This afternoon was really pleasant -- funny, how, after a week of 98 degree temperatures and smog alerts, an 85 degree day can seem almost cool!

So after the kids had dinner, we went out into the backyard. They to play, me to weed.

(I have confessed before that I prefer weeding on shady, cooler days. I just don't have the gumption to sweat so hard over a darned weed)

Maggie's garden is the perfect size for me weed-wise because I can get a thorough job done in 45 minutes to an hour.

But I digress.

With the rainstorm last night (huzzah!) the weeds were loose and easy to pull.

And the mosquitoes were looking for blood.

Specifically, mine.

I am sweet meat for those suckers, and I came in after weeding covered in big red lumps and extra spots of dirt on my face and arms from swatting them.

Has anyone ever installed a bat house successfully? I have one (I hear bats love mosquitoes) but I haven't put it up yet.

Dang! As I was writing this, one just flew in front of me! It must have traveled inside on my hair.

*swat*

The little seedlings have sprouted near my hummingbird feeder.

Given my complete lack of success with seeds, I remain skeptical as to whether or not this will grow tall enough for even a teeny hummingbird to notice.

But I soldier on!

The hydrangea Mom planted has gorgeous blossoms. I think it's happy in its new place.

(by the way, the reason for the intriguing moniker is that my children call my Mom "Hummy.") Hence, Hummy's Hydrangea.

As you know, the gardening gene runs in my family...just not in me. In my constant hopes to have a voluminous hydrangea bush, I picked up this little beauty a week or so ago. I wandered it, in the container, around my backyard.

I almost killed it.

My mother, taking pity on the plant, and on me, decided to give it a nice big bed to live on.

She cleared a 4x6 patch of grass with her trusty pickaxe, then dug an enormous hole which she filled with topsoil, water, and food. She covered the entire area in pine bark mulch, and not even 24 hours later the sweet little plant opened its first blossom.

So, I wish this story were relating my personal success, but it's really an ode of gratitude to my Mom.

Even though my "from seeds" gardening has been mostly unsuccessful so far, I have decided to try, try again.

This time, I planted varieties full of color that will hopefully attract hummingbirds. We've had the hummingbird feeder up for several weeks now, and have already seen some ruby-throated lovelies. (I love wild birds as much as I love gardening)

I planted 3 varieties of plants in 2 separate settings - pink phlox, lemon mint, and scarlet sage.

I took two of my planters on the back deck and lined them with a few rocks for better drainage. Then I added lovely potting soil and Moo-nure (my favorite fertilizer). Rows and rows of the little seeds, and then a good soaking with water from our rain collection.

I had some seeds left, so Maggie and I also added rows to her garden. Phlox along the front; mint and sage along the back (they need a bit more shade). We covered those with a layer of potting soil as well, watered them, and covered them lightly with a little cypress mulch.

Keep your fingers crossed! We would love to have bright blossoms for our feathered friends.

Tomorrow the kids and I head out for Spring Break. Just as everything is about to burst into full bloom :(

BUT, we have had some nice blossoms and green leaves popping up this week. And rain! Much needed and always appreciated.

Take a look at some of my favorite things growing right now:

Maggie's first tulip brought forth a vibrant red blossom today. The rest of them are lined up, patiently waiting for their moment in the sun (as it were). I'm so delighted that this garden has become such a source of pleasure for her. (and thereby, for me!)

One of the issues constantly on our minds in GA these days is the Level Four drought. Since last summer, we have made changes in the way we live inside and out to try and conserve water. I'm proud to say I have reduced our home water usage by 33%.

Yesterday I showed Maggie how to take our collected rainwater and use it throughout all of our outdoor plantings. We managed to water her garden, all our new plants, the corner border and fill the birdbath.

Does anyone have tips, tools, or tricks of the trade to share in terms of water conservation?

Last year, I read my daughter "The Secret Garden" -- one of my favorite books from my childhood. Happily, she loved it as much as I did, and she asked for "a bit of earth" of her own. My Mom was in town visiting, and she's a great gardener, so she helped choose the location, and then she and Maggie went to buy bulbs and markers while I cleared the space.

We planted 3 rows of bulbs -- tulips, crocuses, and anemones. When we came inside that afternoon, we learned about the tragedy at VA Tech. So we added a folk art angel to honor those students.

Maggie waited patiently all winter, covering the earth with cypress mulch, and weeding the little green things that wandered up through the earth.

Three weeks ago, she was rewarded when the first green shoots of crocuses peeked through. Some tulip leaves showed up soon thereafter, and last week, she had the prettiest little row of purple crocuses!

Today, she went to check on the garden, and found lovely buds on the tulips.

I was worried that with the drought and the strange warm/cold winter, that the garden might not be successful. So it's as much a joy for me as it is to see her shining face as her flowers grow under her tender care.