Hydrangeas and Stuff

These guys are coming along. Endless Summer bought back in May of 2010, though I'm not happy with the odd shape. They need some hackin' Probably this fall. I did trim the larger straggler branches earlier this spring, but as I look around here and there I see some folks treat these things different. One in particular along the main drag going into town. It grows to 8 and 10 feet high in late summer, blooms like crazy and then cut almost to the roots in the spring.

Made some babies from these guys last year. Four of them to count. Coming along nicely. Here's one about 18 inches high. Others are here and there in the woods.

More being rooted on the porch, but these are called Forever & Ever Blue Haven Hydrangea. Taken from new plants I picked up a few weeks ago. Problem is the adults (one so far) is beginning to  blooming pink?? Even after using some product that is supposed to keep them blue. Have to wait on that.

Oh, a new spot for the newbies...and a few Azaleas picked up along the way. There's also one called Flowerwood Sister Theresa that is supposed to stay white...upper right..itty bitty thing with two flowers.

Unfortunately my climbing hydrangea isn't blooming this year. I hear they need to climb and spread first, but yet the first year they bloomed. Could be time for some bloom booster.

And about these things. A climbing Nasturtium. So? When does it plan on climbing?

Petunias along the lawn coming along, but for some reason one of the white Waves in the pots is dying:( I do have two backups though. No Petunias along the drive pics. You'll have to wait a month or so but they're looking good.

Spring Blooms

The second week of April around here usually brings Tulips, but not this year. Instead we have Petunias! Really. These are leftovers from last year that did not die off, just kinda shrunk. If I'm not mistaken these on and near the driveway don't ordinarily look like this until late June or so.

In and around the petunias are snapdragons and a reseeded Pansy from the fall of 2010 planting. This is an area that reseeds Petunias heavily, hoping more come to life but I don't think I'll need any more this year with my plug order arriving next week.

More Petunias along the driveway...

No blooms here but this will be the location of my plug greenhouse. Five ounce plastic cups (three seen) from Walmart will serve as a starter container. This will be covered with a frame and plastic sheathing until they're ready to take on the warmer weather come early to mid May. Great warm and sunny location for them to grow. I figure I can fit almost 1,000 in this area. 25 per square foot with 36 square foot available...not that I'll need all the area.

Remember that tiny Petunia plant I've been testing on the hill? Two weeks and plenty of growth. Looks like the hill project will work.

A few new Azaleas I picked up three weeks ago in with some new Hostas from last summer.

That's about it for the blooms. Oh, one more. Blue Star creeper. This area should be completely filled out by mid summer.

A progress pic on the Petunias On A Hill. Found a great source of newly discovered rocks in the woods near the house. All I have to do is just roll 'em down the hill. Expect more as time goes on. I'm about to yank that small Mountain Laurel in the middle. They're down right ugly 50 weeks out of the year anyway.

Stepping Stones Made From Soil

I think I have the right idea but it didn't come out too well. First sculpt a mold in the hardened soil where the mix will be dumped. I figured a two inch depth would give it some good stability.

Why not ad some reinforcement? Chances are this idea may fail without the right strength mud mix so why not use up all that chicken wire I have downstairs?

My attempt at looking to alter the final mix color didn't fare too well here. I thought I'd try some ash from the fireplace. It toned down the clay color a tad, but you can see... Lowes actually sells a powdered product made by Quikcrete that would cost about a dollar I (guess) for each block or stone. On to more thinking, I recall Adobe brick is sometimes made with dung (animal poop) so why not pay a visit to the farm for a load? I'm thinking it would be economical and may work to get a darker slate like charcoal color. Cost would probably come down to 12 cents per block or stone.

Not much luck in trying to achieve a slate like textured surface so I settled for using crumpled aluminum foil. Going to have to work on this idea. Realistically I did not spend much time on this aspect.

Looks kind of tacky eh? No contrast with the surrounding soil. 4 parts clay soil, one sand, one ash, 1 1/2 cement.

New Project - Making Bricks

A TV program last night detailing how the great Wall of China was built got me to thinking. I have oodles of dirt around here and a shortage of rocks except for what's in the creek but they're too large and irregular. Sure would be nice if I could lift some of those out as they could create some nice scenery.

In any event, on to making bricks and blocks after creating a mold from a 2 x 4. The secret is getting the right mix. The first test is using one shovel full of sand, six dirt and one 1/2 shovel of cement. As you can see one has already cracked (I did try to move them because of rain) and it is not bonding at all. Perhaps take it up to 20% cement? I can think of all sorts of ideas with this method including finishing off a walkway area below. Simply dig out some molds in the dirt, fill, and replicate a stone look. Maybe saran wrap would work providing a texture?

Not crazy about the clay color though. Going to have to find a way to tone the color more to a grayish natural stone much like the walkways around here. There must be some natural element around here to get the desired look. Ground up wood bark, leaves? Trying not to spend money on this project except for the cement.

Dog Days Of August

Somebody made that phrase popular and now I understand the context. It's just been too darned hot and humid to get motivated and do much around here. I did predict this summer would be hot:( Some plants are getting that powdery mildew problem including Impatiens. I thought those critters were immune to practically everything. My Dianthus up the drive are croaking (50% remain), yet the ones near the house are doing very well. And none reseeded. I was hoping for that. Must be the type?

One bright spot on the right of the fence is the shamrock ground cover with small white flowers. It took them awhile to get going. Finally amounting to something. Maybe next year the area will be full.

