Image Credit Birds & Blooms Two days ago, I was thrilled to see that a Carolina Chickadee was checking out a birdhouse that was hanging idly from an arbor in my garden. Jacki Kellum House in Water Valley, MS, May of 2023 I moved to my current house just after nesting time last spring, and…
Climbing Roses in Cottage Gardens – Which Is the Most Fragrant Climbing Rose?
The earliest cottage gardens were peasant constructs. Most of the early peasants lived and worked on a larger landowner’s property, and they had tiny gardens in which they needed to grow many things–most of those things were food and herbs. Gradually, flowers and roses became part of these primitive gardens, and to save valuable space,…
Bird and Butterfly Sightings in My Mississippi Garden by Date – 2024
Northern Mockingbird My Most Constant and Loyal Bird Friend in Mississippi I moved to this house in Mississippi almost a year ago, and I was surprised that for months, the only bird that frequented my yard was a mockingbird. On a brutally cold day in January, I went into my backyard, and he was there…
Heirloom Roses – Catalog – A Great Resource for Rose Growers
Heirloom Roses Catalog Image Credit: Heirloom Roses I got another heirloom rose today, and I was thrilled to find this fabulous book packed inside the box, and it was free. This is the best plant catalog I have ever gotten. It is much more than a list of plants. It also offers planting advice and…
You Gotta Buy an Instant Pot & Its Accessories – Plus Recipes
Six weeks ago, I bought q 3 Quart Instant Pot Mini Duo Plus, and I am ready to say that it is one of my favorite purchases for my kitchen, Note: I am single, and a 3 Quart Model is Perfect for me, but if I had a family, I would buy the 6 quart….
How to Attract Orioles to Your Backyard – Fresh Oranges and Grape Jelly
I have already set up my backyard bird feeding station, and this week, I’m adding a feeder for my orioles — For orioles, think fresh oranges and grape jelly. Baltimore Oriole Migration Map Image Credit: Cornell Lab Migration “Medium- to long-distance migrant. Baltimore Orioles spend summer and winter in entirely different ranges. From early April…
O’Neal Blueberry – A Plant for Southern Gardens
O’Neal Blueberry Plant Image Credit: The Evergreen Nursery Height: 4′ – 6′ Space: 4′-6′ “O’Neal is a very early ripening, low-chill, highbush blueberry. It is also a self-pollinating cultivar. Developed in North Carolina, O’Neal is an exceptional plant for the Southeast and Gulf States. O’Neal has large berries that are sweet and firm, and pick…
Sun Sugar Tomato – First Tomato To Produce in My Garden – Free Garden Plan
Sun Sugar Tomato Image Credit Bonnie Plants Today, I was moving some of my plants out to my covered porch, and I noticed that my Sun Gold Tomato Plants are in bloom. It only seemed appropriate that I spend a moment to sing the song of my earliest-producing tomato plant, “Although called yellow cherry, these…
Chandler – Best Strawberry Plant for Mississippi – Excellent Flavor
Chandler Strawberry “Bred Especially for Southern Growers! ‘Chandler’ strawberry plants are very popular with commercial growers because of their high yield, brilliant fruit color, and excellent flavor. Fruit is medium to large, long to flattish wedge, moderately firm, juicy berries with good flavor, freezes well. ‘Chandler’ plants are a vigorous, early, midseason variety and must…
Is My Mockingbird More than a Backyard Bird? Bird Symbolism
Today, I was talking to a local farmer, and after she told me about all the animals she is raising on her farm, I said: “My only livestock is my mockingbird.” And while I said that laughingly, it is true that I am a bit perplexed about the mockingbird that has become my best outside…