The Bee-Friendly Garden BOOK GIVEAWAY

 

 Well, this is exciting! About 6 months ago I was contacted by Ten Speed Press to see if I would be willing to contribute some photos of my bee-friendly garden. Of course I said yes and then I sort of forgot about it until last week when I received an email from the publisher telling me the book had been released and my copy was on its way. 

This book was written by Sustainable Gardens designer and expert, Kate Frey and Professor Gretchen Lebuhn, of San Francisco State University and co-author of Attracting Native Pollinators and The Common Bees of California.  What an honor to be in such good company as these two dedicated women.

The book is a buzzing hive of information for the novice and experienced gardener alike.

My bee-friendly border in Mid July

 If you are a gardener who is sensitive to the issues we face due to the declining bee population you''ll love the intensive list of bee-friendly annuals, perennials and shrubs. You may even have some of them in your garden already. If you're mostly a landscape only type of gardener, you'll be inspired to add more bee-friendly plants to your garden space, sure to bring more pollinators and color to your landscape.

Featured Photo ( pg 168) late August, early September bee-friendly border.

 Or, maybe you're like me and want to cultivate every bit of  bare space in your yard into a brimming, buzzing flower field. 

Where ever you are in your gardening goals, I know you'll enjoy The Bee-Friendly Garden for its beautiful photography, ( gorgeous full-color gardens on every page) and mounds of information about how to plan and plant your just-right bee garden. 

I can't keep all this goodness to myself, so I'm

  giving away a copy to one lucky winner! 

Leave me a note and tell me what bee-friendly plants you already grow! 

 

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 199

 

Welcome to the 199th Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop farmgirls! 

How long have you been coming to this hop?

  It's hard to believe we're just one hop away from our 200th Farmgirl Friday Anniversary!

Debbie ( Farmgirl Unleashed ) and I have an amazing Farmgirl-y giveaway planned so be sure to come by next week, share your posts and enter! 

 We harvested our first rhubarb this week so I made pie of course!

I shared a recipe for Sweet Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie on the Beach Farmgirl Blog. 

You'll never guess what's inside this pie, besides strawberries and rhubarb.

Debbie and her hubby added two new hives this week. She's got the scoop on the whole set-up here.

 It's a busy time of year with the school year coming to an end, graduations, weddings, and the rush of getting every thing planted too, but I wouldn't have it any other way, would you?  

Here's to a fabulous FARMGIRL week!

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 148 and The Farmgirl Buzz!

 

Dear friends, Welcome back to your favorite Friday Blog Hop for farmgirls far and wide!

I'm so happy March has finally arrived here in the northeast. Even though we are still experiencing unusually cold weather for this time of year I know without a doubt that soon I'll be spending more time outdoors cleaning the greenhouse, raking left over leaves out of the flower beds and planting seeds for this years flower crop! 

 Plus, I've got a long list of DIY projects for inside! This is the year we are FINALLY going to finish our ECO-FRIENDLY kitchen re-do we started a few years ago. It started with refacing the kitchen cabinets, and a new vintage inspired farm sink. NEW floors and a NEW island top are top of the list, plus as always there will be furniture and walls to paint! I'll do my best to share as we go! 

We are also just two weeks a way from our 150th Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop and our BIG announcement!!! Stay tuned!!! 

Here's The Farmgirl Buzz from Farmgirl Chit-Chat!

Life is humming along on Farmgirl Chit-Chat  this week! We are wrapping up a craft swap, stitching together a crochet along, and tying one on with an apron swap! 

PLUS,  Heidi is having her Grab an Apron Blog Hop and Dolly is hosting a giveaway for one of her beautifully custom designed reversible fabric handmade bags! And, Debbie aka Farmgirl Unleashed is about to become a first time Bee Keeper!

So, if you haven't joined us yet, please do! You won't find a more active, productive and supportive group on Facebook! Well, besides the amazingly brilliant MaryJanesFarmgirl Connection that is, which inspired us to start our own!

Thank you all for your fabulous entries each week! You are all simply amazing and we ( Heidi, Dolly, Debbie and I ) LOVE how you share your farmgirl lifestyles and inspire others. Keep up the GOOD work! Farmgirls Forever!!!

Time to link up for your weekly dose of what??? Farmgirl Soul-food that's what!

Heidi, Dolly, Debbie and I love to see what you're up to from week to week so let's get going!

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog
Dolly of Hibiscus House and Dolly is Cooking
Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed 
and me of course!

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!

 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea! Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!

Buds of Happiness and Bee Friendly Blooms

Dear friends,
 Is there anything more inspiring than seeing the first shoots of  GREEN sprouting from the earth after a long winter? The onset of spring is here and I couldn't be more ready! But, I'm taking it slow just like these pretty Snow Crocus Bulbs. I'm so grateful to the woman who lived in our house before we did for planting a handful or two of these cute little buds of happiness!

 Snow Crocus are among the first spring bulbs to emerge even before spring has officially arrived! They brighten the garden with blue, orange, purple, yellow and white blossoms. All it takes is a few warm days in late winter for them to pop up out of the frozen ground despite the likely possibility that they will be covered in snow a few more times before they actually unfold entirely.

 They are easy to grow. Simply place a few bulbs together about 3 - 4 inches deep. Plant in holes spaced randomly about your garden bed for a natural look. Over time Snow Crocus bulbs multiply giving you more lovely flowers to look forward to each spring. They tolerate over-crowding but not praying squirrels who will love snacking on young tender bulbs. If you have squirrels in your neighborhood I recommend placing chicken wire or weed barrier cloth over your newly planted area to keep your bulbs safe from hungry rodents.
 

It's not just humans that get happy when they see them in bloom.

The Bees will be buzzing with delight as they hop from one bloom to another drinking nectar cocktails! 

Be gentle with yourself as the unfolding of spring begins. You've been in a deep sleep and it will take a while to wake up fully. Start slowly by noticing the little signs of spring. Longer sunny days, brighter blue skies, singing birds, and NEW growth sprouting from the earth are here! It's as if the whole world is taking a giant slow stretch!  Enjoy the unfolding...

The smiles of spring will be here before you know it! 

Much Love!