Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come, and the inspiration I’ve found from other bloggers around the web.
This and That…
It’s been quite the week!
Beautiful weather, Covid, a broken refrigerator, and a vacation that was postponed until today. But we made it through and I’m looking forward to this boat trip.
Here we are, the boys and I taking it easy on the deck. I mean, if you’re going to recuperate, it might as well be done on a sunny day outdoors.
As for our boating trip, we’ve decided to move our Canada visit to September because we’re starting a week later than we had planned. Instead, we’ll be staying in Puget Sound and exploring the amazing San Juan Islands.
I’ll take lots of pics this coming week to share with you.
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Around the Garden and Greenhouse
I still had some energy to work in the garden a few days before we left and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.
I took some pictures of the garden in the early evening because it was so beautiful. Check out my mid-May garden.
Here’s the cut flower garden where you’ll see bright, gorgeous flowers blooming soon.
I can’t believe how stunning this climbing clematis is right now.
The garden fairy was brought back out for the growing season. She brings a whimsical charm to our cottage garden, doesn’t she?
These are Byzantinus gladiolus from Breck’s Bulbs I planted last year. The blooms are smaller than the other gladiolus I’m used to but I love the uniqueness of them.
The alliums are blooming! They are one of my favorite flowers and I love how they look when they’re just starting to open.
And they have the most beautiful colors.
I took a ton of pictures of the garden before I left so I’m going to try to publish a May garden post for you in the next week or two.
Around Our Cottage
Stay tuned, I just took 143 pictures of the living room and kitchen after decorating for summer. I’ll be in a Summer Home Tour with 30 bloggers sharing their decor tips and tours in a couple of weeks but I’ll also share some pictures with you next week.
And yes, it’s a coastal beach cottage tour. You’re not surprised, are you?
From the Blog
Maintaining a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners
Do you want to add a pop of color to your garden and bring fresh flowers into your home? Growing cut flowers will give you both. Whether you’re a new gardener or an experienced one, these easy tips will help you maintain a successful cut flower garden.
How Pinching Plants Benefits Your Cut Flower Garden
Did you know that there’s a simple garden technique that can create fuller, bushier plants, more blooms, and longer cut flower stems? It’s called pinching and I’ll share more about what the process is, why it’s important, and much more.
I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.
Until next time,
Wishing a week full of joy, kindness, and peace.
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The boat trip sounds amazing, and I always enjoying seeing your beautiful gardens and that amazing greenhouse!! Enjoy your trip!
I am glad you are feeling better and able to take your trip. Enjoy yourselves!
The garden looks fabulous as always. That clematis is gorgeous.
Kim, your gardens are breathtakingly beautiful, and I love your whimsical fairy. Glad you are feeling better. Have a fun and safe trip.
I love the garden fairy, made from wire. Did you get it locally? Maybe Christiansens? We are headed to our house in LaConner on Tuesday, and I can hardly wait to see how my flowers are doing. You are an inspiration with your pictures. Thanks for sharing and hang in there!
I enjoy your blog and was wondering if I might ask a couple questions……you plant a lot in galvanized containers, do you plant direct or are there pots inside? Also do you have a more direct picture of your garden potting bench with sink? I’m taking my time on deciding on a style and like yours.
thank you
Greetings Kim from Santa Fe! Until October of ‘21 we lived on Samish Island near Bow in the San Juan’s until we moved here because of family in Austin & Denver – we needed to be closer. That’s where I started to follow your blog when we lived in the NW! I am a Master Gardener and in the gardens & volunteering in community gardens a lot! We too got hit with COVID for the very first time & just recovered! Energy is still coming back! We were boaters as well out of Anacortes until my husband had to give it up for balance issues. Bummer!! We miss many many things there including a daughter & family in Queen Anne but the high desert in the gorgeous mountains is pretty chill too! I enjoy your column every Sunday!!! Wanted you to know that .. we’ll be back there in August for a family trip to Seabrook! Happy boating! Well deserved trip. Kathryn Gray-Lyons
Your garden always looks amazing! I hope that you have the best time on your trip. Hugs and blessings to you, my friend.