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.