As the autumn leaves blanket the ground at Old Castle Cottage, I find myself wrapped in the cozy embrace of November—a month of gratitude and gatherings. This Thanksgiving, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you—our cherished followers and supporters. Your subscriptions, likes, and comments fuel everything I do, and for that, I am truly thankful.

Happenings in the Garden

It has been a very dry couple of months here in Connecticut, and we are currently facing a drought. Unfortunately, I don’t have an irrigation system, so watering has become my number-one garden task.

 

If your area hasn’t received rain recently, remember to water your plants—even if temperatures have cooled. Be sure to deeply water your established trees and shrubs to give them a good drink before winter sets in. With the lack of rain, even mature plantings are showing signs of stress.

 

I’m still planting tulips! Remember not to plant tulips until temperatures consistently stay below 60°F. Since it’s been unseasonably warm, I paused planting to avoid tulip burn. The silver lining? Many bulbs are now discounted, so you can still snag a deal and get planting. Finding positivity in gardening—even when Mother Nature isn’t cooperating—is always a joy.

PAPERWHITE BULBS

I’ve also planted my Amaryllis and Paperwhite bulbs—thank you to everyone who placed an order! If you haven’t planted yours yet, here’s a quick tutorial:

 

You can force paperwhites in pebbles and water or in containers with soil, which is my preferred method.

Container

Potting Mix

Moss

Water

 

1. Fill your container with potting mix.

2. Gently place the chilled bulbs into the soil, ensuring the tips remain exposed.

3. Add a layer of moss on top.

4. Water lightly.

That’s it! In 4-6 weeks, you’ll have beautiful blooms. If you haven’t purchased your bulbs yet, it’s not too late! Consider varieties like Nir and Inbal, which are mildly fragrant.

 

If planting isn’t for you—or if you’d like to share the joy of blooms this Christmas—Jackson & Perkins offers some lovely gift sets. Use code OLDCASTLE15 for 15% off.

In The Home

While most of you are still savoring autumn and waiting until after Thanksgiving to decorate, preparations for the holiday season are already in full swing here at Old Castle Cottage.

 

I’m thrilled with my new King of Christmas tree, which I’ll be decorating with dried flowers from the garden. See this link for my favorite new Christmas touches this year. I hope this inspires you ahead of my December home tour. 

From our table to yours, thank you for being a part of the Old Castle Cottage family. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with joy and love.

Happy gardening!

The Latest on Instagram