Acorn's

By SKEETER
Have I mentioned we had a drought in my Georgia Gardens this summer? Of course I have mentioned it and more then once. This drought continues to plague us in many ways. Here you see the tiny acorns falling from the Willow Oak trees.
In the middle of this picture, you see an Acorn from last years crop! This one is much larger then the tiny ones of this year. Yep, the drought has affected the acorn size. This shall have a snowball effect as the size of the acorns will surely be an issue for wildlife such as the deer that enjoy eating them. Note to self: Spray stinky stuff on remaining bloomers to keep the deer at bay...
Another drought culprit, the loss of this tree! It continued to die so it was replaced with a new Evergreen.
On a happy note, the second one seems to be doing well. Thus far anyway. But I do have a back up ready to replace this one if necessary.
On another happy note, one of the Angel Trumpets is finally blooming!
This one was given to me by a neighbor and we had no idea what color it would be. Ah, a pretty shade of yellow and it has the best scent that fills the air around this area.
The Angel Trumpet that Tina passed along to me has yet to bloom. But I have spotted two buds that may open before our first frost.
I will have to move the yellow one next spring as it is too large where it is currently located. I am thinking of planting it by the other one for a multi colored fest of yellow and peachy colored Trumpets. One happy Trumpet, one happy tree but no happy ACORNS, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Rain Please

By SKEETERI need rain in my Georgia Gardens! It is so dry that I am seeing turtles moving around like never before. I assume they are looking for water and food. When I spot one such as this Box Turtle, I dig some worms from the compost pile and feed the critter. They suck them up like spaghetti!


I am dragging the hose around like a mad woman trying to keep my pretty blooms happy. Here is video clip of a Red Belly Woodpecker enjoying the sprinkle from the hose. I have never seen the Red Belly's at our birdbath or seeking water such as this year. On the Suet Pole, yes but not seeking water.

Our area is now in Drought 2 stage. So we really do need RAIN PLEASE, In the Garden...


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

Georgia Drought you say?

Do you think I am going to whine about the Georgia drought today? Just the opposite. I am going to whine about too much rain fall! Ha, I should be happy we had over 3 inches of rain fall this week but...
why did this rainfall have to come now? And just look at those leaves after I spent two days raking and mulching the yard! The yard was so pretty. You see, I am expecting a visit from a Garden friend and her family today and this is what I woke up to Friday morning! Sigh...

I don't believe with our mild Georgia temps we will be grilling out while my visitor's are here. Just look at the puddle by the grill and in the small planter. If we tour the yard and gardens, I hope they bring some flippers or rubber booties as it will be one soggy mess for sure!

Maybe I can show her the garden shed as this water my run on down into our low lake! Arg, as of Saturday, the puddle remains. Our 2 foot deep burn pit is full of water also. At least we burned all the debris before the rains. Hey, maybe I can stock the pond with fish for their arrival as I hear hubby likes to fish! Anyone have a water pump I can borrow? Oh, I should not complain as we have been in a 3 year drought here in Georgia but why oh why did Mother Nature chose now to get us out of this years rain deficit? GEORGIA DROUGHT YOU SAY? Not In the Garden...

Is it already Fall?

The calender tells me it is August 9 but the short clip below, says something different.

Is it fall or what? Actually this film was taken on July 28 so the leaves have been falling for a while now.

I do not know much about tree types but I believe this tree to be some type of Elm. Does anyone know if it is an Elm? I really should study up on trees.

This pitiful tree has been dropping its leaves for some time now and is starting to really become bare. Some of the leaves are turning yellow and falling while some remain on the branches and turn to brown.

The yellow and brown leaves are starting to litter the ground reminding me that Leaf Blowing, Raking and Mulching season is right around the corner.

The landscaped areas are littered with speckles of yellow! Arggg, it is not Fall time yet Mr. Tree so why are you dropping your leaves? I can sum that up in one word. DROUGHT.

The Georgia drought is starting to take its toll on us. Just look at that once beautiful Garden Princess Dahlia to the left. All that remains of her today can be seen in the twig of a picture to the right! Yep, lost the second of two beautiful Princess's! How sad for me. Sniff Sniff...

Just look, Even poor Elvis is trying to leave the building! I am about to loose 3 Lobelia as well. Such a sad time for me...

As Billy Mayes would say, "But Wait, there's more"!

It never ceases to amaze me how some things can thrive as others slowly succumb to a drought. Look at the surprise I had in the flower garden this morning! Okay Tina, this is one of the tiny seeds you passed along to me. What do I call this pretty lady?

Compare the bloom size to the Periwinkle blooms.

She is a big gal and so bright white that she just glowed at me upon entering the garden!

Yum, look at all that pollen just waiting for a bee or butterfly to drop in for a snack!

Isn't this trumpet shaped lady a beauty? A nice surprise for me indeed...

Even though it is looking like IT IS ALREADY FALL, In the Garden, I assure you, it is not!

Things Are Starting to Look Up!

I told you all I might just start posting more than once per day. It is starting to become a habit. Skeeter sent me this lovely picture of a creek running through her yard. She says, "Maybe the drought is going to go away in Georgia!" Let's hope so.

I hope the recent rains bode well for the upcoming year's gardening season. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!

in the garden....thinking about one inch of rain per week every week this year and hoping the drought goes away!

Big Losses Bring Opportunities

This drought has been extremely hard on everyone. I have lost several shrubs, namely azaleas and hydrangeas, and at least one mature oak tree. This garden in the picture borders my driveway and parking area. In this particular area of the garden lived three big beautiful white azaleas. They perished this summer, most likely from the freeze and drought combined. I pulled the dead azaleas, built the little rock wall (donations from freecycle), and planted three oakleaf hydrangeas in this area. The oakleaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia) were volunteers from a mature oakleaf hydrangea in my yard. This oakleaf was VERY generous as it has gifted me with at least a dozen baby oakleafs.

I think hydrangeas are my favorite shrub group, and without a doubt, oakleaf hydrangeas are one of the best to grow in this area. Oakleafs are able to do well in sun or shade, need not be pruned, bloom reliably every year, grow quickly, have four seasons (green leaves and lovely large blossoms which change color grace the shrub in spring and summer, red leaf color in the fall, and peeling bark in the winter) of interest and are not fussy plants. The oakleafs are somewhat drought tolerant. This year I did have problems with Japanese beetles attacking the blossoms but it is probably because the shrub was stressed or the beetles were just too hungry!

So, the loss of the azaleas (picky plants) actually brought me a good opportunity to plant something more carefree and beautiful. Now if they would only grow to four feet tall in one year! Ah, yes, that patience thing again. They will grow, it will just take time.

in the garden....