Thanks for today.

Backyard Birds--We've Got 'Em Here!

2012-01-23T00:12:00.000-05:00

Every year we look forward to an influx of colorful birds in our yard. The numbers generally pick up in January, and usually coincide with colder temperatures. While birds are here at any given time throughout the year, there is more obvious activity at the feeders during the winter months:

Finches and a Bluebird at one of the feeding stations

What do we do to attract the birds? One thing we do is provide a variety of seeds, nuts and berries in several different bird feeders. Black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower nuts, peanut pieces, safflower seed, nijer seed, and suet is available and enjoyed by many different birds. Here are some birds on the suet feeders:

Downy Woodpecker (female) on suet feeder

Downy Woodpecker (male) on suet feeder

Starling on suet feeder

Carolina Chickadee on suet feeder

Eastern Bluebirds on suet feeder

Here are others on the seed feeders:

Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebirds (Male and Female)

Eastern Bluebirds and House Finch

Red Winged Blackbird

Female Cardinal

Northern Cardinal (male)

Downy Woodpecker (female)

Carolina Wren

Downy Woodpecker and Starling

Chickadee

American Goldfinch

Nijer (Thistle Seed) feeder:

American Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Eastern Bluebird (male)

House Finch (female)

Despite the food offerings, probably the most important thing we do is offer water. Birds love bird seed, but they need water. We started out with a heated birdbath which the birds really love because it prevents the water from freezing over:

Eastern Bluebird (male)

Bluebird (female)

Male House Finch and Female Bluebird

Female (L) and Male (R) Bluebirds

Female Goldfinch

Last summer we also installed a meandering stream. It has proven to be an attractive addition and/or alternative to the birdbath and I've immensely enjoyed watching the birds get to know it:

American Robin

Mourning Dove

House Finch (male) and Goldfinch (male)

Goldfinch (female)

Dark Eyed Juncos

Eastern Bluebird (male) and Junco (male)

Bluebird (female) and Junco (female)

Something else that helps to make the birds feel safe is having some shelter, such as evergreens or bushes/shrubs that don't lose their leaves in the winter. We planted Leyland Cypress on either side of the house, and birds can frequently be seen resting on the bows of the trees, seemingly hidden from sight (except for mine!):

Male (L) and Female (R) Northern Cardinals

We also have holly trees in the front yard, and on either side of the house. This morning I spotted this colorful guy up in the icy-covered branches:

Northern Cardinal (male)

Many birds don't even go to the feeders, but enjoy the food that drops to the ground:

Dark Eyed Junco

~~Tree~~ White Throated Sparrow (I had my short lens on and had to enlarge this photo to see it. Not the clearest photo...)

Even when birds aren't eating, they are simply fun to watch, as they hop on railings, bird feeder poles or tree branches:

House Finch (male)

House Finch (female)

Northern Cardinal (male)

Mourning Dove

American Goldfinch

House Finch and Eastern Bluebird

Eastern Bluebird (male)

Eastern Bluebird (female)

Downy Woodpeckers

White Breasted Nuthatch

Brown Creeper

I hope you've enjoyed these photos--I have captured them all within the past couple of weeks. Our weather has finally gotten cold and we've had a little snow a couple of times and even a minor 'icing'. I've said it before, but I do believe it: Winter is for the birds!

What do you do to attract birds?

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

2012-01-17T00:11:00.000-05:00

Just in time for January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, six of my Hellebore plants have begun to bloom, with the 'Christmas Rose' completely opened:

Helleborus x niger 'Jacob' (Christmas Rose)

Helleborus x nigercors 'HGC Green Corsican' (Winter Rose)

Helleborus hybridus *unknown variety

Helleborus x hybridus 'Red Lady' (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus x hybridus 'Pine Knot Select' (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus x ballardiae 'Pink Frost'

I have many other Hellebores but as yet, they haven't developed buds, so there will (hopefully) be more in February, March and April.

All three of my Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrops) have been blooming:

Galanthus elwesii (Giant Snowdrop)

Galanthus elwesii var.monostichus 'Potter's Prelude' is a November bloomer but didn't develop a flower head this year. Yet to come up out of the ground are three G. nivalis (Common Snowdrop) which bloom much later.

Amaryllis and Paperwhites bloomed around the holidays and are almost finished, but these photos show them when they were at their peak:

Amaryllis hippeastrum 'Red Lion'

Narcissus papyraceus (Paperwhites)

Two of the four African Violets that I grow year-round are in bloom right now:

Saintpaullia (African Violets)

Visit May Dreams Gardens "Garden Bloggers Bloom Day" to see what is blooming in gardens around the world during mid-January.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Fire, Ice, Snow and Bulbs

2012-01-12T22:44:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday found the edges and still sections of our stream glazed over with ice crystals. It was a pretty sight to view up close:
(Click photos to enlarge)

The next day, I awoke extra-early and glanced outside to see an unusually fiery, spectacular sunrise:

There's an old saying that goes, 'Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning'...but that did not end up applying. As it turned out, last Friday was a pretty day and no 'warnings' were necessary.

The dogs spent more time than usual romping around in the back yard. It was not at all cold--quite mild, as I remember--although I don't recall the exact temperature:

James, our Standard Poodle

Ginny, our Miniature Dachshund

Later that afternoon, I remembered the boxes that had been sitting in the garage since mid-November. Their contents were not 'inexpensive' yet I had lazily set them aside, seemingly willing to forget them. The two shipments of spring bulbs had arrived in the mail well into the fall planting season and I had promptly placed them in the garage, where they sat, as one excuse led to another and I (almost) made peace with the fact that they would rot and I'd just throw them all out. Thanksgiving, Christmas and even New Years Day passed by until, finally, this uncommonly beautiful Friday in January jump-started me into taking a look at them. Out of 433 bulbs, only the Erythronium 'Pagoda' had gotten soft and begun to rot. Suddenly I was excited that the remaining bulbs (all 428 of them!) were fine.

When I proclaimed that I would tackle the bulbs on Saturday, I had no idea that I would wake up to what could have passed as spring--maybe even summer in some climates--but that's exactly what happened! It turned out to be a 70 degree day! So in jeans and just a t-shirt, I planted about half of them in the backyard gardens and along the fence in the side yard:

Sunday turned out to be slightly cooler, but 50 degrees was still great bulb-planting weather and jeans and a light jacket were all that were needed. The ground was still workable, so I got everything else in except for 40 Narcissi, the 3 Allium and a few Crocus and Anemone--which I saved for the following day.

What I didn't foresee was that Monday would bring 30 degree temps and snow--and with it, my ski-jacket and wool hat! Nonetheless, I finished the job, planting the remaining bulbs in pots on the deck:

It felt good to have planted hope! I am looking forward to the color they will bring in mid to late winter and early to mid spring!

Additional views of Muscari plantings:

Muscari 'Valerie Finnis' was planted along the top and sides which surround the waterfall

...Iris reticulata plantings along stream edges:

Iris reticulata was planted along the edges of the stream

Since our brief snow on Monday, the weather has remained moderately temperate. Last night we had a long, soaking rain. Today was up into the 60's. I am now wondering if all of the bulbs I planted are going to rot in the ground and pots. When will winter arrive? Here in northern Virginia, it's keeping us guessing. Has it arrived where you live?

