What's Happening in your neck of the woods?

Hope everyones day went well .. so far so good here ^_^

Busy as we are .. had enough time to help (a bit) with the electric fence around the veg garden .. ever since I got the email re 'the BROWN RECLUSE Spider' I have started limiting my forays away from the yard and into the garden and or wood piles !!!
Dead headed lotsa pansies (first post planting die off) .. and marvelled at the INTENSE Colours of the Tuberous Begonias .. gonna have to take some pics ...
Got the inner compound grass cut and Lorna trimmed it all out .. should look aces for a couple of days .. this time of year the grass just flourishes. ..

Couple of more appts tomorrow .. hoping to get back to swimming Wednesday ...

Betty .. you had quite the weekend !!!! My son has 2 Boston Bull Terriers .. NEVER would I EVER agree to watch them .. they are NUTSO !!! HYPER to the max ...

Trying to wave my 'magic munchie wand' and whip up something for supper ... LoL

Take care

~M~

I took the easy way out "M" they have lean cusine on 2 for $4.00, I've no time for cooking ..when I start itching for a home cooked meal I'll have to invite myself somewhere...lol

As for the doggies, think my furries are just getting back to normal..was going to ask Greg/Mel if they'd look after Sailor for me but the poor thing just couldn't take it..have to give Cathy a call and book her for the 24th for 4 days..yep..it's not the breed it was just the overgrown puppy.. you'll have your hands full 'M' typing this with a smile...

Well, have the firepit burning, load of clothes in the washer, did all my cleaning inside before I left for work..got my painting jammies on and rather than paint downstairs going to take my projects upstairs so I can sit comfortably on the chesterfield...

Jen, your days of working must soon be coming to a halt..

Carol, how are you feeling sweetie, sending soft hugs and prayers...

Better not get too comfy or I'll get nothing done..

yes betty pretty soon.. I have one more shift on wed this week then so far 2 next week and thats it... Hubby said we might go look for a computer tower tomorrow, I just cant get off this laptop soon enough.. I dont know how anyone owns these things.. I know its a personal choice but there not for me, I need a mouse...
My baby shower is on the 27 of this month, I'm starting to get excited for that.. Then soon enough the baby will be here.. My two brothers in law are coming down for the first week on july, one with his girlfriend also.. So we'll have a full house that week... I dont mind the company, Hubby even took a 4 day weekend so it should be a fun time..
My garden is slowly starting to come up, some are taking off like crazy and some seem to be slow moving.. I'll post pics when i get my computer, I wouldn't even try to work with this one...

Jen, you can use a mouse with a laptop can't you..I seem to recall Kyle doing so!

Same here, seems when I look out at the gardens all I see is yellow and white....wanted to purchase perrenials in 'red' tones..now reds are hard to come by..any suggestions..

Nothing like a baby shower to lift your spirits..hope you get spoilt same as the baby does...my sister doesn't give baby gifts, she always prepares a box of goodies for the mom or gets spa certificates..I think that's neat..moms need every bit of baby'ing as does the baby...

This message was edited Jun 15, 2010 6:18 AM

My laptop has a wireless mouse and i LOVE it. Has a stick that goes into a port on the side, and the mouse is portable. I am totally useless with the 'touchpad' !! In fact, I have disabled it as I learned I was 'grazing' it with one of my thumbs in such a way as to lose posts !!
I have a Dell, and I can honestly say I really do like this laptop. Fingers crossed I didn't jinx myself ^_^

I went a bit 1960's re my colour palate and flowers this year .. I have NO scheme .. just bunches and bunches of every colour you can imagine ... love it ..

Dreary morning, so far, appts starting at 8am .. should be home by 3pm .. gosh .. can hardly wait for all this to let up a bit, that'll be in July.

Enjoy your day everyone, stay safe ..

~M~

Will need a new computer before too long, maybe that's something I could ask for as Christmas is coming right? yikes, we'll soon be on the downswing for that..lol..maybe I should play with Kyles' when is is over visiting and see if I can't adapt..

Know about color here and there..right now YELLOW seems to be the color of the day...

Enjoy your day "M"...it's sunny here but only 16...rain for tomorrow..

I agree about those touchpads on lap tops - hate them. I occasionally use one fromt= the Hort Society that has the wireless mouse and it is great. ( I have a wireless kepboard and mouse at home)

Betty I am doing OK. Big empty space in the house though. Bailey and I went to class last night, only 4 of us there. When I came in trainer ( who knew) looked at me and was obviously going to come give me a hug and then said No Im not going there because you will start and then I will start ( crying!) So that was OK! I was going to start a new class in two weeks with an eye to putting the dogs in trials this summer ( This is Rally obedience) but I have decided to take a break.

