Spring is in the Air!

At least in my mind it is.  Yeah, it’s been cold and rainy for the past four days (it is November, after all) but I can’t help thinking about the sunny days ahead.      It’s not that I’ve got a problem with Fall (I LOVE the rainy season) – it’s simply because I can’t help but get fired up about how the Michel-Schlumberger Estate is going to be looking greener and brighter than ever come the return of the growing season.

With this cheesy introduction out of the way I am extremely pleased to announce the completion of PHASE 1 of the new garden plantings.  Last week, friend and garden designer extrordinaire Kate Frey set out the first batch of new plants.  In two days I was able to lay out the irrigation and plant every one of the roughly 300 pollinator-friendly perennials – numerous Salvia, sunflowers, various natives and more.

The front fence of the estate is now densely planted with perennial flowers and vines, which should make for a serious wall of color next year.  Also, we tore out the ugly (and prickly) juniper shrubs along the East wall of the Cellar and planted all sorts of beautiful (and soft) flowers.  We left a bit of room for a small bench, as well, so folks will have yet another special little spot to sit in the shade and commune with Nature while sipping wine.  Finally, we planted two new circular beds in our honeybee garden.  When the bees emerge from the hives to forage after a long, cold, wet winter they are going to find a virtual buffet of nectar and pollen awaiting them.  And, a bit more selfishly, it’s probably not going to hurt next year’s honey crop.

This is just the beginning of some seriously crazy plans we have for the greening of Michel-Schlumberger.  Stay tuned for still more Phases and news and musings.  And maybe a few more rants, too.