2023 February Garden Sustainable Stewardship Practices for the South
Edgeworthia
February
I’m indifferent about February. January offers the gift of new beginnings and, gradually, more light. I like that, even though January is my worse month of the year. I’m always glad when it is over; as I grow older, I can handle it more and more easily. this is good. Now we have February. Besides Valentines Day and the Fearrington Folk Art show, my other liking for her is that she will bring me March.
I’ve transplanted anything needing so; all the bulbs are in, Poppies are sown, and fresh garden bed edges dug. So now I am waiting. Yes, that’s it! I wait and perhaps rest up for March to begin the burst tree blooms she never fails to bring.
Enjoyed visiting with Dick Tyler of Pine Knot Hellebore Farm. It was good to see old friends. I also met Bryan Byers who was just recently named the new owner. Bryan was a student of Dick’s daughter, Helen Kraus. It turns out, Dick gifted the Farm to Bryan, who had been working there since graduating. Yes, Dick is that kind of kind person.
Bobby Ward with Dick Tyler at the Pine Knot Hellebore Farm.
With the warm weather, weeds have also arrived. Be on the lookout for those horrible weeds: lesser celandine:
Hellebore foliage was cut back to feature flowers. New edges were dug around the “soccer field;" this is a big job, but well worth it.
Within two weeks of the cold snap that flattened, and turned my acanthus to a melted mush, hope springs eternal!
The Back 40 (ft) North to South—It was overdue but glad I finally got around to recutting the bed edges. I toiled with adding Colmet steal edges, like I did in the River Bed, but decided against it. There really isn’t a need. I can keep up with these straight edges. Unlike the River Bed, with its curvilinear shape, I couldn’t keep pace with the Zoysia encroachment, or at least not with the shape.
The Back 40 (ft) South to North
Ruscus aculeatus 'Wheeler's Variety'. I’ve had it in this shady location for at least 20 years. Very slow growing, but I have a nice stand now.
Gazebo Corner—I’ll wait until after the Confederate jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides blooms before I trim it back.
The Epimedium Patch
The Wildflower Patch Extension
Galanthus and cyclamen
The Wildflower Patch—Galanthus are blooming!
The Southside
The Ostrich Fern Garden—It doesn’t look like much now, but wait til spring!
The Front Fountain Garden—I found a source for more Japanese fishing floats. I love the look. the little floats became bubbles around the rock edge. I have two more I want to add.
The Food Forest
The Food Forest Extension
The Parterre—The iris were hit hard by the Christmas weekend cold blase, They should be fine, but I cut back the yellowed foliage.
The Raspberry Patch/Muscadine/River bed—I finally completed the metal edging around the River Bed. The goal is to keep the curve. I was lost many times over the years. It took me forever to make the decision to add this. It turned out so well; I wonder what I was worried about!
The Pollinator Garden
The Blackberry Patch
The Entrance Garden
The North Side
Rock Garden
The Girl’s Garden
The Wildlife Pond
Mixed Border, North to South. Prunus mume ‘Bridal Vail’
Mixed Border, South to North.
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Until soon,
Helen
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