Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Spring Projects Galore!

It feels as if it's been taking a lifetime, but spring has almost arrived to the mountain top. 

Oh my gosh, I'm beyond excited! 

Along with the arrival of spring comes any amount of spring chores and projects. 

Get ready for an onslaught of pictures....grab a beverage and settle in! 


One of the fun chores....FINALLY I have begun planting some summer annuals for some much needed color around here! 

Yes, I'm jumping the gun....I really should wait another couple of weeks....but everything I've planted so far can easily be brought indoors or covered if our temps drop again. 

Fingers crossed that won't be necessary!

Most of the seedlings have been brought outside at this point, either in the cold frame or hardening off on the deck. 

I'm holding off on a few...the most recent batch of seedlings is still in the house, under the grow lights. I want them to be a bit stronger before I put them out...but they are doing extremely well where they are so no rush! 


Planting in the vegetable garden has commenced, at long last, and I can't wait until I can once again plan my meals around what's coming out of the garden.




Carrot and parsnip seeds have also gone in, along with beets and salad greens. 

The garlic crop is coming up nicely from the fall planting. I wish now that I planted twice as much! I try to restrain myself since my garden is not big, but it's not always easy. 

The peas and radishes are planted in Sweetie's garden...I often plant things in my garden that can stay put for a long time, and give him things that need daily tending such as peas and fresh beans. 

Plus for some reason I haven't had a good pea crop, and he always does....go figure! 


Papa's garden is coming along nicely....all but one of the perennials I planted seem to be coming back strong. 

The hanging baskets are planted in pink, white, and blue this year. I always use a ton of pink and white in this corner, to complement the Peonies and Bleeding Hearts in the adjacent garden bed.


I'm trying something new this year in a few of my planters....I bought three very inexpensive Hostas at Lowe's the other day, and I'm going to see if they overwinter successfully in pots in my zone 5a garden. 

I was inspired by the Hostas that my friend Brenda has on her lovely patio - she has such terrific success with them coming back in pots each year. 

I'm hoping they will come back year after year, but at least if they don't they were only about $3 each. Perfect price point for a trial like this. 


I'm trying it out in the perennial bed as well....this little metal planter has one Hosta, and I love the contrast of the leaves against the conifer. 


On the opposite corner of the garden, the third and final Hosta is in this sweet planter, against another conifer. 


I love the way they sort of 'bookend' the perennial bed....I think they will look great when they fill in a bit! 


Speaking of the perennial bed, look what I found in it over the weekend when I was doing my walkabout - where on earth do you think this came from? 

I left it there since it makes me smile - clearly the heavens sent it my way since they know my garden is truly my happy place! 


My other happy place is up on my deck, on my deck swing. 

I spent some time cleaning up the deck furniture this weekend, getting ready to enjoy it for the season. 

As much as I adore feeding my birds, wow they sure do make a mess on the deck! 

The deck floor needs to be power-washed and stained, but the weather has not been agreeable for that project, with rain, rain, and more rain. But at least Molly and I can relax on the swing whenever it's dry enough to do so, without sitting in bird poop!


Molly is my constant companion when I'm doing my 'walkabout' - this sweet angel loves to be outside! She does this cute little thing when she's happy that we call her 'happy hop' where she lifts her right back leg in a little hop every-other step....she only does it when she's happy and it's the cutest thing in the world! I swear she looks like she's skipping! 


Monkey is always with us when we're outside also...but she's often got her nose stuck down a chipmunk hole, looking for trouble. 

She's a good girl, though - they both are. They don't wander too far from me when we're outside, and I love that they have this wonderful life in the country where they can go on a 'sniffabout' while Mommy is on her walkabout! 


Sweetie's been putting in some long hard hours at my house also, working on some big projects. 

The first was his ingenious plan to divert water away from the well head, after the disastrous flood in the lower level. 



This used to be a dip in the garden that would become a small pond whenever it rained. 

Now it's all filled in with topsoil, and he created this barrier as well to keep the water back, plus a trench to drain water away from the well head. 

His brain is always working, no doubt! He lays awake at night thinking of ways to solve problems - truly he should have been an engineer! 


