MY NEW GARDEN.....

This garden is by the side door and front gate. I transplanted the astillbe from the back yard because no matter how much I watered them, they would be crisp and brown by August. They are doing much better now. I bought a flat of "take me home before I die" impatiens and planted them in pots to go between the plants. The largest impatien, next to one of the new birdbaths I made, grew all winter long in the Christmas Cactus indoors. I couldn't believe that it grew, let alone bloomed, all during the winter! In late Spring I
put the cactus outside and carefully removed the impatien along with several small plants that sprouted around the edges of the pot.

A WEEKEND GUEST.....

We found another turtle. The last one we took out to Double Rock Park so it was in a safer environment, away from lawn mowers and cars. We decided to let this guy hang out for the weekend. The turtle seems just as curious about Boots and his buddy Blackie as they are about him! I just finished re-doing the "in-ground" birdbath and the turtle goes in frequently for a drink. No.....we haven't named him! He is heading to the park on Monday!

REALLY CREEPING JENNY!.....

Last year a planted a small piece of Creeping Jenny by the dog statue. It has taken over! The "take me home before I die" impatiens
behind it are growing nicely. Since we had our 90ft oak tree taken down there is precious little shade in our yard, so I take advantage
of the shade of the dogwood tree and shrub in the "dog garden".

MIRACLE GERBER DAISY.....

This daisy "wintered over" in my basement with a grow light. When it was warm enought to put outside it already had a flower stem emerging just above the soil. The leaves are just starting to grow but LOOK AT THOSE FLOWERS! It is really anxious to bloom!
I've learned the key to growing these flowers is to NOT overwater! A nice soaking a couple times a week seems to work best.

TOMATAS ARE COMIN' HON!!!......

Considering how cool and wet our Spring was this year, I am very happy with how well the vegetable garden is doing. The tomatoes are
really growing now. Each plant has a number of fruit getting big enough to start to turn red. The pepper, eggplant and zuchinni are doing
nicely as well. The herbs are getting bigger and the marigolds, that were in bad shape from all the rain, have recovered.

FESTUS GETS NEW SET OF CLOTHES.....

This guy has been in my garden in one form or another for 37 years. He hasn't been very good at his job since I have seen birds perching
on his head,taking apart a number of his hats, and even squirrels down in his clothes playing tag. Now that was something to see! There are many variety of insects through the many layers of his former duds. Even though he doesn't perform his job very well he does have
job security. As long as I have a garden he will be in it!

MY NEW "HELPER".....

This is "Boots" my new helper. He started hitting up Bob and me for treats on our 5am walks back during the winter. He was very talkative and friendly. A few weeks ago we started going out into the front yard and calling him to come for some food. Now
when we head out for our walk he is already at the side door and looking for breakfast! He follows me around when I water the
gardens and sits in our laps so we can brush him (I think we have been adopted!!) He seems very interested in gardening. He sits
by me when I weed or feed ( I think he is taking notes) Our cat Penny is not to happy to see us with another cat but I think she will ajust. She watches him from her "perch" at the window.

GROWING RIGHT ALONG.....

After an actual week of warm and sunny weather the gardens are really taking off! I think I have finished visiting the garden centers. I've had good luck with finding a nice variety of "take me home before I die" plants at reduced prices. I love giving them TLC and seeing
them flourish. It kills me to see the "plant person" at Home Depot or Lowe's carting off the not so perfect plants to the dumpster. I wish
I had the nerve to ask for them! I just hate to see them thrown away!