Along the Picket Fence

Paeonia Yellow Crown et al.

2009-08-16T23:09:00.010-05:00

A statement like, I cultivate gorgeous peonies, sounds borishly over confident and yet I can say it because it's just what I do. You can too. Why? Because the peony is a survivor. Having said that, I must make issue with the fact that it doesn't appreciate being disturbed. Move one plant half a dozen times and maybe the peony isn't cut out for you. However, if you are decisive and know just where you want to locate your peonies, you're all set. Two factors really ensure the peony's survival, 1) try to locate a plant with a bit of protection from the wind and 2) don't locate it in a heavily shaded spot. Now, I've seen big, beautiful blossoms from peonies planted in fields where they were buffeted constantly from Midwest winds and others who thrive even though they must stick their stems out to catch a few rays. I have peonies scattered throughout my garden beds, some thriving in not so ideal locations. Other than the obvious, that's the beauty of the peony.

I'm going to leave the expert advice on proper cultivation to the experts and just talk about the fun stuff like, how I unexpectedly acquired three Yellow Crown peonies this weekend. If you aren't already aware of it, now's a great time to rummage around in your local nurseries for end-of-the-season bargains. Most nurseries want to reduce the amount of nursery stock they have to take inside for the winter. It's a plus-+ for filling out bare spots in garden beds. The Yellow Crown peony, pictured above, is actually a tree peony. A tree peony is a shrubby, deciduous plant which develops woody stems, growing between three and six feet tall. A herbaceous peony, pictured below, is a hardy perennial, growing between 18 and 36 inches tall with foliage that dies back each winter. Cost is a huge factor between the two types. A healthy young tree peony can easily range between $30-$100 whereas a common herbaceous peony will cost between $10-$30. Today, I paid $10 each for the Yellow Crowns I brought home. Yipeee! Of course the tree varieties were few but right now, the herbaceous varieties are still many. The Bowl of Beauty (above) can be found for around $8. A super variety, mine flower profusely each spring.

Here's a tip if you've never grown peonies before: Mix a bit of compost and a pinch of bonemeal into the hole when planting. Also, it's hard to tell in late summer if the plant has flowered, a good indication it will again flower in the coming spring. So, choose a nice large specimen. I've bought scrappy little plants in the past thinking they'll catch up. Wrong. Scrappy little peonies rarely produce. If the specimen you are looking at, yes, even on the bargain table, isn't robust and healthy, pass it up. Guaranteed, you'll find nice sized plants at a reputable nursery.

If your local nurseries don't discount plants, maybe you should be asking: why not? Luckily, I have many nurseries to choose from in my area. Most move stock by discounting but one in particular rarely ever discounts anything, heaven forbid has a (cringe) clearance table. I asked why not and was told very matter-of-factly that their grower fully refunded any damaged, dead, or even simply unsaleable plants. Really? Isn't that why big box stores get a bad rap from gardeners? Because they can throw in the dumpster for 100% reimbursement what the small moms & pops cannot? I don't boycott the big box stores either, unless they are dressed up as something they are not. Enough said.

Now is the time to plant for a showy next spring. In our area, there's plenty of time to get new perennials rooted in before the first frost. And, in a couple more weeks, the new fall bulbs will be out. I checked with my favorite nursery and the tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulbs will be on sale the last weekend of August. Good times.

Speaking of bulbs, rhizomes, and roots, I've started bare root peonies in my gardens. If planting bare root, look for a root with three to five well developed eyes, which are little red bud formations. Make sure that the eyes are planted no more than two inches below the soil line. Planting any deeper is an exercise in futility as the peony won't bloom. That's why I really like to plant potted peonies. Don't bury the crown of the plant and the guess work is all done.

Hey, I love to hear about your garden finds. Email me. And oh yeah, Tuesday Morning has a popular ergonomic line of gardening tools for 50% off retail while supplies last. You're welcome!

Gardening as a Way of Life

2009-08-10T08:55:00.014-05:00

We, Dave and I, have a very misunderstood lifestyle. We're . . . gardeners. ( Oooh, hush!)

Granted, I'm the one who has the greenest thumb. I can take petunias from nice to how'd-you-do-that in 0 to 60 days. And, we've been bringing in around 100 tomatoes a week for about a month now which is not bad from our back yard garden. But grooming an astonishing look in flowers or coaxing a gargantuan amount of produce in vegetables is only half of what makes Blessing Hill so fabulous. That half is just the fun stuff which is my job. The other half of the magic is hard work. In the above picture are three elements of hardscape: the arbor, the fence, and the gazebo. And, I'll guarantee you they wouldn't be there---in the picture or on our property---if it weren't for Dave. He's the muscle, the installer, the carpenter, that keeps our place looking its best.

The person who built our house also built our back deck. Much like his mind, the deck was a small, closed box. I hated it. There was just enough room for a couple chairs and one flower pot, if both chairs and the pot didn't mind sitting upon each other. So, Dave redesigned the deck, not from any purchased plan but from an original idea. He took vacation to have time to bring the new deck to frutation. I had the pleasure of tearing apart the old deck and helping put together the new one. However, I'm lousy with a tape measure. I'm close but Dave's exact. In 100 degree sweltering heat, we built our deck together. There's always a new project. Each winter I set about making plans. Plans for flower combinations in hanging baskets, containers, and even beds. Plans for new beds or for enlarging an existing bed. Plans for hardscape or for dealing with problems in hardscape. It's a continual process.

Most people don't understand how much work it takes. Wouldn't Dave rather be out on the golf course??? I can't speak for him, but he doesn't own a bag full of clubs, he owns a barn full of tools. (Personally, it's just my opinion but unless you are Tiger Woods, the only reason to spend an entire day of one's weekend at the course is to have an excuse to get away from the wife and kids.) This gardening season I wasn't able to do the things I normally do. Dave picked up the slack. But when I'm in fine fiddle, we can work outside the entire weekend and not accomplish everything that needs to be done. Like this past weekend, we didn't get our grass mown. Imagine.

We've heard that we don't have a social network since we spend our time at Blessing Hill all alone. We should join a group, a Bible study for instance, or take up a hobby like riding motorcycles with other cyclists. We wouldn't be so isolated that way. Don't cry for us, Argentina! We'll be just fine. We probably have a larger social network and come in contact with more people than any other average couple. Consider this: gardening isn't just about sticking a flower in a pot. Have I said that before?

Well for those who don't live and breathe gardening, here's the scoop. In order to do the things we love to do, we have to rely on others to ensure that we maintain our lifestyle. Like, consider this: We wouldn't have a new potting shed if it weren't for

Sutherlands
Lowe's
Home Depot
Habitat for Humanity
Davis Paint

all of which are places where we've made friends. And of course there's

Nick's Green Leaf Gardens
Johnson Farms
Farrand Farms
Colonial Nursery
Family Tree Nursery

where we've made friends not only with the people who own and/or work there but with people who shop there as well. Then there's the not so familiar contact of strangers. I would consider it an unsuccessful outing if not one spontaneous conversation happened over a table laden with garden herbs or begonias. And then there's Dave hobby of constant bargaining. It's good times when an item he wants gets discounted just for his asking. Or, he finds an estate sale where I can't leave without at least one thing for the garden.

Does Dave look put upon to carry those tomaotes in the above picture or does he look proud of his harvest? You tell me, that tub holds 80 large tomatoes. Did I mention that we love to eat? It doesn't matter either whether its in or out, at home or at restaurant. But what does matter is the food. At home, we eat straight from our vegetable garden. Pure delight. Forget potato chips when the zucchini is in season and fried to perfection. Not to mention cake and bread and . . . how about those tomatoes turned into sauce for eggplant parmasean side dressed with cucumbers and onions turned in vinaigrette, and sweet potato pie to finish.

Oh yeah, baby, it's a good life.

What Does Summer Look Like?

2009-08-05T07:56:00.007-05:00

Around here? Vegetables baby, vegetables! This time of year the tomato plants are big, bushy, and thick with ripening fruit. The wisteria is in constant need of taming. And, my flip flops keep constant company with a pot of caladiums at the back door. On a good day it all runs me ragged. Having had more off days than not this gardening season, it's been daunting---the weeding, the feeding, but luckily not as much watering. We've had it good with the weather. Cool temps. Lot's of rain. Just yesterday another inch and a quarter. I woke up to the sounds of thunder and rain beating against our bedroom window. Sweet.

As we were out and about last weekend, Dave and I stopped at a convenience store for drinks. I stayed in the car with Lu while Dave ran in. Behind the store is a large green space that isn't mowed on a regular basis. With all the rain we've had, this green space was host to a sea of Queen Anne's lace. Sometimes I see things in a different way than most but it seemed to me that those lacey, white doilies were twirling to the beat of Shake, Shake, Shake by KC and the Sunshine Band playing on the radio. Delightful. With the invention of cellular phones that fit in one's ear, no one questions my sanity anymore when I'm by myself and I laugh out loud at the humor in nature.

Speaking of which, I was out in the vegetable garden yesterday and happened upon one of nature's perplexities. Is that even a word? I love the dictionary definition: The quality of being intricate or complicated; entanglement. If you're looking at the third picture of this posting, enough said. Maybe its the quality of being intricate and complicated at the same time that causes the entaglement. It sure was in this case as a deviation in a blossom produced a conjoined squash. Exceptional. I can hardly wait to show it off to all my gardening buddies. And to think a yellow squash could be such a hot topic. I'm sure it will spark many over-the-fence conversations.

Anomalies seem to be in the air right now. I was visiting with a friend who raises bird dogs. No, not canines with wings, but English setters or pointers or whatever they are called, and one of the females in the kennel has the cutest litter of puppies. Most look like their father, white body, black head, but only one takes after the mother, white body, beige head. We considered purchasing one but Lu is half hunter---German shorthair. Dogs that were bred for hunting can be very focused and often Lu gets so focused he only hears the beat of his own drum. We have issues. I decided another hunting dog in the house is not our best choice. However, Lu needs a companion. I'm too old to play a good game of run and chase and I'll guarantee you when the car leaves on the weekend, no matter how hot it is outside, I'm in it. On the other hand, Lu isn't and I'm sure when he's left home by himself, he's very lonely.

So back to the anomaly . . . same neighbor tells me that his son's dog just had puppies and they are looking for good homes for them. It seems that their English bulldog (female) and their Great Pyrenees (male) are now parents. We should bring Lu's new sister home around the end of September. Exciting. Can't wait to see what a full grown Bullnees will look like . . .

On another note, summer looks like good food spread out on a picnic table. Here's a cake to put the icing on the last course of an outdoor feast:

Cocoa-Molasses Zucchini Cake

2 cups shredded zucchini
1 1/2 teas lemon juice
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 large eggs
1 teas vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teas baking powder
1 teas baking soda
1/2 teas salt
1/2 teas ground cinnamon
1/2 teas ground cloves
1/4 teas freshly ground nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350

In a small cup, combine milk and lemon juice. Allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes or until the milks sours and thickens slightly. In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Whisk to incorporate and then set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, canola oil, sugar and molasses until well blended. Add the eggs and vanilla. Now gradually alternate the dry ingredients and the sour milk into the butter mixture. Fold in shredded zucchini.

Pour into a greased, floured pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool and frost with your favorite chocolate icing recipe.

There's Always a Blessing in a Dilemma

2009-07-29T12:50:00.010-05:00

I was folding laundry this morning and I came across my favorite gray t-shirt with Mickey Mouse stamped on the front. It was a great t-shirt, v-neck and just at waist length, made out of extremely light, soft material. I spent many hours in the garden wearing it after it was deemed slightly used and relinquished to garden attire. I have been extremely unwilling to banish it to the dust rag bin, its collar so frayed the banding has separated from the material and the material is hanging in holey tatters. Having said that, this morning I finally gave in and made my peace with the Mickey t-shirt so that it could go on and fulfill its next purpose. But, instead of throwing it in the bin, I laid it on top of my desk in my office . . . next to the new laptop computer my husband, David, was adamant that we purchase.

My computer, the one I've been using to write these posts, is ancient. I don't even like it much. It's slow and its cantankerous. I often think about picking it up and throwing it at the wall. However, it's familiar. We came to an impass years ago---we both have quirks and we've learned to live with them. This new piece of technology sitting atop my desk is loathsome. Every time I clicked on something, ten damn boxes opened up, all of which had text and questions I neither had time to read or answer. I couldn't find my documents. I had no idea where anything was. After thirty minutes of complete frustration, I pulled the phone cord and fired up my old boat anchor. At least it works, albeit slow, and I know where to find everything. David, darling, you can have the new one.

I'm not at all opposed to new things. I love the new leather office chair I purchased. And, maybe one day I'll admit I was wrong and actually find a purpose for the new laptop. Thinking along those lines, I'll have to admit that as a Midwesterner, I can be stubborn. Like, I refused to plant sunflowers in my garden because I thought they were cliche. Who doesn't think of the central Midwest when they see a sunflower? Boring. Anyway, upon researching ways to spurn more produce with companion planting, I read that sunflowers and cucumbers have a symbiotic relationship. Planting these two together causes the cucumber to produce heavily. I was up for trying it. The research is in and its favorable. I do think the cucumber produces more when planted next to the sunflower. The sunflower provides shade and it provides the cucumber something to grab onto once it's grown out of its trellis or cage. I'm now drying the sunflower heads so that I'll have seed to plant like this again next year. And, I have to admit, I think their bright, sunny faces are beautiful.

In a previous post, I really blasted those food pantries whose volunteers were taking the best food for themselves instead of using it as it was intended for the needy. As a gardener, I was despondent about it. I have a calling and a talent. God gave me a green thumb for a reason. I was certain beyond a doubt that He wanted me to supply my local food pantries with my garden produce. And, I did. Four area pantries received the best produce I was capable of growing. But growing and donating wasn't the only task God asked of me. I truly believed He wanted me to get that produce into the hands of those most needy and when I watched volunteers skim right off the top, somehow I felt I'd failed God because I hadn't fulfilled His directive. I stopped searching for a food pantry where I could take my vegetables and herbs. However, I didn't stop praying about my dilemma. I'd planted my garden three times more than Dave and I could ever eat. As it began to come to fruitation, I agonized over what I would do with it all.

The squash were particularly heavy and when I brought them in in bushels, I got angry and set about freezing them. I processed enough squash to easily takes us through winter. I watched my freezer fill with yellow crook neck, Italian, and Black Beauty zucchini. I settled them on top of the bags of processed cabbage I put up before them. As I worked, I noticed that my anger was subsiding. I started thinking about all those awesome soups and casseroles David and I were going to enjoy this winter. And interesting enough, once I'd processed all the food we could possibly use, I quit worrying about what we'd do with the excess.

Not long afterwards, people in need began coming my way. A struggling young couple with two small children. Both a relative and a friend, who'd lost jobs. I have an old orange wash tub--- there's a picture of it in my last posting---that I take to the garden when I'm harvesting. It has helped me haul in some heavy loads over the years. This gardening season, whenever someone in need is sent my way, the old tub easily becomes filled to the brim. And, there's enough to share with others not because they are needy but because there's a blessing in every dilemma.

So You Don't Like Squash: A No Fail Recipe for Even the Pickiest of Eaters

2009-07-16T07:54:00.004-05:00

If you can deter the squash bugs long enough for the plants to bloom and set, the bounty of squash is usually overwhelming. In my garden, I have black beauty zucchini, Italian zucchini, yellow crook neck, and yellow zucchini. We are swimming in squash. I don't mind. It's cakes and casseroles and all kind of yummy treats. What I can't use right away is processed and frozen for winter cooking. David and I are vegetable lovers. We eat out of the garden all summer long. This picture tells of the bounty we harvested just last night. A good portion will go to our local domestic abuse center.

I've tried lots of different recipes over the years to make squash palatable to everyone sitting down to the table. Here's the one recipe that even my son, who dislikes most vegetables, will eat:
Yellow Summer Squash Casserole

1 large or two small yellow squash, seeded and chopped
1 clove minced garlic
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz sour cream
1 small onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 stick of butter (oh no! oh yes!)
1 pkg Stove Top Stuffing, your favorite flavor
salt & pepper to taste
water

In large skillet, melt butter and saute squash, garlic, green pepper and onion until onion is opaque and squash is tender. Stir in the Stove Top Stuffing. If some of the bread crumbs remain dry, sprinkle with enough water to make mixture moist. Remove from heat. Now add the cream of chicken soup and sour cream. Stir to thoroughly incorporate all ingredients. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour into greased casserole dish and bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until center is set.
I am so going to stuff our Thanksgiving turkey with this very recipe. I can't imagine just how good that kind of stuffing will taste! Fabulous. Now, if that wasn't tantalizing enough, feast your eyes on this collection of homegrown tomatoes. Zowie!!! They are plump. They are juicy. They are happening. I have every intention of cutting into the Black Krim for dinner tonight. I'll let you know.

And just as an after thought, I found a brand new recipe for Chocolate zucchini cake. As soon as I've tried it, I'll let you in on that as well.

Happy eating!

In Love with the Perfect Tomato: A Summer Treasure Grown on the Vine

2009-07-13T08:49:00.011-05:00

When I'm talking to other gardeners about vegetables, I rarely hear much excitement in their voices over the subject of cucumbers or zucchini or green beans but all that changes when the conversation turns to tomatoes! I'll admit, I've carried out long passionate diatribes about the subject myself. Those of us who toil in a vegetable patch know there's no event more important than the first ripening of the season. I can't think of any other vegetable that elicits such ectasy, such unbridled sensual joy as biting into a ripe, juicy tomato. If you think I'm a bit wacky, you just run on down to your local supermarket and see if I'm not telling the truth. Rush right over to the tomato display, pick up a beautiful specimen and take a large bite of its pithy, tasteless flesh. Commercially grown tomatoes are for throwing, silly rabbit!

Anyway, I picked my first ripe tomato this season on the 4th of July. Happy! Not long after I pick the first, the rest tend to follow. In the above picture is an example of my favored child, Pink Girl. I picked it Saturday. Now I don't know about you, but when your tomato fills your hand, what larger joy can top that? In fact, there are others still on the vine bigger. Of course I'm bragging! After the serious conversations about growing tomatoes comes the garden rites of picking and then bragging about size. Okay, so I'm a woman and maybe my hands are small. Picture the same tomato, let's say, next to a pop can . . .

Alright, I'm done talking trash. Let's talk about varieties. In the picture are four different types I pulled out of the garden this weekend. Of course you can all spot the pink girl, at the 9 o'clock position. At the 12 position is jubilee. It is much like the pink girl in size and shape but has medium yellow flesh and has a more acidic taste. It's about the best yellow tomato I've grown. So far the plants are doing well and are setting nicely. In the 3 o'clock position are two pink oxheart. Don't waste your time. This plant is a 50/50 shot. What do I mean by that? Well, the plants are either very sturdy or very spindly. The tomatoes that set are both very sizeable or very scrawny. What I'm trying to say is it's not a variety where you can count on consistency. The flavor is, uh, okay. Moving on to the 6 o'clock position is amana orange. Both pink oxheart and amana orange are heirlooms and both won't be grown in my garden next year. The amana orange performs about the same as pink oxheart. The only difference between the two is taste. I liked the flavor of amana orange.

I'll be comparing some more later as I have other varieties ripen. This has been an experimental year for me. One that looks promising is Black Krim. I am on pins and needles for this one to ripen. The tomato is large. I would estimate it to be twice the size of the pink girl when it's ready. This is also an heirloom of the German varieity, I believe. Unlike the pink oxheart and amana orange, this is a consistent variety. It's plants are strong and set well.

Let's move on to some gardening advice. If you haven't already, it's time to help your tomato plants perform in the heat of summer. Last week I carefully loosened the dirt at the base of the feeder roots so that the tomato plants could easily drink more water. If that soil becomes compacted, either hand watering or rain will hit and run off. You want that moisture to penetrate all around the plant. I also worked a pelletized fertilizer into the soil. When the temperatures soar into the triple digits, its hard for any plant to set. Yes, they love warm weather but they'll expend their energy trying to stay alive and not set when it's an oven outside. So, make sure they can drink and feed heartily during extreme heat.

