Updates and Briefs

1. The weather this weekend was so pleasant that E. the Cat (shown below guarding the poppy and hollyhock seedlings) is sitting just outside the screened door and plucking at it, which is her way of suggesting that I should be outside, too. So, I'll be brief.

2.) The latest from the herb garden. Moderate growth. And I have noooo idea from where those two additional varieties of basil came. Nope, not me, scout's honor.

3.) My birthday present from J.: trellis plus clematis. I also planted two of the moonflowers started from seed on each side of it.

4.) We trimmed the giant bonsai tree this weekend, and it looks better. It is only about half-completed with shade plants, but the idea is evident.

5.) We had our first hummingbird sighting yesterday (feeder only shown below, lacking photographic evidence of hummingbirds).

6.) The neighbors think we've gone batty. We've installed a bathouse a week ago, in hopes of attracting the cute little things to eat their share of our mosquito population. It is now the beginning of week 2 of Operation: Batwatch, and still no signs of them.

7.) It was decided that O. needed a sandbox. Immediately. The first time he played in it, he was silent for 45 minutes. Which only occurs otherwise while he sleeps (and even then--he has inherited his mother's abilities to talk and sing in his sleep). I have to admit the sandbox is a nice way to entertain him for a few minutes.

8.) For Mom--my hyacinth bean plant has twirled its way to the top of the trellis now.

9.) Surely there is no better combination than spring, being two, and hiding in the lilies.

Doomed?

This is Japanese Maple, one week post-transplant. Oh dear.
The few green leaves that were on the tree when it arrived have shriveled up, despite judicious watering.

Keep your fingers crossed, or your branches crossed, or whatever.

The Japanese Maple

At some point in life, I decided I really like Japanese maple trees. I like the shape of their leaves and their color range, and I like the tidy but relaxed structure in compact habit. I've wanted one near my home for years, so I could watch the leaves change during the growing season and appreciate their beauty.

When we moved last summer, we finally had a plan to live somewhere long enough to justify the purchase. Note that this is the highest amount I've spent to purchase a single living thing. And it came in a box. Or as J. said, "There's a tree in there?"

Yes, J., there is a tree in that box.

We diligently followed the directions from the nursery. We placed the tree in a shady, windless spot for three days to allow it to adjust to being free from its cardboard box and packing popcorn prison. We watered it until it was the roots were soaked. After the third day, we dug a hole exactly 3 times wider and 1.5 times deeper than the root ball. We fertilized and enriched the soil with humic matter and mudded-in the roots to prevent air pockets. Finally, we lovingly created a dam to collect and direct water. I would have gladly mulched if it weren't for the rock project, and I'm out of mulch at the moment. And voila.

Yes, there is a tree in that photo.

Tipsy Pots

I found a use for the terra cotta pots that came with the house.


Link to the instructions.

I used a fence stabilizing rod instead of rebar, mainly because it was what I could find quickly at the hardware store with O. in tow. I wish would have held out for the rebar, because I could have used a narrower piece. Because I chose the rod instead, the holes in the pots were too small and I had to use dremmel tool to enlarge them. Oh well, live and learn.