Spring Around The Mailbox...
Forgot to plant the pink phlox...
Hyancinths...
Daffodils...
Dear Spring -- slow down!
Can you believe we are more than halfway through Spring?
I wish it would slow down a bit,
so I can properly savor one of my three favorite seasons.
Yesterday, the weather was specTACular.
We couldn't have ordered a better day for Mother's Day.
My sister and cousins came over to celebrate,
and it was a really nice day.
My gift from Junior Goo Shoes was a
big black and white cookie.
He road his bike to the corner store,
and paid for it with his own money.
I love that when he thought about what I might like,
it was dessert!
Yes, he knows his mom well :)
He bought one for himself, too, LOL.
And then, he told me that his biology homework was to
"do something nice for your mom."
I think he should get an "A."
*****
Yesterday, the weather was specTACular.
We couldn't have ordered a better day for Mother's Day.
My sister and cousins came over to celebrate,
and it was a really nice day.
My gift from Junior Goo Shoes was a
big black and white cookie.
He road his bike to the corner store,
and paid for it with his own money.
I love that when he thought about what I might like,
it was dessert!
Yes, he knows his mom well :)
He bought one for himself, too, LOL.
And then, he told me that his biology homework was to
"do something nice for your mom."
I think he should get an "A."
*****
Can I tell you something?
I think I might have
the ugliest mailbox in town.
Maybe even, the world.
I call it the Haunted Mailbox.
It creeps me out to stick my hand in it,
especially in the dark.
(And most of what I pull out of it is pretty scary, too --
bills, bills, bills.)
bills, bills, bills.)
I'd like to replace it,
but Mr. Goo Shoes likes it.
Go figure.
To make matters worse,
the mailbox was being overtaken by an overgrown, ugly shrub.
You can see it in the background of this photo.
By the way, my mailbox is scary, but doesn't always look this way...
that's it's Halloween costume.
You can see it in the background of this photo.
By the way, my mailbox is scary, but doesn't always look this way...
that's it's Halloween costume.
Mr. Goo Shoes finally dug out the shrub last fall.
What a difference!
What a difference!
I couldn't wait to plant a ring of flowers around it.
"Ring around the..."
Anyway, I bought a big bag of Daffodil and Grape Hyacinth
bulbs at Costco last October.
I got busy planting.
"Ring around the..."
Anyway, I bought a big bag of Daffodil and Grape Hyacinth
bulbs at Costco last October.
I got busy planting.
Grape Hyacinths in the inner circle;
Daffodils in the outer circle.
And, they grew!
This is when they first started blooming.
Darn it, why didn't I look at the picture on the bag?
I should have put the daffodils on the inside...
Oops...
too late now!
A week or so later,
they were fuller.
It's a shame the grape hyacinths are kind of hidden.
They're so pretty.
After these fade...
I'd like to plant some annuals.
Daffodils in the outer circle.
And, they grew!
This is when they first started blooming.
Darn it, why didn't I look at the picture on the bag?
I should have put the daffodils on the inside...
too late now!
A week or so later,
they were fuller.
It's a shame the grape hyacinths are kind of hidden.
They're so pretty.
After these fade...
I think the bulbs are planted deep enough,
and I can build up the soil.
Would that work?
I just need to plant something the deer won't devour.
They really cheese me off when they eat my stuff.
That's Mr. Goo Shoes saying,
"How many pictures of the mailbox are you going to take?"
I don't know a whole lot about gardening,
but I do know my mailbox looks a lot less scary
with a ring of flowers around it.
So I need your advice --
can I plant summer flowers on top of the spring bulbs?
Metamorphosis Monday
The Scoop
Tweak It Tuesday
A Return To Loveliness
Time To Sparkle
Totally Talented Tuesday
Treasure Box Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Whimsy Wednesday
What's It Wednesday
Wake Up Wednesday
Home and Garden Thursday
Simple and Sweet Friday
Weekend Bloggy Reading
Feathered Nest Friday
Let's Get Real
Weekend Social
Garden Party
Bouquet of Talent
Dear Amy, Your mailbox looks sooooo much better than mine!!! Mine is hanging on the house some 31 years!! I can't replace it it is too sentimental it has been through as much as I have!! lol
ReplyDeleteWell, anyway your mailbox looks real attractive now with all the bright pretty flowers. I really don't know much about planting, though I am giving a garden another try this year.
I love the black and white cookie for Mother's Day, I too think an A is in order!!
