tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9794264668914957022024-02-20T14:44:37.847-08:00I'm In The Garden TodayJoanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-21614548911145768642021-01-30T09:44:00.001-08:002021-01-30T09:44:49.584-08:00Embracing Wildlife<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">"If we can teach people about wildlife, they will be touched. Share my wildlife with me. Because humans want to save things that they love." </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~ Steve Irwin</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1k-xlDeFOZ92P-U50iF0lvqsajotrG8geN4ahol8KnoUBEtn0DRv_HZXJ2-yiBx3NYiW2TXJ0EsVeoNx46Uf-iNVx0omOSJBE4O-_8WfNqpNwG7cjM4objlrOURXkIrctp-wwI4d5Oc/s2048/20201008_151129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1k-xlDeFOZ92P-U50iF0lvqsajotrG8geN4ahol8KnoUBEtn0DRv_HZXJ2-yiBx3NYiW2TXJ0EsVeoNx46Uf-iNVx0omOSJBE4O-_8WfNqpNwG7cjM4objlrOURXkIrctp-wwI4d5Oc/w225-h400/20201008_151129.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Yay! I
am certified!</span></div></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Embracing
wildlife in the garden brings innumerable rewards. Creating wildlife-friendly
plantings is how we do it.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Consider what
comes into your yard already. Do you want them to keep coming?</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Do you want something that you don’t see?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">It’s
simple really. Animals and insects need food, water and shelter just like you
and me. Incorporate plants that will attract what you want to see more of into
your garden spaces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">When
buying plants for your garden, many plant labels give some wildlife information
that can help you make your choices. The most common symbols I see on labels
are for attracting butterflies, pollinators and hummingbirds and for deterring
rabbits and deer.</span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Firstly,
water. Be sure to add a fresh water source or two to your garden for them to
drink and/or bathe in. And remember to keep the water fresh and its container
clean. You may need to hose it out and refill it daily depending on its
popularity. Be sure to locate your water container where you can see it often,
every day. You will be rewarded by seeing the wildlife that comes to it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKa0mD9gHDk/YBWUh0icmDI/AAAAAAAABsc/p8RMpT66dU8wbOz_sCeFFEZc2QDM4isGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/096%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25281024x678%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oKa0mD9gHDk/YBWUh0icmDI/AAAAAAAABsc/p8RMpT66dU8wbOz_sCeFFEZc2QDM4isGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/096%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25281024x678%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thrush at the fountain.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnEIZ5l8FOgCPvcSXJ-4i8HudHDVIH4mtJisRVpSMykG6ur7Ac4xmOkuqBSxtQ5ezfPBQoeJQvTQdh5t0QA5FAOUuTUD9S_7RPQo55SAHNSX3VKdU35g2fq0TctLC4NJrwHPDz7e9TxI/s1024/066+-+Copy+%25281024x678%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnEIZ5l8FOgCPvcSXJ-4i8HudHDVIH4mtJisRVpSMykG6ur7Ac4xmOkuqBSxtQ5ezfPBQoeJQvTQdh5t0QA5FAOUuTUD9S_7RPQo55SAHNSX3VKdU35g2fq0TctLC4NJrwHPDz7e9TxI/s320/066+-+Copy+%25281024x678%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Robin at the water bowl.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">It
doesn’t have to be elaborate. This (above) water bowl is just a saucer that is
sold for catching water under pots. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">If you
have cats or dogs that visit your garden, I would suggest not putting a water
source this low to the ground. You can raise it up on a tall stump or a stack of
bricks or concrete blocks. Safety to the wildlife is key in enjoying them in
your garden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">The
depth of the water will attract different size birds for bathing. Shallow bowls
will attract smaller songbirds while deeper water will be easier for large birds
to bathe in. And hummingbirds love flitting through a mist, so a pump with
spray may be in order for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">As for
shelter, birds not only use birdhouses for rearing their young in the spring
and summer, they can also use it for shelter during winter storms. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78VAXgl-Fvg/YBWUkOcIlCI/AAAAAAAABs8/z654yxQOFTcU-L0C-uRTm3guWIoPBk1QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/birdhouse%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78VAXgl-Fvg/YBWUkOcIlCI/AAAAAAAABs8/z654yxQOFTcU-L0C-uRTm3guWIoPBk1QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/birdhouse%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Be sure to
keep them mounted at an accessible height for you but out of reach for cats. I
do clean the bird houses out late each winter before birds actively begin
searching for a place to nest. A couple of times there were unhatched eggs that
had rotted or babies inside that had died. It needed to be cleaned out or new lodgers
would not have come, I think.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Lastly
is the topic of feed. Best, first and foremost, are plants that offer natural
food sources like nectar, pollen and berries all throughout the year, not just
summer. In the two photos below, honeybees are gathering pollen or nectar to
take back to their hive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVv0Ucr1P40/YBWUiZjA-fI/AAAAAAAABso/OgpzZBiPb1gHlsoKCeULeaH53iYb26e0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200930_163146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVv0Ucr1P40/YBWUiZjA-fI/AAAAAAAABso/OgpzZBiPb1gHlsoKCeULeaH53iYb26e0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/20200930_163146.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; text-align: left;">Honey bee on Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjTubArQ7W7LXuBsqfLvAepSFrOtmys-XDqtWS68VC0nlUvJ89rSlnHlZ7EO4zW3zTGw5FTw9v6v3JpyT0hKCyxxaprDO0K3i5vaF3dxHqphqrxVVJjium6TRexzs6YyIiN_nA7IPgzM/s1440/bee+on+verbascum+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjTubArQ7W7LXuBsqfLvAepSFrOtmys-XDqtWS68VC0nlUvJ89rSlnHlZ7EO4zW3zTGw5FTw9v6v3JpyT0hKCyxxaprDO0K3i5vaF3dxHqphqrxVVJjium6TRexzs6YyIiN_nA7IPgzM/s320/bee+on+verbascum+2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honeybee on Verbascum chaxii ‘Album’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">When
you attract insects, don’t begrudge them taking advantage of your plants for their
needs other than food. In the next photo, this is not damage in my opinion. This
is evidence of the leaf cutter bee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitw7LB2hnoB7EJ9DgeYeR1cNEfFPJdAvB8D89LrkSXsh3Nd5R4aJzENCRY3EqQ2YfgZprQpm4XIVYehTZ6sw2N_1ydLKCpmrQf3hdf-5bNPsshBYoxTUncYZJyYEzdX2aq6Rl1cPmZ_L0/s2048/leaf+cutter+bees+-+Himalayan+Honeysuckle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitw7LB2hnoB7EJ9DgeYeR1cNEfFPJdAvB8D89LrkSXsh3Nd5R4aJzENCRY3EqQ2YfgZprQpm4XIVYehTZ6sw2N_1ydLKCpmrQf3hdf-5bNPsshBYoxTUncYZJyYEzdX2aq6Rl1cPmZ_L0/s320/leaf+cutter+bees+-+Himalayan+Honeysuckle.jpg" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">They cut
out perfect circles in soft leaves. They then fly back with the disc to use as packing
material for its tubular nest to protect the larvae till ready to hatch. I
welcome these holes and smile every year when I see leaf cutter bees are active
in my garden. If you happen to see one in the very act of leaf cutting, you are
very lucky indeed. It is fun to watch. Leaf cutter bees are passive and one of the
many native pollinators here in the U.S. We need them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Food
supplementation is not without controversy, but I do believe it has a legitimate
place in the wildlife friendly garden. If your garden does not offer winter
food sources naturally, you may consider feeding.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Suet
for bird feeding is a debated form of feed, but I do offer it during all the
cold, rainy months.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRxk0fnmHYZ6x1DgOaBVIRaeloDzJ6OxAvXu8C7wMu7uVmDNY0mnqOboCcYWjMCq7lNIbiEDJIrOFpvSjI4fus_CL-zrQCSSynoLU0Iehqcj3dFcQsATvht3Xfa5JviodiXlIn9Xxoa4/s1024/bushtits+2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1024" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRxk0fnmHYZ6x1DgOaBVIRaeloDzJ6OxAvXu8C7wMu7uVmDNY0mnqOboCcYWjMCq7lNIbiEDJIrOFpvSjI4fus_CL-zrQCSSynoLU0Iehqcj3dFcQsATvht3Xfa5JviodiXlIn9Xxoa4/w400-h265/bushtits+2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Winter
winds drive winter’s rain into seed feeders of all types in my experience. Soggy
seed feeders are a mess to keep clean and molded seed is hazardous to your
feathered visitors. I choose to feed suet because it is not affected by rain,
it is consumed quickly and many species of birds come to it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">The hummingbirds
will find nectar in a very large variety of flowers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Commonly
they are seen sipping from the plants with more tubular shaped flowers like
penstemon, salvia and fuchsia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I
have also seen them on roses, and in the winter months they visit my Camelia ‘Yuletide’
which is not tubular, yet attractive to them by its red flowers and nectar
stores. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">Here a
green Anna’s hummingbird enjoying nectar from flowers on the right hand side of
this pot of fuchsia plants.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejpr2N3ydeY/YBWUiMhbolI/AAAAAAAABsk/9AdRKyXgOJIcteeIbUOiavRf8wlhqPP-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/133%2B%25281024x678%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1024" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejpr2N3ydeY/YBWUiMhbolI/AAAAAAAABsk/9AdRKyXgOJIcteeIbUOiavRf8wlhqPP-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h265/133%2B%25281024x678%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">If you
feed them with a syrup mixture, it is not recommended to use that red dye stuff
you buy at the store in a box. It contains a red chemical dye which is toxic
for people and birds alike. The red plastic tops and tubes on feeders are
enough to catch the hummingbird’s attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-VJRiqR6ow/YBWUjFFOOzI/AAAAAAAABsw/1cE5ropm6tMBsZPy0Tb1C3ofKISStAQvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/annas%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-VJRiqR6ow/YBWUjFFOOzI/AAAAAAAABsw/1cE5ropm6tMBsZPy0Tb1C3ofKISStAQvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/annas%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">A
simple syrup you make yourself with equal parts table sugar and boiling water,
dissolved and cooled is better for them. Frankly they will find your offering
with no color on the feeder at all but if you want red, buy one that has red
parts. Or you could hang it with a red ribbon, tie on a red flower or use a red
‘write-on-glass’ pen to add some color to the glass bottle. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">In
reality, hummingbirds also feed on lots of flowers that are not red. While the
color is attractive to them, it is not critical. Once they find your syrup
feeder, they will be back as long as you keep it clean and filled. Give it a
good wash out with a bottle brush before each refill. Check it weekly if not
more often. Sugar water can mold quickly especially if in a sunny location.
Shade is a more desirable choice. Depending on traffic, be prepared to fill it
weekly or every couple of days. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">You may
find suggestions online for various syrup recipe ratios based on seasonal
changes. Honestly, I used to do that but don’t anymore. They come year-round to
my feeder with the same 1:1 water/sugar ratio recipe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Feeding
deer or rabbit is another matter. Plant tags with a slash through an image of
deer or rabbit signifies plants that neither will tend to eat. If you have a
lot of foraging deer in your vicinity, don’t plant roses or other plants they are
known to devour. Personally, I would rather have the occasional deer wander through
my yard instead of a lot of roses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Don’t
get me wrong. I like roses and have had many over the years. In my previous
garden I had 3 Old English roses in the back yard where the deer didn’t go. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">There
are two roses in this garden that have been here for a very long time judging
by the size of the older canes. This guy nibbles a few blossoms each time he
comes by but he doesn’t devour the whole plant.</span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpQKY27MTM8/YBWUi3jdN8I/AAAAAAAABss/JTtZFjxmifsC_gsfSQ0LeEwVyIGkOCp5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201004_164426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dpQKY27MTM8/YBWUi3jdN8I/AAAAAAAABss/JTtZFjxmifsC_gsfSQ0LeEwVyIGkOCp5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/20201004_164426.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">I will
keep the roses for the time being. I don’t really like where they are planted
nor do I know what kind they are, but they bloom all summer and well into the
winter, don’t require extra summer watering or fertilizer and must not be like
candy to the deer, like most fussy hybrid teas roses are.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Apparently,
deer like fuchsias too. I see hoof prints often in my garden after one or more
has been by the night before. Other than hoof prints the only evidence of
browsing I have seen was that he ate all the top blossoms off this big pot of
fuchsias pictured above. I don’t mind. I love seeing deer and we are not
overrun with herds of them where I live and garden. They left enough flowers
for me and hummingbird to enjoy too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Deer are foraging wildlife. When food is abundant they will
be choosy. When food is scarce they will be less so. Understanding this, there
are many lists of deer resistant plants any internet search will provide you
with, as well as symbols on plant lables, but accept the fact that when food is
scarce they will eat even that which they may not prefer. They don’t read those
lists. The lists are simply guides for you and me based on someone elses
previous experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">As for
bunnies, we had tons of them in the spring. They nibbled a few low-to-the-ground
flowers on the veronica but I didn’t mind at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly they just ate the soft fresh leaves of
the clover, dandelion and grass. I always leave clover in the grass anyway. It
feeds nectar to bees and pollinators and clover root fixes nitrogen in the soil
which feeds the grass. I have enjoyed seeing bunnies come by as part of my
local wildlife mix too and don’t mind their nibbling on some of the plants. There’s
enough to go around for us all to enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">There
is so much more I could write on this subject, but hopefully this is enough to
whet your appetite for ideas if you want to create a wildlife friendly garden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Here
in the USA, many states have a backyard sanctuary program. The signage in the
first photo proves my certification based on the requirements of the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife. If where you live has such a program, I encourage
you look into the certification requirements. The signage sparks interest and
conversation and maybe more wildlife friendly gardens will grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Thanks
for reading and happy gardening!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">In
bloom in my garden today: Geum, Camellia ‘Yuletide’, Primrose, Calendula, Erica
carnea winter heath, Lithodora, Erysimum (wallflower)</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Bird
photos courtesy of Patrick L. Chissus photography. You can see more of his work
on Instagram @nwmaritimephotography<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">All
other photos are mine.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-29417606641361300242020-10-29T11:35:00.004-07:002020-10-29T11:35:53.930-07:00Outcropping Obsession<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">Education
is not the filling of a pail,</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">but
the lighting of a fire.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">~ Wiliam
Butler Yeats</span></i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">I have
been playing with outcropping rocks again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">This
property is sloped on all sides. We sit atop a hill on a corner lot so, all
four sides of the house consist of sloped ground. Therefore, there are lots of
opportunities to play around with differing ways to keep water accessible to
the plants rather than simply flowing past.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHv4R0VVNmW9EvWhZJ40RvUHdILnNQ8B8_PSuN62cbuFAacrihSd4oiXIP2k3kU3OgHajQd9g5HXA6gO9_tHg9enxBKkgjNXgrg958rkNwvUjpANS43JbczNg4IW7pVT0kQjMVXFS_eY/s665/1+backyard+before.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="665" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHv4R0VVNmW9EvWhZJ40RvUHdILnNQ8B8_PSuN62cbuFAacrihSd4oiXIP2k3kU3OgHajQd9g5HXA6gO9_tHg9enxBKkgjNXgrg958rkNwvUjpANS43JbczNg4IW7pVT0kQjMVXFS_eY/w400-h265/1+backyard+before.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">Above is a picture of the back yard, taken by the seller’s realtor, so it was taken
just weeks before we bought the house. To be proper, this photo credit belongs
to NWMLS. Reader Kathy G asked for views that express the larger picture of the
yard areas so as to get a better idea of the grounds overall, so I will endeavor
to do that as I can. My camera phone is limited needless to say.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">More posts on these terraces will come later but today’s post will only be about the lower terrace section next to the walkway, way in the far ground but not visible in the above photo. So (below)now we are from the other end, where this post is concerned.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">As you
can see, aside from 3 lovely deciduous trees, there was nothing back here but
an overgrown laurel, weeds, grass and two vinca’s about
to overtake the lower walkway.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxt7Z9vEwao/X5r9PutnTTI/AAAAAAAABpk/h0XS6HG9F308zM8yW7MfHi61qHXh_XzYgCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/2%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxt7Z9vEwao/X5r9PutnTTI/AAAAAAAABpk/h0XS6HG9F308zM8yW7MfHi61qHXh_XzYgCPcBGAYYCw/w225-h400/2%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">Note the rocks lining the beds on both sides of the stairwell. I don’t really like rocks all lined up like this. I need to be able to step carefully into a bed this wide for weeding and this solid edge created a tripping hazard, both going up or down the stairs and stepping in for weeding. Also, the rocks caught the hose as I pulled it up or down.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abL0sFZBRmM/X5r9QqVUA_I/AAAAAAAABpo/RXaz58mh6n4fxBsebzFJNmfiHM718SejQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/3%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abL0sFZBRmM/X5r9QqVUA_I/AAAAAAAABpo/RXaz58mh6n4fxBsebzFJNmfiHM718SejQCPcBGAYYCw/w225-h400/3%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Firstly,
I sprayed the weeds and grass with an organic herbicide. After a few weeks, I
turned over the decomposing remnants. Now I have a blank slate to work with.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJGB4uSIKDo/X5r9RWB-6KI/AAAAAAAABps/0QyhlDWu_OsVwo7KMKU3_O2ycNZo0DOwwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/4%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJGB4uSIKDo/X5r9RWB-6KI/AAAAAAAABps/0QyhlDWu_OsVwo7KMKU3_O2ycNZo0DOwwCPcBGAYYCw/w225-h400/4%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">(Note:
in my experience, organic herbicides work best on shallow rooted, weak weeds
and grasses. As you can see it killed the grass and Nigella weeds, some of the
baby dandelions but not the established dandelion roots nor the vinca. Those I
dug out. Organic sprays don’t really travel all the way to the root, in my
experience but they do weaken the weed considerably so hand digging is easier
when dealing with as thick a mass as I was faced with here.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv1EFBSWo9s/X5r9SP0XFoI/AAAAAAAABpo/cAlFMgIyZPoyzVc-fR9A2qJqtUHVLkbvACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/6%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv1EFBSWo9s/X5r9SP0XFoI/AAAAAAAABpo/cAlFMgIyZPoyzVc-fR9A2qJqtUHVLkbvACPcBGAYYCw/w225-h400/6%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">There
is such a slope (left to right) to the soil here that water runoff would keep
the plants from being watered. So I dug some of it out to level it. Mind you, I
moved that soil to other parts of the garden that I needed soil, but since it
was so full of weed seeds, understand you are moving those seeds too. Weeding
will now be expanded to include where ever I moved that dirt. But alas, I
needed to do it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2NCyltRA2Aq3Onsylgia67-5Jbx2zo9KlKMRfMjLG1FIxKBsPRKG-PQfQrMR1GzLcmrm1Cg79G0CP0NT4_KNYv_hZvupAINSU1ZIxFOtWZvEHb6LyRK-2xg2P3cnXGrdnPqjbmpx8qk/s2048/5+so+terrace.jpg" style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2NCyltRA2Aq3Onsylgia67-5Jbx2zo9KlKMRfMjLG1FIxKBsPRKG-PQfQrMR1GzLcmrm1Cg79G0CP0NT4_KNYv_hZvupAINSU1ZIxFOtWZvEHb6LyRK-2xg2P3cnXGrdnPqjbmpx8qk/w225-h400/5+so+terrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">Working
my way up, turning over soil. The now cleaned-up bed, with only the vinca to be
dug out. Note again the rocks lining the bed against the stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">Now
comes the fun part. Since the slope is so steep, I needed to create pockets in
which to plant that could slow down the progression of water run off so the
soil around the plants could absorb water and hold for the roots to take it up.
So, I took the rocks lining the stairs and created outcropping pockets. It was
actually fun and creative in a way, placing them with different plants in mind.
