One of my favorite plants in my garden are my clematis. I love how they climb and burst forth in mountains of delightful color. Every year I worry about if they'll make it through the winter, but so far so good. One of them I've had since we moved into the house almost 20 years ago. It's … Continue reading Checking in on the Clematis (and How do I Prune Them??)
Category: Flowers
Assessing Winter’s Damage
While most of the garden has burst forth finally, quite a few things have been mighty slow, while others have obviously not survived the winter. From what I've been hearing, everyone has suffered some loss in the garden from the long, cold, snowy winter. In comparison to some, I think I've fared pretty well since I didn't lose … Continue reading Assessing Winter’s Damage
Spring Colors
While spring may have been late this year, it has been no less beautiful than usual. Many thanks to my husband Steve for these wonderful photos!
Coffee Grounds-What to do With Them?
I was getting coffee and picking up my bakery bread order last weekend at the local coffee shop. Next to the register was this bag of coffee grounds, just inviting me to take it home for the garden. While we're not huge coffee drinkers, we drink enough that there are a few handfuls of grounds headed … Continue reading Coffee Grounds-What to do With Them?
Visiting the Morton Arboretum Annual Plant Sale
For me, the yearly Morton Arboretum Arbor Day Plant Sale is like sending a kid into a candy store. So many wonderful plants to pick from, some special ones that can be pre-ordered by members, and others that everyone can just go and select. Many of my best plants have come from there. Back in early February, still in the … Continue reading Visiting the Morton Arboretum Annual Plant Sale
Creeping Thyme Problems
When we first redid the landscape along the back of the house, we included a small stone walkway to get to the spigot. It was a full sun location, and needed to take some light foot traffic. We settled on Creeping Thyme. I thought it was no maintenance, but over the years it become more … Continue reading Creeping Thyme Problems
Spring Sedums
This winter was a particularly harsh one, so as new growth is starting I'm excited to see what has survived. Over the last few years, I've planted a number of sedums in hot dry areas that other plants have not fared well in. I also have almost too many Sedum "Autumn Joy" around the yard. … Continue reading Spring Sedums
Starting My Seeds Indoors
This weekend I finally had time to get my seeds and seed starting materials out to get them started indoors. I usually try and plant vegetables like cucumbers and summer squash that I have trouble finding in stores, but I buy my tomatoes and pepper plants from a local nursery who has a great selection. … Continue reading Starting My Seeds Indoors
Seeds are in the House
After spending quite a bit of time pouring over seed catalogs, I finally sent in my seed orders. I had lots of new seed catalogs come to the house, and some more companies I just visited on-line, making the choices this year really tough. Ultimately, I went with some Burpee stand by's and the rest from … Continue reading Seeds are in the House
More Grocery Store Cheer
What to do when it is dreary, cold and snowy outside and no inspiration is to be found. Plus the roads are a mess, so it's hard to get anywhere. Time for Peggy to go back to Meijer's, pick up a few staples and see what's in the flower section. … Continue reading More Grocery Store Cheer