BLOOMIN' JUNE

Too funny, Paula. Wish I lived close as I'd love some fresh Zucchini.

Take care and have a "Blooming" good day!

Sunny

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Got to the garden on Sunday & Monday and picked 24 huge zucchini! Keep your cars locked & windows up!

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Welcome Home. I just got home also and looks like we will be picking beans today.

Jo - Your photos are great as are your beautiful flowers. Thanks so much for sharing.

Hugs, Sunny

Total SparkPoints: 196,625

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Just back from a 2 week trip. I can't believe how my flowers have grown! Haven't made it out to the vegetable garden yet. It was dark when I came in.

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Neeloj, You have some beautiful pictures on you picture link.

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Speaking of Zinna's....
I just added a photo of my first one that is blooming, on the Team Photos.
It is not fully open yet but it had such a neat shadow too....

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My favourite June blooms were my orange poppies and my blue irises.

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I really like Zinnia's also. It has been a few years since I planted any/ I also like some varieties of marigold's.

I have one gladiolus that made it. I also have some double day lilies blooming. My other type of day lilies have already bloomed. At least I got to see some of my flowers bloom this year.

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My Cleomes are open and looking so beautiful.

I too love Zinnas and for the very reason you stated here, Jo. I love the way they surprise me.

Hope everyone is having a great day. It is only 76 degrees here and such a beautiful day for July 1st.

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Yes, Zinnas are great! Mine are just now starting to open. I love all of the different colors. You never know what the next one will look like!
JO

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gotta be zinnias for me...I can't believe how tough they are and how they take our extreme heat like it's nothing. YAY zinnias!

I can see how it would be hard to choose a favorite. Wonderful collage, Jo.

I also enjoyed seeing your vegetables. Pretty soon, you are going to have lots of sqash and cucumbers.
Yea!

Sunny

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I can't pick just one so here is a group of my favorites that bloomed in June.....
www.flickr.com/photos/neelojtsl/3677
10
3350/

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That is one of my favorite blooms too, Jengcoss.

I can not wait for the fresh corn.

Sunny

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Wow! Great collage (as in groups of pictures, not higher education) MomingGarden!

I think my favorite "blooms" were when my corn grew its tassels, then silks. Corn is around the corner! yummmm

IT is now the end of June in the Garden. How about we share what our favorite blooms were this month?!!!!

I am loving the show the knockout roses put on and the Oak LEAF Hydrangea is putting on. Here is a photo of my favorite June blooms at : www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_p
ho
tos_enlarge.asp?gid=19538&pid=6007&sR>idn=bLzvLS]nvZ6++++e%3Enf7Is1Y++++++

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We have that kind of soil here. DH calls it Missouri Gumbo! It takes lots and lots of compost to be workable.

It is your year to rest and get strong. I will look for the tomatoes at our farmers markets and hopefully start a new tradition in my garden. Thanks for the great idea.

Take care and be good to you. Your garden will be there next year.

Hugs, Sunny

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Sunny, thanks for asking - I am recovering slowly. It seems like I will struggle along for awhile & then have a big improvement at once.

I can't even begin to tell you all the heirloom tomatoes I've grown. TONS. I buy seeds from a couple of online sites & also I buy tomatoes at the farmers' markets & then save the seeds. Tomato seeds are very easy to save & will last a few years after you save them. I done purple cherokee, german stripey, garden peach, moonbeam, green zebra, black krim, pink rose...the list goes on.

It's hard to garden here, our soil is rocky & there's a lot of clay. So apart from not being able to get down on the ground there's that to deal with. Once you get a good garden going it's not too bad, but you have to rotate crops so there'd have to be work each year. We have a giant tiller, but I'm not strong enough right now to handle it. Again, it's going to be great to get back at it!

You are most welcome, Joanna. It is one of my favorites so knew it right away.

Hope you have a great week. Sunny

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Thanks for the info, Sunny! It was here when we bought the house so it's nice to find out what it is finally.

Have a good day!

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Hey BKWERM - your photos were great. The third photo of the bluish/purple bloom is a "Spider Wort". It grows wild in some zones although you can purchase them at nurseries in other zones. I purchased one when we lived in Kansas and then I have them growing wild here in Missouri.

Have a good weekend. Hugs, Sunny

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Great pictures!!! Thanks for sharing!

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I've uploaded some new June blooms. Here's the link:

s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg192/re
db
kwerm/?albumview=slideshow

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Hi Trainof4 - I understand about the rain as we have had a very soggy spring here in Zone 5.

