Friday, May 1, 2009

The Beauty Around Us

This is "Pea Patch", English Peas, actually. Also at each corner is Cabbage. In the background is our Blackberry patch...blooming like mad!

And here is a close up of the Potato crop. This is one of two bins we've planted. These are Yukon Gold, the other bin is Idaho Baking potato
Now, how is this for lettuce? And it's only one side of the bed. Romaine and Butter Crunch are my favorites. I regret not planting spinach, but in the fall we'll remedy that mistake! Nothing as tasty as a mixed green salad with baby spinach!

This is my Day Lily Bed. Last year I cleaned out the old bed and took up all the little "nuts" that clung to the roots. This is the result! Lots of new plants that cost me nothing.

And this is the Iris Bed. There are still many to bloom, and I am looking forward to their arrival. Note the "Southern Charm" headboard and footboard...I did tell you it was an Iris Bed!
The Plum trees are proving to be quite abundantly loaded with fruit...

This head of broccoli will be in my freezer tonight! It's one of about 8 heads that we grew.


Mac is an amazing gardener who grows all his own plants. These he started back in February, they're ready for the garden!


Here is our square foot garden filled with lettuce, broccoli , onions, cabbage and cucumber plants. At the head of it is our potato crop in a large bin. This is one of the three square foot garden beds we have in the garden.

Last year in September, Lowe's had these Clematis Plants (you may say CLEMatis or CleMATIS, either is correct). They looked dead, were only fifty cents each and I brought home these...they're lovely, aren't they?

View of the other "dead" plant!


This is a closeup of one of my many Iris in the Iris bed that is blooming...remember to click on the photo to enlarge it if you want.


You know it is absolutely amazing how our gardens can get along without us for a bit, but our neglect will tell, in the end. So this week, every morning, Mac and I have been out weeding and watering, planting and thinning...and harvesting. The lettuce is at the "pull me now" stage and we've been enjoying wonderful salads every night this week. The broccoli will be pulled today and go into to the freezer after blanching. Except for one head which will go in the steamer for supper tomorrow. I could really live on fruits and vegetables these days, the fresher the better.
I'm still not quite 100 percent, I find that even though I've just spent two weeks in bed, I tire quite easily, so I just do a bit more each day. I'm getting there. I have plans for the flower beds and Mac has plans for the vegetable garden. I am still reeling from all the bounty of lettuce and onions, the potato bins will be full this summer...and we grew it all ourselves. I'm including pictures!
Thanks so much for keeping an eye on me and holding my feet to the healing fire of rest!! I love you all.

60 comments:

Vee said...

Beautiful! Your beds all look wonderful. I'm so anxious to hear how the Yukons in the bucket do. They sure look healthy and happy now. And the CLEmatis is gorgeous. How do you say it?

Maggie May said...

I loved this post. It gave me ideas! I have had some small lettuce plants given to me and I think that I will plant them in window boxes and eat them young!
My son is very into growing food instead of flowers.
I have given up on lilies because the lily beetle is prevalent here. Ruins them all.
I love Clematis too. I say it either way! You did well with your *dead* ones.
Glad you are feeling better! Take it easy!

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

Beautiful garden!!! Keep getting better :)

Trubes said...

What a fantastic yield Sandi, you sure must have put a lot of love and care into you veggies....smashing pics too.
I do hope you are feeling so much better but don't do too much !
Have a good weekend,

Di.x

Carol Murdock said...

WOW Sandi.....I'm just speechless! Wait till I show Hubby the potato
bins! His got washed away in the garden flood! EVERYTHING is just
Gorgeous !!!!

Glad your back to normal! Have a great weekend and don't over do it!!
Carol

Terri Steffes said...

Sandi!! Hello! I am so glad to hear from you. I love your garden beds. i would expect to see those in better homes and gardens. I am craving a salad now, thanks to your pics.

Diva's Thoughts said...

