Spring garden – Page 2 – Cynthia Reyes

A Good Home, Canadian Gardens, Garden, Spring garden

Mama’s Garden in Spring

May 30, 2015May 30, 2015 Cynthia Reyes

My husband named this garden for my mother. It’s my favorite garden and I promised to tend it.

But my injuries made gardening a huge challenge and Mama’s Garden became a little jungle.

For the last few years, it’s looked a bit wild, especially from the outside.

But it’s always a treasure-trove on the inside.

My Good Man weeded the pathway for me this Spring – thank you, thank you, Kind Sir!!

Suddenly, you could see the path and even the plants stood out more.

That purple flower on the left below is woodland phlox. Farther below, in the next picture, is Solomon’s seal, blooming its small white bells.

Yes, even Irises bloom here.

Ferns, hydrangea, Jack-in-the-pulpit, May apple,dogwood, ligularia, wild phlox, woodland phlox, astilbe, hosta — and many more plants grow together here. Including two clematis vines.

The double clematis flourishes on the entrance arbor. It will cover that side of the arbor very soon.

The dogwood blooms above all that. It has never looked better.

Same goes for the purple lilac.

Way to go, Mama’s Garden! Thank you for your thriving and lovely ways.

Dedicated to my mother.

With thanks to my husband for all his work in our garden.

A Good Home, Canadian Gardens, Canadian life, Flowers, Friendship, Garden Humour, Gardens, Spring Bulbs, Spring garden

Skulduggery

March 22, 2015 Cynthia Reyes

Every spring for years now, my dear friend Les and I have fiercely competed in The Bloomin’ Bulbs competition.

We two are the only participants.

Whoever has the first blooming spring bulbs is the winner.

But in the weeks ahead, we’ll both be on high alert, because we’ve proven ourselves …uhm… untrustworthy.

One year I brought a blow-dryer outside, trying to warm up the air around my not-quite-blooming daffodils.

And as for Les …. well….

Please follow the trail from here:

From: Cynthia Reyes
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2014 4:58 PM
To: ‘Leslie Lawrence’
Subject: I have SEVERAL crocuses bloomin’!

I have SEVERAL crocuses bloomin’ now!

Two yesterday, several today.

And I just remembered: it’s the Bloomin’ Bulbs competition, so Hellebores don’t count, Les!

Have you any real bulbs yet??

From: Leslie
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 9:05 AM
To: Cynthia Reyes
Subject: Re: I have SEVERAL crocuses bloomin’ now!

Well, you are probably well ahead.

It’s hard to be in competition with the Reyes Estate.

A Few Things have poked their heads up vigorously through the leaf mulch.

However, we don’t have much of a display.

Lawrence el Veraz

On Apr 14, 2014, at 9:19 AM, Cynthia Reyes wrote:

Les – that is beautiful!

I have no daffodils blooming.

When I read your email, I braced myself for another fake photo – but this is great!

It looks like you won the contest this year, because those daffodils have been up for a while – right?

Darn, drats and heck! I hate losing. But if I had to lose to someone….. I’m glad it’s you!

From: Leslie
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 9:46 AM
To: Cynthia Reyes
Subject: Re: I have SEVERAL crocuses bloomin’ now!

Hi Cynthia,

Well, I’m glad you liked the photo.

As for fake photos, though we have this keen competition, I assure you I would never spend a lot of time scheming to send you a photograph taken last spring in order to accomplish the nearly impossible task of fooling you one last time.

Not me.

Lawrence el Veraz.

On Apr 14, 2014, at 9:50 AM, Cynthia Reyes wrote:

Oh my God!

You did it again, didn’t you?

I don’t know why I get hoodwinked every time.

And this time – completely.

Duz a leppard change his spots?

Duz a photo-faker change his ways?

Obviously not.

Ay, caramba!

All this to say: keep your friends close, but keep your gardener-friends even closer!

Dedicated to my dear friend Lawrence el Veraz.

A Good Home, Aggie and Lou, Environment-friendly, Farming, Farms, Flowers, Gardens, Living sustainably, Organic Farming, Organic Food, Peonies, Spring garden, Stewards of the land, Texas, The environment, Vegetables

Blooms for Aggie (and Lou)

June 22, 2014June 23, 2014 Cynthia Reyes

Aggie asked me to publish blooms of peonies from my garden.

I promised I would.

Who is Aggie, you may ask?

Aggie and husband Lou run Isis Farms near Avery, Texas. They call what they do “beyond organic”.

“We want to grow and supply ‘real’ food, for ourselves, and as many people as possible. We think that good, whole food is a key to health.”

They describe themselves as stewards of their 30-acre land.

“As stewards of this land, we want to nurture a healthy ecosystem, maintaining the forest, reintroducing native grasses, and keeping the chemicals out.”

Aggie and Lou believe the planet cannot possibly sustain the average American’s lifestyle. So they are doing their part to reduce their impact on the earth.

“For example, we are planning for solar power, and rainwater collection and drip irrigation to minimize water usage. Our home is small, and we heat with wood, which creates no additional greenhouse gases, and is freely available in our forest. We purchase used items when practical.”

Aggie and Lou have been working very hard to realize their ideals. And they continue to do so, through what seems to be every single day. This kind of work and vision take commitment, but they seem to have it in spades.