I photographed this part of my sister's garden on Sunday when we celebrated Mother's Day. It is one of my favorite parts of her garden. This spot is drenched in shade for most of the day, but for now the sun is shining in to highlight this peaceful place where you can sit for a spell with her cat(s).

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-14, 06:08:34

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It's been three weeks since I first got out in the vegetable garden. Since then, it's been very cool and damp, so the greens and peas are not very big, yet. One thing I've done, though, is to put up rabbit fencing, as seen below.

I am not thrilled about how this looks or how it works, but after having rabbits decimate the garden over the past two years, I knew I needed to take some serious action. If I could only convince Spouse to do the fencing the way I want* I would be much happier, but Spouse is convinced it would be "too hard" and that "it won't work." Harumph. . . .

reBlogged to gardens fence pests on May 13, 2008, 2:56PM

Posted by Talbin Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, fence, pests on 2008-05-14, 06:07:21

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This weekend I was able to do 2 garden tours.  8 gardens via the Botanical Gardens and 5 via the Cobb County Master Gardeners. . . .

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Lesli Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-13, 06:41:58

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It occurs to me lately that much of the good stuff on this blog happens in the comments, and as a result, doesn't get the prominence it deserves. Also, I tend to write of mystery plants, birds, bugs, etc. and then don't update the post when I learn the ID. Soooooo.....this post is to tie up some loose ends. . . .

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Posted by Entangled Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, birds on 2008-05-12, 06:36:05

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John Levett rides south of Cambridge to see what generations of nickings, seed droppings, and skill have made: the expected and the surprising.

Originally posted by Julie

reBlogged to gardens on May 11, 2008, 5:06PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-12, 06:32:47

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Just when I've written off a plant, it goes and does something that redeams itself. I was ready to tear out all of the lantana this year, just because it was ready to take over things. But check out that pink! I don't remember planting lantana that pink. And its a color after my own heart. I took a bunch of cuttings today, so hopefully I'll have more shortly. . . .

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Posted by Wicked Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-12, 06:26:13

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This is part two of a garden tour I posted last summer [see part one here. I warn you: it's really beautiful.]. Time flies when you're, um, well, forgetful about what you've posted and what you have not! As mentioned in Part One, I think the key to a beautiful garden (as it matures), is to clump like with like in big groupings. For example, if you have 24 delphiniums, put them in three groups. . .

reBlogged to gardens on May 11, 2008, 8:59AM

Posted by empressofdirt@gmail.com (M.J.Will) Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-12, 06:23:53

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We pass this back garden on our walk to school. It's a rather wild combination of plants, trees, and accessories, but somehow it works in its own way: I was trying out the 2x telephoto lens that came with my camera (Canon G9). When I keep the lens on and take wide angle photos, it gives this somewhat interesting distortion of the sides of the image (above). It's tulip time. In my garden

reBlogged to gardens on May 9, 2008, 11:19AM

Posted by empressofdirt@gmail.com (M.J.Will) Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-10, 05:18:15

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Looking down at Millenium Park from the 21st floor. . .

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Carolyn gail Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-08, 05:19:54

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Our weather has turned into beautiful springtime the past few days. Temps only went down to 60F last night and the baby tomato plants (in pots still) stayed outside. Everything is growing nicely. I am starting to think that we may not get any more frosts - in my sheltered home garden at least. Yesterday I went ahead and planted sunflower seeds outside. I think bean seeds can go in soon too. Maybe the squash and tomato plants can be transplanted soon! Spring comes so fast once it starts. . .

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by kathy Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-08, 05:17:48

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reBlogged to gardens whimsy

Posted by tcg Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, whimsy on 2008-05-07, 05:36:00

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I still have several posts in the queue from garden tours I went on last summer. Here's another one: This garden is in a beautiful little town with lots of older homes. Many of these houses have barns instead of garages. This homeowner hung stars on the side of their barn to break up the monotony of the wall. I love the large scale: a big wall deserves big art. ..

reBlogged to gardens on May 5, 2008, 10:03AM

Posted by empressofdirt@gmail.com (M.J.Will) Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-06, 06:51:04

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I still have several posts in the queue from garden tours I went on last summer. Here's another one: This garden is in a beautiful little town with lots of older homes. Many of these houses have barns instead of garages. This homeowner hung stars on the side of their barn to break up the monotony of the wall. I love the large scale: a big wall deserves big art. ..

reBlogged to gardens on May 5, 2008, 10:03AM

Posted by empressofdirt@gmail.com (M.J.Will) Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-06, 06:51:04

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I’d like to thank everyone who stopped by to express their condolences on the loss of Chris’ cousin who was a very good friend of ours. I was supposed to be in another city and attending the visitations today, but I got really sick yesterday and our car broke down. So I’m home tonight … Chris can’t even drive back to pick me up as our car hasn’t been repaired yet. You can read a more detailed explanation of what happened on my main blog if you’d like.

