Happy 2010!

Best wishes for 2010

to you, your family and your garden!

I don't know about you, but I really enjoyed (needed) that first cup of coffee in 2010! Even so, it was well worth it to see the old year out and the new year in with friends.

AZ Christmas Sightings

We were in Arizona for Christmas and passed by this guy almost daily. Roses, blooming rosemary, bees, blue sky and almost no rain... we definitely knew we were not in Washington. Nice to see you in person, you family members who might be lurking here at Petunia's Garden!

Christmas Wishes...

O little tree! O little tree!
One day you'll be a Christmas tree...

May your hopes and dreams come true!

Merry Christmas

from all of us at Petunia's Garden

December = Brrrr!

It has been a cold December, but at least also rather dry. Now, it is a little warmer.... and snowing!

This photo is the little bubbler in the small garden pond today. It is still bubbling under the ice dome covering. As long it keeps a little area of water unfrozen, the birds are happy.

Rain Delay

The leaves have been beautiful this year. We had enough on the ground that we thought it was time to collect them and tuck them in for some garden composting.

Finally, we thought Saturday was the day. We put the catchers on the lawn mover and gave it a shot. Unfortunately, they were too wet from the week of rain. The last couple days won't help, either. We'll try again.

Meanwhile, we got in a little garden clean up on Saturday, until we decided it was time to go inside and warm up. I didn't clean up too much, though. There are some birds that like to scavenge around in the garden. There's still plenty of treasures for them to find.

Here is our post about composting in place last year.

Welcome November

It would have been a fine day for a little garden tending. It was only to the bench that I made it, though. A little viewing of the fall colors everywhere. No trimming or mulching. At least I'm on the better side of some little bug. How much I appreciate the views from the windows looking out now!

Oh Deer!

There is evidence we've had some deer sized guests. I decided against posting the FIRST evidence I found (on the ground).

Now they are just getting careless! There are hoof prints at the bottom of the photo, a partially eaten apple to the right, and oh, yes, the broken birdbath/planter! We're heard a doe & a buck have been sighted.

SAGBUTT Tour October

Aerie-el arranged for quite the SAGBUTT tour today. Now just how far outside of Seattle did we go??

The nursery cafe was closed today, but it must be the center of activity in season! I could see spending a summer afternoon sitting at the outdoor tables (it is a bring your own coffee & pie kind of place).

... And after the world tour, we reached the Lake Wilderness Arboretum, in Maple Valley, Washington. A beautiful and dry day, too!

More of the unexpected...Clerodendrum trichotomum, Peanut Butter Tree. Rubbing the leaves reveals a peanut butter aroma, and check out the jelly colors to go along with it.

I liked the lacy design of this deciduous fir tree (as I understood). Perhaps the others will share the correct name. Our patient volunteer tour guide quickly adapted to our classic SAGBUTT touring style. Always ready to wonder off to any plant or blogger photo opportunity that calls.

But, of course, regrouping for some garden harvest sharing! Here, nicely set in in the Arboretum nursery area (and also the home of the world class fence/shed in the first two photos).

Tasty garden treats from Aeriel-el, Wingnut & Curmudgeon!

More of the covered potting area in the nursery. What a handy area!

I'll add the links of others who are likely to have captured more of the actual plant collections.

Thanks, Aeriel-el & SAGBUTTees, for a nice day out!

Post Frost

While I was traveling, DH harvested these pumpkins. There are still some on what's left of the frosted vines. DH didn't want these to get frost bitten while I was off getting poison ivy bitten! In the greenhouse, the twigs of basil-past will be traded out for some lettuce plantings.

The garden, as it was last night.

Happy October

This is a reminder of the beautiful weather we had last week. This week has been different!

Here's Emily harvesting her catnip.

This came from some mixed sunflower seeds. It is the first time I've had one like this. Under all that fluff is a full sunflower seedhead! I didn't expect that.

I'll be away from the keyboard for some days. I'm looking forward to catching up with you then. And you know you'll be seeing Petunia's Pumpkins soon!