Well, hi there! Happy Sunday! How are you all doing this weekend? Harvesting garden goodies like mad?
I was chatting with a friend on the island (Vancouver Island). They are having a drought, which is normal for the west coast in summertime, very hot weather, and have a large forest fire that keeps growing in size. It is mostly cliffside/mountainside so is tough terrain for fire fighters. I am so gutted for them as I still consider the island home, it is where my heart is. Praying that they soon put the fire out.
On the other hand, here on the prairies, we are getting rain and more rain. We get a day or two of heat and then rain and grey again. Gardens are growing like mad, the rain is so very needed after years of drought, but I admit that I’m really missing the summertime heat…. and so are my tomatoes.
Love the landscaping in this before and after backyard.
How to create a wildlife friendly garden.
Garden design pros 10 tips to make your yard more inviting. Yard number 6 is perfection.
An article about mulch in North American gardens. I felt a little bit attacked, hahaha, but if you also use a lot of mulch, read through all the way to the end and you will feel better. The last bit with all the ideas will make you feel redeemed. I think most all of us home gardeners use mulch to retain moisture and avoid weeds till the flowers fill in. Once the perennials and shrubs take off, no more need for mulch, except perhaps along the edges.
the magic of small-flowered clematis, with alla olkhovska – A Way To Garden You need to read this article about Alla, living in the Ukraine, and her back story. I first heard of Alla about a year ago, through Floret Flower Farm. Erin was spreading the word about Alla’s clematis seed sales. I decided to buy some of her seeds, doing what I could to help support her efforts to feed and house her family. I was able to successfully start only 5 out of the 40 seeds that I purchased. Oj vej. Not very great odds. I did, however, pop the other seeds into the garden bed, just in case they need to go through a winter. You never know.
I have two varieties that took. Clematis Integrifolia Pastel Blue and Clematis Integrifolia Twinkle. Both are container type rather than vining. I am not quite trusting that they will overwinter here (zone 4) in my zone 3 garden so I will be housing them in my garden cottage for the winter. We turn the heat down to 4 degrees when it is not in use, keeping it just above freezing. Will see how they make out in there….
How to Care for Pansies in Pots? – Homestead Gardener
Flower seeds that you can sow in the fall for early spring germination.
Perennial flowers to cut back now for a second flush of blooms in a few weeks time. I had no idea that I could do this with lupins!
August lawn care… wherever you live. If you are in a cold zone, like mine, it is almost too late. If your lawn needs a feed, do it today!
Super great read about how to choose a birdbath!
3 reasons your tomatoes are not turning red.
This cute Swedish cottage. So cute. I absolutely adore that glassed in front porch. Oh, and check out the hibiscus in the window. A double red, just like the 50 year old one that I inherited from my momma. Mine is huge though, takes up the entire corner of the living room.
How to set a table like the French. I love this so much. So simple and homey.
This stunning home renovation by Leanne Ford. That kitchen!
I was looking through my Pinterest board and ended up back on the very first Sunday Ramblings post on this platform, when I saw this. Do you remember it?
I still absolutely love the whole look so thought I would update the links for those of us who might want to recreate it. For your own countertop or island. Would also be an amazing housewarming gift.
- Bell jars in small, medium, large.
- Matching small bell jar with spoon for loose leaf tea, sugar, salt…
- Ribbed bell jar.
- Alternative small, medium, large bell jars with lids.
- Medium chunky jar with scoop. I like this set of 8 no-slip cotton placemats, too.
- This looks like exactly the same ribbed vase. Love.
- This cute clay pot/utensil holder. Or this one. Or, go totally different with this marble one.
- This acacia wood cutting board or this dark walnut cutting board.
- Teak wooden spoon set. Even has a pasta scoop!
- This boho fringed woven placemat. I like the thought of using one of these no-slip cotton placemats, too (affordable set of 8).
- Last but not least, the piece de resistance… gold scoops with wooden handles.
* As an Amazon affiliate, if you buy any of items through one of my links, I make a teeny tiny bit of money to support my blog. It does not cost you a penny more than it would if you went to the item on your own, without my link. Very thankful for your support : )
Here are a few more simple hostess/birthday/housewarming gifts that I think are lovely (and affordable). Comes with a homemade granola recipe, too. As a gardener, I would add some flowers and maybe in-season produce from the garden, too.
Here is the link to that olive oil. Love that tin! I found these lovely floursack tea towels to go with it. I have these and love them for my baking! Though, I really love these cotton tea towels, too.
From Martha…. One pot penne with zucchini.
From Martha… Grilled Vegetable Pizzas.
and these pizza sandwiches.
This tomato tart made with homegrown tomatoes.
Pasta with pesto Genovese. Great idea! I have more basil than I know what to do with : )
As cucumbers are starting to come in hot and heavy, here is my recipe for the Crunchiest Fridge Dill Pickles You Have Ever Tasted.
The Marigold Potager - A Zone 3 Prairie Garden 
Leave a comment