Get Inspired this Fall with Miracle-Gro & the Gardenieres

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Hi everyone, today I want to share with you some gardening ideas for the Fall.

I live in the SE part of the country and gardening down here can be tricky when it comes to your soil.

I went over to Gardenieres and Miracle-Gro Facebook page  for great Fall project ideas from none other than real gardeners from around the states.

After viewing all their great tips, I concluded that the area that needs the most work in my garden is my soil.  I chose this project to work on because the secret to a great garden is great soil.

My soil is a combination of clay and sand.  This kind of soil is terrible for growing a garden, due to the lack of nutrients and oxygen in the soil.  So to help my garden grow well this Fall season and next Spring,

I need to dig into my beds about three inches or so and add  moisture control soil by Miracle-Gro.  I can use any combination of soils for different plants and purposes.

For instance, Miracle-Gro Garden Soil can be used for flowers and vegetables especially formulated for annuals, perennials and veggies.  This improves the existing soil to build strong roots and it feeds plants up to three months with Miracle-Gro Continuous Release Plant food.

Another great product to use during feeding time is Miracle-Gro Liqua Feed.  It makes feeding as easy as watering.  It feeds plants through leaves and roots and it is safe to use with all flowers, vegetables, trees and shrubs.  This is perfect for my gardening needs.  

These Miracle Gro products will strengthen my plants' roots, preparing it for Spring during the fall season and it will improve growth and foliage.

I love visiting Miracle-Gro Facebook page because you come across many gardeners across the country with  gardening stories that you can relate to.  They are helpful when it comes to growing anything whether in the garden or in pots.  I recommend that you visit Miracle-Gro Facebook page and "Like" their them for your gardening inspiration and needs.  View the many photos of gardens from all over the country and even add yours.

Are you planting or preparing your garden for the Fall?  Do you have future plans to start your own potting project?  Visit Miracle-Gro Facebook page and share your stories and ideas.

Hope to see you there!

  

Find beauty in the Fall

Gardening in June

I've been out and about in my yard getting the garden ready for summer.

This time of year most gardens have begun to flourish already, I can see all the colors of different

blooms in my flower beds and the energy that we put into gardening all spring really pays off.

However, once planted, the garden needs to be weeded and watered regularly.

You will need to supply your garden with water if it receives less than one inch

of rainfall a week.  I tend to do a rain dance in the hope that we get some rain during the week.

What I have done to control weeds and conserve moisture is to mulch around my plants.

Plants with heavy flowers, or that are very tall, may need some staking by June.

I have found a few of my own that I have supplied with stakes.

The roses you see above are held by stakes.

Peonies with their full blooms can droop to the ground about now, so you may

want to use one or several pole stakes with string depending on how large your plants are.

Annuals such as cosmos and perennials such as foxglove grow tall and may need to be staked as well.  I found that this year my gardenia bushes are full of blooms that make it droop and I have had to supply them with stakes as well.

There is still work to be done and trees to be planted before summer is actually here,

my avocado plants are tall and need to be transplanted, my lemon tree needs a larger pot 

 and our gourd vine which our sweet neighbor gave us, needs a place in the garden as well.

Happy Gardening!

Turtle Rescue Mission

While I was away for a week, my husband and son conducted a rescue mission 

for their friend Mr. Turtle.  Talk about visitors in the spring!

This little guy, well not so little, was found wondering on front of our house.

My first question to them was, where did it come from?

Apparently there are two lakes in the surrounding neighborhood, so this turtle must've
lost his way and needed a little help finding his way back home.
I am aware that many turtles have home ranges, a territory they consider home,
and when relocated, they will search their way back.

Due to all the present dangers for this creature, help is what the snapping turtle got.
The safest way to get him back to his natural habitat was to drive him there.
Even though the lake was at walking distance,  we have to remember,
it was a "snapping turtle" and who wants to hold on to one for long.
So off they went.

Once they had arrived at a nearby lake, they released the turtle and off he went.
My son was so proud to be part of a rescue mission for this creature.

He is an animal lover.  If it were up to him, I think he would have kept this snapping turtle.
But dad explained to him how animals enjoy their freedom.
Have you ever had a strange visitor from the animal kingdom at your home?
Do tell!

I Spy in the Garden

I spy with my little eyes fruits, vegetables, flowers and many butterflies!

This is the first year that I have grown raspberries.  My son and I love it!  They are so tasty and rich in flavor. I also couldn't believe how fast it grows and how quickly it sprouts, it's amazing how the fruits and vegetables vary in growth.  

The peppers are growing at a slow rate this year, I'm not sure why, perhaps it's the heat, the soil, the bugs? 

Now this little tree had been fruitful this year and for that I'm so grateful.  I love key limes!

This summer has been brutal.  Many of the plants, grass and flowers this year have been burned by the sun, no matter how much I water them, they still get dried out. Nothing beats a good rain fall.  Rain is so good for the plants, so I can't wait for the storm to arrive and bring on some rain, we need it!

We have loads of these gorgeous butterflies, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and we just love them!

The garden comes alive with the beautiful butterflies.  I don't see one, nor two, but many all at the same time.  It is magical and beautiful.  Can you tell I'm a city girl?  I can't get enough of these beautiful creatures.

 I spy three butterflies, can you?  These are called Gulf Fritillary.

 Aren't they amazing?

During this time of year you will also see Monarch Caterpillars around your plants.  If you have Monarch Caterpillars in your area, now it's the time to head outdoors and check them out.  I shot a few pictures of a caterpillar and will post them later on.

Enjoy!

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How to Grow Sunflowers

One of the many flowers that we are growing in our garden this year is the sunflower.  

This flower is easy to plant and it does well on it's own, so there is very little

 maintenance.  My son has taken the pleasure of planting his own sunflowers 

around a couple of flower beds and he is a proud little gardener as he watches 

them grow.

