Annual Flower Purchase

We got up bright and early and went to both Pinter's and sell. At Pinter's we purchase

18 wave petunias in white and purple
12 regular petunias
12 yellow marigolds
8 white verbina
8 dusty miller
8 regular petunias
8 snap dragons
5 coleius
20 impatience
1 new guinea impatience
8 zinnias

12 bags of mulch

We purchased at Sells

3 mums for planing in the front. I'm still trying to get these to grow as a perennial
8 tomatoes
4 cherry tomatoes
8 cucs
4 cantaloupe
4 zucchini
2 packs of onions

We came home and we able to plant all the annuals in their pots except the verbina, because we need to paint those pots again. We had three flowers left over, but they were essentially free and we didn't really need them. We discovered that we had purchased way too many wave petunias. Only three will fit in one deck box and 4 in each hanging pot. So Wayne went to get the other box and we put it up on the diagonal part of the upper deck and filled it too. It was a great idea and we hope everything grows and looks great.

Mulching

Last year we did not do any mulch and the yard really looks it. Many of the plants have grown past the point of needing mulch around them, but there are still areas, especially in front. Wayne decided we needed about 2 yards of mulch and so I did pricing. Turns out it is the same price as buying the bags, so we have started doing that instead. We can put it down as we need to rather than having to do it all in one day.

Last night we mulched around the large lilac tree and around the area adjacent to it. I also sprayed the roses in the back. I would like to spray the roses every Monday or Tuesday and the fertilize the flowers every Friday evening. If we can keep up that habit I am certain we will have good success with those flowers.

Weekly Walk About

In the front yard--lilacs are in full bloom; beautiful and fragrant. All the bulbs have faded, but the moss phlox are still in bloom. The newly planted white phlox are not looking good and probably need to be misted every day. We will need to do that.

On the south side the pastel tulips are fading, but the cat mint is starting to bloom. I will soon have iris in bloom and the deep purple one has a nice bud on it too. The day lilies we transplanted are not looking good, but still think they will make it.

In the back the bleeding heart is wonderful; the candy tuft is big and beautiful; and the columbine is starting to bloom. Also the laminum is in bloom again. The lilies of the valley we transplanted might make it as well. They are still struggling, but look hopeful.

The bridal spirea are starting to bloom. I'm surprised that it is this early, but they should peak the first of June.

The red bud tree is starting to fade. It has been beautiful.

Purchase

Last night we purchased 5 more white campanulas and planted them today. Hopefully they will grow well. I also purchased 2 more coreopsis. I don't think the others made it. They grow well the first year so I am going to try not cutting them down when they die.

We purchased a new miracle grow system. This one is a weekly fertilizer for all the perennials. We treated everything but the planted newly lily bulbs that look pretty terrible right now. I look forward to seeing good results. I think this will be a good investment. I was not happy with my last disease treatment for the roses and so I purchased another kind. Hopefully this will work better.

The butterfly bush is still not in bloom.

Last night we put our chairs out under the red bud tree and enjoyed the flowers. Everything is so beautiful in the shade corner.

Planting Flowers

We were able to work only two days in the yard this week. However, the lawn got mowed on Monday and dethatched on Tuesday by 5 Star Landscape. He charged $75. Already it looks better. We still need to put fertilizer down and then spot patch some of the worst spots.

Yesterday we planted the John F. Kennedy rose and weeded, sprayed the other roses and mulched around them. I also fertilized the older roses. The area looks nice.

In the front we split up the two 1/4 flats of Snow Flake moss phlox into 12 pieces and planted them around the walkway lights. I think they will grow although they were in flower at the time.

I weeded my perrenial bed and cut back the lavender which is taking over everything. The correopsis has not come up. Although it did well last year, I am thinking that we have lost those plants.

There is still no sign of life on the butterfly bush. Because it has been so cold we still are hoping to see it bud as of yet.

New Purchases

Friday we bought a tea rose--John F. Kennedy--although this one will only grow to be about 3' tall which is perfect. It's white although not fragrant. Still it should be lovely. We bought it at Meijers of all places for around $10. It's in great condition and should transplant nicely.

We also purchased 12 peppers with the idea of putting them in larger pots and letting them get a head start before we plant at the end of the month. We also purchased a flat of white moss phlox for planting around the front yard walkway likes.

The last thing we purchased was new walkway lights. These are metal in hopes that they will survive any bull whip episodes.

However, we haven't been able to get outside in the past few days--it has been cold and rainy.

A Trade

Last night we dug up some of the iris and took it over to the Dunstuns for a trade. I got some of the lilies of the valley. Let's hope they grow.

Weekly Walk About

In the front: Daffodils are fading, pear trees are in bloom, moss phlox are starting to bloom, grape hyacinths are in bloom. Lilacs have big flower buds. Everything is up and growing. We need to plant lilies.

On the south: Tulips are blooming and everything is in bud or up and growing. The mother of thyme is thick and lovely. The chives have big buds.

In the back: The forsythia are still in bloom. The red bud tree is in bloom. The bleeding heart is in bloom. The candy tuft is starting to bloom. The burning bushes that had been chewed survived. Nearly everything is is showing green or buds.

Shape of the Lawn

Wayne mowed the lawn for the first time last night. The lawn is in the worse shape than I have ever seen it. We decided it was a build up of thatch, which prevents it from getting water and nutrients. We spent some time cleaning it up but it is going to take more work than we have time or energy. I'm on the look out for someone to dethatch it.

Spring Has Come

Spring came really late this year. It's May 1st and only now are things really starting to bloom.

In the front yard the daffodils are still in bloom. The pear trees are now blooming along with the grape hyacinths. Other things are leafing out and flower buds are setting. It is a wonderland of growth.

Along the south side, the orange tulips are in bloom. The moss phlox are starting to bloom and everything else is growing. I was glad to see the new iris's up.

In the back only the forsythia is in full bloom.