Mystery Bush Revealed

Azaleas

 There's 2 on the street-side of the east fence. Just one pictured above.

This is one too: backyard, northeast corner of the fence

(same shown below)

They're all blooming on only the bottom third of the branches, and look quite twiggy.

I think all three need a good pruning.

They will probably also all need to be relocated before landscaping projects take them out.

Now that I know what they are, maybe I can find a place for them.

Some options: 

1. on our back slope

2. side of our driveway, one the pile of junipers and debris is gone.

3. next to the shed once it's completed

Side Yard Blooms

 Actually these diminuitive tulips are in the front flower bed, between the scraggly bushes.

I just never see them because of the large evergreen shrub blocking the view.

 So these tulips turned out to be red, after all.

 Some other flower--we'll see what it turns out to be.

 These pretty tulips are still going strong, and even that one daffodil is hanging on.

Pretty sure these are daisies...along with the juniper that still needs to be taken out.

On a happier note...

 These flats are about ready to be planted out, I think!

I covered them up again most of yesterday and last night, since it was supposed to get down to 34, but I plan to leave them uncovered at nights now.

Look at the lovely little marigold bloom!

 These cosmos are so floppy, I don't know what to do with them.

But the one is blooming, there on the left, along with 2 more marigolds.

I'm planning to get my flower pots planted this week, and I may add a few of these.

I don't know about putting cosmos in a flower pot, but I think I may just try it.

 These lovely tulips are finally showing their color--surprise! A little bit of yellow mixed in with the pink/blush color.

 This little patch seems to get prettier each day.

There are sure some gorgeous tulips all around town right now. They obviously do very well here. I'll have to remember that when I purchase bulbs this fall.

In Missouri I could only get one good year out of them, then they were done. Wonder if it's our cooler weather here that they do better in.

Finally, take a look at these dandelions!

I almost hate to admit it, but they are pretty!

 These are all growing on the back slope, so I'm just going to let them grow.

It'll be a good flower for the kids to pick if they feel the urge.

Such sunny color--perks up the plain green back there, anyway.

The Demise of the Beans

I'm sorry to say that most of our beans are not going to make it.

They started out really strong. Even a week ago, they were loaded with blossoms and looking pretty good in that basement window.

But they can only go so long without a drink of water, ya know?

Yes, it is totally and completely my fault!

Makes me wish we had a compost pile. 



I am doing a last-ditch effort to save the ones I can, but it may be a case of "too little, too late."

Note to self: next year, just wait and plant the beans outside.

Or, let Jacob and Becca each plant ONE because they grow so well, then plant the rest outside.

I feel a little bad about it, but honestly a little relieved, too. I'm still not sure how I'm going to harden off any survivors for garden planting.  I will no doubt have to plant more anyway.

Lesson learned.  Sorry beans.

Garden update & flowerpot

 It's coming!

I bought 2 of these plant stands, on sale from Shopko.

I really like their shape, and their extra-heavy duty construction.

And I think this pot of petunias on the plant stand, on the front deck, is just charming!

It gives me a little thrill of happiness every time I see it!

Potting Up & Hardening Off

Or, what to do when you don't have a cold-frame built yet!

 My friend Colette gave me this brilliant idea.

So to harden these seedling off (i.e., get them ready for life outdoors full-time), I have them out on the back slope under these clear bins. In the afternoon, I either prop up the bin a bit, or take it off completely, if it's warm enough. Then cover them back up at night to keep them warm and keep the frost off.

So far so good.

Today the bins didn't come off at all, mostly because we were busy with other stuff--church, mother's day--all day. But tomorrow is supposed to be in the 60's (yes!) so I'm planning to give them some sun in the afternoon.

So here's what's out there:

 2 pumpkin plants, borage, several marigolds and cosmos, and a few basil.

Oh yeah, and some hollyhocks.

I took about 2.5 hours Saturday night and got the rest of the seedlings potted up that were still in the very small starting trays. Violas, petunias, more marigolds and cosmos, a few more basil and hollyhocks, and some delphiniums.

They all needed it pretty desperately, but I had been waiting, because I just didn't have any more window-sill space. Then I talked to Colette about starting to harden some off outside.  So that freed up my window-sill space.  Basically, I put all the bigger stuff outside, and kept the little ones in.

I figure in a couple of weeks, all these will be ready to be planted outside, and I can start hardening off the ones that are in my windowsill now.

p.s. I have no idea what to do with those beans! They are all flowering in the basement windowsill, even though it's about 15 degrees colder than the main level, and I only water them about once a week!

Go beans! I just...am not sure what to do with them. They are so tall that I think this bin method of hardening them off would smash them down too much.  I'll have to talk to Colette again and see if she has any ideas! I give her a hard time about being my personal extension agent! :)

Chores & Spring Blooms

 I still have no idea what this bushy plant is! It has really taken off since we took out the tree that was right next to it.  I'm considering taking a sample to the nursery to see if they know.

I mostly want to know if it's going to bloom, or just stay bushy and green.  If it's the latter, that's okay, I will probably just cut it back some so it doesn't completely take over. I should have tons of flower bed space, once our front and side landscaping projects are done, so I'm sure I could start a few little patches of it here and there. I just really want to know what it is!

