Last weekend provided me with the time to complete all the projects on my list. http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=1465 With all of those projects finished, I have time to think about what will be coming up.

I have three days off this holiday weekend. That break should allow me some time to tend to my berries. I am still looking for time to spend on my pond and butterfly/bog garden. That may come this weekend as well.

There are a number of things waiting for me as it pertains to topics here. Some items coming soon will include more on mosquito control, protecting the garden from pests of all kinds and mulching in the garden. I also have a post regarding a plant recommendation for a readers landscape and a garden update that will be posted soon.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Father’s day weekend is nearly over. I hope all the dads out there had a great day. I spent a portion of my day getting a few things done in the yard and garden, and finished the day off with a cookout.

Today also brought us the first day of summer. Spring has left us for another year. I really enjoyed spring this year. I enjoyed it because it actually seemed like we had that transitional season for the first time in quite a few years. The past few years had given us weather that seemed to go directly from winter to summer. It was as if the snow melted and it just got hot and that was it. It was nice to have seasonal temperatures this year.

The rain we received the past few days canceled some things I planned on doing this weekend. My rain gauge recorded just under one inch of precipitation from the showers and storms. Part of me enjoyed the break from my tasks. The heat of summer will make weekends like this a rarity very soon.

I did compile a list of projects that need my attention right now. I will be sharing that with you tomorrow if time allows. The main item on that list is work involving the raspberries. I can not believe how they have grown in the past few years.

Once again, I hope all the dads out there had a great day. Did anyone receive any gardening related gifts?

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I should be back to a normal schedule now at TBG. I spent most of my evening working outdoors. The garden is looking wonderful. The landscape plants are looking great as well. I just love going out and finding new things sprouting to life in the garden.

The next couple of days will allow me to try and catch you up on my latest projects and activities. I am putting a list together of items that I hope to complete this weekend. Thank you all for your continued support. I am very anxious to be able to get this information to you very soon.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

My garden has been planted. Weather and time constraints made the process take longer than usual. I will be giving you a complete rundown on my planting very soon.

I must apologize for my lack of regular posting as of late. Trying to get my tasks completed after long days at work has kept me busy to say the least. Now that all of my projects have nearly been completed, things should be on more of a regular schedule.

I have lots of items to share with you. My camera is full of photos that will be coming soon as well. Thanks for your continued support.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

It seems things move faster every year. I am still trying to get all my spring projects completed and my kids will be out of school in less than two weeks. It seems like just yesterday I was wondering if it was safe to remove the snow equipment from my tractor.

In all fairness, my projects are coming along at a decent pace. It is only the first day of June. I expect to tie up all the remaining spring projects by this weekend. There is a lot of growing season left.

A discovery I made yesterday got me thinking about how fast time goes by, and how quickly things change around us. I had been watching a particular spot in the landscape I created as a butterfly garden. I have left milkweeds to grow in the area. They are spared whenever I pull any stray weeds. The milkweed are essential for Monarch Butterflies. I had been watching this area, waiting for the first sight of those milkweeds. I check regularly and had not seen them.

I checked again yesterday and received quite a surprise. There were quite a few milkweed up. The surprise was that they were almost unrecognizable. The caterpillars had made meals out of most of them already. That is exactly why they are there, but I could not believe how fast it all happened. This is one of the many little joys I get from working in the outdoors.

The other night our family was out roasting marshmallows at dusk. We took great joy watching the bats dart through the sky and listened as the squirrels chattered in the treetops. It was a wonderful evening.

Some days our yards and gardens may seem like a lot of work. I refuse to work on a particular task if I qm not enjoying it. I will find something else to do and get back to the other task when I feel inspired to do so. A beautiful yard/garden is easily obtained when it does not feel like work. Doing the work because you enjoy it also helps you to see all the little surprises nature has for us along the way. An evening outdoors beats an evening of television any day.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

A friend just reminded me that The Backyard Gardener has recently passed its one year anniversary. Where did the time go? I have absolutely enjoyed bringing this to you. It still amazes me that I have received questions and comments from people all over the country.

I am trying my very best to keep things updated as regularly as possible. My new job has made things a little more difficult lately. But how can I complain about doing a job that I enjoy? I am working with plants and trees all day.

Many of my projects are nearly finished. This will allow me much more time to bring things to all of you. I have so many things to share in the upcoming weeks. I hope you will find them interesting and informative.

Thank you all for your continued support. I truly enjoy helping whenever I can.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

What a beautiful weather week we are in the midst of. I am so glad for some nice weather because I have so many things to do. When it has all been completed there will be plenty of both stories and photos.

With all the rain we have received, just keeping the lawn mowed has been a challenge. I have been slowly getting the garden planted and I hope to have it finished soon. I am also working on a planter I created within a dead portion of a tree stump. It is simply waiting for plants to be added. I dug a tree from my landscape that will be moved to a new location. When that has been completed I will bring you the story and photos on that as well.

I am also waiting for drier weather to do some additional pruning of a large tree in the backyard. I want all that work done before I add raised beds in the area. I do not want to risk damage to anything on the ground, so the limbs will come down first.

Another thing on the list is a landscape project on the north side of my garage. I am also planning a gravel area for parking/storage on the west side. A few rain barrels for the area may also be in my plans.

I will probably spend some time working on the pond tonight. I hope to have it finished and going in a day or so.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Just recently we planted the Morning Glory and Sweet Pea seeds at their locations throughout the yard. This year they are red, white and blue in color. I said “we” because my youngest son helped me with the planting. He is seven and really enjoys being daddy’s helper.

He asked me the following while we were doing the planting. “Is this the Old Glory Mix?” He really enjoys the plants and flowers and absorbs every detail I share with him. He was right. It was the Old Glory Mix. I began wondering how many other seven-year-old kids are as interested as he is in plants.

I also wonder if others would like to read a few thoughts from the eyes of a youngster. I really enjoy hearing his thoughts on our outdoor activities.

What do you think? Would you enjoy the occasional post from a junior backyard gardener?
Please let me know what you think.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. I hope you all had a wonderful day.

I accomplished quite a bit this weekend. I added a few new plants to the landscape and removed one from the landscape. There are quite a few projects in various stages of completion right now. They should be finished up soon.

Watch for the posts regarding some of these projects very soon. I will have pictures coming soon as well. Stay tuned.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I am still waiting for a completely dried out yard and garden. Today I was able to get most of a first mowing in. I say most of a mowing because some of the backyard is still too wet. I suppose I could have gotten through it but I would just as soon wait for it to dry.

A portion of the garden is dried up, and some things are planted. The remainder needs more drying time and one more tilling. With any luck it will be ready soon. The only problem is that I am ready now.

I was hoping to be finishing off my tree stump planter this weekend. I am running a day or two behind though. It will be finished soon. Watch for the post and some photos.

I did pick up a few plants to add to the landscape today. I will be posting an update on that soon as well.

It was another nice day to be outside. Soon the garden will be in and all will be right in my world.

I’ll see you in the backyard!