flynn070

We woke up to a bit of snow this morning. Not much but pretty... Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

I love the winter season because it gives me a chance to wind down and really think about plans for the garden. In particular, it is a good time for me to accomplish hardscape projects. The weather is always a deterring factor, however, but so far we are experiencing a very mild season and a noticeable decrease in rainfall. I do not like to work in cold, wet conditions so I have to be really motivated to get outside the comfort of a warm, cozy house this time of year. My big project at the moment is transforming the former vegetable garden into a courtyard area with a deck and pergola to anchor it in. We enjoyed the vegetable garden but they were a lot of work and locally grown produce is so plentiful here. I wasn't really pleased with the location of it - right in the middle of the back garden. I felt that a more dominant focal point was needed. That, coupled with the fact that we also desire more shade, resulted in a courtyard idea.  The plan is for a large deck with a pergola to...

Flicker at the suet feeder (January) It is always fun and surprising to look back at the garden photos from the previous year - Camellia 'Nuccio Bella Rosa' (March) Anemone coronaria 'Marianne Blue' (March) The Pan Garden, just off the back deck, in May. It has really filled in since this photo was taken. This was also before new grass was planted. I continue to move things around and experiment in this area.  Spanish Lavender, Barberry 'Orange Rocket', California Lilac (Ceanothus 'Black Diamond') (May) Talk about changes - since this photo was taken last May, the borders has filled in and the steps have been completed. Everything looks so fresh and vibrant here as opposed to unruly and ragged like it looks now. Rose 'Mutablis' (May) California Lilac (Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps') and Lupine (May) A wider shot of Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps'. This photo makes me so happy. This was the first shrub that really captivated me after moving he...

Here is a good cookie recipe to have around during the holidays! They are very soft cookies and great with coffee or tea.  CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 TBS orange zest 3 TBS orange juice 2 cups cranberries (chopped) 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (chopped)  Glaze 1 cup confectioner's sugar 4 TBS. of orange or lemon juice (or enough to get a runny consistency) Preheat oven to 375. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Cream together the butter and the two sugars.  Beat in the egg, blending well. Mix in the orange zest and juice. Add the sifted flour mixture. Add the cranberries and nuts (the nuts are optional). Drop tablespoon sized dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges have turned golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on wire racks. Prepare the glaze...

Happy Thanksgiving from a dark and stormy looking Vancouver, Washington. I know people think I am weird (I am) when I say that I like the weather to be dreary on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I just love the cozy atmosphere it provides when you are inside cooking and puttering about. Plus sunny days make me feel guilty that I should be outside doing something in the garden. As I made my way through the garden with the compost pot this morning, I noticed that there is still some color and beauty on this late day in November. The Japanese maple above is next to the back deck. It was an unnamed variety and it is very late to change color. It just started changing during the last week. The Persian Parrotia (Ironwood) wins the award for holding on to the majority of its leaves. Very few have fallen and it has been brightly colored for about a month now. Ironwood (Persian Parrotia) The Katsura is also pretty but it has already faded quite a bit. I have never noticed the autumn scent from the l...