Rashell's Blog

Sheesh! And the list goes on! This planning thing is tough business!

One of my books suggests I wait a year to figure out where the: Shady, sunny, soggy, dry areas are.  Also, I have to figure out which way the wind blows winter time and which way it blows summer time. I have to figure out which way rain water flows, where the cold pockets are and how deep I should plant some plants so they will be protected from wind!  Sheesh who would have known? Not me!

I’ve talked to hubby about "capturing"/storing rain water. I was so shocked when I read how much rain water we can "capture"........ WOW, amazing!

Anyway, here is the list of plants I read about. Some are drought tolerant, wind resistant, fire resistant... not in order but here they are! : ) I’ll have to start one section at a time of course, to make it easier on me. Plus,  I have to do some more research on ‘em before I make a final decision.

OMGoodness, I’m so excited but nervous! : ) Hope I can do this.

Desert Willow

Desert Marigold

Aloe

Spanish Lavender

Hedgehog Cactus

Pride of Madeira

Popcorn cassia

Red Powder Puff

Chocolate flower

Fire resistant

Wooly Yarrow

Carpet Bugle

Sea Thrift

Bergenia

Hardy Ice Plants

California Poppy

Winter Creeper

Geraniums

Beard Tongue

Spring Cinquefoil

Succulents

Lamb’s ears

Showy sedum

Dusty Miller

Yucca

Daylilies, Rosemary, fortnight lilies, lavender, verbena.

I also read low growing thyme is a good alternative for grass for areas where people don’t walk on too much.  Also, supposedly we are better off getting trees which grow slow. : ( So they don’t die fast! LOL, are they telling us to be patient?  UGH!

Wind wind go away and take winter with you please. : )   Another 20 days for spring? Can't wait.  I just love spring, it's my favorite time of the year.   Last year we went from Winter straight to Summer (real hot), hope it doesn't happen this year. 

It's mom's birthday today, she called me first to say happy birthday!  The silly rabbit...i love her!  Happy Birthday Mom.

I uploaded lots of pictures in my album and all over GG.  Too many to upload in my blog. 

Everything is starting to look sooooo pretty at home and at GG.  Love all the pictures you all have uploaded.  ooooooo and I noticed a lot of new babies being planted.  Can't wait to see all of your veggies and plants all full grown!  :' )  Sniff sniff ....happy tears!

And thank you GG  for working so hard to make this site look so nice for us!  xoxoxoxo  for all of you.  You all are awesome! 

"A powerful storm system is slamming into California tonight and Sunday with heavy rain, heavy snow and strong winds.  Rain will be heaviest across northern and central California.  Amounts of 1 to 3 inches will be common",.....The Weather Channel

42 degrees here! brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, I'm freezing!  Oh and grannylee you're not the only one awake.  1:43 here.

I have so many purrrrrty pictures to upload but GG's Uploading feature doesn't work!   We better get spell check & GG stickers after all this pain and suffering you all are putting us through!   ; ) 

Hoping my plants and veggies don't die.  I lost a lot of plants last time we had this extreme cold weather.  :' ( 

I finally planted all my veggies outdoors.  Just hoping I'll have time to protect them from squirrels and birds!  I planted the strongest ones.  Too many seeds to plant them all, sheesh!  Hoping they will grow but again this was a practice thing for me.  I did not plant seeds exactly as I was suppose to.  Ah heck, i never do things as I'm suppose to but I have had a lot of surprise in the past few years.... soooooooo we will see what happens.  Hey I can hope can't I? : ) 

I've done a lot this past week or two.  I have caught up with almost everything.  I'll be going back to work soon.  Already been hired.  I'm so excited about that BUT, I'm really really hoping I'll have time for my plants and not kill them all.

I still can't believe I still have 'em!... some of my hyacinth are blooming!  : )  I just love those am real happy about it!  