Now for a tip that's invaluable: My grandmother grew the most aromatic, succulent tomatoes in the whole world. I strive every year to emulate her gardening abilities. One thing that she stood firmly on was the use of bloom set. Why? Well, she gardened on a farm in south east Kansas where the rain fall is less plentiful than it is right here in the KC area. They relied on well water for their own needs so water was precious and not wasted. By using bloom set, Grandmother was helping her plants to grow and prosper. Bloom set can help a struggling tomato plant set more tomatoes. What I find is that bloom set also helps flush out a plants foliage. There's a visible difference in plants when bloom set is applied to the yellow blossoms. It encourages healthy growth in both plant and fruit. I pulled over 1800 tomatoes out of my garden last year. I think my grandmother had it going on! Lucky for me, with the advice of sage gardeners, my tomatoes do too!

Double Flora Pleno Tiger Lily

2009-07-12T15:20:00.005-05:00

Once again, sorry for the delay in blog postings. I've been fighting an uphill battle with my health for the past eight months, the last three the most arduous simply because I could not find good medical help. Finally, I've found a combination of doctors which I believe have my best interest in mind instead of an interest only in the amount of money to be made. Now, having shared that much---possibly TMI---I'm on new meds, I'm already feeling better, so let's hope I can better divide my time between gardening and writing about gardening!

As most of you know, I love all things garden and the more whimsical the better. So at the end of last summer, when I was perusing garden catalogs and came upon the double flora pleno tiger lily, I knew it was a must have for Blessing Hill's gardens. Right away, I filled out an online order and could barely wait to receive email confirmation that my order had been received. Keep in mind, when ordering some bulbs, the time of year depends on the time of shipping. Usually, lilies ship in the fall so they can be planted and overwinter. Needless to say, I waited all winter to see these awesome creatures. It was worth the wait! I had no idea how prolific the blooms would be and no idea the lasting power they would have. They have been spectacular.

Each flower has 24-36 petals that unfurl to reveal that gorgeous orange color and all those fiesty black freckles. What was really surprising to me was each three foot stem produced a half a dozen blooms per.

I found these bulbs at Van Bourgondien's. I'd like to share my experience with you. I placed a fairly sizeable order and everything but the tiger lilies arrived first and in great condition. When the tiger lilies arrived, I was terribly disappointed. The bulbs were soft and mushy. I found it odd that all the other bulbs were fine albeit the tiger lilies. I did some investigating. I could not fault Van Bourgondien's. The first shipment was sent directly from their business through regular mail and arrived just fine. However, when the tiger lilies were shipped, they went through a delivery service that dropped off at the post office and then routed them out. When I talked to customer service, I pointed out the difference. Not only did Van Bourgondien's ship me all new bulbs, they shipped regular mail, and didn't ask me to return the damaged bulbs. When the second set of tiger lily bulbs arrived, they were fresh and went directly into the ground. To let you know the quality of their bulbs, I planted the damaged tiger lilies, not expecting good results. Every last one came up and bloomed just as beautifully as the second set.

Surviving the Scorching Heat in Style

2009-06-25T07:40:00.009-05:00

It's been a blistering few days here at Blessing Hill as we've tried to survive not only the heat but the humidity as well. Luckily for us (me, the flowers, the dog) God sent some rain to intervene. We've had rain both Tuesday and Wednesday nights after some really unbearable temperatures. I'm talking daytime heat indexes of 110. It's a real testament to what holds up well in the garden. Of course there's always the tropical plants like elephant ears which thrive on this weather. My dwarf uprights have filled this swan planter with an abundance of foliage. Nice. But there are plants, perennial workhorses, who keep the garden fresh and beautiful no matter the degree of the inclemency. Here are some of my favorites:

Echinacea or Coneflower

A native of central and eastern North America, this hardy perennial survives diverse weather conditions from dry prairies to open woodland. It's being bred so that almost any color is available. My favorite varieties are white swan pictured, pink double delight, and coconut lime. However, I have several of the simply normal purple sprinkled through my gardens. They perform. When other flowers are wilting under the glare of an obtrusive sun, coneflowers are in their glory. Because coneflower is such an old garden standby, it can be dismissed for being too common. But, when the heat is scorching every parcel, you'll be glad you planted them. Zones 3-9, from Michigan to Louisiana.

Achillea or Yarrow

With around 85 species of this versatile perennial, I have to wonder why we don't see more variety in our nurseries. I would love to see a nursery carry a. clypeolata or a. ptarmica. Maybe I've just missed them when shopping. Anyway, I have several varieties in my own garden from pink grapefruit to moonshine, pictured is apricot. This season I've planted paprika and King Edward, red and light yellow respectively. There's a size, color, and light requirement for every need. The King Edward is a tiny yarrow, growing no more than six inches tall and spreading no more than nine inches in diameter whereas Moonshine can get up to three feet tall and two feet wide. Most flower all season with regular deadheading. Wonderful.

Hemerocallis or Daylily
This perennial can boast that it has over 50,000 named cultivars. If a person cannot find a size, color, and light requirement to fit the bill then maybe that person should just not grow daylily. These garden warriors can survive zones 3-10, preferring full sun but tolerating some shade. I have Stella de Oro planted in beds that receive full sun from dawn to dusk and in beds that appreciate the sun just till noon. In both places, they preform beautifully. Daylilies make exceptionally good border plants. When in bloom, there's not much showier. Just look at this gorgeous Barbara Mitchell I picked up at the end of the season clearance at a local nursery. What a gem. I have around 10 different daylilies in my garden beds and each year they just get better.

Some other heat tolerant favorites are rudbeckia, tall phlox, sedum, tanacetum vulgare, scabiosa, and oenothera.

Tomato Talk:

In a previous posting, I discussed Spectracide Immunox 3-in-1 Insect & Disease Control Plus Fertilizer. I'm happy to report that after spraying my plants, no further foliage damage was incurred. I pulled back the mulching material to increase air circulation, applied a balanced water soluble food, and watered vigorously. The plants look marvelous and are they ever setting tomatoes! Tomatoes love heat but not humidity because without proper air circulation, humidity breeds fungus. The straw I initially placed around my tomatoes to keep them moist in order for them to establish later becomes a problem if the air can't penetrate during humid conditions. So, problem solved.

Pictured are my Amana Orange tomatoes, a new variety I'm trying this year. Other new varieties to my garden include Cherokee Purple, Granny Smith, Black Krim, Pink Oxheart, and Orange Oxheart. I'm really experimenting this year. Usually, I'm a stolid Pink Girl grower. And yes, there are plenty of Pink Girls thriving. It's a race between one Pink Girl plant and a Black Krim plant to see who will have the first ripe tomato. I'll let you know if I would recommend any of the new varieties for next year's garden.

And, ooohh . . . EYES OPEN FOR THE GREEN HORNWORM! Yesterday, I was trimming my boxwoods and out on the ground fell two big, fat hornworms. Double Yuck!

Gardening for Donation: What's the Point?

2009-06-19T12:10:00.005-05:00

(Before I begin this posting, I'd like to let our neighbors to the north of us, in Norborne, MO, know that our heart-felt prayers are with you for a speedy recovery after the storm damage you incurred this week. God bless you!)

I assume that if you read this blog you must, at the very least, be the tiniest bit interested in the subject of gardening. Whether you are a novice or an expert gardener, whether you grow enough food to keep your family fed for the winter or whether you garden no more than sticking a geranium in a flower pot, you still know the effort it takes to make things grow. Now, whether you've been forced to skip a meal due to various forms of fasting or whether you've been down on your luck and couldn't afford a meal, you know hunger. Could someone please tell me how the hell to get the garden produce into the hands of the people who truly need and deserve it???

After that outburst, I owe you an explanation. Last year, I was talking to a friend of mine who raises organic produce for a living. We talked about the excess and I told her how I was donating mine to food pantries. At first I was appalled when she told me that she'd given up on food pantries. Her chief complaint was she didn't think her beautiful produce was ending up in the hands of the people to whom she was donating it. New to food pantry donating, I found it hard to understand when she said it gave her more joy to watch all the excess of her hard work being eaten by the chickens she raises on her farm. Well, I've climbed up on that cynical wagon with her this afternoon.

I don't know about you but I take my gardening very seriously. In the early spring when the first seedlings are going into the garden, I fret and worry endlessly with the wax and wane of frost warnings. Once I can get the garden past being frozen, there's a whole new gamut of things to stew about. Insects. Fungus. Weather. It's what we do as gardeners. The other thing we do is take pride in how well it all turns out. This I know for sure: my cabbages are more tightly layered, my tomatoes are redder and juicier, my green beans are more tender than any mass produced crap picked green and chemically altered to ripen from a corporate farm. Corporate farm, what an oxymoron!

Here's another oxymoron, volunteer pay. I looked up the word volunteer in the dictionary just to verify that it still means: one who enters into any service without the expectation of monetary consideration. So imagine my dismay, as I watched the volunteers rifle through and bag up, for themselves, the food I'd just donated for the needy. When I voiced my displeasure, I was told
there wasn't enough of my good produce to go around so it was best if the volunteers took it and besides, it's the only pay they got for all their hard work. Really?

Furthermore, I discovered that this food pantry had no income requirement for recipients to meet. I could back my Cadillac DeVille Concourse right up to the door, get out in my designer clothes, and fill my trunk with food meant for the needy---no questions asked! Of course I couldn't expect to get any currently donated fresh produce, but, what the heck.

I'm sure you're thinking that's just one food pantry out of hundreds. I'm batting five for five. If you ask me, that's a lousy average.

Spectracide Immunox 3-in-1: Combating Diseases that Arise from Elevated Temps Heating Moisture Soaked Ground

2009-06-17T08:26:00.008-05:00

Here in the heart of the country, we've been having some pretty significant storms. (Those of you in Drexel, MO, our prayers are with you for a quick recovery.) The rain fall totals, at least in the KC area, are above normal according to our weather forecasters. At Blessing Hill our grounds are ponded in places. The flower and vegetable beds are soaked. The tractor wheels churn water when I'm hauling around the trailer. But, it's not all bad. This has been great for the perennials, shrubs, and trees we've planted this season. At last count, I believe we were up to 16 new trees alone. I'm grateful not to be dragging the water hose or paying rural #6 those increased water rates.

And luckily for us, up until now, the temperatures have stayed an unbelievable 70's for the most part. These first 15 days of June were unlike any I've ever seen---chilly mornings for sleeveless shirts. Well, today that's coming to an end. We are going straight from comfortable to downright miserable with above normal temps and sweltering humidity. What might be great weather for my tropical weather loving friend the pink tiger lily pictured above, isn't such great weather for plants prone to fungus like Oenothera speciosa Siskiyou, Mexican Evening Primose, featured in the second picture. It prefers to be on the dry side. When its roots stand in moist, warm soil, a powdery film develops on its leaves. This is also said for most types of tall phlox. It's not detrimental to the plant's well being but it looks bad and the leaves don't fill out.

I'm an advocate for limited use of chemicals in the garden. But let's face it, sometimes it's necessary. Before applying a chemical fungicide, you could try spraying plants with a mixture of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil, and one quart of water to control powdery mildew. Unfortunately, that didn't work on my Siskiyou. However, what seems to have good results is a product from Spectracide called Immunox 3-in-1 Insect & Disease Control Plus Fertilizer. This product is a combination of insecticide, fungicide, and fertilizer. I sprayed my Siskiyou with Immunox and the problem subsided for about four weeks which is pretty typical with this type of all-in-one fungicide. With the powdery mildew gone, the leaves were able to become lush, supporting new growth.

Yesterday, I noticed that nasty leaf blight beginning to develop on my tomatoes. Once that gets started it's a nightmare to combat. The first thing to do is pull back any mulching material and allow the sun to begin drying the soil around the plant. This also improves air circulation which is crucial in healthy development. Pick up any plant debris and dispose of immediately. Remember, don't compost any part of a tomato plant to prevent future contamination. Water early in the day to allow foliage to dry before evening. Since just a few of my plants are infected, I decided to take preventative measures. I don't want the fungus to spread to my other tomato plants. I got out the Immunox and read the label from beginning to end but there was no mention of use on tomatoes. Every chemical manufacturer lists contact information included in the labeling. I called the toll free number and spoke to a product specialist who assured me that Immunox was safe to use on the tomatoes. I'll let you know how it did in a future posting.

Immunox is also designed to work well on roses prone to black spot. I plant mainly shrub roses for their ability to withstand disease. Imagine my dismay with my David Austin's Mary Rose shrub rose when it developed black spot. It was my understanding that the Mary Rose was the most consistent and tidy performer of all English roses. Well, it might be elsewhere but not in my garden. (Still by and far my favorite is Lady Elsie May who I think outshines all other shrub roses.) Mary Rose sprung to life this spring with a robust vigor and bloomed profusely before shedding all her leaves to black spot. I've sprayed her with Immunox and I'll also let you know how that fairs in a future posting.

Here's a list of diseases Spectracide Immunox 3-in-1 cant prevent and/or treat:

Black Spot

Brown Patch

Dollar Spot

Powdery Mildew

Rust

Blight

Leaf Spot

Insects it kills:

Aphids

Spider mites

Leafhoppers

Bagworms

Cicadas

Cankerworms

Webworms

Inchworms

Leafminers

Mealybugs

Thrips

Whiteflies

And, when applying Immunox, the plant receives a dose of fertilizer albeit a minor amount. I would suggest continuing with whatever fertilizer program you use.

For the Love of German Bearded Iris

2009-06-11T10:48:00.005-05:00

Sunshine & Snow I can't imagine a cottage garden---or any other garden for that matter---without the presence of German bearded iris. I remember when I first fell in love with these rhizomatous perennials. A few blocks from my childhood home lived a woman who tended an extremely large iris kingdom. I don't think she had need of a lawn mower because the iris had taken over every patch of ground but what the house sat upon. In May, her yard was a riotous canvas of brilliant color. Now, all these years later, I can't imagine just how many different varieties her garden had held. That was in the '70's

Clarence Magical Encounter

Turn the dial forward a few decades to 2001. The first house David and I bought after moving to the Kansas City area was one which had been owned previously by a gardener. Our first spring came with lots of surprises as we watched perennials emerge in all the different beds around the house, but the most spectacular were the iris. The second spring, I noticed they didn't flower nearly as profusely. The clumps of foliage were jam packed together in spots and bare in others among the bed. I decided it was time for reorder and after all the blooms were gone, I sat about digging up all those rhizomes. Mind you, the beds were 4' wide by close to 25' long, on two sides of the house, the west and the east. It was going to take some back breaking work to get it all back to right.

Harvest of Memories
Ecstatic Echo

Nevertheless, I began digging. I had rhizomes all over the yard by the time I was done and the flower bed looked like it had been pelted with mini bombs, large craters where iris once resided now hollow and empty. But, not for long. I grabbed a sharp knife and began the arduous task of dividing. I cut those gnarled, overgrown rhizomes into many manageable pieces. By the end of the day, all were back in the soil, ready to take root. I have to say, that next spring was one technicolor flower show! Many new hues emerged that had not bloomed previously due to overcrowding.

Cherub's Smile
Rave On

Last fall, I went on an iris buying frenzy. I had only three varieties at this property up to that point. As soon as the nurseries brought out their fall bulbs, I was there to nab one of every color. Twenty-nine new varieties went into Blessing Hill's gardens. I share some loveliness and grace with you . . .
Rare Treat

Here's what you need to know if you are interested in growing iris:

Red Hawk

Dusky Challenger

Iris lacks the gene for red pigmentation---Red Hawk getting as close to a red hue as possible. However, iris comes in a huge variety of shades from the palest white to the blackest of midnight blue. They require full sun in well drained soil but believe me, I have iris that do well in the most clay-filled areas of my gardens. Given a light fertilzer in early spring and again in late summer, is really all the maintenance needed. They are extremely drought tolerant. Often, iris can be found growing in ditches on county roads, requiring nothing from no one. I plant my iris between June and September. Iris should be divided about every three to four years to prevent overcrowding.

Rhizome division is essential to flowering. Once iris become crowded, dig carefully around the entire plant and lift from the ground. Brush away excess dirt and examine the rhizome. The rhizomes should be solid and firm. Rot is foul smelling and mushy. If any part of the rhizome displays rot, cut away and discard. (Dip knife into alcohol after cutting away rot so that it is not passed on to other rhizomes.)I like to divide a large, healthy rhizome into three or four parts. Once division is done, allow rhizomes to dry for a few hours in direct sun light. Replant in soil ammended with coarse sand for ideal growing conditions.

The Midwestern June Garden

2009-06-11T08:45:00.006-05:00

How interesting has the weather been in your corner of the world? In my corner, it's been drenched, bordering on drowning. Luckily for me, I grow my vegetable garden in raised beds. Not to say they aren't soaked, they are. They just aren't floating. The upside to all this rain is beautiful lush foliage, a large flush of tomatoes setting on the vines, and my water bill about half the cost it would usually be this time of year. The down side? Yes, even in raised beds there is a downside. Kohlrabi, just on the verge of harvesting, are splitting open. The black Spanish radishes, a newbee in the garden this year, are tough. My cabbages are so full of water they are cracking. Oh yeah, and of course, the weeds are flourishing.

For those who've endured at least one hail storm, my heart goes out to you. Hail, as horrible as it can be, is equally damaging coupled with 60 mph winds. Lots of areas around us have experienced just that. Don't dispair. If we can get out from under this weather without further hail storms, some of the plants in your garden can be saved. (I'm jinxing myself here but, we've yet to have significant hail here. I keep praying when the sky starts spitting ice pellets and God's been kind to protect the garden from much damage. We've had pea sized hail briefly and lightly.) What to do now when plants look like they've been through the shredder?

Immediately prune the plants of any damage. A plant will expend a large amount of energy trying to repair its damaged foliage. Remove shredded leaves and broken stems from the plant so it can work on creating new, healthy foliage instead. Don't let plants stand in water. So far, in my raised beds, they've managed to keep draining. But, in those flat, on top of the ground beds, trench the soil to drain water away from plants. Push back mulching materials such as straw, grass clippings, etc., so that the soil can get the sun. And lastly, now is a good time to work in a pelletized fertilizer. Sprinkle it around the drip edge of the plant. The moisture from the soil will slowly released good nutrients to the plant, helping in regeneration.

The picture at the top is of my watermelon radishes. I think the excess water has caused the coloring to be washed. The center should be a full circle of purplish-red, not just a spot. Oh well, David says they are just as tasty. I have to say they've held up the best of the three varieties I planted. I score them as:

watermelon radish A-

white globe radish B-

black Spanish radish D+

As in the second picture, I'd say the purple kohlrabi have faired better then the early white Vienna as far as splitting out goes. This plump purple fellow is a lovely specimen. And the masculine arm holding it for the camera (no that isn't my arm!) isn't bad either!!! Thanks Dave.

Another big problem in the June garden is pests. The red spider mites have made a showing on the tomatoes. Left unchecked, they will destroy the blooms which, of course, results in a lack of tomatoes. The yellow lady bug-looking beatles are after the green beans, the rabbits are fixated on my green peppers, and the white moths are circling the cabbages. What's new, right?

A nice surprise was the volunteer New Zealand Spinach that we ate last night. This is a hardy spinach, loves warm weather, and continues to produce even after several cuttings. If you haven't tried this variety, give it a shot. Once your radishes have played out, replant that row with this variety. Get a jump start on germination by soaking the seeds in water for a few hours before planting. Within a month, a stand of spinach will be ready for picking.

For What Didn't Bloom This Spring: Phosphate = Flowers

2009-06-09T12:47:00.009-05:00

I planted my first wisteria the spring of 2005 and the second wisteria the fall of 2006. Imagine my distress when one spring after another came and went without either vine producing one skimpy bloom. Now, compound that disappointment with a Robinson crabapple and four white dogwood trees that also refused to bloom. The common denominator in this varied problem is cold, wet soil. Phosphorus becomes less available to plants, shrubs, and trees when the soil is clay and the temperatures at bloom time are cold.

The soil on our property is beyond poor. I can dig down two inches and come up with a spade full of orange yuck. When we plant anything, we dig the hole twice as big as need be and back fill it with compost. This gives new roots a chance to get going before they contend with the crud. Unfortunately, new roots have to get there eventually and when they meet the clay, the absorption of crucial minerals diminishes.

This spring I was determined to see blooms on my wisteria. The first of March I began dosing my wisteria with ferti-lome Blooming & Rooting Soluble Plant Food. It has a ratio of 9-59-8, ---59% phosphate derived from ammonium and potassium phosphate. I gave each wisteria three good doses and I had a really nice showing of blooms. I'd given my Robinson crabapple and four white dogwood trees only one dose. I managed to get a few weak blooms. That's okay. I now know how to rectify the problem.

