A New Journey :: The Bitter and The Sweet

Hoe and Shovel Garden June 2014

The more we live/mature the more we realize life is most often sweet but once in a while it deals out a bit of bitter. When Mr. Meems and I were making the hard decision recently about whether to undergo a major house-remodeling project or to move away from our home of 30 years, we knew for certain that leaving my garden wasn't an option. At first the idea was unthinkable. It wasn't in the realm of possibilities. No, not even a consideration. I could not sell my house which would mean I would leave my garden behind. We would bite the bullet and invest in an overdue renovation of our home. It was a decision we had contemplated for a long time and put off for even longer.

Favorite bird bath

To be fair and to complete this story let's rewind to last year. We bought the house next door April 2013. Yes, you read that right. The house next door. The one right next door to mine. Our longtime (recently widowed) neighbor bought a smaller, more convenient home (for him) and he sold us his house. Our overall plan was to update/rejuvenate the house next door with new floors, paint, and a few other essentials. We were to move into it temporarily (while ours was being remodeled) and then sell it. We moved into the house next door November of 2013 when the renovation on it was complete. That was the plan. It was going to be a sweet blessing not to be living in our house during the remodel.

Water feature in the Circle Garden

A side note is needed here: since April 2013 I've been gardening on both lots. Each of them is a little over half an acre. In the new garden I was mainly keeping up with weeds and trimming. But last fall (when we moved into the house next door) I just could't help myself.  I started planting some rooted cuttings from my garden into the garden next door. The barren planting beds were begging for my attention. I'll talk more about that fun in another blog. For now it will be less confusing if I keep this about the timeline progression of the two houses.

A view of my back garden June 2014

I think you know where this is going.

It's a really long story. For the sake of this blog, the short of it is that what I thought was the unthinkable became the reality. Have you ever noticed how time and circumstance have a way of easing into our hearts and minds and ever-so sneakily whittling away at some of the *things* we think we already have figured out in life.

A month ago we signed a contract to sell our home of 30 years. That means the garden too. I know. This is the bitter part. Bitter sadness at every thought of leaving my garden was overwhelming in the beginning. Okay, y'all know I don't like emotional drama. This was dramatic! At times I have thought I might melt into a pool of sorrow never to be recollected. It catches me off guard. It's kinda like parts of my heart are being ripped out of me while my soul watches from a distance. I had said yes to the sale with my mind and mouth, but my heart was really clinging at first.

Penelope the flamingo

Selling our home (and garden) was an unexpected turn of events. The renovation project was finally underway. We had just completed some major foundation work on our home (due to some ground settling issues) and the last nail in the new roof was hammered.  Just before the contractor was scheduled to start the remodel we thought the time was right to do some additional investigating for future planning. We spoke with a Realtor in reference to selling the house next door. (The house we bought to live in temporarily just in case you're lost in all this).

Birdhouse Garden June 2014

The Realtor gave us numbers and figures to think about for both houses in the course of our appointment with her. Within the week she called us to ask if she could bring some people by to look at our house. The one we weren't going to sell. The one we have lived in for 30 years, raised our children in and the one with the dream garden I built with my own sweat and energy one plant and one border at a time.

A shady sweep of 'Postman Joyner' Caladiums in the back garden

Fast forward to a week later. The savvy young couple who looked at it ~ even though it wasn't for sale and there was no pressure on us to sell ~ wanted to buy it ~ just like it is ~ without the completed renovation. We agreed to sell it. Our closing is scheduled for next week. Just like that.

It's a perfect house for their little family. They are super excited about the house and the garden. We are excited to have them as our new neighbors.

The fire pit seating area I built February 2014

It was agreeable to everyone that we could move most of my garden accessories (pots, birdhouses, bird feeders, fire pit.) And then there were some plants that were pass-alongs or gifts from special people. I've rooted a load of cuttings from favorite plants also. Needless to say it has been an exhausting month making all that happen so quickly. More about that in another blog.

New (current) house has an open deck we rebuilt that overlooks my new back garden

It isn't as difficult to think about leaving the house as it is about leaving my garden. The memories made in that house will be forever with me and my family. It is much more of a challenge to leave the garden. I always pictured myself still toiling in it when I was 90.

My emotions about leaving the garden have gone from devastated in the beginning days to hopeful as time passes. This is a new journey in our lives. I'm beginning to see the bright side to starting over. My new garden has some great bones (mature oaks, palmettos, and established shrubs), but after that it is a fairly plain pallet. There isn't nearly the amount of shade that I had before so I'm making big adjustments concerning sun conditions and right-plant, right place locations. I see it all as a new opportunity.

A small glimpse at my new garden. 'Celebration' Caladium in the foreground. Bulbs planted May 5. Photo: July 3, 2014

I'm going to take my time to really think out exactly how much and what I want to do in this garden. This house is a little smaller and the lot is a little bigger. We have a large open deck now instead of a screened lanai with a pool. I'm looking forward to this new adventure. Often in life you just might not know why things happen like they do. So we put on our big-girl pants and make the choice to turn the bitter into sweet. One thing I do know. I will create a garden wherever I am and it will be a reflection of me ... warts and all. Stay tuned for a sweet future ahead!

This quote really touched my heart when I read it recently.

Happy gardening,
Meems

Come hang out with me and other gardening friends for daily updates at Hoe and Shovel on Facebook... here's the link:
*** Hoe and Shovel on Facebook  **

All material © 2007-2014 by Meems for Hoe and Shovel Gardening Blog. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

Fireworks Florida Gardening Style

In honor of the 4th of July and America's birthday I'd like to showcase some of the explosive bursts of color in my Florida garden.

There aren't any missiles or projectiles to watch out for but possibly some bright flashes and flickers to stand back and gaze at from a safe distance.

