Oakville Farm Daylily Blog

2012-01-22T06:34:00.006-05:00

Of winter's lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within its heart.
~Charles G. Stater

While standing in a forest area yesterday, I was in Awww of the Pine Tree. Weather was drizzly and tree bark on the east side was dark from rain. Tiny branches protruding up along the tree were of varying length. The thick, scaly bark was off in places leaving a smoother surface. This years pine straw, a light cooper color, lay lightly on the ground below the towering trees. The trees were standing close to one another, with some having rotted, leaning. And at the very top, tufts of green pine needles growing so ever strong.

A beautiful sight, those pine trees.

Let's look at more quotes/posters. Thanks to everyone for sending them in. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-21T07:48:00.007-05:00

Bare branches of each tree on this chilly January morn look so cold so forlorn.
Gray skies dip ever so low, left from yesterday's dusting of snow.
Yet in the heart of each tree, waiting for each who wait to see new life as warm sun and breeze will blow, like magic, unlock springs sap to flow, buds, new leaves, then blooms will grow.
- Nelda Hartmann

I can feel the spring thaw ....

We have not had snow this winter. Temps have been mild and precipitation has been low. Plants have even been fooled by the warmer temps. Our Flowering Quince is even blooming. Oh my!

Want to differ from daylilies this weekend. Today will share a few more posters that I received this week thru email. Please keep sending the posters!

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-20T06:45:00.003-05:00

O, wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

It has been windy here this week. And now, rains are headed our way. Possibly for the next four days. Oh Wow!!!

Received email yesterday, someone asking about the Foliage habits of daylilies. There are three ....

Evergreen

Semi-evergreen

Dormant

2012-01-19T06:58:00.005-05:00

Morning is the best of all times in the garden. The sun is not yet hot. Sweet vapors rise from the earth. Night dew clings to the soil and makes plants glisten. Birds call to one another. Bees are already at work. ~William Longgood

Can't you just hear and see and smell that morning?

Today, would like to showcase a few of our Orange daylilies. Hope you enjoy.

Frans Hals

This is a bright rust and orange bicolor daylily. It has orange midrib on petals. Frans Hals is a mid to late season bloomer. It is very showy in the blazing summer sun.

Bright Sunset

This daylily is a burnt orange with a deeper halo and a green yellow throat. It is an early season bloomer. Standing three feet tall and having a bloom over six inches in width.

Tuscawilla Tigress

This bright orange daylily has a dark eyezone and chartreuse throat. Standing about two feet tall and displaying a large bloom ie, over seven inches. A great rebloomer that begins blooming in early mid season.

Sound and Fury

The daylily is a brilliant orange red and has a green gold throat. Standing about two feet tall and displaying a bloom of over five inches, it is a mid season bloomer. Looks very good paired with a yellow daylily.

Daylilies just no introduction .... just reminders that they are a great perennial to have in your yard. They smell good, look nice and attract the sound of buzzing bees. Hope you will try in a few. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-18T03:16:00.002-05:00

The earth laughs in flowers. ~ R.W. Emerson

You know, that statement is so true. I can look out upon a field of flowers and it certainly brings a smile to my face, how 'bout you?

2012-01-17T06:27:00.008-05:00

For after all, the best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain. Henry Wadsworth

Today, oh yes, today, we are supposed to have rain. And we need rain. The plants, the trees, the shrubs, the grass ... all need rain. A winter rain can be welcome. And today, it is forecast. Plus, a cold front is blowing in, with steady winds and possible 30+ wind gusts. Guess we better hold on to our hats!!!!

Want to showcase a few RED daylilies from Oakville Farm. And as with other cultivar "colors", red includes, burgundy, cerise, crimson, deep red, bright red. Red in the garden is such, such a beautiful sight. It seems to compliment other colors so well.

Miracle Maid

This daylily presents bright red with a green throat. It stands about three feet tall with a six inch bloom. Blooming in mid season, it is a real stand out under the hot summer sun.

Royal Heiress

This daylily presents evergreen foliage with burgundybloom with creamy eyezone and green throat. Standing about two feet tall and displaying a six inch bloom, it is a nice treat to see blooming in early mid season. It is a rebloomer, showing many times over its beauty.

Bama Bound

This daylily presents about two feet tall with a five inch bright red bloom. It is a mid season bloomer.

Daylilies perform well in six - eight hours of sunlight per day. With the darker red, near black colors, daylilies can be planted under a light canopy, still receiving direct sun, just fewer hours. The diffused light prevents the darker blooms from fading. Here at Oakville Farm, being in Zone 7 climate zone, we have the daylilies planted in direct sun and they do well.

Well, hope you enjoy your day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-16T06:54:00.010-05:00

Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart. ~ Victor Hugo

Brrrrrr ... cold here at Oakville Farm. 18 degrees. A heavy frost out there, I do see!!! And quite cold for this time of year, average is a tolerable 31 degrees. You can check out our weather at any time by visiting our personal weather station on the web, OFW.

Hope everyone had a good weekend. And today maybe an extended "weekend" for some. Have a safe and relaxing MLK Day to those who have a holiday.

Today, would like to return to the showcasing of daylilies that we have to offer. Today will share a few Purple daylilies, including several variants of purple.

Quin Buck

This lavender daylily has a green throat. It is dormant, ie, foliage dying back in the winter. It blooms in mid season. Stands about two feet tall and presents a bloom width about seven inches. A nice lower growing specimen that would look good in the foreground of a flowerbed.

Sebastian

A vivid purple daylily with a lime throat. Standing about twenty inches tall and "spreading its wings" about five inches. Foliage is evergreen. It is a rebloomer which begins blooming in early mid season. It is very showy and has been a good seller.

Siloam Tee Tiny

This daylily presents orchid with a purple eyezone and green throat. It stands about twenty inches tall and has a small bloom, less than three inches in width. Foliage is dormant. And you can find it blooming in the mid season.

Moonlight Orchid

The blue lavender and white, brushed lavender bicolor daylily is a real "beaut". It is a rebloomer which begins blooming in early mid season. It stands about thirty inches tall and bloom width is over six inches. A very pretty daylily.

Hope you enjoyed just a peek of our purple daylilies. Be thinking of how they could be incorporated into your flowerbed. Daylilies are an easy perennial to have.

Have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-15T00:44:00.006-05:00

Nature always tends to act in the simplest way.
~Bernoulli

Thanks..everyone. Thanks for all the great quotes and sayings. We will be seeing and reading those here on Oakville Farm blog. Please feel free to keep sending 'em!

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-14T08:41:00.007-05:00

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And patience we do have in the winter months.

We are going off the "nature, gardening" theme. Today I would like to share several sayings/posters that were sent to me thru email. A hodge podge of thoughts, if you will. (Winnie the Pooh is one of my favs!!!)

Hope you have a great day. Spend a moment outdoors, taking in the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-11T07:13:00.006-05:00

A gardener loves the rain; also, for the resting time it brings. ~Author Unknown

And winter rains are so welcome. The daylilies absorb all the delightful rains. Snow can also be a pleasant water source for the daylilies. Did you hear? A place in Alaska has received 18 feet of snow. Eighteen feet of snow and could receive 1-2 more feet of snow in the next few days! Now, that is alot of snow. However .... no resting time for those gardeners!

Today, would like to showcase a few white daylily cultivars.

Joan Senior

This near white daylily has a green throat. It is an early mid season rebloomer. Stands about two feet tall and has a bloom width of about six inches.

Ice Carnival

Also a nice near white reblooming dayily. It is a mid season bloomer that is fragrant. Our customers have stated that this daylily is very fragrant. The weather conditions and time of day influence the light fragrance. We find that more and stronger sun and an adequate amount of rain enhances the smell.

Mosel

Mosel presents a small bloom, about three inches in width. It is near white with green throat. A rebloomer that begins blooming early in the season. It stands a mere eighteen inches tall. Nice daylily to be used as a foreground plant.

White in a garden is so pretty. It enhances other colors, is bold, striking, yet brings a certain bit of calmness. So think about white when it comes to your outdoor area.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-10T08:28:00.007-05:00

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour."
- John Boswell

Yes, hope you enjoy many moments today!

Today we will showcase a few pink daylily cultivars.

Pink Super Spider

This daylily is termed as having an "unusual form". Meaning that the sepals or petals have a varied form, ie a "V" formation or shape, between the segments. It is a rose and pink blend daylily. It is a midseason bloomer which reblooms. It rises about three feet above the ground and its bloom size is near ten inches across. The green eyezone and throat present a good contrast.

Siloam Double Classic

The bright pink daylily with a green throat is a beautiful bloom. Stands about two feet tall and is near five inches in width. It blooms in mid season and is a double.

Siloam Art Moore

This peach pink dayily with a dark eyezone and green throat is quite showy. A small bloom, less than three inches wide, stands at the end of the eighteen inch scape. Makes for a nice foreground plant. It blooms mid season.

Bug's Hug

This hot pink dayily with dark eyezone and olive throat present a pretty specimen. It stands about two feet tall with a three inch bloom. This rebloomer begins its cycle in early mid season.

While at an office yesterday, was talking about daylilies and something came to mind. I was asked about the color of daylilies. So with over 65,000 cultivars, the variety of color hues is immense. "Pink" for example, there are light pink, peach, raspberry, hot pink, pale pink, rose, apricot, and on and on. All of the daylilies, in the wide range of colors, accent each other and other flowers/shrubs/trees/yard art in such a wonderful way. A magical way, if you will. So make that magic happen! Our website should up and running by month's end, www.oakvillefarm.com check back often.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-09T08:10:00.010-05:00

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.
~Albert Camus

And how can we prepare for that approaching summer? As someone said on Saturday, we must first enjoy each moment. Think of where you are, what you are doing, who you like to spend time with....savor the moment.

Then, look out the window and visualize your garden/yard in the months to come. Think of where a new daylily flower bed would flourish. I received an email last week, asking to provide more culitvars, specific by color. So I will oblige.

