tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32657712883102938182024-03-05T15:49:31.780-08:00A Southwest Gardener's JournalFeed the soil--sustain life.paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-63131028607913185242012-05-19T07:08:00.000-07:002012-05-19T07:08:09.128-07:00May Flowers--Lilies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaiJqqv3cEc/T6Z5isBG-pI/AAAAAAAAB1U/bSoDp_qTFbs/s1600/5-6-12-Garden+Update2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaiJqqv3cEc/T6Z5isBG-pI/AAAAAAAAB1U/bSoDp_qTFbs/s640/5-6-12-Garden+Update2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lilies!</i></td></tr>
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We are getting quite a collection of Lilies now. Our son's girlfriend has been giving us Lilies every Easter for several years now. We have a cluster of Lilies in the front Daylily bed and in the Iris bed in the backyard. This year they were quite showy! I love how the bloom last for at least a week or more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczXhaerYb2nKqYlpnA4ptBcuoX9OUp6hGv8rkb3C2aZhxHp_nbjoYKhthDcAbuUzUXlf9376AWozi8x_2rs-K6ZheG-qoQOz9qOId-HcYT4aZ5wr_Iyh62KHmPngsn2YVGrPTxntF2cae/s1600/DSC_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczXhaerYb2nKqYlpnA4ptBcuoX9OUp6hGv8rkb3C2aZhxHp_nbjoYKhthDcAbuUzUXlf9376AWozi8x_2rs-K6ZheG-qoQOz9qOId-HcYT4aZ5wr_Iyh62KHmPngsn2YVGrPTxntF2cae/s640/DSC_0206.JPG" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Garden Angel</i></td></tr>
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In other news...for Mother's day I went shopping for some yard art. Above is my sweet garden angel. He looks like he is saying, "Grow, plants! Grow!" Hopefully he will have some nice influence on my Circle Garden plants!</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-18019090354768798592012-05-15T04:40:00.003-07:002012-05-15T04:40:51.820-07:00May Garden Update--Harvest and Crop Rotation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrE19nQfELw/T6Z5zCCRWhI/AAAAAAAAB1c/WUNdCVQTS_E/s1600/5-6-12-Garden+Update3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JrE19nQfELw/T6Z5zCCRWhI/AAAAAAAAB1c/WUNdCVQTS_E/s640/5-6-12-Garden+Update3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Upper Left--Squash blossom, peppers, tomatoes<br />Middle Left--Overall view, squash plants<br />Lower Left--Overall view, tomatoes are starting to make!</i></td></tr>
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Because Pat and I attended an out-of-town graduation this weekend, the garden needed attention on Mother's Day. There were weeds a-plenty to poke and prod up out of the soil. Even though moms should take their day off, I am certainly glad I did that chore! There has been a steady drizzle of rain Sunday evening and Monday evening until now. From the sound of the gentle rain now, I am thinking--or hoping--we have had at least an inch!<br />
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We are still harvesting beets. Since the weather is cool, especially at night, the beets seem to be fine with hanging out in the soil until we are ready to eat. I made another beet salad last night, and I do believe the beets are getting sweeter and sweeter. I have started to use some of the onions, too. They have fallen over, but are still green. Only a few have bulbed out and not by much. It is too shady under the Bradford Pear. We also harvested some squash. The squash and zucchini have been kind enough to only put off as much as we can eat in a week. I am pretty sure that trend will <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> continue. A friend of mine shared a nice zucchini bruschetta she made. I am thinking--come on new recipe!!<br />
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Other crops in the garden include some purple-hulled peas. They are beginning to show signs of life. The potato tops are beginning to thin away meaning we will harvest the new potatoes around June: just a couple of weeks away! The carrot tops look pretty, but there are no signs of filling out. We may just leave them there for aesthetics!<br />
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Pat's duties are to harvest the cabbage and pull up the Swiss chard and collards. Then he plans to plant some okra. He is waiting until it warms up some, as okra seeds prefer warm soil. I know my momma will be looking forward to some peas and okra soon!!</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-51843356710738907552012-05-13T14:17:00.001-07:002012-05-13T14:17:23.979-07:00May Garden Update: Corn!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOjusZX2jK8/T6Z5c7fnLJI/AAAAAAAAB1M/u-UVHlIznW4/s1600/5-6-12-Garden+Update1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOjusZX2jK8/T6Z5c7fnLJI/AAAAAAAAB1M/u-UVHlIznW4/s640/5-6-12-Garden+Update1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">The corn has tassels!!</span></i></td></tr>
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A lot can happen in the garden in just one short week. I was going to post this collage last week, but was too busy. Even though the corn has tassels, at the time I only saw one tiny corn emerge. Take a look at the lower-right picture, and it can barely be seen.<br />
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Now take a look below!! Not only do we have corn, we have a least one ear per stalk. Some might say that doesn't seem very successful. But for our very first time at growing sweet corn, Pat and I are tickled. Not to mention, it's very hard eating this bounty, even when we do give it away! One ear per stalk is very manageable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPMKT53KErA/T7Aiovh6n5I/AAAAAAAAB1k/nz5nOSkQvSY/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kPMKT53KErA/T7Aiovh6n5I/AAAAAAAAB1k/nz5nOSkQvSY/s640/DSC_0201.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">That is one nice-looking ear!</span></i></td></tr>
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We did get about 1.5" of rain since May 1, which is a true blessing. We are beginning to lose the war against the drought since April rains were almost non-existent. The rain outlook for the rest of the week shows a 20% Monday and Tuesday with temps in the 80's. Come on double portion!<br />
<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-49383083996507065142012-05-13T07:24:00.001-07:002012-05-13T07:24:19.374-07:00Happy Mother's Day 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<em style="color: #400080; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><strong><br /></strong></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;"><em style="font-size: 23px;"><strong><br /></strong></em></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFJwaaW00ww/T4dfeXwWWWI/AAAAAAAABsY/Gxp-pnsGb9c/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFJwaaW00ww/T4dfeXwWWWI/AAAAAAAABsY/Gxp-pnsGb9c/s400/DSC_0363.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;"><em style="font-size: 23px;"><strong><br /></strong></em></span></div>
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<em style="color: #741b47; font-size: 23px;"><strong>"Happy Mother's Day" Means More</strong></em></div>
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<em style="font-size: 23px;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;"><br /></span></strong></em></div>
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<em style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;">"Happy Mother's Day" means more</span></strong></em></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;"><span class="c4" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>Than have a happy day.</strong></em></div>
<em><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>Within those words lie lots of things</strong></em></div>
<strong><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>We never get to say.</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;">It means I love you first of all,</span></strong></em></div>
<em><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>Then thanks for all you do.</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>It means you mean a lot to me,</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>And that I honor you.</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47;">But most of all, I guess it means</span></strong></em></div>
<span class="c4" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>That I am thinking of</strong></em></div>
<em><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><strong>Your happiness on this, your day,</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>With pleasure and with love.</strong></em></div>
