2013 Goals/Accomplishments

Olivia White Hospice Garden

Goals/Accomplishments for 2013 Season

Usual garden maintenance (bringing out hardscape, weeding, watering, planting (annuals and lost perennials), repairing and adding drip lines, repairing walkways, general garden maintenance, composting, harvesting vegetable for the home).  Worked 2 weekdays (Mon. & Thurs.) and one occasional Saturday a month.

-Drip lines repaired and added to the north Switzer Canyon Bed, and all new plantings

-Drip in front ½ circle partially dug up with suspected leak  (near mailbox). Bed replanted and                      mailbox repaired and moved to north Switzer Bed.

-All walkways and brick pads repaired.

-Repairs done on 3 rain barrels – leveled and supported ground areas

-Added two new stone paths – corner from Turquoise to Switzer Canyon Drive sidewalk and Switzer sidewalk to rose garden.. Each lined with malapai rock.

-Produce harvested for the home included:  tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, kohlrabi, potatoes, onions, squash (variety), Hopi corn, beans, sugar snap peas, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and herbs
-Continued tree care – pruning, removal of Elm, and protecting from animal damage. Several new trees planted

-Cleaned the garden and weeded throughout with frequent rain during July/August

-Replanted and landscaped the corner or Turquoise and Switzer Canyon

-Landscaped the area surrounding the sheds

-Landscaped shade garden along Switzer Canyon

-Landscaped the north Native Garden

Orient master gardener program and new volunteer gardeners, and provide education individually.
-Orientation done for the Master Gardener class, groups, tours, and individual new volunteers

Replanted and landscaped the corner of Turquoise and Switzer Canyon
-Weeded a large area frequently due to extensive rain

-Pruned ponderosa pine and several other trees

-Put stone back on corner and added some perennial flowers and grasses

-Rock pathway put in by Boy Scouts from Turquoise to Switzer

-With weeds returning quickly on the path, weed cloth was added

-Area behind the sign weeded and bunch grass seed added to cut down on weeds          

Landscaped the shed area

-Boy Scouts built 2 new trellises.  One to block the view of the parking lot and another to camouflage the shed.  Donor sign added to the project.                            
-Red runner beans and clematis planted on the shed trellis.

-Clematis and honeysuckle planted on the large 8 foot trellis to block the view of the parking lot

-AmeriCorp put in a sandstone pad with material donated by Diana Watt

-Bench from anonymous donor refurbished by Diana Watt and placed on the sandstone pad

-Bird feeder/bath added to the area to cut off walking in between trellises          

-Small shrub donated last year placed at front corner

Landscaped the Native Garden where sheds were moved last year
-Wildflowers scattered on the south side of the walkway

-Weeded north side and removed many New Mexican Locust that had spread

-Sandstone pad done by the Palmers on the east end of bed
-New bench donated by Crys Wells

-2 colorful pots added to that pad area

-Rock garden added at the west end of the bed S of the walkway. Plants transplanted from other
parts of the garden.

                

Work on improving storage and safety in the garden, and adding additional hardscape.
-Two page orientations to the garden updated for seasonal gardeners and a one page for one day   volunteers with new requirements by Northland Hospice.  32 volunteers cleared for work
-New green bench donated and assembled by our crew

-Moved 1 rain barrel and leveled all three with cinder blocks

-Mailbox repaired and moved. All mailboxes cemented in for safety
-Removed outdated chemicals.

-Removed pine needles from canyon in water flow area again    

               

Add and revise Educational items for visitors, residents, and volunteers

-Sign on back patio with:   Food available to pick, What’s blooming?, Rainwater levels, What’s new in the garden?
-Revised general info about the entire garden, the individual garden plant lists, garden map, Rose Book, and Donor Book                            

-Individual plant lists added to the blog

-2 Garden Lectures for volunteers (Composting-Linda Guarino & Weeds-Dorothy Lamm)

-Continued to add new signs for plants throughout the garden.  Special sign added to recognize the Master Gardener contribution in the gardens                                                .

Continue to schedule group workdays

-Regular crew of master gardeners and hospice volunteers (10 new seasonal)

-Earth Day (6)

-Boy Scout Troop 7129 – 2 crews (15 & 12)

-AmeriCorps/ACA (9)

-Girls for Good (Seasonal Bird Care)

-Girls for Good (Make a Difference day -14)

Publicity
-Tours for special groups - Flagstaff Garden club, Peaks Bungalow Residents

-Continued the blog for weekly updates on the garden - (owhospicegardenvolunteers.blogspot.com)

-Donations:  Arboretum Soiree Basket ($100), Seeds and potpourri Coconino County Fair

                                

Fundraising
-Cards, seeds, potpourri, jewelry, and bricks for gazebo
-Sold fundraising items at:  CMGA Plant and Garden Sale, 1^st Friday Art Walk

-Annual 10% Day at Warner’s

-Wish List Book Donations - Garden Bench ($600), Other items donated (see attached for detailed list)

                                   

                

Daily Sun Thank You 11/2/13

The volunteer gardeners at Olivia White Hospice Home would like to thank the Flagstaff community for their support during this garden season.  We had a spectacular year with many volunteers and a very wet monsoon season.  The gardens, especially the roses, were more beautiful than ever.  As usual we had both financial and physical support from many.  Warner’s Landscape & Nursery continued by adding an 11^th “10% of Proceeds Day” for the gardens. All the nurseries (Warner’s, Violas, Native Plant & Seed) provided discounts on plant material and advice during the season. Five new master gardeners signed up as seasonal volunteers along with two community gardeners, to help our regular crew.  Special thanks go to those groups that continue to support us throughout the year with their gift of time. Boy Scout Troop 7129 helped us with several projects. Two of the boy scouts working towards Eagle Scout, completed big projects for us in the garden. One built two large redwood trellises with donations from the community and work by their troop, families, and friends.  The 2^nd scout had his group put in two stone paths again with donations.  AmeriCorp came this year with some volunteers from the American Conservation Experience (ACE). This was their 7^th year to visit and they built a sandstone pad, lined a stone path with weed cloth, and finished another stone path.  The Girls for Good came for their 2^nd year. During the garden season they came twice weekly to feed and water our birds. At the end of the season the group came and removed pine needles from the canyon water area and washed many of our pots.

