http://alice paul institute

HIT THE DECK

After all the rain I could not believe that grass could grow that high in just two weeks. It was 8-10 inches tall and the newly planted annuals were lost amidst the managerie. Two lawn movers and aching backs later we restored normalcy. The plants are all doing well drinking up the bounty of the skies benefits. I planted three flats of annual, and some seeds and barely made a dent in my dreams of a new garden. I spent nearly the whole day outdoors and loved it, see weeding and beautifying is not a task for me.

Nasturtiums have always been relagated to containers, this year hanging pots on the deck. Found some white and green marigold seeds, hope that they get a start in the beds before the heat arrives. It's a gamble. Decided on three cherry tomatoe plants for one twenty four inch pot but I could thin them, I suppose. Took some time today to go looking for deck furniture found the best adriondack chairs made of composite materials that cost as much as indoor furniture. The budget for outdoor stuff will probably mean sitting in plastic chairs once again. That is not the worst thing in the world. As long as there is plenty of good food and cool drinks, who cares?

The local nursery was looking for extra help, I admit I considered it. How many folks are going to agree to work weekends? This might be one way to start the next chapter in my autobiography. Humm.

Wanted to go to see the Star Trek movie based on the reccomendations of Chicken Scratch's early opinion. Of course, he is biased, but he was not the only one who reccomended it. With 75.5 million in ticket sales reported for the weekend, someone likes it. Even my sister wanted to go again......go figure? Had lunch with my mom, sis, her daughter and husband who was a riot. Then to the hospital to pay my respects to a friends mom. A very busy day!

More gardening questions for you experienced toilers. How many tomatoes can I put into one deck pot that is twenty four inches tall and about as wide? One cherry tomatoe, two or three?
I am used to gardening in the earth, not containers. I am sure Pax can sign in on this one.

I used the break in the rain to plan a flat of zinnias in the back. They are cinnamon and whit striped. I found seeds for white marigolds, sunflowers and nasturtiums that will be added to the soil and deck containers this weekend. I cannot wait for some sunny weather to enjoy the outdoors. But first I must find some furniture. Adirondack chairs, or maybe the retro metal chairs of the 1950's. Most stuff looks like it would not last more than one season or is over 500.00 f0r table and chairs. I plan to arrange a seating area on one side and a dining area on the other. Never had such a nice deck. I an invision the margarita's flowing and the tapas for all of you who helped me move in. Soon as the rain let's up.

Rain, rain, rain

I took advantage of the break in the rain yesterday afternoon to finish some weeding and applied patch grass applications wherever it was need. Despite the aforementioned remarks I have never seen a lawn as nice anywhere, except maybe a golf course. Thank Goodness, it rained as I awoke, no watering needed. Despite all the rain this spring there were two azalea bushes, maybe three that had died. When I extricated them from the soil it appeared that the roots were as bound together as they were when they left a nursery. No wonder. Does anyone else have difficulty with perennials and small shrubs burning out with the ever changing climate. Maybe azaleas can only thrive in a micro climate that provides shelter from the brightest sun. Hope that the soon to bloom peonies and hydrangeas do better. I never did go our for the herbs and tomatoes that I wanted to fill deck containers today. Just stayed in pajamas and read a good book. Made dinner, read a book, watched baseball and read a book. A good day, despite the rain!
How did you spend your Sunday? (ironic, don't you think?).

Arbor Day = Garden Day

Last Friday I took a vacation day and the weather could not have been more perfect. Each year at Arbor Day I try to plant a tree, if not a tree, then a shrub or something that will grow to beautify the earth and decrease CO2 emissions. Each time I have moved to a new home I have vigorously dove into gardening chores, and this year was no exception. After cutting grass that was eight inches tall, I planted a 3' red japanese maple sapling. Trying to be frugal and honestly its easier to transplant a smaller tree. Then it was on to a beautiful red azalea bush for a corner of the porch that needed a lift. The borders were cleaned for annuals yet to be determined; the mulch applied to finished beds. I was tired and muscles ached but yet it was a happy day. I f everyone of us planted just one tree...OK I give this retoric every year. The very next day the heat spike to the 90's.
Now it's on to the dead limbs of towering white pines along the back of the property. Those limbs close to the ground have been brutally chopped by neighbors presumably and many lower limbs are dead. I am trying to remove them but as I told Shoebee I am intimidated by power tools. String trimmers not withstanding.
Settlling into this new house has its challenges and I guess I need to give it more time. It's a long long way from the Garden of Eden. By the way I have not even driven by the old garden/house to see what it looks like. I am sure it's beautful as the trees there are maturing and a miriad of colors in spring. With time and God's blessing I can do that again, no problem. Happy planting to you gardeners out there.