Netty's Country Life

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Welcome Summer!

Yesterday marked the first day of summer - the Summer Solstice.

I look forward to summer each year, but in a way I am saddened when it gets here. My favorite time is spring, the season of hope, new life and lengthening days. The summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight, and that means the days are starting to get shorter again.

BUT, there is still plenty of daylight left and with that comes busy days.

I am getting used to my earlier work shift now, and actually prefer to start earlier.

This gives me time to get some work done around the yard/house.

One of my priorities has been the fence for the veggie garden. I managed to get the 6 posts in, and now I just need a gate and some help getting the metal posts in and the fence attached.

The gate will go where the water tanker is parked.

I hope to get the fence up very soon as the bunnies have been busy in there. I have been letting the dog chase them away, but they seem to come at night now when they know the dog is inside.

The yard is also filled with Chipmunks this year. I don't know where they came from - we have never had any before - but they are driving the dog crazy! I'm not sure what they eat, but if it turns out to be tomatoes or anything else in my garden I will be declaring war!

It was my birthday last weekend, and I was spoiled once again!

A new Rose bush and planter, as well as a few plants and seed packets. My kids know me too well!

The Rose was planted in the new part of the back garden.

The planter was filled and planted up with the birthday plants and a few extras

And another birthday surprise came this week. Friends of mine, amused by my Hosta addiction, brought over this 'Pandora's Box' miniature Hosta!

I think this one is the 32nd variety in my garden! It is sooo small I am afraid the bunnies will make a meal of it! I also snuck in Hosta #31 this week, Guacamole.

Another thing I love about this time of year is the Peony's.You may remember the story of my Mother's Peony's ... This plant is getting bigger and better each year.

Some of the others around the yard

I finally had a chance to tidy up some of the shrubs and winterkill. Sadly, I lost 2 Rose bushes this winter, and I thought I lost my beautiful Black Lace Sambuccus.

After going in to cut off the old wood, I noticed that there was still some life left in it.

It is going to leave a huge void in the bed until it grows back again. It used to hide the mess of the compost pile. I think I may have to move it. (the pile, not the shrub)

I have read a lot about the benefits of Comfrey. I am currently brewing a bucket full of Comfrey tea that is reported to be an excellent organic fertilizer for the veggie garden. It stinks to high heavens, but is supposed to work very well. We shall see. It is a pretty plant and the Hummingbirds love the little blooms.

Things are always changing in the garden. It could look completely different next week.

This morning the first Rose opened :)

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Things are changing :)

June is here, and with it comes a very busy time.

My work schedule has changed, now I begin at 6am. This is the only time of day I could make more time, and now that soccer has begun it is essential that I am home earlier. We spent the day at the field yesterday as well, and it was a great day! Little Country Girls team won their game 3-1. I'm loving her pink jersey!

Country Boy had his prom this week as well.

Doesn't he look handsome in his suit?

I can't believe he's already graduating!

Where does the time GO?

The gardens are planted and filling in. All my hard work in the veggie patch, and still no fence up.

The bunnies were there, and had eaten all the romaine lettuce and broke a few tomato plants off. I have since replanted and after sending the dog out a few times to chase bunnies they seem to be staying away. Yesterday we got some fresh posts from a friend and so they need to be put in and the fence will finally go up.

The back garden extension project is coming along slowly. I just can't seem to get inspired, and I have only found a few plants on my wish list. The compost I used as the base for this garden has a variety of things popping up and I am very careful when weeding there. Poppies, Feverfew, Nicandra, and Datura a few of the surprises growing there. I have even found a pumpkin/squash seed that is growing there! I hope to find a few perennials and will add some annuals for color until then.

The 'Sum and Substance' Hosta that I put in a few years back is finally starting to flourish.

The leaves are getting HUGE (don't mind my muddy hand)

A few more pretties from around the yard

The gardens are filling in and always changing.

Wonder what I'll find next week?

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Getting the veggies planted!

I always forget how busy this time of year can be!

Last weekend was the long weekend, Victoria Day holiday, and the weather wasn't great.

I did get some work done in the gardens, but held off planting anything because of the cool weather.

Well this weekend is lovely and the gardens are getting planted!

I spent most of the day yesterday planting the 'Garden of Weedin' - Tomatoes (48 of them!!) , carrots, onions, beans, kale, peppers, lettuce, zucchini, cucumber. I still have a few more things to do out there, but the most important thing to do yet is get the fence up. Keeping my fingers crossed the bunnies have clover to nibble on in the fields!

DH will be building me a cucumber trellis today as Little Country Girl wants to grow and make pickles this year.

In between planting the garden, we had a water truck delivery to fill the pool. The water was only 12°C, but Country Boy couldn't wait to jump in!

I don't think I need to tell you that it was a quick swim! Brrrrr!

Today, we will be working in the back gardens planting some annuals and doing some weeding.
Things are still coming very slowly, but the grass is green and has been cut twice.

I put out my winter bowling ball project and I am pleased with the way the light reflects on it. I can't wait for the Peony blooms in front of it to open up!

The white tulips I planted for Big Country Girl last fall outside her bedroom window are in bloom, along with some Canada Anemone's. This garden is nothing but green and white it seems, but I like the way it looks.