Mar 1, 2017

Who's Digging in the Dirt?


Tomatoes

Good morning and how are you?  Fine I hope.  Today my thoughts are on growing something.  The weather here is undoubtedly strange this year.  The temperature predictions for today will be in the 80s!  Actual prediction high 86 degrees!  I think I'll hold off on planting some things because if history can be taken into account we will have a cold snap.  Talking gardening today.
I have a gardening friend that inspires all to get their hands dirty and grow something Paul Nelson is quite the gardener.

We have a tiller recall so we have to get that fixed so the tilling can begin!  I can't wait and that brings back memories of we children running behind granddaddy's tractor barefoot!  Those were fun times for us. The feel of that freshly plowed sort of sandy soil felt so good to the feet and we had to sift through it with our hands.  Yes a few dirt clods were thrown as well.  I can't imagine a child enjoying such simple things as that now, but if given the opportunity they would! A little Southern Tradition for you there.






I have a butterfly and bee garden and love to see the activity starting in Spring and running through until Winter.



photo credit

Do you test your soil?  It is one very important step to finding out just what you may need to have one of the most beautiful and bountiful vegetable gardens!

Excerpt from article found Here

Gardening starts with the soil.  Not knowing what's in your soil or what needs to be added is like baking a cake without a recipe--guessing at the ingredients won't give you the results you want.  It's the same with soil nutrients.  You could guess how much lime or fertilizer to apply, but you probably won't get the proportions right.  You might over-fertilize, wasting fertilizer (not to mention money) and creating pollution from the excess that ends up in ground or surface waters.

If you wouldn't bake without a recipe, why garden without a soil test?  They're relatively inexpensive ($6 per sample) and east to do.  Testing in the fall allows ample time to amend the soil before spring, but tests and soil improvements can be done any time of year.

Gather a few supplies:  a few supplies:  a sharp spade or garden trowel that's not dirty or rusty; a clean plastic bucket and some soil sample bags from your local Clemson Extension office (or resealable plastic bags).

Clemson Extension County Office Locater – clemson.edu/extension/county
Clemson Extension’s Home & Garden Information Center – (888) 656-9988
We are so blessed to have these resources.  

photo credit
Good article to read.  I love Zinnias as well as my mother.  She planted those yearly and I love the fact that they are so versatile.  I love to plant a cut garden of them too because they last so long!

Bee Balm @ Hibiscus House
Bee Balm now that is a newfound love of mine!  I love it!  It draws so any butterflies and honeybees until it is a must plant.  It is a perennial and that is a plus.  If you can grow it in your area I recommend it to you.  I did a post on this beautiful plant called "How Many Bees Do You See" ? ,




Coneflowers in Hibiscus House Bee/Butterfly Gardens





I love Coneflowers!


"Lil Brainiac" with Hornworms found on tomato plants
There are many things that love to eat your vegetables and fruits in the gardens.  Some like the worms shown in the picture above are one of those that can damage a crop of tomatoes in a day. You can read more about this in We Have Worms at Mimi Camp! 

Strawberry Varieties grown here at Hibiscus House
You can read more about them here I have some tips as well.
I know something about them it's just getting outside to do it! lol...

I love the fruit trees and grape vines

Grapes at Hibiscus House
Read more about them here if you wish.


I can't wait to grow some beautiful vegetables!  How about you are you ready?  Grow your own it is work I won't lie about that.  Preparing, planting, weeding, watering, amending soil, these things take time and energy but oh the rewards are so worth it.


I can't wait until something is growing out there and hopefully there will be enough to share because that's what we do isn't it?  Grow and share.

I'll leave you today with this post and picture of a little boy enjoying working in the yard with his Mimi...
"Lil Brainiac" helping to replace a dead tree here 
I think if you have little ones around that it is a great idea to teach them and when they grow they too will have a love of gardening!





















2 comments:

  1. Warmer weather here but we will be cold again this weekend. I need to prep my garden beds and catch up this weekend. Might wait one extra week before planting but many have started.

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    1. I hope Chuck gets the tiller fixed and will let him till and get our soil samples tested then buying fertilizer and other things like lime we will need some out here I'm sure. Hope you are doing well Ginger Dawn, it is always a pleasure to hear from you!

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