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the 2011 garden in photos: a year of extremes

frog on buddha's lap

WHAT TO SAY ABOUT A YEAR that never really relented weather-wise? Well, maybe this: I’m exhausted, as is the garden. But even with insane precipitation and freakishly timed fall snowstorms followed by a too-warm early winter, I found lots of things to love among the many losses. Some highlights, and lowlights, in a giant new slideshow to close out the 2011 garden year.

Click on the first thumbnail to start the slides, then toggle from image to image using the arrow buttons on your keyboard (or the arrows beside each caption).

One last thought before you browse, however: Your visits to A Way to Garden were among the brightest spots of my year here, of course. Thanks for creating a garden community here with me since 2008, and my best to each of you, and to your gardens, in 2012.

  1. Pat says:

    I just finished reading And I Shall Have Some Peace There and loved seeing the frogs, Jack the cat, your garden and you. Thanks for sharing your gardening year in images. Looking forward to more in 2012.

  2. cindy says:

    Am currently enjoying reading “And I shall have some peace”. I love your wit and brutally honest account of finding your way. I, too, am mid fifties, an avid gardener, and currently assessing what it is I am here on earth to do. With that, I thought i would check out your blog. Thank you for the beautiful photos of your world!

  3. Jen says:

    Thanks for sharing your photos- I love looking at them. The spring shot with the apple trees and lilacs is SO pretty! Let’s hope 2012 is a nicer weather year for all of us!

  4. Kathy Lintz says:

    Margaret…Beautiful slideshow! I have to do that for my gardens and I never do.I have really enjoyed your newsletter. Gardening gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I live in Michigan in the coastal town of Ludington…..I had some challenges with all the wind. I also have very sandy soil which I have been working on for 9 years.Happy New Year.

    1. Margaret says:

      Thanks, Cindy, for the heads-up that you are reading the book, and the kind words.

      Kathy, so nice to hear from you. Gardening gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, too. :)

  5. Heather @ what's blooming this week says:

    It’s been a while since I visited and I’m glad I did – looking at your pictures made me want to come back for more, which I will.
    Happy New Year

  6. Pam says:

    Thank you, Margaret….beautiful and inspirational! Warm in southcentral PA, as well. Planted bulbs yesterday in warm, wet soil. The freeze starts tomorrow, finally.

  7. Doris says:

    Thanks for the pictures Margaret-I love the garden gates and peaches YUM! oh and a gorgeous, velvety-soft Cecropia! All the Best to you and your gardens in the new year.

  8. Trixie says:

    I discovered awaytogarden-com.ptn3h8t4-liquidwebsites.com in mid-2011 by way of yougrowgirl.com and am so glad I did. I love all the slideshows and posts. They give me tons of inspiration and the photos are just so gorgeous. I look forward to visiting this site on a very regular basis in 2012!

  9. Burndett Andres says:

    THANK YOU, Margaret. Your website and comments/info/observations are soooo very interesting and helpful. I really love it “here.”

  10. Christine S says:

    Thank you for your beautiful blog. I loved the photos of your garden in 2011. What drama, from the weather to the froggies. Blessings and peace in 2012!

  11. Ann says:

    Margaret — what a fabulous slideshow — cheers me on my pending escape from zone 5b (Sharon, CT) to 8b (Portland, OR) and my new garden.

  12. Tim Sellin says:

    What a great set of photos! I enjoy peeking in from time to time to see what you have to say, but this time… you nearly let the pictures do all the talking (according to my simple math your pictures spoke about 44,000 words)!

    Here’s hoping 2012 is a little better to all of us,

    Tim in Portland

  13. Marnie Andrews says:

    Margaret,

    I am so grateful for your posts. I don’t always get to read them, but when I do, I am rewarded with the humor, beauty, and great information you post.

    2011 was a year of my husband’s recurrence of cancer, almost a full year of treatment. I had to let go of much, including many of my garden duties. It forgave me, as it tends to do and still gives pleasure even in the face of my neglect.

    But your posts give inspiration and encouragement for the next season of growth. Thank you.

  14. Maryanne says:

    Hi Margaret,
    Loved the slide show. Here in Florida we are still gardening. I love seeing all the beautiful plants you grow. When I lived in N.Y I loved growing clematis. It is such a beautiful vine. Here in Fl. Gardening is a bit different, but I still enjoy it. Happy New Year to you. Keep the photos coming.thanks

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