Backyard Bliss??? Or Not???

Well, everything is coming on pretty fast now and some of the spring flowers have finished up. Even some of my Bleeding Hearts are fading fast.

This time of year is always so special to me. I love the song of the birds throughout the day and everything is so bright and clear on a sunny day. Of course that's after the pine trees and other trees have finished pollinating. When the pollen sacs on the pine trees are full, and the wind is blowing, you can see the pollen clouds around the trees.

My iris bed is doing a lot better this year than last year. Last year I didn't have one bloom in it. This year there are several buds and I even had an early one bloom last week. I think it helped that my husband cut down a tree that was half dead. That opened up the area to let in more sun.

Hosta garden that we started a few years ago.
The Sweet Woodruff (small white flower) ground cover has filled in around them.

What happens is that when you first plant your garden beds, that area is probably sufficient to provide enough sunlight for your plants, but over the years if you have other trees or shrubs in the area they will grow and possible impede the original sunlight intended for your gardens.

Some of the drawbacks of our gardens is that fact that we have lots of shade and lots of mosquitoes. But when the mosquitoes are bad I either spray myself up with repellent or sit on my back enclosed porch and listen to the birds.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit. This native wildflower appeared in our garden a few years ago.
 It was probably transplanted by a squirrel burying one of the seeds.

Kindred Spirits sharing secrets.
Remember that perennial I showed you in my previous blog post that I called my alien plant?
Here it is in bloom. Solomon's Seal. 

And that's not all of the backyard pests. There are moles, lots of moles, and chipmunks, squirrels, red and gray squirrels (the red ones are pests and they get into buildings), raccoons, rabbits, possums (which I think are so ugly), oh, and skunks, too. You never know when one of those critters are going to wander through your yard. You just hope that they keep on passing through.

Arched trellis made by my husband, Ted, a few years ago.

While I find the little critters cute, they can also be harmful to your gardens as many of you know if you have any of these guys visiting your gardens or buildings. Our neighbors had raccoons get in her attic. And we've had squirrels get in our pole barn and damage some items, as well as build a nest in one of the vehicles.

And then there are the deer. They can decimate your entire plantings in one evening's visit. But when the critters do stop by they can make for some great photos before you chase them off.

Ebony Jewelwing Dragonfly

Our gardens are not weed-free, and they are not elaborate. We worked with what we had when we first moved here several years ago. It was a house on a lot that was previously a pasture and later was planted with rows of pine trees. So a few of the trees had to come down that were close to the house. Then we just started making little gardens in different areas that kind of expanded on their own by out-growing their boundaries.

Some of our minitaure hostas. While that looks like snow or hail on the ground,
it is actually little petals from flowers on (wild) chokecherry trees. It looks like confetti and I love it. 

But everyone's garden is an individual thing. If it appeals to you, then that's all that matters. Whatever your garden looks like, whether or not it's a sunny perennial garden, flower pots on your patio, a hanging basket on your front porch, or a little green plant in your home- just relax and enjoy the view!





"I don't have to take a trip around the world or be on a yacht in the Mediterranean to have happiness. I can find it in the little things, like looking out into my backyard and seeing deer in the fields."

~Queen Latifah

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Would love to hear from you ~

Glorious Spring At Last!

Royal Star Magnolia Shrub

Wow! Everything is coming fully alive now! Some trees and shrubs still haven't fully leafed out yet though. Three weeks ago Syracuse broke a daily temperature and got up to 90! But yesterday it snowed in Copenhagen and Richland, NY. And tonight there are frost warnings in our area of Central and Northern New York.

And the pollen count is high in the northeast as well. What is contributing to it is the fact that a lot of the trees that come into flower early are late this year because of the cold spring temperatures so they are flowering the same time as the spring flowers. Double whammy!

We've been busy (like everyone else I'm sure). . . lots of gardening work to do. I'm trying impatiens again this year. After the impatiens blight of a few years ago where they recommended that you not plant them for a few years until the spoors died out, I thought I'd see how they do. One of my neighbors planted them last year, but she replaced all the soil in that garden.

Wild Trout Lilies (or Dogtooth Vilots)

And the dandelions are blooming in the lawn. I used to hate them, but now I realize that the pollinators need them for early spring food before the other flowers come into full bloom, so now I don't mind them so much.

These are the sprouts of Solomon's Seal. They look like aliens to me when they first come up.

We have used Milorganite on our lawn as a organic fertilizer. It's also supposed to help in discouraging the deer from making a meal on your flowers and vegetables. I have not found it to be that effective in discouraging the deer, but it could be I didn't put it on often enough. I think that if the deer are hungry enough they'll eat anything, even plants that are deer resistant like marigolds.

Wild Trilliums in the woods.

I had a nice surprise a few days ago. A tree that I bought a few years ago, a magnolia tree that grows in the north, had a few flowers on it. I knew that it would eventually flower, but I thought maybe it would flower after the leaves appeared on it. The flowers have such an unusual shape, too. It's called a Magnoila Zenii (Zen Magnolia). It didn't have that many blooms on it and they didn't last very long - but Wow! the flowers were exquisite.

