Winter Solstice

Too much time has passed since my last gardening post although a lot has happened in the yard and soon the winter solstice will be upon us. Time for merry cheer around the fireplace not out in the yard… However…

Today I have to share the survivalist. We’ve had some nipping cold temps, near freezing and the blanket flower is loving the dry cold.

Today the sun was shining, the high was 50 degrees and there was very little wind. After a long walk along the lake shore Molly and I settled on the “veranda” to enjoy the afternoon. The birds are loving the new feeder that Tommy gave me for my birthday. They were flocking around it. One at a time, two at a time, up to five at a time.

I think the big hog is a wood pecker and notice the other biggy hanging by for his turn to nip some free seed is a blue jay. The big boys were being nice today and letting the smaller birds in for their fair share too.

What a wonderful day to enjoy along the shore of the lake.

Hot July

The dog days of summer are upon us. Triple digit temperatures and high humidity. Today it is 101 and THI is 105. That's HOT.
The yard thrives, the grass is growing, the zinnias are huge and everything is living.
Almost everything.
We were away for 10 days some thing decimated the pumpkin plants that were thriving when we left. The cantaloupe vines are doing well but only one vine has set any fruit.

BEFORE
Here is a picture of the yard last July, 2009.














AFTER (or today)




So you can see the progress. Sidewalk, shrubs, and flowers grace the front view. The grass is growing, still a little thin in spots.




More to do....
Tomorrow we are going to work on the shade bed off the edge of the back porch.
Work on the rest of the sidewalk, path and steps to wrap around the back are on hold until cooler weather arrives.

Water-Wise Landscape Tour

June 5

Jennifer and I toured three yards, Water-Wise Landscape Tour showcases beautiful yards that use little water. After viewing the beautiful landscapes we went to a nursery.

“Under the Sun” nursery on Campbell just east of Coit. We went (or should I say I went) a little crazy.

Jennifer bought some asparagus fern and a purple shamrock (Oxalis Triangularis) for a hanging basket. What a lovely combination. Of course the need of the basket, sheppard’s crook and potting soil prompted a trip to Home Depot and then Walmart. Jen decided she needed a begonia for a small square planter that was a housewarming gift. So now she has some variety in her front yard and we are full of ideas.

Now for the craziness. I was going to just buy some light green sweet potato vines for contrast … but 25% off perennials and I went just a little nuts. I did not blow the budget. Now my two flower beds have a lot of variety and texture. Very few annuals (potato vines are an annual -- I substituted the contrast in color that I was looking for with a perennials.)

Planted in the east bed.

Artemisia in the dark corner for contrast.

A white flowering hibiscus in the center bordered with celosia and the rusty red sweet potato vine.

Just for fun lamb’s ear planted behind the marigolds.

Planted in the west bed

A conversation piece for sure, an agave. Don't hold your breath, I won't be harvesting the juice for tequila, not in my life time.

Also planted some purple heart (wandering jew) for contrast and because Jennifer liked it some blue fescue ornamental grass.

So far the plants have survived, 95% success rate.

The marigolds are not doing well in the south side of the island bed. They may be getting too much shade or not enough water. Probably not enough water at the tail end of the drip system. Marigolds are not as drought tolerant as I thought, they are rated by the aggies as a 5 on scale of 1 to 10. Most of my plant selections are in the 8 or 9 (very drought tolerant) range.

The acapulco agastache didn’t make it over the long week. I cut it back and mulched it, so shall wait and see if it will survive and come back.

This past week was a good test of the hardiness of the plants. I watered last Sunday and did not return until 6 days later on Saturday. The week brought us our first triple digit temps and not a drop of rain, so I call it a success to have plants that survived the week. The few zinnias that did pop up from seeds are lovely.

The melon patch is thriving, blooms on the pumpkins and cantaloupe. The few vegetables are holding their own against the bugs, the rabbits, the heat and no rain.

