boogaj

New Lawn Toy

The way we take care of our lawn has been evolving.  First we gave up the professional lawn mowing -- I mean, they used a big gas guzzling monster mower and had to drive a big truck to get it here.  Not very environmentally friendly.  After that we canceled the lawn service -- no more chemical herbicides, pesticides and fossil fuel fertilizers.  And finally. . . we got a new mower.  Not gas, not electric, just good old fashioned human power. 

We purchased it last night and today Maddie was very excited to see it in action, so even though there isn't much grass to cut yet, I took it out and gave it a spin around the back yard.  It is a good work out and I think I'll be able to give up the elliptical machine on the days I mow.  I also like that I can mow the lawn -- at my leisure -- without a lot of fuss.  There isn't any gas or oil that has to be added, there isn't any cord that I have to pull (I've never been able to start a gas mower!)  Oh -- and a reel mower is quite inexpensive.  We got the wider model (20 in.) because we have almost a 1/2 acre lot and it was just over $100 -- the smaller model was under $100 (and no gas or annual service charge!)

Peonies

It was an awful year for the lilacs, but whatever the lilacs dislike, the peonies must love.  Our two peony bushes are looking incredible this year!  The pink one is blooming now. . .

Almost open. . .

Open!

But you know what they say about peonies -- the ants love 'em!  I guess there is nectar on the buds.  They seem to leave the flowers alone -- but look at a bud on the bush that hasn't started bloomin yet. . .

This makes my happy that they are located at the back edge of the yard and nowhere near the house!

Sunday Afternoon

Before:

After:

Not only did the windowboxes get filled, the front planters got planted:

Want to know my secret for getting beautiful full planters like that?  Buy a pre-made hanging basket.  Pop it out of the plastic container and into your planter, fill in around the edges with potting soil and you're all done!  Super quick and you end up paying about the same once you add up everything you would have bought individually.

I'm trying something new this year too.  A vegetable garden!  In a size that won't freak me out:

We bought two big pots and I planted two tomato plants and two basil plants in each.  I am trying two different locations to see which does better.  We have lots of trees, which means lots of shade, so I'm not sure how this will go, but I thought it would be fun to try.

Now I'm all worn out!  Time to go lie around on the couch and eat some of that homemade peanut butter ice cream I made last night!  Yummy!  (I used the recipe from Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book and it was a winner!  I bought a copy of this in a used bookstore ages ago and use it every summer -- one of the most used cookbooks I own.)

My favorite garden visitors. . .

Every year I forget about the butterflies -- then they arrive and I remember how much I love them!  The first ones are just starting to arrive this week.

And of course there are the bees.