As I “planted” the rocks, I also started planting succulents and heat / dry
loving plants since this on the south side of the property.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VudRD6Myh5A/X5r9TCH3wiI/AAAAAAAABps/hux_iVbzv7UN5lHzRbYc8WJGo_lDwlNLwCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/7%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VudRD6Myh5A/X5r9TCH3wiI/AAAAAAAABps/hux_iVbzv7UN5lHzRbYc8WJGo_lDwlNLwCPcBGAYYCw/w225-h400/7%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">I
added a saucer of water for the birds. They love it!</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">This
angle is shot from above, the top of the stairs. All the others were from the
bottom of the stairs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPFfVYDPiSxHyICfrgcVoNkNK0V58cvjehSHX7wH6Fd36XzxlMT-0rfD2gezQ14y19n-35I95t0PaaZqbU8TD0wwBWEF_u7KOUfq0i9cnQ1O1iEIld6Gs3egpL_Wp1HRRjuwsXwMHRSU/s2048/8b+so+terrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPFfVYDPiSxHyICfrgcVoNkNK0V58cvjehSHX7wH6Fd36XzxlMT-0rfD2gezQ14y19n-35I95t0PaaZqbU8TD0wwBWEF_u7KOUfq0i9cnQ1O1iEIld6Gs3egpL_Wp1HRRjuwsXwMHRSU/w225-h400/8b+so+terrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">In
this photo, on the left lower, you can actually still see the collapsed
retaining wall that I spoke of in an earlier post titled “In The Hot Bed” that
my better half rebuilt.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_bqZVEqgnnXqHvLdiU1P8rn9RsOWeZSDUHnaQndrBXm0T_oQ4alnvSuiRsTa7PE1nA8yp3tBvoPYt4B3lHtqJddojPKTrCkzUUGs_BTPZfMogQRm1PdeRId255U4-efsbtf_3cXK5XM/s2048/9+so+terrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_bqZVEqgnnXqHvLdiU1P8rn9RsOWeZSDUHnaQndrBXm0T_oQ4alnvSuiRsTa7PE1nA8yp3tBvoPYt4B3lHtqJddojPKTrCkzUUGs_BTPZfMogQRm1PdeRId255U4-efsbtf_3cXK5XM/w400-h225/9+so+terrace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">I love
the out-cropped side (right) so much more than the lined up side (left). I will
be removing the rocks from the left side and creating out cropping there as
well someday. For sure the right side holds water far more effectively than the
left side.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSXpVm24RqA/X5r9Ojptr8I/AAAAAAAABp0/0Pld9IHZv4EuQm6OUVwQMXEsOkS8aMnBACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/10%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sSXpVm24RqA/X5r9Ojptr8I/AAAAAAAABp0/0Pld9IHZv4EuQm6OUVwQMXEsOkS8aMnBACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h225/10%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">What
do you think? Outcropped or lined up all in a row?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIQyXfnQu48/X5r9ON4cXNI/AAAAAAAABps/DfaRIV1YakcUcJf_s9grhxPa05pldBsgQCPcBGAYYCw/s1429/11%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="804" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIQyXfnQu48/X5r9ON4cXNI/AAAAAAAABps/DfaRIV1YakcUcJf_s9grhxPa05pldBsgQCPcBGAYYCw/w225-h400/11%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></p><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">This
is today as plants have filled in. Not bad considering it’s only been 6 months
from the very first photo to this one.</span><div><span face="Century Gothic, sans-serif"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r9-mME5qY5GwBsSSVCrNMIX8-UiPwdze4oGyQGsNsfl9S4pNZT9nnsOuS2lkz_1VZourw5FhdwhivE9O9_TAaFMUbg8oIe4FV3LlyLdnXt9a23wv3u0wfwnXzroBJDt-EvsDCCwsgkQ/s1429/12+so+terrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="804" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r9-mME5qY5GwBsSSVCrNMIX8-UiPwdze4oGyQGsNsfl9S4pNZT9nnsOuS2lkz_1VZourw5FhdwhivE9O9_TAaFMUbg8oIe4FV3LlyLdnXt9a23wv3u0wfwnXzroBJDt-EvsDCCwsgkQ/w225-h400/12+so+terrace.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I have
left the rocks lined up at the base of this bed as you can see, In this situation
they keep the water and dirt from spilling out onto the walkway. But I did
reposition them all. I had to lift many
that had been buried and shifted others. I think here lining them up works. I
don’t trip over them and the hose doesn’t catch on them.</span></p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif">I am
much happier with this bed now, and it holds water longer so it can seep
deeper. And once these plants get established, I won’t have to water much at all.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CFgTG-8keo/X5r9O5BOo3I/AAAAAAAABpg/sBTkcyjtKGET41Y3SrTQFsVDrzHLjOYAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1429/13%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1429" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CFgTG-8keo/X5r9O5BOo3I/AAAAAAAABpg/sBTkcyjtKGET41Y3SrTQFsVDrzHLjOYAwCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h225/13%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0bRH4qgASY/X5r9PCqG60I/AAAAAAAABps/Rg4XWHkZEs4X2gBUKfmYTrg1mkc81M08wCPcBGAYYCw/s1429/14%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1429" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0bRH4qgASY/X5r9PCqG60I/AAAAAAAABps/Rg4XWHkZEs4X2gBUKfmYTrg1mkc81M08wCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h225/14%2Bso%2Bterrace.jpg" width="400" /></a><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">* Sorry for the haphazard placement of photos and differing fonts in this post. The blogger platform kept making changes and wouldn't let me correct them. I gave up. I am skilled at gardening, but not skilled at I.T. It is what it is.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">In
bloom in my garden today: Geum, salvia, fuchsia, rose, kniphofia, coreopsis, lavender,
aster, hesperaloe, hardy geranium, lobelia, cuphea, asclepias, verbena,
persicaria, eupatorium</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">First
photo credit NWMLS</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif">All
other photos are author’s photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic",sans-serif"> </span></p><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Century Gothic", sans-serif"><i></i></span></p></div>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-65310193126596585222020-10-03T09:46:00.000-07:002020-10-03T09:46:13.863-07:00The Rock Whisperer<p> <i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If it weren’t for the
rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~Carl Perkins<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J37PoFnUO-M/X3ihdQHSxJI/AAAAAAAABmM/VpzxI5zfBooFLJV19sFoz1KrDB4wtskqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/rocks%2B1.jpg" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am told there is a
rock whisperer here on the island. I believe it. I have seen examples of his
work. His rock walls are a beautiful sight to behold, built to perfection, like
they came out of a mold or something. Stunning.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, I make no
claims of being a rock whisperer, that’s for sure, but I do see beauty in
rocks.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rocks are unending in variation
in color, shape, size, intricate patterns and composition. I am fascinated when
I really take the time to quietly examine rocks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some gardeners view
rocks with rancor, as if the presence of rocks somehow spoils the garden. They toss
them into an ever-growing heap somewhere out of sight, never to be seen again
or enjoyed, never to be utilized.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">One or more previous
keepers of this yard had such an opinion of rocks. Waaayyy back in the
furthest, darkest corner of the property I found the gathering of the rocks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVYRNrlox4Y/X3ij078Fq3I/AAAAAAAABnY/x6-YobghnTUUbMUsf46Kk9tkwFnXV7EFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/rocks%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was about 4 feet
wide by 10 feet long until a massive maple trunk ended it. Then it grew taller,
as more rocks had been tossed on top. And it went deeeep. A privacy screen of
lilac and forsythia was there too. Trunks, weeds, dead branches, dried leaves
and the rocks all snarled into a congested, unattractive muddle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span><o:p> </o:p><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNT-QuOgmHmtY7qybkjZTiYg8SAyadfTCioWDm4rlu1TsMBdSo0eHaK2yG1vetuUgMLEwLd9qfxRrpjPQUjzIfZblrPVG96aytiBrMsDTtizogEu5x68ImXBBFQxKo5HOpl46SiXZsj0/w400-h225/rocks+3.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="400" /></p><br />
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don’t know which came first the rocks or the
shrubs but both were vying for space. Since it is the darkest corner of the
yard, the forsythia and lilac didn’t bloom. They need sun, after all. So,
picture a dark corner with overgrown yet leggy shrubbery and piles of rocks.
Not a pretty sight. True enough, it is where I located my composting
operations, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be gardenly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Where others saw a
place for discarded rocks, I see a deeply shaded corner space that would grow 4
lovely </span><i style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fatsia</i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> japonica for the privacy screen, anchored by a green skirt
of billowy ferns and heleborus underneath. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The variegated Fatsia “Camouflage” variety will be perfect here. Its light green variegation on the leaf will
brighten the dark area. It is a shade plant that will grow </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">about 8 feet tall under the maple’s canopy and
wide enough to provide the privacy between neighboring yards. The ferns too
will love this shady space. It is fairly dry, being under a huge maple, so I
will choose ferns that like their roots a little on the drier side. It would
not make sense to plant fern species here that need constantly moist soil.
Right plant, right place makes a gardener’s life easier.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rocks have their
purpose and I like to find attractive ways to use them. Their uses depend on
their size. So, I cleared out a lot of the rocks and sorted them somewhat by
size. Afterall, I can think of lots of interesting things to do with rocks. I
bet you can too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrME8obgvU2XbQlCW5U9e7plWj4whgXMbmqtg9soGN8isoDAHmG-YcqgZKD0xs2Whe8rO8X0ms9NpyAu4bORvdaCNkKtQGzwuOJB5zRK3YZRiZwZ_iWbUgziYP1SxV8LBtqcD7CZi3o_0/s2048/rocks+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrME8obgvU2XbQlCW5U9e7plWj4whgXMbmqtg9soGN8isoDAHmG-YcqgZKD0xs2Whe8rO8X0ms9NpyAu4bORvdaCNkKtQGzwuOJB5zRK3YZRiZwZ_iWbUgziYP1SxV8LBtqcD7CZi3o_0/w225-h400/rocks+4.jpg" width="225" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsK1i1MGGE-lSxGUEzHwHmvzArZrBsHF2eIVLLc5_i7sx6vUNHZ3sXmDYxQfiGP_Hi0bXYjL5WtHAaNxAV_NdGMeYqpog0uBpxNjy8w2AVmIrVVliKI0s5pubPDtZY4LgdKOCkMd_u98/w225-h400/rocks+5.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sV2MpkSswWk/X3ihhHN-KvI/AAAAAAAABms/nVGovW3UvzADAMwwyHjEEupptjHmlyUngCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/rocks%2B6.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xi-l29y09Tk/X3ihhrGgHLI/AAAAAAAABmw/iC5-OgToH24TIlt_6VWmxbVE9TtpoULnwCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/rocks%2B7.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tD7TkQ6mF2U/X3ihiZwQsRI/AAAAAAAABm0/t03diZtuXv4SwtpiaGepuOqjIaS3DiAkACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/rocks%2B8.jpg" width="400" /><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7NVVrF9Vvo/X3ihikwrz8I/AAAAAAAABm4/bpupNHSOtRoqe5Ai1YYzA7kIx2sI43zKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/rocks%2B9.jpg" width="225" /></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This narrow row hugging the steps (above) stops water
runoff from washing away a lot of soil on a steep slope.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EDKX9uHYNbs/X3ihe_2yMhI/AAAAAAAABmY/yNBYe0AhOBE-CcehjWqS3LkWdQKICroAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/rocks%2B10.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In bloom in my garden
today: helianthus Lemon Queen, salvia, coreopsis, sedum, lobelia, rose, nepeta,
kirengeshoma, penstemon, hesperaloe, asclepias, hardy geranium, fuchsia, aster,
oregano, calendula, verbena bonariensis, thyme, hydrangea</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Authors photos</span></i></p>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-81274997879984141932020-09-12T11:22:00.000-07:002020-09-12T11:22:02.846-07:00In the Hot Bed<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Gardening requires
lots of water – most of it in the form of perspiration. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>~Lou Erickson</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a set of stairs at the back of the house
dividing the sloped south facing yard into two terraced levels. This is how the
beds on both sides of the stairs looked in April when we moved in. The post
today is only about the left side, which is up against the foundation of the
house and south facing, so it is hot and dry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJH4fDwPy1I/X10JZRw6YfI/AAAAAAAABjM/HkQFjqSx8pUZc1TvIUL7NFDvFw2IEtkJACLcBGAsYHQ/w281-h500/lavender%2Bbed%2B1a.jpg" width="281" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My first thoughts were that lavender and sedums would
be perfect plants for this area. Once established (after next year) they wouldn’t
require a lot of watering as both thrive in hot dryish areas with all day sun, and they would provide food for bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxz5HLFo7iU/X10JZtyrjQI/AAAAAAAABjU/2cx4TptLnwANcCfY2q9LkdoCM6LuJwTPACLcBGAsYHQ/w281-h500/lavender%2Bbed%2B2.jpg" width="281" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The only plants in that bed, aside from weeds, was
a vinca tangled up with a Euonymus. The bed is just shy of 3 feet wide and 10
feet long. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vinca is a vining, far reaching ground cover that
is very ineffective at smothering out weeds and it will have to be constantly
cut back if it isn’t to interfere with the walkway. It’s out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Euonymus is, to my taste, an uninteresting
shrub that can reach out 4-6 feet wide and even taller. In this location it too
would have to be pruned annually once it reached its mature size. And it would
block the view of the garden I planned to create on the other side of the walk.
Out it goes too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The bed was bordered with rocks on the stair edge,
presumably to stop the dirt from spilling out onto the stairs. As you can see
over time the lower rocks became buried and weren’t doing the job. Lastly, there was a makeshift retaining wall made of mis-matched blocks at the bottom of the bed which had collapsed. Sorry, I didn't get a good photo of that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGbQ4tigUjo/X10JaT9j_dI/AAAAAAAABjY/PFHm5W6nHOYYXV6f8-Z6N98dfnIhV6oGQCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/lavender%2Bbed%2B3.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All cleared away, now I have a blank slate to work
with. First in goes 3 lavenders. “Goodwin Creek” to be specific. I have grown this
one before and it is a favorite of mine. I love the indented leaf shape and it
puts up long willowy wands of blooms which create lovely movement in the breeze.
It also had a longer bloom time in my previous garden than other lavenders. It
is a lovely variety. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Along with the lavender, I added a broken portion of a
Mexican pottery pot. I like using broken pots as a little interest, or whole pots turned on their side and angled just so. A little eye candy if you will.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9v-l0m4ammU/X10JaxT5AvI/AAAAAAAABjc/gVQjmAtlIQcAw0gYhEEd9c6dh-n7EXchQCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/lavender%2Bbed%2B4.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the lavenders are placed as the “bones” of the
space, I filled in with sedums of many varieties from trailing types to hen’s
and chicks types, all of which came with me from my previous garden. Sedums are
incredibly easy to propagate. They will spread and fill in quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As for the lost rocks edging the lowest steps, I
pulled them up and re positioned them. I don’t really like rocks used that way
but for now they will stay. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gb8z3Tz_b6E/X10Jb4j54SI/AAAAAAAABjg/_v7A9vDWdmssLToRJizbA7g4gHuwjrSBQCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/lavender%2Bbed%2B5.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If all that isn’t exciting enough, now the icing on
the cake happens! This is where my better half comes into his own. He is so
creative and talented when it comes to hardscaping our garden spaces. He set about
making a beautiful retaining wall to support the end of this bed. He used concrete
blocks and capped them with flat stones. The blocks and stones had been left, stashed
and buried in different places in this yard, by past owners. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zF7NxouZcHE/X10JcJGcwRI/AAAAAAAABjk/9QpybzsScdgPPNDnYhPMQXof4i79Ts5NQCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/lavender%2Bbed%2B6.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">First, he carved out the shape, and poured a footing
in concrete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXoRXXg7uI0rud5ZWt032pTEKv1AHSFlaRlzfxyV-ctkaY-sg6Ei3uXMorKl05rYlnO-ab_sd2p2MDfa3CBbYSBr9jlXRXSXm9kQZi6h0LC7Mk_VgxZr8yOosQs91UamjuNFiA9RfKhQ/w225-h400/lavender+bed+7.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then cemented together blocks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjYMaQ80xzA/X10JcnpnMUI/AAAAAAAABjs/7Rd8wMOtgXEVrXlk3oMTklpnnrjdrWDSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/lavender%2Bbed%2B8.jpg" width="400" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then he ‘faced’ the blocks with a rough smear of mortar. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He adds color powder to the mortar to give an aged look to his stucco finish. New
concrete dries bright whitish and isn’t particularly lovely. The new brightness can be distracting in the
garden, I think. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Concrete does darken over time but it takes years. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He ‘ages’ it by darkening it with coloring agents so the new
wall looks like it’s been there for a long time and it blends better in the
garden. I love the rough look of a stucco finish. It transports me to Tuscany or south
of the border.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBnjtcCJ49k/X10Jc8o-q7I/AAAAAAAABjw/Gsaeh7saQHozN876umlCXQuc42QRaIR_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/lavender%2Bbed%2B9.jpg" width="225" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then he capped it all off with some slate or what
ever this stone is. There were several pieces of this stone laying around,
apparently left-overs from the construction of the patio some years ago. I am
so glad to have them as they are just perfect to finish this wall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cJ98xxhLfE/X10JZvzcj7I/AAAAAAAABjQ/hedMmwaDzAwtL9x1f0h8NRURZ9YtcQjxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w351-h625/lavender%2Bbed%2B10.jpg" width="351" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So… what do you think? Coming along nicely, I
think. In a year or two you won’t see much, if any, soil after these plants
fill in. Covered soil means less weeds. Win Win.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cheers!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Bloom in my Garden Today: Rose,
Sedum, Agastache, Geum, Fuchsia, Salvia, Verbena, Gladiolus, Mullen, Thyme,
Oregano, Calendula, Yarrow, Dianthus, Germander, Cuphea, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author’s photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-28339413340927821382020-09-03T10:05:00.001-07:002020-09-03T10:21:33.036-07:00The Front Walk Bed<p> </p><h2 style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #fcff01; font-weight: normal;"><a name="_Hlk20559760"><i><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"By
all these lovely tokens<br /></span></i></a><i><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">September days are here<br /></span></i><i><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
With summer's best of weather<br /> </span></i><i><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and autumn's best of cheer."<br /></span></i><i><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">~unknown author</span></i></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk20559760;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt;">When we moved in, the garden beds along the walkway
leading to the front door looked like this.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR2eT0X6K3-pwqBUc3ndTGa0YLNrCOyr3M2RT1N81nZeT023EBiG1qmdTf5u4sLXtN1lXNwJbYUxvcw_9zmGuVfBDtpaYGJe3_vBm4TqlvlyCuuak9u0uifnKBjV3yeJDT150pcpabUY/w281-h500/front+1.jpg" width="281" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The walkway moves you alongside a long deck. Under
the deck is storage and the deck skirting is inexpensive lattice, which many
folks consider something to be covered up. So naturally a previous owner
planted vines to do so. There are aggressive vines and there are well behaved
vines. In this case they choose 2 very aggressive hydrangea vine varieties.
Fast to grow and cover no doubt they were told but when you plant under a deck,
the vine will eventually get up to the height of the deck and beyond, and into
everything stored under the deck, so you now have an annual pruning and
untangling chore to add to your yearly list of things to do.</span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;">And bear in mind
if you plant vines…vine trunks grow wide too and will break your lattice as it
outgrows the space it intertwines with.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Uf0HHqJS7c/X1EcJhXzu6I/AAAAAAAABiM/K4f7WpOvgDAPIE9N62ri8h4P1-FwqmKLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/front%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt;">There was also some sword Fern. I love ferns but
there are other varieties I love more than our native Sword (Polystichum
munitum). There was also a thick carpet of invasive violets covering every inch
of dirt, making weeding a difficult and unpleasant activity. And seeding its
way into the lawn and nearby beds so - out it goes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Deck skirting can be beautiful but this lattice is
ugly and at this point brittle and broken in some places so in the future my
better half will replace it with something wonderful, because that’s what he does. He builds our beautiful hardscapes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the meantime, my job is to get rid of all the
wrong plants and put in some better choices.</span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCt_PCQKgwpiZOx9Z8ex7fNsB1Ywo61O0zgJBzX1Bt1jJ5O0WBQ2oLGjwZcMEUuYTlVY33l1dkn-3T9_gpCmpd9tf-xFNxuXRoytnve4be3qPgsMwLb5wKlAVSaQTyCXkqPhAuWUnVyg0/w500-h281/front+2.jpg" width="500" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Months ago, I cut all the vines close to the soil
to stop their progression and kill them. A couple months later I dig out the sword ferns and
violas and clean up the whole area. Much to my dismay I also encountered yards
of weed barrier cloth, 4-6 inches under the whole mess, so I had to get it out
too. I hate the stuff but that’s another post coming. Needless to say, if I
wanted my new plantings to grow into a healthy garden, I needed to get the weed
barrier cloth out.</span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WktYbeaHIpI/X1EcIuBY02I/AAAAAAAABiA/C5HFm2XQlVYdNMopiCHwV_nxMHdOxsr5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/front%2B3.jpg" style="font-family: "century gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WktYbeaHIpI/X1EcIuBY02I/AAAAAAAABiA/C5HFm2XQlVYdNMopiCHwV_nxMHdOxsr5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/front%2B3.jpg" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt;">Then I planted. Yay! The fun part. I chose Sarcoccoa ruscifolia for its eventual size and late winter fragrance to go by the front door and I
underplanted it with Pachysandra.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ewJoXJmjU9I/X1EcKv_oJxI/AAAAAAAABiU/k-RTt_SD8FUbzRf4XlcpnLXKjMVigB6SwCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h281/front%2B6.jpg" width="500" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For the narrow bed under the deck, I chose Ilex ‘Sky
Pencil’ which should stay well within the height of under the deck (a tad over
5 feet) and if it should reach the top, it is much easier to control than a
vine. Then I underplanted it with black Mondo grass and a lovely variety of heuchera for shade named Dolce Silver Gumdrop. I thought the silvery plum
leaves with black veining would brighten the shady bed and look stunning
intermingling with the black mondo grass.</span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aaVLaEi5gpU/X1EcKP_nfdI/AAAAAAAABiQ/wBFWxI7TXZwmYk6WHGxQ4wq8PDLsfA-jwCLcBGAsYHQ/w281-h500/front%2B5.jpg" width="281" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt;">I am glad I spent time at my former garden taking
cuttings and divisions. It has saved me a lot of money in new plants. Black Mondo
grass is very costly, and all I have here, I have brought with me. And it will
spread. Same with the pachysandra. Cuttings are easy to root in place if you
keep it moist as it forms new roots. And the heuchera I bought on sale and in a
few years’ time, I will be able to propagate more from these 3 and fill in this
space.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Now all I have to do is keep it watered and wait
till it all fills in. No worries…I have plenty of other areas needing work in
this yard. Stay tuned!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In bloom in my garden today: fuschia,
heuchera, sedum, germander, Agastache, calendula, dianthus, salvia, coryopsis,
geum, rose, nepeta, cuphea, verbascum, asclepias, thyme <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Authors photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-57216166670369678572020-08-03T08:40:00.000-07:002020-08-03T08:40:44.320-07:00Work with What You've Got<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dirty
hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color
before me. Who could ask for more?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~Bev
Adams, Mountain Gardening <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When editing a new-to-you garden, it’s good to
take a step back and see what is there that you can use and what you absolutely
don’t want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my case, a wisteria and a
laurel had to go. Both didn’t have the room to grow to their mature size where
they were planted and both would require a lot of pruning. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have grown wisteria before. It is lovely. It
requires a hard prune back to its main branching each year in late winter to
keep it in check. Also, Wisterias often won’t bloom unless the new growth
curling tendrils are cut off. Every 2 weeks. All summer long. The plant puts its
energy into the new growing of leaf and vine. But you want flowers so you need
to redirect that growth back into the older wood to produce blooming cells that
will lie deep in the older woody stems until the following spring. The wisteria
here was on an arbor, 8 feet high over a gate. The house was on one side and a
neighbor’s fence on the other. It only had about 10 feet width of freedom to
climb and reach. Not nearly enough for a wisteria. And I was not about to get
out my ladder every two weeks to climb up to keep the tendrils cut off. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then there is the Laurel. Laurels grow fast, flowers
for a short period of time and sets seed with abandon. It was clear to me by
its location that it was planted to provide a quick privacy screen. Laurel can
quickly grow to heights over a 2 story house and easily as wide. The previous
owners had kept cutting it down to a height of 6 feet in a weird flat shape
about 8-10 feet wide. It also had old damage which could eventually allow in
insect damage and rot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8w_7Q6k8yKgUnTE4agYltD68MD-O6Y3xwXyhdCpiBn2LHBL3hcsBtMGunNlkIi9pvoe_982dVax9bAx3N25F8o88iZ67e17zY4qsUqHnnF5zXvk0TNalgxUJmdI1culUx3I4XXVOQYws/s640/laurel+5.jpg" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its seed
drop was in a radius of 10 feet so was sprouting seedlings far and wide, and
clearly would do so every year. It created plants that were already 2-3 feet in
diameter, growing under the nearby wood deck. Selecting a laurel for this
application in this location meant sweeping seeds off the deck every spring and
early summer as they drop, constant weeding of its seedlings, and removal of
deck floor boards to get to the plants that will sprout and grow underneath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx73XWYrr8zS4lkaoDt9Ym9IM_fmP3GNfFzkodMwq6SOExiGcz-IcEAZ5ntMeEm7-zpQhBczcDLP5iYrpeTKHHf2x5fK7Tj10rQ4ycfUYDQs1Ojy0m3oKtoK8iRCMsdoxVLgvXtQJky-g/s640/laurel+3.jpg" width="640" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As one that has worked in the plant nursery
industry, I can guarantee there are thousands of plants from which to choose.
