We are back in Iowa and now spending a lot of time relaxing on the front porch - checking out the goings on in the neighborhood. I love front porches and don't understand why so many people close in their front porches - ahh, but I digress :) Jackson and Jolee love the front porch too, so much so, that they would storm the door when they thought we were going out. Ah-ha, an opportunity for training. With a handful of treats, it didn't take long until they would stand patiently at the open front door while I put the ex-pen across the bottom of the steps. When the release word - 'okay' - comes, they can then charge out the door.
Jackson at his 'look-out' post
Now, a word about the title - 'hijacked by the gardener today'. Since I have trouble remembering from year to year what plantings did well and what didn't, I decided recently that I needed to take some pictures and start a gardening journal that I can refer to next spring when it's time to plant. We have a small, very shady yard so it's a challenge to find things that do well - except hostas - so I try to experiment with various flowers.
Since I had all these photos of plantings, I thought I would post a few on Jackson's blog. I don't think gardens are ever finished products - they're always works in progress. So, if anyone has suggestions for plantings, please don't hesitate to comment.
the front view
front yard view from porch
front yard view from the sidewalk
Not one to let space go to waste - I planted the parking strip in front. Actually
it has more to do with reducing the amount of yard that needs to be mowed.
the backyard - wishing I had a wooded view in the background instead of
neighbors' garages but, oh well - that's life in the city: )
One of my favorite places to relax in the side yard.
Evidently, the squirrel's too!
Back to blogging about Jackson next time!
