Flowers in the drought and more bees

It was a really good idea to create the front garden and fill it with lots of perennials that take less water (when established) but it has been a great deal more work than I thought it would be last February. I really did not count on the drought. I broke down in July and bought soaker hoses for the beds which are great for getting water out to the roots and let me get other things done instead of standing and watering for an hour every morning. Adding vegetables to the front has also added interesting visuals and the front is doing so much better than the back garden.  I think this is because of the tree's invasive roots. 


I expanded the veggie bed out front again and have quite a number of brassicas in there: cauliflower, red and green cabbage, broccoli and purple kohl rabi. I did put a couple dozen spinach transplants in there too with a few radishes. Basil is still thriving and finally the habenero peppers are setting and the red cherry ones are ripening. Okra is played out after the cold the last week but we got quite a number of them every few days. I thought eggplant was a hot weather crop but these have been much happier since it is cooler.  


speaking of bees, I am still seeing bees in the "fountain" I set up for them and flitting between the various plants. They seem a little slower now but are still flitting around most of the day.


Finally the garden out back is doing well. Lots of fall green beans, tomatoes, peppers--both hot and mild, and eggplant. The malabar spinach was a real disappointment as was the sweet potatoes. Still, I am glad to have a garden and fresh veggies almost every week. Already I am planning for next spring!

Everything you need to know about Composting and always wanted to ask @ Wells Branch Garden Guild

We will meet at 9:30 am September 10th at the Wells Branch MUD rec center for a discussion and demonstrations on Composting.  We'll have our local experts walk everybody through the best ways to make compost, discuss it's uses and how important it is, especially in this time of exceptional drought.  This will be a roll up your sleeves and do it kind of meeting, as well as a time to ask questions and discuss. The food scraps off you tables, grass cuttings and leaves out of your yard can make some of the best fertilizer you can use, and you don't have to buy it. 1. What is compost - commercial, homemade - chemical composition, nitrogen, etc. - how does it work?  Benefits to plants and the environment. - George 2. What are the ways that it is made - commercial, homemade: Ingredients: Leaves (leaves to avoid), grass, weeds (?), food waste  (what to choose), additives: molasses, manure, worms (vermiculture) - moisture and heat needed.  Slow and quick composting. - Dianne (this could be a key demo) 3. Equipment- in the ground, bins, tumblers (where and how to construct in ground, where to buy bins or tumblers, where to place in the yard) - plus and minuses of each - controlling pests and insects - Kathleen 4. Effects on plants, types of compost for plants needing low nitrogen or high nitrogen. - Yvette 5. Ways to apply and best times to apply. - Yvette 6. Seed bombs - Tara I'll have a number of books from the library for adults and families with kids to view on this topic too.  Backyard composting: your complete guide to recycling yard clippings The complete compost gardening guide: banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money,and producing the most flavorful, nutritious vegetables ever Composting Let it rot: the gardener's guide to composting The vegetable gardener's book of building projects: raised beds, cold frames,compost bins, planters, plant supports, trellises, harvesting and storage aids Compost stew: an A to Z recipe for the earth Compost critters Garbage helps our garden grow: a compost story OverDrive eBook: The Complete Compost Gardening Guide OverDrive eBook: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Year-Round Gardening

Sunflowers are living birdfeeders

Little did I know when I planted a few sunflowers for the bees and butterflies that I'd be attracting a whole flock of tiny birds too. I have been told this is a house wren munching on the seeds. I have sighted several differnt birds about the same size but distinctly different. The great thing is the branches of the sunflowers won't support the weight of the larger birds so these little guys get something to eat. I have set up a bird bath of sorts under the tree which is a work in progress. 
I tried something new with the bees and they seem to like it. I added a large piece of the landscape mulch to the tray so they could land on it. It gives them a place that is wet without falling in as this one had vertical sides unlike the other saucer. They still prefer wet leaves but sure cluster on the wood every morning and evening.  My guess is that we have a couple dozen around the garden at any time. Some of the lantana is blooming, in addition to the salvia, vincas, and the ruellia. Seeing the bees wiggle down into the ruellia blooms was funny to watch. The bumble bees don't fit but sure tried. 

A walk through our summer garden in July

Our garden out in the front has been a great experiment and a joy to sit in the chairs and enjoy it. I am not missing the grass and looking forward to taking out another large swath of it this fall/winter. The soaker hoses are really helping to keep the water in the plants root area and not just evaporating.