There are right plants and very definitely wrong plants for you. The phrase,
“right plant, right place” means just that. An experienced nursery professional
can steer you to the right plant for your location, skill in maintenance and
time you want to dedicate to its care. The perfect choice is one that will not
create a lot of work for you and eventually become such a monster that it
overwhelms you and the spot it is planted in.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The title of this post could have been ‘right
plant, right place” but, “Work with What You’ve Got” is the rest of the story
about the Wisteria and the Laurel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As for the wisteria, since its branching structure
was entangled in and held up by the arbor above the gate, I cut it off at the
base of the trunk to kill the branches. I did use a non-selective chemical
herbicide to spray on the base of the trunk to kill the root. I don’t want it
coming back and without spray it will sprout again. You can also kill a
wisteria root by keeping the root area wet. Wisteria don’t like wet feet and
will eventually succumb to root rot, but it will take more time and a lot of
water.</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eVW3IY2NZOeVRfMAGg_HcpEpiKbdSq1iF6JfEd8ufj55N8uvUo0BwmQMRfrcqXwK77WtWUepI_27bLj0Z1yex0s9G9NyYHOgTVZoTUrG6fLM4DXCzJg90U7qW-LRpD22MpbQhGHKjBM/s640/wisteria+1.jpg" width="640" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then I trimmed away all the leafy stems, leaving
the nice branching framework overhead that to me is attractive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdzvELYDFGo/Xygt3cZK7fI/AAAAAAAABgk/do3yJZiPy1Q9MLgcMAKn74FmkY-MDSGJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/wisteria%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will plant a more demure flowering vine at the
base and it will scramble up the old wisteria branches, so I don’t have to
provide any twine or wire support to give it a leg up. Its already there. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will choose a clematis from pruning group 3 that
will grow fresh vines from the root each spring. Clematis from this group bloom
in late summer and are the easiest to keep maintained and fresh looking. All
the annual cleanup it will require is cutting it back to 12-20 inches (30-50
cm) or so from the ground each spring just as you see new growth beginning. The
delicate vines will naturally die away in winter and will be easy to pull down
and put in my compost pile. No weekly tendril cutting, <a href="https://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2011/04/taming-vine.html" target="_blank">no annual selective pruning,</a> no ladders involved, and
likely a longer bloom time than the wisteria. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are hundreds of Clematis varieties to choose
from. The important thing to remember is that they are divided into 3 groups,
depending on best pruning methods for each. Their pruning group number will be 1,2
or 3. This number is also a good indicator of when it will bloom. A google
search will give you links to a lot of great sites that will explain this
further. I really like Lee Reich’s article in Fine Gardening Issue 90 “Pruning
Clematis”. Just try to choose the plant from the pruning group that will make its
upkeep easiest for you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now over to the Laurel. It is a self-supporting
tree trunk, and I wanted to keep the branching structure to use as a trellis.
After cutting off all the leaves and small branches I left only the largest
branches in what I think is a nice looking structure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9FbGnjjNRqx7GDo9nr_9y2PAx3BfRvSCXQq4h8GMFfQJ627DVgrbFprreciWqOwrnnV97r5rrBJjpyOVbgPHS3a6FXlutLHIOmxaqYK3eb12O9cO24M5YbBu7pXmkn6Qb8E_dH0fU6Y/s640/laurel+1.jpg" width="640" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7DewPon_-0/XygtsasguJI/AAAAAAAABgU/BvGzCfjFSIIjaoW_yLQCHY1FkdlcF_QCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/laurel%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then I scored the trunk at the base, all the way
around with a wood rasp to cut through the thin bark, thus cutting off the
plant’s ability to transport nutrients and water up the tree’s vascular system.
That will kill all of it above the cut, much like a deer will when he destroys
the bark all the way around a tree trunk with his horns. This is a form of
girdling the tree. Since it is a laurel, it will sprout from below the girdle,
so I did also spray the stripped area with chemical concentrate herbicide. I
don’t like using chemicals, but there are instances where it is the most
effective way to achieve the result you want. The methods I choose are always to
use the least amount of chemical possible. In this case, rather than spraying
all the leafy growth and waiting for the whole thing to die, I only sprayed in its
most critical areas, the fresh cuts, and let the trees vascular system take it
down to the root. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcmf7Bn6scCI8SmjQFVKUARRY5Rfo35DYjWLdRqZv3WBOZBmg0altGCi3GYgF3Gnsl20szKJs58qBtmB-38Y3b7z1q4PojtTePTL3xxyKvmW7cxwLItvAwDQr1wI3CZKxMiOLwhBDpDM/s640/laurel+4.jpg" /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I did all this 2 months ago and have seen no new sprouting,
so I think it worked. This Laurel provided a small amount of privacy for us and
the neighbors, so to get that back I have planted 2 Star Jasmine
(trachelospermum jasminoides) at the now girdled base. The poison in the root
of the Laurel will not travel through the soil and affect the Jasmine or any
neighboring plants. The jasmine will scramble up the trunk and branching left
behind to provide an evergreen screen that will waft wonderful jasmine
fragrance from July to August for both us and our neighbors. I can’t wait to
see it fill in and enjoy the aroma in the warm summer breezes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So that’s the rest of the story. A damaged and way
too big laurel has become my Jasmine trellis and a high maintenance wisteria has
also become a trellis up which an easy to maintain clematis will grow. By doing
selective cutting and removal, I kept the structure from old, overgrown plants
that were very high on the time-consuming maintenance list, on which I can grow
new selections that are better suited to the spaces in which they are planted. That
is how “right plant right place” gives the gardener more time to sip iced tea in
their garden, enjoying the fragrances and the flowers, rather than just a lot
of annually repetitive hard work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cheers!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Bloom in my Garden Today: Sedum,
Dianthus, Lavender, Agastache Anise Hyssop, Rose, Hydrangea, Nepeta, Salvia,
Lobelia, Daisy, Knifophia, Cuphea, Geum, Fuchsia, Hardy Geranium, Potentilla, Asclepias,
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gladiolus ‘Boone’
(heirloom 1920’s), Lysimachia ephemerum (non invasive loosestrife), Oregano</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Authors photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-371759763951554102020-07-07T08:46:00.000-07:002020-07-07T08:56:07.229-07:00Moving Rocks<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
we learn with pleasure we never forget.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~Alfred
Mercier</span></i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxXjFJByM-4/XwSTckXIc1I/AAAAAAAABeE/CDRIpAUTU90Lu2gJ4TKcOL4whbSlk7mdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RxXjFJByM-4/XwSTckXIc1I/AAAAAAAABeE/CDRIpAUTU90Lu2gJ4TKcOL4whbSlk7mdACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/1one.jpg" width="225" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
triangular shaped bed contained an ornamental plum which was way too big of a
tree choice to be planted in a space of this size. Before we moved in it had
been pruned on two sides to keep it away from the house and gutters. That made
it grow vertical sprouts over 2/3s of its canopy and normal outward branches on
the side that didn’t get pruned. The unpruned side became heavy and was the
leeward side so wind could potentially topple this tree. I decided early on it
would have to come out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
bed also contained Helleborus, Sedum, and Ajuga reptans. Being adjacent to a
walkway the Ajuga had to be relocated. Anytime you plant near a sidewalk you
will be happier if you don’t choose plants that have a far-reaching habit. Ajuga is great for carpeting large areas quickly but here it was in a pretty
confined space. It spreads by reaching out in all directions with new stem
growth that roots when it touches the soil. At a sidewalk it will quickly overrun
it’s borders and you will have created more work for yourself because you will have
to keep cutting it back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
for the tree, I had a tree service come cut the tree down. It is fine to leave
the stump in this case, as I can plant around it and it will rot in time.</span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am not a fan
of chemical use but to leave a stump in place to rot over time, you<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>may have to apply a chemical to the freshly
cut stump to stop it from re-sprouting. It depends on what type of tree it is.
Here I used a chemical herbicide on the cut end only. Minimal use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFpdBPoozcKHMFMcyEtSqJqz0sD9NuyubpL_dhXvDdcjU7Bw4AcBccsiLikFT8k4DAsaJ9rwQ5UzPjWNLlTEm3NEm3DaFWpbrd3s13yInaPo_JSFHP2DkfP9LJKbJrmJKx76Dy61-67Y/s1600/2two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFpdBPoozcKHMFMcyEtSqJqz0sD9NuyubpL_dhXvDdcjU7Bw4AcBccsiLikFT8k4DAsaJ9rwQ5UzPjWNLlTEm3NEm3DaFWpbrd3s13yInaPo_JSFHP2DkfP9LJKbJrmJKx76Dy61-67Y/s320/2two.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90J5ErqWuD4/XwSTcpQt4pI/AAAAAAAABeI/YbHTo36n7U0No0ieDktg2BSk2tepWhYXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-90J5ErqWuD4/XwSTcpQt4pI/AAAAAAAABeI/YbHTo36n7U0No0ieDktg2BSk2tepWhYXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3three.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then
I took out all the Helleborus and Ajuga in that bed. Being a shade loving
plant, I relocated some of the Helleborus to a shadier spot, since the tree was
providing shade in that bed. The majority of them I gave away to neighbors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoX3OM85fEU/XwSTdPccKnI/AAAAAAAABeM/I7G60jG0UcYAo-aHiPLJ1gBxNkjFubo4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RoX3OM85fEU/XwSTdPccKnI/AAAAAAAABeM/I7G60jG0UcYAo-aHiPLJ1gBxNkjFubo4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4four.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
bed was edged with large rocks on all three sides. It is a slightly raised bed toward
the middle where the tree trunk was. The rock placement didn’t really do
anything for the bed. I kept tripping on some because they lined the walkways
on two sides and stepping on others near the water faucet, so I pulled them all
out and set them aside in a pile. In so doing I was surprised to find they were
lava rock and super lightweight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
I was contemplating how to plant my now empty and raked bed with the stump in the middle,
the word “outcropping” kept coming to mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So,
that’s what I did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3r98VvTHqEXli_zPC7MibOGGy5kcrymlMds0iJwA6qbe7cF5rbmTXg6S_CzXY04T91_RbBp_1UalCesBZZikSazaRRn3n_l4nJjfdmCUwSQxC_aYG0fCJvzNMZ69aIHxKeDE-r8pp_A/s1600/5five.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3r98VvTHqEXli_zPC7MibOGGy5kcrymlMds0iJwA6qbe7cF5rbmTXg6S_CzXY04T91_RbBp_1UalCesBZZikSazaRRn3n_l4nJjfdmCUwSQxC_aYG0fCJvzNMZ69aIHxKeDE-r8pp_A/s320/5five.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
started by planting those lava rocks. Outcropping also creates little pockets
that stabilize slopes and hold water better for your plants. Whenever you use
rocks in the landscape, they should be buried up to 1/3 deep so they look
natural. You “plant” your rocks, don’t just lay them on top. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then
I added in some plant divisions from my former garden, and a couple of new plants,
one that I purchased and one that was a gift from our realtor and friend <a href="http://ginadavis.net/" target="_blank">Gina</a> . Best. Realtor. Ever! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Last but not least I topped it all off with a clay pot, which I balanced on top of the stump with
soil and rocks. Can’t even see the stump now and it will rot over time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHJtlX2duNk/XwSTeKiDTjI/AAAAAAAABeU/5HB7LFqy2Zoxw6T5Pj73V6DRAZoBlnF-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/6six.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHJtlX2duNk/XwSTeKiDTjI/AAAAAAAABeU/5HB7LFqy2Zoxw6T5Pj73V6DRAZoBlnF-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/6six.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What
do you think? I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. Now I need to go
shopping for a vine maple which I will plant behind the pot for some vertical
interest, fall color and will provide annual leaf mulch. Even at a mature size, a vine maple is
a good choice for this space and it won’t require pruning to keep in confined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWUZmJCLhmA/XwSTesbltbI/AAAAAAAABeY/eBwxUDk-0wguMt91NAPl1_PWjuT_L2SJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/7seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWUZmJCLhmA/XwSTesbltbI/AAAAAAAABeY/eBwxUDk-0wguMt91NAPl1_PWjuT_L2SJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/7seven.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
if you are lucky enough to find a fantastic tree guy as I did, he won’t roll
his eyes when you ask if it would be too much to ask him to cut some of the
trunk into stepping stone size thickness for your use in other parts of the
garden. Well it never hurts to ask, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Signaturetreeservice/" target="_blank">Rich at Signature Tree Service</a> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">! <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You made my day!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK1FTVErMvM4OOgRWDwFNiOaqj-KSv7pSVEvNFw46FfAnPGl4tdVWP9xCL5iZ9ZtRQebrCTCROfH9ujGSPc6EjIjmmLtig02dQjO-NCgO04AfrQHivuaDylD09uLe-fLU2hF9RLun7o4/s1600/8eight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK1FTVErMvM4OOgRWDwFNiOaqj-KSv7pSVEvNFw46FfAnPGl4tdVWP9xCL5iZ9ZtRQebrCTCROfH9ujGSPc6EjIjmmLtig02dQjO-NCgO04AfrQHivuaDylD09uLe-fLU2hF9RLun7o4/s400/8eight.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Bloom in My Garden Today: Cuphea Vermillionaire, Lobelia laxifolia, Gillenia,
Yarrow, Potentilla, Sedum, Oregano, Daisy, Rose, Thyme, Dianthus, Nepeta</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Authors
photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-46468331375313823442020-06-30T08:59:00.000-07:002020-06-30T08:59:04.817-07:00Grass, Grass and More Grass<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Think
back to the first time you explained to a nongardener that the lawn is just the
place you stand when looking at your plants”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~
Steve Aitken, editor of Taunton’s Fine Gardening magazine<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
place has a ton of lawn space. There is a huge strip of grass along the street, and
being a corner lot, it wraps around the corner and goes partway up the
perpendicular street. Then there is an upper strip along the front of the
house. Then there is more on the east side of the house that wraps around the
back and extends partway along the south side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
like some grass in the landscape but for us, that is way too much to maintain
and mow. Currently my better half and I share the mowing and grass maintenance
jobs and neither of us want it to be more than a 30 minute endeavor. I,
personally would rather spend my time gardening, or hiking, kayaking, going on long walks, not tending grass. However we
both want to do the mowing as part of our outdoor exercise which is why we
don’t hire it out. Mowing grass is a good cardio workout in the fresh air in
the sun. But 30 min or less mowing is plenty of that particular activity. And it is easier to keep a properly
mulched garden watered and weed free than acres of grass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So,
one of my first priorities, after getting control of the weeds in the garden
spaces and grass, was to lessen the overall amount of grass. As you have read
in previous posts on my blog I have had good results in smothering grass with
cardboard topped with mulch or dirt. I will be doing that again in the back and
side yard as you will see later, but this street side grass is too monstrous an
area to lay cardboard and paying for yards of compost would be much too costly.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KBNycndlDxC8cb10-piFX0-MmlCTafxjN37d7KHp-rYCf7PZdY-LayLy6NZUaCFRJOAVWBdRwDSkg0Lf4Nv9lpTCkcntYgyH8b4uEa_FUulif943s92RhNUpDkneWQ9xncdB_mwVhho/s1600/20200526_171545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KBNycndlDxC8cb10-piFX0-MmlCTafxjN37d7KHp-rYCf7PZdY-LayLy6NZUaCFRJOAVWBdRwDSkg0Lf4Nv9lpTCkcntYgyH8b4uEa_FUulif943s92RhNUpDkneWQ9xncdB_mwVhho/s320/20200526_171545.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HUTXG-5U5o/Xvi6VI6us8I/AAAAAAAABc8/fOfniDvIV2Uq9UyUGBbd5J-gfC5EdFhLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200526_171534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HUTXG-5U5o/Xvi6VI6us8I/AAAAAAAABc8/fOfniDvIV2Uq9UyUGBbd5J-gfC5EdFhLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200526_171534.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So,
I decided to use wood chip. Not beauty bark. Wood chip. You can read my reasons
why <a href="https://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-new-toy.html" target="_blank">here</a>,<span style="color: red;"> </span>but for now suffice to say ‘free’ is
my kind of price. I did pay an arborist his asking price for these first 12
yards because I wanted it now, he had it now, and I wanted him to drive and
dump it along the street up on the grass in a stripe as long as he could get it.
Not all arborists give it away free but many do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmwbL3gyLqM5EZJdF_NrmlLV97aU-Z5Ty_rdSINhyl5KwaulScuMpJOYDdgII-mM7HHXwsM31MhNfJ45HE1tbl406Yt5PHHg6r3t7BMmLnUPaB9I-NeZ33abwMeNEFDnyCM4hNmNNk10/s1600/20200527_081918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmwbL3gyLqM5EZJdF_NrmlLV97aU-Z5Ty_rdSINhyl5KwaulScuMpJOYDdgII-mM7HHXwsM31MhNfJ45HE1tbl406Yt5PHHg6r3t7BMmLnUPaB9I-NeZ33abwMeNEFDnyCM4hNmNNk10/s320/20200527_081918.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
didn’t want to come home to find a tall pile dumped all in one heap and in the
wrong place so I was getting picky and there are times you have to pay to get
things your way. Subsequent chip loads I am getting free from other local tree
trimming service companies to finish the job, since 12 yards wasn’t enough and I
need to thicken the layer. I tried to rake it out to 6-8 inches thick but being
such a large chunky medium, grass in some areas is finding the light and
pushing its way up. That happens when cardboard isn’t used underneath your mulch. Mulch or dirt over
cardboard doesn’t have to be so thick as the card board does the job of cutting
off all the light. Chip takes a bit more supervision to get the job done. But
in the end, it will work and, in the fall, or late winter it will be ready for
my planting ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODiGNi1BLeU/Xvi6Wx4FYRI/AAAAAAAABdE/jckjGGSoQSkW3LNVzQB8Ch_NvNSAHtqkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Message_1590781366824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODiGNi1BLeU/Xvi6Wx4FYRI/AAAAAAAABdE/jckjGGSoQSkW3LNVzQB8Ch_NvNSAHtqkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Message_1590781366824.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It
took me 2 days, 6 hours each to rake all this out and wheelbarrow it around <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from the main drop. And yes, I mean me, moi,
by myself. I don’t often ask my better half for help doing this kind of stuff
even though he is willing. The garden is my love and joy, the easy parts and
the hard parts. If I can’t do the work I need to come up with a different
hobby. I will give credit to where credit is due when I do ask for help, but
for the most part all the work you see in my posts I have done myself unless otherwise specified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0yGAjlc-MU/Xvi6V-LWq2I/AAAAAAAABdA/cZtCychUCV8a9H_AtbSXeLp2DwZ6g9-DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200529_124455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0yGAjlc-MU/Xvi6V-LWq2I/AAAAAAAABdA/cZtCychUCV8a9H_AtbSXeLp2DwZ6g9-DwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200529_124455.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
am toying with planting options right now. I want to plant low growing shrubs so as not to cover the beautiful rockery. Viburnum Davidii, St John’s Wort
(shrubs not ground cover), Burning Bush (Euonymus compacta), Spirea, Daphne
‘Eternal Fragrance’ among others are making the list. In a few years’ time when
they begin to fill in I will no doubt give you a before and after post of that
area again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And
the very next day, literally barely 12 hours later, the gas company decided to
do work in the area and found my lovely property the perfect place to lay their
pipes as a staging area! Arrgh!!! They walked all over it, churning up the chip
layer and generally messing up much of my hard work. My fear was if they
churned it up it would be thinner is some areas and the grass would get
through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnSG0SGhyphenhyphenrhOvI1SLOhlRnDfuOHcy9TsBfnJkEOJIQxssgl_lwcQ5udoK08K1jfxdZNxsku5T_Id3MBYbvk9UIylaESkjDicz5Gtz9-qQICwcl_6Fl2AWAvvXn-m2O_BkhgD1ztyE2BI/s1600/Message_1590861069782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnSG0SGhyphenhyphenrhOvI1SLOhlRnDfuOHcy9TsBfnJkEOJIQxssgl_lwcQ5udoK08K1jfxdZNxsku5T_Id3MBYbvk9UIylaESkjDicz5Gtz9-qQICwcl_6Fl2AWAvvXn-m2O_BkhgD1ztyE2BI/s320/Message_1590861069782.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I
did, nicely, explain how I had just finished raking all that out and my reasons
for doing it and asked them please be careful. Happily, they removed their
stuff and attempted to smooth it out but some damage had been done. Sigh. The churned-up
areas did allow light to reach the grass under and it had started to poke up through.
