May Days

"The country ever has a lagging Spring,
Waiting for May to call its violets forth,
And June its roses--showers and sunshine bring,
Slowly, the deepening verdure o'er the earth;
To put their foliage out, the woods are slack,
And one by one the singing-birds come back.

Within the city's bounds the time of flowers
Comes earlier. Let a mild and sunny day,
Such as full often, for a few bright hours,
Breathes through the sky of March the airs of May,
Shine on our roofs and chase the wintry gloom--
And lo! our borders glow with sudden bloom."
- William Cullen Bryant, Spring in Town, 1850

In the Garden July 2008

Don't wear perfume in the garden - unless you want to be pollinated by bees. ~Anne Raver

This time of year it is such a joy to sit back and watch and smell the garden. I walk outside and can smell something everytime. Sometimes it's the milkweed, roses, chocolate flower, lavender, lilies, or even the cornfields near by after it rains, but mostly a combination of them all. Too bad we can't post the smells in our blogs.

Rose of Sharon

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'

Black Eyed Susan

Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower

Salvia sylvestris 'Blue Hill'

Blue Hill Sage

Berlandiera lyrata
Chocolate Flower

Garden Companions

What do you suppose? A bee sat on my nose. Then what do you think? He gave me a wink and said, "I beg your pardon,I thought you were the garden."~English Rhyme

This guy startled me at first, I was pinching back the petunias in my hanging basket and there he was, it seemed like he was asleep as he wouldn't budge from his spot

Of course the bees have been busy all around. I'm not sure what kind of bee these are but the one sitting on the eaten up leaf of 'Altissimo' rose seemed to be asleep as well. The other one pictured is on a branch of one the alliums.

And finally here we have the neighbors cat making herself at home in my flower bed. I caught her later diving around in my compost pile. *sigh*

The Veggie Garden

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. - Marcel Proust

<------ Veggie Garden area 2008

Warren tilled the garden last Tuesday. I wish I took a picture of the tiller contraption he put together. He had the stand up tiller attached to the back of the riding lawn mower, of course this made it easier to till since it's hard for him to walk or stand due to his leg (He was in a motorcycle accident in 2004 and lost his left leg and has back problems to name a few).

He was so excited telling me all the details of how he welded and put it all together. I half listened to the mechanics of it all, I know I'm bad, but I don't know anything about that stuff, nor am I interested in learning. Of course you know I had to look interested, I am very, very grateful, bless is heart.

This is what we planted on May 3rd and 4th, 2008. (Some of the pictures are my own some were found on flicker photo sharing.)

Watermelon (sugar baby)

Kentucky Wonder (bush bean)

Tomato (early girl, big boy)

Summer Squash (Zucchini)

Sweet Corn (Bi-color: Butter & Sugar)
My little helper and I planted some marigold seed as a companion plant along the front of the shrubs and perennials , as you can see in the first picture above of the garden area. It is before the last frost date for my area, but it is only a few days early and the local farmers have been out planting so I will follow their lead, after all they are the experts right?

Gardening Addicts Anonymous?

It has rained every day this week! So my mind gets to wandering and my better half and I were discussing our outdoor activities this season. We discussed, of course, budgeting. With gas prices and everything else going on in the world we have to cut back our spending. I'm sure most people are doing the same. Soooooooooooo it was brought up about my spending on gardening items.

Now my better half gave the opinion that I bought too many plants, bulbs, seeds last year. But he is prejudice he's a "lawn man" for lack of a better word. The more lawn for him to cut the better. Hey, don't ask me why he likes that chore. Now don't get me wrong I like a nice, green, freshly cut lawn as much as anyone else, but flower beds are better. Just my opinion. So I was wondering if I have a gardening addiction.

Are these signs?

** Longing for spring in November.

** Looking through garden catalogs everyday

** Changing your mind 100 times on what you will plant and where.

** Calling in sick to work on the first warm sunny day so you can garden.

** Funny looks from neighbors because you are outside scouring the ground for the first blooms of the season.

** Starting your seeds way too early.

** Your family and friends recognize you when you are bent over pulling weeds as much as they do face to face.

** You greet your friends with "What did you plant? I planted....." instead of "How are you".

** You shop online nurseries and realize your "shopping basket" has $500 worth of items in it and then have to start removing them.

Maybe there is a Gardening Addicts Anonymous for people that are garden addicts like me.

Ah well, who cares. I won't get help! I refuse!

Just a few pictures

I haven't posted in a while. I have been busy with my garden. I wanted to post a few pictures I took of some plants/flowers etc. I'm not a very good photographer but anyway here goes.....

My Garden

I'm pretty anxious on starting my vegetable garden and even more so adding to my landscape with flowers and such. I planted an azalea a couple of weeks ago , like a dummy, and wouldn't you know it below freezing temperatures came back here in Indiana. I should have known better to plant so early but as always every year I get too anxious.

I've been researching some garden tips and writing some of my own and have started a "gardening page" on my website. I'm still adding to it as I have limited time due to my 8-5 job and of course spring soccer has started for my daughter.

The vegetable garden I have planned out pretty well so far.

First I need to till and add some nutrients to the soil, I'll test the soil and add peat moss as well.

Vegetables I will be planting this year are:

• peas
• green beans
• watermelon
• onions
• tomatoes
• zuchinni
• bell peppers

And I may add to the list later. I can't wait, I know I'm obsessed! Don't knock it ... you haven't tasted some of my green beans **smile**