Garden Friday

 

 

Welcome to Garden Friday!

We are bloomin' up a storm this week,

and tweaking our Zone 7b Piedmont garden.

This dandelion and spider wort combo really strikes a pose,

don't ya think?

 

Turmeric was harvested this week,

and replanted for another season.

This crop grows all summer into a beautiful, lush plant,

almost tropical in nature,

and then hibernates during winter in our garage.

Not much to look at, but oh, so good for you!

 

You may not believe this,

but I actually got to eat this plump, ripe,

and very juicy strawberry!

The netting I put over the bed has kept the chooks out of it.

(They still get all the wild strawberries they I can find.)
 

These probably look like brownies, right?

They are actually my first attempt at using

the new soil blocker that was acquired for the spring season.

I'd love to do away with as much plastic as possible,

and this seemed like a good start.

 

Old sheet pans are being used as a base,

until I construct something else.

Or maybe I'll like the cookie sheets.

They can always be found at thrift shops,

so maybe we'll just stick with that.

It's always so much fun to hone your system.

 

 A large section of this 3X8 bed

was sown with corn.

There is probably not much chance that

the squirrels won't beat us to it,

but I just had to try it.

A section of welded wire covers the newly planted seed,

to allow the seeds to germinate without pesky squirrels 

digging it up.

The Who Gets Kissed? variety from Sow True Seed was planted.

Who could resist a name like that?

 

The salvia in the front porch bed has gone bonkers!

The deep, rich purple hew is a sight to behold.

I am so grateful for eyes that see color.

Shasta daisy

 I'm enjoying the way this yarrow is 

enveloping the stem of the crepe myrtle tree out front.

 

 

This rue (in the forefront with the yellow blooms),

was planted to foster the black swallowtail caterpillars.

It's one of their host plants, along with

dill, parsley, carrots and fennel. 

Plant some and see what happens!

 

One calla lily has bloomed so far,

but no doubt there will be many more.

What a magical looking plant this is.

Clumps of these have been planted 

around our bird bath.

 

There is so much color out there right now,

and I know it's just the beginning!

Spring is so exciting!

dahlia

 

Who doesn't love a coneflower?

I find them lovely at every stage,

and the pollinators adore 'em!

 

Our front porch pot is growing well,

with Gerbera daisies, nasturtiums and several types of lettuce.

This experiment was inspired by Brie Arthur,

who encourages folks to try foodscaping.

Here's a link to her YouTube channel,

where you're sure to learn something new!

 

Here's a peek at the front porch bed in transition.

We still have a ways to go,

but we're making steady progress.

Lamb's Ear and lettuce have been used as a border.

Our beloved Betty is back with her friends 

after being isolated for a while because of health issues.

She seems happier, but her skin condition is still there.

We don't know what other steps to take,

other than what has been suggested to us,

so as long as she seems content,

we will let nature run its course

and continue to pray for healing.

 

 

Life is Better with Chickens.

 

How's your spring garden coming along?