Freezing Outside Temperature

Our neighbor covered their swimming pool for few weeks now and look at ours, it's still open and so inviting. I seldom go out the backyard anymore. My husband turns on and off the pump manually so at least twice a day he would go out and brave the freezing outside temperature. I would love to clean the yard but, the cold weather is just so intense for me. The pile of leaves are not that ridiculous though. Last November, we hired a tree-trimming company to cut the hazardous trunks and limbs close to our house. They really did a good job.

For now, I am just waiting for a warm day and clean one section of the backyard each time if I get the chance. How was your New Year celebration by the way?

The Bare Tree

For my nature trip Thursday post, here's the big tree at the front yard with leaves on hiatus. I love looking at it when it's bare and that would mean one thing too, nothing to clean up which truly gives me a lot of time for myself and do other things. Have a great day you all and please, stay positive! Be productive today.

Yard Work and Gardening

We were so glad that the lawn guy cut the grass the other day. The grass grows so fast these past few days because of the rain. I like it though. The only down side is we can't keep up. Hubby told the guy not to include the backyard because we will do it ourselves. We were so busy so; gardening and yard work will be scheduled on the weekend. It will be a fun day for us. You can relate if you love yard work. Thanks for stopping by.

5 Gardening Basics that You Should Remember

This post brought to you by Scotts Miracle-Gro. All opinions are 100% mine.

For the past days, I have been prepping my backyard to create a relaxing outdoor ambiance. I was also in-and-out to a garden store buying stepping stones for DIY garden project that I have in mind. I bought gardening supplies such as top soil, flowering plants and pavers for one area that I plan to make a flower garden. I love gardening and to show you how I was doing last year, check out my vegetable garden and the produce as well as my flowering plants in bloom. It was amazing that my activity last year includes sustainable gardening for we did not buy calamondin, okra and tomatoes since I planted a vegetable garden.

If you are new to gardening, here are few basic tips that you should remember:

1. Select the right area for planting - When you buy plants in the garden store, you will definitely find comprehensive information on how to grow a specific plant. Some plants thrive in shady area, some needed 8 hours of sunlight so; select the plants that is more likely grow on that condition.

2. Gather your gardening tools - Good and durable gloves are necessary tool in gardening for it protects your hand from blisters and calluses as well as reduces fatigue. It also keeps your hand from getting dirty. A trowel is also important for digging small holes and breaking up earth.

3. Clean and cultivate - Weeds will take over rapidly if you don't clean the area properly. Make sure that you pull the weeds to the roots. Cultivate the soil for it helps control the weeds from thriving and it is a better way to prepare the area for planting.

4. Add top Soil - If you have a sandy type of soil like what we have here in Florida, you need to add a top soil and make sure that you mixed it well.  The growth of a healthy plant depends on the type of soil you have so; make sure that you buy the good soil.

5, Planting - After selecting the plants in the garden store and the area in your yard is ready for planting, it is time to take the plants out from the container and transfer it to the ground.  Don't dig too deep and make sure that you loosen it before you cover with dirt.

Finally, after planting all your favorite plants, it is time to add Scotts Florida Select Natural Eucalyptus Mulch which I truly recommend.  This product will prevent weeds from thriving in your garden and helps conserved soil moisture and moderate the soil temperature. This garden essential is 100% Florida grown Eucalyptus. It is sustainable cypress alternative and grown in Florida.

If you are not living in Florida, check out Scotts Nature Scapes mulch for your landscaping needs. This product comes in 3 varieties of colors, the Classic Black and Sierra Red and my personal choice the Deep Forest Brown. Scotts Nature Scapes mulch is a natural forest product and comes in different textures. You should add this product in your garden to maintain moisture and prevent weeds so you can enjoy a beautiful garden oasis.

Early Spring and Beautiful Blooms

There is indeed beauty in weeds. This is called Virginia Spiderwort or Tradescantia Virginiana which is commonly grown in gardens. It can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and mostly has purple, blue and white flowers. According to some experts in Horticulture, this is not a weed but, a native plant.

As for the rest of these beautiful flowers below, I have no idea what their names are.

I am no expert in flowers but, when I saw these plants in my yard today, though they are beautiful, I still consider them as weeds.

