2015 Year in Review

Once again this past year has gone in a flash so I thought I would reflect on some of my favourite moments in the Findleberry garden and highlights throughout the year.

January – the year started off with a blast of winter and even so my husband and I wrapped up and captured photos in Fintry Provincial park. These are some of my favourites. Meanwhile in my garden we had to dig a trench to the front gate.

This was definitely a good time to snuggle in front of the fire and peruse the seed catalogues.

February – my husband and I were lucky to escape the cold and went on a road trip to Palm Springs and San Diego. I admired exotic flowers and plants along the way and enjoyed a cottage style Air BnB in a historic area just outside of San Diego.

March – happy to see some milder temperatures and early signs of spring beginning with flowers on my witch hazel. I tend to get impatient for Spring to arrive so I bring small branches of forsythia in and force them to bloom as well as I always treat myself to a container of crocus, miniature daffodil and hyacinth.

My husband and I also went on our first MGB run over to Salt Spring Island. We went along with an enthusiastic group from Washington and had a fun time. I was certainly happy to see early spring blooms and blossoms.

May 2015 – The results of bringing on hanging baskets in the heated greenhouse paid off. I usually move the hanging baskets out around May long weekend. Some of my favourite stuffers are nemesia, calabrachoa, bacopa and lobelia.

Meanwhile in the garden itself an array of plants are blooming from blue flax, poppies, allium, iris and peony.

June – With continued watering and fertilizing the hanging baskets are flourishing outside.

The garden is in full bloom now. Noteworthy of course would be the roses at this time of the year.

As much as I like being in my garden, I do also enjoy escapes away and cherished the week that we had at Skimikin Lake camping. It was so peaceful and tranquil and I felt very close to nature.

July – Starting vegetable seeds early in the greenhouse was certainly beneficial as we are already harvesting lettuce and tomatoes. The highlight for me this month was having the opportunity to assist in a wedding shoot in the Cariboo. It was a perfect setting and along with practising my photography we were able to catch up with long-time friends.

August – this is when I can sit back and enjoy the long summer days. There is often a lull in the garden at this time of the year and this is when the annuals (including the hanging baskets) put on a show and fill in those gaps in the perennial flower garden.

September – a changing season, flowers still blooming profusely but there are the first signs of fall particularly as the leaves turn on my Japanese maple and berries form on the cotoneaster. The blooms of the hydrangea paniculata start to turn to a rosy pink.

We also have an abundance of grapes on the vines across the front arbour.

October – Fall is fast advancing. My favourite fall photo is of the “Avenue” in Fintry Provincial Park.

Bow falls, Banff (1 of 1) — Bow Falls, Banff

As far as working in the garden, I start to clean up the beds and any fallen leaves I rake on both the flower and vegetable beds to help protect the plants throughout the colder months. This month we caught up with friends both in Calgary and Vancouver Island.

November – Without a doubt, my trip to Thailand was the high point of 2015. From the pristine white beaches, turquoise blue waters, delicious Thai dishes, culture and friendly people, I feel grateful that I was able to visit this part of the world.