singing this morning with mourning doves adding their part and pileated woodpeckers drumming on sugar maples.

In just a couple days the spring flowers have really advanced. Daffodils are popping out, drumstick and common primroses are adding spots of color, and the hellebores, heads hanging, offer contrasting whites and purples. The Trillium grandiflorum I seeded in four summers ago are up 6 inches and looking good but the larger clumps have hardly started to break ground. The Trillium luteum that will offer yellow later on are up two inches and Trillium erectum, the odoriferous "stinking benjamins" are coming along nicely . Someplace here I planted some bloodroot but in contrast to along the Winooski River at our nursery where they are in bloom, I cannot even find them here.

Walk your gardens today and get a final look at your layout before the leaves really pop. Make mental notes of spaces that need attention with another plant or shrub and keep your friends in mind for a shovelful of extra plants that need to be divided. Your friends will smile like the spring flowers knowing your gift will add to next spring's beauty.

I have to get going here. We open the nursery next weekend for the season but if you're passing through today, stop and say hello. We're plating madly but we always have time to help you grow a greener thumb!

Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where loons are calling.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
Helping you grow a greener thumb!
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Daffodil Days

Thursday, April 29, 2011

A dark morning here on the mountain, 62° and a steady 5 mph wind bringing another rain storm that crossed Lake Champlain 3 hours ago. I estimate we'll see rain here in about an hour, perhaps a little less. A year ago yesterday we awoke to 18" of heavy wet snow after a start to April that no one could complain about. The weather certainly keeps all farmers busy!

Before I head to the nursery I want to recommend a garden visit for this Saturday or Sunday. Our friends Harold and Leila at Crossview Gardens, 1801 Lower Elmore Mountain Road, Morrisville are hosting their first daffodil open house. The Crosses are well known for an incredible selection of flowers but few know of Harold's interest in daffodils. I can't tell you how many varieties he has now but the total bulb count reaches well into the thousands so if you haven't seen 2-3-4000 bulbs, (my guess, maybe more), you should pack up the car and head out this weekend. Many growers have thousands of bulbs and I'll never criticize someone with such an offering. But when you can walk these gardens and see labeled varieties, some of which you have never even seen in a catalog, it's quite an event.

Leila has directions on their website and once you get to their place you'll get an incredible view of Vermont too. Give it a try--you'll be happy you found another great Vermont garden! And tell them George sent you!


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where sprinkles just started.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

And remember: At Vermont Flower Farm we'll help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Amphibian Migrations

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Just back from checking the nursery after last night's storm. Heavy rains pounded us and at about 3 AM there was lights and noise from a giant t-storm that sent Karl the Wonder Dog into serious dog frenzy. The Winooski River is up four feet since last night and the small brooks are all over their banks and into farm fields. I knew it was wet this morning when I opened the back door and there was a woods frog sitting on the top step and the ground was covered with night crawlers and worms.

We have been waiting for spring rains to arrive and melt the snow that remains +6 feet deep on Mt Mansfield and 3-4 feet deep here in Marshfield. This has been an unusual spring and the temperatures have been colder than in previous years. The sight of the frog this morning reminded me of the year 2007 when Gail and I attended a program at the community center on amphibian monitoring for salamanders and frogs. I wrote about it on the Vermont Gardens blog that I used to write parallel to The Vermont Gardener. Take a look at what I wrote back then as we first learned about spotted salamanders like the one pictured above. Maybe tonight we can get out on a couple back roads and get a sense of how healthy the amphibian population is this year. Check out the North Branch Nature Center and view the pictures under the Nature News section. The "Big Night" in Central Vermont was Monday night for the lower elevations around Montpelier but I'll put my money on tonight in this part of Vermont as snow pack is still heavy in the woods and some amphibians are probably in that suspended state that only a woods frog with a personal supply of frog anti-freeze experiences. Very interesting animals!

Gotta scoot! Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where Karl the Wonder Dog wants to go for yet another walk. He loves the smells and sounds of spring!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm: Opening May 7th.
On Facebook as Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens and also as George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm
Remember that we will help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Happy Easter from Vermont!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

34° here on the mountain. Easter morning and the sky looks as if it has been painted in horizontal pastel pinks and blues interspersed with thin lines of grey-white clouds. The rain and wind have stopped and the fog that was obvious as the moon went back to bed half an hour ago has now dispersed. Robins talk to each other along the road looking for worms and other breakfast foods and a lone pileated woodpecker pounds hard on a dieing sugar maple over by the mailbox along the road. It looks like the start to a nice day.

Yesterday Gail and friends went to Montpelier for an illustrated talk by Dr. Leonard Perry. He is the Greenhouse and Nursery Extension Specialist at the University of Vermont and if you know flower folks in Vermont, you have probably already met Leonard. He spoke about new or underused perennials and provided everyone with a very informative program.

Dr Perry offered a handout where he broke down topic plants according to growing conditions, so "Shade", "Part Shade" and "Sun"--over 8 hours per day. I'll scan the list sometime but for now, here are the newer plants on the "Sun" list for your review.