Today's daylily cultivars will showcase a few yellow daylilies that we have to offer.

Double Reward
This daylily is a pale yellow self. It is a double midseason bloomer. It stands about three feet tall. The scape and blooms rise well above the foliage. The foliage is deemed to be semi-evergreen, meaning the foliage is neither dormant or evergreen. Originally, semi-evergreen was used to describe foliage that never completely died and kept some green in the winter.

Cabbage Flower
This daylily presents pastel lemon yellow. It is also a rebloomer, one that begins blooming extra early in the season and will bloom several times. It is fragrant. It stands about seventeen inches tall and the bloom width is about five inches across.

El Desperado
This daylily is a mustard yellow with a wine purple eyezone. It has slightly ruffled edges marked with the purple. El Desperado is Late blooming daylily. It's foliage is dormant, dying back in the winter. It stands about two and half feet tall and the bloom width is near five inches.

Happy Returns
A beautiful light yellow self daylily. It blooms extra early in the season and foliage is dormant. It stands about eighteen inches tall and the bloom width is about three inches. A small, yet showy bloom. It is slightly fragrant.

Mary Todd
A yellow gold daylily. It is termed "buff", which is yellowish beige. We have found that it is a striking yellowish gold color. It is an early blooming daylily which stands about two and half feet tall and has a bloom width of over six inches. It is just bright pretty daylily bloom.

Well, hope you enjoyed just a small sampling of our yellow daylily cultivars. Will showcase another color tomorrow. Hope to see you then and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-08T06:35:00.007-05:00

"There are two seasonal diversions that can ease the bite of any winter. One is the January thaw. The other is the seed catalogues."
- Hal Borland

Yes, Seed Catalogues, YEAH! And what are your favorite ones? Here are a just a few .....

Johnny's Seed Catalog

Pinetree Garden Seeds

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Seed Savers Exchange

They present heirloom seeds, large quantity of seeds, lesser quantity and better price of seeds and good information about seeds. Good catalogues to peruse during this cold winter month. You can order a print catalog or view the online version.

And if you want Daylilies, well, we will be the website for you. Our site is presently down for maintenance, however will be up and running in the near future. Get your daylily list ready and check in with us.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-07T06:03:00.015-05:00

Nature has undoubtedly mastered the art of winter gardening and even the most experienced gardener can learn from the unrestrained beauty around them. --Vincent A. Simeone

Nature in the winter really is a beautiful sight. The shadows from the winter sun on the bare trees... The fresh fallen snow on the ground... The starkness of tree branches... all beautiful. And as I say so many times, hope you spend time outdoors each day, if only for a moment. It will give you a sense of appreciation for all around!

Although we are into this year of 2012 and past January 1.... want to ask ya, Do you make New Years Resolutions? Well, I do make resolutions, however don't seem to follow thru! I was sent this list of

"Garden Resolutions for 2012" and wanted to share. Maybe you (and I) can make an exception and find one or more garden "ideas" to enhance our year. Give it a try....

Take a Class: In the garden, learning never stops. Take a class on a garden subject that you have always wanted to learn. Your local Agricultural Extension Office, community college or senior center may be good places to look for a gardening class.

Go Organic: Learn to tolerate a few weeds and nibbled leaves. Be good to the environment and use organic means of controlling pests and problems. Start with natural lawn care. It can be the biggest water hog and chemical demanding part of the garden. Learn how and practice management of an environmentally friendly yard.

Take a Garden Tour: Visit gardens. Take opportunity when local gardeners open their private spaces. Take notes and pictures, it is one of the best learning opportunities to see what grows well in this area and enjoy the peak season of gardens.

Plant Vegetables: Imagine tomatoes fresh off the vine and leaf lettuces from the garden. This season, find a sunny spot and plant some vegetables to enjoy what the garden can give back to you. Hit the seed racks this spring for lots of variety.

Plant Natives: In garden designing, I see more and more homeowners looking to eliminate native areas…such a shame. Many natives are desirable plants that are beautiful in landscape design, either as a backdrop to more “cultured” plantings, mingled in mixed beds and borders or creating a “finished edge” to the beginning of natural woodlands. Take time to learn more about natives and plant them.

Keep a garden calendar or journal: It can be as simple as an ordinary calendar. Write down something every day about the garden, it can be regarding the weather, a new bird sighting, the day something bloomed and any tasks done. It will be a valuable tool for seasons to come.

Compost: Compost, Compost…every garden should have a compost bin!

Mulch more, Weed less: Put your garden on a good organic mulch diet, the reward will be healthy garden soil. Mulch at least 3 to 4 inches to control weeds too.

Teach a child the Wonders of Gardening: whether your own, a grandchild or volunteering at school, there is real joy in working with children in the garden. Seeing the simple act of planting through a child’s eyes will renew your viewpoint as well.

Visit the garden show: The perfect way to spend a day is at a local garden show. Or even, make it a weekend trip and travel across the state or visit a neighboring state and attend a garden show. Nurseries have tickets on sale now…steal ideas from the gardens, shop the amazing booths and make your garden beautiful.

Think Design: “The plain hard work that goes into an unplanned and non-descript garden might just as well go into a planned one.” (Summer 1953, George Avery Jr. the Brooklyn Botanic Garden)

Hope these thoughts/suggestions will "plant" an idea for you in this upcoming year. We will check back periodically and see how it is going....

Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-03T00:23:00.010-05:00

The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination. ~Terri Guillemets

And we talked about daylily colors yesterday here at our Oakville Farm blog.

Color .... yes, color. What is your favorite color in the garden scheme? Can not say that I have a favorite color in the garden, in the yard or in Nature. I certainly tend toward the Fall colors ... orange, yellow, brown, red. Yet when it comes to colors of daylily blooms, each one has its place, each one has its own beauty.

Again, same daylily color, different cultivars ....

Red

Daylily Miracle Maid

Yellow

Daylily Roger Mercer

Orange

Daylily Tuscawilla Tigress

Pink

Daylily Martha Fawcett

White

Daylily Mosel

Hope you enjoyed seeing more daylily beauty.

Have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-02T23:02:00.005-05:00

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

May 2012 bring you anew. A newness of yourself. A newness for Mother Nature. When thinking of outdoors, thinking of one's garden, and when thinking of plants, one should consider Daylilies....

Yes, daylilies are a great perennial for novice or amateur gardeners alike. Daylilies are the perfect plants for sharing with family and friends.

Daylilies come in a variety of colors ....

Red

Daylily Bama Bound

Yellow

Daylily Cabbage Flower

Orange

Daylily Frans Hal

Pink

Daylily Just for Fun

White

Daylily Joan Senior

Daylilies present in most any color, except pure white and pure blue. Color is such a pretty, important and integral part of one's garden. Let daylilies provide you with the correct color. Our website, Oakville Farm, is currently down for maintenance, however, we should be up and running in the near future. When back online you will find many daylily cultivars that will fit in your color scheme. So keep thinking about Color and we will see you shortly.

Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2012-01-01T05:02:00.001-05:00

Hope you have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Welcome 2012!!

2011-12-30T19:42:00.003-05:00

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. ~Edith Sitwell

Hope you are at home, well and with comfort of family and/or friends. December 30, almost another year under our belts. What joys have you encountered? What sorrows have you endured? This is a wish for you ... that 2012 will bring a newness, a revelation or a rededication to people or activities in your life. Make the most of the upcoming year. Take time to relax and rejuvenate yourself. Get outdoors and take in a little Mother Nature.

Hope you have a restful evening and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-28T07:48:00.003-05:00

Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius. ~Pietro Aretino

What kind of weather are you experiencing today? It is forecast to be close to average temps here today .... 50's & 30's. Sunny skies with possibility of a few clouds. (thanks to WRAL for the graphic)

We are thinking of spring here at Oakville Farm. Daylilies, daylilies, daylilies. Our website, www.oakvillefarm.com will be up and running in a bit, after being down for maintenance. You will find out here when we are back online, so be sure and check us out.

Will be offering a few new daylilies this 2012 season. And reduced prices on our already low priced cultivars.

Hope you are compiling your daylily list. Think of the correct color, height size, bloom width, etc for the perfect daylilies for you. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-27T16:34:00.003-05:00

Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart.
Victor Hugo

Yes, the winter solstice has arrived. December 22, 2011 I believe. And the days have been getting longer each day. Second, by second, by second ..... more daylight available. Yeah!!!

Weather was overcast, rainy and became very windy as today progressed today. Temps reached 60 degrees, above our average and over half an inch of rain fell. Now the sun is shining and slowing settling down in the western sky.

Hope everyone had a safe, fun-filled Christmas holiday ... enjoying yummy food, laughs and stories with family and friends, cherishing old traditions, making new ones.

And here we are looking towards a new year ... 2012. Just days away.

Hope you have a good day. Take it all in. Throw in a little Nature. All is good. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-20T05:06:00.004-05:00

Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

And yes, the smiles do abound during this period. Parties, celebrations, festivities, parades, gatherings ... what a busy time.

A time of smiles ...

Thanks to all of our troops serving overseas, protecting our freedom

Remembering our loved ones who can not come home for the holidays.

Carrying on family traditions. Or making new traditions.

Sharing time with family who have come from far and new.

Giving to those in need.

We, wish you a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy, reflect, share and love this holiday season. We live in a great country, the United States of America. And have so much to be glad for.

Hope you have a great day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-17T18:01:00.003-05:00

Winter Gardening.....

Part Five of winter gardening is to examine your gardening tools and equipment. We addressed that issue on December 3, please refer to that date. This time of year is well spent in a shed/shop/outer building ... cleaning, examining, repairing and listing possible tools needed for next year.

Weather wise, here at Oakville Farm, it was overcast and cool. Slightly below average weather this December day here in North Carolina. Remember you can check out our weather at anytime by clicking on the link above.

All for this now. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-16T19:23:00.004-05:00

Winter Gardening ...

