The New Year

Happy New Year everyone.  It rained some last night and I decided to take a walk around the yard.  I’d be honored to have you come along.

Walking in the garden helps me to clear my head, relax, and regroup.

Gray Sky, January 2017

This is a picture looking up through the branches of the Japanese maple tree just outside our front door.  The sky is gray and it looks like we might get more rain today.  That would be nice.  While we don’t often think about it plants do need water in the winter.

Raised bed with Collards, Kale, and Carrots. January 2017

The plants is the raised bed next to the shed are doing well.  I’m pleasantly  surprised.   I’m going to keep my eyes on these.

This is a cute little bench we picked up at a yard sale for next to nothing.  In our eyes it’s priceless.  The maple provides just the right amount of shade.  A nice little spot to rest and reflect.

Berries on Dwarf Burford Holly. January 2017

This holly next to the garage is beautiful.  But oh is it a challenge for me to keep pruned.  Don’t be fooled by the word dwarf in its name.  A Dwarf Burford Holly will easily grow 10 feet tall in our climate.  The flowers are pretty inconspicuous but bees and other insects love them.

Lunaria or honesty. January 2017

I had a dried bouquet of lunaria that I had kept for many years.  One day I decided it was time to let it go, but rather than place it in the trash, I took it outside and scattered the branches of seed.  A few seeds germinated and the rest is history.   Each year we are graced with it’s beautiful blue flowers.  If you decided to plant it remember it’s a biannual.

Japanese Maple in winter. January 2017

We have three Japanese Maples on the property.  This one we affectionately call ‘Dixie Cup’ because of how I brought her home.  I first saw her as an eight inch seedling growing on the grounds of a local university where I was taking classes.  I saved her from the grounds crew and she’s had a home in our yard for the last 15 years.

Forsythia. January 2017

The forsythia in our yard was given to us by a neighbor.  It had spread and he wanted to thin out the plants.  We were happy to take many of the rooted branches he pulled out.  This winter has been relatively mild and the buds are already swelling.

Columbine. January 2017

We have a bed where columbine has naturalized.  The blooms don’t last long but while they’re here it’s extra special.  I was surprised to see the vegetation up this time of year.

Nandina. January 2017

Lots of berries in the garden this winter. Aren’t the nandina’s beautiful this time of year?

The main vegetable garden. January 2017

Here’s a look at our main vegetable garden.  The fenced in area is 25 x 25 feet.  I ordered our seeds today.  I’ve got to admit I’m already starting to get excited about this years growing season.

Expanded garden area covered with leaves. January 2017

I’m going to leave the leaves here over the winter.  We’re planning on using this bed for the squash and cucumbers.  It’s about 12 x 20 feet.

One more and then we’ll call it a day.  Lets head up to the top of the hill by the fruit trees.

 

A weed seed head. January 2017

Isn’t this absolutely beautiful.  It grows as a weed on the property but I find it to be absolutely beautiful.  And it’s providing food and nesting material to a lot of critters.

Thanks for spending some of your New Year with me.  Until next time…

… take care of the earth.  We need her…she doesn’t need us.