In The Garden (Page 2)

We have had a very strange spring in northern Idaho this year.  Early spring started out warm and sunny, then the rains came and haven’t left yet.  We have had rain, hail, wind and even snow with more rain in the forecast.  I have completely lost three rose bushes and one I am trying to save.  Their canes are turning black, then the poor things die.  I have researched what could be happening to them from a fungus or bacterial infection to something in the soil.  I think in my case the culprit is too much rain and cool temperatures.  We have had a handfulRead More →

I have really been enjoying the (finally) warmer weather and getting out to work in my flower beds.  I was so happy to see my hummingbirds are back and that got me to thinking about my flower garden.  I really want to attract more butterflies.  I read recently that Monarch butterflies may be put on the endangered species list soon.  Now, I don’t know if this is really true but what a tragedy it would be to lose them.  I have researched a few ways to attract and care for butterflies, I’m excited to give it a try. Butterflies are drawn to colorful clustered bloomsRead More →

We are lucky enough to have a pair of hummingbirds that return year after year and live in a locust tree in our backyard.  Usually they are here mid to late April, but they haven’t made an appearance yet.  It seems everything is a bit late this spring, our lilacs haven’t leafed out yet and I usually have a bouquet of them for Mother’s Day.  Maybe the little hummers are waiting for some flowers to bloom and some leaves on the trees.  In the meantime, I am getting the hummingbird feeders ready with a good washing in hot, soapy water.  Be sure your feeders are clean andRead More →

O, blackberry tart, with berries as big as your thumb, purple and black and thick with juice, and a crust to endear them that will go to cream in your mouth, and both passing down with such a taste that will make you close your eyes and wish you might live forever in the wideness of that rich moment. ~ Richard Llewellyn My husband Brad is the best gift giver ever, I had a birthday a few weeks ago and he surprised me with two blackberry bushes!  I was over the moon!  I know that sounds weird but I’m not much of a jewelry girl or IRead More →

I have to say I really like having my own backyard chickens.  Not only do I get fresh, delicious eggs every day but they are such a big help around the place.  Some days I think they eat their weight in bugs, for which I am forever grateful.  They also help with spring clean up by scratching through the mulch and stirring it up before I have to rake it up (plus, there will be fewer bugs).  This is especially helpful on windy days!  They like to eat the young weeds and grass sprouting up, unfortunately they will also eat the plants I want to keep if IRead More →

Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward. – Terri Guillemets. Yesterday afternoon, between thunderstorms, I took a walk around the place just to see how everything is holding up and to check for damage.  I was so excited to see new green leaves popping up in our strawberry patch!  I was worried about them because I wasn’t able to get them put to bed for winter before the first freeze and snow hit last fall.  A little gentle clean up and they will be sprouting berries again soon. The strawberry is a perennial and will come back year afterRead More →

Lilium longiflorum, better known as the Easter Lily, has been a tradition at Easter for many, many years.  With their fragrant, white trumpet shaped flowers they were introduced into the United States in 1919 when WWI soldier, Louis Houghton brought some home to the Oregon Coast from Japan.  Symbolizing purity, innocence, virtue, hope and life these beautiful white flowers were said to spring from the earth where drops of Christ’s sweat fell to the ground during His final hours of stress and deep distress. When picking out your potted Easter Lily, choose one that doesn’t have all the flowers open, make sure there are no bugsRead More →

A host of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.~ William Wordsworth Blooming just after the snow crocus, daffodils seem to be the official flower to welcome spring.  Beautiful and cheerful in varying shades ranging from bright yellow to white, you can’t help but smile when you see them.  They are easy to care for, spread abundantly and with little help will bloom vigorously year after year.  A big bonus in our area…the deer don’t eat them! Bulbs are planted in the fall, about 2 to 4 weeks before the ground freezes.  Plant at least 3 to 4Read More →

I find figuring out when to prune what trees and shrubs can get very confusing.  Apparently, it not always best just to pick up the loppers and start whacking away when the mood strikes.  We  have a big, old growth lilac that my husband wants to take a chainsaw to.  After a little research I have found that large ones like that have to be pruned in stages cutting one-third at a time over a three year period.  He’s not happy about that.  For now, I think we will start with dead heading after the flowers bloom and keeping the suckers at bay.  Since lilacs form theirRead More →

Do you have some plants you have tried to baby through the winter so they can be added to your flowerbeds in the spring?  I have two miniature rose bushes my husband got for me that I have been moving from window to window trying to find a happy spot for them.  I’ve had to do a lot of pruning, the house is dry and we haven’t had a lot of sunlight lately.  They need to get planted outside soon! On warmer days, move your plants outside for a few hours at a time.  Start out in a semi shady spot, then over a week orRead More →