Time to Garden!

Ah, spring! The boredom that affects me when it's cold and I can't be outside is gone. Now, there is plenty to look at and plenty to do.

Our own little babbling brook, looking better as plants begin to come up around it. There is a lot of planting I need to do around the stream and pond. Many plants were removed last year for the creation of the waterfall, stream, pond, courtyard and pergola. Some that were relocated will come back; others will stay where they are now. I would like this area to be very colorful and thus will be adding zinnias and coreopsis and daisies.

Love the sound of the trickling water. Last night we left our bedroom window open and we could hear it. Very peaceful.

 Tortie, the outside cat, enjoys drinking from the pond. Dragonflies and birds are attracted to it as well.

This morning when I was out in the gardens, a turkey flew by me. He (or she) had been in the gardens but I didn't see where he came from. I'm guessing he was at the pond or under the birdfeeder.  That was the first time I've seen a turkey in the yard. Deer, opossums, birds, garter snakes, ground hogs, raccoons, cats - yes -even fox but never before a turkey.

 An unusual daffodil

 Many tulips have begun to bloom and many will be blooming in the coming days and weeks.

 Tortie framed by tulips

 I adore tulips!

 I planted a few hundred grape hyacinth last fall. These are the first to bloom.

 Red-veined sorrel - so pretty - and EDIBLE too. It's a perennial.

 The creeping phlox is putting on a show now too.

Critters at Sunsplash Gardens

 Gracie likes to sit under the Christmas tree.

Recently I washed some blankets, folded them and set them on the table. Gracie found it an appealing place to rest.

 Just back from the groomer - Josey Rose, my miniature schnauzer

 I added the Santa hat in PicMonkey.

 I put out corn for the squirrels. They will eat a whole ear every day! We call them "piggy" squirrels.

 This blue jay likes corn too.

 Female (left) and male goldfinches on the niger feeder

 The Red-bellied woodpecker likes corn too.

Tortie first came to our yard as a kitten with her mother in 2008. She never left!

We also have seen fox and deer in the yard, and there are two stray cats that come every day for Meow Mix!

Busy, busy, busy!

Wow, has it ever been busy around here! Fall brings many gardening tasks in addition to the usual weeding, watering, etc.

We are 10 days into our construction project in the backyard, what I am calling the Big Transition. It actually began more than 10 days ago, but due to rain delays, actual days of the landscapers at work number 10.

Besides what the landscapers are doing, here are some of the things I have been doing:

~ Working the compost, and applying the compost
~ Gathering mulch, and applying mulch
~ Emptying the rain barrels - soon we will be putting them away for the winter
~ Moving plants - the project has changed a bit, requiring even more relocation of plants
AND that's just in my garden. Also, I took my mom grocery shopping (that takes 1/2 a day, as she lives 40 miles away), worked in the Enabling Garden (Master Gardener project garden), took Josey to the groomer - and tonight Ron and I and good friends Jeri and Bob are going to "Wino Wednesday" at Summerset Winery. Tomorrow night is our Master Gardener "Harvest Celebration," and the finale to Project Runway.  :)

Day 10: 10/22/2014

 The pergola is done. The landscapers (Peters Lawn and Landscaping) leveled this area, put down 16 tons of gravel, and are now adding sand, then pavers.

 To the side of the pergola, Ken works on the walkway.

 More fence has been removed, opening up the gardens - where the courtyard/pergola area is used to be my border gardens and to the right of the fence is the cottage garden. I'm excited about the new look with the area opened up!

 As seen from my deck - this is looking at the neighbor's yard, and the pasture behind it. So colorful!

 One of my piles of mulch - this is pine straw (pine needles) - and I raked it up with my own two hands! I am waiting to spread some of it, in areas where leaves will fall. I think it will be much better if the leaves are under the mulch, rather than cluttering the appearance of it if they are on top.

 A garden visitor

 This kitty has recently appeared in our yard. She is super friendly. I'll be taking her in to check for a microchip, and then to the shelter. She deserves a good home, inside -- and not to have to live behind our garden shed when it gets cold.

Have a great week, and I'll be back soon!

Winter in the garden, and giveaway winner

Winter in Sunsplash Gardens...it's green, and brown, and white...and just to clarify, the tulips in my last post are from a previous spring...it's still very much winter here in the heartland.

 Lamium

 Callicarpa (Purple Beautyberry)

 A larkspur seedling

 Primula

 Rosemary

Conifers, yucca, stones, and snow 

 Under the snow, the grass is still green.

Also seen in the garden: raccoon tracks 

 Just to show you, the cat and dog are getting along. Gracie sits beside me on the couch while little Josey sits on my lap.

 Another shot of Gracie, my Ragdoll cat

Also, I was the lucky winner of Diann's giveaway at The Thrifty Groove. I received this Kroger giftcard! Thanks, Diann!

Diann sent a note written on this pretty stationery too. Be sure to visit Diann; she has a lovely blog that tells you how to live well on a budget.

I hope you will stop by here Friday, where I'm participating in the Grow Your Blog party at 2 Bags Full.

What's in my early spring garden?

What's in my early spring garden, you ask?

Well...not a lot...but more is blooming every day!

Colorful crocus

A clump of daffodils - I have over 400 daffodils in the gardens, and those down at the fencerow have begun to bloom.

Stunning hellebores

True blue Siberian squill

The deer were here!

Grrrrrrrrrr...

I haven't seen deer in weeks, but obviously they haven't left the area.

Tiny snowdrops are also beginning to bloom; other than that, and lots of green shoots, the only thing interesting in the garden is...

the cats!

Neighborhood strays - sadly, we're always seeing new ones. Where do they all come from?

At any rate, they can come over here and eat...and perhaps that is exactly why they visit my garden!

Linking to Fertilizer Friday

Thanks for visiting!

Beth