I love summer. I love the long days, the quick, wild thunderstorms and blasting sun.
And I love the flowers and the green. I feel blessed to live on a hill in the woods and back a lane where the trees dominate, and summer green murmurs peace.
I enjoy weeding, deadheading, watering, all the steps needed to tend the gardens. It’s so satisfying to watch it all grow and spread and bloom, so I tend to take a walk-about most days after work and workout. Just a stroll with the dogs, the flowers and a glass of wine.
A certain dog, however, has been giving the gardens too much attention. It appears Milo is channeling Parker. He managed to get to one pot, and there went most of those flowers. Replaced—and pots sprayed with Dog Off.
So while I was away last week, and BW spent most days in Boonsboro, he left the pots alone. But. Obviously bereft at the lack of humans for a few hours, he dug in certain spots in the beds. He didn’t get IN the beds—BW would have found more damage. As I’ve seen him plant his front paws on the garden wall in the past—for which behavior he’s immediately corrected. I have no doubt he did just that, then went at the front flowers he could reach. And dug.
BW came home to lots of dirt on the pavers, along with some dead or dying plants. Mostly my gorgeous nasturtiums, and some impatiens, and some heliotrope.
Poor BW cleaned it all up, replanted what he could, then went to the nursery for replacements, before I got home. Very sweet—and also wise—of him.
It’s going to take awhile to fill in the damage, and now we spray the beds, too.
I feel Parker’s spirit is looking over Milo as Milo has started pooping on the pavers.
It’s a damn good thing he’s such a sweet boy!
And I’m balancing this out with the fact that—so far—the deer are staying away. There were herds of them late winter, early spring. And Milo, unlike Parker and Atticus, barks madly at them and gives chase. I haven’t spotted a single deer in weeks now.
I’ve decided the digging—which we continue to work on—isn’t as bad as taking my afternoon stroll and discovering my spreading hostas are now celery sticks, or the day lilies have been munched to the ground.
Plus, he loves to chase balls and sticks. He’ll also run in fast, crazy circles on the swatch of grass BW enjoys mowing across from his shop.
It’s entertaining, and he and Atticus continue to play like puppies.
I have another quick girl trip starting tomorrow—back on Wednesday. We’re celebrating Kat’s birthday a couple weeks early. As BW will, again, be in Boonsboro part of tomorrow, I’m hoping for the best.
Meanwhile, I’ll tend and enjoy the garden—and try not to pay too much attention to the struggling spots.
Nora
I love your garden, and your posts about your life. Thank you for all your writings.
Such a lovely garden. Up here at 9100 feet in the Rocky Mountains, we can’t grow much. We enjoy the wildflowers instead. And, our community is under water restrictions, which means we can grow even less, since we’d have to truck in water for irrigation.
The plants at The Inn, where my writing buddy and I stayed last month, show just as much love and attention.
Dogs — it’s a good thing we love them!
A very impressive garden. Lots of nice variety. I can feel the solitude. I’m envious. 🙂
I always enjoy seeing your garden ,the wonderful array of plants, and the art just compliments it all.
I just love art in the garden, I have some mirrors too.
I’m glad you’re managing to enjoy it, the lovely walks amongst all the trees,
It’s beautiful….
Maybe Milo needs a sandbox!! I put a small one in for my dog as a puppy…..saved my plants!!
I’ve had a garden for years with no problems. This year, the bunnies have decided my asters taste wonderful. Little buggers! Thankfully a bit of cinnamon and cayenne have allowed them to resprout. Now if it would quit raining for a bit 😉 Love your garden pictures, they give me happy moments!
Critter-Ridder has spray and sprinkle formats that work well. Repellant, non-poisonous. Worked with my (and my neighbor’s) dog. Lowes or Home Depot used to carry it, maybe they still do.
Beautiful gardens. Your talent there is awesome. I have a black thumb and little interest in gardening.
The squirrels are the problem for me! They love to dig in my pots to hide their nuts.
I’ve been known to yell at them ” Grab your nuts and run before I wring your neck!!”
I would not, of course, but they irritate me!
Your place looks beautiful! A lillte slice of heaven!
Enjoy your few days off!
We’ve found coffee grounds discourage the squirrels. Though I’ve pulled countless tiny oak trees out of the gator den beds this year. But we see less since we’ve dumped coffee grounds under the bird feeders where they swarmed in the past.
Your gardens are gorgeous. Wish I had a green thumb but alas no. So glad you enjoy it. I enjoyed looking at it all. .
Your garden is wondrous Nora! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m trying to get my herb seeds growing but some look a bit wilted due to uk weather! A bit random but have you ever tried to grow Avacado at all? I’ve tried twice and get great stems and leaves and then it all goes wrong lol.xx
Not sure avocado would grow in my zone.
Beautiful garden, love all the pots.
