Carolyn & I had the fun opportunity of hosting 2 tours on the farm – yesterday morning, and this morning. The groups, made up of fun-loving folks, had the chance to look around the farm and enjoy Carolyn’s beautiful daylily gardens; and Jeff’s homing pigeons. We even banded a baby pigeon today!
We always enjoy having visitors to the farm. It is such a peaceful place.
The following was sent out today by Carolyn to a local garden club, but she has asked me (Jeff) to place the same notice in our ‘News’ section – for the public:
Hello Members of the Lacombe Garden Club,
This year, in conjunction with our annual open house, Monday, August 1st 11AM – 5PM, we are having a clump sale on selected daylily cultivars. The majority of the clumps are coming out of a bed that we want to close, although there are others from around the gardens.
The clumps are $1.00 per fan per clump of the same cultivar. Therefore a clump of 30 fans is $30 and so on. We will be digging clumps only after August 1 and everyone can make arrangements for pick-up (we do not ship clumps).
The following are a list in varying shades of red followed by a second list of mixed colors:
RUBY THROAT, PARDON ME, AUTUMN RED, CALYPSO DANCER, SLIGO, HOLIDAY DELIGHT, CHICAGO KNOCKOUT, PEPPERSAUCE, FLAMING WILDFIRE, RED RAZZMATAZZ, HIGHLAND LORD, RED RIBBONS, RUBY SPIDER, FIRESTORM, and FERRIS WHEEL.
FRANS HALS, CUSTARD CANDY, NAIROBI NIGHT, RUFFLED APRICOT, SARATOGA SPRINGTIME, BARBARA FRUM, G. WILLIKERS, DEAR PRUDENCE, ILONKA, VERA BIAGLOW, JO BARBRE, ROYAL PALACE PRINCE, MARY MOLDOVAN, GREEN FLUTTER, OUTRAGEOUS, NIGHT EMBERS, LITTLE GRAPETTE, and ORANGE SPIDER.
Hope you have some fun with this. Some of the clumps are VERY large, suitable for sharing or using in large projects.
If anyone has questions, please feel free to call at 403-887-6107 or shoot off an email to carolynmbondy@gmail.com.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
All the Best,
Jeff and Carolyn Bondy
Gablehouse Farm and Gardens
We welcome ‘Rupee’ to the farm (as of 5 weeks ago now). She is a tick-hound/Maremma Sheep Dog X. She has retained the hound features, with a beautiful coat and markings. With part of her make-up coming from a shepherding line of dogs, she is always on the alert – and takes her watch dog duties very seriously. Any one who has visited the farm lately can attest to that.
At a current 3 years of age, and with very good health, we look forward to a lengthy companionship.
Our long-time friend, Nella, left this world earlier this season. She was 12 years old and developed a life ending condition wherein she was no longer able to breath properly. We had to say good-bye to a very loyal dog, who gave her all as a companion over the years we were priviledged – and blessed – to have her. She remains a loving part of our family. As well as helping on the farm, keeping moose and deer out of our gardens, she accompanied Jeff on many camps over the last decade. She was a very good lookout, and worked for biscuits. You could always tell where she was in camp because of the soft bell she wore on her neck. We have sooo many stories…
Due to our normal, Central Alberta spring climate – cool & wet – our daylilies have been slowly emerging, and are just about at the point when they can be dug. We anticipate shipping will begin the week of May 17th. Orders will go out according to the date they were first received. Thank you for your patience.
Daylily culture considerations: planting, watering, fertilizing, and weed control.
Dividing (reasons for + timing), trimming, replanting specimens (with regard for anticipated space requirements).
Climate zone considerations.
Tools: our favorites, & why.
Landscaping & Design considerations: colors (that work well together, for your individual setting ie: city, acreage, farm, business, or industrial location), height, bloom time + how to fill that space.
Uses for daylilies, other than in your garden, ie: cake decoration.
Classes are 2 hours duration, during bloom time – mid-July to mid-August; beginning with a tour of our gardens.
Minimum of 2 or 3 individuals per class at a cost of $50./person, includes take home plant stock.
Tour of BB’s Loft (homing pigeons), and how the inclusion of animals or birds can enhance your gardening experience.
Book online via this website’s ‘Contact Us’ page: or by phone, at 403-887-6107.
All daylilies marked as “Out of Stock” are in fact available, but only in limited quantities – as we are currently growing them on. They need to be ordered by telephone: 403-887-6107. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Jeff & Carolyn
Our labs, Nella & Molly, remain our best allies in deterring moose and deer. Now in their 10th and 8th years respectively, they remain valiant in their callings as big animal dissuaders. Our daylily and vegetable gardens remain safe under their guardianship. And they work for biscuits!
Getting along in years, you might not know it as you watch them in action. Thank you pups for your faithfulness.
Our 8 x 8 x 6′ high loft sits in an old brooder house here on the farm; housing a small flock of pigeons that visitors can see, touch, and release. Together we learn about these amazing, intelligent birds.
Noted for their ability to fly long distances, they can reach speeds of up to 90 mph. Our breeding stock came from Northstar Doves near Lacombe, AB. We now have a small number of mealys, pies, and gray bars – beautiful, as well as brilliant.
