Gardening

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Sunshine Award: Passing it On

Sunshine Award

The Sunshine Award is passed on by fellow bloggers who feel your “positivity & creativity” inspires others in the blog world. Thank you Eleenie who blogs at Denobears who  believes

“Travel broadens the mind they say, living in another country certainly stretches it to the limit.  I’ve cherished every minute of my country hopping adventures and want to share some of my experiences of our time in Greece and more so my new life in Bulgaria with others.  I hope you enjoy them!”

In keeping with the spirit of this honor I’m:

  • Posting the award to my blog
  • Passing on the award to  7 of my favorite bloggers
  • Sharing 7 (hopefully) interesting things about myself.

If you are reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart for following my blog.  I’m honored and flattered.

In turn I’d like to pass the Sunshine Award to the following seven bloggers.  You inspire me:

A Purrfect Cat:  A blogger learning about the joys of living with a cat.  Stunning photos, fun read.  If you love cats like I do, this one’s for you.

Boomdeeadda: A bit about Kelly “I’m living the dream with Mr Right and two rescue cats, Petals & Blossum. Life and Love is enhanced by the many on going projects.  This is a Journal of these and other bits along the way.”  She’s a kindred spirit and an interesting blogger.  Show her some love.

Golden Hills Real Estate: My friend Bob blogs about real estate.  Dry you say?  Read on.  His posts are fun and informative, altering between practical, informative and funny.  He’s a great writer.  Go take a look.

Greenhousing: “Big plans for a small garden.”  I envy all their rain!

Pillows a-la Mode:  Quick, crafty ideas for the hidden seamstress in all of us.

Sadie & Dasie:  I click on Sadie’s site every day.  She posts three stunning photos based on a one-word theme like Orange, Dots or Dogs.  She has two beautiful pit bulls.  Fun!

Soulsby Farm:  “We believe in sustainable farming from organic heirloom seeds and are strongly against GMO’s. We grow everything organically and let our hens free range around the garden (and sometimes the neighbor’s yard).” Check out the blog and then check out their non-profit Project Garden Share.  Good souls!

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Sharon’s Way: Accessible Landscaping

Our landscape designer recently asked for video of my sister using the garden ramp.  From what I gather, it is fairly unusual to see ramps incorporated into landscaping.  The more I’ve thought about it, the more it makes sense for all of us.  We’ve worked hard as a society to create accessibility in the work place, on the corner sidewalk, in schools and even sporting events.  I think there is a wonderful niche market for creating inviting landscapes that also allow all our friends and family to visit with ease.  It’s also an investment in our own future; a way to age in place.

Do you think this trend could catch on?

Design by Bergez & Associates.
Installation by Natural Bridges Landscaping

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Blooming Thursday: Flowers that Shouldn’t

Flowering Basil

I checked on the basil a day ago and all was well.  Today it flowered!  Maximum production requires more pruning then I realized.  The flowers are pretty but the prize on the basil plant are those delicious leaves.  They are at their best, before the flower.

One of my favorite uses for basil is caprese salad, made with basil, mozzarella and tomatoes.  It’s also delicious in pesto.

So when the sun goes down, the pruning shears come out.  Can’t you just smell it?

How to make Caprese Salad.

Easy Pesto: Step by step

How to dry Herbs: I’ll stick with it fresh, but all you cooking gurus can give this a go.

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Bringing the Garden Indoors: Fun Vase, Flamboyant Flowers

Hydrangea and Fern in the “Fish Bowl”

I darted into the grocery store yesterday to pick up a few things, and found myself at a stand-still in front of these clever vases.  What a great idea!  Most of the designs were dark floral prints, but I fell in love with the goldfish.

The premise is such a simple one: a non-breakable but sturdy vase that stores flat in between uses.  I may pick up a few more to have on hand for gifts.  They’re perfect for taking flowers to someone in the hospital as well.  No breakable vase to deal with when you head home.

The vase is also surprisingly stable.  I consciously tried to knock it over without success.

My gardening hat is off to you reva™ vase!