I began reading up on phosphate and learned that I should top dress (sprinkle around the drip or root line) my gross feeders with super phosphate in the fall. Gross feeders include peonies, crape myrtles, lilacs, iris, crabapples, dogwoods, and wisteria, just to name a few. If its supposed to bloom in the spring and it doesn't, that's a good indication of a gross feeder. Then in January or February, I should again give each another dressing. This will help to enhance the growth and color by strengthening the stems and increasing the blooms.

A couple of gross feeders that rely heavily on phosphate are mums and dahlias. Superphosphate should be dug in directly at the root line for them. When planting bulbs, mix superphosphate or bonemeal with the soil in the bottom of the hole. Blooms will have a richer, deeper color.

Fern Leaf Yarrow: aka Achillea x Moonshine

2009-06-03T10:21:00.007-05:00

Yesterday I took a phone call from a good friend of mine I'd not heard from in awhile. He wanted to chat about my favorite subject: gardening. He paid me a terrific compliment by saying all the garden variety vegetables that I'd endorsed were performing marvelously in his own garden. I was thrilled to hear so. When I recommend a certain variety of perennial or vegetable, or even garden tool for that matter, I do so because I want others to experience the joy of something that works, something that flourishes. That's why I just have to recommend Fern Leaf Yarrow, Achillea x "Moonshine".

When I revamped my entryway flowerbed this past fall, I added five Fern Leaf Yarrow into the design. I loved the intricate, dusty green foliage that does closely resemble fern leaves and bought the plants without having seen them bloom. They were some of the first perennials out of the ground this spring and by mid May, they were blooming. I have not been disappointed. The flowers were not only voluminous but also brilliant in color. In fact, they are so bright, I've been having trouble catching their detail with my new camera. They want to blur because they are so vivid yellow. And staying power---those first blooms two weeks ago look as good as the new blooms that have opened in the past couple days. I kept expecting the long stalks to wither, the blooms to dry up. Not a chance.They've even endured thrashing winds and still look fantastic.

Getting back to the subject of my entryway flowerbed, I have to impart a humorous anecdote. As I stated, I planted five but after they flowered, I realized I could really have used six to more nicely fill out that bed. So off to the nursery where I bought them, Dave and I went. I was browsing the aisles when Dave walked up to me holding a beautiful specimen. Always wary, I checked the tag and quickly informed him that he had the wrong variety. I needed Fern Leaf and he was holding Moonshine. Furthermore, I was certain the flower of Moonshine was not as brilliant as my precious Fern Leaf. This particular nursery only carried Moonshine and we were directed to check their sister store for Fern Leaf.

So off we went, arriving at the sister store only to find that Moonshine was the only yellow to prevail. I even asked one of the attendants who consulted with another attendant if the Fern Leaf and the Moonshine variety were one in the same. We decided they were probably not and since I wanted to include it in my entryway flower bed, it was best not to chance getting the color wrong. Instead, we all agreed I should wait until fall and divide one of my present Fern Leafs if I couldn't find that variety anywhere else.

When I sat down to write the previous posting, of which a photo of Fern Leaf yarrow is pictured, I had to laugh at my own silliness. First, for not having checked my faithful garden journal before heading out to the nursery and secondly, for not having trusted my husband's eye when he kept telling all of us that the Fern Leaf and the Moonshine looked exactly the same to him! There was my Monrovia tag for Fern Leaf Yarrow and when I opened it up to read the inside information, there were the words: Fern Leaf Yarrow, Achillea x "Moonshine". Here's something most husbands don't hear too often---Dave, you were right!

Here's some really great info on Achillea x Moonshine:

It flowers almost the entire growing season

Great for the back of the border because of its heigth, although I used mine at the front and let it drape down over my boxwoods

Cold hardy to zone 3

It can take the sunniest spot in your garden

Extremely drought tolerant

Superior for cutting and drying

Divides easily

Long lasting blooms

A truly great perennial for beginners

After a Long Hiatus: What's Been Happening in the Gardens of Blessing Hill

2009-06-03T07:29:00.015-05:00

I apologize for May's postings falling short. A lot happened in the two, almost three weeks, since I last posted. First and foremost, I killed my digital camera. It was and has been far more painful for me than for the camera, I assure you. I bought a new digital camera and I hate it. I hate everything about the Kodak MD1063. The one I killed was a Kodak MD853---beautiful pictures, compatible software, easy to use. The new MD1063 is a pain in every way. Less than stellar pictures, one problem after another with the software, blah, blah, blah. The above picture was taken with it. My old MD853 was only 8.2 megapixels and it captured far better detail than the MD1063 which is 10.3 mp. So much for newer technology. (Above picture: Lilium asiaticum Tiny Bee)

Maybe you're interested in how I killed the camera . . . oh well, even if you're not---I left it outside and it rained. Apparently circuit boards and water don't mix! I was taking pictures of my new potting shed as it was being raised, which brings me to the next reason I've been gone so long. Although I wasn't much help, I did try to assist David in the construction of my 12' X 14' potting shed. (I'll follow with another posting devoted solely to that issue when the potting shed is completed.) Our neighbor and his son-in-law helped David with the worst of it, two large windows and a set of French doors. I did some hammering here and there but David really was on his own with it. I'm still having health problems that kept me from participating as fully as I would have liked. Anyway, it wasn't all work and no play. David and I did hit some nurseries while he was on vacation, trips which resulted in the planting of 15 new trees! (pictured: Lonicera Gold Flame)

Of course, while building the potting shed, we had some of the hottest weather thus far this season. High humidity and unseasonable heat made for interesting building as well. But, that's nothing new for us. A few years ago, when we built our back deck, we did so in triple digit temps. Back to the heat---I was watering a patch of large, dense hosta on the north side of said deck when baby rabbits began popping out of the foliage like ping pong balls from a lottery machine. To say I was surprised is an understatement. Remember my good friend and garden buddy, Lu? Why any moma rabbit would think it was a good idea to birth her babies inside the very enclosure that keeps my 100 pound dog from freely running the neighborhood is anyone's guess. (pictured: Achilles x Moonshine)

This morning I woke up to a 57 degree chill. For all my there's-n0-such-thing-as-global-warming buddies, please tell me the last time you remember temps in the 50's in June. It also rained last night. I'm not complaining on the behalf of my flowers and veggies. My gracious its great not to be manning the water hose each and every day. It's made for beautiful lush foliage and amazing flowers thus far this season. However, the over abundance of moisture is not all grand. Many in our state have been flooded. Damage to property is widespread. Luckily for us, we live on high ground but the constance of moisture in the ground killed a five year old althea tree on the west side of our house. I'd planted two, one on either side of our back deck. It's mate is fairing better although it has many leafless branches. It made me sick to loose it but I consider myself lucky in that it's all I lost.

The cool temps have been great for transplanting. I relocated some Husker Red penstemon. They had grown into nothing short of bushes, three feet by three feet, and were blocking the view of my shrub roses in the courtyard. Moving perennials that large without

separating can be risky but they are fairing well in their new home. The vegetable garden is growing leaps and bounds. Only the carrots and the peppers are complaining about the temps, especially the peppers. But, we are overflowing with radishes. My tomatoes are blooming and setting on. The cabbages are heading. Everywhere something is getting greener and bigger. It won't be long until its time to load boxes to go to the food pantry. Which reminds me, if you've got an abundance of veggies this season, don't forget those who have not.

On a parting note, in October, we'll have lived at this residence for five years. It seems like the time has flown by and yet I can mark the years in structures---the house, the rose arbor and fencing, the barn, the gazebo, and the potting shed. All this time, I've been trying to think of a suitable and yet seemingly natural name for this property. As you may have gleaned from the title of this posting, it's finally come to me:

Blessing Hill

Weigela: Incoporating this Hardy Flowering Shrub into Your Flower Beds

2009-05-16T08:53:00.012-05:00

From eastern Asia into our Midwestern landscapes, weigela add significant late spring color to my flower beds. Weigela is a deciduous, upright shrub that flowers profusely in many different colors. The picture on the left is of Weigela florida variegata. I have four of these beauties. The flowers are bourne along the entire branch and once it is done flowering, the cream and green colored foliage stands on its own. This shrub does extremely well with our ever changing weather conditions. The foliage always looks great and there's very little, if any, winter damage incurred. I have yet to have one fail to bloom. In fact, it's just the opposite. I am always amazed at how these shrubs bulk up with blooms. Weigela comes in many colors including pink, red, white, and yellow and are hardy up to zone 4.

Weigela are extremely attractive to hummingbirds and bumble bees. As soon as the weigela in my gardens start to bloom, I am surrounded by the constant hum of the bumbles. These hardy shrubs do well in full sun and will tolerate some shade.

(pictured at left: weigela florida dwarf minuet)

Some varieties will flower twice, once in the spring and then again in late summer although I don't think the late summer flowering is as profuse as in the late spring. Weigela florida Pink Princess and Weigela florida Red Prince, pictured below, are two such types.

I have all four of the varieties mentioned in my garden but there are over 12 species of weigela to choose from. Most can be easily found at your local nursery or big box stores. I think weigela is worth investigating if you are looking for shrubs to fill out large flower beds. They will not disappoint.

Feathered and Soil-bound Friends Together Again: What's Flying and Blooming in our Cottage Garden

2009-05-06T08:09:00.011-05:00

I love to write the postings for Along the Picket Fence. What I don't love is the blog software. Half the time the problems aren't worth the effort. Until I learn how to design my own web pages, I guess this will just have to do. I hope that explains why I'm not over zealous to write a daily posting and haven't since the end of April. But then along comes something as beautiful as my fine feathered friend the Oriole and I find myself sitting at the keyboard. Not all is harmonious in the garden. This little guy has to come close to the main house in order to enjoy the feeder. Why? Because a pair of robins built a nest in the wisteria over the arbor and if I hang the feeder there---as was the placement last spring---the robins run the oriole off. At first he was really daunted but the draw of the juicy orange and the sweet grape jelly persuaded him to approach our back deck. Lucky for me, I get to sit at our breakfast nook table and watch him close-up through our sliding glass door. There are actually four orioles that have been coming to the feeder. I don't know what others might say, but I can certainly see God's face in these perfectly black and orange little creatures!

As for my soil-bound friends, the azaela are blooming! This particular variety, silver sword, are nestled---more like smothered---amongst the hosta. Also sharing that same space are Alba Bleeding heart and Anemone. It's quite a spectacular site on the north side of the house. Out in the garden beds, the sunny bright faces of potentilla have burst into bloom. Pictured is Coronation Triumph Potentilla.

I bought these from a nursery's clearance corner. They were practically dead but for a couple bucks, they were definitely worth saving. They really shine in the garden. They prefer the sunniest of locations and are quite tolerant of drought conditions. For first time gardeners, this shrub is a must. Of course, no cottage garden is complete without an old fashioned Bleeding Heart, Dicentra spectabilis.

I mentioned above that I had Dicentra spectabilis f. alba, the white bleeding heart, mixed in with my azalea but this variety is so showy with its dark pink and snow white blossoms. Fabulous. It loves shade but will tolerate a bit of sunshine. Mine get morning sun and by mid morning they are well out of harm's way, shaded by a laceleaf Japanese maple. David thinks the blossoms of both the pink and white varieties looks like plucked chickens hanging in a row. I guess with a bit of a stretch of the imagination, they do!

Of course there are iris and peony blooming but I'll save that for later. I think iris and peony deserve a posting devoted entirely to themselves. I'll tell you this much, they're awesome this year!!!

On another note, I want to send out well wishes to a good friend of ours---Hey Mike, hope you are up and going again real soon. Next time, leave the wiring to the electrical engineer in the house . . . your wife!!! Godspeed in your recovery.

What's Blooming: 4-24-09

2009-04-24T13:08:00.005-05:00

Bulbs:

Dick Wilden Double Narcissi

Planted fall of 2008

This particular narcissus is my favorite of all the narcissi I have planted in the gardens because of its layered bloom. The bloom is the size of a large lemon and can be so heavy with petals that it needs staking. I have mine planted around our barn but this narcissus can be seen from the end of our driveway, 100 feet away.

Ballade (lily-flowering) tulip

Planted fall 2008

Very nice variegated pink/lavender and white tulip. Perhaps not the most showy tulip in my garden but definite one of the most feminine and fussy.

Red Georgette (bunch flowering) tulip

Planted fall 2008

Awesome tulip for multiple blooms. In this picture, there are a total of four bulbs but it definitely looks like more plants with all the red blooms. I plan to purchase many more this coming fall. The performance their first year has been spectacular.

A Simple Guide to Planting Tomatoes

2009-04-23T06:25:00.008-05:00

Every gardener has their own tried and true method for planting tomatoes to reap the ultimate harvest. I'm no exception. And, although I'm no master gardener, our harvest was over 1,800 tomatoes from 32 plants last year. Not too shabby. So I'll share what I know and hopefully some of my suggestions will be helpful along the way.

It always starts with the dirt. We grow our vegetables in raised beds. I like raised beds for several reasons. I can work around each bed without slopping through the mud in flat ground gardening. In that respect, I can usually get in my beds earlier. We've had so much rain that our property squishes with every step across the ground. However, my raised beds allowed for water run off and weren't soup. I didn't drag out the tiller this year. Instead, I opted for using a hoeing fork that I found at an early spring estate sale. This implement allowed me to turn and work the soil without need for tilling. I then pulled the dirt into tall mounds and allowed them to sit for a week. They dried out nicely and were ready for planting.

Soil tip: With either hand turning or roto tilling, now is the time to amend the soil with compost for nutrition or sand for clay, etc. I use a lot of straw for mulching and water retention. I like to work any excess straw back into the dirt.

The first step is to make a hole in the top of each dirt mound. I dig down as deep as my bed will allow. Tomato plants will root all along the trunk if buried deeply. This induces a network of roots that allows for more water absorption and thus, healthier tomato plants. I then fill the hole with water!!! For years, I've heard gardeners insist on planting tomatoes in dry soil. I think that's fine if it works for them. Personally, I've found that tomato plants endure less shock if they are kept moist until they have taken hold. I place the tomato into the water filled hole and I bring the soil back into a mound around the tomato, leaving just the top tier of healthiest leaves above ground.

Once the tomato is planted, I sprinkle the dirt with a pelletized fertilizer. I use a slow release plant food so that the newly planted tomato will have another means of earlier stabilization. I think it boosts the recovery rate of the tomato plant. Mine seem to take less time to establish.

Since we are still experiencing cool night temperatures, I protect my plants with milk jugs. Placing a milk jug over the plant acts like a mini greenhouse. It also helps to protect the plant from wind damage. (Always remove the cap but keep it handy. If there is a late freeze, replacing the caps for the night will keep frost from damaging new and tender plants. Remove cap immediately after fear of frost is over.) The next step of protection is to add a tomato cage and then pack straw between it and the milk jug. The straw will help keep the jug in place until the tomato establishes and will keep the ground around the plant not only moist but warm as well. Within a week, the milk jug can be removed if frost is no longer an issue. The straw then acts as a mulch for the newly established tomato plant. In no time, I had seventeen plants snuggled into several layers of protection and beginning to establish.

Another good rule of thumb is to plant your tomatoes in stages. I put those first seventeen plants out on April 17th, knowing full well that we could have a frost. But, with the layers of protection, I also knew that most could survive. In a few days, I'll plant the next seventeen. And then during the first week of May, I'll plant my last dozen. Staggering plantings ensures that I'll have a constant crop of tomatoes all through the growing season.

I've been planting my tomatoes like this for the past ten years and every year, I've had a record harvest. I hope that these tip will help you to have a record harvest too!

Jackson & Perkins: Lousy Warranty/Lousy Customer Service

2009-04-20T13:44:00.004-05:00

I previously posted about the two Jackson & Perkins Baby Blanket carpet roses (4/9/09) I lost due to no fault of my own. I bought three and two didn't make it through the winter although all three were lovely, lush, healthy rose bushes. I emailed J&P and asked what they would consider doing about it. Below is the email I received from Lynne Cody, J&P customer service representative:

From: JP CustServ
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2009 21:09
To: Lynne Cody
Subject: FW: Feedback Form for JacksonAndPerkins

Good morning Jennifer,

Thank you so much for contacting us here at Jackson and Perkins! We value our customers’ comments and questions highly, and we appreciate hearing from you.This is the spring season and we handle calls and e-mails from thousands of people every day. I apologize that somehow your e-mail has gotten pushed to the back. We guarantee the roses (for 60 days) to grow and bloom which yours did. I am so sorry that your plants did not do well through the winter.

Again, thank you for writing to us. If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us. To help us serve you better, please use the Reply button to respond so that all previous communications will be included. Thank you for gardening with Jackson and Perkins!

LynneJackson and Perkins Customer Contact Team2
Floral AvenueHodges, South Carolina 29653
Telephone: 800-292-4769Fax: 800-242-0329
http://www.blogger.com/email: service@jacksonandperkins.com

Now I don't know about you, but that's a pretty lousy warranty. What I found even more ridiculous is the fact that this woman thinks I would ever again consider making another purchase with their brand stamped all over it. Shoot, even Home Depot, whose been in the customer service hot seat for awhile, guarantees all their plants for 1 full year.

I'll just keep buying my Weeks Roses and stay clear of any container/wrapper with the words Jackson & Perkins on it.

Hey Jackson & Perkins-----Boo! Hiss!

Robinson Crabapple: What's Blooming Now 4-16-09

2009-04-16T18:26:00.005-05:00

Looking back through my hardcopy garden journal, I was surprised to find that we'd planted this Robinson crabapple tree in 2006. It sure didn't seem like that long ago. (Time flies when you're having fun---or getting old ! which is more my case.) Anyway, looking through the journal jogged my memory about this poor tree's history. Dave bought it on a 75% off sale at Lowe's. It was half dead when he brought it home and someone had cruelly carved the branches out of the center. We planted it in August in the midst of a drought and babied it to keep it going. In 2007, it budded and was just beginning to leaf when a late spring freeze nipped it back. Needless to say, no flowers and what branches grew were spindly. The spring of 2008 was kinder to the poor tree, no freeze but regardless, it refused to flower. The branches thickened a bit but it still looked scrabbly. After it went dormant this past fall, I gave it a good pruning. We had all but decided to move it if it didn't bloom this year. . .

Barring a killing frost to nip the flower buds, a flowering tree that refuses to flower can be coaxed. In the fall before it goes dormant, hit it with a dose of phosphate and then again around the end of February before it gets the chance to bud. I used ferti-lome Blooming & Rooting Soluble Plant Food. It's ratio is nitrogen (N) 9%, phosphate (P) 59%, and potash (K) 8%. Another method is to purchase phosphate by itself and work the powder into the dirt around the tree. High Yield makes a phosphate for just that purpose and it is also good for working into the dirt around gross feeders such as dahlias or peonies.

Weeks Roses vs J&P: How They've Played Out in My Gardens

2009-04-09T09:40:00.008-05:00

Does this look like a perfectly healthy carpet rose to you? I'm on a tear this morning. Two days ago, I emailed Jackson & Perkins in regards to their Baby Blanket carpet rose of which I bought three last year. One of the three has leafed out but two of the three are dead. I'm really ticked about this since I tore out an established row of both daylilies and of red fox speedwell, replacing them with the Baby Blankets. As you can see in the picture, that was a lush, robust rose but, this spring its dead. I probably wouldn't be so ticked if it was just the first time one of their roses had played out on me. But its not. I paid good money for another of their roses, America, a climbing rose, that in my garden, hasn't climbed two feet. Furthermore, what really irritates me is the their slogan: The World's Finest Roses---and the Easiest to Grow. I beg to differ. And as far as customer service is concerned, well I'm still waiting to hear from them.

On the other hand, I can't say enough good things about Weeks Roses. I'm sold. I have sixteen of their beautiful rose bushes on the property and every one is alive and doing well. In fact, late last summer I bought three shrub roses, Mary Rose, Lady Elsie May, and Watercolors, and one miniature, Ruby Ruby, from Nick's GreenLeaf Gardens. I was worried they might not have enough time to get established before winter but they came through with flying colors. All have leafed and are looking robust. FYI: these were all planted well after J&P's Baby Blanket carpet roses.

To top that, I came upon a nursery sale the first week of October. I bought ten of Weeks's rugosa roses, Blanc Double de Coubert, Hansa, and Purple Pavement. They were in bad shape having grown in their nursery pots all season long and then having endured a severe shearing. At $1.99 each, it was well worth trying to save them. And, knowing how well Weeks roses have done in my garden, I wasn't worried. This spring all but two survived and are growing like crazy. That's a Weeks rose for you.

