Well, he did it. After researching riding mowers {and tractor attachments} for nearly 4 months my husband finally bought a mower. A PUSH MOWER!!! Bahahaaaa! I nearly fell over when he brought it home. Because seriously, wasn’t he the one who said we weren’t going to bring our old push mower with us because it would take 4 DAYS TO MOW THE LAWN with it? YES, that is what he said.
Mowing totally isn’t my deal {I have enough to do around here!} but in case you were wondering, the mower has a 30″ deck and it took him 2 1/2 hours to mow both the front and back with it. 😉 So you know, I guess he won’t have to worry about getting exercise during the summer months. 😉
He said he couldn’t justify spending money on both a riding mower and a tractor {apparently the backyard is too hilly and would have tight turns in some spots for a tractor mowing attachment? I don’t know, I think that’s what he said}. WHATEVER. He’s happy, so I’m happy, and now all he needs is his tractor and the wood splitter and he’s good to go on the manly man project front. Husbands. They’re a funny lot.
Can you identify the mystery plant of the week? We’ve got a bunch of these plants with yellow flowers, whatever they are. Update: The plant is Cushion Spurge Euphorbia.
And how about this red flowering bush? Any ideas on what it could be? Red Flowering Quince! {And now I know thanks to all you super sleuths!}
Professional aerating services provided by Lucy the Puggle Dog.
She occasionally offers 2 for 1 deals on her pest detection services.
I’m still waiting to get a quote on her snake catching rates.
The last few days I’ve been working on getting the area in front of our fence {that faces the road} weeded and planted with sunflower seeds. Pussy willow, lilac and double bridal wreath spirea bushes dot the fence line and since I had planned on growing sunflowers for sale this summer at my little pop up stand, I thought this would be a great spot to plant seeds.
I’ll be planting ProCut White Nite sunflowers on the road side of the fence and ProCut Orange Excel sunflowers on the side of the fence that faces our backyard. I’ll also plant a packet of Jack Be Little pumpkins and some Bird House Gourd seeds along the fence line as well so they’ll be able to climb up the wire and spread out. Remember that post on Emily’s decorative bird house gourds? I thought it might be a fun winter project to try.
The cherry blossoms are out in full force these days {I’ve counted 3 cherry trees so far} and so are a bunch of other trees and bushes. 
And the azalea bushes are going crazy too!
As for the vegetable garden; beans, chard, turnips, beets, onions and peas are up. The carrots are just breaking through the soil and I planted my tomato plants in the ground last week and they are still looking good.
And surprisingly, the peppers I started from seed that have been sitting on the back porch for the last 2 weeks, those are doing marvelous as well. Just as soon as I get a spot cleared for them I’ll get them in the ground.
SUMMER… and fresh garden veggies are just around the corner. Can you believe it?
Keep calm and garden on,
~Mavis
Tamara says
Not sure on the yellow, but the red looks like quince.
Practical Parsimony says
Yes, the red is quince. My neighbor cut mine.. She said it was hers.
Julia says
I agree on Quince.
Connie says
The red-blossomed plant is Quince, I believe.
Julia Park Tracey says
Yes, flowering quince. No fruit, alas.
Jeanie says
I also think the red is flowering quince but the yellow is some sort of sedum?
Cathy says
St. John wort I’m thinking is the yellow
Love the progress you’ve been making
Gardening looks great
Breanne says
The plant with the yellow flowers is cushion spurge.
Deb says
I agree with the cushion spurge…it will turn red in the fall, however it may get leggy in the heat of the summer in which case just cut it back to the ground and it will grow again…it won’t bloom but it will be neater. Are you sure that white is a cherry? Looks like apple or crabapple to me. I’d have to sniff it to tell!
Peg says
Yes on the spurge
Teresa says
Be Careful! Cushion Spurge is toxic. Wear long sleeves and gloves when you prune it! Do a little research before hand.
Hazel says
All spurges have sap that’s irritant rather than toxic.
Wearing gloves is good advice. You can be fine for years and then suddenly get a reaction from contact with it.
Alison says
Yes, I think the “cherry” may be apple or crabapple too!
Jean says
I agree
Judy Johnson says
Yes, Euphorbia / spurge can be noxious and invasive. You may want to eliminate it….
E in Upstate NY says
The red flower is Quince, a member of the rose family, I believe, with the thorns. A well behaved plant in that the clump will only get fatter. [ You won’t find new plants across the yard, hence well behaved.] If you want to share it or have more plants, just dig part of the clump. It transplants well. As with other spring flowering plants, trim only when the flowers drop. Trim in the summer or fall, and you will lose spring flowers. That said, the plant handles a severe “hair cut” well if you feel your bush requires it.
Along with forsythia, branches force well, bringing in early spring into the house.
The fruit are green round balls approx. 3″ diameter. One year I made quince jelly. They were hard to cut open and peeling was impossible. No need for pectin as it naturally has its own. And it was very tart, even with massive amounts of sugar.
