Category: Newtown CT

  • Pansies Yellow and Purple

    Pansies Yellow and Purple

    Yesterday I spotted pansies in front of the supermarket begging for a home. They pulled on my heartstrings until I brought two flats home. The truth is, my wife wrote pansies on the grocery list. She didn’t have to. By early April, I’ll take any blooms I can to add color to the landscape. There…

  • Snowdrops | Early Bloom

    Snowdrops | Early Bloom

    While walking the other day, I saw a grouping of snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, that lit up the landscape on a blustery, bleak winter’s day. Snowdrops bloom incredibly early, before daffodils. This picture was taken in mid-March in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. The grouping is on the edge of a New England Forest in humusy soil. Partial…

  • First Daffodil of The Season

    First Daffodil of The Season

    Today, March 19, 2023, I just returned from a walk. It’s been in the high 30’s F with winds gusting to a little over 10 mph. The sun makes it look warm, but you better be bundled up if you head outside. While walking, I noticed several Daffodils groupings and anticipated they would be in…

  • Winter Wonderland

    Winter Wonderland

    Today, February 28, 2023, we received our FIRST accumulating snow this winter in Connecticut. Once again, mother nature did not let me down with the photo opportunities. Barn Wood Bird House Last weekend I visited the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and purchased a barn wood birdhouse. It gives the garden an instant old-timey feel.…

  • Nurse Log, Trees Growing Out of a Tree

    Nurse Log, Trees Growing Out of a Tree

    The other day while eating at my favorite lunch spot I noticed a decaying hemlock with deciduous seedlings growing out of it, a nurse log. Nurse logs are rotting logs that support tree seedlings. As the old tree decays it creates a seedbed for tree seedlings. The decomposing wood stays moist and provides organic matter…

  • My New Favorite Lunch Spot

    My New Favorite Lunch Spot

    Today I visited my new favorite lunch spot. No, it’s not an eatery, though if I had to choose one it would be Newtown Deli and Catering. The food is great but more than that the folks that work there give a sense of warmth and kindness. I’m a big fan of the Fiesta Salad…

  • Ponds, Streams and Rivers of Connecticut

    Ponds, Streams and Rivers of Connecticut

    I enjoy being around ponds, streams and rivers in Connecticut. I find them very calming. Below are some photos I’ve taken through the years. I hope you enjoy them. Bartlett Arboretum Stream Stamford CT I took this photo a couple of weeks ago. Since this is a blog about landscaping I’ll point out that the…

  • Why do Chameleons Get All the Credit?

    Why do Chameleons Get All the Credit?

    A toad jumped in front of me today.  It blended perfectly with the bluestone coping on the retaining wall. Once or twice a year I stumble on a toad on a rock and almost step on it because they’re camouflaged so well.  It doesn’t matter what color the rock toads finds a way to match…

  • An Evening Walk – The Road not Taken

    An Evening Walk – The Road not Taken

    Last night I went for the best walk I’ve had in a while.  We’ve had high heat, high humidity and a ton of rain the last couple weeks which hasn’t encouraged walks. I started around 5:00 PM without much of an idea where I was headed. At one corner left would take me home in…