Not sure if it works and with your gardens it would probably take a lot, but I’ve heard chili powder mixed with the soil discourages digging. And the guy who fixes my car lost a dog/adolescent puppy to eating hostas. Apparently some dogs have problems. Mine are good, but they tend to leave the hostas alone. Not meaning to intrude, just passing along what I’ve heard. Love your gardens and your pots. Love the mixtures in your pots. I think I would love your walks. Enjoy.
He doesn’t eat the plants, just digs. I used to do chili powder in the pots with Parker—or cayenne pepper. It could work for awhile, but you had to remember to refresh often.
Beautiful, peaceful gardens, Nora!! Last year we stayed in Middletown and visited Boonsboro. The countryside is beautiful! Hope you are still having comfortable outdoor temperatures. We have already been in the 90’s here along the Gulf coast of Texas. Much too hot for the end of May and start of June. Hope my flowers survive. ❤️
Beautiful gardens. Hopefully he will out grow his bad habits.
Early Birthday Wishes to Kat! Hope it is THE best one so far.
The gardens look fabulous…and Milo is doing his best to insure they are not perfect…nothing static for him…besides that plant just tickled his nose!
Enjoy your paradise!
And thank you for the dazzling Mind Games! What a glorious treat!!
I’m an avid gardener in NH and am familiar with the deer vs. Hosta. My barking maniacs may be helping my garden, finally. I love your pictures of your garden and have used some of them for inspiration. Thank you ❤
Have you tried burying moth balls? That usually keeps them from digging in the flower beds and pots.
You live in a beautiful spot and have a truly fabulous garden. As for Milo, well, dogs will be dogs until we teach them differently.
Nora, your vibes for summer and that chill hillside crib of yours come through loud and clear! I’m practically feeling those sunny days and wild thunderstorms just from reading your words. Your commitment to your garden, despite Milo’s little gardening escapades, is straight-up impressive. Sure, he might be pushing your buttons with his newfound hobby, but his sweet nature totally makes up for it. And hey, at least he’s scaring off those pesky deer with his barking, right?
Your knack for finding joy in the simple stuff like tending to your garden, taking laid-back walks with your furry crew, and sipping on some vino says a lot about your appreciation for life’s small pleasures. Even when things get a little messy with plant casualties and Milo’s landscaping projects, you keep bouncing back. Plus, his antics must keep things interesting!
Have a killer time on your girl trip celebrating Kat’s birthday! Hopefully, with BW on duty, Milo will stay out of trouble (fingers crossed!). Keep nurturing that bomb garden of yours and soaking in all those summer vibes. Your writing always transports me to a chill, beautiful place. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!
Love the garden, I can not grow things, yours are lovely, even with the destroyer around. Lol. Loved Mind Games,
It’s all so lovely!!
What is that plant with the interesting leaves in the green and gnomes picture? I am looking for some plants to fill in some places in my garden and I love the shape of the leaves.
Your gardens are lovely! And yes, dogs are mischievous and our hearts melt when they look at us with their liquid eyes!
Thanks for sharing. I met you back on May 9 and I was thrilled. I just love your writing. You inspire me. I hope you are enjoying my book To The Moon And Back that I gave you.
All the best.
Nora, I love your garden update! Your hard work has really paid off. I’m glad Milo is helping with the deer, that helps make up for his crazy digging. Hopefully, he will improve with more training. It’s classic dog behavior. Have fun at the birthday celebration and stay well!
Love hearing about the garden! Am living vicariously this year thru your blog and gardening sites online. Managed to get the majesty palm thru the winter indoors and it’s back on the front porch with the beautiful red mandevilla, and the birds of paradise and orchids are out on the deck enjoying the humidity, but there was no trip to the greenhouses for flats of color and joy this year as family obligations and a herd of feral cats have taken up all my time. Am anxiously watching my Ring right now as I secured a TNR appt for the morning and I’m hoping to catch a cat! Squirrels (and I have them, too) got NOTHING on cats: They not only dig in your garden – they poop in it, too! Please keep posting your lovely garden as it equals Garden Goals for me.
The F’ing Wings are my favorite! Lucky you to be surrounded by such beauty. And lucky us that you share your glory, whether it be blooming beds or bewitching books. Thanks.
The past couple of days for me were full of family sad news. However, looking at your garden and yard brought me a sense of peace and a feeling that all will be okay regardless of the outcomes. What a perfect place to relax and lose one self in a book or two. Thank you for sharing.
I just finished “Mind Games”! Another amazing book by my favorite author! Thank you for the hard work you do, and for sharing your talents, bringing readers such wonderful stories. I have been a fan since the day I first read a book by Nora Roberts and that will never change.
Thank you, thank you.
Beautiful garden! I can understand why you enjoy strolling your grounds with a glass of wine.
Beautiful gardens. Thank you for sharing 😊 ENJOY