The Hammock

While I'm waiting on the next round of blooms, I've taken to spending a fair amount of time laying in the hammock. It's located between two white oaks in the backyard at the edge of The Wild.



Until 2pm, it receives dappled sun through the dense canopy of oaks, maples, magnolias, and what I think are Black gum trees. Probably planted too close, there's a Leyland Cypress that will some day provide afternoon shade.



In the hammock, the sky is barely visible to the East.



From the driveway, it's hidden from view. As the roses and potager fill in, it will disappear completely.



In summer, a cool breeze flows through the Wild. It's dark and cool back here. English Ivy and periwinkle cover the ground. A few redbud seedlings have been spotted this year. They'll be moved next spring to the edges of the thicket where they can get a little more sunlight.



Laying in the hammock is where I get some of my ideas. One came to me a few days ago. Why not plant one of the Foster Hollies in the shrub island. Something would have to be moved. Maybe that dwarf loropetalum that's going to be swallowed up soon. It now resides at the base of the Muskogee crape myrtle which blooms lavender for 100+ days. The fall coloring is bright orange to red and is spectacular.



It's 63 degrees. The high today should reach into the upper 70s. I've already watered the tomatoes I set out yesterday. I also watered the upper potager where beans and cucumbers are up. Squash will arrive next. The nasturtiums have already started to sprout in between.

Progress in the Backyard

Last December, the backyard was a blank slate.



Yesterday, I took this series of images and used an autostitch program to create the panorama. The fence isn't actually curved, the software did that.



Things are very different back there now. Three raised beds for the vegetable garden next year, paths and a meadow garden, and of course, the dead oak tree have all helped shape the back yard into something I'm very happy with so far. A few "constructive staring" episodes this summer and fall have given me more ideas. Once the wintersown plants start germinating, they'll be used to fill in beds that were created this summer.

Between my yard and the neighbor's property, there is a stand of trees I like to call "The Wild". There are a few huge oaks, some smaller maples, a few Magnolias, and what I believe are sour gums. These last ones turn bright red in the fall. They're very slow growing and could take decades to reach a noticeable size. Another panoramic was taken from where I spent most of my day cutting wood.



In the gully, I finished moving most of the brush to the other side of the stream. You can almost see the depression where water collects during heavy rainstorms. This is where I will be planting my bog plants this spring. I've got three trades of Hibiscus coccineus 'alba' underway now. Those should go nicely with my Red Texas Stars that will be moved from the perennial bed once the threat of frost has passed. There will be some effort required to kill off the existing English ivy and vinca major that has taken over. It will be a never ending battle.



Water collects in any depression. I moved a large log which left a hole. It filled with water quickly.



I'm considering heading out there today to do a little more firewood splitting. But it's only 18 degrees. The batteries in the hoophouse thermometer must be frozen. It's not registering on the indoor receiver this morning.

In the basement, the yellow/orange brug cuttings are sporting flower pods. This is the largest.



Now that I've noticed them, they'll surely fall off before opening. There are several others just starting to appear on other cuttings.



Off from work today, I'm not sure what I intend to do. I'll have another cup of coffee before I make any decisions.

12:34pm - I've split another pallet of firewood. Both pallets in the basement are full. Mom called this morning to discuss Saturday and people I don't know that have died in the past two weeks. My sister got the cotton from a Q-tip stuck in her ear and had to have it removed by a doctor. So nothing has really happened in their world lately. I'm going to have some lunch, run to Lowe's and pick up a new damper for the little wood stove I'm hoping to sell tonight, and then I'll be cleaning the house for the rest of the day. It's 39 degrees outside, 66 inside the hoophouse.

The Wild

Just to show what's growing "back there".



This is the area where I found the pink rose I planted by the front door.









Looking back



Leatherleaf Mahonia





Ivy, vinca major, and other things slither along the ground back here.



An old patio table and chair next to the flowering quince.



Ditch lilies. These now inhabit the daylily bed and the perennial area.



Another mahonia and a 7' tall camellia behind it.



A forest of tiny maples.



The "sky" from here.





The gully.



towards the street



Gulfstream Nandinas.



Hardy Orange. Poncirus trifoliata







A butchered Mock Orange.



More Nandina.



Even boxwoods.



I need to turn my attention to the front of the house now. The gardens are almost done aside from tending. I need to start thinking about replacing the brick and covered porch with something more in keeping with the style of the house and yard. I'm leaning towards a trellis and large rails with wood stairs. It would be simple to build after all the brick is removed. I'd even have the materials for my firepit.



I'm almost ashamed to show that picture. I'm heading back outside. 57, sunny, and windy.