June Bloom

This is the reason I planted Azaleas, they are beautiful and smell wonderful. I've struggled with my plants over the past several years and even gave away three of them because they were not doing good in the backyard.

 Well...I think I've figured out what the problem was; not enough water. I'm not one to water my plants. When I first put them into the ground I water them, give 'em a pat and tell them they are on their own.

 This year Mother Nature did all the watering. This Azalea plant was under about 5 feet of snow all winter and we've had a lot of rain this spring. Now I know, next year I'll water the Azalea.

 I wish you could scratch the picture and smell it...heavenly :)

 The Irises are doing really good again this year. They are in full bloom. The wind has caused some trouble with the ones out along the alley; they keep getting blown over.

 The Memorial Garden has filled out great!! I'm really happy with it. I need to do a bunch of weeding and add more wood chips but that's about all. I might put in a couple more plants, maybe some roses. I lost a Russian Sage over the winter and need to fill in that spot.

It's all growing!

The backyard flowers are going crazy. I'm not a big fan of all the rain we've gotten but the flowers sure are :)

I spent all of Thursday working in the vegetable gardens. I picked a lot of weeds and hauled in several hundred pounds of manure, lucky me. The beds are ready for planting and as soon as I get another sun shiny day I'll fill them with veggie plants :) 

I'm also going to attempt to Puggle proof the gardens this year. The fence did not keep Jake from finding a way into the gardens and eating the peas, beans and brussel sprouts, talk about a stinky  hound! I stretched the fence tighter and pounded the posts in deeper; only hit my hand with the sledge one time :) now I need to find a way of securing the fence to the ground.

I've decided that I would like the tulips behind the hostas so after they are finished blooming I'm going to dig 'em up, thin them and replant them. 

The Back Yard is Blooming!

The Daffodils and Tulips are flowering along the deck.

Hostas, Lilies, and Tulips are coming in nicely along the garage.

The Magnolia tree is in full bloom, if only this were a scratch and sniff photo :)

Forget-me-nots!

The Peonies are higher than my knees already!

We'll be eating Rhubarb any time now.

Spring was a long time coming this year but it sure was worth the wait :) The birds are chirping in the morning, I can hang my laundry on the line, it's starting to get light outside when I go to work. Good by Old Man Winter, hello Spring!

Snow Storm December 11, 2010

Fun times in the backyard

kv's backyard goes to the vineyard

I have a couple friends who are stewards for a vineyard in Cannon Falls. Last Tuesday I went with them to work at the vineyard. We spent most of our time untangling the vines and raising them to the next level. I'll be heading back tomorrow to help with putting nets over the vines. The grapes will be turning colors soon and that means the birds will take notice and have a feast!

I really enjoyed spending time at the vineyard, it is so quiet and peaceful. I never notice how noisy my neighborhood is until I get out into the country. I think I missed my calling; I should have been a farmer.

Cardinals

Listening to the cardinal chirping in the backyard reminded me that I need to fill the feeders. I got away from feeding the bird feeders last summer but I moved the feeders closer to the house this year so now I want to start filling them again. I miss the birds. I should pick up some peanuts for the Jays too. 

Here's a little look into the backyard...

 I'm still battling the Japanese beetles but I think I have them on the run now. I mixed up some of the Bayer product I used last year and watered the trees and flowers. Fortunately they are staying away from the vegetable garden this year.

 The first watermelon! There are more growing but this is the biggest one, I noticed it last week when I was picking tomatoes. If we get a melon for every flower on the vine there are going to be a LOT of watermelons! Kim I hope you're hungry :)

 Peppers! I'm getting a lot of bell peppers, not many hot peppers so far. I'm hoping I can get a least enough to make a batch of salsa. I'll let these bell peppers go orange before I pick 'em.

 Brussel sprouts :p Nancee swears she can cook these so that I will like them. The challenge is on! There are about 6 plants and they are all doing good so she will have a lot to experiment with.

 Roma tomatoes, mmm these are about the only tomatoes that I can eat raw. They are going to make some delicious sauces. I learned a few lessons last year about freezing tomatoes and sauces. Hopefully I'll have better luck this year.

 Cabbage, this is a first for me, even if I don't eat it they make great plants. Next year I'm going to put a few in my flower gardens. I really like them. I need to start looking for recipes.

 Sugar snap peas, these were a last minute addition to the garden. I put in six plants and three survived. I eat a handful each time I go into the garden. I think three is just enough for me. I will however get them in the ground much earlier next year. I'm thinking I may plant a few seeds now and see if I can get some fall peas. Thinking about putting in some beans too!

 Onions, they'll make a nice addition to the salsa and red sauce I plan to make as soon as I get enough tomatoes and peppers.

 Last but certainly not least, Black Eyed Susans. I have these growing all over the backyard. They add great color at this time of year.

They're back!

Those damn Japanese beetles! I was hoping I had gotten rid of them last year but I discovered some on my tomato plants and on the birch tree. Now it's time to pull out the big guns again. I don't think the beetles were actually eating the tomato plants as I did not see any indication of it. I think they're looking for something a little more appetizing. No edamame for you this year! and no green beans either. Go someplace else you little bastards. As soon as I get back from my bike ride this morning I'm getting the Bayer product out and using it in the flower garden. I can't use it in the veggie garden so I'm going to have to find something else. Maybe I can get the wasps from the garage to move to the garden, they like to eat the Japanese beetles.