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she’s baaaack!

30 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by home, garden, life in Garden Bloggers USA, garden projects, home, home garden, home improvment, home ownership, landscape design, Lifestyle, spring, Spring Chores, spring flowers, spring garden, sustainable lifestyle

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garden, home, home projects, life, Virginia spring flowers

I rallied. I overcame February and March influenza and pneumonia. OK! Enough!

As I convalesced and resigned myself to bed, my Smart Sony TV and YouTube became my go-to sanity. Thank heavens for channels which transported my weary body to the great gardens of Italy, England, and France, all hosted by Monty Don. Amazing Places on our Planet is another channel that convinced me I had become an angel, riding the back of a drone across continents. Brilliant videos! One can fulfill their bucket list on YouTube. Why spend one’s life in airports, lines, and crowed aircraft when in just a few clicks, one can visit the most beautiful places on our planet from the privacy of one’s bedroom? One day there will be smell-a-vision and I will be complete.

This month Swallowtail Cottage emerged with lush blooms, smothered weeds, departed needy plants, and as of yesterday eight tons of brown gravel that refreshed a tired driveway and paths. All events lifted my spirits to a new level of optimism regarding home ownership. Mother Nature missed my gardens with late frosts which ruin buds and spoil the essence of spring. I am awash with spring’s glory!

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These tulips are new to my gardens. They are a rare heirloom which multiply! I lost most, but these seem to be happy.

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The snowflake viburnum are awash in blooms. These three shrubs are sixteen years old! Peonies (on right) are chest high and loaded with buds!

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The bridal wreath spirea is now lush with subtle fragrance. Brides order my Key Lime Pies, not my spirea!

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This lone Lily-flowering Ballerina tulip is simply magnificent. I moved others and they vanished. I celebrate this single specimen the entire week it blooms. Planted in 2003… one of 16 bulbs from a cheap-o bag from Sam’s. Go figure!

Now, I admit from January-March I hauled/applied one hundred bags of pine bark mulch to all the deep shrub borders. The pine needle mulch experiment was a total bust allowing every rogue weed to propagate here. In January, one helper and I spent three hours on hands and knees ridding one peony bed of invasive Angelina Stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’). It became very unhappy with all the rain 2018 delivered and soon turned a lovely, moldy, black patch!

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If one gardens in Arizona or CA, perhaps Angelina Stonecrop would thrive. Not so in central VA.

Live and learn.


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The heirloom peonies are now chest high and loaded with buds. During May I will deliver many bouquets to market to my ever loving customers!

The Fire Power nandinas, installed in the front bed behind the Morris buxus, were also a total bust.

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Just lovely, eh? $250 worth of plant material lost. Fire Power Nandina, a total waste of time in Zone 7a.

They came from the nursery infested with an “insect they had never seen.” Nor had I. The first season I was forced to apply an systemic insecticide. Then the second year, the leaves were riddled with what the nursery identified as “fungal issues” and advised me to treat them again this season. OUT I SAY! I have no tolerance for needy plant material!  The owner of the nursery sent out a plantsman who removed all the nandinas (at no charge) and will give me a 25% discount when I decide what to plant in that space. Right now, I enjoy the minimal front bed. The bay window still appears to be a hanging chad, but for now new plant material will wait. Perhaps a 7′ wide planter under the bay filled with fern will be splendid. Wild ferns are popping up in the pebbles, so perhaps they can be convinced to live in a more civilized planter. What do you think?

Now that I hopefully wowed you, I will go to the nuts and bolts.

Fresh gravel. Future projects…

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Tabula Rasa or Latin for “blank slate.” Nothing like a fresh coat of gravel to perk up spring! Carport project still great and serving Auto and moi well.

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Long shot of drive. Leylands on the left are becoming a royal pain…too large and too expensive to maintain. Some Leylands are dying out on this row, with will require many dollars to remove and replace with additional privacy fence…LATER!! Notice the “Green Giant” arborvitae on the right, planted in 12/16. I have high hopes for this plant. Fast growing, heavenly scent, and great for privacy.

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Now doesn’t the front path look nice and tidy! The wee Morris buxus (dwarf boxwood) are like pets that I pat every time I stroll by. And by the way, I do not fertilize my turf. The perfect conditions during spring create a lushness beyond words.

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Today’s view of house front. Notice my hanging chad bay window? So glad to have calm in that bed. What do you think of a large planter under the bay filled with ferns?

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I should name this photo “naked gardening!” Need more river pebbles and that planter, gushing with ferns…yes?

Any hew, I am up and making things happen around here. I still relax with YouTube daily. And I failed to mention…I gave up sugar and refined carbs…going Keto this month and one week in, I feel good and body fat appears to be melting away. No longer guilty about eating bacon, butter, and meat. My market neighbor this season is a sustainable farmer who raises heritage beef, pigs, and chickens. Check out his web site…www.harmonyhillfarm.net  to learn more about sustainable farming.

