What Grows in your NH Garden? (Nashua, Derry: for sale, how much, elementary school)

[lisa g]

Boo & Val--awesome pics! Hens & Chicks & Donkey tails....I love them, & thought I'd be leaving them behind in CA, but now I have hope that I can grow them here if I can find a sunny enough spot. Last wknd I went to Pickety Place and the House by the Side of the Road (correct name?) in Wilton & scored a Virginia Creeper and a climbing hydrangea. My intention is to plant them so they climb up tall pines in semi-full shade. Do any of you here have any experience with either plant?

[Valerie C]

Wish I could help Lisa, but I have no experience with either of those. I now have a mostly sunny backyard, after cutting down several pine trees. We loved the look of the pines, but sap all over everything and everyone was no good. One thing I've noticed is that since cutting the trees, the "baby" lilacs that we discovered that were covered in weeds and old branch debris have started to GROW and FLOWER.

I have a wonderful shrub that will be flowering in just another week or two, maybe somebody here can help me identify it. It has tight little reddish buds right now, and when it flowers, it's a pale pink, very small flower, intensely sweet scent. Does it sound familiar to anyone? When it was under the pines it had barely any buds or flowers, but now that it's in full sun, it's FULL and should be very pretty I'd like a couple more IN the garden so I can enjoy them while I'm working out there (and one near the patio as well would be nice!)

I have often wondered what is up with turkeys.... You alway hear that the wild ones are such a smart bird, but when you see herds (flocks?) of them out and about, barely moving out of the way for cars, etc. (And when strawberry or blueberry picking they are downright bold and will practically crowd you out of the field!) But... I'll bet they make themselves scarce from Halloween till after Thanksgiving

[~Boo~]

And we all thought it was "why did the chicken cross the road" all along it was those wild turkeys...they like to make us wait...slow down & enjoy the scenery, LOL

Does anyone know if these are wild turkeys in the photo? They looked too skinny to me, but maybe they are just avoiding being a "special guest" for dinner.

[~Boo~]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

...I have a wonderful shrub that will be flowering in just another week or two, maybe somebody here can help me identify it. It has tight little reddish buds right now, and when it flowers, it's a pale pink, very small flower, intensely sweet scent. Does it sound familiar to anyone? When it was under the pines it had barely any buds or flowers, but now that it's in full sun, it's FULL and should be very pretty I'd like a couple more IN the garden so I can enjoy them while I'm working out there (and one near the patio as well would be nice!)...

It sounds similar to a tea bush out here in Cali...but I don't know if it would grow back East. Maybe take a picture of it to a local nursery ...or a clipping & they can help you identify it. I'd like to know what it is...post a picture too if you have a chance.

How's everyone's garden doing? Hope more buds are blooming with warmer weather!

[~Boo~]

Originally Posted by GregW

Crabgrass does pretty well in my garden. Or at least tries to. Now if I could figure how to make oil out of the stuff?

Maybe the crafty squirrels that build Acorn homes can show you how?

[Valerie C]

Those look like turkeys to me Boo! It's funny, I haven't seen a wild turkey in months, and this morning one crossed the street right in front of my car, heading from one orchard into the other....

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by Valerie C

Those look like turkeys to me Boo! It's funny, I haven't seen a wild turkey in months, and this morning one crossed the street right in front of my car, heading from one orchard into the other....

Val, you won't believe this, but I had to drive my daughter to school yesterday and just after we hit the road, a turkey jumped out in front of me and headed for one of the ponds! It was a safe distance, so I didn't have to panic stop. Too funny!

I hadn't seen one in my area in a long time. The last time I saw turkeys was at our place in the Berkshires in Dec., where they are a daily occurence in the back yard. The Cape is starting to get a pretty decent population of them it seems.

[lisa g]

We had a flock of them take up residence in our yard from the fall through the winter...
pretty interesting to watch but man did they leave a mess!!

[lisa g]

Speaking of birds, a pair of Northern Goshawks have also moved in and they scream at me whenever I come outside! They're probably defending eggs or a nest (we can see a nest but don't know if it's their active nest or a decoy type nest), and they really don't like people in their territory. Have any of you experienced this?

[~Boo~]

Sounds like the birds are taking over in New Hampshire!

Thanks Valerie, I second guessed my memory. I thought they were the turkeys crossing the road, but the photo is from 2006 & when I posted it, I wasn't sure...we don't see turkeys where I live. We have opossums that waddle out into the road...nothing like seeing a giant rat-like creature in your headlight beams! lots of squirrels, rabbits, mice too....and hawks circling in the air hunting them all. Near the hills I see the deer, but they stay away from the neighborhoods. Sometimes I see the coyotes running down the street in the early morning...kinda freaks me out, at first you think oh no someones dogs are loose...then they get closer & you think oh no don't move...did they see me? ...maybe they'll just keep running.