When my boys were young, they enjoyed picking the fruit and launching them with baseball bats. After my jelly making experience, they were allowed to pick at their will. Be aware that dropped fruit and lawn mowers are not friends.
That said, this is one of my favorite spring blooming bushes.
Cameron Vallentyne says
I agree with the red blossoms being quince
Em says
Thanks for the lawnmower update!
And I love seeing the plants and identification.
Still excited for you!
Peggy says
I would think the yellow topped plant is an herb? Garter snakes are great to have in the garden, they eat all sorts of little bug and critters. 🙂
MEM says
Yes! to the Garter Snake! You are lucky to have them. Hopefully Lucy knows they are her friends.
Carrie says
Love the Garter Snake! I wish I had more snakes around my house. My neighbors kill whatever they find even after I offered to remove any snake (venomous or not). We are in close proximity and all have a rat problem….. 🙁
Travis says
Rat Bait Stations. Available at home depot. Refillable too, About 13 bucks ea., comes with lots of bait.
Solved my rat problem for good.
Rubie Morin says
Please no rat bait stations! They may seem like Lucy could not get into them and get any of the bait, but I lost a wonderful dog a few years ago that was poisoned by rat poison – she had been finding dead rats, so have to believe that she got “second-hand” poison from a rat she found dead already. Bummed!
And you do not want to kill snakes needlessly – that is a gopher snake and they are great rat destroyers!
Travis says
Rats have to die. The third gen poisons available to consumers are quite unlikely to harm a pet, even if they consume the stomach contents of poisoned pests. Keeping the population under control with poison actually reduced the chances. In any case, it is a simple shot from a vet to counteract any ingested poison.
I have three dogs that live mostly outside, and have always had lots of animals around here, and have never had a problem.
The really harmful poisons cannot be purchased in small quantities (at least here in ga, dept. of agriculture regulations). You have to buy big drums of it, and be licensed. These are usually put into “throw packs” and tossed by pro exterminators into attics and crawlspaces to get rid of the various rodents that infest houses. Lots of squirrels. I shoot the squirrels. Poison the rats and mice….
Diana N. says
No need to use poisons any longer. I had a terrible rat infestation last year and bought an electronic rat catcher. Looks like a mini mailbox, has 3 metal sections on the bottom that detect when the rat goes in it. Operated by batteries. Put bait in the back of it (I used dry dog food – they’re addicted to it), they go in it and then get zapped. I killed 3 in one night with mine – as well as MANY others. No muss, no fuss, no worries about your dogs and cats. I was able to get the varmints gone and they haven’t been back…
Shari says
Mavis, I love your blog. But please stop sharing pictures of Lucy’s kills. They may be a pest in your yard but they have a place in the ecosystem too and it’s not necessary to celebrate their demise.
Shari Harniss says
This Shari approves of chronicling Lucy’s wonderful hunting skills. Just remember, Lucy is only doing what is in her nature- just like the critters she catches!
Go Lucy, go!
Teresa says
Lucy is earning her keep. Becoming a “country” dog. I have a Rat Terrier that keeps my yard free of racoons, opossums, squirrels, rats and mice. It’s what she been bred to do. Much more humane than poisons.
Diane says
I love seeing the pictures of Lucy digging for varmints. She’s doing a good job. But I have to agree that I don’t want to see close up pictures of dead animals. Ick. Enough to just say that she’s ridding the yard of them. I’m guessing Mavis might end up with a barn cat eventually to keep mice and rats out of the buildings, but I wouldn’t want to see close ups of dead rats either.
Sata says
Agreed. I am one post away from not visiting anymore due the dead animal posting.
Amy says
I agree with you.
Travis says
Never go to the blog called “small dead animals” then….. 🙂
Gee says
Aw, c’mon. Is it okay for Lucy to kill the little buggers as long as you don’t have to look at it?
In that case, I hope when HH gets his first buck this fall, it shows up tied to the hood of their car. 🙂
Sluggy says
Ya know, it might be worth your time to take some photos or samples and go seek out your local county extension agent to id your plants.
Kimmy says
I think Mavis is posting the pictures to the blog because it’s fun! I like to guess at the plants, and then read the comments to see what the consensus is.
Lola says
It takes me 2ish hours to mow my yard too. Lots of crazy hills to deal with and it’s not even that big. That’s not including ending or any other clean up.
Diana says
Wow, Quince! I have one in my yard and never knew what it was. It is a lovely bush; particularly when it blossoms, but ouch, those thorns. I appreciate the tips on dividing and transplanting it, too.
Crystal says
I’m surprised hearing people say their quince has thorns. I have had flowering quince for thirty years and have never noticed it having thorns. I wonder if there are different varieties which are thorn-less?
Tisha says
The plant with yellow flowers looks to be euphoria polychroma. Wonderful plant but be careful, the sap can burn the skin. Animals tend to let it be.
Kay Bonikowsky says
Yellow plant – euphorbia?
Helen in Meridian says
I enjoy seeing what a natural huntress Miss Lucy has become. Hunt on…Lucy.
