Yesterday consisted of a long day of getting our yard in some kind of shape that we would be happy with.  We had gotten 20 azaleas and planted those along the front walkway of our house.   Mulched and ready to make the front yard look so much better.   We’re the third owners of the house, the first owners were apparently plantaholics.   I realized there is a five-foot azalea growing at one corner of our home when the white blooms showed up this week.   A lilac bush is also blooming, as are plenty of daffodils.  There’s a group of peonies that are budding as well.   I planted 20 or so alocasias along our back driveway that I had been growing in a pot for about 5 years.  I am sure they are happy to get a spot of ground to call their own.

My wife’s daffodils, hyacinths and tulips are in full bloom and look spectacular.   I think she is very happy with the variety she planted.  Irises should be blooming next week.

We plowed up a small patch, about 15’x15′, for a vegetable garden.  We’ll be planting tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, cucumbers, cantaloupe and maybe eggplant in a couple weeks.   A smaller herb garden will be fixed up later.  Both will be organic, of course.

It’s time to plan gardens.  We have a new house and plenty of yard space to transform into patches of edibles so work will begin soon.  We’ve made a short list of what will be included.  As of now, a medium sized vegetable garden and two smaller herb gardens are planned.

Herbs to be included:

• Rosemary
• Basil, Sweet
• Oregano
• Lemon Balm
• Thyme
• Sage
• Parsley
• Catnip (Something for the rodents we keep as pets.)
• Peppermint
• Spearmint
• Cilantro
• Dill

Vegetables:

• Squash – Yellow
• Eggplant
• Sweet Potatoes
• Tomatoes, Roma & Beefsteak
• Peppers – Bell, Datil, Poblano, Anaheim
• Cucumbers
• Onions
• Broccoli

I am sure more will be added as we get into it and know exactly how much room we will have.  I would like to plant artichokes, I think that may have to wait a year.   Asparagus is another one but I’ll need to make space around the yard elsewhere as keeps on giving and I don’t want to risk digging it up by getting the gardenspace ready each year.

I have all the organic pest control I should need.  Neem oil has done the job quite well in the past and should suffice now.   Organic veggies and herbs throughout the season should get me cooking regularly.

With a new house comes all sorts of plans for a spring season of fix-it-ups.  I am guessing it does at least, this house was our first.  So for me that statement is true.  Our biggest plans this year are for the outside.  Flowerbeds wil be plowed up and planted, I think we have eight or so in the works and those include herb gardens.  A compost pile has already been started.  The main goal is to get a vegetable garden going this year.   I would expect it to cut down dramatically on what we purchase at the grocery store each week.  We have had bell peppers and tomatoes at the house we rented but I tried to keep them in pots.  With room for a full-fledged garden I am thinking beans (black beans, pinto beans), carrots, beets, lettuce, celery, onions and garlic.   I have a few tricks I am intending to try which I learned from The Organic Gardeners for the short time I had Sirius last month.  There are also some rosebushes that came with the house that I must do something with.  They seem to be old and in need of pruning.  Maybe I should talk to them as well, I hear that works.

It is beyond time to put up a Christmas Tree but we can’t seem to find what we’re looking for. Does anyone know of a vendor in the area that is selling trees with root balls? I don’t want a cut tree, we plan on planting each tree for the next few years in the back yard. Cut trees are a waste and no matter how you try to justify the “mulchability” after you’re finished with it I just see it better to be able to plant the tree and enjoy it for years to come. So, if you run across a place selling them in the Nashville/Franklin/surrounding area while you are out getting your own, let me know…ok?

I have two plants growing in my yard, I have no idea what they are.   I have seen neither bloom so I can’t give blossom descriptions.  Does anyone have any ideas?