A Weekend in the Garden

I've gotten to the point in my life where I actually have to schedule time at home. If I don't, I'll end up committing myself to a million different things and I won't ever get anything done. So, this weekend was scheduled time at home to work on my house.

Projects to be tackled - the front yard & the yoga room closet


The more fun of the two happened most of the time, the garden. I'll do another post on the closet.

Because no one had lived in our house for a while before we bought it, and even the people living in it before didn't really do much to the yard, so I don't think it had been touched for at least 4 years. Azaleas were bunched up in the corner, a japanese maple was too close to the house, a crepe myrtle was in an odd location and there were some wild vines that had grown throughout the flower beds. So a lot of time was spent on clean up. Luckily, after the major mess was done, we were able to plant a new cherry tree, a butterfly bush, two hydrangeas, and two random bushes. We were able to salvage 4 azaleas, a hydrangea and some random bush. I also redid the flower boxes on the windows.

Before - the random bunch of azaleas 

After - a bright green bush, a hydrangea, a darker bush and a butterfly bush

Before - our oddly placed Japanese Maple

Stargazer lillies, hydrangeas, and a cute little frog

It pained us both to cut down the Japanese maple but there was not really a good way to salvage it. So sad. 

Before - randomness

After - just a few bush changes, but I think it makes a difference once you see it all together

Before - dead flower boxes

After - lots of color!

Before - not bad, but just kind of bland

After - salvaged azaleas

Before - bland

After - new life in an empty yard!

It will obviously get better as the bushes/tree grows, but I feel better already. Whew!

Namaste

This is why the south is awesome

Right now, it's sunny and 75 degrees outside. Some of the flowers in my yard are blooming!!!

The only thing I can identify are the daffodils so I can't help on that end. I can't wait to see what else blooms!

It's Spring!!

Ah, spring in the Carolinas... well... spring in the Carolinas means 80 degrees. At least we have a month or two before the big drout.
This will be year #2 for me to plant a garden. Last year was my first attempt, and with help from my grandfather (he is an expert gardener - from Conway/Marion), it was a success. I had a few issues with bugs and lack of water, but I think I've learned my lesson. The only thing I can't ask Granddaddy about is organic gardening because he has no issue using pesticides, so, this part has been a new venture for me.

Last year, my garden had tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, zucchini, and green peppers. I also planted okra and an herb garden which consisted of mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary and basil.

(tomatoes, eggplant)

Okra

I planted this a little later in the summer. Okra likes hot hot heat.

 Herbs: basil, oregano, parsley, mint

I was diligent in watering my plants and as the leaves grew and flowers bloomed, I noticed little white bugs on my cucumber plant.

Yuck. So I did some research and found out they were mealybugs. One article suggested spraying your plant leaves with a combination of dish detergent and water. I did that but I think the combination was too potent because it also ruined the leaves of my plant. That slowed fruit/veggie growth. :(

Next step was to plant African Marigolds. They have a pungent smell that bugs don't like. And they're pretty!!



That worked a little better and I just ignored the remaining bugs. I still dont have a complete answer, but I'm not going to use pesticides, what would be the point?

So this year, I'm planting some different things. I got seeds for canteloupe, watermelon, okra, jelly bean tomatoes (similar to grape), corn, and spinach. I think i'm going to go back to the store and get the strawberry plant too. It's always fun experimenting with different fruits and veggies!! I hope I get a better crop this year. My goal this weekend is to plant those little seeds.

Last night, I planted my herb garden again but because I have flowers in the bed I usually use for herbs, I decided to use a window planter. I'm not putting it in the window though, because these herbs needs a lot of sun!!

Mint

Oregano, basil, dill and cilantro

My little marigolds (pre bloom)

I just added the pic of my fern because I love it and am excited about it :)