In mid-March, when the sun is shining, the snow is melting, and spring seems a not-too-distant certainty, I like to steal a few moments in the great outdoors. Would you like to see what I see as I stroll the various gardens here at Clover Hill? Join me.
Here’s something to sustain us during our garden walk. The olives are there so we don’t starve to death.
WHAM! We are standing before the garden gate.
On the other side of the gate is the boxwood garden — and, rather unfortunately — some lingering snow. Please watch your step.
This garden is composed of 190 upright yews (Taxus hicksii), 320 boxwood shrubs, and lots of David Austin roses. I grew most of the boxwood from simple cuttings. Click here to see the easy propagation technique.
Here’s the same garden in summer, as viewed from the attic window. Boxwood looks terrific in all seasons!
Back to mid-March reality. Let’s head north for a change of scenery.
Just outside the boxwood garden is an ancient maple tree that I under-planted with pachysandra and spring bulbs. Nary a daffodil has pushed its way through the evergreen groundcover. They are waiting for the ground to thaw.
Let’s walk northward now, up a blue stone path that leads to a trio of white pines.
Here’s our view through the pines, looking westward. Do follow the path.
To our right is a long row of arborvitae. Mercifully these evergreens came through our brutal winter just fine.
Urns at the end of the arborvitae row did not come through winter just fine — they tumbled when the earth heaved. Some leveling is in order. I’ll get right on that.
Just around the corner from the toppled urns is the kitchen garden.
Shall we step inside?
Last autumn, after I injured my foot and landed in hospital, I wasn’t able to dismantle and store the wooden tomato trellis. On the plus side, the trellis survived winter without a complaint. Now I won’t have to re-assemble it this spring!
As you can see, the kitchen garden’s pine pergola suffered some winter damage. Where’s the missing lattice?
Here it is, laying in the woods outside the garden. Another job for my to-do list!
And here’s the hemlock-framed pool garden. Or perhaps I should say “Hemlock-framed skating rink.” Just looking at the ice-topped pool cover makes me shiver.
We’ve finished our martinis. Shall we head back to the house for a top-up?
And besides the top-up, I have some cheese and crackers to offer you! While we sip and crunch, perhaps you can tell me what’s shaking in your own garden. As always, I cherish your words.
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Lisa says
I have boxwood envy! I live in a Greek Revival near shoreline in CT and our daffodils have pushed through, all snow melted. I have been trying to get a low boxwood hedge for years but they look worse than ever. Planning a new native pollinator area so this week’s project digging out some grass. Love your property!
Lauren says
Loved the garden walk. Your commentary made me feel as though I was right there with you. The house and gardens are beautiful.
Anne says
Snow still heavy on the ground here in the Adirondack Mountains. My family and I used to live in Cambridge, NY and I truly miss the slightly milder weather (more like yours). Thanks so much for sharing your lovely grounds with us, and happy you have recovered from your foot injury. Btw, made your country meatloaf recipe last night and it was a huge success. Moist, flavorful, with lots for leftovers! I haven’t yet made a recipe of yours that isn’t a hit. Thanks!
Carmen Garceau says
You have a beautiful home and gorgeous property. It’s wonderful to see the fruits of your labor.
Enjoy!
Mary Hatton says
Loved the tour! Thanks for the experience.
Helen says
LOVE your garden and house tours, Kevin! Living vicariously here in my little cottage on the Cape.
Rose Marie says
Loved the tour! Such a work of love. You do not want to see our ‘garden’ said with a snicker. We are both old and I cannot work in the yard any longer. We still have leaning trees and debris from a head-on hit from Sally. We still have a crushed roof on a storage building where a big pine decided to land. But we have survived and spring is here. Warmer days are coming…..along with hurricane season.
Patricia van den Arend says
Absolutely loved the tour of your beautiful garden .
And I also love buxus but I have had a problem with mine for some time .
I live in Normandy and we have had lots of problems with box blight here in France but mine are now slowly recovering
Beautiful house and gardens -lots of work.
Bravo.
Mina Kerr says
I love to start my Sunday with a message from you! I envy your gardens!
Marina says
I am a long time reader living in Walpole New Hampshire
We are a few weeks behind you the only thing popping up at the moment is winter aconite, yellow with a lovely leaf formation.
I expect snow drops in week or two.
Your garden has long been an inspiration, as I plan to move from an established garden to a new canvas. Fortunately, while our new home is being renovated I will be able to take divisions this entire gardening season to bring to the new place!
