Not taking the time to learn how to compost. The day you start gardening should be the day after you started a compost pile (at the latest). There is no better way to understand soil than to watch how it's made, and the more localized inputs you have the more self-sustaining and cost effective your garden will be. Ultimately, gardeners are like doctors -- both bury their mistakes. :)

It was a gorgeous day, and warmer than I expected along the coast, with just a light breeze. All 4 gardens were just north of Portsmouth, NH, in York, ME (just off exit 7 on I-95 in ME); 3 of them in the Cape Neddick area and one less than 5 miles south. There were quite a number of MA license plates that I noticed. Jane, that third photo is the only one including the ocean where the gardens were really visible against the water. The photo here with Alliums is just seedheads, but at least one of the gardens had shorter (~18") Alliums with huge irregular heads that were still blooming amongst the hostas. I am looking at going to a second one this coming week-end since it's based in Concord, NH, and surrounding towns, just a few minutes from home.

I tried to reply earlier, but I guess I forgot to hit the submit button. Thanks so much for sharing these photos. I was at the CMBG about a week after you, on our way up to Acadia in our VW bus for some early fall camping. I'd been wanting to get there (to the BG) for a long time, and I was really impressed with the place. The gardens are beautifully laid out, the plants look fabulous, and the overall effect is just lovely. I didn't take the time to get a lot of photos, since my DH was waiting for me with the dog (who was not allowed beyond the parking lot) so I'm especially happy to look at yours! If I had one complaint about the garden, it would be that there were a lot of annuals and tender perennials that weren't very clearly labeled; I think that makes it difficult for NE gardeners to translate the effects into the home garden. That said, the design is wonderful, the plants almost all seemed to be at their best (well cared for) and the art work that was dotted around the gardens was very well done. Thanks again - DtD

Ooh, it sure does look like the Senecio mentioned by GG. I'm in love with the pictures, wow! Senecio candicans 'Senaw', Angel Wings.