tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18363489521185879992024-03-13T23:57:38.187-04:00Garden at 21 WashingtonLife in my Western New York garden.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-61331467025210039662011-05-27T11:24:00.000-04:002011-05-27T11:24:31.704-04:00Lovely L's - Lilac and Lily of the ValleyThis is the time of year when the scents of flowers can truly intoxicate you and make you lose your head! A few years ago I had the opportunity to get rid of evergreen bushes I never liked and plant 2 lilacs in their place. Newer varieties of lilacs have lots of pluses over older varieties. For me, I was able to find lilacs that will stay about 8 feet tall and not grow to the <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5TnHMNWVM0F8Y9GEvmkEKckJn6L8_sGKmnY4FaQRSlTkx-Ovcd4Y3mhECSuuekO1TnYsp91CB5B_2Q2B1qnjuXmglwtciLSChyhRftrlGgZxUJB5WsZLbkol40hFmhgy5y0_I0aiRuk/s1600/IMG_2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5TnHMNWVM0F8Y9GEvmkEKckJn6L8_sGKmnY4FaQRSlTkx-Ovcd4Y3mhECSuuekO1TnYsp91CB5B_2Q2B1qnjuXmglwtciLSChyhRftrlGgZxUJB5WsZLbkol40hFmhgy5y0_I0aiRuk/s200/IMG_2812.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ED_dJjdqgqOTsLZfqdFg2O7voC5hyphenhyphenWtAfK3unKJ4M4lYGpOSTIJjnXcuJY8FTayGMMMrr8XJATnn4rgWBS7av2uZfmc21nxUbBPVFbKOEAVyD3A1OCYBQNzA2tFKOAYLxvX4bY9mMqE/s1600/IMG_2828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ED_dJjdqgqOTsLZfqdFg2O7voC5hyphenhyphenWtAfK3unKJ4M4lYGpOSTIJjnXcuJY8FTayGMMMrr8XJATnn4rgWBS7av2uZfmc21nxUbBPVFbKOEAVyD3A1OCYBQNzA2tFKOAYLxvX4bY9mMqE/s200/IMG_2828.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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towering 20 feet I often see old lilacs growing to in Western NY. Also, the flowers on these lilacs are as long as my forearm! The scent is heavenly as well because what would a lilac be without its fragrance? Lily of the valley are my second L - love this time of year. For as tiny as the flower is, it gives off a scent that 100 times larger than its diminuative size. If I sit in a chair at the front corner of my porch, I can smell both the lilacs and lily of the valley. I wish science could find a way to truly bottle these scents. Some soaps and perfumes I've smelled come close, but they do not hold a torch to the real thing. Both of these plants are so easy to grow, everyone should add them to their yard and enjoy this intoxicating time of year.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-20228967376713350002011-05-11T10:14:00.000-04:002011-05-11T10:14:16.186-04:00April showers and May flowersAll the rain we had in April really dampened my spirits and my garden. It seemed like it rained daily and temperatures were more like winter than spring. May arrived and it took a few days but now it finally feels like spring has arrived in Western New York. All the rain we received in April has helped the flowers, trees and bushes to explode into bloom these past 10 days. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Oxew1MJzbMEAa_hh3KOGG3KGnQMWEpIx9CLKtYKd2DzT1BlWxBoYxkveLdRZ6d6BxD6XVoYm6YPh8v_WUWIRRBUmoz9yMV7N-oaSMbVrDLoKqVNdgVufisFN-zurUE2Wtu1eNYk2dU/s1600/IMG_2775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ2Oxew1MJzbMEAa_hh3KOGG3KGnQMWEpIx9CLKtYKd2DzT1BlWxBoYxkveLdRZ6d6BxD6XVoYm6YPh8v_WUWIRRBUmoz9yMV7N-oaSMbVrDLoKqVNdgVufisFN-zurUE2Wtu1eNYk2dU/s200/IMG_2775.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLao2p-QiFLK9i5dZu1ctuRUZnw4_J1WU_DRZMkaq_zf9F2E2OByNrqeaH6KxAANSD5VI_coQz5FKDi_SFUvOqCqIPRrOoUdwSXBBgrc54f1gxMxjsHE5TE_jk9SQDllk6g4V-nz63QhI/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLao2p-QiFLK9i5dZu1ctuRUZnw4_J1WU_DRZMkaq_zf9F2E2OByNrqeaH6KxAANSD5VI_coQz5FKDi_SFUvOqCqIPRrOoUdwSXBBgrc54f1gxMxjsHE5TE_jk9SQDllk6g4V-nz63QhI/s200/IMG_2778.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOA7EHnq0QFpAv8NOCXCUf2fKNnhYCu8XVVgXnfgRn_5MbmvAp4ahTSSmiQE0jmPDKdYTjHpUa-FnEx6Yq1NEsSdUrkyJUCKAO5IHvMobFiFIL1IhgyqkVcbUeGhYL6A_vI_N6HtEOF7Y/s1600/IMG_2779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOA7EHnq0QFpAv8NOCXCUf2fKNnhYCu8XVVgXnfgRn_5MbmvAp4ahTSSmiQE0jmPDKdYTjHpUa-FnEx6Yq1NEsSdUrkyJUCKAO5IHvMobFiFIL1IhgyqkVcbUeGhYL6A_vI_N6HtEOF7Y/s200/IMG_2779.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyha3X90NZAroCPKGGVoTcXXLPaVhmoSQfVvRxUuKZk7q3Fvrut5yAtw1vNmJgZWucQqnQm_Jpi2gFLUiy9ZTXFtE5FF3Kai-STwk0CT22cbvBWwodCo99ZHzjRe-hXeKggxgvhYRe0qc/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyha3X90NZAroCPKGGVoTcXXLPaVhmoSQfVvRxUuKZk7q3Fvrut5yAtw1vNmJgZWucQqnQm_Jpi2gFLUiy9ZTXFtE5FF3Kai-STwk0CT22cbvBWwodCo99ZHzjRe-hXeKggxgvhYRe0qc/s200/IMG_2786.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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The plants were just waiting for some sun and warmth to start growing! My garden is a riot of winter pansies and many varieties of tulips and daffodils. It definitely helps to plant varieties that are labeled early, mid and late spring because it seems like something is always on its way out and just about ready to bloom. I've mulched and trimmed and now really need to get serious about weeding and pulling back some plants who want to take over the entire garden. My lilacs are getting ready to bloom and just down the highway in Rochester, the Lilac Festival is getting ready to start. Just this past week my bleeding heart went from a few dead looking twigs to a riot of gorgeous heart shaped blooms. There is something so magical about a bleeding heart - I just love them! Enjoy this spring weather and some of the pictures I've posted.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-16726290467744539692011-04-18T15:18:00.000-04:002011-04-18T15:18:44.954-04:00What happens in a week!I last wrote about all the warm weather we are having. A friend of mine said "April is the cruelest month" and after the last few days, I couldn't agree more! We have a trace of snow and it is not what a gardener wants to see this time of year. The warmer weather we were having did push many of my daffodils and tulips up, many with buds ready to open and others with buds just starting to form. The hyacinths, one of my absolute favorites, have opened and their scent even in the cold, is overwhelmingly wonderful. None of the vegetables I planted last weekend have started to emerge, but I'll keep reporting on their progress. My dad always<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MtJ-HoYMLWt7N35N_8i3O0DBQ1GvZ0-fHCgGP2bDx4LcDTmHomesoe3nMYvIS6jCHW3GI1DLZVuSvUuTJavanunA0K3wAs2q5LYfAWG3chEtDsFCfzcJ4-J05BcFynd4WTfwnIXEqfM/s1600/IMG_2702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MtJ-HoYMLWt7N35N_8i3O0DBQ1GvZ0-fHCgGP2bDx4LcDTmHomesoe3nMYvIS6jCHW3GI1DLZVuSvUuTJavanunA0K3wAs2q5LYfAWG3chEtDsFCfzcJ4-J05BcFynd4WTfwnIXEqfM/s320/IMG_2702.