How does your garden grow?

I did it!  I finally got the garden in!  I have to say I had my doubts but was determined to still complete the task.   This is the latest I think I've ever planted but to be honest but also we have had a colder spring so far so I don't really think I've missed much on the timeline.  I can see the edges of it from my kitchen sink and it makes my heart sing that it is out there finished and will soon have veggies for us!   G asked why we couldn't just skip it this year - silly boy.  I do need to remember however to do a better job of prepping for the winter as the beds were a mess!   Also, we need to add more dirt next year.   There really isn't enough in there this year but I was too the point where I didn't so much care about that and I'm sure it will be fine for one year.

So as of last weekend here's how it looks.......

Prepped and ready to go

This is the bed closest to the lanai.   Those are lettuce starts and the rest is filled with rows of spinach, lettuce, and chard.

Tomatoes!   I realize that one is not centered in the bed right but again my level or caring is on that kind of stuff is low this year.  Love my cages although by the end of summer you don't really see there pretty colors.

All three beds - the back bed has cukes and squash

Before the cages and drip system went in

I am so very lucky to have the drip system.   G put it in and takes care of it every spring and fall.   It allows us to not have to worry about watering and to be honest probably water more efficiently.  It also allows us to go away and not worry about things no matter how hot it is which is nice.   We won't be taking any big long trips this summer as I'm saving all my fto for when Jellybean arrives this fall but its still good not to have to worry about it. I also did the front flower boxes and will have to take a pic this weekend and will post it as well.  Now I just need mother nature to cooperate and give me a little warm weather to encourage things to grow..........

List maker

In addition to having three yards of bark delivered this weekend I felt I had a ton of things to do.  To be honest it was a little overwhelming.   I decided to do what I do at work - make a list.  Although the list was long it helped to keep me focused on what I wanted to accomplish.  Also, if I thought of something I just added it to the list - this way I wouldn't forget and also didn't have to do it right that moment.   Did I finish everything on the list - no - but close.  Still need to polish the spoons, wash my car, and scrub the upstairs shower.  However, the one thing we did finish was the yard!   It is so pretty right now it just which makes all the hard work worth it!  I am just lucky to have a husband who will help with the process as it would be just too much for one person.

The 8 am arrival.  And can I just say you could hear this thing coming from far away.

That seems like it might be too much but I guess we will see.

The finished product!

Maple had to get her petticoat trimmed. I was tired of it dragging on the ground.   Also, I have to say I LOVE my flowers on the front porch this year.   Don't miss the potato vines at all.

My lilac bush and peonies are much happier - as is Tom the Tiki.  The bed was a MESS!  Should of taken a before picture but I think it would of been to awful to post so you will just have to trust me.  This is the bed that G found the giant snake.   Thankfully I was not there for this.  It's the third one he's seen.  Hmmmmm.....

My hanging basket seems happy as well and is growing more and more.

This is my favorite bed and the one I can see from the kitchen sink.  So peaceful. 

Don't think the weekend was just filled with hard work however.  Got a text Saturday afternoon to go over to our friends for a cocktail and games after dinner.   So we headed to the Martel's around 7:30.   The boys hit golf balls in the lower field while W and I relaxed on the back porch with a glass of Skinny Girl Margarita.  Then we went inside for strawberry shortcake and some games of Catch Phrase.   The boys won 2  out of 3 but W and I are clearly the better players - we just always end up holding the game piece at the wrong time.

Fesslers and the front yard

This past weekend we made our annual trip to Fessler's Nursery down in Woodburn.  I love to buy the bulk of my plants from them for two reasons.  
1.   I would rather Mr. Fessler has my money then Home Depot 
2.  You seriously can't beat their prices.

I forgot to take a picture of all the flowers before I put them in the ground but the back of my ridge was full of plants. 

I'm going away from what I've done the past couple of years.  No grasses or potatoe vines....be there done that.   Instead of gone back to geranium and petunia's (which I have always swore to hate but thought I would give another chance.

Here are some after photos

Front flower bed.  Really wish we would put a tree in it but I've yet to talk G into this.

It is filled w/ black grasses from last year, 3 big dahlias, mini blue veined petunias, swan river daisy, famous purple petunias (we hope as they have not started blooming yet).  The thought is that the daisy and petunia w/ spreak and cover up most of the flower bed.   So I will be sure to post an update later.

Here's the front porch!  White geruniums, helitrope, and another small purple type flower

My huge tomatoe plants!  I got 3 of them.  Have to start out big.  Especially w/ the "spring" we've had.  There is an Early Girl, Roma, and one other that I can't remember the name of.

Another shot of the front porch from above

There were also some veggie starts & herbs that will someday - weather permitting - be planted in the back.

I did start to muck out the garden beds and have bought the compost.  Maybe some night after work this week I will get the compost in if its not raining.  They say it's going to be 70 later this week so we will see.