This is my last year coordinating the gardens at Olivia White and I want to thank each and every individual and business that helped me make this a community project. My job was made so much easier by all the material and support I received over the last 10 years. The master gardeners will continue to make this one of their garden projects, so keep supporting them with your kind and generous spirits.  Gardens provide so many benefits to our health;  lasting friendships, opportunities to learn and teach, continuous sensory experiences, food, reminders of the cycles of life, physical activity, distraction from physical or mental pain, and of course at hospice a way to give back to the community.  Create a garden at home (small or large) or find one to work in. It has made my retirement meaningful, fun, at time challenging, and rewarding.

As the garden grows so shall the gardener. 

Old Proverb

Loni Shapiro, Master Gardener

and the volunteer gardeners of Olivia White Hospice Home

Last Week of 2013

"One of the most delightful things about gardening is the freemasonry it gives with other gardeners, and the interest and pleasure all gardeners get by visiting other people's gardens. We all have a lot to learn and in every new garden there is a chance of finding inspiration - new flowers, different arrangement or fresh treatment for old subjects. Even if it is a garden you know by heart there are twelve months in the year and every month means a different garden, and the discovery of things unexpected all the rest of the year."-  Margery Fish, We Made a Garden, 1956 

In our last week in the garden we finished all work needed to close the garden for the season. On Monday, Julie Holmes and I took down the grapes and clematis in the gazebo while Betty Marcus watered trees and shrubs. The gazebo is cleared if there is need to stain in the spring.

On Thursday, we had a small crew finish the work. Sue Ordway, Rebecca Davis, Betty Marcus, Becky Lewis, Judith Chaddock, Whitney Fessler, and Linda Guarino worked for a couple of hours then joined me for a walk through of the garden. They watered indoors and out, removed some annuals from pots, cleaned up the compost, finished up putting away irrigation, deadheaded, disconnected hoses, put tables, chairs, swings away, and covered a bench and birdhouse. Josh Bangle joined us for the walk through. It included location of materials, ideas for next year, and some procedures. See Linda Guarino for questions. Books left are a Rose book and donor book in the house library, and a Review with pictures of 2013 with a Wish List book on the entry table in the house.

Thanks to all who helped in my last year at the garden. It wouldn't have happened without each and every one of you. I will think of you when I am in my own garden next year, and as I am getting one of many massages at Flagstaff Face & Body. Don't work too hard next year. I will see you all in one of the many venues gardening in Flagstaff has to offer.

"Out of gardens grow fleeting flowers but lasting friendships."-  Beverly Rose Hopper

"I've learned that things change, people change, and it doesn't mean you forget the past or try to cover it up. It simply means you move on and treasure the memories." -  Alicia Boxer

With love and gratitude,
Loni

PS   I am adding my thank you from the paper to the blog in case you missed it. You will also find a list of all our accomplishments.

Workdays Week of 10/21

With one more week to go, we had a good Monday crew. Betty Marcus watered the Switzer beds trees and shrubs, due to the very dry weather. Katarina Karjala and Jane Reukema deadhead the Mexican Hat and hollyhocks so the seeds do not spread anymore. Becky Lewis filled niger bird feeders with seed that is still  left and cleaned the last of the two sunflower feeders. All sunflower feeders have been replaced with suet feeders. Our winter indoor crew will replace those as needed. I spent my time organizing the greenhouse so all the hardscape will fit. I also worked on our shrub list to make sure it is complete.

On Thursday Betty Marcus watered some trees and shrubs, Rebecca Davis as usual finished several tasks. She removed annuals from pots, covered tree trunks for the winter and cleaned out the small shed and tools. The shed is so clean I hate to use it on Saturday. Lori Tamblingson deadheaded throughout the garden. Sue Ordway cleaned up the compost area for winter. Judith Chaddock worked on the indoor plants. The large Christmas Cactus is in full bloom. I spent my time reorganizing the greenhouse, and checking out our tree and shrub list for the donor book.

"How can those who do not garden, who have no lot in the great fraternity of those who watch the changing year as it affects the earth and its growth, how can they keep warm their hearts in winter?"-  Francis King 

Saturday, brought the 2nd Annual visit by the Girls for Good. They helped finish cleaning up the garden and property in the canyon. They removed a large pile of pine needles that had swept in with the heavy rains this year. We probably have more than 20 bags. The rest of the girls worked on cleaning all our pots from this season. After they were done with the heavy duty tasks they did some general clean-up, sweeping, deadheading, and cleaning up more piles of pine needles in the garden.

Girls for Good and families 2013

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."-  James M. Barrie  

Work for our last week:
Watering as needed
Last check for deadheading
Add covers to a couple of tree trunks
Put table and umbrella on patio
Put swing in garage
Fill 2 bird baths
Take down bird hook at entry
Put stakes up for snow?
Finish cutting back clematis on gazebo
Move mulch to back of greenhouse
Work compost 1 last time
Empty front annual pots
Have Linda check irrigation line on Switzer Canyon

Come join me for my last week in the garden,
Thanks,
Loni

Work the Week of 10/14

On Monday there were three of us working again. Julie Holmes worked on emptying the Faerie Garden hardscape and putting things away for the winter. Betty Marcus watered the trees and shrubs in the back of the house and the main garden. I did some clean-up of the vegetable beds and then helped Julie.

Thursday brought a larger crew and we all worked on putting away the garden. I spent my time with the vegetable beds and sensory pots, mulching and adding some compost. Linda Guarino worked on the garden map and helped others finish projects. Sue Ordway took down gazebo pots, and worked on the compost. Judith Chaddock and Whitney Fessler watered indoors and cleaned up plants. Whitney will help during the winter. Crys Wells worked on emptying and cleaning the rain barrels for the winter. Joe Harte came and disconnected the rain barrels and help put away the bird baths. Leslie Stone finished tying up roses, taking down birdhouses, and cleaning/putting away hardscape.

To do the last few weeks:
Water indoors and outdoors as needed
Remove plants from front of house
Organize the greenhouse
Clean the small shed and tools
Deadhead Shasta daisy, hollyhock and Mexican Hat
Cover tree trunks
Spread the last of the mulch
Put the table, umbrella, and chairs away
Put bench in north garden away
Girls for Good - Wash pots and clean pine needles from the canyon

For the next few weeks we will work from 9am-12pm, as the weather is cold and we are almost finished.

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays Week of 10/7/13

On Monday Julie Holmes and I worked on garden clean-up. Julie finished deadheading lavender and gathered some more hollyhock seed. I put away some hardscape and put protection on a beautiful ceramic pot in the native garden. I circled it with chicken wire and filled in the sides with pine needles. A trick I learned at the Arboretum. They use it for clay pots there. We will see how it works with ceramic next spring.

