BLOOM THYME FRIDAY: SUMMER VIBES

Wow. July has been so summery!☀️🔥☀️The sun is so bright and hot. The humidity is so high making it even hotter but I am not complaining. Really I’m not. I remember winter – those long, dark days that last forever and then some! 🥶 Yes, I want all the summer vibes summer has to give.
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BREAK IN THE WEATHER

We are getting a break in the weather. The weather app tells us that we are going from nearly 100 each day to mid-70s each day for a week or so. I can’t wait.

TREATING THE GARDENER

Recently, I made myself a “pretty” lunch to have in the garden. I know that sounds like really – you don’t do that regularly. Typically,  “pretty” lunches are reserved for when I have guests in the garden while I regularly eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the run until it is time for my afternoon coffee at 3 pm. These days that coffee is ICED! The whole “pretty” lunch thing was made easier when I decided that I was making lunch for the “gardener.” And, I was. 😉😉

What a treat this very simple “pretty” meal that I prepared for “the gardener” was and it fueled my body and my senses for more creative work that afternoon. I know as gardeners we usually push through and “get more done.” I can tell you there will be more “pretty” lunches around here.

A few weeks ago I took a small bistro table from the deck to my new area THYME OUT in hopes of special dinners with Mr. G there. Since we aren’t going out to restaurants right now, I wanted to create a new “restaurant” space. I even bought a new table cloth! So far, it has been too hot outside to actually enjoy dinner there.  I’m hoping our break in the weather this week will give us that time. We still have other outdoor spaces to use but isn’t it nice to have someplace new to go! Especially since we are home so much! Now I am looking through the cabinets for just the right candles for the table!

BLOOM THYME

If you have been following along with me for a while you know I am growing dahlias for the first time and we have been waiting and watching to see what that “bag of mixed dahlias” would do.

While they are not in full bloom, they are coming along nicely. Making me know I want to grow them again and I want to be more selective in what tubers I buy for next year! Having a daughter in England makes you long for such flowers that seem to grow effortlessly there. In my zone dahlias are often NOT spectacular and have the added chore of being lifted and stored for the winter or you can grow them as annuals. If you want to see some spectacular dahlias for sale, hop over to Eden Brothers website here.

The JBs are still eating a few flowers but we have turned the corner and I am getting much more from the garden than they are! Leaving me plenty of bokay makers.

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Dahlias
Dahlias

TOMATOES

We have so many tomatoes – but they are all still green! It’s even too hot for tomatoes! They will respond much better when the temps drop.

I am dreaming of our first BLT. I have pre-cooked bacon ready in the freezer and fresh mayo just waiting on fresh bread and ripe tomatoes. I have jars washed and am going through recipes for what I will do with the “more than we can eat” — if that happens.
(13 plants for 2 people😳🍅😱)

Thankfully, we had rain this week but as I look at the garden this morning, you wouldn’t know it. It literally seems to vanish into “thin air” …  most likely accounting for the extremely high humidity. Yes, we are looking forward to a “break” in that this weekend too.

TIME GOES BY SO FAST – even during a pandemic.

Hot or not with only 55 or so days until fall, I am going to squeeze out all the summer I can every day! While we are on the subject of time — it’s only 147 days until Christmas and then the start of a new year. We could have never predicted what 2020 would hold for us. 2021, what will you bring? Well, that’s a subject of much prayer.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have great weather this weekend as we head into August – and garden harvest time. Did someone say Zucchini Bread!?!

Summer vibes.

Bloom Thyme Friday: The Garden is Open

Welcome ... The Garden is Open
Welcome … The Garden is Open

The month of June has been filled with friends in the garden. Yesterday marked the final “official” tour that was planned. For most of the tours I was present and able to be the tour guide, but there were other days when the garden was “open” for select groups to come and enjoy while I was not here. On those days I just left ice and lemonade so they would feel welcome and feel they could linger.

It is amazing to see your garden through the eyes of others and to sometimes have the privilege of hearing their story.

Through this season …

I have had the privilege of seeing my precious grandson’s face as he got his first real look at the fish pond as I held him.