My next load was a finer consistency, so it compacted better to suppress the
light. I piled more where I needed it. Now I can leave it all to rest and get
onto other parts of the garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>In
Bloom in My Garden Today: Hebe, Shasta daisy, Cuphea “Vermillionaire”,
Calendula, Rose, Hydrangea, Veronica, Dianthus, Nepeta, Gillenia, Sedum,
Bletilla, Potentilla, Oriental Lily, Digitalis, Salvia, <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Author’s
photos</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-40174190014505354752020-06-28T08:13:00.000-07:002020-06-28T08:13:29.255-07:00Let the Fun Begin<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My
favorite flower is a dandelion, because they are everywhere!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~
Garden art contest entry, age 9<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have moved. We found this garden, I mean house
in March, and began moving in April. As gardeners, you know those months in late
winter and early spring are crucial for getting ahead of the weed fight. And
weeds did this garden space have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So since April, as soon as it was prudent for me
to get my hands in the dirt of the new grounds while the closing-of-a-house
process hummed along, I have been doing weed patrol on our new-to-us 9000 sq ft
corner lot. The front has a wraparound rockery that is taller than I am,
sporting beautiful big boulders. The back yard is terraced with smaller rocks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The quote above doesn’t reflect my feelings for
dandelions, which were legion in number and already blooming in every part of
this yard. Truly they were everywhere. When kept in check and not allowed to form
seed heads, dandelion flowers provide healthy pollen and nectar for pollinators
and leafy greens for people’s food source. But when allowed to spread in urban
environments they are a nuisance weed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I was pulling dandelions, (and shrieking at
those that had already turned to seed puffs) I was also discovering fireweed
(Chamerion angustifolium), cleavers (Galium aparine), perennial pea (Lathyrus
latifolius, which is on the Washington State Monitor list for noxious weeds),
and a lot of turf grass that self-seeded in and amongst the perennials. Thankfully
I have found no horsetail and only a few sprouts of English ivy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The previous gardener put in some lovely perennial
selections in the front rockery, which I will keep and perhaps divide or move
to other parts of the garden. They also enjoyed self-seeding annuals like
forget-me-not, Cosmos, Calendula and Nigella. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will keep the Calendula but reduce
it to a lesser amount and collect the seeds to sow them where I want more,
whereby controlling it’s spread.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have grown Nigella before. It is also called "Love-in-a-Mist. It has a lovely flower and the seed is used in some cultures for culinary purposes. You can control it's spread by cutting off the seed heads before they dry. If you want to save the seed for later sowing, allow them to dry on the plant naturally but remove them just as the little holes are opening on the top of the seed pod. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here (shown below) in the
backyard terraces Nigella were allowed to self-sow and were rampant, thickly carpeting
large areas with a mix of turf grass, dandelion, forget-me not and Nigella all tangling
with Vinca Minor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYHfiH2r9xw/XvixVDgMMAI/AAAAAAAABcg/lOSKZxWblwUgWofq_9nIrfpBDxWnwl_tACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200503_141533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hYHfiH2r9xw/XvixVDgMMAI/AAAAAAAABcg/lOSKZxWblwUgWofq_9nIrfpBDxWnwl_tACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200503_141533.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuJtNwu6Jd8/XvixVKWfk2I/AAAAAAAABcc/2dkCHlKkTcMEB9rUJF-OMLxf0A-Dxhn6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200510_174242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuJtNwu6Jd8/XvixVKWfk2I/AAAAAAAABcc/2dkCHlKkTcMEB9rUJF-OMLxf0A-Dxhn6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200510_174242.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Out it all goes. While some gardens look lovely when
annuals self-sow, they are a lot of work to keep contained and mostly look
weedy to me, entangling themselves with surrounding plants. Not only that, Forget-me-not
is one of those annuals that gets mildew as the plant dies down and looks ugly.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Back to the rockery in front (photo below). I will
keep some of the Shasta Daisy and one or two of the Lemon Balm but cutting out
quite a lot of both that have taken over and crowded out several other lovely
hybrid varieties of Sage, Marjoram and Oregano. I have also pulled out Rumex
which will self sow everywhere if given the chance. I will be adding in my
favorites and many plant divisions I have taken from my previous garden. Yes, since
the previous house is not yet listed for sale, I have been digging in my former
garden but not so as to leave gaping holes. My old garden is so packed, I can
easily remove favorite divisions without leaving a trace. </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">😊</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Following posts will be the changes I make to edit
this lovely garden and make it into my own. And yes, for those who know me and
my methods, there will be lots of cardboard used. Good thing I have lots of
packing boxes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6Kq-yDqqs0/XvixUgx4uCI/AAAAAAAABcY/4nduZ5u8ELYmsrHrMpG5y9NU4oEs6x0TQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200503_142015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6Kq-yDqqs0/XvixUgx4uCI/AAAAAAAABcY/4nduZ5u8ELYmsrHrMpG5y9NU4oEs6x0TQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200503_142015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In bloom in my garden today: Dianthus,
Veronica, Cuphea vermillionare, Hebe, rose, Shasta daisy</span></i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">,
<i>Calendula, Potentilla, Astrantia Major, Spirea</i></span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author’s photos</span></i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-11203005992728667862020-06-12T11:51:00.000-07:002020-07-07T08:54:59.775-07:00Closing a Chapter<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My green thumb came only as a result of
the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plants’ point of
view.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">– H. Fred Dale, Toronto Star garden
writer and author of Fred Dale’s Garden Book, 1972<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My blogging pen has been silent for a little while.
Not that I haven’t been busy gardening. We have been busy moving. A new to us
garden and house in a different city, but still in the Pacific Northwest. Since
it’s a rainy morning today, I decided it was a good time to catch you up in my
world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 141.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve been taking lots of pictures to show you of
the new-to-me garden and the changes I am making, but haven’t taken time away
from it to type up any posts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As a start to the life transition and the turn this
blog will take featuring the new garden, I thought I’d use this post as a recap
and culmination of my previous garden. This first picture is of the weedy,
grassy yard as it was when I bought that house, 34 years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ph9BgarRH6o/SrVNJcUwOvI/AAAAAAAAAws/omPTA5vWpPYwgr9zXt95Hez9DCTiPnCigCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/fixer%2Bupper%2Bgarden%2B008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ph9BgarRH6o/SrVNJcUwOvI/AAAAAAAAAws/omPTA5vWpPYwgr9zXt95Hez9DCTiPnCigCPcBGAYYCw/s320/fixer%2Bupper%2Bgarden%2B008.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I was excited to buy my very first home all those
years ago! Before this picture was taken the grass and dandelions were knee high and the shrubs were taller than me and sprawling every-which-way. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=979426466891495702&useLegacyBlogger=true#editor/target=post;postID=6728028228357576744;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=120;src=postname" target="_blank">You can read more about it in this earlier post. </a>Over the years the garden ideas, successes and failures came and
went, providing much education and the experiences for this blog. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6k-wn9IDEE/XuPLzOmQf1I/AAAAAAAABbM/cgk39KR5DFgSJxoz85nNLtInxXvbFEa_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/i0000010_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6k-wn9IDEE/XuPLzOmQf1I/AAAAAAAABbM/cgk39KR5DFgSJxoz85nNLtInxXvbFEa_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/i0000010_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is the same yard today, pictured from roughly the same angle. All that grass gone, replaced by stone patio, retaining walls and plants, plants, and more plants! The garden now wraps around the whole house on a 5000 square foot urban
lot. But you get an idea of what came out and what went in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK2BTt5S-lk/XuPLzOPL7UI/AAAAAAAABbQ/wg-J2S2cNd8yEZs8B_iLufMn5ULoPF8IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/i0000010_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TK2BTt5S-lk/XuPLzOPL7UI/AAAAAAAABbQ/wg-J2S2cNd8yEZs8B_iLufMn5ULoPF8IQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/i0000010_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDn1-_aBKA0/XuPLzAgLUaI/AAAAAAAABbI/dxD8qFDT5q8TL2aJOw6w-CgPhGYIWVFIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/i0000010_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDn1-_aBKA0/XuPLzAgLUaI/AAAAAAAABbI/dxD8qFDT5q8TL2aJOw6w-CgPhGYIWVFIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/i0000010_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The posts to follow will be of my new yard. It is
a tad larger sporting 9000 square feet.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stay tuned! And thanks for reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In bloom in my garden today: roses,
lavender, hardy geranium, cape fuchsia, heuchera, iris, nepeta, daisy, solanum
crispum, wigela,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author’s photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-42885313061125510352019-12-17T00:00:00.000-08:002019-12-17T00:00:02.258-08:00Eye Candy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will
improvise. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>~Michael P. Garafalo</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hY4zUDLp944/XdxVuJI_FgI/AAAAAAAABWk/pLnoi7gpxGssIyo3tSR3f2Ao_nd07FgFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/39907586_1836912486386648_5926782534448131549_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hY4zUDLp944/XdxVuJI_FgI/AAAAAAAABWk/pLnoi7gpxGssIyo3tSR3f2Ao_nd07FgFACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/39907586_1836912486386648_5926782534448131549_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I walk around my urban neighborhoods,
alot. It is my favorite form of exercise, aside from gardening. Most of the photos in my posts, not
of my garden, have come from those walks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">I have loved watching this tree slowly
swallow up the fence over the years, and thought you might enjoy seeing it too.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">In bloom in my garden today: Geranium Lily Lovell and the double white daisy are still eeking out a few blooms, but the pyracantha is the show stopper of the garden now.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></i>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Author's photo</i></span></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-49142272239824950502019-11-28T07:00:00.000-08:002019-11-28T07:00:05.403-08:00Eye Candy<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Delicious autumn! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">My very soul is wedded to it,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">and if I were a bird, </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">- George Eliot</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvKrl5Ygs5O764gmxp6ANL7roCiJuI6AuKw77MUfhp8BQp5jCrArl_eMReaJGYn0PvZDDiEkKUSLtiQR7XO94nhzfm_vp7396np4Hc3R53FJVScMpJ6DF6OrwUAva-WbiojQDq-waU-U/s1600/20171213_131409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnvKrl5Ygs5O764gmxp6ANL7roCiJuI6AuKw77MUfhp8BQp5jCrArl_eMReaJGYn0PvZDDiEkKUSLtiQR7XO94nhzfm_vp7396np4Hc3R53FJVScMpJ6DF6OrwUAva-WbiojQDq-waU-U/s320/20171213_131409.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">The pyracantha berries are at their
peak now in my garden. They are beautiful, bright, and full of goodness that
the birds and squirrels are feasting on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Plant pyracantha in full sun and prune <u>before </u>flowering in late winter or early, early spring and you and the birds
will be rewarded year after year.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><i>In bloom in my garden today: </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Cuphea vermillionaire, </span></i><i style="font-family: "century gothic", sans-serif;">Double
white daisy, Fuchsia, Hardy Geranium “Lily Lovell”, Knifophia, Lavender, Himalayan
honeysuckle (Leycesteria Formosa), Pachysandra axillaris 'Windcliff Fragrant', Salvia,
Solanum crispum</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><i>Author’s photo</i></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-623882733811935812019-11-26T08:00:00.000-08:002019-11-26T08:00:17.026-08:00A Well Placed Rock<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">How fair is a garden amid the trials
and passions of existence.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">~Benjamin
Disraeli</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you know you have a special spot on which passing dogs frequently leave their calling card, instead of fighting the inevitable, I suggest you work with the situation. You’ll be much happier. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I was working at the nursery, I can’t begin
to tell you how many people came to buy plants that were to replace one that
died because dogs kept “leaving their mark” on it until in death did it depart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I walked them toward the statuary/rockery area, I told them there is no use in replacing a plant, since a
new one will likely succumb to the same demise if planted in exactly the same
spot. The scent is still in the ground surrounding the planting site and if it remains
accessible to passing dogs it will be a target too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Consider a different choice of target. </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">I used to have a heath</span><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> (Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’)</span></i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> where you see the rock now. As you can see it’s easy leg-lifting distance from the sidewalk so even a leashed dog can hit it easily. The plant was half dead when I moved it 3 feet further away from the sidewalk. In no time at all it recovered and quickly regrew to its original size.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 159.6pt; mso-wrap-style: square; rotation: 90; visibility: visible; width: 283.8pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9k4n0h5U_-OYp61nFbZo2umvP1XTNxe9HOm4W-yKfvojw4rAgG5rDV0fFatIFbddSV19nU2w62OREaOe6GfAL1nFInZxhVAvChtL_-m2viOSo0RPuRSnhGy-aOyLOh6cV92A0uYRB4k/s1600/20171224_122612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9k4n0h5U_-OYp61nFbZo2umvP1XTNxe9HOm4W-yKfvojw4rAgG5rDV0fFatIFbddSV19nU2w62OREaOe6GfAL1nFInZxhVAvChtL_-m2viOSo0RPuRSnhGy-aOyLOh6cV92A0uYRB4k/s320/20171224_122612.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">That bright rock may look a little stark to you but
that’s kinda the point. Think “visible target”.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prominently placed rocks are a natural
and beautiful addition to any garden. Professional landscape architects use
them all the time. When using a large rock, always partially bury it so it
looks like it would in nature. Try not to just plunk it down right on top of
the dirt surface. Make sure it’s big enough to attract attention so that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">IT</i></b>
will draw Fido’s eye, not the plants around it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You could use garden statuary or s</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">omething carved from natural stone, both should last a long time. </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
would not use anything made from raw concrete. I think the acidity would
eventually degrade your investment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> In my garden, that
rock has been there for years with no signs of decay, and I have witnessed it’s
“popularity”. Sadly, it must also be considered that whatever you use could be
a target for theft so in my urban garden a big rock is perfect.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy gardening!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In Bloom in my Garden Today: Alyssum, Aster,
Coreopsis ‘moonbeam’, Crocus, Cuphea vermillionaire, Cyclamen hederifolium, Daisy,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’
(joe pye weed), F<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">uchsia, Geum,
Heuchera,</span> Kirengeshoma palmata,<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">
Kniphofia ‘Echo Mango’, Lavender,</span> Nepeta ‘six hills giant’ (catmint), Phygelius,<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span>Salvia garanitica ‘black and blue’<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, Solanum crispum<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author’s photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-39999854181271299622019-10-30T09:14:00.000-07:002019-10-30T10:53:08.963-07:00The Making of a Garden<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As the garden
grows, so grows the gardener." <br />
- Unknown<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">It all
began with a tree. A maple to be specific. A maple from a seed my husband picked
up on a walk one day and planted in a pot when he got home. After about 10
years of growth, we liberated the small tree from its pot and planted it in the
grass parking strip in front of our house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Initially
I was only going to have a small circular patch cleared of grass around the
trunk. Mowing and edging grass too near a tree’s trunk can cause detrimental
damage to the bark layer and shorten the life of the tree so it’s always good
to have a safe zone of ground cleared of grass all the way around a tree’s
trunk. To create the safe zone, I did the cover-to-smother* method since I
refuse to dig out turf and I didn’t want to cause damage to the tree’s surface
roots by trying to remove the existing turf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">So, in
2010 I laid cardboard over the grass around the tree trunk, covered it with a
thin layer of mulch and let nature (moisture, worms and soil life) do its thing,
decomposing the turf, cardboard and mulch into nice aerated soil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Sometime
later in 2011(below), I decided to enlarge the area around the tree and fill it
with perennials thereby reducing the amount of grass overall and so a new
garden began to take shape. The bricks you see were holding down some wire
panels from an old compost bin, intended to keep neighborhood animals from
digging into the mulch and exposing the cardboard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkl4qdcyOamJUZ6skYiH7nVMzQN_7_076aweI0w60l6emT66yXa_SekRRL-bLfQFna2arl58gccgcSKedb5zAMgkRCnYsmgdrAM5xG545qfMH6csP8jCBUOqFwOd2HnkMn_vItlUZe2Y/s1600/1+boulevard+april+2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkl4qdcyOamJUZ6skYiH7nVMzQN_7_076aweI0w60l6emT66yXa_SekRRL-bLfQFna2arl58gccgcSKedb5zAMgkRCnYsmgdrAM5xG545qfMH6csP8jCBUOqFwOd2HnkMn_vItlUZe2Y/s320/1+boulevard+april+2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Small
in its infancy, as gardens often do, it expanded over the years to come. By 2013
(below) my plants needed more room. So, I gathered more cardboard and widened
the edges,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgN_NXaqDk0/XbmuAoAG-AI/AAAAAAAABTk/c6pipxokPswaXJ8czgQ9K9HwxvDzbVjjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013%2B013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgN_NXaqDk0/XbmuAoAG-AI/AAAAAAAABTk/c6pipxokPswaXJ8czgQ9K9HwxvDzbVjjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013%2B013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_15" o:spid="_x0000_i1044" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:153pt;
height:114.6pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image003.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">…and
covered the cardboard with more mulch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_33FHqNM_I/XbmuEDoNpuI/AAAAAAAABTo/8Vmql8IUBusIQ18cFQw26VSvpVfjwl6CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013%2B014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_33FHqNM_I/XbmuEDoNpuI/AAAAAAAABTo/8Vmql8IUBusIQ18cFQw26VSvpVfjwl6CwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013%2B014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In the
next photo you can see those same bricks used from the first photo to hold down
the edge of the cardboard and give a neater looking delineation between the
mulch and grass.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWi6uE1XElI/XbmuE2wdX1I/AAAAAAAABTs/9QmdDbzu5xEvfNKweHdHtTUyY0NJKkTpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWi6uE1XElI/XbmuE2wdX1I/AAAAAAAABTs/9QmdDbzu5xEvfNKweHdHtTUyY0NJKkTpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013%2B012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Then
that same winter, I decide we need a walkway from the side walk across to the
street. Yep, I lay more cardboard and topped it with 18-inch square pavers and
side dressed the balance with more mulch and left it alone for the winter. It
really couldn’t be easier. I didn’t try to level the pavers at this point. The
next summer, once it was all decomposed underneath them, I did any leveling
adjustments as needed, which were few.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMUKwsg4OVs/XbmucvA_JaI/AAAAAAAABT4/Bs6f5UVSBoASlJm--8myXJyOktEFNKMPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4b%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMUKwsg4OVs/XbmucvA_JaI/AAAAAAAABT4/Bs6f5UVSBoASlJm--8myXJyOktEFNKMPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4b%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B2013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In 2014
I needed more room again. As the plants grow or I add more plants, I just expand
the edges to accommodate. It may be slow, but I think this is the easiest way
to carve away grass footage and gain garden space and beauty. It does take some
months for it to become a plant-able soil, so think in advance of buying the
plants or making divisions of your own holdings. Do the smothering 6 months or more before you want to plant. Your microclimate and weather conditions will
determine how fast the decomposition takes to become plant-able.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XVfZQAOkx6ygRfCuWtMk36V7w9P0HXC-aY7onBPIKnHoy1QaxaVCRQEKqaL1T2sb-2rz3FVWwEHwrLhWgWQ6Ju7e-tqutiaQaNiL7tChUJKaNrXXp7Py_SBMGbx6QKvRjIIR7tqm6pk/s1600/5+boulevard2014+%252811%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XVfZQAOkx6ygRfCuWtMk36V7w9P0HXC-aY7onBPIKnHoy1QaxaVCRQEKqaL1T2sb-2rz3FVWwEHwrLhWgWQ6Ju7e-tqutiaQaNiL7tChUJKaNrXXp7Py_SBMGbx6QKvRjIIR7tqm6pk/s320/5+boulevard2014+%252811%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJtXHwJZJ_6RA9NYRq1czkqf2IfXDuPKz-oQxwnvKxmJ7vAlr03DaeiyytR5jYNqCVdY4c_mis-tcmoLchLoNrab8jinXpovRnXEiZg-FW7ugbbSxQ_ebOL936Qu_W0fQy3cF8OS5gl4/s1600/6+boulevard2014+%252812%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJtXHwJZJ_6RA9NYRq1czkqf2IfXDuPKz-oQxwnvKxmJ7vAlr03DaeiyytR5jYNqCVdY4c_mis-tcmoLchLoNrab8jinXpovRnXEiZg-FW7ugbbSxQ_ebOL936Qu_W0fQy3cF8OS5gl4/s320/6+boulevard2014+%252812%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">This
time I used more bricks to hold down an edge. It looked better and once it was
all decomposed, I removed them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54NFG7Cn2_s/Xbmu4ur-VoI/AAAAAAAABUY/LACcBM2bUiAoMT_txGlMTIr3xN1EgyrVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/7%2Bboulevard2014%2B%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54NFG7Cn2_s/Xbmu4ur-VoI/AAAAAAAABUY/LACcBM2bUiAoMT_txGlMTIr3xN1EgyrVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/7%2Bboulevard2014%2B%25286%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1037" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:124.2pt;
height:93pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image017.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcD9ILTqr9w/XbmueclIyXI/AAAAAAAABT8/51YtAgYrEXIJrggN6RJIR8OaP23ey6HfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/4c%2Bboulevard2014%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcD9ILTqr9w/XbmueclIyXI/AAAAAAAABT8/51YtAgYrEXIJrggN6RJIR8OaP23ey6HfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4c%2Bboulevard2014%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Now
it’s Autumn of 2019 and I decide to get rid of this last remaining strip of
grass between the garden and the sidewalk seen below. It is a nuisance to trim
and the plants need more room. I could of course cut back the plants but I’d
rather have less grass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFsCSX9oiezSokY5aT4IjobBp6RcGbwXsn7VaJ9PEhsWrKet1BJ0YrMikyBBwsIMc-HwJgRkibKkgiVu2co0kWyCS74U2zhnIouAcf8CCpbZNA60jnaW4i8M9lBvyi6TDJpzEVCsaCJ8/s1600/8+boulevard+garden+2019+september.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFsCSX9oiezSokY5aT4IjobBp6RcGbwXsn7VaJ9PEhsWrKet1BJ0YrMikyBBwsIMc-HwJgRkibKkgiVu2co0kWyCS74U2zhnIouAcf8CCpbZNA60jnaW4i8M9lBvyi6TDJpzEVCsaCJ8/s320/8+boulevard+garden+2019+september.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_8" o:spid="_x0000_i1036" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:153.6pt;
height:86.4pt;rotation:90;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image019.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">When
working against a concrete edge like this sidewalk, it is important to get the
cardboard tucked down an inch or so between the concrete and soil. Use a flat
blade from a spade or edger to pry the turf away from the concrete edge to make
it easier to tuck the cardboard in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAYWX_DW_eNM05TfMwByd8SvPXbOfh5qinnkKbiavoQ99MfcLhOrjYA3jJcLQ6Hk64DOabgMi5-KLy86owSVziDjX28BypVhZcjk-fZC2NcECu9yNabo_IRKklxgbOj2kLkhNRRFhDnM/s1600/10b+boulevard+garden+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAYWX_DW_eNM05TfMwByd8SvPXbOfh5qinnkKbiavoQ99MfcLhOrjYA3jJcLQ6Hk64DOabgMi5-KLy86owSVziDjX28BypVhZcjk-fZC2NcECu9yNabo_IRKklxgbOj2kLkhNRRFhDnM/s320/10b+boulevard+garden+2019.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_22" o:spid="_x0000_i1035" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:154.8pt;
height:87pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image021.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">The
goal is to completely cover the grass. If it has any light peeking through any
edge it will find it and keep growing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ou4ItxOdlv8/XbmtJK4bLPI/AAAAAAAABSY/gzS4_-15TzYVJI0g5MkZNY3hqWv5J06xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/10a%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ou4ItxOdlv8/XbmtJK4bLPI/AAAAAAAABSY/gzS4_-15TzYVJI0g5MkZNY3hqWv5J06xQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/10a%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">It is
also important to overlap each piece by a few inches for the same reason. Every
bit of grass must be covered so no light can get through.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIclzU2iQLg/Xbmu4jo5EnI/AAAAAAAABUc/bFc8ukwnViM3rRCgRoBkqr5-iKdl4wmfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/9%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B20190916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIclzU2iQLg/Xbmu4jo5EnI/AAAAAAAABUc/bFc8ukwnViM3rRCgRoBkqr5-iKdl4wmfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/9%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B20190916.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_9" o:spid="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:147.6pt;
height:82.8pt;rotation:90;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image025.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I
marked the locations of our underground sprinkler heads with rocks, so in the summer
when it’s time to start watering again I can easily find them and carefully dig
to expose them. By then the grass and cardboard should be completely or mostly decomposed
and easy to poke around in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_10" o:spid="_x0000_i1032" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:123pt;
height:69pt;rotation:90;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image027.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdhpIRpDUbqtmPCZkZmamt694hpa959K3wnSINA_HqIVMDyj91sQJHin5PuCuWw9HDHuqnaiy77I6_bAsYgXzNmNYSizb2bGTtLlBQWt_qKpMIdTyFg5WyAX6EaYdfXA7xDydSUV0phg/s1600/10+boulevarad+garden+2019+sept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdhpIRpDUbqtmPCZkZmamt694hpa959K3wnSINA_HqIVMDyj91sQJHin5PuCuWw9HDHuqnaiy77I6_bAsYgXzNmNYSizb2bGTtLlBQWt_qKpMIdTyFg5WyAX6EaYdfXA7xDydSUV0phg/s320/10+boulevarad+garden+2019+sept.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In
some of the earlier photos above you will notice the cardboard is dry. I soaked
it after laying it, but before covering it with mulch. Now I prefer to soak it
before laying. I soak it in a big plastic tub, but if you can’t, then you can
let a sprinkler spray it for a while to wet it. I think wet card board is
easier to lay and conform to the ground undulations. Wind doesn’t tend to shift
wet cardboard around either before you can get a heavy mulch on top of it. But
be careful not to get it too wet. Sopping wet cardboard tears easily and can be
harder to get it from the tub to where you want it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_16" o:spid="_x0000_i1031" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:186.6pt;
height:105pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image029.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihREQtOlpULVPl8eCmWtA4xRAZR5y8Jf_Z92xAyeg-0-b2WPGoQZi2OyzH_Br23z_R1JnLwdCWFS53Uyo-9lKYNuv1lA2ZaRFMwTUTAiykuFc0m0xboacLQ7knsMSIK5TlV4UvIKgu2HQ/s1600/11+boulevard+garden+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihREQtOlpULVPl8eCmWtA4xRAZR5y8Jf_Z92xAyeg-0-b2WPGoQZi2OyzH_Br23z_R1JnLwdCWFS53Uyo-9lKYNuv1lA2ZaRFMwTUTAiykuFc0m0xboacLQ7knsMSIK5TlV4UvIKgu2HQ/s320/11+boulevard+garden+2019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">That
is a large size concrete mixing tub. It held all the cardboard I needed to do
this strip. I let it soak for about an hour while I gathered the tools I needed
for the project. A wheelbarrow would be a great choice too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I like
to put mulch over wet cardboard rather than dry. I don’t want the dry cardboard
to pull moisture from the mulch. The key here is everything needs to stay
completely covered and moist, so your rainy season is good to take advantage of
when timing your project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZkVYhJRwWo/XbmteyqawEI/AAAAAAAABSs/DV-gq8ZxeigujykqBpYlQwoQ8OvIW_26ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/12%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B2019%2Bsept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZkVYhJRwWo/XbmteyqawEI/AAAAAAAABSs/DV-gq8ZxeigujykqBpYlQwoQ8OvIW_26ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/12%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B2019%2Bsept.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_11" o:spid="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:127.8pt;
height:1in;rotation:90;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image031.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">The
mulch you use can be bag-bought or your own home-made compost. I have used
both, whichever I have on hand. It just needs a fairly thick layer on the
cardboard so it all stays wet. You could also use wood chip. Mulch, compost,
wood chip…it doesn’t really matter. Just use whatever you want the end result
to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCTbSMRqYIk8NFVOQH32LZueA7kKfxVxtC7ZM2LS_O1NTU9QRjv3b3PY4pyxOMrhN58H2KmNFZBb5zROoChVueffR-trmtBxqgvWQz8inY4kgJbFFOJU4qFoYNkKMIlCxwoYkPBR_QcE/s1600/13+boulevard+garden+20190916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCTbSMRqYIk8NFVOQH32LZueA7kKfxVxtC7ZM2LS_O1NTU9QRjv3b3PY4pyxOMrhN58H2KmNFZBb5zROoChVueffR-trmtBxqgvWQz8inY4kgJbFFOJU4qFoYNkKMIlCxwoYkPBR_QcE/s320/13+boulevard+garden+20190916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_13" o:spid="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:139.2pt;
height:78.6pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image033.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">That
thin edge of cardboard will remain showing for the winter and possibly into
late winter/spring, until it falls apart. It may not look completed or
beautiful for those months but it’s a tradeoff I am willing to take rather than
dig turf. I could try to cover it with mulch but it will just roll off onto the
sidewalk and I don’t want to have to keep sweeping it, and if I still had all
those bricks, I would use them to make a nicer looking edge until it is all
decomposed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHDZBm33drA/XbmtiI888ZI/AAAAAAAABSw/GhntyKl2vsMODfUMADXwH7LmWvQmkOwOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/14%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B20191017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHDZBm33drA/XbmtiI888ZI/AAAAAAAABSw/GhntyKl2vsMODfUMADXwH7LmWvQmkOwOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/14%2BBoulevard%2Bgarden%2B20191017.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">When
my tree leaves begin to fall, I will cover it with them too, adding to the
layers, keeping it all moist underneath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">This is my version of working smarter not harder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">So if you’ve got grass you want to replace with a garden,
consider rummaging around in cardboard recycling bins or saving your home
delivery boxes. A new garden is only limited by the imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">*Cover-to-smother…a super
important side note:</span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">When creating a garden close to
existing trees, it is critical to use compost or mulch NOT dirt or bagged soil.
