Archive for April, 2014
Wordless Wednesday — Watching a Hummingbird Moth
Posted in Insects on April 30, 2014| 3 Comments »
Garden Tour
Posted in garden tours on April 28, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Follow me on a sneak peek of Inside Austin Gardens Tour. The tour takes place this Saturday, May 3rd.
First Stop – Dugie & David Graham’s Garden – 1817 Canonero Drive 78746
This garden stands out with it’s amazing views, and gorgeous pond.
This front bed was recently planted, and consists of low-water, deer-resistant plants. In fact Dugie told us that she strictly sticks to her once a week watering schedule.
Heading around the corner to the back. You’ll notice there are no fences surrounding the property.
The only fence surrounds this sunny vegetable garden.
I love this pieced together stone wall. Which leads to …
This stunning pond
Moving on …
Second Stop – Jerry Naiser’s Garden – 7103 Montana Norte, Austin TX 78731
This garden is focused on irrigation and outdoor living spaces.
You enter the back garden to this cool water feature. I have to say it was a little warm at 80+ degrees though.
I’ve never had hanging planters, due to the watering. Jerry has found a way to deal with the issue.
This outdoor seating area, nestled in the shade would provide an oasis even in the heat of Texas summer.
On we go …
Third Stop – Ken and Robin Howard Moore’s Garden – 3305 Big Bend Dr 78731
This garden included an impressive collection of yard art, and lush landscaping.
You are greeted with this lovely set of iron trellises.
Just what I need, another reason to drink gin.
Peggy Martin Rose in all it’s glory.
More Yard Art
Down the Road …
Fourth Stop – Austin Neal’s Garden – 1106 Northwestern Ave 78702
Stands out due to modern architecture and creative reuse.
Agaves against the reclaimed gate
The horsetail reed really pops against this colored wall.
The small veggie garden is watered with Ollas. I’ve recently been introduced to them and am curious if they will discuss them on the tour.
Rounding the Bend …
Fifth Stop – Lori Daul’s Garden – 3231 Oak Alley 78745
Lovely lush garden with an incredible mix of roses and agaves
You are greeted with this pair of Agaves. Not sure hold old they are, but wow!
Great use of stocktanks
The agaves just blend into the landscape.My husband told me once he hated agaves, just reminded him too much of a sparse Phoenix desert garden. Not so in Lori’s garden.
Not to be shown up by the agaves, this spineless prickly pear fits in beautifully as well.
That’s it for the homes. Make sure to stop by the Extension Office as well. This was my first visit and there was a raised-bed veggie garden and a good mix of sun and shade plants.
April 2014 Bloom Day
Posted in bloom day, Flowers on April 15, 2014| 7 Comments »
Rise N Shine
After two hail storms in a week and a dip into the 30s last night, I’m happy that anything is blooming at all. To show just what a crazy spring it’s been, I looked at last years bloom day pics and found all the same blooms for 3/15. I hope summer follows spring and is a month behind this year too. Wishful thinking!
Thanks to Carol from May Dreams for hosting Bloom Day.
Roses
Livin Easy
Martha Gonzales
Bulbs
Clusiana Tulips
Narcissus
Had to go into the greenhouse for this one
Satsuma
Wildflowers
Pink Primrose
Bluebonnets
Back Yard
Cemetery Iris
California Poppy
Possumhaw Holly
Columbine
A few new additions from this past weekend
Samantha Lantana
Lilac Hibiscus
My First Foray into Flower Arranging
Posted in Uncategorized on April 13, 2014| 4 Comments »
I hosted brunch for my volleyball team today and thought a few vases of fresh flowers would add to the ambiance. I always feel bad about cutting the flowers and bringing them indoors, but why grow so many flowers if I don’t get to enjoy them all the time?
Above flowers are bluebonnets, false garlic, lance-leaf coreopsis (I think), and prairie verbena
Artemsia, california poppy, martha gonzales (this bush went into full bloom this morning)
And the winner is …
Posted in Flowers, roses on April 11, 2014| 4 Comments »
Mutabalis – My first rose bloom of the year
I fell in love with this rose bush when I visited a fellow bloggers garden.
http://playinoutside.blogspot.com/
She had hers shaped into a 5-6 foot tree and it was in full bloom, stunning.
Homestead Updates
Posted in Animals, Flowers, Fruit, Status, Vegetables, tagged Homestead on April 6, 2014| 10 Comments »
Today ended up much chillier than I anticipated, and with the drizzle, I wasn’t feeling too motivated to garden.
I took pictures instead (and attended a hands-on a bee class – post to come later)
My MIL worked tirelessly last weekend and this Saturday helping me clean up around the yard. Last weekend was the vegetable garden.
Tomatoes
Onions, Carrots, Lettuce, Melons, Squash, Peppers
Newly planted pepper bed
First Squash – pass-along from Ms. Black, my daughter’s FFA teacher
First Tomato
Beans and corn planted yesterday
Yesterday was the back yard, weeding, raking, and general cleanup.
Finally got my garden gates back from the powder coater, just in time for my climbing rose to take off.
Grape Hyacinth
California Poppy – I miss these from Phoenix, and finally have my own
Next I took a tour outside the fence, trying to capture wildflowers
Our lambs grazing in the background
My garden helpers — These guys follow me around everywhere. The guineas are usually in 3s, but today she was off wandering.
Carl
Guinea Hen
Checking on some of the poultry …
Our 3 peafowl, we don’t know the sex yet, no full tails until 2 years of age
Gobbling with me … a favorite pasttime
Waiting for scratch?
And on to the orchard
First peach!