*List of Bulbs planted include: 10 Fritillaria meleagris; 3 Allium 'Globemaster'; 30 Anemone blanda 'White Splendour'; 90 Iris reticulata; 30 Scilla siberica; 30 Muscari 'Valerie Finnis'; 30 Dutch Crocus (Blue/White Striped); 100 Species Crocus--50 'Ruby Giant' and 50 'Romance'; and 105 Narcissus--25 'Jetfire', 20 Dutch Master, 20 'Orangery', 20 'Professor Einstein' and 20 'Tahiti'.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

A New Blogging Year Has Begun!

2012-01-01T23:52:00.000-05:00

It's a new year and it's time for me to start spending more time here on the blog and less time procrastinating and (I hate to admit it)...'Facebooking'! Yes, I've become somewhat of a Facebook addict in the last year and I need to ween myself from it and back to writing and sharing what's goin' on in my garden!

I never shared this Monkshood that bloomed from late fall into November! It was a charmer!

Honestly, for months on end I have been taking photos of garden 'happenings', but I haven't bothered to share them. Well, a couple of photos did get uploaded to FB but there were no posts written and a huge backlog has developed in my digital photo files! I don't like to make 'New Year's Resolutions' but this is one promise I am going to try to keep: to blog at least twice a month. If I do more, that will be a bonus! I also blog for the Virginia Gardener Magazine, and that has suffered my neglect, as well. 2012 is going to see me getting back to garden blogging.

I haven't yet blogged about the Snowdrops that began blooming in my garden in November!

I was looking through my files today and noticing that I probably have enough material to write a blog post every day, if I wanted to. I've been thinking about the 'purpose' of my blog, and why I even have one at all.

I haven't shared my trip to NYC with my hubby in early November. We had fun, just the two of us.

It is for many reasons...a journal of what's growing in my gardens~for myself~to keep a record and be able to look back and compare each year. It's also a place to write about anything I choose~not just gardening. I have two kids, two pets, and I could be sharing more of the fun times we all have! Additionally, the online friendships that have developed keep me feeling just a little guilty for having not visited the blogs of many of my garden friends for many months...namely, yours! I plan to rectify that in this new year, as well!

We have some fun times with the pets~especially when we have our annual lobster dinner on New Year's Eve!

So, more blog reading and less Facebook reading...?
Well...maybe not (!) because I've really gotten attached to my FB friends and like to keep up there, too. Many of my garden blogging friends are also my friends on FB, so it is fun to be connected there. What has happened, though, is a severe imbalance has occurred and I need to 'fix' it. Clearly, a change needs to happen! And it will. Of course if you use Facebook yourself and we are already blogging friends, I'd love to be your friend there, too. You can find me through this link: https://www.facebook.com/thanksfor2day (This is my personal profile and I try to keep my friend list manageable but if we already know each other through blogging, I'd be happy to be your FB friend! I've noticed some people have FB friends in the thousands...but I don't think I can function too well if mine goes up above just a couple hundred. I get overwhelmed and have actually had to delete people, not out of meanness, but just to be able to maintain my sanity!).

This is my current Facebook profile picture~ it's my family on Christmas Eve this year...oops, I mean last year, 2011!

I also have a Facebook page and whenever I write a blog post, it automatically uploads to the page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thanks-For-Today/207517115988503 (I don't do a lot of interacting on my FB page but I would certainly appreciate you 'liking' it if you visit!). If you have a FB page and I haven't already 'liked' it, please let me know the link!

This is the photo I use on my Facebook 'Thanks For Today' page

Oh, did I mention that for the past four months I was busy taking Master Gardener classes through my local Extension office? I suppose that got me a little distracted from blogging too. The classes were intense, and there was a lot of reading! I finally graduated in mid-December and am now, officially, a Master Gardener Intern. I will start my Internship next week, and expect that there will be lots of things happening that will provide blogging material, as well. So with winter underway--and less time doing actual gardening--I can 'revisit' my photos from the past several months and catch up on what I never blogged about; share some experiences about my Master Gardening classes and upcoming Internship; and, with spring on the way (hopefully sooner rather than later), we'll all be getting out in the garden again and there will be even more to blog about. So there should be no shortage of thoughts that can be put into words and photos, right?!

Evidence that I'm now an MG Intern! It will still be another YEAR until I'm an official Master Gardener;-) It's a lot of work!

Finally...
Please send me gentle reminders if you notice that I have taken more than two weeks off in the future, ok?!
Thanks! And Happy 2012 to you and yours;-) I hope it's one of the best blogging years yet.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T15:21:00.001-05:00

Today I'm thankful for the flowers that continue to bloom in my mid-November garden:

(*click on photos to enlarge)

...and in the containers, a few colorful blooms also remain:

Yesterday was Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens. Despite a yard full of leaves covering just about every inch of garden space, I wanted to share the few colorful blooms that managed to survive our recent bizarre temperature fluctuations and unusual precipitation in the form of frost, snow and rain, interspersed with temps between the 30's and 70's on any given day.

Now, here is what my gardens REALLY look like right now:

It isn't much to look at, is it?! The leaves continue to fall--and the trees are still mostly full(!) The oaks won't lose their leaves much later...so I will probably not clean up the yard until mid-to-late winter. The leaves serve as a protective cover for the perennials and I like the way the landscape looks when the snow falls on my perennials, so I probably won't cut them back until later, as well. There are a few winter bloomers, such as Hellebore, that I will uncover a bit later, to be sure not to miss those pretty blooms. Everything else can just wait.

Oops, this turned out to be a more 'Wordy' Wednesday than I'd planned...oh well...;-)

Here's wishing you a wonderful week!

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-02T13:26:00.001-04:00

Today I am thankful for a beautifully sunny day in November

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T15:32:00.001-04:00

Well maybe just ~~one~~ two words: Toad Lily

The Toad Lily is also known by its Botanical name, Tricyrtis. This particular hybrid is 'Sinonome'...a cross between T. hirta and T. formosana. This is the first year with it in my garden, and I love it. Ok, so I couldn't be completely wordless. Happy Wednesday;-)

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Still Blooming in September...

2011-09-21T15:44:00.001-04:00

The weather is cooling down and it's been comfortable, in the 60's and 70's, lately. A few days we've even woken up to 45 degrees here in northern VA. The plants are much happier than they were this summer, and I haven't added any additional water in weeks. It has rained on and off, which is just what my garden needed to lose that 'crispy' look.

Aster novae angliae (New England Aster) -- with a friendly fly visitor

Since I didn't get around to posting a 'Bloom-day' post on the 15th, I thought I would do it now because it helps me to keep a record of what's happening in my garden from year to year. I don't have much to write about--so you can just scroll down and view the photos.

Clockwise, from top L: Rudbeckia hirta (the last Black-Eyed Susan bloom), Gaura, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides,
Phlox paniculata 'Andre', Echinacea purpurea 'Pink Double Delight', Veronica spicata 'Royal Candles',
and center: Perovskia (Russian Sage) with Verbena bonariensis (Purpletop Verbane)

Liriope muscari 'variegata' (Variegated Liriope)

Clockwise, from top L: Coreopsis 'Limerick Ruby' (overwintered well here in zone 7-A), Caryopteris (Blue Mist Shrub), Agastache cana 'purple pygmy' (Hummingbird Mint), Rudbeckia laciniata (Tall Yellow Coneflower),
Coreopsis 'Sienna Sunset', and center: Veronica spicata 'icicle' (Spike Speedwell) -- with friend

Agastache 'Purple Pygmy' with a lighter, orangy-yellow Agastache variety that I planted last year,
which I seem to have forgotten the name of.

