There’s something almost sacred about working in your garden. Whether your garden space is big or small, none of that matters. It’s working with your hands and tending what you grow.
Zinnias:
Yesterday I gently pulled little zinnia seedlings from the soil to thin them out and planted them elsewhere.
I also planted a bluish/purple clematis I bought last week at the nursery. You may recall that the dreadful winter weather killed my white one.
They had roses trained to look like trees, and I wanted one so bad since the winter also killed my gorgeous yellow rose bush. But I didn’t dare lift them because of my back. So I passed them by.
But I did, finally, find the pineapple sage Charlie likes to nibble on when his tummy is upset. I’d been on many trips looking for it and they didn’t yet have it in until the other day.
Herbs:
And I also got a lemon basil plant to put where the pineapple sage and the lemon verbena shares a pot/galvanized container. The lemon basil is hard to see from this angle.
Remember that lemon scented herbs are your friend. Because insects don’t like them. You can also repel moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes with lavender.
So there are many good reasons to plant herbs in your garden space.
Just look at all that cheerful color on my patio.
Morning Glory Seedlings:
Below, next to the new clematis, is the galvanized tub full of morning glory seedlings.
They are sturdy and strong and reaching up toward the sun.
Mr. Concrete Man is so glad to have his hair/golden pennies back after the winter killed his off.
Can you believe I brought that bright blue egg-shaped garden art with me from Texas? Even more so, can you believe I haven’t managed to break it yet?
Yeah, me either.
My Zen Place:
This patio is my zen place. With the chimes tinkling and the birds singing up in the trees, it makes me grateful to be able to tend this little spot of mine.
The purpose of a Zen garden is to help quiet and focus your mind. Ponds in a Zen garden, for example, represent negative space, or the “nothingness” that is essential to Zen meditation.
In addition, the sound of dripping water is meant to remind you to exist in the moment with each drip.
I will soon have lots of blooming vines. And fill the air with fragrant perfume as only flowers can do.
I’m not planting veggies this year. Everything I planted last year I ended up not really being able to eat, so I passed on vegetable planting this year. And focused on flowers and vines and herbs instead.
It’s supposed to be 85 degrees today. And to think that last week I had the fireplace going to keep warm.
You have created a lovely and zen like oasis. I can imagine the pleasure it gives you to gaze at both while indoors and when on your patio. I also like that the possibilities of continual new growth as the season evolves with the varied plants and vines. A true visual and scent-filled feast!
Your garden is BEAUTIFUL!!! The colors POP. I love the blue egg garden art and Mr. Concrete man too… I bet he’ll be extra glamorous once his hair grows in. We just got a puppy about a month ago and he’s already made himself sick by eating grass. I guess I’m going to try to find pineapple sage for him to shew on.
You have also helped me rethink on planting veges and do herbs instead. I have a small area so the herbs would be more beneficial as I can get fresh produce that we eat all around my area of NY at decent prices. Your flowers are so pretty to admire.
Absolutely love the colors and arrangements. I can never be sad or grumpy when I’m looking at beautiful flowers. I’ve never had a green thumb, but you certainly make me want to try on my own patio!
Your patio is so lovely. As is your apartment. Such a gift you have. I’m so glad you share it with all of us.
Brenda, I’m Loving your patio and all the beauty of so many flowers already in bloom. The way you have arranged everything, is such perfection. Love, love, love !!!!!
Wow! Your patio garden looks fabulous for this early in the season. So colorful and pretty.
Your patio garden is so beautiful already! I love the photo of the Cardinal at the bird bath! Glad that Mr Concrete man is still with you and in good condition!
How sweet when everything begins to really take hold and come to life in the garden. Your patio is going to be so beautiful this summer. Lots of hard work but it is going to be such a lovely sanctuary for you. Happy Monday.
Your patio is lovely.
It is time for me to make some decisions about my yard. Sadly the soil is red clay. There are places where the grass and flowers grow fairly well and others, we won’t even talk about the barren spots. It will take all summer to do the things I want to do before it will be ready for lots of new plants next spring.