I feel uncomfortable watering the newly planted grass and flowers. There I said it. We try to be environmentally aware and it just feels wrong. Our recycle bin is always overflowing and we turn the water off when we brush our teeth. We occasionally even remember to take our reusable grocery bags with us when we go shopping. It has been in the high 80s and 90s recently–way too dry for new plants that are still trying to establish themselves. Yet, it feels like I’m wasting water by keeping our yard hydrated. At the same time, I’ll be seriously annoyed if any of my plants die because I spent way too much money on them. I keep telling myself that this is just to get them going this first year. After this, they are on their own. I lie. Kermit was right, it ain’t easy being green.
when in doubt mulch it out
We decided to invite some friends over last weekend so I bought mulch. I cannot emphasize how much better it made the yard look. First of all it draws your eye away from the rusty chain link and brings it down to the color contrast between the mulch and the flowers. I’m so tempted to just have the whole yard filled with mulch. Would that be so wrong? Or we could do the less lawn thing.
Also, please ignore the crappy camp chairs.
in the zone
I am a stereotypical American and have no sense of geography. Every time I am forced to look at a hardiness zone map, I am reminded of this. I decided to remedy this and found a free search by zip code hardiness map. It turns out I live in zone 6B. Who knew? I’m not sure if I like the site as it also has a Regional Report that kindly reminds me to “Train the Hired Help.” Say what? First of all, I am the help. Second of all, do people still refer to other people as the help? Did she not read The Help? I read it and didn’t really like it but will go see the movie because Emma Stone will be in it.
What I would really like to read is a discussion of economic status, class, race, ethnicity and gender as they intersect with gardening/landscaping/flowers in the U.S. I think it would be fascinating. Someone, please write it.
terrarium of terror
Last summer, I read an article about terrariums making a comeback and was inspired to grow something. I even did some research. My experiment in indoor gardening didn’t last. I tried. I really tried. It is the fault of the big monster oak tree in front of our house. While we enjoy the shade (and the much lower electric bills during summer), it means we can only grow light-hating, ugly plants inside. Actually not even those survived and I bought plants that do kind of like light. (They were pretty!) While they looked fine and fancy on day one, they soon were a dead, withered embarrassment. My husband just looked at them day after day and shook his head.
Behnke’s is a money sucking pit
Behnke Nureries is second only to Whole Foods in magically making my money disappear from my wallet. I went in the other day to grab one plant and left with eight. I’ve at least learned to buy perennials, well mostly anyway. I buy plants the same way I buy wine–the cuteness of the label. Anyway, what I really like about Behnke’s is that they aren’t pretentious. They’re in Beltsville so pretension isn’t really an option. Even so, the staff is always nice and they don’t laugh at me. At least not to my face. And they always have sales.
the corner of evil
In the far reaches of our yard, we have a corner where three other backyards adjoin ours. Our neighbors are awesome and it isn’t there fault. It is just a crazy corner that is blocked from their view but quite present in ours.
Along the side, the quince bush is next to it but not quite big enough to cover it. And we let that bush grow out of control and it still doesn’t cover up the axis of evil.
Along the back fence, we have tiger lillies which aren’t tall enough to hide it from that angle.
Ugh. I feel like we need a scarecrow or something.
Decks
Some days, I think we should just put down a bunch of mulch and make our back yard into one big playground. Other days, I dream of winning the lottery and putting on an addition to the back of the house. (You see, I when I win the lottery I will not become crazy and loose all of my money within a year. We’ll just pay off all of our debt and put a nice modest addition on the back of the house. This addition will include another bathroom. And an office. And a mudroom. And a laundry room that isn’t in the yucky basement.) Anyway, after we put in the addition, we should probably throw in a deck. You see, the reason I haven’t won the lottery is that I haven’t yet decided what kind of deck I want. Dear TEOT has some nice ideas.
Annuals = one season stand
Annuals are the cheap thrills of the gardening world. They are pretty and look good but they don’t last. I used to always get annuals and perennials confused, sort of like tornado watches and warnings. I have since learned that I’m lazy and would rather plant something once and have it reappear for at least a few years. I guess my plan is really to start with the perennials and then occasionally buy an annual for a pop of color. (I totally made that up. We have no plan. I’ve just been watching too much HGTV.)
And, this is another thing that annoys me, sometimes perennials are not so hearty and then you have to treat them like an annual. (The plant world IS out to get me.)
peonies are my BFF
So I kind of lied. There is one plant that I like and it likes me right back: Peonies.
In the house where I grew up, we had peonies in the side yard. They were beautiful, smelled fantastic, and never needed any maintenance. (They were also held in place by old tires but that’s another story.) They just bloomed and bloomed–a pale, soft pink. They are without a doubt my favorite flower.
Our first fall after we bought our house, I planted peonies along our driveway. Our driveway doesn’t recieve much sun but must get just enough for these babies to hang in there. While it took a couple of years, they are now in full swing. Obviously, they are hard to kill and yet still pretty. Even once the blooms fade, the dark green leaves stay nice and healthy looking.
I planted these from bulbs my mom bought for me. I have no idea what kind they are. All I remember is that I had to plant them in the fall and that I had to use manure which is gross. You buy it at the plant store and I mean it isn’t like there is a cow or something standing by doing its business but still–yuck. Circle of life and all that stuff.
A couple of days ago, I planted one in the back yard that I bought at Behnke’s. According to the label, the blossoms will be all white. The backyard gets much more sun so hopefully this one won’t have to strain so far to find some sunshine. In fact, I would kind of be happy if we had a backyard full of peonies. Maybe if the other stuff doesn’t work out, I’ll dig it all up and just plant peonies along the fence. And yes, that brick work needs some love. I was hoping you would be distracted by the flowers.
Book Recommendation:
Native Plants
Our local elementary school is having a native plant sale this weekend. The rumor is that native plants require less maintenance. This I like. My only worry is that it will just be a bunch of weed-like things because frankly, that is what seems to be growing natively in our back yard.
my yard hates me... 