I’m very excited. Last night I made copper labels for all of our fruit trees. All it took was; some 1” labels, which you can buy, but I won them at a gardening event; metal stamping set; wood scrap; and a hammer.

To do the stamping -

This last week has been fantastic. The weather is warm enough to work outside and the humidity is still low. The gardens are bursting into bloom. I have snapdragons, carnations, dianthus, pansies, and petunias already in bloom. The hydrangeas first blossoms opened yesterday. My lilies have buds all over them.

The trees have leafed out. The berry bushes are making berries. The grapes have buds on them. Best of all one [...]]]>

First hydrangea blossoms opening right now.

Perfect Weather

This last week has been fantastic. The weather is warm enough to work outside and the humidity is still low. The gardens are bursting into bloom. I have snapdragons, carnations, dianthus, pansies, and petunias already in bloom. The hydrangeas first blossoms opened yesterday. My lilies have buds all over them.

Cornucopia In The Making

The trees have leafed out. The berry bushes are making berries. The grapes have buds on them. Best of all one of the peach trees we planted two years ago is covered in little peaches. We even have on plum on one plum tree, with a nest full of birds to boot.

In the veggie garden the peas have buds one them; the brassicas are finally getting large enough to think they might actually produce something; the spinach is taking off. Seeds are sprouting everywhere: summer squash, cucumbers, yard long beans, and melons.

Pansies are blooming like crazy.

The seedlings are getting rangy and need to be hardened off, but the weather has been cloudy and grey so they’re still waiting for a real challenge.

I’m continuing the yard cleanup. I’ll tell you, I learned my lesson. I’ll not pass on doing the fall cleanup this coming season, that’s for sure.

My husband and I got together a couple days ago and put together a project list for the yard, so now I have some extra help in getting the bigger things completed.

Dianthus are nearly perennials here.

RIP Little Mower

The only downside is that our aging push mower, which my husband has spent three days getting everything working to weld the broken handle, blew something this morning and lives no more, RIP. It did a valiant job. We found it by the side of the road, someone moving had left it there for the trash and it mowed for us for 11 years, not bad.

So, besides the fact that the weeds are now knee high, everything is springing forth gloriously.

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Is your perfect retirement being able to sit by the pool every day and enjoy the [...]]]> None of us like to think about it, but at some point in time we may not be able to keep up our house and yard. Maybe you’re at the point that you don’t want the responsibilities of a home and yard. Or it might be a knee or hip replacement that leaves with limited mobility, or unable to push the lawn mower anymore.

Is your perfect retirement being able to sit by the pool every day and enjoy the sun?

Planning ahead for the possibilities is always good. You need to know what is really important to you as you look over the options for senior living communities. Living arrangements, ammenities, travel possibilities, community events, health care availability, etc., should all be considered. Maybe you would like to be able to still have some gardening time, but not be fully responsible for a garden, more like volunteering. Whatever your needs are, you should make a list and then carefully scrutinize the facilities you’re considering.

For some, the golden years are their golden opportunities to indulge in things they didn’t have time for when they were younger; maybe golf, tennis, yoga, or regular massages are on your list; possibly you would like to be able to go to the theater regularly, or attended cultural or educational programs; maybe you just don’t want to have to go into the kitchen unless you feel like it, having meals readily available in a common dining area.

Retirement doesn’t mean you have to sit on your porch and watch life go by. These days there’s the perfect place for everyone to age gracefully, and having a lot of fun while doing it.

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We’ve all heard that putting in an irrigation system is the way to go, but how do you decide what you need, especially if you’re still putting in your yard and are not quite sure what the final plan will look like? We keep changing our minds about what we want; where and how many of this or that we want to grow.

Not only that, there [...]]]>

Sprinklers are fun to play in, but not very efficient for watering your yard.

We’ve all heard that putting in an irrigation system is the way to go, but how do you decide what you need, especially if you’re still putting in your yard and are not quite sure what the final plan will look like? We keep changing our minds about what we want; where and how many of this or that we want to grow.

Not only that, there are new developments every year, or at least that I hear about, so keeping up with options can take a lot of time. I am actually starting to look at putting in a permanent system in the backyard, as we are completing the vegetable garden section of the yard.

The best thing you can do is put together a landscape design. In this day and age of water conservation is a good idea to plan a water wise yard. A great resource for planning water efficient designs is http://www.epa.gov/watersense/outdoor/landscaping_tips.html.

Finding irrigation supplies is the first trick. Local big box centers usually have some supplies, but they may not be the best quality or the latest technology. For instance I found an indoor controller online today. It looks very interesting and I’m going to have to do some research on it, as the controller we have is quite old, relies on a computer to run it, with an interface that any new computer we buy will not have. It is moving into the realm of old technology rapidly.

