Critter Update

It was warm enough for the first of the actual gardening tonight.  Thanks for the tomatoes, Jeanne!

Instead of a garden update, though, we have a critter update.  Not Petunia, but these little spiders. 



And where are they living?  In the critter hotel that sits along the fence line by the garden.  The recycled planter boxes are my solution to a "green roof." Two other boxes form one of the layers in the structure.  

I started this years a few years ago after seeing one on another blog.  Here is an information sheet on them, too.

January Garden Progress

This was the garden on Saturday, after no garden tending for months and months.  The wind blew down the climbing bean structure and I'd never trimmed up the flower and herb stalks or taken down the peas and tomato supports.   I didn't know when I'd have time to do what needed done, so hadn't started.

But, then I decided I could put the greenhouse panels back in place while it wasn't raining.  Maybe I could remove the bean and pea structures since I was out there, and just some of the trimming ....

And then remembered the jute green coffee bags still in the truck.   Easy enough to put down fresh ones to cover the weeds and open up the paths between the beds.   Getting access for light, air and the gardener is one step forward in my garden.  This will make spring prep on the garden beds that much easier.

It is a little hard to tell, but the beds are about 4 feet wide and the pathways are about 2 feet.  Not all of the pathways got covered before dark, but now the bags in place can be doing there thing even in the rain.

Click on the Garden-Monthly Photo label below to see the garden at other times.

Greenhouse To-Do

Winter winds took out a number of the greenhouse panels. There hasn't been the time or the weather to get them back in place. With the interruptions last year, I'm more than ready for a fresh start to the garden. This is a good place to begin.


Fortunately, the panels were not destroyed. I collected them, and all the little clips that hold them in place (most of the time), and they are in my part of the barn (also in need of a fresh start).


The attached shelving and the brace for the stained glass probably helped the structure stay in place. It also helps that we don't have the winds o' Kansas to contend with! Check out this greenhouse post about the new greenhouse of my former neighbor and original owner of my greenhouse!!

Click on the Greenhouse label below to see other greenhouse posts.

Last Pumpkin

With the 2010 garden-lite season, I'm down to my last pumpkin. DH doesn't eat pumpkin, but my Mother and her neighbor have already been clear about pumpkin pie expectations for Christmas.

Cooking this one... and planning for the full garden / pumpkin patch experience for the 2011 garden.

From the November Snow

No, not today. This is to remind me of the Nov 22/23, 2010 weather event. Still had the patio table out, as you can see. I liked the way the snow collected on the chair arms. Hope that's it for the winter, though!

It's Snowtime

Earlier today, the only place accumulating the light snow was the catnip growing behind the garage. Now, however, I see the patio table is collecting it. Hope it isn't too scary by morning.

This is after the wind came through on Monday evening and removed leaves and limbs from trees and panels from greenhouses.

Happy Pumpkin Day!

Along with the rest of the garden, the pumpkin patch was on its own this year. No weeding, no watering. Two pie pumpkins make it through.

We have been having some frosts, so tonight, these guys where harvested just in time to do their duty on the front steps...even if it is just us who will see them! Our sweet neighbors already "treated" us with goodies, before the pumpkins make it out. Enjoy your evening, everyone!

Opening Day of Frost Season

Looked out the window this morning to see frost out on the grass. And in the garden. Guess the trees will really start showing their fall colors now.

Home Again

Nothing quite like that first cup of coffee at home after a vacation... here, in a cup found at Memento Park in Budapest.

We've had lots of moving history, beautiful sights, good food and drink in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany.

Now a beautiful day here at home. Me and my cup of coffee will now go tour the jungle formerly known as Petunia's Garden.

My Garden Looks After Me

What a nice surprise to finally slink out to the garden and find a little dinner (some weeks ago). Without watering (or rain) the beans are not so prolific, especially the runner beans. These purple climbing beans have produced just enough for dinner now and then. The tomatoes probably had too much shade from giant hyssop plants and not enough water for a bumper crop.

I cannot complain. I've left the gardening to the bees this year. ... and Petunia (the snake). They've done a fine job, just to their tastes.

Too many trips and interruptions this summer, but these years happen.

Another (fun) trip later in September and then a good fall garden sort out is on the calendar for October!