gardening

Hellstrip (AKA The Boulevard Garden)

May 17, 2013

Inspiration Photos Found On Pinterest Guys, did you know that what I have been referring to as a “boulevard garden” is much more commonly known as a “HELLSTRIP”? Cause I had no idea, until I started googling around looking for inspiration for my much more mild mannered “boulevard garden”. I realize now that “hellstrip” is a very fitting name (plus it sounds pretty badass), it describes that little patch between the sidewalk in the street where nothing grows. Here in snowy Minnesota our hellstrips takes a beating, not only is it compacted with snow, but also pummeled with salt too. My hellstrip has seen better days. I planted it 4 years ago. One day I was out weeding and the next thing you know I was digging up the front boulevard. I’m am so sad to say that I think a lot of the perennial plants I had “growing” out there didn’t make it through the winter. I need to come up with a plan and make this area rule, I’m determined. Last year I started weeding the other side of the hellstrip, which until then had remained grass, er ah, weeds, er ah, a hot mess. Weeding quickly turned [...]

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Flowers & Mulch

May 15, 2013

For Mother’s Day I received flowers for my window boxes, and mulch. I love this! It’s become a tradition and nothing could make this girl any happier. Over the years I’ve tried out a few different combos for my front window boxes, the first year I planted reds, whites, and lime greens. The second year I planted pinks, purples, greens and oranges, and then last year I tried an minimalist approach doing only white sunpatiens. I’ve made a habit of keeping all my plant info from year-to-year, that way, if I find a combo that looks great and works well, I can go back and reference it re-buying the same flowers. Anybody with me on this approach? This year, I decided I was going back to year two, the year of the neon window boxes. I don’t know if it looks the best, but all those color make me happy, and I really wanted to see what the bright flowers would like against the new dark blue paint color. I really love these window boxes, and I can’t wait to see them fill in. I missed not having overflowing boxes last year, and I’m happy to have lush potato vines [...]

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Front Door Makeover (And Pavers Too)

May 9, 2013

Okay guys, let’s just stop calling this Deuce Cities Henhouse and start calling it Deuce Cities Gardening4Lyfe blog, cause that’s what your in for in the coming posts. Not only that, I’m going entrance makeover crazy over here too, somebody stop me! I don’t know if you’ve ever had front steps that were on the verge of crumbling, but we have for years. It’s been a mess, and although these steps are falling apart, there is a lot to be said for holding off on that expensive concrete repair bill for yet another season. That stuff is spendy! I know that fixing up the stairs and front walk would really improve the curb appeal of the house, but spending that kind of money this summer isn’t something we had in the cards. In the meantime I will continue to repair these babies the best I know how; with a little bit of cement and a lot of concrete/patio paint. As you can see, the difference is really night and day. If I can continue to keep the steps clean and tidy throughout the summer I believe we can bring these sad-ol’-steps through another winter. Hopefully next spring new front steps [...]

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My April Garden

April 30, 2013

Daylilies Well guys, I had to do it. I just had to post photos of my April garden, not posting would just be too sad. If you remember, by this time last year I had already posted about my March and April gardens. Still, the bits of green popping up throughout the yard give me hope. I’m sure my neighbors think I’m crazy. I’m out there every few hours trying to see if I can spot anything new. I am so ready to see stuff growing! Now, should I even mention the record 6″ of snow that is predicted to begin tomorrow evening? Fer real guys, this is crazed, and I could, and probably will cry. Tulips Fox Trot, Spring Green & Peach Blossom One of the most exciting things about this years spring garden are the new additions I planted last fall. I planted 50 bulbs last year, apprx 30 Tulips in a variety of colors and 20 Daffodils. I’ve seen a few of these babies begin to pop up but I am eager to see them all! I hope that all my new bulbs made it through the winter, and will make an appearance in the coming [...]

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Spring! Spring! Spring Break!

April 1, 2013

Hey Guys! It’s getting so close to being spring around here, but unfortunately my backyard is still covered in snow. I know the first spring flowers are coming and I can barely stand the wait. This spring has been a total bummer when it comes to being on time this year, there’s nothing more frustrating then making through the winter only to experience a slow spring warm up. I was looking back over my garden photos from last April and I couldn’t resist sharing a few. I’m hoping we’ll have some of this action going on in the coming weeks. I don’t know if I could bare any more spring disappointment. Finn is on spring break this week and I figured it would be a good idea for me to take a spring break too. I’m gonna focus on hanging with the kids and I’ll be back to blogging next Monday. Let’s hope I have something green in my yard to share with you then! I think it’s good to take a break from time to time, even bloggers need spring vacays too. Looking forward to coming back refreshed and ready to go! See ya in a week. Go Twins! [...]

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