</strong></em></span></span><br />
</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-54417575086581871462012-05-07T00:00:00.001-07:002012-05-07T00:00:41.476-07:00May Garden Update--Herb Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlf3pg82rQA/T6Z5VuoyMPI/AAAAAAAAB1E/NxumF8MnpGc/s1600/5-6-12-Garden+Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hlf3pg82rQA/T6Z5VuoyMPI/AAAAAAAAB1E/NxumF8MnpGc/s640/5-6-12-Garden+Update.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Herb Garden Grows<br /></i></td></tr>
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I stepped outside early Sunday morning and the familiar sight of a garlic in bloom caught my eye, so I had to shoot some pictures.<br />
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<i><u>Herb Garden Highlights</u>:</i><br />
Everything is green and lush. The hot days are causing the oregano to lie down somewhat, but it always does that. As the tarragon stretches toward the sun, it too, falls down. The Mexican Mint Marigold is mounding nicely and I expect some gorgeous blooms soon.<br />
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The Basil is absolutely beautiful this year. It is a deep green, compact, and the aroma is so delightful. Pat noticed a voluntary tomato plant coming up. He probably committed a novice-gardener mistake--which is not cleaning out the previous soil completely before planting. We'll see how this one does alongside the Basil. As much as we love to cook with Basil, I'm pretty sure the tomato plant will have plenty of room to give off some mid-summer treats.<br />
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Finally, I have a picture of our last Iris bloom. Not exactly an herb, however, it is blooming nearby!<br />
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Other herbs pictured: Dill and Cilantro.</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-83297655637407703602012-05-01T17:56:00.002-07:002012-05-01T17:56:24.252-07:00Bloomin' Trees & Shrubs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d9FuJPHbYwzJuFFp1HeTgkxV1m1Umwk-lHwlL4_GvK_6zYcYIxGYwVkxUZIUy87TSOMHqFcerWsXJXQbjlweb_FocZ0Jgtz8bw322fGJqQI8Wg_Fhbva1bXIR0GH156SLOAzyNkEFP1p/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6d9FuJPHbYwzJuFFp1HeTgkxV1m1Umwk-lHwlL4_GvK_6zYcYIxGYwVkxUZIUy87TSOMHqFcerWsXJXQbjlweb_FocZ0Jgtz8bw322fGJqQI8Wg_Fhbva1bXIR0GH156SLOAzyNkEFP1p/s400/DSC_0241.JPG" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>White Antique rose</i></td></tr>
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The first wave of Knock-out roses and Antique roses are coming to an end. Pat and I dead-headed 3 rose bushes this past weekend. The other bushes are starting to wind down, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXsjKeZmS5E/T30RMgV7ZDI/AAAAAAAABqA/dBMmG2jzOL0/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VXsjKeZmS5E/T30RMgV7ZDI/AAAAAAAABqA/dBMmG2jzOL0/s400/DSC_0246.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Red Knock-out rose</i></td></tr>
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I managed to get another good shot. The recipe: patience + overcast skies = maybe not perfect but good enough to make me a happy photographer!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbyequ3EtZg/T53ekyMdQ1I/AAAAAAAABx8/WNHUSLE7dxc/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dbyequ3EtZg/T53ekyMdQ1I/AAAAAAAABx8/WNHUSLE7dxc/s400/DSC_0066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Desert Willow blooms</i></td></tr>
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The Desert Willow suffered a setback last summer. We lost one large limb, but this spring we're budding and blooming daily.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFjYrFWCq9v4kICwHeP5zCqskofL7jVPQsqUbHXWeITfvSak8Dg5JtSXpD5aYOHsYB41CwVeCnghg-Smlrv2pJabonaSfikeKK6iStJhFw242-xq9MjkofWkMWgMB8ObaH02zVgtRibkw/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFjYrFWCq9v4kICwHeP5zCqskofL7jVPQsqUbHXWeITfvSak8Dg5JtSXpD5aYOHsYB41CwVeCnghg-Smlrv2pJabonaSfikeKK6iStJhFw242-xq9MjkofWkMWgMB8ObaH02zVgtRibkw/s400/DSC_0074.JPG" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Texas Sage</i></td></tr>
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I wasn't too concerned about the Texas Sage until I easily snapped a branch. Then I got to thinking that it hadn't bloomed at all during the recent rains. Finally blooms appeared last weekend! I think she'll be okay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DeueAc-wxKM/T53eoU5OMGI/AAAAAAAAByE/mpR7E_oC2cc/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DeueAc-wxKM/T53eoU5OMGI/AAAAAAAAByE/mpR7E_oC2cc/s400/DSC_0067.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Esperanza Yellow Bells</i></td></tr>
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This year's blog theme is hope and double portion. The Esperanza is beginning to show its lovely yellow flowers. Hope renewed!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU8jTJsSSwohZxQkVYaFVvbT_FrAHwZ0Ln50HZYzOzEfGC2CzaZit5prN-AXAxks0y7yTUDm-_uzuHLxYQjoMv80fmYLlaiP0XdoWT49JOePxTerD3ZhpV36d-Sy7s4gVaIxX86_l12np/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU8jTJsSSwohZxQkVYaFVvbT_FrAHwZ0Ln50HZYzOzEfGC2CzaZit5prN-AXAxks0y7yTUDm-_uzuHLxYQjoMv80fmYLlaiP0XdoWT49JOePxTerD3ZhpV36d-Sy7s4gVaIxX86_l12np/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oleander</i></td></tr>
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Everyone else's Oleander is blooming like crazy. Our Oleander is always last, but I see blooms on the horizon! Plus the bush is very lovely this year and shaping up nicely.<br />
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<i>Almanac Update for April 2012</i><br />
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We didn't see as much rain as I was hoping for. Officially, we only had about 1.66". I think we got around 2.0" at the house. Sadly, there is no rain in sight for the 1st week of May. We are getting a little antsy and desperate for an inch or three.<br />
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The temperatures have been very mild at night, but 80° to almost 90° every afternoon now. Still, around 5:30 to 6:00 relief comes in cooler temps and/or a nice breeze to cool us off. We still haven't turned our A/C on. We try to make it until June 1 every year. As allergies and old-age sets in, we usually give in around May 15th. I'm hoping we can at least make it to Memorial Day weekend. We'll see!<br />
<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-55807220686955619892012-04-30T04:21:00.000-07:002012-04-30T04:23:05.684-07:00Asparagus Fern Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been almost a year since I divided the Asparagus ferns, and they are doing quite nicely:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTF_nNh4FDY7kBgs-lALGLO-7aIdqWPSGHRZYWATb8_NsuDT9VWb2kpkwtW1l0YB0MS6L5XWMASQdJVPP4RunP8tsPA3cD9Qd1OkevML8kq8vy70YGxjYDjwi_6yzgeA-9XR1p0HdzDxS/s1600/DSC_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTF_nNh4FDY7kBgs-lALGLO-7aIdqWPSGHRZYWATb8_NsuDT9VWb2kpkwtW1l0YB0MS6L5XWMASQdJVPP4RunP8tsPA3cD9Qd1OkevML8kq8vy70YGxjYDjwi_6yzgeA-9XR1p0HdzDxS/s400/DSC_0063.JPG" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Small pot--it is broken, so this one will find a sturdier home soon.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSAz9es3bEHY4QvLQbobygv4QbNN_470OArvEuQAmFOjaiZYwxT5X0g5sg-YJrB0ulUlEh0ubBp14LMrLtRxSmNDuQfpJhid266r2IUEmRRLGgvTWrvG86QS6aJsRhn2AcTdHbrw2hGdV/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSAz9es3bEHY4QvLQbobygv4QbNN_470OArvEuQAmFOjaiZYwxT5X0g5sg-YJrB0ulUlEh0ubBp14LMrLtRxSmNDuQfpJhid266r2IUEmRRLGgvTWrvG86QS6aJsRhn2AcTdHbrw2hGdV/s400/DSC_0096.JPG" width="370" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This one is out by the garden in a clay pot that was spray-painted<br />black at one time. Funny!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsF4Jpc5zvw/T53fpCSjcnI/AAAAAAAABz0/GcIqq0vPmK8/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsF4Jpc5zvw/T53fpCSjcnI/AAAAAAAABz0/GcIqq0vPmK8/s400/DSC_0087.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This one is on the porch and is going crazy!!</i></td></tr>
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The foliage is looking a little lime green, so I will probably ask Pat which fertilizer to use. Maybe an Ironite, just to get it going green. The one on the porch looks deep green, but that was the camera flash.<br />
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Here is the link to the previous post showing how to divide <a href="http://www.southwestgardens.blogspot.com/2011/07/re-potting-101-asparagus-fern.html" target="_blank">Asparagus fern</a>. Not for the faint of heart, but well worth it!<br />