As I am drawing garden plans, I will be revisiting some of your prior postings, especially because I have an order of David Austin roses coming in.
Happy Spring, Kevin
Cathie says
What A lovely way to start my Sunday morning. I am about an hour
south of you, close to the Hudson River, and the crocus are blooming. I’m forcing forsythia branches in my living room and they are almost ready to flower. Aaah, spring. It never ceases to amaze me….watching the earth
come back to life. Oh yes, I forgot to mention the first hellebore
blossom has opened. Thanks for sharing!
Debbie says
Loved the garden walk! Here in Kentucky we have had a bit of a warm spell. Daffodils and tulips have pushed through but no flowers yet. Yesterday I spent the afternoon planting three new Chinese holly, transplanting roses, and putting out candy onion sets, leeks, and shallotts along with sowing a kale blend in a raised bed. Fingers crossed for a mild spring season!
Louise says
Thank you for letting us see the gardens in less than perfect shape following a snowy winter. It is encouraging to know our own gardens are true companions! The snow is hone here in central Ohio and early bulbs are in bloom with dads and tulips edging upward. I leave garden cleanup until consistent 50 degrees since so many pollinators are still sheltering in place. My seed jugs are standing sentinel. The feeling is that everything is gathering strength to burst forth soon. Your excellent commentaries made my day today. Thank you, Kevin.
Susie says
Hi, Kevin. I so enjoyed this morning’s tour. Here in northwest Georgia, the daffodils have been in bloom about ten days; the Bradford pear trees for two days (and I mean literally three days ago they were not in bloom and now they are everywhere); the spirea and hydrangeas are budding in that lovely bright spring green that is so full of promise; and the lilies’ leaves are about eight inches high. I have about three hundred annual seeds to plant but the squirrels, birds and opossums have been digging up so many bulbs and disturbed so many pots that I am thinking seed planting this year may be for naught. Again, thanks for the tour and for sharing your life with us.
Julee says
As always, you are inspiring! Hope your foot is completely healed and that some garden elves emerge to help with the “ to do” list ( changing it to a “ta da” list 🙂 !
Valerie Kalves says
Thankyou for the tour around your wonderful grounds with the martini! My country garden by the lake in Finland is still covered with a metre or so of icy snow. However, I’m an optimist and though it was below – 20C this week, Ihave tomato seeds etc. growing indoors ready for when I can get outdoors.
I often make your recipes, the latest chocolate/oil cake was delicious. Thankyou!
Nancy says
We are a couple of hours south of you. Snowdrops are beautiful; daffodil leaves (and buds) peeping out so hope we don’t have have been successful doing so ourselves. Question though: Boxwood seems to get some winter burn every year – any recommendations aside from “wrapping”? Not up to that with all of our other chores. Also, have been very careful about when we prune/trim because of boxwood blight and good so far but always on the lookout. Thank you for the tour and all of your wonderful recipes.
Karen g says
I look forward to your emails every Sunday.. I love to watch you cook.
I also love your walks through the garden… you are such a peaceful soul.
Adriana Nowacki says
Your gardens are lovely any time of the year. The promise of new growth is palpable! Thanks so much for letting us into your beautiful world!
Carol L Samsel says
Good Morning!! Here in the St. Louis are we have been enjoying two weeks of warm weather. The crocus are blooming and the daffies and tulips up with the daffies about to bloom 🙂 My Winter Sown jugs are starting to sprout too so I’m praying we don’t have and more deep freezes for the season. You just never know in Missouri.
Sandra says
Great tour, Kevin. Your garden is always a beautiful spot year round. No flowers poking through where I live. The snow just melted two days ago. Lots of wind tearing us up as well. Oh those March winds. I guess it will be another month before I see a beauty showing its face to the sun. Thanks for all that you share. xo
ps. I made the boiled orange cake this week. Loved every morsel.
Susan Gabrielle Villiere says
A lovely Sunday morning walk….but how much land do you have?
It goes on and on and is just wonderful…reminds of England.
