2023 GARDEN & OUTDOOR LIVING
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2022 GARDEN & OUTDOOR LIVING
We have two daughters getting married this year, so I'm planting even more flowers than usual this year so that we're ready for bridal showers and garden parties! There is even talk of an outdoor wedding in a gazebo in the backyard - wouldn't that be exciting!
Garden conditions have been incredible again this year - the garden has been tilled, fertilized and is ready for planting. This year we're keeping things simple - just our favorites are going in the ground. Happy that so many of my herbs survived the winter!
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's and Sweet Millions), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's and Burpless) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini, Carrots. Colorful Marigolds in the garden always to help keep pests at bay!
Herbs: ROSEMARY - 2 huge mother plants this year as I use them in my charcuterie trays all the time! Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries (Blueberry "Peach Sorbet"), Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb ("Crimson Red" and "Chipman's Canada Red" added this year to the collection. Most excited that our Blueberry Peach Sorbet plants are thriving this year - such a nice surprise!
Perennials: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs). Dahlias and "Goldilocks" Peonies were added in a few new locations. "Blue Cushion" English Lavender. Cybergrape Bearded Iris are doing beautifully in the spring! "Ruby Stella" Daylilies came up again this year around my she shed - and they are glorious!
Annuals: Impatiens, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns, colorful and tropical Hibiscus trees, and hanging baskets with Rieger Begonias and New Guinea Impatiens. Deck planters have been filled with with Coleus, Golden Moneywort, Dracaena Spikes, Verbena and Lantana.
Garden conditions have been incredible again this year - the garden has been tilled, fertilized and is ready for planting. This year we're keeping things simple - just our favorites are going in the ground. Happy that so many of my herbs survived the winter!
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's and Sweet Millions), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's and Burpless) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini, Carrots. Colorful Marigolds in the garden always to help keep pests at bay!
Herbs: ROSEMARY - 2 huge mother plants this year as I use them in my charcuterie trays all the time! Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries (Blueberry "Peach Sorbet"), Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb ("Crimson Red" and "Chipman's Canada Red" added this year to the collection. Most excited that our Blueberry Peach Sorbet plants are thriving this year - such a nice surprise!
Perennials: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs). Dahlias and "Goldilocks" Peonies were added in a few new locations. "Blue Cushion" English Lavender. Cybergrape Bearded Iris are doing beautifully in the spring! "Ruby Stella" Daylilies came up again this year around my she shed - and they are glorious!
Annuals: Impatiens, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns, colorful and tropical Hibiscus trees, and hanging baskets with Rieger Begonias and New Guinea Impatiens. Deck planters have been filled with with Coleus, Golden Moneywort, Dracaena Spikes, Verbena and Lantana.
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2021 GARDEN & OUTDOOR LIVING
THE YEAR OF THE DECK
Although we have some of our best memories of boat decks and cabin decks, this year we're tackling a bigger project closer to home. We're expanding our backyard deck to allow access to the French patio doors off the den. With remote working conditions over the past year, it will be really nice to be able to open up the doors to the outside and expand my working environment on nice sunny spring and summer days!
The crew from DeckMasters has us in awe! My Dad taught me enough about construction to be dangerous, and he would have LOVED the workmanship! Truly old-world craftsmen that have been taking their time and spending time and attention on the details that have us loving our new expanded deck! Ambient lighting gives everything a nice warm glow at night too!
The crew from DeckMasters has us in awe! My Dad taught me enough about construction to be dangerous, and he would have LOVED the workmanship! Truly old-world craftsmen that have been taking their time and spending time and attention on the details that have us loving our new expanded deck! Ambient lighting gives everything a nice warm glow at night too!
MAY: Herbs & Vegies in the Ground!
Garden conditions have been incredible this year - although we had snow in early May and lots of rain, it has been abnormally warm and the garden has been tilled, fertilized and is ready for planting early this year. Although we didn't have nearly as many deer passing through the yard this last winter, the few that did made short work eating my rose bushes and the baby lilac bushes we had transplanted last fall. We're about a week or two ahead of schedule getting the entire garden planted, and it feels good!
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's and Sweet Millions), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's and Burpless) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini, Carrots, "Cherry Belle" Radishes. Colorful Marigolds in the garden as well to help keep pests at bay!
Herbs: Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries (Blueberry "Peach Sorbet"), Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb ("Crimson Red" and "Chipman's Canada Red" added this year to the collection. Most excited about adding more Blueberry Peach Sorbet - this plant is full of color year-round, with leaves ranging from peach to pink to orange to emerald green, and an abundance of sweet blueberries in mid-sumer.
