Click to view/download Suzette’s Gazette Spring 2012 Newsletter.

We usually think of “waking” up the gardens in Spring. But with choosing the right bulbs, perennials and shrubs, you can awaken your beds with color all thru the drab months of late Fall and Winter; right into Spring!

The ever wonderful Hellebores start late November into March. There are a number of varieties out there. Grab your catalogues and dream a bit. Sometimes the blooms are a bit hidden but the ever- green foliage dots the Winter landscape with its’ hopeful color of green.

Some Phlox Subulata and P. Douglasii “Boothman’s Variety’ will pop a few intermittent blooms. Iris Reticulata will have some early spring color to brighten our days.

Sprinkle in some bulbs of Crocus, Snowdrops, Winter Aconite, Cyclamen and Anemone Blanda and it nearly makes your heart sing! I had a anemone bloom and bloom, pushing its’ little flower heads thru those early spring snows; it was a joy everyday to see them not giving up. Site these in a bit of protection (against a wall etc.) and they will come early shouting and pushing spring in!

There are always the flowering shrubs and vines to add to the palette of color as well as structure. There is Jasmine Nudiflorun, Forsythia and the Mahonia with the yellow pop of color. Fruit of the Red Choke Berry, Crab-apples, Junipers, Staghorn Sumac, Dogwood, asst. Viburnums (always a favorite, as there are blue,yellow,red and orange berries) and Nandina Domestica. We can’t forget the red or yellow stems of the twig dogwoods and the bright green stems of the Kerria Japonica. Wonderful! And the highlight of the late winter for me are the Witch-hazels! ‘James Wells’ and the Jelena’ have flowers of golden yellow with coral petals(reddish).

With a little color here and there, it can get any gardener thru the longest winters “Ole Man Winter” can hand us. So don’t let your garden “sleep” so long. Wake it up with color!! Your Winter blaaa’s with be replaced with Ahhh’s!!

This summer was too hot and dry!!

The hot temperatures about did me in as well as some of the plants. The main job is to keep watering as it is still very dry! There is early leaf drop due to the drought related stress on the plants.

If some of you are wanting to start some gardens for next year, you may want to get a soil test. You can start preparing them now to be ready. If you need tilling we can do that for you.

I know a lot of us like to have color for all the seasons in our landscape beds. And in the Winter, usually, it is best done with the sparkle of the berries or the bright colors on the stems themselves. But there are a few hardy souls that do peek thru the snow to keep our spirits up thru the long, dark, dreary days of our Kentucky Winter. Inside my newsletter you will find some of these wonderful treasures to brighten and warm the “bones” of your garden.

Have a cozy Winter!

There are heirloom fruit trees, flowers, vegetables and herbs. There are all kinds of varieties available in your area, as well as catalogs to order from. There heirloom plants can be bought in seed form or already up and growing. I will have a small list of places to find some of these wonderful plants to follow.

Now, to try to explain what an heirloom seed is or how old does a plant have to be before it is considered old. Most gardeners think it is an heirloom when it is about 50 years old, others around 100 years old. But others, myself included, think that if a family member brought a plant from their old homestead (say 40 years ago) and it makes you think of them, why not

include it in your garden as an heirloom!

Most heirlooms are open-pollinated varieties, which means they reproduce themselves. Hybrid plants result from the cross of two different varieties, and these plants are widely sold in today’s garden centers and nurseries.

Other gardeners consider a plant an heirloom if it has a story that goes with it. It certainly adds flavor to the overall plant.

Heirlooms are generally resistant to pests, diseases and extremes of weather. Plus, they produce sweet scented blossoms or delicious fruits and vegetables. The change in peoples’ tastes, the harvesting techniques and transportation have all played a role in losing these old varieties. But we have sacrificed plants lost, taste and unique characteristics of plants “all in the name of progress”.

But, as ever, the spirit of those who remember the sweet taste of the old fashion peas and the old time flavor of those dripping, rich tomatoes, carries on by the collection and dispersing of these wonderful old plants. So try a few of these heirlooms and enjoy a walk down memory lane!

