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Stillness in Winter – A Gift to The Gardener

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Stillness in winter is perfect for autumnal tasks.

When the air is crisp and the leaves are falling leaf removal is on our mind. Which is why autumn in winter is a gift for this gardener. The stillness of winter beckoned me to see what I could get done on a warm December day.

My stool and the Women’s Work gauntlet gloves are today’s garden essentials.

I gathered the necessary tools to not work but linger in the garden on my own terms. None of my neighbors were outside enjoying the stillness of the day. The birds were chirping, dogs barking and I was alone to commune with nature. I reached into my curbside flowerbed and gently lifted the leaves. Away from the crowns, from in between the foliage, I tossed them to the curb. Tossing over my shoulder, the acorns which were trying to take root, landed softly on the growing pile. Noone heard this but me, in the stillness of a winter day.

GIFTS BENEATH THE LEAVES

The single dandelion boldly blooming, despite the season.

I chose to linger in certain spots because of the gifts that continually appeared as I sorted through the leaves. The bold bloom of a dandelion, with basal foliage peeking from beneath a clump of yarrow. Often under-appreciated, the dandelion brings so much to the garden. This gift, considered a weed to some, a plant many people abhor, desperately attempted to eradicate by others, is actually good for the pollinator community. Did you now that bees and birds love dandelions?? Dandelions are a terrific source of nectar and pollen for hungry bees and pollinators. Who knew that such a gift could be found when venturing outside in the stillness of a warm winter day.

Peony tips easing through the soil like a rocket preparing for launch.

Gently running my hands over the surface of the soil, I felt a bump that jarred my memory. A peony root, planted with a kiss for good luck, had survived. One stalk emerged and one leaf spoke to the strength of the root. There was no bloom, but this tip emerging from the chosen spot gives me hope. I hope that this year, I might get two leaves.

Tree peonies are such tough friends in the garden.

I paused and strolled over to my garden heroes. The tree peonies trampled by roofers last year were beginning to swell. My heart, melting in the stillness of this moment, was a bit overwhelmed. These ladies bring a bodacious bloom as they lift their heads and dance in the breezes of Spring. In African American folklore, peony seeds were given to those who are indecisive about something. In my garden, it offers a brief moment of bloom after a winter thaw.

The False Indigo pods have a beauty and music of their own.

What is that I hear? A subtle rattle disrupts the quiet in my garden as I brush past the Baptisia, also known as False Indigo. The blackened pods hold seeds that create music, which disrupts the stillness of the moment. I gather a handful of stems and shake them as I dance my way to the pile of garden debris. The joy of peace and quiet of the garden in the stillness of winter never ceases to amaze me.

The hosta stalks have a similar song…like a soft tap dance on the leaves below.

GARDEN LOSS

This Pieris Japonica will be missed next Spring.

Loss in the garden is an expected reality. We can appreciate this act of life and consider it an opportunity. To remember and replace with something different or similar. The Pieris Japonica will be a memory and instead of replacing it, I will allow the azaleas to spread in girth and close the gap.

Winter allows us to spend quality time in the garden. The quiet time which allows us to remember the summer garden party and embrace the absence of the same. The stillness found in winter is a special gift to the gardener.

Do you appreciate winter’s warm days? Is walking through the garden and assessing future changes a task you enjoy? Does the stillness of winter encourage you to go outside and embrace the beauty that surrounds you??

Celebrating finding stillness a gift,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Jubilee – Food, History, and Family

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Jubilee – Recipes From Two Generations Of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton -Martin

Jubilee – Recipes From Two centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin was the perfect book to celebrate family, food, and history for Thanksgiving.

Toni Tipton-Martin writes cookbooks that have added value. The Jemima Code – Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks by Toni Tipton-Martin, is also in the kitchen at The Cottage In The Court. This book had me mesmerized and intrigued. Trying to convince my non-minority peers of this is often an uphill battle. Reflecting on the great pot of greens that someone of color shared with them is a lifelong memory. The importance of these books for those who cook and those in the gardening community is significant. Both of these books serve as an educational tool for everyone. Cookbooks that share how and why we cook the way we do prove #wegrowmorethancollards.