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO71yrbu0odN8IsKgbP2WJYAWD07okd4y4oH3i6ac1DicLpC0L02OH8Q0KjyOk6ID_oe-9BAWwkEw7OFCIxIukjUfF0RRyFlUoTGf5PaOYBFzB2pn053HlxsL3QSyhmB5UAWh5-3qRs2s/s1600/IMG_2678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO71yrbu0odN8IsKgbP2WJYAWD07okd4y4oH3i6ac1DicLpC0L02OH8Q0KjyOk6ID_oe-9BAWwkEw7OFCIxIukjUfF0RRyFlUoTGf5PaOYBFzB2pn053HlxsL3QSyhmB5UAWh5-3qRs2s/s320/IMG_2678.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EoxTCO9iR9LgWqgZdHliiNwc4I_gRRlCyadV_SqESAlrhc2nRluAdLZKvnoF_5e6O_wKBAdMbVJfxKIdGFrnnvibho6MyNklFbcTGUGmwGeKcMSsooTVXZ8p7P06129BA_yavuwBKcc/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EoxTCO9iR9LgWqgZdHliiNwc4I_gRRlCyadV_SqESAlrhc2nRluAdLZKvnoF_5e6O_wKBAdMbVJfxKIdGFrnnvibho6MyNklFbcTGUGmwGeKcMSsooTVXZ8p7P06129BA_yavuwBKcc/s320/IMG_2688.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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told me I needed to be more patient in the garden and he was right and today the weather is just one more reminder that Mother Nature is truly in charge!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-75826277963299812472011-04-11T13:06:00.000-04:002011-04-11T13:06:30.276-04:00Amazing what a little warm weather will do!We had a spectacular spring weekend here in Western New York. Sun, the warmest temperatures yet for 2011 and the emergence of flowers and insects. I have daffodils, Grecian wind flowers, an early tulip and a star flower open as of lunch time today. These early bloomers really do give you hope that your garden will come back to life and that it is well on its way to gorgeousness. I also planted two typ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs5Poo8T8hfBHA3wpuOXXT_vRWrW23HWk0EE1EMdgo7_YZiBgl5F2wLMIn1o3dJkdFPzrWI2n6mtTC4x8tmrBNWnHvs4ftlSKxlELgyNF2yVlA30Nrp7eURGt8Gf7Nge-v92OhM69IDw/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs5Poo8T8hfBHA3wpuOXXT_vRWrW23HWk0EE1EMdgo7_YZiBgl5F2wLMIn1o3dJkdFPzrWI2n6mtTC4x8tmrBNWnHvs4ftlSKxlELgyNF2yVlA30Nrp7eURGt8Gf7Nge-v92OhM69IDw/s320/IMG_2670.JPG" /></a></div><br />
es of Swiss Chard, beets and spinach and I'll report on their progress once I start to see some shoots. Enjoy these photos of some early blooms.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-22229674540705183142011-04-06T14:32:00.000-04:002011-04-06T14:32:31.981-04:00Time for Early Spring VegetablesNow that I think we are finally past the time of much measurable snow, it's time to start thinking about planting early spring vegetables. I have three - square foot gardening boxes in my garden. Each box is two foot square. I use these boxes to grow vegetables each summer. Because they are small, they are easy to maintain and because they are raised beds, the soil drains well and there is no breaking ground each spring. I built the square foot gardening boxes after reading the book "All New Square Foot Gardening: Grow More in Less Space" by Mel Bartholomew. It's a wonderful book that describes how easy it is to grow lots of vegetables in just a little space. After I built my boxes, I used the soil recipe in the book to make the soil mixture to fill my boxes. Now all I do is add some fresh mushroom compost and a little vermiculite each year and my vegetables grow wild! The book also lists how many of each type of vegetable that you can grow in 1 square foot of space. This weekend it looks like temperatures will be back in the 50s and the soil is workable, so it is time to plant my early spring vegetables. This year I'm planting beets, two types of Swiss Chard, Buttercrunch head lettuce and spinach. When we pass the frost date, I will add Early Girl and grape tomato plants and waxed beans. These spaces are small, so there is very little maintenance and the only fertilizer I use is organic compost. I have never had a pest problem and I think that is because there is so much variety in my garden. Pick your favorite spring vegetable and get planting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjiSGSEhVvGygCL1O8ZbGU5DphabKpJeUr0jl6SP2eahBPbi3KySc0lvBRIpqIj7NeyP5A4oE3uKVdxZV3e4RG-03aunKOeS6Fp9Aween6jVYXcpt2Lt9trP_Fj2er-7Q5LkalWCwpeY/s1600/IMG_2669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjiSGSEhVvGygCL1O8ZbGU5DphabKpJeUr0jl6SP2eahBPbi3KySc0lvBRIpqIj7NeyP5A4oE3uKVdxZV3e4RG-03aunKOeS6Fp9Aween6jVYXcpt2Lt9trP_Fj2er-7Q5LkalWCwpeY/s320/IMG_2669.JPG" /></a></div>A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-68246917769475022412011-03-22T11:43:00.006-04:002011-03-22T11:53:21.534-04:00It's that time of year again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd59YSAHHAt5FznHrUMnVVluG727SYic2s71QxZrLTbwxB6APbB7EYvw8NVzSgQHxHX3BNK2-wFL9pWrPomjiR1PMgaGVBbjHECVtno6QBD2RDxtxFB1ZP_gcqropC6KcCdm5vf0Rg5Y/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd59YSAHHAt5FznHrUMnVVluG727SYic2s71QxZrLTbwxB6APbB7EYvw8NVzSgQHxHX3BNK2-wFL9pWrPomjiR1PMgaGVBbjHECVtno6QBD2RDxtxFB1ZP_gcqropC6KcCdm5vf0Rg5Y/s320/IMG_2643.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586932553117130578" /></a><br />Spring has officially arrived and it is time to start regularly blogging about my garden. The snow is melted, although it is predicted to snow tomorrow! I've been out in my garden cutting down dead plants from last fall and raking away leaves to give the spring bulbs a better chance to reach the sunlight. My first crocus opened around St. Patrick's Day and for a northern gardener, that first flower is like Spring's reward for a long cold dark winter.I have yellow and purple crocus in my yard and definitely not enough of them. Every fall I look at the bulb selections in my local stores and I always want more tulips and daffodils. This fall I am not going to overlook the smaller, earlier blooming bulbs and will add many more crocus as well as snow drops. I've also been thinking that I need to add some Lenten Rose and see if I get anything blooming in February. The spring show of bulbs will start in just a few weeks and I can't wait to see what it looks like! Every fall I plant more bulbs and try to plant them in places that had no spring flowers. Some bulbs die out, some bulbs get dug up and eaten by squirrels and some bulbs just do not re flower, so adding bulbs each fall is the key to having a gorgeous spring display. Happy Gardening Season!