In A Nutshell

Bleeding Heart

2009-05-25T11:34:00.001-07:00

Her new bloom in a new location. I am happy that she loves her new spot.
I'm glad that this plant blooms well after the drastic move last fall. We built a deck where this plant was located and I didn't get a chance to move it myself so it can be done appropriately.

PhotoHunt : Walking

2009-05-03T04:26:00.000-07:00

This week's PhotoHunt is WALKING. My husband and our little girl, walking along the coastal walking path going to the Breaker's Mansion in Newport, RI.

PhotoHunt : Protect

2009-04-27T14:00:00.000-07:00

Here is my share in this week's PhotoHunt.
Gorillas are incredibly peaceful and their main enemy has always been humans. They are still hunted for meat and in some parts of Africa for trophies. They get caught in traps that are put for other animals and adult gorillas are killed when they protect their babies from hunters who want to capture them.These animals have as much right as we do to live in peace on this planet.

PhotoHunt 156: Stripes

2009-04-04T06:29:00.000-07:00

It's my first time to join the PhotoHunt. Here is my take on this week's theme, STRIPES: This poplar tree was knocked down during the ice storm in December in our area. My hubby cut it down and will soon split it into firewood.

Spring Bulbs Are Sprouting

2009-03-23T14:49:00.001-07:00

We got a chance to clean up our yard last weekend. Picked up some brush and burnt it before the burning season ends. While raking some leftover dry leaves from the fall I found sprouting bulbs getting ready to show off their beauty in just few weeks.

Bulbs are excellent plants for beginners because you are almost always assured that they will sprout the first year. After the first year, however, the continued success of your bulbs will be dependent on the care and nutrients the plant receives after it blooms.

To insure that you are not planting new bulbs every year,take these steps to correctly plant and care for bulbs.

Although soil requirements may vary between types of bulbs, most bulbs prefer soil that drains well but still retains some moisture. Soil that is too moist could actually rot your bulb, but soil that retains no moisture will undoubtedly inhibit the growth of your bulb. If your soil is unsuitable, add organic material to it. For clay soils that tend to retain to much water, organic matter will allow it to drain. Sandy soils with organic material added will retain more moisture.

When planting a bulb be sure to make a hole the appropriate depth and shape. A common rule of thumb used by many gardeners is to dig a hole that is three times as deep as the diameter of the bulb. Your hole should never be cone shaped, instead strive for a hole that looks like a cylinder. Add a small amount of bone meal to the hole before planting. This allows a bulb to quickly replenish after blooming.

It's Planting Season Once Again

2009-03-23T05:58:00.000-07:00

Many of us want to have vegetable garden in our backyard. I am one of them, though I'm still new to gardening I keep on researching on how to do it productively.
Here are some basic instructions to create your own edible garden:

Do a test on your soil to see what sort of ammendments it might need, or if it has traces of lawn chemicals.

Cover the grass with newspaper, and place raised beds on top, or use sod-cutter to remove existing grass, roll it up, give it away, or find a new use for it.

If planting in existing compacted earth, use roto-tiller to loosen soil (or just turn over the existing turf and let it decompose)

Spread around 2-6 inches of compost.

Till the soil again to mix in the new compost.

Mark out a plan for your edible garden with stakes and tape.

Plant your seedlings according to the planting calendar and mulch well.

Water them in thoroughly and install soaker hoses or drip lines as necessary for irrigation

Install fencing as necessary to deter local animal visitors if that becomes an issue(rabbits?)

Wildlife Encounter

2009-03-14T09:09:00.001-07:00

Summer of last year we had a great encounter with this very bold bird who happened to build her nest just behind our window. It took weeks for me to complete the Robin's story which I posted on my other blog. From nesting until those little birdies left their nest. It was exciting seeing those birds and the protective parents being there all the time. There was a time while I was taking pictures of baby birds, momma bird was there watching her babies and all of a sudden she did a loud noise it was like she was calling daddy bird and in seconds just few feet away from me daddy bird came hovering trying to scare me. Even my hubby who happened to be by the window with another camera captured the protective parent with a monster look who was ready to attack. The time from hatching to when the babies leave the nest was supposed to be 14 days. We were surprised on the last day we checked the nest to find it empty - the babies took off early! Good Luck little birdies!
It is almost spring here in our area, I hope you come and visit us again and maybe sing for us once in a while.

Facts about Robins:

Robins pair for the duration of the year and may raise 3 broods during the year.
The mother selects a nest site and builds the nest over about two weeks. The male may help gather material.
It takes another two weeks to incubate the eggs. About every 40 minutes the mother will turn the eggs and get some food or something. The male may help sit on the eggs.

Mountain Laurels In Our Backyard

2009-03-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

I took this picture couple of years ago when the mountain laurels in our backyard were in full bloom. This really is a beautiful flower and I wish I could enjoy it every year but this plant blooms only every other year. A friend of mine wants to transplant some of them but it is hard to propagate mountain laurel by transplanting them from the wild. Digging up wild plants usually causes sufficient root damage.

Life Is Beautiful!

2009-03-10T06:36:00.001-07:00

Live life to the fullest and be positive always... In spite of difficult times.

Beginning Of -The -Season Pruning Projects

2009-03-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

With some warmer weather in March, gardening activities are usually done at this time. Normally this is the month to prune our woody plants. This spring, most of us who where affected with the severe ice storms in December are facing an overwhelming degree of tasks to do aside from the normal beginning season pruning projects. All fractured and broken branches need to be cut away. Butterfly bushes, late summer blooming plants and most shrub roses and some climbers should be pruned back severely so as to shape them. Spring flowering plants are normally pruned immediately after blooming.