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August Garden Tour--Sneak Preview

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Like all avid gardeners, I work hard at beautifying this place. 2018's wonderful growing season, with gentle, frequent rains, has brought the gardens to a peak of perfection. But we're so far out in the sticks, nobody but my kids and I ever see them! The meadow is alight with prairie sunflowers, ironweed and goldenrod. The zinnias are losing their minds. I want to share!




Come to Indigo Hill Garden Tour and Plant Sale, Saturday, August 18, 12-5 pm.




We’ll talk plants, birds and nature, and I’ll share my secrets of gardening for birds, butterflies and people, too. See the bonsai collection, the Heirloom Garden, 


the burgeoning vegetable garden, 

Anybody know what this is?

and the hummingbird/butterfly beds. Get tips on gardening for, feeding, and watering birds. Peek into my studio, and climb the stairs to the birdwatching tower for a commanding view of the 80-acre property.

Want to bring home a souvenir of your visit? I’ve been propagating hard-to-find plants from my collection all summer long: Achimenes longiflora “Pink Nighty,” the magical evening primrose that opens before your eyes, the heirloom chrysanthemum “Sheffield Pink” –the first mum brought to the US by English colonists--and even native Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower). My hardcover books, art prints, notecards and jigsaw puzzles will be for sale in a pop-up store in the greenhouse out back. Of course, I'll be happy to sign them.





Achimenes longiflora "Pink Nighty"--the perfect late summer hanging basket companion! Refresh those tired hanging baskets--yank out the dead lobelia and leggy petunias, the put a shot of hot pink in your life!


                           The Pink Nighty Chipmunk-Proof Growing Table. Crude, but effective.

Plan to be here for one of the scheduled Zick-led garden tours at 12:30 pm or 2 pm.

I’m asking a $20 suggested donation per person for what is sure to be a delightful treat of a day. There will be a donation can on the front porch.


 On your way out to Indigo Hill, keep a sharp eye out for the trees I call the Three Graces, the Monarch Meadow and the Shadow Barn.

 The Three Graces, about 4 miles out Dalzell Rd.
 

The Shadow Barn, and the sweet asphalt-shingled machine shed by the giant oak. Just across the road from the barn is the Monarch Meadow, which, having been cut in early July, is coming into full bloom NOW. It should be full of striped caterpillars. Side trip, before or after the open garden event. Plan on it!




The Three Graces, Shadow Barn and Monarch Meadow are all right together, in sight of each other, about 4.5 miles out Dalzell Road. Fergus the Frog’s pond is just beyond them, in a hollow down to your right.  Drive slowly around the big curve and take it in. It’s a beautiful drive and is sure to be a beautiful day.



                                              Click HERE for details and directions.  This is a link to a Facebook page about the event. You may not be able to RSVP by clicking "Going" if you're not already on Facebook. So please let me know in the comment section if you can make it. I apologize for the late notice.






Looking out the kitchen window.


Parking: If you see cars parked on Scott's Ridge Road, that means we ran out of space in the yard. If you can walk .2 mile, it would save yard parking for those who may be less mobile. Don't worry--we'll run your potted plants, books, and souvenirs out to your car when you're ready to go.

 This is a great big fun experiment, so be sure to RSVP, and to check back on this event page for notifications and alerts. To see updates, you'll have to click "Discussion" under the photo of my house. I'll hope to see you at my home on Saturday, August 18!

PS. Tested the directions you get by clicking "Get Directions" on the map. Those directions will get you there, but it's far easier, when coming up Rt. 821 N, to turn right on Dalzell Road and STAY ON IT for about 5 1/2 mi. until you get to Scotts Ridge Rd. Eyeroll.



























12 comments:

I love the idea of your chipmunk proof table. Ingenious.
I saw cinder blocks used as planting items--we recently visited a place where cinder blocks were set up around a raised garden. And each cinder block, set so the open end was up, was filled with soil and a flowering plant placed in it. So both a border, retaining wall and flower pot!
Hope your "open house/open garden" is a huge success.

I would love to come, but am hosting a birthday party here that day. Hope it's a huge success and you do it again.

@KGMom, necessity is the mother of invention. They can't get past the old glass shower door that serves as a table for the potted Achimenes. I just pray the flying squirrels don't develop a taste for Achimenes rhizomes. I love the cinder block flower pot idea! I have this going on naturally around the old bonsai pit. The best thing that germinated in the block holes is a gorgeous hybrid columbine--best one on the place. There's spearmint in all the others.

Awww, this sounds like fun! I wish I was closer, I'd come for the tour and buy some plants!

Hope it is a success!

I'm only about 2500 miles away in California. Would so love to see your garden. You're so close to my grandparents' old home in Dover. Have a wonderful, fun and profitable day!
Deborah Downs

I think it's a loofah (luffa).

If wishes were horses I’d be there in a heartbeat.
I just know you are going to have a spectacular day!!!
Dorothy Person

Such a great idea; I hope there are LOTS of fans/admirers closer than I am in Oregon who will go see your magical locale in person. But rest assured that through your talented eye and lens, you and your kids are NOT the only ones who see the beauty. The internet is good for a few things....

Oh WOW...I sure wish I could come for this but I'm just too far away here in Georgia. This would be my absolute dream day! Here's hoping your experiment turns out to be a great success...maybe an annual event. PLEASE post pictures of the day so we can enjoy it vicariously!

Sounds wonderful ... maybe next time!😃

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

@Bea Seeking, it's a delicata squash! So called because it's a winter squash with skin tender enough to eat, so it doesn't need peeling.

Thanks everyone for your very kind comments. I'm nervous and immersed in prep, watching the weather (50% chance of thunderstorms) and trying to think of everything at once. I do appreciate the support and cheering along!

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