You can't imagine how excited I was when shoveling my pathway that leads from the back of my house all the way to the front. There is a raised bed (about twenty-feet long) and on the other side a narrow strip about two feet wide by twenty feet long. As I pushed the snow along and hoisted it a little at a time to deposit in the raised bed, my eye caught something green coming up in the opposite narrow strip.
I could not believe my eyes, the daffodils were up about four inches and muscari about two inches. They were green and looked unexpected with the mounds of snow all around. I threw a little snow on top of them because it almost looked like they had been born too soon!
Let me tell you about this strip, it has been an experiment for six years, and like a detective each year I try to solve the mystery. It is certainly a zone 6 or above (it is flush with the house), and I think I could grow tropicals here - ha! ha! My May Night Salvia does great in this area, but it blooms one month before the May Night in the front of my house. The daylilies displayed burnt foliage, but the clematis and campanula were fine, Veronica not doing well either - burned leaves. I even have a drip system under this area and also spend each day watering by hose. Year after year I would plant some of the heat tolerant annuals like zinnias and marigolds, but I really wanted perennials in this area.
Last fall I pulled out my daylilies, left the Veronica and began to leaf through the High Country Gardens Catalog. I ordered and planted "Blue Lips" Penstemon, Dianthus "Firewitch" and "Arizona Sun" Gaillardia. They took to that area like they were home at last, growing by leaps and bounds before the fall frost set in. I don't know what the result is yet but I have positive vibes. Could this be a Xeric area in zone 5? Xeric plants thrive in hot, dry areas requiring only minimal amounts of water. A great book to read is Lauren Springer's The Undaunted Garden. It is a little heavy on text but contains lots of important information on water wise plantings.
We probably all know the answer to this, and I know I have learned that as much as I tried, the plants I chose would not fit the area. http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ Check out their catalog, the plants listed are adaptable to many areas in your garden.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Burpee Came Yesterday
I received my Burpee Catalog yesterday, and I don't know why it is so late. I usually get a huge influx of catalogs in January, so this is very late to be getting a seed catalog. Now, I really don't know what to do, too late to start many of the seeds, but they do offer small plants, but not the ones I want! How frustrating this is just when I am ready to get started on my vegetable garden.
I think I will order the tomato plants called Brandy Boy (a cross between Brandywine and one of the Boy tomatoes) higher yields than the heirloom "Brandywine." and a pepper called Mariachi (an All America Winner) just a hint of heat!
I am just continuing to ignore the snow, maybe I will go shopping for fertilizer today.
**Ordered my plants from Burpee (got free Espoma Fertilizer), bought my onion sets from Home Depot and some garlic sets to keep the rabbits away
I think I will order the tomato plants called Brandy Boy (a cross between Brandywine and one of the Boy tomatoes) higher yields than the heirloom "Brandywine." and a pepper called Mariachi (an All America Winner) just a hint of heat!
I am just continuing to ignore the snow, maybe I will go shopping for fertilizer today.
**Ordered my plants from Burpee (got free Espoma Fertilizer), bought my onion sets from Home Depot and some garlic sets to keep the rabbits away
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Countdown Has Begun
We had a snowstorm last night, but my countdown has begun! I have decided I am not going to be affected by the weather because I know that four weeks from now I will be planting my seeds in the raised bed vegetable garden, onion sets, radishes, lettuce, spinach and parsley. There have been years when I planted these seeds with snow flurries in the air, and there have been years when the weather was quite mild. But, spring break heralds the beginning of the spring planting season.
It is a very small raised bed and I do not have the ability to rotate crops. So, as Martha Stewart said today on her radio broadcast, if you cannot rotate improve the soil. I do this every year like clockwork, manure, compost, some additional soil, shredded peat and some slow release fertilizer. My husband came in with the dog and said it was like "flakey rain" coming down. I do not want to hear this!
It is a very small raised bed and I do not have the ability to rotate crops. So, as Martha Stewart said today on her radio broadcast, if you cannot rotate improve the soil. I do this every year like clockwork, manure, compost, some additional soil, shredded peat and some slow release fertilizer. My husband came in with the dog and said it was like "flakey rain" coming down. I do not want to hear this!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Smallest Shade Garden Ever
Many years ago I had an all shade garden, really more of a woodland garden, with Jack-in-the Pulpit, Lilly of the Valley, Bloodroot, Jacobs Ladder, tons of violets, Dutchman's Breeches, hosta, Virginia Bluebells, Forget-Me-Nots, Solemon's Seal, wild Phlox, and many more that I cannot even remember the common names.
In my previous home to the one I am in now, I had a more traditional shade garden, with the Hostas, Astilbe, Hellebores, Thalictrum, Rue Anemone, Ginger, Aruncus Diocus, Ligualaria, Trillium, Aquilegia Canadensis, Lobelia Cardinalis, various Hostas (one called Sum and Substance that would fill my present yard) and on and on, many more that I would have to spend time recalling.
It has been a long time since I have had any shade in which to plant. However, now I have this small strip along the north side of my house. It has been a delimma because there is a path down the middle and small planting areas on each side. I have a grass called Carex Ice Fountains on one side all the way from the back to the front. It will thrive in part shade and has a varigation in the grass leaf. It is not totally carefree, requiring some controlling in this small area. However, it is very attractive as a smaller grass (18") in this tight area.
On the other side of this small, long area I have my "Pop" hostas, Halcyon and August Moon interspersed with Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis), Ostrich ferns, and Nepeta Subsessilis. The Ostrich ferns and nepeta add some intermittent height to this long strip. I usually interplant Caladiums for the summer. As we move further back there are variegated Solemon's Seal, Astilbe Chineses Pumila, and Hosta Patriot. On the ground is Pachysandra Green Sheen which glows in this environment.
