Mom's Birthday Gift

My brothers and I decided to add a pond to our Mothers backyard and improve on the flowerbed we did last year for her. Mike and I had to purchase a new cattle troft (that is where we winter over our pond fish in the basement) because it had a small leak in it. So we decided we would use that for the base of the pond and just add a pond liner to it. We also decided to take out the edging we did last year and replace it with stone. It is mush easier to cut the grass around the flowerbeds. After seeing the chocolate colored mulch I prefer in my garden my Mom decided she wanted that also, which made me very happy…. I hate that red stuff and the cocoa shells. It was a bitch getting rid of all the other stuff, but well with it when you see the results. The sound of water in a garden is a must. Mom always says she doesn’t want anything for her birthday…but who can’t use a pond and flowerbeds. It didn’t cost much money, just a lot of sweat and love. It’s a good home for all my divided perennials.

We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without
hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers.
- Seneca

The Big Tomato Experiment.

The Big Tomato Experiment.

I decided I was going to try something new with my tomatoe's this year. I am in the process of re-doing and adding a food-garden which will not be ready for use till late in the season. So I decided to grow some tomatoes in pots. I also know I have enough to water already, so I am going to water my tomato plants using a wicking method. I sure hope this works. I have enough 5 gallon pails left over from the studio remodel we did upstairs. This will be a good use for them all.

Items I used to make the planters:
5 Gallon pail with lid
A pot that fits nicely on top of the pail lid
100% cotton rope
Nuts and bolts
Drill
Scissors
Drill Bits
Wire Fencing

1. The first thing I did was attach the lid of the pail to the bottom of the pot. Drill two holes and secure with bolts and nuts.

2. Drill six holes around the lid/pot spaced evenly. I also drilled a hole on the side of pail towards the top that I will use to fill the pail with water as needed.

3. Cut three lengths of rope to thread into the holes so the ends are inside the pot, and to leave enough to hang inside of the pail.

4. Make a wire frame to fit inside of the pot.

Fill pail with water and make sure you get the rope wet that is inside the pot also. This is to make the wicking action start easier.

Place the wire frame inside the pot and hang the rope over the frame as far up the inside of the pot without pulling the length out of the bottom of pail.
I filled the pots with a potting mixture of compost, perlite and peat moss.Planted the tomato plants and gave them a light watering. The test begins

Memorial Day, is a day of remembrance.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. So between all your barbeque's and lemonades take a minute and remember why have this 3 day week-end.
This is my niece's little girl Hailey and her dog, Harley . They came over to buy my two old desk I know longer need now that my studio is all done. She is a great little helper.

Men love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own. ~Seneca

Crap Apple Blooms and Trumpet Vine Rooting!

The trumpet vines that were a gift from another gardener (I call her the "naughty Ann", guess I will have to re-think that) is rooting nicely and showing signs of green growth. I am going to add this to my newly acquired gazebo. A wind storm tore the material cover off my sisters gazebo. She is going to buy a new one. I told her I would take the old one off her hands. I plan to place it were the swimming pool used to be. I am hoping the vines will take over the metal frame and make a good spot to place a hammock.
Our Crab Apple is blooming. I only wish these blossoms would last longer. It's so pretty. I cut some and added them to my vase that was filled with some fresh cut lilacs. My studio smells so good and Tater (our cat) can't get to them, see he is not allowed upstairs. I will be able to enjoy fresh cut flowers indoors once again.

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. ~Ruth Ann Schabacker

Early trip to the dump and day of clean up.

We went to the dump yesterday and seen they were grinding a fresh batch of compost, we had to go back today to fill up the trailer. For the price it can't be beat. It's FREE! It is the secret to my gardens success!

It was really nice today. I dug all the plants that I had saved in pots, out of their winter resting place today. Now Mike can give the flower bed another treatment of killer. There is still some of that ground cover coming up.

I placed all the plants on the patio, till i can get them planted again. I didn't lose to many. I started to give some away to new homes. Less I have to keep watered.

I weeded one flower bed today. It is already for some new mulch, but I want to wait till the neighbors maple tree drops it's awful seeds. I hate those trees...they are so messy and makes a gardener work twice as hard, trying to get them out of the flower beds before they start to grow a little forest.
This is my new wagon....I can leave it out and if it gets wet it will not rust like my old little red wagon did. I can hose this one off and let it air dry.

Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. ~Lou Erickson

Bird House!

My brother made this for me today in about an hour. I have a old post from my Mom's front porch before they screened it in. I wanted it to look like it has been there for a long time . He did a great job. Now I just have to dig up the dead tree and sink the post into some cement.
Wait till you see what he going to make for me out of an old door, windows and shutters that I have been collectiong from thrift stores. He said to give him about a week and half. I can't wait to get it. Can you tell I am a little excited?

Goodwill Find

I got this at Goodwill today for only $19.99...it will look so good in the flower bed I am re-doing.

Spring Cleaning Up!

My pool boy getting the pond all cleaned out. It is a messy job. He cleans the inside I trim the plants.

All clean and ready to be filled for the year. Cross your fingers that we don't have a leak. First time cutting the grass. I love the smell of fresh cut grass. Just don't look at my flower beds...oh the work still to do.