Ooooooooooo & did I mention my kitchen looks so nice again! Doesn't look like a greenhouse anymore. lol

PS. pictures of most of what I have done are in my 2008 album.  hopefully  I'll figure out how to upload them in my blogs.  It looks so much nicer when everyone else upload their pictures with blogs!  I'm sooooooo jelous! lol

For Bill Mitchell.  Thank You for showing me how to upload pictures in my blog!  : ) Can't wait to try it out next time.  I Appreciate it!

....I started my soybean seeds indoor.  Yikes!  OH boy did she tell me why I'm not suppose to & how I'm suppose to do it & when.   "but but mom I couldn't help it, I just had to"  is what I told her!    But the sprouts will turn brown, she said.  No they wont mom is what I told her, yeah right is what I'm thinking! Don't tell her but some have turned brown already.  Be very very quiet.  : )  Oh stop it!  It's not like it's a lie, she didn't ask me if any of 'em are brown.  heehee 

Sheesh, need to remember to ask her about gardening too...she know tons & has the greenthumb. 

Sooooooooo I sat to study my course I noticed my puter was slow and the site kept on kicking me out.  I ran my virus scanner........a big "YOUR computer may have been hijacked" popped up!  This was the third time it happened within 2 months.   I ran out and bought a new virus scanner since my old ("updated") one wasn't doing what it was suppose to do.  It's just not fair what hijackers and hackers do! : (    Anyway, thought I should warn you all about the IRS "refund" emails too.  Be careful.  PM me if you don't know the details.

After I bought the scanner I went to Borders and bought an Economics book to help explain it to my step daughter.  I did great with economics but it was pretty tough for me.  I needed a easy book to remind me of how it all comes togeather so it would be easier to explain it to her too. 

& I bought the Practical Container Gardening by Stephanie Donaldson.  Just a beautiful book!  Step by step photographs of planting ideas.  During my wait at the Docs office (eyes), I looked through it and got some ideas of my own (well not original ones of course).  So I went to Walmart bought a Tiny Spathiphyllum, a beautiful bowl, some rocks and put a little something pretty togeather for my office (pics have been uploaded).  I also bought bamboo, a glass container and put a little something togeather with that stuff too.  Also bought the  "Bag O'Blooms Strawberry Kit".  It's a hanging bag you plant strawberries in it.  Pretty neat idea, can't wait to put it togeather.  I'll upload pics of that when I plant it.

Anyway, I did this after I uploaded my new virus scanner, made an appointment with the dentist (i go monday) and an appointment for my little fella maltese for grooming & teeth cleaning.  Can't forget our dogs teeth either! ; )  heehee

Well, some pics are uploaded of course of  my baby soybean too.  I'll hang out for 1/2 our and get back to my studies.   

WOW!  How a couple days (or has it been one day) can get you caught up is amazing! 

PS. Can't wait for my Plumeria to wake up. Wake up little buddy!  : ) Forgot about it the last time I blogged. 

Been neglecting/ignoring my license renewal courses, my home, my family, the dentist & loving every minute of it. ‘Cause I’ve been around my second family here at GG.    I know my immediate family understands cause they know I love GG & gardening. They always appreciate the end results of what  I plant & they are supportive of all I do. I thank God for both my families.  & praying for all those GG buddies who really need a little prayer from us.

My wedding anniversary is on Valentine day I’m excited about that. Hoping hubby will make it home. I need to finish my last course and get back to work! 

I have patio designing left to do and need to plant some more vegetables. So of course I’ll sneak in once in a while but not as much.

Always have sweetlebee & meska to PM when I wont have time to post. Oh stop it! They are used to me already. heeheee. & I can PM all my cool GG buddies who don’t mind my silly question and answer them no matter how silly they are. Couldn’t do it without all of you.  Big hugs

January was busy month for me. I built a greenhouse ; ) works great, thanks to all who gave me great advice at the forum.

