By joenesgarden, 3 months and 24 days ago

An October Stroll

Unusual weather remains the topic of conversation in our neck of the woods. We continue to have heavy rains and, after chilly early-month temperatures, we've had a revisit of summer-like heat and humidity. Fall foliage has yet to blast in with its usual color. Salty tropical storm rains from Irene turned many tree leaves brown causing an early leaf drop. Leaves that remained have been slow to turn and, so far, show less brilliant color than Connecticut-living leaf watchers expect.

Keep reading →

By joenesgarden, 4 months and 1 day ago

Celebrate Autumn Gardening in East Haddam

This is one October weekend when locals don't have far to drive to find great garden bargains or an intriguing garden. That's right East Haddam residents … all can be found within town boundaries.

Keep reading →

By joenesgarden, 4 months and 10 days ago

Eat CT

Common autumn outings  in Connecticut include going apple picking and wandering through a pumpkin patch for the perfect Halloween decorations. Breathing in the sweet ripe-fruit aroma that wafts from apple-heavy trees is one autumn joy that should be on everyone's bucket list and …  how can you not smile while watching a child's delight when they find their pumpkin.

Keep reading →

By joenesgarden, 4 months and 17 days ago

A gift from the garden, for the gardener

I think my gardens really get me. They seem to know how much their flowers brighten each day. The plants in my charge continue to bloom, continue to fight to survive the latest munching deer attack or the most recent undermining vole abuse. For the most part, except for one hydrangea and one buddleia, they stood strong when Irene blew her damaging winds this way. Now, with summer winding down to its final hours, my gardens have given me a birthday gift … my favorite flower in full-bloom at the end of summer.

Keep reading →

By joenesgarden, 5 months and 2 days ago

Irene’s Visit

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene has maximized my time and thoughts for a while now. When potentially damaging weather events are forecast and you live on a country road in rural woods with no major services nearby - closest fresh milk is five miles and nearest gas station is eight miles away - you learn to prepare for multiple days without public utilities. We stored ample fuel to run the generator – lovingly called The Beast - and propane for the gas grill for a few days, drinking water (in case the generator broke and could not run the well pump), non-perishable foods, batteries and flashlights, and any other necessity we could think of. I froze all the peaches I had picked earlier in the week, canned pickles, relishes, and butters, and picked as many veggies and blossoms as possible.

Keep reading →

← Previous 01 02 03 04 05 ... 16 Next →