So on to garden related stuff …

reBlogged to gardens on May 5, 2008, 8:15PM

Posted by Tricia Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-05-06, 06:50:28

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If you're thinking about building raised beds for your vegetable garden, definitely go for it. Plants do better in deep soil and as long as you don't walk in the beds, you'll also avoid soil compaction. Now what root wouldn't want to grow in nice loose, deep soil? If I was a root, I'd tell all my root friends, "Hey come on guys, nice deep, loose soil over here, let's go!". . .

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Posted by Anthony Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-29, 06:46:36

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Yesterday morning I planted a bed full of carrots, parsnips and onions at my new community garden plot. I planted seeds for the carrot varieties Mokum, Oxheart and Coreless Amsterdam and the parsnip variety Cobham Improved Marrow. Also Stuttgart onion sets. I alternated carrots with onions, hoping the rabbits won't smell the carrots with all the onion smell. We have two days of rain coming, so I think they'll get off to a good start.

reBlogged to carrots gardens

Posted by kathy Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, carrots on 2008-04-29, 06:40:59

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Here’s a link to a great little blurb in the Seattle PI about growing tea gardens. I couldn’t find the author’s name…….so know in advance I thank them.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

Nice little article from the Seattle PI

reBlogged to gardens on Apr 28, 2008, 1:17PM

Posted by Mary Ann Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-29, 06:29:00

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Between work, baseball and spring planting and tending to flowers. I am busy and should be in the best shape of my life. Extended my flower/herb bed by 3-5 ft all around. 20 wheelbarrows full of mulch, 10 bags of manure and compost to get the soil in shape. Lots of new things in the garden. My first ever foxgloves will be blooming soon! Very Excited about that!

reBlogged to gardens on Apr 22, 2008, 4:22PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-23, 06:47:54

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We're on the cusp of another spring weekend, and, at least in my neck of the woods, it's going to be a beautiful one. This is the perfect chance to...

reBlogged to gardens on Apr 18, 2008, 7:51AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-18, 18:04:12

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reBlogged to gardens spring

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, spring on 2008-04-18, 18:01:40

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reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-15, 06:27:40

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I think gardeners as a rule don’t beat around the bush. We’re more likely to dish the dirt. And what’s the point of sugar coating when our world is already so delicious? I haven’t yet met a gardener who isn’t vociferously opinionated and fickle as a five year old. And it takes one to know one! We have to have a clear idea of what we like in order to find focus in our gardens - nevermind that what we like changes with the season if not daily. And although we tend to be grounded and realistic about what we can accomplish, we definitely shoot for the moon sometimes. . ..

reBlogged to gardens on Apr 14, 2008, 4:15PM

Posted by Kris Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-15, 06:19:28

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reBlogged to gardens

Posted by A Gardener At Larrapin Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-15, 06:13:03

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We've been moving forward with our garden building project in fits and starts lately -- more fits than starts, really, given that it's been too wet to do much digging. We're concerned about compacting and damaging the soil if we work on it when it's too wet. . .

reBlogged to gardens tools

Posted by Christa Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, tools on 2008-04-12, 06:08:02

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This is a sad commentary on my cleaning-up habits in the fall.
You put the garden away tidy, right?
Well, I did when I was thirty.
Now, not so much. Okay, now not at all.



Poor Buddha took a hit from a passing bird. I'm not sure whether it's respectful to place a sunhat on his head so I guess I'll go along with the thought that Buddha is gentle and forgiving.

Anyway, it's so mooshy out there that I can't do any serious tidying up of plant or deity, so I'll wait.

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Posted by J.P. Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-08, 07:11:09

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Well, I spent the better part of last weekend weeding, raking, edging and pruning. Here's a shot of my front yard this morning.

APRIL FOOLS!

It's Versailles. You don't want to see my gardens this morning!

But here's a shot of my tulip beds.

reBlogged to gardens whimsy

Posted by Jessica Damiano Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, whimsy on 2008-04-02, 06:17:29

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The next day we got the first snow of the year, we didn't have any snow all winter, but got a white Easter Monday:

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Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, weather on 2008-04-02, 05:52:08

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reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-01, 06:52:20

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Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-01, 06:50:09

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Munster Express - Waterford, Ireland -
Wanted: 5 amateur gardeners & 5 gardens

Ha! Could you imagine the response if this were in the US?
Oh, that's right . . . we already have a bazillion boring shows like that already . . .

And, in the Wiltshire Times news:
Fury as ancient trees get chop

So much interesting news happening abroad lately.

Shhhh, the garden fairy is sleeping under the vegetable leaves.

reBlogged to gardens gardeners

Posted by Tina Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, gardeners on 2008-03-31, 04:36:16

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What fun! I have a client garden featured at Sunset's blog, Fresh Dirt, today.