Flowers: Impatiens, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns. We planted "Mammoth" Sunflowers for the first time in a while - the little ones will love these!
Perennials: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs). Dahlias and "Goldilocks" Peonies were added in a few new locations. We added Silver Dollar Eucalyptus this year, along with "Blue Cushion" English Lavender. Still on the search for Cybergrape Bearded Iris and "Blue Diamond Dutch" bulbs to plant in late summer, but in the meantime,
Our coneflowers didn't survive the winter, so I'll be looking to replace these in about a month, along with some brightly colored Bee Balm.
Annuals: Impatiens, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns, colorful and tropical Hibiscus trees, and hanging baskets with Rieger Begonias and New Guinea Impatiens. Normally I fill my deck planters with Coleus, Golden Moneywort, Dracaena Spikes, Verbena and Lantana, but until deck construction is completed, I'm holding off on these.
Around the shed we added more Daylilies - "Ruby Stella" are glorious deep red and orange blooms.
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's and Sweet Millions), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's and Burpless) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini, Carrots, "Cherry Belle" Radishes. Colorful Marigolds in the garden as well to help keep pests at bay!
Herbs: Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries (Blueberry "Peach Sorbet"), Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb ("Crimson Red" and "Chipman's Canada Red" added this year to the collection. Most excited about adding more Blueberry Peach Sorbet - this plant is full of color year-round, with leaves ranging from peach to pink to orange to emerald green, and an abundance of sweet blueberries in mid-sumer.
Flowers: Impatiens, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns. We planted "Mammoth" Sunflowers for the first time in a while - the little ones will love these!
Perennials: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs). Dahlias and "Goldilocks" Peonies were added in a few new locations. We added Silver Dollar Eucalyptus this year, along with "Blue Cushion" English Lavender. Still on the search for Cybergrape Bearded Iris and "Blue Diamond Dutch" bulbs to plant in late summer, but in the meantime,
Our coneflowers didn't survive the winter, so I'll be looking to replace these in about a month, along with some brightly colored Bee Balm.
Annuals: Impatiens, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns, colorful and tropical Hibiscus trees, and hanging baskets with Rieger Begonias and New Guinea Impatiens. Normally I fill my deck planters with Coleus, Golden Moneywort, Dracaena Spikes, Verbena and Lantana, but until deck construction is completed, I'm holding off on these.
Around the shed we added more Daylilies - "Ruby Stella" are glorious deep red and orange blooms.
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2018 GARDEN & OUTDOOR LIVING
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September & October: Making Progress & Fall Harvest
Our gardens and lawn were torn up much of the year due to workers and equipment - I finally learned to relax and realized that this was going to be a growing season unlike any other!
Excavating, leveling, topsoil and garden soil filled in & grass seeding were finally completed in September. We planted 22 new trees and bushes at the end of the season.
Excavating, leveling, topsoil and garden soil filled in & grass seeding were finally completed in September. We planted 22 new trees and bushes at the end of the season.
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August:
Work continues on the house, but we are finally able to use our deck again and enjoy outdoor cooking and backyard bonfires again! Ladders and workers in the yard and garden beds have created unexpected challenges, but also an opportunity to make design changes to both landscaping and garden routines.
We've been blessed with summer months that haven't been super hot, and moderate summer rains have kept the garden growing well. The loss of so many trees has created new "sunny" areas for both the yard and our gardens, so we're making adjustments to locating new plants and making notes for next year!
We've been blessed with summer months that haven't been super hot, and moderate summer rains have kept the garden growing well. The loss of so many trees has created new "sunny" areas for both the yard and our gardens, so we're making adjustments to locating new plants and making notes for next year!
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July:
It has definitely been a slower growing season this year - late planting didn't help. Herbs and lettuce have taken off like crazy, but tomatoes, cukes and peppers have been slow-going.
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June: Herbs & Vegies Finally in the Ground!
It has been so cold and wet this Spring that planting was later than usual - we were finally "all-in" on June 2nd.
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini. We used seeds for beans and peas this year - note that harvest was lighter than usual for these.
Herbs: Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb (Crimson Red, Canadian Red & Victoria Red)
Flowers: Impatiens, Lantana, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns, Day Lilies (a plethora of new colors this year)
Perennial Flowers: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs), Knock Out Roses
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini. We used seeds for beans and peas this year - note that harvest was lighter than usual for these.