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-76294353840278177052010-08-11T08:58:00.004-04:002010-08-11T09:28:07.809-04:00Mason Bees<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fgOg-qmVXZhorlX1WlnAcm6F6E0ZxcTdIF_SO5R7HFNaMMA7IDFYNXDNJU_rV2ifWY2nxl_VxUbdYmLcIsIClr4crvB0VANfOxDyDi6FHP6A7LJwqGLEiYzG2xFCKsaSh5XbXvT2C64/s1600/IMG_2321.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fgOg-qmVXZhorlX1WlnAcm6F6E0ZxcTdIF_SO5R7HFNaMMA7IDFYNXDNJU_rV2ifWY2nxl_VxUbdYmLcIsIClr4crvB0VANfOxDyDi6FHP6A7LJwqGLEiYzG2xFCKsaSh5XbXvT2C64/s320/IMG_2321.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504136048395937170" /></a><br />A few weeks ago for my birthday, my sister Amy gave me a Mason Bee house. I've seen these bee houses in gardening magazines and on the Internet and thought they looked interesting. I'm fascinated with bees of all types and loved receiving this gift. Mason bees are not aggressive and are super pollinators - I've read that one Mason Bee can do the pollinating work of a thousand honey bees. With all of the flowers I have in my yard, I have lots of bees and other insects. Now that I've seen a picture of a Mason Bee (they are green blue in color and not striped yellow and black - what you typically think of when you think bees) I will keep my eyes open for them. From what I've read about them, they only appear in the spring, but this has been a strange weather and gardening year, so maybe they are still around. In the spring when the mason bees come out of hibernation, they mate and the female lays her eggs in woody crevices she finds. A Mason Bee house gives the Mason Bee a place to lay their eggs. The bees who hatch are likely to stay in the area, so hopefully I can increase my bee population even more. <br /><br />An update on my last post - I have two delphiniums that have re bloomed! I was so excited and happy to see the new blooms. They are smaller blooms than the originals, but lovely none the less.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-29197346302489235422010-08-02T14:47:00.002-04:002010-08-02T14:59:13.383-04:00There really is a lot of gardening time left in WNY<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzCi1jQZsNsqMJJR2YYfm0_uKPU4CNu9UxZYtxyyE-GG_WdHNTUF8S4pOA8-wBHp2qXcfRIKUkRTjRVJJ_o7Zfbynyf1fewRWXZdymZvQmNyt8sT34sfvAO48eLDaeO38aUK6k76c29g/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzCi1jQZsNsqMJJR2YYfm0_uKPU4CNu9UxZYtxyyE-GG_WdHNTUF8S4pOA8-wBHp2qXcfRIKUkRTjRVJJ_o7Zfbynyf1fewRWXZdymZvQmNyt8sT34sfvAO48eLDaeO38aUK6k76c29g/s320/IMG_2181.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500889033019578514" /></a><br />I was looking at my garden the other day and thought to myself "My garden is on its decline toward fall." Then I read an article and it talked about how we have about 10 more weeks until we get a frost and that there is lots of gardening time left. After reading this, my gardening energy renewed! I took a second look at my garden and thought "There are still so many flowers blooming and many I can dead head to produce a second blooming." So, this morning, I was out in my garden cutting back my Purple Rain salvia, which grows to jungle proportions and produces beautiful smokey purple blooms on spikes that engulf my sidewalk. I felt much better after cutting those back (2 garbage bags full! Sadly, my yard is too small for a compost bin...). Some roses and coreoposis are next in line for a mid summer cutting as is my cat mint, which has already sent up a mass of new blooms. Every year at this time it's a bit of struggle as a gardener because the gorgeous May and June blooms have come and gone and I am challenged to find more plants that bloom later in the year. So, if you too are feeling like the gardening season is on its way out, take a second look and see what you can deadhead and spruce up to encourage a second set of blooms!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-50968606861599399282010-07-12T11:54:00.003-04:002010-07-12T12:08:10.189-04:00The Good and the Bad<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBj3zqz7jHY93oYsoLQpxUZKf_ltHhk3Ls-4JZ0BB3XylI4XuczNZx_u2V31T7FxVnghXMjLIRdKXAKEQ6DSMYuPsZhywfv030tT_B9J0EVR5kczQj9kzmaSXnhEv6db9ZzH4JZ9mK6U/s1600/IMG_2106.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBj3zqz7jHY93oYsoLQpxUZKf_ltHhk3Ls-4JZ0BB3XylI4XuczNZx_u2V31T7FxVnghXMjLIRdKXAKEQ6DSMYuPsZhywfv030tT_B9J0EVR5kczQj9kzmaSXnhEv6db9ZzH4JZ9mK6U/s400/IMG_2106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493051713902075938" /></a><br />I'm just back from a very hot and enjoyable week at the lake. I checked on my garden on Tuesday and watered pots because the weather was so unseasonably hot and dry and I didn't want anything to die of thirst. I looked through my perennial beds and everything seemed to be doing well. I arrived home from the lake yesterday afternoon and went into my gardens to see what needed to be done. To my dismay, Japanese Beetles have nearly eaten 4 of my new rose bushes! I picked off every one I could find and killed it and then started to look at plants close by. There were a few on neighboring plants, so I killed those as well. My first thought was to get out the spray, so I grabbed it from the basement and started to read the directions. The bottle said 'very highly toxic to bees'. Well, my garden is full of bees and other pollinators, so I decided not to spray. Now I'm looking for an organic alternative. In the mean time, I started to look at other plants to see if the infestation was anywhere else in my garden and my other plants, as of today are free of Japanese Beetles. While I am sad about my roses, I am very happy to find butterflies feeding on my pink Coneflower at the other end of my garden! Something good always comes with the bad and I'm so happy about the butterflies, that I can almost forget about the Japanese Beetles.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-19811020478603832612010-06-22T15:55:00.003-04:002010-06-22T16:04:00.684-04:00Delightful Delphiniums<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGEsADUqGQJGpYmHQ7lxgmyFXzmnqGDBUsWSa4u2l0vP_huae-LSCxpZoi9Z9nZ9GSX5fmzihei_Hd9srI2Se6lRmrCWamqrW4lkCMs7h-CfH5nbZVzhfnUFObYCtDI3Tw8dN9uSEMjw/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGEsADUqGQJGpYmHQ7lxgmyFXzmnqGDBUsWSa4u2l0vP_huae-LSCxpZoi9Z9nZ9GSX5fmzihei_Hd9srI2Se6lRmrCWamqrW4lkCMs7h-CfH5nbZVzhfnUFObYCtDI3Tw8dN9uSEMjw/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485691222618616530" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xgF9PlrflnaaT1S2kcsdTax2oLo7ZC0S2GBYOtriBGWpxRtfNOs7UaffPjEwkktamytdyPypj9r83-x0qNSV56JGWsFTIoBUqR6YXgmT9T-YZ3LzdHu_u0gvg8OLzaXuy8GSfP6lPhY/s1600/IMG_1915.