life in and around the garden
Last September I had the wonderful opportunity to visit and work with Country Gardens Magazine, in the Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden.
We were in awe of the perfectly groomed gardens, and were inspired to rework the pond in our own garden.
The tear down has begun, and my garden is quite a sight right now.
Can’t wait to start putting things together.
We do have a little garden pond.
It’s quite small, but the sound of a water feature in a garden can make a big impact.
So soothing during quiet evenings around the fire pit.
We would like to make changes to it this year, as we have learned more about maintaining a pond.
One of the biggest challenges is keeping the ducks out of it!
Last year I relinquished it to the baby ducklings, but this year I plan to impose the “no ducks allowed” rule.
The ducklings are growing quickly and tiny feathers are growing in.
Mama Duck is still attentive and keeping track of all of them.
The routine of ducks out, dogs in has been added to my list of garden chores.
It was a big day for the ducklings in the garden!
1 week ago Mama Duck hatched–11 ducklings.
She has been an incredible Mama Duck, keeping her ducklings happy and hidden in the duck house.
Papa Ducks have been guarding the exterior of the nursery.
As the late afternoon sun was cooling a bit,
Mama Duck brought her family to the big outside world for the first time!
We all settled in and kept a careful eye on our latest additions to the garden.
Kitties lurked about and Papa Ducks alerted the young ones.
When the ducklings finally made their way back to the duck house, I breathed a sign of relief.
Locked in and safe for the night! Can’t wait for day 2 of duckling school.
The pond was a mess last Fall,
after the ducks had partied all Summer long in it.
It had a less then pleasant odor, and was not exactly a pretty sight to sit next to.
The boys get all the credit.
They pumped out and hauled away buckets and wheelbarrows’ full of
stuff we do not speak of.
A new Water Lily is sitting in the center,
and fish will soon swim again.
All is pretty at the pond again.
No Duck’s Allowed!
down to earth digs 