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Here are some other ferns that Pat divided last year. I'm sorry, but I don't know the name of the fern. Happily, new growth is emerging!<br />
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<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-52590520473755195192012-04-28T14:13:00.000-07:002012-04-28T14:13:27.439-07:00Beets, Beet Salad & Lettuces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nothing like fresh!</i></td></tr>
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This week marks the end of the lettuce-growing season for the Boney household. We've cleared the row for okra and whatever else Mr. Pat will plant. The beets are filling out nicely. Last weekend I made some beet salad, and this weekend I will make some more. Neighbors and friends will be surprised this week with a small harvest. Next weekend is already very busy, but I know I'll have to make time to pickle some more beets. We have a lot of beets in the garden, still!!<br />
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Other weekend tasks: <br />
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Plant 2 more Salvias--Hot Lips and 2 more Guaras! I am so excited to be planting some more Guaras, plus--the Guara I thought we had lost to the drought has come back! We'll have 3 now!</li>
<li>Fertilize container flowers</li>
<li>Dead-head knock-out roses</li>
<li>Harvest some collards and squash for supper</li>
<li>Pick at a few more weeds and grasses</li>
</ol>
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<i>Beet Salad Recipe</i><br />
<br />
Wash beets well, removing all the dirt. To cook, I like to clip the greens off, leaving about 1 to 2 inches of the stalk. I do not clip the root until after they have boiled. I boil the beets until fork-tender then toss into ice water until completely cooled. The skins slip right off, and I slice right away. Be sure to wear an old t-shirt because beet juice stains quite nicely!<br />
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<i>Dressing</i><br />
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I make a type of balsamic vinaigrette. I like 1 part red wine vinegar to 1 part balsamic vinegar. Last time I used basil, but I think I like a little fresh thyme better--about 1 to 2 tablespoons. Add some crushed or minced garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Whip in 1 to 1 1/2 parts olive oil (or more if you like...I like my dressings vinegary). When I'm finished I have enough dressing to coat the beets well, but not completely covered. Probably about 2/3 to 1 cup of dressing.<br />
<br />
Pour dressing over beets and slice some onion into rings. Put all into a bowl with a lid that snaps tight. Shake over the sink until well-blended (when I don't shake it over the sink, it winds up on the floor or all over me!) Put in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or into the freezer for about 30 minutes) to chill well. <br />
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This is good the first day, but fantastic after about 2 or 3 days in the fridge. This will keep about a week in the fridge.<br />
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<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-64840703619885916232012-04-23T04:30:00.001-07:002012-04-23T04:30:58.726-07:00100th Post: Nostalgia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MlnVg41UDs/T5QCrGqpdrI/AAAAAAAABxQ/byzqiftkL1c/s1600/DSC_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5MlnVg41UDs/T5QCrGqpdrI/AAAAAAAABxQ/byzqiftkL1c/s640/DSC_0420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trusty wheelbarrow</i></td></tr>
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Sometimes in the midst of working it is easy to forget some of the things that help you get the job done season after season. The wheelbarrow full of dead vines has been a part of the family since the early 80s. My mother gave Pat this trusty tool when we planted our first garden in Abilene, Texas. Since then it has had flat tires repaired and replaced and new handles. It once was a bright, shiny red. Now it's a true faded orange. It cracks, groans, and pings sometimes, but it is always there to make the load light. Thanks friend!<br />
<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-45355631890742687612012-04-15T17:20:00.000-07:002012-04-15T17:20:09.042-07:00Beautiful Butterflies--2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love my butterflies. Here are a few action shots. Please understand, butterflies do what they want...not what the photographer wants!! Many are upside down, but perhaps...I am upside down! <br />
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Enjoy!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rggpolmSmvY/T4dfghsn8MI/AAAAAAAABsg/4M4EjmEbbbI/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rggpolmSmvY/T4dfghsn8MI/AAAAAAAABsg/4M4EjmEbbbI/s400/DSC_0365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I think this is Hackberry Emperor. Makes sense...we have some<br />Hackberry trees in our yard!<br /><br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ntKZlHU1s/T4df7IgpJ3I/AAAAAAAABtI/rmJbEHQ75MI/s1600/DSC_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ntKZlHU1s/T4df7IgpJ3I/AAAAAAAABtI/rmJbEHQ75MI/s400/DSC_0377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Red Admiral--they are everywhere, literally!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktZVIhbNYC0/T4ti9srTRRI/AAAAAAAABwQ/1oNnJeK_U4w/s1600/DSC_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktZVIhbNYC0/T4ti9srTRRI/AAAAAAAABwQ/1oNnJeK_U4w/s640/DSC_0408.JPG" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gray Hairstreak--a gorgeous little butterfly, but very shy. Rarely opens<br />her wings for an inside shot!<br /><br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DRRS0js_Zd4/T4tjq9Os4DI/AAAAAAAABww/mvXBT8f3np4/s1600/DSC_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DRRS0js_Zd4/T4tjq9Os4DI/AAAAAAAABww/mvXBT8f3np4/s400/DSC_0412.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Love the duo shot of the Red Admiral!<br /><br /></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgFzpAa-QICEJs_hfaDAkz63fYmWh2_a8rwDuV17k0WrA-saBrsv8mloo_vYDtJzC9dxdjrt5OKhGncdUV265S2DI1pZTYxl_I3nHACOsJomQBl2BU9d7SB_XP69CAKputipNMJyH4yHq/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgFzpAa-QICEJs_hfaDAkz63fYmWh2_a8rwDuV17k0WrA-saBrsv8mloo_vYDtJzC9dxdjrt5OKhGncdUV265S2DI1pZTYxl_I3nHACOsJomQBl2BU9d7SB_XP69CAKputipNMJyH4yHq/s400/DSC_0379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Future butterfly on the Tarragon!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2OKEDlAQ4Q/T4ti05UReVI/AAAAAAAABwA/zl6f7UUajuk/s1600/DSC_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N2OKEDlAQ4Q/T4ti05UReVI/AAAAAAAABwA/zl6f7UUajuk/s400/DSC_0401.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Future butterfly on the Oregano!</i></td></tr>
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This has to be my favorite butterfly post ever!</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-60850512505991909862012-04-10T16:55:00.000-07:002012-04-10T16:55:10.363-07:00Over Clover and Other Garden Updates!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It felt good to get out in the yard today and yesterday, even if it was only for a short time. I did my best to weed the circle garden for the second time this season. As the title suggests, I now understand why gardeners don't like clover. Clover belongs in a pasture where it's bound to be eaten and not in a flowerbed. Nevertheless, it was easy to pull up, and the circle garden looks fantastic again! <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uc96D44c3qQ/T4TE0bzZd6I/AAAAAAAABsQ/9BiY36tVxo8/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uc96D44c3qQ/T4TE0bzZd6I/AAAAAAAABsQ/9BiY36tVxo8/s640/DSC_0352.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Blackfoot Daisies--April 2012<br />This picture wanted to stay here--so I stopped fighting it!!</i></td></tr>
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Below is a look at the circle garden last year when Pat and I had cleaned it out. At the time this picture was taken, it was Spring Break of 2011 (March 17th). At the time I felt silly labeling everything we planted. Little did I know just how helpful it would be to keep a record. Thankfully, I'm using it now to help me figure out just how much we lost and was able to keep due to the drought last year.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hbvCe-hFtY/TYYXD6OnRPI/AAAAAAAAArI/6lA-7IgyA-I/s1600/Succulents%252C+Circle+Garden+%2526+Moon+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hbvCe-hFtY/TYYXD6OnRPI/AAAAAAAAArI/6lA-7IgyA-I/s640/Succulents%252C+Circle+Garden+%2526+Moon+036.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New plants added to Circle Garden March 2011</i></td></tr>
