@abbygardens.bsky.social
I think their high school English teacher needs to arrange a word with them. And bring their red correcting pen along.
November 19, 2025 at 4:56 AM
I think their high school English teacher needs to arrange a word with them. And bring their red correcting pen along.
Wishing you good things sprinkled in among the hard parts. When life is hard I like Mr. Roger’s “Look for the helpers” to remind me to see the good things in a rough stretch.
I hope good food, dog snuggles, and some hugs from the important people in your life are in your week, too.
I hope good food, dog snuggles, and some hugs from the important people in your life are in your week, too.
November 17, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Wishing you good things sprinkled in among the hard parts. When life is hard I like Mr. Roger’s “Look for the helpers” to remind me to see the good things in a rough stretch.
I hope good food, dog snuggles, and some hugs from the important people in your life are in your week, too.
I hope good food, dog snuggles, and some hugs from the important people in your life are in your week, too.
How odd. Even weirder that the other legumes did fine, too.
I haven’t grown dry beans before this year, myself.
I need to go pull down my scarlet runner pods and harvest the beans and get them dried out to store. Did get a few, hope we like them!
I haven’t grown dry beans before this year, myself.
I need to go pull down my scarlet runner pods and harvest the beans and get them dried out to store. Did get a few, hope we like them!
November 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
How odd. Even weirder that the other legumes did fine, too.
I haven’t grown dry beans before this year, myself.
I need to go pull down my scarlet runner pods and harvest the beans and get them dried out to store. Did get a few, hope we like them!
I haven’t grown dry beans before this year, myself.
I need to go pull down my scarlet runner pods and harvest the beans and get them dried out to store. Did get a few, hope we like them!
Yep! This is like writing a grocery list based on a planned menu- so you don’t get home $150 poorer, with 3 bags of food, and only one actual meal’s worth of ingredients.
I cut myself some slack by being optimistic about succession sowing. Some years I do a good job at it.
I cut myself some slack by being optimistic about succession sowing. Some years I do a good job at it.
November 9, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Yep! This is like writing a grocery list based on a planned menu- so you don’t get home $150 poorer, with 3 bags of food, and only one actual meal’s worth of ingredients.
I cut myself some slack by being optimistic about succession sowing. Some years I do a good job at it.
I cut myself some slack by being optimistic about succession sowing. Some years I do a good job at it.
Thank you! I have a few places with obstacles for drainage from downspouts. The idea sounds intriguing- and probably
easier than cutting concrete that is 90+ years old.
easier than cutting concrete that is 90+ years old.
November 9, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Thank you! I have a few places with obstacles for drainage from downspouts. The idea sounds intriguing- and probably
easier than cutting concrete that is 90+ years old.
easier than cutting concrete that is 90+ years old.
Could you please describe rain arches a bit? Or post some pictures? Not sure I am imagining it correctly. Internet searches steer me to car wash parts. 🤨
November 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Could you please describe rain arches a bit? Or post some pictures? Not sure I am imagining it correctly. Internet searches steer me to car wash parts. 🤨
Red cohosh might be native here…
Virginia creeper is not native here in the Inland PNW, I think- though it is naturalized.
I will look into the cohosh, thanks!
Virginia creeper is not native here in the Inland PNW, I think- though it is naturalized.
I will look into the cohosh, thanks!
November 7, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Red cohosh might be native here…
Virginia creeper is not native here in the Inland PNW, I think- though it is naturalized.
I will look into the cohosh, thanks!
Virginia creeper is not native here in the Inland PNW, I think- though it is naturalized.
I will look into the cohosh, thanks!
I will keep an eye out as I research, but I don’t think we have anything comparable. 😕 A large perennial with berries- everything here is a full-on shrub that I know of at this point.
We are so much drier here. I suspect that’s part of it. We have lots of ephemerals, though.
We are so much drier here. I suspect that’s part of it. We have lots of ephemerals, though.
November 7, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I will keep an eye out as I research, but I don’t think we have anything comparable. 😕 A large perennial with berries- everything here is a full-on shrub that I know of at this point.
We are so much drier here. I suspect that’s part of it. We have lots of ephemerals, though.
We are so much drier here. I suspect that’s part of it. We have lots of ephemerals, though.
