February is a wonderful time to garden in Florida. It’s not hot and we can grow things like lettuce, broccoli and spinach that can’t take the heat.
After that extended nasty cold spell we had, it’s time to cut back the damage. Of course I wanted to do it right away but they say that the damaged areas protect the plant from more cold so I’ve been sitting on my hands and counting the days until I can clean up this mess. Over the next few weeks I will be cutting back the hibiscus and scheffs as well as that thorny bougainvillea. Things are going to look a little bare until the new growth comes in but will look great this summer.
On a sad note, even though I had covered my fountain it sustained a hit. I am going to have to epoxy it back together. If I had known the cold was going to last as long as it did, I would have taken it inside. Record cold is no joke. 
Hi, I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of my garden friends who have wondered why I haven’t been posting as often as I had been.
Things have gotten a bit sporatic because my husband became ill and died in October. As you can imagine, it threw my world into turmoil and blog posts were very low on my list of things that had to be done.
Posting here is fun for me and I have many more pictures and ideas to share. I love to walk with my camera and show you what other people have done. It is encouraging for those of us who are ever planning but not quite sure what it will look like when we are done. After all, the magazines are full of gorgeous gardens that far exceed the average man’s budget. What can we do in a limited economy that will leave us with the greatest satisfaction? That question can only be answered by getting to the heart of what we see in our imagination when we think “garden”.
If that sounds like something you can identify with, why not take a few minutes and join my blog. I welcome your experiences and you don’t have to have a big garden to share your heart. You can join the email list (top right column) or my RSS feed. You can even join this blog and begin contributing your own experiences. It’s like sitting in a shaded corner with some birds twittering overhead while the fountain burbles in the distance. Depending on the time of day, add a cup of coffee or some wine and let’s chat!
Sharing some Florida shade :0)
Glenna
I’ve been noticing many people using garden plaques in their landscaping schemes. They bring an interesting focus to an otherwise bare wall and make an ordinary home a conversation piece. On a recent walk I took some pictures to share some of the neat ways they are being used.
This picture doesn’t do this house justice. It is located on a main street in my housing development and is more or less a landmark. The sun plaque is so attractive and fits their color scheme so well that everyone notices it. Here’s a closeup of the plaque.
When you see something like this, it tells you that the owner takes pride in their home and is working to keep it nice. Being an older development, most of the houses were built in the 1970s, we don’t have a formal homeowner’s association forcing people to comply with a standard appearance. Seeing people accenting their homes suggests the neighborhood will continue to age gracefully. It’s a good place to live.
Here is another home where they have grouped smaller plaques to create a larger emphasis. Although not as impressive as the first one, they still liven up a dull wall and cause you to take a second look at what they have done.
I have more pictures to add to this category. If you would like to know when I post them, just sign up for either the email list or the RSS reader on the right. I really enjoy sharing these garden ideas. If you have something to share, leave a comment so others can read it too. I know gardening is often a seasonal endeavor but by peeking into someone else’s yard, you often get great ideas for your own.
I’ve read more and more instances of garden statues being stolen. If they were made of a metal like copper, they can be melted down and sold with no one able to trace them. Otherwise, people steal the statue that you so lovingly bought and resell it someplace like Craigs List or a fleamarket. With the economy the way it is, don’t put anything near the street that you can’t afford to lose.
Conversely, if you install an expensive statue or fountain, you might want to take some security measures as well. It never hurts to have additional lights, cameras and a fenced yard. They might not stop someone from raiding your landscape but they will help the police recover what you have lost. If your statue happens to have a serial number, make sure it is recorded and kept in a safe place. If not, you can engrave your Social Security or license number in an inconspicuous place so that you can prove ownership should the statue be stolen and recovered.
You put a lot of thought into choosing the right statue or fountain for your landscape. Complete the job by providing for its safety.
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