The award winning Hopp Garden Club of Bedford will have their show “It’s Written in The Stars” at The Katonah Village Library on Friday, July 23 from 2-4 pm and Saturday, July 24 from noon until 5.

With a zodiac theme, the members have undoubtedly planned very original pieces representing the signs of the zodiac with the use of both fresh and dried flowers.

There will be classes offered and other activities.

It is open to the public and admission is free!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

I met with Phillis Warden of Nine Gables on Bedford Center Rd. in Bedford last week to walk her gardens prior to the fundraising event to support The Bedford Hills Free Library, “Jazz in the Garden” which was to feature the Glenda Davenport Trio.

John and Phillis Warden are longtime residents of Bedford. Their gardens are fabled in the area and I was looking forward to the experience. My instructions were to just come over and find her in her garden where she will be for the day until it is time for her to plan for her evening.

I arrived at Nine Gables and started my quiet quest. The bells from St. Matthews pealed in the background and I heard the lilting voices of youths at play in the fields of the neighboring Rippowam Cisqua School. I walked from section to section photographing as I went along. I stopped along a charming elevated rock garden village which I was later to learn was the Alpine Rock Garden - levels of soil with gravel for drainage – terraced with Chinese pagodas dotting the mini landscape.

I then spied Phillis and we decided to stop at one of her refuges amidst her gardens for some question and answer time plus a review of the photos I had already taken. What I did learn was that I had just seen a fraction of her Secret Gardens.

The name Phillis comes from the Latin for branch or bough and I doubt a more apt name can be found. Phillis has the strength, beauty and resiliency of a fine bough.

Phillis had decided to share her gardens for a benefit for the Bedford Hills Free Library since she felt that “Who is not for a Library? It is a very important part of our Society. I am very sympathetic to their needs.”

She has also supported and made privy her gardens for the benefit of The Native Plant Center of The Westchester Community College and The Garden Conservancy.

She regards her work as the creation of An Enhanced Woodland Garden. I asked if she pursued a course of study at the Botanical Gardens. “No not at all,” she said, “it has been all observation, experimentation and conversation.”

She recalled a name given by a friend to describe her vast gardens and the word was “Wardenia.”

Her most prized plants? With over 150+ varieties it is easier to pick a section or her latest endeavor which is the Marsh area. She uses indigenous plants to the area. She started her gardens 22 yrs ago and has worked in the Marsh area for the last 12. The scourge to her work is not the deer population for which she has dedicated a portion of her land, but the beavers. People do not realize how beavers create dams and block water which then destroys trees. It is her constant battle to remove the debris they accumulate on the natural water channels and let the water flow naturally. When we see tree loss in the area it is often times the work of the beavers. She has also crossed the roads in her area to thwart their efforts.

The property was originally built around 1830-1840 as an apple farm. It was conducive to farming because it was not rocky and was mostly level.. There are several other water gardens and sanctuaries on the property. I asked if there was one special spot favorable for meditation or prayer and she quickly added, “the whole experience of my garden gives me peace and reflection.”

Her fascination with water gardens happened perhaps due to a tribute to the previous owners, Richard and Edith Goetz, who were instructors at The Art Students League in New York. They had members of the art, ballet and opera world as their house guests and artists in residence. They were American Impressionist painters and this was their touch of Monet’s Giverny complete with a small pond filled with water lilies. The small square pond which was left and the rock garden surrounding it was rearranged and it is now in three parts. It recirculates naturally

without filtration or chemicals. The water lilies are more than thriving now!

I asked if there were a secret to it all - “Once the plants are happy they grow.” One of her challenges is to keep something of color blooming at all times throughout the gardens. She also planned the gardens along the walkways to create shade for the shade-loving plants by the use of the towering plants which then protect the smaller plants. These are of course planned with the daily path of the sun in mind. It is yet another example of running secret gardens along the seemingly miles of paths. “I also throw the discards and trimmings under the desirable plants and beds since the death of one plant should benefit the life of another.” The combination and proximity of trees such as Japanese Maples comingling with dogwoods at a pond’s perimeter are reflective of the density of this lush garden.

Closest to the kitchen was the Renaissance Vegetable Garden - modeled after a famous French chateaux with gardens dating back to the early 1500s. The tall green almost obalisque pyramids are “tutors” as to teach the vines to follow their lead. The vines of tomatoes and squash are trained to grow entwined towards the top of the tutor. Phillis had them custom built after she had seen it in use.

There were also Italian influences with Pergolas and unexpected columns on a field. They reminded me of the original setting of columns on a field at Caramoor. Those columns later became The Venetian Theater – the setting for the concerts of the International Music Festival – a relative neighbor.