I do put some annuals in this area, impatiens on the ground and more sun tolerant plantings in the baskets that hang on the fence. My Unique Hydrangeas are also part of this long planting strip. I realize by going back over my planting history in the shade how much I miss some of the plants that I no longer have the room to accomodate. We will revisit this area again in the spring.
In my previous home to the one I am in now, I had a more traditional shade garden, with the Hostas, Astilbe, Hellebores, Thalictrum, Rue Anemone, Ginger, Aruncus Diocus, Ligualaria, Trillium, Aquilegia Canadensis, Lobelia Cardinalis, various Hostas (one called Sum and Substance that would fill my present yard) and on and on, many more that I would have to spend time recalling.
It has been a long time since I have had any shade in which to plant. However, now I have this small strip along the north side of my house. It has been a delimma because there is a path down the middle and small planting areas on each side. I have a grass called Carex Ice Fountains on one side all the way from the back to the front. It will thrive in part shade and has a varigation in the grass leaf. It is not totally carefree, requiring some controlling in this small area. However, it is very attractive as a smaller grass (18") in this tight area.
On the other side of this small, long area I have my "Pop" hostas, Halcyon and August Moon interspersed with Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis), Ostrich ferns, and Nepeta Subsessilis. The Ostrich ferns and nepeta add some intermittent height to this long strip. I usually interplant Caladiums for the summer. As we move further back there are variegated Solemon's Seal, Astilbe Chineses Pumila, and Hosta Patriot. On the ground is Pachysandra Green Sheen which glows in this environment.
I do put some annuals in this area, impatiens on the ground and more sun tolerant plantings in the baskets that hang on the fence. My Unique Hydrangeas are also part of this long planting strip. I realize by going back over my planting history in the shade how much I miss some of the plants that I no longer have the room to accomodate. We will revisit this area again in the spring.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Outdoor Fun With Children
Make It Wild! 101 Things To Make And Do Outdoors
By Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield
ISBN: 978-0-7112-2885-6
The title alone would invite the adventuresome to open the cover! There is a child pictured looking at a sailboat that we assume is self-constructed and the promise of more adventure to come scrolled across the bottom of the book. One knows from the touch that this book is meant to be an outside reference as it is coated for durability.
The authors are all about stimulating the imagination and restoring a sense of wonder in children. They are beckoning them to get up from the computer and television and release that sense of adventure. They use the category Ephemeral Art to encompass Beach Art, Woodland Art and Ice and Snow. All of these activities could be done with younger children with supervision. Older children would naturally enjoy these activities and add their own age appropriate creativity. The snow lanterns are beautiful, but would require an adult to light the candles.
The Outdoor Toys section is magical, offering explicit directions on how to make each one. I know how fascinated many children are with Go Carts and there are step-by-step directions for a successful execution of a simple rope steered go cart. The children go on to explore the beach finding pieces of driftwood to fashion cricket bats, type of baseball bat, small rafts and boats. The paper gliders and painted paper kites are ingenious incorporating many important educational skills, i.e. design, balance, fine motor, social and teamwork.
Clay, wood furniture, making paints from natural ingredients, handmade jewelry, leaf crafts and natural mobiles and wind chimes are only some of the activities out of 101. The authors have jam-packed this exciting book with things that most adults would enjoy doing. Many of the activities are geared to children ten and up with younger children included with modifications. This would be a great reference not only for parents but teachers, camp and scout leaders.
Many of the fire-based activities would be just as creative and educational without the element of danger. The authors make many disclaimers throughout the book regarding the use of dangerous materials such as the fire and sharp instruments. It will be up to those who take on the supervisory role for these activities to determine the appropriateness .
Highly recommended book for its creativeness and timeliness in regard to children being more active physically and creatively!
Eileen Hanley (Gatsbys Gardens) Reviewer for Bookpleasures.com
Related article in Early Childhood News
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=479
By Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield
ISBN: 978-0-7112-2885-6
The title alone would invite the adventuresome to open the cover! There is a child pictured looking at a sailboat that we assume is self-constructed and the promise of more adventure to come scrolled across the bottom of the book. One knows from the touch that this book is meant to be an outside reference as it is coated for durability.
The authors are all about stimulating the imagination and restoring a sense of wonder in children. They are beckoning them to get up from the computer and television and release that sense of adventure. They use the category Ephemeral Art to encompass Beach Art, Woodland Art and Ice and Snow. All of these activities could be done with younger children with supervision. Older children would naturally enjoy these activities and add their own age appropriate creativity. The snow lanterns are beautiful, but would require an adult to light the candles.
The Outdoor Toys section is magical, offering explicit directions on how to make each one. I know how fascinated many children are with Go Carts and there are step-by-step directions for a successful execution of a simple rope steered go cart. The children go on to explore the beach finding pieces of driftwood to fashion cricket bats, type of baseball bat, small rafts and boats. The paper gliders and painted paper kites are ingenious incorporating many important educational skills, i.e. design, balance, fine motor, social and teamwork.
Clay, wood furniture, making paints from natural ingredients, handmade jewelry, leaf crafts and natural mobiles and wind chimes are only some of the activities out of 101. The authors have jam-packed this exciting book with things that most adults would enjoy doing. Many of the activities are geared to children ten and up with younger children included with modifications. This would be a great reference not only for parents but teachers, camp and scout leaders.
Many of the fire-based activities would be just as creative and educational without the element of danger. The authors make many disclaimers throughout the book regarding the use of dangerous materials such as the fire and sharp instruments. It will be up to those who take on the supervisory role for these activities to determine the appropriateness .
Highly recommended book for its creativeness and timeliness in regard to children being more active physically and creatively!
Eileen Hanley (Gatsbys Gardens) Reviewer for Bookpleasures.com
Related article in Early Childhood News
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=479
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