I've posted a few photos of this garden below. More photos of this garden can be found in this photo album along with shots of other client gardens. Also watch for a write up on this garden in an upcoming issue of Sunset Magazine.

reBlogged to gardens magazines

Posted by Darcy Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, magazines on 2008-03-28, 18:10:38

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The potting area in this yard,  designed by Shirley Bovshow,  evokes  the feeling of a French flower market.  I'm busy preparing for my presentation on "Art in the Garden" at Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival next week on April 4-7. It's a big subject, but I'm narrowing it down to ...

reBlogged to gardens whimsy

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, whimsy on 2008-03-26, 06:15:56

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I’m back! Mostly. Pretty much. Almost. Paris was a fantastical and footsore dream and I’d love nothing better than to go back there right now - we’re scheming about finding grants to attend the beekeeping school at Jardin du Luxembourg (me) and Le Cordon Bleu (he). And if I can’t be in Paris, I’d love nothing better than to be checking on spring at Blithewold. But instead I’m home with a bug. (Perhaps intestinal distress was a gift from the woman who shared my seat on the plane - I’ll have to put her on the ThankYou note list - I have a year, right. . .

reBlogged to gardens on Mar 25, 2008, 10:21AM

Posted by Kris Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-26, 06:14:17

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Watch gardening expert P. Allen Smith share his clever design tips and ideas for planting schemes.

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-21, 18:19:41

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If you get your hands on a copy of today's Homes & Gardens of the Northwest put out by the Oregonian, check out the full page photo on the inside of the back page. You'll find a spring scene from my garden taken a couple of years ago. Deep burgundy playing against poppy chartreuse and cool blues ... spring, spring, spring!

reBlogged to photos gardens

Posted by Darcy Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, photos on 2008-03-21, 06:19:50

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The path to your garden should be inviting. The best paths make you slow down and look about you as you walk. What better way to accomplish this...

reBlogged to gardens design on Mar 17, 2008, 9:01PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, design on 2008-03-20, 05:54:35

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Elizabeth Lawrence was to my mind our pre-eminent American garden writer; my copies of her books are well-worn old friends. After her death in 1985, her famous garden in Charlotte (by then woefully overgrown and neglected due to her absence due to ill health) was fortunately purchased by a wonderful lady named Lindie Wilson. . .

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-20, 05:49:16

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I got the word this weekend we had enough vegetables and not enough flowers in our garden beds so got the idea to start a butterfly garden. Upon telling my 6 year old daughter she got very excited and started talking how we can charge admission for people to see our butterfly garden. . . .

reBlogged to gardens design beneficials

Posted by The Cheap Vegetable Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, beneficials, design on 2008-03-18, 00:13:13

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"Gardening" and "Discovery" go hand-in-hand when it comes to enjoying our yards. We like to find things pop up from seemingly nowhere and surprise us. Like, the first daffodil declaring that Spring is near. Or, a seedling that has self-sown itself in another part of the garden. . . .

reBlogged to gardens on Mar 12, 2008, 5:02PM

Posted by scrobins@westnet.com.au (Stuart) Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-14, 00:54:50

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(Click to enlarge.)

This is the rough plan I’ve made for the back yard vegetable garden (main bed). The area on the left side of the page, from the zucchini down to the radishes, will be positioned under my row greenhouse. Most of my direct-seeded tender plants are going under there because last year the row greenhouse really helped to keep the rabbit damage to a minimum. I’m excited to have flowers interspersed with the vegetables this year. . . .

reBlogged to gardens on Mar 11, 2008, 3:48PM

Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-13, 00:20:29

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reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-11, 00:04:14

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SUNNY SPANISH SCENE:


As we sat there drinking coffee at the end of a strenuous couple of hours filling the wall and planting, I thought this scene looked cosy. The urn in the foreground is waiting to be mosaiced in black and copper but it will have to wait a while as el jefe has another, more important one to finish off for friends.
And here are the fruits of our labours - he decided to fix a few coloured tiles on the back of the wall to cheer it up. Gonzalo had a spare Moscatel vine for us, so appeared with his mattock, whacked a great hole behind the wall, shoved in the vine and now we don't know how we're going to train it and where when it'll go when it gets on the move.

reBlogged to gardens design

Posted by ladyluz Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, design on 2008-03-10, 00:57:18

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Some Nature Pictures

When the world goes totally nuts, sometimes the only thing to do is post nature pictures.

Dogs guarding a plant nursery:

reBlogged to gardens on Mar 8, 2008, 3:37PM

Posted by Rahel Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-03-10, 00:55:15

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The “invisible” Vita Sackville-West made a garden that launched ten-thousand gardening visions, John Levett’s among them. Ever thanks to you, John.

Originally posted by Julie