Now is the time to begin planning your garden. Yes, seed/plant catalogs begin arriving in late December. Peruse those catalogs, looking for new cultivars, old standard varieties, or something different you have never grown. Read the descriptions on how-to-plant, where-to-plant, and general how-to-care-for info. Most ordered items will arrive in proper time for planting. Planning your garden should refer to both vegetable and flower gardening. Now is the time that some stores begin selling bulbs, check those out. Some bulbs should be purchased now, placed in a cool dry area and planted in the spring.

One can always "go green" by not requesting paper print catalogs, but by simple going online, over the internet to view the seed/plant catalogs.

And ya know, you can always sign up at various seed/plant websites to receive an electronic newsletter. It will come right thru your email. What a deal, huh?

One preferred idea, is to shop locally. Locate a nursery near you ... call, visit, ask questions. They are more than helpful in assisting you. This is how I like to increase our flower garden, become friendly with locals.

It is just not too early to begin planning your garden for next year, during the winter.

Thanks for visiting us here at Oakville Farm blog, please visit again and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-15T05:06:00.013-05:00

Winter Gardening ...

In continuation from yesterday's blog, Mulch, for the winter garden. We live in Zone 7, along the Virginia/North Carolina border. For us, some winters are mild and some winters are harsh. So it is best practice to mulch.

What is mulch? It is a protective cover placed over soil and around plants to aid in moisture retention, weed control, limit erosion, protect roots and/or provide nutrients. And it comes in great variety.

Organic Mulch ....

+ grass clippings
+ hay
+ straw
+ leaves
+ peat moss
+ newspaper
+ sawdust
+ pine bark nuggets
+ shredded pine bark
+ pine straw

When using organic mulch, one needs to check the plant/area needs. Such as, pH requirements or decomposition rate.

Rubber Mulch ...

mulch made from rubber tires

Plastic Mulch ...

lay plastic over soil/plants, slit a hole in the covering, pull plant thru.

Rock Mulch ...

used around/throughout cacti and herb gardens.

Mulching is a good idea and may require more thorough research to assure that the proper mulch is used for your area and your specific garden need. So have fun investigating. Mulch is available free or for a minimal fee from sawmills, lumber yards, landfills. You can make your own with a chipper/shredder, composting from items that you have handy. It comes in different sizes, shapes, textures, colors and costs. And it will certainly enhance your garden/yard area ... mulching, something that both you and your plants will enjoy!

Hope you have a good day. See ya back tomorrow for more winter gardening hints. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-14T05:47:00.005-05:00

Winter Gardening ......

Yes, now what do we do? Some say that the garden dies in the winter. Well I believe a different story .... I believe that the garden is sleeping. Yes, sleeping, resting. There are several activities that you can take care of now while all is sleeping.

And over the next few days I will be discussing gardening activities that can can be done over winter to make your garden a more beautiful place and more productive.

First, tilling the soil. If you live in an area that is not covered in snow, not frozen, now may be a time to till the garden area. One can take time to till in leaves and compost. This will rot all winter and add nutrients to the soil.

A good small tiller is the Mantis. Lightweight, easy to carry, easy to use, just a good piece of machinery for the gardeners. It "tears up" the soil in a jiffy, making good compost like soil.

If you have More land to prepare, a larger walk behind tiller may be the necessary evil you need. And I say "necessary evil" because it can be tiring to walk behind for any length of time! Know what I mean? It does a good job at tiller a long row or a larger flower bed.

And if you have a HUGE garden area, a tractor driven tiller may what is needed. A piece of machinery that is certainly useful for the large, initial tilling process. It will open up the ground, allowing you to make smaller more personal beds where needed.

If you do not own such equipment, there are such options as asking a "friendly neighbor" to provide equipment and/or labor or leasing. Proper tilling is important in preparing the soil for gardening and now is the time to make a plan of action!

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

Blogging ...

2011-12-13T07:10:00.010-05:00

Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!
~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

And love does come in so many ways...

Well, I was thinking this morning, thinking about blogging. There are several blogs that I visit. You? They seem like a journal of sorts. Fun, personal, informational. Hope you find that our blog is one to revisit. What would you like to read here? Sends us ideas.

Our Oakville Farm daylily website will be and running shortly. Be sure and check back, we will let you know when we are online.

All for this time. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-12T05:55:00.002-05:00

"I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.

'We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,'
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December."
- Oliver Herford

And while sitting here in the house, reading and sipping on hot tea sweetened with honey, I heard a bird chirping outside the window. That was a sign...yes a sign to put out the bird feeders!!!

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-11T06:36:00.008-05:00

Christmas traditions ...

After yesterday's blog, had several phone calls from friends, telling of other Christmas memories. Like ....

One local family, with children who drove from miles around, dressed up in their finest and all attended Christmas eve worship service.

A group of neighbors gathered together, drove to local nursing homes and sang Christmas carols to the patients.

All family members piling into the car at night, riding throughout the city/neighborhood/countryside looking at the marvelous Christmas lights.

One family, whose husband was retired from the military, would travel to base to prepare packages to be sent to soldiers who were serving overseas.

Grandpa would read from the Bible while all sitting on the floor, in chairs, on laps and listen to the Baby Jesus story.

Opening gifts on Christmas eve, so folks could serve food on Christmas Day at a local shelter.

All the stories were shared with warmth and love. Hope you find time to remember a happy thought. Maybe make anew!

Keep in mind that spring is just around the corner and that it is never too early to begin making garden plans. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-10T14:12:00.008-05:00

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself. ~Ruth Stout

Yes, this is a great time for reflection. Reflect on family gatherings and family traditions.

Yesterday, one person talked of a tradition at their Grandmother's house ... forcing tulips and daffodils in containers as a wintertime plant. They were forced in glass jars or ceramic containers or in a chipped bowl with rocks in the bottom, grown like the Paperwhites.

And someone spoke of going out in woods on their grandparents farm with Grandpa and he shooting mistletoe out of the trees. Taking the mistletoe inside, holding it over Grandmother's head and "planting a big one" on her cheek.

Yet another person said that she and her six siblings would go with their father in their old station wagon, ride down thru the woods and find the "perfect" cedar tree. It was cut down, thrown in the back of the car, drug in the house and covered with homemade ornaments. (Mind you, there were cuts/scratches on hands and arms) The tree would dry up, lose color and have to be discarded within a week. And that was "another road trip!!!

One story told about the Christmas tree that she and her children had, was outdoors. They made ornaments for the birds and placed them on the tree in front of the house. The kids would sit in the front window, looking out, watching the myriad of creatures in and around the tree.

And my favorite story was of the Mother who gave her seven children (all grown), underwear for Christmas. For eight years, she had given them underwear, socks, slips, t shirts. Then one year she gave a different gift and everyone was "sadly" surprised that did not receive undergarments. That was a laugh for all, Mother and children, and needless to say, undergarments have been back on the list ever since!

I hope you can remember something that was special to you and your family from years past. And certainly begin making new traditions, that will follow thru in years to come.

Just those little "remembrances" that will bring smiles to us all!

Hope you have a good day. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-09T05:17:00.011-05:00

Narcissus Flower (aka Paperwhites) ...

I remember Paperwhites blooming in several rooms at my Grandmother's houses during the Christmas season. A white color of splashed throughout the house was so elegant. Blooming paperwhites placed on a dining room table, in the center of a Christmas display or in several containers on the mantle. And the fragrance was nice ... extra bonus, ya know.

Have you ever received paperwhite bulbs as a gift? Paperwhites are a good bulb that bloom indoors. They can be planted outdoors in living in Zone 7 or lower during the spring, however for our discussion, want to present them as a pretty seasonal plant.

Forcing them to bloom indoors is as simply as placing them in a glass jar held up with rocks. No soil required! And the fragrant blooms will appear in as little as three weeks.

Found this info on Narcissus (Paperwhite bulbs). Hope you enjoy.

Paper whites (Narcissus papyraceus, a sub-species of Narcissus tazetta) are popular indoor plants for winter and the holiday season. Unlike other narcissus, paper whites don't require a chilling period, so forcing them is as easy as putting the bulbs in water and waiting. The fragrant flowers bloom within about 3 weeks of planting, for almost instant gratification.

How to Force Paper Whites

Paper whites are the original “Just Add Water” plant. While paperwhite bulbs can be planted in soil, more commonly they are grown in pots or dishes with some stones or marbles to anchor them in place and a little water.

Select a container that is about 3 - 4 inches deep (8 - 10 cm) and that has no drainage holes.
Spread an inch or 2 of stones, marbles or even gravel, along the bottom of the container.
Position your paper white bulbs, pointed end up, on top of the stone layer. Go ahead and squeeze them in. They not only look better in a large group, the tight fit will help keep them from toppling over.
Add another layer of stones to fill in any gaps and cover the bulbs up to their shoulders. The pointed tips should still be showing.
Add water so that the level just reaches the base of the bulbs. Allowing the bottom of the bulb to sit in water will stimulate growth. Covering the entire bulb with water could cause it to rot.
The bulbs don’t need light at this point and they prefer to be kept on the cool side, at about 65 degrees F (18 degrees C.)
Check your bulbs daily to see if they need more water.
When you see roots developing, move the container to a sunny window. The sunnier the better, but try not to let them get too warm or they’ll grow leggy.
Once the plants flower, they will last longer if moved out of direct sunlight, to a cool spot with indirect or diffused light.

You can start pots of paper whites every couple of weeks, for a continuous display throughout the winter.

A splash of color in your Christmas display gives us a sense of Mother Nature and longing for the spring to come. So, hope you will indulge just a bit!

Remember to keep your daylily list handy, our Oakville Farm website will be up and running in the near future. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-08T06:04:00.007-05:00

Christmas Cactus ....

Another great favorite seasonal houseplant. The blossoms come in various colors ... white, red, orange, pink, white with pink edging. Christmas cactus do not seem to be readily available in our area as the amaryllis or poinsettia. What's up with that?

