Dirt Therapy

Woke up to 27 degrees and a heavy frost. It has turned out to be a pretty sunny day with a high of 45. Except for stepping out briefly to get some photos, I've not been motivated to go out. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Foxtail', the Foxtail Rosemary makes a graceful statement as it cascades over the edge of a terraced bed. This is the only rosemary in the garden since the trailing variety that I had for years was damaged so badly last winter that I took it out. 'Irene' is the rosemary that is no longer with us and I miss seeing it trail down the retaining wall next to the driveway.  I would replace it but another trailer, cotoneaster, is competing heavily for space there.  Rosemary 'Irene' in happier times I have not planted any of the upright rosemary types. I've seen too many that became monstrosities and are impossible to curtail. I do love them though as brushing by that fragrance is such a pleasant sensation. Back to 'Foxtail' - it really has all the same qualities as the others but is much more mild-mannered. It too sulked after last January's freeze and I did have to trim some of it back. It resides in a somewhat protected area o...

Autumn Fern, Wheel Tree ( Trochodendron araliodes ), Aucuba 'Rozannie' and Rhododendron 'Percy Wiseman' On Monday, the sun came out in a major way. Maybe it was the fact that it had been gray for so long, but it seemed extra bright. I had a few errands to run and everywhere I went, people were making comments about being blinded.  The forecast is for the entire week to be dry and sunny. However, I was surprised to see that the clouds had returned on Tuesday and it was fairly chilly as well. But today the sun was back and it was nice working in the garden.  I started work on revamping the terrace rocks which turned out to be more work than I had anticipated. No wonder the terrace walls had vanished - the majority of the rocks were now buried by years of accumulating leaves and soil additions. So, I am now in the process of removing the buried rocks and raising them. I start taking photos of our evergreen plants which keep my going during the winter months.  Fatshedera ...

  My reading was way down this year (61) compared to last (93) and I just barely made my reading goal of 60 books on Goodreads.  Glancing over my list, I see that it was a mixed bag. I read a few books that I loved but I also read quite a few that I didn't really enjoy. However, if I am not enjoying a book by the third chapter, I give it up. Life is too short and there are too many books. It looks like I did not read as many gardening books as I usually do but I read more fiction than usual.  My favorite book of the year was  North Woods   by Daniel Mason which I read last winter.  It is about the generations of people that live in a specific house in the New England woods. The first two chapters were difficult to get through (the writing styles vary with each chapter) but it picks up quickly and I couldn't put it down. Here is my complete list and dates that I finished the book. I've starred my favorites.  Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering ...