tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35151212592345560932009-06-13T09:39:21.769-03:00This will likely be a rather disorganized series of "musings", which may get better as we move along. The mundane "goings on" sometimes need to be addressed.Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-4870022328437763112009-05-26T09:58:00.002-03:002009-05-28T09:38:27.595-03:00

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-35273383791288075712009-05-09T08:36:00.008-03:002009-05-09T09:35:06.326-03:00

We are very busy these days getting ready for our annual Plant Sale which will happen on May16-17th. I expect we are about 90% done with plant preparation, but there is still some logistical work to do.The garden is bursting forth on a daily basis. The Forsythia have been especially lovely this year.The first rhododendrons are in bloom. R. mucronulatum, April Rose, and good ole 'PJM' are making a

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-12304302507520566962009-04-16T13:29:00.007-03:002009-04-16T14:03:52.927-03:00

We could be talking about the weather, or our ability to get outside and do some spring chores. We were blessed with a few rather pleasant days, followed by the inevitable threat of snow, rain, real snow, and then cold winds. Last Friday we accessed our potato pit and removed part of the potatoes and the bucket of carrots stored there. It was a lovely day with lots of wonderful crocus in full

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-89767441370112322002009-04-09T18:32:00.012-03:002009-04-09T19:08:49.292-03:00

The Wednesday walk had lots of company. Jodi, Voodie and Slayer accompanied me on the stroll.Cats have a tendency to always be looking the other way. They are having a little "meeting" in the front perennial bed where today I found some actual flower buds showing on a group of HelleboresBoth have been spending more time outdoors than usual, but still want to come in and out a dozen times a day.

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-4174401372640955252009-04-08T10:28:00.010-03:002009-04-08T11:13:47.828-03:00

Before the last couple of wet days, we had a chance to look over the yard in the sun. Bill chose to start on the "pick up" of woody debris that is always a harbinger of spring here. Winter winds prune the birch trees all too well.The sun had the various crocus patches absolutely glowing. These Crocus ancyrensis hold the glow record" as far as I am concerned. It was lovely to see many other

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-42451628744876125762009-04-04T14:53:00.017-03:002009-04-05T11:34:26.651-03:00

High winds and rain have magically brought us a glimpse of "real" spring. Part of this day was spent doing a little transplant job of the first seedlings under the lights. Basil, parsley, petunias, thyme and Buddleia were moved to bigger quarters. Jodi and I had our first real walk about in the back garden areas. The lovely little patch of Crocus Tricolor are in full bloom. It is about

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-26681831245031021722009-03-31T15:21:00.008-03:002009-03-31T15:52:43.919-03:00

The last week has been pretty busy. We had a nice jaunt to the Garden Club in Prospect Bay Road.Bill took  some baby azaleas and rhododendrons for everyone to take home.The weekend had visiting and an outing or two.Ian and Gina were here. Ian was doing two concerts with Hector MacIsaac at StFX. He plays bass(and other things) with the group. This was the Antigonish debut of The Legend of the

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-27813258860942513552009-03-24T11:01:00.003-03:002009-04-05T11:34:55.911-03:00

This week has certainly taken a turn for the worse.White stuff everywhere.Don't think that even seedlings can take our mind off of this.Hope it clears a bit before our scheduled jaunt to Halifax tomorrow. We are to give a talk to the Garden Club in the Prospect Bay Road area.

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-87724468974421868712009-03-21T13:29:00.012-03:002009-03-22T16:19:51.451-03:00

Not the "springiest" sight on earth. March 20th has come and gone. Spring has to be more of a state of mind than a state of weather here at the Willow Garden.There has been enough sun and a few moderate days to partly rid the driveway and part of our pathway of treacherous ice.There is still a heavy layer on the path at the front which never gets enough sun to help in its demise. Time and higher

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-90821133586339394362009-03-15T12:59:00.010-03:002009-03-15T13:39:52.618-03:00

We have had a rather long recess from blogging. Winter seems to have a dampening effect upon the "creative spirit".This Blogger site has also proven beyond my patience in its slowness to load.Perhaps as the spring progresses, so will the possibility of eventually being able to get Highspeed Internet service. The days are lengthening, Daylight Savings has happened, and there are some signs of

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-27284197673453549522008-09-25T10:31:00.006-03:002008-09-25T11:20:20.909-03:00

As of this date we have escaped any real frosty nights. Temperatures have been very close to freezing for the last few nights.The only evidence of chilling is some leaf damage on the cucumbers.I have been making a start at retrieving those plants that need to come indoors .Our pots of hot peppers are brought into the sunporch so they can continue to ripen. The three Brugmansia are not cold

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-55579221776690528932008-09-25T10:14:00.004-03:002008-09-25T10:29:07.106-03:00

During the last several weeks, we have had a very generous cucumber harvest.Most days I would find the occasional cuke that I considered too big, so these I heaved over the back fence.Our dog Jodi thought this was a fine game for a dog with some retriever instincts, so he would invariably go tearing off after the cuke; and, as often as not, bring it back.The last few days on our garden visit, I

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-30808767012454052242008-08-18T10:18:00.005-03:002008-08-18T10:27:23.204-03:00

Last Thursday proved to be a bit on the dry side amongst many wet days, so we decided it was time to harvest Garlic. It isn't such a big job, and is overall quite an enjoyable task.We grew several known varieties of Hardneck garlic, one group of unknown hardneck, and a few softnecks of unknown origin.In this wheelbarrow load are the named ones, and the softnecks.I just hose off the residual soil