Did I mention ; )

I planted carrot seeds, eggplant seeds, soybeans (yikes! lots of ‘em) chives, 3 different kinds of Datura & cilantro? I bought strawberries & two types of tomatoes? & I planted tons of freesia bulbs/corms yesterday and today. I’m gonna have lots ‘cause I planted some last year too. So excited about that.

I don’t know how it happed (could be I don’t remember exact time I planted them) tulips, hyacinths & daffodils are sticking their head out! I honestly thought they were gone for good. I thought I lost them during hubby’s project &/or the years they are suppose to last for...were over. I read hyacinths and tulips last about 6 years then we have to replant new bulbs. I guess this was wrong information.  Sweetlebee helped me tons by answering my silly questions about tulips.  Thanks sweetle.  Believe me,  I’m not complaining ‘cause the above mentioned bulbs are my favorites & I’m real happy about it. I’ll take pix when they bloom. I really have to plant lilies again ‘cause I miss mine a lot.

I finally prepared my new planter build on side of driveway.  I also got the sprinklers to work, added dirt and bark.  Then I planted roses of course. What else would I plant there? I’m just crazy about all types of roses as if no one guessed already? : )

My camellia, canna, geraniums, violets (?), allysum, bougainvilla & some roses did a great job of showing off to momma (that’s me : ).  My fountain grass getting taller & taller & got a few surprises like potato and oxalis growing in my planters. My succulents? Well, they are succulents doing whatever they want to do.  

Ugh!  Hope my amaryllis, daylily & ginger  the gardeners chopped up will grow back.  Other than that all has been great.  

Anyway, my last blog for a while. Hope I didn’t leave anything out ‘cause I know I’ll need this info for next year.

Thank you once again my GG buds, really you all helped me out tons. I appreciate it. : )

PS.  I have uploaded some pictures of the above mentioned.  But, have to upload the rest some other time.   Believe me I'll sneak in as much as I can.  You know I can't stay away too long.  LOL, like it or not.   xoxoxoxoxo

I received my Soybean Seeds and Datura seeds today!  : )  WOW!  That was quick.  I took pictures of the seed packets and seeds earlier today and uploaded them in my 2008 Album.  & now, here I am posting about 'em. 

Park Seed added, in the packets, a printout of "Soybean Recipes and Use of Soybeans".  Read on if you want to know more about planting/plant/recipes.  I read the following information at parkseed.com and on the packets.  I want this in my profile which is why I'm writing a blog.  & I want to share the information with those who want to know more.

I'll write about Datura in a separate blog when I learn more about the plant.  I remember reading in a members blog he or she (don't remember who, sorry.  When I find the blog again I'll edit this Edit: I can't find the blog... : () planted similar Datura. & I saw pics.  They looked beautiful! I better go find that blog again & the person. : )  I think the seeds should have been planted already?  Yikes!

For anyone who doesn't know yet.  There is more Soybean talk at GG's forum under Fruits and Vegetables.  Join us there! : )

The following info. is on the packets and at parkseed's web site:

On Both Packets:

When danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed, sow seeds 1-1/2 inches deep and 2-3 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart.  For Pole beans sow in rows 36 inches apart and support the vines with poles, trellis, or fence.  Keep well-watered and fertilized as needed.  If you are sowing early into cooler soil, try dusting seed with appropriate fungicide for a better stand.

Soybean Shironomai (Clycine max Shironomai)

Full Sun, Moist, well-drained soil, ...normal, loamy soil type/tolerance, 70 days maturity, 12 in- 14 in

Soybean Early Hakucho (Glycine max Early Hakucho)

Same as above except for:  65 days maturity, Dwarf Plant, Pods mature at the same time, tolerant of high heat, harvest by pulling up the entie plant.

The following info. was inside the Park Seed soybean packets:

Soybean Recipes

Soybeans may be eaten in green or dry stage.  When eaten green, cook as lime bean.  In the dry stage, soak beans overnight or at least 4 hours.  Beans will swell 2-1/2 to3 times their original size.  Cook beans usually 2 to 3 hours until tender, adding water as needed.  Season as desired.