Flower from Magnolia Zenii

My weeping cherry tree never bloomed last year, but it was beautiful this year. That poor little tree has been through so much. It was chewed to the ground (twice) by rabbits several years back, so this tree trunk is actually from one of the branches. You can tell how deep the snow was because the bottom branches are trimmed up from where the rabbits can reach them.

Weeping Cherry Tree

Flowers of the weeping cherry tree

A photo of our back yard in early spring

The daffodils were beautiful this year

Turn up your volume to hear the Wood Thrushes in our backyard. My husband took this video about a week ago. You can't see the Wood Thrushes in the video. They are very reclusive and spend a lot of time in the underbrush of trees and shrubs in deciduous woods.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of spring ~ 

No matter how long the winter, 

spring is sure to follow. 

~ Proverb

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I would love to hear from you!

Early Spring in the North

Heading north on US Rte 81 through Virginia

We arrived home from our southern trip this past week. I always worry, when we're in Florida, that I'm going to miss all the beautiful spring flowers in all their glory like the tulips, daffodils, crocuses, and flowering shrubs and trees.

Well, that certainly wasn't the case here in Upstate New York. Thank goodness. We pulled in our driveway and there were just a few crocuses blooming. The daffodils were up and there was color in the buds, but none of them had opened yet.

Spring snow shower

Then it snowed. Enough to cover the ground, too. It started off with just a few flakes floating around, but then it got heavier and started to accumulate. The next few days it was either raining, snowing or too cold or wet to work outside so I just spent those days washing clothes from our trip and putting stuff away like all the clothes I brought for the trip but either didn't need or didn't wear. When you travel that time of year you need winter clothes and summer clothes.

It was really nice to see the green grass again. It hasn't started growing yet, where it needs mowing, but I'm sure with the next warm spring rain it will shoot up fast.

Royal Star Magnolia bud

The trees have not leafed out yet. There are just tiny buds on them. The weeping willows in the area are the first trees to fully leaf out. Currently their leaves are majestic in their lime green colors. They look like little feathers on the trees. The Royal Star Magnolia has some buds on it that are getting ready to open. Probably the next warm day they will pop out too.

I was able to get out this past Saturday for a few hours and start my yard work. I really saw a big difference in my flower gardens from previous years. What I remember doing different, is that last fall I was very diligent in keeping my garden beds clean and free of leaves and pine needles. And I tried to keep up with the weeding. I really think that made a difference in how my gardens look this year. Of course it could be that all those weed seeds haven't sprouted yet, too. And I also used "Preen" in some of the beds, too. "Preen" is a pre-emergent weed killer. It will kill weed seeds that haven't germinated. It won't kill existing weeds or any other perennial. If you want to use it, I recommend weeding your garden first, then apply the "Preen" according to package instructions. But, if you have seeds planted in your gardens, or you want some of your plants to go to seed then you don't want to use the "Preen". I didn't not use it in the gardens where I have foxgloves planted because they are a biennial and I want them to go to seed. If you would like more information on foxgloves or biennials check out my blog post Where Did My Foxgloves Go?

Finally some of the daffodils are blooming.

If you are able to, this is a good time to get out in your gardens now. This time of year the ground is fairly soft and the weeds pull easily. Also it's not too hot and the black flies or "punkies" haven't hatched out yet.

I'm going to also put down some composted manure in some of the beds that have been neglected in awhile. I've found that after returning from a trip this time of year, that if we have an early spring, the perennials are so big it's hard to rake, weed or mulch around them. It's a lot easier to do it now rather then when your plants are a foot high or so. The mulch will keep the weed seeds down. Most weeds need sun to germinate. A layer of mulch will also help hold in the moisture, improve the soil structure and add nutrients when it breaks down.

White-throated Sparrow (looks like he has a white beard)

As for our feathered friends, there are still a few Juncos that are hanging around that haven't returned to their Arctic breeding grounds yet. I've seen a few White-throated Sparrows in the area too. I've never seen them stay in this area of my yard through the summer, but I'm sure some of them spend the season here and others fly further north.

I woke early this morning (about 5am) and was almost back to sleep when I thought I heard a Mourning Dove so I didn't pay any attention to it. But then I heard it again and realized it wasn't a dove but an owl. It stayed around for awhile singing its monotone "hooting". Needless to say, after that awakening I couldn't get back to sleep.

Hellebores 

Hellebores. I thought I would highlight the Hellebores. The hellebores are deer resistant plants and that's probably because all parts of the plants are poisonous. Be careful handling the hellebores, because it's possible to get a rash just from planting them. The plants grow in clumps and depending on the variety they can grow up to two feet tall. The are often called "Lenten Rose" or "Christmas Rose". In our northern climate, they usually start to bloom late winter to early spring, depending on the location and variety of your plant. They are drought resistant, but do best in moist, well-drained soil. They do not like standing water. They will rot if they are too wet. They grow in either partial or full shade. The plants grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9. The plants will reseed themselves, but because they are hybrids it may be different from the parent plant. Once the seedlings have developed a set of true leaves you can transplant them to another area of your garden. To keep them looking tidy, cut back the old growth (winter leaves that have turned brown) in the spring down to the ground.