In addition, he changed the direction the water flows from the gutter to the opposite side of the house, far away from the well head. 


It might not be the prettiest contraption, but it sure gets the job done! Fortunately it's at the back corner of the house, so we are the only ones who see it.


Sweetie also reseeded the area that was dug up by the solar company in the fall, when they hooked the system up to the electrical pole. 

I cannot wait until all the grass is grown back in and I can get out there and mow! It looks such a mess at the moment, with patches everywhere and dandelions taking over the universe, it seems. 

However, it's been far too wet and the ground way too muddy, no chance to mow....I'll have to suffer through the mess for another while. 


Sweetie is often working on 'practical' projects while I'm working on 'pretty' projects...but sometimes he combines the practical with the pretty, like he did here. 


He took these flat rocks from another area on my property and extended the path to this landing in the front garden. I love, love, love it!!  See the before above....what an improvement!

This is the spot where he took out the tree last spring....I'm still figuring out that small garden by the birdbath - it seems to have wild strawberries growing in it, and I stuck a few Hostas in there last season, but it needs more help. 


The new landing and small strawberry garden are all the way to the right of the Hydrangea bed, that you see at the front of the house in this picture. 

Somehow I need to tie it all together, that's a big project on my list this season. The Hostas and Cranesbill that I ordered haven't shipped yet, which is probably just as well as I need to re-do the edging and extend it to the strawberry bed...it will end at the new 'landing' now. 


I do need a clone, without a doubt....someone who can work on these projects while I'm at the office! 


Isn't it lovely to see everything greening up for spring!!  I could do without the billions of weeds and the may-flies but hey, they're part of the package, right? 


The Lilies and Bee Balm I ordered for the perennial bed were planted last weekend, and I can't wait to see how they do. 


I focused them mainly in the center area of the garden, around the stepping stones and obelisks. 

I also took some pieces of Black Eyed Susan and some pieces of Bee Balm from another garden and stuck them in here and there throughout the perennial bed.

They have a tough fight ahead of them, trying to beat out that awful Tansy....be strong, little flowers! 


The Lilacs at the fence line are loaded with blooms - I'm delighted as this is the 4th season since I planted them, and I have yet to see one flower! I wish I could remember what variety they are....I'm sure I have paperwork somewhere but I'll be darned if I can find it. 


The Pansies I started from seed have been joined by Lobelia that I picked up at Lowe's - am I the only one who is obsessed with Lobelia? I just love the delicate flowers and that bright blue color.

The Pansies have yet to bloom, but they are super healthy and have buds on them - soon!!  


My property will be awash with color very soon, and I truly cannot wait. 

Another ten days or so and hopefully it will be safe to plant out the rest of the seedlings...In addition to the Pansies and Snapdragons that have been planted out for weeks already I also started Cosmos, Marigolds, Lupine, Larkspur, Stock, Zinnias, Nicotiana, Sunflowers, Love-In-A-Mist, Poppies, Rose Campion, and Salvia. The Cleome and Petunias were a flop, but the others did amazingly well. 

Of course I also started all our veggies from seed....I really wonder how much I saved at the garden center by doing all the work myself? 

What spring projects are underway at your house?

46 comments:

  1. I am with you. We have been working hard in the yard and loving it. Love all your pictures. It feels so good to get outside and play in the dirt, don't you think so. HA! HA!

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    1. It feels so good at the time, Betty, although I'm so sore at the end of the day and can barely move when I wake up in the morning!! But it's a good kind of pain!

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  2. I'll be curious to know if you are successful overwintering your hostas. My guess is that you will be. When the rain stops (IF EVER!), I plan to dig up some of my late mother's from her garden and bring them here. I'll pot them up and grow them on the covered portion of the deck.

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    1. You will probably have better luck than me, Pattie - I believe you're in a warmer zone? They do say you can overwinter perennials in a pot as long as they are hardy to two zones lower than your location - the tag said these were good to zone 3 so fingers crossed!!

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  3. Everything is just so beautiful at your home...I don't think I would ever come off that mountain if I lived there! :-) Love and hugs sweet friend!

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    1. It's pretty tough to drag myself away to go to work each day, Benita!!

