There was Spinning And There Was Knitting

A week ago we had an open studio day where many showed up to practice their craft. What fun! It had rained the night before, a long generous rain which we desperately needed, but it cleared by mid-day to allow for the studio deck be a place for spinning, knitting, and drawing. I think there were at least 8 spinning wheels whirring, several knitters clicking away, and a new friend ( Hello, Boots!) working on her postcard-a-day drawings. Of course, there were snacks to keep us all well fed and hydrated!
It is often so hard for me to take a moment away from the gardens and the nursery to sit and spin wool or knit during the summer season. The studio takes a back burner during these precious growing months. Having an event like this allows for those wonderful opportunities to visit with friends and makers, share ideas and projects, and to be inspired by all the fabulous and creative talent that surrounds us here in Maine. I did not know that the little town of Jackson has a healthy band of spinners who are willing to pack up their wheels, their fiber and needles, to make their way over to Montville for an afternoon of spinning and knitting. Such a fun bunch! Two blogging friends came from miles away…loved spending time with you both, Sarah and Brenda!
So, now I know that I need to schedule another day of ‘spinning and making’! I’m thinking August. A day when the summer begs to sit on the porch with friends and share in the spirit of making.

Herbs, Cocktails, Mocktails, Fruited Vinegars!

Come and find out what we’re doing with herbs!

Herbal Cocktails and Mocktails Class!

Increase your entertaining repertoire with a class on herbal cocktails and mocktails with Cari Balbo of Ridge Pond Herbals of Palermo and Denise Sawyer of Fernwood Nursery. We’ll spend the afternoon learning to make fruit and herbal infused vinegars and alcohols, syrups, and cordials, and discover the many ways you can use herbs to make deliciously refreshing concoctions! The class will provide recipes and instruction, plenty of ‘taste testing’, as well as an opportunity to create your own herbal infused cocktail to take home!
Join Cari and Denise in the beautiful gardens of Fernwood Nursery for a class that is sure to be both entertaining and educational ( and fun!)! All materials included.
Sunday, July 29th, from 1:00 to 3:00. Class size limited, so please pre-register by calling (207) 589-4726 or emailing fernwoodnursery@fairpoint.net. Class cost: $ 30.00.

The Gardens Now

The gardens are now just shy of that bursting point. We’ve had some rain. We’ve had some warm sunny days. The plants are responding and putting forth all their best efforts. Isn’t it amazing? Isn’t it just the most delightful thing in the world (O.K., certainly one of the most delightful!). A customer came by yesterday, wandered through the gardens, explored the nursery and said: “My, you must really enjoy that first cup of coffee in the morning while strolling these gardens”.You bet we do! Bliss.
This week during a bit of downtime ( Mondays and Tuesdays) I’ll be posting some more of the classes we are offering. A wet felting class, as well as a class on wool dyeing, an herbal cocktail and mocktail making class, more hypertufa building, and a class on creating interesting vessels with succulents. Rick will offer another fern identification class and a late summer class on dividing shade and woodland plants. Stay tuned!
Hope you are enjoying all that brings you joy and delight during these precious summer months!

Hens And Chicks!

Right now we are immersed in roots and shoots and buds and blooms. We are also blessed with new little hens and chickens to add to our flock. Oh, the flora and the fauna of it all!