1. Achillea millefolium-Tutti Fruitti Series
2. Baptisia australis 'Purple Smoke', 'Screaming Yellow', 'Twilight Prairie Blues'
3. Echinacea purpurea 'Green Envy', 'Coconut Lime', 'Tiki Torch'
4. Geranium x 'Rozanne--perennial geranium
5. Geum 'Totally Tangerine'
6. Leucanthemum x superbum 'Broadway Lights'
7. Phlox paniculata 'Peppermint Twist'--a tall garden phlox
8. Panicum virgatum 'Ruby Ribbons'--a switchgrass

The only one on this list I am not so sure about is #8. I shouldn't speak with doubt about something I know nothing about but I have this thing about grasses. One time a friend of Gail's gave her a "you must have this" grass and she planted it by the back door. It's not there any more because I spent three years getting rid of it. BUT------If you walk down the George Jewett Road from our house towards the backside of the pond and look, you'll see some that got away. I'm just not enamored with grasses because I have yet to be introduced to varieties that stay in place and don't over seed the world. If you know grasses and can help me, I'd like to learn. Please.


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where the moose tracks in the snow from a couple days ago have melted bigger and Sasquatch-like. I have to get out of here now and get down to my friend Mike's and do morning chores for him. Bucky the bantie rooster will be greeting me with a morning melody and I expect there is a fresh little egg from his friend Becky who pecked me twice yesterday afternoon when I tried to slide my hand under her during egg collection time. The other girls were more friendly.

Happy Easter wishes!

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm

Dialing in the Weather

Friday, April 22, 2011

A bright morning here on the mountain. 30° in the sun but 24.9° on the shady side of the house. A beautiful day is on the way so we have to work hard and quick as rain returns by late afternoon and continues all day tomorrow.The woodpeckers are the noisiest they have been so far and and as I walked Karl out the door I noticed fresh-from-last-night moose tracks exiting the woods and leading up the little valley to our neighbors. Deer and moose are very mobile now and they are visible as they search for fresh food.

Gail and I are heading to the nursery in an hour to begin preparing for planting. After two years of better understanding the weather at the nursery, Gail is exchanging the miniature and small hostas and the astilbes for places that better accommodate their sunshine needs. The shade cloth we cover the houses with is 80% which some question or criticize but as the warm, direct suns of July and August come straight down, it's important to have good cover. In their new locations the astilbes will receive a little more sun and the hostas a little less. They should all smile nicely.

The little sundial in the yard, pictured above, reflects the time of about 7 AM and the crystals of snow that fell last night. I guess it is a weather dial too. It does not tell how much work gardeners expend in the spring to get their gardens ready but it reminds Vermonters that spring takes a while to work its way through and then summer leaps forward, beautiful but too short. Get out and enjoy at least part of today.


Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where juncos are abundant under the unfilled bird feeders. Two doves search for the last pieces of cracked corn and a tom turkey calls loudly from the field asking his girlfriends to join him for breakfast.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Find us on Facebook at George Africa or at Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm

Good gardeners always remember that we are here to help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!

Berry-ilicious!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

With Winnie-the-Pooh "blustery" in mind this morning, Mr. Weather has brought us swirling, blowing clumps of snowflakes the size of quarters that instantly give the impression you're in the middle of a giant snow globe and someone is shaking hard. This is just another spring day in Vermont but I do not like it.

There is something neat about the first snowstorm of the year and snow for the holidays is something you really want. But at the end of the season such as April, everyone is ready for green grass, spring bulbs, new born lambs and pancakes with fresh maple syrup. It's been so "different" this year that there are still some syrup producers making syrup of very good quality because their sugar bushes are so snow packed, the trees haven't even thought of budding out.

Days like today and yesterday force all gardeners to stay inside and make final preparations for when they can get out and plant. A lot of gardeners are good cooks too and sometimes they take advantage of a day like today and cook. That's what happened here yesterday. I was looking through our two recipe boxes Saturday trying to find my recipe for olive stuffed cheese balls and I came upon a misfiled recipe my mother wrote for me over thirty years ago. Sadly as her health failed in the late 90's, her love for and mastery at cooking ceased. She could still write out recipes from her old cookbooks and share guidance and recipes on things from her mother's and grandmother's collections. One of those recipes is labeled Berry-Marble Cobbler.

My mom made this cobbler a bazillion times and I'm sure she hand-wrote the recipe dozens of times. I know she used to always make one (among many other things) for the St James Church Fair and there were always requests for the recipe as a result. This is a very easy recipe and one she usually made with blueberries but often with an assortment of seasonal or frozen blackberries and raspberries. Gail made it yesterday with half cranberries and half blueberries. . Gail says just follow the recipe and you'll be delighted....even the part about the boiled water that is really critical. The berries start on the top but end up on the bottom of the dish as a custardy mix that makes the dish empty way too soon. And while you're eating, think about spring. I'm remembering my mom and what a special cook she was.

Berry-Marble Cobbler

1 c. granulated sugar
2 c. flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c. milk
1 tsp vanilla
1tbsp melted butter

Sift together the dry ingredients. Add milk, vanilla and melted butter and spread in greased
9 X13 pan.

Scatter 2 cups of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or other berries over the batter. Sprinkle 1 cup of granulated sugar over the berries and pour 1 1/2 cups of boiling water over all. Bake in a 375° oven for 1/2 hour or until well browned and done. Serve with cream or ice cream.



Writing from the mountain above Peacham Pond where Karl the Wonder Dog snores by the fire as the snow has changed to smaller flakes, breezing horizontally by my office window from the north at 4 mph. I may be cooking some more today.....

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
Vermont Flower Farm--where we will help you GROW your GREEN THUMB!©
Social Networking Works!©
Visit us on Facebook at either Vermont Flower Farm and Gardens or George Africa
On Twitter as vtflowerfarm