It’s funny how you can forget something one time and it floats out of mind. There is no telling if I will neglect this blog again (of course I will!) but it is nice to put down some thoughts.
Spring has been strong this year with many cool days and nights to keep things blooming.
It’s funny how you can forget something one time and it floats out of mind. There is no telling if I will neglect this blog again (of course I will!) but it is nice to put down some thoughts.
Spring has been strong this year with many cool days and nights to keep things blooming.
My favorite season. As things begin to slow down, the summer lethargy that the garden goes through ceases. I feel that our home looks the best in the fall.
My 2 favorite mums are now opening; a purple variety and the matchstick.
Other colors are popping up elsewhere, too. The septic bed is always great this time of year but is a little forlorn after transplanting.
Non-flower color is also showing up, some ready for winter interest, others happening by chance.
A walk for minor clean up and photo ops.
The shed looks a bit shaggy but the black eyed Susan’s are starting their show. There is still some purple and pink to be seen.
The hydrangea by the pool has regrown after the major pruning this spring. No blooms lost.
Lastly, some fruits of labor. Corn, melons, peppers and tomatoes are coming in. As are the marigolds. So many marigolds…
The hot, transitional period from late spring flowers to summer has passed and color is once again outside.
The cone flowers are stealing the show, with the tall phlox adding to the mix. I transplanted 8 come flowers that were spreading beyond their borders, both out front and on the well garden.
The well garden is a bit lopsided. Moving the light pink phlox to the other side of the hydrangea tree should balance it out.
Day lilies are blooming in all of their shades.
The pots out back have been updated with purples and pinks, with a splash of orange.
The pool is still blooming well, despite the hot conditions. I am still pleased with the choice of plants around the water.
More warm days ahead but things are looking good.
I originally bought bearded iris to go with the white variety that were growing at the house already. Their short lived color was nice, but there were not many of them.
Now, there are tons. The side of the garage was pure blue at one point. The blue iris have a floral-grape scent which is a nice surprise as you walk past them.
Other colors are beginning to open, including the dark ones which are a favorite of mine.
The two-tone ones are also striking. The Starring Tall variety have exploded and are now located in 3 areas; front, back, and in the well garden.
I know I have a red type but I have not seen the bloom yet.
Though the iris will not be around for much longer, their color is a welcome sight.
But first, coffee. It will make the walk better, I promise.
A chilly day in the 30’s with things set to warm up later in the week. I will put the pansies and violas out to get some sun before potting them up towards the weekend. Lots of blues for the spring pots and my favorite black violas for a larger, shallow pot by the window.
Time to walk, coffee in hand. Clusters of crocus await me; the oldest clumps now in their 7 th year.
This leads to the hellebores. My favorites. The newest ones have grown and are starting to open their wine, pink, and black eyes to the world.
Back inside to warm the hands. More trimming of dormant perennials later, if the rain holds off. I would welcome the precipitation to help the cover crop, though. Garden plans are in the works!
A lack of time outdoors had me brainstorming about the windows I am using as cold frames. I have read articles about low hoop frames for cold season greens and I finally put one together on a 2×8 raised bed.
Some PEX pipe as the hoop frame, 6mil plastic sheeting, old chain link horizontal bars for weights, and twine with clamps to keep things in place.
I planted spinach, arugula, and carrots. The arugula will be the best adapted since I had a few stragglers from the autumn still growing out in the open.
I planted the same seeds in another bed with the windows to see if there is a difference in growth over the colder months.
Afterwards, a walk through the garden showed some color starting to return.
We are well past peak color but a few smaller trees and shrubs have been providing wonderful color. The kitchen window provides a great view of the last vestiges of fall foliage.
The corner of the raised beds is my best attempt at a 4 season bed. Currently, the Fothergilla is showing off it’s yellow/copper color along with the first glimpses of the red twig dogwood. The golden evergreen will soon be more noticeable once all of the leaves fall.
The back edge has 3 Japanese maples, one of which I transplanted as a seedling the first year that we lived at this location. It is now over a decade old and is standing proudly at the bend of the grass path.
The amsonia always put on a fiery show this tome of year. Soft fronds of yellow and orange stay for a long while until truly cold temps hit. Two plants have since turned into 8+ after divisions.
hausemann 