Rain makes Green Grass

BY SKEETER

We have had our share of rain in my GEORGIA GARDENS the past few weeks. So much so that Clarks Hill/Strom Thurmond Dam had to be opened to control the flooding. The Saint and I drove out to the dam to check it out as we have never seen all the locks open at one time. It was an impressive sight. I could not get my video to load so sorry you cannot see it for yourself. Must settle for this photo of the Saint instead.

We also drove over to the Augusta Canal Head-gates on the Savannah River. The water was almost to the top of the gates as you can see in this photo.

 The Gate House was open for visitors to see the operation in action. Again, I had a video but could not get it to load.

 This was the second time we had been inside the gatehouse as we were there the day they opened it after a complete renovation. Can you see the Love Locks on the fence? Click HERE to learn about Love Locks.

 I had never heard of Love Locks until the story of the Bridge in Paris. Click HERE to hear about the removal of the Love Locks.

I enjoyed seeing some of the neat locks.

 I have never seen the Savannah River so full of water in the 15 years we have called this place home.

The water in the canal was almost up to the wall of the old dam and locks.

 We spotted this otter having the best time diving for lunch. It was not bothered by us due to being so busy.

All this rain has been good for our Winter Rye Grass. As you can see, it is very happy and bright green.

I have not cared for all of this massive rain fall but RAIN MAKES GREEN GRASS, In the Garden...

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

A New Year 2016

BY SKEETER

 It has been a long time since I last posted on this blog. A tragic turn of events for my family and I lost the desire to write about my beautiful GEORGIA GARDENS.

After recently walking my gardens, I have now found the desire to jump back into blogging for the New Year!

Life is full of surprises, some good some not so good. The same goes for life in nature in the form of our gardens. The above photo of my happy Fringe Bush is such a happy welcome being full of blooms for January. I am taking this to be a good sign for a wonderful year to come.

 We have been experiencing some strange weather with an early Fall that seemed more like winter and now a Winter which feels more like Spring or even Summer at times. Such one time, Christmas Day. We experienced a record high of 80 degrees! The Asparagus Fern remains happy with mild temps.  

 This Geranium is currently forming blooms! 

 Ruellia is not blooming but has yet to go dormant for the winter.

 Boston Ferns are still hanging around. The small plant to the left is one of 4 Camellia bushes we took down to the ground. They were taking space from the Japanese Maple trees and since they have priority, the camellias we taken down to the ground. But soon, they started to return. I shall keep them trimmed back and not allow them to grow so large again. Even after cutting them down last summer, they gave me some blooms this fall.

 Along with volunteer green Wandering Jew plant. I removed this plant some time ago but apparently left a few roots and now look at this sight. I have decided to allow it to go rampant in this planter since it seems to be happy.

 Vinca is blooming in January!

 Hyacinth are popping up from below the earth.

 Spring bloomers are opening up which are nice to see but gives me an uneasy feeling about their survival with cold temps on the way.

 Creeping Phlox is confused as myself.

 Elephant Ears which should be long gone are still giving new leaves!

 Iris is blooming.

 There are many buds ready to open.

 Swamp Jessamine vines are full of buds and blooms starting to open. 

 Honeysuckle never stopped blooming since last spring!

 Lily went dormant with the early Fall winter type weather. But it is popping up with Spring winter type weather.

 These are Bloom'N-again Azaleas but they have bloomed twice last year. Now they are giving more blooms. Are these late Fall blooms or early Spring blooms? So confusing.

 Daffodils are popping up all over the gardens. So far, no blooms but if the mild temps continue, I may see them before too long. 

 The one remaining Butterfly Bush (the others were lost to disease) has yet to loose any green foliage.

Canna went dormant but are returning way too soon!

The squirrels have scattered corn from the Deer Corn Bucket. And now we have corn popping up all over the woods! 

I worry about the garden and how all this crazy weather will affect its life. But as I have learned this past year, nothing is ever certain. I will
"Believe" and "Smile" as I "Love Life" and have "Faith" that all will work out. In other words, Life for me will go on. Cheers to A HAPPY NEW YEAR, In the Garden...

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