Gloomy day yesterday and has rained intermittantly overnight and probably thru'out the day. I think I might take Bailey and go visit a couple of greenhouses!

Here is 'Molly The Witch' a species peony blooming I have had her for about 6 yrs and last year was the first bloom. Very delicate.

I have a Dell laptop as well, Marilynne, and I love it. I am not good with the touchpad either. But my optical mouse works fine with it.

Lots blooming here as well. Begonias, lilies and of course, the hanging baskets. Starting to look pretty good around the garden, with lots more to come yet. Love it; wish we could have summer all the time. ^_^

Don, has BC been affected by those red lily beetles that have been eating all our lillies? such a nice time of year isn't it..

Glad you are filling in your day Carol...do you think you might after some time passes keep one of your shelter doggies?

No sign of them in my garden here in the Southern Interior.

ya i know you can get a mouse for laptops but my step daughter likes the touch pad, and to buy one only for a week seems like a waste of money.. We will have our computer for sure by Friday, i can cope till then..

I have a good selection of colors
cannas (red, orange, yellow, and white)
Hibiscus' (pink and red)
calla lilies (white, red, and orange)
toad lilies (first year color unknown)
day lilies and tiger lilies (red and orange)
clematis (white, purple and pink)
passiflora (light purple)

My problem is i have nothing from the black or blue color family.. I just got a few cuttings of a black lace elderberry bush, hopefully they root and I'll have something anyways.. Although some canna leaves are very dark and could be considered black I really want flowers..

Have you seen the black iris' wow they are stunning (midnight something i think) or the blues.. Hopefully they will be added to my collection soon.. I just wish they lasted all summer.. Any idea how to make Hydrangea blue.. I have some that should be blue with white edges but they just come out white...
jen

That's the thing with lillies isn't it? The bloom for such a short period of time..I'll have to stop in at the nursery in the morning and find out what perrenials they have in red...need some badly...

July 1st. Elmvale have their street festival, I usually purchase all kinds of oriental lillies and a bargain basement $$$$, not so sure I will this year though..boo hoo so sad...

Don, lucky you, having a heck of a time even with spray...I won't even mention the ant hills out back...yikes, they are taking over..

Thanks for the tip Marilynne about disabling the touchpad. I have a mouse and hate the touchpad - I keep brushing it with a sleeve or finger and end up in the weirdest places. Didn't even think that I could disable it - I will look for that. Blowing a gale in NB today but nice and sunny. Should keep the bugs away - I have to mow the lawn tonight.
My favourite red perrennial by far is bee balm. Spreads a lot but is easy to control cause the roots grow close to the surface. The hummingbirds prefer it to anything else.

Growum .. my taskbar is on the bottom of my screen .. double click the 'touch pad icon' and BAM .. things I never knew were there are there LoL

Betty .. flippin ANTS are prolific this year .. gads .. large hills where none have ever been .. my fave 'ANT ANTACID' is gas .. however .. like vinegar, gas kills EVERYTHING in a certain wee radius. Ren Molnar (the guy on the radio on Saturday mornings, at least here in TBay) has a recipe using baking soda and sugar .. only thing is .. you have to keep the mixture DRY .. I did try .. it did work .. but .. so did a couple of ant traps .. put in areas that no little 'furry paws' could reach.
We are also missing our 'Flickers' this year...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Flicker
They would gobble up ants like mad .. DH says the Crows have chased them away ...

Jen .. good luck with the puter .. so many decisions .. just know you'll be happy having it back.
Re the black flowers .. few and far between fer sure .. have seen black pansies at the cemetery planted around a head stone near my parents headstone .. I must say they are quite stunning .. have NO idea where they were purchased.
Am wondering if they were started from seed ?

Have a very BRISK wind blowing from the east off Lake Superior .. brrrrrrrrrrr ..... even 20 miles from the big old lake we can feel the temperature moderation ..tstorms are predicted, believe when I hear it ..

Carol .. I can almost SMELL the fragrance from that peony .. lovely pic, almost looks like a wild rose ^_^

Off to make supper

Take care

~M~

I have a bag my girlfriend gave me "M" with baking soda and sugar..was just worried the kitties might get into it..

