Gardening. It never ends, at least according to my husband that is. Secretly, I think he’s hoping for snow. 😉
I don’t even know where to begin. This past week it seems like my gardening never ends. But sort of in a good way. I think.
The good news is, we laid down the rest of the weed barrier in the garden. This last patch we just finished will be for the corn and winter squash. Both of which should be ready to plant in the garden early next week.
I started all our corn and squash seedlings in containers on the front and back porches this year because for some reason, the robins around here LOVE pulling up tender seedlings.
The HH also pounded the last of the 7 foot stakes into the ground so I could hang up the rest of the trellis netting. So far I’ve planted pole beans, English cucumbers and a few mini squash seeds.
Jack Be Littles!
Jack Be Littles are one of my favorite pumpkins to grow. I hope I get a bumper crop this year.
A view of the religious family sized garden {5,200 square feet!} from the driveway. The right side still needs to be planted.
Meanwhile up in the kitchen garden things are starting to get out of control. There are plants and seedlings everywhere! Poor Lucy, she barely has room to walk around on her patrols.
We are still swimming in French breakfast radishes {and I’ve sold a few bunches too}.
And it looks like salad might be on the menu in another week or so.
And then of course there is the latest project.
The rock garden? {We seem to be coming up with new projects daily.}
Short version: This spot used to be filled with an ugly old diseased tree and lots and lots of weeds. I asked the HH if he could “clean up the area” so I could plant something there and well, what I figured would take an hour or two took him 2 days to accomplish.
Men. They have their own special way about going about things.
First he used Manny and then the tractor and well, the bottom line is now I have this new beautiful space {that I didn’t have to lift a finger on} to plant.
So who cares how long it took to clear out the bed, right? 😉 The good news is he got all the nasty roots out {and did a much better job than I would have done!}.
Now comes the hard part. What to plant. I still have no idea what I want to put in that space. Maybe load it with perennial flowers? Hmmm.
And last but not least, does anyone know what this flower is? It’s growing all along the roadside and neither The Duck Lady or I know what it is. {And I want to plant it in my garden.}
Well, that’s what’s happening here in Mid-Coast Maine. What’s new in the garden at YOUR place?
Have you planted your corn and squash yet?
~Mavis
Wendy C says
We had to replant some of our bean and pea seeds as about half did not sprout. We got that done and got the tomatoes staked. Hubby has been tilling between the rows, but I need to get out and hoe around the plants. Not harvesting anything yet, but the blueberries are about to be ready to pick in earnest. We won’t have many blackberries this summer, just a few to pick and eat, but next summer should be much better. Other than that we are just weeding, watching, and waiting.
Linda says
I believe it’s wild phlox, we have it growing along roads here also.
Nancy says
Maybe Dame’s Rocket? I would absolutely go with perennials in the rock garden!
BettafrmdaVille says
Yes, my phone is also telling me that it is Dame’s Rocket.
Brianna says
Dame’s Rocket. It is considered invasive in Maine and many states.
Jill says
The flower is called Dame’s Rocket I think and it’s considered invasive. It’s everywhere here. It has a lot of seeds and crowds out other native species.
Susan says
I think your roadside flower might be fireweed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaenerion_angustifolium
The Duck Lady says
Definitely not fire weed.
Lindsey says
Agree. I live in Alaska where fireweed is EVERYPLACE. This is not fireweed.
Kim says
Could be wild phlox!
Audj says
Looks like Dames Rocket which is an invasive weed. Phlox however looks similar (5 petals instead of 4) and blooms around the same time and would be a good option.
Rosemary says
I planted corn and the ears are getting nice and full. It shouldn’t be much longer before I can pick them. Our chickens love corn-on-the-cob (and we do too). I also grew sunflowers for the chickens, but they didn’t seem to go after those. Yes, our chickens are spoiled . . . I hope they appreciate what I do for them . . . Ha ha ha (We do enjoy their eggs!)
Maureen says
It’s likely Dame’s Rocket and very invasive. It’s on the Maine list of invasive plants (I looked it up to make sure it’s a problem there too). Maybe plant some garden phlox for a similar, but later in the season, bloom.
That size garden would kill me-you guys are sure ambitious!
Mary says
There is a perennial called garden phlox that is similar looking. Make sure whatever you plant is deer resistant.
Annette says
I lost a tree and made that spot into a berm of perennials.
My favorite is butterfly milkweed. Great for pollenators and beautiful.