Herbs: Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb (Crimson Red, Canadian Red & Victoria Red)
Flowers: Impatiens, Lantana, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns, Day Lilies (a plethora of new colors this year)
Perennial Flowers: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs), Knock Out Roses
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Reality Check:
Before we start talking about our garden this year, we need to look back a few months ago...specifically after the super storm that hit us hard in November 2017. Sustained winds at 55 mph and straight line wind gusts over 70 mph - unlike anything I have ever experienced before! So many trees down in both the back and front yard - major damage to our house, and the tree that fell on two cars in the driveway just added insult to injury! 2018 will be a year of re-building and re-landscaping, planting our victory garden and counting our blessings!
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2017 GARDEN
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05/20/17 HERBS & VEGIES IN THE GROUND!
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini, Carrots, Radishes
Herbs: Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb
Flowers: Impatiens, Lantana, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns
Perennial Flowers: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs)
Vegies: Tomatoes (Beef Steak, Big Boy, Early Girl), Cherry Tomatoes (Sweet 100's), Sweet Peppers, Hot Peppers, Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Pole Beans, Cukes (Straight 8's) Leaf Lettuce, Butter Lettuce, Zucchini, Carrots, Radishes
Herbs: Basil (Sweet Basil, Basil Pesto, Genovese), Oregano (Italian Oregano & Greek Oregano), Rosemary (Tuscan Blue & Spice Island), Chives, Dill, Fennel, Cilantro, Sage (Plain & Pineapple), Parsley (Curly & Flat Leaf), Thyme (English), Tarragon (French), Bay Leaves
Fruits: Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Watermelon (Sweet Baby), Rhubarb
Flowers: Impatiens, Lantana, Lobella, Wave Petunias, Boston Ferns
Perennial Flowers: Hydrangeas, Azaleas, Lilac Bushes (Deep Purple French & Boomerang Dark Purple Lilacs)
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05/13/17 GARDEN PLANNING
This year we have decided to cut back from what we have planted previous years. Not because of lack of success, but just to give the plants a little more room to stretch and grow! (And we also didn't want to have summer squash and decorative gourds climbing 30 feet up the pine tree this year...) Today was all about cleaning out the garden beds, adding organic fertilizer and just a tad bit of garden soil. We've got an underground slow sprinkler line set up in the bottom of the raised beds, but Skipper set up a rain barrel system this year that will capture rain water to be used for the gardens and fountains in the yard. And the best part? Finding lots of worms!
This year we have decided to cut back from what we have planted previous years. Not because of lack of success, but just to give the plants a little more room to stretch and grow! (And we also didn't want to have summer squash and decorative gourds climbing 30 feet up the pine tree this year...) Today was all about cleaning out the garden beds, adding organic fertilizer and just a tad bit of garden soil. We've got an underground slow sprinkler line set up in the bottom of the raised beds, but Skipper set up a rain barrel system this year that will capture rain water to be used for the gardens and fountains in the yard. And the best part? Finding lots of worms!
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4/20/17 RHUBARB CLASS with Laura McDougal
at Uncle John's Home & Garden Never in my life have I found THREE different varieties of Rhubarb before! I'm still squealing! In years to come we will now have four varieties of rhubarb to mix and match! And even more inspiration for all of my rhubarb recipes! We also discovered one of the most fabulous garden centers we have ever been to - and our new FAVORITE! The healthiest plants, greatest selection and friendliest staff you have ever met! The variety and selection of both garden and landscaping plants, shrubs and trees that are unique and not available anywhere else around here is truly amazing. Family owned and operated for more than 40 years, it is no surprise that they were named as the 2016 Best Garden Center by Cleveland HotList. We've been to dozens of garden nurseries over the years, but I'm still kicking myself that we never heard about this place before. Believe me, you have got to visit this place as soon as you can - it is beyond words how wonderful it is! |
Crimson Red Rhubarb
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Myatt's Victoria Rhubarb
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Canada Red Rhubarb
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2016 GARDEN
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10/15/16 End of the season - and last of the harvest! I'm already dreaming about the wonderful things we'll be planting next year. It will be hard to beat the bounty that we enjoyed this year!
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7/16/16 TIME FOR PESTO, BLT'S and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS...
The major difference in our garden this year is the raised garden beds and an 8-foot garden fence - it is keeping all of the deer and other garden pests out. In past years we have had to re-plant numerous times - not at all this year! The beans, cukes, summer squash and zucchini have climbed over and down - and THRU - the fence itself - and vines winding half way up the large pine tree at the front of the house. We have decorative squash hanging down from the pine tree like floral decorations - it is the most amazing thing!
We really are blessed this summer - it has been an optimal growing season, with cooler nights, lots of nice rain in June, and not any big storms at all. We've been enjoying fresh garden salads almost every lunch and dinner - the kids are loving it! The difference between produce grown and ripened right outside your door, and the hydroponically-grown stuff from the grocery store is just amazingly different. I fear we are spoiled for life now!
