The garden today Sunday July 12th , 2009

Lilies, Snapdragon and Clematis (all in pink)

Daylily

Raspberries almost ready to pick. Who will get there
first us or the birds?

Frog Pond.

Barberry

Steve's Vegetable Garden

Here is a shot of Steve's Veggies as of today. He just came in as told me there are tomatoes on the plants!

Vegetables are in . . .

So this year Steve is in charge of the vegetable garden.
It only makes sense because I will be on the road so much.
So he planned it and planted it. It went in one week ago.

One week later the mess is still here . . . hmmm.

Steve's in charge.

Nothing but Clematis

Lamp Post Clematis
Second year here, First year blooming!

New This Year and blooming already!

t
Below - New last year, seem mildly happy.
Perhaps too shady here. But she's giving us some blooms.

Close ups of the Lamp Post Clematis.

(below) This is the one Linsey gave me for Mother's Day
last year. It put on a nice show last year and then
out did it self again this year!

Here is the RED one I complained about
last year. I didn't think it was RED enough.
This year I LOVE it!!!

(above & below) These were both planted last year
along the fence line to the north. I think I need to relocate them
two shady? Poor soil?

(belosw0 This is the one that came with the property
it has been very large and robust in the previous years.
This year it died back but seems to be making a comeback!

(below) This was planted last year by the front
door. It's small but seems happy with
new buds.

This weekends garden projects . . .

Before Photo . . .
Project idea . . .
create a garden room to sit and enjoy our chimenea fires.

Steve hard at work, wall 2/3 finished.

Bastian watching from afar . . . still afraid of the camera.

Break from work and evening fire.

New Clematis along the new fence line.

These three clematis will go on the garden wall.

OOopps cut the wires to the sprinkler system.

Wall finished. Now I just need to get the vines planted.

Memorial Day Weekend - Bonfire

Bonfire setting by day . . .

Mark and Linda Thiltgen

Paula & Glenn Quist

Me & Sue Seeger

All fired up . . .

Terry & Chad Briggs

And "their here" the orbs have returned for another party!

Steve (and no he is not smoking anything),
Chad, Terry and assorted Orbs.

Sue, playing with the orbs.

Have a happy, safe and memorable Memorial Day Weekend!

Here's what is blooming today . . .

I think today it's all about the lilacs!
We have three varieties blooming
and a fourth to bloom later in the season.

Don't you wish there was "smell-o-blog"?

Weeding

The joy of weeding. I actually enjoy it (sometimes)
it makes you slow down and gives you time to think.

I weeded all along the new fence line.

I suppose I should go back out and rake it up now.

Mothers Day Geranium from Daniel.

Mothers Day Blooms

A lot can change in a week and I've been gone just that. Steve sent me these photos with a Mother's Day greeting. Looks like we'll have more than just 1 plum this year.

First Bloom ever for this little cherry tree.

And the lovely Magnolia. I still can't believe we can grow these in Minnesota!

Fence Project Continues

Relocation of a few perennials.

Nancy with Buddy and Frankie
or is it Frankie and Buddy?

New Fence

Our neighbors have two new puppies. They are putting in a new fence to keep them safe and sound. Below is our contribution along the lot line. Tomorrow their fence goes up, so I'll have puppy pictures soon!

Forsythia ushers in spring!

Forsythia Bloom Up Close and Personal

New bush planted last year, so it's the first bloom in this yard!

Existing Forsythia bush that we inherited with the property.

Pruning of forsythia bushes is best done just after they've finished putting on their flower display in spring, because they bloom on the prior year's growth (pruning either too late or too early interrupts the growth/blooming cycle). Begin by pruning 1/4 to 1/3 of oldest branches, pruning them right down to the ground. This will encourage new growth and a more compact form. Beyond this "renewal pruning," you can also selectively cut newer branches in order to improve upon the overall shape of your forsythia plants.

Projects of the Week

New bench for the front entry porch!

New split rail cedar posts and rails. Love the smell and the look.

The photo above and below shows the "before" the fence, fence line.

Tiny patch of Happiness!

Scilla still in bloom . . . still smiling!

Signs of Spring in Minnesota! : )

Scilla is the first bloomer in my spring garden

One Week Ago Yesterday

Started these tomato plants last Saturday and here they are already. They just make me smile : )

Starting Seeds

Well it's just after 10:30 am on Saturday morning and we've gotten all the seeds started!

Note Steve's masterful fill and level technique.

Now off to the store to get two more lights.

What did we plant? Three types of tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, Early and Late Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Three types of peppers, Beets and Marigolds. Marigolds are from the seeds we saved last year.

Red River flooding, including Fargo, Moorhead, and . . .

Yes, we are a long way from the Red River. But our own little Elk River has risen to new heights since we've been here.

Much of the neighbors back yard is flooded!

But, it's got to rise a whole lot more to get us!
I think were safe, don't you?

Bastian seems to be enjoying it.

Seed and Soil

Seeds and soil have arrived. Tomorrow we'll get some things started under lights. We're a couple of weeks behind schedule this year. But it shouldn't be a big problem.

Aaahh Ruts!

It's been a long long time since I've posted on this garden blog. I've been busy all winter, traveling to visit my customers and playing a few rounds of golf in my spare time. Now it's starting to feel like spring here in Minnesota. I shot these photos of the yard this morning . . .

Could this be the last of the snow for this year?

Aaahh Ruts . . . a spring thaw hazard!

I don't know about you
but the textures of the
landscape even in early spring
are still beautiful to my eye.