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Recent Entries to this Blog
Hawks have to eat too
Posted: 05 Feb 2012 Posted: 04 Feb 2012 Posted: 01 Jan 2012 Posted: 09 Dec 2011 Posted: 17 Nov 2011 All Entries |
Kay's Blog
Hawks have to eat too
Category: my first blog ever! | Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:01 pm Yesterday during the snow event that left 12" of sloppy wet snow, we made sure to brush off and fill the bird feeders. It was fun to sit and watch them all come for the seed. Then they all suddenly flew off. I knew a hawk was probably nearby. Sure enough a Sharp Shin was sitting up high in the Crabapple. I kept my eye on it as it sat patiently waiting... Several minutes passed, when a group of birds came flying in from over the roof. They had no idea... That Hawk swooped off that branch in a blink of an eye and grabbed a Starling. I saw that and heard the poor bird's last cries. That Hawk sat there in the backyard killing its prey and eating. I couldn't watch much. I feel bad for that poor unsuspecting bird. We let it eat a while, then Bob went out to brush off the satellite dish and scared it. Then it flew back down and grabbed the remains. I hope it won't come back. I'm also glad it wasn't a Cardinal, Chickadee or some other favorite. We can spare the Starlings. I know Hawks need food too, but next time, Not in my backyard! This blog entry has been viewed 32 times
Winter finally shows up
Category: my Winter thoughts | Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 5:12 pm It's been a very mild winter here this year. I am not really complaining, because the past several years, winters have been so cold and snowy. I have been enjoying the warmth and record highs and being able to be outdoors without layers and boots and all. However, it is dry, and starting to be of concern. We need moisture. The weather people started to hint mid week that a storm would be headed our way. Well, the folks here in the central plains know how to prepare, and people were preparing. Groceries stocked up, gas tanks filled, de-icer applied to city streets, we even cleared out our rain gutters (maybe over-preparing?) So, it began with rain. Yeah! Wet, drenching moisture! Then turned to a wet, sloppy snow last night. I am always compelled to go out to see what has happened, so I began bundling up. As I was pulling on my boots, I heard a loud CRACK. As the garage door went up, we see a branch hanging in the yard over the neighbor's fence. His Crabapple has just suffered from the weight of the heavy snow. 
broken branch ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
branch in our yard ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) Guess we'll have some cleaning up to do. Our big lovely Sycamore has lost several branches too, but none are very large. The trees and shrubs are really weighted down. It is pretty, but I did gently brush the snow away from my little Burning bushes, my precious Japanese Maple,the Dogwoods, Ninebark and Aronia. I know I have to be really careful when I do this so I don't damage them. The snow continues to come down, I think we'll have about 10" when it stops. We are having a good time watching all our birds at the feeders. They must put the word out, our backyard is a flurry of activity. wish I could take better photos, but the birds will not pose! Finches, Cardinals, Jays, Doves, Juncos, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, and Cedar Waxwings are some of the hungry birds today. 
heavy, wet snow in backyard ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
a blanket for the Spruce ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
feeders before we swept off the snow ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
snowy birdbath ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) So, this is the winter we're used to. We knew it was bound to catch up to us. This blog entry has been viewed 29 times
A bit of nostalgia, looking back.
Category: my Winter thoughts | Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2012 6:36 pm Although Mother Natue is giving us some wonderfully mild weather, it is winter and the gardens lie dormant. I was just taking a trip down memory lane with a viewing of my garden photos here at Garden Stew. Looking at the shots, I can remember the days I was out there, enjoying and feeling proud. *sigh* Do any of you do this? I can't wait to get out there again, and considering how fast time seems to fly by, it'll be before we know it! This blog entry has been viewed 44 times
vacant birdhouses
Category: my Winter thoughts | Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:10 pm It all started when I had to go out to feed the hungry and mischeivious squirrels ( to keep them off the feeder) After the recent snows, the landscape is looking rather bare. I happen to notice the vacant birdhouses still out in various spots. Some of them are pretty old and I wouldn't blame a bird for not wanting to take up residence... but they do have a certain charm, and I leave them out over winter. I'll probably need to buy or build some new houses before my spring birds come back to nest. 
winter birdhouse ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
snow covered birdhouse ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
old birdhouse ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
Wren house ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
star birdhouse ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) This blog entry has been viewed 169 times
Gone for another season
Category: Gardening 2011 | Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 12:27 am My Japanese Maple was planted in the spring of 2008. It is just about my favorite plant in the yard. (Just about!) It has grown about 2 feet since we planted it. I love the gorgeous color of its leaves, and they really become vibrant in autumn. 
Japanese Maple 11/11/11 ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) Last week, the tree was at its peak of beauty! I was out doing some final chores when I snapped this photo. So, last night, the temperature dipped down into the teens (Brrrr) and when we pulled open the curtain this morning... most of the leaves of this beauty were laying at it feet. 
