June 10, 2009

Did You Think My Garden Was Perfect?

In case you thought that everything in my yard/garden was neat and tidy, think again. This poor tomato, my one and only, was planted a couple weeks ago and the prospect of it bearing fruit that wins a prize at the county fair is not lookin' good. My dad told me to stake it but my husband suggested the cage, so I did both. The green plastic pail contraption was my dad's invention for retaining moisture. Leaving the weeds to surround the plant was entirely my idea. The tomato is a Wisconsin 55 and they've been around since the 1940's. It has a good sweet flavor. The plants are very productive and thrive in a wide range of growing conditions, so "they" say. We'll see.


Here's a messy unmade bed. I don't think I've ever gone this long into June without having it planted, but this year the weather has been a factor; cold and rainy and lazy. Wait, lazy has nothing to do with weather. Ornamental grass and russian sage in the back and last year the rest was filled with spreading lantana and a few zinnias and I loved it all. Also an aster and a butterfly weed in there among the weeds. My plan is to add a few more perennials plus the lantana.


Phlox Plant Bugs, I think that's what's going on here. I've never ever before had trouble with bugs on my phlox, but something needs to be done and in a hurry. It's on my "to do" list for tomorrow. Ugly looking, right? And I do love my phlox.


Something pretty to end this post with, a photo of more nameless hostas. They are really my favorites because of how they light up that part of the yard, especially in the early evening.

13 comments:

  1. I had to laugh at the line "wait, lazy has nothing to do with the weather".

    I was rather marveling at the neatness of your beds in your hosta post. Love the last picture with the white-edged hosta.

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  2. Oh Donna do tell me your secret about the hosta. Mine are all eaten by snails.

    And the other part of your yard will be perfect too soon.

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  3. Hi Donna,
    Bummer about the Phlox invaders, the Penstemon in my garden got some little worm last year and looked terrible. Your variagated Hosta is a beauty, I would love to try those again, we get giant hail here so I would have to put it under a tree or something.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  4. I think we all have parts of our gardens that aren't as pretty or caught up with as other areas. I spent a lot of time getting weeds out of my garden yesterday, and had to leave some on the paths so they wouldn't take root in the compost pile.

    I had fun reading your other posts. You have a great sense of humor. Your hostas are lovely!

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  5. I just had fun checking out the other Sue's blogs. I should be signing Sue from NE.

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  6. I love you positive thinking by surrounding your little tomato plant with the GIANT cage. Grow little plant grow.

    My 3 tomato plants are doing great. I'll have to post a new picture soon.

    Your hostas look amazing!!

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  7. Does the bucket have a bottom or just the sides? I hope you get tomatoes. "They" say lots of things about plants don't they? :) I find myself saying that a lot.
    I think your bed filled with lantana must look really pretty, you've already got the nice big plants in there.
    Your hostas do look great!

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  8. Well, your hostas are just gorgeous. Mine don't look like that right now. My whole garden looks beaten down by heat right now. And I sure hope I can revive its spirits!
    Brenda

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  9. I'm a hosta lover, too....they always seems so agreeable !

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  10. Those are lovely hostas! I don't have any in the ground anymore...just one in a pot since the snails did in all the others.

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  11. sweet bay - Now you know the real me. I have lots of "messy" to share.

    Barefoot from Heaven - Snails/slugs can be a problem here with my hostas, especially if it's a wet summer. I never aim for perfect in the garden because that would leave me with nothing to do.

    Rosey Pollen - Love that name. The words GIANT HAIL scare me!

    Sue - Weeding is one of my favorite gardening activities. Gives me some uninterrupted thinking time.

    Sue - Do you mean Sue from urbanlittlehouse? She's terrific, isn't she?

    Lindalou - And Donna's little tomato plant said, "I think I can, I think I can." I'll be checking your blog for new photos of your tomatoes.

    gardenerprogress/Catherine - The bucket is bottomless and only about 1/4 of the bucket is used. I'm always quoting "they" because "they" seem to know everything.

    Brenda - I look at your blog often and never see a thing that looks beaten down, but that TX heat must be difficult to deal with in the summer.

    beth - You're right about the hosta being agreeable plants. They make up for all the disagreeable ones.

    Leslie - I always think about putting a hosta in a pot but never get around to it. Thanks for the reminder.

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  12. Untended areas of the garden are opportunities waiting for just the right moment and inspiration. The hosta photo is fabulous!

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  13. ArtCricket2 - You always seem to have the perfect words for every situation.

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