Carpet Rose (red and pink varieties) and hips from Rosa rugosa

Buddleia davidii 'Adonis Blue' (L) & a lighter blue variety -- with a spider friend

Clockwise, from top: Chelone (Pink Turtlehead), Sedum 'Autumn Joy',
Salvia greggii 'Flame', Salvia greggii 'Wild Thing', Commonelina communis (Common Dayflower -
a 'weed' to some), and center: Kalimeris pinnatafida (Japanese Aster)

(Another photo/collage of Turtlehead with Bluebeard...makes me want to dig them up and plant them closer together!):

In various areas around the front, side and back yards, I have annuals both in the ground, and in pots:

Impatiens

Zinnia

Clockwise, from top L: Salvia (a variety I planted from seed several years ago, reappears every year in the pot);
Lantana camara (Lantana 'Ham & Eggs' -- NOT a perennial here in zone 7a); Heliotrope; Geranium;
False Heather; Bacoba 'Giant Snowflake'; and center: Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'

There are a few plants I haven't featured (such as Agastache 'Blue Fortune') but that's because it is looking scraggly now so I didn't bother to include it. This time last year, it looked quite a lot better and was loaded with butterflies. Unfortunately, the butterflies were far and few between this year. I do have photos of a few, however, which I'll include in a later post.

For more mid-September blooms, visit Carol's May Dreams Gardens, where gardeners around the world feature what is currently blooming in their gardens.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Garter Snake Ingests Toad (*Not for the faint of heart!)

2011-08-31T19:11:00.000-04:00

I've been trying to think of a way to share this post without 'grossing' anyone out...but I don't think that's possible. So if you choose to read this, be forewarned there will be some photos of blood and guts. The garden is always full of surprises, and this afternoon, no one was more surprised than my son and me when we watched a garter snake completely ingest a fairly large toad! We had just taken our two dogs out when my son saw the dog jump back; then he saw the snake. We both walked closer and saw that it had part of a frog in it's mouth. I have to admit, my first thought was to try and save the frog. But it already had a pretty good injury, which was bleeding, so it was probably too late to do anything even if I'd wanted to. I didn't quite know, at first, what type of snake it was--even though I have seen garter snakes before. It was light green with a black checkerboard pattern. I went in and grabbed my camera and had my son check online for an ID on the snake. If it had been venomous, I contemplated getting an axe! I don't like to kill anything but a poisonous snake in my yard could test my outer limits...

Anyway, I took a series of photos of the whole event and despite the blood and gore, want to share them here. Even though I like both frogs and (most) snakes and really don't like to see them injured or killed, it was quite fascinating and educational--and honestly, just a natural part of life. It was weird, standing there watching this helpless frog suffer, but I knew there was really nothing I could do but leave the scene, or watch and take some photos. So, for your viewing pleasure (or displeasure) I offer the following--a movie made with a string of clips, using Picasa. You can stop the movie at any point to view individual photos (if you dare!).

Garter snakes are beneficial snakes to have in your garden. They are not harmful and eat a lot of pests like mice and voles. Unfortunately, every now and then, a small bird or frog falls prey. But that's life. Thanks for today!

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

A Rosy Surprise in My Garden

2011-08-03T16:28:00.002-04:00

While walking around the garden Sunday afternoon, I glanced down to see this yellow creature with pink legs (and what looked like pink ears and a cute little face) crawling along the ground.

Having no idea what I was looking at, I picked up a stick and held it close to the critter--hoping it would grab hold so I could pick it up and get a better look. When it began crawling up the stick, I called for my son to come out and hold the stick so I could snap a few photos.

After taking a few shots, I set it down in an empty birdbath which was lying on the deck. I ran inside and began to upload the photos, simultaneously doing a Google search for 'pink and yellow caterpillar'. I'm pretty sure at some point I put in terms like 'with ears', as well!

I was inside for less than five minutes--but when I went back out, this little creature looked nothing like when I left her minutes earlier:

She had attached herself to the side of the birdbath, and those little 'ears' were actually wings! She was a moth. A Rosy Maple Moth, to be exact. It all started to make sense when I looked up and realized I had found her underneath a Maple tree!

I began to realize that she must have recently emerged from her cocoon and, having fallen to the ground, had been in the process of trying to find a place to attach and pump up her wings. I just happened to intercept her as the process was happening.

A few articles I read mentioned this moth could be destructive to trees, but I simply ignored that information and instead, remained in awe by the lemon and raspberry sherbet that looked more sweet than sinister. I placed her back in the garden, where she attached herself to a Hellebore stem:

She remained there as nightfall came and I went to bed. When I checked for her the next morning, she had flown. I hope Rosy has a good life. I feel blessed to have seen part of the process of changing from 'fat cat' to beautiful moth. It's funny how you can live in a place for 15 years and still find something new, nearly every day. You just never know what surprises await you on any given day!

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Wildlife on the Wildflowers on Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-27T19:37:00.006-04:00

Hummingbird Clearwing on Phlox paniculata

It's Wildflower Wednesday at Gail's Clay and Limestone, so be sure to stop by to see lots of beautiful native plants and wildflowers...and more wildlife;-)

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Colorful Perennials in June

2011-06-17T18:32:00.001-04:00

Colorful perennials have been showing their beauty in my front gardens this month. As you can see, there are a lot of native plants in bloom, and of course, the bees just love them all. My collages can help you see what's happening right now:

Asclepias tuberosa, Echinacea purpurea, and Coreopsis grandiflora

Monarda didyma

Clematis (ID unknown)

Veronica spicata: 'Icicle', 'Royal Candles' and 'Red Fox'

Front gardens on either side of the driveway contain a variety of native perennials

Day Lilies at the top of the driveway

Asiac Lilies, originally planted in my back gardens, were moved to pots and used for cutting

The back gardens are 'busy' too...but I'll share those in another post. Meanwhile I am joining Fertilizer Friday, where many garden bloggers are 'Flaunting their Flowers' this week. Why not go over and visit Tootsie Time and check it out?! Happy Friday!

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Feeding the Red Bellied Baby

2011-06-12T13:15:00.006-04:00

I just love watching the birds outside my windows. Recently, we've had some really sweet entertainment as a baby Red Bellied woodpecker has been being fed sunflower seeds from my bird feeder by its parent:

The adult Red Bellied woodpecker flies to my birdfeeder, then back to a tree where the seed is broken against the bark.

The baby Red Bellied woodpecker waits in anxious anticipation of being fed!

Awe...this is what the little one has been waiting for!

This has been one busy parent;-) Soon, I expect to see the youngster taking the seed directly from the feeder.

(Unfortunately my camera has begun to produce blurry photos. It was sent in for repair but is still not producing the 'consistently clear' photos I'm used to seeing. We may need to consider a replacement camera in the future. In the meantime, please forgive my less-than-stellar shots!).
Hope you make it a great day today!

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/
Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Natives in the May Garden

2011-05-26T23:39:00.007-04:00

Among the spring and summer blooming plants in my garden, many are North American natives. Last spring I added Poke Milkweed (Aslepias exaltata), also called Tall Milkweed.

