TOADSTOOL ON A STUMP

I am always amazed at how living things can pop up where you least expect them. Today, I found this toadstool growing out of a dead tree stump in my front yard. When I was young and living in Massachusetts, my twin sister and I would hunt for what we liked to call toadstools (sounds a lot more mystical than calling them mushrooms) in the woods. Fall was always the best time to spot them.

GRAPEVINE PERGOLA-UPDATE

Just thought I'd post another picture of the grapevine pergola we built. This is only the begining of summer of year number three. By the end of summer, it should fill in quite nicely.

GRAPEVINE PERGOLA

Our house is south facing and we needed some shade for the patio. I wanted something unusual to provide the shade we needed. My husband went to one of our neighboring towns for lunch and saw this same set up at a burger joint there and decided it was exactly what I was looking for. When I saw it, I fell in love with how it looked. The owner is Greek and told us that where he comes from everyone has grapevines growing over their pergolas. His pergola has been around a few more years so it has filled in a lot more (this is only our second year). Eventually, it will cover the entire pergola for lots of shade and provide us with grapes to eat and make juice out of. Just make sure you plant white or green grapes, not purple or red (very messy).

VERTICAL CUCUMBERS

This is one of my cucumber plants in the garden. When grown vertically, it takes up less space and the bugs find it harder to make a dinner out of it.

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

This year, I though I'd try a little "Square Foot Gardening". My back isn't what it used to be(herniated discs), so bending over for long periods of time can be an issue. My hubby and one of my daughters made these two garden beds for me out of cinderblocks and rebar. I have to admit, they turned out pretty good (even better if you can get your cinderblocks for free). Now I'm able to sit on the side and do my weeding. Be careful though!! The hornets can sometimes build nests in the holes of the cinderblocks. I hadn't realized this until almost too late. It's a good thing one didn't sting me in the "rumproast". How would I explain that one to the neighbors?

I have planted onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I also planted lettuce and peas but we've already harvested those. I leave the "spent" plants in the ground so I don't have to weed so much. I told you I was a lazy gardener.