Catalog: SeedSavers.org 563.382.5990

Local Suppliers:

• Theineman: 502.491.6305
• Maple Crossing: 502.245.3060
• Fresh Start: 502.442.7883
• Burton’s Seed: 502.584.0136
• Goodwin’s: 502.222.4769

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Established in 1937 from a wedding gift of a shorthorn cow to the W. L. Lyons and Sally Brown, Ashbourne Farms quickly rose to international prominence as one of the Shorthorn Cattle Capitals in the world.   Champion bulls such as Sni-A-Bar Randolph and Drummondreach Advocate were important stock animals on the farm.  Ashbourne cattle auctions drew upon an international audience.  The farm was comprised on several thousand acres in Oldham County including a poultry and dairy operation, thoroughbreds and crosshatch donkey farm.  Ashbourne Inn  became another facet of the farm operation and became a destination for the tourists who travelled between Louisville and Cincinnati, using meat and poultry from the farm operations as a part of the Inn’s menu.  Today this third generation farm is operated by the Brown’s grandson, Austin Musselman and his wife, Layla Musselman, who are striving to implement sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation activities.  The historic features of the auction barn and homestead have been restored and refurbished and heirloom livestock are being raised and farmed to provide sustenance, once again, in the local community.

The exhibit has several features including:  history of Ashbourne Farm, highlights of some businesses, organizations, and schools participating in local sustainable activities.  There is an active worm culture for children and families to touch and learn about composting.  Local artist Ann Carter will unveil her painting of the Ashbourne Cattle barn as well as display other barn paintings in Oldham County.   A small barn display that highlights Ashbourne Farm’s cattle auctions and Sni-A-Bar Randolph are featured.  Various videos are included including: Sally Brown: A Force of Nature courtesy of KET.  The exhibit opening is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2011 and is free and open to the public

For more information contact:  The Oldham County History Center, 106 N. Second Ave., LaGrange, KY 40031, 502-222-0826

Event Schedule:

But, just because winter is at our door step doesn’t mean you can’t start on landscaping projects now. You can get a jump on your spring work. A few good fall and winter projects are:

• Fixing any water issues you may be having or have had in the past – adding drains and soil, making them look like dry creek beds, retaining walls, burms,etc.
• Explore new areas for landscape gardens & pathways. Clean out overgrown sites & prepare areas.
• Prepare your vegetable garden or ideas to incorporate your veggies into your landscape.
• Think about any structures you might like to incorporate; water features, pergolas, arbors, patios, walkways, sitting areas, fire pits, play(game) areas, potting benches, raised beds,etc.
• Landscape Lighting is always a great way to extend your time in the garden and it looks great!

We would be glad to talk to you and help you with any of these great gardening ideas!! My garden feature is a list of plants to behold during the winter months to cheer you up thru the gray, dreary days. These plants have a wonderful visual impact with their flowers, fruits and /or bark. So enjoy a winter walk in the gardens; yours, friends, a park or Yew Dell’s!

Lighting for the garden is not meant to provide glaring “security” like the used car lot would need, but is a good opportunity to create dramatic effects with plants. Sending light onto a specific plant puts the term “focal point” into a new dimension. Low wattage ambient lighting can set a mood; there are even moonlight bulbs that can make you feel like you are walking in the moonlight even during the new moon. Solar powered lights are environmentally friendly, easier to install, and require little maintenance. Quality solar lights have become more affordable and longer lasting.

Water features in the garden can instill a sense of tranquility as well as lure wildlife (or kids). There are many ways to incorporate the sound of water into your garden. Simple container gardens don’t require much space or cost; large streams and ponds necessitate more effort on all fronts. Check this out!

Naturally, once you’ve decided on what you want in your hardscape, care should be taken to choose the right plants. Once you’ve decided what you want and where you want it, comes the fun of placing that cute (and useful) rain gauge, bird feeder, St. Francis statue, or whatever suits your fancy.

Hardscape:

Oh sure there will be some weeds and some pests to deal with, and watering when it’s needed, and the deadheading; but as the long days of summer envelop us, we can steal more moments to just sit an enjoy. Having favorite spots to relax in the garden can be achieved in many ways and depends greatly on personal preferences and requirements.

One important aspect to consider is the hardscape. The hardscape consists of any inanimate elements of the landscape. Concrete walls, wood decks, stone paths, brick patios, fountains, and lighting are all part of the hardscape. So are pots, sundials, wind chimes, and gnomes just to name a few. So the hardscape gives the foundation for your garden as well as finishing touches, and becomes important in setting the mood for your personal outdoor space.

Whether you choose a simple path leading to a bench under a tree or a whole outdoor room, you can carve out some outdoor living space to enjoy during this sultry summertime.

Be sure to keep in mind the style of your home and the materials used. It isn’t necessary that all materials be the same. Mixed materials can imply the passage of time as many old gardens have been added to over the years using materials at hand . It can allow for different uses, too. The main path used to and from the house may be a solid concrete ensuring dry feet, whereas a private retreat may be reached by a stone path peeking through a scented groundcover.

Continue Reading Part 2 >>