Winter

Winter

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

In The Garden

"Of all the wonderful things in the wonderful universe of God, nothing seems to me more surprising than the planting of a seed on the blank earth and the result thereof."
---Celia Thaxter---

This morning, was a magical kind of morning in the garden. Today the pressures of life seemed far away and being out in the garden is a wonderful place of joy.

I find myself being drawn in and the peace that I find in a garden always surprises me and catches me off guard.

I have such a white fly problem, that I decided it was war.  I think the most amazing product I have ever used is Dawn dish washing detergent. I was skeptical  that the soap suds would work, because I always used Ivory. Being over a barrel, and wanting pumpkins and the white flies are just destroying my blooms I had read to use Dawn. Yesterday I fixed up my first batch. I dutifully sprayed behind each and every leaf and then the poor blooms. I didn't expect much. Last evening, as I walked around, those white flies were dead. My plants even looked a little bit happier. One of the things I read was you have to keep doing it to kill the life cycle of the white fly. I fixed up another batch this morning and sprayed them again.

When we planted all of the boxes of flowers for Em's wedding, we planted petunias and nasturtiums. After the wedding we just moved the boxes out by my garden and I water them every morning. I was reading yesterday and it seems squash beetles do not like petunias and nasturtiums. I knew about marigolds but not them. I hope they work to keep those squash beetles at bay. I haven't used pesticide yet on my garden so I keep looking for other ways to battle pests. I think as in health the best way with people and plants is to keep the plant healthy so it can fight disease.

"For to have complete satisfaction from flowers you must have time to spend with them.
There must be rapport. I talk to them and they talk to me." 
 ---Princess Grace of Monaco---

This year I love the size of my garden. I find myself already planning a garden next year. That is a total first for me. I find myself wanting to make the garden of my dreams and to make a living patchwork quilt of design. You have no idea how hard it is for me to stay small and manageable.  My husband calls me " to the brim Kim." My sister says, " Why do you always have to push the envelope."  I don't know except I am really trying to curb that and enjoy manageable. I think as  it is though, I have always liked" if a little is good, more is better. " 

Have a great Tuesday. Off to fill my day to the brim.

~Kim~

19 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

'to the brim kim' - awesome! :D

glad the soap water is working for you!

Kim said...

That dish detergent also works wonders on those disgusting earwigs. (eww, skin crawling just thinking about them).
I am so glad you are enjoying the garden this year. Maybe "to the brim Kim" is getting reformed?? LOL

Alica said...

I like that first quote...so true!

The squash beetles are terrible here this year...my zucchini died an early death, as did my patty pan squash...before I harvested anything!!

Jacque. said...

I think 'less is more' is more my style. lol You do so much and handle it all, no matter the size. Keep on dreaming of that patchwork garden! xo

Julia said...

I'm glad that you finally got your garden to a manageable size that you actually enjoy.

I can so relate to your " to the brim Kim" because I always dream big too.
Although I didn't plant a veggie garden this year I still have lots and lots of gardens to look after. It wouldn't be so bad if I could get to work in them in the morning but I only have the time to work on them in the heat of the day or in the evening.

They bring me joy and I guess that's why I have them, it's an addiction. I'm addicted to petals and wool so that why I call my blog Of Petals and Wool, lol...

I really need to learn to not crowd my plants so much. I always try to make room for one more, lol...

Dawn is a great for white flies and I bought a bottle on Saturday but I didn't know that it worked on earwigs too. That is great to know.
Earwigs ate most of my Marigolds over night this year. They've never done this before but they ate my Zinnias over night last year.


Hugs,
JB

Meg said...

Yep, I totally understand going overboard. I'm extremely disgusted with my garden right now... The weeds are four feet tall and taking over... Ugh. Definitely not peace out there right now. lol!

GretchenJoanna said...

I am the same way about gardens - when I had available land I wanted to use every inch of it. Even now with a small back yard I keep trying to fit in one more plant. It's like children - Each one is so different and interesting as he or she grows up, it makes you want more and more even though it means you will have to work harder. :-)

Empty Nester said...

I am like that in my flower garden. But the veggie garden, not so much. I think it's because my thumb is only somewhat green when it comes to flowers. And then there's the whole heat thing. LOL

Miss Debbie said...

Hope the Dawn works! Your garden looks great. So glad you are enjoying it!

Nellie said...

Wonderful flowers, Kim! I hope that Dawn solution will solve that white fly problem for you. Wishing you a good Tuesday evening! xo Nellie

Kessie said...

I'm so glad you found something that kills whose white flies! They annihilate the watermelon every summer. Maybe you could grow some of those next summer? I love your little garden. You've got it so clean. I imagine after all the weed chopping for the wedding, this little patch is nothing!

Willow said...

Your pumpkin sign made me smile. I adore morning glories they are planted everywhere on the farm and are just starting to bloom.

Three Sheep Studio said...

This was a GREAT post and made me smile the whole way through !
"to the brim, Kim" - I can relate to this completely !!
Fabulous gardens and great pics. ;)
Rose

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Glad that you were successful in getting rid of your white flies! As I'm getting older and unable to do what I used to be able to do, I'm learning moderation and manageability ... whether I want to or not. ;-)

annie said...

What's the recipe for the dawn spray?
Any idea what will deter ticks? I've had them on me every day I walk the dog. The dog deterrent works on the dog, but I'm at a loss what to put on me without toxic chemicals. The ticks are terrible this year.
I love your pumpkin sign too!

Reginas Cottage said...

hello
your garden looks wonderful!!!
blessings regina

Debbie said...

hehe, you are too funny kim!!

beautiful blooms!!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I love your garden also and love you sharing it with us. The morning glories are beautiful also. Now if I get to garden again I will remember that about the flowers to keep the bugs away.
Keep enjoying your time in the garden.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Your garden looks just perfect, and the flowers are so pretty. I've heard lots of uses for Dawn..I like it for washing dishes, and I mix it with vinegar to use as a cleaning spray in the bathrooms.