How is recovery going. I have never planted heirloom tomatoes but it is a thought for next year.

Hope you continue on your road to recovery.

Sunny

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Right now we have the daylilies just beginning to bloom in ernest as well as some hyrdangeas, butterfly bush, spirea. We've had a very rainy beginning to June, 13 of the 1st 16 days had measurable rainfall. It's also been cooler than normal, so things have been a little slow to bloom. But believe me, I'm not complaining about the rain - it is always welcome.

I didn't plant anything this year as I'm recovering from a big knee surgery. I guess I could've done some pots, but I just never got "into" it. However, almost every year in the past 5 I've planted at least 5 varieties of heirloom tomatoes & I plan to be back at it next summer!

Nice pictures, Jo! Looks like your garden is doing very well!

I added flower pictures to the Team Photos that I took today....

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I have a Canon Powershot and I love it. It has a 10x optical and then will go to 40x digital but is very grainy when I move out of the 10x. It's ok when I just have to have the closeup, but it's never been a good picture. It's a great camera. I have really loved using it. It has just enough features to keep me happy but not enough that I can't handle it. I watched sales and got it for $199 last fall. It has a wonderful video feature that is great for taking short little movies.

Edited by: CWAITES at: 6/10/2009 (22:15)

I am going to have to look my camera up because that is what happens. When I zoom in, the subject gets bigger but also blurry.

Wow - I am learning so much. Thanks so much, Jo.

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Optical zoom is the best of the zoom.
It is like binoculars, it does "zoom" in closer. Then most cameras will go into the digital zoom which is not really getting closer it is just making the picture you are seeing larger.
Like on your computer, you have your picture and then you can make it bigger... this is digital zoom.
If you use very much digital zoom the picture just gets blurry.

That is the way I understand it anyway....
I use my optical zoom a lot, it goes up to 7x. Then I have 3x more of digital zoom but do not use it much because I can just do that on my Photoshop software.

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Jo - I appreciate all of your input. I looked at the other camera and is is considerably more than I wanted to pay but will if I need to in order to get the quality I would like.

I did not know the difference between the zooms either. I appreciate that information.

Thanks so much!

BTW - Spark has there new IM up and running. Wow

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So which zoom are we supposed to use? digital or optical?

I never knew there were two types! That's interesting.
Thanks for the info.

Margrit

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It looks good to me!
There is a great web site for reviews on cameras.
Here is the page for yours.....
www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusi
as
tgroup/page3.asp

The megs will be great for printing off your pictures. Should be able to print them into large photos. I make my pictures the size I want and them put them on a CD. I take the CD to a print shop that have the large size printers. You should be able to print up to 16"X20" with this camera.

I also have a lot of fun with the zoom on my camera. Be sure you are aware of the two zooms that most cameras have.
There is Optical zoom and Digital zoom.
Optical is the zoom we are use to, like binoculars. Digital zoom just enlarges the picture you are looking at like you would do in an editing program when you crop a picture.
This article explains more about this...
www.photoxels.com/article-optical-di
gi
tal-zoom.html

Decide what is most important to you in a camera then look for that.
I wanted easy to use, good zoom, several mg's, and a good size LCD to see the picture on the camera.
I did lots of reading and shopping before I bought one. Go into the store and just try them!
I like to read what other people say about a camera too.

Sorry... didn't mean to make this so long.
Hope it helps and not give "more information then I needed"!!! LOL

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Container plants are very nice for ease-of-gardening purposes (especially for us disabled folks) but they do dry up quickly and require daily watering during the hot months! . . . . unless there's a surprise summer shower.


Margrit

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Jo - I found the following on Amazon and just wanted your opinion.

www.amazon.com/Canon-Powershot-SX110
IS
-Stabilized-Black/dp/B001EQ4C8U/ref=R>br_lf_m_1000383081_1_1_s_o_p?ie=UTF8
&m
=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=479303251
&pf_rd
_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_
rd_i=10003
83081&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0
DER&pf_rd_r=1MMY21MXKV9GWP8YE481

Let me know. Sunny

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You are so right, on days we have no rain, I water the pots of patio tomatoes. It does not take long for them to dry up. Marlin - hope your plants are doing better.

I am off to walk. It is raining here again today so no watering for me. I am just very grateful I got my hoeing and weeding done yesterday.

