Skeeter's Garden Part II

Back to Skeeter's garden today. How cute are these ducks? They have a history. On one of Skeeter's visits to Clarksville we visited Miss Lucille's and Skeeter found the ducks. Good thing she bought them or they might be in my garden.

This long view down to the woods was so inviting. The grass was perfectly maintained and the paths made it easy to get around. I loved this aspect of the garden! Not knowing where the path leads also adds a little mystery to the trip.

This shots points toward the patio area and storage shed. Loved that coleus tucked in the garden. It made a great focal point.

A further view of the same garden shows how the entire area comes together. There is a stone path to the patio area and storage shed.

Skeeter's gardens are very diverse and contain a lot of plants and flowers. The different textures under foot really set them off well.

This view here has to be one of my favorites. The textures of the angel trumpet, bald cypress, grasses, and plants all join to form a pleasing sight. The swing tucked up into one of the gardens is perfectly sighted. 

Thanks for having me Skeeter and I loved your gardens. I am finally glad I was able to see them in all their glory. I must make plans to come visit in the spring as I bet they are totally different. You are quite the gardener! So glad you blog with me....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Skeeter's Garden Part I

You all are in for a special treat today! Today you get to see Skeeter's garden through my eyes. And what a sight! I have visited Skeeter and the Saint's house on numerous occasions in the past but somehow I have never made it there during prime gardening season. This year was the year! Skeeter had invited to down to her Georgia home to attend the McCorkle's plant sale last month and her garden was looking oh so good. I was quite astonished. You see, even though I had never visited Skeeter during prime gardening season I could see the 'bones' of her garden even during the winter. Over the years those bones have grown phenomenally to the point that her garden was looking as good as the Atlanta Botanical Gardens-though on a smaller scale of course.

Today and Friday you will get an up close and personal view of my wonderful co-blogger's garden in Georgia. The opening photo shows a long view of a few of the gardens. The picture above shows some stunning color in the form of coleus amidst a garden bed.

How about some whimsy? These lovely stone birds require no feeding from Skeeter or the Saint-as a bonus they don't eat the plants either.

A beautiful Boston fern set amidst a serene setting near a birdbath makes for a welcoming sight in the garden.

A long shot of all the pieces put together.


Finally, on this post I believe this to be Confederate Jasmine-Skeeter? You may recall Skeeter has posted on it numerous times. Please correct me if I am wrong Skeeter as I did not catch this pretty's name. It was most lovely and not a plant I am familiar with at all. 

Come back Friday for some more peeks into Skeeter's beautiful and large garden. I had such a good time in her garden and could really see her vision-it is quite the vision too....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Bulb Planting Time and a Coupon Code From Longfield Gardens to Get You Started!

I didn't even realize it was Columbus Day! During all my years of working for the federal government I always knew when those federal holidays came around and I always looked forward to them. Now that I am retired I spend most days doing the same thing-working in my garden and I simply forgot it was a holiday. Happy Columbus Day! 

Right now I have been busy getting ready for spring. Spring you say? Fall has barely begun so you should be getting ready for winter. Yes and no. Surely there are many things to do to our gardens to get them ready for their winter dormancy-but even if you don't do them-the plants and most of the garden will still go dormant. Spring, now that is another matter. If you wish for spring color (and who doesn't) you must prepare for it now or you will not have much of a garden come spring. I am talking about bulbs. It's time to plant those bulbs. In the part of Tennessee I live in (on the border with Kentucky and in the middle part of the state) bulb planting season begins in September and can extend all the way up to December. Prime time for bulb planting is right now though! Early October through early November are actually ideal times for planting bulbs. To help you (and me) get started the fine folks at Longfield Gardens have offered up a coupon code for you all. This code expires October 18th-so hurry and place your order! It will give you 25% off!!! That is a pretty good deal!  Here is the code:

 InTheGarden25 

As you can see by the above picture I have been busy planting my tulip bulbs I received from Longfield. Now you are not limited to only tulips. Some fantastic bulbs you may wish to purchase and plant now include: narcissus, scilla, camassia, alliums, muscari, crocuses, fritillaria, irises, snowflakes, dogtooth violets, and hyacinths to name but a few. 

One very important tip you should think about it to mass your bulbs. Bulbs, and most all plants unless they are specimen type plants, look better and will make a bigger impact if they are planted enmasse. Forty of fifty bulbs planted together will make a bigger statement then 10 groups of 4 or 5 bulbs scattered around your garden. Trust me on this one. Take a look at my post this past spring on my color changing bulbs from Longfield Gardens to help you get some ideas and so you can see how nice massed bulbs look in a garden setting

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

HELP, Armadillos are on the loose!

BY SKEETER 

There is a new addition to my GEORGIA GARDENS in the form of a cute critter. Yes, I do think this bumpy, leprosy disease carrying Armadillo is cute. I believe all animals are cute and do not wish them any harm. This one seems to be living in our front one acre of woods under an overturned tree, I talked about a long time ago. Click HERE to read of my "Leaning Tower of Georgia"

 Whom would have thought that 5 years later, this tree would still be hanging on? Not me nor would I have thought that Armadillos would be in Georgia but they are and also in Tennessee. I have seen them there as well. These little critters are slowly making their way North. Click HERE to learn more about Armadillos.



And this Armadillo has called this hollow spot home. It was all fine and dandy until this past week. The cute little Armored Rat is now crossing the asphalt driveway and coming onto my lawn! This Opossum on the Half Shell is digging holes all over the lawn looking for food! If it would only attack Fire Ant Hills, I would welcome this critter to my gardens but it enjoys things found throughout a garden to include some plants! I know it is only time before he/she gets into the flower beds and gardens. Sigh... 

 

Now my question, how does one have this creature move elsewhere like say in the 15 acres behind our gardens or the 18 acres across the street from my gardens? How does one kindly trap an Armadillo for transportation elsewhere?

I fear if this is a female, she may add to the problem in time. Yikes!!! The Saint and I would like to relocate this happy critter. HELP, ARMADILLOS ARE ON THE LOOSE, In the Garden... 

 

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden