Be on the lookout

Keep an eye out for butterfly eggs on Fennel, Queen Anne's Lace and Spicebush. Also if you notice any black and red flat bugs about 1/2" or less, these are ladybug larvae. When they are finished eating, on their favorite, Tansy, you can literally watch them change into ladybugs, right on the leaf!!! You can just pick a leaf with a larva on it and bring it inside to watch the process. Have fun!!!

To find out more about these fascinating bugs, check out this site:



http://www.geocities.com/sseagraves/ladybugfacts.htm

DONE !!!!!!!

I posted this on Babs' blog in thanks for all she gave me for this project. And for whatever reason when I pasted it into my blog it got underlined. ENJOY!!

I took a little liberty here, posting on your blog, as I want you to be the first to see this wonderful sight.

There are no words to convey my deep appreciation for what you have given me - Without your pavers, soil and compost, well, I might have had a few spare moments to myself this spring!!! LOL!!!

Well I can now breathe again - and maybe have a few moments, which I did yesterday, sitting out there during the last of my work. I had John bring a table up front, and took many rest breaks to finally enjoy the new creations!!

This is the path I had put in last summer, with scrap pieces.


And this is the new, improved path!!!!!



These are the veggie beds, with everything growing, OH, so marvelously!!!








This is the front view of the expanse of lawn, which we all enjoyed walking on, from various angles - I don't have one to match the final views!!






This view is from the hedge, to show the comparison with the almost end result, not including the patio!!


And this is the new, expanded view!





And this, TA DA, is what I can now see from the house and upstairs window (with completed patio)!!!








Can't wait for all to see it in person!!!

Finished planting!!

I have officially finished planting the veggie beds, and other edible areas. So much work had to be done. As my daughter hurt her back last month, I ended up doing most of it myself, which left little time for anything else.

I have already been thinning and transplanting seedlings that were planted in April! It has kept me so busy I just have not had time to have many gardeners in to get plants. Hopefully that will be easier to do once I finish the paving, which is well on the way to being done.

And our lettuce crop is just amazing!! The new veggie beds are working so well, I am thrilled to have that area becoming so productive!

I just need to get outside with the camera to share the progress, which hopefully will be done today,a s sun is predicted - FINALLY!!! I have gone through way to many changes of clothing while working out in the rain these past few days!! We figured out a way to set up a travelling umbrella for me to use out front to allow me to work out there in that OH, so hot sun. Previously I was unable to be out there much past 10 as it just gets too hot, but with the umbrella, I can work out there close to 12.

Mini raised beds

Grandpa built mini raised beds for the three kids. Ryan and Katelyn, now called Katimay by me, decided to paint theirs. It was a great outdoor project. These photos are from April 25th.




Ryan did quite well and even got his name on it.




Katimay got more paint on her than on the box,







but then switched over to paper and had a ball.




They both helped to get their layers going. We started with cardboard, then straw, soil, peat and compost.




They each planted a pea plant and some lettuce.


Wait until to see what they are looking like now!!! Need to get some current photos!

Foraging for edibles

This was originally written in April - thought I'd have photos to go with it. Having so much fun trying new foods. Some are quite yummy. Details to follow!

In my quest for finding new edibles I have been doing quite a bit of foraging lately. Unfortunately I have not had my camera with me on all treks.

I have found and tried the following:
Japanese Knotweed, Stinging Nettles, Chicory, Milkweed, Wintercress, Burdock

Where do the days go???!!

Been so very busy - family, grandkid care, gardening, teenager, hubby, friends, housework - how to fit it in? I haven't figured that one out yet, so am taking it moment by moment.

Many of you want to come and get plants/seeds. I have lots to share in that department. I just have not been able to find the time to even keep up with much of anything around here. I am almost finished with my veggie planting. Finally got my peppers in their beds. Have been busy transplanting seedlings, and finalizing all the veggie beds. They have been filling up so fast!!

I am trying to keep up with emails, but not with much success. I will do the best I can. If you have been here before chances are you will get a chance to get in and get more plants, I am giving precedence to those who have already worked here or who are willing to come and lend a hand this season.

The days I am in the garden first thing in the morning are Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. I need help with thinning seedlings and transplanting. I will give the thinned plants to those who help.

Found these photos to let you see some progress with the perennials. I didn't realize I had not downloaded the recent photos from my camera - Will get to it someday, But trust me when I say all the veggies are growing splendidly!!



My white Bleeding Hearts were joined by pink Bleeding hearts this spring and were quite happy for the new company. They blended in so well they look like they have been there forever!!