Choice Morsels

For me, here in northwest Florida, mid-February to the end of March is my window for edging and mulching all my beds while my grass hasn't fully awakened from it's winter sleep.  I say this because I have southern creeping grass, like Centipede & St. Augustine, that is relatively easy to move while it's brown, but horrible to adjust once it's fully greened in and a thick mat. Edging it now makes edging stray grass runners is easier later. Usually, I use mowings for mulch, but it helps to put down a base of pine bark mulch every couple years, then layer the mowings on top of that. This year, I'm laying down the pine bark mulch again.  Finished End of New Block Retaining Wall: I added these red scallop edged blocks on the outer edge to separate the dirt around the tree from the blocks forming the pad for the trash bin.   This, of course, involved moving those blocks over two inches! Then I added Liriope (pronounced la-rye-a-pee). It blooms purple flowe...

  Greetings! It's been quite dry here for several weeks, so I've not been mowing. But today---a good chance some rain is predicted, so I mowed today---though, not a complete mow.  More a spot mow where grass was long and still green. Where it's dry I left it alone. Everyday, I'm picking fat blackberries and putting them in a container in a freezer. I have making fresh blackberry jam in mind.   Today's Garden Pics: First up, my "monster" Hardy Hibiscus. This plant is over 8 feet tall---uncommonly tall for the breed, which normally runs only 3 to 4 feet in height max. It's been tall like this ever since I first sprouted it's seed and planted 4 years ago and it consistently comes back this height every year. I keep it tied to a pole and staked on 3 sides to keep it upright. It's gorgeous when it comes into bloom, which will be soon. Also it and the Pampas Grass next to it make a fantastic natural fence between us and our neighbors l...