I had to return on Tuesday morning to unload a truckload of manure dropped by Hunter Kemmet from Equestrian Estates. Some was unloaded near the parking area to sit for next spring's use and the rest was brought to the compost area for use there. Most of it is pretty well composted - not fresh. Thanks to Hunter for getting it for us.

On Thursday, we cancelled the workday as it was snowing/raining most of the day and too cold to be working outside. It was rescheduled for Friday.

Friday's workday brought cold sunny weather. It was just Betty Marcus and I working on closing more of the garden. I worked on cleaning and organizing the garage and Betty watered indoors and washed some bird feeders, tea pots, and other outside hardscape to put away for the winter. When we finished we scattered wildflower and grass seed on the FUTS trail.

Work to finish before the season end:
Put away remaining bird feeders and baths
Faerie Garden
     Empty pots, clean and store
     Put hardscape away
     Store bentwood bench
Put table andchairs on porch for winter
Clean the small shed and greenhouse
Put away the remaining birdhouses
Cover bird houses in rose garden
Deadhead sensory pots and mulch
Add compost to the raised beds for winter
Disconnect and empty the rain barrels
Cover tree trunks
Wash pots
Clean tools
Remove pine needles from the canyon

Last workday for me Thurs. Oct 31. For those returning next season try to attend as I will review things that need to be done next year, locations of tools/materials, and written material available for those continuing.

Thanks,
Loni

Work the Week of 9/30

Monday brought a small crew to a cool garden. Temperatures at night have been in the high 20's or low 30's. Several of our regular volunteers were off as fall sets in. Katrina Karjala came and worked on deadheading lavender. Betty Marcus collected seed, and did some watering.
On Thursday we had a good sized crew that worked on putting the garden to sleep for the winter. Becky Lewis had a crew helping to prune roses and mulch them for the winter. Lori Tamblingson and Linda Guarino helped her get that done. Rebecca Davis took down pots from the gazebo, and deadheaded Russian sage and hollyhocks. She also helped me take down the water feature and put it away for the winter. Judith Chaddock watered indoors, found some room for some more hanging baskets on the sun porch, and began to take down the birdhouses. Linda also worked on the irrigation - doing some repairs - and Lori filled bird baths. I spent my time cleaning out and reorganizing the large shed to make room for the snow plow and watering some of our recent transplants.
I returned to the garden with Becky Lewis on Friday. We mulched and pruned the last of the roses and took down the red runner bean vines. It was a cool morning with most of the bird baths frozen for the first time. Joan Abbott came by and turned off the irrigation.

Plans for the next couple of weeks:
Hand water as needed weekly
Finish putting away the bird houses
Empty the last of the bird feeders and clean - replace with suet
Put away garden hardscape items
    Faerie Garden
    Wind Chimes
    Stone birdbaths
    Table and chairs
Mulch some of the more tender plantings
Clean the garage
Scatter flower seed on the FUTS trail
Girls for Good
    Wash pots
    Bag pine needles from canyon
    Clean tools from small shed
If city finishes on Switzer - remove some rock from bed, and add soil

"The scarlet of maples can shake me like a cry
Of bugles going by.
And my lonely spirit thrills
to see the frosty asters like smoke
upon the hills."
-   William Bliss Carman 









Thanks,
Loni

Work the Week of 9/23

On Monday, we had a good sized crew. Betty Marcus spent her time helping me take down the tomatoes after a frost on Sunday. She also gathered wildflower seeds for scattering and cleaned up some of our hummingbird feeders and seed feeders for the season. I put out some suet feeders for the winter since we will only be in the garden for another 6 weeks. Katarina Karjala spent her time weeding the north Switzer beds. She is still working with a special boot on her left leg. Carol Hudenko and her husband, Julie Holmes, Lori Tamblingson, and Leslie Stone planted the plants removed from the inferno strip a couple of weeks ago throughout the garden. The city crew has not been here since last Thursday and they are not finished with the work. Once they are done we will need to clean-up the bed, remove rock and put in some new soil. The bed will not be replanted until spring. I have submitted a bill to Russ Anderson (Northland CFO) to present to the city, for plants, soil, and irrigation repair by Foxglove Landscaping. I have also asked him what he wants us to do with the small rock that needs to be removed. Julie and Lori also gathered lavender for drying.

Thursday brought another good sized crew. Rebecca Davis came for a short time and gathered tea pots for washing and moved the shelving to the sun room area. Betty Marcus watered the Inferno and gathered seeds for replanting. Sue Ordway transplanted some of our frost sensitive herbs into pots for the sunroom, helped Judith Chaddock clean and rearrange the area, and deadheaded some lavender. Judith reorganized the sun room and brought in some of our geraniums from outdoors. Becky Lewis deadheaded roses, spayed some for aphids, and moved sandstone to our paver area. Crys Wells gathered lavender for drying. Joe Harte trimmed some limbs shading shrubs, cut down elms, and planted a shrub. I spent my time watering, cleaning tomato pots and tea pots to put away for the winter.

Work by the city continued on Wed. this week. No word on when we can began to clean up the Inferno Strip and reconnect the irrigation. Frost has hit our vegetables and some annuals already but it has been mild so far. All frost sensitive herbs and geraniums have been moved into the sun room.  Judith will need help this winter for indoor watering. We need a few more people to have background checks to help her with watering. All vegetables have been harvested except the corn which has not ripened as yet. I am still collecting red runner bean seed. If anyone wants some for their gardens next year let me know. The city weed whacked all along the FUTS trail so in the next few weeks we will scatter some of our collected seed.

New blooms:
The Moon Garden has come alive again. The white phlox are blooming and the new white clematis (Toki) purchased earlier this year.

Work for the next couple of weeks:
Watering as needed indoors/outdoors
1 pot remaining from Inferno to replant
Irrigation repair outside of sunroom
Continue to remove seed feeders as they empty and replace with suet
Remove rock from Inferno Strip when the city has completed their work
Add soil/compost to that bed in prep for spring planting
Get a load of compost to sit for the winter
Winterize roses - cut off roses, and add ground protection
Continue to deadhead lavender
Clean large shed and garage in prep for winter

Upcoming:
Oct. 26, 9am-12pm, Girls for Good, Garden Clean-up

Ah! the list doesn't seem to get any shorter. Come whenever you can to help.
I am saving some tasks for the Girls for Good in October - canyon pine needle pick-up, washing pots, cleaning the small shed, and putting away some of the small hardscape. I don't plan to plant any bulbs this year. Last spring we seemed to have enough throughout the garden, but you might consider doing it again next fall, depending on survival rate. I am beginning to harvest the red runner beans. We have an abundance this year with two trellises of them. If you want any for your gardens for next year let me know.