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<u><b>The plants that existed last year were</b></u>: Gray Santolina; Daisies; Daylilies; Turk's Cap; Salvia; Thyme; Russian Sage; Mexican Petunias; and Society Garlic. The only established plants we lost to the drought were all but two small patches of Gray Santolina and the Daisies. Pretty remarkable considering Pat and I barely watered this bed last year.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The new plants last year were</u></b>: Pink Guara (lost); Blackfoot Daisy; Bat-faced Salvia; Copper Canyon Daisy (we lost the one labeled in the picture...there was another one that we planted between the trees) all are survivors of the drought!! <br />
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Below is a current picture of the Circle Garden as it is today. What a difference a little rain makes! By the way, please pardon the photography. During the week I have to shoot when I can, and the setting sun is directly in the path of this garden. It casts a nasty glare over everything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxyw-depb0U_9PYMKvhVKQGLRipmVo5bXj9t_rCf7QLPtgwkRCNvRcOeXaeXrVTv4X8s__C3Bb6HI41LFV9VA0tiXxcHvfeKqKeNceTn-UGgw_5ruvu2_1oHqGj2PJTLSOYM9cpdXjRpI/s1600/DSC_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqxyw-depb0U_9PYMKvhVKQGLRipmVo5bXj9t_rCf7QLPtgwkRCNvRcOeXaeXrVTv4X8s__C3Bb6HI41LFV9VA0tiXxcHvfeKqKeNceTn-UGgw_5ruvu2_1oHqGj2PJTLSOYM9cpdXjRpI/s640/DSC_0350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Circle Garden--April 2012</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--7RxIkk3wi4/T4TEBjedf9I/AAAAAAAABsA/eNkjRRfxYFo/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--7RxIkk3wi4/T4TEBjedf9I/AAAAAAAABsA/eNkjRRfxYFo/s640/DSC_0353.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A close up of one section: Love the Thyme! I pruned it back severely last year<br />and look at it now--gorgeous!<br /><br /><br /></i></td></tr>
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</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-54454673791594629492012-04-09T03:56:00.000-07:002012-04-09T03:56:28.129-07:00Irises 2012--Take One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have a gazillion pictures of our Irises this year. The Louisiana Irises under the Bradford Pear are especially stunning. The show has only begun. More to come!</div>
<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-66915086358158239632012-04-05T04:37:00.002-07:002012-04-05T04:37:22.553-07:00Dragon Wings and Such<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Pat doesn't understand why I want to put tons of plants into one container. I suppose I have Pinterest and other gardening blogs to blame for that! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.container-gardening-for-you.com/ideas-for-container-gardening.html" target="_blank">Pinned on Pinterest--Photo Credit: Daryl Mitchell</a></i></td></tr>
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Combining plants in a planter adds interest and beauty. Although, I admit I am still quite a novice at the art. Last year I designed a container arrangement in a beautiful green bowl, shown below. Unfortunately, the drought and heat got to the new plants, and only the spider plant survived. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Spider plant, Angel wing begonia and other plants<br />in green bowl--July 2011<br /></i></td></tr>
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Here is the 2012 version. I've added a succulent and Dusty Miller to the spider plant. I'm sorry, but I don't know the name of the succulent. It's a little annoying when plants are not labeled at the garden store and no one knows what they are, but I'm willing to give just about anything a try.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The angle is a little off, but the spider plant is growing well, Dusty Miller<br />is in the background, and the succulent is doing well in the<br />foreground. I already know I'll have to transplant the spider<br />at the end of summer.</i></td></tr>
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Here is another container garden for 2012--and it's my pride and joy! I have crammed this planter with Dragon wing begonias, money wort (I think), Dusty Miller, and two baby spider plants. May the fittest survive...the rest will be plucked up and re-potted or composted!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dragon wing begonia container--2012</i></td></tr>
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Finally, just so everyone knows I really do some gardening around the yard, I made Pat take a picture of me. I'm laughing because I know it's a horrible picture!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boneygirl--the Southwest Gardner!</i></td></tr>
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<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-60812744630239453322012-03-31T13:01:00.001-07:002012-03-31T13:01:59.963-07:00Weekend Lettuce Harvest: March 31, 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The garden is growing great, and the lettuces and beets are coming on strong! Following is a harvest how to/what not to do when harvesting lettuces.<br />
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This weekend the lettuces are growing like weeds, so a large harvest is in order. Here is what the row looked like before I started:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dragon Kale; Radishes, Lettuces</i></td></tr>
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When I had plucked my last lettuce out of the ground, Pat said: "Don't pull it up by the roots, clip them so that they are easier to clean." Okay, all I have to say is, where was he when I began??? Following was the method for this week...next week I'll try it his way. We'll just see which is easier!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>First bucket of lettuces</i></td></tr>
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I gingerly clipped off the roots of each bunch. Sadie helped herself to the discards, and then tried to eat the harvest! Naughty dog! What I should have done was go ahead and remove the long stems at the same time because after I rinsed everything, I found there were long leggy stems that still needed to be removed. I'm so doing this differently next week!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Second bucket of lettuces</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sink soak to remove dirt</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finally finished after 2 hours!</i></td></tr>
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Once the lettuces soaked awhile in the sink, I rinsed them again and laid them out on tea towels and paper towels. Then I snipped stems again. The snipped stems were composted. Our harvest this week was 3.5 gallon-sized bags of cleaned lettuces; 1 bag of Swiss chard; some dragon kale, 3 radishes, and romain lettuce leaves. We shared one bag of lettuces with the next door neighbors. I will probably give mother a bag tomorrow. Next week I imagine I will harvest about the same if not more!<br />
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If there is a better method of harvesting lettuces, please let me know!<br />
<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-67240177302136464852012-03-29T17:20:00.000-07:002012-03-29T19:53:28.920-07:00Once In a Lifetime<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was beginning to doubt my ability to shoot anything decent in the garden...until today. It's either dumb luck or being at the right place at the right time with the right lighting. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I decided to go out and get a few snaps of the camera!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Knockout Rose with Rain Droplets--2012</i></td></tr>
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Late Tuesday afternoon a front blew in and brought some much-needed rain. I know a lot of folks are already tired of the moisture, but memories are fleeting. By this time last year, we'd barely registered over 3" for the year. Today we get to add another inch bringing the year-to-date total to around 13". We're still on the double portion roll, making up for last year and getting our normal rainfall for this year. I especially love this photo because there are still rain droplets from early this morning. The land is truly repairing itself every day and the abundance in the garden is breathtaking! More posts will follow. Until then...enjoy!!<br />