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xgF9PlrflnaaT1S2kcsdTax2oLo7ZC0S2GBYOtriBGWpxRtfNOs7UaffPjEwkktamytdyPypj9r83-x0qNSV56JGWsFTIoBUqR6YXgmT9T-YZ3LzdHu_u0gvg8OLzaXuy8GSfP6lPhY/s320/IMG_1915.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485691213047613634" /></a><br />My dad always loved delphiniums. He always grew them and always was so excited when they bloomed each year. I'd always look at them in the garden and think "they are pretty, but...". Well now that I have my own garden and planted delphiniums last year, I finally understand why my father loved them so much! Not only are they unusual with their very powerful flower spike, but they do not resemble many other flowers in the garden. Also, the colors of delphiniums are outrageous! I have one that is deep purple with white centers and another one that is the color of a cloudless sky. It's such a spectacular color that I sometimes just stand and stare at the flower and think about what a true blue it is. Delphiniums are easy to grow and really blend into any flower bed. I had no idea what color my flowers would be when I bought them as a small 4 pack last year. I have dark purple, sky blue, white and a lighter purple. They are the kind of flower that people on the street stop and stare at, then ask you what it is. Those are the kind of flowers I love to have and thanks to my dad, now I see why their beauty is so amazing.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-9756014036265988932010-06-14T13:53:00.007-04:002010-06-14T14:07:32.608-04:00Giant Ferns<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbang4nLyFnJjMmgu8HBqplU3uaKH2nt6uaI2XeKc_nc893_d02Ctqx1Ut0T-SWU2Boft54FCI6f5LriRtOU9T9G0lBy7RA03n4dLbgsF4okEskwjxGuXJuhf6DnDtapkdSBp5qlCbcek/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbang4nLyFnJjMmgu8HBqplU3uaKH2nt6uaI2XeKc_nc893_d02Ctqx1Ut0T-SWU2Boft54FCI6f5LriRtOU9T9G0lBy7RA03n4dLbgsF4okEskwjxGuXJuhf6DnDtapkdSBp5qlCbcek/s320/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482692492969205954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLAZyqb9jFYvfN8CuvFLWlv-ESjTbqPh2pcSTJjOf-H3B-wuC3OcgMBsRDqQ4ufu7IXn7QyWkSxWhphkSqlgpe8KyjFGNOevvMEDotEI8HB72c5wUxQ4fCSEWOBsvT9GIsDw4tDIb7v0/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLAZyqb9jFYvfN8CuvFLWlv-ESjTbqPh2pcSTJjOf-H3B-wuC3OcgMBsRDqQ4ufu7IXn7QyWkSxWhphkSqlgpe8KyjFGNOevvMEDotEI8HB72c5wUxQ4fCSEWOBsvT9GIsDw4tDIb7v0/s320/2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482692488107002226" /></a><br />My garden is just full of suprises this year. Sometimes I think it is a little magic coming from my dad and sometimes I think it is the unusual weather we have had this whole year. Along the one side of my house, I have ferns growing. In past years these ferns grew about 1 foot high and some years they really looked like they were just going to die out and not come back. They have never made much of a splash but because of where they are, I have always just left them alone because they were not in the way and provided some nice fill along a picket fence I share with my neighbor. This year, for reasons unknown, the ferns have grown at least 4 1/2 feet tall and have all but taken over the space where I keep my grill. It is exciting to see these ferns grow and when I'm in this part of my garden, I feel like I'm in the movie Jurassic Park and am wandering with the dinosaurs! I guess ignoring plants sometimes is the best thing you can do for them!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-52302664055278406942010-06-04T09:13:00.004-04:002010-06-04T09:23:30.697-04:00What a difference 10 days makes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYuNjhwIVLZNdRS6VamghqckzqJX-WinYX8-aQWb6XOc_XRIDeo4w-eikaJQ_TxK0KXX4_aHRhILmehBG0CulJXYThiBOxJdZwCUGHgtoridEjQ8xnyAORq9Dw1A0Kl2ewfbG8IJzK4Y/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYuNjhwIVLZNdRS6VamghqckzqJX-WinYX8-aQWb6XOc_XRIDeo4w-eikaJQ_TxK0KXX4_aHRhILmehBG0CulJXYThiBOxJdZwCUGHgtoridEjQ8xnyAORq9Dw1A0Kl2ewfbG8IJzK4Y/s200/IMG_1835.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478907944152701618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEECcW8NFc35zu3c2ubMWi3_9atjwEnv1eK5k3ajSlBwSmHkU_fDoM4uh2K9GnOuWwDPYUyr4bm4-jAvzhNlIzejS2_KrytKVkMIOfbNbvf4fLcVpOQ_V3BlkF3Y9lUmPpSqYI9zQ089g/s1600/IMG_1841.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEECcW8NFc35zu3c2ubMWi3_9atjwEnv1eK5k3ajSlBwSmHkU_fDoM4uh2K9GnOuWwDPYUyr4bm4-jAvzhNlIzejS2_KrytKVkMIOfbNbvf4fLcVpOQ_V3BlkF3Y9lUmPpSqYI9zQ089g/s200/IMG_1841.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478907943356556290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMHVUoR8UIR8Tu_vmMHcvem1daBfdMV05inWYSuH1NykXKu3shSuPuyYo8UB9g1b5ji0LWNKzimyMK6bJ2igS1vUhC0Ilgqle_aelPM9nsBi2ugIrMukqT_JceEo4mlk1dkq3HcHAegI/s1600/IMG_1844.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMHVUoR8UIR8Tu_vmMHcvem1daBfdMV05inWYSuH1NykXKu3shSuPuyYo8UB9g1b5ji0LWNKzimyMK6bJ2igS1vUhC0Ilgqle_aelPM9nsBi2ugIrMukqT_JceEo4mlk1dkq3HcHAegI/s200/IMG_1844.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478907936908043314" /></a><br />Recently I went on vacation for 10 days and during that time, the weather here at home was sunny and warm. Much to my surprise when I arrived home on Memorial Day, my garden looked like someone had fed it Miracle Grow while I was gone! It is an explosion of plants and colors and flowers and surprises me every day. For whatever reason, my garden this year is larger, fuller and more jungle like than it has ever been. I wonder if losing the large tree in my yard 2 years ago has a lot to do with it. Even the ferns that are on the more shady side of my house are chest high this year. These ferns were here when I moved in and have never really done much and a few years I thought they were almost dead. They are gorgeous and have about taken over the little spot where I keep my grill. Is it global warming, a short winter followed by an early and warm spring or just the garden gods smiling down on my little plot in Western NY? I will never know but the results are nothing less than spectacular!