My 'Garden Boy' --------

Yesterday was not a day of rest by any means. . . . . . we, and hired help, 

worked together in the garden. In fact we worked outside the entire weekend, 

and included a trip to buy landscape items including wall building stones, 

netting to keep the dastardly squirrels off my newly sown seeds, potting

 soil. . . . . . and of course I managed to sneak in some plants - two pots

 of beautiful Shasta daisies for the now more elegant back bed along

 the fence.

No pool so no 'Pool Boy' required around here!!!

But here you can meet my 'Garden Boy', good 'ole Bob.

He gave up the business suits and polished shoes (other than when the

 occasional wedding or funeral comes along) with retirement, many years

 ago, and now pulls on those old faded jeans and worn out running shoes

 and becomes a version of a Master Gardener!

Thank you Bob for digging holes, trimming branches, mowing grass, 

blowing leaves and on occasion, like yesterday, clambering flat out under

 the Japanese maple to pull out those pesky weeds such as pokeberry

 and Boston ivy.

I have to add though that pokeberry is not all bad as despite the berries

being poisonous to humans, but loved by birds, the plant appears to

 have a good side. . . . . .

Today, pokeberry is being researched as a possible treatment for cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, a chemical found in pokeberry juice has been used to successfully treat cancerous tumors in laboratory mice. The chemical is also being tested to determine if it can protect cells from HIV and AIDS.

Georgia Wildlife Resources

Here Bob is actually in our neighbor's yard as it's easier access under the tree

as we have a wall on our side.  

Side yard of our house where, as you can see, these azaleas and

 the acer have encroached over the split rail fence into our neighbor's 

yard. . . . . . .thankfully he doesn't mind one bit.

Our handyman 'solutions' guy and his assistant are a great pair and

after doing such a super job on the deck restoration, we had them

back to build the low wall along the back bed. They dug out the old

fallen over scalloped edging and placed it in back, then built a simple

low wall. Once the daffodil greenery dies back and can be cut off, we

 will add more soil and compost and replant with a couple more

climbing roses, perennials and hang new bird houses.

Hope your week is off to a good start.

Our temps have dropped quite a bit after the recent

 'heatwave', and I'm not minding at all.

Green, green grass of home . . . .

You just can't have it all!

You want green grass, you have to embrace rain.

I understand because I grew up in mostly soft falling English rain and

 our grass was always green!

A costly built-in sprinkler system helps, standing for hours with a 

hand held version helps somewhat.

But the real thing is always the best for the garden.

RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. . . . . . . . falling from ominous grey clouds and dark skies, 

and how we are getting it here in the southeast US this unusual spring. 

We are already 3 inches above normal rainfall this month and today, starting

 mid-afternoon and continuing through the evening/night hours, we could be

 caught yet again in a severe weather pattern of thunderstorms and more heavy rain.

The fig tree leaves are really opening now - I swear I can see them unfurling

if I stare hard enough!

A handsome male House finch sheltering from the rain on the front porch -

look at those long claws!

The rain is helping wash away a lot of the pollen which is good.

The Japanese maple,  Acer palmatum var.dissectum'Viridis'

is looking fabulous.  My efforts of a light pruning on some branches

in late winter, seem to have helped. 

This was another tree from an 18 inch pot planted some years ago

which has done really well. Of course I am a 'tree whisperer' of sorts, always

talking to them each season and feeding them well!

However, they are still hell bent in draping their loveliness over the grass - making

 the 'mower man' quite upset. He reseeded last fall and new grass has come

in where it was rather bare under the tree. Perhaps with warmer days and

 sunshine those lower branches will lift a bit and the new grass will be safe!

Sorry, I sound like a broken record going on about so much rain.

 We are now promised bright sunshine for Monday and Tuesday,

  Perhaps we can enjoy Easter without rain boots. 

My sandals are at the ready!