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A visit to Chickadee Gardens

I was excited to finally get to see Chickadee Gardens last week. I have followed Tamara's blog  for years. She and her husband garden on 2 acres in Saint Helens, Oregon.  When you look at the map, it appears that St. Helens is directly across the Columbia River and slightly to the north of us. However, there is no convenient bridge to get over to the Oregon side. You must go north to Ridgefield, Washington (about 30 minutes north of our house) and go across there  or travel through Portland and then go north through Scappoose. Either way, it is about a 45 minute drive. I decided to try the Ridgefield route and I was glad I did. Not only did I not have to contend with Portland traffic (it was Rose Parade weekend), I got to see country on the Oregon side that was new to me.  Tamara used to work at the beautiful Joy Creek Nursery (my favorite, but alas they are now closed) and she now works part-time at Cistus Nursery.  She focuses on native plants and sustainabili...

Garden Clean-Up

Pieris 'Passion Frost'


After an unexpected and lengthy trip to Alabama, I am behind in the garden. Normally I would have the roses pruned by now. I'm only a few weeks late so I'm not in panic mode yet. I love this time of year when the roses, ornamental grasses and the dead stalks on the perennials can be cut back and carted away. The neat and tidy appearance of the garden appeals to me and the bare spaces give the promise of what is to come.

Being out in the garden for an extended period after months of indoor idleness makes me realize how out-of-shape I am. I see exercises, especially back exercises, in my future.

And finding a weather-friendly day to do this stuff is challenging. It is rare to get a full sunny day and if the sun makes an appearance at all, it will be after 11 before it does so. The temperatures are not going to warm up until the sun appears. It never fails that beautiful, sunny days always occur on days when you have to do something else (dental and eye appointments have been frequent lately). On the days that you do have time to venture out, it will usually be damp and dreary. End of rant.

All of these photos were taken in the front garden, where 90% of the chores are completed. I've already started in the back.







Another ritual - the pruning of the buddleia


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

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