Did purchase a spray at Canadian Tire, did the large ant hills, worked like a charm, however, think all it did was tell them to relocate...calling for a storm tonight, could go put some powder down but guess I should do it when there is no rain in the forecast for a few days...

Too funny, phone rang as I was typing, it was Noah asking if he could come and stay here for 2 or 3 days, told him 'of course-anytime, door always open' then I asked how come???? guess brother Kyle hasn't been in a good mood of late, Noah says Kyle won't leave him alonge..Noah's 12 and Kyle's 14 so trouble with brothers, at least for now..knowing Noah he'll be home by morning..in the meantime, I get to enjoy his company..lol

Kids, aren't they grand...

I looked and looked for somewhere to turn off the touchpad and then out of the blue I remember my daughter telling me about a button, sure enough right beside the touchpad is a button to press and presto touchpad disabled. Wow I even typed this without loosing anything or going anywhere else. Cool!

AWESOME growum ^_^
I haven't lost a post since I disabled that button .. I did, at times use it for scrolling up or down, but am content using my mouse for that ..

Dang me!! Does anyone want some CROWS !!! They start their bellering at 5:30 every morning, and with the arrival of their babies it's even worse !!
Ah well .. needed to be up early anyway ..

Take care all

~M~

Oh I had crows build a nest right near the house one year - what a racket! Always thought the babies were crying Ma Ma Ma and yes they certainly start early. Once they were gone we went back in the woods and cut the tree down so they wouldn't use the same place the next year. Got some satisfaction from that anyway.
Beautiful day in NB today with high of 27°. Still very cold at night though only 4° when I got up this morning. Off to work now - will be a quiet day - all the bosses are at a meeting today so there won't be much work done.

Can just see you cutting down the tree with a big smile...lol..too cute!

Raining heavy here this morning, winds up and it's only 14...would have been a great day to call in sick and stay in jammies, good book or a crafty thing and just enjoy..mentioned it to Noah, he said 'grandma, our exams are finished I could stay with you!' yikes how tempting that was...

Ahhh Crows, Came outside a couple of days ago to find my robins screching at the top of their lungs. I looked up and there was a dang crow in their nest!!!! I grabbed the hose and turned my watering wand to a "jet spray" and pointed it in the air at the Crow till it left!!
The robins have not been back so I think I am too late for saving this batch. I was wondering if I used a wire big enough for the Robins but too small for the Crows if I could protect this nest. This weekend I will pull out the big ladder and have a go. This year there are too many Crows and "Skunk Pheasants" Magpies. They chase away all my song birds.
Unfortunatly I can't cut down this tree as it shades my home from the South sun and means I don't need airconditioning. It's my green solution.

Has anyone tried the Neem oil for the ants? I think I will try and see what happens.
Ann

I bought Neem oil spray for the lily beetles, should try spraying on the ant hills..still raining here..originally the were saying we'd have a nice weekend, just noticed rain and thunder storm for Saturday..going to ask for 2 days during the week as a trade off for working Sat/Sun...

Light wind and sunshine, low temps..nice day to be home working in the gardens...with rain almost every weekend I've not touched the front gardens, of course it's mostly greens because of the shade, perhaps I'll attempt some weeding and cleaning tonight...

What are you all up to?

Rain, rain, rain!!!!

Oh it is so frustrating not to be able to get out in the garden. I still have areas not cleaned up and plants to get in. Last wekend was nice but I was pretty busy, this weekend again suppose to be nice so hope I can work around my comittments and get out and get some dirt under my fingernails.

I am a garden competition judge again this year so last night was an information session at the hort office. Judging weekend is the 2nd week in July but we will not have our assignments until abut July 7 after the entry deadline.

This is Limi's last day here, his new 'Mom' will be driving down from Edmonton tomorrow morning to pick him up. And a friend ( and former foster for ASR) will be in town and we will have lunch and if the sun comes out spend a little time in the garden!

You enjoy your day Carol..now tell me, are these individuals who have their gardens judged already picked to show them off??? what would you look for, design, creativity???? this does interest me..wonder where my gardens would be on the display scale..lol

Betty one enters a category ( or more usually a number of categories) in the competition - there are 14 altogether. The categories are small,midsize, large and seniors garden ( that is the total garden) Also: Containers, curb appeal, newly landscaped by homeowner, outdoor living, perennial, plant lovers, shade, edible(i .e. veggie etc) water garden, waterwise garden.

On judging weekend groups of two judges judge all gardens in that category Judging is a point system with several categories and points within each for a total of 100 points. To get a first place you must have over 100 points - high points wins, then 2nd and 3rd place.

