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Penny Carnathan
Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.
Kim Franke-Folstad
Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.
Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.
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For the brown, freeze-dried garden, an unexpected color solution
Posted Feb 15, 2010 by Loren Omoto
Updated Feb 15, 2010 at 09:26 PM
It hurts to look at my garden. It hurts to look at pictures of my garden (pre-January, of course.) It does help to see hard evidence that I am not alone (sorry Kim, Janna, Janice, Susan. Does it help to know your pain is a dab of solace for me? Yeah, probably not.)
I did get some temporary garden glory this weekend, though.
I went out to dump my kitchen scraps into the compost bin, just outside the back garden gate, and there was the neighborhood peacock in my front yard. He’s never in my yard! For the many years this lone peacok has inhabited our little subdivision, he has always chosen to hang out in my neighbors’ yards. I was thrilled to see him hanging at the Carnathans’ for a change.
When he heard me banging the pail against the compost bin, he walked over to the side yard for a better look. He stopped about three feet away and just stood there. Looking.
“Hi, Mr. Peacock,” I said. (What do you say to a peacock?)
We stood there and looked at each other for a couple minutes. I made some small talk, then bid him good-bye and headed back into the house.
A couple minutes later, I came back out into the back yard to water some plants and fill the bird feeder. And there was Mr. Peacock, taking a turn around the garden.
I ran inside to grab the camera. He had already done his tour and, obviously disappointed (who can blame him?) was headed out.
I just had to get a picture of him near my homage to his fancy self—the peacock sculpture I saw for $80 at Greenfest and got for $40 at Target. (Sorry Greenfest vendor, even $40 is a splurge for me.) I must say, peacocks do not deserve their reputation for vanity. My guy didn’t take even a second look. Although he may have been a little freaked by the woman running alongside him, madly snapping photos.
I don’t need a darned bird to tell my my garden is looking foul, but this one did. In no uncertain terms.
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Reader Comments
Posted by (kgardens) on February 16, 2010
How cool to have that peacock strolling through your garden. The picture of him with the peacock sculpture is priceless. Such a proper bird leaving through the garden gate instead of just flying over the fence.
Posted by (Chip) on February 16, 2010
looks like fun! just wondering though what did Willy think of your garden visitor? ...“Chip”
Posted by (Janna) on February 16, 2010
In the second photo, it’s quite apparent that your yard art imitates life! Great photos, Penny.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on February 16, 2010
Picky Peacock. But he did look stunning next to your awesome sculpture. I guess there weren’t enough pheramone’s to keep him there.
It is rather comforting to know I am not alone in the freeze devastation. I finally took the sheets off from this last bout and actually saw dead mosquitoes on the sheets. That’s pretty good news, huh? Less mosquitoes this year.
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on February 16, 2010
Penny, That photo needs to entered into some contest somewhere, just to cool.A real peacock walking in front of a fake peacock! Pumpkin
Posted by (EarthRangerOberon) on February 22, 2010
I like your peacock pictures.
RE. “Read it and weep” from Feb 21th,
I’m interested in your gardening book collection.
My favorites are:
Sustainable Gardening For Florida,
Grow Your Own Drugs,
One Magic Square,
Grow Great Grub,
Explorer’s Garden,
Small-Plot, High Yield
and,
my sister would like the Garden Lover’s puzzle and Quiz book.
I know this makes me look very, very greedy but, I would be happy with anything you would like to share with me.
Posted by (Barbara) on February 23, 2010
Penny, Your 2nd peacock picture is terrific. You should submit it to the Strawberry Festival contest. It’s a sure win. Did you notice how your Peacock Sculpture is looking over his shoulder at the real thing?
Also, I know how it feels to have a Sepia colored yard. I have no color left. Even the Plumbagoes have bit the dust. The only thing left is the honeysuckle - that I didn’t cover! Go figure…
Posted by (Barbara) on February 24, 2010
Good Morning Penny,
I just went to the web site for the festival and it seems that I spoke too soon. The entries had to be in for the competition in January. The address below will give you info for next year!
http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com/contests/2010_Photo Contest.pdf
It will lead you to other info about the festival as well. I hope you come to the festival. It has something for everyone.
Posted by (Barbara) on February 24, 2010
Sure do. Live & work in Plant City and love the slower pace, especially driving. We’ve been hit pretty hard with all the “freezes” etc. I hope the festival does really well this year. I love the contest entries in all areas. I think it’s good for people to compete in some things that aren’t sports related. It gives the “others” a chance to shine. And your picture is one of those special ones. Don’t forget to enter it next year.