Dirt and soil will build up the ground level and suffocate the surface roots. Surface
roots breath and absorb moisture from the ground surface. When they get buried
deeply, they try to regain surface. They can circle the tree trunk and as the
trunk continues to grow in circumference, it will be strangled by the root that
is circling it. That is called girdling. Girdling will kill any tree. As the
trunk is girdled the bark gets compressed closer and tighter to the heartwood.
The cells between the heartwood and bark are how nutrients and water get
transported up to the canopy and leaves. Once the bark is compressed so tightly
to the heartwood, nutrients and sap cannot flow. A thin layer of cardboard, compost
or mulch will decompose, keeping the soil level that the tree is used to
constant. Additionally, never pile more than an inch of compost/mulch over the
top of the cardboard. I see folks all around my local neighborhoods piling up
bark mulch or wood chip or compost or soil in huge deep piles way high up
against the trunks of their trees. See the two examples following below. This
will eventually kill the tree.</span></i> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VzWX1tPbdRwAUqYnAZgsNGJ2sRZdI7Dg8LIMurFtiARR8rrY62cNDdhsb7_6nutwmiWtNID6bjXjgyLCTQlCHB3aoHEejrS57E_ml6DPOMPguYk4XJqz2H5270GZIPkYwSVgCkab2BI/s1600/15+boulevard+garden+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VzWX1tPbdRwAUqYnAZgsNGJ2sRZdI7Dg8LIMurFtiARR8rrY62cNDdhsb7_6nutwmiWtNID6bjXjgyLCTQlCHB3aoHEejrS57E_ml6DPOMPguYk4XJqz2H5270GZIPkYwSVgCkab2BI/s320/15+boulevard+garden+2019.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh8KsFPscnQ/XbmtqqDXqHI/AAAAAAAABTI/rXghjTwh31gFsEnQ94ZhWJYWZ3dhfx_xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/16%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wh8KsFPscnQ/XbmtqqDXqHI/AAAAAAAABTI/rXghjTwh31gFsEnQ94ZhWJYWZ3dhfx_xgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/16%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2B2019.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Please never do this (see above) to any
tree. Ever. When planting a potted tree, always plant it at the soil level it is in
the pot. Dig your planting hole 3 times the width of the pot but no deeper than
the soil level in the pot. When adding mulch never pile up more than an inch
deep close to the trunk or within the drip zone. A drip zone is the circumference
below the tree’s canopy marked by rain dripping off the edges of the branches,
straight down.</span></i><br />
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spkL0xImwEo/Xbmtm3tgnoI/AAAAAAAABS8/bJXphADvSCQR7YicCxceoAlAaVsOryBDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/17%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2Btree%2Bflair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-spkL0xImwEo/Xbmtm3tgnoI/AAAAAAAABS8/bJXphADvSCQR7YicCxceoAlAaVsOryBDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/17%2Bboulevard%2Bgarden%2Btree%2Bflair.jpg" width="180" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_21"
o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style='width:261pt;height:147pt;
rotation:90;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/p_jch/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image041.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Tree trunks have a natural
flair at the base. Tree flair must be maintained for a healthy tree (above).
Some trees exhibit more flair than others. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">I know this is a longer post than is my usual and I am
grateful you read it to the end. A few of my previous posts in this blog touch
on this method of grass removal, but I have been photo-documenting the making
of this garden over the years to make a more complete account. I hope this is
understandable and encouraging for you to create more garden space easily. No
grub hoe needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Any questions? Please comment below.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Thanks for reading. Cheers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In
Bloom in my Garden Today: Alyssum, Aster, Coreopsis ‘moonbeam’, Crocus, Cuphea
vermillionaire, Cyclamen hederifolium, Daisy,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Eupatorium rugosum
‘Chocolate’ (joe pye weed), F</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">uchsia,
Geum, Heuchera,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Kirengeshoma palmata,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> Kniphofia ‘Echo Mango’, Lavender,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Nepeta ‘six hills giant’ (catmint), </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Phygelius,<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Salvia garanitica
‘black and blue’</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">,
Solanum crispum<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Author’s
photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-71276168614850124422019-03-06T15:01:00.000-08:002019-03-06T15:01:00.662-08:00A New Toy<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You know you’re a real gardener when
you think compost is a fascinating subject. ~Author unknown</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
love dirt! I love making beautiful, sweetly aromatic compost and spreading it
around the garden. I love raking Autumn leaves onto the garden beds, knowing
they will protect roots from winter’s cold and keep spring’s weeds from
growing. I love composting my garden trimmings, recycling them back into my
soil. I love making my own ‘fertilizer’ since compost feeds the soil which in
turn feeds plants. Making my own compost with trimmings (selectively of course)
from my own garden protects me from buying chemicals, pathogens or weed seeds
that can come with bagged store-bought compost. From piles on the ground to
enclosed tumblers (which discourage rodents from living in the warmth of a
compost pile) there are many ways to make and contain your pile of trimmings as
it breaks down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
healthiest gardens have dirt that is living. Living dirt is supportive of and
alive with the organisms (worms, centipedes, pillbugs, earwigs, microbes, fungi
and yes… even slugs) that breakdown organic matter (leaves, sticks, twigs,
flower petals) making nutrients available to plants roots. If your garden can match
what goes on naturally in the woods, it will be healthier. In the forest the soil
is never bare. It is always covered, year-round by the decomposing debris that
falls from the trees. Fallen branches, leaves and needles cover the earth and begin
to decay. Decaying stumps are important too. Here in my Pacific Northwest timberlands
there is a native species of huckleberry that prefers decaying stumps in which
to germinate its seeds and take root.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Healthy
dirt makes gardening easier and more rewarding. Healthy dirt produces healthy
plants. That’s a win/win in my book, so it’s no surprise that I attended a seminar
on soil science recently. While much of it I already practice, there is always
something new to learn, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
was lot of valuable information in this seminar but my biggest take away was
this, the value of wood chip as a mulch. Wood chip is not the same as beauty
bark, which is just bark. Wood chip contains all parts of the tree or shrub and
makes a valuable coarse mulch rich in nutrition. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XB1a_XQ-RK8/XIBPhkD0API/AAAAAAAABPc/aEHNDVWeqxERTE35SRPOe9_e-s7ZiWzeACLcBGAs/s1600/chipper%2Bmulch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XB1a_XQ-RK8/XIBPhkD0API/AAAAAAAABPc/aEHNDVWeqxERTE35SRPOe9_e-s7ZiWzeACLcBGAs/s320/chipper%2Bmulch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Coarse
mulches allow water and air to move through it so as not to smother the soil or
its living organisms below. I always knew wood chip was a good thing. Even
better that arborists look for gardeners to give it away free to but a 20-yard pile
of wood chip is more than I can use on my little 5000 square foot piece of
property in a single season. But if you can use 20 yards or can share with
neighbors and friends, a great source is chipdrop.com. Be sure to read all the
information including the “expectations” page. It is a free service to
recipients but understand that the arborists pay for the service so a nominal
payment to reimburse the arborist is only fair. After all, $20 USD for a huge
load of wood chip is nothing compared to buying bagged mulch and they deliver it
right to your designated location.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At
the end of the seminar one of the speakers briefly mentioned as a side note that
she has a chipper, a small electric chipper. I’ve wanted a chipper for several years
but I don’t have much room to store one out of the weather, nor do I want to
fiddle with a gas-powered engine. So, my woody trimmings, too thick to chop up
by hand, go into the collection bin that the city picks up. Did she say “small electric
chipper”? Hmmm. It would sure be nice to have one. Now I am really interested!
When I got home, I started looking online for used sources and found 5 right
away! All the same type that is no longer being manufactured and in varying
degrees of condition from looks-kinda-rusty to looks-pretty-darn-good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMd2GNIYcB0/XIBPmaFV5NI/AAAAAAAABPo/XlfLu-AJrU0TlB-8cuddhif9bEouDQW8gCEwYBhgL/s1600/chipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mMd2GNIYcB0/XIBPmaFV5NI/AAAAAAAABPo/XlfLu-AJrU0TlB-8cuddhif9bEouDQW8gCEwYBhgL/s320/chipper.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Soooo….fast
forward a week. I am now the delighted owner of my very own electric, 14-amp,
120 volt, 3300 rpm, capable of chipping 1½” diameter branches McCulloch garden
shredder! Woohoo!! I’ve been gardening since I was about 5 years old. How is it
I’ve never had one of these yet? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turns
out there much to learn about my new toy. McCulloch was made in the USA
however, this chipper is no longer manufactured, and similar designs are now
made overseas so finding replacement parts may be a challenge. I did discover a
great source of info on http://www.robsplants.com/chippy.php. Read down through
the comments section of his blog post…it covers conversations by owners of this
chipper (affectionately named Chippy) as they navigate the replacement parts journey.
Turns out parts are becoming available but they are made in China of possibly
poorer quality materials so may wear out more often.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since
I bought it used, I figured the blades would need sharpening. There are four
blades to keep sharp. Two comprise the upright one-piece “V” blade and then
there are two individual horizontal blades which are reversible, extending
their life two-fold. I read several opinions about sharpening vs. replacing blades
on Rob’s site above but I decided to try sharpening. I just did a light job of
it with a couple of files. It cut through my pile almost like butter. I had a
lot of green material so the exit chute plugged once. Then twice I pushed dry material
through too hard and fast so it jammed. Clearing a jam requires unplugging it
and exposing the blades which is not difficult but takes time away from the
work so I think a good rule of thumb is every time I have the cover off, I will
also give it a quick sharpening. Sharp blades do the work so I don’t have to
and most professional gardeners sharpen the blades of what ever they are using
after every job or throughout the job. With more practice I hopefully won’t get
a blade jam or plugged chute too often.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oioa6JPx06I/XIBPqHk-dOI/AAAAAAAABPk/TMtR2lgzGisw4HUAuPpuoXkyjQBLIXRUgCLcBGAs/s1600/chipper%2Bblades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oioa6JPx06I/XIBPqHk-dOI/AAAAAAAABPk/TMtR2lgzGisw4HUAuPpuoXkyjQBLIXRUgCLcBGAs/s320/chipper%2Bblades.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There
is so much to learn about composting, soil science and the right and wrong way
to apply mulch. I’ve long advocated for naturally feeding the soil with compost
and protecting the bio diversity of soil life by not using chemical fertilizers,
chemical pesticides, or beauty bark. In the archives, under the compost label
on this blog you can find 5 more articles that I’ve written on the subject. If
you find compost, mulch and dirt as interesting as I do, I hope you will enjoy
my other articles. I have provided additional resources below so you can
educate yourself to your own degree of interest. These links provide answers to
questions and debunk myths that circle around the use of woody mulch. I encourage
you to read through them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks
for reading!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
more information see…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">gardening.wsu.edu<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">getchipdrop.com/expectations/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another
great source for all things garden is…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">gardenprofessors
.com<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Garden Professors page on Facebook is a collaboration of Horticultural
Professors from around the USA</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In bloom in my garden today: </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Crocus,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Cyclamen coum, Hellebore, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif;">Sarcococca
confusa, Viola, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Author’s photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-90095818164978895072018-05-19T14:58:00.000-07:002019-10-30T10:52:39.847-07:00Work Smarter, Not Harder - Thinking Outside the Box<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Gardening
is a matter of your enthusiasm holding up until your back gets used to
it. ~Author Unknown</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I’ve
often contemplated adding a category to my labels list about thinking outside
of the box when it comes to the harder jobs of gardening. I may call it “work
smarter, not harder”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Common
thought holds that when a small tree or shrub dies you must dig it out. Or if you
want something to be gone you must dig it out in order to plant what you want
there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I once
thought that way too. It is how I was taught. But I have done away with that absurd
notion and have had 100% success in not digging anything out, whether it be
tree, shrub or plant. Not even <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2010/01/on-verge.html" target="_blank">grass removal where I want a garden instead</a>. Some things are easy to dig, so go ahead and do so if you really want to.
However, when it comes to a mammoth Rosemary that has outgrown its space or has
become all woody and leggy because it’s once sunny spot is now too shady due to
changing light conditions as surrounding tree canopies extend. Or a lilac you
carefully kept to a graceful one trunk tree rather than letting it go all
multi-stemmed on you, eventually died after 4 or 5 decades, as continual sucker
removal does shorten its life span. What about the rhody the previous home
owner planted too close to the house, fence or walkway that is now way too big
and you have come to hate it for all the maintenance it takes to keep it conformed
in size. Yes indeedy, these are all my real-world experiences that have made it
essential to find another way to modify a garden bed. I don’t want to dig all
that out. That’s a lot of work!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Now if
you’ve been following my blog for any time at all, you know I am an organic
gardener. The definition of organic gardening is use the least harmful method
possible, resorting to chemicals only as a last resort and in a very limited
application. That is what I do, so don’t be shocked when you read on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In each
case of the aforementioned lilac, rhody, and rosemary, all of which are quite
laborious to dig out by hand and since I don’t have a backhoe at my disposal,
(nor would it fit into my tiny back yard) I cut them off at the lowest point of
the trunk that my chainsaw can go without digging into the dirt, then carefully
apply chemical herbicide to the cut and only the cut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Oh, did
I lose you at chainsaw? Understand, I am not a muscle-bound hulk by any means
but power saws are pretty easy to use once you learn how. Yes, I’ve used a
regular gas-powered chainsaw when the occasion warrants it (like if the
diameter of the trunk is bigger than my thigh or if electricity is not nearby)
but I’ve also used a small electric chain saw and I really like using a reciprocating
saw (use the shortest blade possible with the largest teeth) to do the job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I’ve
also used a hand saw made for cutting woody stuff in the garden. This is not the
same as a carpenter’s saw by any means. A garden hand saw has a short, usually
curved, very thick blade with large teeth at opposite angles from each other.
This cuts through live wood quickly and easily. If the trunk is small enough
diameter you can also use loppers as in the case of the rosemary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Whatever
your method of attack is…once the cut is made and still fresh (like within a minute, so have it ready)
I then use a concentrated brush killer/herbicide (yes, chemical…nasty bad
business) and apply it only on the cut wood. You don’t need to mix it up in a
sprayer and spray…you’ll be spreading more chemicals around than is necessary
and will likely kill neighboring plants you want to keep. Just paint it on,
full concentrated strength. Use a disposable paint brush or something like
that, that you can throw in the trash after. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">That
chemical will travel down into the root. It will stay within the root/plant
material. It will not travel from the root into the soil and affect nearby plants. I promise. I’ve been asked that question many times and the answer is
no. My garden proves it. Never has any of my surrounding plants been affected by doing
this, but if you tried to dig out the root of the tree or rhody you would tear
up so many neighboring plants that you would have a mess to contend with and have
to put it all back again and cross your fingers that the uprooted and replanted
neighbors survive. I think it’s best to just kill it in place and save the rest
of the garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Once
the tree or shrub is down and the remaining trunk is poisoned you can plant
your preferred plant(s) next to it and around it. Over the next few years the old
root will decompose but the new plant will be fine and grow and spread (providing
you give it proper new plant watering attention). Eventually you will be able to
easily pull the decomposed stump out by hand if you want to but it will take
years for that, depending on the diameter and wood type, and the other plants
will be covering it anyway so you won’t see it. In the case of the rhody stump,
I cut it to within an inch of the soil level and about10 years later, while
I was weeding around the area, I saw chunks of the stump had decomposed fully
and broke off easily. I broke it apart, which was unnecessary as the Pachysandra had covered the
area completely anyway, but it was good to see the progression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">So, seeing
is believing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fDW4IlCAefU2Yy7jw7zcB4cIFGrNp4GvMZTaNCz0RG0DppiCMu2vTO3uvrmPvvtFIjcfOPbM3anLdelDT1vdK8d5ZQczmzcgjFHngbIvYX8MlBhDdiASNN0OVpos4NM4qAZUGLE3r_w/s1600/20180430_160954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fDW4IlCAefU2Yy7jw7zcB4cIFGrNp4GvMZTaNCz0RG0DppiCMu2vTO3uvrmPvvtFIjcfOPbM3anLdelDT1vdK8d5ZQczmzcgjFHngbIvYX8MlBhDdiASNN0OVpos4NM4qAZUGLE3r_w/s320/20180430_160954.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Peer
closely. Can you see the now dead stump of the lilac surrounded by spring green
leafy growth coming up all around it? Ignore the long strappy leaves of the
uncontrollable Wood Hyacinth. After cutting down the tree and “painting” poison
on the flat cut, I then planted a one-gallon size of Helianthus “Lemon Queen” in
front of the stump. One-gallon size is about a 4"(10 cm) diameter chunk of
plant. That was 2 years ago. As you can see the plant spreads by underground roots
and has now surrounded the old stump.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In the
next photo you can see a picture of how full the Helianthus plant is in summer.