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<br /></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-5505009105519993982012-03-21T18:43:00.002-07:002012-03-21T18:45:37.869-07:00Double Portion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Knockout Rose with a friend</i></td></tr>
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This year has started off with a double portion blessing for sure! So far this year we have received just under 12" of rain, and half of that has occurred this month. The garden is growing rapidly, flowers are budding, bees are humming, and life is good!<br />
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The Irises are putting off blooms. Tons of leaves are 'wrinkled' indicating that a bloom is in the work. The Iris leaves are taller than they've ever been in the past. I'm looking forward to a real nice show!<br />
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We didn't think the Vitek we planted last spring made it through the drought. But it's budding leaves like it had been watered regularly in 2011. It is tiny, but I'm excited about the prospect of a good growing season this year.<br />
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Not the best picture, but the lettuces are taking off rapidly. Pretty sure I'll be taking salads to work next week. We also have collards, Swiss chard, dragon kale (delicious), cabbage, beets, and onions in this picture.<br />
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Tomatoes, corn, squash and zucchini are in this picture. Off to the side is a bed of potatoes.<br />
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When the garden looks like this, it's easy to count one's blessings!!</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-23198021080657823292012-03-17T14:45:00.000-07:002012-03-17T14:45:04.282-07:00Hope Renewed #3: More Signs of Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a time for everything,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">and a season for every activity under heaven:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">...a time to plant and a time to uproot,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">...a time to tear down and a time to build,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">...a time to keep and a time to throw away.... </span><br />
<i> Ecclesiastes Chapter 6</i><br />
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Every day there are new signs of life which is so encouraging. There are many reasons to celebrate!<br />
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Pat has been busy removing dead trees, including an old Redbud tree in our front yard. There are no fewer than six Iris blooms, and many more to come. The grape vines are sprouting new growth. The sunflowers will make a comeback. Our Desert Willow (bottom left) suffered a setback, but it is leafing out. We have several small Redbuds that are showing their color. The Rock Rose (center) and the Knockout Rose are strong as ever. There is a 70% chance for rain on Monday, and we need it! Finally, instead of tossing out the Dad Boney's old grill, Pat has re-purposed it as a planter. I'm hoping to add to the collage soon!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjec3O2AgFk/T2T6NkTBcZI/AAAAAAAABbs/N_dXcqqCsu8/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjec3O2AgFk/T2T6NkTBcZI/AAAAAAAABbs/N_dXcqqCsu8/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>New planter out of Dad Boney's grill.</i></td></tr>
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</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-63145952520852124322012-03-16T07:02:00.001-07:002012-03-16T07:03:50.853-07:00Hope Renewed: Weeds and Such<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GBl4sKiXz0M/T2EUZ83cW2I/AAAAAAAABXU/42MFOPwGN40/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" height="378" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GBl4sKiXz0M/T2EUZ83cW2I/AAAAAAAABXU/42MFOPwGN40/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" width="400" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Healthy </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dandelio</i></span><i>n</i></td></tr>
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Who would think that the onslaught of weeds would be a great thing in the spring? I suppose that during a drought, anything green is a welcomed sight! <br />
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Some might say that weeds are a nuisance; however, the definition of a weed according to the folks at Homestead Heritage is: any plant that man hasn't found a good use for yet. One main benefit of having a few weeds around is biodiversity. The early yellow flowers of dandelions are the first flowers bees go to when gathering pollen in the spring. Varying types of weeds bring in varying types of life which can enrich the soil and keep the ecosystem healthy. <br />
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Yet there comes a time when looking at a scraggly weed is tiresome. Yes, we've pulled quite a few out of the flowerbeds, but we have left the majority of weeds in the yard as a temporary erosion control measure. The drought all but obliterated our Bermuda grass, and anything that will grow in the sparse areas to help hold the soil together is a welcomed sight. As the Bermuda fills in, it will choke out the weeds like it always does. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0AlEZbIjz3w/T2EVrerf6CI/AAAAAAAABYY/YhX52QH2Joo/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0AlEZbIjz3w/T2EVrerf6CI/AAAAAAAABYY/YhX52QH2Joo/s400/DSC_0057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clover!</i></td></tr>
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We have a healthy crop of <a href="http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cloverlawn#b" target="_blank">clover</a> this year, which also brings the hope that all is well with our tiny part of the earth! Every year, I notice that our clover will hang on in some spots and die out in others. I so enjoy seeing it rebound every year, though! This year the ground cover seems to be especially healthy. If I thought we could keep it growing through the hot summer, I'd definitely have clover over grass.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Q4f5IPbpFlHsP51PjiMs5UhcfjBa5tECH9gFaTdoo8NE84RIleqrCjC3L5pqUbVxRmaj9udgM1wjDTEa9_Ae0evT5t11vpQ9hlHPw3RP9ueg23hdbGD_Gg_dx4qrYwDeWEi2RormpVtN/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Q4f5IPbpFlHsP51PjiMs5UhcfjBa5tECH9gFaTdoo8NE84RIleqrCjC3L5pqUbVxRmaj9udgM1wjDTEa9_Ae0evT5t11vpQ9hlHPw3RP9ueg23hdbGD_Gg_dx4qrYwDeWEi2RormpVtN/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Herb Garden</i></td></tr>
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Pat cleaned out the herb garden, but the important thing about the herb garden this year is it seems to be revived. The flavors of the herbs are more intense. The thyme is so tender and aromatic. The oregano is lush and green. The tarragon is under control right now. My kitchen garden is such a joy!</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-40210861335113849102012-03-15T06:51:00.000-07:002012-03-15T06:51:21.151-07:00Hope Renewed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">After not posting for over several months, the logical way to start this post is with an apology for not blogging. However, with the worst drought in history, the only news to report since my last post was a tiring...still no rain.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eIZUFxGq-E/T2EVc9Qbp8I/AAAAAAAABYI/cTsmjfyjeQ8/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7eIZUFxGq-E/T2EVc9Qbp8I/AAAAAAAABYI/cTsmjfyjeQ8/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hope renewed--patches of Bermuda grass appear.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The worst drought in Texas history occurred in 2011 and in some parts of Texas, the drought actually began well before last year. According to the <a href="http://www.lcra.org/water/drought/index.html" target="_blank">drought update</a>, my location is still under a severe drought stage, while most of Central Texas has improved to the moderate stage. Click on this link for statistics on the worst drought in Texas: <a href="http://web2.airmail.net/danb1/drought.htm" target="_blank">2011 Texas Drought Statistics</a>.<br />
