It's still December: let's continue to celebrate our gardens

The carved bear and cub was a gift to DD from her husband ,last crismiss.
The garden shown is ours on the border of the neighbors.
He has a bed of weeds with black raspberries for accent.
They have 7 kids and dont garden except for raspberries.
Beyond that is the back yards of 3 neighbors.
Ours is the only house with gardens in that direction.
The people on the other side of the yard do garden and she has beautiful hostas as well as a 150 foot long perennial border.
She's a great gal, we trade plants,

Do you sneak over there in the middle of the night and pull weeds? I keep forgetting that you have no fences between properties. How do you keep from getting their weeds in your landscape?

I petrole every morning. They have raspberry bushes all along the property. I pull the rogues out of my garden.
Its the other stuff thats really a nuicence. Grows tall and had a dandilion type flower green prickly leaves.

Santa needed to bring you a ton of Preen to spread on your neighbors property.

Wow! these are all so beautiful. It really makes me hungry for spring. Just going through this thread and catching up has made me feel warmer. We're having a warmer day today, 24 degrees right now, no sunshine but no wind either which is a blessing. We had to drive through a 1/4 mile stretch of 5' drift yesterday (it had been bladed open of course) to get to my in-law's farm for a late Christmas. It looked so funny to see the tops of the caution signs peaking out of the snowdrift. This is supposed to be the warmest day of the next 7 so I really need your pictures to help me through!

Pirl, in the very top picture, what is the deeper pink up against the house? It's really beautiful as is the rest of your garden. I agree with Sharon on being thankful for Mr. Tidy. My DH is wonderful, but has to be reminded that trash cans are not following him around, he has to find them.

I've not been good about taking pictures and am resolved to do better. I've received a lovely new scrapbook that I may reserve for nothing but garden, and try to be really good about labeling what I photograph. Good resolution for the New Year anyway.

Here are a few spring bulbs.

This is one bed that will need alot of attention next spring, as after this photo it became rather overrun with goldenrod and monarda. I think it's going to take a lot of digging. I also received a peony from a friend, which I put in here, only to discover that some "Bouncing Bet" (I don't know the official name) came along and has now grown up everywhere, despite my persistant pulling. The fact that I wasn't able to get out to the flower beds last summer, 'til almost August, kind of let these more aggressive plants get away. I was just thankful things survived at all, but I'm going to have to do a lot of pulling when the ground finally thaws.

Love your bulbs but that last photo is divine, Willowwind! The pink tall flower in the first photo is the astilbe I mentioned to you. It expands here to an unbelievable degree.

Mr. Tidy is the same way inside. He's Mr. Clorox in spring when he begins his seeds in the basement. The whole house smells of Clorox and even if I put up a pot of chicken stock the Clorox is the major scent for a week. He also does all of the wash and all of the food shopping and he unwraps the chocolate kisses for the cookies.

I keep photos that aren't for show but just for my own personal reference to let me know what is planted and where it is planted.

The cookies that are left (5 I think) are now on a plate with what's left of the lemon nut pound cake. Tonight we had a real meal for the first time since 12/23.

Is there a law that says we can't have cookies and leftover candy kisses for breakfast during Christmas week? I'll add my boxes of Godiva to the mix!

I wondered if that might not be the astilbe...it's beautiful. I've just never seen it so big and beautiful. You must keep it very happy!

What a treat to have Mr. Tidy around. I do get good laundry help, but I try to run in and sort quickly or there's no telling what might end up together. Mr. Tidy certainly does a wonderful job with the chocolate kisses. Those cookies look beautiful and I'm sure would make a wonderful breakfast, accompanied by a nice cup of hot tea or coffee. Yum!

I think we're about out of the holiday treats I like, thank goodness. There's candy left, but I'm not too big on that, so maybe I can get back to healthier eating. I think that's what January is for. Too bad I can't grow veggies in the house.

Well, January is for resolutions to do better and by then many of us will be done with the goodies that tempt us (except for the Godiva!).

Mr. Tidy is also the builder of trellises, tuteurs, etc. and he is quite handy to have around.

One year when he planted the spring lettuce seeds he announced, two days later, that he couldn't believe how they had grown. In error he had the lights on 24 hours a day...so there really is a way to grow veggies indoors!

I think you live in a fantasy. There is not man on the planet that fits that description. If he is for real, I am looking forward to when we can clone something besides sheep.

He also reads and reads and reads - up to 8 hours a day. As long as the work gets done I don't get too crazed. He's also in charge of the dog walking, the dishwasher, setting the table, doling out medicines/vitamins/minerals, dry cleaning, banking and in charge of investments. Sharon and I had enough to do with investments in our business lives!

OK, now I know you are fibbing. No way is all that talent in one man, maybe 10. Are you a polygamist? You are one lucky duck. You had better keep an eye on him. We may kidnap him.

But guess who gets to clean the garage...and it isn't Mr. Tidy !

