Let's Talk about Gardens

Aww, @ginger, my dad used to grow blackberries and my mom made the best cobblers with them! I'm a bit jealous because I can't get them to continue here. Have various varieties of strawberries lining the edges of two large flower flowing bed lines and they make at different times so keep me well supplied in season.

@gingerw That's one good reason to have a goat - they keep the blackberries from taking over the world, and will eat and eradicate poison oak.

We bought our house with the plan to rent it out until I retired, ten years in the future. "The best laid plans of men..." I was ordered by my doctor to retire two years later instead of the ten we had intended. As soon as we bought the house we got a travel trailer and hooked it up to the utilities, and while the house was being rented, the trailer was our motel room. Our renter was a veterinarian and had a pygmy goat and horses and various pets. The goat and one of his dogs would play together for hours. It was fun to watch.

Jim

@jim, My neighbor bought a tiny house on a few acres. He was a hunter, fisherman, and arrow head collector. His wife was delighted with his "man cave" because it gave him a place to mount his hunting trophies and display his huge collection. He also raised "show" chickens and goats. My two grandsons and I had great times watching the kids frolic but the biggest show stealer was one plump hen and nanny goat who became friends and would saunter around together and even cuddle with the hen atop the goat. Thanks for the memory.

@jimhd Goats love grass and other stuff we had a neighbor who lived on a steep hill ,he couldn't mow so he bought 2 goats they took care of his lawn for him it was so cute watching them .

I love to plant summer veggies, but the past few years, the only ones enjoying the veggie garden were the local rabbits, and squirrels, they were heartless wild life, who left nothing for me, so went back to many rose bushes in many colors, and seasonal bedding flowers.
Before the pandemic I would cut flowers and give them to neighbors. Now I cut the beautiful roses,and put them in every room in the house.
The neighbors are so afraid to touch the roses, would just let them die on their door step, now they decorate my home, and it looks so festive, and smells good also.

Today I spent 2+ hours pulling some weeds, before it was too overwhelming for me. Yep, there are many more to go, and they will get done. I used a plastic bucket like you see kitty litter in, which worked well. Filled it twice. Now it is several hours later and I will go fill one more bucket for the day. You know the saying "a bucket of weeds a day"...well, there can always be a bucket a day around here! The scrubjays were happy to poke around in the dirt and look for uncovered bugs. There is a huge burberry bush to trim back severely, as it is threatening to crowd out two rose bushes. Lavender is coming up, and the Japanese maple I thought was a goner has sprouted some new leaves.

Playing in the dirt relaxes me, even if I have no clue what I am doing ;))
Ginger

@funcountess, You make me happy! The thought of your roses in our home sounds and smells wonderful. What a beautiful gift from your garden to yourself.

@funcountess, Shame on your wildlife for not leaving any of your veggies for you to enjoy!
Like you, I have enjoyed sharing my cut flowers with neighbors and friends in the past. However, because gardening is challenging both because of heavy clay and arid high heat, I never gave myself permission to bring them into my own home. Now, because of the pandemic, I started with forsythia and daffodils; now bright yellow sprigs of fragrant dessert broom are sweetening my family room.

After my transplant, we moved to a small house on the edge of a sea loch with a well established garden and, holy of holies, a greenhouse! I've always wanted one and now it is my solace and my refuge. My heart breaks for those in self isolation without a garden. I've just sent off my first order for vegs, herbs and summer plants to my local garden centre who are providing a delivery service for the first time. So many of our small local supliers have gone online for the first time and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. The word here in Scotland is that the 'shielded' group , which includes all transplant recipients, will be the very last to join the rest of society. It is hard to think of sometimes but, when i feel a little low, I just head outside and count my blessings.

@fiesty76 I have a garden apartment . Some flowers seeds In 2 big pots and beet seeds in a big pot cant wait to see them grow . The flowers are mixed so it will be a surprise