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-15892384535571462142010-05-21T14:07:00.004-04:002010-05-21T14:14:51.121-04:00Something about purple<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw5rDc_GB3teICDPqjgVlGe3f3fj7mqo5_OtMPmL7lDwy2CluNMS0YpDAY6wl2Deqm_eF-5UOwOVCINXuN5OqkYQ497cX7XuqWBfQdFYjQiZ_lZBRhyphenhyphenTRw6MS2cX2rcN1QsVWLbdE368/s1600/IMG_1353.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw5rDc_GB3teICDPqjgVlGe3f3fj7mqo5_OtMPmL7lDwy2CluNMS0YpDAY6wl2Deqm_eF-5UOwOVCINXuN5OqkYQ497cX7XuqWBfQdFYjQiZ_lZBRhyphenhyphenTRw6MS2cX2rcN1QsVWLbdE368/s200/IMG_1353.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473788398349511906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P1eb-fvPVAkv5bexy9Q38NEJBH-1bA_GZKGXYo8m8P-cFaNysj0wK9nIQ-FC3mcTNZxwlV2aMMNPoqrJQN92n1yedGdAHYkjVvfIPzeopjuwyuEs_FpH72-9fpKXyft77wvbQVGzTbQ/s1600/IMG_1348.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P1eb-fvPVAkv5bexy9Q38NEJBH-1bA_GZKGXYo8m8P-cFaNysj0wK9nIQ-FC3mcTNZxwlV2aMMNPoqrJQN92n1yedGdAHYkjVvfIPzeopjuwyuEs_FpH72-9fpKXyft77wvbQVGzTbQ/s200/IMG_1348.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473788395084203682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo1yJ6UUoVftnE9iWvKOgSntYx-EU5NxGLiZd_Aeobzyd-qcyAeCEhyphenhyphenN5snC640mVq1AiqPEgLYfFHgjDwSaPb_zTQvKdQ3uWhGb8gCvxCt-ek33MYYpOzfUXv-yn1OpXKZWPRnRY2Ek/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo1yJ6UUoVftnE9iWvKOgSntYx-EU5NxGLiZd_Aeobzyd-qcyAeCEhyphenhyphenN5snC640mVq1AiqPEgLYfFHgjDwSaPb_zTQvKdQ3uWhGb8gCvxCt-ek33MYYpOzfUXv-yn1OpXKZWPRnRY2Ek/s200/IMG_1345.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473788385662682882" /></a><br />It's funny, but I was standing and looking at my garden this morning and every thing that is currently blooming is purple (if we can stretch the blue of bachelor buttons to purple!). My lilac, my bearded iris, my pin cushion flowers, my sage, my allium, my columbine, my candy tuft (ok, deep pink), my bachelor button and my cat mint! The colors just really struck me and I realized that even though I planted all of these flowers without really thinking that much about color, my subconscious love of purple certainly had an influence. In all the shades of purple, set against the greens of foliage and plants not yet in bloom and the yellow of my house, the flowers really paint a happy, lively picture. I guess I never thought there were that many purple flowers, but I have proved myself wrong just by the happy accidents that are currently in bloom at 21 Washington.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-82715074081015039602010-05-17T11:05:00.003-04:002010-05-17T11:18:36.930-04:00When blah goes to WOW!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoluauaZUC_eBEA5b0bEsClKu1cKhUkeA_aKfjoN-QTua6w15LYVOfnSFzFt4dFl0483z671R_N5PX_WDGSklQvJv2xVKYsLPrNPDVIgsOsQkRaS4KnHpz5pWrp_Us_6NUxMCr27rn-s/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoluauaZUC_eBEA5b0bEsClKu1cKhUkeA_aKfjoN-QTua6w15LYVOfnSFzFt4dFl0483z671R_N5PX_WDGSklQvJv2xVKYsLPrNPDVIgsOsQkRaS4KnHpz5pWrp_Us_6NUxMCr27rn-s/s320/IMG_1332.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472258438505879746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuWRn5mHUc4I4rAB7htF705vEWBhBgrMzBG8E-Un5ycUbdI2HGBD0G10CTAUTV9h1Spw1wkNWX9MpVtPHkpvsv0SfEuVI9dk-0D8yGWETX8Jo0BrY3KIIWtVmVnEZ07yu2UNI2AOeeEg/s1600/IMG_1338.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuWRn5mHUc4I4rAB7htF705vEWBhBgrMzBG8E-Un5ycUbdI2HGBD0G10CTAUTV9h1Spw1wkNWX9MpVtPHkpvsv0SfEuVI9dk-0D8yGWETX8Jo0BrY3KIIWtVmVnEZ07yu2UNI2AOeeEg/s320/IMG_1338.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472258431025216226" /></a><br />The first two weeks of May brought quite a change in the weather. Western New Yorkers were getting spoiled by the incredibly nice and unseasonable April we experienced. My tulips and daffodils were glorious, but their blooms were fading or completely gone by May 1st. I looked at my garden, about void of flowers except for my lilac and thought, my garden went from WOW to blah in just one week. The change in the weather brought in much cooler temperatures and lots of rain (rain we did not see in April) and a green garden. Luckily, by the end of last week, flowers were again starting to bloom and there is color and life back in my garden. Allium, batchelor button, poppies, columbine, bearded iris, sage and lungwort are now taking center stage. So many shades of purple and green, it really is becoming a feast for the eyes once again. The iris are so happy this year that there are 4 and 5 blooms on each single stalk which is something I have not seen before! I guess the morale to this story is be patience. There is always something exciting right around the corner in a perennial garden.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-47467877669145872002010-05-10T12:04:00.003-04:002010-05-10T12:15:22.021-04:00My love of lilacs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMFIeXkc2q_R6rop2anU_f8ABjwS1pyH1JEo1O4Be8C3fsI_6CU44e4ma4NUy4pNRqlFsPHKseYH2jqXqP0EGtP3KcsZ7ZqrZVet5G-C3bOYH13tXYP8DAyxygEsOMQMFw_thsAbovt4/s1600/ry=401.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMFIeXkc2q_R6rop2anU_f8ABjwS1pyH1JEo1O4Be8C3fsI_6CU44e4ma4NUy4pNRqlFsPHKseYH2jqXqP0EGtP3KcsZ7ZqrZVet5G-C3bOYH13tXYP8DAyxygEsOMQMFw_thsAbovt4/s320/ry=401.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469675280732821490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvn8JDrkqtl7q4UpKFI3oDWz0tSoKUlNeP-zKkO9t_ZyYVQ-6MSHCOmxU4OX1_DwDQmtKUEP0BVzlOvJpJvkrnRz_jJ_6V49Ik4UVQgvn_cWsEARdm8ZLJ2qpNA4IqNr6g0AfMbM2ZUwg/s1600/ry=400.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvn8JDrkqtl7q4UpKFI3oDWz0tSoKUlNeP-zKkO9t_ZyYVQ-6MSHCOmxU4OX1_DwDQmtKUEP0BVzlOvJpJvkrnRz_jJ_6V49Ik4UVQgvn_cWsEARdm8ZLJ2qpNA4IqNr6g0AfMbM2ZUwg/s320/ry=400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469675273400201506" /></a><br />Living in Western NY certainly has its gardening advantages. Lilacs love to grow here and they certainly do flourish. Not far from here, in Rochester, the city hosts a lilac festival each May when all the different varieties of lilacs in Highland Park bloom and put on an awesome show. I have always wanted a lilac in my yard, but because I have such a small, tight garden, I figured that lilacs were one plant I was going to have to live without. As luck would have it, a tree fell on my house and smashed two cedar bushes that were in front of my house. I never liked these bushes much so it was a perfect excuse to get rid of them and plant what I really wanted - lilacs! You may think of lilacs as huge, bushy tree type plants but in recent years varieties have changed. I bought two lilacs and they grow to reach about 6 feet tall and about 4 feet wide, just perfect for in front of my porch. The blooms I have this year are amazing and one of the flowers is over two feet long! Sitting on my front porch, the intoxicating scent of lilac drifts to where I am sitting and I truly think I'm in heaven. Lilacs don't do well as cut flowers so to enjoy their scent and beauty, you really need to take advantage of them in their natural habitat. If you are lucky enough to see a lilac in bloom, take a minute to inhale their scent and it will be something you look forward to each spring!