This year, Thanksgiving was at The Cottage. I cooked two dishes from Jubilee as a treat to my family with a twist. Growing up, cooking from scratch was the norm. As I began to experiment with cooking on my own, Mom encouraged the use of different recipes. I chose baking cookies at Christmas as my signature experiment.

Grandpa Herron, my Mom’s father, would visit on Christmas eve to pick up the cookies and deliver to my Mother’s sister’s in Washington, DC. I remember carefully choosing the recipes from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbooks. My parents subscribed to this cookbook club to encourage my efforts in cooking. I read these cookbooks cover to cover. Memorizing recipes in case the books would stop coming became a hobby. I knew we could not afford them, it was a splurge.

I can’t say Thank You enough to my parents for encouraging each of us to pursue our passions. My youngest grandson has become the brownie expert – which to me shows that he has an interest in cooking …not just eating.

BISCUITS FROM SCRATCH

Jubilee Baking Powder biscuits page 85. Cutting in the chilled shortening bits by hand…the way I am used to.

The first recipe I chose from this wonderful book Jubilee was on page 85, Baking Powder Biscuits. I showed Terreance how to measure the flour, whisk in the salt and baking powder, cut in the chilled shortening and knead the dough. Kneading is an art form. 8 to 10 times like Chef Edna Lewis was my choice per the recipe. To use a recipe from James Beard Award-winners like Toni Tipton-Martin and Chef Edna Lewis was an honor.

8 to 10 times ONLY was the recommended amount of time to knead the dough before cutting into biscuits. To shape the biscuits, I used the rim of a glass, just like my Mom.

I was so emotionally full after making these biscuits for my family. It took me back to my youth watching my Mom cook the only way she knew how…from scratch.

MACARONI AND CHEESE MY WAY

The Baked Macaroni and Cheese, page 177, was my second act. Holidays at the Speight household were special. The excuse to buy all the ingredients for the Macaroni and Cheese. This was a big deal for our family. Mom was a stay at home parent whose job was to raise us right. Dad went to work and Washington Bible College as he pursued his passion to become a Minister. Purchasing large quantities of cheese was a holiday event and quite the splurge. Somehow, they made it happen every single holiday.

To ease my guilt, I used pumpkin-shaped vegetable pasta made with beets, spinach, and tomatoes. There are three layers of cheese, pasta, sour cream…page 177.

Did you know James Hemmings cooked “Nouilles a maccaroni’ for Thomas Jefferson? Found in some of the notes Mr. Hemmings left behind, I think he put his thumb in it. Historical documents show in 1802, this dish was served at a White House dinner. Toni Tipton-Martin has included tidbits like this throughout Jubilee.

Ready for the oven, I heeded the warning of placing it on a pan to catch any juices that would bubble out of the pan. I cannot share with you how delicious this was! I used extra sharp cheese on top…like Mom would.

Sharing family, history, and food at any time of the year is a very important part of my world. Each of us can find familiar dishes from the African America community somewhere in the pages of this book. Memories of the Maque Choux, my South Carolinian grandma cooked to the Country Style Potato salad from my North Carolinian Grandma. I found my roots in this book.

GIFTING HERITAGE AND HISTORY

Need a gift to self to share a bit of knowledge at the next holiday celebration or Sunday dinner? Planning what to grow in next year’s garden? Jubilee – Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin is a great book to have in your kitchen. This book would be a great gift of knowledge for today’s youth.

By the way, we had collards with shallots and garlic from my garden…mmm…good! Afterall…#wegrowmorethancollards!

Making memories,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

Need this book, click here

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Autumn Bliss in Delaware Gardens

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Autumn beauty at the Delaware Botanic Garden…a long-awaited visit to the latest botanic garden on the East Coast.