I am so-o-o impressed. You really have a gem on your hands. I would love to have a builder around, although I can't complain as I have a son-in-law who is amazing with wood. I am lucky too as we never have to call anyone for heating, air-conditioning, or plumbing problems and my husband is quite brave about wading into problems that look so messy I don't want to touch them.

I may have to try the lettuce under lights. I will have some coming up in my cold frame, but it's far too cold for any progress there yet. It's time for me to get pansies planted so maybe I'll sprinkle a bit of lettuce seed around the edges. It really sounds good!

Here's one of the prettiest flowers in my garden...her name is Magnolia! Actually behind her is the one remaining eyesore that needs to be worked on. Someone, long ago, planted honeysuckle here and I haven't gotten it out. It actually climbs clear to the roof in one spot. I need to clean it all out and plant shrubs, but it's fairly shady, so even those may not do well. Any great ideas?

Yes, hire a few laborers because the roots are in the net block. They suck up all the water. Anything will probably grow there after that is gone. I have baby tears that love the shade. Great on the ground or in pots. Strawberries like partial shade. I am not an expert because our temperature in the shade are at last 90 degrees. I have starts for baby tears. Grows like a weed.

Wrong photo. Sorry.

No more cookies for me.
Pirl - YES no holds barred on crismiss week breakfasts.

What a lovely Magnolia you have Willow.
LOL On Mr Tidy, my Dear Ric does litterly all the grocery shopping and cooking, he's a coupon clipper, bargain shopper, too. House work, laundry, builds and fixes he pretty much does what ever needs doing, he's not very tidy though. There isn't a flat surface in the house or barn that he doesn't clutter up and tools and building materials everywhere. LOL

great arbor Holly

Holly -

what a gorgeous arbor! I'll bet the hummingbirds love you!

Well, I guess we take what we get. DH thinks clutter is charming. He basically does nothing but feed the dogs. But when I was ill for close to a year, he babied me everyday. I think he would have spoon feed me if it had been necessary. He is kind to animals, never get angry or drunk. Takes good care of his body by working out at the gym. Barely spends any money so I really have nothing to complain about. I have a handy man I call when I need something done. When DH starts to whimper about, I could do that, I just tell him this a gift for him from me so he will not have to do whatever is being one. I found the handyman when I needed a few things done and I kept getting the same answer. Does it have to be done today? I would answer, no problem honey, anytime you can get around to it would be great. Well you all know what happened then, nothing. So I just love him, take care of him and keep a handyman off the unemployment line. All is good.

Isn't it amazing what gems they all are, even if some of them are more "in the rough".

HollyAnn, your arbor and trumpet vine are just gorgeous. I have a large cedar that I wouldn't mind losing eventually, but it provides a good windbreak for now "til other things gain more size. I've thought about planting a trumpet vine where it could climb up in it. I've read that vines can eventually do trees in, but this is such a tough one I would think it could take a long while, if it ever did. The trumpets would really add some beauty as well as feeding the hummers. Holly, is yours one of the hybrid varieties, or just the common one? The flowers are so perfect it looks like it's a bit more polished than the run-of-the-mill vine, but that might just be the touch of your green thumb.

Sharon, the Baby Tears sound like a great idea. That area actually does have a little wind protection, and shouldn't dry too quickly once I can get the honeysuckle out. I'll miss the fragrance, but not fighting with the vines. I may put a bit of it somewhere out on a far fence where it could ramble all it wants and not hurt anyone. I have a couple of honeysuckles that are much more tame and controlable that I'll enjoy up close.

Watch when you starting digging up that honeysuckle. When i dug mine up I thought it would take a moment. NO, the roots had invade the entire bed, had formed little babies and were ready to burst into the plant from h*ll. I had strawberries and could not come to a reason why they had died. It took me over 3 hours to get rid of the baby plants. They had planted themselves anywhere there was irrigation bubble.

Let me know when you want some baby tears, I have it growing anywhere. You can cut it up and make it into plugs. Maybe it is easy for you to get in Kansas but I had to get mine in California and bring it home. The technical name is helxine soleirolii. I have tried to find the seed with no success. Let me know if you find any seed. I would love to have some. I became acquainted with baby tears because it came in with a plant from the nursery. Garden center tells me it does not grow here. I have it all over the landscape and as long as it does not get the direct sun, it does great. I have had a few batches freeze but places right next to it did not freeze. Got me but it always comes back in the early spring.

Very overcast today. Going to clean my totally upside down home. Have a great day everyone.

Hey, JD! I love cleaning out the garage. I really enjoy organizing and using my old plastic coffee "cans" for other purposes - the ultimate in recycling! He did catch my fever and did a few shelves saying he wouldn't do more than that but he ended up doing all of his shelves! When he labeled the items I knew the clean fever was worth it.

Great Magnolia, Willowwind and one you can enjoy every day of the year.

Honeysuckle! It took longer to eradicate that devil of a beauty than any other plant I've had. It was part of the "inherited landscaping". I wouldn't put anything else there until a few years had passed just to be 100% sure you got out all the roots.

