My Garden Update...

 

Everything is growing well as of today. In the bed in the foreground (from left to right): marigolds, one green pepper plant, basil (grown from seed), a whole row of green peppers, a row of roma tomatoes, and more marigolds. I'm going to plant a row of garlic between the tomatoes and peppers this week, too.

 

In the far raised bed I have more marigolds, bush beans (from seed), and Early Girl tomatoes. It's interesting that the romas already have little tomatoes setting on them, but not on the Early Girl plants. hmmm 

In the stock tank, I have marigolds on the ends, English daisies in the pots (I have to clean out the kitchen garden so I can plant them over there), peas, and radishes (both from seed). I'm going to run cord from the tall plant hanger down to the ground so the peas will have something to climb.

I need to get the weed eater into the enclosure to knock down the grass. I'm looking to find a mat material (like rugs) that our younger daughter-in-law placed in her garden to keep the weeds down and have a tidy surface for walking around my garden beds. Otherwise, I'm contemplating a base of plastic or cardboard, covered with pea gravel.

 

 

Next to the garage/storage building I have leaf lettuce, onions, and garlic growing in the raised stock waterer. I have more onions growing in bags further down the line, and the honeysuckle transplanted from the old front porch location is loving this spot where it can climb the short section of fencing. I need to tidy up around it this weekend. 

 

I have an old Radio Flyer wagon nestled under it, and Claudette loves sleeping in its shade. Now that it's blooming, the hummingbirds are likely to visit it, so I need to make it a little lot less convenient for her to "watch" them while they sip from the blossoms.

 

Last of all (for now) is the galvanized tank that was my dad's. I have chives gowing it it, but planted fennel today. I have to build a 2 x 4' base for this, I think, as the metal stand that I brought home with it is really rusting and falling apart. Alternatively, I may see if I can't locate an old stand lacking the basin. I'd really prefer that.

Well, that's my garden tour for now. Handsome actually would like to purchase another galvanized stock tank like the one inside my fenced area.We still have plenty of soil from our delivery, and I could use if for carrots and herbs this year. We just have to find another one like the one I have. Our local Fleet Farm is out of stock now. Perhaps another one of the stores close to us will have one? We'll see.

I have my second session with Clara today (@clarastitching), so I'm hoping to do a little more stitching on my goldwork bird this weekend. I'll update you on Monday. The weather is supposed to be nice all weekend, so I hope you have something fun planned for outdoors. We soak it in while we can!

The Bees Knees...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bees In The Mums

 

The weather is getting cooler at night, although it is a little warmer lately. It's a signal to many of Mother Nature's critters to prepare for winter. The bees around the farmhouse definitely got the memo. They needn't worry, though, because many of the flowers I planted last fall are in glorious bloom now!

Brynwood Needleworks - Large Mums

These mums began a year ago as small plants purchased at a local nursery. They didn't get too big that first autumn, but over the summer they exploded with a riot of blossoms and color. 

 

After our porch was finished, I moved the granite monument Dad had salvaged out of a very deep lake in Wisconsin to the corner of our retaining wall. I wanted it in a place of prominence here, like it had at our home in Florida. This piece is heavy, but it's traveled to each of our homes since Dad gifted it to me over twenty five years ago.

 

I then planted a small Lamb's Ear plant in front of it, and the two small mums behind it, to tuck it into the location. Well, just look at how the Lamb's Ear and those mums took off this summer! Every time I walked past the corner of the wall, I stopped to clear a little more mulch away from the base of each plant. I guess they took that as an invitation to grow wild, because they certainly did.

 

Now, I'm contemplating purchasing more of these to decorate more of the flower garden I'm trying to create on that upper area. As soon as I'm able, I'm going to be cleaning up and moving around a few more established plants I already have. This may take a few seasons, but however long it takes, these mums will be the obvious show stoppers. I'm pretty sure the bees agree.

Farmhouse Flowers...

Brynwood Needleworks- Farmhouse Flowers

Yesterday was a perfect day to walk about the farm and take a few photos near my favorite props...the wood shed, and our old farm wagon (parked behind the woodshed).  

Brynwood Needleworks- Farmhouse Flowers

I love capturing images of the "volunteer" flowers around our yard. I haven't been able to remove the "weeds" from the garden around the front porch, some of which will grow into flowers like these. I won't remove them all, because I think they actually belong in all our landscaping. I'll plant some, and God can plant some. Seems only right to me.

Brynwood Needleworks- Farmhouse Flowers

  Especially, when His plantings are so much more random and glorious than mine. I'll get to the weeding later. For now, I'll just enjoy and continue to add this to the list of our many farmhouse blessings.

