[telecom69]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

I just can't WAIT to get my hands back into the earth ...but not til next spring

I agree with franca theres still lots to be done if you are serious about gardening what about sowing some seeds of biennials for instance like wallflowers,forget-me-nots,sweet williams etc for planting out later in the year ? also taking cuttings of plants and shrubs so as to increase your stock for free ....also what about all that weeding

[franca]

Daisies looking good........

Having to water like crazy, no rain for weeks

I don't see any dirt on those hands yet Gabby..... come on lets go......

cu Frank...

[franca]

Just took these this morning.......another beautiful day here in paradise, hope it's the same for you all.......

[trekguy]

Monarda, lilies, daylilies blooming now... tigers soon.

Veggie garden going well... radishes were best ever. Peas and beans are soon ready. Had to put up a stupid fence this year (first time ever) because of the rabbits. The resident owls must have died or moved on.

Going to have to water tonight... after all of the rain we have had this year, it is now finally starting to dry out.

Gabriel, now's the time to prepare for next year... get rid of weeds, add compost...

TGG??? How's it going???

[Davey7549]

Frank
I really like your back yard! Much to catch the eye. So peaceful and colorful!
I like the Gaillardia you posted a bit back, they are so pretty and compact. I planted the Gaillardia Fanfare this year and want to get the Gaillardia 'Dakota' "Reveille" when they become available.

Penny
Sorry about the late response to your question but the trees are Blue Spruce which I planted as pups 30 years ago. They are now thirty plus feet tall.

TrekGuy
I enjoyed looking at you back yard and vegge garden! I am quite envious of your accomplishments!

Cheri
Sorry to hear about your experience with potting soil. The one that I use most and was recommended by the nurseries is products made by Fafard. Many nurseries sell the nursery version of these products also. I prefer the 3B and Potting Mix for mixing into the soil before planting.

Someone mentioned fertilizing. I use Fish Emulsion regularily to feed the Veggies and Flowers. They love it and do quite well. What is nice about Fish Emulsion is it is completely organic and can be used with mega concentrations directly over leaves of plant or at root without burn occurring. There are many brands available by I stay away from the scented variety since it is not as effective. There is a fishy smell for a few hours after use but diminishes fast. The American Indians should take credit for this use since they are the ones who taught our forefathers to plant a fish along with every corn seed to produce better yield. I used real fish carcases years ago when I fished much to help put food on the table but now use the emulsion.

Frank
Just had a look at your Roses! Quite nice I must say. I just started getting into Roses two years ago and did poorly the first year. Last year was not to bad but this year I am learning much from other gardeners which helps. Below is a picture of one rose I cut to give Judy. As you can see it has the morning dew still one but the Pic did not do justice to the real thing.

Well have to run now but will try and keep up with you all.

Dave

[Davey7549]

Here are some pictures of our Gardens. The one attached to this posting I dug up and built this weekend. It is the start of a rather ambitious project that will have several gardens under and around the trees as well as a waterfall, stream and pond. This area will be a nice haven to just relax while resting.

This Garden will contain primarily Hibiscus which bush to three feet round and high. Currently there are four young Hibiscus bushes surrounded by annuals for fill. These Hibiscus bushes are the winter hardy variety requiring normal pruning and winter preparation.

Dave

[Davey7549]

Next Picture is the side garden. This garden of southern exposure contains the roses, both tea landscape and the beautiful red shown previously. It also contains a mature blue Ballon plant as well as the other perennials and annuals.

Dave

Well have to run to work. Be back later to add the rest of the garden views.

[franca]

Originally Posted by Davey7549

Here are some pictures of our Gardens. The one attached to this posting I dug up and built this weekend. It is the start of a rather ambitious project that will have several gardens under and around the trees as well as a waterfall, stream and pond. This area will be a nice haven to just relax while resting.

This Garden will contain primarily Hibiscus which bush to three feet round and high. Currently there are four young Hibiscus bushes surrounded by annuals for fill. These Hibiscus bushes are the winter hardy variety requiring normal pruning and winter preparation.

Dave

Very nice Dave,..........Love the little dog........

[franca]

Originally Posted by Davey7549

Next Picture is the side garden. This garden of southern exposure contains the roses, both tea landscape and the beautiful red shown previously. It also contains a mature blue Ballon plant as well as the other perennials and annuals.

Dave

Well have to run to work. Be back later to add the rest of the garden views.

Very colorful,the stones really set it off.......

Took this late last night of the white Hydrangeas just starting to get there color, just as the sun was setting.

Keep getting those hands dirty........

cu.Frank

[Davey7549]

Frank

Hydrangeas are quite a pretty plant with the large white flowers! I always wanted to plant them but do not have a fitting space for them to spread as they do. I see them many times during my daily travels and always liked the clean look they give.

