This Month in the Garden, Big News, and GIVEAWAYS!

August in my gardens saw the bright colors of summer mellowing to more autumnal hues. Between the rain storms, I spent hours tying up plants, deadheading, removing spent annuals, and planting fall flowers. I decided to leave the chore of dividing perennials to the spring, because I have been busy with an exciting project: I made an impressive (I think) website to launch the expansion of my garden-coaching business. I would love you to check it out and enter for some great prizes that I describe below. I am illustrating this special posting with photographs that I took at Bryant Park in Stroudsburg, PA earlier this month, beginning with a view of their gazebo above.  Bryant Park is a charming, neighborhood pocket garden that I believe is Monroe County's best kept secret. Enjoy the tour, then check out my giveaways. 

Approaching the park you see a young 'Pinky Winky' peeping over the fence

There are some beautiful trees in the park including this native fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus)

Some of the lovely plantings in Bryant Park

This is a true community garden with its free library

A few personal favorites of mine at the park

The park is manned entirely by neighborhood volunteers. A couple of years ago, I worked with Ellen, the main volunteer, to design a pollinator garden for the park. Unfortunately, the money for plants and supplies was not forthcoming and that particular garden was never installed. The activity did reinforce my desire, however, to spend more time advising home gardeners on the best plants to use and how to install them, on using environmentally friendly practices, and on solving their specific garden problems.  I love visiting all types of gardens, walking with the gardener, and helping them achieve their dreams. What is nice about this activity is that it can be accomplished even during the pandemic: just two people, out-of-doors, socially distanced, and wearing masks. In case you are wondering why I would launch my website near the end of the gardening season, I do believe that fall is a great time to plant. It is the best time to assess and make plans. 

 A few pictures of my gardens at the end of this month:

I planted tall black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia maxima) each side of the arbor into the Kitchen Garden

The foxgloves are enjoying a late rebloom

Turtlehead (Chelone 'Bright Eyes') is blooming - a sure sign that autumn is near

 Now for the big reveal: Go to https://gardencoach.org/ to view my new website. Take a look at the various pages. (I've included a page of 'My Gardens' where you can look at some pictures of the gardens here at Astolat Farm. I plan on adding more photos.) Then leave a comment about the website -- on my blog or on Facebook; your name will be placed in a drawing for some fabulous prizes:

I am giving away a copy of the book Chanticleer: A Pleasure Garden by Adrian Higgins. The photographs are by Rob Cardillo who took the pictures of my gardens for Country Gardens Magazine.

For a local gardener I am awarding a $25 gift certificate to Chestnuthill Nursery in Brodheadsville.

To another winner I will give a copy of Country Gardens Magazine: Summer 2020. This edition contains the article about my gardens.

I am sorry that I can only extend this offer to U.S.A residents. 

 

Ellen relaxes in the gazebo after a hard day's work at Bryant Garden

The eye-catching hell strip, filled with colorful zinnias, planted by Bryant Garden volunteers

I am linking with Sarah's meme 'Through the Garden Gate' -- check it out; it is lovely.

I hope you enjoyed the photographic tour. I look forward to reading your comments about my website. 

Stay safe and healthy,

Pamela x