The Herbarie at Stoney Hill Farm blog

What happened to Winter?

Daffodils and hyacinths were blooming in January and February! What a contrast when compared to the last two years of snow and ice! Yes, winter is leaving us. The Root Children barely had time for a nap!

Yesterday I spent time outside in the gardens and around the waterfall pond. The frogs have resurfaced and are bigger now, but I don’t see any of the mosquito fish that were in the pond last year. With the 70+ temperatures, the frogs have been sunning themselves on the rocks in the pond. I notice the pond needs cleaning and the surrounding beds need weeding and mulching. I have not yet planted my snow peas or sweet peas! I worry that it may be too late. I’ve not yet started any pepper or tomato seeds – yikes! Where did the time go?

I love Queen Anne’s Lace and other plants that many people consider weeds. Dear Queen Anne diligently tossed her seeds last fall and now I have hundreds – maybe thousands – of tiny Queen Anne’s Lace plants………everywhere.

Tasty Chickweed and wild geranium are in every garden bed and are thriving.

Pretty little Dandelions are popping up and I welcome them to my garden too.

But enough is enough and too much is too much. Time for weeding!

The Redbuds are so pretty in pink! The sunny yellow Carolina Jessamine is blooming! I notice the pansies and the Johnny Jump Ups are turning their happy little faces to the sun.

Late last fall, I planted spinach, chard and Johnny Jump Ups (Viola cornuta, Viola tricolor) in the containers that are situated in the Secret Garden and Hummer Haven. I enjoy the combination of color and texture – rich shades of green, purple, chartreuse, lavender, and yellow. Plus, everything is edible!

Last Fall I also planted broccoli and collards as usual. Collards are a staple in the Southern garden! This winter I enjoyed steamed collards, collards in quiche, and collards with garlic sauteed in olive oil. My bunnies, Tinkerbell and Peter Pan, are true southern bunnies because collards are one of their favorite treats, but of course they don’t want them cooked at all! I also like to munch on veggies and herbs fresh picked from the garden. Tender fresh-from-the-garden broccoli tips are delicious and nutritious! This week the broccoli and collard plants have all started to “go to seed”. Energy is changing and moving from roots, to leaves, to flowers, to seeds! Spring is almost here!

Fortunately we set up the new bluebird houses in January. We now have a total of five bluebird houses and all have baffles that will hopefully keep the bluebirds safe from predators. Everyone – Bluebirds, Chickadees, Cardinals, Wrens, Goldfinch and others have all been scouting for nesting sites for weeks. The bluebird couples appear to have staked out their homes and their territory. We’ve observed the male sitting on top of the house while the female checks inside. The wrens have been working on their house for a few weeks to get it just right before moving in.

The enormous Monsieur Tillier tea rose has been the favorite nesting and roosting spot for our Cardinals. This is the same rose where my hummer Joy spent most of her time in the winter of 2009 and early 2010. Monsieur Tillier is beside the pergola where I would sit each morning at daybreak watching for Joy to come to the feeder. I was never certain where she would roost each night, but each morning she would magically appear at the feeder. After she had her “breakfast” she would perch in the Monsieur Tillier branches for a chit chat. We followed that routine from November through mid-March so we got to know each other very well. Needless to say, Monsieur Tillier has special meaning for me.

True tea shrub roses don’t require the same severe annual pruning as hybrid tea roses and generally respond best to light shearing. But at some point they do need to be pruned rather severely for rejuvenation. Monsieur Tillier has never been pruned and has grown to be at least 12ftx12ft over the years. The Cardinals and other birds like to nest and roost in the thorny branches because they provide good protection from snakes and other predators. I’ve been reluctant to prune Monsieur Tillier for the past two years thinking Joy may come back for a visit. But just a few weeks ago I decided to rejuvenate! So, now Monsieur Tillier is sporting a stylish new cut! I’m hoping the Cardinals can still find a good secure nesting spot and that Monsieur Tillier will be happily leafing out and blooming this Spring! I’ll keep you posted on how it turns out!

A few nights ago I dreamed of hummingbirds. In my dream, several new spring hummers were zooming around trying to find the sugar water feeders that are usually hung by my office door as well as other spots around the gardens. But the feeders weren’t there and the nectar wasn’t made! Oh dear! Then I woke up.

So, yesterday I made the sugar water, hung the feeders and now we are ready!

Good Wishes for Early Spring!
Angie

Fall is a time for transitions and changes. I’ve never especially liked change so this is a challenge for me and moves me from my comfort zone. Autumn, although beautiful, is not my favorite time of year. I’m always at odds with Autumn. While others happily notice the leaves turning from green to gold and the weather becoming brisk and cool, I tend to notice the zinnias sadly dying and squirrels frantically scurrying and feel that I must hurry too.

For the past few weeks I have been busy, busy, busy with day to day details. I was beginning to feel like those squirrels scurrying back and forth across the road – hurrying and trying to go in several directions at once. This past week I realized that I had not spent time in my garden for over two weeks. I had been outside to quickly harvest botanicals, but I didn’t linger. I didn’t watch the birds or butterflies and surely didn’t stop to smell the roses. I had stopped doing my yoga routine since the mornings were too chilly in the garden and decided that I just didn’t have time anyway. Then yesterday I realized that I didn’t feel well. I could think of a million things that need to be done to run the business and a million things that need to be done to take care of the other day to day stuff, but couldn’t tell you what I had eaten for lunch or even if I had eaten lunch. I was losing touch with myself. Are the squirrels trying to tell me something?? I know what I need to do to be whole and healthy, but usually put myself last because so many other things need to be done – isn’t this what we all often do?

