Now, why, you might ask? Because with spring finally here, we have been doing outside work like two crazed . . .whatevers. My husband took Thursday and Friday off work, so he could open our swimming pool. I help, but since
much of the work is a solo act, I can't do a whole lot. I did wash the water bags that hold down the winter cover, and washed the winter cover. And I helped power scrub around the pool. But the technical work--reassembling the pump, putting in the ladders, attaching the diving board--all that work my husband does.
With the pool officially opened on Friday, we headed out on Saturday to buy flowers. This tradition began about 5 
years ago, when my husband offered to buy me all the annual flowers I love to plant as a Mother's Day present. So, each year since, we head out on a Saturday near Mother's Day to buy annuals.
Preparing to buy the flowers, I counted the flower pots I have--I do most of my planting in flower pots that I can then
place wherever I want. I have 65 pots! This year, our flower purchases went over the top to fill all those pots. We actually had two carts at the plant nursery--one with 3 shelves, and another cart filled with flats of flowers.
When we got home on Saturday, I set about planting. I worked for 4 or 5 hours, then again on Sunday for another 5 hours. By the end of Sunday, I had all the flowers planted, except one flat worth. And I had run out of pots. So Monday I headed out, bought two more pots, and planted the remaining flowers. So, now I have 67 pots--and an aching back.
But the results--oh, the results! We will have flowers all summer and into the fall. The flowers are just outside our sun porch, so we can sit inside and look at them; they are in the pool area, so we can look at them; and they are around the driveway--so passers-by can look at them.
All the photos are of this year's flowers. Except this lovely flower--which is in my neighbor's yard.
15 comments:
Wow! What a great tradition! I usually end up with plants for my birthday (March) and Mother's Day. I look forward to planting something this coming weekend.
I hope your back ache stays gone! :)
Donna - it sounds like your worked too hard when I read this. I am a worried about your back. I love your writings about your pool and all the flowers and just what you are doing each day - we have had a cool spring here and you are ahead of me this year. The peas are up but I have not done the annuals yet. I so enjoy coming here to visit your blog. Your little beautiful blog has added so much to my life. I am sure there are many readers who feel the same way. Thanks!!
Beautiful! Your back should improve in the pool or as you sit a relax and enjoy all those flowers. It is not safe to put our annuals out until May 24th.
Ruth
Your (many) flowers are beautiful! Aside from your back, a lovely tradition.
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Nothing worse than an sore back! Ugg, glad you guys got all that work done though! The flowers are stunning!
They look fantastic already.
I feel your pain as well, as we have been outside every weekend for the past three, working like farmhands. But I love it! I'm hoping to lose some of my blubber from my long winter's nap...
Donna – your flowers are absolutely beautiful!! I can see why your back was aching. I’m sure it was worth it though. You will enjoy them all season and I’m sure your neighbors will to. I enjoy seeing the choices people make in their flower arrangements. I am still trying to figure out what I prefer and what I don’t. A neighbor friend and I were just talking, this past weekend, about how we would love to have someone who really knows flowers come and give us advice. I think I need a good garden book. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
Like your flowers -- you certainly have a great variety.And that soup recipe looks inviting. Want another made from a weed that is taking over in the woods and along roadsides -- then see :http://natureremains.blogspot.com/ that also has some nice shots of birds nesting close to home.
My husband and I do something similar and it's one of my favorite days! I love dressing the place up with flowers - makes me smile!
Thanks for sharing these!
What a great Mother's Day gift! I can imagine how wonderful it is to watch them grow all summer long. Thank you for sharing!
To all--thanks for your get well wishes for my back. I have recovered. I was bending over a lot, sifting the soil in each pot! Can you believe it--I dumped the old soil out of pots, sifted it, pulled out old roots, and then put it back in the pots. Hence the back ache.
The flowers are coming along nicely.
In anticipation of Mother's Day--Happy Mother's Day--to all mothers, to all who have mothers!
Finally, there's a new reader here--check out the blog site of http://natureremains.blogspot.com/
Wow! My first time at your site and you plant 67 pots full of flowers. You are either amazing or crazy--just kidding. Beautiful pics.
Yes, maybe you overdid it...LOL! I laughed all through this post. It's a great idea to celebrate Mother's Day, even with the aching back.
I noticed you bought what my Mom referred to as "Mexican Roses". It was her favorite flower and I remember her buying me a flat one year. The colors are brilliant in the sunshine. Thanks for reminding me to look for them...
Happy Mother's Day, Donna! I'm late with the wishes for your aching back - I hope it's continued its recovery. The ground is going to move under your feet when all those roots decide to launch the petal display :0)
I hope you'll post pictures of the happy floral goings on. Last years bloom are dazzling.
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