The categories are Overall Impact and Appearance: Visual Impact,Atmosphere,Originality,Flow/Cohesiveness,Special Features/Focal points for a total of 25.
Use of Space: Balance/Proportion, Transitions, Integration of Hardscapes for a total of 15 points.
Selection of Plant Material:Variety of Plants,variety of Foliage, Health and Vigor, Appropriateness for Shade, Plant Combinations, maturity total 30 points.
Uses of Plant Material: Textural Contrast, Color Palette, Seasonality, Layering for 20 points total
Horticultural practices: 1 point each for things like rainbarrels, mulch, drought tolerant plants, irrigation, compost etc. total 10 points.
Within each element judges have a range of 1-5 points to award.

Sounds so very interesting, the garden show I was asked to participate in isn't judged or at least I don't think they are...it's just an opportunity to walk through community gardens and see what each has to offer..now I could be wrong..think the person who is having their gardens judged would be under a tremendous amount of pressure..

Betty we have that also - Open Gardens once a month from May to Sept.

Well having been a competitor I have to say yes there is pressure but probably much more than necessary. We dont get a huge number of entries (in fact it is a concern at the moment) but mainly because people I think are intimidated - they think they will be competing against gardeners with tons of experience and gorgeous gardens but in fact that is not so - those people dont bother to enter! Of course you never know what your competition is and sometimes there might be only 3-4 entries in a category.

I enjoy it - first just getting your garden to the point where you are happy to invite the world to see it, second to get the coments of the judges, third - if you win - to have hundreds of people walk thru your gardens and chat with them - in fact that is the bit I most enjoy! (Of course if you dont win anything you dont get that opportunity !) And I personally always have a plant - I give my self 3-4 years between entries and then I can work on changes I want to make. Right now I am in the 2nd year of the next plan! 2012 is the target date!That is probably the last time I will enter.

There was a fellow here, in his eighties when I met him some years ago, a retired lawyer, had a lovely garden, always entered a few categories every year. I asked him why and he said because it gave him a goal to work towards! Good thinking!

I am painting this afternoon- getting Fancy's memory box finished.

Can you share a photo of it when you have it completed Carol, what a lovely thought...

When I first moved to the house I'm in 5 years ago, run down shack that it was, there was but a few iris ..I would visit my neighbor Bernice and dream about her gardens...and do you know, 5 years later she says she comes to sit in mine and wishes hers would be as lovely...that's a high compliment knowing it's from her, so I continue my goal, areas to walk and areas to sit...for me it's an achievement but for on-lookers ????

just bought some weeper hose for the garden, hopefully this will allow me to keep it wet and not water twice a day.. Anyone use them?? I just cant get up the energy to drag the hose to the back of the yard anymore.. Plus in a few weeks with a little one i just wont have time...
when ever someone says anything about a garden competition, i think of Denis the menis the movie where george wins the garden award and everyone comes to see his flower open but then they all miss it lol...

What a gorgeous day here in Thunder Bay !!! 25C .. very light wind .. a joy ^_^

Got some dead heading done, took some pics too .. thing is .. these pots are only a week old .. but .. the Sweet Potato vine is so nice :)

Smokey is/was on a roll today !! 3 mice and a chipmunk !!! He just HAS to bring them up onto the patio and show them off ... UGggggggggggggggggggggg ...

Anyway .. 3 pics ... #1 some of the tuberous begonia ..

~M~

This would be PANSIES ^_^


~M~

The soaker hoses work like a charm - we used them all the time for the vegetable gardens, much better than a sprinkler or standing there holding a hose. Just turn it on a leave it alone. Will only soak 4-5 inches around the hose so you have to lay it close to the plants. Worked great in a straight bed, we would lay the hose and then plant right close to it. Imagine it would work OK just weaved around in a flower bed. Also had one of those drip systems for the greenhouse that work well to, you could adjust the flow for different areas. I still have all this stuff just not using it this year - yet. Thought about selling it all but decided I will keep it till I decide what I am doing.
Rainy all day today till about 5 pm - just when I was leaving work when the sun started to shine. To wet to do anything outside other than have a walk around and see what will be done next. Hoping for a nice weekend.

so the soaker hose is going back to the store :( the first 50 feet works great, its the last 100 ft that didn't do much of anything.. Doesn't make sense to keep any if the 50 ft that works is the easiest to water.. I could move it to the back of the yard, but then i still have to drag the hose out there... I'm a bit sad, thinking I was getting out of watering everyday.. Now i have to wrap up the 150ft of hose and water with my garden hose, then i have to sprinkle some slug bait to get rid of them, There eating all my cannas.. I just cant win today...