The major difference in our garden this year is the raised garden beds and an 8-foot garden fence - it is keeping all of the deer and other garden pests out. In past years we have had to re-plant numerous times - not at all this year! The beans, cukes, summer squash and zucchini have climbed over and down - and THRU - the fence itself - and vines winding half way up the large pine tree at the front of the house. We have decorative squash hanging down from the pine tree like floral decorations - it is the most amazing thing!
We really are blessed this summer - it has been an optimal growing season, with cooler nights, lots of nice rain in June, and not any big storms at all. We've been enjoying fresh garden salads almost every lunch and dinner - the kids are loving it! The difference between produce grown and ripened right outside your door, and the hydroponically-grown stuff from the grocery store is just amazingly different. I fear we are spoiled for life now!
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7/4/16 KNEE-HIGH BY THE FOURTH OF JULY
Six weeks. Our garden appears to be on steroids this year! Growing conditions have been unbelievable - the only thing we've been adding is water - and watch it grow! Eight weeks since we planted, and we are now harvesting and enjoying:
Six weeks. Our garden appears to be on steroids this year! Growing conditions have been unbelievable - the only thing we've been adding is water - and watch it grow! Eight weeks since we planted, and we are now harvesting and enjoying:
- Cherry Tomatoes (the Rapunzel tomatoes are just to die for - like candy!)
- Green Sweet Bell Peppers
- Garden (Butter & Leaf) Lettuce
- Carrots
- Green Beans
- Yellow Beans
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Cukes
- Herbs & More Herbs!
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Here's a visual of one area of our rhubarb plants - comparison from four weeks ago to today. Usually the rhubarb is just about done thriving by now, but despite frequent picking, it is still more than waist high today! It has been a bumper-crop year for rhubarb cooking, baking and more jam than you can imagine!
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6/4/16 FRESH HERBS, YOU SAY?
Two weeks....and how our garden is growing! We have had two absolutely perfect weeks of weather for the garden - sunny, warm and a smattering of rain almost every day - typical June weather here! It's hard to believe that three weeks ago it was snowing and we were worried about severe winter weather warnings during a camping event!
One of Skipper's biggest complaints during the "off-season" is the expensive packages of fresh herbs that I throw into the grocery cart each week.. So it is always a relief when my herb garden takes off and I can step out the back door and harvest exactly what I need for a recipe, fresh and flavorful!
We planted a "Rapunzel" cherry tomato plant this year for the first time, and we picked the first handful of fresh tomatoes today! The plant was already flowering when we picked it up several weeks ago at Petitti's Garden Center, so it was well on its way before we even had it in the ground. The other tomato varieties are growing fast as well. The flavor and texture of tomatoes that ripen on the vine is out of this world wonderful, and the first ones picked are ALWAYS the best! Later on in the season we'll have so many tomatoes and peppers that we won't know what to do with them all, but for now, it is so nice to enjoy the first handful of the season!
We are already enjoying rhubarb, strawberries and herbs from our gardens, but I'm especially enjoying sharing the experience with my little ones - they were so excited to plant seeds and seedlings, and LOVE watering with their little water cans every chance they get!
Two weeks....and how our garden is growing! We have had two absolutely perfect weeks of weather for the garden - sunny, warm and a smattering of rain almost every day - typical June weather here! It's hard to believe that three weeks ago it was snowing and we were worried about severe winter weather warnings during a camping event!
One of Skipper's biggest complaints during the "off-season" is the expensive packages of fresh herbs that I throw into the grocery cart each week.. So it is always a relief when my herb garden takes off and I can step out the back door and harvest exactly what I need for a recipe, fresh and flavorful!
We planted a "Rapunzel" cherry tomato plant this year for the first time, and we picked the first handful of fresh tomatoes today! The plant was already flowering when we picked it up several weeks ago at Petitti's Garden Center, so it was well on its way before we even had it in the ground. The other tomato varieties are growing fast as well. The flavor and texture of tomatoes that ripen on the vine is out of this world wonderful, and the first ones picked are ALWAYS the best! Later on in the season we'll have so many tomatoes and peppers that we won't know what to do with them all, but for now, it is so nice to enjoy the first handful of the season!
We are already enjoying rhubarb, strawberries and herbs from our gardens, but I'm especially enjoying sharing the experience with my little ones - they were so excited to plant seeds and seedlings, and LOVE watering with their little water cans every chance they get!