I need to find something with similar qualities for our area. Sadly, this is out of range for us. I’m not averse to plants that aren’t native, but prefer ones that are.
November 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I need to find something with similar qualities for our area. Sadly, this is out of range for us. I’m not averse to plants that aren’t native, but prefer ones that are.
Less disease issues, less rodent issues, less issues with creating a bait area for hunting cats……it’s so much better than a feeder if you love birds. I still need to figure out year round water. Hard to keep it liquid and properly clean with the winter temps we get in my neck of the woods.
November 6, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Less disease issues, less rodent issues, less issues with creating a bait area for hunting cats……it’s so much better than a feeder if you love birds. I still need to figure out year round water. Hard to keep it liquid and properly clean with the winter temps we get in my neck of the woods.
Our dog would have happily joined in the game and tried to get a liver pill. Though the cats would have won I am sure- she is not devious enough.
She rarely counter surfs, but a liver pill sitting out is usually too much to resist.
She rarely counter surfs, but a liver pill sitting out is usually too much to resist.
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Our dog would have happily joined in the game and tried to get a liver pill. Though the cats would have won I am sure- she is not devious enough.
She rarely counter surfs, but a liver pill sitting out is usually too much to resist.
She rarely counter surfs, but a liver pill sitting out is usually too much to resist.
So are all the corporations who have the highest percentage of employees on SNAP stepping up and chipping in part of their profits to help their employees through? 😒
How about CEO salaries?
Stockholders should speak up.
How about CEO salaries?
Stockholders should speak up.
November 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
So are all the corporations who have the highest percentage of employees on SNAP stepping up and chipping in part of their profits to help their employees through? 😒
How about CEO salaries?
Stockholders should speak up.
How about CEO salaries?
Stockholders should speak up.
So true. If minimum wage was a living wage, and/or we did not offer corporate welfare, this would not be such a massive issue. Even in cities/states with higher minimum wages, it usually is not enough for one person to survive on with local housing costs, etc, let alone to support a family.
November 3, 2025 at 6:22 PM
So true. If minimum wage was a living wage, and/or we did not offer corporate welfare, this would not be such a massive issue. Even in cities/states with higher minimum wages, it usually is not enough for one person to survive on with local housing costs, etc, let alone to support a family.
Bonus with pruning now is that I will dry them and enjoy the flowers inside all winter!
November 3, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Bonus with pruning now is that I will dry them and enjoy the flowers inside all winter!
I was debating what to do about mine, for the same reasons-my mom said not to cut them back now, but mine will flop over sidewalks or break with snow. So I will go with pruning somewhat now to prevent winter damage.
November 3, 2025 at 3:51 AM
I was debating what to do about mine, for the same reasons-my mom said not to cut them back now, but mine will flop over sidewalks or break with snow. So I will go with pruning somewhat now to prevent winter damage.
I don’t have cats- but my sister’s cats left a hairball on the floor for my bare feet to find on a visit. I think I’d even prefer a Lego underfoot to a hairball.
My dog has never done that. Bless her.
My dog has never done that. Bless her.
November 3, 2025 at 3:42 AM
I don’t have cats- but my sister’s cats left a hairball on the floor for my bare feet to find on a visit. I think I’d even prefer a Lego underfoot to a hairball.
My dog has never done that. Bless her.
My dog has never done that. Bless her.
This is also the time of year I get my SAD lamp out for mornings, if I haven’t already. When autumn is especially gray it comes out weeks earlier.
Timers are lovely, esp a lamp by the entryway. So much nicer to walk into a softly lit house.
Timers are lovely, esp a lamp by the entryway. So much nicer to walk into a softly lit house.
November 2, 2025 at 9:12 PM
This is also the time of year I get my SAD lamp out for mornings, if I haven’t already. When autumn is especially gray it comes out weeks earlier.
Timers are lovely, esp a lamp by the entryway. So much nicer to walk into a softly lit house.
Timers are lovely, esp a lamp by the entryway. So much nicer to walk into a softly lit house.
I am just getting going with native landscaping- I have two mature horse chestnuts that after careful consideration, will come out to be replaced with smaller native trees and sunshine loving plants for pollinators.
