Things I’ve bookmarked this week that I want to read more about, look for, or think about: Santolina, because it’s yellow and drought tolerant, and smells good. Add this to the plants to look for locally list. Could be a nice addition to the yellow bed in the front yard, or the herb garden. Ajania, […]
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A Few Front Yard Pics
I followed the instructions for May grooming posted on the big chalk board at Green Mama’s, and cut back the cherry sage by 1/3. A few weeks later, they’re bursting into bloom again. I guess the key to keep these fat, happy, and full of flowers is to cut them back just at the point […]
Today in the Backyard
Two zucchini in the front, two cukes in the back. This little bed is lush and leafy and green, but sadly, is producing very little at the moment. The squash has had lots of male flowers, but until this week, no female. The cukes have had TONS of female flowers, but very few male. I […]
After a Week Away…
While I was inside, nursing my poison ivy blight last week, the backyard garden continued on without me. Here’s what I discovered this morning: I was looking out the back window when I noticed this lone cucumber hanging from the enormous vines. It’s the one and only fruit the two cuke vines have produced so […]
Why I’m Not Gardening This Week
This is what my arms looked like day before yesterday. They’re slightly better today, but infinitely uglier, because each blister scabs as it heals. I look like I’ve wrapped my arms with bubble wrap. Bubble wrap that’s been used with burgundy paint. It’s nasty. My right arm had lots of blisters right in the bend […]
Zippy Ranch Dressing
1 cup plain, unflavored yogurt1/2 teaspoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon dried chives 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper 1 dash cayenne pepper Mix together and refrigerate for an hour or so. Eat guilt-free, because 1 cup of plain yogurt has just 137 calories, and less than 1 gram […]
The Plague Continues
Well, the poison ivy rash has now covered my entire right arm, from wrist almost to armpit. There’s a patch right in the bend of my elbow that is really nasty, and hurts like hell. It’s a weepy, oozy mess. I also have patches on my left arm from wrist to elbow, and both legs […]
The Wonders of Nature
Remember those bites I whined about earlier in the week? Well, they’re getting worse, and multiplying! After doing some research, I’ve decided that this plant is the culprit:I’m pretty sure it’s poison ivy, which got all over my arms and legs when I was clearing the fence line last week, and then again when I […]
Two Morning Discoveries
Two little victories appeared this morning. First, the tiny sweet potato vines I planted have spread enough that one of them is just about to trail over the edge of the planter box. I’ve been picturing this ever since I built the box last year—that pretty cascade of bright green over the side, softening the […]
Yesterday’s Purchases
I did some shopping yesterday, to try to fill in some holes in the front yard while the weather is still forgiving. Above, Four Nerve Daisies, which I read about on the Plano Prarie Garden blog. I had to drive out to Weston Gardens to get them, which was no great hardship, since yesterday was […]
Ant Bait
Yesterday, I made ant bait that’s safe for the veggie and herb gardens, because I’m being eaten alive! I have red, angry oozing bites around both wrists, covering my right underarm, on both legs, and on my back. They’re nasty, and I’m sick of feeling itchy. Normally, I would just dust any ants I see […]
Are You My Neighbor?
Whenever I hunt for Texas gardeners, I find lots of folks in the Austin area, but not so many in mine. I’m looking for other garden bloggers in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. If that’s you, leave a comment with your blog address. I want to see what’s working in your garden!