Hope to see you next week!

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays Week of 9/16

On Monday, Carol Hudenko and her husband worked on the corner - cleaning pine needles and weeding. Carol also dug up some iris and replanted them on the corner. Julie Holmes came and cleaned the birdbaths. They were very dirty because they have not been cleaned well this season with all the rain. I am sure the birds will appreciate the work. Joe Harte came and drilled holes in our whiskey barrel planter. I spent my time weeding, deadheading, making new soil for the whiskey barrel and cleaning up (mostly sweeping). The street work continues and they are getting close to the cut in area. On Thursday we will have our annual Fall Harvest Potluck in the garden at noon.

Thursday we had many volunteers for the workday with our annual Fall Harvest Potluck schedule after the workday. Many worked on deadheading, weeding and watering - Rebecca Davis, Carol Lease, Carol Hudenko, Whitney Fessler, Marilynn VanWaggoner, Betty Marcus, Jeanette Sletton, and Katarina Karjala. Crys Wells and Julie Holmes came late and helped to get the potluck organized. Katarina received her 2 year apron. She returned to the garden with her special boot after fracturing her leg. At noon we stopped to eat some of the harvest. We had brats, dogs, potato salad, bean salad, fruit salad, kohlrabi slaw, grape salad, broccoli casserole, desserts, condiments, tableware, and drinks. Josh Bangle, Sierra Gadberry, Russ Anderson and Tracy Whiting. joined us from Northland Hospice.

The city finished digging on Switzer Canyon Dr. and we will begin to return plantings to other parts of the garden on Monday. Work on the Inferno will be to restore the soil in prep for planting in the spring of 2014. The bed is currently full of small rock.
Other activities include:
Rose care - getting ready for winter, spraying for aphids
Continue seed gathering for scattering for fall
Grasshog work on the FUTS trail in preparation for scattering wildflower seeds
Move sandstone below main north garden
Clean large shed and garage in prep for winter
Begin cleaning and putting away bird feeders (seed and hummingbird) and taking out suet feeders
Begin bringing frost tender plants indoors (geraniums)

New blooms:
I was deadheading come coreopsis and found these beautiful morning glories wound around them:

Upcoming:
October 26, 9am-12pm, Girls for Good, clean-up day

For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together.  For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad."-   Edwin Way Teale

Thanks,
Loni

Work the Week of Sept. 9

On Monday I arrived early at 7am in hopes that I could beat the rain. I was already raining so I offered to walk a dog for the staff. The city's work crews were not out yet, and they never arrived. Many of my loyal volunteers did come even though it was raining. I began by removing some iris and by the time I finished the crew began arriving - Betty and Ed Marcus, Carol Hudenko and her husband, Crys Wells, and Jeanette Holmes. We removed one large shrub, many small ones, and a few ground covers and grasses. Ed dug out the irrigation line along the street, cut it and clipped it off. The south portion was pulled out about 6 feet. All plant material was placed in temporary pots and will be replaced when the city work is completed - hopefully this week. The irrigation is off with all the rain.

Inferno before digging

Thursday, the city resumed work on the water lines. We had a large crew and most worked on weeding and deadheading. Rebecca Davis was the 1st to arrive and she worked under the aspen trees weeding. Leslie Stone, Sue Ordway, and Carol Hudenko all weeded and deadheaded in the main garden. We have begun to cut back iris and lavender as well as many other flowers. Lori Tamblingson worked on the corner weeds and Whitney Fessler worked on deadheading. Carol Lease worked on staining the 2 remaining redwood benches. I spent my time working on a whiskey barrel that I neglected to put holes in.  The plants were floating so I removed them, the water, and the soil. Joe Harte came and worked on the locust again and will come on Monday to put holes in the whiskey barrel. Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock filled in for Judith and watered all the indoor plants. Rebecca filled bird feeders with the last of the food. Next week we will begin adding suet feeders and removing other feeders as they are empty. Most of the hummingbirds are gone.

New Blooms:
Fall aster (purple and white), red leaves on the Virginia creeper, Maximillion's sunflower,and some re-blooms on many perennials.

                      Fall Aster                                                   Maximillion Sunflower
Plans for the next week:
Thin a few more iris
Weed and deadhead
Re-plant the whiskey barrel and the inferno
Put out suet feeds and begin to clean seed feeders for winter
Clean bird baths

Upcoming:
Annual Harvest Festival Potluck- Thurs. 9/17 at noon
Make a Difference Day - Sat. , Oct. 26, 9am-12pm, Girls for Good
Last day in the garden for 2013 - TBA (weather permitting)

"Even the smallest landscape can offer pride of ownership not only to its inhabitants but to its neighbors. The world delights in a garden.... Creating any garden, big or small, is, in the end, all about joy."-  Julie Moir Messervy

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays the Week of Sept. 2

Because Monday was a holiday the only two who worked were Becky Lewis and me. We had to make another round of looking at roses and it was a good day with few distractions. I watered a few pots and new plantings as we have not had rain for several days, and Becky did some deadheading.The irrigation was turned back on.

Thursday was an especially busy day at the garden. The tree purchased for me by the volunteers was looking a bit stressed. The root was bound tightly and it was not holding water even when watered daily, so we began to look for a place to get it planted. The first area tried was the Rose Garden. Rebecca Davis and Jeanette Sletten began digging in the only spot available and soon discovered we were over a main irrigation line that goes through the middle of the garden. Joe Harte and Carol Lease repaired the lines which were leaking from work last week removing iris. We began work on the 2nd option, between the 2 apple trees south of the gazebo. This required Joe and Rebecca digging out a large lilac that has not been thriving. It will be moved elsewhere.



After much work the tree was planted while all gathered around to watch. The area was a good choice. It fills in a blank spot where the lilac sheltered the view from north and south. The tree is an Amur Maple which will have good fall color once established.

Jeanette cleaned up the area in the Rose Garden and removed some more iris. Yellow iris were planted after the area was thinned and cleaned.  Carol worked on plant labels and irrigation repairs. Becky Lewis worked on moving a rose in the garden. Whitney Fessler filled bird feeders and made some hummingbird food. Carol Hudenko and Lori Tamblingson continued work on weeding on the corner and planted some seed for next year. It is mostly bunch grasses (blue grama and sheep fescue) with some added perennial wildflowers. Marilynn VonWaggoner watered some of the pots since we haven't had rain in 3 days. Betty Marcus came and deadheaded and swept up debris from the tree planting.