If you want to grow your own sunflowers, here is what you need to do:

Buy a packet of sunflower seeds from your local garden store.

Sunflower seeds are best sown outdoors directly into the garden. 

For individual planting, put the seedling or seeds in just about any sunny location.  

Make sure they are visible from your deck, porch and windows; 

you will want a good view for these lovely flowers.

Whether you plant directly outdoors or transplant them, 

make the final spacing as follows:

• Giants: Space three feet apart in rows three to four feet apart.
• Regular/Intermediate sizes: Space two feet apart in rows three feet apart.
• Miniatures: Space one foot apart in rows three feet apart.
  
  Poke your finger into the soil making a small hole in the
  ground and plant one seed then cover with soil.
   After planting, cover them with a screen,
  as the birds and animals love to dig the seeds out.
  You can also start them in a seedbed and transfer them when they are small.
  
  Sunflower plants grow well in average to rich soils. They need to grow their roots deep and wide, to enable them to withstand strong winds. If you have a choice, sandy soils are not recommended, as they are easily uprooted in loose soil. Rich soil is important when growing giant varieties.
  
  You can protect the sunflowers against birds and squirrels by covering the entire flower with an old nylon stocking, a cheese cloth bag or any other covering that allows light and especially air to flow through.  Do not use plastic bags, it will rot your plant.
  
  These lovelies have grown pretty fast in our yard.
  Do you know that sunflowers face the direction of the rising sun?   
  These flowers will make your yard look beautiful and you may also
  use them to adorn your home with cuttings.
  
  
  
  
  Hope that you enjoy growing your own sunflowers this summer.
  What flowers are you growing in your garden this year?
  
  Linked to:
  
  Savvy Southern Style #83

Time to Get Dirty

This is what we did for fun just the other day, play with dirt!  I know, I know, he'll get dirty but...

dirt can be the most delightful play item in nature.  It washes away from your hair, clothes, skin, and toenails, so I don't worry about my child getting a bit messy when outdoors.  I'm not concerned about stains, I just designate play clothes that are allowed to get dirty and keep in mind that a few stains are a small price to pay for the benefits of the imagination and creative play outdoors in the fresh air.  The important thing is to encourage my little one to play freely, without fear of getting dirty. 

He's a boy and he loves dirt, so why not let him enjoy it, after all I remember doing the same thing when I was a kid. 

We had all sorts of fun with dirt, we created walls made of mud, mud cake,  mud puddles, mud pies, channel of water and more.  The smile and satisfaction on my child's face is priceless.  

 He can play with dirt, he can play with mud, he can play with the hose, he can play with bugs and discover all that nature has to offer.

This stimulates creative play and problem solving.

After all that fun we discovered this little guy, 

well not so little, but look at how amazing this grasshopper looks. We photographed him, then set him free. I'm not of bug person, but sometimes you have to step out of the box, you know.

It's amazing how much you can discover in your own backyard or the park. 

Have you tried exploring the outdoors with your kids? 

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Life in the Back Yard

Upon our return home from the Big Apple, we found these lovelies in our back yard.

Blue Hydrangeas, beautiful aren't they?

We used Hydrangeas for the bridesmaids bouquets on my wedding day.  That was 12 years ago, wow! 

 New pink hydrangeas...

New roses and other beautiful plants...

...and new guests.

Baby birds are so precious, my son was so excited to see these little ones.

Can you tell that we love exploring our yard, it's always full of surprises.

Do you ever explore the surroundings of your house, apartment building...

What's in your backyard?

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Flowers & Travel

The flowers are growing and blooming and looking rather pretty.  I just wanted to 

share a couple of photos from my growing garden, I hope that you don't mind.

We are preparing for our travels and are taking care of the needs of our plants 

before we go.  

Always prepare when traveling to make sure that your plants will be taken care of.  

You may want to have someone water them for you or check that the sprinkler system 

is working properly, check that the misters are functioning around the flower beds, 

and that all the timers are set for watering.

For potted plants that you have indoors, you may want to take them out 

with the others or have a friend take care of them, it all depends on how long you 

will be gone. I hope that you enjoy the lovely blooms above from my growing 

garden and enjoy your travels.

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A Day Gardening

Oh look!  I got my camera back, yay! 

I spy with my little eyes a turtle in the sky.

Whoopee! My roses are back! I love them and their fragrances are divine.

Today was gorgeous, the sky was clear, a gentle breeze cooled our faces and the sun was radiant.  A perfect day for gardening.

 I removed weeds around the beds, and I have more to pull out, they are so stubborn.

  I planted more flowers, peppers and tea roses.  I mixed organic matter in the soil and layered the top portion with garden soil hoping it will strengthen the root system of these new plants. 

 As I pulled weeds, my little garden helper, re-planted them in small plastic containers.  He was so proud of his handy work.

With so much work in the garden, it was making us quite warm.

 My little guy took his warm clothes off and came out to the yard in his swim trunks.  We splashed a bit while the plants were getting watered and enjoyed every moment.

Are you planting anything this spring?  

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Spring is Coming!

I opened the door and felt the glorious rays of the sun on my skin, I took several steps forward outside and felt the warm breeze hit my face and heard the beautiful song of all the birds among the trees...

I looked to my left and noticed our little tree blooming, such beautiful buds and little blooms on all the branches...

...new life!  

Spring is around the corner and I want to plant and work on the yard.  I'm excited to start growing my fruits, vegetables and fragrant flowers again this year.  The weather is so unpredictable, that I have to wait until I know for sure there will be no frost.  Patience is virtue!  So I'll wait and admire the trees and other colorful blooms and when time permits, I can start my garden. 

Do you have plans to grow anything in the Spring?