My August Garden

 Lime Lite Hydrangea tree begins blooming 
in a soft lime/white

August is full of changes in my garden. Flowers go from just budding, to overflowing blossoms, or in some cases falling over and fading away. This hydrangea is a good example. At left, you see it just beginning its show. Below, you can see this beauty is still thriving. With cooler temperatures it will transform again as the color changes.

Love this view from my front window

Here are some more photos from early August.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) has brilliant orange centers

Brown Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) add sunshine to the garden in all kinds of weather

Blue Hydrangeas surround one side of the Redbud Tree

Siberian Iris flowers faded long ago, while the greenery continues to grow. The lamiums in front help hold them upright.

The day lillies have now taken over this area while the purple salvia in back has faded

Couldn't resist buying this phlox this year. Not only is it purple, but it seems named for me - Laura!

Liatris adds a sculptural effect to this area

Love the effect of these hydrangeas against the woodlands border in the background

I don't know the name of these white flowering plants, planted by a previous homeowner

Agastache in full bloom while Astilbes have faded

Morning sunlight streams into the woods behind this birdhouse

Now take a look at  the garden in late August.

Geranium still covered in pink

Lo and Behold butterfly bushes in full bloom and attracting butterflies like crazy

Rudbeckias still standing strong

Happy Face Pink Potentilla is a low maintenance wonder!

Coreopsis required some serious dead-heading, but came back in full force!

Baptisia's seed pods have turned a soft blue-black

Myrtle the turtle sits near the coleus

These once tiny hostas have long stems of lavender flowers

Cuphea Allyson looks about the same as in July

Liriope is now in its second bloom of tiny purple spikes

 

Jerusalem Artichokes have begun to flower. That means I can begin to harvest the tubers, but I prefer to wait for a few nights of frost.

From my deck, I can see the cone flowers, rudbeckias, and phlox are still doing well, while the liatris has faded and fallen.

This last week of August has brought cooler temperatures, in the 70's, and overnight lows in the 50's. That means fall weather is just around the corner. Can't wait to see the changes that brings to my September garden!

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides. 

 See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

 ©2017 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.

Tomato Time at White Gate Farm

Heirloom Tomatoes at White Gate Farm

It's tomato time at White Gate Farm! I enjoy visiting the farm stand all season, but my favorite must-visit -time of year is when their organic heirloom tomatoes are in. You won't find this amount of color and flavor at the big box grocery store!

White Gate Farm is located in East Lyme, CT. The Farm stand is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you are in a hurry, Wednesdays are the better day, because Saturdays have become so popular. I never mind the crowds, because everyone is friendly and having a wonderful time discovering something new they haven't tried before.

Not your typical farm stand. Wait 'til you see what's inside!

Gorgeous displays of organic produce and flowers are a feast for the eyes!

No worries about pesticides here - Everything is 100% certified organic!

Beans, Cucumbers, and eggplant

Arrive early if you want a loaf of  Farm to Hearth bread!

Kale, Swiss Chard, and flowers

They make many of their own brand of prepared foods right here on the farm. My favorite's are the kale pesto, and the egg salad.

White Gate Farm's prepared foods

Not sure which item you want to try this week? No problem, check out the sampling station!

Try a sample!

They also have delicious goodies - all made with organic ingredients. I can never resist trying something new each week.

The baked goods display

Not sure if you want a scone, a cupcake, or a quiche? No problem, the goodies table is located by the register so you have plenty of time to look them over and get recommendations from other customers.

You'll also find coffee, honey and jam here

Farm Manager Kent welcomes everyone. He's a wealth of info on how to cook veggies

Colorful organic eggs from pasture raised chickens are a must on my list

The views are awe inspiring in every direction

Although the color of the lavender has faded a bit, the aroma has not - pure wonder!

I caught always smiling farm owner, Pauline Lord, as she was coming back from cutting hydrangea blossoms

Roaming the farm is encouraged. You'll see beautiful fields of flowers that attract beneficial pollinators; chickens and turkeys that eat bugs as nature intended; lambs munching on grass; rows of organically grown vegetables; and a lake!

The flower beds are right in front of the parking spaces - perfect viewing

The baby turkeys wander around, pecking at the ground and in the plants for bugs

Magnificent old trees provide wind blocks and shade

The lambs ignored me. They were too busy grazing.

The chicken palace on wheels moves around the farm providing pest control and leaving behind organic matter

Across the street are more rows of veggies

Everyone smiles at White Gate Farm!

There is always work to be done here

Did I mention the views of the lake?

Serenity on Pattagansett Lake

After your walk around the farm, stop back in to the farm stand. Check out the gift section, the melons, the canned goods, and more veggies!

Farm themed mugs, towels and shopping bags

Melons - notice the bowl of samples!

White Gate Farm has honey from their own bees; jams and chutneys

Peppers and potatoes

When you visit White Gate Farm, be sure to sign up for their newsletter. There are many events - cooking classes and farm to table dinners. To check out their calendar, click here.

Laura S. Pringle is the author of The Pringle Plan, a series of educational guides.

 See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

 ©2017 Laura S. Pringle. All Rights Reserved.