Garden Time

DEBORAH CROMBIE: April and May are gardening madness months in north Texas. We have to get plants in before blistering heat shrivels them--and shrivels the gardener as well. We spend so much time and effort getting things just right, then hope we can bear to go outside to enjoy the fruits of our labors!

Speaking of fruits of our labors, I made the mistake of mentioning to the lady at the feed store the other day that I'd been gardening like crazy. Wherefore she whipped out her phone and showed me her acres of perfectly tended vegetables. And told me that she would can everything they didn't eat during the season. I slunk away, tail between my legs. My vegetable plot is a half dozen rather sad plants in pots on the south side of the house.

My garden is flowers, mostly native perennials. To recover a bit of self esteem, I thought I'd share it with you. But upfront I have to say that a lot of the credit goes to my fabulous lawn service guy, Agapito, who, although he runs weekly mowing and edging crews, is a true gardener. He does the major digging and planting, the mulching, and this year, the re-graveling of the flagstone walkways and the re-laying of the patio. I just buy stuff and say where I want it. 

I do get some hard graft credit, from two months potting multitudes of flowers (and my few measly veggies.) And every day there is weeding and picking up, etc., etc., etc. My list of garden chores is endless.

In winter, I find it hard to imagine that the garden will ever be pretty again. Especially this year, as we had extended very cold weather, and we lost a lot of plants ($$$$!!!!) But the spring renewal and replanting results are glorious! I have insanely--because we still have rose rosette virus here, and I've lost nearly two dozen vintage roses in the last three years--planted NINETEEN new roses. Send them blessings.

Here are snippets, and I wish the photos came near doing it justice. The garden wraps all the way around the house, so I am just showing you bits of the front and the back. I would invite you all for a garden tour if I could! And tea afterwards!

Two of the three front berms.

Mealy blue sage in the foreground, with Turk's Cap (not yet in bloom), Red Velour crepe myrtles (also not yet in bloom), cannas, coneflowers, and Mexican sage.

Yucca. zexmenia, yarrow, and skull cap in the foreground. The feathery tree is desert willow, adored by hummingbirds.

Red and purple salvia, guara, skullcap, Calla lilly, and winecup. And the ever-present coneflowers.

 

View from the driveway, which will be gorgeous when the Turk's Cap, acanthus, and Black-eyed Susans bloom.

The coneflowers in their bee-infested glory.

The front walk, with new Red Drift roses.

Two of my new David Austin roses, Lady of Shallot (which has yet to bloom) on the left, and Munstead Wood on the right.

   

The newly relaid patio!!! Thank you, Agapito!!! What a job that was!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The patio with everything returned to its proper place.

Deck with pots, my haven.

And the new gas grill, the crowning touch!

We began this garden twenty-two years ago on a weedy, neglected ninety-year-old corner lot. It has grown and aged and evolved. Parts are unrecognizable from the original concept. I've learned, and the plants have taught me. Mostly, it is loved, not only by me, but by the birds and bees and butterflies. And, of course, the German shepherds, and my granddaughter, who is happy to pick the flowers, and can run on the relaid patio without tripping!

How about you, REDS and readers? Do you suffer from gardening fever? Are you growing flowers? Veggies? Or a tomato in a pot?

(I should add that I am always sore, and my nails are always FILTHY...)

Is it spring yet???

ROSEMARY HARRIS: In the past I've described it as cabin fever. I've even suggested that my first book would never have been written if I hadn't been eager to get back in the garden - even if it was only on paper.

I've reorganized my garden books and rearranged most of the snow-covered garden furniture

(News flash - this year it will be dark green at the pool and light green under the deck! Alert the media.)

I've started to pot up some of the cuttings I took last September. 

Here's the deal - if it doesn't start feeling like spring out there soon I won't be responsible for the consequences.

Years ago I used to start seeds in the kitchen. Inevitably I'd start them too early. They'd rot or get leggy. I'd compost most of them and buy flats instead. And this after turning my kitchen into Luther Burbank's laboratory for a good three months. I'm trying to be patient but...I am itching to put on those garden gloves.

What's new for me in 2013? A new garden shed for one thing. Either it will help me get organized or simply allow me to stash more tag sale purchases (mix-matched garden chairs, wrought iron anything, etc.) Too soon to tell.

Also I've decided to turn my Secret/Meditation Garden into a Whimsical Garden. My two discreet garden goddesses will soon be joined by ornaments, planters and installations which are now crowding the falling down shed (which will remain) and the garage.

I used to be of the opinion that three garden ornaments was one or two too many but in this spot, anything goes.  It will be a mix of tag sale, Home Goods, rusted tools, Goodwill and whatever else strikes my fancy. Either it will be fun or embarrassingly deranged. I'll keep you posted.

Here are two ideas from the Philly Flower Show.

 

 

 

 

 

In the meantime, who's going to help me out with some ideas while I wait for it to get warm? Spoon and fork chandelier? Bedsprings trellis? Broken chair planter...?

Best garden tip from a commenter will receive a vintage copy of The Women's Home Companion  Garden Book. (Sigh..I actually own two.)