Spring’s First Blossoms~Time for Gardening…

by Christian

It’s so hard to believe that Spring is really here!

Everything is beginning to bloom. 

  by Donna

Our home looks it’s very loveliest in the spring.

I always feel like we’re living in just a little bit of heaven.

 

 by Christian

Here in South Central Texas we are famous for spectacular wildflowers.

I really just cannot wait to take photos in our fields and along the roads and byways.

by Christian

 

This morning, Christian discovered the first of our wildflowers.

They don’t look like much from a distance…but up close..Wow!

 by Donna

I sent Dear Son out into the yard this morning with my camera

because I’ve been scrambling to get some cleaning, sewing, and paperwork done.

I was afraid we would lose our light.

It’s been a little overcast and rainy here this week.

by Christian

The tulip tree..just exploded into blossoms today!

by Christian

One minute there were buds…

and the next day..there were just these huge delightful blossoms!

 

 by Donna

This variation of mint smells just like a chocolate mint patty!

My friend Laurie gave these to Rebekah for her own flower bed,

which she’s busily working on this week..

 by Donna

When the outdoor flowers start blooming,

we start thinking about flower beds and bedding plants.

by Christian

Dear Hubby will be bringing me flowers to plant rather than cut flowers

on his way home from his cello lesson each week.

  When I’ve enjoyed them awhile indoors…I’ll plant them outdoors!

 

   by Donna

Why not invest in blossoms for the whole spring?

I adore these Ranunculus blossoms. 

  by Donna

The multitude of layers are so feathery and light.

I think they are just exquisite!

 

by Christian

Spring seems to be making it’s appearance indoors too…

by Christian

 

The fish tank water is doing wonders for my Freesia bulbs.

 

My birthday flowers have lost their blossoms, but of course,

we will transplant the bulbs to the flower beds too now that it’s warmed up outside.

 

  by Donna

Is it Springtime at your place yet? If not, enjoy a peek at our place.

Just a little taste of heaven..if you ask me! :o)

Linking up with Cottage Flora Thursdays

and  My Romantic Home. 

My Mom's Green Gardening Tip to Make Planters on Porches much Lighter!

 Mother's always know best! And my mom certainly does when it comes to gardening. She does landscaping as her home business between stints with FEMA who,  thank goodness, hired her back with the recent natural disasters.  (Our prayers are with all you who may be having problems in your area. :o)

 Mary Smith, The world's best mom ever.. :o)

Master gardener, crafty queen, home decorator, massage therapist, herbalist, thrifty bargain hunter and Nanamom --personal cheerleader to a very

extensive crowd of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who all adore her.

She gave me a great tip...in the dead of winter...that I've been holding on to to share with you at 'the opportune moment'..  Mom is in really amazing shape considering that she is my mom..and I'm 47. I still can't get over that she landscapes in the Texas heat in Dallas!  But she came up with a way to recycle plastic bottles and make her job easier.

Instead of putting rocks in the bottom of big porch planters, she fills the bottom with sealed empty plastic 20 ounce bottles!  They give the pot the drainage it needs, without adding all that extra weight! So smart!!

Rebekah and I have been putting off this job of transplanting the marigolds..but I finally got it done this week. Isn't this awesome!!??  

Don't forge to RE-SEED your Marigolds!!   Marigolds are the ONLY flower that I'm an expert on. I've grown them for years. Why do I love marigolds? Because they RE-SEED themselves. My kids loved pulling out the seeds when the blooms were dead.  

They also loved pulling off the blooms period..But that's another story.  When life gives you blooms...float them in a crystal bowl and tell your toddlers..."Thank you so much sweetie! But lets leave the rest on the bushes OK?" 

Spring is in the Air!....Marigolds and a Great Gardening Tip!

My very favorite flowers for planting outside are marigolds! Aren't these lovely? Rebekah and I will be planting them in pots soon to put on our deck. 

 

But we have a super neat trick we will be using this Friday to do it. It's not only frugal but 'green' too. Our pots will, of course, be getting a makeover! 

So check back Friday.  But...on to the gardening tip for today......

Laura, from All Good Gifts, has been having a great time in her garden which is doing very well. However she was having a hard time with the pests. She shared this great post on how to make homemade pesticide.  I'll let her tell you all about it.

Enjoy!  Donna

*************************************************
From Laura....All Good Gifts

What A Pest!!!

 I just love my vegetable garden...

Unfortunately, so do many other little critters...such as the deer, racoons, chickens, birds, and BUGS!

In the past, we have tried many things to keep our garden pest free...fences, scarecrows, sprinkling eggshells or hair trimmings or whatever the latest pesticide free trend was. Some things worked...others didn't.

Then I stumbled across a recipe in a magazine that has been such a blessing for me...not only for pests in my veggie garden...but also on flowers and shrubs.

The original recipe called for one onion, one clove of garlic, and one of the hottest peppers you can find. I have adapted this recipe...my new version is cheaper and easier to make! 

READ THE REST OF HER POST AND HER 'RECIPE' by clicking here.

A Gardener's Prayer

Gardener's Prayer

O Lord, grant that in some way it may rain every day,

Say from about midnight until three o'clock in the morning,

But, You see, it must be gentle and warm so that it can soak in;
Grant that at the same time it would not rain on campion, alyssum, 

helianthus, lavendar, and others which You in Your infinite wisdome know are drought-loving plants-
I will write their names on a bit of paper, if you like-

And grant that the sun may shine the whole day long,
But not everywhere (not, for instance, on the gentian, plantain lily, and rhododendron) and not too much;

That there may be plenty of dew and little wind, enough worms, no lice and snails, or mildew, 

and that once a week thin liquid manure and guano may fall from heaven.

Amen!

   "by Karel Capek"

My mother read this poem to me over the phone the other day...I wish you could hear her voice. She's the only one I can imagine being able to read it 'properly'. Thanks Mom!  

(She takes care of other people lawns and flower beds...for a living.) The pictures are all by my husband, Tim, while working on a trip in New Zealand.