Brighten Your Winter Days: Growing Amaryllis Indoors at 19 Birch Lane →

Winter in Maine, especially in planting zone 6, often feels like it stretches endlessly. The bare branches, snow-draped landscapes, and gray skies can leave us yearning for a pop of color and a reminder of the vibrancy of spring. At 19 Birch Lane, we’ve discovered a delightful way to bring joy and warmth into our lives during these chilly months: growing Amaryllis indoors.

Why Amaryllis?

Amaryllis bulbs are a winter gardener’s dream. Known for their stunning, trumpet-shaped blooms in bold reds, pinks, whites, and even variegated patterns, they offer a vibrant splash of color when we need it most. Easy to grow and maintain, they’re a perfect choice for seasoned green thumbs and beginners alike. Their elegant blooms not only brighten your space but also uplift your spirit, providing a tangible reminder of nature’s resilience and beauty.

Getting Started: Choosing Your Bulbs

When selecting Amaryllis bulbs, bigger is better. Large, healthy bulbs produce more stalks and blooms, giving you the most dramatic display. At 19 Birch Lane, we recommend varieties like “Red Lion” for classic red flowers or “Apple Blossom” for a soft pink-and-white palette. Look for bulbs that are firm to the touch and free from blemishes or mold.

Planting Your Amaryllis

Here’s how to get your Amaryllis bulbs started indoors:

  1. Choose the Right Container: Select a pot that’s about 1-2 inches wider than the bulb and deep enough to accommodate its roots. Ensure it has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

  2. Plant the Bulb: Fill the pot with well-draining potting soil, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed above the soil line. Firm the soil gently around the bulb to keep it stable.

  3. Water and Place: Water the bulb lightly after planting and place the pot in a warm, sunny spot. A south-facing window is ideal.

  4. Care and Maintenance:

    • Water sparingly until you see growth, then increase watering as the stalks and leaves emerge. Avoid letting the soil become soggy.

    • Rotate the pot occasionally to encourage straight growth.

Watching the Magic Happen

In just 6-8 weeks, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular blooms. To extend the flowering period, move the plant out of direct sunlight once the flowers start to open. If you stagger the planting of multiple bulbs, you can enjoy a continuous display of color throughout the winter.

After Bloom Care

Once your Amaryllis finishes blooming, don’t toss it away! With a little care, you can coax it to bloom again next winter:

  • Cut the flower stalks back to just above the bulb, but leave the leaves intact.

  • Continue watering and feeding the plant with a balanced fertilizer.

  • In late spring, move the plant outdoors to a sunny spot. Bring it back inside before the first frost, and let it rest in a cool, dark place for 8-10 weeks before starting the cycle anew.

Adding a Touch of 19 Birch Lane’s Magic

At 19 Birch Lane, we believe in making every space a sanctuary. Consider displaying your Amaryllis in a vintage pot or pairing it with evergreen cuttings and fairy lights for a festive touch. These small details create a cozy, inviting atmosphere that reflects the charm of our botanical garden setting.

Embrace the Joy of Indoor Gardening

Growing Amaryllis indoors during the winter is a simple yet impactful way to bring color, life, and happiness into your home. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning your plant journey, these stunning blooms are a reminder that even in the coldest, darkest seasons, beauty can flourish.

At 19 Birch Lane, we’re always inspired by the resilience and joy that gardening brings. We hope you’ll find as much happiness in growing Amaryllis as we do, and we’d love to hear about your experiences. Share your indoor gardening adventures with us, and let’s keep the spirit of growth alive, even in the depths of winter.




Turning Waste into Wonder: The Benefits of Composting at 19 Birch Lane

Turning Waste into Wonder: The Benefits of Composting at 19 Birch Lane
By Aric Odone, Owner & Head Gardener at 19 Birch Lane

At 19 Birch Lane, we believe that the heart of a thriving garden lies in the soil, and the secret to healthy soil is compost. As stewards of our lush botanical gardens in Maine’s grow zone 6a, we are always exploring ways to enhance the beauty and productivity of our landscape. Composting is not just a sustainable practice; it’s a cornerstone of how we care for our gardens and the planet.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to implement an expanded composting program at 19 Birch Lane, enriching our gardens while reducing waste. Here’s why composting matters and how it will play an even bigger role in our garden care.