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-44845143542726987042010-05-03T14:17:00.004-04:002010-05-03T14:29:01.839-04:00Birds in my garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccZPapx4ySw-U_TbSMR99Oncc_-BTnb8TwDJ2fMvRXmo8rmT6jQAQD9A-RfPJ1td7rPJhsktS0kvRAzhLMBsXjkMsXpUZ1HznS1YYMTiip3KF-pnZMhuIx-KXZC0OUuliqw_zG-xKvGY/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccZPapx4ySw-U_TbSMR99Oncc_-BTnb8TwDJ2fMvRXmo8rmT6jQAQD9A-RfPJ1td7rPJhsktS0kvRAzhLMBsXjkMsXpUZ1HznS1YYMTiip3KF-pnZMhuIx-KXZC0OUuliqw_zG-xKvGY/s320/IMG_1292.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467110503002952754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSnm0RdHN8kmKlkRyW1AZr2IVHflT1Ns2LefIXxNdzJ8ODinmTg3ihIMUIi5ypId-yfn1XD-J4lO-ozVR01iQPs7q3hOquF7JOzxi-tBLD96cYE53RSLBqZ0REgy7Bmb2YCfYNjujU0A/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSnm0RdHN8kmKlkRyW1AZr2IVHflT1Ns2LefIXxNdzJ8ODinmTg3ihIMUIi5ypId-yfn1XD-J4lO-ozVR01iQPs7q3hOquF7JOzxi-tBLD96cYE53RSLBqZ0REgy7Bmb2YCfYNjujU0A/s320/IMG_1290.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467110497430216114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0e46FXPLr92RtBwGj0pIpwnYY39r2U2-aZzP_PwvXIRkJrlJiwlYGAtsMlxeqhFRAvhDfjvlg62UOq0R-LWsTm8sjTV8QsmN_-Asw8aiw17bgRrMA36cctL6P9DODSI-QAEhcZ1wNq4w/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0e46FXPLr92RtBwGj0pIpwnYY39r2U2-aZzP_PwvXIRkJrlJiwlYGAtsMlxeqhFRAvhDfjvlg62UOq0R-LWsTm8sjTV8QsmN_-Asw8aiw17bgRrMA36cctL6P9DODSI-QAEhcZ1wNq4w/s320/IMG_1289.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467110488857485458" /></a><br />Earlier this spring I wrote a bit about birds in the garden. I love birds. I have loved birds my whole life. My grandma Reardon and my dad loved birds too and I'm sure their love of birds rubbed off on me. I am forever trying to make my garden more friendly for birds. I know, living in a very small city setting, that I will never attract a blue bird or water loving birds. But, my goal is to see how many different birds I can spy in my garden. Over the years, I've done a lot of reading about attracting birds and I've just started looking at a few new books on the subject. As my pictures show, I have a number of bird feeders, at different heights and in different locations. I have a bird bath that I clean just about every day and lately the Robins have been taking a daily bath in it. I do not use insecticides or herbicides in my garden because I do not want to harm the birds or the insects the birds may be looking for. This spring I've noticed a pair of Cardinals, which is terrific and they spend a lot of time feeding. I've also seen house finches, who are now starting to change color to the brilliant red they get and I've seen Chickadees and House Sparrows. I know these are not the most exotic birds you could hope to see, but I know that my feeding and gardening efforts are drawing them to my yard. Every time I see a new bird, I smile and am happy that the love of birds was handed down to me from my dad and grandma.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-89902111044861131802010-04-28T08:13:00.004-04:002010-04-28T08:23:34.901-04:00Fairytale Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvO-WeMswZ87ckAkrC9SxpB2MMQ5O3JF9FHnbQZtE5IUwoukre-fdNIxbcT5HaZgLWApi1BaBKUu-Cezyfn-7KdrTUz0Gi8jpm9pIlT_MuXQz__GnxdoWF2dfceYSqNh69Hoh4hP1y9E/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvO-WeMswZ87ckAkrC9SxpB2MMQ5O3JF9FHnbQZtE5IUwoukre-fdNIxbcT5HaZgLWApi1BaBKUu-Cezyfn-7KdrTUz0Gi8jpm9pIlT_MuXQz__GnxdoWF2dfceYSqNh69Hoh4hP1y9E/s320/IMG_1254.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465162413769452962" /></a><br />In the past week, my old fashioned bleeding hearts have come into full bloom. I think these spring flowers are often overlooked for the showier daffodils and tulips. Bleeding hearts are wonderful spring plants that emerge looking a bit like a fern and then develop beautiful heart shaped flowers that look like they belong in a fairy world. If you really study the flower, it is perfectly heart shaped with a little section hanging below the flower with a drop of liquid. The flowers emerge on arching branches and hang neatly in a row. They are nature's only perfect heart shaped flower. The foliage remains fern like. Old fashioned bleeding hearts prefer part shade. When these plants are done flowering, they quietly fade away.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-53482409757453653082010-04-22T08:47:00.004-04:002010-04-22T09:00:11.387-04:00Wonderful Grecian Windflowers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZsaElRt3OURC2e34TQAAzbS41O1ygG8G_lvHlKJefqnF8LLgW5Xih8b2xGGGW4-a3VgPVxUmo3tftgnItYek9rH9HAvQVWTaQBUBreM_jiiyIu6cpM6LaWCqLx8efB25-FtRNLRFKtM/s1600/windflower2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZsaElRt3OURC2e34TQAAzbS41O1ygG8G_lvHlKJefqnF8LLgW5Xih8b2xGGGW4-a3VgPVxUmo3tftgnItYek9rH9HAvQVWTaQBUBreM_jiiyIu6cpM6LaWCqLx8efB25-FtRNLRFKtM/s200/windflower2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462943627101557826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dyjgvsVceggr3QUjhmdsd_-N7L3zMrYFVYCsaanxT7gjyOfPYbdHU0CQRiElXx1LodjnY388gTienSlRXugdl-bG89j1hsJZKM2Jnxjh1Gn6-6OmIf806QW2tVH78tygfHGTWAftEd0/s1600/windflower1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dyjgvsVceggr3QUjhmdsd_-N7L3zMrYFVYCsaanxT7gjyOfPYbdHU0CQRiElXx1LodjnY388gTienSlRXugdl-bG89j1hsJZKM2Jnxjh1Gn6-6OmIf806QW2tVH78tygfHGTWAftEd0/s200/windflower1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462943619267651346" /></a><br />My Grecian windflowers are flowers I inherited when I moved into my house. My first spring in my house, these gorgeous,small pastel colored daisy like flowers appeared and just looked so happy and well kept. I looked through gardening books to find out what they were and have been in love with them ever since. I love these flowers because they are #1 - beautiful and carefree, #2 - fantastically colored, #3 - do not take over the garden, but gently spread, #4 - die back completely and never have an 'ugly' stage. The flowers come from very small bulbs, about the size of a pea and you plant them in the fall. They usually flower when crocus flower, but their show lasts much longer. Add these to your spring display and they will not disappoint you!