More Garden Ideas

I got tired of the garden on the west side of the cabin. It's not visible anyway. After loosening up more soil along the fence going up the driveway, I realized I had been building a nice rock wall next to the two tiered pressure treated (PT) garden without knowing it. More rocks and wallah. Unfortunately to be seen you have to stand in the woods.

Let's clear that out too.

Slope some of the soil around the PT and maybe, just maybe, I'll have some spring flowers growing with small in front and larger in back. I only wish I had some in the 10-12 inch range. More on that at a later date with winter sowing ideas.

Nicely amended soil...hmmmn. I almost made it to Lowes this past week without spending money. Almost...

Wall areas from the woods...

Save The Tulip Bulbs From Critters

I keep hearing folks all over message boards crying about losing tulip bulbs from critters that dig, burrow, or steal. Maybe they're in the suburbs where animals are less concerned with people walking about. Around here I still see little wildlife. Cranking up the chainsaw every now and then along with the lawnmower may keep them deeper into the woods? I did however see a few doe on the hill across the creek the other day.

To the tulips. I finally cut the rain barrel in half after I thought placing them next to the steps would look good. I think I can stuff about twenty in each one and cover it with chicken wire in case the critters get near the house looking for a snack.

I hear mice like them too...hmmm. I've also heard about mothballs as being a deterrent along with cayenne pepper, but the mothballs...I wondered how that would affect the soil. In conclusion, chicken wire until the spring sounds best. Here's a smaller barrel with mesh on top.

Tulip bulbs planted? 45 in the wall garden along with 100 or so Crocus and 45 of those blue things that grow about 6-8 inches...Muscari.



EDIT: November 10- No critters yet!

Ut Oh...I Have An Addiction

Can't seem to get enough bulbs! I have this fear I won't have enough to plant. Seriously! This after buying another 240 at Home Depot in Jasper yesterday. Ready to go this morning and it's raining so I thought...maybe other Lowes stores will have some?" Sure enough. Lowes in Canton (45 miles) but I didn't make the trip...yet.

Lowes was definitely lower priced but the question remains how good are the bulbs? 40 bulbs for $ 9.96 or so a month ago. Home Depot is currently 12 for $ 6.95. Those from Lowes are somewhat smaller but not by much. I have encountered about a dozen bad ones though. Yes, there are different types.


The Lowes here in Ellijay is out and don't plan on getting anymore. Now I have 180 Ice Follies and 60 Fortune from HD. Update on the progress. About 320 Daffodils planted with about 150 left. I may just litter the creek sides with the rest. Haven't touched the others mentioned a few days ago.

Oh, and I picked up some De Caen Anemones while I was at Home Depot.

No Acorns This Year - Plenty Last Year

I wondered why I hadn't seen a squirrel in awhile. Actually the whole place is void of any wildlife, except some pesky birds that made a mess of my new fence this spring. Hopefully they'll give up on the place because I closed up their nesting place; under the side porch.

So if the squirrels don't have any nuts to eat will they come back and discover all the bulbs I've been planting? I suppose some are not tasty to them while others may be. Incidentally last year was a boon for acorns. Massive quantities. It was pretty interesting on windy days when they would pellet the roof.

Story On No Acorns Last Year - Washington Post, Va Area.

Something I drew a few days ago. Dammit why did I buy so many Tulips? They need sun and I don't think I have a good place for them unless I add them to the Crocus area.

Those not planted yet:

• Crocus
• Dutch Iris
• Daffodils across creek and most of the pathways
• Allium
  

I was surprised to see the Paperwhites discounted 50%. I didn't pay attention when I grabbed them, nor did I see this. Will they grow? Already sprouting from the bulbs.

Fall Bulb Planting - Oodles

Difficult to get motivated for outdoor work again. Cold weather didn't help. Maybe all these bulbs will stir some interest.

The count:

Yellow Daffodils - apprx 160
Mystery Daffodils - 40
Dutch Iris -60
Yellow Tulips - 80
White Tulips -40

...well if you click the picture you can count 'em yourself.

And I haven't yet looked online for some unusuals.

Daffodils planted this morning...dots aren't entirely accurate.