Muskogee Crepe Myrtle

I've been thinking for awhile about what to do up the driveway, Something that will stand out and grow fast. At first I had considered Hollyhocks then came across the Crepe Myrtle. Wow! Stunning I think, and the darned things grow 4-5 feet each year reaching 15-25 feet. What's more is they bloom for about four months. Definitely lot's of color in your face making the turn in the bend of the driveway.

Before...

After....

Expensive? Yes, larger ones, but I'm trying to get my hands on some 3 gal sizes, maybe in the $20 each range. I figure ten along the fence line. Seems there are some growers about an hour south of Atlanta that I may look into.

More information about the tree here.

Finally. Steps Off The Driveway

Forget that other idea of creating rail road tie steps. That project would have taken forever amongst a weave of roots and who knows what else. Not to mention the slope being extreme. With the chainsaw being out today and the blade/chain getting duller and duller I thought about putting it to rest by cutting some railroad ties. That usually puts them into the can't use again department. I'm not good at sharpening them anyway.

So, another project complete. It didn't take as long as I had thought either. I did think I would encounter some large rocks but it wasn't so bad. A few finishing touches needed but finally...steps up to the old logging road! Good place for the 30 or so daffodil bulbs left.

A view from above...

Raised Flower Beds

That's what they call 'em eh?

I mentioned I was bored with the west side of the cabin, but realized if I'm gonna have all these 'lil plants come mid to late April they gotta go somewhere. I suspect by the reading I've been doing I can have six to eight inch tall plants that can go in the ground about then...maybe later.

Last frost date is the key. What the heck, plant some about April 15 hope there's no frost after. If it doesn't work bring in the extra backup plants that are still protected. I should have oodles.

Ellijay dates since 1997- year/date/temp

2009 /Apr 22 /30.9
2008 /Apr 30 /31.6
2007 / Apr 13 /31.6
2006 /Mar 27 /22.9
2005 /Apr 25 /27.7
2004 /May 4 /30.2
2003 /Apr 1 / 28.3
2002 /Apr 6 /28.8
2001 /Apr 19/ 24.9
2000 /Apr 27 / 30.8
1999 /Apr 19 /27.4
1998 /Apr 12 /29.7
1997 /May 11 /31.1

So I spent a few hours preparing. I expect to see the horse poop supplier guy this weekend...

Checking the sun shade situation it looks like half gets full sun from 10AM until about 3 PM in summer. Here's a pic from August 1 this year at 11 AM. 3 PM pictures are very similar except stump area gets full sun. At 4 PM "dappled" shade. 5 PM no direct sun.

The plan...


Lottsa horse dooey to spread around the next few days including the east side of the house up on the hill bank.

Ida Rainfall North Georgia

With as loose as the soil has been, today could be a good day hunting for fallen trees and firewood. Power did go out around 3 AM as two battery backups woke me with their annoying beeping sounds. No power...grrr. If it's local I thought I wouldn't have it back on until later in the day as I'm sure other trees in the area toppled over. Nope. Power restored within two hours.

Big gully washers up near the Smokies in South Eastern Tennessee, as shown in the precipitation map above. I'm located within the white circle right side of the image(click for larger view). I never noticed this Wunderground rainfall total function until recent, but it's pretty darned accurate. My baking pan rain gauge shows 4.25 inches since yesterday morning. Naturally I have to dump it from time to time and make some guesstimate recalculations because it's not square from top to bottom.

Here are the local the Wunderground totals in the Ellijay area...

Yes, the creek is running strong. It's been healthy all summer compared to last years drought. Daffodils bulbs are planted about 18 inches above the water line. They're safe.


Upon closer inspection it appears I'll have to tame this water retention area. Hope the Daffodil bulbs don't rot(orange flags). Rainfall totals were more than mentioned previous. Probably over five inches.

And a pic of my neighbors home that burnt down about ten days ago. Everyone is fine.

Choices For The New Garden Area

Or should I say really rough draft. Click the image to enlarge.

Must be able to tolerate shade.

To Do:

More research on what works where. Or will they grow up here in mountain country? Dave's Garden and the gardenweb are very good sources for folks that usually wonder why this plant died or turned brown etc. One I've been looking into are Astilbes as they like moist, wet soil with shade. That would probably work well where the driveway rainwater runoff now lays. Most of it falls off the hill (picture below) and sits in a gully. It remains moist during dry times as well.

Still unsure how that was created. Maybe years ago when that large dam up the creek failed. Who knows how much water rushed through here then. I would venture a guess this cabin would have been under water if it was here.

Judging by pictures over the years, the sun shade mix looks something like this between May and July. After that the shade increases.

Updated pressure treated garden layout. It looks kind of stupid in the illustration, but the way I look at it, it will be colorful. Wondering if the Tulips will be around when the others make an appearance?