Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

Sunflowers are sooo South Dakota.  These are in my garden and I love them. They make me smile.  The bees and birds love them too which makes me happy.  I simply let them go to seed each year and then see where they pop up.  I am continually amazed that they are always perfectly placed.  Viva la sunflower!

Backyard friends

This is Jazz.  She lives next door and is welcome visitor to our backyard.

The garden bench

Come on over and sit a spell on my bench surrounded by mint and cosmos.  I love sitting here and pondering life.  It smells heavenly and watching the bees bumble around - those big fuzzy bees, little bees, regular sized bees, even watching a yellow jacket is fun... And when I find a lady bug or an elusive (and weird) baby ladybug, I am delighted.  They are all so fun to watch.  I wish we had praying mantis' here in the Black Hills.  We used to have a lot of these handsome bugs in Sacramento.  At one time, I had three in various parts of the garden that I'd go out everyday and watch.  Until one of them ate the other.  That wasn't very cute.  Alas...

Spearfish Community Garden

Welcome to the Spearfish Community Garden!  I am so excited to be participating this year.  When we lived in Fair Oaks, CA, I had a plot in the community garden and loved going there.  There was always other gardeners there, milling about.  It was so fun talking with them, sharing the bounty and just digging in the dirt.  There are about 10 plots taken now and, even though I go at least ever other day, I've only seen one other gardener.  It's a new thing so I look forward to it growing and becoming a vibrant part of our community.  You can find out more here.

I've always hung baskets of flowers from trees.  Not sure where this idea came from, maybe early Martha?  It really brightens up your yard.  I usually do petunias and these hot pink guys did great this year.  Usually in each basket is a 6-pack.  Consider the cost of reusing your baskets and just planting a sixer instead of purchasing new flower baskets every year.  Beautiful color at a fraction of the price!

Spearfish Farmer's Market on Saturdays in Summer

Recent goodies from the Spearfish Farmer's Market!  Oak leaf lettuce, broccilli, rhubarb / pineapple jam and some cool earrings.  The market runs from 9am - noon every Saturday morning at the City Park in Spearfish.  Great selection of fresh produce, bread and hand made item and it's getting better every week.  The market is associated with the Hill Horizons Community Garden.  The garden is at 590 East Elgin around the corner from the new dog park and next to the horseshoe pits.  The view is amazing!  There are plots still available and can be purchased here.  See you at the Farmer's Market!

The garden is planted!  And really it's the expanded garden.  Each year, I convince Mike that we need a BIGGER garden.  He's not always so convinced but he's a good sport.  This year, we added another 10 x 20 section to the sun garden.  Look towards the back and you will see mint, tarragon, oregano, sage and a bench.  When we first moved to the Black Hills, I thought that since it snowed, anything I planted in the ground would of course die because of the snow.  Obviously, I have never lived in a place where it snows!  Anywho, the mint didn't die and has thus multiplied.  It's sooo pretty though and smells heavenly.  Last year I dried a ton of it and made tea bags.  Just mint leaves are do good as a tea.  Again, this year I planted more lemon verbena which is amazing herb that every garden should have.  It smells like a lemon drop!  It doesn't make it through our winter but it's so worth it to plant every year.  I buy mine at Gage's on Evan's Lane in Spearfish.