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.