The croquet court was to establish some flat property and trim it with stone walls and topiary. A special grass seed was used - “bent grass” - that is used on golf courses specifically at the tees. I felt as though I was Alice in Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts was to appear at any moment!

As we proceeded through the property, I felt as though I was tumbling down the rabbit hole of Wonderland as I walked through the multiple settings. There were huge slate slab steps that led to additional water gardens and ponds filled with koi and goldfish. Phillis prefers the goldfish since they are easier to raise. The ponds must be deep so that the fish can drop to the bottom come winter into their state of suspended animation. I stepped across ponds on wood planks and perfect stepping stones - just keeping my feet above the water level. These many paths simply led from one delightful garden to another. Garden furniture and statuary also added definition to the spaces created.

I then experienced the final reward – an unexpected lake surrounded with fields of wildflowers.

It was a breathtaking view and tour. What a wonderful way to combine the love of libraries and nature, with philanthropy. What did I learn? I heard of Dutchman’s Pipe Vine - an old Victorian plant used for privacy between small homes that is coming back today. How Foxglove will “jump around” in a garden and how Zephyring Duhin roses are without thorns. Phillis has little time for plants with thorns!

Stay tuned for notices of possible future fundraising events at Nine Gables & Wardenia!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

Mother’s day memories have a special place in my heart. When I was a child my mother loved to go to the nursery and select a new rhododendron shrub for the yard. Through the years I watched them grow and bloom every May. I’d also help make breakfast and dinner and vow not to fight or argue with my brothers and sister. As I was expecting my first child in 1987, my due date was May 1st. I thought for sure by Mother’s Day, which was on May 10th that year, I’d be holding my little baby and be a new mother. Wrong – he was 12 days late so I had to wait another year.

This year as I look forward to Mother’s Day my husband has been inquiring what I’d like do to celebrate. My sons are away at college so it’s just the two of us. Here are some things I’m considering.

Mother’s Day Brunch

1. The Bedford Post
2. 121 Restaurant
3. LeFontane Restaurant

Storm King Art Center - a famous outdoor sculpture park integrated into a 500 acre park.

Local Nurseries for bedding and garden plants. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Pound Ridge Nurseries
2. Perennial Gardens in Bedford
3. Gossett Nursery

A day in NYC would provide an endless list of places to go.

What do you like to do on Mother’s Day?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

At long last, a red ripe heirloom tomato! The process started over a year ago when I saved some seeds from a wonderful heirloom tomato I bought at the John Jay Farmer’s Market and started plants from their seeds in February. Six months later, the first tomato ripened and I ate it on August 24th. Wow! It was yummy!

In a previous post, I described the process of seed to plants. Here are the results. The tomatoes I put in the raised beds with screening to keep the varmints away grew like a weed, over 8 feet high, then died and did not produce any tomatoes. What a disappointment that was! I think it had more to do with improper amount of sun than anything else. The first tomato believe it or not came from one I planted along the side of the driveway in a flower bed. The plants on the deck in pots have also started to yield some red ones, but I have to protect even the green tomatoes from our Golden Retrievers because think they are balls. I feel lucky to have any tomatoes at all because many of my friends had their tomato plants die due to blight in the Northeast.

My brother recently joined Facebook and I saw a photo of his tomatoes in raised beds with a great trellis and was quite impressed. I wrote on his wall that we had to talk about how he made them. Much to my surprise, he sent me a link to his blog which gives detailed information about his method of growing tomatoes including the construction of raised beds, how he made his trellis and the tips on pruning. Check this out! From his last report, the plants are loaded and almost ready to pick. The harvest is upon us so remember to visit your Farmer’s Market and eat fresh fruit and vegetables.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Now that my children are beyond the age of almost dutifully playing badminton every night after dinner with their Mom down in the lower field, I have had to make adjustments to my summer evening outdoor activities. Last year we bought an outdoor ping pong table. I am looking forward to enjoying that this year when I can grab one of them for a quick game on the patio.

This year I realized that I needed more exercise. I also have been reviewing my expenses. Put the two together and my latest brainstorm is to mow my own lawn! Not that I would mow anyone else’s lawn but what I mean is perhaps I can cancel the swat team of gardeners that hit the five acres. I have already cut them down to twice a month and now I was looking forward to saying “See You in September!” Or actually October - but I do not know a song for that month!

I used to do it while in high school to help my parents out - “doing chores” in 1960s speak. Also, there was a cute boy next door, so wearing one of my cute Villager “scooter skirts” as the uniform had its payoff with at least a Coke (or that new Tab) break and a fun chat. Yes, “Gidget Cuts the Grass.”

