Yes...this  particular  Fragrant  Lilac  Bush  has  been  living 
at  this  location  for  about  75  years !

It  was  proudly  planted  by

Alice Jean Arden Hodge
{ July 23 rd., 1914  -  March  1 st., 2012 }

who  was  the  only  woman  from  the  NYC  area
to  be  in  the  1936  Summer  Olympics.
She  placed  NINTH  in  the  High  Jump  Event
and  never  competed  again.

You  can  read  more  about  her  by  clicking  on  her  name.

Lilacs  symbolize 
LOVE
and  are  a  member  of  the 
OLIVE  TREE  Family.
They  have  been  known  to  live  for  hundreds  of  years,
under  ideal  conditions  and  proper  care.

While some varieties only grow 4 feet, others can reach up to 30 feet tall.
Pruning a Lilac properly is essential and needs to be addressed 
EVERY  YEAR
to achieve a perfect shape and to increase flowers.

ALWAYS  TRIM  BACK  THE  BUSH  IMMEDIATELY  AFTER  THEY  HAVE  FINISHED  BLOOMING !
CAREFULLY  REMOVE  SPENT  BLOOMS  AT  THEIR  BASE  WITH  CLIPPERS
NEVER  USE  HEDGE  TRIMMERS

Removing  the  flowers   will  prevent  the  Lilac  from  producing  seed
and  encourage  it  to  create  next  year's  buds,
which  happens  VERY  soon  after
this  year's  flowers  are  spent !
!!!  SO  DON'T   WAIT   TO  DO  THIS  TASK  !!!

Lilac Bushes  desperately  need  and  love
AIR  CIRCULATION.

NEVER  allow  them  to  grow  densely  in  the  middle.
Trim  stems  away  from  the  center
to  increase  ventilation.

CUT  AWAY  shoots  that  are  at  ground  level
and  those  that  appear  out  of  the  trunk.

Trim away any branches that are not appealing to you...

BUTT, 

AS  YOU  CUT  AWAY

KEEP  IN  MIND

that  it  takes  3  to  4  years
for  a  new  branch  or  shoot  to  flower !

Therefore,  leave  a  few  strong  and  healthy  stalks
in  strategic  places  as  you  will  surely  have  to
trim  back  old  wood  in  the  future.

Lilacs  look  best  when  their  tops  are  rounded.
Please  don't  give  it  a  crew  cut  on  top.

Renewing  an  old  overgrown  Lilac 
can  be  done  in  one  of  two  ways.

In  March  or  early  April,
severely  cut  the  entire  plant  down  to
one  foot  off  the  ground.
Don't worry...this won't kill it.
It  will, however, induce  the  Lilac  to  produce 
many  new  shoots  during  the  growing  season.
Of course,  you won't have blooms 
for 3  to  4  years.
But  you  will  have  the  ability  to 
create  a  new  framework. 
The  following  March, choose  which  branches  are 
to remain  and  cut away  the rest.
Cut  the tips of the remaining stalks to
encourage branching out.


A second way to rejuvenate old Lilac Bushes is
to  cut  back  the  overgrown  shrubs
over  the  course  of  several  years.

Remove  one  third  of  the  large  old  stems.

The  following  year, prune  out  one  half  of
remaining  old  stems.
Thin  out  some  of  the  new  growth.
Keep  several  well  spaced  stems.

At  the  third year, remove remaining old wood and  keep  any  new  shoots  that  look  like  they  might  be good  for  the  future.  This  method  should  allow  you  to  enjoy  flowers  every  spring
and  provide  a  smoother  transition.

Pruning  Lilacs  should  become  an  annual  event  to  keep  them  healthy, 
vigorous  and  blooming  profusely  for  several  hundred  years  to  come !

... well... at  least  YOUR  lifetime... if  you  care.

Peaches  were  my  husband's  favorite  fruit.
We planted this one in the front yard
together
a year before he passed.

I certainly had my Dominic in mind this morning
as I snapped a few shots of the freshly opened blossoms.
He would have delighted in seeing the tree so healthy.

He would've eaten himself peaceful with peaches last season.
It yielded a whopping

SIXTY  POUNDS

of  succulent  sweet  freestones
at the age of three.

I don't know what the two yellow orbs in this picture are.
Someone told me they are a classic example of
Spirit Orbs.