And as you can see in the second and third photos of this posting, Weeks roses put on a beautiful performance. Weeks roses are sold at many retail venues. If you are in my area and are interested in purchasing some for yourself, head over to Nick's Green Leaf Gardens and tell Nick and Loretta, I sent you!

Cameo Flowering Quince: Chaenomeles speciosa

2009-04-07T14:30:00.004-05:00

Praise God from whom all blessings flow . . .

I cannot keep those words out of my head this afternoon. That old hymn, which I've heard and sang countless times over the years, kept coming back to me over and over as Lu and I surveyed the lack of damage from the hard freeze we endured last night. I can only say that the bare minimum of destruction was the Lord hearing my prayer and blessing me with His kindness. I had left my perennials, shrubs, and trees in His hands, not covering anything.

Usually, you could find me in a frantic race with my blankets and quilt batting and bags of mulch, trying to wrap up everything. But, when I heard that our night temps were to be in the low 20's, I knew not I alone could win that battle. That's when I turned over the grief of losing my gardens to a killing frost and gave my trepidations to the Lord.

Around one 0'clock this afternoon, I leashed Lu and we went for a walk around the property, inspecting garden beds. To my amazement, there's been very little damage. Even my most tender perennials seem to have come through with flying colors. On our walk, I discovered my Cameo Flowering Quince in bloom. Oh is it lovely! Its gorgeous, double apricot blooms against its kelly green foliage just takes my breath away.

I remember buying it from a discount table. The poor thing was barely a foot tall with four or five meager branches, just clinging to life. Of course I had to save it. What a beauty its turned out to be this spring. The botanical name of this prize is chaenomeles speciosa and it is grown for its abundant early spring flowers. Right along side forsythia, its one of the first spring shrubs to bloom and then bears green/yellow fruits. The fruits are fairly tasteless but have a high amount of pectin and when combined with blueberries, raspberries, grapes, or blackberries which are low in pectin, can actually allow one to make jelly without adding extra pectin.

Most flowering quince are hardy to zone 5. They are a great choice for growing a dense hedge. The fruits are often used as a pomander for closets because of their exceptionally strong fragrance. Plant in a sunny location in rich soil. Quince do well with a yearly spring feeding of rotted compost and bonemeal.

Further to the back of our property, Lu and I happened upon Dave's Keiffer semi-dwarf pear in bloom. He planted the Keiffer last fall along with a Summercrisp. The sad news is, Dave did this because fire blight infected our elderly pear tree. This pear tree was on the property when we bought it but I would estimate it to be close to 100 years old. At some point in the past, either lightening or disease caused this tree to die out and offshoots grew in the place of the original tree. But, having said that, it was still a magnificent specimen. We will be so sorry to lose it as half of the tree died with the fire blight. Unfortunately, I don't think this tree made it through the winter. There aren't any leaves and its bark is very black.

However, on a happier note, a sapling from the old tree grew up in our blackberry patch and it has leaves and flowers, a strong fellow! Thank you God for all your blessings!

Double Duty: Wallpaper Tray/Window Box

2009-04-06T13:07:00.006-05:00

If you live in the Kansas City area like I do, Mother Nature has been less than kind to our area. At eight o'clock this morning, my thermometer registered 29 degrees. The forecasters predict that at the same time tomorrow morning our temps won't be much above 20. It's very frustrating for gardeners, farmers, etc, who grit their teeth at a 70 degree March, knowing frost is inevitable in April. So much for that. Since we can't get outside and garden, let's talk about indoor gardening.

Most people refrain from starting outdoor plants indoors because they lack space. I pot up so many decorative hanging baskets, urns, and planters that I have to start seedlings inside. As always, I have more trays than I have natural light and have to rely on grow lights for the majority of what I start in the house. And, my dining room and dining room table are occupied from the first of March until the first of May.

I'm always looking for another way to take advantage of the natural light coming into the house. Regular seed trays won't fit on the sill of a normal house window. They are just too wide. I set up TV trays right in front of the windows for them. But then recently, while I was looking for one thing in the garage, I happened upon another---my old wallpaper tray. I do my own wallpapering so I always have a tray stored in the garage and the minute I laid eyes on it, I knew it was meant for a dual purpose.

If your house has 2X6 walls as mine does, your window sills are probably around six inches wide. Check it out. If so, a regular wallpaper tray will fit perfectly on any sill whose window is at least 32 inches wide. The average wallpaper tray is 6 inches wide by 32 inches long. The tray has a nice depth and will collect excess water without doing any damage to wooden sills. You can fit quite a few seedling trays and/or peat pots in a wallpaper tray.

Companion Planting: A Little Planning Yields a Variety of Benefits

2009-04-01T12:30:00.007-05:00

Did you know basil will improve the flavor of tomatoes when planted next to each other in the garden? Or that planting green beans next to eggplant will help protect the eggplant from the Colorado potato beetle? Do you have a locust tree on your property? If so, plant Lima beans. They flourish when planted near a locust. Which garden vegetable has the most companions? If you said radish, then you already know something about companion planting.

For those who may be new to this concept, it is believed that certain plants interact with each other in a way that can double yields, provide better use of nutrients, provide pest protection, and/or improve the soil condition. For example, plant tomatoes where green beans were planted the year before. Beans put nitrogen back into the soil and tomatoes thrive on nitrogen. Planting mint near cole crops can ward off caterpillars and other pests. Plant pole beans and corn in the same row. Corn stalks provide a natural trellis on which beans can vine and they like to be next to each other in the garden.

Lots of cold weather plants benefit from their position in the planting row. Here is a list of plant companions to consider when deciding on a layout for your garden:

Cole crops: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussle sprouts, and kohlrabi all benefit from plantings with celery, dill, onions, nasturtiums, and beets but dislike tomatoes and radishes.

Radishes: like just about every body but cole crops. Carrots, spinach, beets, leaf lettuce, beans, and cucumbers are all compatible.

Lettuce: likes carrots, strawberries, cucumbers, radishes, and onions. Planting on north side of corn so that the stalks provide shade.

Onions: like tomatoes but offend peas and beans. They are also compatible with strawberries, beets, and lettuce.

Peas: are almost as friendly as radishes. They like everyone but onions, leeks, shallots, and garlic.

Later, when the warm weather vegetable go in, consider this list of companions:

Tomatoes: love basil. They are also compatible with parsley and onions. My personal favorite to plant with tomatoes are carrots. Every year I plant a row of Danver's Half Long next to my Pink Girls and they both flourish.

Cucumbers: are friends with peas, radishes, corn, and beans and interestingly enough, sunflowers. Sunflowers help to shade shy-sun cucumbers and provide a trellis upon which the cucumbers can vine.

Squash: like corn, radishes, cucumbers, and marigolds. The marigolds can help to deter the squash bug.

Beans: like cucumbers, beets, corn, and celery but really dislike onions.

Corn: likes potatoes, peas, beans, cucumbers, and pumpkins but keep tomatoes a safe distance apart.

Beets: like cole crops, onions, beans, and lettuce

Carrots: like tomatoes, radishes, onions, and lettuce.

I've planted many of these combinations together and had really good luck.

Compost 101: Starting a Bin from Scratch

2009-03-31T15:07:00.006-05:00

Spring is the best time of year to start a new compost bin. The grass is just starting to turn green and will soon need mowed. The flower and garden beds are waiting to have all the dry material that overwintered cleared away. Super. Two out of three starting materials are right at your finger tips: green (grass) and gold (dry materials). Now all that is needed is the third material, brown (topsoil), and you're ready to begin.

Above are the type of compost bins I use. They are actually Suncast storage bins that I have converted by drilling ventilation holes in the sides. More elaborate compost bins are starting to show up at retail venues. Do I even think a container is necessary? Nope. You can compost right on top of the ground in a controlled heap. I personally like using a container so that I can control the amount of moisture in the compost. Here are a couple other ideas for converting everyday objects into compost containers or bins:

Plastic trash cans

Pallets nailed together to form a cube

Chicken wire and four posts to form a cube

Use your imagination. Just remember that the compost needs to be stirred or turned on a regular basis and ventilated. Okay. So now you have your container and are ready to begin assembling your compost pile. It goes like this: brown, gold, green. Easy!

1. The first layer in the bottom of the container should be dirt. When I started my first compost bin from scratch, I used regular top soil which can easily be purchased in bags from garden departments. The dirt should be between six and 12 inches deep in the bottom of the container.

2. Now throw in those dried flower stalks. Straw is also a good gold starting material. Just remember to not use woody material that doesn't break down easily. If in doubt, shred before adding to the bin. Later in the season, dried grass from mowing is an excellent form of "gold".

3. Now top that off with a healthy layer of green. Early in the spring, mowed grass is the most voluminous "green" on hand. Green is the water component of the compost bin. Later in the season, I use plant material that I've trimmed from my flowers or vegetable matter from my garden beds.

One layer of each is sufficient to start but if your container will hold another layering, go for it. Okay, now that the layers are complete in the bin or container, leave it alone for two solid weeks. At the end of fourteen days, stir, stir, stir. You should be able to see a marginal breaking down of the three layers. Stirring will further that decomposition.

Now that your compost has been born, it takes fuel to keep it going. Additions of high-carbon matter (gold) such as straw, dead leaves, dry grass and high-nitrogen matter (green) such as grass clippings, vegetable peelings, and used tea bags fuel the decomposition.

Do use:

grass clippings

nutshells

vegetable matter

eggshells

coffee grounds/filters

tea bags

weeds

leaves

straw

sawdust

bark

shredded newspaper

old potting soil

Don't use:

meat

dairy

diseased plants

manure

Turn the compost once a week with a turning fork. It is essential for the compost to get enough oxygen, thus the ventilation holes in plastic containers. A foul smelling compost is rotting not composting. A thorough weekly turning is essential to provide oxygen to the layers. The compost should smell fresh and sweet. If a foul odor persists, the compost is too wet. Add more gold! If the compost is too dry, it won't break down. Add more green. Soon, your bin will be filled with rich organic material ready to be added to flower and garden beds.

Robins in my back yard, Weather, and Florida Sweetheart Caladiums at Sam's Club

2009-03-30T12:02:00.017-05:00

For the past week, I've been watching a pair of robins build a nest in the bare branches of wisteria winding around my back yard arbor. I'm not a bird watcher and don't know the slightest thing about robins other than what I've observed over the years. And I don't usually let birds build nests in that particular arbor for sanitary reasons, but, these robins are such a charming couple, I could not bring myself to disturb them. Furthermore, they've not been daunted by Lu, so I guess they know what they are doing. I'm a bit concerned about the fate of the babies if one should fall out of the nest. Lu has a penchant for between meal snacking. I guess this is also a test run for allowing future nest building in this particular spot. This arbor is over an essential walkway. We'll see how it all turns out.

I had to wonder though, where did this pair of robins find shelter this past weekend? I know for sure they weren't sitting on the nest when ice and sleet pelted every square inch of the arbor. What a nasty mess we had last Saturday! The temps dropped to right above freezing which allowed the rain we were getting to become frozen on stationary objects. And that was just the beginning. The weather went from sleet to ice to snow to balmy and tropical within 24 hours.

At one point, my big buttery daffodils went from bouncing in the wind to being stuck to the ground in a coat of ice. Unbelievably, they are back to bouncing in the wind again. I would have thought they would have turned to mush. In fact, I went out and looked around at some of my perennials, shrubs, and trees that are in various stages of growth, and I don't see damage yet. I haven't been to the vegetable garden to check on the red onions and kohlrabi. I did notice, as we wandered out on Sunday, that some Bradford pears were broken down.

Speaking of wandering out yesterday, I happened upon a huge surprise in the seasonal aisle of Sam's Club. There I was, walking along, looking at all the great new urns and planters, when I noticed a display containing box gardens---a box with both bulbs and bare root plants with like sun/water requirements. There were two or three full sun box gardens but only one for shade. It was the shade box garden that caught my eye. (Luckily, no one was maimed as I went from 0to 60, hurtling through the aisle toward the display.)

I subscribe to gardening magazines which I pour over through the winter months. I'm always anxious to read articles about new and improved varieties of my old favorites. One particular article about sun tolerant caladiums really got my attention. I have two urns on my back deck that get full sun for about two hours a day and then are plunged into the shade again. Still, for most caladiums, those two hours are two too many. I so wanted to plant those urns with caladiums and sweet potato vine. And, here was this article, telling me that a caladium called Florida Sweetheart was the answer to all my problems.

About the first of March, as I began to visit my local nurseries, I began watching for Florida Sweetheart to make an appearance in the spring bulb sections. I checked over the past four weeks and although lots of new bulbs were stocked, Florida Sweetheart was not one of them. Bummer. I was so disappointed. My search online resulted in finding bulbs that were expensive, some as much as five dollars a piece and that didn't include shipping. So, back at Sam's---I grab the shade garden box off the shelf and lo and behold---Florida Sweetheart Caladiums!

Here's the best part: in the box were four different types of shade plants. There were three Leatherwood Fern bare roots, three Christmas Tree Hosta bare roots, 6 Oxalis Triangularis bulbs, and eighteen---yipppeeee!!!---Florida Sweetheart caladiums for the whopping price of $19.95.

(Pictured at the right is an Oxalis Triangularis (purple shamrock) I paid $5 for last spring.)

Broken down, all the plants in the box garden cost roughly .67 cents each. I always try to support my local nurseries but I couldn't pass up this terrific bargain. I thought I'd pass the information along to you as well.

Note: Another sun tolerant caladium, Carolyn Wharton, can be found at Walmart in the garden department in the bulb section. Although new varieties of caladium claim sun tolerance, I would not plant in a place that receives 4+ hours of full sun a day.

Midwest Climatic Normalcy or Global Climate Change?

2009-03-27T12:10:00.006-05:00

I'm feeling particularly querulous today as I watch the needle on the thermometer outside my office window drop to 30 degrees. It's times like this that I wish the world would have taken the issue of global climate change more seriously years ago. If so, it's quite possible the new spring foliage now would not be under assault from a threatening winter storm and I would not have to grieve for plants that I know aren't going to make a come back once this cold snap has passed.

Yesterday I went out and surveyed the prospects. The nectarines and nanking cherries are in full bloom. Good bye sweetness. Luckily the rest of the orchard is not so far along. One of our peach trees is partially flowering but isn't in full bloom and we have apples and other cherries that are only just beginning to form buds. Hopefully it won't be a total loss.

I'm also aghast at losing lots of new and tender perennials that didn't realize the trick being played upon them when they ventured toward the sun too soon. From same past experience two years ago, I can expect heavy casualties. Only the very hardiest will survive this brutal a beating---possibly a foot of snow and night temps in the 20's. In the past I would be running around like a crazy woman with mulch and quilt batting, trying to cover as much of the new growth as possible. I just don't have it in me this year.

Maybe its age, but I find I am less tolerant of stupidity as I get older. For instance, last weekend I was in a local nursery and I heard one woman correct another on the pronunciation of the word peony. Pronouncing the word pee-un-ee or pee-o-nee, in the whole scheme of things, what does it really matter? I have both northern and southern roots. For the most part, I find its a northern/southern difference. My northern family members pronounce the flower with the former pronunciation and my southern family members call a peony by the latter pronunication. Who's right?

Who cares?

When I hear someone going out of their way to point out that clematis should be pronounced clem-uh-tis instead of cle-mat-is or vice versa, it simply sounds like an uppity snob thing to me, northerner or southerner. That's as pathetic as which side of the global climate change issue one supports based on one's political affiliation. Please!

I remember 30+ years of Midwest winters vividly. Just a few years ago, March was part of winter and April was always on the fence. A Midwestern gardener didn't expect to start planting until the middle of April because that's when the ground was thawed enough to till. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but I've been gardening long enough to know a change when I see it. Ten years ago, I didn't have to worry about April coming before March on the calendar.

A Kansas City Spring (2009)

2009-03-23T10:26:00.005-05:00

I've been a bit indisposed for a couple of weeks as I wrangled with some health issues but I'm back and looking forward to an early spring---apprehensively. I'm well aware that all these lovely warm temperatures and balmy days, which have tricked all my perennials to emerge from the ground, could disappear in a matter of minutes. Let's hope its just the beginning of a perfect early spring.

So what's happening? I spent most of the morning transplanting eggplant seedlings. I started them in the one inch peat trays first and now they are in three inch peat pots. The next transplanting will be from the indoors to the garden beds. I have some lovely tomato plants in various stages of growth. This year, besides the pink girls that are my old stand by and favorite tomato, I've got pink oxheart, yellow jubliee, and amana orange growing. I'm anxious to see how these do. My grandmother used to grow a gorgeous yellow tomato the size of a beefsteak but unfortunately, I didn't get the name. If anyone knows what a tomato of that description might be called, please email me!

The star magnolia are in full bloom around the city. The top picture is of the star magnolia I have in my own yard. It's just a baby, no more than two feet tall but it bloomed so lovely this spring. Of course the forsythia add their sunshine yellow flowers to the mix. Here in the Midwest, it's the forsythia and the daffodils that tell us spring has sprung! Down in our orchard, the nanking cherries and the nectarines have blossomed. It won't be long before the other magnolia---Susan, Jane, etc., will be popping. Both my Susan and Jane are unfurling from soft gray buds into deep purple/pink blossoms. The peonies are beginning to show now as well.

But, its also a time when we'd love to start planting those tender annuals. To quell that urge until I'm a bit more positive the weather will stay warm, I indulge in shopping for new gardening paraphernalia. Last weekend, David and I spent some time in our local garden stores. It's a blast to see what new and innovative things are on the market each spring. I found a lovely hummingbird feeder and a couple of urns for my front porch.

Interesting enough, at one place I found allium bulbs that had not sold last fall. I'm not certain if these bulbs experienced any real cold so as to be overwintered but they were starting to grow and I just couldn't leave them to rot. I planted 25 bulbs in among my boxwoods around the front sidewalk. If they grow, they'll be a spectacular sight.

And last but not least, my ornamental sweet potato vines are starting to take off. They can be very slow so be patient. Mine have been planted for three weeks and yet every day a new start emerges. So far I have seven Marguerite, six Ace of spades, and one Blackie. Another plant that has done very well is the oxalis I brought in last fall. Wow is it growing! I can hardly wait to drag out all the hanging baskets and the planters.

Off to a Good start with the Basics

2009-03-03T13:17:00.008-06:00

About 85% of the information found on this blog is written with beginning gardeners in mind. The other 15% of the content is purely anecdotal. Why? Because some times it's just fun to share things I find amusing or interesting or even infuriating. This particular posting is the result of a simple question I've been asked a fair amount lately, over a short period of time:

What did I do wrong?

This particular question is then followed with anecdotal information of the questioner's own, often stating a certain problem and the outcome. The garden season is just around the corner and new gardeners do not want to have a repeat of poorly performing vegetable plants. It's no fun to garden if the garden doesn't produce. Period.

A good harvest begins with the basics: Soil, Water, Fertilizer, & Air

Soil

I don't pretend to know a thing about soil in Utah or Maine or Kentucky. Don't ask me. However, do ask me about southeastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri. I've gardened extensively in both areas. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when determing your soil type:

1) Does the soil become sticky when its wet and form hard, rock-like clods when its dry?

2) Are dandelions, chicory, sorrel, and thistle the first greenery to grow after the soil is tilled?

3) After a good rain, do water puddles remain on the soils surface?

If answering yes to these questions, that's the first elemental part of solving the problem in what went wrong. Clay. Clay soil is a burden. It often discourages first time gardeners from every trying again because its nearly impossible to work, only the hardiest of plants will grow in it, and it is so lacking in fundamental nutrients that what does grow is often deficient in quality. What to do ?I have two solutions but one depends on your timetable.

If you aren't in a big hurry for expedient results, you can amend the clay. The quickest possible way to amend clay soil is to mix it with compost. You can create your own compost or it can be purchased from a garden center. I bought a trailer load of compost last spring for about $30. Also check with city recycling centers that accept lawn and garden debris. That debris is worked into compost and is often given away for free or for a very nominal fee. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) is an excellent conditioner for clay soil. It can be added at 20 pounds per 100 square feet of garden bed. Peat moss is also a great additive which helps the soil retain air. In the fall, till rotted manure and chopped leaves into the soil before the garden goes to sleep for the winter.