I have copied and pasted the care of the Christmas Cactus from the website: http://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Christmas-Cactus

Christmas Cactus Care

A Christmas Cactus will appreciate bright but indirect light. Keep the plant in a well-lit location (like near a window) away from direct sunlight (which can stunt growth and burn the leaves), drafts, heat vents, fireplaces or other sources of hot air. Move an indoors plant outdoors in summer to a shady location. It is best to keep in a normal house temperature range (65 to 80 degrees F.
Provide a source of humidity if you live in a dry environment. Put a tray of water next to the plant so that the water evaporates and provides humidity. Alternatively, you can make a humidity tray by placing the pot on a waterproof saucer that is filled with gravel and halfway filled with water.
Water a Christmas Cactus with care. Caring for this plant can be a bit tricky as you need to take care not to overwater or underwater it:

- Care must be taken not to underwater it, as a Christmas cactus is a tropical plant, not a true cactus. Unlike many cacti, this variety cannot tolerate completely dry soil. If the soil gets too dry, the flowers buds will drop, and the plant will wilt. Feel the soil with your fingers; if it feels dry, it's time to water.
- Too much watering will cause spots from white rot to appear on the leaves, and the leaves will likely fall off. The soil should be evenly moist for best growth. The rule of thumb is, less water is better than too much water.
- When watering, thoroughly water the plant. Before attempting to water the plant again, check to see that the top inch of soil has dried thoroughly first. Mist leaves as well as watering the soil.
- Water the cactus based on your environment and the time of year. A good method is to water a cactus as follows:
  - Dry climate, outdoors: Water every two to three days when warm and sunny.
  - Humid, cool or indoors: Water every week.
  - During the fall and winter months, the plants should be watered less frequently in order to promote blooming.
- Never water the top of the plant. Instead find a container that has many holes in its bottom. Some of the cheap nursery planters will work well, or also orchid planters, the plastic basket kind, work well also. Pair this planter with a planter that will hold water and allow the basket to fit down into. Place a few medium sized rocks into the bottom so that the basket container will be held about an inch above the bottom. Use a combination of 3 parts potting soil to one part sand for the potting medium. Finally pour about two inches of room temp water into the outer container and set the basket container inside. After about twelve hours pour out any remaining water. Repeat this as often as the plant needs water, it will vary based on your home's condition. Monitor its need with a moisture prod and adjust accordingly.
Add fertilizer to assist plant growth. Plants that are actively growing should be given a blooming houseplant-type fertilizer. Follow the label directions for how much and how often to feed. Fertilizing is important to keep the plant in good condition; the joints are fragile and can break apart if the plant descends into poor health. Generally, it should be fertilized 2-4 times a year with a 20-20-20 feed, but stop feeding about a month before the buds appear (this usually means stopping by the end of October).
Encourage the flower blooming for the holiday season. The key to getting Christmas cactus to flower during the holiday season is proper light exposure, correct temperatures and limited watering.
- Because this plant is thermo-photoperiodic, it will set buds when day length is about equal to night length and when the temperature drops to 50 to 60 degrees F for several weeks.
- Keep in a dark bathroom for the night. During the fall months, the Christmas Cactus should be placed in a spot where it receives indoor indirect, bright light during the daylight hours but total darkness at night (absolutely no artificial light). The Christmas Cactus requires long, uninterrupted dark periods, about 12 or more hours each night. Begin the dark treatments in about mid-October to have plants in full bloom by the holidays. Place the plants in a dark area from about 12 or more hours each night for 6-8 weeks or until you see buds forming. A closet or unused bathroom are ideal places.
- From September and October, the Christmas Cactus should be kept in a cool room where temperatures will remain around 50 degrees, give or take a few degrees. Don't expose the plant to freezing temperatures. Plants should be blooming for the holidays if cool treatments are started by early November.
- Be especially careful with watering at this time. Reduce the watering slightly. Do not soak the soil after a dry period; only moisten the top few inches, since buds, flowers and even leaves can fall off if the roots are suddenly saturated.
Prune the Christmas cactus about a month after blooming. This will encourage the plant to branch out, especially after a period of "rest" has been granted. It will not look very pretty after the blossoms have faded. Some people wait until March or so, when new growth begins, to prune the cactus.
Propagate a Christmas Cactus by cutting off sections of the stem. Each section must consist of two or three joined segments. Allow each section to dry for a few hours before pushing them into a 3-inch pot that contains the same potting soil as the parent plant. Plant halfway down the first segment. Treat the cuttings as mature plants. In about four to six weeks, the cuttings should have rooted and will begin to show some new growth. They grow quickly, and should take in about two or three weeks. You can fertilize after cutting has grown one new segment.

Tips

The blooming instructions are based on having a cold Christmas. If you reside in the Southern Hemisphere, you may have more difficulty finding this plant around Christmas time, and they'll need more controlled conditions in order to bloom during the holidays. You'll probably have better luck getting them to bloom during the coldest months of the year.
The best time for repotting is between February and April, about once every three years.^[1] Just be sure not to give it a pot that's too big; the Christmas Cactus flowers best when it's pot-bound. Provide a soil that's well-drained with good aeration (e.g. one part potting soil, two parts peat moss or compost, and one part sharp sand or perlite).
Christmas Cactus is a beautiful plant that can bloom year after year; you will want to keep it even after the holidays pass. You can even pass it down through generations.
One of the most frustrating things that can happen to Christmas cactus is after the flower buds have developed they drop off the plant. Bud drop can be caused by several different conditions. Usually it's because of over-watering, lack of humidity or insufficient light.

Warnings

Any sudden changes in temperature, light and watering will damage the Christmas Cactus. Drafts and temperature extremes can cause the flower buds to drop from the plant before they have a chance to open. Introduce changes gradually.
The Christmas cactus should never be placed near a door that opens and closes to the outside. Likewise, keep it away from heating ducts or near the fireplace or drafty areas.

Yes, Christmas Cactus make a colorful, intriguing gift. Give it a try or maybe, pick one up for yourself. Houseplants, this time of year, bring a smile to most anyone's face. So, hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-07T10:43:00.010-05:00

Amaryllis ...

Another seasonal plant. A friend of mine has two amaryllis bulb she intends on placing in ceramic planters this week. They will bloom after Christmas, but what the heck? Amaryllis produce beautiful blooms, anytime.

When first received my amaryllis bulb, I was appreciative, yet not sure how to care for. The only thing I knew about amaryllis bulbs were that they were sold at Christmastime, were red in color and bloomed once and were discarded. So, I began the "amaryllis journey" by reading instructions which were included with bulb, that said to plant in soil up to the crown, water, place in sunny location indoors and watch for red blooms in four to six weeks. Well needless to say, I wanted more info. And what heaps of info was available: blooms come in many different colors, some can be grown outdoors, bulbs can be saved and replanted, etc.

The following info was copied from amaryllis.com. I thought it was good reading, just enough info to have you looking for more.

Quick Tips:

Planting Period: October until the end of April.
Flowering Period: Late December until the end of June.
Flowering time is 7-10 weeks.
Larger bulbs produce more flowers.
Always store un-planted bulbs in a cool place between 40-50 deg. F.

Amaryllis-One of a Kind

Of all flowering bulbs, amaryllis are the easiest to bring to bloom. This can be accomplished indoors or out, and over an extended period of time. The amaryllis originated in South America's tropical regions and has the botanical name Hippeastrum. The large flowers and ease with which they can be brought to bloom make amaryllis popular and in demand worldwide. The amaryllis comes in many beautiful varieties including various shades of red, white, pink, salmon and orange. There are also many striped and multicolored varieties, usually combining shades of pink or red with white.

Preparation for Planting

The base and roots of the bulb should be placed in lukewarm water for a few hours. Remember, if you cannot plant the bulbs immediately after receiving them, store them at a cool temperature between 40-50 degrees F.

Planting

Plant bulbs in a nutritious potting compost, many are available pre-mixed. Plant the bulb up to

its neck in the potting compost, being careful not to damage the roots. Press the soil down firmly to set the bulb securely in place after planting.

Placement and Watering

Plant the bulb, or place the potted bulb in a warm place with direct light since heat is necessary for the development of the stems. The ideal temperature is 68 to 70 degrees F. Water sparingly until the stem appears, then, as the bud and leaves appear, gradually water more. At this point, the stem will grow rapidly and flowers will develop after it has reached full growth.

Flowering Period

Bulbs will flower in 7-10 weeks as a general rule. In winter the flowering time will be longer than in spring. Set up your planting schedule between October and April with this in mind. To achieve continuous bloom, plant at intervals of 2 weeks for stunning color in your home or garden.

After-Bloom Care

After-Flowering. After the amaryllis has stopped flowering, it can be made to flower again. Cut the old flowers from the stem after flowering, and when the stem starts to sag, cut it back to the top of the bulb.
Leaf Growth and Development. Continue to water and fertilize as normal all summer, or for at least 5-6 months, allowing the leaves to fully develop and grow. When the leaves begin to yellow, which normally occurs in the early fall, cut the leaves back to about 2 inches from the top of the bulb and remove the bulb from the soil.
Bulb Storage. Clean the bulb and place it in a cool (40-50 deg. F), dark place such as the crisper of your refrigerator for a minimum of 6 weeks. Caution: Do not store amaryllis bulbs in a refrigerator that contains apples, this will sterilize the bulbs. Store the bulbs for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Plant Again. After 6 weeks you may remove bulbs whenever you would like to plant them. Plant bulbs 8 weeks before you would like them to bloom.

So when you receive that amaryllis bulb, do not be intimidated, just learn about it, plant it and enjoy it. They make a great Christmas gift. Try one.

Remember that our daylily farm website, Oakville Farm, will be up and running in a short while. Please stay close by and keep those daylily plants in mind and on your list!

Hope you have a good day. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-06T06:08:00.011-05:00

Poinsettia ....

You may think now that outdoor gardening is at rest, it is time to rest from gardening. Well, not so much. This time of year, there are several specific houseplants that are plentiful.

For example the Poinsettia.