Blessings, Catherine
I love the idea of a sentimental mailbox! The flowers do help to pretty up my mailbox, but I think it needs a makeover!
DeleteGreat Article it its really informative and innovative keep us posted with new updates. its was really valuable. thanks a lot. hand painted wall mount mailbox
DeleteThat mailbox is really cute...I like it. No clue if you can just dump dirt on top of them and plant on top...I think I'd plant around them / next to them. I am trying to picture myself there after the blooms died off and I think that's what I'd do. I've you can get some Lantana at your local nursery, for instance, that's a spreading flower that needs little water in the summer and does well in our weather. Such a pretty annual..I always try to have a few each year. There are some petunia varieties that spread as well. If you come across a thunbergia vine, also called sunflower vine, those are very nice..they'd not only spread but climb up ( Though they might engulf the mailbox at some point by late summer ...! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check out the Lantana, for sure. I've tried wave petunias in another spot, and they didn't do well, but I think it wasn't sunny enough. This is a very sunny spot so they may fare better there. And I definitely want some kind of climbing vine, probably Clematis..I've seen some around my neighbor's mailboxes...and they are gorgeous. Thanks for all your advice, Deb!
DeleteThose look nice. Don't get me started on the deer. I used to plant pansies and would find them slung all over the yard.
ReplyDeleteThe deer are eating everything - even things that used to be "deer proof." The squirrels dug out my pansies on my front porch - fortunately just a few, and I was able to replant them. It's so annoying!
DeleteI think your mailbox is cute! It looks like a little house. At least you can change your mailbox if you want to. I live in a subdivision that requires us to all have matching mailboxes. That's a neat bag of bulbs with them combined like that. I believe that you can plant on top of your bulbs. My neighbor across the street was a "master gardener" and she planted stuff like that all the time. But I'm no expert. She has moved or I would ask her.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give it a try - what's the worst that can happen, right? I think I'm going to give my mailbox a makeover -- not sure how yet, but it needs some work!
DeleteI think it looks very nice and I have done the same thing with bulbs. Nothing you can do so enjoy. What a precious story about your son. Love t hat boy for riding his bike to get that cookie for his mom, what a doll!!!
ReplyDeleteCynthia
He's a good kid (most of the time, lol!) I hope he stays that way :)
DeleteAmy your mailbox is adorable! :D And very pretty with all those flowers. I don't know to much though when it comes to gardening. I enjoy it immensely but I just totally wing it and hope for the best. Haha, well, sorry I couldn't be of more help but no matter what, it's a cute sight!
ReplyDeleteToodles,
Tammy<3
I'm exactly like you, Tammy, I wing it, too! And that's what I'm going to do with the summer flowers!
DeleteWell I love you mailbox!! As for planting on top of your springtime bulbs I do this all the time, as long as your bulbs are deep enough. Have a wonderful week xx
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give it a try, Chel! It's not like I can really ruin anything... I don't think, anyway!
DeleteMake sure you don't cut back the dead tops because the bulbs get nourishment from those. You can fold them over and tie them with rubber bands or twist ties when they turn brown. You don't want to get so much soil on top that they can't push their way through it next spring either. If it were me I'd dig them up after the tops turn brown and hang them in a dark, cool place until fall. That way you can augment your flower bed and re-plant the bulbs in the fall with the tall ones in the back!
ReplyDeleteAh, very good advice! I would have definitely cut them back! I know I should dig up the bulbs, but I know I will just get lazy about it and leave it!
DeleteI'm no expert on how to handle bulbs. Mine never seem to come back very well, so I end up pulling them out and planting new ones each year. I just love the grape hyacinths -- they are so pretty against the daffodils. I think I've seen that pairing of bulbs at Costco, so maybe I will try those this year. And any child who knows to bring his Mom a black and white cookie has got life figured out:)
ReplyDeletePurple and yellow is my favorite color combo for flowers -- add in some red, and I'm very happy! Yes, I hope my son has got it all figured out! He's a good kid...
DeleteYour mailbox is amazing - full of character! Lovely shots.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope I can make it look as good during the summer!
DeleteIt's a cute mailbox :-) I planted bulbs last spring and my gardener thought they were weeds and pulled them up. I give up on having nice flowers!
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many plants our gardener has destroyed - either pulling them up, or spraying with weed killer. Arghhhh!