 
Check out the photo below, I even caught a bee trying to sipped a nectar out of it ... just my wild guess :-) or helping for pollination (wink).
 
This plant is really pretty, check out the flowers, I might cultivate it because the leaves are pretty.
 
Now, this for sure is my least favorite occupant in my garden, the flowers withered easily.
 
This is the only variety in the entire yard, looks like a tiny sunflower.
 
That's all for now friends. I will be posting some of my favorite flowers in my garden next time. I have few in blooms. Thanks for stopping by. Oh, if you know the names of the above plants/weeds/flowers, feel free to share it with us. Thanks and hope to see you again.

Tiny Bird in our Backyard

I was at the dining area and was looking at the backyard when I saw this tiny bird hopping on the stem of my lettuce plant. I love our backyard mainly because the birds hangout the area frequently. Early in the morning, the birds are always there chirping. Hubby plans to buy a bird feeder but was hesitant because the squirrels love to hangout the yard as well. One predator that frequents the yard is a wild cat. The cat loves to sneak around to catch the squirrels and birds.

Anyway, here is the bird again hopping on the grass and eating some seeds.

The bird is on the lettuce stem probably attracted on the seeds at the tip of the stem.

Here in our place, wild birds are ordinary wanderer in the area. I will post another bird on the next post. Thanks for stopping by.

My DIY Patio Project

As what I promised few days ago that I will share my DIY project, here it is. I was inspired to do a DIY project while watching an HGTV show. I bought a garden fabric, select an affordable pavers, imagine a plan, and make it happen. For few days, hubby and I had our dinner right here. We were grillin' so; this is the right place for feasting our grillin' foodies and we love our outdoor area.We bought the gazebo at Home Depot while the pavers, we bought it from Lowe's. The white and the red pavers were bought from Home Depot too.Next project? Fix the fence! Just kidding (*;*) Oh my, I can't do that without the help of an expert. We will hire a good carpenter to splurge the fence anytime soon.

Wood Swing Sets

Emilia is my little four year old little friend who loves to hang around in their community playground. It is just 5 minutes away in walking distance from her home. She loves to run, would really go crazy as she play the slides and monkey bar.I was with her one time when her mom asked me to watch her beautiful little girl for maybe less than two hours. When she is done with all those adrenalin activities, she would sit beside me on the wood swing sets and eat a tasty snacks. What an exciting and fun day I had while watching her play. Her mother told me that they are planning to purchase a swing set which they plan to install at their huge backyard. Emilia was grinning upon hearing the good news! She was so delighted because according to her, she can invite her friends over. How about you? Are you looking for a swing set? Check out the link provided here, you might find what you are looking for.

Messy Backyard Series

Thanks to all the bloggers who kept asking me how's my gardening progress. Well, NOT MUCH LOL! I am still in the process of weed fighting. I told Dhemz before how much part I started and eventually showing each part from time to time and since I am at the backyard, these two pictures completed the glimpses. I still have so much area to hurdle huh! Love it though. I am so bored here. See the fence at the far end? That's where our property ends.

Here is more, I never touched this area yet. Wanna come and help me? LOL! You see, gardening needs a Heart to it. It also needs Time and constant care. Since I love doing what I have been doing, this yard may look a burden but, for me, not at all. Gardening is therapeutic. I will be planting vegetables in one of these areas. If it will squeeze into my activities.

Messy Garden Update

For those who are asking and following my update of gardening ... sounds like a big deal huh...LOL, I don't have any yet except showing you how messy our backyard still. Well, of course, except {This Area}, you may click the link. The picture above is the left side area facing the house. Un-touched!

This is the area where I saw an orange stripe snake, crawling underneath those leaves. I might work on this area this week. I will using blower first to scare away the snake...hehehe.

We work this yard earlier today so, these leaves are not there anymore. Can you imagine, our neighbor next door says, this will be the start of a friendly yard competition...wheww! As we are finishing using the blower and weed whacker, the hired yard worker (their friend) came by and says, he had to come to compliment each others yard. Gosh! I am not ready with this hehehe....I have a long way to go! I need my clan here!

Look at this Mess! Geezzzz.... Pahina naman kayo jan....LOL!