~Well we have been busy in our new yard cleaning and trying to have at least a small spring/summer garden. I am facing new challenges because for the first time in this decade there is almost nothing but shade in my yard. I am seeing an abundance of flowers and herbs and less veggies in our gardening future.
Luckily the herbs will flourish, like basil and penny royal (guarded by the tiny T Rex)
~So as far as the flowers go I finally can have impatiens ( one of my mothers favorite bedding plants, as seen behind the giraffe above). Begonias that won't get burned and all sorts of pretty things like these lovely geraniums I picked up in
Lockhart this week.
I have also planted some of my favorites hoping they can adapt . I think the Nasturtiums will definitely thrive but I might only have foliage.
Which is kinda
OK, cause I really adore the
nats foliage...are they not the sweetest little sprouts!
I have also planted zinnias, the ones I planted last year were on 2 ft stems...lovely( fingers crossed). Our strawberries are still looking pretty but only 3-4 actual berries so far
~In our tiny back yard, we do have a little sun (the front is huge and shady). So I am going to do some experimenting with these
Topsy Turvey things my mama has been raging on for a few years. I planted the last of our tomato seeds we bought 2 years ago, from
heirloom seeds ( I had them in the freezer), and they actually sprouted.
I also have California bells to plant, I got one little sunny patch for peppers and squash.
All I need now is a place for couple cucumber vines. I cannot fathom summer without cucumbers from the garden.
~OK now for the giveaway. I was hoping to have a lot to say about this bundle I am giving away but thankfully it has not been really hot here yet and the heat usually brings on my garden woes.( I wanted to get this bundle out to the winner before the summer needs are past) I have not tried all of the products yet but... The
Eco Smart Insect Repellent worked just fine in our, as of yet, low volume mosquito dusk, I have extremely high hopes for its mid summer central Texas performance. I will up date you in July; I have yet to find an all natural repellent that can ward off our Texas summer mosquito armies. I was very interested in this bundle because it included Garden Fungicide and a Garden insect killer
, because both of these problems have caused me much heartache in the past. The worst of my insect problems are always
stink bugs , they put black holes in my tomatoes and make my cucumbers terribly bitter;YUCK! I have hardly found anything short of seven that can ward off these varmints when they are infested. I am hoping the
ecoSMART Garden insect killer can bring some sort of peace to me and my stink bug situation. All of these plus weed and grass killer are included in the safe plant and garden bundle, I am giving away, courtesy of
Eco smart 
-- Weed and Grass Killer (24 oz spray bottle)
-- Garden Fungicide (24 oz spray bottle)
-- Garden Insect Killer (24 oz spray bottle)
-- Insect Repellent (6 oz bottle)
Learn More
EcoSMART describes their company, technology, and their product goals on their website as....
"....the world leader in safe pesticide solutions, is a venture-backed company with patented technology and a world-class management team. Our mission is to create the world’s safest, most effective pesticides based on natural ingredients. We have 15 years of scientific research and a wealth of patents behind us. We make the only 100% safe insecticide that is proven to work. We offer the only complete line of EPA exempt pesticides sold in the US.
Safe around children, pets, and the environment
Since EcoSMART’s proprietary botanical oil blends attack attributes that are specific only to pests, they have no effect on people, pets or the environment. The primary active ingredients in EcoSMART products are approved as Direct Food Additives or classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. These oils are commonly used to add flavor and aroma to many cosmetic, beverage and food products, including cake, candy, sweetener, gum, soft drinks, and lipstick. Children and pets are safe. No need to clear them out after application or be concerned if they are near our products. Our products have no adverse effect on mammals, birds, and fish and also will not contaminate water sources."
~So to enter the give-away just leave a comment on this post letting me know what is in your summer garden!( or you hope to have in your garden)
Be sure to leave your email in the comment so I can let you know if you won!!!!!...I will post the winner on Earth Day April 22
nd right here!!
*roaaaar! Just
in case you were curious... I was given a bundle to review. These are my opinions, I was not compensated in any other way for this post.
Another cool book I got via Austin public libraries this week was Creative Recycling in Embroidery. It takes a look at some quite beautiful ephemeral art pieces and sort of tells you how to make your own, an interesting take on a how-to book.