We cut our workday short and headed up to Joe Harte's garden to see what he does in his spare time. His property is up on a hill and required much work to get raised beds established. We ooed and ahhed about all the wonderful vegetables and his prize winning sweet peas. He has a large pumpkin patch with most of the pumpkins marked by the neighborhood kids. Great idea!

On Thursday evening many of us gathered at the Woodland's Hotel for the annual volunteer recognition. This one was very special - 30th Anniversary of Northland Hospice. Marilyn Pate was present along with many old friends. We all enjoyed a great dinner, speeches, raffles, and gifts to take home. Thanks to Diana Watt and staff for a wonderful evening!

Next week will be interesting with the city's road work reaching our area. There will be no parking at the house for anyone due to construction. All must park at the church next week - including me and Joe. Along with Russ Anderson, I talked to the work crew chief and city coordinator. Russ and I tried to talk them into moving the cut in to the property to just south of the driveway. We may lose some juniper - what a shame - but the other option goes through many other shubs and plants. We will hear their decision on Friday. If they choose the latter we will need to dig up 2 shubs and some plants on Monday. I would appreciate help if I can get it.

Update:
The city work crew decided on an entry through the middle of the Inferno Strip to avoid cutting into the sidewalk. The area has 1 large shrub and several small ones, but many of the other plantings can easily be replaced from other parts of the garden. We tried to work yesterday to remove the shrubs but the rain was too heavy most of the day. We will try again on Monday morning for anyone who wants to join us.

Area on Inferno for cut in (cinquefoil, lavendar, sage and some grasses and snow in summer.

Upcoming:
Fall Harvest Potluck - Sept. 19, 12pm in the garden (details to follow)
Girls for Good - clean-up workday - October 26, 9am-12pm
Last workday - who knows?

Thanks,
Loni

Week of 8/25 - 8/31

On Sunday, we had a goodbye potluck at Judith and Don's beautiful home and garden. More than 25 attended (current gardeners, past volunteers, and spouses) on a rainy day. The weather was threatening, but we were able to enjoy the garden all evening. It didn't start to rain until after 7pm. We enjoyed the beautiful drought tolerant garden, the company of good friends and their spouses, speeches, gifts, party favors, and our usual great meal. Oh! and even Murphy came. All attending were clean and well dressed for a change. All in all it was a very special evening. It is a good thing I don't live there because I would never get anything done. I would spend all my time just relaxing in the garden. We will do one more potluck in the garden - Annual Harvest - to include other good friends.

Monday only 3 of us managed to get to the garden. It rained lightly on and off throughout the morning, but Betty Marcus deadheaded and filled bird feeders, and Carol Hudenko and I weeded on the corner. It was almost to wet to weed. That's a first in Flagstaff. By the time we finished we were about 6 inches taller - mud on the bottom of our shoes. On Thurs. we will plant at least 1/2 that area with bunch grasses while it is still wet.

Thursday brought a small crew to the garden. Linda Guarino worked on the compost, and thinned some iris beds. Rebecca Davis finished creating a rock garden in the native garden with a couple of purchases and many transplants from other parts of the garden.

Rock Garden Bed in Native Garden

Sue Ordway worked on treating some blackspot on our copper roses, and Crys Wells gathered some seed from the Mexican hat and hollyhock. I worked on iris, watering a few pots, and raking the corner in prep for seeding grasses.

Work for the next few weeks:
Plant an Amur Maple
Weeding as needed after more rains - focus on Switzer area west of sidewalk and east of trees on corner, and under the aspen trees
Watering as needed (ha)
Deadheading
Fill bird feeders and baths
Move a couple of roses
Harvest seed for planting on the FUTS trail
Stain redwood benches on back porch
Continue thinning any needed iris

Upcoming:
Sept. 5 - Visit to Joe Harte's garden
               This is a workday but at 11am we will head to Joe's garden to see what he is up to.
Sept. 5 - Northland's 30th Anniversary Event to honor volunteers (RSVP to the office)
Sept 12 - Tree Planting -1030am
Sept. 19 - Tentative date for Fall Harvest Picnic - 12pm - details to follow
Oct. 19 - Saturday - 9am-12pm - Clean-up with Girls for Good

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."-  James M. Barrie  

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -  Marcel Proust  

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 8/19 & 8/22

Monday brought our usual small crew. Leslie Stone returned and worked on gathering rocks for a small garden. She cut lettuce for the house and then helped me begin weeding an area behind the trees on the corner that we will seed with bunch grasses. Mary Natali deadheaded, weeded, and filled some bird feeders. Julie Holmes removed some invasive grasses from the Inferno Strip and then transplanted other grasses and yarrow to fill that area.

On Thursday, we had a good crew working in the garden. Betty Marcus deadheaded, Linda Guarino worked on the irrigation and helped several of us weed on the corner in preparation for seeding some grass. The corner crew included myself, Sue Ordway, Whitney Fessler, and Lori Tamblingson. There is still about 1/3 of the bed to do but we will seed at least part of next week while it is still raining. It will be seeded with bunch grasses (Blue Gramma and Sheep Fescue). Rebecca Davis spent her day creating a small rock garden on the north end of the house. Next week it needs to be filled in with soil and compost, and transplants from other parts of the garden. Carol Lease worked on painting a new donated birdbath for Doris Johnson from the Hodge Podge crew.

Doris Johnson's Mini Garden & Birdbath

Joe Harte worked on pruning some trees and removing many of the elms lining the garden. Becky Lewis worked on the roses. She planted 2, and then spent her time working on black spot that recently appeared on our Copper Roses for the 2nd year. Treatment requires removing all the affected leaves, and then treating with a spray  insecticide for the remaining leaves. Next year it is suggested that they be treated with Neem oil just after leafing out in the spring. Becky was on for treats and brought homemade goat cheese for all who were interested.

