Outside . . . July and August

The weather has been anything but perfect for gardening this year. 

Our tomatoes have been close to death several time, but the few tomatoes we have gotten have been dense and delicious.

However, we have had some BEAUTIFUL flowers.

The Daylillies have been SPECTACULAR!

These are my Martha Washington Geraniums

that I plated in dog and cat food bags.

They looked real good here

then the blazing hot weather took it's tole.

They haven't died, 

but they haven't bloomed for a couple of weeks either.

We didn't even plant the Moss Rose this year. 

It came up voluntarily from what we planted last year.

SInce it LOVES hot, dry weather it has bloomed wonderfully.

And I wish I knew what these lavender flower are.

The husband has liked them but I was kind of "iffy."

They reminded me of a Sedum plant which I didn't care for.

But last summer he bought 4 plants.

This shows how well they came back this year

and the Moss Rose was planted NO WHERE

near them, but you can see it is growing in them.

And, the clover is blooming yellow.

I truly like clover. Wish I had it all over the yard.

This is the front bed, looking down from the porch.

The area around the pedestal and the

pink/lavender Mallow is now bare.

I think a neighborhood animal has been sleeping in this area,

it is so flat.

But that's fine. Everyone needs a place to sleep.

This planter is on the front porch.

I think it likes the hot, dry weather too.

It is doing great.

Next to the Daylillies are the cucumbers.

I thihnk each cucumber we have picked

has been close to a foot long.

The yellow roses have done well

as have the wild Morning Glory vine

that seem to be everywhere this summer.

The husband checking out his garden.

Indy surveying her "kingdon."

Looks like she has found something in her yard.

Guess not so it's time to relax.

Notice the paint on the porch deck?

We had all the wood on the porch painted.

It really look good.

I call the porch a "baby poop" green.

Others call it a "slip pea soup" green.

The sample looked like it had a little more brown in it

but, oh well. 

It looks clean and freshly painted 

so we are more than happy.

Blooming

These three are blooming their little hearts out in the back yard.

These are Easter Lillies that my mother-in-law, Dorothy,

planted quite a few years ago,

In person the flowers look like

beautifully fried eggs whites and yolks.

These are a perennial that we planted last year.

Can't remember the name, 

but they are SO FULL.

Love Them!

And my perennial Red Geums,

or is it Guems? 

I can never remember,

Anyway,

we have had gold/yellow ones

but NEVER have they bloomed like this.

Spring HAS Sprung

The weather is getting SO MUCH NICER here in Western New York. The only place one can see black encrusted snow piles is in the parking lots of shopping malls . . . and they are almost gone too.

I've been outside and trimmed most of the dead follage from last falls mums . . . they were HUGE. I must remember to shae them in July so they will form those nice, rounded mums instead of long leggy ones. Ours weren't quite rounded, but they were pretty close.

The crocus' have been blooming and blooming. Wonder how many  more days we will have them? Oh, and what do you think about the umbrella with flowers hanging on the shepherds hook? I saw the idea on Facebook and thought I would make it. I used an umbrella that belonged to my mother-n-kaw which makes it pretty special. it goes well with the top on the top step.


Last year I bought this boot at JoAnne's when it was on sale PLUS a coupon for some percentage off  of purchase including sale items. It sat on the porch ll last summer and I just couldn't find what I wanted to put in it. We found these fake ones at Michael'; this weekend. I think they look nice for spring.

The Daffy's behind the crocus' are SO CLOSE to opening. The ones in the "cemetery" will be opening a little later. Guess they aren't quite protected enough for early opening.
Hyacinths have shown their flowers through the ir leaves, and the Tulip leaves are very tall and healthy.

We bought a 2 foot x3 foot container of mixed sedum from QVC. As soon as it is a little warmer they will be going in "the cemetery" mixed among the hens and chickens and most will be the front border of the flower bed in front of the front porch. If they bloom, like they should, they will add some definite color.

I need to dig up a couple of the plants(back where the white electric cord is) in the front flower bed. The last couple of years that have almost taken over. I know when I dig them up, some of their root system will remain and we will get more of the flowers. It just won't be as thick.