No time for that process? Buy good top soil from a garden center and replace the clay. Even at that, I still add compost, gypsum, and peat---just not as much. The soil is the foundation, the most fundamental element in which everything depends.

Water

I've heard many a gardener brag: I don't have to water my garden. That is pure crap. Unless weather conditions are perfect the whole growing season long, everyone waters. Buy good equipment the first time. I prefer four-ply, rubber reinforced mesh hoses equipped with heavy duty brass couplings. They last and last. I scatter hose guides throughout the garden so that the hose glides along the guide instead of falling on and crushing my plants. Osciallating sprinklers can cover a large area but up to 25% of the water may evaporate before reaching the soil. Personally, I'd love to have a low-volume irrigation system but I'm not rich. I've settled for soaker hoses. Made of canvas, they seep water along the entire length of the hose, wetting the soil 2 feet on either side. They are great for vegetable gardens but I also install them in my flower beds. Water deeply but infrequently. This forces the plant to develop deep roots. The only deviation from this: keep seedlings moist. It's doesn't do to let them dry out. Use mulch or straw to retain moisture until the plant can fend on its own.

Fertilizer

Let's face it, do you know of a harder worker than a vegetable plant? Most are transplanted into the garden when they are but a few tender weeks old, quickly they generate doubling their beginning size over and over, and they produce offspring in hoards if well tended. No matter how good the soil and water conditions are, the plant can use a little something to eat now and then! Last year I had 32 tomato plants that produced 1800 + good tomatoes. That's not counting the ones insects or birds destroyed. Yes, I fertilize them. I prefer a granular pellet that I can either top dress (sprinkle on at the surface) or broadcast (throw from a hand held spreader).

Let's talk about principal nutrients or the big three: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Nitrogen (N) promotes healthy, abundant foliage.

Phosphorus (P) stimulates root growth and aids in plant maturation

Potassium (K) promotes healthy, abundant flowers and fruits

Look on the back of the fertilizer package to determine the amount of these nutrients. I think that the ratio of each element should be equivalent to the total mass, for instance 10-10-10, for heavy growers like supertunias. In the garden, I first feed with a granular that promotes heavy growth in foliage, 10-2-6, until the plant begins to flower and then I back off because too much nitrogen can inhibit flowering and in order to get vegetables, the plants must flower. I then use a fertilizer heavier in phosphorus and potassium to set and develop the crop.

Organic fertilizers are derived from animal or plant matter as in bonemeal and manure. I don't fool with these once the plants are in the ground because they can wreak havoc. They contain so much nitrogen that plants literally burn up.

Air

Believe it or not, the success of the garden also depends on air and/or the circulation thereof. All plants need air to stay healthy. Air works to dry out garden beds so that plants don't stand in swampy soil. This eliminates the production of fungus or mildew. Give plants their space. Know how large around a plant will get and plant accordingly. Air should flow freely between plants and circulate above and beneath foliage.

The other factor of air is its ability to infiltrate soil so that the soil doesn't compact and stunt roots. The freer the roots are to spread and travel, the healthier the plant. About once a month, I check all my vegetable plants to see how easily the soil moves under the foliage. If compacted, I use a turning fork to gently loosen the soil. I carefully puncture the dirt around the drip line (a circle around the plant where the heaviest roots have yet to grow) and gently turn the fork back and forth.

If you can master those four basic garden elements, you'll seldom ask the question What did I do wrong and instead will replace it with Wow, look what I did right! Another invaluable resource is to make friends with an experienced gardener who doesn't mind answering questions. In fact, if you live in my area and have gardening dilemmas, feel free to email me. There's nothing I like better than to talk garden!

Easy, Full Sun Annuals: Dependable Color for an Entire Growing Season

2009-02-27T08:29:00.020-06:00

(pictured from left to right: orange cosmos, thunbergia, zinna)

The seed kiosks are popping up rampantly in all the usual places and although we are to have up to 2 inches of snow on Saturday morning, by Wednesday of next week, the temps are to be in the upper 60's again. Since the weather was so nice yesterday, my son, Nick, and I went on an outing which included stopping by a local nursery. Nick is as enthusiatic about gardening as I am so it was no wonder we found ourselves standing in front of a seed kiosk discussing the virtues of this year's selections. Earlier that morning, I'd received an email from a beginning gardener asking for a list of my favorite, easy-to-grow annuals. Needless to say, almost all the seed packets one finds at their local nursery are well suited for growing in one's own area. (Keep in mind that's not always the case with the big box or discount stores because they've no real choice over what seeds are sent to them.)

Giving it some real thought, I came up with a list of my favorite annuals. I've divided them into two categories: seed sown and already grown.

By seed sown, I mean annuals that are extremely quick to germinate in the flower bed and develop into nice plants early on in the season. These include:

cosmos

zinnia

marigolds

sunflowers

cox comb

thunbergia

moonflower

morning glory

hyacinth bean

alyssum

four o'clocks

bachelor buttons

All do well from sowing directly into the bed once the soil warms and stays above 50 degrees at night.

The second category, already grown, are the annuals I think do better if they are bought as seedlings and transplanted into your beds:

(picture from left to right: blackie sweet potato vine, raspberry blast supertunia, Victoria blue salvia)

Victoria blue salvia

supertunia

vinca

million bells

angelonia

snap dragons

dianthus

geraniums

ornamental sweet potato vine

Of the list above, the Victoria blue salvia can grow like a perennial in zone 5 if certain conditions are met. It must be planted on the south side of the house along the foundation where it is protected from the worst of our winters. For three years, mine have regenerated there whereas the same salvia planted in beds away from the protection of the house have perished.

I love how annuals add a constant splash of color to any flower bed. I purposely save room in all my perennial beds just so that I can add them into the mix each spring.

Gooseneck Loosestrife (Lysimachia clethroides): Taming an Invasive Garden Culprit

2009-02-24T07:30:00.004-06:00

Two years ago, right around the end of summer, I happened upon an interesting plant at a local nursery and although I didn't know much about it, I decided to give it a try. I bought two single stemmed plants---one for either side of the flower beds in my courtyard. For the rest of the summer and into fall, those two plants were completely unimpressive. They didn't change in size and before the first frost every took them, they'd died off. So much for the gooseneck loosestrife, I thought.

Guess again.

Last spring, I went out to the courtyard and there were all these tiny green plants pushing up through the mulch around the area where the loosestrife had (supposedly) died. In fact, they were completely surrounding my Ming Toy daylily and my yellow shrub rose. Lucky for me, daylilies and shrub roses can stand their ground. Fortunately, I hadn't planted heavily in that area and the loosestrife had room to spread out without bothering less vigorous perennials. Unfortunately, the loosestrife would keep taking purchase throughout the bed and eventually kill off less vigorous perennials.

So what to do?

I really debated over the problem because 1) this was the first time I'd encountered a problem with an invasive, 2) I liked the look of it in the flower bed, and 3) it's heat and drought tolerance made it an ideal candidate for that particular area. I chose to wait and deal with it this coming spring.

Why? Because I find its always easier to deal with a problem area first thing in the spring before a plant has a chance to completely develop. My first preemptive strike is to establish a perimeter for the gooseneck. One can discourage rampant roots by sinking metal or plastic edging as a barrier around the offending plants. I have some left over pound-in edging from another project that should work nicely. Any gooseneck loosestrife outside the established barrier will then be dug up or sprayed with herbicide. Lastly, immediately after flowering, deadheading is a must to prevent self-sowing. Hopefully I'll be able to manage the loosestrife without having to completely eradicate it. I'll let you know how it works.

Gardening Tip: Spraying herbicide in a bed that contains the invasive culprit but is also home to desirable perennials can be tricky. I use a 2 liter soda bottle or a milk jug to prevent overspray. Cut away 2 inches of the bottom of the bottle or jug so that it can be placed over the undesirable plant and spray the herbicide through the cap end. The herbicide goes directly to the undesirable plant without fear of the spray getting on any nearby neighbors.

Invasive plant list: There are many sites on the web where one can gather information on invasive plants. For a list of plants specifically for a certain area or state, contact your local county extension office. It's good to know before you plant. Below are just a scant few of the many plants to look out for:

trumpet creeper
purple loosestrife
lamb's ear
goldenrod
honeysuckle
Japanese knotweed
mint

Ghost Busters Eggplant

2009-02-18T07:06:00.004-06:00

Is India or China the birthplace of the eggplant? The first record about this unusual vegetable was found in China, written around the 5th century. However, many others believe the eggplant made its way into the world marketplace, traveling from India to Morocco via Arab traders. Either way, the first known eggplants were white and grew to be little more than the size of an egg, thus the name.

Today, the name eggplant conjures the image of the squat purple vegetable used in Italian cooking and it is still often considered a specialty item at most grocery stores. Unfortunate. From the first seeds brought to this country by the Spanish to the more obscure Asian varieties now making a splash in today's cuisine, eggplant should be a common household staple. I've grown several different kinds but for productivity and longevity after harvest, by far my favorite eggplant to grow (pictured: two white ghost busters nestled in a box with the more common purple variety) is Ghost Busters.

The Ghost Busters eggplant is the main variety of white eggplant, growing to be about 7 inches long at maturity. From a productivity standpoint, the Ghost Busters will often have two or three eggs growing on one plant while its standard purple cousin can barely sustain one at a time, or so it's been observed in my garden. Ghost Busters withstands more wind damage thus less bruising. I pick mine when the vegetable is firm but not hard and I always cut the eggplant instead of twisting it from the plant to leave the calyx or cap in place. (A bright green calyx left in tact is a sign of freshness.) I store eggplant in my refrigerator with the same care I give lettuce and it will last up to 5 days. Just remember that any variety of eggplant takes a fairly long growing season. The plants need to go in the ground just as soon as the fear of frost is over.

Growing tips:

Plants need good drainage or they will certainly develop root rot
The smaller the variety the less resistant to extreme summer temperatures
Asian cultivars often bear more than standard types
In early varieties, flowers appear after the plant has produced six green leaves, 14 leaves until flower in later varieties

Fun Stuff:

Around the 16th century eggplant was considered an aphrodisiac in some cultures and accused of causing insanity by other cultures
Before the 20th century eggplant were mainly grown in the US for ornamental purposes
Like the tomato, the eggplant is a member of the nightshade family
Never store eggplant and apples together because eggplants are sensitive to the ethylene apples produce

Praying Mantis (mantis religiosa): Beneficial insect or garden pest?

2009-02-17T08:43:00.004-06:00

By the end of mid summer, my perennial beds directly behind the house are teeming with praying mantis. I have to admit, if I were a mantis, I'd also pick that location. Until late afternoon, those beds are out of the direct sun therefore they stay fairly moist and the foliage in those beds are thick, the flowers often abundant. Moths and crickets and flies and grasshoppers among many other pests gather there, perfect for the carnivorous praying mantis with a ravenous appetite.

They never fail to surprise me. All season long, I'll be tending those beds and won't see a one and then, out of the blue, I'll be watering and the mantis will emerge, rushing to the tip-top of whatever foliage it was hiding under to let me know it doesn't appreciate the shower from the water wand. The larger the mantis the more likely I am to be threatened, angled forearms thrashing the air between us. For the rest of the season, they are an endless source of amusement for me---an organic means of pest control for my flowers.

Some gardeners don't see them in such a bright light. The praying mantis are not particularly choosy in their dining preferences. Needless to say, many a beautiful butterfly has fallen prey once a mantis takes up residence in a butterfly garden. Truly, it's nothing personal. The female mantis will even devour the male while in the midst of a mating session. (The poor fellow at the right has lost his head!) And, a large mantis can take down an unsuspecting hummingbird. So what to do if praying mantis are wreaking havoc? Relocate them!

When my son was a little boy, he would catch a menagerie of threatening creatures with a large glass jar and lid. Using this technique, even the most squeamish can move the praying mantis to another part of the yard/garden without ever having to touch or be touched by it. Moving them to the vegetable garden would help eliminate red spider mites on tomatoes without the need for chemical deterrents. I grow shrub, hedge, and carpet roses which would be an ideal relocation zone for a troublesome mantis. Before long, the aphid population around roses would greatly diminish. And, if my mantis population seems to be overworking the area in which they've picked to reside, I can always take several of them out to my blackberry patch.

The praying mantis is also a pollinator albiet not as effective as the honey bee. But, as the mantis moves from flower to flower in its search for another meal, the pollen collected on its body and legs is transferred. Having weighed the pros and cons of benefit or pest, I just can't kill a hardworking mantis.

Some other interesting facts about the mantis:

It's life span is about 12 months.
It can turn it's head in a 180 degree arc so that it can see completely over its shoulder.
It has three simple eyes sandwiched in between its two large compound eyes, enabling it to see as much as 60 feet in distance.

Baltimore Oriole (Icterus Galbula): Attract this songbird to your backyard

2009-02-13T09:30:00.007-06:00

What I know about ornithology, I could fit into a thimble. I'm not an avid bird watcher either. It's just hard not to notice bright flashy feathers against the grays and browns of a winter landscape. Yesterday I was lucky enough to be in my kitchen, looking out the sliding glass door that leads to the deck when a swoosh of fire engine red took perch on the edge of a barren flower pot. A male cardinal! Spectacular. Not more than a week before, I was delighted in the same way by a male robin. The appearance of both fine feathered gentlemen made me reflect on another dapper fellow who came to visit last spring---the Baltimore oriole.

Spring was going full throttle when I first noticed neon orange flashes darting past my windows. I just couldn't get a good look to determine the kind of bird because he was here and gone in an instant. Then one morning, I was sitting at the breakfast nook table when all of a sudden there he was perched on top of one of two trellises I have on my deck. I knew I had to do something to get him to want to come back and visit often. (Later I learned that we are lucky enough to be situated in the migratory path of the oriole. This path actually cuts a good swath through the US and up into Canada so a good number of Americans can actually attract this bird to their yards.) I did a little research and found that by providing the oriole with its favorite food source---oranges and grape jelly---was the key to both a morning and a late afternoon visit.

Buy a feeder which will hold both an orange half and a few tablespoons of grape jelly besides the liquid nectar. I particularly like the Classic Oriole Feeder recommended by the National Audubon Society and manufactured by WoodLink. It holds the nectar, the orange, and the jelly all in one unit. It's easy to assemble and keep clean as well. I bought mine at Colonial Nursery. Check the WoodLink site for a retailer near you. I hung the feeder from my arbor and within a few hours I had three different males fighting over it.

The oriole usually arrives in Kansas City around the first of May. Since I'm about thirty miles south, I'll put my feeder out the last week in April in anticipation of my little buddies.

A Winter Coat or Just Ugly Debris: It's all in the way you look at it

2009-02-11T07:55:00.006-06:00

I think its almost an instinctive reflex for some folks to run right out and cut dead/dying foliage to the ground level once a hard frost has taken the life out of annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses. Why? When I pose that question, the answer I get back most often is: Because now it just looks messy! I suppose that's all in how you perceive it. I can see how someone looking at the dried foliage in the picture to the left could view it as disorder. Some of the thick blades of the strawberries 'n cream perennial grass have broken under the weight of ice and snow and have fallen over. The seed stalks constantly tussle the winter wind. But I kinda like the brushy, unkept appearance---the winter coat, so to speak.

The winter coat is a provider, feeding birds and other small animals. In late winter when the yellow finch begins to migrate north, they stop and feast on the black buttons of rudbeckia seed. The dried stems and stalks become a habitat in which small animals can seek shelter and where cocoons attached to the dried foliage slumber spring's butterflies.

The winter coat is a regenerator. There are some perennials that must reseed themselves in order to propagate. Violas, for example, reproduce in this fashion and who wouldn't want to leave the dry stalks in return for all those dainty, smiling faces to proliferate a garden bed in the spring? Several varieties of the lychnis family reproduce in this manner as well.

The winter coat is also an identifier. I don't accidentally dig into a clump of roots during early spring planting if I've left the dry foliage of a perennial in tact. Yesterday, we were having a bit of spring like weather. The temps rose into the upper 60's. Lu and I were out scouting around the beds in the back yard and I noticed that among the dried branches of perennials, weeds were beginning to sprout. I think its easier to identify the weeds if the dried foliage is left in tact. We immediately irradicated the offenders.

The final reason I like to leave the winter coat in tact is for protection. I've found that the dried foliage can act like a barrier for tender green foliage in a late spring frost.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Bluebeard caryopteris is one of those marginal perennials (living in zone 5 with extra care but preferring the climate of zone 6) that if cut back to a three inch crown and then mulched heavily, will survive our Kansas City winters. Another exception I make is for my ornamental tree, Hakuro Nishiki Variegated Willow. It is actually a shrub grafted to a standard. In order to protect the junction of the graft, I like to cut this tree back to a nice uniform sized ball of branches. The ice can collect on these shorter branches without much worry about the breakage suffered on longer branches coated in ice and whipped by a winter wind.

Typically though, most perennials, shrubs, and trees require no late fall shearing. Even the most sturdiest appreciate enduring the coldest season in their winter coat.

Pets in the Garden Photo Contest

2009-02-09T11:46:00.001-06:00

Be sure to click on Lu's photo in the left margin to see his big debut.

Peat Pots, Red Onion Sets, and Goldfish Sightings: A definite prelude to spring

2009-02-09T07:04:00.004-06:00

More days like this past Saturday cannot happen soon enough! There's nothing like 70 degree weather in February to make one yearn for an early spring. I wasn't the only one that really seemed appreciative of a winter's reprieve. Our goldfish were spotted sunning themselves in the shallows at pond's edge. Although not as prolific in number as in last summer's picture above, a sizable group had gathered and appeared to be fairing the winter well.

Funny enough, before there were goldfish and koi, we were told by more than one person that these type of fish wouldn't live in our septic pond much less breed in it. So much for listening to the experts. I knew when aquatic plant and wildlife began making our pond their home, mainly cattails and tadpoles, goldfish would surely survive. We started out by purchasing 4 dozen two years ago and last spring the population had tripled if not quadrupled.

The same warmth that brought the goldfish to the surface drove me to the garden supply. I've been sitting on my hands, trying to practice diligent patience. I know that I can't start my vegetable seedlings just yet. But that didn't stop me from purchasing those peat pots I love so much. Just walking into the supply store was pure heaven for me. As soon as I opened the door, the smell of spring hit me full in the face---the earthy scents of peat pots, bulk grass seed, bagged soil, and fertilizer---fragrant!

And then I spotted the onion sets. I think every gardener has their nemesis. Mine of course is the onion. I've tried and tried to grow them to no avail. If they grow at all, they are pathetically puny. I know this and have sworn off ever trying again---however, the drone of spring tricked me into believe my growing talents are invincible. Alongside the several dozen peat pots I purchased was a mesh bag of red onion sets.

I'm going to try one last attempt to raise the pungent but elusive little fellows. My bright idea is to get them started in the house in peat pots and then transplant them in the ground after the fear of our first frost is past. By then, they should be viable plants with beautiful, long green spiky foliage, right? I'll keep you posted on their progress!

Tigridia: aka Mexican Shell Flower

2009-02-04T11:35:00.004-06:00

This beauty is also known as Mexican daylily, sacred Aztec lily, sacred tiger lily, peacock flower, tiger flower, and flower of Tigris. How interesting. I know just how it feels carrying around so many different names. I recently had some business with my bank last week in which I was asked to sign two different documents verifying that I had used a string of various aliases and that I was indeed same and said person. The lists went something like this:

first name, maiden name
first name, middle initial, maiden name
first name, middle name, maiden name
first name, married name . . . blah, blah, blah! Tiresome.

The other thing I have in common with tigridia is that we both are lovers of warm weather, tigridia more so than me which leads to a parting of our ways. Whereas I can withstand temperatures below 22 degrees, albeit not for long, Tigridia cannot---oh, really??? Guess again. The tigridia in the above picture is three years old or, it's been planted for the last three years against the south facing foundation wall of our house. (I have no idea how old the corm was when I bought it.) The first year, it sent out three leaves and a single flower. The second year it doubled in size, put up a few more leaves and flowered both yellow and orange flowers. This past season, it flowered pink, yellow, orange, and red---one to two flowers at a time. Yes, it is definitely an anomaly.

In fact, it is an anomaly in more ways than one. Tigridia is sparsely planted by gardeners because its bloom lasts only one day. I can attest to that. I've learned to get my camera the moment I see it in bloom or else I'll forget and have to wait another year to take its picture. That's how fragile its flowers are.