Hugs, Sunny

Total SparkPoints: 196,625

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Good Morning Sunny, Margrit, and everyone!!
I agree. I love the point and shoot cameras. Let the camera do the thinking instead of me!!! ha ha

It would be fun to have a fancy camera to play with but they are so expensive. But for just basic picture taking the point and shoot type are perfect.

We have been having rain, just at the right time. My flowers were getting thirsty.
Marlin, sorry your Cherry Tomatoes are drying up. I have one in a large flower pot and I have to water it everyday. So far it is doing fine.

Have a good day everyone!!!
JO

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Thanks Sunny. Simple cameras are so much better I think (unless you're having to do highly-paid professional work) because they allow you to focus on your subject instead of "Oh my God, how do I work this thing" and meantwhile the photo-op disappears or the light changes, etc.

Have fun shopping for a new camera.

MARLIN515 - - Lord, you never want to get rid of Aloe plants. You don't use 'em & don't need them and then one day, out of the 'blue' an emergency pops up & you're glad that you have so many leaves available for first aid & treatment purposes. LOL
I'm sure you can find a nice corner in your garden for them. :)

Margrit

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Hi, gals. My cherry tomato plants are drying up. I did get some tasty tomatoes last week. My jalapeno plants are loving the heat.

My aloe plants are taking over! I'll have to re-pot a lot of them. Either that or throw them in the compost!!!!

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I like things simple and easy too so this is a camera I will be looking at.

Thanks so much, Margrit. Hi there Jo!

Sunny

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Ha ha ha, You are doing great Sparkle!!!
Keep at it!!!
I love things simple and easy too!!!!

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Thank you for the nice compliment!

Oh my. Now you're asking me too many technical questions that are way above my head.

I use my Hunny's Canon camera. I'll read what it says to you right on the camera, how's that? LOL

Canon PowerShot A620 - 7.1 mega pixels

Lord only knows what all that means. hee hee hee

All I know is that it's much smaller & lighter than the big, giant super-dooper Canon camera a friend kindly gave me (when he bought himself a new fancy camera for photography school).

I haven't shot too many pics with my own (huge) camera because it is so much more heavy & complicated than my Hunny's - - - however, the optics are far superior and I'd better learn to use this great gift.

The "giant one" is a Canon REBEL EOS & it doesn't even say on it how many pixels it has ..... I'd have to look it up in the owner's manual. But all the pictures you saw & probably will be seeing, until further notice, are from the smaller, easier-to-use Canon camera.

Us blondes (even us artificial blondes) have limited brain power so it's got to be e-z or else!


Edited by: SPARKLE72023 at: 6/9/2009 (15:02)

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Awesome Job, Margrit.
I enjoyed seeing the glads.

What kind of camera do you use? I have a Kodak with a 10+ zoom but it only has 5 mega pixils so I have started shopping for a new one to replace this one.

Total SparkPoints: 196,625

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Finally, finally, finally - - thanks to all you WONDERFUL SPARK FRIENDS . . . . I got my courage up, "put my brains on" and set up a FLICKR account today!

So if you would like to view the first attempts at posting digital pics of the Veggies & Blooms (in our "new" home that we moved to last year), please see: www.flickr.com/photos/sparkle72023

Thanks!
This is so exciting!!
I feel like a great big over-stuffed-Dinosaur that has just crawled into the "modern age."
Ha Ha Ha!

Big Hugs to each of you wonderful Teamies!

Margrit

Edited by: SPARKLE72023 at: 6/9/2009 (14:45)

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I am sharing my Buttercup - it blooms mid June and you can see the photo here: www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_p
ho
tos_enlarge.asp?gid=19538&pid=5358&sR>idn=bLzvLS]nvZ6++++e%3Enf7Is1Y++++++

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Yea - that would be it Margrit. Hehehe

We are headed home to Missouri soon.

Hugs, Sunny

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They're scared of you because they know you're good friends with the GOOD FAIRY, right? :)

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No wicked Witches in my world so no worry, Margrit.

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Yes SUNNY! I've always wanted a pair of those Ruby Slippers ever since I was a little girl. I'm so glad to have "met" you on SparkPeople. Now my "dream" will come true - - of getting some of those remarkable slippers for myself.

- BUT - please make sure you don't ship any wicked witches along with them. I don't do well with scary witches.

Margrit

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That's why it didn't work! I was wearing the wrong shoes!

