I managed to get 16 Roma tomato plants planted tonight. While I was getting the beds ready, I ran across this old rabbit nest. Momma bunny must not have been aware that we have professional bunny killers (greyhounds) for pets.

Blooming and growing today....

Part of my front flower bed...columbines, a lone delphinium, daylilies, and clematis
Columbine
More columbine
Looking down the throat of a Foxglove flower
My prized Darnaby lily named by us for the people we bought our first home from. We have brought this lily with us with each move.

Our lone Wolf River apple

One trough of flowers on the porch of the shed. There is one more matching one on the other side of the porch. The rabbits seem to have a liking for just about anything that I plant in these containers. They have already eaten on viola to the dirt and the flowers off a dianthus.

Noisy frogs

I have always enjoyed listening to the sounds of the tree frogs in the spring. They usually are further away and don't seem quite so loud. I heard a couple of them the other night outside my bedroom window and they sounded almost like bullfrogs that were talking back and forth. :)

I was outside tonight and heard them croaking. I found one that was on our pool cover. I was able to get some pictures of the little guy that sure can make a lot of noise!! The sound always reminds me of camping which I love.

First hummingbird of the year

I saw my first hummingbird today. It was feeding off the impatiens in my front window box. I am in the process of making food for it right now.
To make hummingbird food at home and not have to buy the expensive nectars at the store use a ratio of 4 parts water to one part sugar. Boil the water first and add the sugar. Allow the mixture to cool. Do not add red coloring to the solution. You will not need it to attract the birds. I have read before than in order to attract the birds in the beginning of the year, you can sweeten the solution a little more. Add to clean feeders. This solution can be stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

Frosty night forcasted

It has been a chilly, blustery day here in central IL. Most of the day, it was in the 40's with clouds and windy. Made it feel more like March....especially after getting used to some of the warmer temps that we have been having. We have a frost advisory for tonight. The temperature is supposed to be in the mid 30's. I know that many people have put their gardens and flowers out. I hope that things don't get nipped. I was mowing grass today, and the cooler temps are not keeping the grass from growing!
My tomatoes and peppers are safe in the shed under lights. I am planning on putting them out probably next weekend.

Today's blooms

Columbine
Cranesbill

Variegated iris

Foxglove that I had initially started from seed. They are biennial, so last year I just had foliage, but this year I am going to have flowers again.

Our "Ken and Edna" irises. Ken and Edna were an elderly couple that lived next door to us in our first house. They were like a grandma and grandpa to Katie. These irises came from them.

More "Ken and Edna" iris

Buffalo gnats

Buffalo gnats have arrived in Illinois once again making outdoor activities less than desirable. They seem to know just when you come outside and swarm your head, get into your hair and eyelashes, and are generally a nuisance.
In trying to find out more about these pesty insects, I came across this article.
I enjoy being outside working in the yard, flower beds, and garden. Until the gnats leave, I think twice about going outside. The weeds seems to be in cahoots with the gnats. The gnats hang around and the weeds continue to thrive.
Vanilla has been said to work well to repel them, but I have not found anything that works well, and vanilla makes everything sticky!

What's growing around today?

Coral bells
Columbine

Irises...almost ready to bloom. They usually are in bloom for Mother's Day.

Centaurea montana

Close up of Centaurea montana

Cranesbill

Onion chives

Peony bud complete with an ant. Ants love peonies.

Black raspberry blossom