After much time, work, effort, thought and not as much upfront planning, I worry about the clay in the east and west flower beds. I will give it a few years and see if the plants do survive. Although I have a feeling that you’ll hear me moaning and groaning in a few years when I decide that it is time to dig out the clay, add compost and garden soil and till it all up. We did till the areas before the brick edging (and now sidewalk) was laid but it is still pretty clayey. The island bed has much better soil. It is surprising, some of it natural and some of it due to the construction the variance in the soil types across the yard. We have a heavy red clay, an even heavier whitish clay (but it is very rare) and lots of sand. The house foundation was 6 feet of sand capped with 6 inches of red clay. The whitish clay was moved and graded in from the pile of dirt from the septic tank hole. After all the clearing and grading across the yard, we were left with very little organic material or topsoil. We are working on it.

Ever a work in progress is the garden and the yard.

Dueling tractors.

Friday

May 28, 2010

The big rocks were moved. After waiting for nearly a year, the big r
ocks were moved.

Look at the size of that tractor.

Look at the size of that rock.

Dueling Tractors. The baby tractor driven by Tommy, held the rocks in place while the big guy picked them up.

Now more work to do. The rocks are moved so we can finish wrapping the flagstone around the porch and build steps.

Memorial Day Weekend was a blast.

Tommy and Jennifer had friends, some who came and went, some who just stayed. Mike and Charlotte joined us for one night. They slept thru Jennifer and her friends rinsing off in the big tub at 3 in the morning. I heard there were three in the tub and three sitting on the edge.

Does anyone have a head count? I would guess somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 or so all total. Lots of food and beer were consumed.

Ornaments - Living and Not

Thursday
May 27, 2010
A Long Memorial Day Weekend

A long productive and fun weekend.




I splurged at the nursery and spent $100 and planted a variety of nursery specimens.
White salvia and pink dianthus in the west bed near the pink roses.
Purple ornamental grass, acapulco agastache, an ornamental pepper and purple salvia in the corner of the east bed with a barberry bush.







A lavender plant, orange mint and dahl daisies in the opposite corner of the east bed.



All are perennials with the exception of the ornamental pepper. It was just too cute to pass on. The grass will need to be heavily mulched and may not survive a severe winter.

I am not sure I like the settings of the plantings. I put the dark colors tucked up in a corner that gets late afternoon shade so during that time of day the textures just wash.
For now I will leave the placement and watch what does well and grows. I really like the barberry bush and if it thrives may get more.

Time to wait and see what grows.
A solar powered light on a rain gauge ornament adds a soft glow to the garden at night although it competes with the lightening bugs and fireflies.

Progress -- Happy Mother's Day.

Spring is here. Progress has been made in the yard. Flowers are blooming, the grass is growing and the weeds are flourishing. Indian Paint Brush flowers blanketed the outer yard for a few weeks. David mowed around the denser patches. They are hard to capture in a photo.

May 1, 2010. Chris and Sara (nephew and new niece) were married. The young couple gave me a flowering bulb in a pot as a hostess gift back in March. I pirated the flowering bulb home on the airplane stuffed inside a shoe. I planted the Ornithogalum bulb in the island bed. I hope it grows and flourishes just as Chris and Sara will grow and flourish in their new life together.


More flowers, more flowers. I planted some Blanket Flowers, some Texas Rock Rose shrubs and Cherry Skull Cap in the west bed. Patricia thinned her iris and daylily beds, so I planted more bulbs in the island bed. As seen in the picture, the east bed has a few struggling seedlings. Happy Mother's Day was a busy and productive day. Jennifer and Tommy came on Sunday for dinner. While Jennifer snoozed, we worked in the yard. Flagstone was set to the edge of the veranda. Hurray. We had lots of help from Molly and Bella.

Tommy gave me a glass globe hummingbird feeder. It is a beautiful addition to the garden. I plan to leave it on the plant hangar so I can move it around the yard.

