Friday, September 25, 2015

If I Could Bottle Today

If I could capture today and put it in a bottle to release... It's absolutely beautiful. Windy and cool, no humidity, the beauty of the clouds. The earth and plants know what season it is; that it's almost time to sleep but for only a while. 

It's the small things such as the beauty of clouds that make me smile.
Parade of pansies. One of my favorite flowers. It seemed to have been a difficult growing season for them. There were lots of varieties but not as many as I've seen in previous years. They had also suffered from  possibly the high temperatures during growth as they were leggy in both places I shopped.
Removing the impatiens and coleus was almost joyful. No more petals all over the sidewalk from impatiens and wilted foliage begging for water more than once a day.
I didn't buy many mums for outside this year because the blooms die so fast and then they're an eye sore.
I finally had the cement replaced on the sidewalk, It looks so much better. The downside was that my flower bed border was removed and of course I didn't know where  to replace each rock. It looks okay but water is leaking too much from between the rocks. Those are old rock and I probably couldn't find any like them but I'm going to see what small pieces I can find to fill in the gaps.





I had a beautiful patch of montauk daisies here before about 20 years ago. They took over. I didn't know much about plants and how to take care of them and prune them so they aren't so gangly and sprawling come fall.
I love the lavender but lets see if it returns.





I left the coleus in here. It's still so pretty and requires a little less water with the cooling temperatures.




There's a good article on Rodale's Organic Life web site about clouds.




This is the first year I've seen miniature ornamental cabbage and kale in big box stores and nurseries.
I hope you day has been beautiful.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

In The Yard

Pray that it returns. One of my favorite, Japanese anemone one of two perennials I bought yesterday from Primex. I will say that buying this size would have been more expensive on line with delivery charges. I like the white ones more but only pink was available and didn't want to pass this up.

Another perennial from Primex. I didn't bring the name tag inside. Not a veronica but the flower spike reminds me of them although I don't think the blooms get this long on Veronica's.
Romaine Lettuce
Broccoli
I'd bet a raccoon. I heard something 2 nights ago. When I went outside the planter with my rosemary and strawberries was over turned to the ground. Didn't know raccoons eat strawberries but the plants have been loaded with berries and when I go out to get them they're gone. This planter was too heavy with soil for a squirrel to tip over.
Mum, I love the color.

Sedum is pretty this year.
Caryopteris or it's common name, Bluebeard.
Can't cut off that beautiful bloom on the coleus. It doesn't matter as the cold will soon get it. The seeds will scatter in the yard and maybe next season I'll get at least one that looks like it's mother.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Fall Equinox


Visited Primex Garden Center today. They're located in Glenside just outside Wyncote on Glenside Road. If you go to Produce Junction on Easton road it up the street 2 lights and left on Glenside. It's wise if you go take little money because they're too many tempting items. Not exactly a place for a bargain. There was so much to see but I avoided most of it because I didn't want to purchase things I didn't come for. I came to see if they had a better selection of pansies. I looked outside, in the greenhouse, and finally the store. The pansies at primex were also leggy but many weren't elongated and I picked mine carefully. The varieties were beautiful. There was a nice selection of vegetables, different varieties of kale, lots of shrubs, perennials, annuals and a little of everything. I went inside  the store to look at the Dutch bulbs and check to see if there was a seed sale since 2015 is nearing it's end and 2016 seeds will be in stores after Christmas. I love Primex but I try to limit my visits there due to few bargains or sales. I like it for purchases that would cost too much in shipping cost to order on line. Instead I can purchase a large bag of Organic Mechanic Potting Soil or Pro Mix without the cost of shipping. Last week I put 2 bags of compost in my shopping cart on line and it was $45.00 's for shipping. Didn't make that purchase. It's better for me to look for a similar item in a store such as this. If you like small town feel, you'll love going to Glenside just for the ride.



Back Home and time to hang the corn outside and remember to wipe the mirror  when I do my chores this week. It's amazing what you see when you start taking pictures.
I'm going to peel that corn tomorrow and see what it looks like. I didn't think of that when I hung it up. We have raccoons in my neighborhood. Can you imagine squirrels or raccoons eating the corn? Didn't think of this when I bought it but if they do this will be the last year for it with the corn attached.

I'll show you what I got from Primex tomorrow. I tried to behave. Happy fall gardening.