60°f/15.6°C, mostly clear. Got pretty got, about 80.
It was another garden work day today. I tilled and dug out weeds from around the trellises while Larry put electric fence around his garden. By 4 we were both tired, so took a break by going to town for straw, a cattle panel which we will use as a tomato trellis, and gas for the mower. When we got home I watered all the plants I put in yesterday while Larry mowed. By sunset we were both tired but satisfied with our day's efforts.
Yesterday I filled some of the planters.
Can you see the cattle panel arched in the back of the truck? It's not easy to haul a 16-foot panel in a 6-foot bed!
Many of our irises are out now.
These are the plants i have left to put out: a whole flat of marigolds for the vegetable garden, some Lantana for my big flowerbed, and 2 lavender plants. They rarely survive winters here, so I just consider them an annual.
The chickens were quite unfazed by my tilling but a poor little bob-tailed skink was in an uproar! I made sure he was safe, didn't want to kill the poor guy. I wonder if a chicken nipped his tail? No photos of him as I didn't have my phone with me at the time.
My trusty steed, the tiller. I do a better job with it, Larry says, and he's right. He's too impatient and wants to hurry the job, while I take it slow and let the tiller dig deep.
A few shots from my evening walkabout.
I have planted a lot of oregano as a groundcover for this steep bank.
The herb garden, where I mainly worked yesterday. The blocks in front act as a terracing tool while holding a variety of herbs.
Coneflower and lemon balm decided to put themselves between the walk and the stone wall.
Our first rose to bloom this year, an old-fashioned variety I dug up in Virginia about 40 years ago. My roses had a rough winter, and one is not coming back, sadly.
You may have heard about the chemical spill that happened in West Virginia yesterday. This was about 60 miles from here, and beside the college I attended for my undergraduate degree. The Kanawha Valley has always been known as "Chemical Valley" because of the many chemical companies located there over the years. Most are gone, and this particular plant was in the process of closing when the accident occurred. I have heard no new news about it today, but it is sad that so many were injured, and 2 lost their lives. Names have not been released, at least that I have heard, and I know many people are anxiously waiting to hear, as this state is a close-knit place. Please keep the injured and their families in your hearts and prayers.
Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.
Lovely flowers. Everything is so far ahead of things here.
ReplyDeleteI read about the accident in WV. So many families affected one way or another. Life can change in the blink of an eye.
The last of our snow has gone and most of the frost is out of the ground, but your flower photos encouraged me. Six weeks until frost free date here, but I will probably do the planters Mid May anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou are a busy woman...the irises are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour garden looks lovely. I hadn't heard about the chemical spill. How very sad. Thoughts and prayers to all involved.
ReplyDelete...you have a fabulous collection of iris!!!
ReplyDeleteYour beds are shaping up beautifully. Your hard work shows.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your secret? Where do you get all the power from?
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about that accident...
Your irises and other flowers are looking good. That was a bad spill.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful garden...gardens, excuse me! Lovely flowers and herbs, and due to be luscious veggies too! So sad about chemical spill and those injured...sending healing energies for the earth and people.
ReplyDeleteYou've done some excellent work. I am so happy Spring is here.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the chemicals. It is awful.
I love the image of that 16-foot cattle panel arched in the truck. Seeing your first rose bloom, an old-fashioned variety with 40 years of history, Welldone. It is heartbreaking to hear about the chemical spill in the Kanawha Valley, especially so close to a place that holds your undergraduate memories. Knowing that two lives were lost and many more were injured during what should have been a routine plant closure is incredibly heavy. Keep strong.
ReplyDeleteYou've been very busy, I wondered how far you were from that spill. How very sad.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all of your gardens and how you arrange everything. I am always looking for ideas. I still have a few annuals to pot, but am waiting until after Monday's predicted severe weather. Sad to hear about the chemical spill.
ReplyDelete