Since Monarch butterflies will only lay their eggs on Milkweed, and their developing larva depend on Milkweed as the only staple in their diet, I planted it with the hopes of having them visit later this summer.

I've also got lots of Swamp Milkweed (Aslepias incarnata)--and although that is growing tall right now, it isn't yet in bloom. It will form lovely pink blooms later in the summer.

When I planted the milkweed I also included Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)--another milkweed variety. When that didn't come back this year, I added two plants a couple of weeks ago and they are beginning to bud out now. They will be orange/yellow in color.

The native Windflower (Anemone multifida) 'Annabella Deep Rose' is in full bloom now.

As is native Coral Red Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) "Major Wheeler".

Native Primrose (Oenothora fruiticosa) "Cold Crick", also known as Sundrops, has just started to bloom. I planted a couple of plants last year but over the winter the markers were moved by squirrels and I wasn't really sure where the plants were, until recently!

Earlier this spring, I added two native Sweetspire (Itea virginica) "Little Henry" bushes to the garden. They are blooming now.

While Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) has just recently begun to bloom, many of the plants still don't have buds. This plant has been very 'tame' in my garden, although it has a reputation for being a runner.

Along with the basic Spiderwort, Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' was given to me last year by garden blogging friend Janet, The Queen of Seaford. I liked it so much that I added more of this variety just a few weeks ago. 'Sweet Kate' tends to stay in manageable clumps--at least that's what I'm hoping.

Blue Star (Amsonia) "Blue Ice" is finally in bloom. I planted this earlier in the spring, just this year. This plant may actually be a hybrid cultivar taken from the native A. montana.

A completely new-to-me native plant is this Woodland Pinkroot (Spigelia marilandica), also known as Indian Pink.

Planted earlier this spring, it's put out just two blooms so far...but aren't they interesting and different?!

While I featured Phlox divaricata, Woodland Phlox, in my last post on native plants, Phlox stolonifera, Creeping Phlox "Sherwood Purple" blooms much later. Unlike Phlox divaricata's spiky, pointed leaves, the leaves on this shade-tolerant phlox are more oval. (Another form of Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) is planted in my sunny front garden, and that is also still putting out blooms).

Native Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) is still going strong in the garden.

This year I added a new variety of Foamflower to the garden: Tiarella cordifolia "Elizabeth Oliver". She didn't develop more than a few flowerheads--and they weren't as full as my originals, so I'm hoping she will produce more next year.

Sweet Woodruff (Galium oderata) is planted in clumps throughout my back gardens. It was full of little white blooms earlier, but is now holding on to just a few and may be coming to the end of it's bloom period.

I added quite a few Hepatica to the shade garden this spring. Some H. nobilis varieties are finished, but H. americana (Round Lobed Hepatica) "Alba" still has some blooms.

While the Arisaema triphyllum, native Jack-in-the-Pulpit, has already finished blooming, I haven't yet shown it in a post as I just added it to the garden in April.

Below is a photo of Jack unfolding, with ~~native~~ Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) in the background (also new in April, and now finished blooming, as well). *Thanks for catching that, Carolyn:-) Pulsatilla is a European native...but a great woodland garden plant, none-the-less, enjoying sun to part-shade.

At a local native plant sale last spring, I acquired Podophyllum peltatum (May Apple). So far this year, two very small leaves have emerged. There have been no flowers but I'm hoping by next year it will start to fill out, enlarge, and produce blooms.

Lastly, another native, new to my garden this year, is Scarlett Globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea). She had a few small blooms but I think she is getting too much shade in the current woodland garden setting, so I'll be moving her out front to my sunnier perennial garden areas.

As you can see, I've been trying to add a variety of native plants to the garden over the last couple of years. Most of them are well-suited for my climate so I'm hoping they will continue to get larger over the next few years. They are all great wildlife and pollinator attractors and that is the primary reason I've added them...along with the fact that I really like the looks of each of them. To read about more native plants around the world, Gail of Clay and Limestone holds 'Wildflower Wednesday' on the 4th Wednesday of each month. You can learn a lot by visiting this interesting meme. If you have a garden blog, why not share the natives in your own garden?!

I'm thankful for Wildflower Wednesday, as it encourages me to learn more about native plants--which I've found to be extremely interesting.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

April Azaleas and Busy-ness in the Garden

2011-05-24T11:35:00.000-04:00

Ginny, our miniature dachshund (in the April garden with Ajuga and Azalea), photographed by my daughter

It's been difficult to write lately. It's not that I've been uninspired; I've just been outside working in the garden for hours every day and completely immersing myself in my surroundings. I'm sorry I haven't been a frequent blog visitor or blog poster.

I have wanted to share the happening's in my garden with you all, but time has sped by so quickly and I've just gotten really far behind!

It was late April when I last posted about plants in the garden, where I featured some of my natives. In my mid-April 'bloom day' post I hinted that the azaleas were budding, but I never went on to show their pretty colors in a post.

I looked back on my former blog posts and noticed that in mid-April last year the azaleas were already blooming. They were just a bit later this year, and lasted a little over 3 weeks.

I may not always be able to keep up with my blogging in a timely manner, but I am never without a chore or task to keep me busy in the garden!

Either I have a new truckload of plants to get into the ground, or I am digging up and transplanting existing plants to another area of the garden.

Or, I am weeding, or trimming bushes. Or moving rocks, laying paths, and building walls.

Or spreading mulch. Or picking up tulip poplar branches, leaves and flowers that have continuously dropped over the last couple of weeks. Or picking up bushel baskets of pollen.

Or cleaning off the deck and porch...covered and filled with pollen and debris.

Or taking photographs of the bees and butterflies that have stopped by. Or planting the containers on my deck and front porch.

Our daughter graduated from college last weekend. It was a wonderful event and we are so proud of her.

Lilac blooming with the azaleas

She's been home for a few weeks and I've enjoyed spending time with her. Spending time on the computer doesn't seem that important when the weather is nice and your daughter is home.

There has been never a dull moment at home and in the garden, and I do plan to share it all. It just might not be 'on time, as it happens'.

Is it ever too late to share our gardens? Do dates really matter? Do we have to be on a schedule and worry about 'keeping up'? As long as we are enjoying our gardens, that's all that matters, in my opinion! That's what I've been doing, and I hope you have too! I'll see you around, when time permits. I hope you have a beautiful day. I'm thankful for all of you, my garden friends.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Flat Tire Basket

2011-05-20T10:03:00.004-04:00

A couple of months ago, I received an invitation from Mr. Brown Thumb to participate in a garden-product review. Mr. Brown Thumb coordinated the schedule so that everyone who participated has a specific date to post about the product. Today is my day to share with you so here it is:

Flat Tire Decor makes baskets, pots, entry mats and shoes--all from recycled tires! They sent me their Newport basket, which has a 12 inch opening at the top, an 8 inch base, and is 8 inches high. It has a set of handles that makes it easy to carry. It's a really cool, practical and great looking basket!

What's really awesome about these products, in addition to the fact that they're environmentally friendly (made from flat tires), is that they're assembled by persons with disabilities. Working in conjunction with a company called Curative Industrial Services, valuable training and work experience is offered to persons with disabilities and/or limiting conditions. It's a win-win for everyone.