Autumn is a season I look forward to every year. The heat of this summer made me realize that some features of my garden need to be reconfigured. Autumn tells a special garden story. The success or failure of certain plants becomes quite visible. The gardens I recently visited in Delaware were inspirational and instilled a sense of hope for next year’s garden.

Members and friends of GardenComm – Region II recently ventured to Delaware and explored several select gardens. John Boggan, Region II member, curated a day in Delaware featuring various gardens for a taste of autumn near the shore. It was a beautiful day to escape and enjoy gardens anywhere. I missed the first garden filled with annuals and tropicals in a planned golf course community. The second stop of the day at the Delaware Botanic Garden at Pepper Creek is where I met the group.

AUTUMN AT DBG

The Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek have been the talk of the horticultural community. Located in Dagsboro, Delaware, the latest Botanic garden on the East coast offers five different garden rooms to inspire all who visit.

Raymond J. Sander, President of DBG Board of Directors welcomed us and answered as many inquiries as possible about the beginnings of the garden as well as the mission.

The mission of the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek is to create a world-class, inspirational, educational public garden in southern Delaware for the benefit and enjoyment of all. One can only envision the future of this garden and the effect it will have on the landscapes of the future.

THE GARDEN ROOMS

Brian Trader was our official tour guide as we wandered about the property and embracing autumnal bliss.

Brian Trader escorted our group through the five gardens found at the Delaware Botanic Gardens. The Meadow Garden is a design of Piet Oudolf. He is known for his highly acclaimed naturalistic landscapes around the world. What an honor to visit this special place. This garden is beautiful in every season. Planted with 85% native and pollinator plants, the colors in autumn are just magnificent. A ribbon of soft-toned grasses and perennials danced in the middle of the field.

Autumn ribbons of color grace the landscape at the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek.

We visited the Inland Garden which featured plantings that mimicked how the landscape would have appeared many years ago. Karen Steenhoudt explained to us the significance of an Inland garden. We were invited to visit often and see how it continues to evolve.

Signage helped us identify the different areas like the Inland Dune garden.
The Learning Garden, sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is considered an outdoor classroom. This compliments the Inland Dune garden and has a freshwater pond as well. The perfect demonstration of what the landscape would have looked like over 30,000 years ago.
When visiting the Learning Garden, guests will see nature up close and at the water’s edge so to speak.
The Folly Garden offered a sense of whimsy. A wrought-iron gate was left standing where it was used as an entrance years ago. The homestead is long gone. Bricks found on the property lined the walkways.
A crevice garden is also found in the folly Garden. Even in autumn, crevice gardens intrigue and excite me.

The Woodland Edge Garden featured a branch border. Branches from the trees along the way are used to define the pathways. There were benches along the way for pausing and just enjoying the view.

The views of Pepper Creek leaves visitors wanting to return. Membership, as well as donations, are needed to keep this vision alive. Funding will allow development to continue.

The Woodland Gardens offered the familiar sounds of nature. From the whisper of the wind to the chirping of the birds…serenity was all around us. Oversized manmade nests were tucked among the trees. Educational whimsy created smiles in our group. Imagine 12 acres in its native state. With vernal pools edged with ferns, tall native coastal trees and more. There is a lot to envision and explore.

One of the coolest things was the nest. It was HUGE!! The entire group gathered inside one for a photo. As the twigs breakdown and return to the soil, one could consider this a living earth science space to discover life in the garden. It was amazing!!!
Dotted along the woodland paths, these nests created a stirring in my heart. I could imagine incorporating a small scale nest in my garden. Public gardens are meant to intrigue and inspire!!!

REVISITING NEXT SEASON

This was just the start of a wonderful day in Delaware. Exploring new gardens for inspiration in autumn is refreshing. I highly suggest visiting the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek in any season. Embracing nature and imagining the possibilities of what this site will become is quite intriguing. One of the latest Public Gardens that will educate and inspire all who visit.

