 |
| Little Joe Pye enjoys his own strip of land where his mates copy the blooming of big Joe Pye around the corner. |
The flowers are blooming well, but the new plants are demanding daily attention. Most of the garden is kept alive from sprinklers front and back. The new daisies get individual service from buckets of de-chlorinated water poured gently around them.
Establish roots take the water deep into the soil. New plants would be dislodged by all the water from a bucket. We are far more fragile and easily in chaos without spiritual roots.
The garden is flourishing because of deep roots from the Joe Pye Weeds, which grow up to 10 feet tall. The garden surface is covered with wild strawberries and wood mulch. Deep roots take rainwater deep into the soil, where the soil creatures flourish and keep water available. Moisture stays on top because of wood and leaf mulch holding water and keeping it from evaporating so fast. All this planned and engineered by the Logos, the Son of God. Nothing was created that was created apart from Him - John 1:3.
Nothing is more relaxing than sitting on the soil, sometimes with a cardboard underneath, snipping away weeds and shaping roses.
Recently I met our neighbor's white fluffy puppy. He sniffed my hand through the fence and liked my earthy fragrance. He raced into the garden to get me today, perhaps knowing the little girl would not easily follow. He came up, dragging his leash, and wiggled around for attention. The girl got him back and turned to say, "I love your garden." I thanked her.
The Japanese beetles have arrived to destroy rose blooms and roots, where their babies chew away to maturity. So far the damage is limited. Enchanted Peace, Queen Elizabeth, Veterans Honor, East Does It, and Fragrant Cloud roses are thriving.
I credit most of the success to using the Creator's guidelines for healthy flowers. All the flying creatures are welcome (minus the Japanese beetles). Birds are pampered with food and plenty of watering places (five). The water is actually more important for the summer, but we all enjoy feeding them. They need daily watering now and get it, to splash around and drink. Plants wet from sprinkling give them fresh water and an alternate source for a quick shower and preening their feathers.
Birds love small shrubs and trees that serve as safe places for bug hunting and preening. A tiny bird wants a fragile plant with thin branches to keep away predators - or at least alert everyone about their heavy-footed attempts to get closer.
Food gathers the squirrels and birds together. They feign attacks against each other, but they get along and share the food. Now that food is regular and advertised with the wind chimes, Blue Jays and Cardinals fly back the back door to remind me of my duties.
 |
| Scarlet Bee Balm is attractive to Humming Birds and butterflies - even bees. |
