Among Friends

[Bird mama]

Welcome Friends and Visitors to the Back Fence where we gather to talk about this or that.  All are welcome to stop and chat.

[jeanlake]

How nice. I've been waiting for June 1st for a while. Not a snowy winter where I'm at, but a cold, long, and too often overcast one. Welcome sunshine and Vitamin D! Hope everyone has some fun plans for summer days.

[meallen616]

Welcome June,
I hope the new month will be good to all of us!

[Bird mama]

Hi @meallen616  I'm hoping it cools off a little because upper 80's and low 90's is a little too hot for me given the time of year.  That ice cream looks good.

[BirkiLady]

Great time of the year for visiting with friends and neighbors. We've been cooped up during this bitterly cold long winter. It is so pleasant to finally be outside enjoying the warm, sunny days and taking the long walks (rather than those brisk winter walks). Many of us are thoroughly enjoying playing in the dirt, again!

After many trips to the nursery, I may have to sign up for a 12-step program . . . I've become addicted to mini hosta plants which I purchased on-line the last few years and continue to accent them with colorful coralbells, bleeding hearts, dwarf hydrangeas, blue spruce, dwarf spirea, dwarf red maple and so many others.

Without communicating about it, my neighbor is also planting mini hosta this year! Their yard has been the "Show Yard of the Year" several time over the past 29 years and is spectatular. Neither of us use the HOA's lawn care. They do their own lawn care . . . and it shows. I have a professional lawn service which we had in our previous home.

Can you tell this is my favorite time of the year?  How does the warm weather affect your health? Hope you feel much better than during the cold, dark days of winter.

Happy June to everyone! 

[Bird mama]

@BirkiLady  Are hostas easy to grow?  My property is primarily green once the tulips and may bells (lily of the valley) sprout and fizzle.

[Sweet Caroline 1]

Yes, they are easy to grow and are showy and pretty.  They like the shade.

[BirkiLady]

@Very easy! I buy on-line so avoid the hosta virus, which is becoming prevalent in many of the big box stores and some nurseries. I live in Nebraska and buy from a hosta farmer in Independence, Iowa who is well-known in the American Hosta Society. I trust him! My neighbor bought her mini hosta plants from someplace in CA or WA.

Most of my friends have no problem buying locally. If you get a plant that may have a virus, dig it up! Put it in a plastic bag and dispose of it according to the Master Gardener's I've talked with about the subject.

Check with Amazon or your library for a good book, "The Little Book of Hostas." You should be able to pick up a used copy for under $10. Well worth the read. Hostas come in mini, small, medium, large and extra large. Be sure you know what space you have before planting a hosta . . . it takes 5-6 years for a plant to fully mature in size. They come in green, yellow, variegated, and so many more varieties. Hostas send up tall "flowers" usually white or pink (the tag will tell you how tall, color, size, etc.)

I cut mine back to about 2" after a heavy frost to keep the flower bed clean during the winter. My neighbor waits until spring to cut hers back. Just a matter of preference. I've even overwintered a few hosta in containers in my garage for a couple of years! (Do not give them water during their dormancy period.) HTH  - If you have questions, please ask! 

[Epicurean]

Thanks Bernie,the fence looks beautiful. I think I missed visiting here for all of May.

Yock,congratulations on your anniversary.we also celebrated our anniversary,49years. Went to a casino,stayed the night,had a nice dinner but did t win anything,but had fun.

i am having hearing trouble,on and off. Went to my Primary doc.,he could see nothing wrong,but I will make an appt with an ENT next week.

Bernie,I also love hostas.we have a lot of shade and have many.idont believe they can be killed,Ha,Ha. If you want to order on. Line don't hesitate to buy from spring hill nursery. I have never not been satisfied by them,they have guarantee on there plants.

its hotter than Heck here and the humidity is unbelievable.cant even sit in. The screened deck.

ill try not to go so long next time.

Oh I forgot I have some sausage biscuits to share.dont make them too often,my daughter just loves them.

you all stay cool and remember to drink extra fluids

[Bird mama]

Good to see ya @Epicurean