They are seen on church alters, in shopping mall displays, at nurseries and at Grandma's house. From short to tall. From red to orange to yellow and white. Poinsettia's make a pretty addition to this holiday season.

Poinsettia's are a type of Euphoribia genus. It can grow from about a foot tall to tree like stature. It has dark green leaves and small bracts. The bracts are actually colored leaves. These can be orange, red, yellow, white, pink. Bracts are formed from twelve hours of darkness for at least five days in a row. After that they need lots of bright light for continued color. The poinsettia does have flowers, they are the small yellow structures found in the center of the leaf bunches. And there are more than one hundred cultivars of poinsettias. They are grown and cared for indoors this time of year.

So how are they cared for during this season?

+ place it in a sunny window, preferably south, east or west
+ keep daytime temp near 70 and night time temp around 60, drastic change in temp is not advised
+ water when surface feels dry to the touch, do not let it sit in water
+ if your house tends to be dry, more watering may be necessary, poinsettias do not like an arrid air

Poinsettia plants provide a beautiful color to your tabletop or on your desk. They remind us that spring will not be far behind.

So be sure and pick up one today ... one for a neighbor, a shut-in, a co-worker or for yourself. It will bring a bit of Mother Nature inside.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-05T08:44:00.003-05:00

"The garden is a mirror of the heart." ~Author Unknown

So, are you making plans for the 2012 growing season? Questions abound....

What shall we plant?
Do we have enough seeds?
Where shall we purchase such seeds/plants?
How large of a garden?
Fertilizer?
Flower garden or vegetable garden?

And I am sure there are many more questions that will arise and plans that will be changed. My mind is just swirling with thoughts, hope yours is also.

Well, here is to a good, strong mind that is always working .... Have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-04T06:53:00.004-05:00

There is no season such delight can bring As summer, autumn, winter and the spring.
~William Browne

Do you see delight in this late autumn season? We certainly do. The daytime shadows are stronger and deeper in early dawn and late at dusk. The morning frosts are bold and steadfast and gone by nine. Silhouettes stand tall and powerful all day long.

Wow, what a day is ahead! Hope you will find a moment to walk outdoors or peer out a window, today. Take in this "Mother Nature" that is all around.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-03T10:12:00.025-05:00

Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. ~Author Unknown

And do yo find that to be true? Tools that have a mind of their own? Oh yes, they do!!!!

As far as winterizing tools, are there any special techniques that you use to clean/storage gardening tools? This will apply to hand tools and larger tools/equipment. Here are a few suggestions that we have tried and a few that we have heard of....

Tools ...

+ remove dirt/mud/built-in grime using a wire brush
+ wipe off with dry clean cloth
+ spray metal parts with WD-40 for lubrication/prevent rust
+ wipe wooden handles with boiled linseed oil
+ check screw, nuts, etc and tighten where needed
+ sharpen blades where applicable
+ paint handle bright color (will be able to find when lost)
+ store in bucket of clean sand and motor oil mixed or
hang them or
stand upright in protected area

Garden Hoses ...

+ drain them
+ examine for cracks, leaks or holes
+ unkink before storing
+ hang on hose supports or hose reels, if not, loosely coiled
+ store in a dry location

Garden Carts, Wheelbarrows ...

+ check tires for leaks, maintain proper air pressure
+ clean thoroughly
+ touch up with paint to prevent exposed areas to rust
+ grease wheels
+ store out of the weather

Power Equipment ...

+ wipe clean of all leaves, debris, dirt
+ tighten all screws
+ lubricate where applicable
+ sharpen cutting blades
+ check hoses for leaks or kinks
+ change oil, spark plugs where applies
+ check air and oil filters and replace if needed
+ empty fuel lines of old fuel
+ store under shelter

Now that your maintenance projects are complete ... you can relax and say "Good job, well done ... for this 2011 gardening season!"

All for now ... until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-12-02T06:19:00.004-05:00

When the bold branches
Bid farewell to rainbow leaves -
Welcome wool sweaters.
~B. Cybrill

Yes, cooler temps are upon us. And what tasks lay before you when it comes to gardening? Is your equipment properly winterized? Are tools cleaned, stored and inventoried? Lists of new bulbs and plants close by? Now is the time to prepare for next years gardening adventure.

I look forward to the mailman's delivery, don't you? The spring bulb, plant, gardening catalogs begin arriving in early January. What a treat!!!! Which is your favorite? Each catalog has its own uniqueness ... I like to peruse them all. And what do you do with all those catalogs? Local nursing homes, senior centers, schools, they all like your leftover or duplicate catalogs. Be sure to Recycle.

Be sure to spend time outdoors today. In the snow, in the cold, in the rain, in the sun .... take it in, if just for a moment. Hope you have a good day. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

PS. Want to send a Happy Birthday to my aunt, AC. Hope you have a good day. 79 years "young" today!!!

2011-12-01T06:26:00.012-05:00

"From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens -
the garden outdoors,
the garden of pots and bowls in the house,
and the garden of the mind's eye."
- Katherine S. White

Yes, even in the winter, we find time and ways to garden. What is your favorite house plant? I have a large green leaved ficus that is may fav. And yesterday, I saw a gorgeous white with dark pink edged Christmas cactus. It was so pretty, very striking.

Welcome December ..... Can you believe it? The year has passed by so very quickly here at Oakville Farm. Daylilies are resting the cold ground, saving energy for a 2012 growing season! It is below freezing here this AM. Our weather station, OFW, tells the story. The thermometer on the back stoop shows 29 degrees, anyway ya look at it, it is quite cool!

Remember that daylilies are a great perennial. And your gardening list for 2012 should certainly have a daylily or two that is a must have. We will be back online soon, so keep those daylily lists handy. Just to "wet your whistle" for daylilies, here is a cute cultivar, August Moon. An early bloomer.

Daylily August Moon

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-30T07:35:00.005-05:00

"Cornstalks from last summer's garden now lean toward the kitchen window, and the November wind goes through them in a shudder. Their thin tassels spread out beseeching fingers, and their long bleached blades flutter like ragged clothing."
- Rachel Peden

Hasn't this been a good autumn season? Yes, we do have about three more weeks of autumn, however, it is time to cast aside those cornstalks to the pasture, this the last day of November 2011.... make preparations for new "decos". Christmas decorations are all around. Passed a house last week and OH MY ... the house lights, the blow-up decos, the wooden reindeer .... it was just gorgeous. What is your favorite outdoor Christmastime decoration? I like LIGHTS, yes, lights are my favorite. The more lights, more "bling", the better.

I wonder how daylilies could be incorporated into Christmas decorations? I see bushes covered with colored lights, trees strung with strands of lights, not sure how our wonderful daylilies could shine. Or maybe, daylilies should be left resting, preparing for their show in the spring and summer. Yes, that is it. Daylilies are taking their restful time to rejuvenate.

Hope you find time to take a moment to rest and reflect. Think of pleasant thoughts from the past and think of a plan for the future.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-28T09:21:00.003-05:00

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence

Yes, as you sip your coffee in the morning, drink tea at noon, or have a "beverage" in the evening, there should be a moment for Mother Nature. For us here in Zone 7, the leaves have changed color and blown off the trees. The leaf color was quite good this year, shorter time however, colorful none the less. We are to have one more day of warm temps, near 70, then below norm, low 50's, for the next while. UP, down, UP, down....North Carolina weather, ya know.

Now that the leaves have changed color, what will you be planning for next years landscape? Think about daylilies as a great perennial. Little to no care for them. They are quite resilient. Our website is undergoing a few changes and will be up and running in the near future. Keep that daylily list going ... looking forward to your visit when we are back online.

Hope you have a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-27T07:53:00.004-05:00

"I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like best of all autumn, because its tone is mellower, its colours are richer, and it is tinged with a little sorrow. Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and its content."
- Lin Yutang

Hope all is well out there. Just saw the weather forecast for us today. And looks like high temp will be 70 degrees then below average for the next days to come. More seasonal, if you will. Time for a jacket, time to turn on the heat, time to make soup for the soul. Yes, autumn is on its way.

Autumn, a good time to take a soil sample. Daylilies grow in most any type of soil, however they do like a neutral or slightly acidic soil. If you want to know specifics about nutrient levels in your soil, the local Extension Office, can provide a soil sample box. You take the box home, take the sample from various places in your garden, return sample to the office and within a few weeks, you will receive a report giving you an analysis of your soil. The Extension Office can provide you with a verbal explanation of the report or maybe give suggestions of way to improve soil, if needed. Some areas do charge for the soil sample, others do not, so please inquire.

There are also soil samplers available, from large auger type to a hand held probe. We have several hand held types and check occasionally. And it is now time to check nutrients levels. In our pastures, in daylily beds and certain areas where growth is minimal. So if you find a less than lavish growth area, please invest a bit of time to find out what is needed.

Hope you have a good day, spending a moment of time outdoors. Listening to, smelling and seeing all that Mother Nature has to offer. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-26T06:23:00.005-05:00

"In the evenings
I scrape my fingernails clean,
hunt through old catalogues for new seed,
oil work boots and shears.
This garden is no metaphor --
more a task that swallows you into itself,
earth using, as always, everything it can."
- Jan Hirshfield

Hello All ... And did you spend time outdoors yesterday? During travels, saw many folks putting their yards to rest for this 2011 year....mulching and mowing. And oh the things that we do with leaves ... burn, pile, blow, mulch, mow, bag ... oh my!

Leaves make a good mulch around daylilies. Here at Oakville Farm, daylilies are grown in rows. And leaves are placed in between the rows, making a smoother walkway. Then in the spring, when rows are disced, leaves are churned into the ground enriching the soil. Things in nature have a place and purpose, leaves included. :)

Oooops a memory...as a child in school, did you make a leaf collection? I remember classmates making bug collections and rock collections. My favorite being the leaf collection. Autumn leaves. Yes, dissecting leaves, labeling leaves, identifying leaves. And by the end of the "school project", leaves were brown, crunchy and some had disintegrated, leaving nothing for that label. Oh my!!!!

