Adventures in Hypertufa

I have wanted to try making a hypertufa trough ever since I saw my first one at a plant swap a few years ago.  Barbara and I decided during the long winter months that we would give it a go in the spring since it takes a few weeks to cure enough to plant in.  I'm condensing our steps but here's the link for the directions I used.  http://www.efildoog-nz.com/hypertufa.htm

First we chose some regular cardboard boxes for the trough and some old mixing bowls for the others.

Next we combined 2 parts peat, one part portland cement and one part sand.  Look at Barbara go!

Add water till you reach "mud pie" consistency...this looks like "mud pie "consistency to me!

Now to get our hands dirty! (gloves help)

Looks Good to me!

Stones add a decorative touch.

24 hours later the unveiling...

Roughing and smoothing the edges with a wire brush makes it look aged.

This is not a project for lazy people!  Barb and I thought we could whip these out in no time but it took a few hours.  I guess if we had a crew like Martha Stewart has to do the supply gathering and mixing it would have been more fun.  I'm glad we stuck with it.  Now we have these great planters and even better memories of good times spent as sisters!

Peek-A-Boo I see YOU!

Today is nasty and overcast but that didn't stop me from checking to see what is peeking out of the ground!

I have about 4 different varieties of later daffodils which are teasing me with their fat buds!

I am trialing a tip I saw in one of my (many) garden books.  Obviously using 6 pack holders to (hopefully) keep my peonies from a mud facial during their peak bloom time.

Saturday I relocated some shamrocks.  They will be a nice edger to view as I pass through my white arbor.

This native sedum is freshening up.  It makes me smile to see it "pouring" from the spout!

I would really love this wisteria if it would bloom!  I keep thinking..."maybe this year."  I am enjoying the purple hyacinths at the base of it.

No Pixie is not laughing at me...she found a nut to mouthe on!

I am impressed with the vigor of this native columbine.  This is my first time to grow it and it seems to be thriving in a difficult spot. 

Garden Blogger's Bloom Day March

Time for another bloom day!  Seems like it rolled around faster than I thought it would.  I also thought I would have more blooms by this time-- but hey, I'm content with what I have.  First up is the bloom commonly cropping up in my yard (cemetarius blowover2us)  LOL  We live across from the cemetery and are always getting some stray silk flowers "blooming" in our yard.  They are very frost resistant!

Now for the real blooms!  Here's my white lenten rose-

My pink lenten rose-

My mini daffodil which was given to me and I don't know the name-- only that I'm thrilled to see a bloom for the first time!

Winter jasmine-

I also have winter honeysuckle blooms which don't photograph well for me.  See you in April!

Ready, Set, Yard Sales!

There is only one thing that gets my heart rate up faster than the first blooms of spring...the first yard sales of spring!!  I bought this old galvanzed bucket last year and finally got around to painting it this cool green color.  It was missing something so I called on Barb (my artsy sister) and look how she jazzed it up!  I can just see it with a big fat pink geranium sitting in it.

Just this past Saturday I thought I'd check the paper to see if any sales were advertised.  I thought it would be a long shot-- but there were a couple.  I bought this (heavy) concrete pitcher at an estate sale.  I paid $18 (which is a bit much for me) but I really thought it was pretty.  Actually I'm sure it was worth it; it is in great shape.  I already have it sitting in its place of honor by my white arbor.

Crocus and Croakers

Ah, the sounds of spring!  Just in the past few nights have I heard the springtime song of the "peeper" frogs.  I
was surprised to find one last night resting on the arm of my porch chair!  Please stick around and eat some of those horrid japanese ladybugs!

Now for the sights of spring.  I was happy to see this little purple fella-

My variegated sedum is stretching out further-

White hellebores are just catching up with the pink ones-

Tulip in my tire planter testing the air-

Purple hyacinth is not sure just yet-

Pink lenten rose has added some blooms for company-

It is amazing how just a few warm days and rain can bring on spring!  It only gets better from here!  Stay tuned....

The Pine Trees Foretell Easter

My SIL Donna sent me this in email form.  I had never heard it before and was very touched by it.  Enjoy.
http://wandascountryhome.com/pinetrees/index