May 2013 - Front Yard Makeover

For a long time, I have been wanting to get the garden bed at the front of the house in shape.   Lots of weeds, heat, and dry dirt has determined what would go here.  The faucet on the garage was finally fixed and now the garden can get some much needed water for the hotter days to come. 

Evan and I got this done for around $100.  The cost of the rocks was more than I expected, but needed them for when the gutter overflows on heavy rain days.  This helps with erosion.  We dug up the weeds and planted a few things after moving the forsythia and holly bush that are now in better locations. 

Evan and I picked out three dwarf evergreens that are not suppose to get very tall, eight feet maximum, some pretty purple flowers that didn't last even a week, and a variegated holly bush.  We kept the lilies, pretty orange flowers and the St. John's Wart from my mom's yard.  Then, we laid down a soaker hose and covered everything up with a weed liner, mulch and rocks.

April 1, 2013 - Spring Clean Up!!!

This year we are having a later start on our garden compared to last year.  I'm OK with that.  I love the snow!  Nevertheless, I am ready for our garden to get going and get us out of this dreary brown state.

It is interesting to see what has survived:

Kale and Arugula is growing on the backside of the raised garden.

On the inside of the Raised Garden, Leeks and Green Onions are growing beautifully!

In the Butterfly Garden, the Day Lilies and Lamb's Ear is coming back.

Here is a nice close up of the Leeks.

Baby Carrots anyone?

After a good clean up inside the bed, I rearranged the soaker hose to insure that everything gets a good dose of water in the summer heat this year.

The Mint had grown all over the garden, into the walkways, the main bed and even over to the Butterfly Garden.  I cleared it back as this will take over anyone's garden if it is not tended to properly.

It won't be long before the grass next to our yard is taller than the fence and ours will need to be mowed more than I want to.

Panda is definitely enjoying the nice April weather we are having as I clean the garden.

Nov. 25, 2012 - The Living Room Garden

The temperatures are now too cold for the house plants to stay outside.  They did really well outside and now need a home on the table in the Dining Room with the southern exposure to the sun.

All the leaves have fallen from the trees and that means gutter cleaning time.  I will climb on the roof and clean out the gutters while Evan mows the lawn to mulch the leaves. 

Sept. 20, 2012 - Garden End of Season

As the year winds down, I pull what I can out of the garden to make some more yummy recipes.  

- Roasted Potatoes -

Rosemary, Oregano, Basil, Chives, and Parsley from the garden roasted with garlic cloves and potatoes. 

- Spearmint Tea -  

Freshly Pulled Mint from the Garden and cooked in a pot of boiling water to extract the flavor.

- Pesto - 

 Freshly Pulled from the Garden and blended with Pine Nuts and Oil.

 

This made quite a bit and I was able to pour the mixture into ice trays and freeze them for a future use.  They are very delicious and taste well on spaghetti noodles and sprinkled with parmesan. 

The new mums were getting ready to bloom finally.

A few Kentucky Pole Beans were still growing. 

A couple of Sunflowers were still blooming.  

Still no Brussels Sprouts to be able to be eaten.  

Mr. Toad is still guarding the Mesclun mix.  

The nights have finally cooled off and we threw some logs on the fire pit and enjoyed the warmth until the rain started.  Good thing I made the fire extra big to withstand the hard rainfall. 

2012 - Sept 15

Now that the days are cooler, Panda will enjoy his stay outside more.  He loves sitting on the porch and watches over the yard from his perch.  The Butterfly Garden is also making a comeback after the scorcher of a summer we had.

Pixie loves being outside, regardless of the heat.  She will wonder around the yard or sit out in the yard and keep guard.  Deer, Squirrel, Rabbit, Mouse, Mole, Frog, Person or Cat: Beware of Dog.  She will bark at you!  Her cuteness will fool you and then she will shower you with wet tongue kisses if she deems you a good guy.

Oh, Brussels Sprouts, when will you be ready?  You tempt me with your Sprouts all along your stalk and then I defend you from your caterpillar attacks.

Tasty looking Tomatoes popped out of no where and now Evan and I have lots of potential Tomatoes, hoping for a red bounty of Tommy Toes and Yellow Drops.

An array of Kale leaves tempt me with a nice dish for Kale chips.  One day I will munch on your tasty produce.

Basil, Spearmint, Garlic Chives and Parsley Oh, My!  These guys are doing so well now that the summer heat has subsided.

The smaller stalk of Kale is making a push for some new leaves after I plucked them all off from the caterpillar attacks.

The Kentucky Pole Beans are doing their thing just fine now too.  Lots of little Pole Beans are lining the vine.  So exciting.

The last of the Summer Red Sunflowers.

A baby Rose of Sharon blooms underneath the Parent Bush.  So cute.

Evan's new flower from Powell Gardens is holding up well after I planted in the heat of the summer.

Mine is doing ok.  Half of it died off along with Evan's other plant he picked out had did the same thing.  The red flowered plant died, as the yellow one takes over.

After I split this Deep Orange Lily and gave it to my Mom for Mother's day, it had died off quite a bit too.  I am glad to see it still growing and several plants strong again.