BEE Happy

BEE Happy

Are you bee friendly? What about what you apply to your flowers. Read this by my friend, Elizabeth Barrow. She owns a garden center in Texas. Great info!

Cherries in Full Bloom

Cherries in Full Bloom. They are beautiful and make spring feel like she is on her way.

Groundhog….You are SO fired!

It is funny to blame the groundhog for this crazy weather we are experiencing. We should just sit back and enjoy it because come July, you know we will be talking about the snow at Easter.

Take time to enjoy what Mother Nature has given us. It is a reminder we do need to slow down and not expect to be able to plant tomato plants in March. In the meantime, there are lots of things you can do! Cool crops can be planted like radishes, peas, lettuce, kale, collards, carrots, etc. You can plant potatoes and onions. You can plan your garden space. Scope out your local garden centers with what they will be carrying.

Build a cold frame with straw bales and glass windows.

Here is an entire pinterest page dedicated to straw bales and gardening:

Love the afghan on the “straw seat”!

So we shall give the groundhog a reprieve and not rely on such a furry animal to predict our weather next winter?

Getting ready for spring

Waiting on soil to arrive and seeds to get sown. Time to get your plan in action and take it to the next level. It is important to have a plan in place. So get your pencils sharpened and write it out before you make your seeding and planting. This will help you be more successful with your gardening adventure!

You Can Grow That! apples…yum…yum

You Can Grow That!

Today is kickoff for You Can Grow That Blog post that at least monthly on the fourth of the month – four powerful words: You Can Grow That!

I will share what you can grow. This all started with an idea from C.L. Fornari (this is her personal website: http://www.gardenlady.com/) and promoting gardening and growing. It is a simple yet powerful idea.

So, today, let’s talk apples and if you know anything about me, you know I love apples and all things fruit. Even my email address screams apples (eatmoreapples at aol dot com).  The picture posted above is a Macintosh apple. They are a delightful and tasty apple coming in the end of August depending on where you are in this world. If picked at the right time, you can make the best applesauce!

Apples can be planted almost anytime, they do need some care but for the most part, they are pretty easy to have a few apples trees in your yard. They give you year round interest. Beautiful flowers in the spring, tasty fruit in the summer and fall and of course some great fall color & cover for the birds!

Most apples need a pollinator that is not the same tree that you want. So, two Fujis will not make any apples but plant a Fuji & a Gala, you will be eating lots of apples!

We fence the apple trees when they are small so the deer and rabbits don’t destroy them until they are big enough to fend them off. Fertilizing and staking when planted are also done! So, how about start planning the spot where your next apple tree will be or two! I can just taste the yummy and fresh taste from my apple tree!

Remember, You Can Grow That! Just get out in the garden and do it!

Working on Winter

Well this winter, we are finally having one. Last winter it felt like we jumped from fall to spring. Trying to work with winter weather in the out of doors sometimes presents challenges but we all muster through. Boots become heavy with mud hence mud-boots and if you have ever tried mud-boots then you know how heavy and cumbersome they can be. This year, I have new boots so hopefully my feet will stay warm and the mud will stay frozen!

Salt Block Holder Mini Garden

Salt Block Holder Mini Garden complete with miniature horses