Work for the week:
Weeding as needed after more rains - focus on Switzer area west of sidewalk and east of trees on corner, and under the aspen trees
Watering as needed
Deadheading
Fill bird feeders and baths
Fill rock garden and transplant some natives to the bed
Harvest seed for transplanting
Stain redwood benches on back porch
Begin thinning any need iris

Blooming:
White valarian, white fall asters and a few purple

Ready to pick:
Some hopi beans, purple beans, squash, strawberries, kale and chard

Squash

Corn and Bean

Upcoming:
Garden Potluck - dates to be advised in September
Volunteer Event - Sept. 5, 530 pm - Woodlands Hotel
Girls for Good - Oct. 19, 9am-12pm, garden clean-up

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays week of 8/12-8/17/13

Monday we had a small crew and we worked on clean-up for the upcoming tour on Saturday. Betty Marcus deadheaded and watered the MMG. Carol Hudenko continued her work weeding on the corner of Turquoise. Mary Natali weeded and filled bird feeders. Marilynn VonWaggoner stopped by for a short time and filled the birdbaths. I spent my time weeding, watering a few pots, and putting up one more bird feeder and bath. I received a note from Katarina Karjala that she has broken her ankle so we won't see her for a while. The plant tags have finally arrived and many have been placed in the garden. On Thursday we will place a sign for the master gardeners.

During Thursday's work in the garden it rained off and on, but the people who came worked through the showers. We occasionally had to head to the porch for cover but it was mostly light rain. Jane Reukema and Sue Ordway worked on weeding a small area next to the Faerie Garden and then worked whereever they could find weeds. Carol Hudenko continued her work on the corner - weeding. Betty Marcus deadheaded and filled feeders and bird baths. Judith Chaddock worked on the plants inside and finished with some deadheading. Jeanette Sletten planted a couple of new shrubs and some perennials. She also did some cleaning in the MMG. I spent most of my time weeding, cleaning the gazebo floor, and adding a couple of annuals to some pots. Joe Harte came and pruned some trees and took down several elms. Special thanks to those who tolerated some rain. Carol Lease stopped by and dropped off some plant tags done at home. A master gardener sign was placed in the garden along with this season/last season donation signs.

On Saturday we participated in the Flagstaff Garden Tours. My thanks go to Lori Tamblingson, Betty Marcus, Carol Lease, Judith Chaddock, Jackie Clark, and Jane Reukema for helping. We had about 20 visitors. The gardens looked more beautiful than I have seen in my 10 years there, and it did not rain until after 11am.

Work for the week:
Weeding as needed after more rains - focus on Switzer area west of sidewalk and east of trees on corner\
Watering as needed
Deadheading
Fill bird feeders and baths
Gather rocks for a small rock garden - native bed
Remove some invasive grasses - inferno strip - move some natives to the area
Harvest seed for transplanting
Begin cleaning area behind pines on corner to plant some native bunch grasses
Spray paint new birdbath
Stain redwood benches on back porch

Blooming:
Most of the roses (Morden Sunrise and Ketchup-Mustard look spectacular), Valerian (FG), some wildflowers in the native garden,

Morden Sunrise

Ketchup and Mustard

Upcoming:

Saturday August 17, 10am - Flagstaff Garden Club Tours
Sunday August 25, 4pm - Thank You Potluck - Judith Chaddocks

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 8/5 & 8/8

On Monday, I spent my day tying up grapes and clematis in the gazebo, weeding, watering tomatoes, and helping Jane Reukema remove invasive plants choking out a couple of roses. Betty Marcus deadheaded and made sure our corn was watered (a ear is beginning to appear on 1 plant). Carol Hudenko worked on the corner - weeding and spraying some weeds with our vinegar/soap mix. Mary Natale worked on removing pine and elm tree seedlings. Sue Ordway weeded the native garden.

On Thursday we had a good sized crew again. I spent my time watering pots and directing traffic as usual. Rebecca Davis dug up some twinflower snowberry that had traveled near the new generator. With Joe Harte's help she put up a bird feeder/bath that was removed from the generator area. It was placed near the new bench by the new trellises to cut down on foot traffic there. Jane Reukema weeded in the MMG garden and removed some noxious weeds from across the street on Switzer (Dalmatian Toadflax). Whitney Fessler spent her time weeding the north Switzer beds. Betty Marcus deadheaded and did general cleaning in preparation for a Friday tour. Joe Harte pruned some trees. Becky Lewis worked on some of the roses. Linda Guarino planted a small bed of perennial polinators that we received to honor Doris Johnson from HodgePodge. She also finished the irrigation for the north Switzer bed.

A group of 10 women who live or work at the Peaks bungalows came and toured the garden on Friday. They were treated to ginger/lavender lemonade and lavender/lemon cookies.

New in the garden:
Small bed of perennial polinators for Doris Johnson from HodgePodge - north Switzer bed

Blooming:
Most of our roses, beginning ears on our Hopi blue and greasy corn, tomatoes (cherry), squash (crookneck), red runner beans, purple coneflower, asiatic lilies, Rocky Mt. Bee in the MMG

 

 

Photos by Betty Marcus

Plans for the next couple of weeks:
Watering as needed
Continue work on the corner garden (weeding and planting some grass seed)
Weeding as needed throughout the garden
Deadheading and clean-up in prep for some garden visits
Work on a small rock garden in the Native Garden
Labeling - especially all the roses

Upcoming:
Thank you Potluck - August 25 - 430pm-7pm Judith Chaddocks home

And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together.-  Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels

Thanks,
Loni

Week of 7/28 and 8/1

On Monday, most of us worked on weeding which is major with all the rain. We even have weeds coming through the weed cloth on the corner. Katarina Karjala, and Carol Hudenko worked on the corner and the inferno strip, Jane Reukema worked on the bed north of the gazebo, and I worked on the front half circle. Betty Marcus deadheaded and cleaned throughout the garden. A friend from the senior companion program stopped by and dug up some abundant perennials for her companion (alyssium, geranium, lamb's ear) for her companion. Julie Holmes stopped by to pick up our monthly sign-in sheets. The Girls for Good came and filled bird baths and feeders.

