2021 - Coming ready or not.

[Nancy]

I cleaned a bit on the carport and a few leaves on the patio need to be removed.
Added later in April
Got patio cushions out of the shed and on the chairs on the patio.
Working on weeding.
Mowed two times so far.
Raked in some grass seed.

[blessedw2]

what a lovely idea to have a garden section d Lynn and all.

yesterday I bought 3 red twig bushes to go next to the birch I put in last year. The woman last year told me my ivy halo dogwood would be a red twig. (she wanted to sell them) - it wasn't what I was looking for.

I have asked the landscape people to move out the halo dogwood and replace it with the red twig (and I need to find a spot for the Halo

[Harriet]

Lots of outdoor work today. Dd and I weeded, dumped old flower pot dirt for the bulbs in the woods' edge to enjoy. Worked on porch, raked up the thatch after dstepson did some too-wet mowing in one area. He has fixed the lawn mower, though, now. Dd mowed.

Tomorrow I need to dispose of that thatch, dispose of a hanging-basket's wire hanger that was starting to go rusty. More weeding. We need a plan for making a sweep of little branches along the outer lawn edges and getting those last areas mowed. I'm being very wary of insects. So far, nothing like mosquitos or ticks although unbelievably we DID have mosquitoes earlier in the year.

We were talking about how mint helps keep insects away, and therefore the spiders that eat them. We wondered mint plants have an effect on mosquitoes at all.

HRH says that if they do, in that case, mint should be made the state flower.

[blessedw2]

wonderful d harriet!

I can't plant mint in the ground as it spread here like fire. I might get some and put them in pots.
I like the spiders but again we don't have spiders that are poisonous. mosquitos - I dislike mosquitos - we live through a marsh and you never what we will get (rainy seasons are bad)

[Twins' Mom]

I have mint in a pot and it overwinters. Can't let it loose in the yard here! I like to sliver it and add to a fruit salad, makes it a little extra special.

Our mosquitoes are probably not as bad as on the mountain where we used to live - there we were mostly surrounded by trees. But we have enough here that the screened porch will keep them at bay. Dh doesn't seem to be bitten but they eat me alive.

[Lynlee]

Smiling to see folk have dropped in back here.
Thanks to Nancy, blessed, Twins and Harriet for posting.

Harriet - I think lots of herbs are anti mosquito. I know lavender oil deters them, so feel the plant would too. I think spiders would set up a web to catch insects avoiding herbs, making it work for them.
I would think Rosemary and thyme might help too.
As in all things ecological, I think variety of species would help.
Here its a case of emptying all water/rain catchers, like pot saucers etc.
total water changes in bird baths, and washing them as mosquito eggs and lava can hold on for the refill.
You would have the hen water to look at, though I think a hen would look out for mosquitos. If they were quick enough.

I'm hoping to get outdoors today.
My weeds are growing , whether I'm coming or not.
Singapore daisy is running half way across my 'lawn'. (I laugh at the lawn terminology.)
That is the plant with origins in central american rather than a passing introduction into singapore.
There are other weeds / viney things have taken over so there is no shortage.

[blessedw2]

it is a joy isn't d Lynlee to see the site being used again!!! We are supposed to have snow on Tuesday

d twins - that sounds delicious

I would love to visit everyones garden.

[blessedw2]

worked in garden (veg and flower) for about 3 hours.
I am ready for the ice/snow storm on Tuesday - I just have to remember to put the white garden fabric so I can protect the lettuce/spinach/onions

[Lynlee]

Smile to Blessed.

Today I picked some flowering stems, some seriously needing dead heading.
1 old stock pot full from beside the veranda.
No prizes for guessing those are rampaging viney weeds I was cutting back.

Today I saw another of the tiny butterflies - this time grey - guessing 1/2 inch as is rested a moment with folded wings. I've seen golden brown ones a similar size.
Grass is seeding. Some is wanted grass. Some more sedge than grass.

[Nancy]

I can start to see inmprovement in the yard from my daily efforts now.