Last Year it was Black, this Year it's Hosta Leaf Green & Spring is Ending

I was planning to repaint it black, but when I went down to the basement, I saw this can of Hosta Leaf green paint.  I decided to give it try.  I think I like it.

 

Tuesday we had 95 degree weather and the promise of a big thunderstorm.  The rain missed us. Darn! I was looking forward to a good watering.  First it's a flood, then it's a drought.  I was out watering for over an hour after work today.  We had very high winds last night & today which dried everything out and blew most of the blossoms off the fruit trees and the tulips. My spring blooms are pretty much done.

Luckily I took a few pics yesterday of the apple blossoms.

(the last one is a poppy in the woodland area)

I also took a few pics of my front yard spring blooms, most of which are now gone.

It is amazing how fast all the flowers disappear when the wind kicks up.

In the back, I had to water the 4 dozen or so containers that are just beginning to sprout.

I will place a lot of these right in the main gardens to add late summer color.  I just need to wait for some foliage to appear, so I remember what is what.  I do remember that last fall I planted 3 or more containers with red and pink dahlias. I am excited to see how those turn out this year.

I recently was asked if I use the same soil in these containers from year to year.  The answer is yes.  I save these plants right in the soil-filled pots.  Every three to four years, I replace the soil.  Most years I add an inch or two of new potting soil to the top.  Good potting soil is pretty expensive and it would be cost prohibitive to dump 49 containers every year.    I do use Miracle grow every week, so the plants get enough nutrients even in the old soil.  This method has been working for me for the past 15+ years.