Those pictures are GOEGEOUS!!! Wow!

Sally said...

Oh my, Sandi, you and Mac certainly ARE surrounded by beauty. You each have such a gift for growing flowers and veggies. So pretty!!

Take care of yourself, and enjoy. ((hugs))

Nessa said...

The flowers are gorgeous and the broccoli amazing.

Vee said...

♪ You say CleMATIS and I say CLEMatis...♪ Figures! Hahahaha

Thanks for the kind words on that ratty old jelly cupboard. I just realized that I've been having trouble with the idea of painting it because I have been treating my dd's art work as sacred. So I'll be sure to keep a photo of it and celebrate it that way.

imbeingheldhostage said...

Hey, take it easy-- that was a lot of photographing to be doing so soon! Mac needs to fit you with a nice chaise lounge right next to those irises where you can recoup properly :-)

Akelamalu said...

You're going to be enjoying the fruits of your labours all summer - lucky you! :)

The Muse said...

Sandi (one of my favorite tunes graces your blog!)

I am sure I would love to garden with you!!! Wow it is hard work...but it makes one feel glorious, doesn't it!!

Alison said...

Home-grown produce is the best! And your flowers are lovely. Makes me wish I were a gardener--but I truly have a black thumb because I forget about plants and they tend to die when you do that!

ancient one said...

I must show your potato bins to my husband... he plants in long rows...

I'm so glad you feel good enough to garden... God is Good!!

Pam said...

I'm so glad to hea rthat you are feeling better but remember to take it one day at a time. I'm SURE Pye is keeping you in line. ;)

Beautiful garden! The irises are stunning.

Love Bears All Things said...

I can see your growing season is well ahead of ours. We've just planted a couple of weeks ago. I like what you did with the potatoes. Did you put drainage holes in the bins?
Be careful, don't overdo.
Mama Bear

Eddie Bluelights said...

I can see you ate all your greens when you were a little girl! I loved growing veggi when I had a large garden.
Loved the photos and the pink and white clematis is called 'Nelly Moser' - others lovely as well.
Just listened to your MP3 of Roy Orbison singin "I Drove all Night" - one of my favourites.
BFN (Bye For Now) Eddie x

Unknown said...

That is one gorgeous hunk of broccoli! Well done over all to both of you.
The iris and clematis are some of my favorites and again, well done for getting a great deal at Lowes!

jay said...

I love your irises, head and foot boards and all! LOL! And brocolli ... MMMMM!!! I love the stuff. Had some tonight as a matter of fact, but nowhere near as fresh as yours. Supermarket bought, I'm afraid.

Glad to hear you're back up and running, even if you do get tired easily. Take care now!

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

I can't believe how delightful your garden of gardens is!! How wonderful to have such a perfect yard - - and an obviously green thumb!!

Jeni said...

Seeing all those pictures -flowers, veggies -made me sick. Thankfully, not really ill but sick with envy and also sick, kind of a "Home sick" sick as it made me think of growing up here in this house and watching my Grandpa plant huge veggie gardens every spring and how he had such beautiful flower gardens all over the place too. One of my favorite things was the leaf lettuce he always grew and how I couldn't wait till it was high enough to pick some and we'd have a very plain salad that night with a tiny bit of sliced green onions and a dressing of just a little water, vinegar and sugar. It's still my favorite kind of salad but I don't do well with gardening -the old black thumb -so no sense putting plants through the misery of a cruel death from not near eough weeding and hoeing and forgetting to tend them properly when Mother Nature forgets to shed a bit of rain too. Who knows but maybe in my real dotage some of my Grandpa's green thumb genes will magically make an appearance in me -or better yet, maybe in one of my kids or the grands. It could happen ya know.
Glad your getting back into the swing of things, taking it bit by bit but making your way back to good health. Peace!

Jeanne said...

Wow I'm impressed with all these. We don't have the space to do anything but enjoy the bounty of the local farmers markets. Our growing season is later than your obviously. Just seeing some spring flowers now like daffodils and tulips. Hoping for asparagus soon.