So, I bought a 20” Scotts Classic (PUSH - AS IN MANUAL) Mower. I had to assemble the handle - no big deal, I have “helped Santa” with Christmas. My plan - just like any other big project in my life - divide and conquer! Rather than thinking of it as 5 acres, I have decided to think of it as “sections” - perhaps 5 or 6. Plus none of that noise pollution with those gas guzzling lawn care machines!

The BEST part - I had the right HAT for it! Yes, I am known for my hats that I wear year round but what a coup to already have a “Planter’s Hat” from Kelloggs and Lawrence in Katonah- one stop shopping for the mower as well.

I set out this past Saturday morning with conviction. What I had forgotten was that you cannot cut wet grass. Sunday I ventured out again and it was cutting but my sections got much smaller - perhaps 20 x 30 ft. I forgot about the bumps you hit, the grass that merely bends over and requires a second go over….

I am heading out again after writing this even if it is just for the exercise and being out in the sun. The resistance part of mowing is intense - not the lack of ambition to do it but pushing the mower! Now I expect a big laugh from my gardeners when they see my new toy on the front porch.

Now rather than Gidget I feel more like Marie Antoinette playing shepherdess at Versailles. I must have a hat for that!

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

Now that your flowers are blooming, what do you do with them? If you’d like to learn how to arrange them into something unique rather than plunking them into a vase with water, then attending the Pound Ridge Garden Club meeting at the Hiram Halle Memorial Library in Pound Ridge is a must.

On June 9, 2009 at 10:45 (seems like an odd start time to me) Michael George is the guest speaker for the Pound Ridge Garden club, and he will be demonstrating his floral arranging techniques. He owns two florist shops, one in Pound Ridge, the other in Manhattan and he is willing to share some of his trade secrets. Michael George has also written a book, Simply Elegant Flowers, that gives step by step instructions on his approach and unique style.

The Pound Ridge Garden Club was founded in 1941 and they have monthly educational meetings March through December. They also participate in the community with beautification and conservation. If you would like to join the club, or attend some of the meetings which are open to the public, email susetka@aol.com.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Little did I know when I bought two huge, juicy heirloom tomatoes last year at the Katonah/Lewisboro Farmers’ Market, I would be growing my own crop this spring.

It all happened as I started cutting one of the heirloom tomatoes and my husband said, “hey, my cousin saved some seeds from his heirlooms and grew plants the next year. Why don’t you save some seeds?” So I scooped out the seeds, rinsed them, put them on waxed paper and left them on the counter to dry. Weeks later I put them in an envelope, and took them out to the garage where they stayed for the winter.

While waiting for spring to arrive I decided to start my seeds. It was the second week of March when I bought a growing container with 72 peat pellets to see if the seeds I saved would sprout. Since the seeds were still stuck together, I ended up putting more than one seed in each pellet, but didn’t think it would matter since I didn’t expect them to all grow. Well they did, and I now have a huge crop of seedlings (over 100) that have been repotted once and will be moving to even larger containers soon. My living room and dining room look like a green house but that’s where they are happy. What to do with over 100 plants will be challenging. I plan to build a raised bed, protect it from the squirrels, chipmunks, deer, rabbits, and ground hogs and that will be a challenge. I’ll give some plants to co-workers and friends and perhaps by August we’ll all be having a tomato party and serving tomato soup!

There are many Farmers’ Market in Westchester. I love the Katonah Lewisboro market held at John Jay High School. I always carry my reusable Houlihan Lawrence cloth bags and visit all the merchants at the market as there are always new and wonderful items to see.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

It’s Spring?

It’s Spring?

As I opened the back door the evening of March 26th, I gasped with delight at the deafening sound of Tree Peepers. They are a welcoming sound in the spring because it means it’s finally going to be warmer. Much to my disappointment two days later they were silent again. The temperatures outside also fell to the low 30s so it’s no wonder they weren’t singing. I didn’t have a song in my heart that day either as I ventured out for yet another cold spring day with temperatures representing winter.

The Peepers are small frogs that live in the trees near marshy, swamp areas we now refer to as wetlands. They are very small, the size of a thumbnail, so I’ve never seen one and besides they are active at night when it’s dark. While I enjoy hearing the peeps I am glad they are back because they eat insects. Many people confuse their peeping as sounds with those coming from insects, and by the time hot and humid weather begins they are all singing together.

As I prepare and plan my container flower garden for the deck, I am also looking forward to seeing the gray tree frog which will often make a home under the leaves of my Impatiens or cling to the windows at night. To hear the call of the Spring Peeper click here.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas