The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly.......(pictorial)

14 years ago

There's snow and really cold weather going on around the country so I thought I'd pull out some pictures

from last summer of all the things that Mother Nature blesses and curses us with. Some are beautiful and beneficial, while others are a challenge...but all are a part of the gardening experience. I hope all of you are

snug and warm right now, dreaming of your beloved roses.

Celeste

{{gwi:206595}}{{gwi:220653}}

{{gwi:220655}}{{gwi:220657}}

{{gwi:220659}}

{{gwi:220662}}

{{gwi:220666}}

{{gwi:220669}}

{{gwi:220671}}

{{gwi:220672}}

{{gwi:220674}}

{{gwi:220675}}

{{gwi:220676}}

{{gwi:220677}}

{{gwi:220678}}

beetle damage

beetles making MORE beetles

rain damage from the rainiest June on record

proliferation

BACK TO THE GOOD......(so you won't have nightmares)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

petaloid
14 years ago
I love your photos!!!
lesmc
14 years ago
Thank you Celeste....It`s freezing here and these beautiful photos are just what I needed. Lesley
Related Discussions
Slipcovers - the good, bad & ugly
Q
Comments (26)
Probably 4-5 years too late but maybe we can weigh in a little here as well. When it comes couch covers or sofa covers, the traditional sense would be that it's loose and unfitting and yes - companies that sell sofas or slipcovers like us would put in a lot of effort in making the end result look super crisp like so: You're right - it's unrealistic to be super focused on one's decor and presenting it to the world but when we do it for a living it's kinda something we have to do. It's constantly having to show our best work every single time, but it's definitely important to note that not all slipcovers can be made equally. In our experience, we could classify aesthetic sofa rejuvenation into 3 major categories: 1) ready-made slipcovers / universal covers / drapes These are the typical "Stretch covers" you see everywhere going for about US$100 to $300 and claims to fit every single shape of sofa, which they don't. (I've personally tested this on a Chesterfield sofa and looked like a trampoline. Feel free to pm for a photo.) They are economic but aren't the best looking - hence, good for a quick fix. 2) tailored made sofa covers (can be further sub-categorised into "relaxed" or "snug" fits) These are the slipcovers we're most familiar with since CB sells them or we can go to an upholsterer to have it made for about $800 onwards -- which I have to say sounds cheap because upon inquiring many upholstery shops that's just the charge for labour as far as I remember. $30/yard extra for fabrics, which brings the total to $1200 but once again this are upholstery shops. Nowadays online slipcover makers like us and others are able to provide these at about $500 or so for a complete so slipcover set inclusive of seat/back cushion covers. This can go a couple of ways, with the "relaxed" fit looking a bit more shabby with a skirt and some people do intentionally go for this look. Alternatively if you want something more fitting and closer to upholstery, it is very possible for sofas that constructed more squarely as per the image above. While it's also possible for more curvy sofas, the outcome won't be as perfect. Having said all that, the more fitting the slipcover the less likely it'll look saggy in a couple of years. 3) upholstery Not much needs to be said as this is literally putting fabric over the couch so the fit should theoretically be perfect. The downside is just cleaning and as you all mentioned, potentially quite gross (even steam-cleaning isn't a 100% solution). Of course, it is just as expensive as getting a slipcover made from that same upholstery shop. Hope this gives a bit more perspective to everyone else despite the tardiness! Just like everyone else though we're also quite interested in what you went with in the end!
...See More
Plato Prelude vs. Starmark Cabinetry: The good, the bad and the ugly??
Q
Comments (1)
This is late, but for anyone researching, Plato is beyond question the better quality and service provider of these two.
...See More
Garage Locking Tiles- The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, The Best
Q
Comments (10)
No, not yet, but hopefully one day soon I will have grands running around. I've also posted on an all-things-garage forum and so far gotten several folks who had a professional epoxy floor with grippy stuff added and they have all said it was slippery. I think we are now leaning towards the racedeck after doing massive research. One thing that is nice, is that you can remove the portable tiles and take them with you. But yes, I do think the epoxy looks great!
...See More
Time for “the good, the bad and the ugly.”
Q
Comments (26)
The Good: This is a self-named streaker that I obtained from a friend. This one has Alligator Alley in it's lineage, and some OP. Been a solid performer and is holding up really well. Beyond Glory is new for me this year, looking great still in September Vulcan is looking great! Another favorite this year, The King, a nice division from a friend's display gardens Paisley Print holds up great Hans was a beautiful nursery plant purchased this year and looks amazing Foxfire Palm Sunday The Bad: Not a lot of bad ones here, but Night Before Christmas is pretty nasty looking The Ugly (I am classifying ones here that I think are really going to pop next year, but are having some first year struggles): My Gunther's Prize has limped through its first year, but survived bare root shipping, and a crazy squirrel population digging around and through it. Lots of hen manure seems to have abated the squirrel cartel. Another one that is going to be great (fingers crossed) is the self named Targaryen ((Mother of Dragons x OP) x OP)) x OP
...See More
holleygarden Zone 8, East Texas
14 years ago
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing. As someone who hasn't stepped outside her house in three days (I look out the window at my frozen pond), these were a welcome reminder of spring to come. :)
gnabonnand
14 years ago
What fun photo's!
Glad you followed up the Japanese Beetle photo's with some more "good" ones to ward off the nightmares.