I have had the privilege of seeing the sparkle in the eyes of a 3 year old who picked a bokay to take home.

I have had the privilege of answering questions and sharing my garden stories with others.

I have had the privilege of seeing wonder in people’s eyes and hear them say, can you help me create a garden. (“Yes I can!” will always be the answer to that question.)  🙂

I have had the privilege of having a friend tell me, “You just don’t know how much I needed to get away and your garden was the perfect place for me.”

I have had the privilege of receiving texts while I was a state away from a friend I rarely get to see who was in my garden. She was texting me that she had found a little bit of heaven and was going to sit and relax for awhile.

And, the story that I will not soon forget is the note that I received from a friend who came on one of the “open” days. It went something like this…

My sister is going thru chemo and I was with her today as she received her treatment. Things have been difficult. Got your message (that the garden was open) and we stopped by. It was so what she needed today. We sat down and had a drink around your beautiful table and garden. It was like God had a plan that we would stop by. Thanks for the invite. Keep us in your prayers.

One of my greatest gifts from God has been to create and tend this garden — I always receive more than I give for my efforts.

My decision to have “open” days in the garden was a quick decision I made, not one I spent weeks planning. I am convinced that God placed the need for “open” days in the garden. My garden feeds my spirit every day. And, I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know that others found a bit of inspiration, joy, refreshment and maybe even respite here too.

BLOOMS IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK…

I am happy to say that there has been no need to water the garden this week! But, the downside to all the rain is soggy blooms. Here are some blooms that stood up to the rain…

(Click on any picture to start the gallery display…)

Wishing you all the best in your world this week and …

HAPPY BLOOM THYME FRIDAY!

Rose Rosette … The Facts

If you grow roses, you are worried about the devastating disease called Rose Rosette. Tonight on Rose Chat Dr. Mark Windham joined with us to discuss his research on Rose Rosette. We discussed everything from identification and next steps to the research being done!

Don’t miss this very helpful episode of the Rose Chat podcast. Mark warns us not to believe everything we read on the internet, but gives us some sites he endorses for ongoing information. One of the Mark approved site is Star Roses and Plants … check the out here.

Listen to Mark’s podcast here.

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A Peek Inside the Potting Shed…

I have received  some requests to see more of the inside of the potting shed.

This tiny space (8 x 10) is filled to the brim with a desk area and wall of inspiration over it, tons and tons of gardening books, tools of the trade, seeds, over wintering plants, magazines,  and my potting bench with the somewhat famous–dirt drawer. The potting shed and all it’s furniture was a gift of love from Mr. G (the builder of fences, trellises and raised beds AND more) about 16 years ago. Actually it was a gift to the whole family who no longer had to walk around all my garden stuff!

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A great place to create flower arrangements to share.

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One of the greatest things about the potting shed is that it is attached to the back of our house and has a garden view. It is right in the middle of the action! I am such a lucky girl!

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Here is the summer view from my potting shed porch.

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Gated Community Dressed in White…

ThaIMG_0191nks to Mr. G’s superb handiwork, my roses and their companions live in a gated community. In no way are these gates opening today! We have had 15″ on fluffy snow and it is packed. With the extreme temperatures (-37 windchill / -8 real temp), this snow isn’t going anywhere.

But, the gates are still pretty…

Gate # 1...
Gate # 1…
Gate # 2
Gate # 2
Gate # 3
Gate # 3
Gate going into the herb garden...
Gate going into the herb garden…

Here are some other shots I took this morning as I waded into snow up to my knees — but, man, was it good to be outside!

Beautiful trellis Mr. G built. Peggy Martin rose and Francis E. Lester rose will be beautiful out there--- in a few months!
Beautiful trellis Mr. G built. Peggy Martin rose and Francis E. Lester rose will be beautiful out there— in a few months!
Bird bath in herb garden...
Bird bath in herb garden…
View of the "gated community."
View of the “gated community.”

