Biggest Ever

I wish I could grow these. I do have some summer poinsettias that a friend gave me that are really pretty. This one came from Lowe's. The plant stands about 2 feet tall and is that wide or wider. I have never see such a big and full poinsettias in my life. And for a bargain price of around $13.00....can't beat it.

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Bet you can't begin to guess what I am going to be doing tomorrow...if the weather holds out! I'm thinking that some of these might be making a trip across the country to CO.

'But Jan, they were 75% off!'

Last of The Color

This red is just about the last of the summer color in the yard. All the warm Autumn colors have taken over. My great grandmother and my grandmother used to take her geraniums in after every season and hang the upside down in a brown paper bag and they would return more beautiful the next spring. I am wondering of anyone has ever done this?

Our Little Friend

I know that we didn't actually grow him with our garden but I am glad that he is there. Mark got me Photoshop and I am trying desperately how us use it. This could be a long process.

OH MY!

Flower Army

There will always be some cosmos and zinnias in our yard. I am hoping that the little girls and I have harvested enough seeds this fall to have a riot of color in the beds next spring and summer.I love these little green bugs. I have no idea what they are or even if the are good for the flowers/garden but the sure make a great contrast in pictures.
This little black eyes Susan has volunteered to come up between the rocks on the edge of the flower bed by the patio door. I just love a good volunteer!

You can't really see it but there is a very fine spider web on the center of the cosmos on the left. Caught in it are millions of pollen particles.

'The Enchanted Jar'

Many years ago I read a story in Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul, The Rose Babies, by Georgia A Hubley, explaining how to take a cutting from a rose bush and planting it under a mason jar. I can tell you that it actually works.

Cut the bottom of a stem of a rose at an angle. Then wrap the stem in a very moist paper towel and place it in a plastic bag to keep it moist. Get a quart jar, the kind used in canning...'enchanted glass jar'. You will also need the amount of warm water that it take to fill up an old coffee can. Find a place that is protected under a bush where there is good soil. Dig a hole and place plastic bag with the rose clipping in the hole. Pack dirt in around the rose. Cover it with the quart jar and give it a little twist so it is secure in the ground. Then with the warm water...go along the edge of the glass jar. The glass jar acts as a terrarium all winter long. In the spring after the last frost, remove the jar and let nature take it's course.

Hardy Mums

We decorated the front porch with all the pumpkins from the backyard and some mums. The buds weren't even close to opening but now with the warmer weather they are popping out like crazy. The two containers that are in the bathtubhave two different colors of mums in them. Pretty exciting when you finally get to see what colors they are. They must be in just the right place because they are still green and blooming. I am hoping on putting them in the ground when I find just the right spot.

Still Producing

Allyson and I took a walk around the yard today while Carter was sleeping. I am so amazed that there are still things blooming. We have been in a drought. I have stopped watering anything except the ferns and mums. We have had really cold nights. And I have several new flower pickers..ie...Allyson and Doodles.

Doodle Rose

I really have no idea what the official name from this rose it. All I know is that Doodle's bring me at least one a week. So that is the new names that we have adopeted around here. I an going to try to root one of these somewhere in the backyard next spring.

Morning, Glory

All these beautiful, delicate morning glories were started from seeds that I harvested last year. I just threw them all in a bag and mixed them up. Next years we created the most perfect place for them to grow. They can just go crazy without any worry of taking up too much room and strangling any other flowers. I am so excited!

Granny's Blooms

First I must confess...these blooms are not from our gardens. I took some of the neighborhood rummies on a little road trip to Loveland to check out Granny's Garden School. The Garden School is on school property and there are flower and vegetable beds literally everywhere. I'm wondering how it all gets watered. I imagine they have an army of volunteers.




















There were lots of other things to see and to do. Check out the main family blog for more pictures of our day.

Aster

We only have about six of these little asters. Doodles loves to sit on the right beside them and pick them off, one and one.

Trimming The Bushes

MArk and I took time out to finally trim back the knowckout rose bushes beside the bus stop. I am hoping to root these and plant them in the yard in the spring under a cloche. I have been able to start three rose bushes that way. So keep your fingers crossed...I really need a greenhouse.

Most Beautiful

Last week was a little bit of a challenging week and I think Doodles and family knew that. So to put a smile on my face and bring the pep back to my step, they shared one of their beautiful roses. And it smells just a pretty as it looks. It is still in a wine bottle on the kitchen table. It smells just like the rose water that 'old' ladies love! I am wondering if I can start my only little rose bush from this cutting?

Trying to Survive

The sedum finally decided to shine. And the bees are loving it!
I have no idea what this is. After the first bloom I cut it way back and I am shocked that it has come back. Anyone know what the name of this beauty is?
I love how the colors of the bugs stand out on the purple pod. And did you see the one that is trying to get away in the bottom right corner?
The Inpatients are hanging on...just by a wing and a prayer. I can't seem to give them enough water.

FYI....I am harvesting seeds...if you would like some send me an email.
9black-eyed Susan's, Cone flowers, marigolds, Daisy's, zinnias, hyacinth bean, morning glories)

Summers Last Life

I am in awe of the resilience of some of the flowers we have growing in the yard.These marigolds were started from seed that I harvested two years ago.
I was trimming the climbing hydrangea and found a wren nest with an egg. I wonder if the parents abandoned the egg. I will have to check it to see if they come back. Poor thing.
Our flowers are few and far between. They were started from see from last years harvest. Maybe next year there will be more.

Believe It or Not

We still have things looking good and some blooms that must have forgotten how late in the season it is. But I am glad that they are a little mixed up.
Our mums are really starting to bloom....way too early I think. Kroger doesn't even have any out yet.

I have to use my telephoto lens while the regular lend is off to Nikon for a little nip and tuck. I think I actually like the shots better with it.

I don't remember planting any morning glories this year. But I will be glad to photograph and that come up.

I call this my 'old lady in the red barn in WI fern' because we got some from really nice little old lady that was having a yard sale. We got to talking about flowers and stuff and she ended up digging up some flowers out of her yard for me. These things grow crazy once they get establishes...probably two years and I will be pulling my hair out trying to tame these things.

Such a happy little flower.

Poor little dinner bell clematis. She has waited all summer to do this and now the bugs are having her for breakfast lunch and dinner.

I might be able to share some of these bean seeds with you...that is if the deer don't eat them all first. I watch the pods and when I think they are almost big enough to pick, the next morning they are gone, so I guess they are a midnight snack for someone.

Cosmos have never really been a flower I would plant but our plants this year are so bright and vivid. I think I like them now.

Our neighbor Ralph can grow anything! Literally! This is just one of many pumpkins he is growing this year. Two and three hundred pounders. I am thrilled that some have decided to take up residence in our yard and compost bin. He says I can keep whatever comes over the property line. Better get the dolly ready, this one is already as big as bushel basket at it is only August. Can you imagine by October how big it will be.

I wish I knew what the name of this plant is. Mark is sleeping or I would ask him, he would definitely know. He is just like that. He should be a Master Gardner.

Not every thing looks great. The black-eyed Susan's have seen better days. Doodles and I have been harvesting seeds for my sister and Cassie. When they come for the wedding I am going to give them both a big bag of seeds to take home. They both have perfect sunny fence areas to plant them in.