Living well and upright. 😉

Now back to my Spring 2019 Honey Do List:

Replace RO system, pump septic tank, level boulder at back door, replace 8 casement windows! Time for the sale sign?

Love to hear from you. Drop me a line in the comments section. Happy Spring!

 

Copyright © 2019 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

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Arkansas, an escape like no other

25 Monday May 2015

Posted by home, garden, life in Arkansas, Bloggers Reunion, G2B15, Garden Bloggers USA, Moss Mountain Farm, P Allen Smith, Reunion

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American Grown, AR, Arkansas, Aromatique, bonnie plants, Crescent Garden, First Nature, Flexzilla, G2B15 Reunion, Jobes Organics, Little Rock, Moss Mountain Farm, P Allen Smith, PAllenSmith Hortus Ltd, Rowland, Sakata Home Grown, Stargazer Barn

A very special reunion occurred May 11-14.

A very special reunion occurred May 11-14.

There is a TV host and lifestyle guru named P Allen Smith. His vision led him to land on the Arkansas River, just outside Little Rock. There, five years ago, he began to invite garden bloggers from around the USA for a two-day intensive. I was lucky to go in 2013 and again last week for the five-year reunion.

P Allen Smith of TV fame sharing his vision with his favorite garden bloggers

P Allen Smith of TV and garden fame sharing his home and vision with his favorite garden bloggers outside Little Rock, Arkansas (pallensmith.com)

as a group we did a lot of hugging and chatting...

as a group we did a lot of hugging and chatting…

Allen greets us all

Allen greets us all

even the girls came strolling in to see what all the activity was about

even the girls (and Amos, jr.) came strolling in to see what all the activity was about

we toured Moss Mountain Farm's main residence and admired the flowers from sponsors American Grown (americangrownflowers.org)

we toured Moss Mountain Farm’s main residence and admired the flowers from sponsors American Grown (americangrownflowers.org)

what inspiration at Moss Mountain Farm!

what inspiration at Moss Mountain Farm!

everyone enjoys the vistas from the rear porches...

everyone enjoys the vistas from the rear porches…

Mr. Duncan, the resident Scottie, was front and center and a hoot in the garden

Mr. Duncan, the resident Scottie, was front and center and a hoot in the garden

The lower level was a treat to stroll showing Allen's innate ability to create a charming home

the lower level of Allen’s residence was a treat to stroll showing his innate ability to create a charming home

while strolling the gardens, Allen shared his latest successes

while strolling the gardens, Allen shared his latest successes ~ quite an education!

views like this are everywhere

views like this are everywhere

while around the farm, critters galore. Allen's conservation of heritage breeds is laudable.

while around the farm, critters galore. Allen’s heritage conservation program of endangered breeds is laudable

while one of the Anatolian shepherds cools off in a field trough while guarding the White Dorper sheep

one of the Anatolian shepherds cools off in a field trough while guarding the White Dorper sheep

Allen's one-acre veggie garden evolves with bounty and creativity

Allen’s one-acre veggie garden evolves with bounty and creativity

a pair of swans set the stage for a funny story Allen delivered later that evening during Tales from the South live broadcast

a pair of Mute Swans set the stage for a funny story Allen delivered later that evening during Tales from the South live broadcast

heritage roosters feeling their oats and making an empressive show

heritage roosters feeling their oats and making an impressive show

a flock of White Dorpers from Africa and their soft and cuddly babes enjoy the bounty at Moss Mountain Farm

a flock of White Dorpers from Africa and their soft and cuddly babes enjoy the bounty at Moss Mountain Farm

while back in Little Rock, John from the Department of Tourism gave us an impressive walking tour of Main Street

while back in Little Rock, John from Little Rock Convention & Visitors Center gave us an impressive walking tour of Main Street

facades of Little Rock's history on Main Street impress

facades of Little Rock’s history on Main Street

the Little Rock (little rock.com)architectural details are another story

the Little Rock (little rock.com) architectural details are another story

we even met the Mayor of Little Rock who explained the impressive downtown restoration projects

we even met the Mayor of Little Rock who explained the impressive downtown restoration projects

impressive permeable pavers and water collection along Main Street, Little Rock

impressive permeable pavers and water collection program along Main Street, Little Rock

the historic Little Rock trolley ride was fun for all

the historic Little Rock trolley ride was fun for all

more beautiful flowers from American Grown

more beautiful flowers from American Grown

I had to give one of the Big Sisters at Moss Mountain Farm a hug, as she is 350 years old

I had to give one of the Big Sisters at Moss Mountain Farm a hug, as this Post Oak is 350 years old. There are three on this property. 

this presentation by Corbin and Rachel  from Flexzilla (flexzilla.com) was informative and entertaining. Legacy Manufacturing Company invented this fantastic hose...every garden should have at least one.

this presentation by Corbin and Rachel from Flexzilla (flexzilla.com) was informative and entertaining. Legacy Manufacturing Company invented this fantastic hose…every garden should have at least one.