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Yes, we have had losses: mainly our trees. I have taken many pictures of my Bradford Pear tree (below) and even devoted a post to it. We lost it, and my heart is breaking over it. During the drought, we were told to water our trees. But living on 5 acres with the majority of the acreage covered with trees, that wasn't feasible. In addition, our water comes from Lake Belton and the prediction was dire for our water supply, so conserving water was the only logical option. Below is a current picture of our Bradford Pear with a link to my previous post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvcwXwNk3kZCH21GufvOrfMOngRgzP3f5DrCfjXJr4Z6urQDhZkLCWc3PkKnjxupkDTPkNORRXlLkb_VgwBOxUotk5pGMG0oFN-xwBRqh_4_PLCur-97Vh-r5ORrCuc_j9w3cXRrUSheV/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvcwXwNk3kZCH21GufvOrfMOngRgzP3f5DrCfjXJr4Z6urQDhZkLCWc3PkKnjxupkDTPkNORRXlLkb_VgwBOxUotk5pGMG0oFN-xwBRqh_4_PLCur-97Vh-r5ORrCuc_j9w3cXRrUSheV/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.southwestgardens.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-blooms-bradford-pear.html" target="_blank">She will come down and will be a post for a birdbath soon!</a><br />
</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>So far this year we have enjoyed over 9" of rain. According to the 2011 Texas Drought Statistics we need at least 15" of rain to recover from the drought. However, I'm thinking we actually need that plus our regular average rainfall to completely recover. We are well on our way, but we cannot afford for the rain to stop anytime soon. <div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwnNO7k4pw8/T2EVVF4fXqI/AAAAAAAABYA/FYuahatqQyM/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwnNO7k4pw8/T2EVVF4fXqI/AAAAAAAABYA/FYuahatqQyM/s400/DSC_0051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our other Bradford Pear survived the drought because<br />
it was near the garden. We watered the garden as<br />
much as possible last year. The rest of the property was<br />
in survival mode.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Future posts will be devoted to how the land has survived the drought and all the good things I've seen around our place...including a garden!</div></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-53265488106635726222011-10-25T04:07:00.000-07:002011-10-25T04:07:57.961-07:00Picture This Photo Contest – October 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=18762"><span style="font-size: large;">Picture This Photo Contest -- October 2011</span></a><br />
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Yes, it has been too long since my last post. That admission aside, I found a little inspiration in a photo contest thanks to Gardening Gone Wild. Click the link above to see other entries for this month.<br />
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Our summer in Central Texas did not benefit at all from the rare scattered storms that our neighbors to the north and far south experienced. We finally did receive several inches this month, and I have renewed hope that this too shall pass.<br />
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To celebrate that hope, I have decided to enter my photograph of my favorite perinnial flower, the Aster. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl-D5GtRztE/TqQ14kEdCuI/AAAAAAAABTI/bVH1tN586jY/s1600/DSC_0493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="467px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl-D5GtRztE/TqQ14kEdCuI/AAAAAAAABTI/bVH1tN586jY/s640/DSC_0493.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Asters--Taken October 2011</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This Aster was planted by Pat in our bulb garden over 10 years ago. He moved it when he made the rose garden a couple years ago. Every year it never ceases to amaze me. It blooms on time. This year was different. I truly did not expect it to bloom at all. However, in its current location, it does benefit from an occasional watering from the yard sprinklers.<br />
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</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-42622075007587380472011-07-26T18:00:00.000-07:002011-07-26T18:00:06.877-07:00It's a Dry Heat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-XTB5lAkNQN6aLFgDGenv2JVDeV9dUq4mSVITAOVAfNR3nxC_4tkQ9MaDnqC5SYtvad3RrOyEgTy01-VrEuETitV_yDkL3KN_MWLwrG-oM8os2sEmqw1fiLMNs_RvRpfsgXvQduXHHv7/s1600/DSC_0323-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-XTB5lAkNQN6aLFgDGenv2JVDeV9dUq4mSVITAOVAfNR3nxC_4tkQ9MaDnqC5SYtvad3RrOyEgTy01-VrEuETitV_yDkL3KN_MWLwrG-oM8os2sEmqw1fiLMNs_RvRpfsgXvQduXHHv7/s320/DSC_0323-1.JPG" t$="true" width="266px" /></a></div><div closure_uid_5vnu6y="240">Such a dry heat that the air hits my face like an oven door opening. The temperature guage is set at a constant 100 plus degrees day in and day out. We are at 27 days in a row with 100+ temperatures, not counting the days we had in late May and early June. The last record for the searing heat wave was 1980 with 42 days of solid 100° weather.</div><br />
<div closure_uid_5vnu6y="241">East Texas is getting a little relief from gulf moisture surrounding the high pressure ridge, but it isn't strong enough to make Mr. H go away for a while. Today's weather report showed a tropical depression at the bottom of the gulf with hopes of moving toward Texas. Time will tell. In the meantime, watering the lawn is a waste of water and money. The trees are stressing badly. The bees are at their hives because there are few flowering plants from which to feed. Birds stay near the ground and are appreciative of the daily supply of water in the birdbaths and sunflower seeds. </div><div closure_uid_5vnu6y="241"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_5vnu6y="241">All I can say is I'm holding out hope for the August prediction of rainfall. Something has to give!</div></div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-23981526367785328492011-07-09T14:18:00.000-07:002011-07-09T14:18:22.763-07:00A New Vision!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGpJ7yrhRf0/Thi6U2eUQ6I/AAAAAAAABRI/JWHg2EVg_kU/s1600/DSC_0282-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGpJ7yrhRf0/Thi6U2eUQ6I/AAAAAAAABRI/JWHg2EVg_kU/s320/DSC_0282-1.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Pat moves the rock border back</em><br />
<em>to make it easier to get to the </em><br />
<em>carport.</em></td></tr>
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Prior to visiting Zilker Botanical Gardens on Thursday, Pat and I had started a project near our driveway. Previously, the rock border was about a foot farther out. When I pulled my car into the carport, I often had to run over the border just to get back out again. Pat had removed a tree and several saplings which made moving the wall back much easier. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RN8I3hiHccw/Thi3hEmyAoI/AAAAAAAABQg/_9DiQnsXXbs/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RN8I3hiHccw/Thi3hEmyAoI/AAAAAAAABQg/_9DiQnsXXbs/s400/DSC_0298.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After our inspirational visit to Zilker, we see new potential in this area of the yard. One of the plants that caught my eye was the Cast Iron plants at Zilker. They look a lot like Cannas, but they have purple-brown blooms in the spring. They love drought and are hardy to zone 6 (-10°)--yippee!! They are shade tolerant and mix well with irises, hostas and other perennials. We purchased our Cast Iron plants at <a href="http://www.greenngrowing.com/">Green 'n Growing Garden Center in Pflugerville</a>. This is a fantastic little nursery offering all sorts of native Texas plants, pottery, and yard art!</div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyQQRbXHvFY/Thi3zGx_HmI/AAAAAAAABQk/_tu7INWNkt8/s1600/DSC_0297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PyQQRbXHvFY/Thi3zGx_HmI/AAAAAAAABQk/_tu7INWNkt8/s320/DSC_0297.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Other plants purchased at Green 'n Growing were Flame Acanthus, Sapphire Showers, and Mexican Oregano. I also bought a lovely green pot which you'll see in another post.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK_ZTlC3tmLs1i9qHNS7hdMcKUoyuI3TH576l1stC5h9CXWfV61NMYCgpCeTsJ0LvumSXENJI1k5gNeemGtVwDD3NuxNNxnQaCfjv3GB5tG_8WtWgQ0sn36wB1Sum_IEcYsSpzmiN3hKE/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdK_ZTlC3tmLs1i9qHNS7hdMcKUoyuI3TH576l1stC5h9CXWfV61NMYCgpCeTsJ0LvumSXENJI1k5gNeemGtVwDD3NuxNNxnQaCfjv3GB5tG_8WtWgQ0sn36wB1Sum_IEcYsSpzmiN3hKE/s400/DSC_0291.JPG" width="248px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our last staycation stop was at Bonnies Greenhouse today. I bought some plants for my new pot, Mexican Honeysuckle, Mexican Sage, and a patio tomato plant to replace one of our spent tomato plant. I just love buying new plants for the yard. We don't quite know where we'll put all the new additions, but we'll have a blast trying to figure it out!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1GxFj0rKzWs6ynG-LWftfXeykM89otU9Ia5HqqLM6v2y07Tq0flc-sJjhadqZhR4UeckOyKSKvx0wGyJC4xPqsnO6FQ05BNWyGzXdf_9Y3sWmdj4ic8Qq1QPFFxnG0P8tT3dDV49ZISI/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1GxFj0rKzWs6ynG-LWftfXeykM89otU9Ia5HqqLM6v2y07Tq0flc-sJjhadqZhR4UeckOyKSKvx0wGyJC4xPqsnO6FQ05BNWyGzXdf_9Y3sWmdj4ic8Qq1QPFFxnG0P8tT3dDV49ZISI/s640/DSC_0296.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Welcome home sweet plants!!</span></em></td></tr>
