Winter View

God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~Martin Luther

Autumn is Garden Time!

My "OSU Mums" ... Go Pokes!

Apparently Autumn temps are going to be higher than average. And rain showers are few and far between.

But who can complain when we have had such mild weather this year? I just want it to be cooler so I will know for sure it is time to plant Pansies and more Mums! :-)

2008 has been more of a maintenance year than one of new design and color! I had very little time to devote to anything more than weed and maintain this growing season. However, that is what I like about gardening: There is always next season.

And this year has been blessed with its share of "design and color" in other areas of my life! Thus, I am content to enjoy the perennial herbs and bloom of gardening years past. (Of which I detailed in May's entries of last year: link)

My Zinnias and Mums are front and center right now. And my Roses are "happy" again, too, as they broadcast various shades of pink hither and yon in my gardens. The heat of August sure seems to zaps 'em. And I have been busy deadheading and trimming herbs (especially my Garlic Chives!).

Zinnias and a visiting butterfly ...

Despite warm afternoons, Oklahoma Autumn mornings remain pleasant and cool ... And prove to be especially from my backyard as I sip a tasty café mocha and take a slow stroll — accompanied by my three canine grrls and a kitty. We silently enjoy some of our favorite moments as we are surrounded by fruitful gardens and native trees providing a canopy of seclusion.

This week in my garden ...

Garden Phlox

This week was mainly focused upon watering, watering, watering. The regular rain pattern of June has ceased and it is time for sprinklers and soaker hoses.

I have enjoyed the low maintenance of this year's plantings. I planted very few annuals this year and have enjoyed the blooms and hues of blues, purples and magentas (with oranges and yellows sprinkled in as accent color).

This week brought the volunteer Rose Moss into bloom. My Mimi always had a large bucket of Rose Moss on her patio. Each year it was faithful to fill that old aluminum bucket with bright summer color!

And I finally got almost all of the remaining bedding plants in their summer homes ... Yes, finally. ;-)

It is a wonderful way to begin each day ... To stroll through my gardens, pinching and pruning, watering and cutting blooms for tiny vases in my home.

Ah, summertime ... In my gardens.

Lessons from my Gardens

Gardens are a form of autobiography. ~Sydney Eddison

For over a month now, this thought has taken root deep in the "rich, organic matter" of my mind — and my heart. My gardens have always been a source of joy and restoration and creativity for me.

However (especially this year) I have been able to piece together a bit of wisdom, and even reason — and dare I say it, understanding — via this process.

This year my garden reflects the colors and textures and varieties of plantings that are my favorites and.or hardy, heat and drought resistant, practical and perennial. The essentials of any garden include these types of plantings and are generally growing in any authentic gardener's garden.

Last year, there were many more annuals and high-maintenance items, as well as a lot more color via my container gardens. I was able to enjoy more planning time; and more time transplanting and reshaping my gardens. I was also able to plant and care for new grassy areas due to the decision to fill-in our pool.

Said efforts were complimented and done with ease due to the record rain fall my great state enjoyed. This time last year, there was an entirely different type of music playin' in my gardens.

The year before that, I learned that all things do work together ... It was a time of heartache but the beauty was evident in my gardens. And, actually ... probably my favorite garden year since before cancer. [More ...]

... the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

I continue to experienced the outrageous joy of being one of the instruments; I have been planning, weeding, journaling and clearing (including even more of those tenacious, renegade Elm seedlings and English Ivy that I would have preferred was never planted!). My gardening goals remain rooted in a life-goal of mine: Focus upon the Grace of God, and within that measure of Grace, craft beauty and celebrate the artistry of the elements.

This day, as I focus upon the Grace of God I am strong and of a good report as I celebrate the artistry in the midst of change among the bare essentials. Because I know the brilliant but passing color of annuals and pots overflowing with life will be mine again.

Grasses and other perennials

This is an example of arranging grasses and other perennials for the sake of simplicity and beauty — year after year! :-)

Seeds along the way ...

Garden Color

Just some simple pleasures during this "light gardening" year ...

• I have become extremely thankful for perennials this year. Being gone in May (thus, not planting much before I left for vacation, knowing it would be semi-on-its-own) and the high June temperatures seem to have left me here on July 1st without much planted for this year.
• However, I have enjoyed the cleaning projects I have accomplished and a bit of gardening long-range planning for the addition of more perennials. I have been noticing hardy and heat-tolerant plants: grasses, lantanas, herbs ...
• And I have enjoyed my new garden magazine and reading articles online, such as this one.
• Planning has become "enough" this gardening years because "My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there." (Charles Kettering). I shall enjoy my gardens for years to come and the plans and enjoyment of this year will indeed be part of that future! :-)
• Morning times have been delightful, seated and practicing chair-yoga positions ... enjoying the green lawn and colors of my from-seed and perennial garden plantings!
  

