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