I took this photo last summer just as it was beginning to bloom. It will be
fully loaded with clear yellow sunflowers by mid-summer that stay well into the fall. No unsightly stump
visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiTLgDsD-EJkK33hLGor4DktXKhf-IiJhqCO67oc131yl63y6b6H8kazD6NE_K8hunLOau_1ZqzPQvNhnf0N4Ol4JHsqDb6BUU-DNjYT0xylLDpFYyvXRl0RkVqserwc2OBwdRaWVawE/s1600/Helianthus+Lemon+Queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiTLgDsD-EJkK33hLGor4DktXKhf-IiJhqCO67oc131yl63y6b6H8kazD6NE_K8hunLOau_1ZqzPQvNhnf0N4Ol4JHsqDb6BUU-DNjYT0xylLDpFYyvXRl0RkVqserwc2OBwdRaWVawE/s320/Helianthus+Lemon+Queen.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">So,
there it is friends. This is not lazy gardening. It is
working-smarter-not-harder so there’s more enjoyment in the garden than just
plain hard work. It’s the difference between yard work and gardening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Cheers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In Bloom In My Garden Today: Ajuga,
Bergenia, Blueberry, Brunnera macrophylla, Clematis, Dianthus, Dicentra, Geum
phaeum, Hardy Geranium, Heuchera, Hyacinths, Iris, Kenilworth ivy, Lily of the
Valley, Oxalis oregana ‘wintergreen’, Rhododendron, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rosemary, Saxifraga, Solomon’s seal
(Polygonatum), Tellima grandiflora, Viola<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Authors photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-47586323447671471602018-01-02T09:36:00.000-08:002018-01-06T15:46:51.000-08:00Feeding Wildlife in Winter<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Squirrel, squirrel, burning bright,</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">
Do not eat my bulbs tonight!<br />
I think it bad and quite insidious<br />
That you should eat my blue tigridias.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">~author unknown<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
you take some time in considering your local wildlife as you plan your garden,
you may be able to stop some of the destructive munching that goes on as they
wander through by supplying them with a few natural food sources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
my part of the world, the pesky Eastern gray squirrel can be really obnoxious
as they try to get to my birdseed feeders. I have found feeders knocked to the
ground and emptied or the squirrels have chewed both plastic and wooden feeders
apart to get the seed inside. Strategic placement of birdseed feeders is key as
is a metal “slinky” to keep them from climbing up the post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQtIzEYP3yymDeW1WjKgA7shyUabBjsuQIFrq3EFsyIz35a69B9rsrlNVAfcGXFTKYPEhrDourAnMpnri7ubfLHOHG4L0ONhFxZqt62k2UKB_HwwvDXnGt77yBtLn8K47yJC_GJO7Vsg/s1600/20180101_152405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQtIzEYP3yymDeW1WjKgA7shyUabBjsuQIFrq3EFsyIz35a69B9rsrlNVAfcGXFTKYPEhrDourAnMpnri7ubfLHOHG4L0ONhFxZqt62k2UKB_HwwvDXnGt77yBtLn8K47yJC_GJO7Vsg/s320/20180101_152405.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes,
it really works.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Indeed, I pat myself on the back when I
can actually outsmart them, and I am equally happy to see them turn their
attention to my natural offerings. This happy guy is munching on the seeds still
hanging on the Winter Hazel<i> (</i>Corylopsis<i> veitchiana)</i>. If the seeds of the Winter
Hazel fall to the ground they will sprout in the spring, so if the squirrel
eats them in winter that means less spring weeding for me. Winner!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6T88IZPX9d3jWL4_j67jpjoj1KoicuC3HZ4M7BgiOswy7BN-3ATpI9ySl6Hg1d2uNjrX07HE9FD7fSWL0NDJjrnKCXn5DogQzDUADBDsUNRQdIQoRh7DI70Ljy3wHdVioD9LqeGhxGw/s1600/20171216_112837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6T88IZPX9d3jWL4_j67jpjoj1KoicuC3HZ4M7BgiOswy7BN-3ATpI9ySl6Hg1d2uNjrX07HE9FD7fSWL0NDJjrnKCXn5DogQzDUADBDsUNRQdIQoRh7DI70Ljy3wHdVioD9LqeGhxGw/s320/20171216_112837.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Squirrels also enjoy
the berries of the Solanum <i>crispum</i>
blue flowering potato vine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrfstisA5rA/Wku_4Z2AJgI/AAAAAAAABMQ/gURiVmkqB9QN2j0Iox9w-VZcPvXnVfZ5ACEwYBhgL/s1600/20171230_161259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MrfstisA5rA/Wku_4Z2AJgI/AAAAAAAABMQ/gURiVmkqB9QN2j0Iox9w-VZcPvXnVfZ5ACEwYBhgL/s320/20171230_161259.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And rose hips! I have
seen both squirrels and birds feasting on the tiny hips of this rose during the
winter months.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzEqFrpD_qs/WfCv7XrRuoI/AAAAAAAABLU/_TDt-KxMpZMJRpo9QaVIHDQSs7Fl2yKmQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20171024_153359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzEqFrpD_qs/WfCv7XrRuoI/AAAAAAAABLU/_TDt-KxMpZMJRpo9QaVIHDQSs7Fl2yKmQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/20171024_153359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The pyracantha berry is delectable to many birds
including robin, varied thrush and starling. I also see the sweet little Bewicks wren flitting
throughout its evergreen leaves. I’m not sure if they nibble on the berries but
I know they are feasting on bugs.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4zrbPI8nbQ/Wku_zmNT-OI/AAAAAAAABL8/_YSXmK7gHPgxjXsZ57CKO0AiY8JfSq6ZgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171213_131409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4zrbPI8nbQ/Wku_zmNT-OI/AAAAAAAABL8/_YSXmK7gHPgxjXsZ57CKO0AiY8JfSq6ZgCEwYBhgL/s320/20171213_131409.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The beautiful flowers of the Mahonia provide
winter nectar to hummingbirds. I have the low growing variety “Soft Caress”
with it’s gorgeous palm leaf like foliage. It is mostly done flowering now and
at only 12 inches tall, it’s hard to see if any hummers are actually going to
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOaaUXCIjos/Wku_0JTymbI/AAAAAAAABMA/DVGzRbkacYIPyzIGKwgItiAkSLDllElxgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171224_122448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gOaaUXCIjos/Wku_0JTymbI/AAAAAAAABMA/DVGzRbkacYIPyzIGKwgItiAkSLDllElxgCEwYBhgL/s320/20171224_122448.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have seen them on a neighbors much taller
variety that is at the height of its bloom right now. I don’t know for sure but
from the looks of it I believe it could be Mahonia “Charity”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovi1faIYsjU/Wku_08ESINI/AAAAAAAABMQ/Z5AkPC6INUMpqIFLs-Zndy4WOVL4UOEzgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171224_124425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="733" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovi1faIYsjU/Wku_08ESINI/AAAAAAAABMQ/Z5AkPC6INUMpqIFLs-Zndy4WOVL4UOEzgCEwYBhgL/s320/20171224_124425.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I do put out suet cakes, Black oil sunflower seed
and Niger thistle seed in hanging feeders. I want to attract the birds in
winter as much as I do in spring and summer. Not only because I love the joy
they share in their song and flight but also because I am an organic gardener,
therefore I have bugs that I want them to eat. That is what integrated pest
management (IPM) is all about. Less use of harmful chemical sprays, more
nourishment as nature intended it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cheers and thanks for reading!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Bloom in My Garden Today: Mahonia, Primrose, Rosa “Reine de Violette”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Author’s
photos</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-49628765844013063792017-10-24T16:50:00.001-07:002019-02-27T16:16:34.748-08:00Raking for Gold<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Earth knows no desolation. She
smells regeneration in the moist breath of decay.</span></i><br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">– George Meredith, 1828-1909,
English novelist and poet<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Happy
fall day!</span> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43aDKLcEoWtl5JJsfIs7WtC0eIQumchxQ1J3ZpcK5bkThCzSMoZl5LxxQzVpl_rdEaUdGOcWCZ99ljCJjvA3Y_Hj2Bhm77xnUu9fN7iHEQfr5Le8an2IO0-k8YRc2q4iKeboV4ltLeHg/s1600/20171024_105331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43aDKLcEoWtl5JJsfIs7WtC0eIQumchxQ1J3ZpcK5bkThCzSMoZl5LxxQzVpl_rdEaUdGOcWCZ99ljCJjvA3Y_Hj2Bhm77xnUu9fN7iHEQfr5Le8an2IO0-k8YRc2q4iKeboV4ltLeHg/s320/20171024_105331.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Fall
season in the Pacific Northwest is synonymous with alternating bouts of soft rain
showers, hard rain, rain deluge, wind, hail, warm-wet storms </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic", sans-serif;">from
the south Pacific competing with frigid northerly winds and more rain. But then
the sun will come out and warm and dry us once again. We revel in the beauty of
this season as we venture out for our fall walks and absorb the amazingly
gorgeous leaf colors that this time of year brings to our little corner of the
world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">It’s
October. The tree’s leaves reveal their true colors that lie hidden under the chlorophyll
as it dissipates with the ebbing sunlight, only to drop as bounty to blanket
the ground in glorious color. I love the fall for its beautiful sunny days and
the beauty and systematic purpose of creation as it gears down for a long
winter’s nap. It also brings the promise of a time of rest for me from what can
at times be the rigors of tending the summer garden.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">To the savvy and frugal gardener it also means time to rake
in the gold!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">The gold I refer to are all those deciduous tree and
perennial leaves that are beginning to drop. Beautiful, wonderful, nutritious,
weed blocking, soil feeding leaves blowing around that land on your lawn and
garden beds. If you are like me you purposely planted deciduous trees with
small leaves like Katsura and Japanese maple varietals. Small leaves or leaf
pieces are faster to decay without smothering and are easy to rake and distribute
over your garden beds like a snuggly winter blanket that will become food for
your soil by spring time. Food for your soil means food for your plants, which
means free fertilizer! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--tgeloW7j_8/We0rxrrgoBI/AAAAAAAABJw/8Q_hp5o9Vf4WuJYyY_Xr78jnQ1rHIsMZwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20171022_145811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--tgeloW7j_8/We0rxrrgoBI/AAAAAAAABJw/8Q_hp5o9Vf4WuJYyY_Xr78jnQ1rHIsMZwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/20171022_145811.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">I cannot help but shake my head when I see homeowners and hired
groundskeepers blowing leaves away (and into the street only to clog storm
drains and cause minor localized flooding…but that’s a rant for another post)
or neighbors grumbling as they mow up or rake then dump their leaves into yard waste bins
for the city to pick up and haul away. Those leaves go to a compost facility
only to be treated like the gold that they are for some months before the
compost they become is bagged and sold back to the gardener who then spreads it
over their garden. Save your time and money friend. You’ve already done the job
of raking it off your lawn, now instead of giving it away, just deposit it over
your garden beds and let it do the work of natural decay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Honestly, can anyone really say they prefer the deafening
drone of a gas powered leaf blower over the soft scritch-scritch of a leaf
rake? Ever been on a walk, reveling in the beauty of color and sun on a quiet fall
day only to round the corner and encounter, well…which would you rather hear? Not
to mention the cloud of dust, debris and pollen that blower stirs up…well hello
seasonal allergies!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Now that the leaf blower has done its job, the soil is bare
once again and awaiting any and all airborne weed seeds to come in for a landing
and call your garden home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Have you ever considered the normal order of the seasons in
nature? Rarely if ever, do you see bare soil. The forests annually cover their feet
and floor with leaf drop and the meadows clothe themselves with leafy ground-covering
perennials. Mostly, where you see a weedy mess is where the ground is regularly
swept bare and weeds are allowed to multiply because there isn’t someone or
something to constantly monitor or stir up the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">My entire back and side yard are garden and the only places I
have to do regular weeding is along portions of the walkways where foot traffic and breezes push away my annually laid leafy mulch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCH-OB90dk2JQ7Tbmbk_grUHE1luktGXZw0eh1UzHDi4KlzUvnHEf6FS88k223ZKTMIulnwGlZJCjDOngMLxf6qkgU1y5DMBmLKZHvCS4LeoKtdNhZnLqculYNELTrzIUAAD3TEGBbHE/s1600/20171022_151936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCH-OB90dk2JQ7Tbmbk_grUHE1luktGXZw0eh1UzHDi4KlzUvnHEf6FS88k223ZKTMIulnwGlZJCjDOngMLxf6qkgU1y5DMBmLKZHvCS4LeoKtdNhZnLqculYNELTrzIUAAD3TEGBbHE/s320/20171022_151936.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">My leaf corralling tools are inexpensive and easy to acquire.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">1. A garbage can of a size easy for you to handle when full. Dry
leaves are very light weight so a full can is not terribly heavy, but if you
have to rake leaves between rain showers like I did today, wet leaves can be
much heavier so it’s a good idea for your container to be of a size that accommodates
your abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">2. A spring rake or leaf rake. This is not a heavy plastic rake.
This rake has metal tines that are thin, light and springy. They reduce the
amount of effort by half (if not more) and actually flip the leaves up rather
than dragging them across. Believe me, when you experience the difference you
will see the value of this rake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">3. Snow shovel. Don’t you just love the value of a thing that
has more than one purpose? I do! It sure saves room in the tool shed. Once you
get your leaves into a pile with your beloved spring rake, your trusty aluminum
light weight snow shovel is the perfect tool to scoop them and (tilted at just
the right angle) pour them easily into your can. With the snow shovel you will
get through that pile in no time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">That’s it! One rake, one snow shovel and one can. No gas that
needs to be mixed with oil. No running to the gas station because the blasted
thing is out of gas. No ear plugs. No straps to keep a heavy gas powered-smoke-belching-engine-way-too-close-to-my-head
strapped to my back. No machine that needs to drained of the gas/oil
(now-what-do-I-do-with-it) before it gets stored for winter. No electrical
cords to trip over or curse at because you just. can’t. quite. reach. Ok…maybe
just one little rant. Thanks for indulging me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">So now
that my can is full, I pull it (mine has wheels </span><span style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">) to where I want and proceed
to pour out and spread an even layer over the soil, thus putting it to bed for
the winter. Initially those fluffy leaves can be a nice 6-12 inch layer. It
will quickly settle to less than half. Care must be taken not to cover plant
tops with all these leaves. The leaves (leaf mulch only) can be spread up to the stems of plants and it is ok to cover bare crowns of herbaceous perennials like Asparagus or
Hostas once their leaves have died back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">This
should be an enjoyable exercise, not a chore. Consider getting out to rake
every other day or so depending on your leaf drop (and the weather of course).
You can get smaller amounts raked quickly with a modest amount of effort,
equating to regular exercise not to mention the de-stress-after-work benefit. If you leave it all to the end when your trees
have dropped all their leaves, much of them will have blown away, losing a valuable
resource and the job will be more time consuming all at once making it possibly
an arduous task that you don’t enjoy. The goal is not to end up with a five
foot pile to deal with! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">The
benefits of this pleasurable activity are numerous…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li> <span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Weed control so your plants aren’t competing for nutrients with
weeds. Weed seeds that blow around from neighboring yards can’t find purchase on bare soil because yours is now not bare and it prevents seeds already on the ground from germinating. And who wants to spend time weeding anyway?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Protective layer for plants
root systems that may otherwise succumb to freezing temps.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Fertilizer. Compost and leaf
mulch is well documented for its nutritious benefit to the garden.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Soil tilth. Soil microbes and
worms and bugs seek out this decaying matter and turn it into food for your plants.</span></li>
<li> <span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Soil health and plant health. See
1-4 above.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Gardener health. Cardio, muscle
building (hello abs!)and mental health as it’s so good to get outdoors.</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">It's
WIN-WIN! Fall exercise for your body equates to winter
protection becoming spring nutrition</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> for your garden. Does it get any better
than that?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Fall
time in the garden should be enjoyable, savoring the last days of gardening for
the year, putting your garden to bed for the winter and putting potted plants
where winter’s freezing temperatures won’t harm the plants or break the pots.
If you don’t already, please also consider leaving seed heads on certain plants
to feed the birds that winter over in your region. Already I am enjoying watching
the juncos feed on the seed heads of Liatris and Echinacea. If you need more
convincing, please enjoy my previous post for benefit to less <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2009/10/on-fall-cleanup-in-these-golden-october.html" target="_blank">fall cleanup</a><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span>and more time to go on lovely fall day walks and take
advantage of the mental healing time spent outdoors can provide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Cheers! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-no-proof: yes;">Side note: If your trees have big leaves that does mean an
extra step, because big leaves mat down like plates over one another and can
smother neighboring plants and shed the rain off that you want to seep in to
the soil. Big leaves need to be chopped smaller then corralled by a method of
your choosing. A quick search online can give many options but I think the
easiest is running your lawn mower over them with the catcher in place, then
spread over your garden beds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In Bloom in my Garden Today: Ajuga,
Aster, Caryopteris ‘Longwood Blue’ (bluebeard), crocus speciosus (blue fall
crocus), Cyclamen hederifolium, Daisy (white double),</span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Eupatorium
rugosum ‘Chocolate’ (joe pye weed), Fuchsia, Geranium ‘Mavis Simpson’,
Heuchera, Hyssop, Kirengeshoma palmata,</span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Lavender, Nepeta
‘Six Hills Giant’ (catmint), Oregano vulgare compactum ‘humile’ (compact
oregano), Phygelius (cape fushia), Rose ‘Shropshire Lad’, Rose ‘Reine de
Violette’, Rosemary, Salvia garanitica ‘Black and Blue’, Solanum crispum<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Authors photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-75566078045031488332017-04-22T16:44:00.000-07:002017-06-03T09:08:28.944-07:00A New Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">A
gardener doesn’t sell their house. They sell their garden and the house happens
to go along with it in the deal.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wyWL4qLCIyTlOkJy6gobF51hfT5b-EtWY6sDUnU9VfQ3R-QkLsBwOePsE_0I65G71kj1yEDil3PTWH75PZIAQoGeZ-VWjPoMLtSmIiFWRBKrRVTn-kX_rjdhhb_3zaOsLbs_QnSo_5E/s1600/2016+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wyWL4qLCIyTlOkJy6gobF51hfT5b-EtWY6sDUnU9VfQ3R-QkLsBwOePsE_0I65G71kj1yEDil3PTWH75PZIAQoGeZ-VWjPoMLtSmIiFWRBKrRVTn-kX_rjdhhb_3zaOsLbs_QnSo_5E/s320/2016+fountain.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">So now the time has come when
we decide it’s time to find a new place to live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">It’s hard work moving a garden.
Not only physically but it’s an emotional workout as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I have <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2009/09/fixer-upper-garden-what-man-needs-in.html" target="_blank">been creating this garden for 31 years</a>. Sipping a cup of oolong as I write this post, I look out
to the garden while the bouts of spring rain and bursts of sun jockey for
dominance. My beloved space of peace. A safe place where tears have been
spilled, laughter has erupted and love has been shared. An oasis. A piece of my
heart. A portion of my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">My garden contains treasures
from the gardens of loved ones long since passed and from old and new friends,
all happily mingling with my own finds. They must go with me, these plants and
the memories they release. True, we hold our memories in our hearts and they go
with us where ever we go, but as long as I can work the soil I want my garden
to be a visible reflection of the mosaic that embodies my life, even if it’s
only evident to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">On the one hand, I want to take
it all with me yet on the other hand its healthy to be open to new
opportunities, a new future both in a new garden space and in finding plants
that I haven’t been surrounded by for decades already. So naturally I am
compelled to make a list of my favorite, hard-if-not-impossible-to
find-ever-again perennials. Those that simply must come along, never mind that
I haven’t even found a new garden space or house yet. I don’t know what light
and wind exposures or boundary situations that I will be dealing with yet. I
don’t know anything yet. But what I do know is that in some capacity, it must
become my new garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRv6zTZYAgo/WPvc3q7UXfI/AAAAAAAABCw/C9Okjg6Mo9YIH8WyoizuIYzc7PbzY0MCACLcB/s1600/IMGP3888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRv6zTZYAgo/WPvc3q7UXfI/AAAAAAAABCw/C9Okjg6Mo9YIH8WyoizuIYzc7PbzY0MCACLcB/s320/IMGP3888.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I have rarities like <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/it-just-happened.html" target="_blank">Geranium ‘Lily Lovell’</a> that I found on an excursion long ago and have never seen for sale
since, two varieties of Hypatica and a finally-I-got-a-bloom-after-10-years
(darn slugs) Calanthe <i>tricarinata</i>
(Japanese hardy orchid).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Also, I have a few old
cultivars. Like Cimicifuga </span><i style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">simplex</i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> ‘Brunette’
(aka Actaea </span><i style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif;">simplex, </i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Bugbane,
Snakeroot, Cohosh) who is harder to find now than ‘Black Beauty’. ‘Black
Beauty’ was introduced after ‘Brunette’ but I happen to like the purply-chocolaty-to-copper
variations in the ‘black’ leaves of ‘Brunette’ better. ‘Black Beauty’ has less
variations to my eye.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">And a particular Loosestrife that
is NOT a garden thug. Lysimachia <i>ephemerum</i> provides much sought after
strong yet graceful, swaying-in-the-breeze height to the garden. I haven’t seen
it for sale in many years but I think it’s a far superior option than its cousin </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Lysimachia </span><i style="font-family: "century gothic", sans-serif;">clethroidesis</i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> better known as Gooseneck Loosestrife who is still sold in nurseries and is a bully, running rampant over anything that stands in its way. I steer clear of that one.</span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> Sadly, as is
often is the case, some cultivars simply disappear. Growers stop propagating
them in favor of newer varieties. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZvhbACwRrSWxeGEVGy9ITFcB9uBNbgBWdYjA8Doe-6s5A4EhuBuhoXHh3wUnhLxbYJ4yDhQhMTIueADaKdS3kYfv7fOSoPXSN7PGJqRVaBHIOpJJwRinoK8uYDByWY1UwQqo_9TzN0A/s1600/garden+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZvhbACwRrSWxeGEVGy9ITFcB9uBNbgBWdYjA8Doe-6s5A4EhuBuhoXHh3wUnhLxbYJ4yDhQhMTIueADaKdS3kYfv7fOSoPXSN7PGJqRVaBHIOpJJwRinoK8uYDByWY1UwQqo_9TzN0A/s320/garden+005.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">And <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2012/08/echinacea-cone-flower.html" target="_blank">Echinacea ‘<i>pallida’</i></a> who’s pouty petals are long,
languid and so much more beguiling than her stouter brother ‘<i>purpurea’</i>. Yes, she is very fussy and
demanding, but I love her far more. In our new location I will be experimenting with giving her a little more protection in the heat of the day. Either more moisture or dappled sun or more compost. Like I said, she's fussy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">And Eupatorium <i>rugosum</i> ‘Chocolate’, and some Gladiolus
‘Boone’ bulbs reportedly dating back to the 1920’s, and Mullen <i>chaixii</i> ‘Album’ who came from <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2011/07/garden-of-memories.html" target="_blank">my mother’s garden</a>,</span> <span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">and,
and, and the list goes on. And don’t even get me started on all the ferns I
must keep. That will have to be another post all together.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">This garden is like a friend
that I’ve seemingly had forever. We’ve grown up together yet, today this is not
the same garden I planted all those yesterdays ago. Nor am I the same person
that I was 31 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Of trees; over time I planted
10, yet after having flourished for several years 2 of them turned away and
died fast, unexplainable deaths. Maybe I was hasty in my planting of them and
didn’t get them to just the right planting depth, or didn’t nurture them enough
in their first year. And two others, long time stalwarts whom I didn’t plant
but had welcomed me to this patch of earth died too, no less dreadful to me but
most likely their natural allotted time had simply ceased. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Of perennials; some have taken
hold and happily spread while others have disappeared after growing weaker and weaker.