Shared Bounty...

Brynwood Needleworks - Shared Vegetable Harvest

 

A little bit from our tomato plants; lots of tomatoes and peppers from Shelly's garden; and tomatoes, squash, peppers and a huge zucchini (not shown) from my youngest brother's garden. 

 

Handsome and I went to see my little brother, Christian, yesterday and he told me to take what I wanted from his garden because there was more than he could use. He has quite the green thumb!

 

I'm so grateful for Shelly and Christian's generosity. I guess I could learn a lot from them about growing a bountiful harvest. For now, I'll accept their gifts, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. I see a little canning in my future!

 

It's Getting Colorful Now...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Hollyhocks

 

I figured it would only take a few more warm days for the hollyhock buds to start opening. I guess yesterday was the day!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Four Shades of Hollyhocks

There are at least four different colors in the garden...creamy yellow, light pink, dark pink, and magenta.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hummingird at Feeders

They're opening right next to the hummingbird feeders, and the hummers have noticed, too!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Beautiful and Colorful

 

I've been asked for my secrets to growing these beauties. My answer is...I have no secrets. They thrive in spite of me. I planted five original plants right along the foundation. They're well-drained, and sheltered in a southern exposure. I did plant lavender, chives, and peppermint at the feet of my hollyhocks, so they may contribute to the bugs leaving them alone, but I'm not sure about that. I'm going to say that I think 75% of my success with the hollyhocks is just dumb luck...but I'm really grateful.

This corner of my life - right outside our door - hollyhocks that are nearly six feet tall, lavender, English daisies, Shasta daisies (for Mom), a lone delphinium (I must rectify that by getting more), and bee balm. I'm going to add more plants in the open spaces to appeal to the hummingbirds, honey bees, and butterflies. It only gets better from here.

 

Weeding My Garden...

Brynwood Needleworks - June 28, 2020 Kitchen Garden

 

By the time we returned from our trip, the weeds were threatening to overtake my kitchen garden. I couldn't delay. I needed to get outside and pull the offenders. Weeding my garden also helps me clear my head. I think that's a good thing, right?

 

I went out while it was still cool on the southern exposure of the farmhouse, but by the time I was finished, I'd managed to burn the back of my neck. I had a lot of work to do! The good news is that I pulled all the weeds out, and really tidied up the kitchen garden bed.

 

I'd like to direct your attention to the hollyhocks. Remember when I planted the first five plants along the wall? Well, everything you see (ready to burst with color any day now), was all self-planted by the hollyhocks themselves. I'll take better pictures later in the week, but the deep pink/red, pastel pink and ivory ones have already started to open up.

 

Mom's daisies are opening, the lavender is in full bloom, and even the lone delphinium is joining in the concert of color. (I need to get more of those!)

 

I also cleaned up across the walkway, so the geraniums are visible again. Later this week, I'll get into the beds around the new porch and groom those, too. I'm going to add more plants in there - perhaps a few small bushes, so I'll be working in the early morning to beat the mid-day heat. I'm not complaining about it one bit, but I inherited my father's propensity to...ahem...perspire, so cooler and earlier works better for me.

 

My brother-in-law is coming to visit for a couple of days, so I'm sure Tag can handle his own post tomorrow. Lord knows what he's got planned, but I suspect he'll complain about not being an "only dog". You never know with that guy!

 

See you again Wednesday! Stay safe and enjoy the week. Remember, we're all in this together. xo

Farmhouse Flowers...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Beautiful Bleeding Hearts

 

Every time I turn on the television, I'm bombarded with things that hurt my heart. We're actually a bit concerned about our upcoming cross country car trip to pick up Bella and her daughter. We're praying for peace and safety for everyone, and that things will have calmed down before we have to leave.

With the warmer Wisconsin weather, I've been spending more time outdoors. I walked around the yard to take pictures of some of the beautiful things that bless our daily lives. These bleeding hearts are a magnificent showpiece in our gardens, which we "inherited" when we purchased our home. It stands taller than waist-high on me, so it's at least three and a half feet tall, and nearly as wide. Lucky us!

Brynwood Needleworks - Kitchen Garden

I've been slowly reworking our kitchen garden, as it expanded when the new sidewalk went in with our porch project. I think I need to take another photograph to show you just how happy the newly-relocated hostas are doing (partially shown on the right side of the photo). They're getting huge! 