CatHerder said...

it looks so amazing! My garlic is up, and the peas and beans are just sprouting..im so excited for this years garden!

Wanda said...

It sure is good to see you back! I hadn't had a chance to check in since you got back. Whew! You had us all worried when you disappeared. Glad you have your heart tuned in to God.

Lib said...

Hi Sandi,
Your garden is beautiful .Love your flowers!
THanks for your encouraging words and prayers!
Take care and get well!
Blessins',Lib

Jeff B said...

First and foremost, I'm glad to hear you're doing well again. Yikes, I just read your last post.

The weather here is just now warming into the 60's and low 70's so our plants are just getting going. Looks like your garden is going gang busters. I can almost taste that broccoli.

Denise said...

I am just getting started with my garden...... I think I am running a bit behind....... but I still have a lot of time to have something to eat!

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

My what a harvest! I have any coloured fingers but green but would love to grow our own. We are lanscaping our garden this year and have planned a herb garden and a slot for veggies. I feel inspired now after looking at your pictures.

Glad to hear you are coming along and those fresh veggies must be helping things. You had a serious condition to overcome - a few more weeks rest yet eh? All the best. X

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I am so hungry after my visit to you. I grew up with big gardens and where I live now can not plant one. The clematis are so beautiful. I have a white one and it is so pretty this year. Please get lots of reast. Have a fun weekend ...m.

Country Cottage Chic said...

Your veg is way ahead of mine! I havesome catching up to do! It all looks great.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful garden! So many things that sound fresh and yummy!
Love the purple iris -- and all of the purple blooms that you revitalized.

Lee said...

Awesome, Sandi! Those beds show love and plenty of hard work. They also look like you've been intelligently careful in making them easy to care for, everything looks like you can just reach across the bed to it. I remember spending lots of time with a hoe turning soil and pulling weeds in garden rows when my grandparents were alive and had a half lot sized garden of veggies. Glad you've had time to take these pictures and post them!

I'll call later today.

Love,
Lee

Aunt Julie said...

WOW...you're WAY ahead of me! I'm still getting the ground ready. I do love dabbling in the garden, and loved the color and character of this post. BTW, I've Blingged you this morning...please stop by to pick up this pretty cool award!

Tara said...

sandi don't the beds look great, everything do fresh! Love the irises--they will not bloom here in NY until July so thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

It all looks wonderful Sandi! Isn't it fun to grow stuff? Have you ever tried Malabar spinach? I grow it up a tripod because it's a vining plant. And it loves the summer heat. I have a hard time finding the seeds but it's well worth the effort. So glad you are out and about but take it easy until your full strength comes back. xo

Count Sneaky said...

Sandi, So glad you are doing better. Not quite 100% is very good when dealing with the medical profession. I say this as a veteran of a number of operations and procedures and someone whose son is a doctor. Your irises are beautiful just like my wife's iris bed.
She grows yeloow, purple and pink ones.
I write this looking at beautiful arrangement of irises she just brought in for me. I hope that cat, Strutz e-mailed you as he said and cheered you up. He's wilder than a three-legged buck sometimes. I found out Wednesday
that the Count has to go in this month for a spinal-fusion operation. It seems the only option to stop the pain and continue to walk. One of my discs has disintergrated and two,one below it and one under it will have to be fused together with a rod. The recovery process will be long, but I have my blog
and friends like you to talk to. I don't have the date yet, they are going to work me in because the pain gets worse and my ability to walk now is very diminished. Also, have to get the approval of my heart doctor yet.My best.
Count Sneaky

SandyCarlson said...

That iris with the fluted petals is very, very beautiful. Good luck with the hard work and the crop to come!

Nancy said...

Thank you so much for a tour of your beautiful, and bountiful garden. I'm so happy you are feeling better, if not 100% yet.

