Tag: Goose Cove Gardens

Mini Mini Short Clip: American Robin Nestlings

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

During this past summer while filming B-roll for the monarch film I shot some wonderful little scenes, the baby robins for example. Oftentimes I just happen upon some stunningly beautiful event unfolding and because too many beauty scenes got away from me in the past, I have gotten really smart about nearly always traveling with camera bag in tow.

The four baby robins were in a nest that had been constructed at slightly higher than waist height, in a tree that was for sale at Wolf Hill. My friends at both Wolf Hill and Goose Cove Gardens are always so kind to point out these exciting happenstances, whether robin nestlings or Black Swallowtail caterpillars and eggs, and they are always tremendously accommodating, never minding when I run back to the car to grab my cameras! I only needed approximately fifteen seconds of robin footage, and here you have it! Thank you so much Kate for steering me to the robins!

In my monarch film there is a sequence about the different types of migrations that happen through our region. American Robins are especially interesting as the species has evolved a multi-fold strategy for surviving winter; in the fall, some robins leave Cape Ann for regions further south, some stay throughout the winter, and some arrive in great flocks in January and February from parts further north; for the Canada to Gloucester winter robins, Cape Ann is like their Bermuda!

 

Baby Robins, Brought to You by Wolf Hill

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

We are so fortunate in Gloucester to have not one, but two, terrific garden centers, Wolf Hill and Goose Cove Gardens (and Corliss Brothers in Ipswich isn’t too far off the beaten track, either). Barbara and her team at Goose Cove are phenomenal as is the team at Wolf Hill–Kate, Joe, Ben, Dave, Jake, and all the guys. Baby American Robin ©Kim Smith 2014 Both Wolf Hill and Goose Cove take wonderful care of the wildlife that makes their home in the very inviting environment of their nurseries. Last year Kate kept me well supplied in butterfly eggs, which had been deposited on Wolf Hill plants, and whenever I shop at either garden center, a frequent topic of conversation is the robins because they oftentimes build their nests smack dab in the middle of a plant, or group of plants, that are for sale. Robins especially like to nest in hanging flower baskets. This year was no exception. Today when at Wolf Hill I spied a mama robin zooming away from a balled and burlapped tree. The nest was at eye level! I ran and got my cameras but filmed for only a moment because both parents found it highly disturbing. The babies were hungry, with wide gaping greedy mouths, and it was clear my presence was keeping them from their breakfasts. As soon as I turned away, the parents resumed feeding the babies.

_S956668Isn’t this sweet how they take care of the robins at Wolf Hill?

GMG FOB Nat Johnson Writes In With Question About Where to Purchase Bee Friendly Flowers

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Thanks for that splendid talk on bees (Why Bees are Disappearing). I’m ready to go and eager to plant. Can you post on Good Morning Gloucester a list of places where one can find (affordable) bee-friendly flowers and plants. (Maybe even some free wild flowers). Recently, we lost our only nursery in Rockport. Blue Gate Gardens, alas, is gone.

Many thanks,

Nat Johnson Rockport

Hi Nat,

Thank you for writing. We have two absolutely fantastic resources for purchasing bee friendly plants right here on Cape Ann and they are Goose Cove Gardens and Wolf Hill.

The staff at both nurseries are super helpful, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable, and you will find a rich assortment of nectar-rich bee friendly plants. Tonight I’ll put together a post with my reccomendations for bee friendly plants specifically for our region.

Best wishes and happy planting!

Autumn Beauty Sunflower ©Kim Smith 2013Autumn Beauty Sunflower ~ click the photo once to view larger, click again to see the bee dusted in pollen!

Seasonal Openings Part V

Posted on by paultmorrison

This is another big weekend coming up. But first, who has already opened up in the past few weeks? Nate’s of Front Beach Rockport, The Lobster Pool at Halibut Point, Topside Grill in Gloucester, The Top Dog of Rockport, and last but not least just this past weekend the Dairy Train Ice Cream Shop next to the Railroad Station in Rockport.

This weekend is a real biggy. If you have not had your first 2011 summer hot dog, ice cream, oyster, or fried clam you should check your pulse if you make it through this weekend without a taste of summer.

A real spring kick off: get those veggies planted. Get down on your knees and get dirty because Goose Cove Gardens opens this Saturday April 16th. Well rooted flats of beets, to broccoli, kale to kohlrabi, leeks to lettuces and don’t forget swiss chard, onions aspargus and brussel sprouts. You say you don’t like brussel sprouts? Try growing your own and throwing them on the barbecue grill along with some baby beets. Find them on Facebook.

Thursday, April 14 @ 5:00PM The Rudder opens. They will be open for 3 days only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until June 19th when they open for 7 days a week. “Tax Relief” specials the first weekend and some great new items on the menu this year. Even if it is still cold and snowy on tax weekend the fireplace inside and the heated deck overlooking Smith Cove is the place to be.

Thursday, April 14, Lobsta Land Restaurant opens. Just say “Lobsta Land!” out loud three times. I feel better already. Check out their website. Countdown to Lobsta and it can be used for countdown to taxes also.

Friday, April 15, Captain Carlo’s opens with Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents playing that evening. Your taxes are in. Time to celebrate.

Seasonal establishments, add a comment and I will add you. Update your website, your Facebook page, and start tweeting. The early bird gets the fried clam sold.

Bob Dylan says it’s the weekend, partyin’ partyin’ yeah!

Plant your Alpine Strawberries Today!

Posted on by paultmorrison

Plant your Alpine Strawberries Today! How do I know that? Because I follow Goose Cove Gardens on Facebook and that is what they are doing today. On this dreary day it is a good time to start thinking about spring. Last May 10th this is what Goose Cove Gardens looked like:

I’m so ready for spring.

Goose Cove Gardens: Rhubarb now, tomatoes soon

Posted on by paultmorrison

Jan Walker told me about this place. How is there a beautiful nursery practically tucked behind the Willow Rest that I didn’t know about? (Take Stanwood or Gee Ave off of Washington before you get to Willow Rest and go up to 24 Gee Avenue.) Probably because I was not in the market for a nursery all these years.

Goose Cove Gardens<< click

Now I am. We picked up a nice rhubarb plant as well as some annuals for Mother's Day.

And although we have tomato sets we are growing from seed we might have to stop by on May 26 “Tomato Release Day” to pick up a few more to fill out the tomato garden.

I have never seen such an assortment of really healthy looking plants. Since it looks as if all are grown right there the sets look to be more than hardy enough to take a Cape Ann summer.

Trifecta: Go to Willow Rest and pick up a Cuban (the sandwich!). Take Gee or Stanwood and go right to Dogtown for a hike built around lunch. Then on the way back go to the other end of Gee Ave and pick up some plants.