Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Snovember


Winter storm Argos brought the first snow of the season turning my garden into a winter wonderland.  A stunning view from our bedroom window greeted us Sunday morning with the Christmas trees in Kat's field dressed in white. The snow came with a remarkable drop in temperature: from 60F one day to the low 30s the next. We had winterized the pond just in time.


We had plenty of warning of the upcoming change as we watched Argos's crippling progress across the states that lie to our west. We knew we had to tackle that pond asap. As I recorded in this blog previously (click here) we employed a pond specialist to do the work. Now we do it ourselves, but it is a two-day job for us slow old folk. We start by removing about a third of the water and lifting out all the pots of plants. While H.H. works on filters and pumps, I cut down the plants and put the pots in crates. After using a net to clean out as much debris as possible, we lower the crates into the bottom of the pond where they will be protected from freezing. The koi fish are down there, already sleeping in the clay chimney pots that H.H. placed on the floor for that purpose. We replace the extracted water with fresh, then position a net over planks to protect the pond from predators and debris. H.H. switches on a bubbler to keep the water aerated. We forgot to add salt for the health of the fish; we forgot to put the heater in place to ensures there is always a spot that is not frozen over. Today we will add salt, heater and some bacteria formulated for winter ponds -- we forgot that too. This year's pond closing was not without incident. While kneeling on the edge and reaching to position a crate, I lost my balance and fell in -- not completely, but my head and torso were submerged. Yuk!! The trials of a gardener!


We winterized the pond before the first snowflake fell.

We didn't get as much snow as folks further up the Pocono Mountains and across the Northeast: H.H.'s family in Massachusetts had fifteen inches in their backyard. Our snow was wet and heavy; it was pretty with the miniature trees around the pond looking beautiful. Unfortunately, the snow highlighted the work we hadn't done. It completely flattened the zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'.) We should cut it down because next time it may fall in the  pond and become entangled in the net. We noticed garden ornaments and patio furniture we had not put away. Most important, I hadn't mulched the roses and the more recent plant additions. Since beginning to write this posting, we completed most of those tasks. 

The shrubs and miniature trees look pretty in the falling snow
A few red leaves cling to Snow fountain cherry Prunus x 'Snofozam'
Weeping redbud Ceris canadensis 'Lavender Twist'
The sleeping kitchen garden.

I did not go over the bridge into the Woodland Walk since the storm, though I'm sure it's very pretty in there.



In Serenity, the 'former' shade garden, the Naked Lady (my grandson's name for the statue) takes her cold winter bath. A few leaves cling to the 'Golden Mound' spirea behind her. The boxwoods will provide some green all winter.


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I'm glad I didn't cut down all the perennials. The remaining ones are beautiful in the snow.

Purple cone flower Echinacea purpurea 

I don't think my mini horse Dude will see any hummingbirds now, even if his hair didn't cover his eyes. Dude's thick winter coat makes him look like a black bear.

Dude's thick black coat keeps him warm in the snow.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in America. I am so.o.o thankful for my loving family, my wonderful friends, my warm home and of course for my beautiful garden.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Pamela x

Walnut Grove in Winter

I love reading your comments. I hope you leave one so I’ll know you visited! 
I look forward to visiting your blog in return.

19 comments:

  1. My goodness, you'll really did get socked with snow! We only had a few flakes. I tell you, I wouldn't be willing to do all that winter closing work on a pond myself. I don't even like emptying my small water garden. It's a cold and smelly job! Lol

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    1. Every fall we say we are going to get rid of the pond; every spring when it is open again we decide the work is worthwhile.

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  2. The snow does make everything look beautiful. Well, it looked beautiful before, but now it looks winter beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving and stay warm!

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  3. What a beautiful snow, Pam, and how pretty your garden looks covered in white! It is staying pretty warm, still, here in North Carolina, but we still have some amazingly beautiful fall foliage on the trees. That's hard to believe since it will soon be December! I always enjoy seeing your garden, and I'm hoping for a pretty snow here this winter.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

    Hugs,

    Denise

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  4. Pam...your place is utterly beautiful!!! Dude is adorable. Love it all.

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  5. What a lovely first snow for you. Glad you were able to get things done that you'd forgotten to winterize.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving ~ FlowerLady

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    1. That first snow is nearly gone and every day I seem to find something else I missed, Lorraine. Today, I must cut down the sweet autumn clematis.

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  6. Pam, I shivered reading about your slip into the pond, oh, no! I'm glad you're ok. I haven't fallen into ours 'yet' but there will come a day I'm sure. Snowfall transforms everything, doesn't it? The weeping cherry is just stunning. I'm waiting for enough snow to cover up the mess in our backyard, I need a break from seeing mud. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  7. The snow is beautiful and just in time for the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

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  8. Happy Thanksgiving Pam. I have not been visiting here too often though. I shiver always when i see photos of snow, i am in the hot tropics and even just 15°C airconditioning makes me cold. Oh how embarrassing of me! But that is how my body is, truly warm-blooded animal, hahaha! I dreamed of only experiencing autumn even if i love the photos of winter. Unfortunately, my few travels to temperate countries always happen in spring! At older ages, colder temps seem to be more untolerable though. I laughed when you soaked in the very cold pond!

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    1. Good to see you back, Andrea. Actually, the pond water wasn't very cold, I'm glad to say. I agree about age and colder temps.

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  9. Your property and pictures is so pretty after the snow. I always loved the Poconos for the winter wonderland in the mountains. Snowvember was in Buffalo in a previous year. The news had pictures of the rolling snow clouds coming in from the lake. What an amazing sight that was. The only problem, Buffalo got 7 feet of snow in two days that year.

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    1. I forgot the name was coined after the epic storm in 2014. I thought I was being clever ...

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    2. I hope the snow is gone since I will be down this week. Driving in snow through the mountains is not such a fun thing.

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    3. Yes, it's gone. Rain forecast for the next couple of days with highs in the 50s. Travel safe.

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  10. Woo hoo ...I can comment on your blog. Didn't realize you had snow already. Think my favorite pic is of your bridge and not knowing where it may lead to. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

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    1. I'm glad Blogger is cooperating and you can leave comments again, Patsi. We had a great Thanksgiving, thank you.

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  11. You get early snow in your part of the world! I'm pleased that you didn't cut back your perennials too. I always leave them for wildlife - seeing the seed heads covered in snow is an extra treat for me. I hope you've recovered from your unplanned swim in the pond.

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