Stormy Kind Of Saturday...

It seems as this weekend is going to be quite stormy.. not a complete washout, but still enough to not make it interesting trying to time it just right to get some things done outside in between storms. So far, it has stormed a total of 5 times and it is just early afternoon. The great thing is that this weather has made the cannas larger and closer to blooming out. The bad thing is that the grass is growing in places where you to not want it to. So by the time it dries out enough to get anything done with flower gardens, the grass is going to be bad.

The good thing is that the chickens are still laying eggs, which I love because the store egg prices are quite pricey. Planning to expand the flock and create a large outdoor space where they can enjoy some outdoor space. With eagles, ospreys, hawks, and stray animals (yes people are still throwing out dogs just down the road), it is often too dangerous to turn the chickens out. So the idea I have is to build a well built fenced area, that has netting across the top to prevent eagles and such from killing the chickens. That way they will be safe and not have to worry about the flocks safety. Well.. off to finish getting some outdoor chores done before the heavy rains arrive. Until next post... May God bless!!

Finally Friday... already...

It has been quite a week with trying to get caught up on the last few days we had of dry weather before atleast 5 more days of rain return. The bonus of this was atleast the peas have been planted while the garden was dry enough to do so. Now if the crop will do well this year to make up for the sad multiple times of replanting due to drought and hot temperatures. I plan to pressure can some peas this year if the crop does well enough. I also hope that the tomatoes and peppers do well also. I think that losing 2 pepper plant is not really so bad. God has a reason and I am greatful for the ones that did make it. Looking at everything as a blessing and taking it day by day.

Also, my Asiatic lilies are nearly ready to move to the other flower beds. I am working on making a large plot of them where they are sure to spread out for many years to come. This would also help with my progess being made on my low maintainence gardening methods. I am happy with the progress that is being made, but at the same time I feel like I have a long ways to go. I guess it will all work out in due time. I also plan to make a larger plot of stonecrop cuttings so that they will have their own little areas that they will flourish in. I have been working for many years to have some in every flower garden and I am making a lot of progress with that.

Can't wait to get my cucumbers planted and if it all works out... hopefully malabar spinach. I have a lot of ideas, but it's so hard to get time to organize them, so I just do one at a time and let God lead it where it goes. 90% of my black willow cuttings are ready to transplant, as I am wanting to get them planted so they will grow out and then I can relocate them as I go along. I love black willows, and have plans to get a weeping willow and another corkscrew willow like I used to have prior to 2011. What can I say... I just love plants... I think it is a blessing to be able to share plants, seeds, cuttings, and knowledge with others who love gardening as much as I do. That's really a rare gem because most people are afraid to venture into growing anything because they are focused on everything dying or withering away.. In all the years that I have dealt with anything garden/plant/seed related, I have found it to be the most beneficial to not focus on negatives... focus on everything that can and will go right, because it will. Going to go for today... take care and have a wonderful weekend!! Happy Father's day weekend to the Father's out there!! Until next post... May God bless!! P.S. Enjoy some more plant photos..

Tuesday's Surprise... Boxelder Seed Clusters.. How Exciting!!

I got to enjoy the beautiful dry weather today and work outside for a few hours before getting some indoor chores done. I went outside to spray for fire ants, plant some transplant tree seedlings that I discovered out near the fence row, and trim some dead blooms from my rose bushes. As I was walking around some of my larger sized trees on my tree row, I discovered that my boxelder tree had several clusters of seeds. This was a delight because I had not expected this at all and it was absolutely beautiful to the clusters swaying in the wind. I picked some of the clusters to alllow them to dry so that I could start them in pots or in one side of the larger flower beds. I am looking forward to seeing these seeds grow out a new tree. Check out how cool my tree looks as it grows in my tree row... sorry if that sounds too nerdy.. :D

I can not believe how tall my tree has gotten since doing minor pruning as needed, as I really do not like to trim my trees very much, because to me, it adds to their beauty as well as providing privacy, a wind break, and something for the birds to enjoy perching on each day. I used to hang out bird feeders, but in 2023, there was a tornado that came through this area, which brought strong winds, and I lost every bird feeder I had, including my hummingbird feeders. This was ok by me, because I am so glad that God allows all of my beautiful flowers to bloom so that the hummingbirds can enjoy them. It brings my heart such joy to watch hummingbirds visit each flower and never missing a single bloom. As you can see in the photos, the leaves resemble poison oak/poison ivy, which for the times that I never could think of the name off the top of my head, I would call boxelders "poison oak trees". Please note that they are not poison oak/poison ivy.. just a nickname I gave them when I couldn't think of the name.

