In The Garden: What worked, what didn't

 

It is always interesting to see what will work well in the garden from year to year, and what fizzles out no matter how hard I try. It all depends on the weather conditions and the condition of the soil. 

We are currently in a dry (and this week, hot) spell, which is pretty typical for late August. Neighbors have started running their sprinklers to keep the lawns alive.

In spite of that, the hydrangeas and roses are still thriving. I try to give them a good drink two or three times a week, and I deadhead my roses often.

These "Let's Dance" Moonlight hydrangeas got off to a slow start this year, and I wasn't sure if they would produce any blooms. But lo and behold, they bounced back mid-summer and now look lovely.

I had an idea to plant marigolds and petunias in the front yard this year. My thought was that the colors would work well with the peaches and purples, and it would be a great segue into autumn plants, too.

And it worked great...in the front beds under the window, near the house. But when I tried the same pairing in the garden along the sidewalk, just a few feet away, they fizzled out completely. What didn't get eaten by the deer or bunnies there just looked sad. 

Two weeks ago, I gave up and moved the last remaining petunias to the front beds, where they are happy and blooming now. Why would the bunnies and deer ignore them in this spot? I have no clue! I think the soil in this bed needs some amending. There used to be two big evergreen trees here, one of which fell and the other we had to remove. I think it may have changed the acidity of the soil. Also, there are a few trees along the sidewalk that may make this spot shadier during certain times of the day. I will have to rethink my strategy. It's a great spot for spring bulbs, when the trees haven't fully leafed out. But as for annuals? I struggle here.

I have a big pot, left by the previous owner, near the garage. I swap out what I plant in it from year to year. One cool thing, though. The Victoria Blue Salvia comes back each year as a perennial! Perfect! It gives height and backdrop to whatever I plant in front of it.

This year, I had one little petunia plant leftover and thought, well, I'll stick it in here and see what happens. It filled in beautifully! You would not know that all those blossoms come from just one puny plant!

I decided the pot need some "spillers" to go along with the "thrillers", but I couldn't find anything I liked in the garden center. That's when I had a brilliant idea. Maybe, just maybe, I can transplant some of the creeping Jenny that is trying to take over my garden. Ta da! It worked! And it was free! I love free!

I also planted the petunias in pots and placed them on the back deck. They love this spot!

But just a few feet away, where I put them in hanging baskets, they are struggling and reaching to get enough sun. I knew that would probably be the case, but I was trying to be frugal. Live and learn.

I am already taking notes on what to do differently next year.

For starters, I will need to amend the soil and add more mulch to the front sidewalk bed.

I've also decided that I need to plant a LOT of wax begonias. That seems to be an annual that the deer and rabbits are leaving alone in my neighbors gardens. If I can find them in a nice peachy color, that would be perfect!

I also want to add some yarrow and monarda to the front sidewalk garden. My plan was always to make that spot my bee and butterfly garden. I have a huge butterfly bush there, and a few perennials they like...purple coneflower, sedum, Russian sage. I just have a heck of a time keeping the critters out of this spot!

Garden dreams.

Blessings, cafe friends!