Happy Wednesday, loves! Spring is in full swing around here, and that means the time-honored tradition of planning my flower beds. Those of you who know me are scratching your heads – you’ve been to my house in July and seen the crisp, brown foliage that adorns my home. Let me explain my process to you:
Step 1. Plan beautiful, luscious flower beds. Balance colors and peak blooms so it looks lovely all season. Save internet and magazine photos, consult gardening co-workers.
Step 2. Invest a fair chunk of money in blooms. Spend an entire Saturday planting. Avoid insects at all costs, make best effort to prevent any dirt from staining hands {an outdoor girl I am NOT}. Book manicure appointment to fix the damage.
Step 3. Water and weed religiously.
Step 4. Get tired of watering and weeding religiously {generally by the end of June}.
Step 5. Cease all watering and weeding. Let nature take its course.
Need further proof of my decidely NOT green thumb? Here is a photo of one of my window boxes last year, I’ll date it between steps 4 and 5:
However, we are currently in the midst of step 1 and this year, THIS YEAR, I am determined to succeed. I know I am capable of nurturing. So, without further ado, here are some blooms I am determined to coax into a state worthy of Better Homes and Gardens.
allium {I love the color AND the fun shape}
phlox {I actually have some of this already, but for some reason it refused to bloom last year…..}
peony {I also have several of these, but I transplanted them and, yes, they refuse to bloom.}
hydrangea {I would love a row of these in front of our house…..perfection}
J is a master gardener, perhaps she will come to my aid…..
How about you? Do you prefer to plant flowers or vegetables {or both, you over-achievers}? Green-thumbs, help a girl out! What is the secret?!?
Gratefully,
{an admitted plant-murderer}
Hello K!! Everything looked good on ur site on my end. Hope you’ve got the kinks out.
On gardening…I have had increased difficulty growing simple flowers and some of my perennials look bad or have up and died. Sooo this year I am going down to Johnson County Landfill and picking up a buttload of free compost to work into the soil. I hope that will help. Also, fertilizing throughout the growing season helps. I usually forget as we get full swing into the summer. But I know it can make a world of difference. Also, another thing that can hurt your plants is watering from a spikot that runs through a water softener, which adds salt to your water. I think that has effected my plants.
On another note, I am finally painting my dining room. The brown and clutter was about to suffocate me. It is a light gray and a darker gray on the wall with the chair rail (used to be dark blue). The walls are empty and I think I am breathing normal again. whew.
Do you know of a product that I could use to make my brass light figures more of a antique, darker color? Please let me know.
love you!
sharon
So glad I’ve found this blog, pure inspiration. =)
I love hydrangeas.
As for gardening, I’m a plant-murderer myself, sorry I’m no help.
After reading Rebecca I really want some of those hydrangeas!