Hmmm...
I do like that idea.
It's far more interesting and romantic than
simple floating dust balls.

While I am joyed by the blooms,
and the magical appearance of the orbs,
I am also conscious of  the very late bloom time.

My Gardening Diary has usual bloom time as  mid  April.

In addition,
last weeks entry regarding 
the usual arrival time for Hummingbirds 
in this area of Upstate New York,
has also changed.

It is May 6 th. and I have seen
NOT  ONE  HUMMER  YET !!!

???  WORRY  ???

"Ain't  no  need  to  worry
about  the  things  to  come.

Forget  about  your  problems
and  face  them  one  by  one.

Ain't  no  need  to  worry
about  what  might  have  been.

Just  trust  the  Heavenly  Father
and  let  that  be  the  end.

Ain't   no  need  to  worry
about  things  unknown  to  you.

Have  faith  in  God
and  rest  assured
that  He  will  see  you   through."

Poem  by
Earline Ross Cole

On this gorgeous August day, the lily pads that have frustrated my friend's lake, are glowing with life.
The patches of water vibrantly  reflect the blue sky, reminiscent of a Monet painting.
Like a healing balm, they exude a deep inner state of quietness within, bringing to mind a favorite quote that more deeply penetrates the soul:

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14:27

When I allow these words to fill my mind, tension and worry leave and a powerful sense of healing spreads over me.  May it do the same for you and fill our world with the greatest peace of all.

This Alberta Spruce tree was planted too close to the house. Alberta Spruces develop very long tap roots, which makes transplanting very risky once it has been established. There's  great danger of killing this otherwise healthy and happy six year old tree if the root is even slightly damaged.

Its location was a clear indication that spiraling the tree would add interest and create a tidy look to the back entrance of this house.  The decision was made, but timing is crucial to plant life.  Pruning at the wrong month can be as bad as pruning on the wrong day. It's always wisest to check The Farmer's Almanac Calendar,{http://www.farmersalmanac.com/calendar/}, for your specific area in the USA before making any drastic changes to your beloved plants.

The best time to shape an Alberta Spruce is the early spring, just a few days after the new tips have dropped their papery brown protective coatings.  One can also wait until the new growth has reached about an inch long. 

Be certain the weather temperature is no hotter than 78 degrees and that no severe heat is expected for about a week.  Also be certain that the tree has recently gotten sufficient water.  This will ensure that the cut tips of your tree will stay green and not turn brown with stress.

You'll need a nice sharp pair of household scissors, { preferably ones with a ten inch blade }, a pair of  hand bypass pruning clippers,{ with a curved blade }, and a ball of string or ribbon long enough to assist in marking exactly where to cut.

You'll also need to enter that quiet, peaceful, confident place within yourself as you work.  One wrong cut and the entire spiral design can  be ruined...and then what ?!?  OY !!!

The string or ribbon is intended to be your cutting guide. It's best to begin at the bottom of the tree. Gently begin laying  your ribbon or string on top of the foliage where you feel the spiral should begin.  Slowly, thoughtfully and methodically continue to wrap the string loosely  until you have reached a few inches from the top.

Now, turn your back and step several feet away from your wrapped tree.  How does it look ?  You'll probably notice the string line will need adjusting.  Aren't you glad you wrapped loosely ?

Keep in mind that your cut line will be much wider than your string.  In fact, your cut line should be at least as wide as the width of your wrist or lower arm, which  will be at least three inches wide.

Return to your tree and make string adjustments until your eye at a distance is pleased.

Now you'll have to explore the trunk of your tree and discover how the branches grow out from it.  Gently insert your hands and part the foliage to view what can be successfully cut away.  Use your string as a guide to decide exactly what and where to cut. 

Use the clippers and the scissors alternately as needed and begin to cut away, being certain to check your guidelines often as you work your way up the tree.  You'll have to constantly readjust your string and constantly step away and check your angles before you cut.

Once your basic shape has emerged, use the sharp scissors to carve nice curves into the foliage. 
Voila !  You're  done ! 

Science has proven that even your Alberta Spruce wants to be loved, and will be healthier if it is !
So, remember to tell your tree how beautiful she looks with a new haircut ! 

Next Spring, get out the sharp scissors and carefully snip away for Alberta to keep her shape and be an enjoyment  for decades to come !