Welcome to June....

It's been a while since I posted.

We've been away.

It's the time of year, for my 'Girls Group' to get together.

Panama City Beach again.

We're still a good group.

And, we always have fun.

We caught a lot of good sunsets this year.

Afterward, Mr. P & I went to one of our group's home.

Spent a couple days, relaxing on their back porch, overlooking the small

lake, behind their house.  Lots of geese and ducks.

Then, the four of us went to San Augustine for a few days.

We stayed at the Bayfront Westcott House.

A lovely b&b, in an old house, right on the bay.

We did all the tourist things.

Above is Flagler College.  It was built as an exclusive hotel.

I took a lot of photos, and I'll post about San Augustine soon.

Back at home, the grapes are filling out.

We had a BIG rain.  One of those that make me nervous.

And, the creek started flowing again.  Lots of water over the waterfall.

The main thing blooming is the Monarda 'Peter's Purple'.

I love it.  It's supposed to be a bully.  But, that's ok with me.

Thanks Bob, for this pass along.

It's been a busy week, back at home.

But, I did manage to get by the garden center, for those annuals I didn't 

want to plant before we left.

A gardener's gotta do, what a gardener's gotta do.

I think my family believes they need to start intervention.

So, that's the news from Patchwork Garden.

***********

'Til later...

Take care...

~~Linda~~

Everything's Soggy!!....

WOO HOO!!

We got some rain.

About one and a quarter inch.

And, more forecast.

After a slow start, Spring has finally shown up here.

And, things are greening up.

We won't have to fill birdbaths, for a day or two.

But, we'll have to clean up washed away mulch.

And, there are still these lovely little trees..grrr...to dig up.

And, this rain will probably bring out more.

They may have to wait.  It's time for the annual 'Girls' Trip'.

This year, we're headed to the beach.

Not to worry.  They'll be there, when I get back.

Mr P. is in charge of keeping things alive, while I'm gone.

Til later...

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~

Under the Big Top....

Well...not really The Big Top.

At the Natural Gardener, in Austin, they call it
The Revival Tent.
It's the place where speakers come, to give advice
on how to handle the challenges (and, there are many)
of gardening in our part of the world.

Saturday was the day for Pam Penick from Digging,
to present her brand new book,
Lawn Gone.

It's full of information, design renderings, and ideas for turning your
water guzzling lawn, into a drought resistant, inviting garden.

There was a good crowd.....standing room only...for Pam's informative
talk, about techniques and plants to use for the transformation.

There are plant recommendations for different regions in the book.

She displayed several different plants.
Then, there was a question and answer period.

Afterward, a line formed with people who wanted their copies signed by the author.

I was finally lucky enough to meet several local garden bloggers.
No pictures, unfortunately.  Too busy talking.
But, it was good to put in-person faces, to the blogs I read so often.

It was a beautiful day.

This is a great place to visit, even if you're not shopping for plants.

Of course, who can go there without buying plants?
My time was limited.  So, my shopping was limited as well.

Now, I'm off to read Lawn Gone.....again.

Congratulations, Pam.
A very good job.

Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~

Black Gold....

Black Gold...

Not of the 'crude' type.  But, of the leaf type.

Before the rains, I raked off the top layer in the compost bin.  Moved all those un-rotted leaves.  

The ants were not too happy with me.  They've made several nests in there.

It's their job....to break down matter.  But, they surely didn't want my presence,

and let me know about it.

I uncovered what I was looking for.

  I managed to get three cartloads of this good stuff.

I don't screen it.  Just take out the sticks and other things that don't work out so well.

I used this to top dress plants in the fenced yard.   It makes great mulch, 

and feeds the plants naturally.  The plants love it.  The worms love it.

And, I love it.

Black Gold...Leaf Mold

It's a good thing.

Have a Great Weekend...

~~Linda~~

Kansas Visiting....

Keeper of the Plains

I told you recently, that our daughter and her family have moved from way up north, 

in North Dakota, to south central Kansas. 

Almost one thousand miles closer.

Photo by Son-in-Law

So, to celebrate the move, we went up for a visit.  We did give them a couple weeks to get settled in.

We'll be seeing more of these two...and, their parents, too, of course.

We took a drive into Wichita to see some sights.  

We spent the most time at the

Keeper of the Plains.

Photo by Son-in-Law

This sculpture and interpretive center, stands at the confluence of 

the Arkansas and the Little Arkansas rivers.

Plains Indians used this site as a camping area.

Exhibits of Native American lifestyle add more interest.

A plaque explains the Plains People's Circle of Life.

The Hoop is the symbol of the world.