Tips for Growing Lavender

1. Sunny and dry growing spot in your garden. All day sunlight is best.
2. Loose and well-drained soil; mounded; mulch and amend with pea gravel
3. Do not overwater.
4. Pruning in early Autumn; at least by one-third (I know ... But it will grow happier.)

• Look for Provence.

Country Gardens

Wild Coropsis

I was able to do some clearing and weeding, as well as get down some more mulch this morning. My son began to clear the overgrowth of groundcover and weeds from a long-neglected space in my garden. Thanks so very much, T!

My plans remain to plant native grasses, salvias and hardy herbs in these areas once they are cleared. I dropped my DH off at the airport last week and plan to return for some garden photo-journaling tomorrow evening when I pick him up.

Their main event is Russian Sage and Pampas Grass, which make an excellent combination! And, both are hardy! I am going for hardy plantings. I plan to maintain some high-maintenance plantings as well but for eye-appeal, I am going with perennials and hardy!

Living in the country, I enjoy a natural-looking garden and "wild-scaping" ... Often times by mid-summer my gardens tend to very "natural" looking! ;-) However, I have come to embrace being a country gardener and simply enjoy digging in the Oklahoma dirt!

Gardens are a form of autobiography ...

Gardens are a form of autobiography. ~Sydney Eddison

This quote has stayed with me ... And, as I have worked, enjoyed and pondered in my gardens these past couple of weeks it has become very applicable to my gardens.

Because of new life goals — and diversifying my schedule to include time regarding said goals — I was not as active in my gardens during my regular February-April prep time. Suddenly I remembered why that time is so important in gardendom. ;-)

It is the prep time that prepares the way for the plantings that bring June color. Thus, said plantings are well established in cleared gardens by this time of summer. (Instead of withering when the temps are above average.)

I had some wonderful time in my gardens today; clearing and decluttering miscellaneous areas and planting some annual color amongst my perennials. I also went for "pop" by moving around some of my garden decorations: terra cotta bunnies, shepherd's hooks, chimes, etc.

• Discovered some resident frogs and baby turtles and spotted some perennials I thought I had lost over the winter.
  
• Watered the grass in hopes of a thicker coverage this hotter-than-usual summer.
• Realized that color spots are what draw me to gardens; and said color can capture the eye and maintain interest away from weeds and bare spots (aka works-in-progress).
• Decided to go with pink as a main color this year. Love pink!
  

A Productive Garden Day!

Colorado Butterfly Plant

(Gaura neomexicana coloradensis)

There are times when the weather and this gardener's energy level seem to complete harmony; this morning proved to be a terrific garden time! :-)

I was able to clear most of the garden of the unwanted wild sweet pea weed. (Or at least that is what I call it.) And, I was able to reshape the "trenches" I dug as a border and preventative measure of keeping out the Bermuda grass.

Even as I hoped to get some planting done, the Oklahoma heat reminded me that it was not a good idea until later. It is full-blown summer 'round here and I truly hope to get the bedding plants in the soil by this weekend!

Gardens are a form of autobiography. ~Sydney Eddison, Horticulture magazine

Garden Simply

:Beautiful new miniature roses ...

Gardening is happening little-by-little these days; this years plantings have been later than my usual policy: nothing after Mother's Day and definitely nothing after Memorial Day! Especially since I have a picnic table covered with bedding plants and one-gallon containers! ;-)

And, I haven't kept that many notes this spring planting season. However, since I don't garden-to-blog, I will simply have to embrace the grace! And just share links to some recent articles I have enjoyed:

• Better Organized — Creating an Organized and Low Maintenance Garden
• 10 Ways to Make Gardening Easier

15-minutes at a time ...

Most of life's victories are simple and actually occur almost every day. However, we are just too busy (or have blinders on ...) to even notice.

When I was a new bride (and new mom — married a widower) I was somewhat overwhelmed with the task of merging my life with my husband's. There were so many variables and things to remember and tasks screaming for my attention. I felt so inadequate.

But over time I learned I was well-able to accomplish what truly needed to be done and to let the rest wait until ... whenever! ;-)

What does this have to do with gardening?

One of the most useful (and comforting) tools I acquired was a timer. When I felt completely zapped and faced mountains of laundry, piles of clutter and other endless to-do's I would take back the reins of my runaway days; I would allow myself "to begin" on my own terms: 15-minutes at a time.

And, I still find it amazing when I consider the proverbial blooms yielded by simply setting a timer, and harnessing a mere 15 minutes of Life. It seems to propel me into the next 15 ... And then, the next 15 and so on ...

