Project #2 - Mostly Done

 I've spread nearly all the loam and have sown my first round of crimson clover seed.

There's about 2 yards of loam left and we're going to lose that on mom's front lawn, I think.  It's getting there.  I didn't plant any clover in the middle section because we went to a local plant sale last weekend, and I was able to cross reference all the plants I purchased with a toxic-or-not-to-cats database as well as research the depth of their roots beforehand.  I have a bevvy of shallow rooted, cat safe perennials to plant inside the circle.

We just came out of a brutal heat wave and my garden isn't faring well.  Tender cool weather crops bolted in the heat, and much of my garden was mowed down by a woodchuck.  I cannot get over how much devastation that little bugger managed to do in such a short amount of time!  I've been using home-made garlic spray and some store-bought stinky granules, and they seem to work.  As soon as we get a thunderstorm or I water the garden, it's washed away and I need to re-apply.  

There are some success stories, though.  Once again my onions and shallots are doing great.  My tomatoes have green fruit, and my cucumbers are flowering like crazy.  The carrots I planted in the stock tank are simply amazing - I'd forgotten how good a carrot just pulled from the earth smells.  The mules are very happy to have these tasty treats.  And I'm very happy to say the ornamental corn I'm growing in pots is doing fantastic!  I'm just hoping the raccoons don't ransack it if it actually produces some ears of corn.

My perennial beds are loaded with color.  I've been mapping the beds, numbering the plants, and photographing the flowers.  I'm determined to have every plant in my care properly identified...which is more difficult than it sounds.  

elecampane

liatris

pink tiger lily

straw foxglove

delphinium

back to front - bitterroot, veronica, English daisy

bee balm

filipendula

so. many. daylilies!

    

stargazer lily

My tractor guy was out here last week and reset the posts that the tree company pulled, so that's done.  He dug the preliminary hole for my pond, too.  It's going to be somewhat smaller than I anticipated, but I can always add another down the road.  I need to get that started, and finish the gravel patio ends.  I feel the pressure of mid-summer, when daylight begins to wane sooner and the threat of winter seems to haunt my every waking hour.  Every moment is precious right now, and I'm trying to get at least a portion of my to-do list taken care of.  Rush, rush, rush, tick-tock, tick-tock.