Hey Margrit - I am in Kansas so you want me to get you some ruby slippers?

You all have fun and I will be home in a few days.

Huggers, Sunny

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You guys are soooo funny!!!
But where ever the magic is coming from I'll take some and weight loss too!!!!!
LOL

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Me too. My last message can be filed under "JOKES seen & heard around SparkPeople.com"

Ha Ha Ha

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I'm in! Wish it was that easy!

Ok, now if we can all close our eyes & click our heels (all together now) . . . and make a wish to unload 10-15 pounds off our bodies?

1 -- 2 -- 3 !!

Margrit

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Hey, we got some rain so you can put me on the money list!

Geezz!!!
Some people are just never happy!!!
Want, want, want!!
Next it will be too much rain and too much heat!!!
And of course NEVER enough money!!!

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a great weekend friend!!
JO

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Hey that's good - - really good! Just look at those rain clouds!

Ok, now please send ME some $$ money, honey. hee hee hee

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I will try my best to send you some rain.....
I had 4 and 1/2 inches in 24 hours last week.

Here is the best I can do.....

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Please everybody that is getting rain, please send some to us. Also some warm weather. We are so dry that half of our bean field is coming up. In the month of May we only got about 1 inch of rain. It has been our third driest month so far. Our state also had some frost in the northern part just last week.
Oh well I guess there is a reason for everything.
Joan

Oh my how beautiful the pictures on your Flickr page are Jo. I got lost looking at them!

How do you like Flickr?
Is it easy to use? Safe?

I need to get a place so I can start "parking my pics" somewhere that folks can easily access and where they will be safe. Safe from what??? I don't know - - LOL - - just want them to be safe. :)

Margrit

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Last year I started a herb garden. This year my sage looks like it is going to bloom. Does anybody know if I need to pinch back the blooms or just leave them?
Thanks Joan

Beautiful blooms BKWERM! You're so lucky your Begonias came out & bloomed so wonderfully! I think mine got too much rain & perhaps rotted? :(

How do you like Photobucket as a photo storage place? I signed up with the KODAK Gallery place but haven't used them yet - - still wondering which would be the best & safest place to store photos so I won't end up with tons of CD/DVDs or DataSticks.

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Here's a link to what's blooming in my garden this week:

s585.photobucket.com/albums/ss300/BK
WE
RM/?albumview=slideshow

Edited by: BKWERM at: 6/5/2009 (10:09)

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Great Photos, Nell!

The clamatis are beautiful.

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neeloj, love your pictures on your flicker and spark page.i love looking at other peoples pictures.

The newest thing I have blooming is my Pink Clementis. I have 5 different Clementis in different places in my yard. I really enjoy them. The Pink one has done really great this year.
I added a couple of pictures of it on the team photos.

I also have Coreopsis blooming.
Delphinium and Holly Hocks just starting to bloom.

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my red peony are out in full bloom got a yellow ones they are in bud they will be opening soon.the yellow ones makes the red ones look small.my roses are nice and green leaves except one i guess it,s dead.i,ll leave it for a bit to see if it,s a late one.my tomato plants are doing well, hope i get lots of tomatoes.

My Asiatic lilies have pretty much taken over right now. I have pink, orange, red, and yellow. They have spread so much I'm going to have to move a bunch of them this fall.
The gaillardia is doing well, the coneflowers are just starting to open, the balloon flowers have started blooming, and the roses are doing ok (too much rain last month has led to black spot).
The dianthus, pansies, and snapdragons are starting to fade - too many 90 degree days!

I have one pink rose blooming and my heirloom cottage rosebush is full of buds. My Jack-in-the-Pulpit is still blooming along with my Lily of the Valley. My iris (one purple and one Yellow/white) is going full tilt along with my wild geranium and a pretty pink 'groudcover.'

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Super excited to share that for the first week in June my Knock outs are a blooming!
You can see the photo at : www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_p
ho
tos_enlarge.asp?gid=19538&pid=5138&sR>idn=bLzvLS]nvZ6++++e%3Enf7Is1Y++++++

I will be honest - I did add some of my horse manure top soil last fall and sprinkled some rose food pellets on the root in early April. :-) Even though Knock outs are known for not needing anything to bloom wonderfully. This yellow knock out bush has over 20 buds on it!

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Please share with us what you have growing in June. Tell us if you have planted something new this year and how that is doing for you?

Can't wait to hear about what is new in your JUNE Garden.

Happy Bloomin June!

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