2020 threw more curveballs than we could catch. We found our world on sand and we were shifting around trying to get our bearing! In the process, we missed so many things that we can’t get back.
Yes, 2020 changed us, but we learned and we grew and in many ways, we did get our “bearing”… we had new ideas, we found new ways. It’s what we do.
THE 2020 GARDEN
Do you know what was the biggest surprise of my 2020 garden experience? I thought that with all the extra time in my garden … the garden would be the best ever!
IT. WASN’T.
The worst late freeze in the history of Indiana happened on Mother’s Day weekend. And we had two of those freezes setting the tone for some big disappointments. I lost many of my established lilies and several of my peonies didn’t have a chance. To save as much as we could, we turned our garden into a pot and tent village —- but in a garden this size, you just can’t cover everything.
Japanese Beetles came to visit in mid-June and I saw the last one on the first of September… a record for sure! Actually, we didn’t have as many as we do some years … but they just hung on! (More on the beetle attack and treatments here.)
More “varmints” than ever also came to visit. Raccoons, deer, huge groundhog, and squirrels (oh so so many squirrels digging things up and ruining every squash and pumpkin plant!)
In the good news/bad news department… we had two huge cats. These didn’t look like house cats or even barn cats. These were cats on their own if you know what I mean! While they tried to make homes in our raised beds and created havoc for the birds, we did notice that since their visits, we had NO moles or voles. Coincidence? Maybe. But, it was nice to be spared all the tunnels!
HIGHLIGHTS
Ghislaine de Feligonde (A Hybrid Multiflora rambler that dates back to 1916.)
I purchased mine from High Country Roses.
This was her third year and she covered the side of the potting shed beautifully. AND though she is primarily a one-time bloomer… She did repeat a few times with limited but very welcome blooms.
CLEMATIS
Blue Angel and Etoile Violette covered the arbors so beautifully and made the June garden extra special.
JASMINA AND PEGGY MARTIN
These two roses proved to be excellent companions!
EASY ELEGANCE ROSES
NEW CUTTING FLOWER BED
I turned my largest raised bed into a cutting garden and the previously mentioned large “wild” cats tried to make their home in this bed. The seeds and seedlings didn’t have a chance so I replanted with what I could find… (not easy to do when most everything was closed down during the early season). I went from Plan A to B and then no to C. But, the goal was achieved, I ended up with loads of flowers and it was fun.
JUNE…
AUGUST…
DAHLIAS
Since my daughter lives in England now, I became infatuated with Dahlias and planted several. I loved them. Most did very well… so well that they toppled as I did not provide enough structure for them. This one toppled elegantly over my potting table! I loved her there.
THYME OUT
One of the best additions to the garden was my new work area THYME OUT.
In 2019 we started transforming an area that had become overgrown with the horribly invasive Japanese honeysuckle into a large workspace for me. Originally, there was one potting bench there. But this spring Mr. G built me two work tables to add. I named it THYME OUT and used it all summer. I can’t wait to get back out there!
A NEW YEAR…
Like many of you, for the last several years I have been intentional about choosing a word of the year. Last year it was actually 2 words: Every Day (Read more here.). Boy, I certainly did not know what “every day” would bring!
This year I am picking 3 words…
SLOW STEADY SAVOR
I’m not looking for fireworks. I am looking for something to build on that gets us to the ultimate destination. Praying the virus is conquered, our world begins to open, and people will be together.
I don’t want to miss a thing.
I can already predict my 2021 highlight… the day my family is together again. SAVOR I WILL!
Happy New Year my friends.
