Gardening again

I finally went out and took some more garden pictures during nap time this afternoon. Here are the highlights... and I guess even some low lights. ;-) Oh well, it is all a process!

First off, have you ever seen the length of a cat's tongue? I was trying to get a cute picture of "Freeway" and instead I got this strange picture of his nose licking. Should I have really expected a cat to sit still for a photo shoot?

Secondly, I am excited to see that the Rhodies that we moved from right next to the house end of last summer have survived the winter in their new homes! I am sure they love the more acidic soil from the evergreen trees. The first is blooming a hot pink flower and if I remember correctly, the second will be a nice purple. They are flat on one side from growing against the house for so long, but they look OK against the new woodshed D built last summer.

This one is a really nice color. It brightens up this dark space behind the shed that you see as you drive into the driveway.

Thirdly, the dahlias are finally breaking out of the soil! They haven't all rotted anyway from this rain!

I have moved 5 of the containers to the old brick BBQ wall hoping it would warm them up enough to sprout. It seems to be working because 2 of the 5 now have sprouted there. I think that would be a great spot for tomatoes, it is southern exposure and the cement patio and bricks would really keep the warmth for the tomatoes to really flourish. Well, maybe I will buy some and try it out.

The

Lemon Balm

Picture

This next one is Helenium

(This is a picture of what the Helenium flowers will look like this summer from off of a website. It flowered just like this last year and I love the variation of yellows and oranges.)

Speaking of ORANGE:

I have these awesome lilies that the neighbor gave me two years ago that are awesome producers. The only issue I have with them is that they are so ORANGE!! I have to get some nice colors to go with it, probably some purple I guess. That is what the Gladiolus are in front of them, but that came out to be a bad planting because the glads are taller, and don't flower in time to counteract all that strong orange.

Here are just a couple more pictures from around the yard. (I think you can click on any of the pictures if you want to see them bigger. Especially the cat one. That tongue is something else.)

Welcome Bed, Front Door Area, Teddy Bear Sunflowers and Violets

God is working...

Lord willing there will be an update later this week, but for now, know that God is working and the job situation may change for us in the next couple days. We are under some stress trying to know what we are to do, getting counsel and asking lots of questions and PRAYING. I am praying that now we are letting God "do" and we are not just "do"-ing for ourselves. We may have been a victim of our own selves, selfishly planning instead of WAITING and letting God provide.

Oh, to see the plans he has for us. And to see how this will affect everyone involved. I just keep reminding myself that God knows, and all things will work for good.

Praising Him.

(Oh, and about 1/4th of the dahlias are sprouting! WooHoo - maybe no rot???)

Blue Sky

Wow, the blue sky has finally been spotted again.

I had to change the look here; before it was too dark with all that rain around outside!


Hopefully with the three or so expected days of "warmer" weather and no wet stuff, maybe the dhalias will dry out???? It would be great if they could eventually flower this year so I will know where to put them in the ground at the next place. (Wouldn't want to put red next to purple, right Dad? - Well, maybe that was just a Barbie outfit I had that he didn't like.) Purple and red actually sound like a fun and vibrant garden choice... maybe I should keep that in mind!

Plant Plans

So I think I have to dig up my dahlias and see if they are rotting. I have seen no hint of shoots yet, even moving the soil around just a little with my finger. I think they have just gotten so wet with all this rain and no sun to dry them out. I might have to put them under a little umbrella for awhile 'till this crazy late spring rain stops.

Also, the sweet peas aren't really going gangbusters for me yet. Must also be the warmth factor. I think they like it cooler, but a little something from the sunshine would be nice. Also, only about 1/2 of them germinated. I wonder if I soaked them too long, not long enough, etc.? We will see what colors come up - see if I am missing one type.

I am so sad that we haven't been able to get off our behinds and start that garden. We could have had spinach and lettuce by now if last year was any indication. I am heading out today to purchase a couple "salad bowl" planters for some lettuce on the deck. (I don't like the pink plants in that pot, but the bowl is what I'm thinking for the lettuce.)

Or, check out this funny salad/herb planter at this website. Not a real attractive design to me, but looks functional and you don't have to go hunting around all your pots to remember where you put the Oregano. (So we usually have this all in the garden, but of course we didn't plant the garden this year due to the impending move. - I should really post about that sometime. - A LONG story. - It may take a couple posts to cover. Probably a boring story unless you are living it. I'll see if I can get my thoughts together about it enough to write intelligently on it.)

Do you have a salad bowl planter? Send me your picture of it! What do you do with your herbs? I'm really liking them just planted around with the other flowers. Where are yours?

Rain. again.

It is raining again today.
My dahlias are going to rot.


On a better note, the majority of the sweet peas are about 2" tall now. I know they like this cooler weather. Some day the weather will change and I will probably be complaining about not planting a drought resistant garden.

Always something to complain, I mean find joy in, right? ;-)

Picture Day!

I think this is the female Rufous Hummingbird. I don't see her as often; it is usually the male which you will see flashing by in the next photo chasing away the second variety which can't hang out long enough for me to determine what kind it is let alone get a picture of him. All I know is that he is green and has a darker head. The male Rufous really has that flaming red/orange throat. Very bright.

I also managed a couple pictures of the miss-mash of containers on my deck last night while the kids and D were out playing. See what I mean? Miss-Mash! There are dahlia bulbs in the black containers near the herbs. They were gifted to us, and we don't know what colors they are.












Also, I snapped one of the perennial bed by the front door. It is pretty sad. Must be in need of some 'miricle grow' or something. However, on a happier note, the gladiolous by the back deck stairs are multiplying nicely! Maybe they will make up for the miss-mash of containers above them!