A Sudden Change in Garden Plans

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There’s been a sudden change in garden plans since yesterday.

I wondered why the seeds I’d planted at the porch level weren’t coming up. The pots below had many tiny seedlings.

Then I looked out the window yesterday and saw cats snoozing in my pots. So that’s why the seeds aren’t coming up!

I felt defeated there for a bit, because I know it’s doubtful the seeds will now emerge. When I open the front door, they run. But that won’t keep them from sleeping in those pots when I’m inside.

Then I decided I’d just have to buy plants for that area, though that was not my plan. Because the only way those outdoor cats aren’t going to curl up in those big pots is if there are plants stopping them.

As you can see, the perennials are growing nicely down at ground level. So there’s that to celebrate. I should probably just get a few more perennials to put there.

Perennials aren’t as cheap as annuals. They are an investment, because you can enjoy them for many years if you’re lucky. And you won’t have to plant annuals every year.

Hostas & Coral Bells:

Another problem I’m having is figuring out a ground cover for the ground-level containers. Weeds seem to grow while I’m standing there watching them. Neighbors say they’ll get truckloads of free mulch. But I don’t know that mulch is the answer.

I don’t like to walk between the pots because I am afraid of falling. Maybe in the near future, I will get a couple of those large galvanized containers that would take up almost all the space down there. Something like a 4×6-foot container.

Ground-level planting is out because it would be too hard for me to physically tend. Which is why I prefer container plant gardening.

Lamb’s Ear & Allium Plant:

As you can see, my beloved Lamb’s Ear filled out the galvanized container nicely this year. It’s a herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family, and native to the rocky hills of Turkey.

I dug up some of the Lamb’s Ear to give to the neighbor next door. Next to that pot are alliums. They didn’t bloom last year, and I can’t recall what color the blooms are supposed to be.

Hopefully, I’ll see blooms this year.

The little Japanese Maple tree looks good. I love the feathery, elegant leaves.

The sedum plant, and I can’t recall the name of this one, is growing well. I love the way the plants look against the bright blue pots. Ordering those 16-inch Walmart pots last year was a good buy.

Vinca:

The vinca I planted in pots last year has decided to grow in the ground, which thankfully takes up some of the space in the dirt.

Mix of Perennial Plants:

The purchase of plants was not part of my overall plan. I was going to just go with seeds this year.

But those cats aren’t going to stay out of my pots on the porch level unless I put plants in them. So that’s a decision that was made for me.

In Other News:

In other news, there is pain under the permanent bridge that was installed some months ago. I went to an endodontist, and he said he thinks it’s the last tooth at the back under the bridge causing the pain.

So the bridge, which I paid $ 3,000 for, might have to be removed. I haven’t had much luck with my teeth over the past year and a half.

Now I feel like I’m throwing good money after bad.