Susan
patrice says
Beautiful !! thanks for sharing
Bette says
Thank you Kevin for the tour. I just love your home and land. So many beautiful spots to stop and enjoy. I am 15 miles north of Boston and waiting for the soil to warm up. I have a very small cape style home with a tiny yard but I do enjoy planting verges on my deck and flowers in the yard. I planted about 400 daffodils in the fall and a few of them are peaking up out of the ground. I spoke with my neighbor yesterday and asked if I could remove one of her dead trees which will most likely fall down on my house if it is not done. So many large branches came down in the past few wind storms. I am going to pay for the removal as it will be less expensive then repairing my house! This will give me more sun so I am going to start checking out some new plantings to get going this spring. Can’t wait.
Susan Gavin-Leone says
Thank you for the tour of your lovely grounds. So glad your foot has mended. Your meatloaf post gave me inspiration for dinner tonight. Here in South Jersey my daffodils are starting to poke their heads up. Spring arrives in 5 days!
Sharon says
Snowdrops are blooming here in Maine. Gives me hope. Thanks for the tour.
Donna Todd says
Loved that your garden and mine look similar–a bit unkempt an disheveled but with the promise of better spring days to come. I’ve got lots and lots of mud so lots and lots a feral cat paw prints everywhere. Thanks for the walk; I enjoyed it.
Joan says
Hi Kevin,
Spring is truly the time for a lot of garden chores. I live in the midwest on a farm. We do not have many leaves to bother with, but we do have corn shucks. The corn is brought in late fall, so the shucks aren’t cleaned up until now. Oh boy, this year is a mess, almost knee deep is all of my gardens. They take a long time to compost, so I am running around with piles of them trying to find out what to do with them. Some go on the bottom of newly renovated deep raised beds, some composted, and many in the chicken run. Will probably have to burn a lot of them too. It’s good to be outside getting long overdue exercise.
Cynthia says
Thank you for the beautiful walk into your garden, I loved the tour! 🙂
My garden is still much under snow as I am in zone 4.
So, daffodils, hyacinths and tulips will come out eventually, but as for now, they are far away as the cover of snow is still huge…
Joanne C Toft says
I also have boxwood envy! I have taken slips from a friends bushes several times and followed your great directions to find myself with not success. Maybe this year will be the year. My garden here in Minnesota has snowdrops blooming, tulips just peaking out of the ground and one of many Aconite’s getting ready to bloom. The rest of the garden is still sleeping under leaves. It is a bit too soon for us to start spring clean up. There is always snow hiding some where in the forecast.
Edie says
Hey Kevin! Was looking through your past posts about garden pests and did not see much on deer? Perhaps you could tell us more about how you will protect your kitchen garden from critters this year and maybe ask your readers about their methods of detering deer from devouring their produce? Thanks for the tour and recipe!
polly says
Very nice. I see a lot of hard work and planning. How many acres do you have?
Jeanette says
Loved your journey through the garden. I have an arborist coming tomorrow to trim our trees and remove a couple that have seen better days. Perennials are peeking through here in Southern Ontario. Some of the shrubs fed the rabbits this winter but they will all be fine.
bev says
I love your yard….. such a beautiful estate. Lots of work ,But so rewarding!!!!!! I thought I had a large lot of boxwoods… 84…. you certainly top that!!! They are so worth the extra work!!!!
CYNTHIA says
Good morning Kevin, thanks for the lovely walk… I love your property any time of year.
We have 2 lonely crocus up, snowdrops in bloom and hellebores spreading nicely- 20 miles west of Boston.
We’re happily still eating your delicious apple, sausage and butternut squash one pan dinner – a total package, and a hit of the winter!
WHERE’S BINKY KITTY?
Jody Mandel says
Dear Kevin,
Didn’t know that you hurt your foot. Glad it is better. So hard for gardener’s when they hurt themselves. I am currently having a hip issue.
Thank you for he walk through your garden. I enjoy seeing it all times of year. I live on Long Island, so it is a bit warmer here. I was outside yesterday and last week (very warm here on Long Island for a couple of days last week). I trimmed the clematis and hydrangeas. I cut the dead growth on the hydrangeas back to a live bud. I have some that bloom only on old wood, so you need to be very careful trimming those. (Learned that the hard way.) I like the ones that bloom on both old and new wood – you can do some trimming and not have to worry that you will have no blooms.
I also have some Chocolate Mint in containers on my deck, which I just trimmed back the dead growth. I freeze the mint and use it all year to make mint-infused water.