Sharon - a handyman you can count on is worth every dollar. We do have one guy who will do tree trimming and any odd jobs that Jack doesn't want to tackle. Each year our guy does a few more jobs and that's fine with us.

No its a pretty common TV I've had it a very long time. I ordered 2 Wisterias and 1 Trumpet Vine, back then I didn't know the difference and apparently neither did the guy that sent the plants. I planted the 2 similar plants out front and the other one in the side yard. Three years later when they started to bloom I found out that there was a mix up but I wasn't going to dig them up and move them. LOL
TV can be pretty invasive and I do spend some time keeping it in check but I think it is worth the effort. It gets cut back once a year after the bloom just so people don't have to duck to get in the front walk. You are right I can sit out on the front porch and watch the hummers coming and going all day. We have a doves nest in there, too. She sits so quietly that you wouldn't even notice her.

Sharon, I have a friend that has a "not" handy hubby and just loves it. When something needs done she pays them and it all gets done. No waiting, or unfinished projects. My guys can do all kinds of wonderful things but I have learned to be very patient. LOL

Thank you ladies, Magnolia and her little sister Acacia (both named actually for trees) are some of the brightest parts of my landscape, but like the rest of my flowers, they need a bit of maintanence to keep them happy. That's, of course, part of the fun!

Now for that awful corner behind her...I'm afraid I really do have a job coming to get it out (the honeysuckle) for all I know it may have been there since the first part of this house was built back in 1927. The good part is that I've not seen too much of the vine spreading out to the sides, but there's an odd array of old roses and daylilies here and there that I'll also have to consider. On the very end, right behind Nolie, is a Zephrine Droughin (not spelled right) that has done pretty well in the shade and I'd like to keep going, but I think the others will need more sun, so this is going to be a major excavation in general. I may have a big cook out, invite the kids and their shovels, and try to do it that way. :) Sharon I would love some starts of the Baby Tears. I'll check back with you when it's a bit closer to spring. I think they would make a beautiful ground cover and should do well here if they grow for you. I may need to bring a bit in next winter just in case it freezes here, but that's a fairly protected area. I'll just be sure to plant part of it somewhere else so that if the honeysuckle would come back and need more digging, at least I could re-patch in the Baby Tears. Thank you for the offer.

HollyAnn, you've convinced me to try the Trumpet Vine. Yours is so pretty, and, as I said, I really wouldn't mind if I eventually lost the tree...it could just turn into a God-made trellis that way.

Pirl, you two sound like my Uncle Ted and Aunt Lucena. They had wonderful gardens and Uncle Ted could build anything and loved maintaining their very sizeable yard, but they always had a handyman named Mac. We children, (my cousins, sisters and I) used to tag along behind Mac constantly, as he also helped several other of my uncles as well as my Grandparents. Poor Mac never had a quiet minute, but we all learned alot from him. He was one of the gentlest, sweetest and most patient men I've ever known.

This is Charlotte, one of the other roses caught in the honeysuckle web. It's done alright on its own there, but is diminishing some every year so I really need to get it out into the sunshine. At least I know it can put up with some root competition so I should be able to plant around it.

Willowwind, If you still think you want one come summer just D-mail me and I will send you a rooted cutting (or 10). LOL

Thank you so much HollyAnn. I just wrote that down on my notebook so I'll remember. I really would love one of yours as obviously it's a great one. I probably won't need 10, but thank you for the offer. :)

Last summer was so hectic for me and I had a few promised that didn't get sent out. So I will get an early start this year before things get too overgrown to send. It would be my pleasure to send you some. Ladygardener who posts on the MA Forum has one that grows in a tree. She has posted a few pictures you could D-mail her and ask about it.

Removing the honeysuckle is a good job for sitting in one spot for a day and digging, tracing the underground runners, more digging...all day long. But then watch the area for new eruptions for those you may have missed. I do love honeysuckle and love the memories of it as a child but it's best off in a wild part of the garden (in my opinion).

Oh I hope I don't have that much trouble replanting my Goldflame HS. I put it in a year or two ago. Wasn't really sure where I wanted it. I'm going to transplant it in the spring to the new bed down near the garden.

The BBQ sound like a good idea but I would rent a large, not wimpy, rototiller and tear up the dirt and plant. And then sit down and go through the soil for the roots. I would also water it deeply around that area about three days before to make the tilling easier. Might as well do the whole area.

I agree 100% with Sharon.

I actually pay Pirl monthly to always agree with me.

How much?

Now that I know you can be bought, we should negotiate.

No no no no - I meant, how much are you paying Pirl? I need a cheap- uh, inexpensive- yes-woman.

LOL
(Just don't tease pirl with any blonde jokes or the price goes way up.)

Watch out, JD. Sharon is also a blonde!

My all time favorite blonde joke is about a blonde speeding in her car and she gets pulled over by a female officer who asks for identification. The blonde pulls out a mirror and says, "Yep - that's me". The officer looks in the mirror and says, "Sorry, I didn't realize you are also on the police force".