Check out my new History of the Garden page (links at top and on sidebar). I’ve been wanting to do this for some time, and finally found time to make it a reality. Much of the text and most of the photos are taken from previous posts, but I like having it all collected in one place.
I am Jean Potuchek, a professional sociologist and an amateur gardener who loves flowering perennials. I garden primarily in East Poland, Maine (USDA zone 5a/4b), but also have a small garden in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (USDA zone 6b) where I teach and live part-time. In this blog, I draw on my gardening experience as I reflect on my own garden, make observations about gardens I visit, and review garden books and garden blogs. Occasionally, I use the lens of my sociological training to consider the social meaning of gardening and to observe the community of garden bloggers. This is my space to share my passion for gardening. Please join me!
You can see a caption for any image by holding the cursor over it, and you can enlarge the image by clicking on it.
This page is great Jean! You are one good journal keeper. I loved all the details you noted along the way but the photos really show so much change. Your gardens are quite beautiful and add so much to the home.
Thanks, Marguerite. It was really fun to put this together.
I love your new page! I am going to have to return to it more than once. And that blue and yellow border with the delphiniums and daylilies is just breathtaking.
Jason, The blue and yellow border is my favorite part of the garden — even if the delphiniums have been sulking lately.
Good work Jean. I’d love to get my garden in order, let alone develop it to the point where it had a history!!!
Great to hear from you, IG. It seems to me that you began your blog with your garden’s history. That narrative was a big part of what attracted me to the blog.
Impressive Jean! I love to see the “makings of a garden” as you well know. You have certainly transformed your slice of life. I am excited for you to move in full time and enjoy it!
Kathy, I’m excited about the move full-time to Maine, too — not just to have more time to enjoy it, but also more time to get things done!
Just discovered your site. A MAINE gardener? I live in Texas but would love to move to ME. However, I would definitely have to relearn all I know with the differences in the two states! Looking forward to reading more.
I’m glad you found me, Leilani. I first moved to Maine when I was in my early 30s and quickly fell in love with the place. Although I’ve only been living there part-time for the past 25 years, I’m looking forward to moving back to live in Maine full-time when I retire next year. It really is a very special place.