It was a busy week last week now that spring has definitely sprung.
The dandelions are thriving IN the garden bed!
I thought they looked so cheery and left them there.
In fact, I decided to not plant a vegetable garden this year for a several reasons:
- Squirrels and rabbits eat everything and I mean EVERYTHING
- Garden soil needs much TLC after several years of floods washing away good soil
- The return of my brother’s cancer and the need for much TLC too
So, the garden beds will be filled with plants, herbs AND dandelions. While moving plants from around the house into the garden beds this year, I will be adding nutrient rich nature made soil from our compost pile.
The purple and pink low growing phlox (pictured on the left) has been in the garden bed for years and puts on a grand show every spring. I transplanted what used to be my mother-in-law’s Rose Campion into the bed with the phlox. “Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria) has bright magenta flowers on 2 to 3 foot tall gray stalks in early summer.” (Silver Foliage Plants from Farmer’s Almanac) Pictured on the right are some Gladioli I transplanted from the front yard. I scattered seeds of various kinds just behind the Gladioli: zinnia, marigold (I think! LOL), alyssum and cosmos – all of various heights and color.
And it looks like we have ourselves a Buckeye tree thanks to Squirrel!
This little nut tree was growing under our Maple tree in the front yard.
I carefully dug it up and put it in a pot.
If it survives, I will plant it out back but not too close to the garden beds because Buckeye nuts in Autumn make for treacherous walking for humans . . . but the squirrels will be in nut heaven!
“And the secret garden bloomed and bloomed and every morning revealed new miracles.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Back Porch Studio 
Cannot wait to see pictures of the squirrel enjoying the nuts from the tree that you planted into the back.
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I’m curious which neighbor has a Buckeye tree. Very thoughtful of Squirrel to plant one for us in our yard. Squirrel will not be disappointed! 😀
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That phlox is stunning. I’m so glad you decided to keep the dandelions. I never usually tell people ahead of time but my next episode of my podcast (coming out on Monday) is about the folklore of dandelions!
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Dandelions have gotten a bad rap over the years when actually their quite dandy! I look forward to your podcast Sharon.
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Sounds like you’re still keeping busy, even without the vegetable garden. Those squirrels and rabbits may have some salad dressing leftover at the end of the season. 😕
I’m sorry to hear about your brother. Prayers for him. 🙏
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No salad dressing for squirrel and rabbit! LOL
Thank you for your prayers Ann.
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You’re smart to say “no” to a garden this year. Love the purple phlox–neighbors have a bed all along the side of their house that faces the street. Such a lovely sight in the spring! I hear you when it comes to squirrel-mischief. They dig in my deck planter (as if there’s not enough space in the yard!), destroying plants and scattering soil everywhere. I’ve tried Home Depot’s squirrel deterrent, also coffee grounds, to no avail. There must be SOMETHING they don’t like that will keep them away!
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I’ve taken the ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ philosophy this year 😄
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