Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
So sad the world is the way it is today!!
We were outside sitting by the fire at 6:00 am and went to work in the garden at 7:00 am. This time the garden was “the whole backyard.” We worked for seven hours straight, taking a break for another coffee and a banana!
I asked Scout, “What do you call a dog in the winter?” He responded, “A Chili Dog.”
Scout volunteered to assist today; he will watch out for elephants!
Mary deadheaded the roses and clipped off the branches having powdery mildew. Deadheading is a process of pruning by which old growth and seed heads are removed from the plant to promote new growth and re-flowering. Deadheading is very simple. As blooms fade, pinch or cut off the flower stems below the spent flowers and just above the first set of whole, healthy leaves. Mary filled up two wheelbarrows with clippings.
The roses looked fantastic after their haircut. The reds are striking (especially after my eye operation!)
The little red roses stand out against the bedroom wall.
At 7:00 am, it was cool, so Mary needed her frog hat. Her little wheelbarrow is perfect for catching the trimmed remains, and we can easily lift it into the trashcans!
My wife was furious at our next-door neighbor who sunbathed nude in her garden.
Personally, I’m on the fence.
Mary is a working girl and must earn her keep!!
The geraniums (actually, they are pelargonium) are magnificent this year, and with the deadheading, we will get loads of new blossoms.
Did You Know? The flowers and aromatic foliage of geraniums are edible and can be used for culinary purposes. According to The New Southern Living Garden Book, “Use fresh leaves of all types for flavoring jelly and iced drinks; use dried leaves in sachets and potpourri.” They can be used to flavor sugar, iced tea, lemonade, pastries, pound cakes, and salads.
Certain scent-leaved geraniums can effectively ward off insects, thanks to the essential oils contained in their leaves. These plants release their perfume at the slightest breeze or the lightest touch. What may be a pleasant smell to humans will repel mosquitoes, wasps, and other insects. The best insect repellents are geraniums with lemon and orange aromas.
She deadheaded several flowers also.
Meanwhile, I trimmed the dead leaves from a half-dozen onion and garlic plants, pulled weeds from the berry patch, and planted more sunflowers in the empty containers.
What does garlic do when it gets hot? It takes its cloves off.
In a few weeks, we will have five-foot-tall sunflowers!
The elephant garlic will be ready in another month or so; they need some additional heat.
Did You Know? Elephant garlic is a perennial plant belonging to the onion genus. It has a tall, solid, flowering stalk and broad, flat leaves. The flavor is milder than garlic and can be eaten raw in salads, roasted, or sauteed, but it is generally not a substitute for conventional garlic in cooking.
All trimmed up and looking good.
After that, she pulled weeds and straw seed weeds from the southwestern corner of the yard. While she did that, I took about a third of the fava beans, put them in a box, and began removing the pods, which was a slow process at best.
The box was filled to overflowing before I started removing the pods.
Mary also planted sunflowers everywhere you see a small verticle stick! We needed the sticks to remember where we planted the flowers so we would not step on them before they hatched!
Mary made the backyard look wonderful.
It’s 2:00 pm and time to play. She showered, got dressed up[ and headed for the Floral Park home and garden show.
On our way to where Donna and Bob were docents, Mary found a sweater in her favorite color! It was located in one of the many stands along the street! They made Mary a deal she could not refuse. It came home with us.
I got a sweater on my birthday last year, and I would have preferred a moaner or screamer.
You are looking good, girl!
We found Donna and Bob and visited them before going to the Beer and Wine Garden for a drink. It was across the street and was a beehive of activity.
Linda and Donna were docents at the show.
I joined the ladies; it was time to sit.
The sciatic nerve was acting up!
Mike and Linda were there, and they joined us for dinner at Vanata’s in Orange.
Mike and Linda, fellow dancers.
We walked back to Donna and Bob’s before going to dinner. I stayed in the car because of my leg; Mary visited the Fairy Garden.
We visited the Fairy Garden at Bob and Donna’s place.
Off to dinner at Vanata’s, where we met up with Vicky and Jim. The eight of us had a great dinner.
We laughed and giggled for two hours!
Returning home, we watched a movie and departed for Slumberland; it has been a long weekend!
