My Beautiful Garden.

I love gardening so much. It’s not easy, it takes a lot of time and patience and to be good… well, it’s an artful dance with your flora to keep the blooms coming all spring and summer long.

The tulips in early spring were magnificent.  But now, before removing the old leaves, it’s time to plant (that way you’ll know where to plant and not worry about digging up the bulbs).

The purple Clemants (Diana's Delight) was planted last weekend.

Purple Columbine

As you can see, my White Peony is delicious.

The purple Columbine is a show-stopper although I still love the wild Columbine in pink and yellow that grows everywhere.

Old Rhododendrons 

Iron Bunny

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The Lupine, orange Nasturshims, heliotrope and Stocks are a bright spot to be enjoyed.

Lamb's Ear and Johnny-Jump-Ups

Enjoying the view

Digitalis (Fox Glove) and red Snap Dragons

I’m attempting to “color coordinate” the front of the house.  Eventually, hopefully, it will be rows of silver, white, purple and pink.  My Lamb's Ear is beautiful and so easy to divide. Same goes for the pink Anemone and Shasta Daisy. The Johnny-Jump-Ups reseed themselves nicely and actually “wintered” this year. As did the Digitalis (Fox Glove), the red Snap Dragons, and Chrysanthemums.  The pink Hydrangea I’m turning to blue – they had a rough start with a mild winter (they thought it was spring) and then a cold snap that froze may of their young and tender foliage.

Memorial Weekend = a very busy weekend….

Before the barbecues and parades, things needed to get done.  And with any vintage home the list is divided into: things that must be done, things that should be done, and things to do for fun.

Well this past Memorial Day weekend was glorious. So obviously, very few indoor “need to do” projects got done.

Last week I came across this photo in a magazine.  

I thought the floor was stunning and decided to recreate it.  The article reported the color as Valspar’s Liberty.  Unfortunately, Liberty is only sold at Lowes and Lowes is 45 minutes from Millerton and I didn’t have time to schlep to Kingston. So, I made a bold and courageous decision and found a color that somewhat matched.

The final product… I think it’s perfect! What is really amazing is that the color reflects off the white creating an intoxicating blue aura. Sadly I ran out of time and wasn't able to put the hammock up - but that's probably a good thing since napping on a warm spring day, near the Rhododendrons doesn't leave a lot of time for chores.  

 A lovely spot for a cup of coffee 

or a glass of wine in the evening.

More to come.... Next weekend I'm hoping to finish the trim in Pewter and then hang curtains to really put the porch over the top (and hopefully keep some of the mosquitoes at away).

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)

Here is a list (in no particular order) of some fantastic uses for Hydrogen Peroxide, besides the obvious “for cuts and scratches”… just do a little research on how much and how often it should be used.

Oral rinse & tooth paste:  If  you want a little boost, combine baking soda and H202.  Experts say you should not use it daily though.

Disinfect everything from your chopping block, to your toilet, to adding it to liquid hand soap. It will get rid of salmonella, mold and many other types of bacteria.

Hair lightening: Spray it on your hair after your shower and it will lighten it.

Landry: Use it on stains or to brighten your whites.

Plants: Add it soil to kill plant pests or spray it on your plant to remove leaf pests. Be very careful about its strength. You can also add it to your water when you’re watering your house plants which will add oxygen to the soil making them very happy.

Skin: Dab a bit on pimples, acne or eczema. Do this sparingly and apply a good moisturizer after use as it will dry out your skin.

Pets:  If you furry loved one has a skin rash or “hot spot” or if their ears are bothering them… try a little Hydrogen Peroxide.

Ears: Put a bit of it in your ears to remove ear wax.

Common cold and flu: From what we have read, hydrogen peroxide works quite well and is supposed to be effective 80% of the time, especially if done when the symptoms first appear. While it seems contrary to what we have been taught about colds and flu we know quite a few people who have tried it with great success.

Foods: As a produce wash, to keep fruits and veggies fresh longer. I’ve also read if you spray it on your lettuce and greens it will keep them fresher.

Well Water: Hydrogen peroxide is effective at reducing many of the problems associated with both residential and farm well water, including, dissolved ferrous iron, iron slime, manganese, calcium and hydrogen sulfide.

Millerton Spring 2012

It’s early May and the weather couldn’t be more perfect for gardening. 

 This past weekend I cleaned and preened.  

So many things are showing signs of Spring life. From perennials that are sprouting new leaves and beginning to flower to seedlings just popping through the ground. 

As you can see, our Japanese Maple is vibrant as is our lovely Azalea. 

Each year I attempt to add a few new "Old Favorites" to our garden, including many I  grew in Southern California.  

I am so very excited to report that my Sweet Peas are about two inches high! We planted them by seed about three weeks ago and I've been checking them consistently. But until Saturday, no signs of life.  Now, they are adorable little seedlings that will, in a few months, provide beautiful and fragrant blossoms.

In Carlsbad, California, from March through May, they grow Ranunculus in fields.  http://www.theflowerfields.com/ You'll find rows and rows of them in every color imaginable.  I LOVE Ranunculus but had no idea I could grow them in Millerton.  Well, you can!  After a few weeks, our babies are up and are tiny little bushes of about 3 inches in diameter.  

Freesias, like Ranunculus, are beautiful, a favorite from growing up in near San Diego, and smell divine.  They've pushed through and they're pointy head is about 1/2 inch through the surface.

Unfortunately, both the tubers of the Ranunculus and bulbs of the Freesias will have to be removed from the ground and stored away come Fall. But it's a very small price to pay to have such beauty.

About two weeks ago I reseeded our lawn in a few areas and the grass is about an inch high. Likewise our Morning Glory seeds have sprouted and are about an inch high.  

Interestingly, likely because of the mild winter, two Johnny Jump-Up plants not only wintered nicely, they are lovely little clumps full of blossoms.

Making their annual appearance are the Lily of the Valley, the Chrysanthemum (who said they were annuals), the Lambs Ear, the Anemones, the wild Columbine, my “Fancy Ferns”, Lime Light Hydrangea, Wisteria, Korean Dogwood, and Hellebores (pictured above) which love this area under our large Azalea.  

This is just a short list of what's happening in our flower gardens in Millerton and certainly does not include what's up with our vegetable garden.  More on that subject to come.

HAPPY SPRING!