Blog

Sometimes, we live in an environment that’s rough and rugged, filled with scrub brush and cacti and the heat of the sun bearing down on anything and everything around us.

But, sometimes, we live in the land of the big sky and tonight was one of those nights. The sunset was stunning – full of gold and orange and an amazing hue of whisper-pale blue.

I can’t believe I haven’t posted in four weeks. I’m so sorry! At this time of year, my attention turns to holiday planning and company and “projects” (some of them actually garden projects!) I have had our trees all pruned and some cedars in the woods removed to help the oaks grow better. We got new mulch in all our beds for the winter (150 bags and it STILL wasn’t enough!) and the front walkway is sporting some lovely new snapdragons for a pick-me up as the winter starts to take its toll on our perennials. The BAD news is, that the new mulch and snaps attracted the deer. They came to look and sniff around, and in their inspection, they finally discovered the 5 lovely and delicate hostas that I’d planted two months ago. So, they had hosta salad for dinner one night a week ago — and now, all I have left are nubs! Too bad — I actually thought I’d pulled one over on them. Silly me!

In the Spring, it’s the warm sun on my face that inspires me to go out and stick my hands in the dirt, stirring up the first plantings of the season.

Now, the cool, brisk Fall air is invigorating me. Don’t you just love to have your doors open this time of year?

A trip to the garden center today netted me some weed block, some native Texas hardwood mulch, and some metal screening. Tomorrow, I’ll tackle the pointless job of putting some weed block in the new Big bed and putting down a light cover of mulch. I don’t know why I bother – the weed block really doesn’t block weeds, but I just can’t help but try. (I think I secretly like beating my head against the garden wall!)

Then, I’ll be cleaning out the gunk in the fountain out back and making a screen donut to try to keep the oak mess out of it — at least for a little longer at a time!