Spring projects-

in the garden...

It may look like just a pile of red clay (above), but this is the beginning of building steps up to the top level of the conifer garden. Two of our three big holly trees are up there (below). They are well over a hundred years old, probably planted around the time our house was built in 1893.

Any trees we put up here (above) will have to be in big pots to avoid competing for nutrients with the massed roots of the hollies. We regard the hollies as sacred. They were here first.

We’re accumulating a good stock of large pots (below). They are about two feet in diameter and will accommodate a seven-gallon nursery tree with room to grow. I’m considering filling some with dirt and stacking them to shore up the terraced slope where the garden is situated. They are easier to place than heavy stones, although they are heavy enough, and cost a bit less to buy. Planted with trailing juniper and mugo, they would make a sort of greenwall. The terracotta will weather out nice and mossy.

Now here comes April. She’s always a trickster.

Walk in hope-

-henry