Sights from around Crooked Acre: Garden.
I just had to document that I managed to keep Fuschia (which were in the hanging pots on the front porch) alive all summer long (last summer). They are so pretty, but were a PAIN, (all that watering) and I don’t know that I’d do it again.
Last year we had a garden in the back yard. This is what it looked like in May.
This is what it looked like in June.
Contrary to the pictures, the garden didn’t do all that well – that back corner doesn’t actually get enough sun (there are very tall trees back there that block the sun until about mid-day) and so we opted not to have an in-ground garden again. (We could do it in the side field if we want to… but do we want to? We’re not sure.)
I love the color of this Gladiolus (from last summer).
I grew sunflowers last year. I love sunflowers.
This pot of Million Bells Petunias (Calibrachoa) (from last summer) actually came back from the year before. I like it when I get two years from one plant when I wasn’t expecting it. (We had a really brutal winter this year, though, and I didn’t get a third year from it.)
From last summer – this bed has Nandina in the back (I did not plant them and do not love them, but I do admire how impossible it is to kill them – chop them back to the ground and they keep coming back). But mostly I took this picture to show how well the catnip (the plant between the two purple bushes – which are Loropetalum Purple Pixie) has taken hold. Yeah, I know. It’s a weed. It’ll take over the whole bed. You know I’m fine with that, right?
The patio in May. We decided that this year we’d grow tomatoes and squash in pots.
The patio in June. The 4 pots on the far right are squash and zucchini; the rest are tomatoes.
The patio in July. We moved the tomato pots up onto the top part of the patio and added gallon jugs as slow waterers (there are small holes in the bottom of the jugs.) The squash and zucchini produced for about 2 weeks and then were overtaken by squash bugs, so they’re gone. The plants moving across the lower part of the patio are cantaloupe and watermelon that Fred planted in the gravel around the patio. Our thoughts for next year are that we’re going to do just tomatoes in pots. We have lots of sources around here for squash, zucchini, and other summer veggies, so we’ll grow tomatoes and buy the rest.
The catnip in May of this year. It got HUGE and I ended up cutting it back a few weeks ago so that it wouldn’t cover the walkway. The bees are loving it!
The catnip at the other end of the flower bed. Catnip’s taking over! (And I’m okay with that.)
Is it just me, or do tomatoes take foreverrrrr to ripen?
This year’s sunflowers – and in front of the fence, the rose bushes we’ve added this year.
A closeup of the roses – they are so pretty! The top left is an Abracadabra, the top right is Peak Performance, and the two on the bottom are Knockout roses.
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I’m pretty sure Tater was staring at the sun on the wall and having Deep Thoughts. (Or maybe just no thoughts at all.)
Uncle Khal is all “Don’t even try it, kid.”
Over on the left, Rufous and Starling are waiting and hoping Uncle Khal will vacate the track toy play area.
Tater’s all “Wow, I hope when I grow up, I’m as MAGNIFICENT as Uncle Khal!” (I suspect she will be.)
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
It’s Toesday, so please admire these beans.
It’s a Tater pie (my favorite!) This pie seems a little bit suspicious.
YouTube link
In case you were curious, Rufous DOES have a voice – it’s just very quiet and sweet and he doesn’t feel the need to use it very often!
Rufous is such a sweet little napping companion.
YouTube link
Tater (official name: Plover) has a purrrrr.
Good night innernets. (Tater/Plover (left) and Starling.)
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Previously
2022: Jocasta’s all “This one’s always smelling my breath to see what I’ve been eating.”
2021: Update on the move.
2020: Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.
2019: Can I interest you in a piece of Madeline pie?
2018: No entry.
2017: Roux is NOT Kravitzing the neighbors.
2016: I’m not sure how much longer it’ll last under this kind of abuse.
2015: No entry.
2014: No entry.
2013: I’m going to just start calling Ember “The Peanut”, because she’s such a tiny little peanut of a kitty.
2012: “Okay, you got your pictures, lady. Now vamoose.”
2011: Cori don’t care ’bout no spayin’ nonsense.
2010: Hello, feral kitten. (Except, he wasn’t. And we eventually named him Martin.)
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: Maryanne has a hissy fit. Tommy does not care.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
I think anyone with cats that get to roam (even in the backyard) should have catnip. I have it, too, and the cats keep it well under control with their rolling and eating of it.
To have the ‘maters ripen “faster”, cut off the leaves near the tomato. Their job is mostly done and are not needed to ripen the fruit or sustain the plant.
Love all the extra pictures. The roses are gorgeous.
Awesome to see your gardens!
I Love seeing the pictures of your garden and flowers, in addition to all the residents and fosters! You and Fred have a wonderful home! Do you call your new home a name?
Crooked Acre 🙂
Jess is right, it’s Crooked Acre – because it’s just the one acre. 🙂
*sniffs the roses* *avoids the bees?* XD
Awwww, Plover has a clickety purrrrrrr like a tinier kitten! She’s seriously still got the Geiger counter purr going on. That is adorable. Is it just me, or do multiple Nestlings join in the purrrrrr fest at the end of that clip?
Rufous, you are a heart-stealer! Because I’m a little bit ridiculous and getting kitty love vicariously (no cats in this apartment, alas), what would happen if I were to pick Rufous up and cuddle him, and kiss him behind the ear?
Oh my gosh, I love your garden! And the roses and other flowers! Wow. I used to grow tomatoes in pots (living in an apartment that’s the only choice) but where we live now, I don’t get any Southern sun, so now I go to the local organic Farm Stand. Still not the same.
No one could be as magnificent as Khal.
Love love love this! Reminds me of the old days. (Newer readers might not know that there were two doggies back then, too!) Very envious of your gorgeous roses.
When we first moved to the country I had a huge veg. garden with anything and everything, 80 percent of which we never ended up eating (or deer and rabbits chowed down before we could even try). Now, it’s small, and only tomatoes. And even then I get lazy about weeding and digging on 90-degree days,, and always end up planting them late.
George and Gracie were the BEST PUPS EVER.
I’m liking growing the tomatoes in pots, but I’m not sure the tomatoes love it so much.
Next year I’m going to plant a pollinator garden in the side field (and then I will complain about taking care of it, because that’s just how I roll.)
Hi – I’ve been having problems with being able to send you things from your wish list for some time now. When I click an item, a blank page comes up. Doesn’t matter which item, all do it. I’ve used it before and worked out well. Can you reach out to me privately so perhaps I can get you some wish items another way. Thank you
Hi Lori – I’m sorry to hear that the wish list is acting up! Packages can be sent to:
Robyn Anderson
1260 US HWY 72E
STE B #130
Athens, AL 35611
Know what your patio needs? A hot tub!
And me, coming to visit. 😉
I would loooooooooooooove to have a hot tub. And a POOL!
Loving the pictures of Crooked Acre.