All Around the Yard - September 2007Today is a beautiful day for a run through my gardens with the camera! The date: September 14th, 2007.See my gardens on this late summer afternoon here in northern Illinois. Tour of the gardens around my yard by clicking the photos listed below and they will display in the image window. Welcome to My Running Garden Tour - September 2007
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While the other sunflower pictures on this website were taken a few weeks ago, the photos in the gallery show the sunflowers are "past peak" and not as quite as domineering. Grape Crop Beats All Records!Hubby gets credit for the sunset shots and his grapes around our deck. This year is our best crop ever. Over 15 years ago I planted a single concord grape plant I bought in a box at the grocery store. Now it completely surrounds the upper level of our deck. This year we have the BIGGEST crop ever. I just squished 2 gallons of juice out of 10 bowls of grapes. A whole afternoon and we picked less than half what is there. Update: we strained and drank the juice, but within a week it began to turn. As "wine" it was sub-par...
South Garden ProjectThe south garden along the house is "under construction" here. It had 3 feet of weeds between 9 rose bushes, of which only 4 survived, plus hundreds of bulbs and irises. It took days and days to prepare that soil.I made a mess putting in 50 feet of edging and the lawn around was dreadful. Most of the 50 yards of landscaping fabric is stapled down over the 4 surviving roses and some daisies I transplanted from another garden. Next I will replant some bulbs and irises and cover it with mulch. The south side garden redesign project was needed and should save me time for many years. Next spring I will plant more perennials and add annuals for color and try to fill up my "rose garden" once again. There is history in the "Father's Day Rose Bush" which is now centered against the siding. It won't need a trellis. I has thrived under my dad's window for over 10 years and always blooms dark red roses on the week of Father's Day. April through September, At LeastMy gardens need tending all season which is April through September here in the upper midwest. With lawn mowing and other chores, we stay busy all season. These months are my favorite though because I love everything about gardening and working with plants. I spend all my extra time outside playing in the dirt.Since gardening is my favorite thing to do, I am relaxed and reflective. Some of my best ideas have come to me while pulling weeds. I research my ideas when I do get online and plan my business projects to do later when I spend more time in the office. Monster Sunflower Reigns over Pool and Deck in August |
See my
Gardening Tips
on
Thanks for
Your Emails:
"Love your site & all your flowers! I can't imagine the
time spent...don't know how you have time to give us all the
info on your site! I don't know if you answer questions or not
but I have one for you.
I am trying to grow sunflowers (mini mostly) for my nephews
wedding in Sept. They are just starting to bloom(Aug). Should I
be taking off that first top bloom? And if so do I let it bloom
then take it off or take it off as a bud? I am hoping these are
going to last til then. They are just starting to bloom. Thanks
for any advice you can give!"
Julie in PA
->"I would leave the top bloom alone for now, but when the
yellow petals drop, then cut it cleanly off above the next
joint/bloom. In fact, by the end of Sept, you may need to cut a
few off. This, of course, is assuming you have the "wild"
sunflower with blooms on each branch. You should already see
the secondary flower heads starting, if you have the wild type.
---- I hope you have the wild type, because the single head
sunflower won't work. GOOD LUCK!"
-->"Thank you so much for replying & soooo fast! I do
have the "wild" type & am seeing many secondary heads
coming.
Once again...thanks for your advice. Keep your fingers
crossed!"
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"Subject: I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE!
My sister Karen sent your website to me today. Alas, I have
found another person whose home looks like a nursery!
See the pics she sent
here.
Thanks for your hints! I have two grown daughters but my
flowers are my "babies".
Emily
Thanks Again! -Karen
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