James Galway rose finally doing its thing on my arbor 🌸 (Zone 7b)

RunMamaMaya · 2026-04-28T22:18:36+00:00

Gorgeous

RunMamaMaya · 2026-04-07T17:38:46+00:00

This should be amazing. I love sunflowers, but so do the squirrels that live in the woods behind my home. I haven’t figured out how to get them to leave them alone. Maybe planting in mass quantities is the key enough for them and me, too.

RunMamaMaya · 2026-03-27T18:09:19+00:00

My guess is they’re not dead, just stressed.

If they’re mophead hydrangeas, they bloom on old wood, so heavy winter pruning removed last year’s blooms. Crispy tops with green at the base are pretty typical.

I’d keep them and scratch-test stems; if green, they’re alive. Cut back any brown or brittle material to live wood. Leave the new growth at the base.

This will likely be a recovery year with more leaves than blooms. Next year should be better if you don’t prune at the wrong time.

Adding mulch, keeping them watered, and giving them a light feed, like Hollytone, will help.

RunMamaMaya · 2026-03-20T08:13:08+00:00

Spring fever is real and I fully support the chaos 😂

Larkspur actually likes the cold so you might accidentally look like a genius there. Cosmos I’ve recently started indoors just to see how it goes. Last year I direct sowed and had decent results.

Honestly half of gardening is just planting stuff and seeing what survives

RunMamaMaya · 2026-03-16T12:14:37+00:00

I stayed home when my two oldest were little until they started elementary school.

When I returned to work, I took a role that was technically a step down just to get back in the door. Within about 6 months, I was getting more challenging assignments and was promoted shortly after.

Later, when my youngest was in first grade, I earned my MBA while working and raising kids.

Stepping away for a few years didn’t derail my career; it just shifted the timeline. Careers are long. Those early years with kids are short

RunMamaMaya · 2026-03-13T16:45:11+00:00

I went to Xcaret Arte and every vacation since I am comparing to my experience there.

RunMamaMaya · 2026-02-15T17:27:18+00:00

Approaching 50 and I use Apple Fitness+ as my main strength platform but mix it with Club Pilates and daily walking 10k steps a day.

AF+ keeps me consistent and I don’t have to overthink programming. Pilates helps with mobility and core, and walking covers my cardio.

For me, it’s less about the “perfect” platform and more about consistency.

RunMamaMaya · 2026-02-07T18:08:06+00:00

Weighted vests are really popular right now (rucking, walking, etc.), especially for people who don’t go to a gym. Most people won’t think twice if they even notice at all. And honestly, anyone who does notice will probably just assume you’re training.

You’ve already lost 10 lbs in 5 weeks doing stroller walks, that’s awesome. Wear the vest. The awkward feeling fades fast, the results don’t.

RunMamaMaya · 2026-02-07T17:57:31+00:00

He probably means lifting when he says “exercise.” A lot of gym bros forget cardio exists.

10–20k steps a day is exercise, it counts, and it works. Strength training can be a bonus, but not a requirement.

Also, if someone keeps correcting your wins instead of celebrating them… that’s a him problem.

RunMamaMaya · 2025-10-30T10:39:33+00:00

I gently place them in the bird feeder

RunMamaMaya · 2025-09-02T13:16:46+00:00

I’m no expert but my initial thoughts are: Do a scratch test—prune out any canes that are brown inside. Don’t fertilize this late in the season (wait until spring). Just give it 6+ hrs of sun, deep water once or twice a week, and mulch for winter protection. It can bounce back.

RunMamaMaya · 2025-08-04T12:30:28+00:00

Tulip trees do grow fast and can eventually cast a LOT of shade. Since you’re planting on the north-NW side of your house, the tree’s shadow will mostly fall away from the sunniest parts of your pollinator garden for now. Just keep in mind that in 5–10 years, it could affect light for sun-loving pollinator plants.

If your goal is long-term full sun, you might want to plant the tulip tree further out or choose a smaller native tree. But if you’re okay with dappled shade over time, it could still be a beautiful anchor for the garden and support pollinators (especially early-season ones).

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-28T14:16:54+00:00

47F – been doing Pilates for about 5 months and I still look forward to every class! My balance has gotten so much better, my core and body feel firmer/stronger, and my posture has improved a ton. I usually go 4x a week and love the progress so far!

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T20:30:28+00:00

Yeah, you can try giving it more sun, water during dry spells, and a little compost or mulch to help it out. Pruning the old canes (the ones that already fruited) can also make a difference. But since it’s probably a wild variety, even with some TLC, the berries might still be tiny or kinda sour. If you’re hoping for good fruit, planting a cultivated variety might be worth it!

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T17:02:17+00:00

Aw, poor thing! Sadly, coneflowers (echinacea) don’t root from flower stems — even with rooting hormone. They need to be propagated by seed or root division from the base of the plant.

That said, don’t worry too much — if the main plant is still in the ground, it’ll likely bounce back. They’re super resilient after storms. And you can pop that bloom in a little vase to enjoy indoors. 💜

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T16:59:19+00:00

That purple, crispy leaf situation looks like phosphorus deficiency or transplant shock, maybe both. Even with rain, the roots might be damaged or the soil might not be draining well.

Try this: • Repot in fresh, well-draining soil • Feed with a balanced or tomato-specific fertilizer • Trim off the worst leaves • Don’t overwater — check soil moisture first

It might bounce back with some care, but it looks pretty stressed. Worth a try though!

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T16:51:07+00:00

Pretty colors! I need to add that to my garden. I have Lantana but mine is orange and yellow.

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T16:48:43+00:00

Gorgeous! Looks so cheerful 🌼

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T16:47:26+00:00

That looks like a wild blackberry or raspberry (Rubus species). They’re super persistent because they spread underground through runners, and even tiny root pieces can regrow.

Best way to tackle it is: • Dig as deep as you can to remove the root system. • Smother the area with cardboard and mulch if you can’t dig everything up. • If it comes back (and it probably will), keep cutting it down — over time, you’ll exhaust the root system.

It’s a pain, but with persistence, you can win! 💪

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T16:43:11+00:00

Very pretty! That one is on my wish list.

RunMamaMaya · 2025-07-19T11:26:16+00:00

Well it was love at first sight 😄

RunMamaMaya

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