A New Chapter for Old Castle Cottage

Dear friends,

As October arrives and the garden begins to settle into autumn, I have some personal news to share. You may have noticed I’ve been a little quieter here lately. Behind the scenes, Mr. Old Castle Cottage and I have been busy preparing for a big change.

We’re moving to North Carolina!

You have been such a lovely part of our life at Old Castle Cottage, and I wanted you to hear it here first.

We have found a home along the Intracoastal Waterway, and I’m looking forward to sharing a little sneak peek of our new garden with you. There is so much to imagine: where the roses might grow, how to create inviting garden spaces, and how to bring the cottage style I love into a different setting. Of course, leaving this Connecticut home and garden is bittersweet. So many memories are rooted here. I’ll miss the familiar walk beneath the arbor, the anticipation of the first roses, and the way the garden changes from one season to the next. Sharing those moments with you has made them even more special.

But Connecticut will still be part of our story. Our plan is to spend summers here, gardening in zone 6b in a new garden space. Once we are settled in North Carolina, we’ll begin looking for a smaller place up here. I look forward to sharing that journey with you, too.

See below for a sneak peak of our future house. Look out for future renderings and more on our vision.

That means there will be plenty of gardening ahead: familiar favorites in Connecticut and the adventure of creating a cottage garden in coastal North Carolina’s zone 8b. I’ll be learning about a different climate, exploring plants suited to our new surroundings, and sharing the decisions, discoveries, and lessons along the way.

And yes, there will be roses! Choosing which ones to grow will be part of the fun. Old Castle Cottage will continue to be a place for cottage gardens, seasonal flowers, vintage treasures, and simple ways to make a home feel special. My virtual garden consultations will continue too. Whether you’re planning a new border or choosing roses and companion plants, I would love to help, wherever you live.

For now, I’m savoring these autumn days in our Connecticut garden while packing boxes and dreaming about what comes next. I’ll keep sharing its beauty as the season winds down, along with glimpses of our preparations and plans.

Thank you for every kind comment, every garden conversation, and every bit of encouragement. I hope you’ll come along as we begin again….with a new home, new gardens, and so much to look forward to. 

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the special place that started it all.

What would you love to see first: a peek at the North Carolina garden, my rose plans, or how we bring Old Castle Cottage style into our new home?

With love,