okay, it's official. I am too technically inept for wordpress, plugins or otherwise and feedblitz? forget about it. In a single click I lost it all. I'm admitting my own ineptitude and returning to blogger, where at least I know how to appear to know what I am doing. So. Did you miss me? Joke. Now to figure out how to get my domain pointed back in the right direction. Happy to be back ya'll
Greetings from a very hot and very dry Oklahoma. I had great ambitions for my blog this summer, and while my garden is showing the fruit of my work, my blog is not. Between working up new beds and chasing teenagers I have not been online at all these days. I've made a promise to myself that I would be more consistant with updating this. I have fallen in love with gardening, right up until our latest heat wave. We had a heat spell last month where it was over 100 degrees for over a week straight. My normally curly hair went from frizzed out (which it does in the 80's) to plastered down limp. I did not know that was possible.
The heat wave came too early and my blueberries and Joseph's coat were not well enough established and I lost them. I watered every day, but the poor little roots couldn't handle the heat - even with covering.
Other things, however are doing spectacularly. I do want to show off one new bed. 
This is my before shot after the icestorm. 
This space on the South side of my house is my most recent conversion. It is still in progress, but for a first year garden, it's filling in rather nicely I think.
Hidden is my new Scarlet O'Hara plant in the back. Added to that are Gladiolias, Azalea's, blueberries and purple plumb grasses which I'm told are indigineous to Oklahoma. I had cut down a wild redbud when creating this new bed, however, it is showing signs of re-emerging. I have not decided whether or not I'll let it stay.
It was in this garden that I learned how to "make dirt", which is a nasty proposition all the way around. Oklahoma has sandy loam and clay. Bushes like azelea's and blueberries need dirt beds. They need rock, compost and topsoil mixed with the loam for drainage. Flowering bushes do not like wet roots, which explains why all of my other azaleas died previously. I was planting them in straight loam and clay.
Another lesson learned this year is how prolific my daisies are. I planted SIX plants last year in my front garden - and now I have this:
I had no idea they would do that. Daisies are lovely, no doubt, but these bad boys are covering up my spirea and my coral bells. They need to be somewhere else, and so I will be digging them up this week.
Jeff and I traveled to the Cumberland mountains a few weeks ago for rest and relaxation. While were there, I had the chance to take an awesome photo in our friend's garden. Enjoy.
The month of May has wings. It must. How else can I explain why it is already the 21st and my son is graduating highschool. My absence on the blogosphere is directly tied to our getting ready for today. I'm not ready.
I know that the weather is fickle in Oklahoma, but rain for a week solid is enough for me. My yard is presently a swamp and while other parts of the start are flooded and I should be grateful we are not, I'm not. I'm worried.
Worry won't change a thing, so I thought I'd show you a few recent photos of my gardens to date. My Iris and dwarf lillies are blooming and once the rain stops, I'll show you more pictures.
Photo courtesy of the Tulsa Garden Center.
I'm In love! Isn't this beautiful? And it grows in Oklahoma. Yes! Purple fountain grass for my garden - coming soon. I can't wait! well, after last week's freezing temps and today's flower funerals, I'll be patient.
I was really worried that I would have to pass on bloom day this month, what with the snow and freezing temps in April of all things. If it was blooming before last week, it isn't now. My northern friends who still cannot plant have no sympathy for me right now, I know.
Sadly, I lost:
* Two Rose of Sharon
* My Yellow Chain tree that was shipped too early - calling for a refund.
* All of my Forget-me-nots
* And a few other plants that were shipped too early for zone 6b. - This is the last year I buy anything from Spring Hill. Lesson learned.
I did not lose my new grasses, my wisteria, or my new roses, and that is a good thing. I am also happy to discover these little beauties blooming today. I planted these last year.
Right now, I am getting my containers ready, cleaning out two last beds, and working on cultivating some new ornamental grasses and fencing. With the exception of just a few more items, I'm through with perennials for this year, and will be plugging annuals into my bare spots.
I'm thinking there is probably some gardening hack code that I am breaking by plugging in annuals. I know that purists don't do that. But for me, my gardens are still too new. Three of the beds were done last Spring, One was done in the fall and I've added six new beds this year. It takes three full years to really fill out a bed and to do that with all perennials would be drastically expensive.
I'll be playing at some new nurseries around town, and I'll report my finds here.
Until later.
Deana
SpringFest Garden Market and Festival
Some people mark the beginning of Spring with Robins or sunshine. Not me. I know it's Spring when the Tulsa Garden Center has their annual SpringFest. I'm so excited, I can't stand it.
We had Spring, or so I thought. Then I planted flowers and it snowed. It never snows in April in Oklahoma. It did this year. Why? Because I am ahead of the curve this year. Our open house for my son's graduation is only a month a way and by golly my yard is going to be beautiful.
My yard is going to be whatever this crazy weather and my skills allows it to be by then. And that's just the way it is. So where does a gal like me (who kills things and can never figure out why) go for answers, knowledge, and ideas? The Tulsa Garden Society, that's where.
What is so great about SpringFest? Everything. Everyone is going to be there. All the local nurseries with their best stuff. Do you have gardening questions? Linnaeus Gardens will even be open. Tulsa Master Gardeners are the best people to ask about anything. They taught me how to make dirt. I know that sounds stupid to people who live in what I call "real dirt" country. But I live in red clay and sandy loam country. I spent years, digging holes and killing bushes because I carelessly planted them in unprepared beds. I had no idea I was doing anything wrong. The Tulsa Garden Society is teaching me how to create beauty. I knew how back in Michigan, and I'm learning how again in Tulsa.
Check out their web page and see for yourself. If you live in the Tulsa Area, you do not want to miss this.
I can't wait!
This is the section I've been spending most of my time on before the snow. The city has right-of-way in the far back corner. There are cable and gas lines running through there and I'm not allowed to dig. So, I'm building up. I have three new beds here and will have Morning Glories over the trellis. The beds closest to the trellis contain hostas, a Beauty of Moscow, forget-me-nots, Monardas, Coral Bells, and a green envy cone flower. I can't wait to see that they do. 
My magnolia bloomed this Spring. She looks funny with just one branch and one clump of flowers. I'm hoping she'll really grow up this year. 
This is how she looked when I got her last year. I think there is hope.
Till next time.