Hilary said...

Glad to hear that you're feeling better. Your garden is amazing. It's still too early to plant anything here and yet everything is in full bloom where you are. I love your Iris Bed!

Unknown said...

Sandi,

Left something for you on my post today; hop over and pick it up when you have time.

Jane

Unknown said...

Sandi,

You have such a green thumb. I am lucky to just have a few flowers bloom. LOL It sounds like you are feeling better and I am so glad Take care of yourself and eating all those fruits and veggies should help.

david mcmahon said...

That broccoli's great. Hats off to Mac and the woman who inspired him!

NeereAnDear said...

Well girl ... that is QUITE a garden.... I am envious.... I have all my herbs... two big half wine barrels and my tomatoes planted.... but that is all I am doing this year other than flowers.... we are building a fenced in area of the yard... so I dont have the time or where with all to do more... though I know I will regret it later.... I would love to have some fresh salads and potatoes etc.... nothing like living off the bounty of the land.... I am with ya on the fresh veggies and fruits.... I have been feeling the same way.... meats... heavy meals... they have been wreaking havoc on the old tummmmmm..... so you can send a huge box of all those goodies MY WAY!!

Glad you are doing wee bits at a time ...gaining your strength slowly.... dont overdo... its not a good idea...

LOTS OF HUGS AND LOVE coming your way
LOVE JO

Anonymous said...

Way to go...amazing growth and look very healthy. I've planted potatoes in a big tub this year and if the leaves are anything to go by it is going to be a good crop.

The Muse said...

SANDI :)
Mega Hugs for playing Rhyme Time ! :) xo (love the tunes!)

Cheffie-Mom said...

Very beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

CailinMarie said...

Gracious! WHERE is this? It is raining a monsoon here and has washed everything away! How do you do potatoes in bins? and can they stay there or do you movethem? The lettuce loks amazing - we've just only tried lettuce for the first tiem and it came up nicely but I fear it shall be beaten and drowned by the downpours... The Iris is lovely

Donna said...

GoodNess Girl!! Your gardens are Gorgeous!! I LOVE the Iris!!!

Question:
Is powdered milk a good substitute for bug powder??
Hope you're feeling SO much better now!! STAY WELL!!!(((HUG)))

Anonymous said...

That garden hardly looks neglected! Amazing!

I really happy to see you in the sphere again. Here's hoping that your 100% is just around the corner. Meanwhile, take good care of yourself! :)

A Joyful Chaos said...

Loved your gardens,and the flowers are beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.

sexy said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
i beati said...

nothing like your and God's handiwork for healing. I always can detect a real gardener who knows how to plant raised boxes!!!YAY

Jamie Dawn said...

I'm so glad you are feeling better and slowly, but surely getting around. Eating all those homegrown veggies is terrific for your health! Your body must LOVE you!! Your garden is wonderful. I love how it is in perfect sections and so organized. I like things organized. I'm salivating just thinking about those yukon golds. Yummmmmy!!
Enjoy all the fruits of your labors.
You and Mac deserve every tasty morsel.
:-)

Justabeachkat said...

Oh.My.Word! I'm so impressed...and a bit jealous too. I love veggies and it must be wonderful to enjoy those you've grown yourself.

I'm so glad you're doing better. Don't push yourself though.

Hugs!
Kat

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Happy Mother's day to you my friend...m.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

It all looks marvellous Sandi. You have been working very hard and how lovely to be able to just pick and eat. The flowers are a picture and you have green fingers too for rescuing the clematis. I rescued a pathetic looking mini orchid a few weeks ago and now it has some new shoots.

Very pleased to hear your health is continuing to improve. A x

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

You sound a little better Sandi. The garden is a very healing place isn't it? Love to you and Mac xx

Unknown said...

Im jealous! Hasnt even been warm enough yet to plant ours!

Unseen India Tours said...

Wow So Much Of Fresh Stuff !!!Amazing Pictures