(Nearly) The End of Summer

Until Next Year (or Spring Break), 

My Friends

While the thermometer says "summer" with a vengeance, the calendar is making its way toward autumn days. As you probably know by now, Lilly Pulitzer dresses are a summertime staple in our house.  Seeing these little Lilly's hanging like tiny dancers waiting for their number to be called to stage, makes me smile.  We're putting them away for now…until another sunny day.

Closing Out Summer

We've lived in our current home a little over three years.  Each year, our garden design gets better and better (or so I think).  Like your interior, you have to make the exterior of your home reflect your personal style and color scheme.  For me, that means purple, pink and white punctuated by pops of yellow.  That sounds very "interior designer-like," right?!  LOL

I like to experiment with different types of annuals each spring, while staying within my color scheme. If you're like me (and I hope you're not in this case!), I tend to forget what I plant and where I plant it from year to year.  

This year, I've had a brainstorm.  Cue the lightbulb above my head.  I keep copious notes of nearly everything else I do, so why not my garden plan?

Enter…the garden journal.

It doesn't have to be a fancy journal.  It can even be electronic.

SIDE NOTE:  I am still partial to the written word.  Call me old-fashioned on this point.

Add pictures of your flower beds in all their colorful glory, or if so inclined, include a few sketches.  You decide the way to best document your landscape.  Add notes about the types of flowers you planted -- what worked well and what didn't.

Include the timing of the sun and shade.  In my garden, I have morning sun in the back garden and afternoon sun in the front of the house.

Did you find a particular flower at a certain store…on sale?  What was the timing?  etc.  You get the picture.  The more detail you can add, the better.

Basically, add anything you think will help you get a jumpstart on your plantings next year.

For now, I'm heading out to find mums!  Bring on the pumpkins!


Positively yours,

Paula Chamblin Aulino
Associate ASID