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a certain slant of sunlight…

April 17, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner 11 Comments

sunlight through the kitchen window

I know right off when the day is destined to be a good one. I can tell by the slant of sunlight through my kitchen window. This simple ray of sunshine, as yellow as the apples it shines upon, sends me working out into the yard all day long. The world could turn upside down and I’d be fine as long as I’m busy in the garden.

That was yesterday and yesterday was my favorite sort of day. A trip to the nursery and lots of digging in the dirt. Today I feel the ache in my back. It’s a good ache—the ache of transplanting hostas and moving around day lilies. Sometimes plants need to be relocated. Sometimes I think I must do it for the feel of it.

Our irises are beginning to bloom. They remind me of my Nana. She grew iris all around our home place on the farm. I wonder if my great-grandmother planted them? Mine came from my sister-in-law who got them from my mother-in-law’s yard in Ft. Smith. Love them!

Irises in my yard

I never had much luck with columbine in Dallas (not sure why), but here in Fayetteville these lovely ladies are happy happy!

columbine - native and happy

Yesterday, John and I “planted” three Ollas in our beds near our azaleas. Ollas are a great way to naturally irrigate. We brought ours from Dallas, and they’ve been hanging out in the garage waiting to be used in Arkansas. You can read more about Ollas HERE. Last summer these azaleas struggled in the late afternoon sun and heat. This year I’m expecting better results since they will have this special watering source. Yay.

Ollas in my garden - a great way to irrigate!

My salvia is putting on a show. I transplanted this salvia last spring from a container we had in Dallas. It is thicker and healthier growing in the soil. And the Fayetteville climate probably has something to do with it too.

Salvia in the garden

Based on this morning’s slant of sunlight through my kitchen window, today may be a repeat of yesterday. That would be a very good thing. Happy Sunday, y’all!

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]If I had a week to live, I’d spend it in my #garden… #farmgirl #spring[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:
The Dead South, Honey You

Filed Under: Gardening, Nature & Seasons, Simple Pleasures Tagged With: native plants, Northwest Arkansas, Ollas, spring gardening

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Comments

  1. Colene says

    April 17, 2016 at 9:28 am

    It’s all beautiful. Hand me down plants are the best kind! I have some irises and peonies from Tom’s aunt. Relocating plants is half the fun, right?

    Reply
  2. Barbara Tate says

    April 17, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Happy Sunday to you too. Your yard looks beautiful. You definitely have Uncle Rex’s “green thumb”.

    Reply
  3. Barbara thompson says

    April 17, 2016 at 10:13 am

    Pictures of your iris reminded me of the purple and rust colored iris that grew
    undisturbed in my grandmothers garden fence row on our farm in Kansas. It was always a welcome sign of Spring. My sisters and I transplanted the bulbs to several different states.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 18, 2016 at 7:34 pm

      I love getting flowers with a history!

      Reply
  4. Staci says

    April 17, 2016 at 10:25 am

    Love your yard – beautiful! A lovely rainy birthday day here in Plano. Hope the rain doesn’t interfere with my Snuffer’s plans 🙂

    Reply
  5. Martha Orlando says

    April 17, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Happy Sunday to you, Talya! Your photos are amazing; thanks for brightening my day!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 18, 2016 at 7:33 pm

      Thank you!! And I so appreciate your comment. It was the only real one in a series of twenty crazy spam posts. LOL.

      Reply
  6. pat laster says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:32 am

    What is it about poets/ writers and gardening??? Your flowers are gorgeous. Yes, I will miss your being here this week. I met Lorie last night. Have already gotten a lot of work done: being a small press publication’s poetry editor is a lot more work than I realized when I asked for the position. But…it’s doable, given time. Have a productive time this week wherever you’ll be.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 18, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks, Pat! You’re right about the poetry/writing and gardening thing. Gardening is poetic, I think. More poetic than my poems anyway LOL. I’m sure being the editor is tons of work but you are great at it and think of all the folks you’re helping.

      Reply
  7. Dorothy Johnson says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:19 am

    Love that phrase: a certain slant of light, and I think your flowers are beautiful. I want to see your yard when things slow down for both of us.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      April 18, 2016 at 7:28 pm

      Thank you and you have a standing invitation.

      Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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