Uses of Soybeans:

1. Whole Bean

Can be used in any recipe calling for dried beans.  Delicious in casseroles, Chilli, and bean salad.  May be kept in the regrigerator several days.

2. Paste or Pulp

Cook beans as directed.  Put drained beans through a food press or meat grinder or mash with a potato masher.  A little liquid may be added.  (The remainder of the bean water can be ued as a soup base.)  This mixture may be frozen and reused.  Soybeans in this form can be used to make loaves, patties, sandwich filling (mix with chopped onion or sweet pickle relish and salad dressing or milk), or pie filling (use as a substitute for pumpkin or squash.)  It can also be mixed half and half with peanut butter, 1/4 beans to 3/4 hamburger for patties, 1/2 cup or so in pancake batter or add small amount of tuna, egg, etc.  (one part tuna to three parts soybeans) for a sandwich spread. 

3. Soy Milk

Cook soaked dried beans fr 15 minutes.  Place one cup of beans and two cups of bean water in a blender and liquify for 3 to 5 minutes.  For drinking, add a pinch of salt and a teaspoon of sugar.  It has a chalky taste due to the inability of the Soybean to be completely ground.  You may strain milk through a cloth to eliminate this, but you also eliminate much of the nutritional value.  Soy milk may be used in any recipe calling for regular milk.

4. Bean Sprouts

Beans may be sprouted by soaking dried beans over night and then placing them in a single layer in a well-ventilated container (a collander lined with cheesecloth).  Rinse the beans three to four times a day for two or three days, being careful to keep them out of any sunlight.  Whe sprouts are long enough, expose to sunlight for several hours and then store in the refrigerator as any green vegetable.  Excellent in salads and Chinese dishes.

Soybean Casserole:

1t. Salt, 2c. cooked soybeans, 2c. Canned corn, 1c. Grated cheese (Cheddar), 1 scant cup buttered whole wheat bread crumbs or wheat germ.

Alernate layers of beans, corn, cheese and drained tomatoes into a greased baking dish.  Mix salt with tomato juice and pour over mixture.  Cover with crubs and bake in a moderate oven for 35 minutes or until crumbs are brown.

Soybean Salad 4 to 6 servings

2 c. cooked soybeans, 2 hard cooked eggs, 1/4 c. chopped sweet pickles, 1/8 tsp. salt, 2 tbsp. Diced onion, 1/4 c. diced celery mayonnaise to blend. 

Combine Soybeans, sweet pickles, onion, celery, and diced egg.  Add mayonnaise and mix lightly.  Serve on lettuce or other salad greens.

See ParkSeed.com website for more info. about the seeds I bought from them. : )

Well I started, ready or not!

After asking soooooo many questions, good ones bad ones & embarrassing ones, I think I'm read to dive into the seed and vegetable world.  I tried before but with no success thanks to ground squirrels. 

If I'm not ready, Oh well, I'll just visit the GG forum and ask some more questions.  Everyone here is so great I know I'll get answers from the experts.  : ) 

Thanks to DanS's "Plans for 2008" post, it got me into full speed question mode! : ) But I stepped on that brake real quick when I realized I can't plant until I do something about the crazy squirrels!  Well, I took care of that problem by reading other GG members advice on how to keep them away (@ the forum under Garden Animals).  Since I've tried practically everything, I think I'll try out Ronsgardens way next. 

Then I started to worry about Zones.  All the information out there in cyber space did not make sense to me.  So I asked my zone question here and thanks to MamaBear and Ronsgardens I think I understand how it works now.