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</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-62468517840511772692011-07-08T08:00:00.000-07:002011-07-08T08:00:47.359-07:00Zilker Botanical Garden Tour<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkQYSe4IC4Y/ThZRBfXWRBI/AAAAAAAABPk/sEDmRlfcq3I/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkQYSe4IC4Y/ThZRBfXWRBI/AAAAAAAABPk/sEDmRlfcq3I/s320/DSC_0213.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>View of the Butler's Window and rose garden.</em><br />
<em>Their roses are looking a lot like ours--needed</em><br />
<em>some rain!!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For our "staycation" this year, Pat and I decided to trek down to Austin to tour <a href="http://www.zilkergarden.org/index.html">Zilker Botanical Gardens</a> and to pop in on a few garden centers in the area. We had a wonderful time touring the gardens as the photos suggest! For anyone living or visiting the Central Texas area, a trip to Zilker is worth it. The majority of the plants in the 31 acre garden are either native or well-suited for our Texas climate and drought-prone seasons. </div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We had several surprises on this tour. During this rain-stressed season in Texas, Pat and I were amazed how well the gardens were thriving. Also, I was surprised by how shady the gardens are and the variety of plants doing so well in the shade. Our yard is full of hot spots as well as dappled shady spots. We noticed they had planted Turks cap just about everywhere. This confirmed what Pat decided to do this spring--spread the Turk's Cap wealth in our own gardens. While there, I snapped pictures of landscape designs ideas we'd like to incorporate into our own garden. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxDRKyiAPbs/ThZRjTc1VEI/AAAAAAAABPw/V6FiLWOZqbY/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxDRKyiAPbs/ThZRjTc1VEI/AAAAAAAABPw/V6FiLWOZqbY/s400/DSC_0196.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Butler's Window from an historic home in Austin</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: small;">This window was on an upper story!!</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqKFvSrgw_E/ThZRX6ZtWLI/AAAAAAAABPs/W_tBErqRC4A/s1600/DSC_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqKFvSrgw_E/ThZRX6ZtWLI/AAAAAAAABPs/W_tBErqRC4A/s640/DSC_0200.JPG" width="609px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Beautiful Texas Sedge</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqxgv1wtEzg/ThZQcmBhi-I/AAAAAAAABPU/MYEZ8aOb0kg/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gqxgv1wtEzg/ThZQcmBhi-I/AAAAAAAABPU/MYEZ8aOb0kg/s640/DSC_0242.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">I'd love to use our brick to form a nice feature like this in our garden!</span></em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFqsrERBkiZvi4xlLgPz220YoGy0jZrjNAy97Dpug08yTD_znnfCgvtUxzlXwn82RBVgnTOyy3jdKQPuIl_rzvRYE4rlXFBajD2ga3HPCYyQOWbU6Ywvhuk9lw4BhqGi6FT56JR_P1ERL/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFqsrERBkiZvi4xlLgPz220YoGy0jZrjNAy97Dpug08yTD_znnfCgvtUxzlXwn82RBVgnTOyy3jdKQPuIl_rzvRYE4rlXFBajD2ga3HPCYyQOWbU6Ywvhuk9lw4BhqGi6FT56JR_P1ERL/s640/DSC_0235.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not sure what these flowers are, but they would look nice</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: small;">falling over the rock border Pat has by our back driveway.</span></em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BOSZZSrBflE/ThZROUlo1II/AAAAAAAABPo/FzTQyPAzEFI/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BOSZZSrBflE/ThZROUlo1II/AAAAAAAABPo/FzTQyPAzEFI/s640/DSC_0210.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Gorgeous Caladiums...how I wish they multiplied!!</span></em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7cZRi8REScY/ThZQAAtwKyI/AAAAAAAABO4/PHOze5oGXfo/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7cZRi8REScY/ThZQAAtwKyI/AAAAAAAABO4/PHOze5oGXfo/s640/DSC_0263.JPG" width="588px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Water Lily in the Japanese Gardens</span></em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oT9D35ta_Ho/ThZQFmqtuoI/AAAAAAAABPA/4Z2zIFN5qto/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oT9D35ta_Ho/ThZQFmqtuoI/AAAAAAAABPA/4Z2zIFN5qto/s640/DSC_0262.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">So beautiful!</span></em><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43V1zcUitlu22_ZUGCn6zR3-N5GvDO-_94RGOYH8pfuBSHz4JFXDavigPrFlvUiOIb2p6CN7tE3nYaPKTbIwy80oHOBHJi08xkPsh88QarnNm3E-EibAayrrBvt8WpAyNsZ9NERT7U0Nj/s1600/DSC_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43V1zcUitlu22_ZUGCn6zR3-N5GvDO-_94RGOYH8pfuBSHz4JFXDavigPrFlvUiOIb2p6CN7tE3nYaPKTbIwy80oHOBHJi08xkPsh88QarnNm3E-EibAayrrBvt8WpAyNsZ9NERT7U0Nj/s640/DSC_0272.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><em></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>My sister would love this one!</em></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBtad1m2j3w/ThZPp0hSUSI/AAAAAAAABOs/4Y4ZQMJdjHs/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBtad1m2j3w/ThZPp0hSUSI/AAAAAAAABOs/4Y4ZQMJdjHs/s640/DSC_0271.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Cactus Garden</span></em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-frabVoieUmk/ThZRqw_sskI/AAAAAAAABP0/ml6cNMU3nUs/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-frabVoieUmk/ThZRqw_sskI/AAAAAAAABP0/ml6cNMU3nUs/s640/DSC_0187.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Pat outside a pioneer cabin.</span></em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeufV24HCvUiHu-ZdCiTceT0n8d5OLS-4y9Ymi7rjjyV6MPhPJ4FLxJqsDW1mkQQ5VoWCOHv0DtK8e56HXQUFZUdVaIMBL8mKSLgGno6M1FFzchqk3ZZJZuXQQBluqFjLanoYvvhrab8K/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="530px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeufV24HCvUiHu-ZdCiTceT0n8d5OLS-4y9Ymi7rjjyV6MPhPJ4FLxJqsDW1mkQQ5VoWCOHv0DtK8e56HXQUFZUdVaIMBL8mKSLgGno6M1FFzchqk3ZZJZuXQQBluqFjLanoYvvhrab8K/s640/DSC_0246.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Gorgeous!!</span></em></td></tr>
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</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-80601473518809867752011-07-07T05:50:00.000-07:002011-07-07T05:53:07.591-07:00Repotting 101--Asparagus Fern<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHIK_UBxih8/ThUZ5LjYHbI/AAAAAAAABNs/Xr5cRteXGGs/s1600/DSC_0173-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHIK_UBxih8/ThUZ5LjYHbI/AAAAAAAABNs/Xr5cRteXGGs/s400/DSC_0173-1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Asparagus fern about to be rescued by yours truly!</em></td></tr>
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Pat and his mom have the same mantra: Ferns love to be root bound. That may be true, but root-bound plants get on my nerves!! I have been asking Pat to repot several of our ferns that Mom B gave us years ago! To me they look like they are struggling. However, if one is patient and picks the right time to re-pot--ferns can easily multiply! <br />
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The asparagus fern that is about to do a multiplying act is actually sitting on the table without it's pot. Yes folks, talk about root bound--I could probably leave the plant like it is for several months, water it, and it'd still be green and good to go!! However, that might be border-line plant cruelty--so repotting, here we come!<br />
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<em>Asparagus Fern</em><br />