Reva Vase™, Expanding Flower Vase

Reva™ Vase

I’ve been saving small bottles and jars to use as flower vessels as well.  For some reason the squared off jars (from spices and sauces) really appeal to me.  When my husband brings me a mixed bouquet, they start out in one large vase.  As the blooms dry out (the roses are always the first to go), I toss the spent flowers, and consolidate what’s left into small jars.  I get a lot of mileage from one bunch.

Floral Bouquet Deconstructed

Closeups

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Photo Finish: Maple Squeaks By

Thank you for voting!  What a supportive community I’ve found in the Blogosphere.  Every comment and every “like” highlight my day.

Here is the final tally, compiled from votes on WordPress and Facebook:

(a) Alys and the fern – 13

(b) Alys in front of the Maple – 14

(c) Alys looking up – 2

So…the winner is:

My New Photo: Anne Daiva Photography

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ♥ ♥ ♥

Anne Daiva Photography

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Container Garden Update: Flowering Pots

Last call for votes

Thank you so much for casting your vote yesterday.  I have a few responses still trickling in so I’ll give it one more day before sharing the results.  If you would like to weigh in, I’m asking readers to help me select one of three photos; what you think best reflects Gardening Nirvana.  I’ll use the most popular photo on my site.  Please leave your vote in the comments section here.  Thank you!

Container Garden Update

I checked on all my container plants this morning.  We’re expecting temps in the high-nineties today, so the pots are more likely to dry out.  A few of the containers are on a drip system, but most I still water by hand.  It’s a nice way to stay connected.

We have a planter out front with our address etched into the ceramic, a gift from my friend, Marcia.  It’s been home to a pink geranium for several years, but the plant is looking tired and cramped.  I’ll need to find a bigger pot, and a plant to replace it. Oh darn…a trip to the nursery ;-).

See how pretty it looked in April? Not any more.

The plants on deck are looking healthy.  The coleus had a growth spurt, and the trailing flowers surrounding it should have enough weight to start cascading down the side of the pot.

Coleus

Yellow Snapdragons grow one pot over, but they may not be getting enough sun.  Only one side of the plant is flowering.  They look healthy enough.  I’ll keep an eye on things.

Yellow Snapdragons Peak Over the Back of the Chair

The miniature yellow rose survived the transplant and is recovering from dusty mold.  The pot is finally full enough to keep the squirrels from digging.  Well, mostly.

12-Year-Old Miniature Roses

We have three, over-sized pots grouped together on our back steps.  The pink hydrangea has grown quite tall, no doubt grateful for the extra room in the planter.  I had a pair of fuchsias in there for a few years, but they developed some sort of blight and I couldn’t get them to come back.

Three Flowering Pots: Hydrangea, Sweet Onions, Lambs Ear

Today’s high temps will be good for the tomatoes, berries and pumpkins. Summer solstice is almost upon us!

What’s growing in your planting pots these days?

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Portraits in the Garden: Anne Daiva Photography

Smooches for Lindy

My friend Heather often mentioned her kindred-spirit, Anne and what a talented photographer she was.  We finally met a couple of years ago at Heather’s baby shower.  Little did I know I would one day be on the receiving end of Anne’s talents.

In need of some professional head shots, I scheduled a photo shoot with Annie, who captured these photos in my garden.  She specializes in infant and early childhood photography, but was happy to offer her services to capture my…less than youthful image.  I’m so grateful.

Anne’s presence behind the camera is one of calm reassurance.  She gives wonderful cues and works hard putting you at ease.  Her mission as a photographer is as follows:

“My fulfillment of capturing people in portraits goes far beyond the love and emotion we all share. It has evolved into a journey of observing and capturing connection with each other as well as connection to this wondrous planet. While photography has always been my biggest passion and brought me endless joy, my mission has become clear. My most favorite quote is Gandhi’s “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and I am finally doing just that. My awakening to what I can do has been sudden and substantial. Since late 2011 I have made major changes in my home life and business practices, for the times we live in call for it. I pledge to do my part for our kids generations and all future generations by living a healthy life and make conscious choices that are best for our planet.” Anne Daiva

…read more about Anne Daiva Photography here

It takes awhile to let go of your inhibitions in front of a camera.  You are literally the center of attention for over an hour.  Her style of quiet reassurance helped me relax and it got easier as time went on.