Here are some projects from last month. A new rock garden in the woods with another trail. Some of the new hostas found a home there and Impatiens moved from another spot. Oh yea, some Creeping Jenny in there along with some small Columbines I started from seed. Hard to say if they'll make it as they're so fragile looking. I got tired of looking at them in small pots on the porch.

Moving up to the drive on the west side of the house is another railroad tie garden. Hostas and some other stuff I don't remember in there. Naturally more Impatiens and those other shade plants... Begonias(not faring too well)

On the other side shows some leftover flagstone that I cut into pieces to create separate areas...

And look what I found in the septic system. The biggest culprit, not to mention 200 pounds of roots growing here and there was a two foot glob that clogged the drain field pipe. I prefer not to go there again. I now can understand the importance of building inspections. I doubt they had one for septic in '91 when this place was built.

So that's about where things stand nowadays. The next project is doing something with the septic area. Rather than dig, dig, and dig in case it has to be pumped again, I liked the idea of creating a rock pile (right of photo) so I know where the stupid thing is next time! Looks like it's time for some better steps (I moved the old ones) over here and maybe a small platformed deck overlooking the new garden areas.

And yes, the Morning Glories finally came out...

Stupid Or Something?

I couldn't get Forrest Gump off my mind when I created yet...more gardens. Who can forget "...what are you stupid or something?" Plenty of room and plenty of time is all I can say. Besides I've been trying to clear out the area on the west side so I can get those guys to bring in some more cow dung. Too many leftovers from other projects. Next on the list; five eight foot by 6" x 6" pressure treated beams. Maybe a small stairway leading down the creek bank. Something mother wanted. Or maybe a rustic bench. I certainly need more sittin' places around here.

Brown doves? they showed up a few days ago...

Paper white..one survived

Some other stuff...Hyacinths with Tulips in back and Dutch Iris in the foreground. I think they came out too soon back in December; browned leaf edges. Says guaranteed to grow on the package. I must have a few hundred planted here and there.

Crocus. Not very consistent in other areas but this looks good. Pics below taken four days ago. Above, today.

Muscari...

I'm certain I have the squirrels whipped on the bird feeder, but have yet to see one try to climb the pole...probably very funny. Hopefully complete Daffodil pics next week. Most are out except the multi colored ones along the creek

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...

Red Wood Chips Have To Go!

Not only is the area fugly, but I do have to grade it better before the lawn reseeding that should be done by Sunday. All chips removed along with pressure treated 1 x 4" border. How's that for a hairless head and the gray? Wheeew.

And some critters living in a sub division underneath. I'm guessing moles.

With some leftover flagstone, the plan is a smaller pathway that extends the length of the house with some bushes and and other stuff...or grass in between.

Photos From Higher Up - Roof

I'm able to get on the flat part of the roof for a different perspective. Above shows the new garden area, termed Pete for thew time being. Lot's of room here for ??

Roughed up pressure treated 6 x 6 garden and extra parking area completed about a week ago. It's a tight fit but ideal for a compact car. Makes turning around much easier now. I didn't consider the size when planning. But oh well, mountain terrain was never made to be simple or easy.


In the next one, I thought the creek would stand out better in the background.

This one shows how the wood chip trails disappear into the woods.


And on the southwest side; area near the stone bench. Now you get an idea of the lawn browning I've complained about.

I have certainly been doing some updates recently. Hopefully I can keep it up. Now and then there comes a time when I don't have the desire to. Quite frankly I thought I was running out of things to do around here until gardening became an interest.

The property has so much diversity to work with, specifically the east side of the cabin on the other side of Pete. There's an area that holds quite a bit of rain and spring water runoff that should prove interesting to play around with.

Here's a pic from last winter showing the area. Well, uhm...it must be on the desktop that's been giving me problems. Maybe when I get that bugger looked at. Incidentally the other laptop is repaired. Headed into town to pick that up. Perhaps many pics dating back to 2007?

Not so.

Another New Garden Ready

Finished this off yesterday before the rains. Hopefully the expert gardener (Mom) will have a chance to plan what to put where this fall providing she sees these pics. That would be up to my loveley neice Heather. Uncovered a tree stump that should give it some character, along with a rock drainage ditch that comes from the upper driveway. A few rocks too difficult to move are left to stay.

On to another challenge and still another garden area that gets quite a bit of shade. Thinking of spreading mulch around the level bottom area as there's oodles for free up the road. All sorts of leftover stuff to work with too. First pic rotates to the left to second pic giving an idea of the area.

And the area shown from the rear looking into the yard.

And YES it needs a drainage plan too...

Nice Mountain Weather!

The current weather is ideal but how long will it last? The entire month has been mild with no daytime temps over 85 degrees. The past few mornings around fifty and under. I'll take that over a muggy 78 at 8AM in South Florida this time of the year.

Not that I know much about Tomato plants, but this one is thriving, standing six feet high.

Petunias are getting out of control above the wall area. Time to thin them out. They don't want to fall over the wall, stopping at the edge?


A few more pics showing the progress of the gardens. Sprinkled some Miracle Grow on this one a few days ago. It looked like it needed it but check out these hanging baskets.



I forget the names of these thingies but mother calls it the "seed garden."

And I hear it all the time...don't plant grass in the summer time. Some areas have taken the new seed extremely well while others haven't. Being around all day to check moisture levels I now understand why some are doing well while others aren't. Some were left to dry out completely before the seeds germinated which takes about five days. Blame It on the afternoon nap. This area in in front of the garden in particular was almost void of grass four weeks ago. I think it came in great.

And another project that has been taking awhile to finish. Lot's of monster rocks and roots to move or remove. Once I get that done I can have a driveway again instead of a pile of stone.