Why Composting Matters

Composting transforms organic waste into a nutrient-rich material that feeds your soil and plants. It’s one of the most effective ways to support a sustainable garden while reducing your environmental footprint. Here are some key benefits:

1. Improves Soil Health

Compost is often referred to as “black gold” for a reason. It improves soil texture, enhances water retention, and boosts the soil's ability to support plant life. At 19 Birch Lane, compost helps us grow everything from our vibrant flower borders to our lush vegetable garden.

2. Reduces Waste

By composting, we divert kitchen scraps, yard waste, and plant clippings from landfills. This not only reduces waste but also cuts down on methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting aligns perfectly with our mission of creating an eco-friendly venue.

3. Encourages Biodiversity

Compost enriches the soil with beneficial microorganisms, fungi, and worms, creating a thriving ecosystem beneath the surface. These tiny helpers break down nutrients and make them available to plants, fostering healthier growth throughout our gardens.

4. Saves Money

Creating compost in-house eliminates the need for expensive fertilizers or soil conditioners. By using what nature provides, we’re able to reinvest savings into other aspects of our gardens, enhancing the experience for our guests.

How We Plan to Use More Compost in 2025

As we look to the upcoming year, we’re committed to expanding our composting practices at 19 Birch Lane. Here’s what we have in store:

1. Expanding Our Compost System

Currently, we use a three-bin composting system to manage kitchen scraps, garden debris, and fall leaves. In 2025, we plan to add additional bins and streamline our process to handle more organic waste. By scaling up, we’ll generate even more compost to spread throughout our gardens.

2. Enhancing Garden Beds

One of our goals is to improve the fertility and health of every garden bed on our property. Compost will be integrated into our perennial flower borders, rose beds, and vegetable garden. It will serve as a natural fertilizer, boosting blooms, strengthening root systems, and improving plant resilience.

3. Compost for Wedding Spaces

Compost will also play a role in maintaining the beauty of our outdoor wedding spaces. From the lush hydrangea borders lining our driveway to the vibrant flower beds framing our ceremony pergola, compost will ensure these areas are picture-perfect for our couples.

4. Compost Tea for Targeted Feeding

In 2025, we plan to experiment with compost tea, a liquid extract made from steeping compost in water. This nutrient-rich solution will allow us to target-feed delicate plants, such as roses and dahlias, for maximum growth and bloom production.

How to Start Composting in Your Own Garden

If you’re inspired by our plans and want to start composting at home, here are some tips:

1. Choose a Compost System

Compost bins or tumblers are great for smaller spaces, while a three-bin system works well for larger gardens. Place your compost system in a convenient, well-drained location with partial shade.

2. Balance Greens and Browns

A good compost pile needs a mix of “greens” (nitrogen-rich materials) and “browns” (carbon-rich materials). Greens include fruit scraps, vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and grass clippings. Browns include dry leaves, shredded paper, and straw. Aim for a ratio of about 2 parts browns to 1 part greens.

3. Maintain the Pile

Turn your compost regularly to aerate it and speed up decomposition. Keep the pile moist—like a damp sponge—but not waterlogged.

4. Harvest Your Compost

Finished compost will be dark, crumbly, and smell earthy. Use it to enrich soil, as mulch around plants, or in homemade potting mixes.

The Role of Compost in Sustainable Gardening

Composting is more than just a gardening technique—it’s a commitment to sustainability and a healthier planet. By making and using compost, we reduce waste, enrich our soil, and grow stronger, more resilient plants. At 19 Birch Lane, we’re proud to embrace this practice as part of our gardening philosophy.

Our expanded composting efforts in 2025 will not only enhance the beauty of our gardens but also align with our mission of being an environmentally conscious venue. We invite you to visit us and see the results for yourself, from the vibrant blooms to the thriving greenery.

“Compost reminds us that the end of one thing can be the beginning of something beautiful. It’s nature’s way of showing us that growth and renewal are always possible.”
– Aric Odone, Owner & Head Gardener, 19 Birch Lane

Whether you’re planning a wedding, visiting our gardens, or simply looking for inspiration, composting is a practice that can transform your garden—and your relationship with the natural world. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your garden flourish, just as ours will in 2025.