The lily bulbs are blooming. The white blooms opened first.

Gardens are full of wonder and delight; full of mystery and quandaries too. For the “wanna be gardener” who tries to do her homework, here is a dilemma. I purchased two pots of Salvia from the store. The label clearly states part sun, 4 to 6 hours and that it is an annual. I planted the lovely red bloomers in the island bed. Later that night, I researched the Salvia, which is a native Texas plant and the data on the Texas Smartscape page clearly states that the salvia needs full sun and is a deciduous perennial. Which is right? I’ll let you know next year. Perhaps I purchased a hybrid type or that the label is generic for most of the US. Who knows. However the red plants are a nice compliment to the orange marigolds.

The grass does show signs of sprouting. The unusually cold spring has kept the soil temperature below normal for this time of year but it is finally warming up. As the sun shines, the grass seed will sprout. David and Tommy are both engrossed in searching for signs of bermuda sprouts.

The melon patch is flourishing. I thinned the sprouts to three in each mound. The pumpkins have taken root in the sandy loam. Now to keep the weeds, dogs, pests and critters at bay and we'll have pumpkins in the fall.

After much debate, I broke down and installed a flexible composite plastic edging along the flagstone walkway. The grass and weeds were already invading the edge of the path and it will help contain the decomposed granite filler. It has rained and stormed this week, the moisture will help the grass take root and grow. The blessing of having a solid surface path from the front to the back is so nice when letting Molly in and out. No more muddy quagmires unless we step off into the abyss.

Next on the agenda for the yard and garden. More compost against the new path, more grass seed to plant and grading. We are waiting for some huge native limestone rocks to be moved. Then we can finish the flagstone around the edge of the veranda where the out door shower will be placed, then steps down to the area that will be fenced off along the north side of the house and more.

Always more, progress has been made but as we finish one project more just seem to crop up.

Blooming Flowers

The mystery bulbs are blooming, a beautiful riot of color. I bought a whole bunch of bulbs last fall on sale at Home Depot. I picked up this bag because the picture was pretty. I have forgotten what they are and didn't keep the package. They were the strangest knarliest little nutty bulb too, not at all like the typical "onion" bulb. If anyone knows or wants to guess at what the colorful blooms are - go for it.



Progress in the yard is still slow. The rain demon plagues us every Friday, especially the days when we have young men to help. The flagstone is still not done. Two thirds of the stone still sits on pallets awaiting a good day to set it in place. We did lay the weed barrier fabric and the base of decomposed granite to the edge of the veranda. Next time young men visit, stones will be set regardless of weather. Next will be to finish the plumbing, grade the landing and set the stones around the out door shower. Soon... maybe not soon but sometime in May, I hope.


Compost. Four, yes 4 cubic yards was spread across the soon to be lawn area and bermuda seed was planted. We used a hydromulch formula for the front yard area and a plain bermuda seed elsewhere. The green grass in the photo is the rye grass that is dying. It was planted last fall to hold the topsoil and slope in place over the winter. The grass will grow if it rains or we water. The challenge of being a part time absentee gardener is the worst during germination. Do I dare say, "Pray for rain." No because we've already had too much rain. So instead, I hope David will have time in the next 10 days to stop by and water. He does have several business meetings in the area next week and week after.




The Master Gardener's of Grayson County held their semi annual plant sale, it was a huge success. Members are the best customers. I bought two Marie Daly rose bushes -- an easy care shrub rose, few thorns, lots of very fragrant, double pink blooms. Successive flushes of bloom spring to frost and it was developed for Texas.

I bought three shasta daisy plants as well. All were planted in the west flower bed.





Time to mow.

The weeds and grass grew over a foot in just one week. Here is a picture of the pasture before mowing.
David mowed the pasture while I mowed with the small riding mower.
No after pictures -- too tired and in a rush for a pizza dinner date at Jen's house. But the yard and pasture are really beginning to shape up and look like a yard.


Busy busy weekend.

