Ready for Summer

Since we are going to be gone the first 3 weeks in June, I've had very little time (weather & geocaching & grand care) to work in the yard. There was also the debate of whether or not to plant a garden (because we will not be around that much this summer). Hubby shared his opinion and I had to process and take some time to think about giving up what I think of as what summer is all about...fresh, home grown veggies. We have compromised, for this summer, anyway. I purchased the plants last Thursday but a weekend of rain prevented any planting. It was still too wet today (Tuesday) but because we are leaving town Wednesday morning, the plants HAD to get in the ground.

Two tomato plants, a basil plant & two cucumbers

I had scraped some of the mud off before the photo

It really was too wet

I don't like wearing gloves when I play in the dirt

So what did I (we) decide to do with the rest of the beautiful fenced garden area? Turn it into a perennial flower garden. I have a little one, but a bigger one will be a nice addition. We enjoy sitting in the back yard. Instead of looking at vegetable plants, we'll look at flowers. 

Putting perennials in the ground was also on my agenda today. I stopped at a local business advertising 1 quart perennials, 3 for $9.99. They had a nice variety of healthy looking plants. I bought 9. I thought I had 9 different, but found 2 oriental poppies in the box. That's okay, as I really like poppies. 

It will take a couple of years, some moving, some additions, but I think we will really enjoy the array of colors the plants will produce. The rabbit proof fence will come down, so we can enjoy short and tall. I am excited about this project. I have some plants from the other bed that will be moved to this one, giving the remaining plants more room. I also planted some perennial flower seeds. It will be interesting to see if they get a good start in the next few weeks.

In other outdoor decor news...

Lobella, a Martha Washington geranium 

(of undetermined color)

and a planter of 'flowers for dummies'

My back door arrangement

Planters along the garden wall

supposedly to attract hummingbirds,

so said the article I read last week

The back patio

The red, white & blue butterflies were in the front last year

and maybe the year before

I bought new stars for the front this year

(Uncle Sam needs a coat of paint)

I found red impatients for the front planter

I added a white trailing something and 

a blue trailing something

to keep the red, white & blue theme going

This is in the front of the house

No other flowers in the front this year

All the hostas were donated and planted the summer

I broke my ankle (2007)

My DIL's mother brought 7 different hosta varieties

from her own flower gardens AND she

planted them for me while I sat

in the wheelchair and watched.

They have done well, Liz.

Thank you.

The east side of the house

A second red, white & blue planter

Something for the neighbors to look at 

from their kitchen window

The front door

The metal insects were on the back garage wall

last summer. They look better with the birdhouse.

And the first, original perennial flower bed

The last pasque bloom

Also called a May flower

The 'gopher' columbine

The other two did not bloom this year

One of several $1 perennial buys from late last spring

This plant had its first set of flowers already

This one is almost done for the season

The lilly of the valleys are about done blooming

Too much white in this bed

The flower bed view from the patio

There should be some different colors showing 

when we get back later in the month

And how will your garden grow this summer???

Do you have silver bells, cockle shells or

pretty maids all in a row???