Well off to soybean, oh boy did I have a lot of quesitons on this one & still will have I'm sure.  While asking and waiting for answers (Growing Fruits and Vegetable section of the forum) I saw Larrystewarts and Angelsgarden Photo Albums.  WOW! Did there veggies, planters inspire me to move on?  Sure did!  Put me back into full speed V8 I can do it power!  LOL Raised my hopes again and I'm not going back I tell ya!  No time for getting nervous now. : )

I ordered a couple of packets of green soybeans seeds (Soybean Shironomai and Soybean Early Hakucho) on the 17th from Park Seed.  Supposedly I'll receive them when It's time to plant 'em.  I could not resist the beautiful Angel's Trumpet Ballerina Collection (purple-tipped white, pure white, and warm primrose-yellow) so I bought those too.  How could I not, I ask you? lol

The waiting will give me time to read up on HOW TOs for other veggies.  I looked up Vegetable companion (@GG) after I read Shiukopuppy's "companion planting for fruits" and I found a great chart which will help me out.  I'll start reading about the companion plants ASAP.

I also visited a bunch of sites on line and found a couple places which have tons of information.  So these will help out.  (links at Growing Fruits and Vegetables).

Looks like Meska, CarolineC a few others have some great advice about growing veggies/fruits in containers.  Now that will help a lot.  I'll have to plant most of my veggies in containers 'cause of all the trees in my garden I don't have enough Sunny spots in my planters.  Most likely the veggies will be planted in containers and I'll put 'em out in front of my house.

I bought a seed starter today!  I planted Danvers Carrots (Jan-Sept), Black Beauty Eggplants (April-May) & Chives (Feb-April).  Dates are for our section of California.  I got the list at Home Depot next to the seeds (Stover-Vegetable & Herb Planting Guides).  BUT, I remember seeing a similar list on line yesterday...so it wont be hard for others to find it.  The list I have is for California and Arizona.  Also, I bought strawberries and planted them in a hanging basket.  I don't think they will survive 'cause of the wind/cold but it's ok, they look so pretty hanging in my back yard.  Eggplant and Chives was mostly for fun.  I'm hoping they will grow but I started them a bit early.  At the end of this month I will plant Tomatoe and pepper.  : )   At least I read we should plant them at the end of the month.  But I saw lots of tomatoe plants @ Home Depot!  hmmmmmmmm 

Well, that's all for now ....believe me I can go on forever I'm so excited. : )  Off to read some more now.  Thank you guys very much for the information.  I really appreciate it.  I hope no one minds me mentioning them in my blog.  Sorry if I missed anyone.  I know I'll still make lots of mistakes but at least this time I'll try to do things right.  & I have GGers to help!  Heehee, I think I'll get a bumper sticker with the words "GOT GardenGuides?" on it.

PS.  I'll post pictures of my seed starter and strawberries in my 2008 Album  : )  Just as soon as my figures relax after the long long blog....SHEESH!

This is long winded of me but I have to put it in writing.  I just have to share my day with people I know feel the way I do about their gardens.

How does one begin to explain the rare beautiful happy feeling you get for no reason when you just wake up?  I'm sure many of you have had this feeling your life.

You want this feeling to last a little bit longer before your day begins, right?  Who would't want this?  One way of making it last for me is by having my morning espresso, sitting on my favorite spot in my garden, staring at what I have planted.

My garden is not much at the moment 'cause as a lot of you know by now... I started my planters from scratch (all over again).  Whatever it is & whatever it lacks I'm the proudest garden mommy in the whole world.  I'm sure most all gardeners would know this feeling also.

******This is when I believe you should either click on the close page button if you're in a happy feeling moment OR you can continue reading about a gardener's horrific morning. 

It is Sunday morning, I wake up with this beautiful rare no reason deep down happy feeling.  I make my espresso.  I walk out into my garden.  I sit in my favorite spot.

I first looked at my daylily planted in my Cherry tree planter.  The shock of what I see is undescribable.  What do I see? The leaves all chopped up, barely no leaves on them.  After the shock wares off I think okay calm down Rashell...the guys who cleaned up your yard Saturday may have screwed up somewhere and cut up the leaves by mistake.  Don't make it such a big deal!

As I turn to go back to my seat....I see my Iris', planted in my meter planter, all pulled out of the dirt...roots sticking out.  I think omgoodness how stupid, why would they do this?  I turn away now real mad.  Yet again I think to myself okay, no big deal, I can just cover the roots and be done with it.

