Besides helping Dh with the greenhouse, I’m just starting to putter around the garden. It’s been hard since the death of Fufer (My best little friend since I was 15). We had no choice but to put her down on April 4th, I don’t think she would have made it through that day, She was 21 years and 4 months old.
Here she is enjoying life at the young age of 17:
http://www.youtube.com/user/XploreOrganics
Ok so the garden….
I ordered 15 tonne of crushed stone to level the area below our front windows, to fill the greenhouse and for a few other paths around the property. We currently have standard 3/4 inch washed bedrock stone (blue-gray) so when I ordered the new stone I asked was it the same stone. They assured me it was. I said…”it’s not granite or red stone right?” They answered “nope just the Grey stuff they blasts outta da rock”...Anyhoo along came a lovely full load and a very reasonable price but wouldn’t you know..It was granite…not what I ordered. I like granite and it would be nice if my driveway was done in this same stone. Anyway, we decided to keep it as it was 1/2 the price of other stone.
We leveled out the top of the rock walls (below the front windows) and moved the plastic barrels up there. Since this faces south, I decided to grow some winter squash in the barrels this year rather than flowers.
We also moved one of the square foot planters out front for strawberries:
Oh and here is a cute little wooden chicken a friend gave me last year. It weathered quite nicely to match the gray of our house and decks:
Here is the large planter given to me by a friend, I’ve decided to grow buckwheat in it for this year, good treat for the chickies in the fall and I hope to find a bushy rose or cascading bush clover for it for a more permanent plant next year.
My mother was getting rid of these old paper boxes and already had holes in the bottom they are about 12” by 22” by 12” deep so I filled them with compost and intend to grow some melons and cucumbers in them.
The veggie garden is ready for seeding, I fenced it off with chicken wire to keep the rabbits out. We found an old futon frame we used for a gate (far left background). I already have carrots, peas, onions, broccoli, cabbage and turnip seeded and can’t wait to see it all green.
The only bit of color I have yet is a few snowdrops and crocus so I’ll leave on that note:
-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20
6 comments so far
Iris43
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2184 posts in 778 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 485 days ago
Xploreorganics, I’m sending a big (sympathic HUG). Your little Fufer looks adorable and I’m sure you miss her badly. I was broken-hearted when we had to put down my border collie, Blaze. These special friends become a part of our family and our life. When they leave us they leave a big hole. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing you gave that little dog a long and happy life. Some little animals don’t have it so lucky. Is she a cocka-poo?
Your homestead looks great. Such alot of work! But it looks worth every effort. I will be very interested in watching your squash grow. It’s one of my favorite veggies but I just don’t have the room or the room in the sunshine for them. I love your big planters. Your veggies garden looks ready to explode with yummy things! My tiny patch is still saturated with moisture. Thank goodness I have some stuff planted in the window boxes.
Your crocuses and snowdrops are so pretty. Mine are gone now, they don’t last long so you have to admire them quickly. :-)
-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'
XploreOrganics
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1370 posts in 1027 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 485 days ago
Thanks for the kind words. Fufer was a Portuguese water dog/toy poodle and maybe something else mixed in. She really did love life and went everywhere with us. She traveled our entire province, ate what we ate, slep where we slept and was a very obedient kind dog.
Our season is a little behind everyone else, last frost date is June 20th. But I am crossing my fingers for a good harvest this year.
-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20
MsDebbieP
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8102 posts in 1148 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 485 days ago
busy busy busy busy busy!!! But oh—the pay off. Doesn’t it all look lovely.
(hugs re: your 4-legged family member)
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan
Bon
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5154 posts in 928 days
hardiness zone 5a
posted 484 days ago
My heart goes out to you at the loss of cute little Fufer.May she rest in peace in doggie heaven.
Your yard is really starting to look great XO.I can sure see a lot of work that’s been done there.The two of you work so well together at getting your place looking just the way you want it.Nice job.
-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more
GrandmaT
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5305 posts in 1026 days
hardiness zone 5
posted 484 days ago
XO, soooo sorry to hear you have lost Fufer; I understand the attachment and love you had for this companion of yours. My heart just breaks for you!!
Keeping busy helps a bit (at least until you stop) and my have you and DH been busy!!! Place looks stunning. I love all your large planters!!! And that vegetable garden area you made is really pretty …
The Crocus and Snowdrops are soooo pretty ….
-- "A beautiful garden is a work of heart" -- Royal Oak, MI - Zone 5
XploreOrganics
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1370 posts in 1027 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 484 days ago
Thanks to everyone Re: Fufer. Yup it’s quite a change without my little garden companion. Keeping busy is good and I hope to be able to post an incredible harvest from my garden a greenhouse.
-- Xploreorganics, 5b Canada, LFD 06-20