And then there’s My Babies on the deck – my various evergreens in pots. They all came through winter great. I have a Japanese Umbrella Pine and a Dwarf Mugo Pine. My latest addition is Whipcord Western Red Cedar, which has these long, skinny cord-like leaves – very unusual. I also have a spreading yew, which is nice for a pot in a shady area – different habit from the upright yew. On Arbor Day, a few years ago, Planting Fields Arboretum was giving away saplings of White Spruce. I planted it in a pot, and now it is a couple of feet tall and doing well.
I only have 1/4 acre, so don’t have room for a lot of specimen trees, so I put them in pots. I suppose if they get too big, I can cut back the roots a bit and repot in same pot.
I have a really beautiful Limber Pine on the corner of my property. it is about 20′ tall now. It is doing so well, and the good thing about Limber Pine is that the branches are less likely to break. I think it is great for a sunny area, but needs good drainage, which this area has, so that is why I think it is doing so well.
I have these tall Arborvitaes which suffered from leaf miners. I didn’t know this, and hired an organic chemical company to look at them. I wish I had done this sooner. I self-diagnosed incorrectly and there is damage. But they told me they can grow back.
I am glad we had some snow and cold weather this winter actually. Reason: I have found that when there was a mild winter, in the following season have more mealy bugs and other insects – it may be that the cold kills some overwintering insects.
Looking forward to spring! Love all your postings, Jody.
Kathy Troy Sadowski says
Happy Sunday morning Kevin! What a lovely way to start my day. I walked my yard yesterday here in Wisconsin. Evidence of MANY deer abound! They have nipped away at the yews–they think they are candy! I have pachysandra under some apple trees. You said you have daffodils mixed with the pachysandra. I have a question for you please. Are the daffodils planted among the pachysandra? I am thinking that would be lovely and that I might plant some in the fall of 2021. Thanks. I appreciate everything that you share! You add goodness to life! I will be making your Irish soda bread next week. It is absolutely delicious! Happy spring!
Jody Mandel says
Dear Kevin,
Didn’t know that you hurt your foot. Glad it is better. So hard for gardener’s when they hurt themselves. I am currently having a hip issue.
Thank you for he walk through your garden. I enjoy seeing it all times of year. I live on Long Island, so it is a bit warmer here. I was outside yesterday and last week (very warm here on Long Island for a couple of days last week). I trimmed the clematis and hydrangeas. I cut the dead growth on the hydrangeas back to a live bud. I have some that bloom only on old wood, so you need to be very careful trimming those. (Learned that the hard way.) I like the ones that bloom on both old and new wood – you can do some trimming and not have to worry that you will have no blooms.
I also have some Chocolate Mint in containers on my deck, which I just trimmed back the dead growth. I freeze the mint and use it all year to make mint-infused water.
And then there’s My Babies on the deck – my various evergreens in pots. They all came through winter great. I have a Japanese Umbrella Pine and a Dwarf Mugo Pine. My latest addition is Whipcord Western Red Cedar, which has these long, skinny cord-like leaves – very unusual. I also have a spreading yew, which is nice for a pot in a shady area – different habit from the upright yew. On Arbor Day, a few years ago, Planting Fields Arboretum was giving away saplings of White Spruce. I planted it in a pot, and now it is a couple of feet tall and doing well.
I only have 1/4 acre, so don’t have room for a lot of specimen trees, so I put them in pots. I suppose if they get too big, I can cut back the roots a bit and repot in same pot.
I have a really beautiful Limber Pine on the corner of my property. it is about 20′ tall now. It is doing so well, and the good thing about Limber Pine is that the branches are less likely to break. I think it is great for a sunny area, but needs good drainage, which this area has, so that is why I think it is doing so well.
I have these tall Arborvitaes which suffered from leaf miners. I didn’t know this, and hired an organic chemical company to look at them. I wish I had done this sooner. I self-diagnosed incorrectly and there is damage. But they told me they can grow back.
I am glad we had some snow and cold weather this winter actually. Reason: I have found that when there was a mild winter, in the following season have more mealy bugs and other insects – it may be that the cold kills some overwintering insects.
Looking forward to spring! Love all your postings, Jody.
WatchinIt says
Great finisher to a pleasant stroll. What are the green crackers?
I’m a couple of zones S of you and wish my garden were still sleepy.
My time-optimal garden tasks are getting out of hand.
Martinis would probably help 😉
Jan says
Loved going for that walk with you- I was missing that martini! You have a beautiful yard and gardens. I live is Minnesota and it looks pretty much the same with a few patches of snow here and there. Thanks for sharing, I look forward to reading your emails each week!!
