PLANTING THE FOREST GARDEN 2026

Yesterday was any day off which means it was my gardening day. I am finding I need at least one whole day a week to be in the garden and then several parts of several other days to keep it going and that is outside of the daily chores of animal care and cleaning.

Yesterday I gave a lesson to my granddaughters on planting tomatoes and peppers. I think we are finally clear of the frost so it’s time to get the rest of the vegetable garden in!

I started with a morning walk around the garden, while my son-in-law tried to break up some really big rocks that critters have made their home underneath. We began planting. Here are some things blooming right now even as we get the seeds and seedlings planted.

The Siberian iris are lovely this year.

The Korean lilac is soooo fragrant.

Paintbrush in the lawn.

Greater calendine growing by the rock wall.

Here are some annuals I picked up. They will go into our newest garden bed along with some hardy lavenders and some coleus.

By the end of the day the girls and I had put in several tomatoes, some pumpkins and a winter squash. We noted the summer squash had sprouted. I finished out the afternoon with some mowing and some work on the newest chicken coop.

FLOWERS AT THE VICARAGE THIS WEEK 7-14-25

THE FOREST GARDEN IS IN FULL BLOOM HERE AT THE VICARAGE.

THE DAY LILLIES ARE EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN BRINGING THEIT BEAUTY AND BRIGHTNESS.

AND THE HOSTAS ARE LOVING THE WARM RAINS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING.

THIS YUCCA WAS JUST A ROOT CUTTING WHEN I PLANTED IT A DECADE AGO. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THINGS.

ABND FINALLY HERE IS THE ANTIQUE HYDRANGEA I PLANTED LAST YEAR. IT HAS GONE INTO BEAUTIFUL BLOOM.

A WALK AROUND THE VICARAGE6-24-25

If we were to walk around the Vicarage today you would see that the forest garden is coming into full bloom.

The lilies above are the first of the season and they are coming into bloom at the same time as the Lady’s mantle in the picture below.

I keep a good supply of clover growing throughout the garden. It helps keep the rabbits from eating the lettuces.

The bishop’s weed is springing up everywhere.

While the main fragrance is the Japan’s. This flowers may not be much to look at but they pack a powerful fragrance punch.

Strewn along the garden paths is copious amounts of Maryjane and creeping Jenny interspersed with wild daisies.

The summer squash is starting to blossom.

And I have to start using more Thai basil before it goes to seed.

Finally the sinking garden is starting to fill out nicely. I hope you enjoyed our walk.