Why Do You Garden?

South Texas Wildflowers

What is it about gardening that gets you hooked?  Everyone has there own reason, but I have many.  I don't know which one I would fine the most prominent.  Being outdoors in the sunshine and feeling an early morning breeze is a great way to start any day.  There is satisfaction in nurturing something and watching it form into a beautiful part of my landscape.  Eating the vegetables that have been cultivated with my own hands is an enjoyment. 

Planting Perennials

Peonies

I usually focus on my vegetable garden, but I do maintain a flower bed.  Watching flowers grow and blossom is so uplifting.  Peonies come in a variety of colors and will grow 2 to 4 feet tall.  These fragrant blooms are best planted in late fall to establish a strong root system.  Plant Peonies in a partially shaded, well drained area.  Four to six hours of direct sunlight is best, with soil that is not too moist.  Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart and 10 inchess beneath the soil.  The flower of the Peonies tends to be top heavy.  In order to support the blossoms weight you may need to stabeize your plant with a stake.  Peonies thrive best in zone 3 through zone 8.

Did You Preserve Your Valentine Roses? I Did!



Valentines then

Valentines now

A few weeks ago I wrote about the process for turning your Valentine Bouquet into a forever keepsake.  Today I want to follow up on the process.  On the left are the flowers that my husband gave to me on valentine's day.  So pretty and sweet I couldn't throw them out.  On the right are is my valentine bouquet today.  This past weekend  I tied the flowers upside down and attached them to a post on my patio.  The roses are faded, but the garnish to the arrangement remains pretty much in tact.  I have sprayed my cluster with a very cheap hairspray purchased from the dollar store.  I will continue to respray making sure the pedals have dried between application.