Spring chores completed!

I have spent the last few weekends trying to get my yard and gardens in shape!  I started early with the planting of annuals ~ keeping my fingers crossed that we don't get a frost.  I started early because I was planning a birthday picnic for my 21 (aargh) year old daughter this weekend.  I lucked out so far and the forecast show no signs of frost!!!  I have mulched all of my flowerbeds and actually had to re-mulch a couple of them that were  partially washed out  from the heavy downpours we had last week.  My other project for the picnic was to power wash my deck ~ what a chore but WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!  I couldn't believe how much better it looks!  It had become discolored ~ almost a dark algae covered green/gray and now it looks brand new!  It took me about 6 hours total but it was well worth it.  As for my flowers... my perennials are coming up wonderfully ~ I don't think I lost any plants but I did lose my favorite shrub ~ my brooms.  I pulled one completely out and the other I trimmed all the dead off and am hoping the rest of it survives, but it doesn't look good.  I had taken a close up photo of it last spring and actually had it blown up and framed for in my living room ~ at least I have that to enjoy.  I don't have the heart to pull the other one out as long as there is green on it.  I purchased 14 flats and a few 6" pots of annuals and put them in planted and a few in the ground.  The planters turned out beautiful.  I even shared some of  them w/ friends.  I planted the dahlia tubers that I saved over the winter and 2 of the geraniums, hopefully they'll make it.  Now it's time to put this exhausted body to bed.  Have a great weekend!!!

Project ~ expand flowerbed around front porch !

                                                                                                                                                                                                            Today's project was to widen the flower bed around my front porch.  First I moved the stones back to just outside where I wanted them to go.  I initially dug out some of the sod to use at another location, the rest was cut short then covered w/ a layer of newspaper (Tip  ~ I water the paper to keep it from blowing away), then I added a layer of peat moss, a layer of Organic Humus & Manure, then a final layer of Miracle Grow Garden Soil.  Later this month I will be adding mulch also.  It was exhausting work but in a few months when all the flowers are blooming, I'll be so glad I did it.    My main reason for widening this bed was because it was very crowded last year and I wanted to spread things out. I couldn't believe how big everything got last year ~ my boyfriend said it looked like a jungle.  I bought some plant supports from Gardeners Supply Company to support some of the plants that got really big.  Last year I waited too long and had to tie them up.  This year the supports will go over them and they'll actually grow up through them.  It won't be long before I have to put them out.  Things are growing FAST !   I dug up and divided several of the plants:  Yarrow, Shasta Daisies, Dianthus, and Delphiniums.  I also planted 3 yellow Ice plants, 3 Blue eyed grasses and 3 Elderberry shrubs that I recently purchased on sale for $2.99 each ~ what a deal! I added some of my compost around each new plant and each transplant. I was able to fill up one of my large Tubtrugs and probably have enough to fill another!  (A new composting system is my next project - I have a "toss and forget" type now with doors on the bottem to collect the "black gold".  I want to set up a two open bin system.)  Sorry to have rambled in a different direction but my mind is filled w/ ideas.  Back to my current project ~  I'll need to water each plant every couple of days until I know they're established.  I have my fingers crossed !  Now just a few touch up things ~ add a few more rocks to control the water flow from the down spout and mulch.  I better get some rest before the mulching starts later this week ~ it's not as easy as it was a few years ago ~ back aches, knees ache, arms ache,... I hate getting old  ~ guess it'll be Advil and ice packs tonight !

Spring has sprung ~ finally !!!

Spring is finally here and there are signs of it everywhere.  Everyday there is  new life peeking up through the ground.  It's exciting to see what plants made it through the winter ~ and this past winter was a doozy.  I've been busy cleaning up the yard from the furry of the blizzard ~ raking leaves, picking up broken branches and twiggs, and cutting back all the dead parts from my plants.  Now the fun begins!  I added some Miracle Grow Garden soil to some of my flowerbeds ~ what a difference that makes!  I started seeds indoors for a few  different flowers and I'm trying something new this year.  I'm not sure if it will work or not but what do I have to lose ~ I put potting soil in a few flowerpots and sprinkled seeds directly in the pot, watered them, covered them with  Saran Wrap and used a rubberband to keep it in place.  I have them under growing lights for about 8 hours a day. I use these on my porch and patio.  I'll let you know if it works. I planted bulbs in large planters last fall which are slowly coming up.   Mother's day can't come fast enough. so that I can start my outdoor planting.  I enjoyed sharing my collected seeds with many of my patients this year and will be curious to see if they had any luck with them.  Mulching will have to wait for awhile, unfortunately where I live, we have these whirly things come down from the trees and cover everything.  They really make a mess and make the mulch look aweful, so it's easier to just wait.   Hope you are all enjoying the spring ~ get out there and get dirty!

Smile~
Jeni
* almost forgot ~ it's time to get out those hummingbird feeders cleaned out and clean out your blue bird houses ~ they'll be arriving soon in Maryland!  ~ already have mealworms out and waiting for the blues!

Blizzard 2010!!!

We survived the blizzard! School is still closed due to the side roads, sidewalks and bus stops. My son is loving it! I learned today that the snow is actually good for the gardens, keeping the temps at 32 degrees ~ definitely good news considering we got about 50". Even though I love the snow, I can't wait til spring gets here to get my hands dirty and be able relax on my patio, watching the birds and butterflies. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy the little visitors from the inside! I love these little bird feeders ~ Gardenersupply.com!

Winter Wonderland ~ 2010!

Spring seems so far away ~ especially after this weekends 23" snowfall! It really is quite beautiful! Being snowed~in isn't so bad, it's kind of a break from the normal daily routine. It also forces you to get some fresh air and productive exercise ~ and good sleep too from that exercise! Living in the woods really does provide some amazing scenery when it snows. Everywhere you look, the dull-drums of winter are given a fresh new look. The birds really seemed to enjoy the snow too. Lucky for them, I remembered to fill the feeders before it started. My daughter's kitten enjoyed watching the birds almost as much as I did.

I guess I'll have to pick up more birdseed before the next storm in two days. They are only calling for 2" - 7" for that storm luckily. We'll probably have piles of snow clear into July this year. I'm anxious to see how it effects my flowers in the spring. Last year I lost quite a few because the winter was so dry ~ not a chance of that this year! I'll start planting seeds indoors in about 5 weeks or so. I hope I have better luck w/ that this year than I had last year too. If anyone has any tips on seed starting ~ I'd love to hear them. I've read alot about it on-line and in books, but nothing beats tips from other gardeners.

Have a great week!

Jeni

Happy New Year!

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy new year! It's a great time to reflect on this past year and think about what you'd like to change in your life to make the new year better than the last! Mine is to continue w/ my gardening and trying not to spend more $ on new flowers but to propagate from the plants I have or add from friend's or family's gardens! I also am working on dropping a few lbs (as always!) God bless and happy new year!

It's SNOWING!!! I'm so excited the we're getting snow before Christmas this year! It is so beautiful and hides all the ugliness that winter brings. I hope you all have a wonderful and memorable holiday season. Take it all in ~ the snow, the music, the lights & decorations, the feeling of excitement in the air, the family gatherings, and most of all ~ remember the true meaning of Christmas! XXO