You may not have enough water pressure for that length of hose

I have an underground system thruout my yard including soaker hose ( instead of sprinklers) in the raised beds of the veggie garden and the surrounding flower beds.. There are 12 stations in all and I can only do one station at a time ( thats several sprinklers depending on location) because of water pressure. So there are 6 stations in the front yard and 6 in the back
Each station is on for only 15 minutes and since they cross over every area gets 30 minutes ( except the veggie which I do seperately)

I do have a hose run from the outlet at the side of the house back to the veggie garden area - it just runs along the fence at the back of the flower bed and I hook it up when I want it ( there are a couple of beds with no water access and sometimes want to wash the car) It lives there permanently and is pretty invisible. Maybe you could do that and hook up your soaker hoses to the end of the regular hose?

We never used anything longer that 50' so yes I can see that the longer wouldn't work as well. We also had straight beds on a bit of a slant. Hooked them together with connectors and ran off one hose.
Too bad it didn't work for you and I sure know where you are coming from with the slugs. They are absolutely the worst here. Have tried everything! Spent one year with a salt shaker in my pocket ( mostly in my hand ), just a couple of grains turn them to moosh. Ammonia works too - in a spray bottle and it turns to nitrogen in the soil so is better than salt in that regard. And bait, and traps, and picking them and dropping then into soapy water - it all works - if you only have 5 slugs but with 5 milllion they keep on coming.

Betty: Fancy's Memory Box.On the inside of the boxlid is a picture and a poem.
The box holds her leash and collar, hair samples and her ashes.

It's beautiful Carol. I don't want her to be gone. So sorry.

Carol, it's beautiful, a loving tribute to Fancy! I'm sure it was difficult for you to paint and I'm sure many a tear ...perhaps I should start one for Sailor so that when the time comes it will be done...

What I wouldn't give for underground sprinkler system...I'm on town water, always lots of pressure but then I only work with a hose about 100ft. long..one year perhaps I'll get it...

Saw that the municipality next to mine has put a water restriction for watering, odd and even numbers, should check, don't think mine has one in effect right now...

It's beautiful out there today, 26 and light breeze, are calling for rain tomorrow though..as always, looking for a project to do, NOT that I don't have 20 on the go to take with me to Ohio next Thursday for the gals at the reunion, but just incase I run out of something to do, I've a little corner in my world that I can see the neighbors yard yuk and more yuk, they've been trying to keep their main yard clean but right on the side of their garage that abuts to my yard, they stalk all the garbage so I've ordered cement/ 4x4's and headers to make a primitive arch opening so I can get to the side of the house to cut grass, then I'll pick up some shrubs for either side and that should unless you are sitting on the decks be hidden from the junk...

Big object pick up this week I believe, can't put it out until Sunday night so let's hope they decide to put most of this heap out at the curb...

Now what do you all have planned...

Carol
Lovely memory box for Fancy! You are very talented!

This weekend is Daughter Nicole's 13 BD, here we go into the teens with a big bash tomorrow. We rented the pool that is 2 blocks from the house to wear the girls out first then back to the house for a bbq and cake then all but two will be going home.
Cousin and 1 friend are sleeping over, outside in our tent.
Some parents will come when the food comes out and stay for wine and cake. As per usual the silly leaf roller psyllids are here again and true to form it looks like the major drop day will be tomorrow! I thought all the cold weather might have slowed them down but noooooo. I'd better get out the big umbrellas to protect folks. They don't hurt just kinda gross.
Garden is starting to look better after a really late start so I'm hoping it looks good for tomorrow. I don't seem to be able to stop buying???

For those of you interested: spraying a Neem solution on my Columbine's the little worms seem to be done in. I just thought i would try it and it seems to have worked. I followed the instructions and sprayed where I could see damage and today the damage has not increased with the little bugs not moving at all.
Will keep you posted on the Ant responsse.
Ann

What a beautiful memory box for Fancy!

Really hot in NB today, it is 40° on my deck right now. Going to take my book and sit under the maple tree in the shade for awhile. Too hot to do anything else right now. Air conditioning is cranked so high at work I have to wear a sweater so really mind the heat when I come home. Poor dog is just sprawled on the floor - she is a winter dog and really doesn't like summer much. May end up in the truck where there is air conditioning and off to the beach.