Rain, rain, rain and hydrangeas. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . but not all is bad!

This week's stormy weather has been bad - the humidity

has just about done us in. It remains hot here. 

Garden chores have been put on hold as everything is totally sodden.

More storms later today but the forecast shows some sun

tomorrow then more storms Saturday.

Next week may be close to perfect, so I'm

watching and waiting, and of course enjoying the 

floral offerings made possible by the rains of May. 

 Blooms today on the shrub in the side garden by the birdhouse.

Summer 2016

I will have very few flowers on these two Nikko Blue hydrangeas in front of 

the porch this summer - they were cut down to the ground when the cottage was

re-sided and painted last fall. Next year hopefully they'll be blooming as they 

always have. . . . . they've put on good healthy growth over the past month with
 so much rain as you can see below.

Are you growing hydrangeas?
They can certainly be showstoppers in a garden.
Moisture, via rain or hand watering, is important - they are thirsty shrubs 
and prefer part-shade, although I must admit most of my plants are in full sun.
By afternoon on hot days the leaves curl and they look a bit downtrodden,
 but by early evening they stand to attention again!
They are my favorite shrub and I love to gather the blooms in autumn 
for drying and using in the cottage.

As we move into June our gardens should be lovely.
Here's to a wonderful weekend dear readers.

This is May?

Subtropical storm Alberto pushing north disrupted outdoor Memorial Day plans for

 many in the south and southeast US yesterday. It continues on its way bringing

 rain and dreary conditions here in our area with the possibility of more flash flooding

 when the rain bands intensify. . . . . . . all one can do is wait, hope and pray all

will improve as the week moves on.

Our fig tree doesn't seem to mind the rain. . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . neither do the nibbling rabbits!

Blooming now: roses, gardenia (newly planted and doing well), 

favorite blue hydrangeas, and the row of leaves along the brick wall are

 my beloved sunflowers growing from the seeds I saved from last year's 

huge flower heads (I'm hoping they will be as beautiful this summer).

Already have a bird nesting in the new birdhouse - a bluebird I think -

there are twigs sticking out of one of the entrances!

Stay safe all dear friends in the path of the storm - brighter days

are ahead.

. . . . . . still hanging out in the potting shed.

I've just realized that the potting shed is now 17 years old!

For those who've followed me a while, you will recall I've told many stories

of its life in the garden. . . . . . and the hours of enjoyment it has brought

me over all those years.

After repairing the door with our good neighbor's help, I did a 'Spring cleaning' 

 and also made a little purchase for my comfort when bird watching/photographing. 

On a recent trip to Charlotte with the usual look around IKEA, I found this folding

 wood chair which is now my 'perch'. I can see the feeders and bird baths 

without the visiting birds, squirrels and rabbits seeing me!

View from potting shed.

American Robin : Turdus migratorius

This female came for an afternoon bathe on a very hot day 

last week. I've noticed robins seem to enjoy a dip more than any 

other backyard songbird.

Gray Catbird : Dumetella carolinensis

A secretive bird that the Chippewa Indians named Bird That Cries With Grief

due to its raspy call. The call sounds like a house cat's mewing, hence its 

common name. It will only nest in thick shrubs and is more often

 heard than seen. . . . . . except it does seem to enjoy coming to my feeders

and the birdbath!

I plan to spend some my holiday weekend out here as more rain is forecast

 and this is a shelter where I can enjoy the backyard visitors.

My painted/stenciled floor has held up quite well all these years -  I recall

the hours I spent on my knees completing that project.

Oh for the days of a strong back and pain-free kneeling again!!!!!

 Mourning Doves : Zinaida macroura

A gentle pair enjoying their perch on the potting shed roof.

Enjoy your Memorial Day, USA and Bank Holiday, UK weekend.

Enjoying the Secret Garden. . . . . . . .

We've worked very hard on the back garden these past couple of 

weeks. . . . . at last we feel it's looking good for the coming Summer

 months and we hope to spend time outside relaxing, watching Nature, 

eating, drinking etc. with family, friends and neighbors.

Our front porch and garden area are looking good too. . . . . . . . 

there's only one major problem, especially for me, the mosquitoes!!!!

Trees, shrubs, plants, all encourage Nature's creatures to the garden,

and tiny biting creepy crawlers and stinging winged ones are unforgiving. 

American Robin drying off

Female Cardinal - she has a nest with babies nearby!

BUT. . . . . . . and I know many people will not perhaps agree, MJoe showed

 up Monday to treat our garden and hopefully make it possible for me to at last

 enjoy it in the Summer months! I've seen the signs in front of many homes in our

 area over the past few years. We are an older neighborhood with many trees

 and thick, mature shrubbery, even small creeks running through many gardens

 and a couple of ponds, so mosquitoes and ticks abound. Apparently they use

 a natural compound which does not harm birds and bees. No contract is

required, and we can stop the monthly treatment at any time. 

I am deathly allergic to mosquitoes and I swear every one within 1/2 mile

 finds me, even when smothered in smelly, sticky repellent. Each bite swells

 into a huge raised lump, like a hive, with terrible itching, and I scratch constantly

 for many days - I am not a pretty sight, or a fun person to be with.

 Enough said!

Puttering, painting and potting shed. . . . . . .

I love my potting shed, known as Jasmin Cottage.

I spend a lot of time out there.

It just doesn't seem possible the shed was built 18 years ago.

I recall when, after the builder left, I whipped out paint and brushes

and got to work painting and decorating the outside in shades of garden

green with purple shutters, and later inside, down on my then younger knees

 stenciling a bordered floor mat with trailing blackberries!  

Those were the days I must say.

Anyway this is all about the metal door. For the past few months we've 

noticed the rust getting worse along the bottom. On checking new doors

which come at around $225 + $245 installation charge, this project would 

be rather expensive!  When chatting with my neighbor Bob who enjoys

home projects, he immediately offered to try repairing the door prior 

to spending that much money. If it didn't pan out we could go the 

expensive way later.

Sounded good to us.

Door was removed on Sunday morning and neighbor Bob worked with a

 rust-stopping product, then primed. . . . . . . . 

 . . . . . I then taped off the glass panes and got to work on a first coat of fresh paint.

Neighbor Bob went off to his soccer game for a few hours.

 When finished painting I heard thunder in the distance so got my Bob to help

 put the door in the shed and hung the tarpaulin, just in case it stormed.

Rain did fall, all of 50 drops, wouldn't you know!

At 6:00 pm all three of us were outside again installing a new sweep on the bottom

to cover the rust damage - quite a difficult maneuver as it was such a tight fit - then

 caulking and rehanging the door.

 Yesterday was a perfect morning to paint the second coat. I was out there 

early in sunshine and a very gentle breeze - whilst the chimney sweep was 

inside the cottage doing his dirty work.

I'm very pleased with the door and grateful to my neighbor for his help.

 Hope it holds up for at least a few years!

While working outside, some pruning and weeding required, this titmouse arrived

 and I caught it with a sunflower seed in its beak!

Pollen just about over, thankfully. 

Chimney swept. 

Potting shed secure.

Cord of wood delivered and stacked ready for next Winter.

Cypress wood chips on order - will be spread in back area 

when delivered in a couple of weeks.

 Now for some major spring cleaning, ugh!

BTW - has anyone tried the mosquito prevention spraying treatments now offered?

If so, did it seem to work?

We are considering trying this during the summer months this year so we 

can enjoy outdoor time - I'm so allergic to them and summertime

 is miserable for me here.

We see the signs going up on properties all around us where treatments

are being done, the humid south being such a breeding ground for what can

 be dangerous disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Happy garden/gardening days to you all.