 Looks like the traumatic transplant last fall didn't kill off this hydrangea after all. Phew!

The new growth is white, interestingly enough. I also really like how the bark kind of peels off along the main stem.  I'm excited to see if it will grow to fill this space, with some sunlight and rain every now and then.  I guess I should have known it was pretty tough, as it was surviving under the eave next to the driveway before. It probably only got occasional sunlight, and only as much water as was poured on it.

 Other than planting the blueberries, my main chore last week was getting this raspberry cane replanted.

It had to be taken out because it was right in the way of the gate/ramp for tractors.  Of course, it was the healthiest, tallest one that needed replanting. 

I kept trying to figure out where to start a new patch of raspberries with it, but in the end, I realized that it would be best to just put it with the others.  The only problem was that there wasn't any room in the flowerbed. Then I realized that the flowerbed itself basically cut through the middle of all the canes anyway, and really needed extending.

 So that's what I did. I pulled out the brick edging, dug up (most) of the grass in between, and extended the flowerbed into more of a rounded shape, cutting it off straight right at the gate. Viola! Room for rasberries and room for tractors. Perfect!

Maybe this week I'll have time to get out there and dig up the rest of that grass.

 

 These pretty tulips have brightened my day every time I've seen them!

Back flowerbed, next to raspberries.

 I'm not sure what this little white flower is, but it has been popping up all over the slope. I love it! I especially like how it has filled in some of the bare space between the violas and the apple tree.

These tulips will probably be orange and red. The ones right next to them are; the picture I took of those was just too blurry to keep. These are on the east side, in front of the fence, under the basement windows.

In other words, I never see them unless I specifically go looking for them! Pretty though, for that one brief moment!

Blueberries!

We had gorgeous weather a few days ago--sunny and in the 60's.

Perfect blueberry planting weather!

We got them for $25 each at our favorite local nursery, along with a couple big bags of acid-mix potting soil to help them settle in to their new homes.

I learned that you need at least 2 varieties for pollination. I got 3 different varieties: an early, mid-season, and late.

After much deliberation, I decided to plant them on the high slope, between the top garden terrace and chain link fence. They all are supposed to grow to be quite sizable, and try as I might, I couldn't figure out a good space for them on the lower slope. They need to be close enough to pollinate each other, but far enough apart to mature without having to be moved.

Luckily, there's a little path right at the top of the garden terrace, and you can walk on the top row of blocks from the terrace wall, as well. So hopefully, harvesting them won't be too much of a challenge.

 'Duke'

Planted farthest right.

Medium to large light-blue berries.

Blooms late but ripens early.  Early to late July.

Mature plants will produce 20 lbs of fruit (!)

Savory sweet. Full sun; moist, well-drained soils.

Zones 4-7.

'Patriot'

Planted middle.

Dark green foliage, edible fruits, showy white flowers.

6-12 ft height.

Full sun. Average water.

Firescaping, very wet areas, woodland garden.

Attracts birds (ya think?!)

Zone 3.

From the web: produces 10-20 lbs of fruit per plant. Height 4 feet, spread 2-4 feet.

Beautiful fall color, berries ripen in July. Protect blossoms from late spring frosts.

Cross between lowbush and highbush varieties.

Can withstand wet soils better than other varieties.

'Blue Ray'

Planted left-hand side, close to fence.

Blue-green foliage.

10-12 ft height, 6-8 ft spread.

Sun to partial shade.

Edible berries. White blooms from late spring to early summer.

Very acidic soil.

Requires consistently moist soil.

Zone 4.

From the web: Estimated mature height 4-5 feet, spread 3-4 feet. Largest berry on the market! Crimson fall color. Very sweet, light-blue fruits resist cracking.

I was going to get a picture of them from further away, but they completely blend into the hillside. I have to squint to see where they are from the kitchen window.

My only concern is the moisture needs.  I guess whatever we rig up to keep the garden watered could be extended up to the bushes for the dry end-of-summer days.

Garden Progress!

For my birthday this year, Jason rented a tractor and got busy on our landscaping and gardening projects!

Hooray for progress!

 Tearing out junipers on the side--carefully--due to buried cables.

 Drains put in on upper 2 levels, and gravel base.

Garden side-view: ready for wall-building.

 Blocks!

 2 kinds of gravel for backfill and drainage.

 The blocks delivered to the back yard.

 Building the walls.

 50/50 topsoil and compost mix to fill the boxes up, once they're done.

He also got a load of potting soil to use as the top layer.

And I bought some gypsum to sprinkle onto the clay bed first, to help break it up.

I think our vegetables are going to do really well!

As far as we got that day.

Closer view.

We will probably add one more row of blocks to the top terrace's wall.

The steps up the sides are intentional.

The plan is for the soil to be about a foot deep.

Now we need to finish the top terrace's side and build the bottom-level wall, so we can fill the top two beds. J will probably rent another tractor--smaller, this time--to bring dirt up from the front to the back.  The bottom bed can then be finished (sides and front) and filled.

We've still got a good 2 weeks until last frost date, so we're hoping to get this done in time for warm-weather veggies!

It's going to look really nice. It may never pay itself off in vegetables, though! Although, I will do all I can to preserve the harvest each year.  Maybe it will pay for itself when we go to sell the house someday...we can hope!