Hope you are taking time to plan for your next year's flower garden updates and changes. Think ... Daylilies. They are a great perennial. Daylilies need 6-8 hours of sunshine daily. During the start-up, daylilies need about an inch of rain/water per week to become established, then thereafter, daylilies are drought tolerant. They can withstand most any water condition. Remember that our Oakville Farm website will be up and running in the near future. So make your daylily list and we will be seeing you soon.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-25T21:32:00.005-05:00

"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."
- Elizabeth Coatsworth

What a great time of year. :) Hope everyone had a good holiday and didn't eat too much and then found the perfect gift on this "Black Friday" 2011! Did you go shopping out in the public? Several folks I spoke with today, spent time on the web .... finding the perfect present that the UPS man will deliver next week. WOW, what a way to shop!!!

Weather was very nice here today. Remember to check out our personal Oakville Farm weather station, OFW, to see up to the minute stats.

Oakville Farm website will be returning soon. There will be newly added daylilies and price reductions. Check back often, we will let you know when we are up and running once again. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-24T06:54:00.006-05:00

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope this day finds you in the company of family and friends. We give thanks and gratitude for each day, for each relationship, for little things and for family and friends who make us smile. Have a good day ...

And when possible .....

Take time to reflect on goodness that has happened in your life. Goodness that you have spread to others.

Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-21T12:04:00.003-05:00

"In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November."
- Rose G. Kingsley, The Autumn Garden, 1905

Hello

Hope all is well. And that your flower gardens, yards and orchards have succumb to the beautiful autumn season. Resting, dying, hibernating, rejuvenating. Yes, preparing for the 2012 growing season.

What daylilies do you have in mind for next year? Our website, Oakville Farm is currently under construction. It will be up and functioning in time for ordering next year's crop. Think of what colors you want, what height of daylily scape interests you and jot down notes so when we are again on the web ... we can make your daylily dreams come true.

Until next time, have a good day and, Happy Gardening.

Want to wish my sister a Happy Birthday. Have a good one, Karen.

2011-11-20T09:47:00.007-05:00

"And these memories and associations that our flowers give us are independent of seasons or of age. They come to us as well in autumn and winter, in spring and summer; and as to age, the older we get the more, from the very nature of things, do these memories increase and multiply."
- Canon Ellacombe, In a Gloucestershire Garden, 1895

What memories do you have of autumn?

Yellow/red/brown leaves strewn about in a yard?

Fun filled family gatherings?

Bright colored mums dotting the landscape?

Snow topped hills in the distance?

Bright, crisp, foggy, clear sunrises and sunsets?

Raking leaves into piles and jumping in?

Cool nippy nighttime air?

What wonders there are in Autumn. My favorite time of the year. May this day conjure a happy moment from your past or the opportunity to make anew. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-11-18T17:44:00.004-05:00

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Hello All

We are updating our Oakville Farm website and will be down for a while. Keep checking here on the blog as news of the website will be forthcoming.

Have a good evening and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-10-13T17:53:00.002-04:00

"Fall is not the end of the gardening year; it is the start of next year's growing season. The mulch you lay down will protect your perennial plants during the winter and feed the soil as it decays, while the cleaned up flower bed will give you a huge head start on either planting seeds or setting out small plants."
- Thalassa Cruso

Oh yes, now is the time to be thinking of your daylily purchase(s) for the 2012 growing season. Which will it be? Illini Jackpot? Charles Johnston? Panda Bear? ... Oh my!

Please check us out at Oakville Farm. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-09-19T08:01:00.005-04:00

There is no season such delight can bring
As summer, autumn, winter and the spring.
~William Browne

And what is your favorite season? I do like the variety of the seasons. And today, can not tell you my favorite. Each and every one has a place, right? :)

Daylilies, well there ya go, they tolerate all seasons. Daylilies do well here in Zone 7. Here it is, mid September and there are several rebloomers showing their stuff.

Now is a good time to purchase and plant daylilies. Three - four weeks prior to the first frost is a right time for fall planting. Daylilies will have time to get established prior to frost. So .... get on out there. Make a new flower bed, add to an existing flower bed or share with a friend. Daylilies make a great perennial. Check 'em out at Oakville Farm.

Hope you have a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-09-18T08:01:00.006-04:00

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

Yes, it is almost Autumn, September 23, 2011, I believe. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I so like the colors ... yellow, brown, orange, red. And the holidays ... Halloween, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving. And events ... our NC State Fair, local art/craft events, Farmer's Markets.

Our State Fair, an agricultural fair, comes at the best time of the year, during the month of October, usually accompanied by cool days/nights, light rain showers. The coolness seems to make the animals a little perkier/more active. And all the 4-H events! Cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, horses and more. And the exhibits! Gourds, cake decorating, dressmaking, watermelon, apples, canning, baking and more. And entertainment! Clogging, fireworks, midway rides, exhibits, singing, folk dancing, Village of Yesteryear and more. Then the food ... OMG, the food. Funnel cakes, sausage w/ onions & peppers, fresh bar be cue sandwiches, cotton candy, corn on the cob, taffy, candied apples and so much more. Oh WOW, such fun. Get your family and friends together, head over to the fair for a fun filled day. See ya there!!! Check it out...NC State Fair, located at our state capital, Raleigh, NC

2011-08-28T15:43:00.003-04:00

The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it. ~Patrick Young

Hurricane Irene sent outer band winds well in our direction yesterday. The wind blew constantly all day. The weather station was not reporting, due to power outage.

And today ... what beeeeeautiful weather. High temp ie 88 degrees, cloudless day, slight breeze ... a gorgeous day. It is said that is what occurs after a hurricane.

Gonna run back outside ... picking up more fallen branches. Hope you have a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-27T06:00:00.003-04:00

It is said that flies bite more when it is going to rain

Evening red and morning gray will set the traveler on his way/But evening gray and morning red will bring down rain upon his head

When the wind is blowing from the east/'Tis not fit for man nor beast. ~Proverbs

Have you heard any of these? Not I.

The rain is upon us. Have had almost half an inch. View OFW for our weather stats.

All for this time. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-26T19:26:00.002-04:00

Often you have to rely on intuition. ~Bill Gates

That could be with the case of Hurricane Irene which is forecast to pound the NC coast and move north battering other shorelines. One has to decide to follow the mandatory evacuation or stay "hunkered down" in their abode. Which is wisest? Or does one act on intuition? What do you feel? What past experiences influence your decision? Oh my .... I say, "Just do it, do something!"

And that could also be said for daylilies. Which to purchase? What worked for you in another location? Color? Size? Bloom season? Hey ... why not have a sampling of many. Check us out Oakville Farm and get the daylilies ... just for you.

And check out our personal weather station, OFW, for the latest weather happenings here at Oakville Farm.

Hope you have a good evening. Be safe. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-25T06:45:00.003-04:00

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~John Lubbock

Do you have a seat/chair/resting spot near your garden or in your yard? It is a "must have". One needs to have several outdoor seating areas, where possible. My favorite spot growing up, was the glider on my Great Aunt's porch. Spent many an hour there, watching the storms coming down the Ohio River, looking for the spider lilies popping thru the ground near yard's edge and being aware that any moment the hummingbird's would zoom past my head ... headed for the bee balm.

Now, my favorite seat is anywhere outdoors ... on the ground, on a rock, bench, seat of tractor. Oh the "beauts" one can see outside.

How about the daylily Red Twister? Red Twister is a red bitone. The term bitone refers to the fact that the inner segments and outer segments are tints of the same color. This pretty specimen is large, being over 6" in diameter. Is a midseason bloomer and sells for $5.00 per double fan. It would compliment orange daylilies, yellow daylilies, or make a nice stand alone daylily.

Hope you have a good day. Please sure and check us out, Oakville Farm, and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-24T05:51:00.006-04:00

Law of the Workshop: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. ~Author Unknown

Can that also apply to "anything/everything" that is handheld? Yes....with that said, have you ever misplaced a gardening implement? Oh yeah! Well, we have 5, yes 5, gardening spades and I can not find one of them. It is not in the shed on "its hook", not on the wagon/trailer. Could it be laying in a row between the daylilies? And be found when the tractor tire rolls over top of it and destroys it? Yikes! Guess that is one of the jobs for today, take a thorough walk thru the daylilies looking for the gardening spade. 1

Want to showcase the daylily Royal Occasion. Royal Occasion is black red with a black eyezone and bright green throat. It is a rebloomer. And being mid season bloomer, Royal Occasion has bloomed, rested and is now sending up new scapes with blooms to open within the next few days. A treat to look forward to. Bloom size is about four inches and it stands two and half feet tall.

Visit us, Oakville Farm, and peruse our selection of fine daylilies. Hardy, well proven daylilies that will compliment your yard.

Hurricane Irene update ... forecast is now for its path to mover further east, missing us. You can check out our weather, ie temps, rainfall, etc at OFW, at anytime.

Hope you have a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-23T07:27:00.008-04:00

He who plants a garden plants happiness. ~Author Unknown

What do ya know? Late August and time for fall planting. Time for dividing and separating. Time for mulching. Time for applying pre-emergent. On and on and on!

Have been aware for a bit, so now going out to peruse the yard. Will return.

WOW. Did you feel that? 30-45 seconds. Check out this web site ....
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/usc0005ild.php

And, what about Hurricane Irene? Is the storm headed this way?

Later ......

2011-08-21T15:50:00.006-04:00

We hit the sunny beaches where we occupy ourselves keeping the sun off our skin, the saltwater off our bodies and the sand out of our belongings. ~Erma Bombeck

Yes, I am still talking about the beaches, North Carolina beaches. Ever been there? At one of the Visitor Centers, the landscape includes Stella de Oro daylilies. Not currently blooming, the daylilies are in the foreground to shrubs that follow the edge of the walk around the Visitor's Center. The grounds are clean and well groomed, making the display very pleasing to one's eye.