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-78787348878973261682010-04-15T09:29:00.003-04:002010-04-15T09:35:50.997-04:00Garden Bloggers Bloom Day April 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpURL2pYsQCm7PDybZ3LrQ9EjFIsJndkggKRPQWAUeyg8J6sYOW_YQ5w7Vbi1wZJq1meOswBkLyE7l9Njtpwn0awc9pmVppAWuIhacK_u4pcwvk15GkhNh04JKvFOsGH_aai5f34X_vHs/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpURL2pYsQCm7PDybZ3LrQ9EjFIsJndkggKRPQWAUeyg8J6sYOW_YQ5w7Vbi1wZJq1meOswBkLyE7l9Njtpwn0awc9pmVppAWuIhacK_u4pcwvk15GkhNh04JKvFOsGH_aai5f34X_vHs/s200/IMG_1176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460356683066160850" /></a><br />Garden Bloggers Bloom Day was started by the blogger at May Dream Gardens blog. The 15th of every month, garden bloggers post a message about what is blooming where they live. If you regularly read my blog, you know what an unusually warm spring we have had in Western NY. Today I have a variety of daffodils, many different colored tulips, hyacinth, Grecian windflower and leopard's bane. It's a feast for the eyes!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-80139724628239023312010-04-14T15:21:00.003-04:002010-04-14T15:28:26.376-04:00Leopard' Bane<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaaaYkFlPW5na5QxVbGBIcOTtH_NN45T53_GeaEQfVVUpw13ecOrKxxoV8_YQ7G7jfYooxNi5S98B4sfoVMUmH8xdeToESz7sZY4A0cZ9EiZxDfehsP7T6VLu7r0x9WbPcyzoVeo728E/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaaaYkFlPW5na5QxVbGBIcOTtH_NN45T53_GeaEQfVVUpw13ecOrKxxoV8_YQ7G7jfYooxNi5S98B4sfoVMUmH8xdeToESz7sZY4A0cZ9EiZxDfehsP7T6VLu7r0x9WbPcyzoVeo728E/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460076903645936850" /></a><br />As my garden continues to surprise me, I happily saw my Leopard's Bane zoom full speed ahead over the past few weeks. It is now flowering and it's flowers remind me why I love it so much! Leopard's Bane is a bright yellow spring flower that looks much like a daisy. The flowers are about 2 inches across and the plant grows about 1 foot high. I love it because it is so bright and happy looking and because it really looks like no other flowers at this time of year. It's very easy to grow and it is not invasive, but gradually does spread out a bit. By the heat of summer the foliage has literally disappeared so it does not stick around long enough to get straggly and ragged looking. If you are looking for something new to add to your spring collection of flowers, add some Leopard's Bane - they will make you smile!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-39237922335253454202010-04-10T18:25:00.003-04:002010-04-10T18:39:12.258-04:00Spring Surprises<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lALXVJDcLFPJJ-ywxHaz_XZwYd72SqoGa4BKooomSlpTVWxhU7egodj8-nTS_fqakF9DDt6URDVuFxpWLXmJhR_OV900aKmWiwXor44Jd8jIqix0_vR9DMz7qPfTGJ2VL4Gomec79eA/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4lALXVJDcLFPJJ-ywxHaz_XZwYd72SqoGa4BKooomSlpTVWxhU7egodj8-nTS_fqakF9DDt6URDVuFxpWLXmJhR_OV900aKmWiwXor44Jd8jIqix0_vR9DMz7qPfTGJ2VL4Gomec79eA/s200/IMG_1147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458642023710609730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTKHbaXbt1XcxzCMxrYG-a1spAFnWXPljR8mGRdp59dN6K3ou57K8tutsY9ulDoSbQUVwd_dcjgo55wMy2OfBx14VjKBoi41RQPBt-KwRclJlCCuq7JtC8_pFrb-9_l1u9kS5RQb9wBU/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTKHbaXbt1XcxzCMxrYG-a1spAFnWXPljR8mGRdp59dN6K3ou57K8tutsY9ulDoSbQUVwd_dcjgo55wMy2OfBx14VjKBoi41RQPBt-KwRclJlCCuq7JtC8_pFrb-9_l1u9kS5RQb9wBU/s200/IMG_1152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458642017112593682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlPRJJpkYpVWkFCROR_MNuC6xNtBbyTgUzK51Y9V926XWG2v8574qfQ3wW66Ebzgf5K0CH5BcjkRx2oapu-fL9hYQa3Lpaj1nTT8ubm2eAedc1uG9cIcc_J7nFLEwwxyJs0fqYNngKpo/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlPRJJpkYpVWkFCROR_MNuC6xNtBbyTgUzK51Y9V926XWG2v8574qfQ3wW66Ebzgf5K0CH5BcjkRx2oapu-fL9hYQa3Lpaj1nTT8ubm2eAedc1uG9cIcc_J7nFLEwwxyJs0fqYNngKpo/s200/IMG_1151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458642011592232642" /></a><br />I just love the surprises in my garden during the spring. As plants start to emerge from the ground, it's always a happy moment to see old friends and to look at new shoots and think "what did I plant there"? I am very happy to see that all of the new plants I planted last year in my new garden survived the winter and are back and looking good. Last spring I planted two lilac bushes - I'd always wanted a lilac, but just did not have the space to plant one. When I had to have my front porch replaced, it gave me the opportunity to get rid of some bushes I never really liked and to plant what I wanted. There are so many new varieties of lilacs and I found one that only gets about 6 feet high - perfect for in front of the porch. A few days ago I was pleasantly surprised to see many flower buds on my lilacs - this really brought a smile to my face! The rain this past week helped to push plants farther along. I now have some other varities of tulips getting ready to bloom and have lots of daffodils in their varying shades of yellow, happily taking up lots of space in the garden. Enjoy these pictures of this week's blooms.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-44673551526087919412010-04-05T11:41:00.004-04:002010-04-05T11:55:14.006-04:00Summer in April!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbiIqpjipxkmSf0DgYkfq5COH2F7xyHn_Gozb1bHjhO7QMGL5NwO53mfjAjFM-gnzSF1X-IqzRzO-Ux9TahcVhyphenhyphenNAowvnYtdQawxOv4iI8CC3_BsF-Cgfj6kPx7BFAQF53E0HE9Kmhfo/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbiIqpjipxkmSf0DgYkfq5COH2F7xyHn_Gozb1bHjhO7QMGL5NwO53mfjAjFM-gnzSF1X-IqzRzO-Ux9TahcVhyphenhyphenNAowvnYtdQawxOv4iI8CC3_BsF-Cgfj6kPx7BFAQF53E0HE9Kmhfo/s200/IMG_1135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456682498567188610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjK5QIG8YzxFkOeQPbYUSFvFDR-8Ze_oO1BY_Cy-ap7MchC1INuR8jIodO26xMSIxaL6uuByWWPlgxHQmJXOoyLtb3L_Mxv5ftO6f_ervUzfBMxlEiXihQCff91lqXYM551hrrvx_WX0/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjK5QIG8YzxFkOeQPbYUSFvFDR-8Ze_oO1BY_Cy-ap7MchC1INuR8jIodO26xMSIxaL6uuByWWPlgxHQmJXOoyLtb3L_Mxv5ftO6f_ervUzfBMxlEiXihQCff91lqXYM551hrrvx_WX0/s200/IMG_1128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456682493654174130" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLGtoodfAXTHFZ2NiDb2jxMGlsxs5mDq_ulIwhg3evMw1y3nLxqTKBVyTwQ9t_F3NXt2lDbFqQVpvXU3EvQSZmtuiSdd_AaqOwV2psADsiHzQ7rPHGJjoSvCOCqVv32ghOAcFrjQAo9s/s1600/IMG_1122.