I have to remind myself that in order to be able to give my best to others I have to be healthy and well. For me to be well in mind, body and soul, I know I must be in touch with myself and grounded with the earth, the plants and the animals and those who are dear to me. Yes, it’s literally about taking time to smell the roses, touch the roses, dig in the earth, nibble on the herbs, water the plants, feed the fish, talk to the frogs – yes talk to the frogs!

Yesterday, I spent the day in the garden pulling up my dear dying zinnias. They are still trying their best to grow tall with brilliant orange and yellow flowers and it’s not easy for me to pull them up. But I give honor to the plants as I realize they have lived their season and it’s time to go. And now I understand and have faith that their seeds will sprout life for flowers that bloom next summer. As I pull them up, we make way for the beautiful Camellia sasanqua, Pineapple Sage, Mexican Sage and others that are now in bloom.

Next, I cleaned my pond and spent time with Spot and Plain, my two goldfish that have grown from one inch to 6 inches. I sang songs to my frogs and whoever else could tolerate my off key songs. I sat for a while and just enjoyed being alive. It felt good to see the blue sky and notice how my collards are growing so nicely. I remembered to eat lunch.

Again, I am always sad when the ruby throated summer hummers leave and we’ve not seen them since the end of September. But while I sat in the garden I was surprised to hear the familiar humming sound and I noticed one little hummer at the flowering sage! My first thought was of Joy, my winter hummer from two years ago – could it be? Then I told myself that’s it’s far more likely one of the summer hummers passing through. I didn’t get a good look so I’m not sure. I always leave the sugar water feeders up through the winter just in case we do have visitors and just in case Joy or one of her family decides to come back. I’ll be watching for her.

Now, I’ve changed from my morning yoga routine in the garden to morning yoga inside with exquisite Gary Stadler music. Instead of the aromatherapy of my outside garden I enjoy my inside garden with my ferns and orchids and my atomizer with essential oils of Geranium, Clary Sage, Cedarwood virginiana. The view of the forest as the sun comes up is beautiful and I am reassured of the cyclical changes of the seasons. We’ve been this way before and we’ll come this way again.

Spot and Plain will soon be wintering in our basement in a nice, new aquarium. They will be a part of my morning yoga class! My Zinnias have thrown their seeds to the earth and will be back next summer. Next summer will be the 10th or 11th year they have reseeded themselves. I try to keep the faith and look forward to the next generation.

Go with the flow, live through the cycles – be like Spot and Plain – just keep swimming.

Best Fall Wishes To You!
Angie

Dear Friends,
The temperature is soaring with high humidity here in South Carolina, yet the soil is dry as a bone at Stoney Hill Farm. We are carefully watering our gardens from our two very deep wells. But we cannot give water to the fields and woodlands. It’s sad for me to know they are thirsty and there is nothing I can do. I see clouds and hear thunder, but there is no rain.

In the early morning I’m out in the garden and think about the grand white oak at the edge of our woods. I think about how this spectacular, strong oak tree has been here for 100+ years and has weathered storms and drought by sending its roots deep into the soil. I notice how the willow trees grow in colonies beside the creek and pond and survive by bending with the breeze. I consider our trees and plants to be my good friends and teachers so always try to learn from them.

It looks like rain is on the way for next week – we are hopeful!

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I’ve been spending part of each morning tending to my water gardens. One of the gardens has a waterfall with plants and some small fish and frogs. I enjoy feeding the fish each morning.

See one of the frogs on the lily pad?

The water lily flower is absolute perfection!

I’ve named my new secret garden Hummer Haven because the hummingbirds love the Rose of Sharon, Bougainvillea, Mandevilla and other bloomers.

In this area we created another small pond with a few plants and some mosquito fish and frogs. A small solar fountain helps to keep oxygen in the water.

During this drought, I am refreshed by my ponds, water plants and water creatures. I also find our heat loving plants to be refreshing as well. This year I’m growing Holy Tulsi Basil as well as the usual varieties of sweet basil. Basil loves hot weather!

I’ve distilled a lovely Hydrosol from our Holy Tulsi Basil! I enjoy using our Holy Tulsi Basil Hydrosol as a cooling spritzer.

Holy Tulsi Basil Hydrosol (Ocimum sanctum) is distilled from several varieties of Ocimum sanctum – Rama, Vana, Kapoor and Krishna. These plants are grown from Organic Certified seed.

Holy Tulsi Basil Hydrosol is recommended for use in skin care and hair care.

Holy Tulsi Basil Hydrosol can be used for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and soothing characteristics.

All varieties of Basil are native to India where it is used in Ayurveda medicine. Holy Tulsi Basil(Ocimum sanctum) is considered to be a sacred plant and is used to open the heart and bring harmony to the mind. Our Holy Tulsi Basil plants grow in a special place in our garden and are honored for their many gifts to us.

Basil smells like summertime and thrives in hot weather, but the fresh scent of Holy Tulsi Basil Hydrosol can be enjoyed all year!
http://theherbarie.com/Holy-Tulsi-Basil-Hydrosol–pr-481.html

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More soon……….stay cool!