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  4. Debbie, I can you have been busy already. I always love seeing the shed area...it's so pretty and peaceful to me. Paint that long down spout and you will never know it's there. Your sweetie is very clever and so helpful. Love the new walk of stones. Blessings and happy gardening. xoxo, Susie

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    1. Always busy, Susie, there never seems to be an end to the list of projects that need to be done!

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  5. I loved doing that walkabout with you! I think your hostas should do fine in that container. At this time of year I have a combination of feeling inspired and excited, and feeling overwhelmed with everything that needs doing. your raised vegetable garden beds are fantastic. I have raised bed envy. You don't even want to see my vegetable garden right now! Ha ha. -Jenn

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    1. I feel exactly the same, Jenn - it's so overwhelming and every time I walk around I'm mentally noting a thousand other things that need to be done!! The raised beds are awesome....we had to rebuild them last year as they rotted away. The next time they do I think I'll just gravel the whole fenced in area and bring in some of those big metal horse troughs....they'll last longer than me!!

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  6. I know how excited you are, fellow blogging gardener! Maybe it is something with the soil with the fact that he can grow peas and you have trouble. Thanks for the link back! My cosmos and zinnias about about an inch tall.
    Brenda

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    1. Oooh that's exciting, Brenda, I can't wait to see them grow and bloom!! Mine are ready to be planted out, I'm just waiting until the 'proper' time so I don't lose any. Meanwhile they are soaking up the sun on the deck!

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    1. Thanks, Penny!! Of course I try not to show you all the weeds, ha ha!!

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  8. It all looks so good Debbie. The smiley face found is a sure sign it is time to start. I hope on Sunday to start some of my flowers. I hope it is not too early too! My tradition on Mother's Day is to go and get my flowers and start my planting. It hopefully will be decent on Sunday to start. Have a Happy Mother's Day.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. That sounds like the perfect way to spend Mother's Day, Kris - enjoy it!! Can't wait to see your pretty garden all dressed up - you always do the most wonderful job with it!

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  9. I love seeing your yard. It is always so wonderful to get outdoors after the winter. It already looks and feels like summer here in Atlanta. xo Laura

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    1. I'm sure it does, Laura! I wonder how you'll like summer in Georgia? You'll have to get used to the heat, that's for sure!

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  10. We tilled the vegetable garden for the second time this morning and the dirt is looking nice and rich. We're going to bury the fence around the garden a ways this year in hopes of keeping the groundhogs out. We buy the vegetable plants but don't plant them until Memorial Day weekend. All of your ideas and plantings seem great - can't wait to see them in bloom!

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    1. Memorial Day Weekend is our 'safe' planting time as well, Sue - but cold hardy items like carrots, beets, celery, and cabbage can be put out already. The Pac Choi I'm not certain about but since it's a cabbage I took a chance!

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  11. It is amazing how much you've gotten done already. Your slice of the mountain is looking soooooo good.

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    1. I push myself to do as much as I can on the weekends, Marty, since I work all week and my time is limited. I'll be happy when it's all planted and I'm just on maintenance duty!!

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  12. You've done an awful lot already - wow! I usually wait till the week before Memorial Day to do my planting. Then, I have to work like a dog to get it all done! I should probably get to it earlier like you do. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. I try to break it up a bit so I'm not overwhelmed, Amy....plus I'm so anxious to get some color around here I always do some pots early! Sometimes I have to shove them in the garage for a couple of days, but so far this year I've been lucky!

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  13. The arrival of spring is definitely something to celebrate! I love, love, love seeing your place. It's absolutely beautiful.

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    1. Thank you so much, Leigh, that's so sweet!! It's not perfectly manicured that's for sure, it's a true country garden with critters that eat my plants, weeds that take over the garden, and all sorts of bugs that try to drive me nuts....but I love it!