The particular species pictured is actually Tigridia T. Pavonia. It's one of 23 species native to South and Central America. The foliage is spiky but thin and flowers are borne on delicate stems. In the wild, tigridia are naturally pollinated by hummingbirds. They are easily cultivated as long as they are planted in well drained soil in full sun, zone 8.

So why am I able to grow tigridia here in zone 5 without lifting the corm from the ground each fall? Just a guess but, my tigridia is planted beneath the voluminous, leafy skirt of a hemerocallidaceae (daylily). In the fall, I don't cut the daylily back but allow its foliage to decompose back into the ground. Maybe that foliage protects the tigridia corm. Secondly, the tigridia corm is planted close to the south facing foundation wall. And when it is in bloom, I notice how the praying mantis and honey bees in my garden tend to favor it. As exotic as an orchid, tigridia always gets plenty of oohs and aahs!

The Clematis Project: Adding Focal Points with Vines

2009-02-03T08:41:00.008-06:00

In the Victorian garden, vines were used extensively to add charm and elegance but more often to add privacy to an object, i.e., a covered gazebo or a screened porch. I love vines in today's garden because they add a certain old world ambiance in a more modern time. My favorite vine to use is the clematis.

Last spring, I planted ten different varieties of clematis, four of which I started on tall trellises (picture above) in my garden beds and two of which I started in large flower pots on my deck. These vertical elements not only add height to an uninteresting horizontal bed but also act as focal points to draw attention upward and to break up long stretches. Added to a large, free standing trellis, the vine can only grow so far upward before it loses purchase and then must begin to vine upon itself. Then we have . . . pseudo topiaries!!! Awesome.

Believe me, I have planted clematis in all the usual and ordinary places as well---around the lamp post, up a stationery arbor, at the base of the mailbox---but I wanted to use the clematis's Victorian charm in a new and modern way. I began reading about how lots of gardeners were beginning to design container gardens with perennials instead of annuals to save money. Well, a clematis is definitely a perennial and I was certainly getting tired of nurturing annual vines that by the end of fall were full and lush and looking super on their trellises and doomed to perish with the first hard frost. With over 250 species to choose from, I wasn't limited by color or sun/shade requirements, or watering limitations. The possibilities were endless.

That's when I really dug into the research. . .

Because the clematis is so versatile, I began to look at other possible planting ideas for it. Here are just a few I think will really add zing:

1) Incorporate a clematis whose sun and water requirements are compatible with another vine like wisteria which only flowers in the very early spring. I have also matched clematis to grape vine and climbing roses. These hardy, woody vines offer extremely sturdy support for these more delicate climbers.

2) Apartment dweller and house renters can now have beautiful topiaries on their balconies and front porches without having to leave the plant behind when they move or violate lease planting restrictions.

3) Plant clematis at the base of a sturdy but nondescript tree.

4) Unsightly utility box or air conditioning unit hindering the loveliness of your yard? Choose a clematis that likes to be pruned back to nothing more than four inches of stalk sticking out of the ground. Erect a trellis, either free standing or upright, and train clematis.

The possibilities know no bounds.

I am particularly partial to Donahue's Clematis when I'm looking to purchase a new plant from my nursery. Donahue's plants are consistently healthy, vigorous growers. Every single clematis I've purchased with the Donahue's label has flowered for me the first year in the ground.

Check back later this year. I'll be posting pictures of the trellises and reporting on how each of the eight clematis are doing. Meanwhile, I'm planning to write more on specific clematis species in future postings. Look for information on clematis with great names such as the Belle of Woking, Sunset, Jackmanii, and the Dr. Ruppel just to name a few.

Spring Dreaming, Winter Planning

2009-01-22T09:48:00.004-06:00

It's amazing how the warm sunshine through a winter window or a simple spike in the outdoor temperature for a day can set our gears in motion. I can't say it's been a particularly bad winter here---the frigid temps have been annoying but the usual snow/sleet/ice hasn't fallen---and yet, I'm already hearing rumbles of cabin and/or spring fever. At my volunteer job yesterday, I had more than one inquiry about starting indoor vegetable seeds. I too am so eagerly looking forward to that day. January's almost gone, February is leap, soon it will be the first of March and time to drag the grow lights out of the basement (I don't have a greenhouse and our dining room faces the east but its our largest window and best source of natural light and the grow lamps supplement) and set up the dining room greenhouse.

Until we can get outside and head down the garden path (thus the reason for today's picture), there are a few activities I do about this time of year to help beat the winter blues. In a nutshell, I start planning. Once spring arrives, I like to have a solid idea of what, where, when, and how I'm going to execute all my necessary tasks. For instance:

Vegetable Garden Layout

This is huge for me!!! Now more than ever, food pantries across this country are in crisis. Not only do I need to think about how much food my household is going to need but then I need to consider what I want to grow for the food pantry, when I want the first harvest to start, and where should I plant seedlings for maximum output.

1) Drawing up a tentative layout is essential.
a) I like to consult companion planting charts, which I'll talk about in a separate posting as we get closer to spring. There's a ton of information on companion planting on the web and it's worth sorting through and reading.
b) I rotate my tomatoes so they are the first plants I establish on my layout.
c) Once I have the tomatoes on the layout, I can work on row arrangements.

I can actually spend a number of hours on this activity alone.

Hanging baskets, urns, and planter design

I was extremely pleased with my floral arrangements in my hanging baskets, urns, and planters last season because I went to the nursery with a list of the materials and/or plants that I needed. I can get to the nursery and get terribly side tracked by how they've planted their containers, end up buying things I don't plan for and quite frankly, buy things I don't really want or need. It saves me not only time but a lot of money.

Soaker hose layout

Last fall I walked into Lowe's garden department and found 75 ft soaker hoses on sale for $1 each. I bought 40 of them. I definitely want a plan on how I'm going to string them through the garden beds for maximum coverage. They've been wound tightly in coils, so I'll need to stretch them out and let them lay in the sun for a few days to get the kinks out.

Collecting and Gathering

I saw a neat idea on the web wherein paper egg cartons were collected and then used as starter pots for seedlings. Innovative. I have started saving my plastic milk cartons which I use to protect my tomato seedling that first week out in the garden. It's a great time to begin buying seeds from catalogs. I even start stock piling fertilizer for my hanging baskets.

Pruning

One outdoor activity that is perfect for this time of year when the temps spike briefly is pruning. I love to inspect my trees and prune them while they are dormant. That activity also takes me past shrubs and rose bushes to inspect for winter damage.

Hopefully, spring will come early and April will be kinder than the two previous years. NO LATE FROSTS, please! And we'll be ready for it, armed with our best laid plans.

Hard Copy Garden Journal: A Fail-safe Way to Back Up One's Memory

2009-01-21T07:36:00.008-06:00

Yesterday was certainly blustery here. Out my office window, the leaden clouds draped the sky and blotted out the sun for the biggest part of the day. It's nice to see the daylight break through today and the forecast high is for the 50's. Gotta love that!

Decided to catch up on a project yesterday that's long over due---and note, still not done---requiring lots of time and attention. Every year I put together a hard copy garden journal for my records. It starts early in the spring when I first begin buying/planting/building/sowing. From plant tags to blue prints to receipts, I save it all. I can't tell you how often its served as a clone of my own memory. Someone will ask me, "What's that plant called?", and if its something fairly obscure, I'm not likely to pull it from the depths of my middle-aged brain. So I sat down at the dining room table where I could really spread out the contents of the manila envelopes I'd collected and got busy.

I put my journal together in sections. I catalog all like things together, such as all perennial tags in one section for quick reference and that just happens to be what I was working on yesterday---perennials. Of course, I'm not likely to forget that the name of the coneflower in the above picture is Coconut Lime, which, by the way, just happens to be one of my favorite Echinaccea, but once its tag is secured in my hard copy journal, I also have a record of when it was planted. From Apricot Delight Yarrow to Veronica Fairytale and everything in between, I have a tag and it goes in my journal.

We were busy last season, especially with building all the new perennial beds but, until I sat down to put the journal in order, I guess I didn't realize how busy I was at planting. I have 101 different perennial tags alone. Considering the fact that I rarely buy just one of anything, the plants that went into the ground last season numbered in the hundreds. Wow! Of course I planted several variations of the same family. For instance, this tiny beauty at the right is Beaujolais Bonnets, Scabiosa Atropurpurea, (don't you love how the name Beaujolais Bonnets rolls off the tongue?!?) but I also planted its cousins, Pink Mist, Butterfly Blue, and Vivid Violet---all with their own distinct botanical names as well. There's no way I'm going to remember all that information and searching through books or online garden sites for that info is just too time consuming. My hard copy journal is a godsend. I alphabetize all the tags and its a snap to find what I'm looking for in a hurry.

I did manage to finish the perennial section yesterday afternoon. Now its on to rhizomes. I did manage to sort those tags and again I was amazed. According to the number I collected, I planted 32 different varieties of iris---7 pinks alone! And without going into the diningroom and conferring with the tags, I can't remember a name of a single one.

Beginner's tip: Other information that can be added to a hard copy journal is where in the garden a selection was planted, how it faired and grew, likes and dislikes, etc. It's time consuming but I think its worth it. Later in years, you'll have an entire index in the volumes of handwritten journals that could come in very handy if one was to say, sell their property and pass that info on to a new owner.

Zero-turn Mowers: Buying the Right Equipment for the Job

2009-01-19T12:27:00.010-06:00

Four years ago, when we moved to our present property, Dave and I purchased a John Deere L130 lawn tractor. Going from a city lot where I pushed mowed our entire yard to 3.8 acres of ground, I knew we were going to need a riding lawn mower. Unfortunately, I didn't do enough research. Yes, the L130 could handle the amount of acreage that needed to be mowed but no, it didn't do it quickly or efficiently.

What I don't mow is taken up with house, barn, garden beds, septic pond and blackberry patch---(possibly the .8 I always tack on to be correct instead of just saying 4 acres.) The rest is grass that can easily get so thick, it was nearly impossible to get the L130 through without clogging up the mower deck. So then I'd have to get off the mower and clear the deck before I could proceed. What a pain!!!

Besides the clogging problem, I was literally working the tractor to death. During an average season of mowing, I could easily log 80+ hours. That's a lot of wear and tear on a lawn tractor. I was filling the gas tank twice as well, using all of both full tanks. At the price of gas, it was getting very expensive. Needless to say, it was wearing me down too. All the tight turns required stopping and backing and going forward so that I could get as close as possible to a target object, i.e., trees, utility box, shed, etc. I do all the mowing while Dave does all the weed eating. I assure you he has the worst of it and yet, fighting that lawn tractor for six hours a trek was taking its toll on my neck, arms, and back.

My neighbors, who'd all been mowing their properties a bit longer than me, used zero-turn mowers. They would get on their mowers long after I had started and were finished long before I was done. After two seasons of mowing with the lawn tractor, I decided it was time to reevaluate my equipment needs. This posting is not to advocate for one brand of tractor over another. Mr. Smith, my neighbor to the northeast, just bought a brand new Kubota last spring and really likes it but, I can't talk about it because I have no experience with it. So, I'll tell you what I do know.

Why did I choose the John Deere brand? Simple:

1. My husband's grandfather swore by his John Deere farm equipment.

2. The John Deere dealer is 6 miles from our house.

3. The performance of the lawn tractor impressed me enough to want a zero turn of the same

kind.

My rule of thumb for everything is: Compare all brands for manufacturing and features. I love my 757 but it does have a couple things I'd change. For overall performance I'm still impressed.

So what did I get?

1.Speed/Efficiency

My mower runs up to 9.5 mph. It's not only fast but its fun---kinda like riding on a go-cart while doing my work. Moreover, it's taken my mowing time from six hours a week to two and a half hours. Less time on the mower, more time in the garden!

Fuel wise, I'm filling the tank once and one tank will last two mowings. Yes the tank is bigger so I'm probably saving roughly a couple gallons each week. When gas was $4 a gallon, that was nothing to sneeze at.

2. Manufacturing/Construction

The 757 has a rugged, 300 pound steel cutting deck. The mower is commercial grade. I can sit and spin in place (dig a hole in the ground) because of its hydraulic capabilities which make mowing around objects a snap. It's tough. I hope its the last mower I'll ever have to buy.

3. Power

I am able to mow down the toughest grass situations without worrying about the cutting deck clogging up.

I'm sure John Deere would say I didn't quote exact specs as good as they might have liked me to but, I know what's important to me and all that other jazz can be found on their website!

As for the L130? Still a great lawn tractor. And it still gets its share of the work. We bought a small wagon for it to haul around for moving dirt, mulch, gravel, etc. It's not sitting in the barn collecting dust . . .

Sepia Tones Blur the Harsh of Winter on the Gardens

2009-01-19T09:33:00.004-06:00

I've made it really plain how much I don't like winter. So, when invited to submit photos for a contest entitled Winter Wonders Photo Contest with the theme being: What I love about the winter garden, I found it extremely hard to be positive about something that's always been a negative for me. I went to the site to research the contest rules and see what other contributors had submitted and I found something extraordinary there. It wasn't the winter in the winter garden people loved but the state of the garden enduring winter. I have to say, I understand that.

I applaud my garden's ability to withstand elements that would cause me to perish if I were exposed to winter as my garden is. So far this year, our losses have been minimal. We have a river birch out in front of the house. It was a three-trunk tree until one of the trunks froze, split, and broke away from the mother clump. This once lovely tripod is now an adequate biped. I have little room for complaining though when this winter has been so harsh and has done so much damage in so many places.

The above picture has been altered by filters as were my submissions. Blur the harsh realities of cold by applying the romantic tones of sepia to the winter part of the winter garden and I find it somehow more acceptable. About the garden itself during this time of year? I admire its tenacity to withstand the worst of elemental punishment with the ethereal grace of patience.

Kohlrabi: The Layerless Cabbage

2009-01-19T06:56:00.007-06:00

Kohlrabi (cole-rah-bee), like all other cole crops, developed from the wild cabbage, Brasscia Oleracea. This particular vegetable was introduced to the United States in the very early 1800's. It's name is derived from kohl meaning cabbage and rabi meaning turnip, thus being termed the turnip cabbage. Most often thought of as a root vegetable and/or a bulb, it is neither. The kohlrabi is merely the swollen part of the stem that forms just above the ground. I'm not a botanist so that's as far as I go in trying to inform on this vegetable. To say the least, it is by far the most unique of the cole crops.

What I know about this vegetable from firsthand experience: It will grow in a relatively small amount of space. In early June, I'd run to Sutherlands for something---possibly (probably) mulch---and I noticed at least a dozen long trays of this leafy seedling sitting off to the side of one rack being ignored. If two four packs had been purchased by another that might have been an over estimate. Quite simply, most people didn't know what it was and weren't buying. I always end up with a spot here and a spot there in my vegetable garden that is bare. Usually I plant herbs in those spots but last year, after a pang of sympathy for the abandoned seedlings, I purchased 6 four packs of kohlrabi and took them home and planted them. And yes, my sympathy pangs were more plentiful than the bare spots in my garden. That's okay, I just crowded them in. I wasn't sure they'd do anything, being a cole crop planted in midsummer. Not only did they grow, they prospered. If you don't eat a lot of cabbage, buy a four pack and call it good. This little veggie is remarkably productive.

Within a month of planting, they were ready for harvest. (Kohlrabi should be harvested when it is around three inches in circumference or it tends to get tough. I let them get about as big as my fist.) So what to do with them? They are just as versatile as the cabbage. Eaten raw, most people choose a side and say they either taste like a cabbage or a turnip. They have the solid structure of the turnip with a slightly more cabbage-like taste in my opinion, thus why I subtitled this posting the layerless cabbage. Another real plus for any vegetable is the quantity of storage time. Again, the kohlrabi is remarkably hardy and long lasting when properly refrigerated.

I know that every time I took some to the food pantry for donation, I was told later the kohlrabi were the first vegetables to go. Once people try them, they love them. Nutritionally speaking, the kohlrabi is low in sodium and (hoorah!!!) low in calories while being a great source of Vitamin C and Potassium.

FYI: The kohlrabi can be eaten raw but is equally good steamed, stir fried, boiled (as a vegetable added to soup) and grated (as for slaw). Cut into one inch cubes and properly blanched it can also be frozen and then used later in soups and stews.

Too Common

2009-01-08T09:07:00.008-06:00

Yesterday I received a garden magazine in the mail and on the front cover was a picture of a pristinus ebur zinnia. (No, Latin is not a second language for me. I just felt that calling it a pristine ivory zinnia didn't heighten its descriptive appeal all that much.) Anyway, one thought led to another and soon I was recalling a moment this past summer while I was at Lowe's garden department looking for filler annuals for bare spots in my perennial beds. A woman was shopping with her daughter, a child of about 5 years old, and the little girl was enthralled with a display of marigolds. Those bright orange and yellow hues really had a hold on her attention. I could easily relate. Marigolds are always a favorite standby in my own mother's flower beds. It was all quite a nice memory for me and then the child asked her mother to purchase those marigolds. I really was taken back by the woman's negative answer. It would seem that marigolds weren't good enough for this woman's garden because they were too common.

I must say the reason I relate this particular memory is because as soon as I saw the zinnia on the front cover of my magazine, the first thought that popped into my head was, I'm surprised they chose such a common flower. Oh I know---bad garden fairies will probably rain down on me!!!

So what is common? Isn't it that that is not distinguishable from the ordinary?

Some of the most distinguishable annuals in my 2008 garden beds were my tall zinnia. They ranged in color from a white so pale it almost appeared lime green to the brightest, deepest scarlet pinks, and everything in between. I was also blessed with a wide variety of structural shapes: star, pompon, and rosette just to name a few. When the perennials had given up either due to spent blooming time or just plain ragged Midwestern heat, the zinnia became the crowning glory along with other old favorites like begonia, vinca, cosmos and salvia. It's the annual that is the workhorse of the garden, blooming an entire season until the first vestige of a mean spirited frost puts them forever to sleep.

Beginner's tip: Almost all annuals produce easy-to-reap seeds that can be planted the following spring. Zinnia, cosmos, and marigolds are especially good choices for seed collection. Often the marigold will self-sow. Another really good annual that grows well year after year in my garden is Victoria Blue salvia. In fact, I planted it on the south side of my house (remember I'm zone 5) and it comes back like a perennial.

Suncast Gazebo

2009-01-06T08:47:00.009-06:00

Happy 2009, everyone! Now that the new year has found us once again, it's time to start thinking about the coming spring. I always have at least one new project brewing in my head by this time, if not a half a dozen! With the holidays out of the way, I'm ready to rush full steam ahead with the planning. This year, I need to research the exact design I want for my new potting shed. Don't know if it will happen because of the economy and having to tighten our belts but it doesn't hurt to be prepared (or dream). Hopefully, I'll be able to share the capers of its fruitation at a later date. But for now, let me tell you about last spring's project.

I've always wanted a gazebo. I remember New York vacations at my grandparents' house, whiling away the heat (their idea of heat anyway---I'm a Midwesterner, please!) of summer in their shaded gazebo. My grandfather had a family of chipmunks that came visiting on a regular basis to rifle his pockets for peanuts. Good memories.

Every year we talked about building a gazebo but unfortunately for me, my husband's occupation involves industrial construction and spring is just when those huge projects are gearing up as well. That's why I began to consider kits for time and convenience. Wow! I had no idea how much was out there and how much was available. So here's my first tip: Know what you need/want. My needs were simple. All I wanted was a structure to 1) compliment the west side of my courtyard and 2) allow enough room for Dave and I to sit comfortably and enjoy the evenings together.

My second tip: know what amount of maintenance you are willing to provide over the life of the gazebo. Quite frankly, we wanted very little if any maintenance at all. Those wooden gingerbread laden gazebos are fantastic to look at but we didn't want the time consuming job of yearly staining or painting. That's why I chose the Suncast Gazebo. It's rigid resin construction will not splinter or rot.

And lastly, my third tip: know the amount of skill level required for assembly. I am not a carpenter and my husband didn't have much time for building. We needed a fast, easy solution. The Suncast Gazebo required only a platform for anchoring. David was able to build that in a day.

So, after all my research, I ordered my gazebo and this is how it arrived at my doorstep:

(This is a freight-only item because of it's sheer size---two large pallets long---and weight. The trucking company will ask if a dock is available or if they need to send it on a lift gate truck.)

