Work or Play?

 

I think there's little that gardeners look forward to more than spending a free day or afternoon in their gardens.   Today, I anticipate just such an afternoon and I couldn't be happier.  The weather seems to be going out of its way today to encourage me (so far).  This morning, when I have other things to take care of, it's windy and the sun keeps ducking behind clouds.  So I don't feel so bad that I'm not out there just yet.  But the clouds are passing and the afternoon's forecast is sunny -- perfect timing.  There is so much that I want to do!

I have a few -- just a few -- new plants to plant, one being a favorite rose.  A dear friend brought me a Souvenir de la Malmaison for Easter.

There are plenty of roses to tend to. 

 



 

 I could easily spend a few hours removing spent buds from all around the garden, but I will only concentrate on a couple of areas as there other things I want to do.  For one thing, dianthus everywhere needs deadheading.  For another, my portulaca must be moved as it is miserable.

 

 

 

The geraniums are all looking tacky.

 

 

 

And what's that on the bottlebrush?

 

 

 



 

I really hate to take out Virginia creeper -- the birds love it so -- but I cannot allow it to take over a flower bed.

 

I also really need to separate my radishes, the last of the season.  Our summers are way too hot to grow those lovely little edibles.

 

 

 

I will probably spend some time with my small, very small, vegetable patch.  So far we have a few tomato and bell pepper plants, a variety of hot peppers, the last cool season crops of radishes and arugula, and a row of chickpeas for snacking.  I also planted my basil in the vegetable patch this year as it took up an entire section of my round bed last year.  I loved it -- it was so abundant and convenient -- but it was way too much for a semi-formal bed.  I would really like another vegetable row before mid-summer.  I want to try growing pumpkins!  But anyway, tidying up my little patch by the fence is a very peaceful prospect.

 

 

 

If I have any time left, I need to pot some mint.  We have it somewhat under control in a bed (the mint would laugh at the very idea), but it's not happy there in full sun.  I would like to have a pot on the patio where we can enoy the fragrance and the convenience.  I also have a packet of zinnias I'd like to sow on the west-facing side of a rose hedge.

 

 

Are these chores or is it play?  These tasks must be done if the flowers are to thrive and for the gardens to look nice.  But what fun it will be.   It makes me think of that wise saying, "Do what you love and love what you do."  I would wish everyone such a blessing.