BBs Blog

My days right now are revolving around the sun. Or rather, revolving around staying out of it as much as possible when working in the yard. That’s why I begin my daily gardening routine each morning in the front yard. As I chase the shade around the house each day to water the plants I already have, or dig the soil and plant new ones, I am filled with a wonderful sense of satisfaction as I look at how my garden is growing. Bringing as much natural beauty into my life in the form of plants and flowers is something I am finding very fulfilling right now. And yes, I also admit I am enjoying the challenge of creating a lawn and garden landscape that once established, will be beautiful, yet relatively easy to maintain.

Right now, I am diligently working on turning the north side of the house into a flower garden. I am striving to make that area as visually interesting as possible. I am using a few six pack plants, bulbs, and even planting some herbs, vines and flowers from seed. And I’ve noticed as I sit resting in one of the chairs tucked into the shadiest corner of the garden, the birds are already flocking to the two fountains that form the waterworks centerpiece of the garden.

As with all country gardens, bugs and varmints are always a problem. I spray regularly to control the bugs. Round wire cages help protect plants the varmints seem to enjoy munching on. Oddly enough, though the north side flower garden is far from gopher and rabbit proof, nothing seems to be bothering the plants in there too badly. Though I had to put wire cages around my lavender and roses in the front to protect them from marauding nocturnal varmints. When it comes to varmints, behind a small fence is the best place for a lot of my plants right now.

I am pushing myself to the limit right physically right now as I work to get everything planted as quickly as possible. But, I am hoping that hard work pays off in blossoms, blooms, birds, and butterflies later this summer. The bulbs I plant this year will probably not bloom until next year. But, if I can keep the bugs and varmints off them, the other stuff I am planting now will bloom this year. Next spring, thanks to two for one bulbs sales, there will be an abundance of blooming lilies, irises, and gladiolas. Now that I have a long term gardening plan in mind, I will be adding a couple of different varieties of bulbs and perennials, this fall, as well as next spring. Within 3 years, I should have a yard full of beautiful flowers that with a little tender loving care, and a lot of water, will return year after year.