Although David assembled 90% of the gazebo without my help, it really works better with an extra set of hands. The rails can be tricky but otherwise, it's a peach to put together. I believe anyone could assemble this gazebo in one day. The finished measurements are 10'X10' and it easily holds a table and four chairs. However, many people have told us that they think it's an ideal structure to place over a hot tub! I would concur it weren't for the fact that we meant it as a stopping place, either at the end of our courtyard or as a spot to rest before moving on to the koi/goldfish pond. We spent many a fine summer evening sitting under it, watching the sunset. I believe the Suncast website shows the gazebo anchored to a flat, square platform resting atop the ground. We chose to raise our platform to give the gazebo a bit more height and David designed the platform to follow the same octagonal shape as the gazebo itself. We also left off one set of rails so that we could enter and exit from more than one side instead of enclosing the inside circle.

We finished the platform by closing it in and then added flower beds and a gravel path around it. I cannot tell you how many compliments we've received. The manufacturing quality is such that it looks just as great up close as it does from a distance. A top notch product.

At Christmas, we outlined the gazebo in twinkle lights and it was really something to see at night.

So, if you are into planning your winter projects early like I am and you choose to make the Suncast gazebo your project of choice, I'd like to hear about it. Feel free to email me at:

GardenGenn@msn.com

I'd be happy to respond to any questions you might have.

Van Bourgondien August 2008 Garden Contest Winner

2009-01-06T07:00:00.003-06:00

Come take a peek at my pictures which won the August contest and and while you are at the Dutch Bulb website, view winners of other months as well.

Spring Arrives in a December Mailbox

2008-12-20T16:50:00.008-06:00

Like most of the country, here in Harrisonville (just south of Kansas city), we are hunkering down for a big freeze. The high for the Chiefs game tomorrow will be a whopping 8 degrees---with any luck. My husband, David, double checked antifreeze strengths in all three cars, something he's done only twice in the eighteen years we've been together. And, I would say this is definitely going to challenge all those marginal zone 6 perennials I planted on the advice of nursery people who assured me that our winters aren't as cold as they once were. Needless to say, and according to our weather forecasts, it's going to feel like Alaska around here for the next few days.

So imagine my delight when I opened my mailbox this afternoon and saw the vibrant, rich colors of a spring seed catalog staring out at me!!! Thrilling. And less than a week from Christmas! What caught my eye was the picture of a red and white marbled grandiflora rose called Rock & Roll. I saw this rose at The Family Tree nursery last summer. Not to be harsh, but seeing the rose in person was less spectacular than seeing it splashed across the front page of my new seed catalog. The roses were small and the variations of color weren't nearly as striated. Anyway, my mailbox is about 75 feet away from my front door. It seemed like an eternity to reach the mailbox with the bitter north wind whipping around my exposed face but with seed catalog in hand, the trip back to the house didn't seem nearly as miserable or lengthy in duration!

Tossing all other pieces of mail aside, I sat down at the kitchen table and started perusing the pages. Of course, have-to-haves immediately began jumping out at me. I'm particularly excited about a new Gaillardia called Dakota Reveille. It's the first double ball-type I've seen to withstand temperatures to zone 4. Yipppeee!!!!!!!! I have perennial Gaillardia but they are the more daisy-like type in appearance. And I love to grow Cosmos every year. I try to find a new and exciting variety to experiment with. This year, looking at the seed catalog, it appears that Double Click Rose Bonbon may just be the ticket. The blooms are fully double, rose/lavender petals borne on 36 inch stems. Perfect for the back of the border. I also have my eye on a clematis called Empress. This variety, with its candy-pink double blooms, which have darker pink midrib markings and a spiky pompon center, would be a great addition to my clematis collection. It doesn't hurt that Empress is also my favorite flower color!

As my eyes scanned the delightful pages of the seed catalog, they came to rest on the word bulbs.That's when I was ripped from my futuristic daydreaming and jarred back into the present. During the winter, my garage rarely dips below 40 degrees. However, with a wind chill factor of -20, I need to get off this computer and start helping David tote my stored bulbs to the basement.

Gifting from the Garden: Sweet Potato Pie

2008-12-18T12:19:00.008-06:00

I have both very northern (paternal) and very southern (maternal) roots. On the southern side of things, I'm a direct descendant of Stonewall Jackson. Like any good southerner, I like things in extremes, especially hot weather and rich food. Thinking along those lines, I'd like to discuss the sweet potato in this posting.

This past garden season, I planted Beauregard sweet potato vines, a southern favorite. This particular variety produces beautifully large, red-skinned tubers with deep orange inner flesh. Beauregard is crack resistant and if stored in a cool dry place, will keep extremely well. Sweet potato slips (plant/vine starts) are sold at any nursery or seed company and should be planted only after soil temperatures stay at 50 degrees over night. Sweet potatoes are very cranky about getting cold and will quickly wither. I like Beauregard because it seems to tolerate temperature flunctuations better. I plant my slips in a mounded hill of dirt. Once the slip begins to vine, it needs plenty of room to send out its runners. The runners root and sweet potatoes are produced along these rooted portions of the vine.

At Christmas, I particularly like to give gifts that directly reflect my love of gardening. My neighbors and I participate in an annual cookie exchange---breads, candies, and even scented candles are also acceptable and have been given. Last year, I gave away dried herbs, flower seeds, and homemade potpourri in gift baskets.

Since I had an abundance of sweet potatoes in the fall, I decided to make pies for our cookie exchange. So yesterday, I set up an assembly line and began churning out pie crusts and before long, I had seven sweet potato pies ready for the oven. They baked up just lovely. Here's my recipe if you'd be so inclined to make one:

Jenn's Southern Sweet Potato Pie

1 9" pie crust, either homemade or store bought

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

2 large eggs

1 lb Beauregard sweet potatoes, cooked and drained (or 1 can of 15 0z store bought sweet potatoes)

1 12 oz can evaporated milk

Place sweet potatoes in large mixing bowl and mash. Stir in sugars, salt, and spices and mix well. Add eggs and incorporate. Gradually stir in the entire contents of the evaporated milk. Pour sweet potato mixture into pie shell. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 and bake for 45 minutes longer or until set. Let cool completely before serving.

If giving the pie as a gift, wrap beautifully:

Lu and Me in the Garden

2008-12-03T07:25:00.012-06:00

Meet my garden companion, Lu. Isn't he a handsome fellow?

Dave and I adopted Lu three years and two months ago from a rescue program. He's a wonderful dog. Unfortunately, someone treated him very poorly before he came to live with us. He has a lot of fear. He doesn't warm up to strangers and is leary even with our neighbors and friends. Lu is a mix of Boxer and German Shorthair---he's so dashing he often garners compliments when people see him. He loves to be in the gardens when I'm outside. More often than not, he stands guard while I dig or plant. He takes protecting me very seriously. However, he can be distracted by the lure of a discarded plastic pot. I think that as soon as I remove the plant and lay the pot on the ground, the pot begins to call his name in a voice only he can hear. Sneaking up on my blind side, Lu will then ease the pot up off the ground until he has a sure grip with his teeth. And that's when he explodes into a frenetic mass of churning muscle. Round and round the yard he runs, turning and twisting, leaping and lurching, the pot dancing on the end of his nose. We've given him all kinds of store-bought toys but nothing is as much fun as the discarded plastic pot.

Yesterday, we planted the bulbs I got at Ace hardware last weekend. They were beautiful and solid and much to my delight, I found that the ground was still dig-ible. Into the ground went 10 Anemone Blanda, 4 Nectaroscordum Allium, 20 Dick Wilden Double Narcissi, and 7 Mount Everest Giant Allium. Much to Lu's delight, he found the remnants of a flower pot and after running with it until he tired himself out, he settled in for some shredding. He's also very proficient at making plastic confetti.

While I was planting the bulbs, I remembered reading a helpful planting tip about bulbs that I wanted to pass on. Sometimes it's hard to tell, especially for beginning gardeners, which is the top and which is the bottom of the bulb for placement in the ground. Almost always the top is pointy. But, if you can't figure it out, plant the bulb on its side and the bulb will take care of itself. Nice.

Today, we are expecting snow. Not a lot, maybe an inch. But Lu and I don't care for the gray skies and the bitter way the wind has turned on us from the northwest. Maybe that's why I'm sitting here jabbering about dogs and bulbs and Lu is chasing rabbits from the comfort of his recliner.

Let Someone Else Judge Your View

2008-12-02T09:48:00.003-06:00

This particular shot of my garden was taken on the south side of the house. It's not extremely colorful. It doesn't necessarily dazzle the viewer. But, I think its a great garden photo. I'm curious to know. What do you think?

Let me tell you why I like this photo so much. It captures the bones. This photo was taken in September when almost all the plants were done blooming. And yet, I think the garden looks as good then as it did when it was awash with color. That's because all the structural elements (the bones) work. The fence provides a good visual line and backdrop for the garden inside the fence. I've planted several large perennials, shrubs, and grasses to act as anchors. Because cottage gardening can border on the side of visually messy, these larger plantings or anchors provide breaks or focal points. In this photo, the two snowball viburnum (viburnum opulus sterile , large green bushes at center top) break the rambling fence and garden bed into thirds. Large spiky grasses outside the fence (upper left corner) soften the line of the fence by intruding ever so slightly. Then its all tied together by commingling smaller spiky and bushy plantings throughout the beds. The black rolled edging defines the flow, how one will move or be moved through a garden. Imagine stepping into this garden on the left side of the photo. Where would you go? What if you followed the flow and moved to the upper right side? What is just out of view around the corner? The final element of good design is surprise. The surprise could be in finding a bench or a fountain but in this case its a large wisteria arbor.

Have I done a good job designing this garden? I think so but who of us doesn't need validation? Even top garden designers need validation or they wouldn't have prestigious landscaping awards. Okay, having said that, where to get this validation? The two forms of criticism I value highly are 1) unsolicited compliments and 2) recognition by professionals.

Unsolicited compliments are a very genuine form of criticism. This past summer we had a window replaced. The man who came to estimate the cost for the new window was extremely complimentary about my gardens. It wasn't that he was just trying to sell me either. He and I started talking and I found out he was really into bonsai and Zen gardening. Another time, a complete stranger rang my door bell just to let me know how much she admired my gardens as she drove past every day on the street. You know you've made a visual impression when people you don't know are complimenting you.

Recognition by professionals is great as well. Here's my advice. Get to know your local nursery people on a first name basis. Let's face it, for the most part, people who work in nurseries do so because they love gardening. After purchasing my large cone baskets from Farrand Farms (as mentioned in my post about container gardening ), I sent a photo of my baskets with all their glorious foliage and blooms so that Keith, the owner, could see them. He emailed me back with his comments. Another way to acquire professional feedback is to enter gardening contests. What better way to know you are doing a great job than by being rewarded for what you do? I won my first gardening contest on Memorial day of this year from Johnson Farms, a family owned nursery just south of metro Kansas City. In the springtime they have a huge selection of annuals and perennials. And just last week I was notified that I had been chosen as the August 2008 garden contest winner for VanBourgondien, a mail order nursery located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. From both, I won $100 gift certificates.

Sweet!

Christmas lights and spring flowering bulbs

2008-12-01T10:42:00.006-06:00

Winter came again to Kansas City and all at once. Some of us just weren't ready---me, for one, and this poor scabiosa who was caught blooming unaware.

Frankly, I don't know how it was still producing viable blooms. We've had several nights of freezing temps---dipping down as low as 18---but I guess our mild days kept it encouraged. This Wednesday our forecast calls for temps in the upper 50's. No wonder some of my hardier plantings are confused. And talk about confusion, this past weekend I walked into my local Ace hardware store in search of a 50 count string of green twinkle lights and ran smack into a display of spring flowering bulbs! (What were they still doing on the shelf?)

Needless to say, my husband, who'd been abandoned before we ever reached the Christmas section, found me sorting through little cardboard bins of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth bulbs, twinkle lights all but forgotten. "I should have known," was the first thing he said, a familiar form of greeting between us when my gardening obsession derails me from my intended path. Then he asked, "Will these be okay to plant now?" At 90% off the original price, I assured him it was worth taking a chance. When will I ever again get the opportunity to buy Mount Everest Allium bulbs for roughly 30 cents each? And, if they do make it, how great will they look scattered throughout the gardens? Awesome!

Later, dressed in sixteen layers of clothing, I tottered out to the gazebo and helped string lights along its rails and posts while the north wind stabbed the exposed skin of my face with ice pellets. That's when I noticed my scabiosa, the same plant I bought half dead in the late summer from a local nursery for 75% off. Once I put it in the ground, it flourished. Hopefully, this coming spring, I'll be able to post a picture of giant snowballs sprouting from a warm sun drenched garden bed.

Container Gardening: Consider the Container First

2008-11-24T12:15:00.014-06:00

Container gardening has become all the rage over the last few years. Every time I pick up a gardening magazine or peruse a gardening website, I can rest assured I'll find an entire section devoted to the subject. I can also guarantee there will be tons of information at my disposal on how to choose complimentary color combinations for my containers or how to match foliage structures to the container's design elements or even how to layer spiky/bushy/viney plantings in that same said container for dramatic visual effect. But, where is the actual aspects of the container ever addressed?

So, let's talk containers.

Container depth (priority #1)

In my opinion, no other factor is as critical to successful container gardening than depth. Nothing is more frustrating than plantings that either don't grow well or do grow well at first but then quickly fizzle out. If what's above the rim of the container is lush with foliage and blossoms, then what's below the rim has to be a healthy root system. Shallow containers are prohibitive to healthy root systems. There are only two reasons to purchase shallow containers, 1) the container is going to be sited in a continuously shady location or 2) the container is going to be home to cacti or succulents. Shallow containers assimilate dessert conditions perfectly when placed in direct sunlight.

As far as I'm concerned, if a container can't hold at least 24 inches of soil for root development and 1 inch of gravel for adequate drainage, it doesn't belong in my garden. Having said that, I will admit to owning a few shallow containers---lessons learned in beginning gardening. For example, I bought this lovely three-tier planter in my early gardening years. The largest basket is at the bottom of the tier with a depth of 5 1/2 inches, the center basket 5 inches and the top basket measures in at a whopping 4 1/2 inches, thus the additon of the coconut liners which add an extra inch or two of depth. Instead of being sited in full sun on my westerly exposed back deck which was my original intention, the lovely three-tier planter resides in the shade of my easterly exposed front porch. Even so, successful growing in these shallow baskets requires daily watering and, depending on the type of planting (supertunia and sweet potato vine), daily feeding.

Container types

Simply from a durability standpoint, I prefer concrete, resin, and fiberglass over wood, ceramic, and metal. I especially like the new urns and pots that are made of a stone/fiberglass combination (stonecast) for the tough exterior quality and yet easy movability. Plastic on its own is tacky---just my own personal opinion.

Container shape

As long as a container has depth and is made of durable material, the shape is merely a matter of preference. The exception is in the hanging basket. I want my hanging baskets to acheive that nursery-like gargantuan fullness with the ability to grow and bloom from mid spring planting all the way through summer into fall. Therefore, the only shape suitable to meet my expectations is the cone.

The cone offers the most optimal surface area for healthy root development. The cone in the picture is 24 inches in diameter and 28 inches long. The large diameter allows for multiple plantings without crowding and the spacious depth offers the roots a place to stretch out and grow. Most hanging baskets become root bound within a few weeks and then the flowers suffer.

The construction is a combination of coconut fiber and sheet moss over wire. These cones are very large, requiring eyebolts driven into studs to keep them secure and stable. And, because of the weight put upon the eyebolt, only potting mix not potting soil should be used. These cone baskets can be found at any nursery. I bought mine from Farrand Farms.

Not to be overwhelmed, (I've been told by more than one nursery worker that people buy these baskets and then return them) nurseries carry several smaller sizes. I noticed this past season that even the big box stores are starting to carry the smaller cones as well. Just remember, the smaller the cone the less area for root development. By the middle of summer, the foliar diameter of this cone basket was easily six feet.

When the container is considered first, the results are nothing short of dramatic.

Agastache (for beginning gardeners)

2008-11-10T11:12:00.011-06:00

(first in a series of postings found under the label: beginners)

Whenever I read an article whose target audience is beginning gardeners and whose topic focus is perennials for beginners, I am appalled at the same old, tired recommendations: Enchinea, Rudbeckia, and Sedum. Of course I understand the reasoning, these are easy to grow, fairly fail-proof perennials. They are lovely. I have several types of each in my own gardens. But, please! Give them a much deserved rest. Especially when there are so many other equally as easy to grow choices.

At the top of my list is Agastache. I can't imagine trying to cultivate cottage garden style beds without it. I use it extensively throughout my gardens for three reasons: 1) abundant, constant color, 2) quick to establish lush fullness and 3) upright growth habit. Most species of Agastache are tall, growing between 15 and 36 inches. My first introduction to this genus was the species Agastache Cana Sinning. Superbly outstanding to any other beginner's perennial I've ever tried. Sinning, once established, is both drought and heat tolerant. It reaches an average height of 18 inches. I like to plant Sinning in the middle of my beds. Give it some room. It becomes full and lush very quickly. It's best attribute is its constant, abundant color. Sinning produces lovely lavender-rose hued flowers that bloom all summer.

My favorite of the Agastache Cana is Heather Queen. It produces bright pink sprays of non-stop blossoms from summer until the first fall frost. Heather Queen is tall, between 30 and 36 inches and is extremely hardy. I plant it in my gardens' sunniest locations. By the end of August, it is spilling over and through the picket fence. Breathtaking. I can count on it to look fresh when other flowers are wilting under the summer sun.

Agastache has many admirable attributes. It requires no deadheading to stay in bloom. Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies are highly attracted by it. The foliage is pungently fragrant, giving off a licorice scent when touched. Most varieties will thrive in poor soils as long as they have adequate drainage.

A word of caution: not all Agastache are winter hardy above zone 5. Check with your own local nursery to see which species is right for your area. I buy mine at the Family Tree Nursery, a full service garden center providing zone 5 plants for Kansas City gardeners.

Pink Girl Tomatoes and other High Yield Vegetables

2008-11-06T08:23:00.020-06:00

I don't know how many times some one has said to me, ". . . you're so lucky you have such a green thumb." Possibly, but I'm not sold on luck. One's ability to have a successful garden isn't in the luck but in the devotion. My thumb is also dirty from pulling weeds and calloused from dragging the water hose. In my opinion, getting lucky in the garden equates to a growing season of favorable weather conditions.

High Yield Harvest=Commitment

I guess its not surprising then that the question I'm asked most often is: Which varieties produce the greatest yields? I think any gardener will say that's all a matter of opinion. None of my neighbors grow the tomato variety I swear by every season and yet we all have high yield harvests. I think half the joy of vegetable gardening is being able to share opinions. The following is a list of my favorites:

Pink Girl Tomatoes: I've been growing this variety for sixteen years and I've never wanted for lack of tomatoes. They are unusual in that they set both single fruits and fruit clusters. It's nothing to have five to eight tomatoes in one bunch. They can be a bit fussy to get started because they are not cold tolerant at all. But, once they get growing, I've had vines stand at ten feet tall. The fruit itself is sweet and solid with thin skin and less than average seed production. The fruits are usually about 6-8 ounces but I've had some grow to the size of a softball. I like them for both slicing and cooking. They also freeze well.

Roma Italian Green Beans: I quit growing all other types of green beans simply because the Roma's produce twice as many pods as any other bush bean I've sown. Not only are they heavy producers but they also grow twice as large as other green beans without getting tough. The Roma has a flat, smooth pod. From my experience, germination and harvest time is equivalent to other green beans varieties.

Armenian Yard Long Cucumbers: Not only is this cucumber a real producer but it is highly unique in appearance. Growing up to three feet long, it has a ridged outer skin that stays pale green in color. The Armenian seldom gets pithy, consistently producing solid, white flesh that is crisp and mildly flavored.

Semi-dwarf Okra: I don't have a favorite variety within the semi-dwarf line. I grow this type because the plants don't get huge and try taking over the garden. I find that the semi-dwarf produces just as much as the tall Okra varieties. Okra is a prolific producer, requiring daily monitoring because the vegetables grow quickly and become tough.

Jade Cross Brussel Sprouts: I had sixteen of these plants in my garden this season and they produced 8 beautiful gallons of sprouts. This variety holds up well in the heat and humidity of a Midwest summer with adequate amounts of water. The sprouts were well formed and were mild in flavor.

