Spring 2018

Spring sunset over the lavender field.

I now have 36 lavenders planted, because some of my first varieties have not survived this cold zone’s winters.  This year, I selected 18 Phenomenals because of their tolerance to cold (here in a cold altitude of Zone 4) and their ultra long stems.  They are already blooming and have a lovely scent.  Sellers of this variety are few and far between because of its patent, so I went to Richters. I hope to weave small baskets from these lovely stems that are already 18 to 24 inches long!

The first two rows which includes 50 feet of lavender.

I have tilled 3 approximately 65-foot rows so that I can snake 200 feet of soaker hoses along them nestled in the wood chips.  I have had to add a third row because my Mom and I rescued a number of cheap mystery tomatoes and peppers from the greenhouse. I have 24 tomato plants alone! We have natural berry bushes around the property, so I am also tucking them in at the end of the rows.

Spring 2018

May 24: Heirloom willow at the end of our concession. It sits in water all year long.

I took a walk down to the end of my concession to see the start of the heirloom willow growing season.  There are two distinct varieties, both of which have found their way up to our property too.  I’d like to find out what kind these two are!  There has been pioneer settlement here since the 1870s, so I am not sure if this is true natural or transplanted for settler’s sally patches.

Heirloom Mystery #1

Heirloom Mystery #2

This is the spring brook we have flowing down from the marsh at the roadside into our pond. After the winter flattened the tall grasses, I discovered another dozen heirloom willows I missed transplanting in the fall!

Spring 2018: April 29

April 29. 2018: Some areas are clear of snow but my new willow patch locations still have a foot of snow and rock hard ground.

Spring 2018: April 15

My willow walk on April 15, 2018!

April 15: The new willow patch location- my cuttings will have to remain sleeping in a cold dark place for awhile longer!