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Before we get to the repotting portion of this post, a little bit about asparagus ferns. In my brief research on this plant I learned quickly that it is not part of the asparagus family, nor a fern. The foliage looks like asparagus plants, and the way the plant falls over the pot looks like a fern. However, this plant is a part of the lily family because it flowers and produces berries. Asparagus fern loves sun and drought! That is a boost for this family's yard! Allowing the plant to dry thoroughly between watering is highly recommended. While it does like sun--in this Texas heat we're having the foliage will turn yellow if there is too much sun, so part shade is recommended. We have ours in dappled shade, and I will be looking for other areas in the yard to give my newly repotted plants a little more sun so they can flourish. The ferns can be planted in the soil and will die back due to freezing, but will rebound in the spring after the dead foliage is cut back. I have not noticed asparagus fern in the ground in our area (8a/b), but apparently folks in Louisiana plant the fern in the ground all over the place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzndI-9fJZTs3smqpIAYt7q3IyIe5Ic_rbVqGJ1v_pxl6lYTex1z0HrPhpvBXpqcRhmFyqnCpVYlFJZEfhQm17AGeBEJx9bagpXTEhLlI9RLrUipOelL72htj5SX-MlVZdKx_OYT3r4niH/s1600/DSC_0175-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzndI-9fJZTs3smqpIAYt7q3IyIe5Ic_rbVqGJ1v_pxl6lYTex1z0HrPhpvBXpqcRhmFyqnCpVYlFJZEfhQm17AGeBEJx9bagpXTEhLlI9RLrUipOelL72htj5SX-MlVZdKx_OYT3r4niH/s320/DSC_0175-1.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Prior to sawing, it's important to part the "hair." </em><br />
<em>Okay, I was just messing around here!!</em></td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Repotting the root-bound fern</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I must warn you the pictures your are about to see may shock and amaze you, but if repotting an asparagus fern is in your near future...reach for a hack-saw. Yes, a saw. After Pat had pulled one out and all the plants had been repotted, I actually read about it online. These hearty plants can withstand it, and I promise--it's next to impossible to break the plant apart without a saw!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iNXw_zWJCs/ThUaPrB74FI/AAAAAAAABN4/NG-Pe0GuaHA/s1600/DSC_0176-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--iNXw_zWJCs/ThUaPrB74FI/AAAAAAAABN4/NG-Pe0GuaHA/s320/DSC_0176-1.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Here he goes!! After the sawing, we had 4 plants to be potted!</em></td></tr>
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This process will produce a lot of casualties, but the huge root system on this old plant (we can't remember how long we've had it, but we decided that it is at least 13 years old) will produce more foliage in no time at all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myUcuz_S7A8/ThUZtIrI9ZI/AAAAAAAABNo/bfBPrncb1oM/s1600/DSC_0172-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-myUcuz_S7A8/ThUZtIrI9ZI/AAAAAAAABNo/bfBPrncb1oM/s400/DSC_0172-1.JPG" width="265px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Here's a shot of the root system--</em><br />
<em>This plant is here to stay!</em></td></tr>
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I used my trusty wheelbarrow to mix the potting soil. I used a mix of good potting soil and Lady Bug compost, plus just a little vermiculite to help with drainage. I lightly wet the soil. I wanted to be able to keep the soil loose around the roots in the new pots so the roots can quickly find their way to the nutrients and become root-bound in less than a year! (Just kidding about the root-bound part.)<br />
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Have fun repotting ferns---they are so lovely around the landscape and super easy to grow!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UG--LL3igg0/ThUa83PClbI/AAAAAAAABOI/f04mMqgSue0/s1600/DSC_0183-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UG--LL3igg0/ThUa83PClbI/AAAAAAAABOI/f04mMqgSue0/s640/DSC_0183-1.JPG" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">The final product!! Here are 3 of the 4 pots I was able to propagate. Actually, I could have</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: small;">split the plant in half--I didn't have large enough pots, and the pot the plant</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: small;">was in originally was plastic and was not usable.</span></em><br />
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</tbody></table>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3265771288310293818.post-43312559425563750562011-07-03T06:25:00.000-07:002011-07-03T06:25:13.412-07:00June Forecast Prediction 2011!! Update!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">June in a nutshell--dry as a bone and hotter than a firecracker!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK-9vOa3c8ofeOMT2FZ3qd8yf_K5bmLp70wjY5b-8sbQsUb_XYzLeygxiXvIHlnDm4SQcQMIsnZv_WRa3C9Hp-nbymquGmCW7ick8bem8PXbH4frRuomCDOTwgvGpv4Q22lyGWORJmPxc/s1600/DSC_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK-9vOa3c8ofeOMT2FZ3qd8yf_K5bmLp70wjY5b-8sbQsUb_XYzLeygxiXvIHlnDm4SQcQMIsnZv_WRa3C9Hp-nbymquGmCW7ick8bem8PXbH4frRuomCDOTwgvGpv4Q22lyGWORJmPxc/s400/DSC_0122.JPG" width="395px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sunflower at dusk.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>As long as we water, everything's good. Just got the water bill yesterday--it was only $123.00. We're on a septic system and pay for garbage pick up separately, so that bill is purely for water. Pat and I definitely be investing in a cistern--as soon as we can afford it. We may not get a very large one, but something is better than nothing. In previous blogposts, I reported how Pat and I captured rainwater with 3 and 5 gallon buckets. Without a steady amount of rainfall at the right time to switch out buckets, our catch has not been very much at all. <br />
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I cannot say that we didn't get any rain in June. We got about 1/2", but that was all. On my last update, I reported that the Farmer's Almanac predicted a wet June for our area. Now I don't feel so bad about my own predictions!<br />
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Now that I've seen how this "January" prediction thing works...I'd say that if I had paid closer attention, I would have known that we were in for a very hot and dry spring and summer. I think next year's predictions will be a little more accurate. Now for the results!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Meu2N94hZJ8/ThBinfpTW2I/AAAAAAAABNI/TpMm26pxERA/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Meu2N94hZJ8/ThBinfpTW2I/AAAAAAAABNI/TpMm26pxERA/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Even the sunflowers are begging for moisture!</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><em>My Prediction for June 2011--</em><br />
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It seems we will have a cool June. <span style="background-color: yellow;">The high was only 8° above normal, but the low was 7° below normal</span>. <span style="background-color: yellow;">The sky did not hold much promise for rain today</span>, so we will need to get our rain in the springtime as we usually do. The next few day's posts should be interesting as a cold front is moving in. We're expecting frigid temps and highs well below normal. Maybe we'll save on the electricity bill this summer!! Stay tuned!!<br />
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<em>Actual June 2011 Weather</em><br />
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Notice the highlights in the prediction. That is what I will pay close attention to in January 2012. I was right about needing to get good rainfall in the springtime--but it didn't happen. My area as well as most of Texas is now in a severe to extreme drought. This has been the driest spell--going all the way back to October 2010. In reviewing my prediction for July and August...we won't see rain until August. I hope and pray we only have one more month of dry weather.<br />
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According to the <em>Waco Tribune-Hearld, </em>June was a record breaking month. June 2011 is tied with 1934 as the second hottest on record. June 22nd was the coolest day at only 90°. June 12 began 8 straight days of 100°+ temperatures with the hottest day at 106° on June 18th. In all, we had 17 days of 100°+ weather this month---which is about 8° above normal. Hmmmm. <br />
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Low: 67° to 80°<br />
High: 90° to 106°<br />
Winds: 0 to 43 mph with gusts from 17 to 52 mph<br />
Precipitation: .88 at Waco airport<br />
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<em>Conclusion--</em><br />
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I was right about the rain, but not so much about the temperatures--I'm 50/50 for June!!<br />
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</div>paperkickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15872098771761564736noreply@blogger.com0