The seed clusters are so unique that they just seem to stand out, as they are shaped like miniature boomerangs, with lumps where the actual seed is. I have the seeds drying on the mantel and plan to plant them this week sometime before the 5-6 days of rain comes back. Yes... more rainy days ahead... I know.. this means getting to get seeds planted is going to be further delayed. This means late gardening, but I have to admit, I just can not get over how wet this spring was and how wet this summer is actually becoming. Praying this does not mean that we will have a droughty, how late summer and fall.

Awesome seed clusters above as you can see... aren't they just lovely??? I just really love how my beautiful boxelder made seeds for the first time and I have had this tree since 2019, when it was a transplant that was around 4 foot tall. It came from a neighbor, who had no idea what it was, but brought it to me to see if I knew what this oddity was. I love how people will bring plants, seeds, trees, or vines to me for identification.. I guess I realized 26 years ago, I should have been a horticulturlist... it took me that many years to realize my calling. I absolutely adore gardening and working with flowers. I have learned how to root things from trial and error which has helped me fine tune my gardening skills. I think of myself as a garden nerd, because I always have 5-7 vases of water with plants, tree seedlings, or cuttings that I am rooting all through the growing season. I also have a vat which I start cuttings in, using my home-made rooting agent.

I hope to have a lot more black willow cuttings planted by the end of summer, and I just may decide to plant some of them in the tree row beside my boxelder. I have also figured out a few things about dealing with crepe mrytles.. but that is another story for another day. Hopeing to have more plants ready to fill in bare spots of the 2 larger flower gardens in order to help reduce grass and weeds from growing and I am 85% of the way towards that goal. If I can succeed in my goal, I have found a way to maintain my flower gardens, using less maintainence which means only working through them once or twice during the course of the entire growing season. I love this concept and have been working agressively towards that goal for many years now. I have tried to explain my method to others, and several folks have shown interest in it.

The goal is getting closer, as I have found ways to provide a way to mulch areas where there really thick grass and weeds. I worked last week on getting most of the artemesia and mint trimmed a little lower, which was used for mulching as much as I could. I also trimmed back the yellow flag irises, as they have completed their blooming cycle and gone to seed. The thicker the cut back material is, the better the results. No worries... the flag irises, mint, artemesia, and spidewort have already grown back out. The spiderwort is already blooming out again. I will end it here for tonight... planning to update net post with some photos of the process so far.. to understand it you have to see it. Take care and until next post.. may God bless!!

Happy Summer...

Hoping this post is finding everyone doing very well and getting outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. I have to say that this is the wettest, stormiest spring and start to summer I have seen in many years. Each time we get the garden plowed and ready to plant it will come storms with flash floods that lead the garden to become flooded for several days. We are back to square one again as we are waiting for a dry spell to get the garden planted with the beans. I love that we are getting rain, but would love to plant the beans, and okra. Last summer we had sever drought that left us without rain in our area for several months, so the only thing that did fairly well was the tomatoes.

I am looking forward to trying to get some squash, peas, okra, and cucumbers planted once it dries enough to let me get seeds planted. I am planting many things in my flower gardens, as it is not so boggy. I have so far planted 3 tomatoes, 3 bell pepper plants, and 3 jalepeno plants in some of the out areas of one of my larger sized flower gardens. The bad thing is, I have lost 2 of the bell pepper and 2 of the jalepeno due to all of the rain that we have had. Praying that the remainder of tomatoes and peppers strive and do well. I wanted to plant 3 of the tomatoes and pepper plants because I want to allow just enough to grow so that they can be maintained and care for much easier.

