New Blog Ready!!!

Hey! Come on over to my New Place! At www.redclovergardens.com! It's Spring and time to get going again! I'll be happy to see you. Remember to save the new link. Smiles.

~ Red Clover

I'm Here...

Hello!

Last night I was driving home with Kip at midnight. There had been a heavy snow storm all evening, and as we drove through the still night a silence wrapped itself around the snow encrusted trees, in perfect contemplation. We drove around for a few extra minutes before going home.

I appreciate winter when it makes you adore it, even though your soul is hankering for spring and spilling over seed magazines.

Red Clover is being re-worked just a bit...so I'm Here...but, re-configuring and re-figuring...and in the sweep of my final semester at University (yea), so...watch for a new template soon!

~ Red Clover

Ideal Gardener's Wardrobe Part II

I do realize that for the past two months I've left you all wondering if the Ideal Gardener's Wardrobe only consists of trousers.  That is not the case, it's just I've only had limited time to blog.  Today, I would like to share with you my accidental, blissful, footwear discovery.  

This last summer I wore my Chaco sandals every day while gardening at Rivendell!  I don't know how many gardeners like to wear sandals, but I was traipsing through the woods just fine, and thoroughly enjoyed the funky tan lines.  But, as fall approached I knew I would need an honest to goodness gardening shoe. The old tennis shoes in the back of my jeep were not going to cut it.  I was simply looking for perfection.    And the shoes had to be under $25 dollars, because that was all the budget allowed.  Some might perceive that as impossible, but I was game for the challenge.   

I hunted around outlet stores, this place, that place, all to no avail.  Until, by whim, I stopped by Ross.  I do realize that they mainly have dress shoes, high heels, etc, but the gardening vibe was telling me that was the place to go.  After looking through all their shoes I found only one pair that even resembled the outdoors at all.  They happened to be in my size, and they happened to be awesome!  

Shoes by Teva

These shoes have become my new best friend.  I have tested them in rain, snow, and mud.  The great thing was that they happened to be on a fluke sale for $15.  Wahoo!  What is so great about them, you might ask?  Let me tell you. 

~ They are leather, and waterproof, so your socks don't get all wet as you are wrestling with the hose while trying to apply liquid fence.  

~ No laces!  They fit snug, but comfortably, and you can slip them on and off without having to take off your muddy gloves to tie them back up. 

~  They are not too short; dirt, water, etc, can't easily get into your shoes. 

~ They are not too tall!  When you have a number of tasks to do, the up and down of gardening can make tall boots difficult in some circumstances.  In these shoes  you are just as comfortable spending three hours weeding as you are doing anything else. 

~ The tread has enough definition to give you traction, but is sufficiently shallow so that they don't collect added clumps of mud that you end up dragging all over the porch.  

Best Gardening Wishes!

~ Red Clover 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.  May all your paper whites bloom faster then most of mine!  

~ Red Clover

Ideal Gardener's Wardrobe Part 1

A gardener's wardrobe is a tricky affair.  It needs to be versatile, comfortable, and durable.  As this has been my first season as an employed gardener I've been discovering what makes up my ideal gardening wardrobe, or at least one that suits me just fine.  I've made some wonderful discoveries!  I wanted to cover this all in one post, but seeing as how I have been so busy these days I'll spread them out.  

First off - I've discovered some great gardening trousers!  These grey trousers are perfect for any kind of weather!  They are by Prana.  

The material is great because it is comfortable, flexible, but strong.  They dry very quickly when wet and have six deep pockets, four of which have snaps which make it easy to get in and out of them.  They also zip off at the knees giving me long shorts in the summer, or just great ventilation if I just zip them half way.  During the colder days I just slip a pair of thermals underneath and am perfectly warm!  If you haven't tried the Prana brand it's worth the investment!  (My gardening capris are also Pranas.)   I have worn them almost daily at work and the fabric wears wonderfully!  No sign of holes, tears, splitting seams, nothing.  

A Case For Aspen & Pine

This fall up at Rivendell has been a refuge of sorts because of it's beauty.  I've found it hard not smile as I watch my surroundings.  The grounds have settled graciously into a new season, and given delight in abundance.  Today was crisp and clear.  The leaves on the tall Aspen trees have turned into circles of brilliant gold, and littered the ponds, flower beds, and lawns.  Each time a breeze pushed through the woods golden rain would fall in dance-like movements.  The pine trees were never more appreciated then when I saw them today.  It appeared as if each tree was covered in golden baubles, or circles, which lit up as nature's own seasonal adornments.   The bright yellow played off the green needles so well that I decided everyone should consider the combination.  

Do you have a favorite fall combination? 

~ Red Clover