Speaking of daylilies, how do you have them displayed in your landscape? Always interested in what is happening in other's yards.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

PS Atlantic Ocean was calm again today. Beautiful ... sea temp was in the 70's, air temp was low 80's.

2011-08-20T18:43:00.007-04:00

There shall be eternal summer in a grateful heart. ~Celia Thaxter

OBX, do you know what that stands for? Outer Banks, yes, the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Southern Shores, Kitty hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Heads just to name a few.

This is tourist season at the Outer Banks. There are many, many oh so many vehicles on the roads. It is reported that Labor Day is the "unofficial end" to the summer vacation season. Children back to school, no more adult vacations, etc. Mind you, there are still months of good weather at the beach. Lots of sunshine, less intense heat, lower humidity ... all the makings for a good beach vacation. http://www.outerbanks.org/ is the place to find about events/activities on our lovely northern North Carolina beach area.

And as you think about your yard/garden area, be sure and check us out at Oakville Farm to find the daylily right for your oasis.

Hope you have a good evening and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-18T07:10:00.002-04:00

Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants. ~John W. Gardner

Having worked in the educational system, I must say that the previous quote does have its truths. We must provide students with information then watch them experience it and learn from it. I do believe in education.

We can learn both in a classroom and in a yard/garden. What have you learned this year from your yard? I see that even when you have had recent rains, plants dry out and you must be mindful to check soil moisture and water when need. WATER, WATER, WATER .....

One good plant that does not take large amounts of water ... DAYLILIES. Yee-Haa! Check us out at Oakville Farm for a daylily suited just for you.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-16T13:53:00.001-04:00

Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts. ~Author Unknown

Want to say Happy Birthday to both Ms Terry and Trina. Hope you have a good day.

2011-08-15T07:24:00.004-04:00

To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves. ~ Mohandas K. Gandhi

Ya know, thinking about soil, I was just wondering how many shovels you have. Or how many gardening spades you have. Someone who is serious about gardening, must have a variety of gardening tools. And if we have more than one of an item, that must mean that it is certainly a favorite. So what is your favorite gardening tool? And how many do you have?

Certainly with daylilies, our most used and most favorite is a gardening spade, or spading fork. It is also referred to as graipe or digging fork. A neighbor even calls it a "ladies fork". Whatever it is called, it is "the tool" for easing daylily clumps out of the ground.

All for this time. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-14T13:06:00.007-04:00

Gardening is civil and social, but it wants the vigor and freedom of the forest and the outlaw. ~Henry David Thoreau

What have you seen outdoors today that you may have not seen before? More weeds? New growth? Another wasp nest? The sunshine? Clouds? Loggers clearing forests? Something new everyday, I must say!

I viewed more than a thousand photos of the Alaskan flora/landscape last week. Just gorgeous! While looking thru the photos, I could sense the calmness of the mountains, hear the sounds of the waterfalls and feel the cold emanating from the glaciers. Thank you KSC for sharing such great stories and fabulous photos.

Well, have eaten a fresh tomato sandwich, drank a glass of unsweetened tea and am making my way outside. Hope everyone has a good day. And Until next time, Happy Gardening.

PS. Someone emailed me and asked about the pumpkin plants ... asked if they had come up!!!

Well, Wednesday, August 10 ... look what I found .....................

2011-08-13T21:35:00.004-04:00

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet. ~Roger Miller

Do you remember the movie/song "Singin' In The Rain"? A movie from 1952. Oh my, do you remember 1952?

Today ... the rains did fall. Over an inch of rain fell, here, at Oakville Farm. Nice steady drizzle, then hard rain. Just the right amount of rain, with no evident run off. After the rains moved east and the sun came out, the entire landscape looked brighter, perkier, fresher, cleaner. Oh what a little rain can do!

And when you want to check out our weather conditions, just see OFW, for the most up to date info.

Oakville Farm.

Hope you have had a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-12T07:33:00.006-04:00

I cultivate my garden, and my garden cultivates me. ~Robert Brault

A good daylily for your garden, which is a rebloomer is Martha Fawcett. Martha Fawcett is pink with a darker eyezone and yellow green throat. It is a mid season bloomer. It began its bloom cycle in early June, rested and is now reblooming. Martha Fawcett has nice thick ruffled tepals. Bloom is about 4-4.5 inches in diameter. The scape does not rise far above the foliage, making this specimen nice in the foreground of a flowerbed.

I just noticed ......Friday it is! Yee...Haa! Hope you have a good day. And if 5 PM today is the end of your workweek, hope you have a good weekend. And if this is the beginning of a work time for you ... have a good one!

Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-10T06:30:00.010-04:00

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. ~Jimmy Johnson

Oh .... I like that saying. Could it apply to life? An extra smile, an extra hello, one extra effort for a friend. Could/can it apply to a garden? The little extra weeding, little extra water, one extra plant. Yes!

Want to show you varied components of the Hemerocallis....

Spent Bloom

You know that the daylily bloom lasts for one day. The day after it blooms, it will wither and blend into a "spent bloom". The spent bloom when still "moist" can be pinched off (deadheaded). Or if left on it will dry and fall off itself. It is best practice to deadhead. If the spent bloom is left on, it will form a seed pod and that is not wanted. And other times, if the spent bloom is left on, it may fall upon an unopened bud and prevent it from opening. Another not wanted.

Seed pod(s).

Spent bloom not fully collapsed.

Spent bloom dried and laying on unopened bloom.

Taking care of the the spent blooms by deadheading is not a necessity, however it does make the garden neater and prevents unopened blossoms and unwanted seed pods.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-09T06:19:00.008-04:00

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And don't they though! Flowers, either cut flowers or flowers on the stalks, they elicit a smile during the darkest of times or the joyous of occasions.

How about the blossoms of Hemerocallis ...

Strawberry Fields Forever

or

First Knight

or

Trahlyta

Hope you have a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-08T22:44:00.006-04:00

Anyone who has a library and a garden wants for nothing.
Cicero

Ever sit out under a tree, viewing the daylilies, sipping on a drink and reading from your favorite book, perusing a daylily catalog or checking the internet on your laptop? Taking your "library" outdoors can be soooooo fun!

My sister has a great area under a large Oak with several old metal rockers, a picnic table and a hammock chair. Many great hours are spent there.

My friend has a beautiful back porch that faces her magnificent yard where she sits, sipping her favorite drink, watching the day go by.

Some say, having that "garden" is hard work. Well, it certainly is. And the benefit ... well it is undoubtedly worth the work! Daylilies will fill up the yard/garden and give you years of pleasure. The daylily Jungle Beauty is a dark black red with a yellow green throat. It is a mid season bloomer that we sell here at Oakville Farm for $6.00 per double fan. Check it out.

All for this time. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-07T08:30:00.008-04:00

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. ~Celia Thaxter

And for what are you grateful? What fills your heart today?

Four-legged creatures here at Oakville Farm certainly have a place.

Caprine ....

Feline ....

Canine ....

Hope you are able to spend time with family and friends. A cook-out, a reunion, a visit on a porch..at church..in a hospital ..... hope this day brings a smile. Have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-06T09:48:00.006-04:00

"To analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music; it is one of those things which it is far better to enjoy, than to attempt to fully understand."
- Henry T. Tuckerman

So, with that, "go with the flow", as is said. Make the most of today.

Just south of us in Wake County, there is flash flooding. The rains are reaking havoc on folks. The weather here at Oakville Farm (OFW), is supplying a nice light drizzle. Enough to keep the caprine under the shelter. Enough to make the daylilies stand up and take notice. Grass was mowed yesterday ... what great planning/perfect timing, huh?

So now .....

Figs will be producing.

Grapes will be ripening.

Pumpkin plants will be pushing thru the ground.
(Oops, not today!)

All for now. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-05T06:26:00.006-04:00

All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today. ~Author Anknown

What a great statement. So true. So simple.

We plant so many many seeds in our lifetime. Life learning seeds. Some take. Some don't.

Daylilies ... now there is something that when planted will grow and prosper.

A nice red self daylily with a green throat that has been very popular this year is Nicholas Leigh. A bloom size of over 5". It blooms midseason. It sells for $5.00 per double fan.

Another good daylily is Black Eyed Susan. A butter yellow with red purple eyezone, this daylily stands tall above the foliage on a small scape. A mid season bloomer which sells for $4.00 per double fan. Makes a great plant for a background to other shorter plants.

Check us out at Oakville Farm for your daylily wants/needs. With over 150 different cultivars, there will be something to fit you!

Hope you have a good day. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-04T06:24:00.005-04:00

A person who loves his or her work Is like a plant in the right spot: Their growth is maximized and the yield is greatest. ~Author Unknown

Do you work outside the home? Do you work from your home? And most certainly do you enjoy your work?

Farmers, flower gardeners, vegetable gardeners ... we all have a sense of Mother Nature. She is our friend, she is our foe. And daylilies fair so well in Mother Nature. Daylilies tolerate drought and monsoon. Daylilies are most resistant to insects and diseases. Daylilies are prolific. Daylilies are pleasant to the senses. Daylilies are just great to have in your garden/yard.

Along a road at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, these Stella de Oro daylilies grow in an arrangement. A crepe myrtle grows in the background. Nice contrast in color.

The daylily Mini Pearl is a small reblooming daylily. It is pink with a yellow green throat. It is an early mid season bloomer which grows low to the ground. Oakville Farm sells this quaint specimen for $4.00 per double fan.

If you would like to see what weather conditions are here at Oakville Farm, check us out at OFW (Oakville Farm Weather)

All for this time. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-03T07:47:00.014-04:00

"This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet."
- William Shakespeare

Are you in love? Do you love your parents, siblings, spouse, children? Do you love yourself? Do you love Nature? Love comes in all forms, shapes and sizes. Hope you will find love, contentment, happiness in your life.

Do daylilies bring you a level of love in your life? Daylilies bring a calmness, happiness, joy to my life.

Like the daylily Stoplight

or maybe the daylily
Siloam Bo Peep

or even daylily Prickled Petals

Check out these daylilies and many others at Oakville Farm. You will find one that brings calmness, happiness and a sense of love.

Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

2011-08-02T06:20:00.006-04:00

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. ~Luther Burbank

Daylilies make me smile, you? Mother Nature put a tenth of inch of rain on us last night. What a treat! And as I look out the window this morning, more daylilies have opened.

Daylily Brocaded Gown is a pretty lemon yellow flower with a green throat. The ruffled edges with the textured tepals give this specimen an interesting visual presentation. Brocaded Gown presents a large, over 6", bloom. It begins blooming in early season and is now reblooming. Bloom is slightly above the green foliage. And nice color contrast between the two. Here at Oakville Farm we offer Brocaded Gown for a mere $5.00 per double fan.

What is your favorite color in daylily blossoms? Like the multi-colored? Self? Each has their own drawing point, their own attraction.

Hope you have a good day. Take time to walk about outdoors ... if just for a moment. And until next time, Happy Gardening.

August ...

2011-08-01T08:43:00.005-04:00

"How sociable the garden was.
We ate and talked in given light.
The children put their toys to grass
All the warm wakeful August night."
- Thomas Gunn

First day of August and how do your daylilies shine? With the plentiful rains we had in the past few days, I noticed that not only is the grass growing, trees standing taller, shrubs reaching higher .... daylilies are greening up and sending out new scapes. Yes, the rebloomers are sending forth!

2011-07-31T06:48:00.007-04:00

You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way. ~Walter Hagen

I wonder where this 2011 year has gone. Almost August, it is hard to believe it!

Had almost an inch of rain last night. Perfect timing! When digging thru the daylilies yesterday, it was most difficult. Looking forward to getting out today and working the ground.

Here it is, 3:30 PM and almost three quarters of an inch of rain has fallen today. Wow, I can see the grass growing. Surrounding areas have experienced flooding, we have seen it being absorbed. And it is beginning to brighten up, could the sun be ready to pop thru the clouds? Another, Wow!

Have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

Here I am again, 5:45 PM. Weed pulling is so much easier following rain, right? Pulled weeds near the grape arbor. And guess what? The Concord grapes (first crop ever!) are ripening. Not the entire cluster, more than half the cluster however, is purple. Oh a beautiful sight. And so sweet. Was not sure what to expect of the taste, since I have never been much of a fruit lover, nevertheless, this is something I will be snacking on.

2011-07-30T06:43:00.012-04:00

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit."
– Henry David Thoreau

The weekend already! What plans have you? Looks like gardening will be on tap for today. Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes, what shall we do with all those tomatoes? Sandwiches? That is always my favorite summertime meal! Maybe make tomato sauce, won't that just taste divine on a cold evening this winter?

And corn, what to do with that tasty corn? Freeze it? Cook it and eat it fresh with butter and salt? I have a friend who pulls it fresh off the stalk, soaks it in water, cooks on the grill ... oh WOW, it is delicious!!!! Or maybe cook it husk in the microwave, again so moist and tasty.

Will also be reevaluating daylilies ... planning to make a new daylily flower bed. Where will they receive more than six hours of sunlight each day? Which bloom colors compliment each other? Which new ones to purchase? Oh, decision, decisions!

Hope you will spend time outdoors (early...you will want to beat the heat!). Also share the day with family and friends. Have a good day and until next time. Happy Gardening.

PS thanks to Red and Lamar for allowing me to photograph their harvest.

2011-07-29T15:33:00.007-04:00

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. ~John Ruskin

And what kind of good weather for daylilies can we find for today? It is sunny. Light breeze. Those are two good weather points in which daylilies thrive. Last week, we had an inch and a quarter of rain, the daylilies sprang right back to life. Rebloomers are sending up new scapes. Woo-Hoo ....

Did not get any new photos of daylilies this AM. Will share from a previous day. Daylily Newberry Amaryllis presents a nice red bloom with a yellow green throat. Large in diameter, ie about 7". It is a tetraploid, showing a thicker bloom and scape. Here at
Oakville Farm, we offer Newberry Amaryllis for $12.00 per double fan.

Dublin Elaine is a nice reblooming daylily. It is a pink double with a green throat. And we sell the nice specimen for $7.00 per double fan. The bloom stands about three feet above the foliage. Dublin Elaine would make a nice accent to daylily Brocaded Gown (yellow) or daylily Double Dribble (coral).

Hope you have a good day and make it a good weekend. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

Thursday, already?

2011-07-28T10:16:00.010-04:00

There is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace. You will find that deep place of silence right in your room, your garden or even your bathtub. ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Do you find peace among your daylilies? I certainly find that daylilies bring a sense of calmness, peace. Looking out this morning, I saw daylily, Starstruck almost glowing in the morning sun. Starstuck is a bold gold green blossom with a green throat. The bloom is thick and is over 5"in width. Starstruck is a late season bloomer, currently blooming. It will bloom here in central North Carolina into August. A real treat and just $8.00 per double fan here at Oakville Farm.

Please be sure and check us out. Hope you have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

Monday ...

2011-07-25T08:18:00.004-04:00

Hello ....

Found these hummers drinking up a bunch this morning.

Sunday ...

2011-07-24T12:09:00.002-04:00

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ~George Santayana

And oh so many folks are already talking about the onset of winter. Hey Now ... summer is not over, autumn has not arrived, how can one talk about winter? I continue to speak of Rain. Have had 20 inches this 2011 year, on average we have more than 40 inches of rain by this time. We are still in a drought. And of all the news I heard/read this morning, so much of the USA is in the same predicament! Away with "extremes", hear! Back to moderation!

What are ya up today? On vacation away from home? Relaxing at home? Visiting with family and friends? Hope you are enjoying!

Have a good day and until next time, Happy Gardening.

HOT... Oh Wow is it HOT

2011-07-23T17:27:00.003-04:00

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. ~Langston Hughes

I just had to find a quote about rain. Hoping to cool us off.

We had a wonderful weather event last night ... As I was watching the news around 6 PM, I heard a noise coming from outside. I opened the blinds at the atrium door and it was raining. Oh my, it rained for almost an hour. An inch and a quarter's worth of rain before it ended. It was just grand! And today, temps reached over 100 degrees here at Oakville Farm. Our weather station, OFW (Oakville Farm Weather) web link will display stats. Phew!

Our Stella de Oro, reblooming daylily, has begun its new bloom cycle. The Stella's have had enough rain to set them. What rebloomers are out in your yard?

Picked blackberries this morning. The thornless type. When younger, my brother and I used to pick blackberries in Indiana. I remember getting scratches on arms and legs from the thorns. A part of the "blackberry picking process", ya know. Now, it is just so easy! The berries are really large. They must like this hot, hot weather. Thanks to Danny & Carolyn for the berries. Will share some warm freshly baked blackberry cobbler on a cold winter's day!

Here is a photo from yesterday's rain. Notice the water running from the gutter in the background. I can hear it hitting the ground.

Hope you have a good evening. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

Friday ...

2011-07-22T06:17:00.005-04:00

If friends were flowers, I'd pick you ~Author Unknown

Ya know, daylilies are not promoted as a cut flower, not shown in flower arrangements. I have found that they do have a place in your home. Have you ever made an arrangement incorporating daylilies? I cut long scapes of daylily blossoms and place them in a vase of water on the kitchen table. Each morning I will pinch off the spent bloom and watch as another bud opens to a beautiful flower. I like the color and the everchanging look of the arrangement. Might want to try it. :)

Want to showcase the daylily, Joan Senior. A near white daylily with a green throat. It is a late season bloomer which reblooms with the proper conditions. A good deal for $6.00 per double fan.

Another nice daylily, Miracle Maid, is currently blooming. It is a beautiful bright red with a green throat. A large bloom, approximately 6", which sells for $5.00 per double fan.

The weather certainly has us under its control. Yesterday, temps hit 100 degrees here at Oakville Farm. And is forecast for the next several days.

Our goats like this almost unbearable heat. Other four legged creatures we have, well let me say, that they attempt to stay as cool as possible by not moving much during the day. Twice a day, we provide fresh water with ice cubes, for dogs. And we stay as hydrated with water as possible. So, please, everyone, be careful in this heat.

Hope you have a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

Daylilies ...

2011-07-21T06:14:00.004-04:00

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability. ~Sam Keen

And Today is forecast to be a "dog day" of summer. Yes ... a hot and sultry summer day. This will be a great day to stay indoors, look out thru the window at your blooming daylilies and make a list of future purchases. Always a fun thing to do.

So, which daylilies do you see in your future? Daylilies with several colors per bloom? Ruffled edges? Rebloomers? Decisions, decisions!

Noticed the daylily Cat Dancer yesterday while walking about. It is a nice salmon pink color with a rose eyezone above a bright green throat. Bloom size is about 4" and the tepals "fold" backwards. That "folding" concept is called recurved. Recurved refers to the blossoms having a rounded ball- like appearance. Very nice, clean look. Oakville Farm offers this specimen for $10.00 per double fan.

Want to send a Hello to Amber .. your daylily shipment is on its way!!!

Hope you have a great day. If outdoors today, looks like most of the nation needs to keep water handy and stay hydrated. Be mindful of the heat. Until next time, Happy Gardening.

Wednesday ..

2011-07-20T06:19:00.003-04:00

"He who plants a garden plants happiness" ~Proverb

Even in these dog days of summer, daylilies bring a smile to your face and a warmness to your heart. Daylilies continue to bring pleasure to my life, yours? Each day, a spent bloom closes and a new bud opens. Bringing a newness, freshness to ones self.

Do you have the daylily Frans Hal? It is a bright orange bitone. Bitone refers to a bloom having tepals that are a different tint (shade) of the same basic color. For Frans Hal, the petals (inner segments) are a darker orange than the sepals (outer) segments. Frans Hal is a late season bloomer, currently in bloom here in central North Carolina. We offer this pretty daylily for a mere $5.00 per double fan.

Time for the morning "walkabout". Hope you have a good day. Until next time, Happy Gardening.