Some new additions and attractions

 




I visted my friend Suzanne today and she gave me these beautiful snapdragons.  Here they are planted between a surprise feature on my lot that you will see later and the blackberry patch.  These flowers make beautiful cut and put in a vase to make a boquet.  Here is a picture of the one I made today with them.  No sooner than these were planted some small bees showed up to check them out.



She also gave me a coneflower whih I planted next to the surprise project.  I am growing some of these form seed as well as bee balm but I heard it takes them along time to be ready to transplant.  I hope this one flowers soon so you can see it's flowers.  This is also a native KS plant and a great pollinator.


I also received some hot pepper plants from her today.  Since it was hot and I didn't feel like making more garden space by digging with my shovel I put them in this container I have.  These are gerat if all you have is a small deck or patio to use.  These conainers can be received if  you know some  horse/cattle people.  



Now what is this guy doing here?  No it wasn't an accident.  Many of you probably spray or get rid of these somehow but did you know they serve a purpose?  These little weeds ahem dandelions actually  heal and repair soil, draw bees, and are edible and can be used to make things.  I left them in my yard where I planteed some wildflower seed that I am waiting to see pop up.


I also have these brird feeders to add a country feel to the place.  If you are tired of blackbirds or starlings  cleaning your feeders out try using nyger thistle seed in a mesh feeder like the yellow one pictured and if you can afford it safflower seed in a platform or gazebo type feeder you see here.  I have not had one blackbird or  starling approach these as they do not like those seeds.  These have drawn both the yellow and red house finches, a small nuthatch, juvenile woodpecker, cardinals, jays, and the doves eat what spills on the grounds.  They are shy so do not have pictures of them but perhaps later.


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