Perhaps I didn’t put them in the right place or perhaps they just rebelled. Death
in the garden is not always the gardener’s culpability. No matter how we
strive, we simply won’t thrive if we are in the wrong place…or on the wrong
path. In this 31 years we’ve both fought and struggled and failed only to get
up again and again until in the end we’ve both grown stronger, my garden and me.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHkGIULHnWs/S0uIyeB5Q4I/AAAAAAAAAws/utN6pMXE7dMrE3xzWa8R7RZyOkxDjRujwCPcB/s1600/tulipa%2Blo%2Bres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHkGIULHnWs/S0uIyeB5Q4I/AAAAAAAAAws/utN6pMXE7dMrE3xzWa8R7RZyOkxDjRujwCPcB/s320/tulipa%2Blo%2Bres.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">Of bulbs; Tulips are not
generally garden devotees. They give up and eventually go away, only strong in
their early years. I planted 100 Tulipa ‘Gavota’ more than 15 years ago, of
which only 1 remains today. The force of their presence in that number was incredibly
beautiful really. A lovely combination of burgundy red edged in creamy butter
yellow. I didn’t spend a lot on them knowing they would not be longsuffering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">I have however, spent a small fortune
on daffodil bulbs. Perhaps I should be more specific, some rare and some
heirloom daffodil bulbs. I have purchased some amazing species… the Pheasant’s
Eyes, the fluffy doubles, some species with short trumpets, ‘Sinopel’ has green
trumpets, some species that have graceful swept back reflex petals permitting
the trumpet to be the star of the show. ‘Earlicheer’ and ‘Thalia’ were
delightful for the longest time (thank you for your fragrance), and I believe
it was ‘Rip Van Winkle’ who was already in residence when I bought this garden
but years later he wearied of blooming so I dutifully divided him… well, over
the following 2 years he mocked my efforts by sneaking into oblivion never to
return. Narcissus are reputed to be strong, ever-returning and expected to
deliver a return on your investment by rewarding you with ever increasing
clumps…so much so that when they are overcrowded, their blooming decreases and
their legion must be divided and replanted so as to make more room to breathe
and thus bloom on again, year after year. Well, that’s what they say, anyway.
Yet not for me in my garden. Each and every one of those pricey defectors
eventually turned on me and tiptoed away year after year until not a one
remains today. COWARDS! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">What I do have today, growing
into a huge and happy mass is I-have-no-idea-who-you-are variety of daffodil.
By happenstance, one day I found a few of these mystery bulbs on the walkway of
a commercial establishment, tossed aside carelessly by a paid professional <s>dunderhead</s>
gardener (I write the term loosely as no respectable gardener would do such an absurdity).
I recognized these bulbs would be of the daffodil family so as I walked by I picked
them up, tucking them into my pocket as I continued on my way. I remembered
them days later, planted them and the sweethearts thank me more and more every
spring as their tribe grows. Proof that a great garden need not require a
princely income. Oh yes, you can be sure a few of them are coming along with me.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">While I look forward with happy
expectation of the new garden to come, I do with some sadness think of the one
I will leave behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VI3IoBw2AdQ/WPvqHLPipAI/AAAAAAAABDU/Nt85YgWuZoo3j42rue8WLCwAxWYVNMCfQCLcB/s1600/IMGP3898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VI3IoBw2AdQ/WPvqHLPipAI/AAAAAAAABDU/Nt85YgWuZoo3j42rue8WLCwAxWYVNMCfQCLcB/s320/IMGP3898.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">On the brighter side, who
knows…maybe in my new garden I will create a secreted space within the whole… </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">one
of secluded tranquility where tea can be taken. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">A secret tea garden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif;">In Bloom in My Garden Today: </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anemone
nemerosa ‘robinsoniana’, Bergenia ‘winter glow’, Brunnera macrophylla, Clematis
alpina ‘frankie’, Daffodils, Erythronium revolutum (fawn lily, trout lily,
dogtooth violet), Heath (Erica carnea ‘springwood white’), Hellebore, Hyacinths,
Mahonia repens, Muscari, Pachysandra terminalis, Primrose (double English),
Rhododendron, Skimmia, Tulipa ‘Gavota’, Viola.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Authors photos</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-168033423991593012016-01-29T10:23:00.000-08:002016-01-29T10:23:47.725-08:00Is Btk Safe for Honeybees?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Education is
learning what you didn't even know you didn't know.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Daniel J.
Boorstin</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 12pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">According
to the Peninsula Daily News, </span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“State
agriculture officials will decide soon whether to propose spraying a biological
pesticide over 10,500 acres across seven sites in Western Washington to kill
leaf-eating gypsy moths. Washington and Oregon States will be doing a spray
program this year (2016). The proposed Washington sites are Kent, N.E. Tacoma,
Port of Tacoma, Fife, Milton, Vancouver, Port of Vancouver, Nisqually, Lacey,
Gig Harbor and Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Washington would conduct
three aerial sprayings, seven to 10 days apart, in April. In Oregon, state
officials propose spraying in mid-April by helicopter over targeted areas of
Forest Park, north Portland and Hayden Island with three treatments.“ </i></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96xr_ccAtaE/VqQnUPA0MMI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/0ici9L0U6QI/s1600/109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-96xr_ccAtaE/VqQnUPA0MMI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/0ici9L0U6QI/s320/109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There
is much talk in my community about government aerial spraying for gypsy moth this
year. And there’s a lot of fear about aerial spraying of any kind, especially
in the beekeeping circles. We beekeepers have enough trouble with neighbors
spraying insecticides, combatting known and unknown bee diseases, raising
healthy bees with organic methods and winter die off. Now add the element of
overhead spraying…aargh! ENOUGH CHEMICALS ALREADY!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">But
wait…we’re talking about Bt here. What is it really?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">According to</span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Rodale’s All New Encyclopedia of Organic
Gardening </i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(1992) “Microbial insecticides such as Bt and it’s varieties are
effective, slow acting pesticides with virtually no harmful side effects and
considered non-toxic to mammals.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In<i> Garden Insects </i>(2004)<i> </i>Whitney Cranshaw writes<i> “Bt is the best known bacterium…and is
commonly used as a microbial
insecticide. Several strains exist, each of which affects only certain types of
insects that ingest the bacteria or the toxic protein crystal it produces”. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">On the subject of organic beekeeping,</span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ross Conrad is my go to guy for my
beekeeping questions. He is an author and organic beekeeper. For cases of
preventing wax moths in bee hive equipment, in his book “Natural Beekeeping”
(2007) he touched on the use of Bt for control of wax moth, a highly
destructive insect in bee hives.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">He
writes “</span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Bt has been used safely by the
organic farming community for decades… is a bacterium that, when ingested by
certain insect larvae, will kill the host…it becomes toxic only when exposed to
the unique digestive environment found within the wax worm’s gut. There are no
harmful side effects like with chemical (synthetic) pesticides. Bt is sprayed directly onto the plant’s leaf.
The toxin is not produced until the pests eats a leaf upon which the Bt microbe
rests, it is safe and non-toxic to animals, humans, and beneficial insects, and
it may be used right up until harvest. Also used by organic beekeepers as a
safe alternative to moth balls for preventing wax moth infestations in empty
hive equipment.</i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">” In this case Bt can be sprayed on frames and hive bodies
that will be stored for later use. The presence of the bacterium will kill any
larvae that hatches and feeds on the wax.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Gypsy
moth, today’s subject, is a major pest known to defoliate millions of acres of
hardwood forests annually and perpetually defoliated trees means death. WSDA
claims gypsy moth control is often necessary to prevent damage in backyards and
many urban areas to help stop the spread into neighboring forested areas. <i>Bacillus thuringiensis </i>subspecies<i> kurstaki</i> (Btk) is the variety of
insecticide of choice for this insect. Btk is a natural soil born bacteria
which<i> </i>biodegrades in sunlight within
about 10 days, hence the multiple applications and it will likely be done at
night, minimizing exposure to people and animals and for sure honey bees who
don’t fly at night or eat leaves. What about the leaf cutter bees, our native
pollinators...they wrap their nests with leaves but they do not eat the leaves
so this poses no harm to them either. And I don’t see their activity in my
garden that early in the spring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">mindfully.org
writes “However, in their natural form, acute toxicity of commonly-used Bt
varieties is limited to caterpillars, mosquito larvae, and beetle larvae.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <i>Bt var. kurstaki which cause disease in moth
and butterfly caterpillars.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Yes,
Btk would mean death to butterfly larvae too. However the spray applications
will be in April. I don’t know if our native butterflies breed in temps that
cold here in the Pacific Northwest, and those that migrate from warmer climates
to our south don’t arrive till June. I did some research on temperatures
necessary for butterfly breeding but couldn’t find a definitive answer. If you
know, please drop a line in the comments section. The cooperative extension in
Wisconsin suggests </span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“If you are concerned
about your butterfly garden plants being sprayed (with Btk), place a tarp over
them the night before a spray is scheduled. Then, remove it after spraying is
completed.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Part
of the controversy also lies in the fact that caterpillars, larvae and even
moths are a food source for birds. While the infected larvae won’t be harmful
to birds, the lack of their populations could represent a decline in a food
source for birds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
gypsy moths found in Washington and Oregon are two non-native species (European
and Asian) of insects that have the potential to devastate our forested lands.
They have been brought here inadvertently by international trade. In cases like
this we must pick the lesser of two evils and I think a timely and occasional
spray with an organic control as deemed necessary when populations show
sustained increase is prudent. Yes, you will find extreme cases of human
illness due to overexposure if you dig deep enough online but I think by and
large it’s a safe choice considering the other alternatives. The cases I found
were due to overexposure by splashing large quantities of the liquid on
themselves as opposed to a focused spray or drift. Naturally if you are highly
sensitive, it is suggested that you stay indoors during the spraying.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Maps of proposed spray areas are published
online in states that I found using this method, but do keep in mind drift can
enlarge targeted areas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">My
personal opinion? I am not a chemist or a scientist. I’m an organic gardener
and beekeeper. I use integrated pest management (IPM) practices. I’m sick to
death of all the synthetic chemicals in the world and I use natural, organic
methods that include biological controls when I have an infestation that the
birds and other predators are not controlling. Bt is one biological control
that I have used many times. I’ve been using Bt to combat cabbage moth for
years. And I think I’m safe to say, most if not all organic farmers have been
using Bt to control leaf eating worms and larvae for eons. The way it works is
topically. The bacteria adheres to the outside of the leaf and when the larvae
eats the leaf it ingests the bacteria. Bt does not penetrate the leaf so will
not be effective on leaf miners. Nor is it effective on adult moths. The larvae
must be young. It does break down and does not stay of the leaf, so in the case
of my cabbage moths, who lay eggs all summer on all brassicas, I spray weekly,
in the evenings all summer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The
method of Btk is proven effective and the least toxic available, so is prudent
and organically approved. </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After all, the
goal of organic farming is to use the least toxic method to control pests and
disease. Btk is far less toxic than the synthetic chemical choices out there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In Bloom In
My Garden Today: crocus, Erysimum ‘Rysi Moon’, Heath (Erica carnea ‘springwood
white’), Sarcococca confusa, Hellebore, Galanthus elwesii (snowdrops), viola,
pansies</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin-top: 12pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Author’s
photo of my bees</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-26673884364036904532015-12-03T17:22:00.000-08:002015-12-03T17:22:51.367-08:00Gifts for the Gardener<i>"For gardeners, this is the season of lists and callow hopefulness; hundreds of thousands of bewitched readers are poring over their catalogs, making lists ..., and dreaming their dreams."
~Katharine White, "A Romp in the Catalogues," The New Yorker, 1958 (collected in Onward and Upward in the Garden) </i><br />
<br />
Gift giving is a year round opportunity to bring joy to those we love, is it not? This time of year it is of course ramped up as we celebrate this season of Christ’s birth with the giving of gifts following in the tradition of the wise-men that lavished gifts upon the child Jesus (Matthew 2:10-12).<br />
<br />
As we consider which gift would bring the most meaning to those in our lives, I have a few ideas to share for the gardeners in your life. Here is my top 10, not necessarily in order of preference, but as ideas came to mind like a shuffling of a Rubik’s Cube, these kept recirculating to the top.<br />
<br />
1. Number one and the most obvious of course is a Gift Card from a favorite nursery. If you are unsure what to get, your gardener friend will no doubt already have a list in their head of needs and wants. If however, you’d rather give items not money, read on.<br />
<br />
2. Feed the birds – because bird song feeds the soul. If your gardener friend loves birds, and I don’t believe that I’ve met one that doesn’t, anything that will bring birds to the garden year round will be applauded. Bird houses, bird seed, seed cakes and the proper holders for each, suet cakes in winter as well as a heater for the birdbath, there are so many birdy gifts that will delight your gardener friend. Books to help identify the birds that come for a visit are invaluable. And don’t forget about the butterflies and bats, as both are extremely beneficial to the planet. There are identification books galore and specially designed houses for each you can buy that will entice them to the garden too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKA6C1Rbpyk/VmDew6QT4dI/AAAAAAAAA5M/2mfRzDbXk80/s1600/DSC02705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NKA6C1Rbpyk/VmDew6QT4dI/AAAAAAAAA5M/2mfRzDbXk80/s320/DSC02705.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A side note about bird feed. Beware of the ingredients listing on the compressed ‘cake’ style blocks of seed…most contain gelatin to hold the seed together in addition to dextrose and salts. Personally I would not buy any with added salts and sugars, but a contact at NWF says<i> “It (gelatin) is the standard for all molded bird seed products that are available in the market. The gelatin is safe. There isn’t any salt in the gelatin. All similar bird seed products (bells, logs, wreaths, ornaments, seed covered houses, seed cakes, seed blocks etc) have been made this way for the last 30+ years. The birds do not eat the gelatin, they eat the seeds inside the shell.”</i> If you like to make your own gifts, there are many recipes on the internet, some may contain harmful ingredients like salts and corn syrup which is a GMO. Look for recipes from reputable birding sites like National Wildlife Federation (NWF.org), Audubon Society (audubon.org) and birdwatchersdigest.com. If you use peanut butter, it is recommended to use unsalted.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpok4DKUYRa8XCVpZEfBXmSyxcp0jTP0q-9haRnkFB6ubkgB1vslu89AuyzIrDbiracGqP1tkc6lZavkS1XAhF8QP7nElGrCGkrzl2X0XDsH0D-tq-lHO4fslKnzhwIUOsyFdl0DAEoPM/s1600/ars+shears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpok4DKUYRa8XCVpZEfBXmSyxcp0jTP0q-9haRnkFB6ubkgB1vslu89AuyzIrDbiracGqP1tkc6lZavkS1XAhF8QP7nElGrCGkrzl2X0XDsH0D-tq-lHO4fslKnzhwIUOsyFdl0DAEoPM/s1600/ars+shears.jpg" /></a>3. ARS HS/KR 1000 pruning shears – I spent 3 days trimming the topiaries at work this fall and after that I expected to have some repetitive motion fatigue in my hands and wrists. I would have been in trouble had I used my own heavy, wooden handled pair but not with these. From Japan, the hard-chrome plated carbon steel blades keep a sharp edge and the tool is so light weight. I couldn’t believe the difference this pair of shears made when there’s a lot of trimming to be done. There are other ARS models but replacement blades are available for this one. Even if you don’t have topiaries or hedges to shear, these make easy work of trimming the heathers, lavenders and thyme after flowering is finished.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0j0FKJ_GKBM/VmDglHo6f8I/AAAAAAAAA5k/axAedd3FuXM/s1600/gifts%2Bblog%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0j0FKJ_GKBM/VmDglHo6f8I/AAAAAAAAA5k/axAedd3FuXM/s320/gifts%2Bblog%2B004.JPG" width="320" /></a> 4. Felco hand pruners/secateurs – THE best pruners in my opinion and most professionals in the industry use these. They are built to last and the red handles make it easy to find when you forget where you put or dropped them in the garden or shed. There are several sizes and handle shapes available for a comfortable, personal fit in your hand. They also make a left handers pair. All the working parts are available for spare parts purchase so you can replace any as needed without having to buy a new pair. And don’t forget the leather holster. Having a place to put the pruners attached to my hip means I misplace it much less.<br />
<br />
5. Pocket blade sharpener –iSTOR and Corona make a nice pocket size sharpener. The more you use pruners of course the more you have to sharpen them. iSTOR’s website also has a short video that shows exactly how to use this style of sharpener. Dull blades translate to poor cuts and tired, sore possibly inflamed hands and wrists. I keep one of these in my pocket while at work to sharpen as I need. <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2012/04/garden-tool-care.html" target="_blank">Save the grinder and rasps for the shovels and hoes, this is better for those more delicate blade edges.</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0g5XdTbYHE/VmDfpCeohKI/AAAAAAAAA5U/v8jJ3YhKTN0/s1600/gifts%2Bblog%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0g5XdTbYHE/VmDfpCeohKI/AAAAAAAAA5U/v8jJ3YhKTN0/s320/gifts%2Bblog%2B001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
6. Magazine Subscription. A one year paid subscription to their favorite gardening magazine would no doubt delight your gardener friend. A couple of my favorites have been ‘The English Garden’ and ‘Fine Gardening’. If they already have enough instructive magazines coming to the house they may enjoy ‘GreenPrints - The Weeder’s Digest’ which is comprised of real-life stories written by gardeners rather than the how-to. And if you’re lucky, you may even find an article by yours truly in this year’s line-up!<br />
<br />
7. Memberships to various gardening organizations or foundations. A one year membership may give your gardener a new way to hone their skills in something they are specifically interested in. If you like to “buy local” there may be several clubs and foundations close within your gardener’s community. A few years ago I was given a one year membership to Seed Savers which is national. This year I’d like to join the Hardy Fern Foundation which is local to me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kE7NAEjuXA8/VmDiKPbTlRI/AAAAAAAAA6M/MUjC0F6x40g/s1600/sprayer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kE7NAEjuXA8/VmDiKPbTlRI/AAAAAAAAA6M/MUjC0F6x40g/s320/sprayer.JPG" width="240" /></a>8. If your gardener is like me and likes antiques, these gifts are awesome! My friend has delighted me twice with antique watering attachments. Made from brass they will likely outlive my gardening days. First was a really cool spray nozzle to add to my collection. I’ve never seen anything like it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv0Z6U1AFVUGFqNgrilahmTj5S5gpP757AT92WsiJsn65hZeqg2quZxOydJIh5d3vXzPXwMSXDgt1FjuUN_4HXsb7I8ZfTbYMWABD7sgGqZ9nuAWapUcUfjYu17kCQtT9aOCC8MG4w2A/s1600/Idaho+2015+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNv0Z6U1AFVUGFqNgrilahmTj5S5gpP757AT92WsiJsn65hZeqg2quZxOydJIh5d3vXzPXwMSXDgt1FjuUN_4HXsb7I8ZfTbYMWABD7sgGqZ9nuAWapUcUfjYu17kCQtT9aOCC8MG4w2A/s320/Idaho+2015+002.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then more recently this wonderful fan sprayer….<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Xlon0h-Xg/VmDhvYz7oJI/AAAAAAAAA6E/B0gKUnxGllU/s1600/Idaho%2B2015%2B011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8Xlon0h-Xg/VmDhvYz7oJI/AAAAAAAAA6E/B0gKUnxGllU/s320/Idaho%2B2015%2B011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
9. In recent years I’ve discovered the absolute need for stretching my body to keep it happy. Stopping my work to do some meaningful deep stretches makes all the difference by the end of my day. I’ve found yoga stretching to be an outstanding exercise practice. There are many books and DVDs specifically for gardeners.<br />
<br />
10. If you want to help them expand their library, visit my ‘library’ tab located under the banner at the top of the page for a list of my favorite books on gardening.<br />
<br />
Well, there you have it my friends…but wait! A BONUS IDEA!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4cffF81wAs/VmDifaQrP9I/AAAAAAAAA6U/d4kBSNkoHv8/s1600/DSC02887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4cffF81wAs/VmDifaQrP9I/AAAAAAAAA6U/d4kBSNkoHv8/s320/DSC02887.JPG" width="320" /></a>11. Conservatory or greenhouse. Who wouldn’t love to have this in their backyard?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A REAL greenhouse is on my bucket list but if your budget is like mine…this may be a more realistic option.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNidtgA-QdIjL4lEf0PCGSiYGXH17f7M0TFsUbEUrsOmgfuaUxAwrztv8MfFSsw1qeVHvvOENNg_T3NMpiYBRt11Tfy8kbBI9YMyEE3OlUCMrH4dMFj_IzmiAV3vbmWngW-G5Fe-FOckM/s1600/gifts+blog+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNidtgA-QdIjL4lEf0PCGSiYGXH17f7M0TFsUbEUrsOmgfuaUxAwrztv8MfFSsw1qeVHvvOENNg_T3NMpiYBRt11Tfy8kbBI9YMyEE3OlUCMrH4dMFj_IzmiAV3vbmWngW-G5Fe-FOckM/s320/gifts+blog+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>In Bloom In My Garden Today: Erysimum ‘Rysi Moon’, Pachysandra ‘Windcliff’, pansies, Geum’ Lady Stratheden’ </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Author’s photos </i><br />
<i>ARS 1000 photo from manufacturer’s stock photos </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Please Note: I am not endorsing any particular seller, nor will I receive any compensation for endorsing these products. They are simply products I have personally used and enjoyed. My only goal in writing about them is to pass on my positive experiences with these products to you.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>
</i>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-59534796732840879832015-11-25T14:04:00.003-08:002020-09-13T15:47:11.930-07:00Winter Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Every gardener knows under the cloak of winter lies a miracle -- a seed
waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the
anticipation nurtures our dream.<br />
-- Barbara Winkler, American writer and editor<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Never
underestimate the power of a microclimate. Here in the temperate USDA zone 7 it’s
not unusual to have some blooms in November and even a rose may send out a
single bloom in December. We can get quite cold by our standards, the last
couple of nights have dipped down into the 20’s F (-6C) but still I garden in what
one friend calls “the place of magical gardens because we seem to be able to
grow anything”. Yes, being only a mile
or less from the waters of Commencement Bay does have its advantages as bodies
of water mellow temperature extremes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Micro-climates
can be small spaces of protection from the open air and winds just outside of
them, those little warm pockets that are created by fencing and closely built houses.