Tommy and Trip did work hard, they cut up tons and tons of firewood from the dead tree in the bunkhouse yard. They also tore apart the read end of the '53 Chevy. You remember my mention of "Tator -- Mater's cousin".

I transplanted the mystery seedlings (more mysteries) from the planter box to the east flower bed. Time will solve that mystery, I'll know when they bloom whether they are dahlias or coreopsis. The six strongest of the leggy straggly tomatoes were planted in the vegetable bed. The rest were tossed out. David planted his melon patch. Ten mounds, six with cantaloupe and four with pumpkins should be sprouting in a week or so. Eighty-six days for cantaloupe, not 90 but 86 according to the package and 120 days to harvest for the pumpkin. I'm sure we'll have a big weedy patch.

We had a lot of help from Bella and Molly all weekend. I swear I've cast more grass seed on Bella that she should start sprouting any day. The pair ran and rolled through the melon patch too. They love the freshly tilled soil, the feel, the warmth, the smell. They are dogs, they love to roll in anything.

Peaches, peaches and more peaches are clustered on the one year old peach tree. The fruit will have to be thinned soon to protect the young tender fruit bearing limbs.

Winter is Over

Winter is officially over.

View to the north off the back porch, aka veranda last February.








The spring daffodils were a brilliant and vibrant splash of yellow color in the island flower bed.
The new crape myrtles are full of leaves, the two pines have new growth, and the grass is green.
The weeds are flourishing too. Most of the seedlings I started in February have been a huge bust. The tomatoes wilted in the dry winds, the impatiens never came up, the alyssum sprouted and wilted. What a disappointment.
Not too discourage though, a few things are popping up. Marigolds (thank you Patricia for the seeds) are doing well.
The azaleas, daylily bulbs and other flowers in the island bed are flourishing. I also planted two daisy plants. As time and budget allows, more will be planted. I am going to rely on good and expensive nursery stock to establish some perennials.


View to the north off the back porch first weekend of April.










I refurbished two rectangular planting boxes, the dense foam type. The puppies, Jake and Bella (not that I mentioned any names...) chewed the edges down and I almost threw them away. I sawed off the gnawed lip and repainted the containers, they look brand new. Actually probably better than new. I used some of David's expensive zinc primer spray paint that he buys by the case. I planted dahlia seeds in one and coreopsis in the other. I did mark a D in the inside corner with a sharpie for the dahlia box but guess what. I don't know which is which! The "D" faded away. One box has three teeny tiny sprouts and the other has a multitude of sturdy sprouts ready to transplant into a flower bed. I wish I knew which seed was growing so well. I guess I'll discover the answer when they flower.

The garden is a challenge. Although I completed the Master Gardening course and passed the test my gardening is still hit and miss. If it grows, it grows, if it dies, it dies. If the crows eat the seeds, if the wind burns the leaves or if the heavy spring rains drown the sprouts, so be it.

Yesterday the sun was shining, the yard beckoned and I had an unexpected free afternoon to work outdoors. I weeded and trimmed. I mowed down the weeds. I mowed what bit of actual grass too. I took the dogs for a long long walk along the shore. What a pleasant day.
Last night, the rain started about 2 in the morning, a soft rain but it has been constant. The yard is muddy, the sky overcast and the dogs are content to sleep away the morning.

So progress on the sidewalk and tilling to establish more grass still awaits a sunny dry day when young strong backs are here to do the heavy work.

