Doneta's Garden Dreams and Diary

07/21/2026

Cut the hollyhocks down.
They were looking ugly.
Didn't try to save seed.

07/20/2026

The Rudbeckia Triloba today.
I call it Gladys Sunflower.
Started from seed two years ago after stratification.
The plants are five to six feet tall.

07/20/2026

The miracle blossoms today!

07/20/2026

Flowers from July 20, 2019

07/19/2026

The miracle Amaryllis
Even in Paradise there are bugs

07/17/2026

And here is the miracle blossom!
A amaryllis in July.
I wanted to trash the pot many times this spring.
Oh. -- They bloom indoors in December.

07/17/2026

This volunteer petunia points out my gardening frustrations this year. In May planted seeds. I planted more seeds in June. And what is first to bloom? A volunteer petunia! Surely you know that petunias don't self seed. The volunteer morning glory is over ten feet long. The seed morning glories are about a foot tall. The volunteer sunflower has multiple buds forming. None of the sunflower seeds have sprouted. The volunteer cosmos is delightful. The cosmos from seed are struggling.
I am so frustrated.

07/16/2026

My flowers from 2010 and 2011.
Nothing like that today.
Likely to all die

07/15/2026

Interesting

07/14/2026

Try gardening at 75 and in a wheelchair.

And it breaks my heart that one of the most crippled individuals here is enthusiastic about morning glories trying to grow on the fence.

A yard or garden can be a place of peace, beauty, and pride. For many people in their 80s, it is more than just grass and flowers. It holds memories, routines, and moments that brought joy over the years. But as time goes on, the same garden that once brought comfort can begin to feel ... Read more