A few apples

For the first time in a long time wh have some golden delicious apples on our tree in the backyard. Our Lab Roxy used to scarf them up and devour them. Now our Lab Bailey is doing the same thing. Usually the squirrels get the small apples before they hit the ground. But looking out the window I can still see a few hanging.
We had a few days of wonderful, cool temperatures but now it's returned to the 90's with humidity. Things are pretty dry. The drought this summer took its toll.

Glimpses

Even though it's still 90 plus degrees out, things are browned out and dried up, there is a tinge of Fall in the air. Am still trying to water some to preserve the perennials but for the most part it's a losing battle.

Our First Nice Sunny Day

Today is Sunday, 8/26/07. It's the first sunny day without intense heat and humidity. It's been a struggle to water and keep the gardens alive. Have lost a couple of bushes. Just couldn't get water to them. The grass is brown and the deer have been eating plants they're not supposed to like.
Critters continue to get up in my bird fountains and topple them. I have four. Three have Twigglers to keep the water moving.
The Climatis are starting to bloom again. But on the whole now is not a pretty time of year. Things look dried up. Lots of tree leaves have fallen.

Roadside Garden

This is an interesting roadside garden that has prospered this summer.

Lilies are Blooming

My B&D lilies are finally opening

The gardens are thriving in all the heat, humidity and sunshine. Plus we're getting just enough rain, the good soaking kind.

Oleander

Found a nice looking Oleander and planted it in a large container and placed it in my front garden. I have several other plants in containers placed around the garden as well. They are more tropical and need to be brought inside at the end of the season. I save myself the work and do not plant them. It cuts down on contamination of bugs. I over winter as many of my plants as I can. The Oleander is doing well and just started to bloom. Since it is highly poisonous, I also need to be able to move it quickly if the dogs jump the fence and get near it. That recently has happened since there is a warren of rabbits in the front garden. Unfortunately, 3 of the 5 immature bunnies have been killed by the dogs. The bunnies are not fast enough at their young age and fell prey to the jaws of both the Lab and the Dalmatian.

Rough Spring

2007 was a difficult Spring in the Midwest and much of the US. The growing season started very early with a about of very warm weather. Everything started growing and blooming early.Then as expected there was a really severe cold snap that stunted everything. Three months later that is now memory. Most plants, trees and shrubs have recovered nicely and blooming and growth is abundant.