RAIN CHECK!January - July 2013....27.52"
That's already more than for the entire year of 2012
HEAT CHECK!! Late September weather is nice....
But in late July and August??? Maybe the Mayans were just "off" by a few months!
All data aquired and accumulated from Beaver Creek Nursery weather station |
Am I Under Attack???
Has your Lawn been Looking Like
this
in the mornings?  or
Like
This?
 or your shrubs
Like
This?? 
Well, Don't Panic!
Yes, they are "spider webs"! And, they are there, in your grass or on your shrubs most of the time. The only reason you are seeing them now ( or at least a couple of weeks ago ) was due to the hot, humid days and the morning dew settling down on them.
These webs are caused by a very small, one inch long spider called a "funnelweb spider". It can appear to be much larger due to it's additional eight long, slender legs.
 Funnelweb spiders get their name from the type of webs that they weave. If you look closely you will notice a small funnel toward the middle or edge of the web.  Funnelweb spiders have very poor eyesight and spend almost all of the daylight hours hiding in this "funnel".....waiting...anticipating....their next delicious meal. The web is not sticky like most spiders but is actually slick. When an unsuspecting bug "bumps" into it or thinks this area might be a good place to fly in and take a brief nap, it finds itself slipping and sliding. Then, while it is briefly struggling and before it can regain control and "get out of Dodge", the funnelweb spider, with its lightning like speed, leaves its' funnel retreat and has itself a yummy meal.  There are several hundred known species of funnelweb spiders around the world. Those found in your yard or on your shrubs are harmless to us humans and are actually good to have around as they consume a great deal of the more unwanted bugs lurking around in the yard. However, there are some species of funnelweb spiders found in Australia that are extremely poisonous. Bottom line is.....Relax....Don't travel to Australia....and feel relieved that you have a small army living outside your house protecting you from all those nasty little "other bugs" you hate so much. As many of our parents use to say...."When there are spider webs on the grass in the morning, it's going to be a beautiful day"!
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Just a reminder....
Try not to prune anything after the end of August as your plants will start to put on new growth that may not have a chance to harden off before an early fall frost or worse. If you feel you really do need to prune yet this year, then try to at least wait until after we have had a couple of good hard frosts and your plants are going dormant for the winter.
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Now
Take a BIG Drink
and
try NOT
to get Bored!
Before & After
A little Hard scape
on going
Journey....
Walls and extended patio Built in 2011 |
more photos of this wall construction can be viewed by clicking here
|
 | |
North side After 2011 construction
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North side steps to upper yard
just added
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Steps just added to upper yard - North side
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and the never before seen photos of the south side steps
added in 2012
 | | Before |
 | | Before |
 | | After |
 | After
with simple, clean, colorful landscape |
and
the gorgeous walk
that connects
this all
from the driveway
Also Just Finished!
 | |
Brooms are for decoration only!
|
 | |
gentle curves, a soldier course as a border, and a circle pattern all come together
|
 | |
Ready for future Landscaping...hopefully without the hose...
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and "IF" you are still awake...
Here is a just completed "Landscape"
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Before
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After
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Green Gem Boxwoods either side of walk, Green Velvet Boxwoods along porch foundation, Gold Beret Barberry for the bright yellow color and Red Knockout Roses on the corners for long lasting color. Room was left to the sides of handrail for the addition of taller vases with annuals to brighten this historical home even more.
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Before
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After
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The addition of a short wall built out of limestone reclaimed from an old barn foundation adds both a nice touch and helps hold back the quick drop-off in the yard.
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Before
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After
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Limelight Hydrangea (tree form) provides a focal point plus will enhance the homeowners view from inside. Little Lime Hydrangea on either side of the window compliments the larger tree Hydrangea and continues the lime color along the house. Summer Wine Ninebark with it;s maroon color adds a nice contrast to the yellow exterior.
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Before
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After
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Landscape bed was extended to encompass existing Dwarf Korean Lilac (tree form). Little Princess Spirea follow and outline this curve and will provide early pink bloom color. Knockout roses in background on side of porch with a splash of pink Coneflowers down the side for fillers.
Geez...Listen to me!!...What am I saying???....After writing these descriptions I feel like I just announced some runway type evening gown competition...."with a splash of pink coneflowers down the side"...Is Bert Parks still alive? ...Help!!!....Anybody!!!...I think I'm falling apart!!!! Anyway..... Hope you enjoyed seeing as much as we did...doin!!
You know....landscaping and hardscaping can be a lot of hard work but the end results sure are mighty perty!!
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