Happy Easter

The rains foiled the plans once again. Tommy, Tripp and Sara Beth came to work this weekend. They came in Thursday night and stayed up late having fun in the shop. Friday morning, we rousted them out of bed to work on the sidewalk about 9. We worked on the flagstone and ditch digging for an hour before the rain came. In that one hour we laid another 12 feet of sidewalk and dug most of the ditch for the water line along the edge of the porch.
Rain rain rain. The rains came, a heavy downpour from 10 to 2 turning the yard into a muddy quagmire. We retreated indoors for a hardy breakfast. Texas shaped waffles do taste better. It was too wet to work in the yard, so the kids went fishing. They had so much fun. The afternoon was beautiful and gorgeous, not a hint of wind, brilliant blue sky and warm. Molly, Bella and I wandered down to the beach to watch the fishing and walk.
Funniest of funnies, both Molly and Bella were spooked by the "strangers" on the beach. Who? Tommy? Sara Beth? Tripp? Silly dogs but they have been enjoying the solitude of the lake and are not used to seeing any one on "their" beach.
Later, Tommy and Tripp worked on the wave runner and took it over to the VFW. They hauled it over with the 47' jeep. Tripp actually took the wave runner out on the water. Good thing he did not tip over, the water is still cold. Sara Beth was not happy about the cold water lapping up into the jeep because Tommy backed in too far. The wave runner is still stalling out .... so back to the shop it will go. Then the trio took the jeep for a jaunt around the point. They had fun while David cooked supper. We celebrated Easter early and had dinner with the kids on Good Friday. It was a good day.
Some progress has been made in the garden despite the rain. The drip irrigation is complete and working in the three beds. We splurged and bought two small flats of marigolds at Home Depot so the island bed is full of color with the daffodils still in full bloom and the bright yellow marigolds. We set two fence posts in preparation of building a fence (aka dog run) along the north side of the house.
The six tomato plants I set out died. The winds were gusty and dry all last week and they did not survive. No evidence of any of the seeds germinating that I set out into the ground but it has only been 7 days.
On Saturday the sun was shining, the ground dried out. David worked on sand blasting the 53' Chevy truck frame while I weeded and tended to other things. It did dry out enough late in the afternoon to finish the water line ditch, set the pvc, backfill and grade the dirt along the edge of the porch.
It had better not rain the next time we have kids here to help. I want to get the sidewalk finished around to the back porch and the outdoor shower set. I have high hopes.
The wanna be gardener is enjoying spring time. The trees are full of leaves, the pasture has turned green and the birds are busy. The vision of a green lawn is soon to be a reality. With a lot of work, hope and favorable weather, it can happen.
March winds bring April showers .... Happy Easter to all.

More March Winds

Progress is slow...

Saturday March 27, 2010 The day started out cool and clear with gusty winds, 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, clouds moved in around 2 in the afternoon. So far no rain.

Yesterday the guys got to play. The yard was too muddy to work on the flagstone or to till or to grade, so they had a fun day inside working on the '53 chevy. Tater is a cousin to Mater and is getting a complete make over. If you run into Mater, tell him Tater has an extra hood he might sell to his cousin. Pictures of Tater will be posted later, he's too shy to show his face today.

While the boys played, I worked on drip irrigation. Drip lines in two beds are finished. I would have finished the "island" bed but Home Depot did not have another reel of hose, so it will have to wait.

Saturday morning David and I went to the nursery and with great restraint we only bought what we went to get. We purchased 6 azalea bushes. We have acidic soil so we are hoping that the bushes will adapt well. The "island" bed is now home to the six, Encore Autumn Sunset azalea bushes. I have high hopes that they will grow and will have showy blooms from spring through summer. Now I have to consider what else to plant in that flower bed that will compliment the azaleas, spring blooming daffodils and day lilies. If you look close, you'll see the new bushes. Of course David thinks the green tractor in the background is the best feature in the picture.

I have to be careful when I go into a nursery this time of year, all the plants are so full of blooms, bright in color and ever so tempting.

More progress, 4 O'clocks, zinnias and marigolds seeds planted in the west bed. Lettuce and bean seeds planted in the vegetable bed and 6 tomato sprouts transplanted.

It does feel like spring time. Thanks to Patricia, Ricky and Jackson for the peach tree last summer, it is beginning to bloom and for some of the seeds I've started in pots or scattered in the beds.