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-889618947587263942008-08-09T11:53:00.005-03:002008-08-09T12:21:47.056-03:00

Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea) seem to make themselves very much at home this time of year, and we likely have a few more than we need in some spots(and less than we need in others). Most are simply variations on the theme from Echinacea purpurea. It is quite interesting to see the many different flower forms. We do have one of the 'Double Decker' types, but it seems to ignore the fact it was

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-79561032915960892732008-08-09T10:46:00.005-03:002008-08-09T11:53:23.615-03:00

This year we have grown some Castor Beans and three Brugmansia. Both are, of course, quite dramatic plants that from a sheer vigour standpoint make them quite interesting. The Castor Bean is one called 'Impala', a hybrid which doesn't get quite as gigantic as typical castor beans, but the foliage is a wonderful burgundy colour. The seeds came from Dominion Seed House.The new leaves start off

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-75790017017537808322008-08-08T09:27:00.005-03:002008-08-09T12:26:25.341-03:00

The oriental lily 'Barbaresco' is one of our favourites. A couple of years ago it condescended to make seeds, which were sown, and some actually grew. This summer we have a plant blooming from those seeds.It certainly has characteristics of the parent plant. Seedling(1st).....Parent(2nd) Now the bulbs should be moved to a sunnier spot than the nursery bed area they now inhabit. A lot of leaning

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-77384146888430794472008-08-06T10:46:00.013-03:002008-08-08T09:51:16.692-03:00

Lily season really began way back in July, but the most outstanding of our lilies are the later blooming Trumpets, Orientals, OrienPets, and several species. The very first Oriental types to bloom was our 'Golden Star Gazer'. The fragrance is amazing, and seems to have a "citrus" hint. We have no idea why it is so much earlier than the pink Star Gazers. Three weeks earlier to be precise. They

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-51274603508335614892008-08-03T11:29:00.005-03:002008-08-06T10:46:07.710-03:00

Time seems to fly once summer gets here in earnest.July flew by with no blogging done. It was for the most part a very hot, dry month for the garden, and the gardeners.We got rained on towards the end, which was a saving grace. Daylily season seems to dominate these days, but we are looking forward to a wonderful August display of Oriental type lilies.Each year we try to keep track of the daylily

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-81405827043338757492008-06-27T19:41:00.007-03:002008-12-10T06:36:42.907-04:00

The catch up for June continues. There are always many gardening chores for the entire month of June that one often wonders if they will all get done.Bill spent quite a bit of time getting areas ready for vegetables (here and there!), and plantings of Buckwheat. The potato crop looks quite good so far. The grass always seems to be needing a haircut. We finally got our "birthday" Pine

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-29033818759436169912008-06-27T11:21:00.005-03:002008-06-27T11:38:32.901-03:00

We had the unfortunate loss of our old golden dog '"Jake" on June 5th. He had been with us for most of his twelve years, and was a fixture throughout the gardening year.Reclining in the Glory of the Snow ...and beside the Impatiens bedChasing sticks was a life long occupation.....small and big......Helping with the fall potato storage....Winter was a sometimes thing.....indoor reclining was most

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-42652689450742574772008-06-27T10:59:00.006-03:002008-12-10T06:36:43.580-04:00

The whole month of June has pretty much come and gone, and no blogging has been done! It was certainly not an uneventful month, but perhaps we shall have to deal with it in a few little "reprises". Early June saw us just at the beginning of rhododendron season, which was overall a bit disappointing due to the loss of flower buds. Winter played a nasty trick at some stage.R. schlippenbachii

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-65318789493437279092008-05-29T19:04:00.002-03:002008-05-29T19:18:04.587-03:00

The tulips seem bent on having me change "my favourite" designation.This new one called 'Akebono' bloomed in the last few days. I think it is quite spectacular. I was surprised at the height, expecting 18", rather than the ~24". Most years 'Ouilliles' is near the top of the list, and she still is lovely. Shirley's Dream is making a nice appearance....shown here with an oak trunk. This is a new

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-35249403155232752992008-05-28T10:02:00.007-03:002008-12-10T06:36:44.700-04:00

Mid-May seems to find the garden growing in leaps and bounds. The early rhododendrons are making their temporary splash. Several species rhododendrons are the first to bloom.R. mucronulatum blooms in pink and white shades. This is a seedling from 'Cornell Pink', more of a candy pink than the usual mucronulatum types.'April Rose' is perhaps the most vivid of the early bloomers. It is very

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-4126528871154088532008-05-28T09:46:00.002-03:002008-05-28T10:02:02.456-03:00

We had a very successful Plant Sale this year.It does monopolize our efforts in the early spring, but such is life. Bill even had to build a new set of steps, as the others had seen the end of their life.There were approximately 8oo plants prepared, and less than 3 dozen left. This is what was left . Even these have dissipated, as a few people dropped by after the sale days.We also had a few

Sharon Bryson / Bill Wilgenhofhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12387676083874602085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3515121259234556093.post-81271612903849826992008-05-10T12:09:00.008-03:002008-12-10T06:36:46.935-04:00

It is a rather chilly day here on this Saturday, and the outlook is not nice . The weather forecasts .... "From Saturday Afternoon to Sunday Morning we expect 5-10 cm of snow and 25-30 mm of rain."Not the words we like to hear. Looks like tomorrow will be the day that gets devoted to some indoor transplanting.The tomatoes need some attention. There are also a lot of little Four O'Clock seedlings

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