Is anyone else feeling a little cabin fever? We have all been cooped up inside and I know I am getting a little antsy. I am ready to get out into the garden. Sadly, the garden is not ready for me, yet. It is still a little to cold to start planting. But it is not to cold to start PLANNING!
I am very lucky. I live about 30 minutes from the largest home in America. The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. Not only is the home beautiful, but they have the most beautiful gardens and landscaping created by Frederick Law Olmstead, the creater of Central Park in NYC.
Now, my garden is really, really small compared to the Biltmore Estates. But I love going there any time of the year for inspiring ideas. They have rose gardens, an amazing display of tulips in the spring, shade gardens, fields of sunflowers, container gardens, a wonderful greenhouse and so much more.
All of these picture were taken by me during the past year while visiting Biltmore Estates. I get so many wonderful inspirational ideas there. If you don’t happen to live near Biltmore Estates you can get great inspirational ideas at your local Arboretum or Botanical Garden in your area. Even in the winter, they are sure to have a greenhouse to wander through and help winter go by a little faster. Where do you get your Garden Inspiration? Do you have any special early gardening tips you would like to share?
1. I can’t wait for spring either! I like to start some of my flowers inside so they are ready to set out in April or May. I just got a packet of nasturtiums that will look wonderful in a special pot:>)
by Kathy — 2/14/09 at 7:54 pm #
2. Like you I am so ready to get out and play in the dirt. I have managed to plant some peas and I hope to do my lettuce seeds soon. My focus for the next few days will be to move my roses to a new bed I am creating for roses and herbs.
I had the pleasure of touring Biltmore once when I graduated from high school. My husband and I plan to take a trip soon… hopefully this summer to see it again.
To answer your question about inspiration…. Gardening Magazines, blogs and a wonderful Organic Gardening book my Sister-In-Law gave me for Christmas are the places that have been inspiring me lately.
Rhonda
by farmhouse style — 2/15/09 at 4:21 pm #
3. I would love to visit Biltmore, more for the gardens than for the mansion. I love that photo of the pergola; so very serene.
Janet
by janet — 2/15/09 at 5:47 pm #
4. I’d love to visit the Biltmore estate someday Penny! It looks so interesting.
Their gardens must be spectacular!
by Pat — 2/18/09 at 5:31 pm #
5. I can hardly wait to get back to Lake Lure to start on the landscaping around the cottage. As a master gardener, my daughter-in-law has been a great help. I am especially interested in deer proof plantings. Love your pictures and inspiration.
by Penjny — 2/20/09 at 12:15 pm #