This weekend there are two garden shows. Akron has the Akron Home and Flower Show and Columbus has the Central Ohio Home and Garden Show . We were going to try to go to both but guess what? It snowed. It started Thursday and as I sit here writing this post, it still is. We decided to wait till next weekend to attend the Columbus show. The Akron show is smaller than either of the Cleveland shows but still a must see for area gardeners. It was the perfect time to try out a new camera. Well, the full auto mode on the new camera didn't work quite as I expected. None of my close ups turned out. They looked OK on the camera screen, but not so much once I downloaded them. None the less, we had a wonderful time. The place was full of exhibitors. As an extra added benefit, Pat and I attended a great gardening presentation by Ahmed Hassan.
It's fake. This grass is fake. Nice looking fake, but fake none the less. It even has little brown fake blades interspersed among the little fake green blades. I don't know what to think. I hate turf grass, but in my yard? I think it belongs in an American League ball park.
Pat said that we could do something like this, except not so big or tall. We want to put a water feature in the front yard. There are sections of the front yard that are in full sun. Maybe there are solar powered pumps.
I spotted some ivy being used as decorative ground cover between myrtle. Myrtle is one of my favorite plants. The flowers add a nice bit of color to our predominantly green yard. Now ivy is a different story. We inherited a mass of ivy in our side yard. It is the spawn of the devil. I hack it, pull it, bury it under a foot of dirt and it keeps coming back. Pat said, that's not the kind we have. It's some kind of miniature ivy. So it's OK then.
Now, this is why I got a new camera. I can take bird pictures where the birds are more than colored spots.
Deer trails around Big Blue. You know, it never got nibbled last year.
Snowing in the back yard.
14 comments:
I'm still trying to figure out my camera and it's been months. I should probably take a class. You are lucky you have multiple shows in your area. I would be thrilled with just one small, measly flower show here in Alaska.
Thanks for the show tour.
Christine in Alaska
Dear Jim, You really do seem spoilt for choice with so many garden shows within reach of you at this time of year. I am sorry that snow, yet more, prevented your getting out as much as you would have liked.
The fake grass is, I agree, rather peculiar. I am not sure that I should want it.
Dear Jim, It seems a crazy but very good idea to have garden shows at this time of year when we're all getting cabin fever. Welcome to my world, by the way. Tattie bogle is a Scottish scarecrow. Regards to Pat, Is
How fun to meet a celebrity! I love that show! I must admit, the idea of fake grass is growing on me. What's wrong with a little garden rug? I personally am fed up with trying to keep grass alive. I agree with your assessment of ivy...what a nightmare!
Hi Joe,
Two shows will keep you thinking spring. Nice water features at the Akron show. They do make solar pumps by the way. I see some favorites for the shade in the show like astilbe and rhododendron. Very pretty.
I have the same problem with my camera. It looks good on the screen then when I upload them they are blurry. I delete more than I keep by far. Frustrating. I do not think I will ever get the hang of it.They are great for catching some closeups of birds, etc when it works. Yours turned out terrific.
I enjoyed the pictures of the show, but my favorite was the snow video. We didn't have any snow this year.
Pat is right (Of course,you knew that), the little leaved ivies are not rampant thugs like those with big leaves. I actually planted some big leaf ivy 25 years ago before I knew better - been trying to get rid of it for about 20 years.
Even though your camera was not performing it's best, your photos look great and it is easy to see that you had a great time. BTW, my father-in-law has synthetic turf and he is a stickler for keeping all leaves and petals off of it. I am not a fan of this type of grass ;^)
Thanks for the tour of the show Jim! I don't know, after dealing with Ivy (which isn't making me cry as much as blackberry at the moment) I'm not sure I'd trust it, no matter how small and cute it looked!
I don't think I'd trust any ivy -- *ever*. That sure is some snow load on the patio table... and I love your bee sculpture, cute even decorated with snow.
I have the same frustration with birds showing up as teeny bright dots in the landscape. Was it hard to switch over to a fancier camera?
Harbor freight has little solar fountain pumps, very inexpensive. I have a floating one that I put in the old syrup kettle that I use as a water feature. There is another that has the pump outside the water.
Fake grass? Maybe for a putting green? And the ivy? The lady that built our house nearly sixty years ago loved ivy and planted a little here and there, according to her grandson. That stuff has taken over the woods. I have eliminated some of it, but I think there's no hope to get rid of it all.
I have been talking about getting a new camera, too, for similar reasons. Your bird shots are great!
Great pictures! I get to go to the Philadelphia flower show tomorrow - I'm so excited. All those indoor flowers are great, but my favorite of these pictures is the bumble bee in the snow. Perfect. Thanks for picking my post on Blotanical - I appreciate it the encouraging feedback.
That astilbe is drool-worthy. It's one of my 'covet' plants. Must say, Ahmed is also a bit drool-worthy. lol.
Enjoyed your post very much.
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