Dave and I
have a 3 acre rural property in Vermont which we adore. That said,
gardening in the Northeast is a leap of faith and a lot of
work. I get out all my magazines, books and seed catalogs and
dream about the garden I will have in a few months time, all the
while gazing out on a pure white landscape of snow. All the garden
ornaments are in the shed with their frozen expressions waiting
patiently to be placed once again in their verdant niche to add
whimsy to the flower beds. Making orders of seeds to grow a variety
of herbs planted in pots just outside the kitchen on the deck, I can
close my eyes and conjure up the smell of fresh picked herbs; basil
for the pesto, dill & parsley for soups and shiso leaf for
sushi. Packets of Cosmos and Zinnias and sunflowers add drama to my
perennial garden. I have to hold back as I would order far too many
packets. Finally I can
hear the frogs peeping in the nearby beaver ponds and know it
is soon time to plant - The earth has melted and is warming
up.
Early spring brings the greatest joy
with the Crocus, Violets, Daffodils and finally Tulips arriving in
profusion and amazing us every day with their colours and fragrance.
Then come the Rhododendrons, Bleeding
Hearts, Azaleas, Iris, Peonies, and finally the Delphiniums and
soaring Lilies & Alliums. And there are trays of annuals to be
planted along the borders and so much weeding to do that you can’t
keep up.
I enjoy grilling food on the
BBQ, marinated in fresh herbs. Add a chair, a good book, glass of
sun tea to sit in our paradise here in Vermont
and the world is perfect. Click HERE
to see our property and
gardens. |