The guard bunny ...

I will begin by apologizing for the warped view of the bunny. He's kinda like me. He's actually our garden guard bunny. He sits at the bottom of the bird feeder and keeps an eye out for trolls and other critters who don't belong. He doesn't do anything about them, but he keep an eye out. You'd think by the past 2 entries that my gardens are full of goofy stuff. They really aren't. But gardening is about a lot of things to a lot of people. Sometimes it's therapy. Best therapy around in my humble opinion. Sometimes it's about growing the best roses, dahlias or whatever around. Some people like their gardens to be very symmetrical and formal. Others like cottage gardens with lots of whimsy. Japanese style gardens are very peaceful and tranquil. I guess I tend towards a somewhat restrained English garden. Not too formal, not too crazy. But I do love to have fun. Barry just rolls his eyes sometimes. I think he thinks I'm a little nuts. He's probably right. Anyway ... the point is ... have fun with gardening. Life's too full of other stresses . Gardening should be a way to relax. So have fun ... and don't take life ... or yourself ... too seriously. Until next time.....

It was a cold and blustery day ....

I can't complain though. So it only reached a windy high of 6C in Toronto but at least it got sunny. New Brunswick got a major winter storm today. I'm very thankful that we haven't received any more snow. Rain would be good. Help the flowers.... So on a cheerier note, this is one of my "critters". Not typical for my gardens, but he has a couple of friends ... they were too much fun to pass up. So have fun planning your gardens this spring ... happy digging!

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At my wonderful husband's encouraging, I've decided to start this blog. Mostly about the trials and tribulations of gardening in South Ajax. And life in general. He's inspired me with his blog.

When I was growing up, my Dad was an avid gardener, mostly vegetables. So of course I was roped into "harvest time". As a teenaged girl, who was obsessed with guys, the last thing I wanted to do on the weekends was pick carrots, tomatoes, etc. Because I viewed it as a chore, I didn't want anything to do with gardening.

Then I hit my late thirties, living in a house to help my parents (then in their seventies). My Dad wasn't well and couldn't garden any more so we sodded over the entire back yard and I hung pre-made baskets around the backyard. And I decided in my "wisdom" to get rid of everything in the front yard and plant all alysum and pansies ... in a 7' x 25' garden. In a western facing garden. For those of you who know anything about gardening, you're probably chuckling...by mid-July, I ripped up all the pansies (they had gotten terriby leggy and overgrown) and replaced them with Celosia and Dusty Miller. Much better choice.

Then Dad passed away in November. The following summer I started to dig up the sod out back with just a shovel (I don't recommend this ... rent a sod-cutter). Started a 10' x 20' garden. Thought for some reason I'd "give it a whirl". And that's when the addiction started. Since then Barry and I bought the house (I kept leaving and coming back over the years so I figured I was meant to own the blasted thing), and we now have no grass in the back or the sides and about 15'x25' in the front, surrounded by gardens.

So I'd love to hear from those of you who have fun, frustrating, silly stories about your experiences in gardening ... wherever you live. The season is just beginning. I'll be posting pictures along the way. Gardens are never really finished. Especially mine. I change my mind like I change my socks.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sandy