The pallet of flagstone will just have to wait. Maybe next weekend we can work on the walk.
Soon it will be time to till the yard and plant grass seed. We do have a vision and one can hope.

The east bed is still bare of anything but mulch and drip line. What shall I plant? I also want to plant climbing roses on the l-shaped pipe fence at the SW corner of the drive.

The "sunny" bed will be home to morning glories, sunflowers and any other hot dry sun loving seeds this year.

Plans... plans.. plans.

Snow?

Snow in late March? Where did the snow come from? Well it did folks. It snowed in North Texas on March 20, 2010. Mark that down in the record books for the latest snow fall on record for this part of the country.
My prudent decision to wait before setting out seedlings and seeds was the wise choice.

The weekend of March 13 & 14, David and I did lay the first of the flagstone walkway. It is wonderful, gorgeous and awesome.
Tons and tons of sweat equity. The pay back is more than dollars saved but that true sense of pride and ownership.

Do you see the small white shed in the background? That is the home made temporary greenhouse aka "Bella's poltergeist" that took up residence in the pasture. The filmy white fabric did not hold up well under the weight of the snow or the gusty winds, so a redesign for next year is due.
Gusty winds and thunderstorms blew in last night, March 24, 2010 and we have mud, mud and a squishy yard with young helpers on the way. Tommy, Trip and Bill are taking a Friday to come help with ???? If it does not dry out, well they get to come play for a day.
Next post, I'll let you know what we get done this weekend.
Taming a new yard, taking it from a construction sight to a landscape is a slow process. Especially for us on a limited budget and the wanna be gardener who wants to do it right, not fast.

March Winds

Progress in the yard/garden is slow, there is no instant gratification. Therefor, no pictures to post today.
However, a few noteworthy accomplishments to report.
Flagstone is here. The sidewalk will be flagstone and we finally ordered the stone and crushed granite embedment. Hurray! Next step is the sweat equity factor. If you want to come help break your back, you have my number, give us a call.
Drip Irrigation completely installed in one flower bed. Oh, it is so, so simple and affordable. A starter kit costs $20 and it has all the pieces to irrigate a 20' x 15' bed (depending on water demand and soil type.) You can even purchase battery operated timers so you can water while you are away for $30. Soooo, I have a list of parts and will complete the irrigation system in beds two and three. I am still undecided about bed number 4, I may use an old fashioned soaker hose.
Landscape plan. Yes, yes, we've decided to add flower bed number 4, just to the SE of the back porch so that we can enjoy the seasonal color when we sit out doors.
Irrigation, you ask? This is Texas. Even making "Earth Kind" or "SmartScape" choices, in the dog days of summer irrigation or water supplements are a must. Welcome to Texas. The goal is to keep watering to a minimum. Well adapted and native plants are being selected.
Vegetable beds. The funny looking frames that resembled covered wagons have been placed out in the full sun. The frames have been filled with organically (composted) rich garden soil and covered with crop row cover cloth. The winds have been gusty today and the thin white fabric is flapping about wildly despite my best efforts to tuck, tack and stake the film in place. Bella has been growling at the poltergeist beast that has moved into her pasture.
Target date to move seedlings and plants into the new frames is March 27. I am tempted to start some seeds this weekend but a trip out of town is keeping me from playing the odds of avoiding a obliterating freeze. So, since I won't be about to tend or water the sprigs, I have to wait and it will probably prove the prudent choice due to the erratic temperature shifts of this past winter.
Mulch mulch mulch. The power company has been busy trimming (or butchering) the trees that were hanging over the power lines in the area. I asked for and received a free load of wood chips.
We have plenty to keep us busy in our garden during March while we battle the gusty winds. The sidewalk is the priority.