Perhaps some sparks will fly with hues so hot they appear ignited.

Abundant fiery colors displaying showering explosions of energy with garden blooms resembling fireworks have been showing up in my garden.

Please enjoy the drama, the details, and most importantly, the view.


































Happy 4th of July to all my American friends and family.
Meems

** Click on any photo to read caption with ID.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*** You're invited to click here to LIKE Hoe and Shovel on Facebook. We'd love for you to join the conversation.

Full Sun 'White Wonder' Caladiums

Other than the edible garden the front southern-most half of the front lawn qualifies as the sunniest location in my garden. West-facing it receives a good portion of mid-afternoon sun although my neighbor's large oak trees do filter the light in the latest part of the day.

Caladiums are commonly known to perform best in shade and partial sun situations.

Good news for sunny gardens.

Recent breeding by Dr. Bob Hartman of Classic Caladiums has introduced some fabulous new caladium hybrids that are sun tolerant.

***The photo above was taken randomly with my camera by my 12yo grandson. He loves to walk around my garden and see what he can see through the lens. I LOVED this photo of White Wonder! A boy after my heart!

'White Wonder' is a fancy leaf with a short to intermediate habit which makes it a nice fit for the front or middle of the border. In my front garden it is paired with foundational plants of white yarrow, bulbine, blue-eyed grass, and flax lily.

In keeping with the asymmetrical feel of the front lawn renovation I chose to 'clump' (5 or 7 bulbs) pockets of 'White Wonder' along the street side of my front garden.

'White Delight', 'White Marble', 'Mt. Everest', 'White Pearl', 'White Diamond', and 'White Star' are other white varieties that are also sun tolerant and offered through Classic Caladiums.

I like the size and shape of 'White Wonder'. The deep magenta center veining and deep green edging is a highlight for me as it adds a spark of color while blending easily with neighboring plants.

It's really nice to have more options with caladiums in the sunny parts of the garden!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclosure ***Dr. Bob Hartman and Mike Woods of Classic Caladiums generously gave me (50) White Wonder bulbs during my tour (which you can read about here) of their facility in February. They did not require anything in return. I believe in what they are doing to improve the caladium industry and I LOVE caladiums so much I am honored if I have any small part in promoting the industry and specifically Classic Caladiums. It isn't too late to plant caladium bulbs. If you want to place an order Classic Caladiums still has a few specials being offered at great values and prices.

Coffee in the Circle Garden

Strangely enough Florida has had better temperatures than most of the mid and northwest this week. Summertime in Florida is normally hot and humid like a sauna.It has actually been unseasonably less humid for any day in July! So unusual that it has been bearable to enjoy morning coffee in the circle garden.
From this seating area in the central hub of the back gardens looking to the right is the perennial gardens. There are narrow pathways running throughout but not visible from the seated position. Without moving from the chairs here are a few views from that vantage point.









It's still quite hot and humid but noticeably less. SO... I've been out in the garden taking advantage of the reprieve this week. We've been warned the weather is quickly making a switcheroo to high humidity by weeks' end.

I hope you are enjoying your gardens.
Meems

Humid With a Chance of Rain

It's a good thing there are some summer bloomers that don't mind humid, hot conditions.

The July garden offers just that. Day in and day out. We start out warm and we end up warm. Crape myrtles come alive at the onset of summer and thrive in our humid conditions.

Florida's rainy season begins in summer following our long, dry spring.

We are grateful for the six plus inches of rain that started the rainy season off with much needed heavenly liquid.

As a result of our consistent warmth and rainy conditions the garden grows like a jungle.

Frequent walks through the garden to pick up fallen branches/sticks, pull weeds, soft prune and to pick off dead flowers is beneficial.

Getting out very early (or late, or both) and staying in the shade through the middle part of the day is advised in this kind of heat.

Weeds grow as fast as the plants and can get out of control quickly if ignored.

It's the season that reveals the plants we've sited correctly (or not) for size, sunlight needs, and water requirements. Putting the right plants in the right place is essential for summer happiness.

It is easy to see which plants are quite content as they continue unfurling new growth.

There are a few Agapanthus blooms that first appeared in May still scattered about in the midst of July.

Their numerous trumpeted flowers shaped into large round orbs atop tall scapes are providers of nectar to all sorts of flying critters.

In the front garden where spring's new plantings replaced the last bit of the lawn there it's easy to see how rapidly they are filling in with all the rain.

Caladiums have popped out of the ground so happy to be a part of the summer scenery. Some return each year. New ones planted to fill in the gaps go in the ground June/July every year also.

There are pests that thrive on summer's feast of overgrowth and hide in its lushness. The Eastern Lubber grasshoppers are my biggest problem in the summer garden. Without a predator (except me) to ward them off they eat huge portions of my big-leaved tropicals leaving them tattered and unsightly. This one unpolitely chomping on the sweetly scented blooms of butterfly gingers.

Colorful foliage of Stromanthe in the shade resembles a water color painting from the back side of their lovely leaves.

Over in the sunny edible garden weeds have gone awry and need to be tamed. Soon. But the flowering perennials and annuals loving summer's heat draw the hummers and pollinators regardless of the overgrown weeds.

Gardening in the summertime in Florida can be challenging. It's when I am MOST grateful for my mostly shady garden that protects me (and the plants)from the direct sunlight as I work.

Like every other season the garden is where you'll find me in my free time. And like every other season the summer garden has its glories. I want to be right there in the face of them so I don't miss a thing.

Happy gardening wherever you are! Meems

**All photos taken Sunday during a stroll around Hoe and Shovel. For photo identification click on the photo. You'll be taken to my Picasa Web Album where each photo is captioned. Back click to return to this post.