The motto for this growing season is, "Less is more" and just really spoil those, as God will always provide us with a crop of some size. For this I am really greatful and consider it a huge blessing, because I am thrifty and I do not waste anything. I am the kind of person who will find a way to make a use for everything, because God provides us with daily blessings both big and small. I look forward to gathering eggs which our chickens lay daily. I am trying to find a way to expand my flock, but right now I am happy where God has our small flock.

I was really blessed to have gotten the opportunity to enjoy fresh sage for two seasons, but due to extremely cold weather we had during the winter months, my sage ended up dying out. My next goal is to finally get a greenhouse, which would be another huge blessing so that I can start seeds for gardening season and also to grow some things during the colder months if possible. I have been busy working with starting new cuttings for helping to further expand my plants and shrubs. So far I have started several black willow cuttings which will be transplanted soon. My goal for the last 7 1/2 years was to plant a tree row so that there is some privacy, a wind break from winds, and to also have trees for the wildife to enjoy.

Feel free to let me know what types of plants you will be planting.. I would love to hear from you. Also, I am hoping to be able to share some of my ideas and gardening advice I have learned from trial and error. For the last 37 years, my love for plants and gardening has only grown. I always enjoy sharing plants, bulbs, and seeds with friends, neighbors, and relatives. I am hoping that you enjoy some photos of some of the things that I have been working on. Enjoy, take care, and always make time to enjoy outdoors. Until next post.. may God bless!!

Staying Afloat As An Online Seller Right Now...

I have been trying to find ways to save money for advertising, while also trying to keep things afloat as an online seller across several online avenues. The last few months sales have been really slow, so that is when I decided to see what else is available now to help give your listings more of a boost. I recommend using X and Pintrest to expand further for getting your listings advertised. With inflation making everything cost so much more, you really have to think outside the box in order to save money and maximize your earnings.

I have been doing surveys to help with everything right now, while sales are very slow. In all of the 20 years of selling online, I have never seen it so slow. For me, selling online is a huge blessing because it helps pay the bills, buy groceries, and just navigate these horrible economic times. I have been trying to stay very positive and upbeat that this difficult season of slow sales will soon pass, but it is hard to think that everytime that you have to walk into any store lately.

Even the shipping has went up several times already with more increases on the way. Please feel free to share any pointers, advice, or tips you may have in comments below, because I would really love to hear from you. As a seller with several online marketplaces for over 20 years, I have met some really interesting people who have turned out to be some of the best friends. If anyone knows of other ways to thrive right now, feel free to leave it in a comment. Take care and have a great afternoon!! May God bless!!

Happy Fall!!!

Hoping that everyone is having some really nice fall temperatures and getting really for the fast-paced holiday season approaching. This time of year is always busy and so I have been trying to get some routine things done ahead of time. I try to do some organizing and chores to help make housecleaning and decorating for the holidays much easier and less stressful. Spreading out tasks such as re-organizing and decluttering right now will save so much time, so all that I can focus on cooking and baking.

I have also been busy working on some of my eBay listings and adding some holiday themed items, crafting supplies, and decorative items. I was not able to get a head start on listing some of my home made Christmas stockings, but planning on doing that next year. With this time of year being so busy, it often can be difficult to get a head start on getting some of my hand made items listed in time for the holiday season, so hoping I can get time to work on offering those goodies next year. In the mean time, please feel free to enjoy viewing some of my items shown below. If you are looking for something in particular, feel free to ask, as I just may have it, but have not had time to list it just yet. Take care and have a great weekend!! Until next post.... may God bless!!

My Quest for Fresh Ideas...

It's been a while since I have had time to post anything. This year has just literally flown by and it only seems as if yesterday was new Year's. I have spent time the last few months trying to list and advertise my online listings which I have on various marketplaces. During various times, I admit it has been difficult to feel motivated to list auctions. I feel like I am spending more time than I had planned, trying to find an easier and less time consuming way to advertise and put my items out there. What do you use to make this process easier?? I would welcome your ideas and advice on this subject. I have not had much luck searching online for this topic. Thanks in advance for reading and until next post.... May God bless!!