Hills and valleys create them too. Some can be warm and protective, others can
be cold and ravaging. My back yard is a warm and protective micro clime. The
photos below were taken just hours ago. Even though we are in the freezing
temperatures of winter, for many of us there is still beauty to be found in our
gardens, be it berries, blooms or beautiful leaves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Blooms of Pachysandra 'Windcliff'</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkx1vkJZhxk/VlYfqLaCZMI/AAAAAAAAA3M/F7fAU6zRQD8/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kkx1vkJZhxk/VlYfqLaCZMI/AAAAAAAAA3M/F7fAU6zRQD8/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cyclamen hederifolium</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjlk2cp2GF0/VlYfpQv0h4I/AAAAAAAAA3E/TaU4OsRK-x4/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjlk2cp2GF0/VlYfpQv0h4I/AAAAAAAAA3E/TaU4OsRK-x4/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pyracantha Victory</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGZE-TJ1Cr5TitK4HFavgXEmy1b7_UwwGp59SgaJyjUj2SQNNCvO9mzKHHzyj34hI8Etd7LiNfBHoq29V-zYe5z9oSRYw_pAfFDkBaOEaltCTgsE3xF9Xf2Idq5TE8CX1jw2ZY1duc7k/s1600/blog+winter+beauty+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGZE-TJ1Cr5TitK4HFavgXEmy1b7_UwwGp59SgaJyjUj2SQNNCvO9mzKHHzyj34hI8Etd7LiNfBHoq29V-zYe5z9oSRYw_pAfFDkBaOEaltCTgsE3xF9Xf2Idq5TE8CX1jw2ZY1duc7k/s320/blog+winter+beauty+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Fuchsia 'June Bride'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qzQjACpA2Y/VlYha-r3_hI/AAAAAAAAA3o/C7clf-dKhmc/s1600/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qzQjACpA2Y/VlYha-r3_hI/AAAAAAAAA3o/C7clf-dKhmc/s320/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hyssopus officinalis</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96rLyk3O9AE/VlYhcP6z-sI/AAAAAAAAA3w/02fL6YtObSU/s1600/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-96rLyk3O9AE/VlYhcP6z-sI/AAAAAAAAA3w/02fL6YtObSU/s320/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mustard Red Dragon Tongue</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9YEiR2KCcc/VlYi-hVrmiI/AAAAAAAAA4A/8tus9EWHPhE/s1600/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n9YEiR2KCcc/VlYi-hVrmiI/AAAAAAAAA4A/8tus9EWHPhE/s320/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fuchsia 'Aurea'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BcFoFV89cE/VlYjFcZab-I/AAAAAAAAA4I/zUHtdapcBBU/s1600/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9BcFoFV89cE/VlYjFcZab-I/AAAAAAAAA4I/zUHtdapcBBU/s320/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Glow'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIED3bXGV6E/VlYjJKMjDxI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/ht2ligEse1s/s1600/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIED3bXGV6E/VlYjJKMjDxI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/ht2ligEse1s/s320/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Geranium Lily Lovell</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rscsWofKwG0/VlYksrx2oNI/AAAAAAAAA4g/teTtoScuv10/s1600/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rscsWofKwG0/VlYksrx2oNI/AAAAAAAAA4g/teTtoScuv10/s320/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Heucherella 'Sweet Tea'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqhWpAu7o1TmC3E5RKp6l10WawUoM_JULpL0SjgxpcLWTIkk052-D30Mt4dwCNSBnR-RUxnoV6sCsH07tcNGeBWKyINL9BQo93Vk3r57EPcI0tyaD-5FM1Vod8nEjDTUEAojwQOmcWgY/s1600/blog+winter+beauty+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqhWpAu7o1TmC3E5RKp6l10WawUoM_JULpL0SjgxpcLWTIkk052-D30Mt4dwCNSBnR-RUxnoV6sCsH07tcNGeBWKyINL9BQo93Vk3r57EPcI0tyaD-5FM1Vod8nEjDTUEAojwQOmcWgY/s320/blog+winter+beauty+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Dryopteris erythrosora 'Radiance'</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HisQzj-D1o/VlYkxgdd_BI/AAAAAAAAA4w/9q78TmiCcyE/s1600/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HisQzj-D1o/VlYkxgdd_BI/AAAAAAAAA4w/9q78TmiCcyE/s320/blog%2Bwinter%2Bbeauty%2B021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Geum 'Lady Stratheden'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCtrcBcMi24/VlYfpsDUxAI/AAAAAAAAA3I/-Nw_5vrIgak/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eCtrcBcMi24/VlYfpsDUxAI/AAAAAAAAA3I/-Nw_5vrIgak/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
this eve of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the beauty that surrounds us in the garden, the
sunny day and the blessing of friends and family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy
Thanksgiving!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Bloom In My Garden Today:</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Erysimum, Fuchsia,
Geum, Geranium, hyssop, Pachysandra, Pansies, Salvia <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "century gothic" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Author’s photos<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-23965679382004845772015-07-21T11:31:00.001-07:002015-07-21T11:32:58.612-07:00Save The Tomatoes!!!<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">How fair is a garden amid the
trials and passions of existence.</span></i><br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">~Benjamin Disraeli <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tomatoes. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5cm2SG30e0A/Va6Ni3LYNbI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/9GQ1zO3CXYk/s1600/tomato%2Bpost%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5cm2SG30e0A/Va6Ni3LYNbI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/9GQ1zO3CXYk/s320/tomato%2Bpost%2B003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">This time of summer they are in full swing,
producing like crazy. Paired with freshly harvested basil and garlic from the
garden, I think tonight’s dinner will be a fresh tomato sauce over capellini
and a salad of dark red “Merlot” lettuce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Well, anyone who has grown tomatoes knows that even
the lightest of summer rains can split all of the tomatoes on the vine. They
are of course </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">harvest-able</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> once split if you get them immediately after but
leave them on a day or so and they will start to mold at the tear. Oh misery! Oh
groan! What’s a gardener to do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Break out the umbrella, of course!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhEa7AZ0U-Y/Va6PnSC-ijI/AAAAAAAAA2g/idv3NQ1xxig/s1600/tomato%2Bpost%2B008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhEa7AZ0U-Y/Va6PnSC-ijI/AAAAAAAAA2g/idv3NQ1xxig/s320/tomato%2Bpost%2B008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">In
Bloom In My Garden Today: Agastache, Alyssum, Aster, Astilbe, Borage, Canna, Catanache
caerulea, Coreopsis ‘moonbeam’, Crocosmia ‘george davidson’, Daisy(white
double), Daphne caucasica, Echinacea, Fuchsia, Geum, Gladiolus ‘Boone’
(heirloom 1920’s),Green Beans, Hardy Geranium, Heuchera,Hosta, Hyssop, Kniphofia
(torch flower or red hot poker), Lavender, Lily, Lysimachia ephemerum (non-invasive
loosestrife), Nandina, Mullen chaixii ‘Album’, Nepeta, Oregano, Penstemon
barbatus ‘delft blue riding hood’, Phygelius, Rose, Salvia, Sedum, Star Jasmine
(trachelospermum jasminoides), Thalictrum rochebrunianum (meadow rue), Tigridia
(Mexican Shell Flower), Tomato, Zucchini, Veronica ‘royal candles’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Author’s
photos</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-7281137346336231522015-05-15T07:20:00.002-07:002015-05-15T19:08:37.049-07:00Book Review - A Picture Cyclopedia of Flowers<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Garden
writing is often very tame, a real waste when you think how opinionated,
inquisitive, irreverent and lascivious gardeners themselves tend to be. Nobody talks much about the muscular limbs,
dark, swollen buds, strip-tease trees and unholy beauty that have made us all
slaves of the Goddess Flora. ~Ketzel
Levine</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you collect gardening books? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t collect them per say, but I do keep a
small library of my most favorite go-to books when I need extra info on a
perennial or a particular veggie’s habit. Now and then I find garden writing
books at used book stores, read them then sell them back if they are good but
not keepers. I do check out some from the library too, by fun to read authors
like Beverley Nichols and Ann Lovejoy. I wish Mike McGrath would write more
books…his humor never disappoints and always produces belly-laughs from deep
within my own experiences. Maybe one day some genius will compile his newspaper
columns into a book. I’d buy it for sure. I have Christopher Lloyd’s cyclopedia
with pages and pages of his opinionated thoughts on plants. I love it. It is great
for information and a chuckle or two as he shares his experiences in the
garden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j7NgzoIPkqABd-iFVFNAwyKxFVd8vKOiAnawS8X03cnU8PAUU8WnEEDVQEv3y8H2vPXKGo1wfVhck-m95N_zqxb5LFs16SODNHQMonjyTMtnsO2FovfEDrQVV_6ptkP-0Ox8q6xS4nU/s1600/IMGP3267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7j7NgzoIPkqABd-iFVFNAwyKxFVd8vKOiAnawS8X03cnU8PAUU8WnEEDVQEv3y8H2vPXKGo1wfVhck-m95N_zqxb5LFs16SODNHQMonjyTMtnsO2FovfEDrQVV_6ptkP-0Ox8q6xS4nU/s320/IMGP3267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So the other day was a beautiful day in May.</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We went on a walk and found the first of the summer’s
yard sales were set up. As usual we scrutinized the goods as we ever so slowly
walked by. We certainly don’t need more stuff but I can never resist a look-see.
One in particular had a bunch of books out for sale. Lo and behold I found a
gardening book so I picked it up and started leafing through. Written in 1933 (how
cool is that?) it had beautiful hand colored photographs and some illustrations
for every flower and plant detailed within its pages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Reading old gardening books is a little like old
science books….things change. New discoveries are made and botanical
nomenclature changes as plants are reclassified by who-knows-who, rendering
them inaccurate, but I thought one can always learn new things, even if they
are outdated, right? So…well, it was just a dollar after all…so…I bought it. It
would be nice to have for the gorgeous old time photos alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is titled <i>Garden
Flowers in Color. A Picture Cyclopedia of Flowers</i> by G. A. Stevens.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once home again and comfortably flopped down on
my chaise lounge, I read the introduction. The author states, and I quote “<i>The text has been prepared with as much
fidelity to the floral facts as that provided in the illustrations. It has been
written, for the most part, from actual garden acquaintance with the wide range
of subjects covered in these pages and it is believed that a book of definite
educational value as well as a convenient adjunct has resulted</i>” end quote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ok, so that said I commence perusal. Wow, lots
of varieties back then that just aren’t seen these days. Educational and fun
but not particularly helpful for researching today’s cultivars. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hmmm, Funkia…the apparently old fashioned term
for Hosta. Cool…I do have elderly customers at work asking for plants in terms
we don’t use these days…this may be really helpful! Matter of fact one of our
customers is 100 years old!! Scouts honor! I’ll have to ask her if she knows
the term Funkia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxz2N5jXnZk/VVVMolqGGjI/AAAAAAAAA1k/ldrjxcyvGUg/s1600/IMGP3268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxz2N5jXnZk/VVVMolqGGjI/AAAAAAAAA1k/ldrjxcyvGUg/s320/IMGP3268.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On and on I read, mostly it is indeed factual
stuff…till I get to page 225. Rose Acacia. "Professionally known as Robinia
hispida or Pink Locust." We sell Purple Robe Locust where I work and it is truly
a beautiful flowering tree, but I’ve never grown one myself. Reading the
description…<i>”Robinia hispida is the
botanical name of the Pink Locust, which gardeners for some reason or other
have decided to call Rose Acacia. It is a clammy shrub</i>,<i> usually grafted on the top of a tall waking stick and stuck in the
most conspicuous place in the garden. The flowers are obese and ugly, and they
hang in sticky profusion from the foliage. It is a most unattractive thing
without beauty or merit as a garden plant.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wait…what? But G. A., on page 7 you said your
writing was prepared…”with as much fidelity to the floral facts…” Hmmm.
Apparently this excerpt is more closely associated with the “actual garden
acquaintance” you mention later. </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Ok</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, really, I have to ask…what in the world
does “a clammy shrub” describe?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Well the </span><s style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">rancor</s><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> fun </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">doesn't</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> stop there.
Weigelas don’t escape the author’s verbal lashing either…oh no my friends,
read on...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ_TECpshuXXHyc1nJ6a3UybRkoOqSP88z6v6U2_bT3HhHsM1x7-LAcLgFzgGmraGOpKOUOMYchLaLVSRAlj9cZaXLsdiYDd1o6zI5UAPq1bGEkLPub9WdbNpYjw1w63QTkVHR_o4xWs/s1600/1933++book+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQ_TECpshuXXHyc1nJ6a3UybRkoOqSP88z6v6U2_bT3HhHsM1x7-LAcLgFzgGmraGOpKOUOMYchLaLVSRAlj9cZaXLsdiYDd1o6zI5UAPq1bGEkLPub9WdbNpYjw1w63QTkVHR_o4xWs/s320/1933++book+001.JPG" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Among
the commoner shrubs for ordinary purposes are the humble Weigelas. Great, rank
bushes they are, with coarse foliage and still coarser and uglier flowers….But
one of the most dreadful shrubs which have ever been foisted upon a defenseless
nation is the supremely ugly variety called Eva Rathke. No one can imagine how
hideous a flower can be until one of these monstrosities is brought to his
attention. In fact the blight of Eva Rathke rests upon all Weigelas and no
garden would suffer if all the Weigelas in the world were piled high and dry
and burned to ashes.”</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh dear, oh dear. A tad harsh? </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">I've</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> had Weigela. Mine was a lovely graceful variegated shrub with soft pink blooms much enjoyed by hummingbirds.
Quite nice actually, er…in my humble opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And who said gardeners were opinionated?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I<i>n Bloom in My Garden Today: Alyssum, Bergenia
‘winter glow’, Blueberry, Brunnera<b>, </b>chive,
Daphne caucasica ‘Eternal Fragrance’, Dianthus deltoides ‘Flashing
Lights’,Exbury azalea, Fuchsia, Geranium phaeum ‘lily lovell’ (mourning widow),
Geum, Heuchera, Iris, Kniphofia ‘little maid’, Nepeta ‘six hills giant’
(catmint), Oxalis oregana ‘wintergreen’, Peony, Phygelius, Pyracantha koidzumii
‘victory’, Rose, Rhododendron, Sage, Saxifraga andrewsii (irish saxifrage),
Schisandra rubriflora (strawberry vine), Tellima grandiflora (fringecup),
Trillium,Vancouveria hexandra (inside out flower), Tomato<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Authors photos </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-979426466891495702.post-22576790461049646152015-04-15T19:18:00.001-07:002015-04-16T18:25:26.738-07:00Euphoric Over Euphorbia<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">All
through the long winter I dream of my garden. On the first warm day of spring I
dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirit
soars.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">~Helen
Hayes, American actress, 1900-1993<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XCGWGIe4PZDDy2Y66OsMHRUTnCqO5SfquOofG666920mJvchLaaG08TzXcqXyJPKZA-tdjfV_KiaMbc7ux6ATdN9FfNM9nvb_NlRN11tftnAm_ZYYWaVpYhHzRBgZNjs1J5O2kYK6_4/s1600/blog+euphorbia+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2XCGWGIe4PZDDy2Y66OsMHRUTnCqO5SfquOofG666920mJvchLaaG08TzXcqXyJPKZA-tdjfV_KiaMbc7ux6ATdN9FfNM9nvb_NlRN11tftnAm_ZYYWaVpYhHzRBgZNjs1J5O2kYK6_4/s1600/blog+euphorbia+015.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Euphorbias (ew-</span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">for</i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">-bee-a) are native to the
Mediterranean’s sandy, hot regions but hybrids have brought hardy varieties to
our cooler northern gardens. Grow them in full sun in USDA zones 5-8. They are quite adaptable
so don’t be afraid to try them in your garden even if it’s not so
Mediterranean-esque. They have a long spring flowering season, and those
planted in the more sunny sites often produce the deeper foliage colors. Give
them good drainage as heavy soils will kill them quickly and they reportedly
don’t like windy sites.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">I have three Euphorbia
‘Blackbird’. Two are in my street side parking
strip, notably windier than the one in my back yard. The two that get the wind,
flowered just like the one in the back but they are lacking any leaves at this
point. They were full and leafy all summer but the cold winter winds have left
them bare stemmed. The new growth is coming out leafy so my guess is they will
leaf out again with the warmer weather. This is their first year so their
performance is yet to be seen over a succession of seasons so I can compare
those in the wind to the more protected one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">They are known for their drought
tolerance and most have chartreuse inflorescences as seen above on my E.
Redwing. An exception being E. ‘Blackbird’ (below) whose flower is more of a
rust color aging to apricot with some peachy tones throughout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDXPXc-DporGdiQ9QI1qwVMpJhyxpmgJwGlriCzqJ0SG8Hy132QzrIZErCuCfJdkZbQJCTtiHk7iCewkXV2nynRXT3IUCoRi2257QsZRq-qHQKErIAkiVdO89NfnLNWzIQhsoSisHjN0/s1600/blog+euphorbia+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDXPXc-DporGdiQ9QI1qwVMpJhyxpmgJwGlriCzqJ0SG8Hy132QzrIZErCuCfJdkZbQJCTtiHk7iCewkXV2nynRXT3IUCoRi2257QsZRq-qHQKErIAkiVdO89NfnLNWzIQhsoSisHjN0/s1600/blog+euphorbia+007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Euphorbias comprise a large
group of plants ranging from annuals, perennials and succulents enjoying a
surge in hybridization which is delighting Euphorbia lovers and collectors with
an amazing array of foliage colors and a multitude of plant sizes for both big
and small gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VQ26gFrlB4fLbLUHktABfFxHXmkYYjR3KAHjpAae2MoInzRu2RGQJaMjEXqKaZHboUFhH6bk-mGCsx9kmglSzGZfriHoEt2xCZMxzrxDxwCDv-0BegQVo0bbaF_ai2oO4yUoDcAHxc4/s1600/blog+euphorbia+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VQ26gFrlB4fLbLUHktABfFxHXmkYYjR3KAHjpAae2MoInzRu2RGQJaMjEXqKaZHboUFhH6bk-mGCsx9kmglSzGZfriHoEt2xCZMxzrxDxwCDv-0BegQVo0bbaF_ai2oO4yUoDcAHxc4/s1600/blog+euphorbia+017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">E. w</span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">ulfenii </i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">(above</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">)<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">is the tallest I’ve seen, at easily 5 ft (1.5m) tall but E. </span><i style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">mellifera</i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> reportedly reaches 8 ft (2.4m).
</span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">There are others but the shortest I’ve
seen is E. myrsinites ‘Donkey Tail Spurge’ reaching less than 6”(15cm) tall and
looks quite like a succulent ground cover.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Some Euphorbias are
reportedly short lived plants but can easily be propagated by cutting off stems,
stripping the leaves off the bottom half of the stem and inserting it into soft
soil. This is also a great way to increase the presence of your Euphorbias in
the garden. Repetition of plants and or color can make your garden look ‘put
together’ and professionally designed. Some
Euphorbias will seed themselves around your garden too. Some may come true to
seed but others will not. You may like that habit of self-seeding as a way to
fill a garden space. Nope, not me. I once had E. <i>dulcis</i> Chameleon that made such a nuisance of itself that I ripped
it all out and continued to remove seedlings for a few years to come. My little postage stamp sized garden doesn't have room for such joyful self-seeding abandon. Either that or I’m too type A
to allow it. Hmmm. I think not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Pruning is easy. When the
flower is finished it will begin to turn to seed. That’s when you cut down the
old stems to 3-6” (8-15cm) from the ground.
New growth will appear from the base or low on the old stems. Those will
be this year’s leafy stems and next year’s flower. Now that you’ve removed the
seed heads, the plant’s energy will stop forming seed and be redirected into
producing the new leafy stems. When cut or wounded all exude a white milky sap which
can irritate the skin and eyes so be careful when working around them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Lastly a note on using common
names. Euphorbias are also known as Spurge and are related to the Poinsettia. However
this Spurge must not be confused with the ‘other’ spurge, Pachysandra, which is
an evergreen ground cover with white flowers for the shade garden. They are completely different plants, needing
different exposures but sharing a common name. I know relying on common names
is easier but as I've said many times on this blog, <a href="http://iminthegardentoday.blogspot.com/2009/11/are-you-latin-o-phobic.html" target="_blank">knowing the Latin botanical counterpart</a> is so helpful to find the plant you are looking for in the nursery
because many totally different plants can share a common name, especially if
you travel to different parts of the world or even just within the US. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">In Bloom In My Garden: <o:p></o:p></span><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Alyssum, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Anemone nemerosa robinsoniana’, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Bergenia, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Blueberry, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Clematis alpina ‘frankie’, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Daphne caucasica ‘Eternal Fragrance’,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Euphorbia, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Geum, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Hellebore, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Heuchera, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";">Hyacinths, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Iris,</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif";"> Tulipa, Trillium,Tiarella, </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Authors photos</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03931005791882603935noreply@blogger.com2