So…I have a favor to ask.  Will you take a look at the three photos, below and let me know  which photo you think best reflects Gardening Nirvana?  I’ll use the most popular photo on my site.  Please leave your vote in the comments section below.  Thank you!

(a) Alys and the Fern

(b) Alys in front of the Maple

(c) Alys looking up

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Ornamental Grass: Feathery Wisps, Garden Gifts

A few years ago, a landscape designer mentioned the benefits of using ornamental grasses in garden design.  I wasn’t sold on the idea.  A few years before, I read an article on invasive grasses in our state, nearly impossible to destroy and prolific to the point of taking over native plants.  Would my garden also be overrun by the invasive grassy beast?

One of our neighbors had a beautiful ornamental grass in her garden, but it eventually overtook an entire corner of her backyard.  It required heavy pruning which in turn created a homely plant.  Well.

As you may have guessed, I eventually reconsidered!  We now have several varieties of ornamental grass, each uniquely graceful and one of my favorite garden elements.  The shortest of the grasses is a stand-out for its lemony-green striped leaves, soft and no more than six inches tall. Known as  ‘Aureola’ Japanese Forest Grass,  the plant grows low to the ground but spreads about two feet wide.  It turns brown when dormant, but bounces back to its beautiful self in the spring!

‘Aureola’ Japanese Forest Grass

Along our property line, we have a swaying wall of New Zealand Flax.  Full at the base, the plant gives way  to tall, feathery grasses that change color with the seasons.  Last fall and winter they were golden-yellow.  The Flax now boasts several deep shades of purple with a bit of gray.

New Zealand Flax

We have a single specimen known as Giant Feather Grass bumping up against the steps.  The grass arches over the top half of the ramp and catches the afternoon sun.  It reminds me of an over-sized dandelion with its tall stalk and ball-like grassy top.

Giant Feather Grass

I’m always trying to capture their beauty with my camera, but the movement and wistfulness make for a lot of blurry pictures.

If your climate supports growing ornamental grasses, I urge you to consider one native to your area.  The constant movement and the play of light are stunning.

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Staking Tomatoes

Not “steak and tomatoes” but tomato stakes, those wonderful supports you place around your cute little tomato plants.  It takes planning and a healthy dose of optimism to set them up early.  While you’re waiting around for the perfect day to do that chore, your tiny plants morph into shrubs.

I have a few choice words for the lazy gardener who puts off this task.

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Okay, now that I’m done telling myself off, I’m happy to report that I did manage to wrangle a couple of folding plant stakes around the prolific tomatoes.  I’m glad that’s done!

Staked Tomatoes

While I was at it, I tied a couple of old wooden trellises together into an A-frame for the pumpkin vines.  Hopefully, [insert optimism here] the elevated fruit deters the midnight foragers.  Time will tell.

Pumpkin Trellis

Happy Friday!

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Blooming Thursday: Kinder + Garden

According to Merriam-Webster, bloom can mean “to produce or yield flowers.”  It also means “to mature into achievement of one’s potential.”

Last night my soon-to-be 12 year-old asked if I liked HTML.  I said that I did.  He wanted to create this beautiful lettering for my blog using one of his favorite sites.  He was also careful to point out that it wasn’t completely original, giving credit where credit was due.  I love it!

• • • • • Gardening Nirvana • • • • •

His integrity, thoughtfulness, creativity and wonderful imagination bring me such joy.  It occurred to me today as I was photographing the blooms in my garden, that my children are blooming as well, blossoming really into two terrific young men.

That’s a lot of blooming on Thursday!

Oh yeah…the garden blooms:

I can’t get enough of the view: Blue Hydrangea

Close-up

I think the cosmos grew another foot!

Happy pollinator wearing a purple party hat

Pumpkin flower hiding in the cosmos