Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Starting Over with a New Garden



Does this remind you of a tulip? Look a little closer...it is a bud on a compact size magnolia tree.










I couldn't resist buying the "Jane Magnolia" for my new garden at Das Kleine Haus.








For many years, I worked on the gardens at the Farm. Most of you followed me all last year as I recorded everything from the spring planting of seeds, in the greenhouse, to the hot days in summer with all the daylilies and roses in bloom.

Now, I have a chance to start over with new garden plans and a blank slate.  It is hard work, removing grass and digging new beds.

Benjamin preparing a hole for the Palm Tree
I still have my trusty handyman, Benjamin, who has worked for me over 15 years or so. He arrives every Friday morning to work 3 hours with the very heavy chores, like moving a palm tree.


Daylilies, I brought from the farm, are already peeking through the mulch.


Sugar snap peas, trailing along the fence,  are blooming...


Click on Photo









and small pea pods are beginning to form.









You may find it difficult to believe, but these are tiny early tomatoes. They are growing in my cold frame. With my night-time temperatures dropping in the high 30's this week, I will simply close the top of the cold frame to protect them.


For cool weather blooms, you can always count on Dianthus. You may know them as Sweet Williams or Pinks.

Meggie Mac

19 comments:

  1. It's so lovely to see new plants and growth happening in your new garden Meggie, it feels like Spring is not too far away now..........I absolutely adore sweet williams. x

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    1. Sweet Williams make me think of a cottage garden. I remember them from my childhood. My mother called them "Pinks".

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  2. It really is home now! A garden puts your mark on this house and it makes it yours. I can't believe you have tiny tomatoes--I'm coming by for a tomato sandwich:-D

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    1. Hi Susan...I'm not sure they will ripen in this cool weather, but there is always "Fried Green Tomatoes".

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  3. Meggie your garden looks lovely to me in my snowbank...Take care, Heidi

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    1. Hello Heidi...I was thinking about you when I wrote this post. You have so much snow...and, I am wearing my summer gardening hat!

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  4. Good to see how your new garden is going to look, lovely. And a hard job. Groetjes, Gerda

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    1. Thanks, Gerda. It is a real challenge right now. One day it is warm and the next it might drop down in the 30's.

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  5. I love the pink Dianthus .. I must try and find out if they will grow here, they are lovely.
    I started working on my garden on Monday.. I am off to the nursery to get some new plants this weekend..
    Its always exciting to re design and plant new flowers.
    happy gardening.. like me, I have Pedro who comes to help.. I couldnt do all the hard work ..he is my handy man.
    val

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    1. Hi Val...I think you should have no problems with the Dianthus, but once it gets hot, they are done for the year. I believe Benjamin has worked with me for 20 years not 15. He cried when I sold the farm, and so did I. He loved working in the gardens with me and he has always loved the digging part. He still digs the holes, and I fill it up with a plant!

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  6. This must be Wistful Wednesday, at least, it is for me after looking at your pictures. I am tired of brown and white landscapes,,,bring on the Spring!!!!

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    1. I was wondering, when do you first see signs of Spring in Iowa? I think it officially starts March 20th.

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  7. I am so looking forward to spring. I've enjoyed seeing your photos and look forward to more as the season really gets under way and progresses through summer into fall. Take care.

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    1. Thanks Cheryl....I look at your snow photos and can't believe it sometimes. I also love to see your barn photos...

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  8. What a beautiful garden you have! It makes me wish for spring. :)

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    1. Thanks, Dianna. I have a long way to go, but, then it is only the end of February.

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  9. Hi Meggie, I love the beautiful magnolia and yes it does look like a tulip flower! My magnolia has buds on it but they are very small and it will probably be another month or two before it flowers.Its lovely to create a new garden isnt it?

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  10. Wow I had to scroll back down to see where you lived ...really jealous pea pods already and here we are covered in snow! Go Texas!

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  11. Wow, you really have spring already. Outside my window today is melting snow and rain. Spring is still a ways off this year. Last year by this time, my crocus and early daffodils were blooming.

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