budagardener's Blog at GardenStew.com

My how they grow!

budagardener — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:09:58 -0400

Author: budagardener
Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:09 pm (GMT 0)

Last weekend, it was time to attempt leash training Klaus. MMMMM....this is going to take some time, he was not having it.

He is now 18 weeks old, and 10 1/2lbs. He's gained over 4lbs in four weeks and as you can see from the photo, almost the size of Schultze!

There has not been much time to work in the yard the last few weeks due to work overload with the spring floor plan moves. Everything in the store pretty much changed locations so I've been pretty beat at the end of the day. About all I have managed to do is water the potted plants and trim back the basil before it goes to seed! It won't be long and I will have cucumbers and tomatoes ready for picking, they are almost there!

Next week I'll be back at it though!

Updates on new growth

budagardener — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 09:41:36 -0400

Author: budagardener
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:41 pm (GMT 0)

Saturday was a busy day in the yard. Here are a couple shots of progress in the plants so far.

Klaus had bitten the tops off of the white canna and eucalyptus. I am glad I didn't trash them....they obvioulsy had a better start the the roots than I had though because they continued to grow!!

The glads are coming up nicely as well....

The brug has two buds that are about 7" long already and many small ones forming. I surrounded the brug with white petunias and nasturtium. The nasturtium will be the deep red ones when they bloom.

My Birthday Present

budagardener — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:40:32 -0400

Author: budagardener
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:40 am (GMT 0)

Well after a lot of hesitation.....I guess I am going to give orchids a try! This was my birthday gift from Patrick.

I normally don't have luck with indoor plants, but here it goes!

New Bloom

budagardener — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:52:43 -0400

Author: budagardener
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:52 pm (GMT 0)

My columbine plant starting blooming and has buds all over. I grew these years ago, but don't remember the flowers being so large!

Yesterday I planted three white azaleas I found at Home Depot for only $2.48 a piece. And after getting some tips from Glendann, I think I found the perfect spot on the side of the house. Most of the blooms where already fading when I planted them, but there are still buds left to bloom.

All of the lily bulbs are breaking ground, I can't wait until those Casa Blanca Lilies are blooming. Last year the scent in the air was incredible. I added five more of those and 30 more bulbs in a variety of size and color. Should be a colorful summer this year.

Growing Strong

budagardener — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:20:14 -0400

Author: budagardener
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:20 pm (GMT 0)

Some of what I've been working on the in the front yard.

Replanted the Brugmansia in a larger pot that last year, and it has a lot of new growth on it.

Coreposis Early Sunrise that was planted from seed last May.

The new Lilac (blooms are gone already), and the wall planter I got at work on closeout for $3!!

Malva Sylvestri that was planted from seed last May. Using this to cover the front of the utility boxes in the front yard.

New raised bed around the tree with petunias and there is purple liatris peaking through the ground already.

Disaster strikes...his name is Klaus!

budagardener — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:10:05 -0400

Author: budagardener
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:10 pm (GMT 0)

Well, it was a very interesting weekend to say the least. I worked planting Friday, Saturday and Sunday all day making several trips to Home Depot for soil, pots, mulch, and yes......plants!

Klaus got right into it 'after' I was finished and proceeded to top off every pot I planted! Yes, all those seeds that I diligently cared for over the last 12 weeks are history. He bit off every one to the ground. I was just sick. But looking down at that solid white little pup with the black soil covered face, I just had to smile.

I doubt I will be starting over with seeds this year, but it remains to be seen that all future planting will be done in the front yard only until he reaches a more mature age.

MMMMMM......tomatoes and cucumbers mixed with the flower beds.....probably not, but my mouth was watering for those freshly picked beauties this year!

What I did plant in the front yard will survive and that will have made all the caring and work worth it in the end!

The Boys last weekend....

budagardener — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:52:27 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 12:52 am (GMT 0)

We had an awesome weekend of 78 degrees last week.
Our newest family member, Klaus cannot seem to stop chewing on the mulch.....he's been scolded several times!

Then he runs to hide after I catch him and remove it from his sharp little teeth.

Oh, Dad can't find me here.......

Schlutze just stands there watching. He's been very patient with Klaus who has made himself right at home.

It should be interesting this weekend. Patrick and I plan to put in our patio (slate) and starting to build several raised flower beds. I am sure there will be some mischief to report later.

Our New Family Member...Klaus

budagardener — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:02:08 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:02 am (GMT 0)

This is the newest member of our family. I brought Kraus home today for my partners Valentines present.
He is a white miniature schnauzer born 11/26/07.

He is fitting right in and Schultze seems to be taking to him fine so far.

Painting and drawing

budagardener — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:15:53 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:15 pm (GMT 0)

The Daisy is an oil painting, and the Columbine is pastel on paper.

Gardens Past

budagardener — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:36:52 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:36 pm (GMT 0)

I've been planning what needs to happen in my new back yard this spring and ran across these old photos from 1999.

1999 is the first year I gardened and the bug bit me fast! It became a passion. Finally, after many years, I can now start again.

This chair I built for the front porch. I did the artwork from drawings of flowers that where planted in the yard.

This was the front driveway bed. There where three elm trees that where removed (they where really bad off and had to come down). The bed is 30'x8'.

Once it started taking off......

Back yard bed with a tower trellis I built for the Niobe clematis I had planted around it with Miss Bateman.

I had Purple Cone flower, cosmos, white marigolds, lambs ear, and lavender planted around the base.

Dinnerplate Dahlia....I think it was called Thomas Edison.

Vegetable garden.....peppers, radishes, snap peas, and tomatoes.

Seedlings, I am shocked!

budagardener — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:40:46 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:40 pm (GMT 0)

I started seeds last Thursday in Jiffy Windowsill Greenhouses. The tomatoes, basils, mints, eucalyptus, blue fescue, parsleys and white cannas are already popping their heads out! Its only been three and a half days.

I was anticipating at least 10 days to see anything coming up. Guess I'd better get started on that greenhouse I have plans for!

Winter Remembered

budagardener — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:15:14 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:15 pm (GMT 0)

These photos where taken outside my apartment last year. The outlet mall I work at was closed for three days, but I had work to do and had to get there one of those days.

It was a good thing I had a hammer and chisel in the car as there was at least three inches of ice covering the back door of the building. I got what I needed, locked up and worked from home the other two days.

I hope we are lucky enough not to have a repeat this year! I am much further than four mintutes from work now with the new house.

December 2007

budagardener — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:16:16 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 12:16 am (GMT 0)

Since I had no time for gardening this last month, I baked and had a party for the co-workers. Had to keep busy! It took about four days to make everything, but well worth having a good time and introducing the new house for our first holiday.

Baking is a passion (I used to own a bakery years back), and love to have people over.

New House and empty yard......

budagardener — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:40:45 -0500

Author: budagardener
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:40 am (GMT 0)

We bought a new house in May 2007. It had the basic bed up front, but nothing else. So I am excited to have a blank canvas to get started on this spring and have many plans drawn up.

I managed to plant the Miss Bateman clematis just prior to actually moving in, and it has done very well blooming a second time right now. She is loaded with buds and blooms. I took the photo this morning which is my ID pic.

My yellow Brugmansia has dwindled down and stopped blooming with the colder weather we've had recently, so I am wintering it until after the cold months to come. We usually have a pretty cold February into March here in Texas. The top blooms at one time where 37 10" long fragrant blossoms...it was amazing. I can't wait until this year to see what it will produce.