There could be so many uses for this basket. I like it with a plant placed in it, but I've also used it to store and hold my garden tools, conveniently carrying them from the front of the house to the back.

I'm working on other uses for the basket. The company suggests it can hold toys, firewood, magazines/newspapers, and even fruit. While our little Weenie Dog could fit inside, she wasn't all that keen in doing so! You can get a good idea of the size of this basket from this photo, though;-) It's roomy!

Visit Mr. Brown Thumb's blog, Garden Bloggers, to read the other reviews about this product. Visit the Flat Tire Decor to see more of their products or to order.

*This product was sent to me at no charge with the intention of giving a review on my garden blog. There was no requirement to be positive; I just really happen to like it. One last note: It should not be planted directly with edible plants--unless they are placed in a separate pot--as rubber is not food-safe.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Spring Natives In My Woodland Gardens

2011-04-28T17:35:00.008-04:00

Native plants are blooming at every turn in my gardens. One of my newest natives is Senecio aureaus (below), commonly known as Golden Groundsel or Squaw Weed. I purchased this plant least weekend while visiting Carolyn's Shade Gardens in PA. It is my intent to write a post about that lovely visit in the future, but in the meantime you can read about it from the perspectives of my cohorts, Jean (Jean's Garden) and Carolyn (Carolyn's Shade Garden). The three of us met up and had a wonderful day as we toured Carolyn's gardens, and subsequently visited Chanticleer.

North American native Golden Groundsel, Squaw Weed (Senecio aureaus)

Meanwhile, I want to post just a few of my native plants to add to Gail's Wildflower Wednesday at Clay and Limestone. Thank goodness she has deemed it 'Wildflower Week' - otherwise I would be late to the party! Below is beautiful Sweet William, with two bumblebees drinking nectar on the bottom right photo in the collage.

North American native Woodland Phlox, Sweet William (Phlox divaricata) *see the bees on the bottom right?!

Last year I added a few varieties of native Columbine (below), including Rocky Mountain Blue, Wild Red, a dwarf variety--'Little Lanterns'--and a cream colored variety, 'Corbett'. When visiting Carolyn's Shade Gardens I purchased another 'Little Lanterns' and 'Corbett' to add to my growing collection!

North American native Columbine varieties - Top/Bottom Left: Rocky Mountain Blue Columbine (Aquilegia caerulea);
Top Right: Wild Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadense); Bottom Right: Aquilegia canadense 'Corbett';
Bottom Middle: 'Corbett' with Aquilegia canadense 'Little Lanterns'.

I've been admiring my lone Celandine Poppy and watching as it has put out bloom after bloom this spring. I added this native last year, as well.

North American native Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)

Wild Ginger was planted both last year and I added another plant this year. The blooms are hidden underneath the leaves. The one on the upper right of the collage is just about ready to open.

North American native Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)

Epimediums were added to my garden two years ago but didn't bloom much last year, so this is actually their first year with decent-looking blooms. I have several E. rubrums, sometimes called Red Barronwort, while the E.niveum's (white) have not yet bloomed. While at Carolyn's Shade Gardens I purchased two more, E. x. warleyense (below) and E. Pinnatum colchicum (yellow) (not pictured).

North American native Epimediums: Top - E. rubrum "Red Barronwort";
Bottom - x. warleyense "Orange Queen"

My Wild Geranium plant was given to me last year when I visited Janet, The Queen of Seaford, one of several plants she shared from her garden. I love seeing it this year as it not only reminds me of her (along with the Spiderwort that is beginning to bud), but also because it's beautiful in bloom! (We'll see about the Spiderwort...there's an inside joke going on about this one! Perhaps I will share it with you later!

North American native Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)

The Variegated Solomon's Seal was planted two springs ago. I don't recall that it did anything much last year, but this year there are some cute little white bells and it looks pretty good and is a nice addition to my shade garden. The Jacob's Ladder was planted last year, as well...but I couldn't help myself, and added a second plant to the garden after visiting Carolyn's last week.

North American natives - Top: Variegated Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum')
Bottom: Jacob's Ladder (Polymonium reptans)

...And there are more natives, but those will need to wait for another post! If you are a blogger, you have some idea of the time involved in creating blog posts. It can be extremely time-consuming and for some reason, I seem to be getting slower at it when I would think my speed should have improved since I've been doing this for a couple of years now! Oh well...!

In other news, our pondless waterfall/stream is a wonderful addition to our backyard and we really love having it. We had just the right spot for it and are happy with the results. I've spent a few minutes on a couple of different days, sitting in various locations around it, trying to determine where I would like to place a bench to get the best view and/or to hear the waterfall most clearly. I may need two benches. (Or three!).

Our new pondless, re-circulating waterfall/stream

This is a busy time in the garden, as things are blooming continuously and it's hard to keep up with posting photos! I really would like to keep a record and post things as they bloom but I often have to lump them all together in one larger post. My eventual 'goal' is to try to write individual posts about each of my plants, particularly the native plants, and list pertinent information along with photos. I would consider my blogging a success if I could get that detailed about each plant...but it's hard for me to find the time to do that. The good thing about blogging, for me, is that it isn't a job and I can do it as I find the time, with no pressure. (Truth be told, though, I still do feel a great deal of self-imposed pressure to do these posts in a somewhat 'decent' manner and it sometimes feels like a little more 'work' than I'd started out thinking it would be). But, I do hope you enjoyed this one:-) I will try to get around and visit more of your blogs soon.

Happy Wildflower Week (as deemed by Gail!) to everyone out there in garden-blog land;-) I hope you're all surviving the wild weather that's been popping up across the country and are safe.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Gardeners' Sustainable Living 2011 Winners

2011-04-21T23:50:00.000-04:00

Happy Earth Day! I am excited to announce the winners in my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway. Thank you to everyone who wrote blog posts, left comments and offered garden prizes. They are all wonderful and inspirational!

Here are the lucky winners...selected randomly. Please email me at starlight1957 AT gmail DOT com with your full name and address and I will arrange to have your items mailed out to you as soon as possible!

1. Cheryl Kilgore @ Life's Small Blessings: The Fiskars Rain Barrel

2. Wendy @ Greenish Thumb: The Keter Composter

3. Nettie York @ Nettie's Gardens: CobraHead Hand Weeder

4. Tammy @ Stitch This Designs: West County Gardener Landscape Gloves

5. Michael @ Wormspit: The Kombi Combination Garden Tool

6. Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade Gardens: Gardening Nude, by Shawna Coronado

7. Alison @ Bonney Lassie: The Green Gardeners Guide, by Joe Lamp'l

8. Jacqui @ The French Village Diaries: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Composting, by Chris
McLaughlin

9. Lona @ A Hocking Hills Garden: Corona Garden Tote with Hand Tools

10. Jean @ Jean's Garden: Magazine Subscription from State-by-State Gardening

11. Byddi Lee @ We Didn't Come Here For The Grass: Stainless Steel Water Bottle from Hip Mountain
Mama

12. Clare @ Curbstone Valley Farm: Green Cure Fungucide & Spray Bottle from GardenShoesOnline

13. Linda @ Garden Girl: Moo Poo Tea from Authentic Haven Brand

14. Lori @ Claydancer Studio: Seed Keeper Deluxe from the Seed Keeper Company

15. Jenn's Cooking Garden: Organic Starter Garden Seed Collection from Botanical Interests

16. Janet @ Queen of Seaford: Plantable Greeting Cards from Wall Flower Studio

17. Chuck @ Small Plot Gardens: Three-Sisters Garden Seedpack from Renee's Garden

18. Hilery Hixon @ Desert Greenhouse Guide: Handcrafted Gourd Bowl from Gardening Jones

19. Tina @ In The Garden: Reusable Grocery/Tote Bag from Thanks For Today

20. Beth @ Plant Postings: Galanthus Collection from Carolyn's Shade Gardens

21. Carol in AZ: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (donated by Pam Hubbard)

22. Suz @ Slow Family: Bringing Nature Home, by Doug Tallamy (donated by Jan Doble)

For anyone who missed the blog post and would like to see the list of bloggers, commenters and companies who contributed to this Earth Day project, visit the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway of 2011.

