Fertilize Friday 4/15/11

I'm taking part in Fertilize Friday hosted by Tootsie. She always has lots of followers and lots of great ideas on gardening among other things. Check her out.. you won't be disappointed.

My yard is in need of lots of Spring cleanup. Last Sunday was a good day, but we got busy and I didn't spend any time in the garden. I'm sure it won't go away... I'll catch it another time. Lots of leaves to clean up and twigs to be picked up.

These pretties look like little starlights. Don't remember the name, but they're planted up front by the daffodils.

The tulips are on their way. Should have some color in a couple of weeks.

Love the crocuses. They looked better last week, but I did catch their color. See what I mean about lots of leaves :)

I want to do something with this side of the house this year. These two burning bushes are doing well. MM bricked out the bed last year. It now needs lots of fill and some little plantings. I think it is the southeast or southwest side. It has lots of shade and there's lots of moss in the grass. I'll have to give this more thought.

These little starlight things are popping up in the grass in the backyard. Just kind of scattered all around.

The Neon Sedum is coming up nicely. If I remember correctly they got eaten by either deer or bunnies. I'll have to get out there early and give them some protection.

Coreopsis is making an early start.

Daylilies are looking good. Don't look at the dried up leaves lol

Chicks and hens look so pretty this time of year.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the hollyhock coming up. At least 3 of the 6 are making a start. Hope the others come through.

I received this potted azaela with ivy from my niece upon the recent death of my Mother. Miss you Mom :(.

A mum I got from another friend. Gotta find nice homes for these in a few weeks.

So there you have it. Definitely signs of life and lots of clean up to be done. It's supposed to rain this weekend and the next weekend is Easter. It's funny how the weekends fill up so quickly. I used to go to my Mothers after work most nights and now that time has sadly been given back to me. Maybe that will be my new gardening time.

Fertilize Friday 8/6/10

Our wonderful host Tootsie always has lots of fun new projects she's working on. Be sure to check them out as well as all the other gardeners.


I'd given up on this Dahlia, but then when I put it in a more secluded spot to rest and it came back in full force.



Loaded Rose of Sharon



I love how the sweet potato vine rambles everywhere.... we keep picking it up and draping it somewhere else. Very colorful as you approach the front porch.



When I drive up the driveway I love looking back at all the colors. The hibiscus and holly hock really stand out for me.... or maybe I'm just looking for them lol



The Moonbeam Coreopsis and Russian Sage really make a nice color combo. I've got to learn how to shape the sage a little more, it's just falling over and has a weak looking base.



The Moonbeam Coreopsis flowers for the longest time in our area, beautiful little blooms.



There are two hibiscus plants now and they are both producing 'big' beautiful blooms.



These are the three hollyhock plants that came into bloom. Love em!



Isn't this a beautiful colored hollyhock?



I've waited all summer to see this wave petunia overflow like this, and the neon sedum are about to bloom.



After seeing all the garden art posted at Tootsie Time last week I thought I'd share mine too. This first bird house was given to me by a friend last year for my birthday. MM attached it to an old bathroom sink and anchored it to a log. I had to clear away the petunias to see the birdhouse lol



I received this cute birdhouse from a friend this year for my birthday.



Lots of rustic birdhouses.


There are a couple of tree faces.. cute in a whimscal way.





I put a few of these out early in the Spring to give the garden 'something' to look at while we waited for the plants to come up. Now they are mostly hidden.


There's usually a family in this one.





This glass birdhouse sparkles in the sunlight. You can also see the edge of the garden gate. Just your garden variety cyclone fence gate, but I've tried all year to get a clematis plant to grow on it. Maybe I need to rethink that idea since they keep dying.


The top one on the shepherds hook is full of birds. They chatter all day long and are not intimidated by us being on the porch.


More whimsy with the silhouette cat and kittens.











This red birdhouse is getting more rustic with the years, and I went through a phase of having little statuesque kids. I used to tuck them into the plants on the deck, but now I just have a few on the deck so they sit around the edge.


Girl with her kitty.


My daughter calls this the headless one because she lost her head and I glued it back on ... not quite straight, but it does the trick.

Nothing like a boy with his dog.

Colorful wind chimes that I received for my birthday last week. I have them right outside my kitchen window so I can see them sparkle.

Another aging birdhouse.....


with an occupant lol. Peanut was over on Tuesday and said 'look Papa, a frog.' She had to go point it out because it was so inconspicuous.


Peanut also has her own way of playing 'goofy golf' (or whatever name you have for it). She finds she does her best when she goes up and carefully places the stringed balls on the ladder rungs. lol I think we have a winner!


My niece gave this idea to label the plants with their names on rocks. I still need more flat rocks.

A long post, I know. Hope you enjoyed it. I'm looking for some old barn wood to make little signs that I've seen.

Fertilize Friday 7/16/10

Tootsie Time is our hostess for this fabulous meme. She's starting a series of posts about different kinds of gardens. Check it out and while you're there check out the other gardeners and their gardens.

To begin this weeks flaunting I'm going to start with the deck plants. This geranium is doing great. I'm on allergy meds so I can't remember the name of the bottom flower. The pumpkin is behind there now and I still can't find any pumpkins.


I love watching the coleus go from a little twig to something resembling a small tree lol.


And yes, I have grape tomatoes!! The plant is loaded so I should have a steady supply.


This is what the trumpet wall looks like from the ground side. This morning I saw an oriole sitting on it and eating something. That is a beautiful bird.


The rose of sharon is still to bloom, but is loaded with buds. MM trimmed it way back last year and I think it's gotten a little fuller at the bottom.


The wave petunia is finally covering the sink.


Oops, is that a butterfly? I'm not the only one that likes the petunia.


This is the lily that I got from my friend Tammy. Isn't it pretty?


I'm thinking I need to move this Bluebell of Scotland. It's growing and spreading nicely, but it's behind the peony. Should it stay there to stay partially shaded?


The Russian Sage is growing pretty good this year, but in years past I trimmed it and now I don't know what to do. Any suggestions on how to get it bushier and fuller at the bottom?


The name of this purple thingy is there somewhere, but I just didn't feel like bending over to take a look.... again, the meds.


Coneflowers still blooming nicely.


Beebalm is attracting lots of bees.... wonder where it got it's name.


Another week with this daisy, but they're starting to die back. Maybe I'll get a second bloom if I deadhead it right away.


Holly hock.... I'm watching it closely. There are lots of buds all up the stem.


Hibicus has lots of buds too.


Looking toward the front we have coreopsis and coral bells.


The neon sedum is yet to bloom.


Blooming chicks and hens. These seem to be spreading.


Coral Bells are blooming nicely, they kind of like it under these grasses. Maybe it was too much sun before.


The hostas out front are blooming nicely.


Porch plant is filling out nicely... not sure about my choices in the top pot. It's petunia and aspargus fern. I think they are competeing with each other too much.


Lots of blooms on this hosta.


Notice that something is still enjoying the Irish Spring soap. ??? It didn't eat the whole bar this time lol


Even though I have lots blooming and everything is gorgeous we're still looking forward to the neon sedum, hibiscus, hollyhock, rose of sharon and there's a little yarrow or yew that hasn't bloomed yet. So, what's going on in your neck of the woods? Got lots blooming? How are you keeping up with the watering?