Garden Journal – Page 2 – Barb's Back Yard

Some Earth Day ideas for your garden

May 24, 2016January 31, 2017 by adminNo Comments

Since it is time to plant and ready our gardens for the coming summer bounty, it came to mind that some earth friendly gardening makes for a great way to celebrate Earth Day! Last year I suggested a few things to help our struggling bees and monarch butterflies here. This year, some "weed and insect control" tips: Got mosquitoes? Plant a lot of lavender, basil or marigolds to repel them from your patio. Many people also swear by mints - especially peppermint. Watch out, though. Mints usually go crazy and take over a garden in a flash. Perhaps some potted plants around the patio will do. Ladybugs love to munch on aphids. Did you know most nurseries carry them? Release them at dusk in your garden area that aphids show up, and everyone but the aphids will be happy. Dandelion leaves make for great additions salads. Like arugula, the leaves have a bite to them, and packed with nutrients. Just make sure no...

How to celebrate Earth Day in your backyard

April 22, 2015January 31, 2017 by adminNo Comments

Celebrate Earth Day 3 ways in your own backyard: plant milkweed for Monarchs, bee friendly flowers & stop using herbicides & pesticides. Monarchs and bees are disappearing at an alarming rate. Aside from beauty & honey, their role in pollination means survival of plants on our planet, and the people/animals that feed on plants. I am no Einstein (and the bee quote is questionable), but it doesn't really take a renown scientist to figure this one out. : ) Monarchs depend on milkweed to survive. This stuff appeared everywhere when I was a kid! We loved opening the pods and watching the silky strands release and carry the tiny seed on the wind. Aside from the crafts projects (and there were many), the pods had the most beautiful linings. This summer, my backyard will sport some milkweed in the flower beds as a small way to help keep the butterflies from extinction. And sadly, extinction could happen. Want to plant your own...

Pets warm a winter morning

February 26, 2013March 6, 2020 by adminNo Comments

Few things take the edge off of a chilly winter morning like the companionship of good friends. When my backyard seems devoid of life, I share time with my friends Chester and Shadow inside as we patiently wait for spring. These boys wandered into my life a few years ago, just as autumn drew to a close, and have added so much to my home and my life. They rejoice at watching the yard and creatures in it from the windows and doors, tracking movements and activity throughout the day. Plenty of cats and dogs would eagerly join a friendly family if given a chance. Have you checked your local shelter to see if one is waiting for you? Many cities have an active No Kill movement dedicated to helping pets in need of a home. We have a strong (and growing) network here - the No Kill Louisville group has saved countless souls & brought joy to many families with their...

8 reasons I love White Clover

June 10, 2012June 8, 2016 by barbNo Comments

Every year when I look out and see clover in my yard, my heart leaps with the happiness of seeing an old friend. I absolutely love the stuff. Why on earth anyone would want to kill it off with herbicide goes beyond my comprehension! Here are just a few of the things I love about it: White clover attracts beneficial insects, and naturally controls bug populations. As a gardener, this means a lot. Whiteflies? Watch out! White clover attracts parasitic wasps (the itty bitty kind, not the big nest building kind) and bees. Bees pollinate vegetables, fruits and flowers. Unless you are allergic to them, welcome them to your gardens for much greater abundance! Beautiful to look at, white clover also smells good! Rabbits absolutely LOVE to eat white clover. Last week I looked out to my garden to see a rabbit, with his back turned to my garden, happily munching on the adjacent patch of clover. Made us both...

Spring came early to KY this year!

April 10, 2012February 1, 2017 by barbNo Comments

This year, spring arrived about a month ahead of schedule - and even brought a few summer like days. The trees blossomed early - and virtually all at once! Normally I enjoy the pear trees flowering first. Just as they leaf out, my two cherry trees in the front begin to blossom with delicate white flowers. As they fade, the remaining cherry tree bursts forth with beautiful branches covered in deep pinks. This year? They all bloomed at once! And after two spectacular weeks, the season ended. Yet what a marvelous two weeks we had! Enjoy the pictures. :) ...

Winter Branches

February 20, 2012January 31, 2017 by barbNo Comments

This winter turned out fairly mild, to my great delight. (I'm not a tremendous fan of the cold, being more of a summer gal.) As I look back over the past few winters - all of which involved ice and plenty of snow - I came across some photos of the pear trees in my backyard. It struck me that each branch - though sheathed in snow and ice - showed the promise of spring through the early buds forming on each branch. Nature has a way of working in her own time, as anyone knows who has patiently waited for a baby to enter the world, or prepared for a dear one to leave. Birth and death, winter and spring. All seasons cycling through nature. As we patiently wait for cold to warm, it helps to see the promise of spring held in the forming buds of a snow coated tree....