Category Archives: General Gardening

Me versus the squirrels!

The Eastern Grey Squirrel are like rats in my neighborhood of oaks and loblolly pine! They chew open bird boxes, knock down bird feeders to get to the seed, and dig up and destroy plants. They seem to watch you from the trees and then come right behind you and dig up and eat what you just planted. They will dig out all the soil in a pot to see if there is anything worth eating. Did I mention they grow as large as a small cat?

Even the bird boxes with the metal protectors over the holes are no match!

  

The redbuds are blooming! It is impossible to capture the beauty of a tree in a picture so a close up will have to do!

  

The Eastern Redbud blooms along the top half where as the Asian redbuds will bloom at every leaf node along the entire plant. The Eastern redbud reseeds very easily,too. There are always volunteers around the garden.

  

In the vegetable garden the arugula is coming along but the squirrels are digging through the carrots! The chives look nice with a few sweet violets here and there.

 

The ferns continue to unfurl fiddler heads.

These are Japanese painted ferns below. They will become a silvery green.

 

 

Oh! And I did see Jesus on Blount Street last outside an Irish pub! I guess everyone needs a pint every now and then? 

  

Happy Spring!

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What is blooming in the garden today!

Spring is in the air and things are beginning to bloom!

Redbud

Forsythia

Species tulip with perennial vinca

Quince

Pearl Bush was frost burnt just a bit from Saturday’s 27 temps but all the daffodils were unhurt.

Daffodils

And the amyrilis are growing!

Although, a late frost last Saturday did some damage to the hydrangeas.

Hopefully it was the last hard frost?

atb

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Spring continues to bloom! It is asparagus season!

So much is blooming! A flush of color and blooms with a continue threat of a late frost is the order of everyday!

The Asian magnolias are loaded with blooms.

Camellia “White Perfection”

Plant nurseries are beginning to stock up but its too early for frost sensitive plants! Don’t be tempted! Those tuberous begonias are beautiful but don’t!

Spring is the best time for seasonal vegetables.

Roasted Asparagus and brussel sprouts with roasted garlic, lemon, and olive oil.

Preheat the over to 400f. Cut the tops off a head of garlic, pour olive oil over the cut ends, and wrap in aluminum foil. Place in the over on the top shelf.

Cut the brussel sprouts in half. Remove any tough outer leaves and toss the veggies with olive oil then salt and pepper, if you like. Squeeze half a lemon over the veggies. Place the pan on a middle rack in the over. Near the end of roasting, about 30 or 40 minutes- squeeze the other half of the lemon over the veggies.

When the garlic has softened, squeeze out the soft bulbs and toss and stir in the roasting veggies.

And just before taking veggies out of the oven give them a toss with the roasted garlic and cook until they are as soft as you want them. I like mine with a little bite! Al dente!

And there is always time for an Iced Mocha latte at Cup A Joe!

XXX

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