FinishingTouches

Living close to garden centers is dangerous. Skillin's Falmouth 7 min drive; Seed Room Asl IS WALKABLE. 😁

I did my first weeding today!
It's also Hummingbird feeding time. Life of a gardener allows you embrace the smallest of joy in a big way!

Peepers....I heard peepers.... 😁

Greetings all .. it's time for my annual pledge, almost like NPR 😲😁😁. I pledge...not promise, to post often on this sight. If you don't hear from me for a while, wake me up... Here goes...

I love plants, thinking about gardening, writing about gardening, talking about gardening, coaching & consulting about gardening. Being on my knees & getting dirty is what I do best.

In Greater Portland Maine this weekend has been such a gift. For those who are so anxious to get in your gardens. Patience my friends.....
More on this later 😁🌸🌷

With each added degree to the temperature and minutes added to daylight, the urge to garden grows.

Now that the snow is gone I must gently push aside the leaves to get a peak at my Crocus 😁

8 days until the Vernal Equinox

2 of my faves

🍂 Fall into Learning at Skillins! 🌿

Cooler days are here — the perfect time to cozy up your home and your garden with a little plant care know-how! We’ve got a great lineup of free fall classes coming up across our Skillins locations — whether you’re tending houseplants, perennials, or pruning like a pro, we’ve got you covered.

🌿 Houseplant Care
Get those houseplants ready to come inside! Learn about light, watering, repotting, and more with Melissa.
📍 Brunswick — Oct. 11 at 10AM
📍 Falmouth — Oct. 12 at 10AM
📍 Cumberland — Oct. 12 at 2PM

🌼 Rest & Renew: Fall Perennial Care
Learn how to tuck your garden in for winter and keep perennials thriving year after year. Led by Kathleen from Finishing Touches
📍 Falmouth — Oct. 18 at 10AM
📍 Cumberland — Oct. 18 at 2PM
📍 Brunswick — Oct. 19 at 10AM

✂️ Fall Pruning Workshop
Hands-on pruning fun with Brinton at our Falmouth location! Bring your pruners if you have them and get ready to learn by doing.
📍 Falmouth — Oct. 18, 10:30AM–12PM

Space is limited — please call the store where you’d like to attend to reserve your spot.

🍁 Come grow with us this fall!

Now the real reason for my post; today's weather reminds me of a Thanksgiving many years ago. I was planting bulbs at one of my client properties. The homeowner had his sister BIL, and assorted extended family visiting from places near & far. It was several days before T-day and myself & 2 of my associates were planting bulbs. We had an assembly line, dig, prep ( Bulbtone & Red pepper flakes, throw ( yes, I throw bulbs) and fill., water and more red pepper flakes. We had an audience of many 4-legged creatures and a few 2 legged. The sister of my client watched, asked questions then asked if I minded leaving the remainder of the bulbs? And if I had other ideas as to other places for that Spring Pop of blooms. She had an idea! I marked a few other areas. Days later I received a thank-you note explaining the family assembly line of bulb planting. With so many hands on deck she purchased additional bulbs. She also went to a Big Box Club store for the pest control pepper.

Our team made bulb planting seem fun, not a daunting task that she imagined. Best part, when I returned next spring, the fruits of everyone's labor dotted the beds with vibrant color. Most of the family would not see this display. The bountiful blooms would be history upon a 4th of July visit. I shared many pic w/ my client who passed them to others. The miracle of cell phones 😁.
I continue to be thankful for the clients that kept me busy for many seasons 💜

Skillins 10 Falmouth; 2 Cumberland...plant now for spring blooms! Bulbs are the way