What do I see next as I'm thinking the above thoughts?  My Amaryllis leaves chopped down to the bulb tips!  Can't come up with any excuses for this & no thought of a solution pop up into my head .....so I start to blow out of my nose whatever it is a BULL blows out of his nose when he is ready to charge!

Let me tell you why I was so mad about my amaryllis.  I bought one amaryllis a few years back.  Grew it in a pot.  What a beauty, BUT it grew soooo tall it broke in half.  My mother-in-law saw how depressed I was, she actually made crutches for the flower! The flower survived believe it or not and lived long enough and strong enough for me to be able to plant it into my planter.  After this (year maybe)  I noticed babies...? Then I bought a few and added to my collection.  This would have been the year of lots of amaryllis blooms for me.  But they are all gone.  : (  Ya think maybe I would be angry as an angry bull?  YES, I would be.

So I'm real depressed and angry at this moment.  I  decide to sit right there where I am so I can feel real sorry for myself.  'Cause I surely can't charge @ anyone! Right? Right!   I'm no BULL, unfortunately!  Right? Right!

But no WAIT, there are more surprises for me.  My ginger!  My ginger leaves are missing.  My new ginger?  Yes, Rashell it's your ginger.  No it can't be!  Yes, Rashell it is!

That's it, these guys are  fired!....... is what I'm thinking.  Or are these men not responsible?  Could it be animals?  I just can't believe grown men could be this this......................! 

Now at the end of the day I  have calmed down a bit and finally remembered how Sunday morning woke me with a beautiful rare deep down happy feeling.  Since I'm a believer of God, naturally I figured He probably gifted me with this feeling 'cause he knew I would soon be real sad about my garden babies.  One thing I'm sure of is I'm thankful for my morning and thanful for my night.  Only I really really pray and hope God will gift me with patience so I don't charge like a bull come Saturday when the "gardeners" show up!  'Cause the first thing I told them when I hired them is stay away from my flowers!  : (

PS.  I have before/after pictures but I'll upload them later.  :' (   

My citrus cocktail tree blooms.  My apple tree (as most know already) is blooming.  My hibiscus (lots of buds also) & daylilies bloom.  My camellia has lots of buds, can't wait for flower to bloom.  My white narcissus has bud & yellow narcissus is 1 inch tall (finally).

The crazy wind has started again.  My poor roses & buds on some of my flowers! : (   

I planted my 2nd & 3rd house plant today but they are visiting the "Plant Identification" section of the forum.  Once they are indentified I'll include the names to my blog.  : )  EDIT: Dizygotheca (False Aralia)  & Codiaeum (croton), thanks RonsGarden! : )

I planted 10 freesias in a pot today.  I bought 24 more (corms?) freesia but I'll plant them on the weekend. 

I moved my Fire flash from the kitchen to the living room (to protect my furniture I don't allow much light/sun into the room often) which is best for Fire flash plants.

I planted pear seeds today.  Hope they grow.  It's my first time planting a tree from fruit I have eaten.   Also planted seeds from a red fruit (don't remember what it is called), looks like a miniture apple but it is softer than an apple.  Real good.  Don't know what will happen to these seeds & don't know if they will grow but it can't hurt to try...right?  : )

These are some of things I did today.  Thought I should post since this is the funnest way for me to remember dates.   

PS. I'll be adding photos later on today

It took me a while to figure out what to do with the Meter planter but finally for better or worse, it's done.  I think it's cute but it will take awhile for the Iris bulb to "kind" of disapear.  Iris' do much better when their bulb gets tanned under the sun.  : )

My little, not in a good mood, kids stood perfectly on each side of the meter. Hope the meter readers don't get offended. ;-)  I added the bricks to make it look like a walk way but of course it's mostly so my Iris don't take over that section.  Also planted flowers along the "walkway".   

