Veggie Garden

Planted seeds last week (while the moon was waxing), and here they are popping up all over. It is supposed to start raining any minute now. If not, I'll have to water tomorrow.

Watermelons,
peas,
lettuce and Swiss chard,

and zucchini and peas.

CSA pickups start next week. One way or another, the freshest produce is on the way :)

Working and Resting in the Yard

After weeding a bit, filling the bird feeders, and planting everything waiting to be planted, laid down and watched nature. I know people think blue jays are bullies, but they sure are pretty. Chickadees, cardinals, etc. flitting between the bird bath, the feeders, and the trees. A nice way to take a break.

Oh, what did I plant? First, another hydrangea from this Easter, another white bleeding heart, and two sweet woodruffs along the east fence. Came upon a hosta I forgot about in the process. Gotta get some more for that area. It is coming along slowly. Also, planted the Gazania from Mother's Day at church--thanks, kids--along the driveway. And, made up a container with the geranium and three Gerbera daisy's from the godchildren/niece and nephew for Mother's Day. Last, but not least, the pesto perpetuo basil in a pot with some parsley, and the sweet and purple basils in hanging baskets. Phew!

Overnight Sensation

There were maybe three blooms on these yesterday. Knock-outs, indeed!

Idea of the Day

Heard it on the radio this morning...put together a kitchen herb container garden for your mom for Mothers Day--this Sunday! She can keep it outside the kitchen door and pick fresh herbs as needed.

Just stopped by the local nursery and picked up my herbs. My mom loves parsely, so I got some flat and some curly :) Also basil--genovese, variegated, and purple (mom loves purple)--and some sage and some fern-leaf dill (says it is more compact and great for containers). Now I just have to plant them in a nice pot!

Let me just say that the variegated basil is really great. I was so happy to see it in the store again this year. I bought a plant last year and was so glad I did. I think the flavor is good, though many will say it is not the best of the basil varieties flavor-wise. But the best thing is it is incredibly prolific. I guess that's why it's called "pesto perpetuo!" And it is very beautiful.

Mulch is Good

Yes, it does look better with mulch.



Meanwhile, lots of things blooming or getting ready to. Check out the cotoneaster (with golden barberry in the background), thyme, and a pink knockout rose. Blooming flowers restore the soul.
















On the way, asian lilies and pyracantha.














Nice to see that my jasmine over-wintered nicely in the shed!

My New Babies

Yeah, I'd rather plant than weed. Between the creeping charlie, the dandelions, and the seedlings of who-knows-what, there are not enough hours in the day to rid my planting beds of all the weeds. Not that I can stop myself from pulling a bunch every time I walk by. Then again, I can make more planting areas. Now I just need to get some mulch!


First I put a spice bush by the rose of sharon. I hope they will be friends :)



Then I put two Stairway to Heaven Jacob's Ladders and a Jim Crockett Boltonia between the variegated willow and the weeping pussy willow, eliminating the grass in-between. Isn't that pale grey landscape cloth lovely?