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  14. Everything is looking so good! Molly is looking sassy. haha.
    Isn't it so fun to see the sprouts? I walk out to my loofah plants and sunflowers everyday just to see how much more they have grown and seeing new sprouts.
    I may try planting some veggies again next year. I get a thrill of watching things grow. I just cant keep the critters from eating everything!
    Have a wonderful Mothers Day!
    Lisa

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    1. Molly IS sassy, Lisa!! She's just the sweetest thing!! It's such a thrill to watch things grow that you've grown from seed in the midst of winter....I'm trying Sunflowers again this year but I have never had any luck - the critters always eat them on me as soon as I plant them out! I'm waiting until they are a bit bigger this year....and maybe I should put a cloche or something over them for a while....of course I don't have one so that's an issue ha ha!

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  15. What a lovely oasis you have there - and such a good guy! Molly is so precious - your dogs have truly found heaven in their home with you. Dogs are such amazing, intelligent, good companions, I love seeing them live the kind of life they truly deserve.

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    1. You and me both, Karen Ann! To see how happy Molly is when she gets outside and starts sniffing and running about like a crackpot makes me really want to hurt the guy who kept her in a cage for the first three years of her life!!!

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  16. Hello Sweet Mountain Mama!
    Well, I will tell you this much you are an inspiration! That Green Thumb of yours is mighty powerful and I pretty much get the feeling that everything you touch grows and thrives! You won't believe this, I am looking out my office window and there is about 3 inches of snow...I guess this is what Mountain living is all about;) Thank you so much for your sweet visit, loved hearing from you!
    Xo
    Jemma

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    1. Oh well, sweet Jemma, I sure wish that was true!! I have flops just like anyone else, that's for sure!! I keep trying, though....and I guess the successes give me the inspiration to keep going! Wow, 3 inches of snow....yikes, well we've had snow in May many times as well, get used to it, Mountain Sister!

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  17. I have to say, I am amazing by your ambition, Debbie. Your garden always looks fabulous and I love following your progress! Happy Spring, Happy Mother's Day!!

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    1. Well I don't know about fabulous, Kim....and unfortunately spring has gone away again, leaving us with cold miserable weather - boooooo!!!

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  18. Oh my god my girls I miss them and playing outside with them :( I miss Molly's happy hop ;((

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    1. Her little happy hop is just the cutest, I can't even.....!!!

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  19. Your gardens are beautiful, Debbie. I wish I had my established gardens from my other house, but sometimes it is fun starting all over again. I'm heading to the nursery today to pick out a couple of things.

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    1. I miss my previous gardens too, Ann, and I often wonder how they are doing. I planted THOUSANDS of spring bulbs, flowering shrubs, a weeping cherry tree, a Japanese maple, and all sorts of perennials....sigh.

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  20. I love your pretty gardens, Debbie! Thanks for sharing them with us, I do like seeing what all you're up to, building/making/planting. You have so many little baby seeds going! Love seeing the sweet doggies out enjoying the soft grass and the warm sun too! Happy mothers day!!

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    1. It's cold and awful here for the last few days, Debbi, and I can't wait for the sunshine to come back!

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  21. Your yard looks so nice. I am going to copy your idea of the long pipe from the gutter to divert from in front of the garage. Great idea. I love blogging and bloggers like you who give me inspiration. I have read since this post you have gotten some cold weather and I hope it will be Spring soon to stay for you.

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    1. We did, Betsy, we got awful cold weather and snow - it has been a gardener's nightmare this week! Sweetie will be thrilled that you're going to copy his idea!!!

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  22. It's looking good and I can feel your excitement!

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    1. I had to put my excitement on hold for a bit, Lorraine, while we got snow and freezing temps!! Thankfully I think that may have been the last of the season (fingers crossed!) so I'm ready to REALLY start planting!

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  23. Debbie, your place looks great! Though some of those projects your Sweetie completed are not glamorous (like redirecting the water), they are probably the most important things to do in order to protect and maintain your property. But you already know that. :) Dennis is always focused on the foundation, making sure it's protected from flooding, etc. I'm glad he's on top of it so that I can focus on more fun things, just like you. Your garden's happy face is a delight. It makes me smile just to see it. I can't wait until I can start planting flowers and decorating the deck. Yours looks fantastic. Have fun! Hugs, Nancy

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    1. I think it's time, Nancy - I think the last of the snow and frost is behind us!! I'm so excited to get all my planters done, and to move some of the seedlings into the garden - woo hoo, bring it on!!

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