chattycarnation's Blog

we need rain!!
May 30, 2007 | 7:41 PM PST

We have not had any measurable rain lately and boy is my ground like concrete!!

Lack of rain is so hard when my plants have to grow in clay soil. No matter how many soil amendments we put in, we still have a lot of hard soil. Finally had a day those buffalo gnats were not bothering us, mostly because it was breezy, so I had a chance to do a little bit of weeding and work outdoors..I am just way behind!! Goodness, even when it doesnt rain the weeds still grow like crazy!!

A beautiful day in Illinois
May 23, 2007 | 4:44 PM PST

FINALLY.. was able to get out and work in the garden for a bit.. I have pneumonia so cannot do a lot, but got some fresh air without the gnats buggin me.. I think it was too windy for them.. thank goodness!!

There are just so many pretty plants out there, it is hard to pick a favorite. I tend to lean towards cool colors, purles, blues, reds, pinks..a little bit of yellow, not much orange until fall..

Have to rework a whole perennial bed due to the voles soon before everything dies out.. have moved a few plants, but it is sure upsetting to have to clean out a whole bed just to save my perennials before all the root systems are gone!!

 

MORE critter trouble
May 22, 2007 | 10:55 PM PST
Tags: voles , bunnies and moles

It seems like every year it is something!! We have had moless, bunnies, bugs, now voles or ground squirrels tearing up the lawn and the perennial beds.. HELP...

I have had to replant and move several of my perennials becasue the critters are destroying the roots of many of them. Next fall I am going to plant lots of fritterlaria and see if that helps anything, but getting to fall is months away. Anyone know if poison peanuts will work??

 

Ever heard of Buffalo gnats??
May 21, 2007 | 9:34 PM PST
We have have the hardest time working outdoors this spring because of Bufflo gnats! The minute you are out the door they swarm all over your face and neck, they bite and leave worse swelling and inflamation than mosquito bits and they ATTACK you!! I have never seen anything like it my whole life. They keep telling us the life span is not too long, but we have been dealing with them for 6 weeks now! GRRRR