~ Have Fun This Spring ~

Our Welcome Home Committee - I think he spent the winter under our shed.

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Would love to hear from you!

Spring in the South

Mocking Bird

I know I haven't posted many blog posts in the last few weeks, but wanted to let you know that I really appreciate all my readers and followers. I'm very thankful for your loyalty in reading my blog posts, as well as your comments and "likes" on my Facebook page.



We're still in Florida! I feel very blessed to be able to enjoy a jump start on Spring by our stay in Florida. While I can sympathize with my family and friends that endured the long winter in the Northeast, just know that I thought of you often. And I mean it, too. I would wonder if the snow was melting, how cold was it, did any of my friends have extensive damage from the snow,  how much snow is left in our yard in Mexico, NY, how windy was it, and did anyone have any damage from the harsh winter?

White Ibis

Most of the "snowbirds" (people who spend their winter in Florida to get away from the cold and snow) have headed back home by now. It's starting to get hot in Florida. At 10 a.m. in the morning it's 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  We were in the 90's yesterday and that's expected today, too. We're not really snowbirds. We stay home for most of the winter. My husband really enjoys the cold weather and he is avid downhill skier. He has enjoyed his time the last few years skiing a few times each week with our son and two oldest grandchildren. I'm glad they have this special time together enjoying this outdoor activity.

Green Heron

So the end of February (I have to tear my husband away from skiing), we head south to enjoy some warm weather. And usually March isn't that great for skiing because the snow is starting to melt and you get the spring rains. However this year was an exception. I can't believe that March was as cold as it was in the Northeast. I almost feel 'guilty' for enjoying all this heat and sunshine in Florida.

Osprey with his catch of fresh fish

Osprey on recycled satellite dish for nesting purposes

But soon we will be leaving here and heading home. I always enjoy the songs of the birds and the green growth of spring when we arrive here. One of the first sounds that you hear when you head south is the song of the Mocking Bird. This bird has so many varieties of songs that unless you see him while he's singing you never know if you are hearing the actual species he's imitating or the Mocking Bird itself.

Sandhill Crane sitting on nest with two recent hatchlings

We also look forward to seeing tropical bird species that live in the areas surrounding the marshes, swamps, shorelines and lakes of the south. Some of those birds include the Ibis, Sandhill Cranes, Anhinga, Great Egrets, and Herons. When we arrive in early March, several bird species have built their nests and laid their eggs.

Sandhill Crane with chicks that are 24 hours old

It seems so odd to me to be down here this time of year and everything is green, the wildlife are raising their babies, and the bugs are out. It's really strange to see the fireflies in April. There are some pesty bugs around here though. Like the mosquitoes and the "no see-um's". They are bad. And of course there are the alligators, and snakes. Lots of snakes (poisonous ones, too).

Baby Great-horned Owl

Great Egret

Bougainvillea

Also, because everything so so green and flowering in Florida in the spring there is a lot of pollen that can cause several problems for those with allergies.

Florida = exquisite flora, fauna, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and beaches!

Note: some of the wildlife featured on this page are also found in several other States including Central and Northern New York. The wildlife was not baited or called in for these pictures. 

Hope you enjoyed some of 

our photos from Florida. 

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Went To A Garden Party . . .

Well, it really wasn't a garden party.

And I guess it wasn't just a flower display either.

It was the Epcot  International Flower and Garden Festival at Disney World  - and they were hosting their 2015 Flower Festival. It runs until May 17, 2015.

We haven't been to Epcot in over 30 years. The last time we were there was when our kids were still in school. I've always been interested in seeing their spring floral festival so I thought this year would be a good time to go.

It was pretty hot, but then I think anytime you are in Florida it is subject to be pretty hot. There's no getting around the heat. Of course I kept reminding myself that it's still better than snow and 10 degree (F) weather in Upstate New York like they've been experiencing this first week of Spring.






The flower displays were beautiful, and amazing as well. I can't imagine the hours of work that went into preparing all of these magnificent character topiaries. And I've only pictured some of them in this blog post.

While it was good to visit, and play the role of a tourist taking pictures while trying to get the best view in the best light conditions, it was a lot of walking.

The grounds were just beautiful and well-manicured. In a few of the shots you might see some people tending the gardens.

These floating flower containers looked like tires to me.  Very creative, but I'm not sure what they are made of.

While we enjoyed our visit, I thought it was rather expensive. At $106 per person, plus $17 for parking- it came to $229 for my husband and me to tour the facility (for a 1 day pass).

Hope you enjoyed your "tour" of the Floral Show in Epcot. And it won't be long now before the daffodils and tulips are blooming in the north. Well, I guess I really can't make promises like that. We've been known to have snow on Mother's Day in Upstate New York.

More information: Epcot International Flower Show

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Would love to hear from you!