Grow Something!

As the summer season is winding down, it is time to say good-bye to this season's garden. Every year I look forward to starting my garden(s), every year I am also so happy to wrap up the season. It is truly a labor of love. I always tell people to grow something, be it vegetables and/or flowers. Start small. If you have never grown anything, the last thing you should do is start digging up your yard to plant 15 different varieties of vegetables. Also, you really need to think about what you like to eat and/or what flowers you like to look at (and what will look good in your yard or on your patio). I will talk more about gardening next spring, but for now I thought I would share some of our projects from this past season.


My daughter Marie's Begonia plant. She picked it out, we took care of it (of course). I have always loved Begonias as they continue to bloom all season.


My absolute favorite shade plant, Coleus. They add tons of color, and again look beautiful all season!

My perennial and herb garden. Vegetables are more my thing, so I love planting flowers (and herbs) that essential take care of themselves (and come back each year). 

One of three raised beds. My wonderful husband built these for me. I love mixing flowers with vegetables. My little rosemary plant is on the corner in a pot so that we can take it in when it starts to get too cold. If taken care of properly, it will be a perennial herb for us in Wisconsin. 

A view of all my front yard gardens.

Plants like tomatoes and zucchini do well at the ends of the beds where they can spill over the sides. 

Herb-y with basil, mint, thyme and oregano flowers. 

Herb-y with a basil fro and a Zinnia, by favorite annual flower. 

Early season before every thing explodes!

As cold and dreary days come knocking at our door, I like to be reminded of the beauty of summer, and what will come again. I hope this inspires you to think about next spring and what you could plant. Even if it is just a pot of flowers and a patio tomato plant on your porch, anything you grow is good for you (and the environment). Think of all those happy bees!