|
|
Gardening/Farming
Retreat
| If you love gardens and gardening, come to the Center to enjoy
the beautiful array of flowers of the expansive gardens throughout
the season, or, if you cannot resist getting into the dirt, join
us in the gardening itself. In addition to the flowers, we also
grow organic vegetables that you can enjoy when they are in season |
 |
 |
Our flocks of birds including chickens, guinea fowl and peacocks
are an integral part of the organic system of our gardening here.
They are a part of our organic garden in that they provide us with
fertilizer, recycle the waste plant matter into rich, mulching soil
and aid in insect control. In addition, not only do they provide
us with the visual stimulation of their bright feathers and their
antics, but delicious organic eggs. |
 |
A walk through the garden
 |
Beginning mid-April and continuing into mid-May, luxuriate in
the golds, whites and pinks of thousands of daffodils. |
As they begin to wane, the next swell of color comes from that
include the diaphanous yellow, blood red and pinks of the Japanese
wood peonies. |
 |
|
 |
This is followed at the beginning of June by the creams, pinks
and reds of at least 50 different varieties of the Chinese peonie
accompanied by spikes of lupines and the contrasting foxglove. |
|
 |
Along with the Chinese peonies are the peaches, blues, violets,
whites, and pinks of a multitude of German bearded Iris. |
As they reach their peek, the next wave is the violets and blues
of a multitude of Siberian irises. |
 |
|
|
Simultaneous with this group of flowers are the oranges and pinks
of a stunning array of Oriental poppies. |
|
|
Simultaneously in this display begins the bloom of the first of several
dozen varieties of clematis.
As June moves toward the mid-summer night and the fireflies begin
to light up the evening sky, the sky-blues and the amethyst shades
of the Delphiniums jut there towers of fluoresces into the sky. |
 |
|
Companions with them is the first rush of the roses. |
Accompanying them are the flowering sage permeated with honey bees and
humming birds, white mallow, various Campanula, and the cresting wave
of the clematis vine of flowers in bell shapes, bursting stars and platters,
some as broad as eight inches in colors that range from brilliant yellow
to maroon to blues and purples.
 As
June merges into July, the new burst of fireworks comes with the oranges,
yellows, whites and maroons of the Oriental Lilies joined with brilliant
yellows, whites, blues and purples of the exploding heads of the Dutch
iris.
Still in the background are the Delphiniums and the massed bush and climbing
roses. As the Lilies are reaching their peak, the flowering Alliums form
their pyrotechnic display as they rise above the top story of the garden.
 |
At the same time the startling pinks, whites and purples of the
perennial phloxes manifest themselves as well. |
 |
Along with this display, to continue well into the month, are
the several dozen varieties of Daylilies stunning in their shapes,
sizes of flowers as well as ranges and combination of their colors.
Poking out from the masses of flowers are the delicate spires of
lavender. |
 |
 As
July merges into August and summer ages, the hundreds of Dahlias overtake
the garden as the ornamental grasses send their towered fluorescence against
the skyline. Then, the umbrellas of the Sedums appear, bringing more subtle
color and shapes to the garden. It is during this time that the dinner
plate Dahlias come into bloom to take the breath away with their startling
colors and shapes. It is during this time that the second bloom of the
Delphiniums, Oriental Poppies, German Bearded Iris make their appearance
once more.
 But
while all this is going on, there is a food abundance that cascades forth
from this garden as well. As the daffodils are waning and the Oriental
poppies are beginning their burst of color, the asparagus are pushing
their speared heads above ground to give us their sweet, delicate for
our table. And then for the rest of the season are the fresh salad greens,
the licorice of the fennel plant, dill, oregano, mints, French sorrel
and other spicy leaves and stalks. They compliment the cabbage family
made up of broccoli, cauliflower, red and white cabbage, Brussel sprouts,
etc. Then there is the array of onions, leeks and garlic along with the
root crops of juicy carrots, parsnips, salsify, a selection of radishes,
and many others. Then there is the rutabaga, turnips, peppers, eggplant,
squashes, melons and cukes that offer their bounty.
 So whether
you like to just wander through this enchanted garden enjoying all the
sights, sounds, and tastes or you like to bury yourself in the gardening
itself, we invite you to join us here to enjoy this wonderful spot on
the face of this wonderful Earth.
But remember, this garden is located in the greater, wider wilder garden
of the Endless Mountain Range of Pennsylvania. So in addition to the tended
garden described above, there are also the paths and vistas that meander
through the fields and into the woods of Tesserville Farm and the local
countryside.
So join for a couple of days of quiet, relaxing, reflective, spiritual
time away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life to be rekindled,
renewed and refreshed!
|
