A Garden Check-up

I was so happy with my container garden this year. Lusty looking, bountiful flowers perched on willowy stems framed by lush green foliage all cobbled together against a faded picket fence.

My perfect garden. Before the record setting high temperatures hit for weeks on end, my plants were thriving and showing off their glorious colors. 

But the sustained temperatures of high 90's and 100's followed by sporadic downpours that blasted my flowers like a power washer were problematic.

This morning as I went out to check on their status, I was sickened by the "sign" ... yellowing leaves and that acrid, pungent tell-tale smell of pending plant annihilation.

My white spider flower was in trouble.

I panicked. I reached into the belly of the beast of soupy potting soil too saturated to maintain its boundaries. Even though the container had drain holes, I had fallen into the trap of overwatering during this monstrous heatwave.

I went into resuscitation mode of repotting and coaxing my beautiful white spider flower to survive my watering debacle. Will she make it? Only time will tell.

My attention shifted to the dazzling berry colored Lantana that has dropped flowers, withering under the relentless heat and blistering sun. And the new Geranium hybrid has yet to put out her violet-blue blooms. Is she unhappy in her spot?  I considered moving her from her companions and giving her breathing room.

Happiest of all is a new eastern wood fern that's forming a tidy clump and should be tolerant of drought conditions. We'll see.

Avoid the pratfalls of "mothering" nature with a bit too much love and don't over-water! Or underwater.Or put too many plants in one large container that need breathing room and are competing for their piece of turf.

Let me know how your plants are handling this scorching heat. Losing veggies or flowering plants? Or are your plants thriving and you'd like to share a tip, photo and success story? Are you planting more drought-tolerant plants? We'd love to hear from you!

Meanwhile, enjoy your garden and send some positive thoughts my way for ALL my beauties to make it!
Lynne
Garden Media Group

GMG's Friday Find: Have the Last Laugh with Havahart!

Today's Friday Find is for those who have unwanted guests in their yard. I don't mean your neighbors...I mean of the four-legged kind!
Don’t let deer, rabbits or other critters snack on your costly plants or destroy your beautiful garden!

Havahart® Spray Away Elite - Motion Detector Sprinkler Animal Repellent

Homeowners battling unwanted animals on their property can finally win the war and protect costly home investments with the new Spray Away Elite repellent, a solar-powered, hose-free motion-activated deer and animal repellent. This high-tech animal repellent sprinkler from Havahart, the leading nuisance animal control company, keeps deer, rabbits, skunks, groundhogs, herons and other unwanted animals like the neighbor’s dog or cat out of the garden, lawn and ponds by chasing them off with a blast of water.

How It Works

The Spray Away Elite Motion Detector Sprinkler Animal Repellent will give you peace of mind. With its water-based repellent you won’t have to worry about your kids or pets playing in the yard. And you won’t have to look at unattractive fences or other barriers you may have used to keep animals away.

Spray Away Elite works by detecting an animal’s heat and movement with infra-red sensors. Once detected, the system releases a sudden burst of water to scare the animal away. An adjustable sensitivity detector and random spray pattern prevent animals from growing accustomed to the sprinkler.

Instead of a hose, it utilizes a water basin that holds 3.5 gallons of water and lasts for approximately 35 activations. The basin can be buried for discrete nuisance animal protection.

Smart Indicators

Havahart’s Spray Away Elite is also equipped with smart sensors that blink when the unit is Low on Battery OR Low on Water. This means you don’t have to keep checking the water level or question when to recharge the unit – Spray Away Elite will tell you!

So if deer and other critters are coming to your home to feast...be on guard with Havahart!

-Karen

Garden Media Group

Bring the Soothing Sounds of Water Inside

I've always loved the sound of water in the garden and now I'm finally bringing this tranquil sound into my home. After months of contemplation, I finally broke down and bought one of Campania International's new garden terrace fountains. It was a hard decision to make since they have over 15 amazing mini cast stone fountains to choose from.

I finally decided on something simple that would complement my interior as well as be a good fit for my outdoor space. I ended up choosing the Pebble Mini Fountain (pictured here), which is only 9 inches wide and 6.5 inches high. I just loved the simplicity of the basin and the various pebbles inside, which can be removed and replaced with other things like sea shells or sea glass. Plus all of Campania's cast stone items are available in a number of different finishes to fit any style.

So, if you're in the market for a mini fountain for your home, I would suggest checking out Campania's full line here. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Enjoy,

Stacey

GMG