Sunni says
I envy your outdoor space – it is so lovely!! What a wonderful place to hang out. I know it is a lot of work but you “reap what you sow”. Great job Kevin! You have done so much to enhance the natural beauty of your property.
Dominique says
Beautiful house and garden Kevin. As you come out of your winter we are soon getting into ours… We live in Christchurch,New Zealand with our seasons reversed to yours. I have always loved the “walk about” in your garden. What a lot of work for you though. Do you do it on your own ? You certainly deserve your martini at the end of your day ! Great job! You should be proud
Kay says
We are having rain & wind this weekend. At least it isn’t the snow WY, CO are having. We had some nice warm days last week and I noticed the “Walking Onions” are waking up. The weeds are definitely awake in the flower border. Hen-bit and grasses. The day lilies are poking through by the pin oak tree.
I’m excited for spring and planting the BIG new bed DH made for me last year. It’s taken all year for the soil to settle and will need to be topped off to be level with the top of the planter. I will be planting rhubarb and blueberries in that bed. Maybe one small area of strawberries. I don’t need a full bed anymore with only the 2 of us here.
Thank you for the tour.
Valerie says
ahhh LOVED that tour….your stellar commentary rocks!! What a lovely property you enjoy there….good for you! 🙂 <3
Georgette says
My raised beds made it through winter except one that I have to have mended. That was a wonderful walk and so refreshing with the martini. You are such a gracious host and I enjoyed your company.
susan gortva says
was thinking of you today. I did more milk jug mini green houses for my seeds today. good luck with the garden. looks beautiful
Kerri says
Beautiful in all seasons! I still use milk jugs to start seeds as I learned from a post of yours a few years back. I do it with my students as well and they love it!
Here in RI my purple crocus were in full bloom this week as is my Lenten rose. We had two beautiful days Thursday and Friday that actually reached the 60s, then today.. snow squalls . The joy of March in New England. Daffodils are pushing through the ground and my maple has buds— it’s coming! 🙂
Kristin says
In Kansas City, MO, my snowdrops have finished blooming, crocuses are blooming all over, and my early patch of daffs is blooming. I had two rogue Bloodroot blooming, while my main patch is just starting to send up stems. I have a few Siberian Squill blooming, and so many other flowers starting to poke up. If nothing untoward happens, it looks as if it’s going to be a great allium year!! Oh, and many of my jugs have sprouts!
Regina says
I have enjoyed a busy, beautiful weather working in yard week, pruning muscadine grape vines, spraying and fertilizing fruit trees, weeding flower beds, transplanting some flowers and bulbs, cutting the weedy yard, so much more to do! A neighbor gave me 2 rooted Daphne Odoras, which I had not heard of, smells lovely. Sure hoping they will live, and lots more cuttings to try my hand at getting them to root. The native Blood Roots are blooming, such a pretty little plant.
Lorraine says
Thank you for the tour, the company, and of course, the cocktails.
alison says
We’re in Ontario Canada just north of you and have snow drops coming up and a few day lily shoots are poking up. Enjoyed your cocktail tour and will try the meatloaf.
Alison
Dolly says
Thanks Kevin – you’ve made my day a little brighter in dreary cold Chicago area weather!
Liliana says
Thank you for yet another beautiful, entertaining walk in your garden! I wish I could help you with the repairs, but alas, I’m too far away. And I will also have some repairs of my own, I’m sure, when the snow and ice finally disappear as well, over here in Ottawa.
My arborvitae tends to end up with a dry, dead tip by the end of winter. It happened two years in a row now… I have watered it like crazy this past season, especially over the fall before the earth froze up. So far, what remains of the new tip is still looking good. Fingers crossed…
Happy St Patrick’s!
Laurie says
Your boxwood garden is divine! I just want to sit there with a good book!
I tried winter sowing. So far, I have sprouts in the spinach jug. I have spinach, leeks and parsley coming up under the lights inside. Lots of big branches from the neighbor’s trees ended up on the slope above the pool (such bouts of wind over the winter!), so we have some work ahead of us to take care of that. Happy gardening, everyone! Happy Spring!
Marie says
Congratulations on twelve years of good cheer and inspiration!
Stephanie says
Kevin, that charcuterie tray is fabulous! Did it come with the cracker containers? Would you mind sharing where you got it? And this was such a lovely post..thank you!