Tuesday, May 6, 2008

So Many Plants, So Little Time.....

In case you've been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing for the last week - I've been planting, moving, rearranging, mulching, fertilizing, pulling, weeding, trimming, watering and replanting. Whew!

We have about 4 acres with hundreds of trees and two buildings on our lot -- which cast tons of shadows at different times of day. Every 50 feet represents a different "microclimate" in our shadowy, hilly yard -- so knowing which plant to put where has been a major problem. They might do well for a few weeks, and then the sun moves over slightly and -- a whole new microclimate has developed which may NOT be suitable -- causing yellow leaves, sparse blooms, root rot, mold and - um- an untimely death. :(

It's taken me two years of documenting shadow zones and times, damp areas, dry crests, etc. to figure out which plants do well where. I've moved things about 3 or 4 times in the last 2 years -- totally revamping the beds - pulling everything out -- putting everything back in - but finally, I think I've gotten it right. My family just doesn't understand that a "true gardener" is constantly moving things around in an effort to locate the ultimate "sweet spot" for each plant.

Here are the results of my obsessive/compulsive moving, pruning, watering, mulching, weeding and seeding...... (and it's only Spring!!!)

Front Yard:

Back Yard:

This is a four-tiered water fountain that was constantly getting full of leaves, birdseed, and other delightful birdie tidbits that, if not cleaned out every few days -- just didn't look right. So, I filled it with dirt and planted in it. I miss the sound of the water -- but it makes an awesome planter. I'll probably clean it out at the end of the year and try the "water thing" again next year. But for now .....

Notice my purple picnic table in the background? Sabrina and I love to sit out there in the early evenings and in the mornings and have tea.


Perennial Lavendar - grows fantastic in North Carolina. Green all year and doesn't bloom only in January and February. And smells soooooooooo good....


Gizmo follows me around the yard - everywhere I go.....

and is NOT camera shy in the slightest!!

And finally, the vegetable garden. Hey Tammy - the sunflowers are about 6 inches tall already -- and there are peppers on my pepper plants, and flowers on the tomato plants!!!

Now I can't take all the credit for our landscape as my husband keeps the trees and bushes pruned, the lawn green and the brush cleared -- a HUGE job -- and he keeps things looking great :)

As an aside - I've also been doing some sewing -- but nothing blogworthy. In fact, I am not happy with what I've been working on so I'm not even going to talk about it right now. I'm still ripping out seams!

Enjoy your week.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the beautiful plants and the landscape is gorgeous. It's a shame that you changed a fountain into a planter, but I can understand with the amount of care a fountain takes.

Jeanne

Katiejane said...

What a beautiful piece of property you have. Love your front yard landscaping. I think you should leave the fountain planted. Looks great. Maybe get a vertical fountain for the sound of running water. It does look like you've been busy. Happy Mother's Day!

abeadlady said...

When do you find time to bead??? It looks great and well worth the time you are putting into it.

Arline

Jeanne Turner McBrayer said...

Kathy, it all looks lovely, and makes me want to go out this weekend and yank some weeds from my beds. Our improved rainfall has certainly assisted the weed growth this year!

Noel said...

Wow, your home and property are gorgeous.....I know it takes a lot of work. When I lived in Michigan I called myself "The Garden Widow"...hehehe.....every night and just about every weekend my hubby would be in the garden working....but it was worth it...we had a beautiful English garden with blooms all year long.
Thanks for sharing your photos...now I know where you have been lately....LOL!
Missed you sweetie!!!

Hugs,
Noel

Anonymous said...

hi cathie
ahh finally blogger downloaded your site for me!!
oh girl everything looks beautiful!! my sunflowers are still in their starter pots-a little longer before they get two more sets of leaves and can go in the garden :)
thanks for sharing all your hard work-
enjoy your day!!

girlgonethreadwild said...

Gosh what a great view! I admit Jeff has the green thumb (yup, mines' black) but I'd love a stroll through your yard and to help pick veggies for dinner. :) ~Monica

Pursuing Art... said...

Love your home and property and your flowers are beautiful!!! North Carolina looks beautiful! Your garden too! Your pepper plants have peppers and your tomatoes have flowers already? We are hoping to get our garden in this weekend. Usually we do it around Mother's Day, so we are just a little behind this year! Is the garden fenced because of deer? Four acres...wow, is it mostly trees and natural? We have a 3/4 acre lot and it is hard enough to keep up with! Love what you did with the fountain, great idea! We have a fountain too and we have to keep it clean every week from leaves, etc. Gizmo looks like he is loving helping you out!

I do know what you mean about moving plants around and finding their happy spot...have been doing it for the 18 years we've lived here! ;-)

And, I think everything you shared and your beautiful yard and all the work you've been doing there and pieces of yourself and your life are very blogworthy! Thank you for sharing! It doesn't always have to be about what we produce art wise, look at the artist at work around her home and family!!! We all still wear other hats and have to split up our time. And if you love to garden and be outside during the spring and summer months, me too, it's going to take up some of the art time! ;-)

Be good to yourself, you are doing a beautiful job!

Teresa said...

Beautiful lawn and gardens.

Total Pageviews

Where Are You????