So here in Pine Valley, our weather is very unpredictable and we are told by some not to plant anything until June 10. Some say on Memorial Day Week-end but I waited this year. We did have a late freeze that took all the blooms off our oak trees and my iris didn't make it but I decided to plant just a small garden, not for sustenance by any means but just because it's fun to see things grow. I did about 6 tomatoes plants, some different kinds of squash and cucumbers. I was quite proud of our effort as we got 6 barrels for a raised garden (easier for weeding and maybe keep some varmints out) but as soon as the squash and cucumbers started to pop up, they were gone. I caught a huge squirrel in there one day and figured he was the culprit so I've spent the last month trying to get rid of him. Haven't seen him for a while, so maybe.....but I didn't replant in that same place. I planted an egg plant and two pepper plants in my decorative planters along with the flowers.
The squirrels were eating all the petunias and now they are growing so I'm suspecting he really is gone. This planter trio is doing well and I even have a baby eggplant growing. Here are some of the other flowers that are blooming right now that I truly love. My Columbine didn't do too well this year, maybe because of the freeze but there were a few. The daisies are coming out just in time for Randy's family to be here and I love Josephine's mini pink rose bush. I've also tried some marigolds but we'll have to see how they do. There's certainly plenty to take care of around here. Some think I need a dog.....but I don't think I do. I poison dogs......Cynthia brought Max and Elliott up for a visit and they snooped around and found my rat poison. They had to take a trip to the Vet and stay in the hospital for a day of observation. I'm so glad they are o.k. and I'm glad I thought to go check and see what they are in to. They had been quite quiet for a while. So sorry Cynthia (and Max and Elliott). Back to gardening.
It's like a running, cleaning house, cooking, exercising, going for a walk.....I wish I had the desire. I'm starting small. I have friends up here with huge gardens and they can all their produce to last all year. I just don't have the energy (or the desire). I even look at the little bit I've done and it gets quite expensive and I don't keep the weeds out any better in the barrels than I did when my garden was in the ground. But, I'm trying....and like they say...."try and fail but don't fail to try."..... or "you never fail unless you fail to try." I've enjoyed the battle with the squirrel as well. I know they are cute little souls but this one I have has been making me so mad.....but.....he's gone. I have a skunk too. I can only smell him once in a while. I've put out my moth balls and haven't smelled him in a while. This is the price we pay for living in this beautiful "heaven on earth".....because I don't think we'll be battling these things in the real heaven. I do love it here. I've never been more content to just "be". A small garden, grand-children and other family once in a while but I'm not alone here. There's so much to see, hear and feel.....even the varmints and insects. They are sharing their space with me and we're learning to get along.
So here in Pine Valley, our weather is very unpredictable and we are told by some not to plant anything until June 10. Some say on Memorial Day Week-end but I waited this year. We did have a late freeze that took all the blooms off our oak trees and my iris didn't make it but I decided to plant just a small garden, not for sustenance by any means but just because it's fun to see things grow. I did about 6 tomatoes plants, some different kinds of squash and cucumbers. I was quite proud of our effort as we got 6 barrels for a raised garden (easier for weeding and maybe keep some varmints out) but as soon as the squash and cucumbers started to pop up, they were gone. I caught a huge squirrel in there one day and figured he was the culprit so I've spent the last month trying to get rid of him. Haven't seen him for a while, so maybe.....but I didn't replant in that same place. I planted an egg plant and two pepper plants in my decorative planters along with the flowers.
The squirrels were eating all the petunias and now they are growing so I'm suspecting he really is gone. This planter trio is doing well and I even have a baby eggplant growing. Here are some of the other flowers that are blooming right now that I truly love. My Columbine didn't do too well this year, maybe because of the freeze but there were a few. The daisies are coming out just in time for Randy's family to be here and I love Josephine's mini pink rose bush. I've also tried some marigolds but we'll have to see how they do. There's certainly plenty to take care of around here. Some think I need a dog.....but I don't think I do. I poison dogs......Cynthia brought Max and Elliott up for a visit and they snooped around and found my rat poison. They had to take a trip to the Vet and stay in the hospital for a day of observation. I'm so glad they are o.k. and I'm glad I thought to go check and see what they are in to. They had been quite quiet for a while. So sorry Cynthia (and Max and Elliott). Back to gardening.
It's like a running, cleaning house, cooking, exercising, going for a walk.....I wish I had the desire. I'm starting small. I have friends up here with huge gardens and they can all their produce to last all year. I just don't have the energy (or the desire). I even look at the little bit I've done and it gets quite expensive and I don't keep the weeds out any better in the barrels than I did when my garden was in the ground. But, I'm trying....and like they say...."try and fail but don't fail to try."..... or "you never fail unless you fail to try." I've enjoyed the battle with the squirrel as well. I know they are cute little souls but this one I have has been making me so mad.....but.....he's gone. I have a skunk too. I can only smell him once in a while. I've put out my moth balls and haven't smelled him in a while. This is the price we pay for living in this beautiful "heaven on earth".....because I don't think we'll be battling these things in the real heaven. I do love it here. I've never been more content to just "be". A small garden, grand-children and other family once in a while but I'm not alone here. There's so much to see, hear and feel.....even the varmints and insects. They are sharing their space with me and we're learning to get along.