A Hint of Spring

The hope for spring remains a mere promise or hint as North Texas has experienced a very unseasonably hard and cold winter that just won't release it's grip.
The indoor seedlings I planted are struggling. The lack of sunny days has paid it's toll. I relented and purchased a grow lamp/light and have it set on a timer. I won't relent on the indoor thermostat setting so the heat will remain low. The seedlings that have survived will have to suffice with the temperature as it remains. I have a feeling though that once the sun starts shining on a consistent basis in North Texas the temps will start rising.
Oh but these are the joys and challenges of trying to garden in this fair state of extremes we call home and Texas.
The garden bed frame constructed in February still sits atop the picnic table. It's been either too cold or muddy to work in yard.
The only decent yard weekend we've had in North Texas, David and I spent in a valiant attempt to "MAKE OVER" the tiny yard in Coppell. The hope that anything green sprouting will lure a buyer. It does have the appearance of being a very professional landscape. Hhrrrm IMHO.
The poor doggies, Molly and Bella are banned to the tiny dog run in the side yard while in the 'burbs'. Don't feel too sad for the dogs, they get to run and roam at will when at the lake home.

The moral of the story is there is no instant gratification in gardening. So the yard remains barren but the hours of labor and the amount of progress are enormous if you look between the lines.
Gardening and patience go hand in hand.

Blustery February in North Texas 2010

Late winter, mid February has been cold and snowy. Remember the native pine planted at Christmas time, it survived the heavy snow cap. Where is that hint of spring in the air? On top of cold and snow it has been dark and gray. The weather patterns have been very untypical for North Texas February weather. Record snow falls and low temperatures plague the wanna be gardener in me, eager to start.


Even the seedlings are struggling, so I have put them under artificial light. Maybe that will inspire the tiny sprouts to strengthen up. I am a novice gardener, so if all my sprouts wilt and die I won’t be too disheartened but while there is a hint of life, I’ll continue to nurture the seedlings along.



While awaiting decent out door weather, David and I built two bed frames. I’ll move them out doors and I have the row cover fabric to anchor with rocks or stakes to begin to set out the seedlings in a semi protected area so that they can harden. Sort of looks like a covered wagon frame. Don't you think? My son, Kevin used the term harden last year and it was the first time I think I’ve ever heard it. But the tiny baby sprouts started in doors handle the transition from being coddled in the nest to being kicked out to rigors of the yard if it is a slow transition or hardening. Makes sense! I don’t have time to coddle the plants along so will try the protected method. We’ll see how it goes. Regardless the frames won’t go to waste as I plan to use them to stake up tomatoes in one and beans in the other and to use them for cold beds with the covers for winter lettuce.
Next two projects will be 1)set the frames in place and fill them with a good garden mix of soil and 2) to get some drip irrigation system installed. If the weather would cooperate and give us a dry sunny weekend.

The rest of the plans for spring will be to lay a flagstone walk, finish grading and hopefully seed some lawn in addition to establishing three flowering plant beds and more. Always more as it is a work in progress that will span many years.

Journal 2

This post will bring you up to date with what is done so we can move on to what is being done and what needs to be done.
It is so hard to express in words all that we have done and even harder to express the vision of what we want in the yard and garden.
Soooo with that said I'll attempt to express all the wonders we've enjoyed and explored in this past winter in our yard.
The rye grass seed sprouted, what a wonder. After our labors to grade we did a broadcast seeding of rye in an attempt to keep erosion at bay. Success for the most part as the tender sprouts took hold and held the dirt in place.
The winter has been exceptionally cold and rainy by North Texas standards, a plus for some and a minus for others. For gardeners in the area it is a plus. The heavy rains drench the soils and soak in and prevent severe damage from the hard freezes that have followed.
My biggest garden failure of the season was leaving my son's mature San Pedro cactus on the front porch of my suburban home. The cactus is cold hardy -even in a pot- to 25 degrees but four straight days of teen temperatures turned the structure to mush and the towering cactus collapsed. I am attempting to propagate a few cactii starters.

Now to the successes and progress.

