Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / flowers / Zinnias

Zinnias

August 7, 2024 at 9:02 am by Claudia

For some reason, sowing seeds for zinnias in the garden beds near the memorial garden has pretty much failed for the past two years. In fact, this year, after nothing came up, I bought some more seeds and did the whole thing again. A grand total of two came up in one bed and one in the other bed. So, I planted seeds in this tub and, thankfully, they came through.

The long and narrow bed that I used the call ‘the chicken wire fence garden’ has stopped doing much of anything. I’ll try again next year and amend the soil, but I couldn’t do that this year because my hand was injured.

This photo is from a week or so ago. It’s been so hot and humid that I haven’t really done too much outside – except water, of course. And now it’s going to rain for the next few days. We need rain. We had way too much of it in the first half of the year, but lately, not nearly enough. The rivers have been very low and I saw some algae bloom in one of the two rivers that are near our house.

I finished the latest Daniel Silva, so now it’s back to The Mirror and the Light. Don is gobbling up books by Jim Harrison, which makes me happy. He goes through periods where he is not at all into reading books, so it’s nice to see him enjoying Harrison. Harrison was also a favorite of mine about 40 years ago. Wonderful writer.

We’re loving the Olympics but darned if it hasn’t screwed up our sleeping schedule! We’re creatures of habit and staying up an hour later than usual but waking up at the same time is taking a toll. Soon we’ll get back to normal.

I watched Kamala and Tim Walz speaking at my alma mater in Philadelphia yesterday. Wow! There’s a level of excitement and passion and hope I haven’t seen in a while. And JOY! I’m ready to do what I can for the campaign.

I have to go – Don is making scrambled eggs and he’s just about ready to bring some to my perch in the den.

Stay safe.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: flowers 12 Comments

Comments

  1. jeanie says

    August 7, 2024 at 9:09 am

    I love zinnias. Mine only seem to grow in pots but that’s life. Very geeked now that I’ve seen Walz speak. I think they’ll be a good team.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 7, 2024 at 3:43 pm

      I think so, too.

      Stay safe, Jeanie.

      Reply
  2. Lottie says

    August 7, 2024 at 2:43 pm

    My zinnias do better when I plant them together. I love seeing the butterflies all over them! Have a great afternoon!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 7, 2024 at 3:44 pm

      I do plant them together, but alas, it’s not working in those garden beds. I wonder if the birds got them?

      Stay safe, Lottie.

      Reply
  3. Donnamae says

    August 7, 2024 at 4:59 pm

    I don’t have any open sunny spots for zinnias …..haven’t had them in years. Yours look so pretty. I spent a quick hour weeding my gardens earlier. I think I got most of them. Mulch certainly has helped keep them away.

    I took some time this afternoon to watch the Harris/Walz rally in Eau Claire, WI. What a massive crowd! The enthusiasm is off the charts. So good to hear and see. I am stoked!

    Enjoy the rest of your day! )

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 9, 2024 at 8:21 am

      I need to weed, but it’s either been way too hot or it’s raining. Hopefully, in a couple of days.

      Stay safe, Donnamae.

      Reply
  4. kathy in iowa says

    August 7, 2024 at 8:49 pm

    hope you get some rain soon and the algae blooms go away. same for here.

    the zinnias are beautiful. and so tall!

    glad you and don both have bunches of books to enjoy (along with breakfast-in-den!). i can relate to don’s off-again, on-again reading. i didn’t read for years (attention span, pain, covid …), but now am reading a lot (often past my preferred bedtime in order to get time to read) and i am thrilled and grateful about that!

    haven’t watched a bit of the olympics, but see the highlights on the news. glad you are enjoying them and hope you take naps as needed.

    i am far from an expert, but to me, kamala harris and tim walz seem very well suited together.
    glad people are excited and participating in the process, but given the state of things, i will be glad when the election is done. nerve-wracking!!!

    we had cooler temperatures (low 70s for highs) and cloudy skies here the past couple of days. hope they simultaneously stick around and also soon get to you.

    hope today’s been a good day for everyone. stay safe!

    kathy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 9, 2024 at 8:22 am

      Thanks so much, Kathy.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  5. Elaine in Toronto says

    August 7, 2024 at 9:08 pm

    I love zinnias but have trouble growing them, too. Their bright colours say fall to me. I’m liking the dynamic between Kamala and Tim. Sure do hope they win. Hope you get the rain you need. We had a less humid day here. Do you and Don grow vegetables? We have a few, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, green beans, cucumber, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary. Sadly, our summer has been too hot and dry to get a good crop. Hugs, Elaine

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 9, 2024 at 8:23 am

      I love the fact that zinnias last so long.

      No we don’t grow vegetables. We have so many farms around here with fresh, inexpensive produce – it’s easier to buy directly from them.

      Stay safe, Elaine.

      Reply
  6. maria says

    August 8, 2024 at 3:54 pm

    love zinnias…..they

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 9, 2024 at 8:24 am

      They’re really cheery, Maria.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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