Winning the Battle With the Weeds!

"But make no mistake: the weeds will win; nature bats last. "~Robert M. Pyle

Today was a good day to tackle more weeds. Where do they come from? One day you have a few sprigs of clover and the next day you can't see the flowers. One day you have weed barrier, the next the bark on top of the barrier is sprouting weeks. One good thing about spending time in the garden weeding is you have a sense of accomplishment when the day is over. You may also have sore knees, a slight sunburn, and fingernails that need a soak, but there is a sense of accomplishment.Grass is my worst enemy. It seems like grass takes up residence and doesn't want to ever leave. When you have to get a shovel out to deal with weeds, that is when you call your better half!
I will say I do like clover, especially the red clover. I kept some in the flower beds today just to add some color. Also, by the time I got to that red clover I was ready to quit. Red clover is good ( I keep telling myself.)
Finally at the end of my weed pulling session the flower beds along the walk looked much more tidy! Now that the rain is falling again Mother Nature will probably provide just what the weeds need to grow up taller overnight! Arrrggghhh!

Directions by Billy Collins

a view of the sky caught by JEJ

Directions
by Billy Collins

You know the brick path in the back of the house,
the one you see from the kitchen window,
the one that bends around the far end of the garden
where all the yellow primroses are?
And you know how if you leave the path
and walk into the woods you come
to a heap of rocks, probably pushed
down during the horrors of the Ice Age,
and a grove of tall hemlocks, dark green now
against the light-brown fallen leaves?
And farther on, you know
the small footbridge with the broken railing
and if you go beyond there you arrive
at the bottom of sheep's head hill?
Well, if you start climbing, and you
might have to grab on to a sapling
when the going gets steep,
you will eventually come to a long stone
ridge with a border of pine trees
which is a high as you can go
and a good enough place to stop.

The best time for this is late afternoon
when the sun strobes through
the columns of trees as you are hiking up,
and when you find an agreeable rock
to sit on, you will be able to see
the light pouring down into the woods
and breaking into the shapes and tones
of things and you will hear nothing
but a sprig of a birdsong or leafy
falling of a cone or through the trees,
and if this is your day you might even
spot a hare or feel the wing-beats of geese
driving overhead toward some destination.

But it is hard to speak of these things
how the voices of light enter the body
and begin to recite their stories
how the earth holds us painfully against
ts breast made of humus and brambles
how we will soon be gone regard
the entities that continue to return
greener than ever, spring water flowing
through a meadow and the shadows of clouds
passing over the hills and the ground
where we stand in the tremble of thought
taking the vast outside into ourselves.

Still, let me know before you set out.
Come knock on my door
and I will walk with you as far as the garden
with one hand on your shoulder.
I will even watch after you and not turn back
to the house until you disappear
into the crowd of maple and ash,
heading up toward the hill,
percing the ground with your stick.

Spring Bouquet #4: Almost Summer!

"Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning. "
~Lydia M. Child

After the Rain

We had downpours throughout the day today. This evening it was apparent the rain cleaned the plants off and gave the flowers a new fresh look. I think the cooler weather allowed the blooms to recuperate a bit also. The cranesbill above stood out in the evening light.These snapdragons actually wintered over and are already way ahead! For you Marmite Toasty! This ivy geranium always stands out hanging by the garage and...the Fourth of July rose is just a bit ahead of itself!

Saturday Road Trip: A Tour of Manito Park, Part 2

There is so much to see at the Manito Park Gardens, but Saturday was a day to spend time wandering through the Perennial Garden. When I first began created gardens here at my home I used this garden for inspiration. This I think as you view this photo tour you will see why.
I had these lovely allium plants once. I am inspired to plant them again after Saturday.

I definitely need to add Siberian Iris to my wish list for my spring garden.
It was a perfect day to enjoy peonies.
We were a bit early in the season to fully enjoy the Rose Hill Garden. In a few weeks it should be full of blooming roses and ready for a visit. The Manito Gardens also include a Lilac Garden, the Duncan Garden, and a Japanese Garden.

Saturday Road Trip: A Tour of Manito Park Part 1

After ending school on Friday I just wanted a day that wasn't planned or rushed. We decided on Saturday to head to Spokane to visit the gardens at Manito Park. We hadn't visited the Gaiser Conservatory for quite awhile, so we started there. Wow! That was all we kept saying was Wow! How could so much color, beauty, and variety of plant life be in one small building? As we meandered through the damp environment we listened to the water features, smelled the lilies, and wanted to reach out and touch the soft blossoms on the tropical plants.
Guess how many times one of us said, "Gosh... I wish we could grow this!"?

Join us for a tour of the Geyser Conservatory. If you live in the Inland Empire, this place is worth a visit. Stayed tuned tomorrow for another part of the beautiful Manito Gardens.