1. Leading up to this Saturday, climate chaos was the primary thing going on here in Blount County, Alabama. The high temperatures during November have ranged from the 80s to the 40s F. There have been very dry periods and very wet ones; on Tuesday evening 7 inches of rain fell in the area as …
six on Saturday, 29 October 2022
Last week I noted that there is little flowering in the garden right now. And such is still the case. I also noted that while the leaves are changing, they are struggling to take on vibrant autumn colors. And such is still the case. Nonetheless, I was able to pull together six photos of leaves …
six on Saturday, 22 October 2022
There is just not much blooming here at the lake. October is traditionally a dry--maybe the driest--month in Alabama, but this year is exceptional. The last measurable rain was 13 October. Before that we go back to 5 September, for less than half an inch, with 1.54 inches the day before. Autumn colors are more …
six on Saturday, 20 August 2022
It is rather difficult writing about what has been going on in the garden these days because I have not been in the garden these days, or in fact, for most of the summer. Rather, I have been in a Star Wars storm trooper-like orthopedic boot. Consequently, things have gone on essentially un-manicured, unmanaged, and …
six on Saturday, 30 April 2022
A pretty quick six today. It is Blount County Master Gardener plant sale weekend. There was setup on Friday, labeling, pricing, and arranging plants at the Oneonta, Alabama, Agribusiness Center. Then the sale is today. I think that our own Master Gardeners buy just about as many plants as we sell. These plant sales are …
six on Saturday, 26 March 2022
Today's six are a simply gallery of native wildflowers and one small native shrub growing in the wooded part of the garden this week. They are Alabama snow wreath (Neviusia alabamensis) in the large photo. Top right is false garlic, also known as crow poison (Nothoscordum bivalve). Below that is Philadelphia or daisy fleabane (Erigeron …
six on Saturday, 19 March 2022
Wildflowers and budding shrubs are the headliners of the garden this week. There are a few fading daffodils and the hellebores as well providing some pale color, but this week I focus on the coming rather than the going. Before I begin, I want to remind readers to visit The Propagator, our Six on Saturday …
A Garden by Another Name. . .
A conundrum seems the best thing to call it. It is a question that has arisen several times while working on a “Six on Saturday” post. In reporting on what’s going on in the garden at Highland Lake, I often make a distinction between the area in front of the house that has several clearly …
six on Saturday, 26 February 2022
I am posting on Saturday, but this week's six reflect the whole of another erratic week of weather in Alabama. Maybe you will find a kinder and more consistent Spring at the site of The Propagator or the many fine gardeners who join in this weekly garden celebration. So, on to the first. 1. My …
six on Saturday, 6 November 2021
I returned to the lake after being away two weeks and found wet leaves, leaves, and leaves. And there are many more to fall. The featured photo and the one below were taken after I had already cleared the driveway (car smashed wet leaves on concrete are a double, staining mess). Unfortunately, it has not …