I love growing

Going out this morning to the garden was very relaxing. Its not that hot in the earlier hours, so I went out and watered and turned the compost pile and just enjoyed being out there. I added some of my homemade compost to one of my plant boxes that Dave made for me. I planted some lemon basil, radishes and watermelon seeds in there. I am greatly encouraged by the seeds that have germinated in the butterfly garden area. I have genovese basil there and some zinnias that have sprouted. Yeah! So I'm encouraged to plant more and more and more....oh and some more....

Backyard heaven 

Veggies 

The flood

I have discovered that the soaker hoses I have put in all my beds are not such a good thing. I turn them on and think "Ok, I have about 10 minutes and I'll go back out and turn them off" It doesn't ever work out. I came out to go to church this afternoon and there was a flood going down my driveway from the backyard. So at least my plants are not suffering too horribly in this awful heat. It hasn't been as difficult to deal with (the heat, I mean). It seems that so far everything is holding up well. We did seperate our rabbits. They weren't really fighting, just gnawing little places on each other. Apparently that's not good (Thanks Juli) so we separated them. Unfortunatly Max is our little Houndini and Dave has to keep reinforcing the divider we put in their hutch. Hopefully, they will figure it out soon and leave each other alone. I think one Mr. Bugs episode in my life is enough.

Progress!

This morning was very busy. I got an early start and decided to just get to work. Wesley sat in the excersaucer and Jared and Ayla got their little aprons and tools ready to go. There is this area that was looking pretty sad and I wanted to jazz it up a bit. I had decided to do a butterfly garden there (see previous post). So we had this salvia and I went through my seeds to see if I had any we could throw out there. So, I got the plastic pulled up and started with the shovel attacking the weeds everywhere. Then Wesley decided he needed a nap, so I go wash my hands get him off to bed. Come back outside and Jared and Ayla are fighting over who's going to use the tiller! Anyway, we got three lindhauri (sp?) bushes moved to the front yard. While I'm at the front the kids decide to ride their bikes. Get the plants in the ground and watered and then have to rally the kids back to back again. Ahh! Then we finally got the tiller out. Jared and Ayla are the cutest little tillers ever. If I would have had an extra hand I would have totally taken a picture but I thought that might break some safety rules. They both took turns getting that thing in the ground. So we got their two little flowers planted (I don't know what they are). I got the salvia in the ground and moved some feverfew I had in another bed (I hope they make the transplant). I also planted chamomile seeds, basil, yarrow and zinnias. Hopefully those will germinate (they're old). I am loving being out in the garden. There are birds everywhere. I saw a monarch butterfly today and it just really lifted my spirit. There is something so connected about digging in the dirt. Everytime I come away so fulfilled and....satisfied. It is just in me. Now if I can just get away from my sewing machine.....

Spring Garden

Ok, things are really going good so far this year. I had shasta daisies just appear out of nowhere and are blooming like crazy. My herb bed is looking mighty crowded now that all the plants I put in in the fall are spreading out and looking better. My veggies are not looking so prolific and I'm somewhat concerned about their well being. We have several gourd plants that are doing ok and then the peppers, squash and cucumbers are taking their sweet time. My strawberries have lots of buds and I'm hoping that they are going to ripen soon because they are Junebearing (crossing my fingers on that one). We went tonight and bought a salvia to put in by the butterfly bush that is now 6 feet tall. I am in the process of planning a butterfly garden in that area. I feel like I really have a working garden now instead of just a work in progress. Also I am a little surprised at how much I am craving flowers. I want more and more color. I might even decide that they have some inherent value :) So tomorrow the plan is to work until we are too hot, getting hte butterfly bed ready. I am also going to clean out from under the rabbit cage in an effort to boost the veggies. I am thinking of having the kids make some fairy type art to put in and around there. I think that would be way fun. We planted a sunflower fort and Bertha has decided that she would rather eat the 3 packets of seed we planted than let them come up! Bertha is quite the character. She has a mind of her own and will sqwak at you if you don't take care of business. Sounds familiar, eh?