Puttering Around the Yard in January

I haven't adjusted to the climate and weather here in Raleigh quite yet.  After living in the Mid-Atlantic weather of Maryland for 24 years, moving to the south has really changed my perspective on gardening!

A Little Bit Of Winter Cleanup

I took an hour or so this morning to get out into the yard.   It's one of the great things about living in the warmer southern climate - there's good weather for gardening almost all year long!

I've had a large box of daffodil and other spring bulbs in my back porch for a couple months now, awaiting time and energy to get them planted.  Well, today I put a huge chunk of them into the ground, and did some general yard cleanup while I was at it.

Poor, Neglected Fall Garden

My garden is looking very sad these days.  Too many trips away from home, too few rainy days, too little attention, and too many hot sunny days in late summer.  All of this adds up to some dried up and crunchy plants around the yard. 

  

Visiting Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Last weekend, my husband and I took a weekend trip to Charlotte, NC, a drive about 3 hours away from us in Raleigh.  While we were there, we visited the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.   I was absolutely entranced with these gardens - in fact, I believe this is now my favorite botanical gardens that I've ever visited.   

The Monday Morning Garden

After a weekend away, you never know what you'll find in the garden.   Was there a rainstorm that knocked over all your phlox?   Did the deer find their favorite salad bar in your vegetable plot?   Did drought strike in the three short days since Friday?

When I returned home this morning, I found things had changed since Friday...

How To Save Seeds

I'd like to share today some tips on how to save and store seeds from flowering plants. 

Some Favorite Views in the Garden

On an overcast day, with rain hanging like a thick blanket on the air, I took the camera around the yard and gardens and found lots of loveliness.  

Yard And Garden - Then and Now

I was out in the garden taking pictures this morning, and it struck me how different things look compared to last year when we moved in to this home in Raleigh.  Then, the grass was well cared for, but the mulched flowerbeds were mostly empty.  We've been putting plants in and putting our mark on the yard for almost a year now, and things are looking much more like ours.   Here are some fun "then and now" photo comparisons in a few key areas in the yard.

Early July Yard and Gardens

Today I spent a long time out in the gardens, watering everything nice and deep, and generally inspecting things to see how thing are going.   I was happy to find the flowers and vegetables mostly in top shape, thanks to my neighbors and my husband, who together did the watering duties while I was gone.

What's Blooming? June 15, 2014

Welcome to our yard and garden, and Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.   Thought I'd give an overview of what's blooming in the garden today. Come along as we walk around the yard!

How to Divide Irises

The home we moved into last year was blessed with many large clumps of German Bearded Irises.  So many, in fact, that I think there may actually be too many.   At least, in comparison to what other types of plants there are here, which is pretty much nothing besides lots of foundation shrubs.

A Visit to Logan Trading Company

Last week I took the opportunity to go to a new-to-me garden center in the heart of Raleigh, Logan Trading Company.   This great center is built on an old train platform and depot, and has lots and lots of wonderful plants and other garden must-haves.  I shared it's Wild Bird Center with you a few days ago, so today I'll take you around the rest of the place.

What's Blooming - May 26, 2014

After being out of town for five days, I was happy to come home yesterday and get out into the garden this morning.   I found quite a few bright and beautiful blooms today. Here are some of my favorites.

Sweet Birdcage Planter

As we continue through these beautiful spring days, it's so fun to find new ways to bring beauty to our homes.  Today I'm sharing how I put together this sweet little birdcage planter that now graces our front porch.

What's Blooming? May 15, 2014

Things are changing fast around here in the garden, so it's time for another installment of "What's Blooming" here at the Harris home.   Won't you come along as we walk around the yard, taking stock of what's blooming today?

How To Divide Hosta

Hi there!   Thanks for stopping by our garden.   Do you have large clumps of hosta that have outgrown their spot?  Or maybe you want to propagate your hosta to make more plants for your garden?  Or maybe you're like me, and you have a clump of hosta sitting in a spot where you would rather have something else.  

Well, today I'm sharing how I went about digging up and dividing one of the many clumps of hosta that we have in our yard.  Follow along with me, it's easy!

Iris Season

Here in our new yard, it's Iris Season.   Our front yard is full of large clumps of German Bearded Iris.

Mystery Plants - Can You Help Identify Them?

It's been a fun spring, watching plants come up in the gardens here in our new home.  I know what most of them are, but there are a few things which I haven't been able to identify.   Can you help?  What are these plants?

A Visit to Big Bloomers Flower Farm

Earlier this week, I took a drive to Sanford, NC to visit a garden center that had been recommended to me by several friends.   I'm so glad I went!   It was a great place, with lots and lots of wonderful plants and helpful staff.

Edging the Flower Beds the Old Fashioned Way

Remember this photo from the Tour of Our Yard?