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5/8/16 MOTHER'S DAY
I am the luckiest girl in the world! I have a wonderful guy that loves me to death, and the best kiddos on the planet! They know that one of my favorite pastimes is cooking and baking wonderful things for them - and we love fresh and organic homegrown vegies and fruits more than anything! Our last home in suburban Minneapolis was built on rich and fertile farmland - dark, loamy soil that was deeper than we could dig! Our garden was magnificent and a hobby that we all enjoyed - from planting seeds when the kids were little, to finding big juicy worms for fishing, to harvesting gorgeous vegetables and fruits for our table, and sharing what seemed like never-ending garden produce with family and neighbors. Fast forward to northeast Ohio - land of clay. Digging down six inches is a painful experience, and we have broken more shovels that I can count. Even large trees are not planted deep in this part of the country - and landscaping and trees require yards of mulch every year. We may have gained several months of mild weather and growing time, but every year it has been a painful and protracted period of getting the garden ready. And the deep and thick woods around our subdivision offer wildlife in numbers that continue to grow - we have a herd of deer that have a daily trek that takes them thru our yard munching on my flowers and garden plants as they go. They hang out in the grassy fields behind our house - and the group just keeps getting bigger each year! Nothing seems to be safe - the deer visit decks and patios and help themselves to container gardens, and can jump 4 to 5 foot fences from a dead standstill. After being forced to re-plant gardens two or three times each season, many of our neighbors have either placed large fences around their gardens or given up on gardening altogether. Other than my rhubarb, raspberries and fresh herbs, I was just about ready to end the fight as well. You can't even begin to imagine my joy when my family created a garden wonderland for us! A trio of raised garden beds run 26 feet each, with plenty of room (and separation) for everything I dream of planting! Screening under each garden container will keep any garden pests out, and soaker hoses have been snaked thru the boxes to maximize watering. Seven foot garden fencing will keep the deer and other roaming wildlife out of our garden. The raised garden boxes will provide an easy frame for any cover needed for those early spring freeze and frost warnings - but I sure hope we are past that now and just ready to start planting and growing! Paving stones in the walkway will keep it muddy-free, and a little Jimmy Buffett while planting will keep things mellow and happy! I have separate gardens for my rhubarb plants and different raspberry and blueberry bushes - our family favorites deserve their own special spots! And I'll keep at least some fresh herbs planted in my beautiful blue ceramic planters and near my patio door, just a step away for snipping and adding to recipes when I cook. The fresh basil, rosemary and pineapple sage smell SO GOOD! Truly the best Mother's Day gift ever - the time, creative energy and hard work that went into making this is a dream come true! Words aren't enough...hugs and kisses aren't enough. But fresh, ripe homegrown tomatoes and other garden treats? Now we're talking thank you! My Mom would have LOVED this garden! Happy Mother's Day to you all! |
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APRIL & MAY 2016
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2015 GARDEN
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It's that wonderful time of the year, when the air is starting to warm up and the sun is shining more and more each day.
Now, if only Mother Nature would cooperate and send us some full-time spring! I've got a garden to plan, planters ready to be filled with seedlings, and high hopes for this year's crops! The winter ground has been turned already, and rich black planting soil, manure and compost are now in place (thanks to my girls!) and we are READY TO GO! We visited Petitti's Garden Center and they were just starting to receive plant shipments, but it was so nice and relaxing to walk around on a nice spring day and get inspired. Looks like there will be some GORGEOUS new plants available this year! I'm already looking forward to all of the wonderful things we'll be making with fresh, garden-ripened vegies and fruits this year! |
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GARDEN & VEGETABLE GROWING CHEAT SHEETS
When we moved into our new home, we planted Lemon Balm all around the deck and patio and fragrant Lavender in the front flower beds; each spring we add big Basil and Rosemary plants in the vegetable garden and Marigolds all around those areas where we want to keep the critters out. And I'm happy to report that we really never have any mosquitoes around, despite two good-sized fountains in the yard and little boys that love to splash in puddles!
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THE BEST ADVICE I ever received on gardening was from my Mom and my Great Grandma Smith (lucky me to share a birthday with her as well!). Mom told me to always plant what you LOVE, but be sure that your garden is only planted with those things that will actually grow in your climate and zone. Mom cautioned me that no matter how warm and sunny a spring might be, to never plant before Mother's Day, and to always share the bounty from your garden. Great Grandma also encouraged me to smell the fragrance and pick the flowers from her garden! My tips? Research the types of garden and landscaping plants that you are interested in BEFORE investing in expensive seeds or plants. Make a list each year and keep track of what works (and doesn't work) for you, when and how you planted it, the weather conditions and what you may need to change up the next year. Let your little ones help dig in the dirt, plant the seeds, water the plants and splash in the puddles. They grow up too fast, but the memories of gardening will last a lifetime! |
