Sunday in the Garden

As we headed out to the garden this morning, I determined that it would be the last planting day, unless I get bored and have to go to the local garden center to see what's marked down. We had a short list for today:

Plant the few bargains that we picked up Saturday:

• the two roses , 50% off. Who could pass that deal?
• the one little perennial 
• the dozen strawberries, 2 six packs for the price of one. Couldn't pass that one up
• 2 bargain hostas

Plant the two small apricot trees that we bought last week end, another two for the price of one.

We discussed last night what we would do today. I wanted the iris that bloomed so wonderfully this spring moved. The Head Gardener got ahead of me last night and by the time I got back outside he had them dug and loaded in the EZ-Go. My plan had been to mark each one so that I knew which was which. Now they will be labeled Plant 1, Plant 2, etc. when I divide them.

Planting was going well. We had the apricot trees planted; though we struggled to figure out just where to plant them. You would think that with a yard as large as we have, finding a place to plant two small trees wouldn't be a problem.

Next the roses. I bought them for center garden that we have worked so hard to reclaim from weeds. Me and the Head Gardener work well together. I tell him where to dig and he digs, but he does offer his wisdom and I generally listen. Since this was a rather uneventful work day, I left the camera inside.

Me: I'd like the pink [rose] one here.

Him: That tree is going to grow. (He is referencing the already huge ponderosa pine that still has a lot of growing to do) I will leave off the discussion we had about the how stupid  it was to plant two big trees … Never mind. This was not a part of our conversation that should be made public.

Him: How about here?

Me: Too much shade.

Me: Here?

Him: Well, I don't think the tree will reach that far. The lower branches are shorter.

Me: (In my mind: My luck the rose will die before the tree ever gets that size.)

Rose #1 placed.

Now for Rose #2.

Me: I want it here.

He begins to dig. No discussion

Me: (Cheerfully remarking) So much easier to dig here since you tilled.

Him: Yeah until you hit an Aspen root.

The digging stops. His head droops. He then drops to the ground, his hands fiddling around in the hole he has been digging.

Me: What's wrong?

Him: I think I ruined the sprinkler line.

Okay. So we didn't really get everything planted. Rose # 2 is still in its pot out in the garden as I contemplate now where to plant it.

Six strawberries were planted and the one hosta that I planted while he repaired the sprinkler line. Then it was time for lunch. Then the thermometer hit 93. Then it was time for a nap. Then a trip to the grocery store. Then . .  . And the  daily thunder storm rolled in.

And so today would not the last planting day.

Yesterday's Sunrise, a brilliant red sunrise perhaps filtered through a haze created from distant wild fires.

A golf cart load of work. I will divide the iris, giving some away and planting the others around the water garden

I left the Head Gardener to tend to the sprinkler line. Needless to say, he was a bit annoyed. Oh not with me. Let's just say he needed his space.

So I took pictures. Sundance steeling green apples. 

A gorgeous yellow swallowtail butterfly; the first I have seen this summer linger in the garden.

There is still garden to work to do, but seriously I am ready to just enjoy what we have accomplished this summer. Today was not a stellar day in the garden, but some days are like that.

Me: I think I should map out my gardens, marking where all the plants are so that when I buy a plant I know where it will go before I get it home.

Him: Not a bad idea.

Me: And sprinkler lines.

Him:

Our Colorado weather has been rather weird this summer. We have had a lot of rain and a very cool June and July. The days have been pleasantly mild, ending with loud thunderstorms, but now I believe the dog days of summer have arrived as 90+ temps are predicted for the next several days. Good thing the sprinkler line got repaired. 

Even as a child, I loved walking around a rain wet garden. Some things we just never outgrow. So barefooted, camera in hand I, wandered about the garden in the rain to see what caught my eye.

The old song "Raindrops keep falling on my head" played in my head.

Using my 75-300mm lens, I was able to capture rain drops pooling on the patio table covered with heavy clear plastic over a table cloth.

 I loved that I was able to capture rain drops in action.

Rain drops on the tiller handle

  

on Echinacea

on a tiger lily bud

 A rain covered patio floor.

Before I leave you, I'd like to invite you to check out my new blog that I have just launched. I hope I can keep up with two blogs; I know that some of you do.

 I was inspired when I restored Heather's doll house this spring. So much so that I am building my own doll house. Jen bought me a kit on Craigslist, but before I start that house, I have ordered a small cottage to learn how to work with the manufactured wood. I have to admit that I have become obsessed with miniatures and building my house, so of course I have to blog about it. My little cottage arrives this week. I will spend daylight in the garden, but I will be working on my house at night.

Stop by Ann's Dollhouse Dreams, if you like. The current post is about Heather's House which you have already seen on this blog. I hope to see you over there, but I know not everyone is into dollhouses. It will be fun to see how the new blog progresses since I will be doing a few things a little differently, such as connecting it to Pinterest more than I do with this blog.  I remember how discouraged I was when I started the Garden Spot. I stressed because it took so long to get followers and comments. Blotanica helped so much and joining another blogger's garden party helped me meet other bloggers. Now as an experienced blogger with a such a lovely group of followers, I can now appreciate the hard work and patience that it takes to get a blog going. You all are my first love.

Have a fabulous week. Thanks for stopping by.