Sharing Nature's Garden Archives | Page 52 of 124

Seeds are stronger than you think!

As we felt the wrath of tropical storm Hermine last week, I was most worried about all the tiny little seeds I’d so carefully planted just a few short days before.

I had visions of them floating away down the road to the neighboring town of Buda.

Then I had visions of them simply drowning in the mud-filled beds.

And finally, I had visions of them surviving, but scattering and intermingling so that I would never know what was what.

Guess what? They liked the rain. So much so that some of them popped their little heads up in just 4 days!

These are bush beans with their pretty little copper marker made with my nifty spiffy label maker. (Do you have one? I love mine!)
And these tiny little guys are going to grow up to be Brussels sprouts.
While some of the plants are a little water-logged, many of my plants have emerged rejuvenated after the storm. This ice plant is bright and cheery.
This heavenly hibiscus loved the deep, long drink.
The Hyacinth bean vine blooms burst forth after the heavy rains.
These plants aren’t in the direct path of the rain (although we had lots of sideways rain), they loved the humidity of the storm.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:40:12-05:00September 11th, 2010|Blog, fall garden, rain, seeds, Sharing Nature's Garden, storm, tropical storm, vegetable garden, vegetables|0 Comments

Veggies in…

Okay, so it’s a few days after September 1st, the official first day for planting certain fall veggie garden seeds here in Central Texas.

But we were busy with a full Labor Day Weekend until today. Today — gardening day!

We’re forecast to have several days of rain, so it was now or never (well, maybe not never) today. Perfect timing for planting little seeds so they can get some nice fresh rainwater.

Then I hear from my husband that we’re expected to get up to 12 inches of rain over the next 3 days. Yikes — my little seeds may wash away. But I’m going to think positive.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that we don’t end up flooding.

I planted Calabrese broccoli – transplants and seeds, Provider snap bush beans, Sunshine Mix carrots, leaf lettuce – red and green, Brussels sprouts, Red Acre cabbage, California Bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, and finally, flat leaf parsley to replace the giant tree of parsley that served as a host for a gazillion swallowtail caterpillars this spring and summer. I already have summer squash (and yes, you plant it in the fall!), basil, and tomatoes planted.
In two weeks, I’ll plant some more carrot and Brussels sprouts seeds. In October, I’ll put in some beets. And I’ve left a little room for other things that catch my fancy along the way!

Makes me hungry just writing this post. Do you have any going in your garden?

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:40:13-05:00September 6th, 2010|Blog, fall garden, Sharing Nature's Garden, vegetable garden|0 Comments

In the line of fire…

I up with Pam of Digging to pass along some of my variegated ginger today, and our meeting place was, of course, a nursery! Barton Springs Nursery — ooohhhh. She was disciplined (and in a hurry) but I was bad and went on a little shopping trip.

I WAS trying to finish projects I have at home before our Labor Day party this weekend, but I was weak and succumbed.

I brought home a lot of vegetable transplants and some compost to amend my soil as it’s time for the fall garden here in Central Texas. Once home, I put them in my wagon and temporarily put them out in the sunny driveway.

It’s a good thing I’m observant and looked around after doing that, because lo and behold — 3 yearling does and a fawn were just down the garden path looking for some water and an afternoon snack!

I filled their water bowl while they watched from a distance. Look carefully beyond the edge of the wagon — see her watching me?

Then I promptly wheeled the portable veggie buffet back into the garage for safe keeping until the deer were gone.

Whew. I would have been steaming if I’d come out to close up this evening and found my wagon devoured!

Lucky me…

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:26-06:00September 2nd, 2010|Blog, deer, Sharing Nature's Garden, vegetable garden, vegetables|0 Comments

Garden things that light up the night…

The ever-so slightly cooler night air draws me outside in the evening, looking around the garden and wishing for more light and more time to spend.

Tonight, the bright flowers of the night shone under the moon and beckoned me.

As did the actual lights hanging about the birds’ favorite gurgling fountain.

No matter how or when you look at it, the garden is a magical place, isn’t it?

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:40:13-05:00September 1st, 2010|Blog, datura, nigh, sedum, Sharing Nature's Garden, silver ponyfoot|0 Comments

Snow in August?

Sitting here after a sweltering August day in Texas, I was trying to muster some creativity for a blog post.

I’ve been remiss in keeping up — I could blame it on the heat, less activity in the garden, summer, school starting — you name it.

But I decided with a few hours tonight, I’d try to catch up on reading and try to post.

Brain-dead. Maybe it was sunstroke. Or simply a lack or recent photos.

So I started scanning my iphoto files. So fun – to relive the exciting and beautiful moments of the past year. Including these wonderful winter wonderland shots of last winter’s big snow. I was immediately transported to that icy day when we all played in snow and marveled at how it transformed our world — and my garden.

They brought a smile to my face, and took a little of the hot edge off!

Wouldn’t mind a little of this right now, would you?

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:26-06:00August 31st, 2010|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, snow, snow in August|0 Comments

Am I blue?

Nope. I’m not blue.

But my pretty new pottery is.

And my new Mountain Yucca is as well.

You know how sometimes you do something with a space and then stop, but feel like it still needs a little “something-something?”

That’s how I’ve felt about the day lily bed. It’s a small space with limitations (access to the air conditioner and the breakfast room windows).

But it felt hollow in the middle. Probably because there was a big hole there!

Sitting at breakfast this weekend it occurred to me that a big ‘ol blue pot with a big ‘ol blue agave would look right nice in there.

And it does!

I made a quick run today to The Natural Gardener, where I knew I could find both items (and a whole lot more) and came home happy.

So, am I blue? Nope.

I’m tickled pink!

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:40:13-05:00August 30th, 2010|Blog, day lilies, pots, Sharing Nature's Garden, yucca|0 Comments

Sharing Nature’s Garden

Seeds are stronger than you think!

Veggies in…

In the line of fire…

Garden things that light up the night…

Snow in August?

Am I blue?

Escape in the garden