Hard to believe that in a few months we will be back to this…

Oh, the miracles that gardeners get to see…

Dust and Dawn combination...
Dust and Dawn combination…

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The Queen with her neighbors...
The Queen with her neighbors…
New arbor is across from another rose arbor with New Dawns. They'll be good neighbors I think!
New arbor is across from another rose arbor with New Dawns. They’ll be good neighbors I think!

How about you?

What’s going on in your garden today? Are you like my California rose friend, Baldo Villegas (pictures of his process are here.) and you are pruning your roses this week, OR are you more like me … waiting on spring while you slip and slide through winter?

Blurring the Lines

At our house we like to blur the lines between inside and outside as much as possible. No we don’t have terra ferma for floors … yet. Did I just say that. Let’s just keep that between us. Mr. G need not know.

Today is one of those rare days in Indiana where it is sunny and even though it is 34 degrees, to me it feels like 70 and I just have to be outside! So, I spent the day “decorating” outside. Through the long winter months I love to look outside my window and see pretty things!

I’ve been on a scavenger hunt today to find things in the garden to add to the vignettes we will enjoy out our windows through the long Indiana winter…

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Treat for the hard-working gardener. ; )
Treat for the hard-working gardener. ; )

Tools of the Trade

My good friend, Wendy Tilley, TheRoseGardener.com, and her husband, Ryan, have a garden of 350 roses and a business of caring for 85 rose gardens in the Atlanta area. So, they made it their goal to find gardening tools to make their job easier, more fun and give them the ability to be gardeners for a long, long time. This goal led them to some wonderful products for gardeners. Some of these products I already have and highly endorse, and others are high on my Christmas list. (Hey Santa!)

First up is a product that I’ve used for more than 20 years–

Harlane rose markers...
Harlane rose markers…

Harlane Plant Labelsread all about them here.

pruners-trgBarnel Pruners

  • Blade features include high carbon sword steel produced with a hard chrome finish and cold forged blade process.
  • Anodized finish repels sap.
  • Pressure injection die cast handles/body.
  • Drop forged heavy duty steel handles/body.
  • Self oiling center bolt for ease of maintenance.
  • Patented two-position lock for reduced effort.
  • “Auto-Unlock” – squeeze handles to automatically unlock shear.
  • Ergonomic TPR (thermoplastic rubber) non-slip grips.
  • Rotating handle reduces fatigue.

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Bionic Gloves...

Bionic technology was first developed for hockey gloves, and evolved to batting gloves, catcher’s mitts and first-base mitts.

This technology is available in garden classic, garden extended-wear, driving/dress, golf and heavy duty gloves.

And, they are machine washable!  Read more.

Easy-Arranger324-571Easy Arrangers … Grids that fit over the top of vases. I have these and they really work! For more details, read on.

Wendy has many other great products for gardeners like the Muletto garden cart and even cute little rose purses!

Check them out here.

ROSE CHAT RADIO GUEST…

I had the pleasure of talking with Wendy on the Rose Chat Podcast. To hear all about Wendy, how she and Ryan got started growing roses, their products and garden advice, listen here.

WENDY SIGHTINGS…

Wendy travels around the South East to garden shows and holiday markets.  Click here for Wendy’s schedule. You can also find Wendy on Facebook (here) and Twitter @thegarose.

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Wo! It is cold and the snow just keeps coming–14″ or so and more coming tomorrow!

The door to the Potting Shed was frozen and I needed Mr. G to get it open for me so we could water the plants!

The sun was shining so pretty on the snow today. Come on in for a visit…

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Now I have to get back to “winter” cleaning … time to undecorate! And, get ready for spring … coming in 79 days.

Winter Garden: First Snow

Today we have our first snow and this morning it looks fresh and beautiful and boy is it cold… windchill factor is 7 degrees! Burrrrrr…. wasn’t it in the 50s a couple of days ago?

Here’s my view today in and around The Potting Shed

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As you know I spend a lot of time dreaming of spring but for today, I am enjoying the pretty snow.

By the way… it is only 88 days until spring! If you want to see how the garden looks in the spring, check out these posts…

Dogwood Trees in Bloom…

Spring Day…