Christmas brings pine trees. Why cut a live tree? Why have an artificial tree? Why not plant a tree? We planted a "Fat Albert" blue spruce that will require water in the hottest of the hot months because our son asked for a spruce tree. We shall see how it survives. Before it was planted the cute little sapling sported a string of lights indoors and a single straw angel as the official tree of the holiday season. If our cute lil spruce does not survive it will be well remembered. The sensible gardeners that we are we also planted a native Loblolly Pine. It stands erect with long needles towering almost 10 feet now. We expect it to grow rapidly to a mature height of 60' and it is drought tolerant.

The dead of winter is the time to plant. Who would have thunk? Yes, in this area it is best to plant trees and bare root plants in the winter so the roots can get established before the hot dry heat of the summer sets in. So with meager funds to draw upon this winter we splurged in January on some Crape Myrtles. The showy colors of the stalwart crapes in the dog day heat during July and August in Texas has always been my favorite. We planted matching pairs of Rocket Red and Natchez White. What a show we will have in years to come for 4th of July with our showy blooms.
Mid February brings the daring shoots of daffodils and narcissus bulbs pushing out of the soil and seedling sprouts started in doors. The average last freeze is March 15 so preparations are in full swing to beat the last frost and have a few sprouts in the ground.
More on that next post....

Journal 1

A garden journal is a must for a successful wanna be gardener. Tch tch if you repeat your worst mistakes. It is only fair to those who have labored so hard thus far to bring you up to date with all the work that has been done, so here is a brief synopsis.

The barren wasteland of a yard is a work in progress and will be for many years. What a challenge, what fun and what a dream. A few highlights from the past 9 months.

We planted a peach tree. Our first planting in June 2009. A gift from Patricia, Rick and Jackson.
During the summer months, we picked up trash, raked dirt and graded the slopes and waited for the heat of the Texas sun to abate before we dove into the really hard work. Left over limestone blocks were laid to edge the driveway and future sidewalk and planting beds. After giving up on stone and rock erosion deterrents, downspout hose drains were installed to stop the water cutting a deep trench at each corner of the house.

Grading, grading and more grading. Pushing and shoving, bucket loads of dirt we didn't break any backs but we did break three rakes before buying an extra heavy duty dirt rake. We built a low retaining wall on the north side around the mechanical equipment and planted winter rye grass in an attempt to hold what little top soil we had in place during the winter rains.

Tommy told us he was going to quit coming to spend the night. The lake house was closer to his hunting lease so he was in the habit of hunting early in the morning and then coming to the lake. He was teasing more than grumbling. Work work work during the cool fall before the winter rains and cold set in. I actually planted a few bulbs in the island bed at the driveway.

These few words seem so scant compared to the hours we've spent over our labor. Is it a labor of love? Who knows. We'll let you know how we feel in a few years.

Journal 1 brings us up to December. Next post will finish out the what has been done.

Then onto what is being done and what we want to do.

Welcome

Why start a gardening blog today?
Because I am stuck in doors and can't go out and wallow in the mud.
I am a novice gardener. The challenges I face will be converting a blank barren landscape into a warm soothing welcoming space that is low maintenance in the harsh Texas climate. The blank canvas of the red sandy clay soil awaits, the palette of textures, sizes and colors is abundant and my knowledge is scant.
I have amassed a collection of web links, gardening advice, plant selection guides, books and magazines. I am taking a gardening class, not just a simple class but a 10 week, 80 hours of class room instruction class sponsored by the Texas Master Gardener Association.
Now I stand looking at the bare bedding spaces, the plain red dirt poised and anxious to plant. But wait, I need a plan. I can't just haphazardly throw plants in the ground. Or can I? I have seeds germinating on the kitchen table that will need a location in a few short weeks.
So I shall sketch out a plan and share with you all the successes, failures, trials, errors, joy, fun and labors of my gardening efforts.
I hope you will enjoy my blog.

Here is a picture of the yard from July 2009. Wish me luck transforming the space into a lush garden landscape.