Half is a physical realm, half spiritual.

The number four is prominent in their belief....

the four seasons, four directions, four elements, etc.

In the center is a turtle.

The Plains People believed that we're all floating on the back of a turtle,

through a primordial sea.

The turtle is represented in several places.

In the evenings, these fire pits, which circle the front of the sculpture, are lit.

We didn't stay for that.  But, maybe next time, that would be a nice thing to do.

Back at the house, there were a couple things I didn't recognize.

This tree for one.

The bark was very interesting.

And, these look like some kind of bulb.  I've never planted many bulbs, so don't recognize these.

Anybody know the tree or these bulbs?

Again, photo by Son-in-Law

We had a great time, and we'll be doing it again sometime soon.

There are sure to be more photo opportunities ahead.  

Happy days, for sure.

Oh....and we're making headway on those weeds, too.

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~

30 Day Challenge~~Thanksgiving~~Days 13...

Cat, at The Whimsical Gardener, has challenged us to a 30 Day Challenge of Thanksgiving.

A post a day, for 30 days, to celebrate the things we are thankful for, in our lives.

~~Day 13~~

Can I be thankful for the same things twice?

I told you on Day 10 about winning a gift certificate from Shoal Creek Nursery.

I've been asked what I got.

So, today I'm thankful... all over again...for what I got.

The above three gallon size Yucca rostrata.

Another three gallon of Salvia greggii, Hot Lips..I think.  No tag on this one.

 

 

And, this tray of goodies.  Pansies, snapdragons, lamb's ear and a gallon sized foxtail fern.

The three gallon plants will go in the soon-to-be remodeled front 'Island Bed'....the bed inside the curve of the front driveway.  I'll need much more...but that will come later.

I've been promised the ground cover in that bed will be gone by Thanksgiving.

The tray of goodies will be spread around in containers. 

The lamb's ear will replace some lost this summer.

So, it's time to get out there and get the containers planted....the lamb's ear in the ground.

I'm thankful today is going to be a good day to garden.

Hope you're having a great day, too.

~~Linda~~

Support Your Independent Nursery Month: King Feed Garden and Hardware

October has been deemed Support Your Independent Nursery Month by Pam at Digging.
Nothing like showing up at the last minute.

Here in Wimberley, our main place for all things garden is
King Feed Garden and Hardware.

This place has been here for a long time.  Back in the 1950s, this site was a cedar yard and sawmill, with a small store that sold hardware, feed and ranching supplies.

It's changed hands over the years, but still carries a large line of different feeds...from food for dogs and cats, to those deer creatures we all love.

They are also a True Value Hardware store.

But, my main interest is for the garden.
They carry veggie transplants...

and herbs.

They carry a nice variety of native succulents and bedding plants.

Grasses...

Trees and shrubs.

They have a nice supply of bagged soils and composts.  They carry the popular Lady Bug brands.

Their bedding plants are healthy.  And, they have an assortment of the colorful Mexican pottery that I like.

Their supply right now is lower than usual.  Maybe a sign of the times.

There are other garden accessories.  Windchimes and birdhouses, and feeders.

A focal point of the nursery is the ruins of the fireplace left from the home of the original owners.

All dressed up for the Halloween season.

They did a good job of black and orange arrangements.

There's a nice greenhouse, for tropicals and houseplants.

We've had some cold mornings, here in Wimberley Valley.  So, the cold tender plants are safe inside.

Hmmm....I just might have to have some of these colorful tomato cages and shepherds hooks.

Inside, you'll find a nice array of natural plant foods and pest control.  You'll find the other kind, too.
But, they seem to focus more on the natural products.

There's a small, but good variety of seeds.

You can find garden tools, irrigation supplies, gloves....almost anything you need for the garden.
Plus other tools, paint, plumbing needs, etc.

Outside again, they have a new addition of these little guys.
They didn't have any baby chickens, but there are usually some inside by the cashier stand.
And, don't forget that feed for whatever critter you might be feeding.

King's is a nice place to visit, whether you need something or not.  I don't usually leave empty handed.
It helps that's it's only a couple miles from my front door.  On the other hand...maybe not for the budget.

So, when in Wimberley, drop by King's.  It has that old fashioned, small town feel.

They're friendly and knowledgeable...they answer questions about what might or might not work for certain spots and they usually point out that 'deer resistant' doesn't necessarily mean MY neighborhood.
(Did I mention we have LOTS of deer in my neighborhood?)


Wimberley is worth the trip.

Be sure to visit Pam at Digging to see some other great independent nurseries.

'til next time..

Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~