If your yard has stabilized and you pretty much know where trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and grass are going to be grown, you can just make a list of the various supplies you’ll need, such as the length of hose; emitter or sprinkler heads, and the various patterns you’ll need; control boxes; sensors; valves, fittings, and tools, etc. You’ll need to take measurements and then plan for a little extra, as well as some mistakes, when buying the tubing. Having many different emitter and sprinkler head styles is important, too, so that you can be sure to cover every single area. You don’t want to end up with a dead plant of grass patch. You’ll need to know your water pressure, as well, because some systems will require you to lessen the pressure, while others may not run well if you have a low pressure system like we do.

If you have questions about what will work, any company should help you sort it out. Doing it yourself will save you a lot of money, but in the end, if you just don’t have the skills, having it installed may be the best, albeit much more expensive, option.

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One of the things I like the most about living in the country is all the wildlife. We have an abundance of birds which are my favorite, but also, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, possums, and although I’ve never seen one I’ve seen the prints for deer.

Wildlife can be a delight and a pain at the same time. Just this morning I had one bold sparrow hanging on the window and pecking it, to let me [...]]]>

Knock, knock FEED ME!

Nature Amongst Us

One of the things I like the most about living in the country is all the wildlife. We have an abundance of birds which are my favorite, but also, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, possums, and although I’ve never seen one I’ve seen the prints for deer.

Wildlife can be a delight and a pain at the same time. Just this morning I had one bold sparrow hanging on the window and pecking it, to let me know it’s time to refill the feeder. Then, while I was meditating, a huge squall happened right outside my window. A quick look let me know the mockingbirds were in trouble, so I flew out the door with an umbrella in hand ready to do battle with whatever was disturbing their nest. I didn’t see anything, so figured I scared it off when I came barreling out the door.

Sadness and Joy

A few years ago I tried in vain to save their hatchlings when I saw them going wild. When I finally spotted their nest I also spotted a huge black snake. My husband and I tried to save the babies, but the snake got them. That was a sad day.

This spring I’ve got somebody digging in all my gardens. I think they’re after grubs, but they’re digging up seeds in the process as well.

Then there’s the morning when the first hummingbird feeds on the blossoms right out my window. I can hear their wings and their chit-chitting at each other. The hummer moths that feed on the plants arrive. With the blooming of the zinnias and tithonia the swallowtail butterflies arrive in droves. Nothing more beautiful that them floating from flower to flower, surrounded by the cast of tiny colorful relatives.

Of course I deal with any number of bugs, spiders, etc. We’ve learned to live in symbiosis, except when I come across one that’s poisonous. I still can’t just let them go. I hope one day to live in tune so that I can just ask them to leave the property and no harm will be done.

I think one of the most amazing mornings I ever spent was when I happened on a cicada that had just hatched. It was sitting on the edge of the garden. I sat for a long time watching as it pumped fluid into its wings. It’s body growing smaller, while its wings grew bigger. It changing from a bright green to a bronzy color as it went through the change. Then in a flash it was gone.

So, stop, look, listen, smell and enjoy nature.

If you have any interesting nature stories to share please fill out the comment box below.

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Today I finally got to cleaning all the weeds out of the herb garden. I was appalled to see how many and how big they had gotten this early in the season. Just goes to show you how early it got warm.

I was surprised to find a little plant called Mexican Mace, I don’t have the botanical name, growing. When I planted it I thought [...]]]>

The hevenly scent of lemon thyme and oregano as they grow together in my garden.

Today I finally got to cleaning all the weeds out of the herb garden. I was appalled to see how many and how big they had gotten this early in the season. Just goes to show you how early it got warm.

I was surprised to find a little plant called Mexican Mace, I don’t have the botanical name, growing. When I planted it I thought it was an annual. Then last year I thought it was coming up from seed, but this year it is too big to be a seedling, so I think it is either a perennial or a hardy annual and our mild winters don’t kill it off.

Working amongst all the aromatic herbs; oregano, lemon thyme, rosemary, and fennel is a delight for the nose. Unfortunately it took me too long to get to the weeding and a couple plants were looking a bit peaked and straggly.

I was sad to have to end my outdoor time and return to the house to other important things, but to my delight, even after washing my hands with soap and water to remove the dirt, I could smell fennel, and lemon thyme, which was coming from my hands.

I needed to dig up some of the fennel volunteers, and I accidentally broke a stem of the oregano off. They made delicious additions to our salad at lunch. There’s really nothing as delicious as fresh herbs. They’re worth all the work it takes to keep the gardens and plants happy and healthy!

