Welcome to the GVAG Blog

This is the Sundial Clearing. The shadow of a dead pine tree marks the hours of the day.

Advice I’m Giving Myself

After a month-long break from blogging, I’m back writing and thinking about my garden goals for 2020. And I’m giving myself some stern advice. Don’t try to do too much! Was I crazy to set myself six big goals for 2020? Clearly the answer is yes. Already I can see that completing two of those goals is next…

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Over the years, the plates have shattered.

2020 Goals + One Resolution

If I’m to have any chance of doing all I hope to do in the garden in 2020, I need to do more than set goals. I need to plan and schedule, something I’m not terribly good at. Plus it’s likely that other projects will come up unexpectedly. So I won’t know for sure until this time next…

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The rich sounds of the cello could be heard from the Lower Garden right up to the Upper Field. No question, the music added to the special atmosphere.

Reviewing 2019

Today, on the last day of the year, I’m looking back at what happened in the garden in 2019. Without question, the single biggest event was the Open Garden Day in July. Over 300 people attended and we raised almost $10,000 for the Massawippi Foundation, helping that organization to continue its support for community activities and…

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We see wild turkeys from time to time but rarely in the colder months.

Turkeys at Christmas

We are preparing for the holidays at Glen Villa and waiting eagerly for family and friends to arrive. The group below came early.     I counted 15 of the prehistoric-looking animals munching their way through the field where the long line of crabapple trees grow.     Until last week the field was covered…

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An old hand-coloured postcard shows Glen Villa Inn.

The Job is Done!

The foundation wall of the old Glen Villa Inn is once again standing tall. Rebuilding the wall has been quite a process. In its prime the wall was the base of a grand structure.     Unfortunately, like so many summer resort hotels built of wood, it didn’t last.     A colour postcard of the hotel sent…

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