These mini-work sessions in my garden have produced amazing results! :-)

Garden Time!

Garden Walk View, April 26th

Completing academic endeavors (my own and as a tutor and home school mom) as well as a relaxing vacation at the beach have delivered me a tad late in my full-time garden work. However, glorious and wonderful experiences are always worth the time and rearranging of one's hobbies.

So, let me get started with this May's list and notations ...

Backyard lawn — still working on coverage and soil amendments; planning to purchase herbicide (gasp! for this typically organic gardener) and consult with Marcum's experts about soil conditioning.

Immediate:

• transplant perennials around roses
• transplant Moneywort aka Creeping Jenny
  
• prune topiary
• prune vinca
• plantings

Other Lists:
Frontyard gardens — continue to de-leaf and clear; mulch with newspaper and grass; pruning
Front door gardens — pot for miniature shrub; annuals for color; cotton seed hulls for mulch
Arch garden — fushia impatiens; stepping stones elevated; pruning around garden path
Window garden — transplant phlox; prune vinca with shears; prune crepe myrtles
Backyard gardens —
Raised bed — tomato and pepper plants

April Showers!

Well, it has been raining the past couple of days and I am thrilled that I was able to transplant some perennials last weekend.

One of my (43 Things) goals is to enjoy time in my gardens each day. Even if simple to walk around and enjoy the green shoots of growth, flowering phlox and reserging dianthus, blooming sedum ... Well, you get the idea.

April Showers (?)

Well, two of the three meteorologists have forecasted showers. So, I will have to wait and see.


Today's adventures included working on my newest garden area. It found a place last spring when the in-ground pool framing was excavated and the hole filled with soil. I also raked and removed the massive leave "collection" from the west side garden.

It is wonderful to be outdoors and diggin' in the dirt! ;-)

• Lowes: Ideas to Grow On

It is Spring!

Status

A picture is worth a thousand words ... This image presents the status of my garden. Bits of newspaper (my son's Golden Retriever pup ...) and other various items needing to be cleared (leaves, tumbleweeds and dead foliage). But it is my garden and it sprouts bits of color and life within me!

Mostly, I am country gardener. No cover photos on Martha's magazine ... Just a delightful respite for me to design, experiment and dig in the Oklahoma dirt! :-)

It is Spring and I am enjoying a perfect day: no wind, mind temperatures and lots of sun!

Interesting thing about the first day of Spring ... Gardens have a party! They put on their colors and shine bright! :-)

And mine is still partying! This morning I have been assessing my next steps and tasks, deciding what to plant, what to move or thin out, where to put fencing to keep the three pups out of my flowers, herbs and sprouts of lettuce. It is w-o-n-d-e-r-ful!

Birdsongs

Forsythia Buds

As an early-riser, I am always delighted when my early morning quiet time is blessed with the background music of birdsongs. These notes begin playing during this time of year: The very early stages of Spring. When the Forsythia begins to bud and the Daffodils are sticking their heads up, the Phlox are beginning to host their buds and the trees begin to start their adornments.

Butterflies!

Although I couldn't find photos from my personal files of Monarch butterflies, I spotted this one and remembered the hot, August morning I spotted this butterfly. It was during my morning walk (yep, I often walk and hike with my camera ...) and it was such an unexpected blessing. At first I assumed it was wounded in some way as butterflies don't often remain on rural, chip-and-sealed roads ... However once I was able to photograph it, it took off in flight! It was a special gift.

During the summer months, I often enjoy quiet moments just photographing my garden visits by insects and birds and such. It is relaxing to watch how my "digging in the dirt" proves beneficial far beyond me, personally. :-)

• Migration Update

Winter Garden Break is Over!

My Ponder Chair ...

February 1st is my unofficial end to my winter (dormant) garden break which typically begins the first week in November. The holiday times and settling into the new year precede this time of garden planning. It just seems appropriate to begin now.

Each time I walk through my gardens during this dormant time of year, I am inspired with ideas and visual arrangements — even as neutral and muted tones are the rule of the day. I remember the summer before ... and the summers before that ... Colors, arrangements, blooms and new plantings.

Gardening offers me the opportunity to authenticate the seasons of change, of growth and of dormancy. It teaches me the importance of pruning, planting — and transplanting! So, today marks the first day of my 2008 Gardening Adventure!

I celebrated by subscribing to Country Gardens. It has been several years since I subscribed to any magazine but I decided that perusing my Country Garden magazine, during mere "moderately active" garden years, will bridge the gap between now and the time career training and graduate school are completed.

Life begins on the day you start a garden. ~Chinese proverb