Never seen a monarch here. 😕 lots of swallowtails, though.
Never seen a monarch here. 😕 lots of swallowtails, though.
November 2, 2025 at 1:30 AM
I am just getting going with native landscaping- I have two mature horse chestnuts that after careful consideration, will come out to be replaced with smaller native trees and sunshine loving plants for pollinators.
Never seen a monarch here. 😕 lots of swallowtails, though.
Never seen a monarch here. 😕 lots of swallowtails, though.
Commercial catalogues only?!?! 🤣
Most native plant operations near me are small businesses doing it out of love. And often sell seed only. The very best source is local seed I harvest myself.
Imma take these “natural garden” opinions with a large hunk of salt.
And yep, healthy gardens evolve.
Most native plant operations near me are small businesses doing it out of love. And often sell seed only. The very best source is local seed I harvest myself.
Imma take these “natural garden” opinions with a large hunk of salt.
And yep, healthy gardens evolve.
November 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Commercial catalogues only?!?! 🤣
Most native plant operations near me are small businesses doing it out of love. And often sell seed only. The very best source is local seed I harvest myself.
Imma take these “natural garden” opinions with a large hunk of salt.
And yep, healthy gardens evolve.
Most native plant operations near me are small businesses doing it out of love. And often sell seed only. The very best source is local seed I harvest myself.
Imma take these “natural garden” opinions with a large hunk of salt.
And yep, healthy gardens evolve.
It is a good end goal to have clustered plants vs mostly singletons. Pollinators prefer it, it’s easier for them. Also easier to maintain.
My method is to try many native plants in various places, see where they are happy, and establish clumps where they thrive. But lots of variety at the start.
My method is to try many native plants in various places, see where they are happy, and establish clumps where they thrive. But lots of variety at the start.
November 1, 2025 at 10:52 PM
It is a good end goal to have clustered plants vs mostly singletons. Pollinators prefer it, it’s easier for them. Also easier to maintain.
My method is to try many native plants in various places, see where they are happy, and establish clumps where they thrive. But lots of variety at the start.
My method is to try many native plants in various places, see where they are happy, and establish clumps where they thrive. But lots of variety at the start.
Got to the chart all the way at the bottom…it’s the ground landscaping more than trees, which surprises me. All the perennials and shrubs I guess? Given the labor they need and how much they cost lately….
I would guess cleaning services would deal with more insects than the rich homeowners.
I would guess cleaning services would deal with more insects than the rich homeowners.
October 31, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Got to the chart all the way at the bottom…it’s the ground landscaping more than trees, which surprises me. All the perennials and shrubs I guess? Given the labor they need and how much they cost lately….
I would guess cleaning services would deal with more insects than the rich homeowners.
I would guess cleaning services would deal with more insects than the rich homeowners.
Rich urban neighborhoods are far more likely to have large trees and more of them. Our city is trying to increase canopy in poor areas.
Also guessing their homes have spaces that get less frequent use (guest rooms, bonus rooms, formal living or dining rooms) so bugs can go unnoticed longer.
Also guessing their homes have spaces that get less frequent use (guest rooms, bonus rooms, formal living or dining rooms) so bugs can go unnoticed longer.
October 31, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Rich urban neighborhoods are far more likely to have large trees and more of them. Our city is trying to increase canopy in poor areas.
Also guessing their homes have spaces that get less frequent use (guest rooms, bonus rooms, formal living or dining rooms) so bugs can go unnoticed longer.
Also guessing their homes have spaces that get less frequent use (guest rooms, bonus rooms, formal living or dining rooms) so bugs can go unnoticed longer.
It sounds like Virginia’s budget is better off than Washington’s. They are using a surplus to cover that.
October 30, 2025 at 3:05 AM
It sounds like Virginia’s budget is better off than Washington’s. They are using a surplus to cover that.
Isn’t that just part of your creepy, gross Halloween decor? It’s perfect.
October 29, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Isn’t that just part of your creepy, gross Halloween decor? It’s perfect.
My hubby makes something similar, but with sage, black pepper, and maple syrup for seasoning. 😋
October 28, 2025 at 4:23 PM
My hubby makes something similar, but with sage, black pepper, and maple syrup for seasoning. 😋