Mel says
I was going to suggest a mini pollinator/bird feeding garden with bird bath, etc. for that spot. Things like purple coneflower are great for pollinators and then also feed the birds later when they go to seed.
Janice says
Great idea!
Christine says
Phlox has 5 petals and dame’s rocket has 4, which is a quick way to differentiate. Dame’s rocket is also edible, and since it is labelled an invasive in many places, you can feel good about harvesting liberally.
Angie says
Lots of things are going well in my garden and some….well not so much. On the positive side I have green tomatoes growing on almost every one of my tomato plants. I have lost two plants this year and it is possible that I may lose two more. If so I will replace those lost with seedlings so that I don’t lose time. Peppers of all kinds are also growing like mad, peas are coming along, radishes are growing and flowers have sprung up all over the place. Judging by the amount of flowers on our green beans we should be swimming in them within the next week or so. Squash and zucchini are also moving along nicely and I have never seen such huge blackberry bushes.
On the negative side, none of my cucumber or Nasturtium seeds have broken the soil and only one variety of corn has emerged. I am still hoping and praying the remainder of the field peas that I planted and the second crop of green beans will continue to germinate. I love gardening but since each seed is like a child I get a bit impatient to see them struggle. Looking forward to large patches of healthy green loveliness from our garden in the next weeks.
In other news my boxer pup seems to thinks that she loves to eat my flowers. Thankfully the gardens are fenced in but my flower beds are another story. So far she likes Marigolds, Periwinkles, Petunias, lantana, verbena, and begonias. Let’s hope she grows out of this horrible trait.
Joan says
Hesperus matronalis ie. dame’s violet/rocket
Sue S. says
I don’t know what it is but it grows along the highways and medians of highways from here (New England) to North Carolina. It’s beautiful and you could call the county extension service for some ID help.
Sue S. says
I would put some lavender in your rock garden. Then you could harvest it and make sachets. Also how about some hardy roses or rosehip (beach roses). You can make beach plum jelly from the harvest.
Sharon Steere says
Mavis, This is Phlox. It is a beautiful flower and smells so sweet. It reminds me of my grandparents who had a lot full of the phlox. Most of them were this lavender color. I have seen pink and white, It likes full sun and it will travel out of shady areas into the sunshine!
I enjoy reading your blog and you have inspired me to start one of my own. It’s in the works anywat!
Katherine says
You should look for native perennials for your area.
Betty says
Mavis where did you purchase your 7 ft high netting ? Could it also be used for peas and pole beans?
Mavis Butterfield says
Amazon, but any garden center would have it.
Amber from Ontario says
Your rock garden area would be perfect for low growing rock garden plants, like succulents that are low maintenance, and like hot dry locations. Lavender would also be a good choice, and Rose Campion. It would be easy to grow some herbs here too, since they like it hot and dry too.
I have a butterfly garden near my back porch, on the side of my large kitchen garden. I like to sit on the porch and see the butterflies. Also, it is good to have a pollinator garden near your vegetables, and fruits, so they will be pollinated! Personally, I love butterfly weed in both orange and yellow. This is wonderful combined with a deep pink creeping phlox in front. Purple coneflower is also good in clumps. I would not grow really tall things that will hide that nice rock. I grow large orange red, double frilly perennial oriental poppies around some similar rocks in a rock garden. I like the look of them coming up between the rocks. Across the lawn , in the background I have mature dark purple lilacs that bloom at the same time. This is a pleasant colour combination. During the summer nasturtiums in red, yellow, orange and red fill in the bed, and both the leaves and flowers are edible. I grow these from seeds planted directly in the ground, but cover the ground with some chicken wire for awhile to prevent squirrels from digging them up!
If you do want something tall there, I would use Mexican Sunflower (tithonia). It gets about 4 or 5 ft. tall, and has a bright orange flower. They do attract butterflies, especially Monarchs. I grow them from seed I start in the house, since the plants are hard to find. This is an annual. Buddleia davidii, or Butterfly Plant is a woody shrub that is lovely and comes in pink, or mauve shades. The flowers are very fragrant. It is not winter hardy here in Ont. and they tend to be expensive.
Just a suggestion, but I would grow a few pollinator plants in your large religious garden. That adds beauty, and results in better pollination, and a more productive harvest. You could use something like tithonias, and even common sunflowers here and there against the fence.
Your gardens are looking wonderful, and I follow your blog with great interest, and enjoyment!!!