When a gardeners cup is half full

I awoke this morning to a glorious sight. My eyes having not yet fully adjusted to the light, I peered out the bathroom window and saw something I haven't seen in a long while. Rain. And by the looks of it, it had been raining for a while, albeit lightly, steadily. As a gardener, we have ways to spot these sort of trivial things about which most average people never think twice.

The soil and mulch under the canopies of the bushes and the trees was wet as was the trunks of the trees. In a brief or sudden downpour, these things will give you clues as to the quality and quantity of natures watering. And boy did we need it. It has since stopped, although radar indicates we may get some more this afternoon.

In the last few years, we have ceased worrying about the grass, and concentrate on the plants we have so lovingly cultivated. Some need more water than others, so we concentrate on those. We make sure the Japanese maples get their fair share, as well as anything in pots. We use a soaker hose in a couple of areas, leaving it there during the summer so all we have to do is hook it up a couple of times a week. We coil them up and put them away during the winter.

We have planted a succulent area on an embankment near the road that was hard to water anyway, and it seems to like it there, if we can just keep people from driving over it. We have also tried to plant species that are like minded, meaning plants that love water, are planted in the same area, while others that are more drought tolerant are grouped together. It make watering a little easier. The operative word here is "try" as we do, but it doesn't always works out that way.

So we are in a typical Virginia summer, having some very hot temps and a lack of rain. We had a very wet spring, so I feel that has helped ease the severity of the drought, but it doesn't take long for the effects to show their ugly head. First, the grass over the septic tank goes dormant, showing its tan patch vividly amongst the deep green of the grass and lawn weeds. Second, the trees, in an effort to stay alive and stave off an early death, start to drop their leaves, turning yellow before the drop.

And of course we can't forget the wildlife. The birdbath is a hot spot and needs to be filled, sometimes two or three times a day. You know it is dry when you see insects drinking from the water sources, as most of the time they get their liquid sustenance in other forms.

Which brings me to the title of this post. While most people are grumbling about the wet weather, about what a pain it is to have to walk 50 feet from their car to the store fronts or getting their glasses wet, we gardeners are rejoicing. We have a spring in our step and see this as a beautiful day, knowing full well, the benefits will always outweigh the negatives. I see today, that my glass is half full.

Please visit and bookmark my new blog site, yardifacts.wordpress.com for continuing stories and photos. Same name...different channel!

I love the smell of fresh mulch in the morning

One of the many Day Lilies now blooming in my garden

Summer is finally here and it brings with it the warmer, hotter temperatures, weeds and bugs and the need for keeping a constant watering schedule. Don't forget your plants, especially the ones in pots and planters.

We've been busy over the last few weeks, weeding, adding new beds, adding lots of new plants and moving around others. We are going to have to move some of the Day Lilies to new spots as they are now more in shade from when we planted them six or seven years ago. These are easy to move and will spring back quickly after a few days of watering.

I widened some beds and added a variety of new plants. To keep the new plants from drying out, I purchased some bag mulch to keep the weeds at bay and to keep the moisture where it is needed. I love the smell of fresh mulch. So earthy and fresh. I also love the way it makes the plants stand out while keeping the weeds under control.

New growth will be kept in check and the best branches will be kept

The Japanese Maple that was nearly lost a few weeks ago is budding out profusely and should not have a problem filling back out over the next couple of years. I will be moving it in a few days, to a new home, in the shade, where it won't be stressed out from summer heat and direct sunlight. It is also giving me a chance to make a new outdoor "room" in one section of the back yard. I think we will try to make this one a more "Zen like" retreat, with a Japanese garden flair.

For those of you with birdbaths, this is the time of year to keep those filled. My wife sometimes has to rinse and fill them three or four times each day. We have three in the yard. One in the back, the largest, is a hot spot for bathing activities. The birds will hear us refilling it and within a few seconds, come down and start bathing and then it gets really crowded. We have two in the front yard with one being a large solid urn-like granite block that is used more for just drinking as it is too deep for birds to bathe. Don't forget to really clean your birdbaths every couple of weeks, making sure to scrub off any algae. The birds don't like it anymore that you would.

How cute is that!?

One day recently I was sitting out on my porch having a cup of coffee before going to work and I noticed something in the tree. From my distance and my eyesight being what it is, I thought it was some type of growth on the tree. But having worked 2 solid days in the yard, I didn't remember seeing anything there.

I went to investigate and found this little guy sitting in the crotch of the tree. Too young to be on his own, he must have gotten spooked and climbed the tree. Mom was nowhere to be found. We tried to coax him down but he was glassy eyed and lethargic. I called animal control before going to work and they showed up with nothing but excuses as to why they can't do anything. Like the animal is going to sue them.

My wife and sons set out some water and grapes but he scurried up the tree each time they got near, so at least he was okay. Later that day he was gone. No one saw him leave. I noticed a large raccoon dead on the side of the road nearby, wondering if it was mother. The little guy was spotted in a neighbors yard the next day, but has since vanished. We hope all is well.

A few weeks ago, I watched as some baby bunnies were playing happily around under the hostas in the front yard. I was taken with their carefree attitude and their gangly hopping and bouncing. I have a soft spot for baby animals and this left me happy to have witnessed this part of nature. 

Then reality set in. They are eating everything now! Since our neighbors cat passed away, we have not only seen a huge rise in the rabbit population, but the constant disappearance of some of our plants! We have always seen a rabbit here and there over the years, but even last night, a friend was over for dinner, looked out the back window and exclaimed that the entire rabbit family, five or six of them, were merrily munching away.

I think "Tiger" is a good cats name.

newly widened beds

Love the splashes of color

Always look for color combos

Echinacea are like weeds in our yard

Echinacea "Milkshake"

More petals coming out of the center!

Bright colors make my day