Journal Notes.....I Don't Like August.....

I know that seems a bit negative but the cabin fever is getting to me.  August in the deep south is like the rest of the country's January.  It is simply too inhospitable (unbearable) to be outside.  Ironically, I still like it over June.  That being said, I needed to plant sunflowers and prune the hydrangeas.  Even this was daunting.  The heat index is in hovering around 110 with uv at 11....in other words...don't go outside.

So I planted some...but the morning glory seeds that were left over are choking some of the sunflowers that have so far sprouted.

The shots will look hazy because the camera had a hard time fighting off the humidity.  I probably should have let the camera outside for a while to adjust.  I used left over, bactoe, black cow and mushroom compost.

I probably should have taken a picture from before but I gave the hydrangeas a heavy pruning.  They seem to love them

They were full of black spot so this will help.  Also, I gave them aluminum sulfate, and bayer advance two in one granules. 

I put on the drip system over night to soak them because the rain has been really sparse

This should do well in a few weeks.

Aluminum sulfate to make the blue and purple

I like bayer because it's systemic

I miss the rain so much I take a picture when I actually see it.  In any event, I suppose it's just summer blues..but I can't wait for cooler temperatures.

Journal Notes...Random stuff, Garden Must haves, Creek Clean Up, & Blooming Morning Glories

The following post will be very, very random...but I have learned that it does come in handy sometimes....

Does anyone have a ton of beat up shoes?  

Bug spray

Dogs and Cats

Sunblock

Hat, if no other reasons to keep the bugs off your face

A bit off topic, but I am loving the zinnias that I didn't plant.  In the fall I usually take the dead zinnias and throw them around the borders that I don't mow....

It has rained so much lately...

Gonna clean up the creek and pond....or at least try.

Pull up weeds, I can't find the new pond pump I ordered and I am gonna use pond cleaner

Currently there are frogs in there.... I didn't want to tackle fish.

Gonna replace the wood solar lantern for a plastic one.

Creek was overrun with weeds...

I wouldn't be able to have a large rural garden without using a well...

Having large equipment helps a great deal in the garden, plus the capital investments I have put in, like irrigation pipes

Did I mention an incredibly wonderful and, patient, supportive and talented husband...has been awesome.  I could not have done what has been done without him.

Random picture of a cardinal.

Replacing the solar lantern earlier with this one.  I bought some of these at Target before and hey have held up quite well.

Husband bushhogged the creek.

Peacock drained away but it's raining again as I write this.

Needed to trim up the peacock.

He also bushhogged the front field...My mower is awesome but I am concerned about holes.

The heavy rains I think have covered some of the sunflowers.

I was scared to clean the creek a bit because of snakes.  They seem to come out when it rains heavily.

One day I'll get the creek right..

Back rose garden is looking more full...prob cause of the cooler weather.

Battery operated hedge clippers...and hand saw.

Migratory birds I have been seeing a lot lately...but the hummingbirds I haven't seen a few days....not sure what these birds are.

July is always good for plenty of rain.

Weeded the Mexican Heather....where have the bees been?  Even called the local honey maker asking...

Moved some of the spanish moss to other trees

Morning Glories finally have blooms!

I think they don't want to bloom until they have reached their length....

Journal Notes..Wildflower Update

Sorry, I haven't been around a lot...it's been a strange couple of weeks...I would elaborate but I'm not going to bore you.  A few weeks back I planted another wildflower patch.  I didn't expect to see blooms until mid September.  But they were blooming by the first of September...which was six weeks...so noted.  I don't know if they will have time to self-seed but I have bought enough wildflower seeds that were on sale at Dollar General that it will not matter.  I have loved the butterflies and hummingbirds so much this year...even more than the flowers.  That is why I am planting more wildflowers...also, the very low care involved.

Last year, I kept the seeds from "Sam" the largest sunflower.  The sunflowers have not fared well...but with 150 of them some have made it.  Grant you they are nothing like the parent.

I couldn't tell you all I put in the ground but zinnias were another favorite that I am hooked on.

I want to say I made 20 or 30 holes but the bugs have been fierce.  I went for a Darwinian concept.

Keeping the grass down between them have been a challenge.

Fall is definitely approaching.

Last year I threw the sulfur comsos seeds along they drive...and they are growing in clay gravel

Another favorite of fall is beauty berry...which is excellent in arrangements.

This is a self seeded wildflower patch that came from last year.  We initially mowed it down but about June we stopped.  I do not take care of these whatsoever...and they are doing great....the sulfur cosmos will bloom in a month.

This is the sulfur cosmos I keep referencing.  It doesn't look like much but they make tons of blooms..and no care.

This is "Marvin the Martian" as I call him.  He has gotten huge since last year.  If you ever have seen them older you would understand why I call him this.  I haven't done much in the gardens for other reasons...but I am gaining momentum..hopefully.