The gardens are doing pretty well. Peonies are just starting to bloom. All the vegetables are up and growing but not as energetically as they normally do this time of year because it’s still so hot and dry. I lost most of my roses from a combination of the tough winter and voles. Even the tough old bushes, William Baffin and Lake Champlain had to be cut back severely and are shadows of what they have been in the past. Roses are challenging in the best of times here for an organic gardener. I miss them but most likely I wont replace them. Foxgloves took their role as star of the show this year…things always have a way of working out. happy days
so pretty!!
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Thanks!
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Perhaps not handmade, but certainly homegrown, beautiful life.
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Such a nice reply, Derrick! Thank- you.
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it looks like your working in heaven, certainly heavens creation, lucky you,
you will never be short of things to do, have a great day, blessings
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Thank you very much!
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Such a lovely garden! Sorry to hear about the roses, but sounds like you’re content with your option. 🙂
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I am because I noticed that I wasn’t allowing myself to see how pretty everything is because I was focusing too much on what is missing. Thanks, Judy!!
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Beautful!
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Thanks, Cindy!
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Looking good!
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Thanks, John. I’ve been keeping busy, studiously avoiding the Poison Ivy problem. Your post about the organic spray is much appreciated. I had resigned myself to having to ‘suit up’ and tackle it by hand
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The Avenger spray works fiendishly well… It was suggested to me to flag the location so I can check next season and see if the roots died or it just re-sprouts. Wise idea.
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That is a wise idea. I will order it tonight!!
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Gardening is always a combination of heartbreak and triumph. Yours are beautiful, despite the loss of the roses.
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Thanks, Laurie. This year is proving to be challenging so far. Every year is different anyway and produces unexpected gifts and dilemmas. The mole/vole issue is pretty consistent .. Someday!!
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sorry about your roses. Ours are plagued with black spot but I don’t spray them – just pick the leaves off and look the other way!
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I’ve had horrible black spot in the past and mixed up all kinds of natural remedies. In the end, I’ve found your method to be the most effective:). Good Luck!!
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Again, very beautiful garden and photos.
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Thank you, Agnes. I just came from your blog and I sincerely return the compliment:)
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Oh so gorgeous!!! More of this please! xo Johanna
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Lol!! Thanks very much, Johanna!
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Trial and Error, every year! Your peonies are stunning!
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So true!! You win some and you lose some. Oddly, I lost honeysuckle this year too. That’s a first
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I am sorry to hear that, we lost a few beauties this year too to the winter, but then other things like hosts have gone crazy!
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Funny how that happens:)
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And I always thought roses are tough old things. I think it’s wise of you to keep what works. Looks like beauty abounds in your garden.
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The rugosa roses are tough. They fared pretty well. The blooms are stunted and shriveled because there are mole hotels underneath them. I’m an older gardener now. It’s become a lot easier to let things have their way
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Lovely garden – especially the peonies, which are done here. As for your roses: Love the flowers, hate the thorns. We have rose rosette and some new kind of beetle here that is knocking out even the pest resistant knockout roses. I hope some severe pruning helps you save yours.
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Thanks. I have a few of the knock- outs. They are really very resistant to pests- even the Japanese beetle! Wow. I wonder if these new beetles are headed east. Roses are one of my favorite flowers and hard to resist but I think I will enjoy them in other peoples’ gardens from now on.
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I’ve had to severely cut back the roses this year and lost all the lavender this due to the cold winter. I wish I had foxgloves. They are a favorite, but I’ve never had luck with them. Your gardens look serene. I love the layout.
~Ginene
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Thanks, Ginene. Sorry about your lavender and good luck with rejuvenating your roses. I love Lupines but have poor luck with them. In some gardens, they naturalize freely!
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Yes beautiful even in a difficult year. 🙂
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Thank- you! I think at this point it’s so much more about the process than the product. I just love being busy out here
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My brother in Minneapolis had a ‘William Baffin’. It was HUGE. Wouldn’t be surprised if it came back pretty strong. Glad to hear that your foxgloves have stepped up to the plate. I have only the yellow foxgloves Digitalis ambigua.
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