Find out more information about the Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek by clicking here

Wondering how Piet Odoulf has designed and touched the world of horticulture and landscapes around the world, click here

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Marigolds – Summer’s Gold

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Marigolds – summer’s gold are simply beautiful in a vase…

Marigolds are Summer’s gold from start to finish for this gardener. From seed to ground to vase, marigolds provide golden nuggets of beauty to the garden all season long. They are one of the easiest additions to the garden. Growing marigolds guarantees a season-long, easy to maintain display of color for the garden border. There are benefits that complement the beauty of this simple flower. As children, my siblings and I helped my Mom plant a border of marigolds right outside the kitchen. The size of the seed makes it easy to plant by little hands. Marigolds bring smiles to gardeners of all ages. Many elderly plant lovers remember it as being a plant from the past.

LET’S TALK ABOUT MARIGOLDS

The most common type of marigold is known as Calendula or Pot Marigold. This is a Latin word meaning clock. Pot marigolds are used in tinctures and edible products. The unexpected color of a Calendula bloom is a welcome surprise in a fresh salad. The sweetness of the leaves is also a welcome gift.

The other marigold commonly found would be the Tagetes type. Tagetes marigolds are named after a religious prophet. This marigold was used in religious ceremonies, as well as offerings to the Virgin Mary. The usually larger blooms are not edible. In some cases, Tagetes can be a skin irritant.

FUN FACTS

Here are a few fun facts:

Marigolds represent a desire for joy and wealth. This everblooming annual promotes good cheer as well as representing the beauty and warmth of the rising sun.

Did you know the marigold is one of the most popular annuals in America today?

W. Atlee Burpee founded the Burpee Seed Company. Financial struggles almost ended this resource for gardeners around the world. David Burpee took over the company and embraced marigolds. Recognizing the history and popularity of this hardy, well-traveled plant, David seized the opportunity to hybridize marigolds. In a way, marigolds (and David) resurrected the Burpee Company.

One bloom, dried and crumbled marigold bloom will allow me to save and share for next year’s garden.

LET’S GROW THIS PLANT

Did I mention how easy marigolds are to grow? You seriously cannot go wrong with seeds. Easy to handle, quick to sprout and a terrific idea for crafting seasonal gifts.

Loosen the existing soil to a depth of 4 – 6 inches. lant each seed between 8 12 inches apart. Smaller blooming varieties or marigolds should be planted close together. Larger blooming varieties like such as the Tagetes are planted further apart. Check the back of the seed packets for optimum planting instructions.

Add a layer of organic material to suppress weeds and to provide a moist environment. Water when the temps are high and if there is a drought. Only use a very diluted fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer for this annual. (If you pay attention to the health of the soil, you will inevitably have healthier plants.) Planting marigolds in rich soil is not a good idea. Fertilizing marigolds will create an abundance of foliage and minimal bloom.

In most gardens neatness counts. To encourage more blooms, deadhead the finished blooms. What is deadheading? Pinching the finished bloom back to the closest set of two leaves and voila – you just became a Deadhead expert. While not really required, the finished blooms can become unsightly, however, it is all a part of the normal garden cycle. Think of it this way, removing and drying the finished blooms can make a great gift from the garden. Consider gifting them for friends or to the local school for next year’s garden program or to community centers for summer programs.

GOT ISSUES?

Notice a bit of speckling on the leaves? Most likely those are mites. One of the few insects that just love marigolds. A quick shot of water or a spray of insecticidal soap will remedy this quickly.

Fungus or moldy leaves showing up? Try to remember to water at the right time of the day – early morning or early evening, allowing the foliage to dry quickly. Excessive sitting water on the leaves or overhead watering of most plants is just a bad idea. Practice proper garden watering. Marigolds can tolerate a ridiculous level of dryness.

MARIGOLD BENEFITS

A bit of yellow, touch of orange marigolds placed in a small vase is sure to bring cheer to any room.

