Patio Sweet Pea and Other New Additions.

My potted Patio Sweet Pea has finally decided to show its color. It was from a mix, so I didn't know what it would become:

A golden zinnia in one of the flower pots:

Another cornflower I believe, this time pink (it has since opened up):

And more Nasturtium, because I can't help myself:

Today's Purchases

Okay, so I saw a so-so trellis in a mail order catalogue for $17.99. I also saw a huge massive arching one for about $25. So I walked myself to True Value and bought this trellis for about $17...no shipping, no handling. It is now plunked down by my Morning Glories. No more broken sticks to climb for my little babies. Maybe I should plant them in ground instead of the pot...before they get too attached and I can't move them.I also broke down and bought some Miracle Grow, because I am absolutely convinced there is no nutritional value to the dirt in front of my apartment. Last year it supported zinnias, petunias and marigolds with no problem, all they needed was sun and water. So like I said, today I broke down and headed to the Miracle Grow isle. I thought the watering can singles would be cheap and easy....not the case. The box of little packets gives you .64 lbs of fertilizer for about six bucks. OR you can buy the a pound box of the same fertilizer (sans individual plastic pouches) for four dollars. Needless to say I bought the pound box, and so far I have used more than half of it.
With the trellis in one hand and the Miracle Grow in the other, I had no more hands with which to carry things and made my way to the check out. Never take a cart, and never take a car if you can help it....you can only have what you can carry. It's a pretty good rule, because there were some pots and some plants that wanted to go home with me too...(the only time to break this rule is when buying large quantities of potting soil, or mulch)

First Blooms of June (and a note on stealing)

My first true bloom of June on Monday the 16th (and one almost there bloom):

More lily blooms have been opening both Tuesday and Wednesday:

Wednesday June 18th....first Nasturtium, Widows tears, and blue something (cornflower maybe?) And the zinnias two days later:

I thought maybe my winter sown marigolds would would have bloomed by now....however that pot has been stolen. Only two of my three orange pots remain. I hope whoever stole my marigolds is enjoying them. I worked hard to raise those babies from seed I saved last fall. They were the only two marigolds to come up from last year's seed. :(

Playing Catch Up (three posts in one day)

A little More West Point....Swearing In and Pinning at Lusk Bridge:

Oh My How They've Grown

I remember Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents always saying 'oh, my you've gotten so big.' I thought they were crazy at the time, but they hadn't seen me in months...so yes, I had gotten so big. Well, I haven't seen my peppers of tomatoes in 9 days, the other plants in over three weeks...and my, how they've grown.

Starting with the front fence...Maiden Pinks in full bloom:


Also at the front fence:

Moving to the backyard...Peppers and Tomatoes... One pepper in a popcorn can. Two tomatoes in the ground. Two peppers and a tomato in the box Dad built:

Morning Glories looking healthy, but nowhere near the fence yet:


Sedum:


I think these came labeled as hardy glads:

These came labeled as Mountain Lilies:

Oh boy, here goes...I've been in New York for about a week...and things have really grown while I was away...but first...a quick tour of the Gardens and Brambles of West Point with some Rambles and family pics thrown in for good measure.

First up, the Superintendent's formal Reception, held at the Superintendent's house in his gardens. There was a formal receiving line and we were all properly introduced. Then refreshments were served and we were able to mix and mingle in the beautiful walled garden:






Next up, we got a bit of a walking tour. We saw Kosciuszko's Garden, built in 1778 for the purpose of rest and meditation. This is on the West Point, with a beautiful view of the Hudson.
Along the walkways, ferns grown right out of the sides of the rock:

We walked down to the docks to take a ferry to Constitution Island out in the middle of the Hudson. We waited on the dock in the hot sun and got quite a bit of sunburn. There is a historical house on the island that used to belong to the Warner family. It was a place where the Cadets used to go visit with the sisters that lived there for Sunday School and cookies and lemonade. There is a Warner Memorial garden along the path to the house. They put bars of Irish Spring Soap on sticks to keep the deer away from the flowers. Prickly Pear Cactus is native to the island:

You can tell West Point is an Army Post. We did lots of waiting. This is taken inside Eisenhower Hall:

We attended the graduation parade on the plain. During this parade, the firsties (seniors) physically and symbolically separate from the rest of the Corps of Cadets. The First Class Cadets can be seen on the left in the foreground. We took family pictures after the parade:

No festive West Point occasion would be complete without a formal dinner and hop. A good meal with family and friends and a little dancing never hurt anybody:

More to come.....