Dave

[Davey7549]

I mentioned the Balloon plant before but here is a more close up picture of it. I am not sure where I got the plant from since I have had it for many years and seems to do well under many conditions. The less sun it has seems only to delay the blooming. After a few years I split the plant putting it into three locations. Each location has different sun patterns so I get to enjoy the flowering for most of the summer. The normal plant wide flowering cycle seems to be about a 40 days as the flower itself is persistent and hangs on for almost a week before wilting. The flower heads before opening resemble a hot air balloon starting as gray and turning a purple blue before opening thus the name. Each balloon opens into a perfect five point star as you can see. The blue or purple variety seems to be the rarest from what I have read so I am fortunate to have them. Going by the technical name of "Platycodon grandiflorus" it holds the distinction of being a one specie plant.

Take care all and will post more pics later.

Dave

[Steppinstone]

Davey, nice to see you!! Your gardens look great! Thanks for the fish emultion tip!

Frank, remember last year when my flower pots at the end of my driveway had the petunias come up missing? It happened again.... I just looked at them they day before and they were nice , full and plush, got up the next morning and the petunias are either gone or broken off.. I don't know if someone yanked them or if something chewed them down.. There wasn't any flowers laying on the ground... I don't know what to think about this one!

Here are some pictures...

The first one is of one of the mentioned driveway pots.. The second one is blackeyed susans along my back fence area.. Next one is part of the front garden.. Then another front garden pic..

Take care everyone!

[franca]

Originally Posted by Steppinstone

Davey, nice to see you!! Your gardens look great! Thanks for the fish emultion tip!

Frank, remember last year when my flower pots at the end of my driveway had the petunias come up missing? It happened again.... I just looked at them they day before and they were nice , full and plush, got up the next morning and the petunias are either gone or broken off.. I don't know if someone yanked them or if something chewed them down.. There wasn't any flowers laying on the ground... I don't know what to think about this one!

Here are some pictures...

The first one is of one of the mentioned driveway pots.. The second one is blackeyed susans along my back fence area.. Next one is part of the front garden.. Then another front garden pic..

Take care everyone!

Hi Chari..... ......Your flower shots are beautiful...

As for what is attacking you pots,.......do you have squirrels ?.they can cause havoc in the garden, they will eat just about anything...

How did your Dahlias make out, any luck yet ? hope so after all the trouble you went though..

Keep getting those hands dirty now.......

The pic is our back patio.........

cu later, take care......ps the hummer is still around, was watering the other morning and she was right in front of me, as if to say spray me please......

Frank......

[Steppinstone]

Oh my hand are getting dirty! I have been a busy gal pulling tons of weeds...

Davey, I just planted 3 balloon flowers this year, they are only babies so I am hoping they bloom next year for me..

Frank, I doubt that it is the squirrels, raccoons maybe. The squirrels don't usually tear up my petunias, and I have other petunias in the yard that are untouched.. It's a mystery I tell ya!

One of my dahilas is getting bushy so I am still hopeful.. It may be even getting a bud.. I'll keep you posted on its progress.

I am losing more trees from oak wilt.. Four trees in my yard have dropped or are in the process of losing all of its leaves.. I am fairly certain the other side of my yard will get hit too since the neighbors on both sides of me both have infected trees.. There really isn't anything that can be done, I am just whining!!

Time to go water, we are in the start of a heat wave...

Take care!

[Davey7549]

Originally Posted by Steppinstone

Oh my hand are getting dirty! I have been a busy gal pulling tons of weeds...

Davey, I just planted 3 balloon flowers this year, they are only babies so I am hoping they bloom next year for me..

Frank, I doubt that it is the squirrels, raccoons maybe. The squirrels don't usually tear up my petunias, and I have other petunias in the yard that are untouched.. It's a mystery I tell ya!

One of my dahilas is getting bushy so I am still hopeful.. It may be even getting a bud.. I'll keep you posted on its progress.

I am losing more trees from oak wilt.. Four trees in my yard have dropped or are in the process of losing all of its leaves.. I am fairly certain the other side of my yard will get hit too since the neighbors on both sides of me both have infected trees.. There really isn't
Chari anything that can be done, I am just whining!!

Time to go water, we are in the start of a heat wave...

Take care!

Frank is right it could be squirrels. They can be pesky at times. It could also be voles since they are very territorial. Perhaps throwing a bit of bird netting over the top of the plant may discourage whatever is destructing your plant. I had birds ripping at my newly planted pepper plants this year only taking the tops off for some reason. Also had a fine inch baby rabbit take up residence in my bean patch again this year despite the fort knox fencing I installed. The rabbit was evicted........

Hope your ballon plants do well!

Dave