The chives (in bloom on the left), daisies (in the back corner), and the lavender are all coming on nicely, and I've planted basil in front of the birdbath. That's looking a bit sad, though, as something nibbled on those plants. I may need to get a plant or two that's already bigger if I want to start making pesto any time soon.

But look at my hollyhocks!! Those leaves are as big as the birdbath! These are all self-planted from the original plants I put in two summers ago. As I write this, the flower heads have already begun to peek out. I can't wait to show you what they look like when they're in bloom!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Columbines, Lilies, and Iris

 

The other flowers along the fence line are beginning to bloom, too. I admit, I have a lot more weeding to do over there, but recently found out that my right knee is in worse condition than the one of Handsome's that required a replacement. It's a good thing it doesn't cause me pain, but it makes it difficult for me to kneel to weed the garden.  (That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!)

 

Even so, now that the flowers are up, it would be easy for me to tell grass from desirable plants. I guess I know what's on my agenda the next early morning after a nice overnight rain!

There is a crowned sparrow family living in that bluebird birdhouse, but at the other end of the fence, there is a bluebird couple feeding their babies, too. There's room for everyone here, so we can enjoy all of them.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Happy, Happy Rhubarb

 

One last photo for today...another mammoth planting...my two rhubarb plants. I've since removed the seed stems as I'm not ready to let them go yet this season. 

 

I have a doctor's appointment this morning, and then I'll either be in the kitchen (making hickory syrup) or in the studio (working on a couple of commissions). It's supposed to keep raining, but I'm not likely to make syrup if it's also hot. That can wait until the next mild day.

 

 Praying for Peace and Good Health To All.

An Outdoor Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - English Daisies

 

It was a gorgeous weekend...perfect for spending time outdoors in the garden. Handsome and I weeded out the area along the fence line (across the driveway, near the old apple tree), and I discovered all the lilies, tulips, irises, daffodils, and bleeding hearts already peeking up out of the dried leaves from last fall. There will soon be a riot of color over there!

I'm adding beautiful English daisies to the kitchen garden this year. Aren't they sweet? Remember, I did an Elizabeth Bradley "English Daisies" Berlinwork piece years ago? I really must frame it or make it into a cushion. It's still wrapped in acid-free paper because I can't make up my mind! (This is the post about it, HERE)

Brynwood Needleworks - Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox, hostas, chives, mint, Shasta daisies, hollyhocks, tulips, lavender, and delphiniums are already up and getting bigger by the day. 

Hollyhocks have self-planted a new row in front of the ones I planted two years ago, so I'll end up with two rows of the tall beauties this year!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Baltimore Oriole (m)

The Baltimore orioles are back now! The first one appeared at our feeders yesterday. I had grape jelly waiting for them, but after I saw them, I put out oranges for them, too. The hummingbird feeders are already out, too, but we haven't seen any yet. I expect they'll be along any day now, along with the indigo buntings.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Goldfinches (2 m/1 f)

Soon after, the goldfinches stopped by. They flew to this perennial mum and were eating the seed heads. (That's why I wait to remove them until spring each year.) I've put out nyjer thistle seeds for them now, too.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Lavender

 

I bought more lavender yesterday from the greenhouse. The plants were 2/$7.00, so I bought four new plants to put on the south side of the new porch. That garden bed is already blooming with sedum and Jacob's ladders, and I'll be adding plants all summer to really fill the area in. These lavender plants will be the start.

 

I also purchased four tomato plants, which will be planted in the kitchen garden area. Mint, chives, lavender, rosemary, and basil will also be in the same garden. From what I can tell, only one hosta plant survived the porch project, so I'll move that this summer, and add more across the expanded bed. 

 

I weeded as long as my body would put up with it on Saturday and Sunday. My hands, knees and back were aching by the time Saturday came to a close. We worked outside all day, and it was worth every discomfort. It's so nice to be hanging out in the yard again, enjoying the warmer weather. I may even do it again for a while today! Then, it's back to working on Wooly Critters!

May The 4th Be With You!! (Sorry. Couldn't resist.)

Painted Ladies...

Brynwood Needleworks - Painted Ladies

 

I'm not sure how far away the really cold weather might be, but the Painted Lady butterflies are getting ready. I purchased a butterfly bush a few weeks ago, and am long overdue to plant it in the ground. That doesn't matter to the butterflies, who have been drinking their fill whenever the weather permits.

 

I decided it was time to plant it yesterday, so in between waiting for coats of paint to dry, I managed to work in the garden, too. The butterflies and bees fluttered around me as I dug a hole and planted this beautiful bush. I'm hoping that next summer, it will grow tall and be filled with many tasty (for the bees and butterflies) blossoms. I've chosen a sheltered area in the southern exposure, kitchen garden to give it a nice head start before winter.

