Winning Is Time Consuming

I swear I'm going to win the battle of the garden this year.  I told that to my neighbor when he saw me out there digging in.  He said "it takes work".  Oh, I know that.  And I don't have a problem with the work.  It's just so time consuming. Translation:   more yard work = less sewing.  All together now... AWWWWWW

Last year I think I started too late.  The weeds got a huge head start and I was chasing after them all summer.  The flowers got a late start and just couldn't compete with the weeds.

This year... WINNING! 

 Lots, lots, lots of flowers planted.  These impatiens should spread and fill this area with color.  Can't wait!

These fill a huge section all by themselves with no work from me.  I just can't figure out how to keep them blooming all summer the way they are supposed to.  I followed the gardening advice I found.  Didn't work last year.  We'll see what happens this year.

There are still weeds scattered here and there that have to be eliminated, but they are separated and can't gang up on me.

I need to find out what to do with all the green that's left over after the daffodils and other bulbs are finished blooming.  In the meantime, more impatiens.  And isn't my froggie cute?!  Thanks, Parisi family!

Next I have to tackle this honeysuckle and these bushes. 

 And clear out this area so you can actually see the flowers.

So I haven't won yet.  But I'm putting in the time and I WILL!

Next year I'll tackle the lawn.  And by that I mean the dandelions.

Today's Sunshine

I could find any sunshine today, so I brightened my world with some flowers.

Now if I could just get a chance to spend some quality time with my quilting frame, all would be good!

The Battle Rages On

I think I won the latest skirmish.

First up, this nasty tangle of weeds.

The weeds are gone. 

But the daffodil leaves still need to come out,

more flowers need to go in,

and a border needs to be added.

The Johnny Jump-Ups are now relatively weed-free and happy.

Unfortunately, a recently planted Lily of the Valley was lost due to friendly fire.

And speaking of friendly fire, the toads better stop hanging out with the enemy or they aren't going to fare too well either.  I'm trying to watch out for them but it's hard to see them in the weeds!

The Petunias are flourishing!

The Pansies need work.  And they aren't helping.

They are holding their own but don't seem to be spreading out.

 I don't know what to do with these guys. They are right smack in the middle of a bunch of plants that I know are weeds that need to come out, but I don't know if these white flowered plants are weeds or not.  The long skinny leaves are the ones that go with the white flowers.

I

What do you think?

Are they a perennial that someone lovingly planted years ago?

  Or are they a weed cleverly masquerading as innocents?

So many of the flowers that bloom here survived because I procrastinated when it came to weeding.  The first happy weed-turned-flower incident was the group of Lilies in front of the house.  Imagine my surprise!

The Johnny Jump-Ups were another.

The Petunias another.

And most recently . . .

Common Sundrop Primrose surprised me yesterday. 

I had told Scott the day before that this mound of weeds was next to be eliminated but before I could get to it they bloomed!

All in all it was a good day in the garden yesterday. 

I know the weeds are even now gathering reinforcements so I can't wait too long before launching another attack.

Recycling Drain Tiles

WOW challenge #17:  "With Earth Day this week, let's create something in honor of our home. You can focus on recycling, nature, etc. Maybe try your hand at gardening or find a great new use for your soda cans."

These tiles (I think they are leftover drainage tiles that the farmers use in the fields) were laying under the bushes when we moved into our home here about three years ago. I've been trying to think of a use for them. I finally figured it out!
I stacked four small ones on one side of the garden shed door and three larges ones on the other side. I filled all of them about half way (or more) with dirt, finished filling them with potting soil, then added flowers.  I had wanted to plant flowers in front of the shed but wasn't looking forward to digging up the ground there and it hadn't ever had anything but grass and weeds... it was really hard.  This worked out great.
 
Flowers in front of the shed.
Check.
Very little work. 
Check.
Tiles no longer looking messy and abandoned under the bushes. 
Check. 
 
Hmmm. 
All this "Check-ing" . . . .
can you tell I've been watching American Idol.

Next I have to figure out what to do with this odd piece.  It's square and clay-like.  It looks like the square things at the top of our fireplaces' chimneys.  I'll probably fill this with flowers too but it's HEAVY.  And I have to find a place for it.

A Plum Good Harvest

All these blossoms....

led to all these plums....

I had four of these containers full and barely made a dent in the fruit.  There are so many plums left.  I'm thinking of running a special: 

You pick.

Free container of plums with every container of weeds. 

Any size container. 

No limits. 

While supplies last. 

(The plums will run out before the weeds do.  Maybe by then the peaches will be ready.)

gLove Me. gLove Me Not.

My gardening gloves finally wore out... there are a couple holes in the fingers.  I bought a new pair to keep my hands and nails clean.  After a couple hours weeding and planting I still didn't have dirt on my hands or under my nails but....

I had teal-colored hands!!!  And it didn't wash off!!! 

Finally, after LOTS of scrubbing, most of it is gone but my thumb is still green and there's a bit of color left here and there.  I'm not sure I'll be wearing gloves again.

Blooms All Around

The daffodils are finished but now the trees and bushes are in full bloom.

This tree is covered in beautiful white, tinged with very light pink, flowers.  The rest of the year it looks dead.  The first year we lived here I wondered if it should be taken down.  That's how dead it looks. 

With all the petals on the ground already it's amazing how full the Saucer Magnolia tree is still.

These are blooms on one of two peach trees which we didn't discover until our second summer here.

And the second peach tree.  The flowers are lighter in color.  I don't know if that means it's at a different stage in blooming or it's a different variety or what. 

I love the way these trees look in the springtime.... smears of purple all over the edges. The homes on this little stretch of road sport many of these trees.

No idea what this is but the bush is covered with bright white flowers.

I don't know what kind of bush this is either but if you said the name I'd respond "Oh right, that's it."  We had a few of these in the city.

So many beautiful plants on this property planted with care and attention to detail by the previous owner.  All of it needs more care than I know how to give it (though I am learning slowly) and more care than I have time to give it.  Let me rephrase that.... more care than I am willing to give time to.  I enjoy working in the yard but only up to a point and quilting often wins the time battle.

Cooper Helps

Cooper came to spend the night sans mom & dad. This morning we headed outside to weed the garden and to water the flowers. Cooper helped with the watering. His own way.

First, you fill your cup.

Then you must watch the water very carefully as you head for the flowers.

Water the flowers.

Back for more.

It's very exacting work.

And every drop needs to get on the flowers.

June blooms

Gardening is hard work!

A few flowers, a little water, a bush or two or dozens, what's the big deal? I think I could spend hours every day outside and not keep up with all the growing things around here. And then - smart me - I add to it!

My arms are tired. My legs are tired. My back hurts. I'm sunburned. No. Wait. I remembered the sunblock! I just feel hot. More water. But, I feel GOOD. AND my fingernails are clean. I love these gloves . . .

I've had lots of gardening gloves before, but my hands and fingernails always wound up dirty anyway. And I couldn't get my fingernails clean. I used to think it was the city dirt with gunk from the airport and all the cars. That maybe the dirt was a bit oily. But, no, country dirt doesn't come out either. And it's not like working with the horses. Your hands and fingernails get dirty then, too, but they come clean. And there's the bonus that they smell good. mmm, horsey smell. Back to the point - these gloves are awesome - I need to stock up.

And the gardening rewards . . .
These don't look so good. They seem to open and the petals fall immediately. But the scent!!!! I wish I could share it with you.