Chanticleer Gardens

 Winter is a great time for planning trips. Last year I got to take a fabulous trip to visit multiple gardens in the greater Philadelphia area. My favorite of the trip was Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, PA. (I am receiving no money for this post) If you enjoy public gardens at all, then you should make this one a priority! The estate is very large and entrance fees are minimal. 

The Japanese Garden, Vegetable Garden and Dry Gardens were all lovely and interesting but nothing compares to the view from the house patio. The English landscape garden is just stunning. 

Not far from their is the formal planting where the swimming pool used to be. So much detail goes into such a lovely garden with such a variety of plants and water features. 

You can also enjoy multiple trails through the woods and enjoy the shade plantings like I did with my friends Jewell and Elise. 

In addition to this, there are green houses, a fake "ruin" (or folly) near the dry garden, and other plantings I've not mentioned. It's absolutely worth the drive. For more information, check out their website at https://www.chanticleergarden.org/. 

What public gardens do you enjoy visiting? Feel free to write about it below. 

Worthwhile Goals for the Garden in 2022

 So much fuss is made about new years eve resolutions and honestly, does anyone EVER keep them? Anyone? So, lets do away with them for now and instead look at a few smaller, doable goals for you and your garden. You don't have to give up junk food to have a great year, here are some goals that you will actually enjoy. 

Not a looker but this is a free and functional compost pile.

1. Visit at least one public garden. Longwood Gardens is my happy place. I usually visit there with my good friend Liz Chen so its a double dose of happy. But there are public gardens all over the place and visiting a quiet area to enjoy the beauty of nature is good for you on so many levels. 

2. Help someone with their garden. Gardening is an awesome hobby in and of itself but it's even better when it's shared. Perhaps a neighbor or friend is interested or in over their heads. If nothing else, volunteer at a local community garden. It's also very good for you!

3. Start a compost pile, or start feeding your compost more. Composting is the most brilliant way to help the earth by keeping stuff out of landfills and helping yourself by creating awesome soil amendments for free. My husband made my compost bin with some old pallets we got for free but there are options for any living arrangements.  Click here for some ideas. For me, this year I'd like to be more mindful of composting stuff that normally gets thrown out, like paper and cardboard. More goodies for my garden and less trash for the garbage truck. 

4. Learn to grow a new plant. No one is too young or too old to learn something new. Continuing education is a great way to keep your brain young and there are always new things to learn in the garden. This year, I want to grow turnips and pop corn for the first time. Pick something new and read up on it before Spring. You can also do this with your kids to make it a family project. 

My very own gardening notebook. 

5. Cut back on your use of chemicals in the garden. Most of us who garden for personal reasons (i.e. not farmers) really don't need to use pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Take stock of what you normally use and look into either organic alternatives or just doing away with them. Even small steps in the right direction will benefit the ecosystem of your yard. 

6. Start keeping a garden journal. Taking notes about what works and what doesn't, what happens in your yard and when, and ideas for the future is definitely a great idea! You can do this electronically or in an old fashioned notebook. You can make entries when you want to. But it's good to look back on it. 

Do any of these sound like a good goal for you? What are your garden plans for the new year? Be sure to comment below!

Longwood Gardens In Spring

 For something different this week, I thought I'd share some pictures from my trip to Longwood Gardens today. SO PRETTY! If you can get there yourself, check out their website to get timed tickets. Totally worth it!

Hershey Gardens in the Fall

 This is not my normal post with helpful DIY tips for your garden. I just had a fantastic experience today and want all of you to have it too. I want to point out that Hershey pays me NOTHING (although I'd take it if they offered. he he). Maybe you've never heard of, or at least never visited Hershey Gardens in Hershey, PA. Maybe you've been but didn't go this year because of COVID 19. Maybe you think of it as a nice place to go in the summer but not so much in the fall. 

First off, they are open. (Get all the info you need at their website) You only have to wear a mask when indoors, not in the actual gardens. The tickets today were $13.50 per adult but there are ways to get discounts. (Again, see the website). 

Secondly, it is well worth going in the fall. My friend Jewell and I went this morning and even in drizzly weather, it was gorgeous. The rose gardens STILL look amazing (I wouldn't count on that after a hard frost though so go soon!). Also, their displays of annual beds was lovely. Of course, there's always the beautiful arboretum which will only get better as the foliage really starts to change. 

For those of you with kids, they have a big butterfly house and a lovely children's garden which is very interactive. My daughter Hannah loves it. 

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll leave it at that and let you see theses pictures from this morning. 

My favorite rose. It's called Twilight Zone

The rose garden is just stunning.

Elephant Grass. And Jewell.

The awesome thing about the annual beds is that they're always changing. 

Swan Lake with part of the rose garden and arboretum behind. 

Enjoy Public Gardens

Asticu Gardens In Maine

Summer is, by far, the most popular time to travel. Coincidentally, it's also the best time to enjoy other people's gardens. What's better than enjoying the beauty of nature that you don't have to take care of? Perhaps in the hustle and bustle of summer travels to theme parks, beaches and sporting events you might have never thought to visit a public garden but few things are more relaxing! After a day or roller coasters and outdoor concerts, what better way to unwind than by strolling through a lovely natural setting and getting inspired? 

The Rose Garden at Hershey Gardens, PA

A few weeks ago we traveled to Mount Dessert Island in Maine and 2 highlights of the trip for me were the Wild Gardens of Acadia which showcased a lovely garden of native Maine plants in a forest setting and Asticou Gardens which highlighted Japanese garden design. Both were gorgeous, peaceful and very inexpensive.

If you're going out of town, or even having a nice stay--cation this year, make it a point to visit a new garden or two. In this age of technology, it only requires a quick google search to find them. Science has shown that time in nature is good for your physical, mental and emotional health. I have also found that it's a nice place to pray and feel closer to God. 

One regionally famous garden that I especially love is Longwood Gardens in south east Pennsylvania. They boast a huge conservatory, an authentic Italian water garden, Arboretum and so, so, so much more. Even children can enjoy this place as they have an indoor and outdoor children's garden. Seasonal displays ensure that it's worth visiting year round. No, thy don't pay me to blog about them, I just love the place. Unlike many public gardens, it is not inexpensive but it's worth it if you can get there.

Italian Water Gardens at Longwood Gardens

My daughter and I at Longwood Gardens

What public gardens do you like visiting? Please share about them in the comments below.