Words and photos ©Thanks for today.™, by Jan Huston Doble @ http://www.thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

"Just Be" Gardens for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

2011-04-15T15:09:00.009-04:00

I finally decided to name my back gardens. I have dreamed of woodland gardens with paths meandering through perennials and wildflowers. I've been working on my gardens for a number of years, continually adding natives to attract butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife and pollinators. This spring is turning out to be it's most beautiful time yet.

"Just Be Gardens"...A place to Be.

In Balance. With Birds. With Butterflies.

With Bees. In Beauty. Blessed. Just Be.

And we just added a water garden to the yard, with 4 waterfalls and a curving stream. I am so excited thinking about all the plants I'm going to add to the edges and surrounding area. We mulched the rest of the entire back yard so now there is space to add more shrubs and other perennials. It won't get done all at once...it will be a process and take time.

I want to be out there every day, all day~but that's just not practical! It's nice to enjoy what I have, at the moment...but also to dream about what I'd like to add and what it can look like in a few years. I will add another seating area with a good view of the water garden area and I'm sure I will have more photos than I know what to do with!

What's in bloom in my woodland gardens? Lots!

Siberion Buglose (Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost') Top Left; Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabalis) Top Right;
Lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash') Bottom Left; and Native Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) Bottom Right

Another shot (although the light is a bit bright) of Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' along with Pulmonaria 'Gaelic Spring'. I also planted Pulmonaria 'Barfield Pink' last year but it has not come up at this point.

Lungwort (Pulmonaria) 'Raspberry Splash' Left, and 'Gaelic Spring' Right

Clockwise starting top Left: Native Red Trillium (Trillium recurvatum); Native Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis);
Snowdrop Anenome (Anenome Sylvestris); Lenton Rose (Helleborus 'Pink Lady'); and Native Celandine Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)

Native Wild Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) Top Left, with a native dwarf variety 'Little Lanterns', Bottom Left;
Native Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata) Top Right;
Native Barronwort or Bishop's Hat (Epimedium x rubrum) Bottom Right

Foam Flower (Tiarella cordifolia) Top L; Hellebore Top R; Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium) 'Shell Pink' Bottom R;
Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) 'Chocolate Chip'

Lately, the azaleas buds have been fattening out and many will soon be blooming. Although the Kerria have been in bloom for weeks, they continue to shine. It seems most of my front gardens are filled with later spring to fall blooming perennial plants, but just a little while ago I checked and was surprised to see that the Euphorbia 'Bonfire' was blooming, as was the Geum 'Flames of Passion'.

(Top) L: Azalea; R: Kerria Japonica
(Bottom) L: Euphorbia 'Bonfire'; R: Geum 'Flames of Passion'

Many of the hyacinths and daffodils have passed their prime, but two varieties of daffodil remain in full bloom.

unknown Narcissus varieties

The other stars in the front yard, at the moment, are the tulips and creeping phlox, accented by a few grape hyacinth, rockcress, candytuft and blue star creeper and forget-me-nots.

Candytuft (Iberis sempervirans) Left; Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica) Center;
Rockcress (Arabis 'Snow Cap') Top; Native Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) Right & Bottom

Despite losing quite a few tulips to those darned 'gnawers' (most likely the zillions of squirrels that hang out here)

...quite a few tulip bulbs actually have managed to sprout and bloom this year. This is mostly due to going wild with spraying and sprinkling organic critter repellent throughout the gardens. I've decided spending a few minutes every month or two doing that is worth the price when I see the results:

Tulips (Tulipa) surrounded by: Blue Star Creeper (Isotoma fluviatilis) Center;
and Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) Top Right

Now we're off to visit my mom and my sister's family in Delaware for a few days of my son's spring break. While in DE, I'm also taking a day trip to visit Carolyn from Carolyn's Shade Gardens and Jean from Jean's Garden at Carolyn's nursery in PA. I am going to buy some plants (!), we plan to take a picnic lunch, and Carolyn is going to take us to visit Chanticleer gardens. Neither Jean nor I have ever been so we're both excited. Plus, the 3 of us have never met so this is a blogging adventure;-)

When I get home, I am hoping to find some time to 'Just Be' in my garden! Despite the busy-ness of life, I hope you can find time to do the same;-) Please visit May Dreams Gardens to see what's in bloom around the world for this April 15th Garden Blogger Bloom Day.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? Today is the last day! For Earth Day, I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

For all the Drinking, Fungus-ridden, Nude Idiot's Out There

2011-04-14T14:29:00.001-04:00

This will be my final post about garden products being offered in my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway, as the project end tomorrow, April 15th, at midnight. I have been writing separate posts featuring the donations that were offered not only for the giveaway, but were also sent to me free of charge, to try and use for myself. All of the sponsors of this Earth Day project have been fabulous and I have linked to every one of their websites on the original project blog post...but I have also written additional posts for those who've sent me an extra trial product. If you'd like to read them, here are the links: What is Manure Tea?, Seeds Need a Seed Keeper--and You!, What's in the Box? A Compost Mixer!, Not Your Grandmother's Rain Barrel, and Gloves and Tools: Every Gardener Needs Them!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Composting retails for $14.95

For my final installment of 'what's offered in the giveaway' I'll start with Chris McLaughlin's book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Composting. Whether you are a first-time composter or have been doing it for a long time, Chris's book is a must read! She makes everything clear and questions you might have are easy to find within the chapters and the index. Chris reminds us that nothing ever needs to go to waste--and she shows us how easy it is to keep the earth beneath us alive--and just why that is so important! I mainly just want everyone reading to know that Chris is awesome. Chris was so nice, in fact, that she actually sent me two of her books, to include The Complete Idiot's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables. I am a complete idiot in both regards, so both books are going to be a valued resources.

Gardening Nude retails for $18.95

The same can be said of Shawna Coronado, author of Gardening Nude. Shawna is such an inspiration. Her book cover is catchy and often people don't realize what it's about until they read the print underneath her photo: "A Common Sense Guide to Improving Your Health and Lifestyle By Increasing Exposure to Nature, Cultivating a Green Mindset, and Building a Strong Community". There's nothing naughty or clothes-free within these pages, so expect only pure, heartfelt sentiments from Shawna;-) Shawna shares how she made a lifestyle change from a stressful job to following her dreams to start a landscaping business and in the process, how her health significantly improved because of the changes she made. Shawna's philosophy encompasses three main areas: her 'Go Green Health Plan', her 'Simple Conservation Plan', and her 'Building Community Plan'. In her book, she shares her secrets of how to incorporate all three of these areas into your life to help shape you in ways you might not have imagined! Her 'Get Your Green On Healthy Philosophy' is a treasure trove for tips on getting and staying healthy and enriching your life in every aspect.