By the end of the day, the balusters were all painted, and the bush had been planted. I even managed to place a bit more of our mulch, but am planning to get the rest of that done before the snow flies, too. 

I'd hoped to stage the porch with our furniture to take final photos for my "Before and After" post, but we're expecting weather this weekend (possible snow flurries...nooooooo!), so I'm not sure I'll be able to accomplish that. I'm still going to try. Stay tuned...

Farmhouse Renovation - Goodbye, Mud...

Brynwood Needleworks - Mulching

 

Well, we're working on it, anyway. The dirt in the foreground has been seeded with grass and clover. The history of the farmhouse says that the year it was built, it was "planted" in a field of clover. Much of the clover still grows along with the grass. We're continuing that tradition when we plant grass.

The top of the yard (above the wall) is being mulched to keep down weeds while we work on plantings. The long downspout will eventually be replaced with a gravel "riverbed" and a little pond. It's part of my plan for next spring, however, if I have time yet this fall, perhaps I'll get started on it.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Goodbye, Mud

 

I've already planted sedum, Jacob's ladder, gypsophila (baby's breath), pink and purple coneflowers, lavender, and hardy mums. I'll be adding Shasta daisies (Mom's favorite), and a few others. I also have a beautiful butterfly bush, but I read that it can get 6-8' tall, so I'm rethinking that. While I want the plantings to fill in, I don't want them to obstruct the stonework. 

My plan for the stone "riverbed" and little pond will begin at the base of the downspout, and work outward toward the corner and stone monument. The lavender and coneflowers will frame it. I'll be trying to decide what I'd like along the retaining wall, too. Perhaps something that will trail over the edge? 

I'll be able to work on my plan over the winter, order plants, and be ready for more landscaping in the spring. I'm looking forward to that.

For now, Handsome and I will place the rest of the ten yards of mulch that were delivered on Saturday, along with the additional five yards being delivered today. We only managed to place this much on Saturday, before we were both pooped (and I was also running back and forth into the kitchen, as I was making bread that had to proof thirty minutes at a time. I baked it off after we stopped at the corner). 

We also lost a beautiful branch from the old apple tree last week, and Handsome is mulling over my request to place it in the front garden bed (you know, like some places use driftwood). We may move it in there so I can see what it looks like (after the mulch), and then I can imagine how I'd like to plant around it. I'm sure I'll take photos to share with you before and after it's moved in place, so we can decide if it's going to stay.

Tag will be here tomorrow to tell you about his week (or day). We're going on a little outing this morning. Shhhhhh. I'm not telling him where, but I'm sure he'll have something to say about it when you visit with him tomorrow. I'd better get going...

 

It Was A Perfect Day...

Brynwood Needleworks - Red, White & Blue In The Garden

The hollyhocks began to open yesterday, and I realized that we had red, white and blue in the garden for Independence Day. Mom's daisies, the delphiniums and more hollyhocks will continue to open in the coming days, but it was nice to see some of them on the 4th.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lakeside Park Bandstand

Handsome played with part of the Fond du Lac Symphonic Band last night. They can't fit the entire band into the historic bandstand at the park, so only part of the musicians play this gig. The bandstand was built in 1900, and it was hard not to imagine another band, 119 years ago, performing their own Independence Day music.

I got to the park at 6:30 for a 7:15 performance, and as I was setting up my lawn chair, others were also beginning to move into position. I drove through just a sprinkling of rain, but thankfully, the rains held off until the concert was well over and we were back home.

Brynwood Needleworks - There's Handsome

There he is! Handsome is right in the middle (in the back), already set up and ready to play. It's nice that he always looks for me, so he knows where to smile when he stands up. (Be still my heart.) The concert began on time, and was a beautiful assortment of patriotic and fun music.

Brynwood Needleworks - Late Day Lake Winnebago

The bandstand is situated quite close to the shore of the lake, so we had nice breezes blowing in on a comfortably warm evening. By the time we left, it was dark, the fireflies were blinking in the grass, and the shoreline was filled with people  who moved from the concert area - or who came specifically for the fireworks.

As we drove home, fireworks could be seen all around the lake! Every city along the shores of Winnebago began their display, and everyone ooh'ed and aahh'd the light show. Fireworks could be seen from cities an hour away!

Once we were back at the farm, it rained a light, cooling rain. Perfect timing, and the perfect end to a perfect day.