Danver's Half Long Carrots: I only plant one 32 ft row of these to keep us in carrots all winter long. And, they are good keepers. I've had them stay nice and crisp until late winter with proper refrigeration. I plant a row in the spring and other than water, they require little care until I harvest them in the fall. Danver's has a nice, sweet flavor. The flesh is bright orange and fine grained. These carrots average about 7 1/2" root growth but they can grow almost as long as regular varieties. I think carrots really respond well to raised bed gardening which is the particular type of vegetable gardening I subscribed to. The raised bed allows excess water to drain away so that the carrots don't get bogged down and rot.

Flat Dutchman Cabbage: These cabbages grow more oblong than round but they are dense and solid and resistant to cracking. It's nothing to pull a ten pounder out of the garden when they are ready to harvest. They are probably the best for heat tolerance when getting to the end of their growing season. They have a medium to strong flavor. The Flat Dutchman are great keepers with proper refrigeration.

Watermelon Mantang Hong Radish: An awesome radish for both flavor and presentation. The outside skin is white at the root and green closer to the foliage. When sliced, the rosy red center is revealed. Lovely. The Watermelon Mantang Hong Radish is a bit slower to germinate and produces after regular radishes but they grow twice the size, some up to 3 1/2" in diameter, while maintaining a sweet flavor. Never hot.

New Zealand Spinach: Another unusual variety, this leafy green must be planted after fear of frost. Unlike other spinach, this grows well all summer. Cutting it backs just promotes more growth. The seed is large and can be soaked in water prior to planting to aid in germination. It has a fairly strong flavor. The leaves are great for raw use in salads but they also hold up great in stir fry.

Early White Vienna Kohlrabi: Superior growth makes this vegetable from the cabbage family a real winner. Unlike it's cabbage cousin, it doesn't seem to be bothered by heat. I planted these at the end of June and they produced just fine. Flavored like a cabbage but textured more like a turnip, the meaty white flesh stays solid and crisp.

Ghost Busters Eggplant: When these little plants start producing, look out. It's nothing to see a dozen white eggs hanging from its branches. These eggplant don't get nearly as large as the regular black beauty eggplant but I think they stay solid longer. I also think they are a better keeper. I can't tell any difference in flavor.

Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash: I think anyone who's ever grown these has a horror story of how out of control they can produce. Great for frying and baking. They also freeze well. I slice them up and put them in freezer bags and use them for Summer Squash Casserole all winter long.

Black Beauty Zucchini: An old time favorite, Black Beauty is great for steaming, stir frying, and baking. This zucchini makes a lovely cake as well. A super producer. It stays solid as it grows large. Unfortunately, the squash bugs love this squash and I'm constantly doing battle with them over this vegetable. It's worth it.

I garden in zone 5. Hopefully, this list will help answer some of those questions asked about varieties and yields I hear so often. Whatever you decide to plant this next season---Happy vegetable gardening!

Along the Picket Fence: Seven Sisters Rambler Rose

2008-11-05T13:55:00.006-06:00

I was a military brat. There was no white picket fence around my many yards. What I learned about gardening then was scratched out in patches just large enough to grow a tomato and a few marigolds without forfeiting the security deposit. I suppose when I chose the bones (the hardscaping which anchors the landscaping) for my present day gardens, it wasn't just to establish boundaries for garden beds. I needed to delineate a place called home.

The white picket fence is a thing of beauty, enhanced only by proliferous blooms spilling through the empty space between vertical supports. The following spring after our house was built, we set about installing all the fencing. The fence took our property from barren lot to established residence; the white pickets gave it curbside charm. Then, by adding the curving flow of garden beds to further define the greenspace, our new build became quintessentially characterized.

To quickly add curving, flowing garden beds without going to great expense, I suggest using rolled edging. This type of edging immediately defines the bed from the greenspace and is essential in the control of weeds. The rolled edging is also a nice barrier to weedeat against.

One of the first perennials I planted along the picket fence was my Seven Sisters Rambler Rose. I can't recommend this variety enthusiastically enough. What a hardy specimen! In the past four years, Seven Sisters has weathered every extreme condition the Midwest climate can dish out. It has tolerated two severe droughts and a horrendous late spring freeze that wiped out some fairly stealthy perennials. The name Seven Sisters is derived from its multiple bloom sets, as many as seven roses per cluster. Often thought of as the romantic wild rose of the Old South, Seven Sisters arrived in Europe, and later in the United States, in the late 1800's from Japan.

Mine begins to bloom around the last week of May and continues typically through the first week of June. From the palest pink to the deepest orchid, the array of color is breathtaking. The double blossoms are profuse and resemble the cabbage rose on a tinier scale. Unfortunately for those of us who cherish this rose, it blooms only once per season.

Just this past summer, my Seven Sisters rose began to send out long, whispy canes. I can hardly wait for spring '09. Imagine the beauty of those double blossoms spilling over the white picket fence.

Bee Aware

2008-11-02T07:15:00.007-06:00

A friend of mine works for a nursery. She tells a funny story about a customer who approached her for advice on planting an extensive flower garden. I guess the design the customer described was elaborately loaded with annuals and perennials. They were in the middle of hammering out the details when they ran into a snag. It seemed the customer was adamant about not wanting to plant flowers that would attract bees. (Gardeners go ahead and chuckle.)

I like bees. I'm particularly fond of the honey and the bumble. This past spring, we had a swarm of wild bees come into the garden. I found them a bit too aggressive for my taste but after a while we learned to tolerate each other. I got stung only once. As I was walking across the yard, I scooped one up with my flip-flop. Certainly not the bee's fault.

Unlike the wild bee, the honey and the bumble are fairly amiable creatures. My experiences with them are all good. I love how they move in waves in front of the water wand as we go about our respective businesses of pollen collection and garden watering.

It's amazing to watch them at work. I've seen bees so laden with pollen, its a wonder they could still fly. We can thank bees for about one third of the American food supply annually derived from plant production. Without bees, plants can't set and if they can't set, there goes the garden, the orchard, the farm. I could rant about Colony Collapse Disorder and preach about the perils of food shortages. Instead I'd rather share a few light hearted anecdotes about the bees I've met in my garden.

The bumble is very personable. A noisy, little fellow (actually workers are females but for the gist of the story . . . ) showed up one day and I nicknamed him Buzzsaw. For two weeks, I could tell just where Buzzsaw was located in the garden simply by listening. As if I hadn't noticed him, he liked to approach me and hover at ear level. Then there was the bombardier. I'm certain this poor bumble was nearsighted because he lacked the grace of his peers in flight. He wasn't much of a pilot, crash landing with such momentum the intended target (the flower) of his desire would try to catapult him back into the air. And lastly, there was Sleepy. I spied this bumble in slumber curled like a comma in the center of a peony, wings slightly aloft like rudders navigating the breeze while it slept.

The honey bees tend to be a bit more interesting as groups. I love to watch their ballet over a fragrant clump of red clover or hear their late afternoon concerto as their orchestra tunes up in the sweet basil patch. A couple summers ago, an entire colony stopped to rest in my garden. Apparently something had driven them from their previous home. They huddled in a football -shaped mass around a picket post, vulnerably waiting while the scouts went in search of new accommodations. I was a bit intimidated by their sheer number as I gently watered the flowers around that post. About four days later, right before dusk, the scouts alerted and the entire hive rose as one dark shadow into the sky. I wished them Godspeed. I hope they found a good home.

Estate Sale Procurement

2008-10-29T08:22:00.011-05:00

New or used? Most of the time I apply the philosophy that new isn't always better, it's just more expensive. Let me say, right from the start, I don't apply that philosophy to power equipment. When I'm laying out big bucks, as I did last year for my commercial grade mower, I want to be the only owner and I want a warranty backing up my purchase. I do, however, apply that philosophy to a myriad of other items I buy for my gardens.

As a personal preference, I rarely stop at garage sales unless I know the person holding the sale is a gardener. If I want to dig round in an unorganized jumble of cast-off paraphernalia, I can do so in my own basement. Likewise, I'm not a big fan of auctions. The waiting around for my item to come up on the block and then losing it to a higher bidder is not only a waste of my time but is also downright annoying. For those reasons, I'm a conniseur of the estate sale venue only.

So let's get right to it. There are four distinct areas of a property to search during an estate sale: 1) the garage, 2) the shed and/or barn if the property has one, 3) the back yard, and 4) don't forget to take a look around the furnace or the hot water heater where many a good gardening tool hides in a layer of dusty cobwebs.

Back in the day when my gardening appetite was turning from hobby into obsession, I happened upon a lovely old wheelbarrow and purchased it for five dollars. At the time I assumed it was thirty, maybe forty years old because of its rugged steel frame construction and hardwood handles. I've pushed it around for close to a decade now and the only repair it's needed was a tire replacement. The old one dry rotted.

Then there's my two favorite hand-held tools, my turning fork and my furrow hoe, (at least that's what I call the latter because the metal implement at the end of its long wooden handle is shaped like a golf putter and cuts a neat furrow in a garden row), both found at estate sales. Much to my dismay, but after many years of loyal service, my turning fork broke. I'm actually thinking of replacing it with a brand new implement. I've got my eye on the Radius Garden NRG Pro Border Fork because of its ergonomic design and its rugged all-steel construction. It's the only one on the market that I think could keep the dogged pace of my old turning fork.

If tools aren't enough of a reason to brake for estate sales, what about putting the car in park for outdoor furniture? Early in the summer, I bought a five piece patio set for $47.50---that's four swivel rockers and a table. I had been considering two new resin wicker rockers and a matching table to the tune of $500. I feel I got a better deal.

Putting money aside, how cute is this set??? Love those quirky little clam-shaped chairs. The round rings at the bottom for balance of both chairs and table, compliment the circular structure of the gazebo. All summer long, we enjoyed this quiet retreat for just pennies on the dollar. Nice.

Because cottage gardening is an ecclectic mixing of many elements, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and even small trees in one garden bed, there needs to be an occasional anchor to give the look stability. Estate sales are a great place to find those objects that draw and demand our attention. My slat-back rocking chair was well weathered when I acquired it. Many people had passed right by it without as much as a cursory glance on their way through the front door. As I stopped to appraise its intrinsic value, I heard a woman behind me exclaim, "Oh, yuck!" Immediately the hair on the back of my neck began to bristle and I felt compelled to defend it. Ten well spent dollars later, my maligned friend's dignity was restored as it rode away from the sale in the back of our truck. The worn gray wood will never again hold paint but it has no problem at all holding an overflowing basket of brilliant blooms every spring. Sweet!

There are so many other great estate sale finds that I could go on and on. I won't. Here's the short list: wire baskets, old tin buckets, cast iron pot dollies, wooden flower boxes, concrete statuary, and last but not least, those obtuse but wonderful old metal storage cabinets that are great for keeping garden supplies safe and dry.

New or used? The choice for me is evident without further reasoning.

Preserve the Morning

2008-10-27T09:54:00.006-05:00

The thermometer outside my office window is registering 30 degrees this morning. For the first half hour of wakefulness, I grumbled about the 40 degree decline in temperature. (Yesterday, we were near 70.) I was prepared to be cranky about it all day but then two things altered my predisposition.

I had just come from the kitchen with (1) a cup of my favorite caffeine concoction, tea brewed with a slice of apple, a cinnamon stick, two cloves, and a half a star anise, and as I sat down at my desk and looked out the east window, I noticed the (2) sunrise.

It's a bucolic scene from where I sit, grassy slopes of land dotted by trees and fence posts, a small barn behind a neighboring house and further back, a fixed line of timber representing the horizon. Just above this jagged black row, the sky glowed peach in color. I believe it was a pivotal moment of focus. I could rue the tactical of imagined physical discomfort or appreciate the visual of a fine fall morning. And, there was the added bonus of not having received the hard freeze last night that had been predicted.

I had expected to see slimy, black piles of frozen foliage dangling from flower pots and instead, my Martha Washington geranium is still upright and blooming. Bravo as well to the purple supertunia and the yellow angel trumpet, tender annuals enduring the chill without giving up. As amazed as I am at the resiliency of these flowers, I'm equally impressed by two of my neighbors, guys 70 years plus. The sharp, north wind is no deterrent as they go about, one idly strolling across his property while the other is tooling around in his golf cart. I guess over the years, they've developed a thick Midwestern hide that makes them impervious to the cold.

And me?

Since my change of heart at sunrise, I'd be right out there with them if it weren't for the brussel sprouts Dave and I harvested yesterday.

I've got eight gallon bags of jade cross brussel sprouts to put up. Priorities, right?

Preserving tip: The preferred method of preserving brussel sprouts is to blanche (immerse in boiling water) for 3-5 minutes and then immediately plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking action. Then the sprouts must be drained well before putting them into a freezer bag for storage. Personally, all that water dunking is a bit of a pain in my opinion. A couple years ago, I had an abundance of cabbage. I successfully preserved it by steaming. Using a large pot equipped with a steamer basket, bring water to boil and steam sprouts for two minutes. This is efficient enough to stop the enzyme action. Then the sprouts can go directly into a freezer bag, eliminating all that bathing and draining. Set bag aside until its cool to the touch and then pop it into the freezer. Easy!

Inconsistent Favoritism

2008-10-24T10:36:00.006-05:00

My husband accuses me of being quite fickle when it comes to the naming of my favorite flower. In the early spring, I'm enthralled with my azaleas. A few weeks later, my adoration shifts to the peonies planted along the south wall of our garage. Then, of course, there's the iris, the clematis, the rose, all of which he's heard me exclaim in terms of preferential exclusion. (I'm only slightly offended when he laughs out loud at my inability to make a decision.)

In my own defense, I'm steadfast in my devotion to flower color. I'm crazy for pink in all its hues and variations. Recently, I read an article on this subject and learned the color pink is favored by most gardeners. To narrow the scope further, the hue of pink I desire most in a flower is the bubblegum pink of the Pink Double Delight Echinacea. Awesome! In summation, pink flowers rock my world.

And then the Jacobean lily blooms . . .

Okay, red is definitely not my favorite flower color. It doesn't even reign in as a close second (I prefer purple in terms of color succession) but, there's something very alluring about the vibrancy of the Jacobean lily, sprekelia formosissima. How to describe it?

Movie-star, lipstick red?

Sexy little red dress red?

Sports car red?

One way or another, the color is visually seductive. When it blooms in early July, all the other flowers in the garden suddenly pale in comparison.

A member of the amaryllis family, the Jacobean lily is a native of Mexico and Guatemala, z13-15, according to my bible: The American Horticultural Society A-Z encyclopedia of Garden Plants. So, when I was able to cultivate this bulb in z5, I deemed it short of miraculous. However, upon further research, I learned that many gardeners have had success cultivating it in z8-10. Nevertheless, I'm still z5, right? Turns out there's nothing all that unique about my gardening prowess. There's a guy in Nebraska, z4, who propagates this species in his garden on a yearly basis. He does admit to digging the bulbs before a killing frost and storing them in his basement.

Not to toot my own horn, but I never lift my bulbs from the ground or disturb them in any way because sprekelia, in its own right, has a capricious nature and might refuse to bloom the following season. So how does such a fickle flower survive in my garden in z5? Purely by fluke.

I was in WalMart a few years back and spring bulbs in their garden department were on 75% off clearance. The photograph of the sprekelia on the package caught my eye although the package itself was devoid of propagation information. At four bulbs for a dollar, I threw zone discretion to the wind and bought them. I rushed home and immediately consulted my bible (AHS A-Z) and much to my chagrin, discovered my newly purchased bulbs preferred undisturbed ground in a warm winter climate.

So be it. At that time, nothing much was growing under the dryer vent on the south side of my house so I dug a hole and unceremoniously tossed them in. A few flowerless sprigs of strap-like foliage unfurled from the ground that season.

Truthfully, by the next spring, I'd forgotten about those bulbs until I noticed their green fronds pushing up through the cypress mulch. By planting them in such an arid spot, I had accidentally assimilated their natural climate. The Jacobean lily has been growing and blooming there ever since.

So is the Jacobean lily my favorite flower? When its in full bloom in July, it is.

Food Pantry Gardening

2008-10-23T09:22:00.001-05:00

As much as I love tending my perennial beds, I'm just as enthusiastic about my vegetable garden. In my usual haste for spring, I've plotted my garden rows on graph paper and I'm ready to start planting in February. (It's a pipe dream. We live in zone 5 where the last frost date is around April 22nd.) In order to quell the urge to drag the tiller from it's winter requiem, I settle for visiting my local greenhouse.

This past spring, on such a sojourn, I picked up a copy of The Kansas City Gardener, a locally published monthly garden guide, and was inspired by an article about donating homegrown produce to local food pantries. The article's content merely suggested planting an extra row, let's say green beans for example, and donating that row's harvest. Before I could finish the article, my green thumb started estimating the greatest amount of yield from the least number of plants. It's not that I don't have a nice sized garden, I do. However, I choose to garden in raised beds which comes with some limitations.

Money saving tip: If your green thumb overrules your conscious ability to reason---buy bulk seed. The three extra rows of green beans I planted from bulk seed cost me the same as one regularly priced seed package from a seed kiosk at the big chain stores.

Green tip: Plant a producer. I have a penchant for Roma Italian green beans because I can grow double the yield of regular green beans, they grow twice as large without becoming tough, and if properly refrigerated after picking, Romas have a longer lasting shelf life.

Before I planted the first seed, I asked for God's blessing. If I were to reap the amount of food on the scale I was imagining, I was going to need some extra help! After an extremely cold start (we were still in the 40's at night well into May) the vegetable garden began to flourish.

By season's end, even I was amazed at what one gardener could accomplish. I was able to make weekly donations for eleven consecutive weeks.

I thought it would be interesting to track the number of vegetables donated to the food pantry. Here are the totals:

4 gallons bags of carrots

10 zucchini (the squash bugs wreaked their usual havoc on my plants)

13 1/2 gallon bags of basil

15 gallon bags of Roma Italian green beans

18 green peppers

19 kohlrabi

19 cabbages

20 gallons bags of spinach

21 yellow crook neck squash

44 eggplants

86 cucumbers

and last but not least . . .

1,372 beautiful pink girl tomatoes!!!

Due to the economic crisis, food pantries and food banks are being stretched to their limits. Many have been forced to close from a severe decrease in donations and an overwhelming increase in recipients. I found, in speaking to food pantry managers, its a rarity when they receive fresh produce donations. From one gardener to another, I think we can change that.

I haven't pulled out my graph paper to start plotting my 2009 garden---yet! But, I'll readily admit I've bought most of the seed.

A Time to be Dormant

2008-10-22T08:06:00.001-05:00

Sadly, it's that time of year here in the Midwest to dig the bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes from the garden beds. It's not the digging that saddens me as much as the cutting back of a season's worth of carefully cultivated foliage. Let's face it, for the last five months, I've coaxed, cajoled, and pampered Ipomoea Blackie and its companion red supertunia to flourish and conceal the containers in which they are planted through a stringent schedule of feeding and watering. So goes it for the luxuriant upright elephant ears, the oxalis, the pineapple lilies, etc. After a few quick snips with the clippers, all are reduced to clumps of stubbly green stalks.

Unfortunately, these tropicals and I are kindred spirits. We reside in a climate that forces us into a period of dormancy. Morose? Maybe a bit. Hopeful? Always. While I trade in my shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops for sweaters, jeans, and boots, my bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes trade their sunshine and rich soil for layers of mulch in containers that protect them from freezing. But, no matter how long this coming winters draws, inside there's still an energy quietly waiting to sprout forth into a new spring!

Money saving tip: Underneath all that lovely foliage of the ipomoea (Blackie, Marguerite, Ace of Spades-- just to name a few) is a wealth of potential new plantings for spring 2009. All summer long, those beautiful vines have been producing tubers beneath the soil. After I cut back the foliage, I carefully mine through the dirt and extract the potatoes. I never know what to expect to find and this year was no exception. One of my Marguerite vines produced a 6 lb, 2 oz tuber!!! After I've extracted all the tubers, I let them dry out for a few days in my laundry room and then I store them like any other bulb in the cool darkness of my garage. In late March, I pot the tubers and place them in a sunny window to get a head start on the planting season. It doesn't take long for the dormant tubers to wake up. As soon as there is a succession of nightly temperatures in the 50's, they are ready for outside planting.

Green tip: I particularly like to turn all the excess, non-woody foliage sheared from bulbs, tubers, and rhizomes into rich compost. I particularly like to compost elephant ear greenery. The high moisture content in the leaves and stalks is a plus in the compost bin.