Summer Garden Tour. . . look out!

The sun has been spending a little more time this week melting the snow at our house.  A rusty garden trowel left over from fall’s last minute plantings appeared the other day along with a forgotten beverage glass.  We’re not sure what creature wintered itself inside it, but the glass will be recycled not reshelved.  Another find was the long green garden hose which will now allow water to flow from several different directions.  It offered its life to the snowblower for the rebirth of our front flowerbeds which we reworked last fall with newly planted 95% off discounted Charlie Brown shrubs , perennials, and lots of grass seed.  So far all we see from the fruits of our labor is a gully of black dirt and newly scattered granite chips from our driveway again thanks to our snow blower.

The dream is that by July 15th , 2011 this yard will be transformed into a magical treasure map of flowers, art, and alpacas.  Our home is one of nine to be featured on the 15th Annual Thomsens Greenhouse Summer Garden Tour sponsored by Avon Area Arts Alliance.  Being a part of this celebration of summer and gardening is definitely going to satisfy my creative demons.  However, my family is afraid of becoming the sacrificial lambs.  Yes, I indeed have my vision and my lists.  My personal goal will be to have beauty, fun, and a family that still loves me after July 15th.  I am a creative sporadic think outside the box gardener.  I plant purple beans in my vegetable garden every year and never eat them.  I really don’t know why but this really does happen every year. I plant eggplant and swiss chard with my flowers because they’re pretty.  I use weird old stuff (furniture, farm machinery, bowling balls) , handmade window boxes and trellises  and original art in our sometimes fertilized and watered gardens.  I love a beautiful garden but I am resourceful (code word for cheap).  I work hard but I quit when it’s not fun anymore (code word for a little lazy).  Check out my blog weekly to watch the transformation of an artist’s home and garden from spring mess to summer success!