DeleteI like your mailbox! Especially with the spring flowers. I think you could interplant a few small annuals if you give everybody plenty of water and fertilizer.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to give it a shot, Cynthia! What's the worst that can happen?
DeleteYou did a great job, Amy! The flowers look lovely and I'm sure those purple hyacinths smell heavenly sweet! Have to say that the cobwebs also look very dramatic in their Halloween costume! Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeletePoppy
Hi Poppy, walking by those flowers everyday definitely makes me happy! I've got to think out my summer planting plan - it's almost time!
DeleteYour son has the best biology teacher ever! I'll give the same homework to my pupils when it's Mother's Day in France ;) All moms are going to love me! The mailbox is absolutely lovely and very cottage-y.
ReplyDeleteI thought that was a great idea that his teacher had! I think you must do it, Magali, so that you are the most popular teacher in all of France!
DeleteAmei essa casa correio e as plantas ficaram lindas, parabéns.
ReplyDeleteTenha uma ótima semana.
Anajá
Thank you! I had to put this into Google translator to know what you said! Portuguese, right?
DeleteI love your spring bulbs. There's still not much out here yet! Soon, I hope!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle! It seems like everything is blooming much later that usual around here, too.
DeleteYes, you can plant summer flowers. The bulbs should be deep enough that they won't be disturbed. I love your haunted mailbox. It's so cute and quirky.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie, I'm going to give it a try. I think I may have to give my mailbox a makeover someday!
DeleteWhat a lovely idea! I'm not much of a gardener but this I think I could handle...maybe.LOL:)
ReplyDeleteIf I can do this, anyone can! The first time I planted bulbs years ago), I didn't plant enough close together. This time, I did, and I'm happy with how they came out.
DeleteOh, I love your mailbox, and the flowers are perfect! We have an ugly, metal neighborhood box - bah humbug. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank, Lana! It's not as bad looking as it is scary - doesn't help that it's got cobwebs (real ones!) and bird poop all over it, lol!
Deleteha! i think anything is less scary with a ring of flowers around it. i love the shape of your mailbox, it is super charming. do you think painting it or something would make you like it more?
ReplyDeleteYes, I was thinking about painting it - but I'm not sure what color just yet. At the very least, I thought I'd paint the door red to match my front door!
DeleteI love the hyacinths...so pretty. I would have to (oops!) run over the mailbox. Hint, hint, I've done it before....and no one ever knew what happened!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! That is a brilliant idea, Corinne, and he would absolutely believe it, since I've already run over a bicycle and scraped the sides of the garage! My judgment skills could come in very handy!
DeleteLOL! A mailbox on the street always has something wild going on. You have noticed that by now! I enjoy reading your humor about your home and family. Hope you visit to see my humor (?) of the week! Thanks, Helen
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love how your son thinks, too!:)
Thanks so much, Helen. I'm so happy that you are enjoying my blog - makes my day to hear it. I'll surely checj out your blog.
DeleteWell, I have to say I think the mailbox is adorable but maybe would like a little love, like maybe paint the house part like a painted lady house! And the flowers really make it great.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about painting the mailbox, Pam,, but I'm not sure yet just what to do. Maybe a door like my house!
Deleteso darling! please share your post over here at the garden party this week at Fishtail Cottage! xoox
ReplyDeleteThank you! I did head over to your garden party -- thanks for the invitation!
DeleteWow! That looks so pretty ! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cristina! Glad you stopped by and took the time to comment. I really appreciate it!
DeleteWhat a difference a few flowers can make. Thanks for sharing this on The Weekend Social. Hope you're having a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Erlene! They really perked it up. In the next week or so, I'll plant something else - I'm now thinking some perennials. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteFlowers make such a beautiful surrounding for a mailbox - so welcoming! I do appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
ReplyDeleteKathy
Thanks, Kathy! Now I need to figure out what to plant next!
DeleteI love it! Definitely perfect pairs! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
Thank you for hosting, Kathy!
DeleteThanks, Claire! I'm still figuring out what my summer plan will be.
ReplyDeleteThe mail box is cute- maybe a coat of white on it would improve it's standing with you! (A mild bleach solution 10% sprayed on it will help clean it up before painting) In order for your bulbs to do well in the future the leaves of the plants should be allowed to "die back" before they are cut, which unfortunately can take a while. Reason- it feeds the bulbs so they are healthy and strong. You can definitely plant annuals or even perennials there, it's just hard to wait for the plant to die back.
ReplyDelete