Melissa A Schulze says
Me too!!
Alison says
Another vote for not being bothered by Lucy’s hunting. Glad she is enjoying her new home!
FarmGirl says
Our rat terrier digs the moles up too. She brings them to the house and leaves them in our pathway for us to find. I think it is awesome! She is doing a good job. Moles tear up yards, gardens, etc. They also eat earthworms and other creepy crawlies that are good for gardens. I love all of your posts!!
C says
Flowering quince and cushion spurge
Lissa says
Sounds like the HH made a good decision….but YES…husbands are weird 🙂
Our cat used to bring presents to the front steps. gross. But she was so proud of her generosity.
Springtime is so beautiful at your house.
I bought a small sampler to give rug hooking a try. Watching videos. I don’t know how you do it without a stand 🙂
Amazed by your skill
BETTY D says
Mavis….
I so love your dream place and the gardening. It great to be leaning of
all these plants etc.
We have issues with moles also….you might want to get some wind mills as
many people in the South use them in there yards as when the fans turn
from the wind blowing it causes a vibration in the ground and help deter
moles….you might need more than one….
Thanks so much with sharing the pros / cons of your life moving etc..So
love it.
Terri says
How will you keep up with all that garden and yard? I’d need help!
You don’t want to lose your garter snakes. They like worms and slugs and are very garden friendly.
Ellen C. says
Moles are beneficial to a garden. Read this article –
http://old.post-gazette.com/sports/outdoors/20020324shal0324p6.asp
Also, snakes are beneficial.
Mary Neathway says
The yellow plant is definitely euphorbia… also known as spurge. I have it in my garden and like it because it doesn’t ask much of me.
Jen says
Free app called PlantSnap. You take a photo and it tells you what the plant is.
Travis says
iNaturalist is another pretty good one for android.
renay says
The pretty dark pink/red looks like a quince.
Shepherds Daughter says
Thanks Mavis for your interesting postings. Much ado make about the Puggle dogs catches but for those of us southern California suburbanites it was interesting to actually see what one looks like up close. They are very cute but I’m sure quite a pest if they are everywhere. Better left to Beatrix Potter’s and Tasha Tudors illustrations I’d bet. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, tips, recipes, crafts and adventures with us. Gratefully, Shepherds Daughter
KCB says
Be careful w/the critters Lucy gets. Our dog got a severe (and expensive) case of pancreatitis from ingesting part of her catch. It was really serious! You new place is lovely!
Cherri says
The yellow plant is euphorbia, it is in the poinsettia family. I have several of them in my yard and love them. I always get compliments on them.
Barbara Gantt says
‘Quince are a fruit. They look like a werid apple. You can mak e a delicious jelly from quince. They are beautiful when flowering. They arent readdy to pick til fall.
Tracy says
The beautiful yellow plant is Euphorbia, variety ‘Polychroma’. Euphorbia are fantastic and come in many different colors. The yellow ‘flowers’ are not true flowers at all, but bracts.
Linda says
I love YOUR blog, and figure you can post whatever you want to post, within legal limits. Pictures of dead animals aren’t my thing, but, hey, I have a sense of humor.
So many beautiful plants you are finding! Your house and yard look fantastic. Do keep in mind next year that this year was unusually warm for New England. I’m thinking I’ll go buy some Euphorbia. It is really beautiful.
We have a Deere riding mower, but my husband loves using our self propelled mover – says it is his exercise. I’m the one who generally uses the rider. (We have 3 lawns to mow) Our grandson pays for a gym membership. My husband has offered to give him a better workout here – there is wood to split and grass to mow, and gutters to clean and always something to paint or fix. So far, he has declined. He wants to look ripped, not torn.
I have daffodils that need to be dug up and replanted. Would you be willing to loan out Lucy for the digging? My little Chiweenie doesn’t dig, but he’d love Lucy.
Mama Cook says
Linda-Yes!!!! Your comment on “getting a better workout” on your property made me laugh! When we were suburbanites, my hubby had a membership to the local gym…after moving to our little farm, he lost 20 lbs and now refers to it as “Cathcart Crossfit”! LOL!!!
(Such a more satisfying workout as well!)
Nancy D says
Yes! Two thumbs WAY up for anybody who chooses to buy a push mower (even a self-propelled one) with all the riding mower choices available!!! I personally love mowing. It’s therapeutic for me and looks so nice when I’m done and I get some exercise. Congrats to the HH for making a good choice!
Andrea says
St Johns wort
Debbie - MountainMama says
Yellow plant is cushion spurge and red flowering bush is flowering quince. You can make quince jelly with the fruit.
Cass says
I would not encourage Lucy to kill the snakes. Snakes are NOT vegetarians, they eat meat….they especially love the meat in all those plant eating rodents in your area. Just know that you have snakes in the area and practice not screeching loud enough to scare the neighbors when one startles you and let them be. If you have some extra rocks make a nice pile of them at the end of your veggie garden for them to live in and harvest more produce than the rodents do.