Why I Oughta...

Our three-bin compost bin setup includes a finishing bin (on the right), a mixed bin (in the middle) and a holding/storage bin (on the left).  You can see those three in the photo below - along with the 'FEED ME' Compost bin sign hanging on the holding bin on the left.  Also note, on the right - finishing bin - the new cedar planks that I added last Fall to the bottom to help hold in the finished material: Last Fall, I filled the two non-finishing bins with gathered leaves and other garden waste .  Over the Winter, I've been adding our kitchen scraps to the holding bin .  Also, Nat got a new coffee machine that produces A TON of grounds, so the bin is filling up with spent grounds.  And, most recently, this early Spring, I've been putting our garden waste like turf, seed heads, etc - other than the 'chop and drop' material - in the holding bin.  You can see that piled on top of the leaves.   I'll plan on turning these bins later this year - some...

The pair of square beds that sit on either side of our back concrete stoop have changed over the years.  Starting with a pair of Rhododendrons, I replaced them with Spring Grove Ginkgo trees (dwarf trees) in Spring 2023 .   I also added some (volunteer) Angelina Sedum to both sides that has had ups-and-downs. After doing a clean-up in this bed, here below are what the two square beds look like currently.  The trees have been attacked by (Dang!) rabbits.  And the sedum has seen better days.  I'm hoping that the weather will warm up and these sedums will spring to life.   First is the south bed - close to our grill: And, here below is the south bed.  In between the stoop and the screened porch door:

In the photo below you can see a number of 'crowns' or slightly different colored dots that are scattered around this bed.  What are those?  Ostrich Fern crowns.  They're filling up the bed behind the Oak tree - tree swing tree.  And, they've naturalized.  They're spreading and multiplying.  It feels like this is a moment:  keep or dig up and remove.   As I mentioned...they multiply.  So, this year there might be twenty.  Next year...there might be 40.    The issue:  I don't have anything to replace them.  But, despite falling in love with Ostrich Ferns, I've moved on to other ferns.  Autumn Ferns, in particular.  But, those don't naturalize.   This is where I've always envisioned a 'garden path'.  Perhaps I leave these now (don't do a "Fern Upgrade") and utilize non-woven cloth to smother out any Ostrich ferns in the way. 

Yesterday, I posted a couple photos of the Louie Pine tree - a gold-needled standout in the garden. Next to the Louies on the pallet in the parking lot of the orange big box nursery were a few Charlie-Brown-like pines.  They were tall, thin and...scraggly.   A closer look reveals they're Weeping Pine Trees.  See below for some photos - of the trees and the tag.  Retailing for $99.00, these are about 40" tall from the root flare.  These are true weeping trees - and need to be trained.  From Gertens : A weeping and trailing shrub or small tree, very unlike the species; features soft, blue needles, tends to crawl along the ground and over rocks or walls, or forms a small weeping accent plant if trained on a standard; beautiful if properly grown. Weeping White Pine is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its highly ornamental weeping form. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage. The needles are highly ornamenta...

The conifers are starting to show up at the nurseries and big box stores.  There's one orange big box store that always orders in some unique trees - including conifers.  Over the weekend, I popped in there to see what is already in-stock and saw a pair of yellow pine trees.  Hmmm...those are interesting.   Here, below, is a photo showing these yellow pine trees.  They sure stand-out, don't they? What are they?  According to the tag, these are Louie White Pine trees for $99.00. Interesting, right?  Let's get to know the Louie White Pine.  From Conifer Kingdom : Gold decorates this outstanding Pinus strobus ‘Louie’ all year. In the cold of winter, the brilliant golden hue is brightest at the needle tips. In summer, needles change to a wonderful soft golden green, unlike other pines. Globose when young, the medium-sized tree develops a beautiful conical form. "Medium-sized" tree.  I like that.  Not a dwarf, but not going to be a giant...