My Cherry tree planter was easy.  Only planted my Day lily.  The 2 raised pipes: one for wires for light and the other is a water drain.  Once I get a cap for the drain & wires are pulled through the pipes will barely be seen.

Also took some more pics of my honeysuckle ... the section which is growing was looking real nice today.  Thought I should upload those photos too.

Finally, I got my dirt today. 

Planter 1 Is done!  : )  (Uploaded Pictures .... let me know what you think?)

Meter Planter is ready for plants.  That's play for tomorrow. (I uploaded Before Pictures)

Planter 2 & Cherry Tree Planter:  Did lots of work (spinklers, electrical, drain ...so on).  Ready for flowers & dirt.  Also play for tomorrow.  I'll post pictures tomorrow. 

Yippy, I've started!  : )

PS.  Also added new photos of my garden flowers/trees. 

Thanks to yardgranny6 I read tons about the care of the Plumeria tree.  : ) 

I was planning on growing it in a pot & leaving it outside in a dry spot during winter time.  Instructions are: don't water when leaves fall off...what else can I do but plant it in a pot? 

Well that plan would not work 'cause I read it needs to be moved indoors.  The last week of October I'm suppose to either take it out of the dirt, shake the excess dirt off the root then put it into the garage OR just move the whole pot in the garage.  OK, I say to myself, got it! 

Then I start thinking (i do that sometimes : ),  what do I do when the tree becomes 10-15 feet tall!?  No way I'm shaking the excess dirt off those roots!  

So I decide to come back here to ask questions.  I think Kubudaun read my mind!   Before I posted my question at the forum Kubudaun sent me a message telling me I should plant it in the ground, in a sunny area.  Oh boy did that give me hope.  Thanks Kubudaun.  Then I looked @ all of Sunny's Plumerias, looks to me they are doing well planted in the ground...just beautiful!   Plus, I've seen many others planted in the ground.  So I'll try it too.  : )   

PS.  off topic: I uploaded a picture of a Cocktail Tree but made a mistake & called it my apple tree.  Correction is made now. : ) 

It has been raining for a couple days here in Cali.  I love it, dont mind it a bit!  The air smells soooooo nice & everything looks clean, pretty & fresh. 

My husband thought I was the craziest person ever yesterday.  I just had to go out in the rain and jump in the puddle.  I just had to!  : )   To make things more embarrasing for him ... I did the jumping in front of Home Depot, in front of a bunch of people.   BUT, I saw that hidden smile he kept from me ...even if he will not admit it! ; )

I'm still waiting for dirt but in a way I'm glad it was not delivered.  It gave me time to see if my flowers will survive in the areas I put them.  So far so good & I have new buds/blooms on my hibiscus, mandevilla & Curcuma Ginger to prove it!  

My plumeria lost some of its flowers because of the wind but it's doing well.  I took the flowers and placed them in a bowl filled with water.  they look so nice & last a long time.  I might not be able to leave the plumeria where I wanted it to be.  Not enough sun in the area across from my cherry tree.   too bad it would look great there.  Oh well.

Well, got to go for now.  Hope everyone is doing great!  : ) 

Well guys, here I go.  : )

Photos are uploaded for Planter 1, Planter 2 & Cherry Tree Planter.  Once again, I'm waiting for dirt to be delivered.  Where I have the pots this is where I plan on planting the flowers BUT I can always change the spot.  My pots are not set in stone Okay!.....OK OK bad joke. : )

I'm still trying to figure out what to buy to plant around my hybiscus.  Had some great advice given to me at  the forum (introduction section).  I'll look into it yardgranny6, thanks again. 

Also, since  I already have a lot of cannas I might plant a bunch behind the barbeque.  I think the big leaves, tall plant and the color (red) will look nice there.

I might keep my potted Plumeria where it is, in the pot.  : )   Then maybe place it on the patio (opposite section of the cherry tree).  But first I want to read up more about Plumeria ...find out if it will survive in a pot.