Milkweed

This mysterious plant is growing in the shady part of the back of our yard. My folks ID'd it as a milk weed. Cool. I'm going to leave them there and add other shade plants to form a nice respite from the sun in this shady part of our lot.

Vegetable Garden Path

Seems I've gone a little path crazy. I put these rocks around and through the vegetable garden this morning. I would eventually like to have paths through the garden, but for now, this will deter the boy from walking through, and give me a nice path to plant and to the compost. I also planted some tomato plants, herbs and marigolds today.

Front Walk

We worked on moving the rocks that were next to our driveway, we assume to park a car, and made them into a path for us and the mail carrier. I like how it turned out! Now what to do with the holes from where we got the rocks, underneath the sod and rocks is a sheet of plastic, hmmmm.

Foundation Planting start

I put those plants from the Farmer's market to start my foundation planting. I can't wait to see how they do. I still need to remove those boxwoods... but where to put them?

Farmers Market Score

This morning, walking to work through Federal Plaza, I was pleased to see the farmers markets have started in Chicago.

One of the stands had oodles of native perennials! I was so excited. I bought Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum) and Nodding Wild Onion (Allium Cernuum). For a very decent price from a couple from Niles, Michigan. I also got some mint, cilantro and basil for my herb garden.

I may head back there on my lunch break for some more.

Note: I did head back there after lunch for some more Joe Pye Weed, Nodding Wild Onion and Bee Balm.

Lawnmower

Lawnmower
Originally uploaded by nicole radja

Last weekend we bought a lawnmower. Needless to say, our neighbors were excited that we finally cut our turf. We got a craftsman with the big wheels in back to handle our not so flat yard. It runs like a dream, happy with it so far!

Ro-to-tilla

Today my father brought over a rototiller to begin our gardens with. He graciously tilled the weed garden that will become our vegetable and herb garden as well as our berry patch and rose garden. My husband dug some holes where cemented posts once held a pool deck and my mother, son and I removed rocks, weeds and wasps in what will be our back flower garden.



My mother, a wonderful gardener, (dad is too), gave me lots of great plants from her garden. My sweet neighbor also gave me some plants. She also has a very ambitious vegetable garden that I can't wait to see in full bloom. Today I planted Rudbeckia, Hostas, Black Eyed Susans, Peonies, a grass and some others.

Thanks everyone for your help!