Sunday 11 May 2014

Spring is working really hard at it's arrival in Nebraska.  We have some warm and sunny days and then we have days like today, grey, cloudy, windy and almost cold.  I do have a some early flowers though...that are always a pleasing sight for me....means warmer days ahead.  I've got most of the flowers planted...still have to do the north side of the house and the pots in front of the studio to finish.  The garden is planted too....we even have a tomato or two set.  This is our first year at the garden...we've put it off because we have many bunnies, but we learned a little secret that gardeners use around here to keep bunnies away from places you don't want them to be......Irish Spring Soap!  I cut the bars in 1/4's then put a piece of soap in sock, or nylon or fabric, whatever you have handy, I use a cut up laundry bag I bought at the store....then tie the fabric off with wire or string.  I hung my pieces about 4 inches above the ground.  It works great!!!  The garden is small this year...want to see how we do before we go nuts....we can always enlarge it next year.  Here's some photos of some of my early flowers...

These are some of my single Columbines.....

This is a double blossom Columbine.  The flower itself is smaller than the single blossom, but it sure is pretty.
 I also tried a Black Petunia this year.....only one, just wanted to see what it looks like with other flowers.  It sure a different Petunia....looks like black velvet up close.  I think once everything else grows up the black Petunia will be a beautiful accent flower.
 Close up of the black Petunia...