I brought home a 7′ Thundercloud Purple-Leaf Plum tree today. I’m always impressed at how much I can fit in the Golf.
We selected a spot… 
Oliver supervised the dig… 
and inspected the soil quality…
and was surprised to find a layer of gravel about a foot down.
I forgot to take a picture of the tree in place before it got dark, so, maybe tomorrow?
Tag: Outside
Time Of The [re]Turning
Okay, we are back. It has been a rough winter, but spring is finally here. I have been fighting the winter doldrums since November, and it finally got the better of me. But with the sunshine and the temperatures warming, I’m feeling more normal every day.
There hasn’t been much to report on the house, Jack did come and collect the front door, and the new screen door/storm door, but I know he is busy, so I don’t know what stage they are at right now. I hope to have the new doors in place in time to enjoy the screen door this spring. We’ll see.
Last week we pulled that ugly shrub in front of the porch. I’m so glad to see it go. The new grass is beginning to make an appearance, and I’m planning what type of small, ornamental tree I would like in that spot.
I’ve always loved purple-leaf plum trees, but I’m hesitant because of the plum-pox virus. Although it has now been almost completely lifted for almost the whole original quarantine area in South-Central Pennsylvania, and it was never actually restricted in my township, I’m still not sure it is responsible of me to plant one. So, I’m not sure what else to plant.
It is a tough spot, right between the porch and the sidewalk. I don’t want the roots to interfere with the foundation of the house, or to cause the sidewalk to buckle. I don’t want something that is going to drop fruit on the porch or sidewalk, making stains. Or worse, having berries the birds will eat, then drop their berry-colored poop all over my car. Also, I have to keep it to a short tree because of powerlines that run right above the sidewalk, parallel to the house. But I want something to shade the front porch a bit. And I want something with dark purple foliage, to contrast nicely with the green siding. What else fits that bill?
thinking of next year’s yard and plants…
It’s about that time of year, when all the outdoor plants are pretty much dead or in the process of dying off. But not this one: 
This group of bushy yellow flowered plants are called Melampodium. I’d never heard of it before, but this spring when picking out seed packets (I always buy way too many), I decided to give it a try. 
The seedlings came up pretty quickly, but by the time they were ready to transplant, they were looking pretty sickly. I figured, what the heck, I’ll stick them in the ground, they might make it. Boy did they ever! I think I planted them too closely, though, because I underestimated them. I think I’ll get two packets of Melampodium seeds for next year.
The seedlings came up pretty quickly, but by the time they were ready to transplant, they were looking pretty sickly. I figured, what the heck, I’ll stick them in the ground, they might make it. Boy did they ever! I think I planted them too closely, though, because I underestimated them. I think I’ll get two packets of Melampodium seeds for next year.
Also still going strong is the Spanish Flag Vine I planted as my first attempt to disguise the chain link fence between my yard and the printing press factory next door.Other things I want to remember to plant next year:
- Gazania- Daybreak Mix- they have the prettiest striped petals
- Cosmos- orange from seeds collected from this year’s volunteers
- Marigolds- also collected seeds from this year’s crop- but only yellows and reds, I’m tired of the orange ones, and plenty will come up on their own- they did this year
- Sweet Millions Cherry Tomato- only one plant this time (mom!)
- Black-Eyed Susan Vine- I’ll try again, I think they could have been tended better
- Narsturtium- also still going strong right now- didn’t really think they would because I had trouble with them last year- this year just tossed a packet of seeds into an empty spot and surprise!
- White Salvia- so pretty at twilight, and really took off, got big and bushy
Wow, that sounds like it should keep me busy. I’m sure I’ll find more by spring….
House Tour: Outside After
…the porch is messier and full of porch furniture, the plants aren’t as tidy, and there is a 2 year old golden retriever who likes to dig in the yard and flower beds. There is a new kitchen window. The cracks in the sidewalk, steps, and porch have gotten worse.
Otherwise, not much has changed in four years.
House Tour: Outside Before
In September of 2003… 
Green Bungalow Craftworks 