Japanese Maple 11/17/11 ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) I knew it was going to happen, but it surprised me that it was almost overnight! This blog entry has been viewed 218 times
Move over, we're coming back inside!
Category: Growing Houseplants | Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 4:54 pm Well, the seasons are changing, and it's getting chilly outside. The temperatures at night have been dipping into the 40°s, and are forecast to go lower soon. So, It is time to finish bringing in all the plants that have had a wonderful summer vacation outside. I always apply a systemic insecticide to the soil and water it in real well. Then spray down the entire plant with water, allow to dry, and then spray a Hort oil to all foliage before they come in. I have found this to be important to keeping hitch hiking pests from coming in with the plants. Sorry, I really would like to for-go the chems, but I have spent plenty of winters discovering yucky bugs, and having to pitch plants that have become infested. I just use the chems responsibly and follow the directions. 
Ivy cuttings ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) The Ivies love to languish in the humidity and sun in the laundry room. 
sun room ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
sun room ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
sunny south exposure ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) The sun room is pretty full, I love to be in there tending these plants. During the cold months, there is nothing like the smell of wet soil! 
Schefflera and it's baby ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
Philodendron ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
Fig Tree ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
Dracena, Peace Lily, and Philodendron ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) The living room gets pretty full of green growing things too. Can't help it! This blog entry has been viewed 317 times
An example of our work
Category: Landscaping Girl | Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:23 pm I sold a big job to a couple that purchased a house that has been sitting empty a while. Needless to say, the gardens were an overgrown wreck. I had a crew of 3 and we spent 3 1/2 days on this 1 1/2 acre property. We had to remove several small trees and shrubs that were planted too close together. There were untold quantities of weeds. I got the impression that the former owner was a "plant collector" as there were: you name it, it was in that acreage! They had a special fondness for Dogwoods, Hardy Hibiscus and Ornamental Grasses... everywhere!!! Behind the house there is a patio and a swimming pool. Pool guys are coming to empty it and close it for the season, the water was turning a weird shade of green... we spent hours going through the beds along the fence. At first, you could barely see the fence. 
before ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
Before ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
after ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
before ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
After ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) All in a day's work. Can you see why I'm tired? This blog entry has been viewed 354 times
Hello from a tired girl
Category: Landscaping Girl | Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:01 pm I have been so busy at my job! We have had a super busy year, and it ain't over yet! We have been blessed with perfect Autumn weather, and have done a record number of installation jobs. Could really use some rain around here though. Maybe this weekend, they say. The wind has been really strong the past few days, so a front must be making it's way here. I do get to rest during the "off season" which is usually November through March. However, we have yet to do any of the Autumn clean up work. So, I am still rollin out every morning and doing what I do. This blog entry has been viewed 464 times
making plans to redecorate the garden
Category: Working in the yard | Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 7:11 pm My garden has been suffering through a long period of heat lately. We went from a cool, rainy June into this dry,hot weather. I have been watering a lot more than usual to keep up with plant's needs, especially the shrubs that I added this spring. The temperatures have been hovering in the high 90s mostly with the past couple days reaching into the triple digits. Ugh... In my backyard, the corner that was visibly changed by the removal of the big, old Pine is undergoing some stress. I was out early today, to beat the sun's heat to deadhead some Heucheras and Hostas. They are looking a bit scorched. I have decided to find new shadier homes for them. Earlier this spring, I already relocated several Astilbe, Hosta, and Heuchera. Now I am searching for spots to put the poor long suffering kids so they can do their best and thrive., but I'm going to wait until it cools off some. The bright side is that I have realized that I will have room to plant more, and I will be able to add some sun lovers for a change! This blog entry has been viewed 537 times
Containers for orphan annuals
Category: Gardening 2011 | Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:40 pm Yesterday, a friend called and said she had a bunch of left over annuals from a plant seller she was working for. Would I like some of them? They come up here each spring from Kaw Valley, Kansas and must do a pretty good business (they have 4 stands in Lincoln each year) They pack up and leave at the end of June, and allow the employees to have leftovers. Pretty nice of em, I'd say! So, I went and adopted some pretties. What fun to pick, choose and grab for free! (they only go to good homes, you see) So, after work, I got busy and had a good old time planting. I didn't really have a plan in mind, I just started putting them together in ways I thought looked good. I'm pretty pleased with the way they turned out, and thought you might enjoy seeing my work for this season. 
hangin in the sun ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
container buddies ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
another purple mixed container ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
sunny container ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
purple mixed container ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
mixed container ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) 
mixed container ( photo / image / picture from Kay's Garden ) My friend just called again, she said she just brought home a load of perennials!!! Here we go again!! This blog entry has been viewed 550 times
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