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I am a Nanny for a couple in town that has a 9 month old son. I really enjoy the job because I can basically do whatever I want, and I get paid to do it. I can get my studying done, go to the mall, watch TV, anything. The baby loves riding around in the stroller, so I take him to the mall just about once a week and we window shop together. [...]]]> Thanks for the article from Jermaine Haynes

I am a Nanny for a couple in town that has a 9 month old son. I really enjoy the job because I can basically do whatever I want, and I get paid to do it. I can get my studying done, go to the mall, watch TV, anything. The baby loves riding around in the stroller, so I take him to the mall just about once a week and we window shop together. People always assume he is my child because we are so comfortable together and clearly love each other so much. I love being in their house, too. They have the best food, and she made it clear from the beginning that I can and should help myself to anything while I am there. The house is always really clean, too. They have cleaners that come once a week to clean, and that is usually when the little guy and I go to the mall. I like that they have overland park home security also because on the nights when they work late, I don’t feel nervous being in that big old house alone.

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A number of years ago I had the privilege of working at a garden center. I ended up being the buyer for all the perennials, herbs, and frequently the annuals. I was so excited. I was going to be able to make my living being surrounded by plants, what could be better. I received my first order and scanned the form. My heart hit bottom, everything on the list looked like [...]]]>

Is this salvia or sage for you?

Trial By Fire

A number of years ago I had the privilege of working at a garden center. I ended up being the buyer for all the perennials, herbs, and frequently the annuals. I was so excited. I was going to be able to make my living being surrounded by plants, what could be better. I received my first order and scanned the form. My heart hit bottom, everything on the list looked like it was written in Greek, well actually Latin.

I spent hours with a perennial guide next to me looking up all the plants to see what their common name was.

Understanding Creates Deep Appreciation

I began to realize that knowing the botanical name for a plant was very important, because, sometimes common names are different from region to region. One day I had someone come in and ask for sage. I took them over to the herb section and showed them several varieties of sage. They were infuriated. They kept saying, “No, no, I said sage.” I was at a total loss. As we were leaving the herb department, they spotted Salvia splendens and exclaimed, “There it is!” I had grown up with the plant being called salvia, never ever sage. Throughout that first season I learned a whole new vocabulary for many of my favorite flowers and realized that a Latin name that is used around the world was necessary so that we could all be on the same book and page.

By the time I left the position I knew all the botanic names for every plant on the lot, their preferred growing conditions, and plants that combined well with them. It was fantastic.

It’s A Big World Out There

The other huge lesson I learned is that there were hundreds if not thousands of perennials that I had never even heard of that were gorgeous and well suited to the area we were living. Also, that some of tried and true favorites just don’t cut it in the heat and humidity of the mid-Atlantic summer. No more Artemisia for my gardens, as the soft furry leaves turn into mush in the middle of the summer, because they don’t dry out enough after the morning dew.

If you are a plant lover and ever get the opportunity to work at a garden center, go for it. You’ll learn so much and help others learn so much. It was the most gratifying job I’ve ever had. When we moved I couldn’t find another position similar to what I’d had and ended up going a different direction, but I still remember those three years fondly.

Share Your Experiences

Have you ever had the opportunity to work in a job that you never thought possible? Maybe you were able to take a passion and turn it into income? Please share your experiences so we can all be inspired.

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What does this mean for the home grower or the conscientious gardener? Anyone who’s concerned about the effects of Monsanto’s work can vote with their pocketbook, by staying away from seeds [...]]]> On several occasions I’ve talked about GMO or GE crops. Monsanto and Seminis are the two main companies developing these seeds. While developing their “frankenseeds” they’re also keeping their foot in the legitimate seed door.  I recently found a listing of many of the varieties that Monsanto and Seminis sell.

What does this mean for the home grower or the conscientious gardener? Anyone who’s concerned about the effects of Monsanto’s work can vote with their pocketbook, by staying away from seeds that are offered by either Monsanto or Seminis.

Safe seeds will ensure the planets food supply.

The best way to do this is to check and make sure the companies that you deal with have signed the safe seed pledge. The numbers are growing, as seed companies realize the severity of what GMO seeds could mean to their business. There are lists online, but I’ve not found anything current, so the best thing to do is look at their web site or print catalog and see if they say they’ve signed. If you don’t find it, write to them and ask, letting them know that you won’t buy any seed from them until you know they are not supporting any GMO seeds or seed companies that work in that field.

Last year one company I purchase from regularly had not signed the pledge. They said they had some customer favorites that they weren’t willing to give up. Well, I guess many people must have voted with their money, because by fall they had signed the pledge!

So, take a look at the list. You may be growing some without even knowing it, because companies buy the seeds in bulk and put them in their own packages. If one of your favorites is their, maybe it’s time to find a new favorite and help protect our biodiversity.

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