A jar of Green Cure fungicide with spray bottle retails for $22.95 at GardenShoesOnline

Although I have not had a chance yet to actually use my Green Cure fungicide, I want to take this moment to share it here. Last year, GardenShoesOnline donated this product to my giveaway and was generous again in sharing it this year. I'll admit, I don't want to have a garden situation where I really need it--but most of us have those times in the garden when we have to combat one disease or another. Using organic, chemical-free products is important to me, and that's why I'm looking forward to using Green Cure when the time comes. Now for a note about GardenShoesOnline. I love their boots and shoes. I have purchased several pair and need to reign myself in when looking because they are all just too cute! You will see what I mean when you visit GardenShoesOnline, as the selection is outstanding;-)

A stainless steel water bottle from Hip Mountain Mama retails at $7.99

Finally, what would a nude, fungus-ridden, idiot-gardener do without a drink?! You have to sip your water from this cool, stainless steel, reusable water bottle from Hip Mountain Mama! I have been taking my bottle with me everywhere and love the handy hook that can be easily attached to your belt, purse or even dog leash! Hip Mountain Mama is a really interesting website with all sorts of eco-friendly, natural and hand-made products...so I hope you'll check it out!

Many thanks to the above people and companies for their donations. For a chance to win any of these great garden products, leave a comment on my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway post no later than midnight, April 15th. There you will also find out how to be eligible to win the other 18 gifts! Good luck:-)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? It will be 'open' until April 15th so you have plenty of time. I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Spring Ephemerals in the Woodland Gardens

2011-04-11T22:06:00.010-04:00

The gardens are alive with spring plants popping up everywhere, splashes of color in every hue jump out at every turn. The Mertensia, Dicentra, Anenome, Trillium, Pulmonaria and Brunnera are real knock-outs right now!

*Click on the photos to enlarge

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) a North American Native Plant

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabalis)

Snowdrop Anenome (Anenome sylvestris)

Siberion Buglose (Brunnera macrophylla)

Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

Granted, these may not all technically be 'ephemeral's' but most will completely die back at some point during the summer. Brunnera may be the only plant I've listed here that may hang on to it's foliage, and therefore is not considered ephemeral. I included it here because it blooms at the same time and is such a great companion plant! When the temperatures warm and/or they get a lot of sun, Dicentra, Pulmonaria, and Anenome will disappear under ground. Mertensia and Trillium are true ephemerals. I have some other 'true ephemerals' that I haven't shown here. For the most part, these are short-lived beauties and to-die for!

On that note, I lost Little Sweet Betsy yesterday. My newest addition, Trillium cuneatum, came face to face with a critter who did her in before she even had the chance to completely open up. I was sad for a few moments but realize those are just part of the ups and downs of the backyard gardener.

Wake Robin (Trillium cuneatum) 'Little Sweet Betsy' - a North American Native Plant

It's almost mid April! How did that happen so fast? There are so many goings-on in my garden that I can hardly keep up with them all! I hope you are having some excitement in your garden, too;-)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? It will be 'open' until April 15th so you have plenty of time. I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

Gloves and Tools: Every Gardener Needs Them!

2011-04-11T14:25:00.002-04:00

Where would a gardener be without gloves and tools? There are, of course, hundreds of brands and varieties on the market to choose from, but I want to highlight a few that I think you will like. Plus, you have the opportunity to win one of these...so read on!

A few months ago, West County Gardener sent me a pair of their Landscape Gloves to trial. I waited until I could really get outside and do some work so I could test them out in various capacities before writing about them here.

After using them to plant and weed, carry rock and stone, mulch and compost, they got as wet and dirty and abused as I could get them in the short amount of time I had before writing about them.

(But they sure did clean up well in the wash)!

The Landscape Glove is described on the West County Gardener website as 'rugged, durable and heavy-duty' and listed as their most expensive glove, because it has 'more of everything'.

Partially made from recycled water bottles, they say it is their most 'high-tech' glove:

"Reinforced with coated Kevlar®, it stands up to abrasive stone, trees, and pavers. Each state-of-the-art synthetic material is optimally placed for maximum comfort, fit, and performance. A dense padded palm adds impact protection from power tools. The palm and finger pads are reinforced with tacky Sure-Grip® for better grip and extended wear. Compressed neoprene knuckle guard ensures flexibility and protection from bangs and cuts. For pruning, we've wrapped the index finger with a protective layer of synthetic suede. If your work calls for heavy hauling, moving, or pruning, this is the glove for you. Like all West County gloves, the Landscape is machine washable."

Made to fit every hand, sizes range from XS, Sm, Med, L, XL to XXL for men and women in the 3 colors shown below (Stem, Brick or Charcoal).

The West County Gardener Landscape Glove retails for $27.95

West County Gardener is donating a pair of their Landscape Gloves for my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway in the winner's choice of size and color!

~~~~~~~~~~

The Kombi company is a family owned and operated business that stands behind their products. I learned this first-hand when the tool they sent to me to trial came head-to-head with an unfortunate mishap. My helpful hubby was removing a dead shrub and hit a hard root, causing the tip of the shovel to break off. He had commented about how smoothly the shovel slices through our hard clay.

The Original Kombi line retails for $32

I contacted the Kombi company and they said they guarantee all of their products for 1 year, and have sent me a replacement free of charge! I even offered to pay and they insisted, so...how can you not love a company like that?! It was explained to me that occasionally, a shovel will break under stress. While this is not a frequent occurance, apparently it does happen. So my advice is to be careful when using the Kombi 'Original' tool around rocks or hard roots. The replacement they are sending me is the Kombi 'Pro', which is wider, specifically designed for landscapers, and probably less likely to break. Surprisingly, both the 'Original' and the 'Pro' sell for the same price, $32. Kombi is donating one of their tools for my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway!

The Kombi Pro-series retails for $32

~~~~~~~~~~

The CobraHead company is another family-owned and operated business. Their CobraHead hand weeder/cultivator is known as 'the steel fingernail'. I've been using the one they sent me to remove unwanted weeds from my yard and, just like they claim, it feels as if it becomes an extension of your hand!

This hand tool is lightweight--just 9.2 oz. and 13 in. long--and a breeze to use. Environmentally friendly, too--with the handle made of recycled plastics and wood with a tempered steel blade for strength. CobraHead shares all the ways this tool is useful in the garden:

It weeds, cultivates, scalps, edges, digs, furrows, plants, transplants, de-thatches, and harvests with ease.
The CobraHead^® out-weeds and out-digs all similar tools.
The time proven blade design breaks up and plows almost any soil.
The comfortable and efficient handle allows easy left-hand or right-hand action.
Free shipping to everywhere in the United States and Canada!

Add to this their policy of "100% satisfaction guaranteed" and this is a true winner of a product. Watch some of their videos to see this cool tool in action! Cobrahead is donating a Short-Handled Weeder/Cultivator for my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway!

