December 2011 - January 2012
Amazing winter weather in Yachats ! Sunshine, dipping temps below freezing, high winds that toppled some trees and only a few inches of rain. Finally, the creeks are running at normal flow after a few storms. Lost 1/2 of the giant Eucalyptus perriniana mid-garden. Heavy trunks crashed down on several rhododendron species. No need to elaborate what we've been doing this past holiday season. Joyful bliss in the garden continues.
November 10, 2011
Fall has arrived with cool winds and dropping temperatures at night. Not freezing yet, dipping into the 30's now and then with enough sun to bring out leaf colors. It's early in the month so we'll wait to see what happens around Thanksgiving !
August-September-October, 2011
Finally after a long dry spell, the rain came last night ! Incredible weather this summer produced lush new growth on salal and rhododendrons. It's been challenging keeping paths open, wide enough to walk without turning sideways and dodging branches. We are looking forward to October and the return of the mushrooms to the preserve. Some early ones are emerging and if tasty, the squirrels and slugs find them first !
Yachats Mushroom Festival was October 21, 22, and 23. There were guided tours in GBP led by mycologists. We lost count of the number of fungi found and the number of guests during the busy weekend.
May-June-July, 2011
Amazing how the days pass so quickly ! Sun, mists, and balmy temps have kept us outside keeping trails open while native salal sprouted 18 inches of new growth. Rhododendrons bloomed profusely and we were very busy with many guided tours. Lush growth on both hemlocks and eucalyptus have caused large heavy limbs to break. Plenty of pruning happening now !
April 4, 2011
17 inches of rain in March ! So far we've had two days with some sunshine. Many big leaf rhododendrons are blooming now, some for the very first time !
March 9, 2011
Blustery wet day again. It's been dicey weather for early blooming rhododendrons. Many were nipped in the bud with temps dipping below freezing, hail and more snow in February. High winds brought down more hemlock limbs. Heralds of Spring: trilliums and erythronium revolutum are in bloom.
January 15, 2011
Happy New Year ! Our third January as stewards of GBP keeps us guessing whether we'll be able to safely work outside or not. High winds have taken a toll on aging hemlock and spruce limbs. One huge branch just missed the vireya greenhouse. Bulbs are braving the elements and poking up through moss. Surely spring must be on the way.
November 2010
Winter Weather hit on 11/23 and the entire garden was blanketed with snow. Temperatures dipped below freezing. It's all part of Jim Gerdemann's hardiness experiment we tell ourselves as we turn on heaters in the tropical vireya greenhouses and the new cactus house. Wrapped the Tasmanian Tree Fern in bubble wrap and crossed our fingers. October had been so balmy some early spring rhododendrons were blooming once again.
Waiting for December and more excitement.
Fall 2010
Yes ! We're watching fickle fall weather bring wind, hail, much needed rain midst sunny patches. Trying to anticipate when to tackle trail work or greenhouse repairs is a challenge. The Cactus House is finished and Jim's collection of cactus are protected from winter rains. Next, the Vireya Greenhouse needs serious reinforcement before winter storms arrive full force. We hope to build a new greenhouse next year so using "the bandaid approach" for now.
Never ending task of pulling invasive weeds keeps us busy. Starting to plant over 200 bulbs for early spring surprises. Keep clearing the public footpath of fallen tree debris, bear scat, and other hazards like slugs on the wetland boardwalk.
We live on the edge of the Siuslaw National Forest to the East and the edge of the Pacific Ocean to the West -- wild wonders surround us.
July 2010
Busy summer days with our focus on event planning and maintenance projects. Over 80 Volkswalkers walked the public footpath through the Preserve yesterday ! The lilies are blooming, birds and frogs are singing. We hear coyotes in the adjacent National Forest. This is a short entry because we're headed outside to tackle a long project list.
May and June 2010
It's a soggy Sunday morning. Finally able to sit down and update what's been happening in GBP this spring. We've led many tours during the high season of blooming rhododendrons. Tours take 2 hours minimum. Guiding 3 tours a day through 3.5 acres of hillside woodland garden keeps the heart pumping ! Non-tours days are filled with maintenance upkeep. "Grandmother Hemlock" who shelters the Tasmanian Tree Fern and hardy bananas is breaking apart with huge limbs falling across trails. We've started a Friends of GBP volunteer group to help us with maintenance tasks. Thank you Friends of GBP ! Incredible discoveries continue as we witness plants being uncovered within overgrown areas.
April 2010
Color everywhere ! Early blooming rhododendrons are in full bloom. Later blooming species and hybrids are ready. Typical fickle spring weather with promises of sunshine changing to gray soggy days. Spotted a tiny Orange-Crowned Warbler sipping nectar from a telopia. Didn't have my camera in hand !
March 2010
Many rhododendrons are in full bloom, a month earlier than last year. We're busy with garden tours in between spring showers.
Daily drama with wildlife. Black Tailed Deer have tasted the Erythronium revolutum, 'Pink Fawn Lily". Watched a Rough-skinned newt devouring an earthworm one morning. Finding coyote scat on the trails. Heard an eerie cry from the sky and spotted a hawk with a squirrel in its talons flying through the spruce forest. Too fast for identification or a photograph. This is truly a wild place.