Growing season

Happy Hydrangea

Happy fishes growing like weeds

ice plant going crazy this year

Progessive show

This pot is doing well despite the frequent foraging by squirrels and foraging for God knows what.

Miniature Lillium Asiatics

The first Coneflower blooms with more mini Asiatics

Thermacell Convert

Its only been 2 evenings of sitting outside but you would think there are no insects out. I bought a Thermacell form Cabela's as Walmart was out. They are in the camping section and come in a variety of colors so I got a pink camo one cause it was cheaper. I'll never change.

So you load a butane cartridge up and place a blue pad on the little plate. Turn it on and hit the starter. It puts out a little heat, dissipates whatever is impregnated in the pad and presto, no bugs. I mean none not even a fly! I am in love with the outdoors again!

Mosquito invasion

It's been a long wet spring and early summer so the mosquitoes have been out in force. It makes sitting in the yard unpleasant to say the least but what are you to do? I almost hate the spray on products as much as the bites. We do use a Lemon Eucalyptus product from Cutter that at least smells OK but I did a little research on natural products that might help.

I was surprised to find that Lemon Balm, a noxious weed in our yard is actually great for mosquito repelling. I am sorry I sprayed so much of it out now but it is hard to kill and I did notice it is staging a comeback. Lavender seems to be a popular repellent also and I can get on board with that.

Cabela's sells a  little device ThermaCell that operates on a butane cartridge that appears o work also. I may have to stop and pick one up today.