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLGtoodfAXTHFZ2NiDb2jxMGlsxs5mDq_ulIwhg3evMw1y3nLxqTKBVyTwQ9t_F3NXt2lDbFqQVpvXU3EvQSZmtuiSdd_AaqOwV2psADsiHzQ7rPHGJjoSvCOCqVv32ghOAcFrjQAo9s/s200/IMG_1122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456682486897700322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineDb7FvexooizD31O6w0moAuwDuTNrs6k05VIQcyQvNfY3F6uojpfaL5rNNJpwpvd1M5eeDtd7amWn4k9OeBCDF7M4JUAikc4brSKEJarsnCNN4HMHp6pUxvSFH6IwkOrWOt6ZXZ2u0g/s1600/IMG_1133.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineDb7FvexooizD31O6w0moAuwDuTNrs6k05VIQcyQvNfY3F6uojpfaL5rNNJpwpvd1M5eeDtd7amWn4k9OeBCDF7M4JUAikc4brSKEJarsnCNN4HMHp6pUxvSFH6IwkOrWOt6ZXZ2u0g/s200/IMG_1133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456682482442205858" /></a><br />Wow! What a few summer days at the beginning of April will do for a garden. One week ago, it was on the verge of snowing and then the temperatures jumped into the 80s and shocked the plants to life! Over the course of 3 days, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths all bloomed and many other plants started to leaf out and show signs of life. I took advantage of the weather to transplant some columbine and Feverfew that had transplanted themselves in unusual locations and to edge and weed all of my gardens. I bought some pansies and planted them in a pot around my bird bath and then sat back and enjoyed the sunshine! I started some vegetables as well in my square foot gardens. I planted 4 Buttercrunch lettuce and about 12 plants each of Rainbow Swiss Chard and spinach. Luckily these vegetables love the cooler temperatures of spring, which will return to Western NY by week's end. This shot of early summer did wonders for the plants and mental status of sun and heat starved Western New Yorkers.A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-37932872273724891962010-04-01T15:52:00.003-04:002010-04-01T16:06:20.133-04:00Touch of SummerTalk about wacky weather - it was in the 30s earlier this week and now our temperatures are hovering near 80 - a record for Western NY this early in April! This very warm weather has triggered a flurry of growth in my garden. All of a sudden it seems lots of insects have hatched and are swarming near my evergreens, my roses, lilacs and butterfly bushes are leafing out and even my tulips have gained inches in height. Early warm weather always make me a little nervous because in all likelihood it could snow again before the warm weather truly arrives. I guess I will take my chances and trim back the rose bushes this weekend because once they start growing, they get unruly very quickly! Even the hycinths have buds..what else can I do, but ENJOY!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-20471738589326357572010-03-25T16:09:00.002-04:002010-03-25T16:16:54.023-04:00The Delirium of Seed PacketsOK, I have to admit at this time of year I am about to crawl out of my skin waiting to get my hands in the dirt and to play. So, to try to pacify this craving, I fill the gardening need by buying seeds. I already have a variety of sunflowers, yellow beans, Swiss chard, beets and morning glories, just to name a few. The packets seem to multiply in my basement, where I keep them all in a little flower pot, so that I don't lose any of the seeds I've bought. The funny thing is, I feel like I can't stop myself from buying just one more seed packet, even though in the back of my mind I have no idea where I'm going to plant all of these seeds once they can actually go in the ground. I have a small garden and I try to fill every little space with some kind of living plant. Vegetables mixed with flowers...annuals mixed with perennials - I'm really not that picky...but I also know that I on the edge of no return for the number of seeds I think I actually can fit into my already filled gardens. Some times spring just does not come fast enough!<br /><br />Western New Yorkers - don't forget Plantasia this weekend! I'm headed there and hopefully it will give me a much needed gardening fix!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836348952118587999.post-67723808919843637532010-03-20T19:15:00.002-04:002010-03-20T19:28:21.817-04:00Welcome Spring!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQbEUj-y4AqC_uCUu_sZLQBW2cl0yKgo4sjd8XzBaCvFZq74n4ep4uiPjKcvsTchonNg5mk6aqRX3lXcaY1B6tssdCJ_bKqLbTqU4jM-4i7PK9IGPr5nRlxGhfzBe6iCzdHKu1mBMQOA/s1600-h/IMG_1111.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQbEUj-y4AqC_uCUu_sZLQBW2cl0yKgo4sjd8XzBaCvFZq74n4ep4uiPjKcvsTchonNg5mk6aqRX3lXcaY1B6tssdCJ_bKqLbTqU4jM-4i7PK9IGPr5nRlxGhfzBe6iCzdHKu1mBMQOA/s320/IMG_1111.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450861790822369154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj-g4F_UStkXPM36jUE65XRvWAwayBm0WUDjwe2GTrTuDVVa5Hb0gOs0OHo4P3NXFwwB6m5Snm-mT6dunmbAaL3onqxOU1x7nbgsfvlOMPiwJ11AsusPk_c7345CGNPJ8LoE6lvmbc8k/s1600-h/IMG_1104.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHj-g4F_UStkXPM36jUE65XRvWAwayBm0WUDjwe2GTrTuDVVa5Hb0gOs0OHo4P3NXFwwB6m5Snm-mT6dunmbAaL3onqxOU1x7nbgsfvlOMPiwJ11AsusPk_c7345CGNPJ8LoE6lvmbc8k/s320/IMG_1104.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450861785416210130" /></a><br />Here in Western New York we are the lucky recipients of two weeks of sunshine and spring like temperatures and today, the first day of spring, added another spectacular day to the string of days. It's hard not to love this weather and I want to be outside every minute that I can. I raked my lawn and gardens for the first time yesterday and started cutting down some of the perennials that I left untouched last fall. Today I found my first spring bulbs in bloom and could not be happier! Knowing that we could still have a snow storm and some winter like weather before spring really settles in, seeing these blooms makes the possibility of rough weather all that much easier to take. Happy Spring!A Happy Gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15732261899763394566noreply@blogger.com2