Gardening

Jump Frog

This guy poked his head up as I was just ready to plant. I jumped and shrieked like he was a monster. I wonder if he thought it was funny?

Butterflies, Birds, and Berries: A Garden Guide

A strawberry patch sits in the middle of my flowerbed. I leave the luscious strawberries for the critters. I love it when this little guy comes to call.

Strawberries are in center of my bed. The white structure to the left had two monarch butterflies who hatched out and left today.

I have one flowerbed with dewberries that get the full attention of birds and squirrels. They also love my mulberry tree.

Protect Your Roses: Tips on Tussock Moth Caterpillars

I was deadheading and treating my roses for black spot yesterday when I found this Tussock Moth Caterpillar.

Of course, he’d brought his friends to the picnic.

As you can see, he wasn’t feasting on the leaf with black spot. He’d chosen a healthy one. Left in peace, he could have defoliated my rose. I plucked him off and squished him. This caterpillar doesn’t bite or sting but those spiked hairs on his back will imbed in skin and are irritating. I will be spending some time today evicting these unwelcome guests.

Try this

Digging holes is so much easier since I got this nice augur that attaches to my power drill. I can put out a flat of flowers in no time. It costs about $20.

Envy Attack

I am usually not much troubled by envy. Still, I was savagely attacked a few days ago in the checkout line at the garden center. I was behind a mother/daughter duo with three large wheeled carts of plants, everything from cyclamens to ornamental trees. Don’t get me wrong. I buy my fair share of plants but nothing like this bonanza. I hadn’t been incapacitated by envy at this point. I was busy rubbernecking, admiring their choices and wondering how long it would take to get this garden in the ground.

As I eavesdropped in the checkout line, envy nearly dropped me to my knees. The daughter of the pair, a woman in her thirties told the cashier, “It’s my birthday. Mom’s buying me all this for my birthday.”

Then Mom chimed in. “Now all we have to do is get out in your yard!”

”That’ll be $967.” replied the checker. “What a wonderful gift!”

At that moment, I wished that young woman had a feather up her butt and I had her plants so we’d both be tickled to death!

Mother’s Garden

Mother is ninety-seven and recently moved to an independent living facility. She has happily transformed her patio into a garden, already. She is at the garden center grabbing plants every time she can finagle a ride. My sister ,Connie and her husband, Tim, built this beautiful garden box and filled it with luscious flowers. They are currently her favorite family.

She is nurturing these beauties along a trellis adjacent to her patio. Mother had a lush garden at her little cottage before she moved here but I do believe she’s gone over the edge now.

Sadly for my budget, I inherited her obsession. I am on my way out now to put out hydrangeas and petunias.

Garden

I think a man thought I was trying to pick him up in the garden center yesterday. Like me, he was perusing the bargain plants. When I noticed he’d snagged a magnificent hydrangea, my plant lust kicked in. I fear he thought I was after him, rather than his plants. I merely coveted his hydrangea,not his person. He fended me off by hastily telling me his wife had just loaded his buggy up. Scorned, I assured him I was only after his hydrangea, not him. Fortunately, I found one of my own, so his was safe. It was the fifth one , I’ve been lucky enough to get this spring, hydrangea, not man, I mean.

I have a voracious appetite for plants but must restrict my expenditures in the interest of staying married, I make frequent visits to the markdown area where my favorite garden center typically marks plants down fifty percent, an extreme temptation. This frequently includes overstocks., a true blessing. My landscape plans are directly influenced by these bonanzas. For example, I had envisioned a purple and fuchsia scenario for one front bed but realized I could be equally happy with the numerous showy pots of purple and gold Wave Petunias I greedily grabbed.

I must confess. Plants lead me into deception. I do my best to keep them out of Bud’s direct view till I get them in the ground. I unload them in the front yard so as not to assault his sensibilities as he pulls into the garage. I’m not always in the mood to discuss the landscaping imposes on our budget. I understand it’s perfectly obvious that I’ve bought plants once they’re in the ground but I still practice this pointless subterfuge.

Gardening also interferes with my writing. I can’t wait to get out and get my hands in the dirt in the morning. My mind totally clears as I dig, plant, and ponder where each plant will flourish. Should a plant look unhappy, I look till I find it a happier niche.

For me, gardening is the purest joy.

Freesia
My hidden plants
Hydrangea

Wave Petunia