May 1, 2013

Week 5 - Planting Gladiolus

Another beautiful sunny day today!  Perfect for working in the garden.  Too bad I only had a couple hours.  Today was full of a bunch of small random things.  Let me show you...

I went to see my buddy at Lowe's and he hooked me up with an awesome deal on this 
leftover retaining wall block.  This tan/charcoal color was discontinued this year.
I bought a flat of coleus plants at the vegetable market.  It was 24 plants for $8.  
Score!  I planted some in the woods. 
And some in pots.

I planted 60 of these gladiolus bulbs in various places in the yard.  My MIL gave me 2 last year and I planted them and they were really pretty.  So I decided to go for more.  These are cold hardy so they don't have to be dug up every year.  Thank goodness!!
 I fertilized my rose bushes (and azaleas) with this Bayer All-In-One.  I was sold on this fertilizer 
because it also had insecticide and disease control.   Not all natural, I know.  :(
 My roses have actually been doing really well this year.  Last year the roots were eaten by voles, but 
I was able to save all but two.  I use Knock Out Roses because they are generally no fuss.

I got hubby to pick up 1/4 ton of stone dust on his way home from work.  It's one step 
closer to getting the other flagstone patio area installed.  Yey!  The flagstone in the pic
below is just randomly sitting on top of the gravel.
I also randomly set up a flagstone path from the retaining wall toward the shed.  I always walk that way so I figured why not.  It's not set in place yet, just fooling around with the idea still, but I do like it.
I transplanted a bunch of plants to and fro, but you don't get much from the pics.  I also 
went through a container of Preen.  If you don't know, it's a pre-emergent herbicide that keeps 
weeds from growing. It doesn't kill weeds that are already there, I pull those out by hand.  I've had 
really good luck with Preen in the past.
I also took some time to admire my strawberry plants which are in bloom. :)
 

Thanks for visiting,
          Smart Girl

6 comments:

  1. Wow! May I ask how much land you have? I have an acre and while I wish to keep it natural, it does need some fire mitigation and simple landscaping. I may have to check out that Preen stuff. There were some HUGE lettuce looking weeds last year that mocked me. I love nature but those things annoy me. lol Game on, this year! Ha! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have just under half an acre, but we back up to miles and miles of woods. Oh, just wait until I post some of my before pictures. Our lot was totally overgrown with weeds, bushes, and brush. I've spent a ridiculous amount of time pulling stuff out and cutting things down while my kids play in the yard. I like that my yard still has a really natural feel (no EP Henry patio) but it's way more useable now.

      Delete
  2. You really have a fabulous garden. Love it! The seating area is so pretty.
    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Julia! (And I am pronouncing it correctly in my mind while I'm typing it, lol!)

      Delete
  3. I am so excited to have found your blog through Julie at Being Home! I love love love plants and I see that you share that same passion!! I like forward to journeying along with you!! Coleus Rocks!! Have a great weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I can't wait to check out your garden diaries too!! I should be working in the yard right now, but came inside to download some pics when I saw Julie's fabulous feature of my blog. I love her! I hope you are having a great weekend too.

      Delete