Weed Before They Seed

May 22, 2013 in Garden Plant Guides | Tags: , , , , , | by | 4 comments


Let’s be honest, weeding is just a necessary evil of gardening.  We have talked about it before.

Here is a recap of the top tips on weeding:

  • Weeding is always better with a friend.
  • It is easier after a rain.

But the most important part of weeding is timing.

Here is my recent weeding adventure:

These prehistoric looking weeds were starting to invade my front bed.  They are nasty little things with prickly thorns all around.

weed3

You may use a trowel or a weeding tool.  Or you can go all chemical on them with some Round Up. Regardless of your method the most important part is getting to them before they set seed.  Let’s face it, there is nothing worse than tons of baby weeds to deal with.  Also, don’t forget to put them out for trash collection instead of putting them in your compost.  They are resilient plants and may very well take up dwelling in your pile.

weed1

Remember the next time you are putting off the weeding chore, be sure they aren’t getting ready to seed.  If you wait, it can exponentially increase your work.

Definitely weed before they seed!

Happy Gardening!

m

A Sunset Color Pallet will Delight

May 16, 2013 in Garden Plant Guides | Tags: , , , , | by | 1 comment


I wish I could say I planned it.  I wish there was some sort of fabulous story of a romantic sunset that took my breathe away and inspired me to curate a landscape in bright yellows, oranges and a hint of pinks and reds, but I don’t.  This time, it was serendipity.  It was all luck. I am thankful.

sunsetgarden

What an amazing scene. A series of delicate yellow Japanese Irises popping after a few days of slow rain.  Passionate orange Gerber Daisies unfolding like a fan.  Then, surprisingly, the Nandina offers the unexpected red and pink hues.  A brilliant combination.  A combination that leaves me seeking that romantic sunset story in my near future.  Perhaps I will find such a story.

You should grow 3 of my favs together-

  1. Japanese Iris
  2. Gerber Daisy
  3. Nandina

You should let nature inspire your pallet.  Or perhaps, you can keep your fingers crossed and see if the garden fairies look kindly upon you and offer some luck.

Happy Gardening!

m

Honeybee Die-out Complex and BIG Concern for Every American

May 3, 2013 in How To Garden | Tags: , , , | by | Leave a comment


honeybees

Many people probably skim the news and see random stories about honeybees dying and don’t really think about it.  It is an epic problem.  I am not trying to sensationalize anything, but without honeybees there would be no food. This problem effects more than tens of billions of dollars within the American agricultural economy.

Honeybees do far more than produce honey, they pretty much pollenate all food sources for animals and humans.  Therefore, these reports of a massive die out should raise concerns in us all.

Today, the US government released a study that there isn’t one single cause for the massive death of the honebees, but multiple ones, including poor nutrition, pesticides, parasites and lack of genetic diversity, (tangentially related -a big issue in Salmon these days too). More details of the study and the problem can be found in this New York Times blog article.

Bottom line – we don’t have the answer yet.  The problem is way more complex than we thought.  We aren’t equiped right now to solve for it.  But I have hope we will figure it out…it just may take a while.

Next time you see honeybee news, you may think twice about skipping the article.  It not only effects us garden lovers, but everyone.

Two Gardeners are Always Better than One – Best Gift Ever

April 24, 2013 in How To Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , | by | 4 comments


First let me start by saying this was one of the best birthday presents I have ever received.  My friend and co-blog writer Chris, gave me time to help me in my garden.  These days I value time more than I have ever in my life.

Plus spring is a busy season for us dirt diggers. Here is what we did with that time in the garden. Two gardeners are always better than one.

Check out the before and after pictures: Incredible.

BEFORE

Look at this lonely chair that actually was missing a slat. I painted it a couple of years ago and really haven't done anything with it.

Look at this lonely chair that actually was missing a slat. I painted it a couple of years ago and really haven’t done anything with it.

AFTER

WOW....we took chairs, pots and plants from around and look how it all turned out. We even used my "Tiki Bar" sign.

WOW….we took chairs, pots and plants from around and look how it all turned out. We even used my “Tiki Bar” sign.

Here is the to do list:

AFTERNOON 1:

  1. We started with one bed at a time.  We weeded, added fertilizer and cut back all the perennials.
  2. Then we assessed if plants were happy in their spots.  We moved 4 shrubs into new homes. WARNING: be careful how many you move in the spring.  You must water them religiously during the summer.
  3. We moved pots and furniture  around. Chris has vision…I haven’t developed mine yet.
  4. We stopped, had some wine and celebrated our accomplishments. We scheduled next session.
Adding the bird feeder and pots together helped with the structure.

Adding the bird feeder and pots together helped with the structure.

AFTERNOON 2:

  1. We planted the shrubs and trees I got from various plant sales and swaps- another 5 in total.
  2. We added soil conditioner and mushroom compost to my soil…it was a little dense.  Good tip to remember.
  3. We planted my fruit bushes – blueberries and blackberries.
  4. We turned the rest of the veggie bed to prep for tomatoes and other summer goodies.
Beds have new blueberry and blackberry bushes. Bring on the tomatoes!

Beds have new blueberry and blackberry bushes. Bring on the tomatoes!

AFTERNOON 3:  …which was a bonus and not really part of my present

Chris showed up with her wonder-man husband Bill to help limb up some trees to offer more sunshine.  It is a amazing what one can do with a bow saw, tree pruners and a ladder. NOTE…I held the ladder – it was a very important job!

WOW…it was transformative.  Thanks Chris. Thanks Bill. Best gift ever…

You should find a pal and help each other in each garden.  It’s more fun and you get soooooo much more done.

Happy Gardening!

m

Gardeners Go On

April 21, 2013 in How To Garden | Tags: , | by | 8 comments


I'genes_phloxFor years I’ve devoted a day every April to gardening with my oldest friend, Imogene. 

In the beginning we raked and planted side by side.  We got dirty, made a mess, planted beautiful things.  Then Imogene’s husband would come out in his  necktie and sweep  up  after us.  

It was always a really good  day.

More recently, Imogene couldn’t do much heavy work, so she pulled weeds (with a vengeance)  from a lawn chair that I moved around.

The last few times we planted, she  held the plant tags and watched from the window, too frail to navigate her own back stairs.

Then in late February, at the age of 97,  my oldest friend passed away. 

It was time,  as they say.  Still I  am sad that we will not celebrate Spring in her garden this year.  But it helps that Imogene is everywhere in mine.  

Gardeners go on–

In the plants they share like the blue woodland phlox in the top photo.  Imogene dug a clump from her garden for mine almost 30 years ago.   Because of the cool weather, it is having a splendid year. 

In the designs they inspire like this path I built with my own two hands after the brick knot garden that Imogene built with her own two hands became a problem for the mower guy and  she told me I would be doing her a big favor if I carted all the hand-made brick away.  I'gene's_brick

In the knowledge and encouragement they pass on to younger gardeners which may be why I’m finally able to sit down and write about the loss of my dear friend.  Husband Bill and I just spent a very hard but satisfying Saturday afternoon helping co-blogger Melissa  limb up trees in her garden. 

The best gardens are never solo projects—Imogene would be proud.

My oldest friend and garden mentor, Imogene and me

My oldest friend and garden mentor, Imogene and me

A long-time gardener and a passionate beginner share the dirt on their NC gardens-

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