Sweet Surprises Right Outside Our Door...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Hickory Hill Farm Kitchen Garden

Every time we step out the "friends and family" back door, we're greeted by new surprises in my little kitchen garden. The mint got a head start this year, and they may have choked out the morning glories this year. Time will tell.

The chives were next on the scene, and I've let them bloom. The blossoms are lovely in their purple/pink dresses. The hostas love this spot, and they're shading the creeping phlox in front of them. The dianthus is already showing red blossoms, too. The lavender is taking a little longer this year. I left their stems to shelter the little bugs that may have hidden under them for the winter, but the sweet fragrance of their leaves is starting to fill the air, too. As I weed, I can smell lavender everywhere.

Brynwood Needleworks - The Hollyhocks Are In Bud

My big surprise this year are my hollyhocks! Where I had to support the plants last year, their stems are large and strong this year. Even though I picked many of their dried seed pods to be able to sow new plants this year, it definitely won't be necessary here! Just look at the size of my stems, and the number of blooms at the top of the plant. Those clusters of blossoms cascade down every plant, so they won't just flower at the tops!

Brynwood Needleworks - HUGE Hollyhocks

 

Look at how big the plants are...and how many of them there are! If you scroll back up to look again at the first image, you'll get a true sense of their size. Boy, are the bees (including the bumblebees) going to love me this year! Last year these were all bright pink. I'm looking forward to seeing just how colorful they get. I'll be sure to show you, too. It won't be long before they begin to open up!

By the time I took these photos yesterday, shade had already fallen over the corners of my little garden. The shasta daisies I planted for Mom Grace are nearly as tall as the bird bath behind them. Mom would love how they'll look once they start to flower. I will have to move them, temporarily, right before the porch project begins so I can protect them. I'm going to get a beautiful big planter to hold them until it's safe to replant them. I'll use the planter on the new porch, with new plants (hmmm. Maybe geraniums?) once it's done. I'm sure I'll get pictures of the daisies before I pot them up, so you'll those, too.

Only a few short weeks before the masons show up to start their work. Bella is taking her sweet time coming into heat. She seems to have thrown us a false alarm last Friday, so she's seeing the vet every few days to be checked. For now, we're staying put at the farm. Once she starts, I'll count off eleven days, and plan to be in SE Florida by the eleventh day for breeding. If she doesn't start soon, I may have to take her to San Antonio (TX), as her boyfriend will have gone back home. Cross your fingers for me, please. I'd really rather drive to Florida than Texas alone this summer, so I'm praying Bella gets going here very soon. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and smell the flowers.

 

We'll Be Outdoors Today...

Liljegren's Hickory Hill Farm

 

Time for outside work today. I have herbs to harvest for drying, and it's time to put the garden to bed for this year. We'll be enjoying the outdoors while we store things away and prepare for winter. There will be time for stitching and sewing later. Enjoy the weekend, friend.

Tuesdays With Tag - The Garden Helper...

Brynwood's Taggart

 Hi, Everybody!

I bet you're thinkin' I'm the gardener, right?

Wrong! If you're lookin' for me to help garden, those crops are gonna wither on the vine! I'd much rather be chasin' squirrels or loungin' on the porch. No manual labor for me. However, the same can't be said for a certain black dog...

Liljegren's Suncoast Bella

There she sits all innocent, but I know. She's tryin' to make me look bad. No one has told her that suckin' up isn't allowed around here! We "four paws" have to stick together after all. She's gonna give us a bad name!

The Gardener

Mom has a little garden over near the pole barn...and Boo has taken to collectin' her own crops. Right next to her in the first barrel are carrots, and in the next barrel is a tall, lanky, nearly done-for-the-season cherry tomato plant. 

Harvestin' Crops

The Black Dog has decided that she likes the cherry tomatoes, so she's started a personal "pick your own" program. Unfortunately for Mom, it's also an "eat your own" program. She also has her eyes on the carrots, but so far, Mom has discouraged her from pickin' those.

 

More Ripe Tomatoes Soon

 

The cherry tomatoes may be gettin' to the end of their production, but Mom's big tomatoes are still goin' strong and gettin' ripe on the vine. Boo thought she might pick that low-lyin' one, but Mom told her, in no uncertain terms, that she had to stay away from those! We'll see how that works!

 

We finally got rain last night, so maybe the grass won't be so crunchy by tomorrow. We've really needed the rain that everyone else has been gettin'. Nothin' like rollin' in fresh, wet grass. mmm mmm We can't wait! (It will help the tomatoes, too.) "Herself" will be pickin' again before you know it...unless Dad catches her. He'd just as soon she stick to her regular diet, without adding any more veggies!

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".