Fall Gardening

On Tuesday I bought eight new perennials for my garden. Each year I've been adding a few and this time I decided I'd better get ones that would thrive in sun because I lost all the shade when they cut down the tree in my yard last month. This is the only one blooming. It's a Sweet Kate Spiderwort. I like it because it should flower in the Spring and then again in the Fall.

Honey

Last month while on vacation in Tomah, WI I bought this honey. Tonight I finally put some into the new honey pot I picked up in Antigua, Guatemala last December. The honey on the left was made from Springtime Wildflowers and the container on the right comes from Cranberry plants. I'm looking forward to these subtle flavors.

Spring into Summer

This has been an odd year for weather. In March, as Spring arrived, we had a week of 80°F temps. Trees started to bud, but cold weather followed and the budding process stopped. Now that summer has come, the tree in my yard is only half leafed out. Near the trunk it's pretty full but there are many branches that are completely bare.


Update: 3 August 2012

This morning I discovered they cut this tree down yesterday. I've seen other trees with the same problem this tree had but I didn't think this would be reason to get rid of the tree. 

Update: 26 September 2012

It seems the tree was probably taken down to fight Emerald Ash Borer. Many trees throughout the subdivision and local towns have been cut dow to prevent the spread of this tree disease.

Gardening

Today I bought a flat of petunias and made up two hanging baskets. These are on a new garden hook near the front door.

Horses

The beautiful Spring blue sky and green grass was the perfect backdrop for a few horse photos at Danada Equestrian Center.

Sheep

It was sheep shearing day at Kline Creek Farm. Lots of kids had a great time. Farmer Mark did a wonderful job of educating and entertaining the guests as he explained and demonstrated how to shear sheep. "It's more like shaving than getting a haircut."

Lilacia Park

The Lilacs, Tulips and Daffodils were in all stages of bloom. Some were finished and others just peaking.

 

 

Deep Quarry Lake

West Branch (DuPage River) Bartlett, IL.

Bursting in Bloom

Enjoyed a Spring bike ride today and couldn't help taking a few flower photos. Every day there seem to be more colors and more flowers in bloom.

Purple

Lilacs in bloom as sunset approaches.

Kite

Another evidence of Spring from Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Hearts

Last year the Bleeding Hearts didn't bloom until mid-May. This year they are at least 5 weeks earlier.

Leafing Out

I love when trees start to leaf out. There is something about the bright green color and the "mini" leaves that just shout "Spring is here." And with it comes longer daylight and warm days. 

Japanese Garden

I stopped at Fabyan Park (part of the Kane County Forest Preserve) in Geneva, IL to see the Japanese Tea Garden in its Spring attire.

Bluebells

It barely got to 51°F today but I kept finding flowers in full bloom.

Apple Blossoms

These pink apple tree blossoms were at the height of color today.

Violets

White

The warm windy Spring weather came back today.

It's tricky getting a good photo when the wind is blowing but the evening sunlight on these tulips was nice and I kept trying.

Tulips

Red

Daffodil

More Spring color.