Randy
chuck_billie
14 years ago
Thanks for the birds and bees lesson. Lovely pics.
canadian_rose
14 years ago
Thanks Celeste!

I was thinking - what bad, what ugly. Then I went OOOOOOHHH, Ahhhhhhyuck.

But I love most of the insects, and especially the bees!!!

Spring will eventually come. Your pictures give us faith!!

Carol
bethnorcal9
14 years ago
Cool photos Carol! I particularly love the froggies and the kitty with the extra toes!! I have to say tho, I am soooo thankful we don't have those nasty Japanese beetles here!! It must be awful having to deal with them.
bethnorcal9
14 years ago
I apologize.... I meant to say Celeste!! Duuuh.... I had just read Carol's response. LOL What a dork. It's too early in the morning...
rosessecretgarden
14 years ago
wow!.....what a good shot!,..it's really amazing!....more photos to post???
gardenfanatic2003
14 years ago
What kind of camera do you have? Nice close-ups!

Deanna
darbardi
14 years ago
great photos, especially of the majestic cat. What a beautiful animal.
Love the bugs. Not the JB's.
AnneCecilia z5 MI
14 years ago
Thank you so much for going back to "The Good" photos - don't think I could have stood it to have it end on those photos of beetles, waterlogged blooms - and the proliferation - ICK! I think that is funny that I find proliferation so hugely ugly and your photo shows it at its worst. (Kind of like those horror movies where the alien emerges from the body of its victim...nightmares indeed, LOL!)
But I love your photos of the bees and butterflies, and of course all the gorgeous roses. The cat is a real keeper, too. :-)
celeste/NH
Original Author
14 years ago
THANKS to all of you for your positive feedback on my photo thread! It helps to have a little 'ray of sunshine' in the dark days of winter, doesn't it? Looking at photos from summer helps get me through the worst of winter.
I threw in those creepy 'ugly' pictures so that we all would be a bit more realistic in our longing for summer.
Even summer has it bad points....
but winter sure has MORE! LOL

Deanna, my camera is an Olympus Stylus-9000. I haven't yet mastered all the features on it since I'm a basic 'point and shoot' kind of photographer. I have to
get right up to the bees, etc. to use the super macro mode
on it but the bees & butterflies are so busy they don't usually notice me.

For those who love my kitty, his name is 'Zeus' and he is the absolute apple of my eye. I love this cat to the moon and back! Hence why he is on a leash. I have lost too many kitties to the road and to the critters out in the woods that surround me and will not let him outside unless leashed, which he doesn't mind. He's quite the handsome boy and SO loveable. And those double paws are irrestible. He uses the extra toes as 'thumbs' and actually picks things up just like a human...we have taught him to shake hands. He sleeps with me every night, plays 'fetch', and can jump straight up in the air as high as my shoulders. He definitely does not know he is a CAT!

Celeste

Zeus's toes.....

{{gwi:220689}}
roseberri, z6
14 years ago
Celeste, I am so thankful for people like you that show us lovely pictures and give us so much encouragement. THANKYOU!
By the way I have a stray cat that has been coming around this year and he could be a brother to Zeus down to the extra toes! ( Although Zeus' toes are bigger!) this cat has the same kind of gray velvety coat, he is slowly learning to trust me but won't let me pet him yet. I think he lives in our barns.
roseberri

The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly.......(pictorial)

Comments (14)

petaloid

lesmc

Related Discussions

holleygarden Zone 8, East Texas

gnabonnand

chuck_billie

canadian_rose

bethnorcal9

bethnorcal9

rosessecretgarden

gardenfanatic2003

darbardi

AnneCecilia z5 MI

celeste/NH
Original Author

roseberri, z6

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly.......(pictorial)

Comments (14)

Related Discussions

celeste/NHOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

celeste/NH
Original Author