Allen worked with Legacy to offer a colorful line of the Flexzilla hoses

Allen worked with Legacy to offer a Watercolors Collection of colorful Flexzilla hoses

Crescent Garden (crescentgarden.com) wowed us with their products of functional containers loaded with style

Crescent Garden (crescentgarden.com) wowed us with their products of functional containers loaded with style

Crescent Garden's jazzy planter...one of many

Crescent Garden’s jazzy planter…one of many

Lois Chaplin and her wonderful, knowledgeable team always make for an interesting presentation (bonnieplants.com) Make sure and download Bonnie Plants new garden ap...

Lois Chaplin and her wonderful, knowledgeable team always make for an educational presentation (bonnieplants.com) Make sure and download Bonnie Plants new garden ap…

Bonnie Plants (bonnieplants.com) since 1918 provides plant material to over 15,000 plant retailers around the USA

Bonnie Plants since 1918 provides plant material to over 15,000 plant retailers around the USA

Meals were festive and American Grown and Stargazer Barn (stargazerbarn.com) were generous sponsors

Meals were festive while American Grown and Stargazer Barn (stargazerbarn.com) were generous sponsors

two bloggers show off the fanciful garland headdresses at the final dinner

two bloggers show off the fanciful garland headdresses at the final dinner

Jobes Organics blow me away every time they present their latest line of products...(easygardener.com)

Jobes Organics blow me away every time they present their latest line of products…(easygardener.com)

Sakata Home Grown (sakatavegetables.com) breed and produce seed found in many garden centers and online

Sakata Home Grown (sakatavegetables.com) breed and produce seed found in many garden centers and online ~ I am growing their Lilliput Melon and cayenne pepper this season. Notice the tall stand of asparagus just over Allen’s left shoulder…good eating in spring! Envy!

Allen and I in the one-are garden; a special friend in a special place (pallensmith.com)

Allen and I in the one-acre veggie garden; a special friend in a special place

Special thanks to the city of Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Capital Hotel (capitalhotel.com), Kathleen Williford of American Grown; Steve, Carolyn, Will, and Netta of Aromatique (aromatique.com); Paula, Cesar and Mark of Crescent Garden; Joe from First Nature (firstnature.net); Corbin, Rachel and Andy of Flexzilla; Clemente, Jen, Martin, and Rebecca of Jobes Organics; Tracy and Alecia of Sakata Home Grown; and Bill from Stargazer Barn; and a huge shout out to P. Allen Smith Hortus Ltd, and Associates Staff for making this reunion one for the record books. You all inspire, educate and help provide for Allen’s magnificent Heritage Conservation Programs.  Anyone wishing to visit Moss Mountain Farm, simply go to the website for scheduling and special events at P. Allen Smith.com. Shop P.Allen Smith.com for Allen’s personal collection of online garden home gifts.

Copyright © 2015 by Diane LaSauce All Rights Reserved

Check out HGTV where two of my garden designs are featured…

I was featured on HGTVGardens.com!

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Essay Titles

  • “this too shall pass”
  • there is no place like home…
  • the perfect Tiny House
  • Miracles everywhere
  • And so it goes…
  • Transform, transition, resilience
  • An Artist’s Way
  • Sunday’s monster project
  • Meanwhile
  • how fragile we are
  • what I learned about Keto
  • small steps
  • do no harm…
  • will this convince you?
  • Plastics…a soapbox tale
  • Let’s clean up our act
  • 2020…are we ready?
  • All I want for Christmas
  • Thanksgiving…remembering love
  • At last
  • Keto “potatoes”
  • When critters call
  • Keto bread revisited
  • My report on Keto
  • for the love of rock, II
  • give a gardener a cool summer day…
  • Oh July, July
  • Kale, the ultimate chip
  • gone Keto
  • she’s baaaack!
  • Perhaps missed
  • for the love of rock
  • the anatomy of a popover
  • the garden visitor
  • what blooms this week
  • porch envy
  • Summer in Virginia
  • timing is everything
  • pies and peonies
  • words cross centuries
  • zen and now
  • April brings flowers and…chores!
  • Kudos, followers
  • this week’s reading challenge…
  • February dreaming…
  • kitty love
  • the dormant season
  • Soothing, quick comfort food for winter days
  • ahh, November
  • August garden

Seasonal Topics by Month

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