The CobraHead short-handled weeder retails for $24.95

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Another great tool company is Corona. They make a wide variety of products for the lawn and garden, landscape, irrigation, construction and agriculture markets. I haven't yet received the Classic Corona bypass Pruner with scabbard that Corona is sending me to try out, but if it works as nicely as the other Corona hand and garden tools I own, I know I'm going to love it.

I already own the extendable-handle trowel, the e-grip hoe/cultivator, and the e-grip weeder. They guarantee their tools for the life of the product and I have found them to be reasonably priced. Corona is donating to my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway a Garden Tote with Hand Tool Collection and Snips (pictured below). I think someone is going to be very happy;-)

Garden Tote with Hand-Tool Collection and Snips retails for $57

If you leave a comment on my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/GiveAway, stating something you do that is eco-friendly, you will be eligible to win one of these excellent garden products (along with many others listed there as well). Many thanks to West County Gardener, Kombi, CobraHead and Corona for allowing me to try these for myself and for sharing a product with one of you!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? It will be 'open' until April 15th so you have plenty of time. I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

"Not Your Grandmother's Rain Barrel"

2011-04-09T10:52:00.005-04:00

A rain barrel is a good thing--and you don't NEED one from Fiskars to collect rain and save water...but why wouldn't you WANT one if you could get one for free?!

Here is what garden-guru Joe Lamp'l has to say about the Rain Barrel that Fiskars is giving away in my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/GiveAway: It's "Not your grandmother's rain barrel"! (Follow the previous link to see Joe in a video describing the Fiskar's Rain Barrel).

The Fiskars rain barrel retails for $98 at Home Depot

Fiskar's sent me a 58 gallon rain barrel to try for myself. I just love it!

There is very little work involved in getting it attached to your gutter. My helpful hubby simply cut the gutter and installed the attachments. There is a diverter to prevent the water from over flowing once the barrel is full. Easy as pie to hook up.

Features include (from the Fiskars website):

Features

Ideal for capturing rainwater for garden and lawn watering needs, lowering your watering bills
Barrel and cover made of recyclable, UV-treated, impact-resistant polyethylene to withstand the elements
Spigot position provides clearance for filling watering cans
Threaded spigot design offers easy garden hose connection
Flat-back design fits snug to house
Rainwater diverter fits standard 2" x 3" and 3" x 4" downspouts and channels overflow away from your home to protect your foundation
System includes rain barrel, snap-on cover, threaded spigot, rainwater diverter and detailed installation guide
Rain barrel made in USA
58-gallon capacity
Dimensions: 40"H x 23.25"W x 25.6"D
Weight: 18.95 lbs.
Limited three-year warranty

It's easy on the eyes and would fit right in with any garden decor. We've located it close to the veggie containers (my potager) so I can just fill a watering can right there. The veggies are going to love the natural rain water.

I'm thrilled to be a new owner AND to be giving one away to a lucky blogger. All you need to do is link a blog post that discusses your earth-friendly practices. Please visit my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/Giveaway by April 15th for the complete directions. It's definitely worth your time and effort. Thanks to Fiskar's for being so generous by sending one to me and sharing one with one of my readers:-)

Good luck!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? It will be 'open' until April 15th so you have plenty of time. I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

What's in the Box? A Compost Mixer!

2011-04-06T12:56:00.009-04:00

The Keter Dynamic Composter retails for $98 at Home Depot

One of the (2) 'grand prizes' in my Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project/GiveAway is the Dynamic Composter, by the Keter company. When I received my tumbler to trial for Keter, I was quite excited...especially because it's my first composter ever. Because it arrived unassembled, I was glad I had a volunteer.

Helpful hubby, of course!

Putting this composter together was not difficult, but it did require reading the directions--as there were quite a few parts.

Other than two hands for assembly, all that was required was a screwdriver to attach a few screws.

Attaching the center piece...

All done. It took my hubby about 30 minutes from start to finish. Not bad! One person could easily put this together without any additional help.

On the Keter website, there is a short video you can watch as well as some features that I will accent here so you don't miss them:

Innovative gear allows effortless tumbling even with a full load

Extra large mixing fins for faster decomposition

Controlled ventilation improves composting

Positive locking latch secures door closed

Take a look at the photo below. What's the composter on the right?! Well, that was the other one that Keter sent to me to trial...and they were going to give one of those away, too. It's called the E-Composter. I just did not think it was sturdy and couldn't recommend it. In fact, we put it right back in the box and I contacted Keter to tell them I didn't want to include it in the giveaway.

HOWEVER, I happen to have the box in my garage and would be willing to ship it out to anyone who is willing to pay the cost of mailing. If you are interested, please tell me in a comment here. If there are enough people who want to pay for shipping I'll choose someone directly from this post. Otherwise, I'll probably list it on 'Free Cycle' for someone to come get. (NOTE: I am shipping the composter to MeemsNYC since she was the first to comment. Thanks for your interest.) I mention it here for 2 reasons: One, just because I don't need it or want to use it doesn't mean someone else won't. Two, Keter is a generous company and I have had nothing but positive exchanges with them. They are open to feedback. I read some reviews on the Home Depot website and it appears that Keter stands behind their products--accepting returns, sending replacement products and parts, etc.--when customers are not satisfied.

I'm very happy with the Keter Dynamic Composter. We've been using it for about a month and find it to be solid and easy to turn. I love having it close to the back door where I can just walk out and add kitchen scraps and give it a turn every day. As the months go on, I will post about the black gold when it develops.

I think you'll be happy with the Dynamic Composter offered in my Give Away. Go on over there now to enter! All of the Keter products are made from 90% recycled content. Thanks to Keter for allowing me to try one out for myself and to offer one for some very lucky blogger! Could that be you?!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? It will be 'open' until April 15th so you have plenty of time. I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.

This Ain't No April Fools Joke: I'm Giving Away 22 Garden Prizes!

2011-04-01T08:55:00.004-04:00

With 22 fantastic garden gifts to give away, I am patiently waiting for YOU to come over and leave a comment on my sustainable living blog post for a chance to win 20 of them! There is NO NEED to write a separate blog post for this and make it into a bigger thing than you're up for...unless you want the rainbarrel or composter. The other 20 are pretty darn cool--in and of themselves--and all you need to do is visit and leave a comment!

With books like Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver (so generously donated by Pam from Pam's English Cottage Garden), Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy, prizes from Cobrahead, GardenShoesOnline, West County Gardener, Annie Haven, Botanical Interests, Renee's Garden, the Seed Keeper Company, books by Shawna Coronado, Joe Lamp'l & Chris McLaughlin, a Snowdrop collection to plant in your garden (generously donated by Carolyn of Carolyn's Shade Gardens)

...and even more I won't mention...what are you waiting for?! This is a way cool giveaway, even if I do say so myself! I am more than honored and thrilled that so many companies and people are donating to this 'awareness and sharing' party!

So come on over, leave a comment and you will be entered! If you prefer a chance to win the Fiskars Rain Barrel or the Keter tumbling Composter, then write a short blog post and link it...but there is no need to do that unless you really want to!

Hope to see you there! No, wait...HERE! But you need to get there by April 15th...!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ *Have you stopped over to participate in the Gardeners' Sustainable Living Project? It will be 'open' until April 15th so you have plenty of time. I am giving away over 20 garden gifts including a Rain Barrel and a Composter. Be sure to check it out!

Not to be reproduced or re-blogged without express permission of the author.