Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Friend or Foe?

Found this fellow kicking back on a sunflower leaf. Transforming our suburban patch into a garden oasis has brought all sorts of critters out of the proverbial woodwork. I'm just curious to know... do I want the likes of him in my garden? Even if I don't, I really don't plan on doing anything about it. Just don't have the heart. Besides, generally speaking, it's not that kind of garden...


Friday, August 11, 2006

The Patio: an update

At the start of the summer we dedicated a couple of weekends to installing a patio. With such a small yard we really wanted to get the most out of every inch. So far I'd give the patio an enthusiastic thumbs up.
We're getting a lot of use out of it. We'd get even more if the mosquitoes weren't such spoilers. They never pay me any attention, especially when they have the mosquito delicacy that is the Mister to feast upon. They go after him with such gusto, as if he were an all-you-can-eat buffet. Poor thing. Anyway, the patio's success has only served to reinforce my position that ultimately all the grass must go (still lobbying the Mister on this one). To date we have a small square in the front, which could be a lovely shade garden. There's another strip along the side which, if I get my way, will ultimately be swallowed up by my grand plan to extend the perennial garden. And finally, there is the path that constitutes our "back yard" that runs along our veggie swath coursing between the patio and grill. It's becoming so well worn that it's just begging for some stepping stones to put it out of its misery.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Name that Plant. . .


Anyone have any idea what this may be? Last September I scattered some wildflower seed anticipating a care-free summer garden brimming with native blooms. What I ended up with was something less naturalistic and more, well. . . abstract, with random croppings of mostly unidentifiable specimens here and there. For all I know they're weeds. This one I'm pretty sure is legit. Any takers?