Oh Deer...

Living in rural Virginia, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by hunters.  A lot of them.  And friendly ones at that.  Friendly ones that are willing to kill, field dress, and assist with the processing of a deer all for YOU with no strings attached.  We now have a lot of extra meat in the freezer keeping the garden veggies company thanks to one particular hunter, co-worker and friend.   We feel lucky and thankful.  Thankful for kind people and for an animal that gave her life for us.  Her backstraps taste amazingly wonderful.  Oh deer!

Plant Crush

The snow is still melting but it's got me thinking of spring and starting seeds, and digging in the earth.  I'm daydreaming about the perennial beds and where I can move things and what I can add to refine the look.  When we moved into our house, we had a BLANK slate.  I started from square one by removing weeds sod the hard way.  Since my plant budget was basically zero, I had to get creative.  Luckily, plants allow you to do that.  Cuttings were taken, perennials divided and plants were gifted.  Sometimes though, you get a Plant Crush and you've just got to make a purchase.  Here's what's currently making my heart flutter:

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Fascination'

At 4-5 feet, I think this is going to make a lovely backdrop to a perennial bed.  And it's purple.  'Nuff said.

Look who decided to show up!!!

Winter!!!

The view from our Gap Mountain Garden

Yep.  It's about time.  Our first sizable storm this season arrived this weekend in Southwest Virginia.  It was mild and sunny on Saturday and this appeared on Sunday.  It's leaving just as quickly as it arrived though.  It was good fun while it lasted.  There's something so supremely wonderful about a snow day.   Watching the flakes fall, blanketing everything in an awesome white overcoat....all while in the safe confines of your warm home with a giant cup of coffee.  Eventually, you gather yourself and your winter clothes and venture out to immerse yourself fully.  The dogs go crazy, you get wet and cold and take a million photos.  It's really one of my Top 5 things that this world has to offer - a perfect snow day.

Hot Horticultural Headline from USDA

The USDA has come out with an updated version of their Plant Hardiness Zone Map which was last published in 1990.

Source:  USDA

It seems we're living in warmer times - although - some would argue that the last version was created during several years of unseasonably cold weather.  Additionally, data from more weather stations were used for this version.  So, although it seems times are changing, maybe not so much.  Personally, I will still think twice before investing in that marginally hardy plant material.

Keep Calm and Garden On....

A Gardener's Gift Basket....

Nomz!!

Luffa!

I'm very fond of gourds of all types.  Ask my husband and he'll tell you just how much I like them.  All of the dried snake gourds, bushel gourds, bottle gourds, birdhouse gourds, egg gourds, dipper gourds, etc..are taking over our house.  They're the result of several years of growing.  They've been dried and crammed in every nook and cranny.  I have high hopes of using each and every one for some grand craft purpose one day.  He probably hopes that day will come verrrry soon.  

But I digress.

This year, among a few other types, I did a sophomore try of growing luffa gourds.  My first attempt was mildly successful but I dropped the ball at the end of the season and failed to prepare them properly for their next incarnation as a sponge.  Yes, I said sponge.  For those of you unfamiliar, luffa gourds can become luffa sponges.  You may even have one in your shower right at this moment.  Since this plant is not very mainstream outside of the geeky horticultural world, you may have thought these sponges came from the sea.  Not true!  They're growing on a vine in my yard, right now and I assure you, we are no ocean.  It's an interesting plant with cute flowers and resulting fruit that look like gigantic zucchini:

When the temperatures dip a bit further, I will assist said gourds with their transformation into sponges and will detail those efforts here!

On the road, etc...

Been off exploring for the last month - I'll spare you the typical blog writer's 'lack of posts' apologies.

I've been here visiting nature's gardens:

In other news, fall is coming to Gap Mountain.  The official equinox arrived last week and the trees definitely got the memo.  Soon our mountain view will be fully dappled with shades of autumn.  The gardens are slowing down.  Not much left except the anticipation of the Great Sweet Potato Dig and lingering Anaheim peppers.  I do appreciate the attempts of the strawberry patch to put the last little bits of sweetness into the season.  Thank you strawberries.  And we musn't forget to thank the new raspberries as well.  I counted 12 of 'em on my granola and yogurt breakfast last week.   It's the little things in life.....

Oh and....brown hen is molting.  She's a sorry looking thing at the moment.  As this is our first foray into chickens, we had no idea!!  A molting chicken is not a pretty sight I tell you.