Wall Garden

I can't take credit for this, but it is one of the most original gardens I have seen. This afternoon it was install on the  front wall of the library where I work.

The gardener has the plants in small pots, which he has in metal frame boxes.  He attached tracks to the wall, and then slid the frames onto the tracks.  He will water them daily, and can easily replace individual plants when he needs to.

Small spaces

Just out the back door, I have a small garden plot, between the house and the brick patio.  It is only about two feet deep, but I love this little space.  I have hyacinths in the spring, followed by astilbe.  This beautiful amaryllis is now blooming.  Yarrow will follow.  To the left of the amaryllis is fennel.  Although it is not a favorite herb of mine, I like growing it, so that the caterpillars of the black swallowtail butterfly will come to the garden.

Monday night I spotted a grey fox in the back yard.  I think an infrared wildlife camera is the perfect thing for the yard.  

Certified Wildlife Habitat

 Yesterday I had my yard certified as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.  It is easy to do.  You need to provide wildlife with food, water, cover, and places to raise their young.  This means that there are both natural food sources, such as seeds, native plants, berries and nuts, as well has feeders.


Your yard needs trees, bushes, and undergrowth  for cover, and water sources, such as ponds, streams and birdbaths.

I have noticed that as I have expanded the garden space, and reduced the lawn, I have had a marked increase in the number and variety of birds.

 In addition to birds, I regularly see squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, a variety of bees, butterflies and on occasion a possum and a racoon.

The garden grows.

The weather has continued to be rather cool, and wet, so the garden has not had any major stress.  I hope that everything will be well established before the heat arrives.

 This past weekend we extended one of the beds in the front yard, and moved some plants from the south side of the house.  The oxalis do not look very good in this picture, but this morning I noticed they have new flowers, so I think they will survive the move.  The other plant we moved is a purple top verbena (Verbena Bonariensis).

The corn is coming up nicely, and all but two of our tomato plants look great.


I have planted moonflower around the front light pole.  The last two years it did not do well, but in the

past it has been delight.  I am hoping for better results this year.  The red flowers next to the mushroom are dianthus.  I planted them two years ago, but this is the first year they have looked so good.  

May has arrived

 It has been cool, grey and damp for a week now.  Everything in the garden is healthy, but nothing is growing quickly due to the grey skies.

We added a mulch 'walk way' across the front yard, with some nice stepping stones.  It looks good and has reduced the amount of grass.  It gives us a walking path between garden areas.  Another one will probably follow.

These purple flag (iris) are blooming nicely, but I have to admit, I do not remember planting them in the flower bed beside the driveway.  However, there are three nice clumps of them out there.

Tomatoes and corn look good, but are growing slowly.  I cut my first bunch of cilantro today.  One cucumber plant is up, but no squash yet.

I have sunflowers and moon flowers growing inside.  Both may be ready for the garden this weekend.