Marigolds are great friends with benefits in the garden. French marigolds can repel nematodes. Nematodes feed off of the roots of garden vegetables like tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and more. Planting marigolds is like having a colorful army protecting the beauty of the garden.

A vase of marigolds will last about a week indoors. What an inexpensive way to have a cluster of cheery yellow, red, or orange at your fingertips. If you really want to remember the blooms of a marigold planting, strip the leaves and hang them upside down for drying. Adding the dried blooms to seasonal wreaths or potpourri are perfect for curing winter blues.

TRUE STORY OF AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE

A simple gathering of marigold blooms.

Last month I used marigolds for a few office arrangements. I brought them home at week’s end so I could savor the beauty of local flowers on my table. I hate to see anything not repurposed if there is an opportunity for repurposing.

Time for harvesting finished blooms for next year’s garden.

When it was time to discard this arrangement, my thoughts were on deadheading the withering blooms, dry the seedheads, and save them for my garden next year. That is when I noticed a surprise in the vase.

It seems as though these stems are taking root!

I had never used marigolds as a cut flower before this year. They have always been so inexpensive, I would just grow them in the garden and enjoy them outside. I had no idea they had the ability to root! I am going to pot up the rooted cuttings and see if they will produce a few late-season blooms in my garden. Saving pennies in the garden is always a good thing. I am considering the original bouquet garden gold, as I will have seeds for many seasons to come!

Do you grow marigolds in your garden? There are so many to choose from. Take time to explore some of the great selections of cultivars from reputable seed companies like Burpee. Won’t you try some in your garden?

Heading to the garden to plant my garden gold!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about marigolds click here

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Gifts – When The Garden Says Thank You

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Gifts…we Love them…but do we say Thank You?

Gifts are to be received with joy. Usually gifts are given out of love and appreciation. Given with minimal expectations, except for one or two. The giver would like for the recipient to use the gift. The other expectation should go unsaid, if you have manners, a Thank You is in order and appropriate. What does this have to do with the garden?

OUR WORDS AS GIFTS

As a Garden Communicator, we are often asked to review various items. It can be a plant, a book or other just about anything pertaining to the garden. Last year, I was asked to sample a Vinca called Plug and Play Combo Seaside Delight. These sample gifts came from PanAmerican Seed. First of all – Thank you Pan American Seed!! The name was certainly appropriate. I planted it in my front garden and YES IT SHOWED OFF! Seriously- I plugged it in and it played well with my other plants. Of course, I neglected to take photos. 

Gifts can sometimes be more than anticipated- in a good way. Wandering through my garden, I noticed a distinctive leaf. Much to my surprise, I found Plug and Play babies. This annual Vinca seems to have forgotten that this is Zone 6B.

Plug and Play Vinca self seeding in Zone 6B

These are the special gifts from last years garden – Plug and Play Vinca seedlings. Who would have guessed this?

I couldn’t wait to see these babies grow and bloom. I am heeding the advice of one of my trusted GardenComm mentors and sharing. As Garden Communicators, it is our unique and trusted voice that connects vendors with the consumer. Vendors share an ask or a gift of something to be trialed. When we share our thoughts, our audiences listen. 

Seaside Plug and Play finally is in bloom in the midst of the dry weather.. Thank You!!

This past weekend Plug and Play bloomed. In spite of the dryness we are experiencing, without fertilizer, and unanticipated neglect. Joy and hope, special gifts from a few trial plants, courtesy of Pan American Seed. Did I say THANK YOU ??

CONFERENCE ETIQUETTE

If you go to a conference or trade show and you are given a sample, asked to trial an item or to give a review,  remember an honest response is worth a thousand words. Are you practicing good manners and sharing? Are you saying Thank you after being given a gift? 

When you plant your garden in the Spring, what if the results were not fruitful after toiling all season?? Share the love and respond accordingly. 

Mixing up some fish emulsion to keep this growing and blooming til the weather changes…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about Gardencomm, click here

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