Thursday brought a large crew. We had 12 volunteers working throughout the garden. Linda Guarino worked on the irrigation system - new shade garden, FG, and the north Switzer beds.  Rebecca Davis and Becky Lewis worked on the corner finishing the weed cloth and weeding. Becky also spent time checking out all the beautiful roses blooming. Rebecca helped finish spreading the mulch left this spring. Betty Marcus continued her work cleaning up and dead heading. Jeanette Sletten planted a few more perennials in our sidewalk shade garden, and in the Moon Garden. Lori Tamblinson worked on cleaning up the front of the house - weeding. Carol Hudenko continued her focus on the corner - weeding and spreading rock mulch. She tried a sample of a natural weed killer - vinegar and soap- that we will check out on Monday. Since it  has alot of acid we will only use it on very difficult areas such as the corner. Carol Lease finished re-sanding and adjusting a bench brick pad. Joe Harte spent his time tangling with locust tree pruning. They are dangerous to work with and spread prolifically. I remember Laura trying to talk me out of buying these trees - but I thought the flowers were so beautiful. They are but not sure the work is worth it. Crys Wells transplanted some blood grass in the 1/2 circle and several people took home some for their yards. It is a beautiful grass, has spread but does not seem to be invasive. Judith Chaddock and Betty spent some time weeding in the MMG and Judith watered indoors. The gardens are looking beautiful with all the rain and help this season. They should be wonderful on the garden tours over the next couple of weeks. This was the last day for the Girls for Good who will be starting school next week. Thanks to them for making our work easier, especially Adrian who along with her Dad helped the entire month of July.

New in the garden:

Photo by Loni Shapiro     

Shade garden along the Switzer sidewalk - Knickknick, Heuchera, Vinca, Hosta, Bergenia
Completed weed cloth project for the corner
Some new perennials in the Moon and Zane Gardens (Balloon Flower, Echinacia, Choc. Flower, Succulent
Weeding and pruning in the Native Garden and lots of wildflowers coming up

New blooms:
Many roses - Peace, Shroppshire Lad, Coffee Bean, Julia Child - photos by Betty Marcus

Red runner beans - flowers and beans

Photos by Loni Shapiro - Birdhouse Trellis

Plans for the next couple of weeks:
Watering as needed
Continue work on the corner garden (weeding and planting some grass seed)
Weeding as needed throughout the garden
Deadheading and clean-up in prep for some garden visits
Work on a small rock garden in the Native Garden
Labeling - especially all the roses

Upcoming:
Peaks Bungalow garden tour - August 9 - 1230pm
Flagstaff Garden Club Tour - August 17 - 10am-12pm
Thank you Potluck - August 25 - 430pm-7pm Judith Chaddocks

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity.  ~Lindley Karstens, noproblemgarden.com

Thanks,
Loni

Workdays 7/22 & 7/25

On Monday our crew did not need to water. The rains have left all the garden very moist. Betty Marcus spent her time deadheading. Julie Holmes cleared invasives from around the roses, and the Girls for Good filled bird feeders and baths. I spent my time getting material for the Thursday workday, weeding lots of pine and elm seedlings, and replacing some plants in Zane's garden.

We had another productive day on Thursday with 9 volunteers from AmeriCorp helping. As usual, they tackled some big projects, and managed to find time to weed, clean up pine needles, and spread mulch as well.

Sandstone Pad

Rock Pathway

Adding Weed Cloth to Rock Path

"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."-  James M. Barrie 

The three projects were all pathways: a sandstone pad/path to the new trellis, adding weed cloth to our new corner pathway, and lining the rock mulch path from Switzer to the Rose garden with rocks.

Rebecca Davis helped manage the weed cloth project, Jeanette Sletten reworked our small shade garden along Switzer (she added Knickknick and Coral Bells to the existing vinca and leveled the soil. Betty Marcus spent her time deadheading and taking some of these beautiful photos. Carol Hudenko finished adding perennials to the corner. Whitney Fessler and I weeded some of the many ragweed and bindweed already growing on the corner. Linda Guarino was back and worked on compost. We have another small pile of finished material. Joe Harte worked on tree pruning and removing suckers.

I returned home on Thursday and found my tomato plants essentially done for the season. On 6 plants I had maybe 10 tomatoes left. The storm brought devastating hail to the east side and particularly Mt. Eldon. I had broken solar lights, and a hot tub cover full of holes. Thankfully the new roof made it through. Ah! weather in Flagstaff is always a challenge for gardeners.

"The good rain, like the bad preacher, does not know when to leave off."-  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Blooming:
Shasta Daisy, Julia Child's Rose, Red Monarda, Burgundy Daylily

 

Photos by Betty Marcus

New in the Garden:
Sandstone path to the new trellis
Rock lined mulch path to the Rose Garden from Switzer
Updated corner garden (perennials, weed cloth on path)

Work for the next few weeks:
Watering - inside and outside as needed.  Make sure native bed with new wildflowers is wet, porch plants, new clematis and honeysuckle, corner garden, moon garden trellis, native garden wheelbarrow, and Jobs tears, and shade garden along Switzer
*Weeding as needed. Check rose garden for perennials choking out roses and remove pine seedlings
   With a garden tour coming up pine and elm tree seedlings need to be removed
*Gather rock for a native garden rock garden, and to line the new path from Switzer to the Rose garden
     Once created, fill with soil/compost, and transplant some plants from other areas of the garden
*Circle garden - transplant some blood grass, and weed (Chia?)
Reset bricks under the bench just north of the Faerie Garden
*Finish weed cloth on corner (about 6 feet)
Move mulch to needed parts of the garden
Clean up compost area

Upcoming:
August 9   Peaks Residents Garden Visit 1230pm
August 17  10am-12pm Garden Club Visit
August 25  430pm-7pm Thank You Potluck/Judith Chaddocks

Thanks, Loni

Work Week of 7/15 & 18

We had a fairly quiet week at the garden. No watering was needed other than a few new plantings due to some heavy rain the last week. Betty Marcus worked for me on Monday for a couple of hours. She was alone other than some help from the Girls for Good to feed and water the birds.

On Thursday, Rebecca Davis and Joe Harte worked on two of the rain barrelss. One was moved due to access and drainage and the the other leveled to keep it from tipping over in our heavy rains. Please use these whenever you can so they are not so full. Judith Chaddock worked on the indoor plants using the rain barrel on the back porch. Betty Marcus deadheaded throughout the garden, Lori Tamblingson and Sue Ordway both weeded in a variety of areas of the gardens. I spent my time working on removing spreading plants from around the roses, and beginning to clean the compost area.

The Hopi vegetable bed has recovered from the hail in early July. It contains corn, beans and squash.

New Blooms:
Lots of Shasta daisy, coneflowers, clematis and more roses

Carefree Sunshine Rose

Nelly Moser  Clematis on shed trellis

New in the Garden:
New perennials in the corner garden, and the decorative wheelbarrow in the Native Garden
Check out the beautiful pots in front of the office. They were planted by Carol H. and Leslie.

