Simply Ledyard CT

Ledyard Photo Friday – Fall comes to Ledyard

It isn’t officially fall yet, that happens next week.  I’m hoping Irene didn’t spoil our colors but time will tell. For now, much of the fall color comes in the form of pumpkins and mums. The photo below was taken last year at Alice Acres in Gales Ferry.

Ledyard Photo Friday - The Ledyard Hydrangea

I think we should name the Hydrangea, the official flower of Ledyard. You can’t help but notice their spectacular blooms all over Ledyard this time of year.  After I wrote about my plain blue variety of Hydrangea, several of you invited me to take photos of your own hydrangea of different colors.  With the heat we’ve been experiencing, it has been hard to find time for photos before the bushes start their afternoon droop, so Facebook friend, Bill Dutton shared the photos below.

Ledyard celebrates Mother's Day

Bliss, a miniature donkey, at Heritage Hill Farm in Ledyard will be celebrating Mother’s Day today.  Two weeks ago her baby Gideon was born. When I posted a photo of Gideon on my Ledyard Facebook Page , more than one person asked where Heritage Hill Farm in Ledyard was located. Surprisingly, you’ll find this 66 acre farm at the end of  a cul de sac  in the Sable Woods Subdivision in Ledyard. As a Ledyard real estate agent, I couldn’t help but admire their  magnificent home surrounded by green pastures, fields and stone walls. Owners, Rosemarie & Bruce Garstka, raise miniature donkeys there and are happy to show them off by appointment.

 

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Ledyard Photo Friday - Gales Ferry Firehouse

Despite the cold temperatures, there are signs of spring all over Ledyard this week including this patch of daffodils at the Gales Ferry Firehouse.
 

My farm: Ledyard Town Farm CSA

I'm a city kid, born and raised in Pittsburgh. We didn't move to the burbs until I was 16. We always had a garden on our tiny city lot. Despite the size, our garden produced plenty of tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini and herbs like basil and parsley. What we couldn't eat we froze or canned. What vegetables we couldn't grow in our small garden, we bought from a "huckster" who brought his truck with fresh produce once a week to the neighborhood.

My very shady acre in Gales Ferry has never equaled the vegetable production of that small garden in Pittsburgh. As a result, instead of growing my own, I've supported local farmers. This summer, I'll have my own farm. Well, not exactly,  but I refer that way to my share of a local CSA (community supported agriculture) farm in Ledyard on Town Farm Road. Starting in June, I will be enjoying a fresh variety of organic herbs and vegetables each week.

Amanda Levine and Dylan Williams are the farmers at Town Farm. This is their second season farming at Town Farm but the first year they are running the farm as a CSA project. Anyone like me can buy a share of the farm's produce. They plan to start by selling 20 shares. With the price of groceries going up as fast as gasoline, I consider my $475 share a bargain. (Full shares are also available at $400 and a half share at $225 if you can donate 10 hours helping out on the farm.)

In anticipation of the weekly harvest, and with a propensity for planning,  I've already started sorting through my cookbooks for the best veggie recipes. I have a whole bookcase of cookbooks including one in the shape of an eggplant which offers only eggplant recipes.

Don't worry, "Simply Ledyard" isn't going to turn into a cooking blog but I promise to report on the progress of "my farm" as events start happening. And you can be sure there will be photos, lots of them.

Ledyard Photo Friday – Holdridge Nursery and Florist

Despite the snow and very cold temperatures, it really is spring. One of my favorite places to shop this time of year is Holdridge Nursery aka just plain Holdridge’s to the locals.  While it is too early to plant most flower varieties, pansies are ready for your viewing and buying pleasure.  Go buy a pot for your porch or deck this weekend.  Pansies are known to make you smile and you’ll support a local business. 

 

Ledyard Photo Friday - Snow Crocus

Spring officially begins on March 20th but today felt more like summer as temperatures hit 72 degrees on the official Davis family thermometer in Gales Ferry. It is much easier finding a photo to shoot for Photo Friday when the weather warms up. I know my readers can only enjoy snow photos for so long.

These hearty snow crocus  have survived 30 years of New England weather and an attack by chipmunks a few summers ago.

I hope you enjoyed the weather where you are!

Ledyard Photo Friday

No, the photos below are not my hosta just yet but they will be soon. I shoot photos of my hosta over the years like others take photos of their pets and children. Some people view hosta as boring but that’s because most homes have the same old plain green Ledyard variety. I swear that is all they sold at Holdridge Farm Nursery back in the 70’s; otherwise I can’t explain it.

I suppose my hosta are an odd choice for photo Friday, but I’m overdue for a trip around town with my camera.

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Ledyard Hydrangea

June is Hydrangea season in Ledyard. Most Hydrangea plants in Ledyard are blue or white.  I’ve rarely seen a pink variety but Hydrangea colors can be changed with a bit of work.  When most Hydrangea are finished blooming, my “Endless Summer” variety is still going strong. I love the blue color so turning pink is not in its future.

Gales Ferry Spirea

This plant can be found attracting bees right outside the front office window at RE/MAX Realty Group in Gales Ferry.