Work for the next few weeks:
Watering - inside and outside as needed.  Make sure native bed with new wildflowers is wet, porch plants, new clematis and honeysuckle, corner garden, moon garden trellis, native garden wheelbarrow, and Jobs tears.
Weeding as needed. Check rose garden for perennials choking out roses and remove pine seedlings
Plant perennials on corner
*Gather rock for a native garden rock garden, and to line the new path from Switzer to the Rose garden
     Once created, fill with soil/compost, and transplant some plants from other areas of the garden
*Circle garden - transplant some blood grass, and weed.
Reset bricks under the bench just north of the Faerie Garden
Move mulch to needed parts of the garden
Clean up compost area

Upcoming:
July 25    9am-12pm   AmeriCorp help for the Thurs. workday
               Work on sandstone pad for new trellis across from the rose garden, finish weedcloth on
               pathway, add rock to stone pathway
Aug,17  10am-12pm  Flagstaff Garden Club Tour

Thanks, Loni

Workdays week of 7/8 - 7/13

On Monday we had our usual small crew and most of us worked on the corner weed cloth - Mary Natali, Carol Hudenko, Julie Holmes, and myself. Betty Marcus watered a bit but also weeded and deadheaded.
On Thursday, we had a large crew. I was feeling a bit under the weather and I spent most of my time hanging around the back snack area and just finding work for people. Betty Marcus deadhead and watered. Becky Lewis decided it was time to feed the roses again and she got Jeanette Sletten to help her. Jeanette also did some weeding. Carol Lease finished the pvc pipes for the entry fencing, and then started a project to level some bricks under a bench. Rebecca Davis planted some perennials, worked on the corner weed cloth, and helped Joe Harte with the wheelbarrows and rainbarrels. Sue Ordway picked a vase of flowers for the anniversary of Olivia White's passing, and then headed to the corner to help with the weed cloth.

After Carol Hudenko, Whitney Fessler, Sue, and Rebecca finished the weed cloth, Carol and Sue planted a few perennials with the help of Crys Wells. Crys Wells and Judith Chaddock fenced in our tomatoes which are being eaten by rock squirrels and chipmunks. Judith also did her usual watering indoors. Lori Tamblingson weeded throughout the garden.

On Saturday, Warner's Landscape and Nursery held their 11th Annual 10% of Proceeds for Olivia White Gardens. Thanks to Crys Wells, Becky Lewis, Lori Tamblingson, and Diana Watt for hosting our table for the day and special thanks to Warner's staff for making us feel comfortable and a welcome part of their workday.

New in the Garden:
New perennials in the corner garden, and the decorative wheelbarrow in the Native Garden
Check out the beautiful pots in front of the office. They were planted by Carol H. and Leslie.

Work for the next few weeks:
Watering - inside and outside as needed.  Make sure native bed with new wildflowers is wet, porch plants, new clematis and honeysuckle, corner garden, moon garden trellis, native garden wheelbarrow, and Jobs tears.
Weeding as needed. Check rose garden for perennials choking out roses, and weed inferno strips.
*Gather rock for a native garden rock garden, and to line the new path from Switzer to the Rose garden
     Once created, fill with soil/compost, and transplant some plants from other areas of the garden
Cut down 1 more lilac
*Circle garden - transplant some blood grass, and weed.
Reset bricks under the bench just north of the Faerie Garden
Finish resetting rain barrels
Repair wheelbarrel
Move mulch to needed parts of the garden
Clean up compost area

Upcoming:
July 25    9am-12pm   AmeriCorp help for the Thurs. workday
               Work on sandstone pad for new trellis across from the rose garden and finish weedcloth on
               pathway.
Aug,17  10am-12pm  Flagstaff Garden Club Tour

Thanks, Loni

Workdays 7/1 and 7/4

Our Monday workday was a busy one. Julie Holmes, Cyndy Crowley, Carol Hudenko, and Mary Natali all removed weeds on the corner of Switzer and Turquoise. We had a small piece of good weed cloth and put it in part of the new pathway. The weeds are growing furiously in the new path already and we haven't had any rain. Thanks to Julie who wrote a check, next week we will add premium cloth to the rest of the path. Betty Marcus watered all the plants not on irrigation and the vegetables.

We had a special visit today from John and Jill White who were visiting from Texas with their children Jack and Phoebe. They are Olivia White's family and visit each year. Today they spent some time looking at all the new features in the garden, sampling some of the sensory pots, doing the scavenger hunt, and personally thanking many of the volunteer gardeners. Visiting with them is always inspiring to the gardeners.

On Thursday, yes the 4th of July, we had a crew of 4 in the garden. Linda Guarino spent her time adding irrigation lines to the perennial bed, the tea garden, and a few new shrubs. Betty Marcus and I spent our entire day sweeping and cleaning up debris. On Tuesday, there was a major hail storm in the canyon and on Thursday we still had piles of hail remaining. The vegetables and sensory pots were devastated with hail damage as well as many other plants. I am adding a photos of some areas.

Front door area two days after the hail

Crys Wells came and replanted some of the lettuce and spinach. Hopefully the weather will cool off a bit with the rain. We also had a dad of one of the Girls for Good, who filled feeders and cleaned out very messy bird baths.

New Blooms:
Many daylilies, lavendar, roses (Shropshire Ladd), some of our shasta daisy and ox-eyed daisy, and coreopsis. Several shrubs are blooming or ready to burst - Mt. Spray, Little Leaf Mock Orange, the Twin-flower Snowberry, and the Apache Plume.

Hollyhock with Mt. Spray shrub as a backdrop

Several years ago we purchased a Texas Red Yucca for the garden for Ginny Kadel. It is blooming in it's 4th season.

Texas Red Yucca

New in the Garden:
Beginning of weed cloth on the new pathway.

Work for the next few weeks:
Watering - inside and outside as needed (little needed due to rain). Make sure native bed with new wildflowers is wet, porch plants, and new clematis.
Weeding - north Switzer bed, circle garden, corner bed, Wood's rose under apple tree
*Add some plants to the corner bed
*Gather rock for a native garden rock garden, and to line the new path from Switzer to the Rose garden
     Once created, fill with soil/compost, and transplant some plants from other areas of the garden
Cut down 1 more lilac
*Circle garden - transplant some blood grass, clean up whiplash daisies, weed
Reset bricks under the bench just north of the Faerie Garden
Upcoming - 2nd feed for the roses

Upcoming:
July 13    9am-5pm     Warner's 10% of Proceeds Day
July 25    9am-12pm   AmeriCorp help for the Thurs. workday
Aug,17 10am-12pm  Flagstaff Garden Club Tour