CarolineC's Blog
CarolineC's Blog
Last Post 3 days, 18 hours Ago
May 9, 2008 | 9:07 PM PST
Tags: Trellises , How to Make Trellises
This is a design that is more original. I think I saw a plant/vine holder that looked like this and/or something to dry your laundry on that looked like this which could fold. Even doing this much, though, was enough for me, and I definitely wasn't going to even attempt to make it fold. It's sturdier than the other one, and because it doesn't need to be "planted" into the ground, the legs probably won't rot off as easily. ;) Like with the other trellises, screws would make it sturdier, but I used nails because that's what I had, and it's a little bit easier. So, substitute as you see fit. As with the others, I place the heavier/thicker branches towards the bottoms and the thinner/more lightweight branches towards the top.
Mock Folding Trellis
Materials/tools:
Branches:
4 Thick "X" branches-- as straight as possible
Length: 40" Diameter: 2 1/2"
4 Thin "X" branches
Length: 40" Diameter: 1-2"
4 Thick Short Cross Bars--as straight as possible
Length: 42" Diameter: 2 -- 2 1/2"
4 Thin Short Cross Bars
Length: 42" Diameter: 1 -- 2"
5 Long Cross Bars--as straight as possible
Length: 60" Diameter: 2 -- 2 1/2"
Exterior Nails
1 1/2", 2", 2 1/2", and 3" nails
Maybe some garden wire
Drill, varying drill bits, hammer, and saw
1. Take 2 Thick "X" branches, cross one over the other at the middle so that the bottom of the legs are about 30" apart and the bottom to the top measures about 30". Twirl the branches around until you find the best fit. This will make the first end piece. The measurements do not have to be exact, what's more important is that the two end pieces are nearly identical. Drill 1-2 pilot holes and nail them together using medium-large nails.
2. Place a Thick Short Cross Bar over the bottom of the "X" about 4-5" above the bottom. Drill 2 pilot holes on each side and nail medium-large nails in. Do the same with the top Thick Short Cross Bar. You can use garden wire to reinforce the branches/keep them in place as you're nailing it together.
3. Cut the bottom pieces of the "X" so that it will be flush with the ground when stood upright. Now you have your first end piece.
3 a. Follow steps 1-3 for the second end piece. You can place the second over the first for measurements to make sure that they are nearly identical.
4. Lean one end piece against something so that it is basically upright, or have someone hold it for you. Place the other one about 50" away. Place one Long Cross Bar across the two so that it hangs over the two end pieces evenly -- about 3" on each side. Hold the other end as perfectly upright as you can and drill pilot holes and nail it in. Do the same with the other end piece.
5. Nail in a Long Cross Bar on the other side, then one in the middle and two on the top.
6. Thread a Thin "X" branch over and under the top, middle, and opposite bottom long cross bars whichever way fits best approximately 17" (in other words one third in) in from the end piece and nail it in.
7. Do the same with another thin "X" branch in the opposite direction to for an "X". Place a Thin Short Cross Bar across the bottom of the "X" hanging over the two bottom Long Cross Bars and nail it in. Place a Thin Short Cross Bar over the top of the "X" and nail it in.
7 a. Follow steps 6-7 for the last "X" which should be placed about 1/3 in from the other end piece--approximately 17" in from the end.
Drill pilot holes and reinforce any areas that seem to be weak. Ta-daaaa. :)
May 9, 2008 | 8:47 PM PST
Tags: Trellises , How to Make Trellises
SpringChicken asked me to share my expertise on making trellises with trees form your backyard. I wouldn't really call myself an expert, but I'll share what I know. ;) I basically got this first design from the book "Making Arbors and Trellises." It is a wonderful book with many excellent designs using tree branches, but mostly real wood. It also has a design for a simple teepee trellis. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about making arbors and trellises. I got my copy at the library, so you may be able to find a copy at your library as well. These homemade trellises made of tree branches from your backyard are probably not good for heavy perennial vines such as grapes, as they are lightweight and rot faster than regular trellises. In fact, one of the "legs" that I "planted" last year rotted off, so it's only 1/2 as sturdy this year. ;) I have used mine for annuals such as cucumbers and sugar snap peas.
The dimensions that I give are the ones that I used, but you can certainly change them to suit your needs/preferences. As you can see form my own trellises, the actual size and shape and placement of the wood can vary quite a bit. And remember, you can always cut the wood down, but it's a lot harder to put it back together, so estimate high, especially for the zigzag pieces. I drilled pilot holes for the larger nails and thicker wood so that the wood wouldn't split and the nails would actually go through. A pilot hole is a hole that is a little bit smaller in diameter than the nail/screw. As a general rule, place the heavier, thicker parts of the wood towards the bottom and the lighter, thinner sides towards the top. Ideally, use exterior nails so they won't rust as fast. More ideally, use screws rather than nails, which hold together better, but I used nails, because it's what I had, and it was a bit easier.
Basic Square/Rectangular Flat Trellis, with optional fan top
Materials/tools
Wood/branches:
2 "leg" branches
Length: 45" Diameter: 1-2"
3 Cross bar branches
Length: 50" Diameter: 1- 1 1/2"
10 Zigzag Diagonal branches
Ranging in sizes from Length: 21" -- 36" Diameter: 1/2" -- 1 1/2"
Exterior Nails
1" nails, 1 1/2" nails, 2" nails, 2 1/2" nails
Maybe some garden wire
Drill, Hammer, Saw
For fan top:
1 curved "green" branch
Length: approximately 52" Diameter: 1" - 1/2"
5 fan branch pieces
Diameter: 3/4"- 1 1/2" Length: ranging from 13"-15"
1. Set the two "leg" branches on a flat surface approximately 43" apart. Place the 3 cross bars over them approximately 10" apart from each other leaving about 3-4" over hang on each side and about 20" of "leg" on the bottom, and 2" on top. Drill pilot holes as necessary and nail them in, starting with the bottom piece, then the top, then the middle, readjusting as necessary so that it is square. 
2. Place 5 zigzag pieces over the structure diagonally, adjusting until you have a pleasing design. Drill pilot holes as necessary and nail them in where the branches overlap.
3. Flip the structure over and place the other zigzag pieces diagonally going in the other direction. Drill pilot holes as necessary and nail them in. 
4. Cut off the excess zigzag pieces at the bottom so that they are straight across and will be basically flush with the ground when you "plant" the trellis. Cut off the excess top pieces if you want it to look neat, or want to put on the fan top.
Note: My trellis without the fan top is actually a little bit taller, because I know I wouldn't be putting on a fan top.
5. "Green" wood is wood that has been cut from the tree no more than 24 hours earlier. Green wood is flexible and can be bent into shape without breaking. The thinner the wood is, the easier it is to bend. Willow is one of the most flexible woods. I don't have willow trees, but if you do, you could probably use a thicker piece of wood that I did. 
Bend the wood from end to end to make sure it will fit. Nail the thicker end in first and reinforce with garden wire if necessary. Nail the other end in.
6. Flip the structure over and add the fan pieces, starting with the middle one and work you way out. Cut them down to the correct size as you work. Reinforce with garden wire as necessary. 
Voila! Be forewarned that if the branches that you used for the legs of the trellis are freshly cut that when you plant them into the ground they may start growing leaves as mine did last year. ;)
May 8, 2008 | 11:33 AM PST
Tag: Flower Mural
Well, the thread in the forums about unfinished projects prompted me to at least "finish" taking some pics of the mural which I have started but not yet finished in the front entrance. As you can see, there are still a lot of flowerless spots in there and bits of tape that I never finished removing. Perhaps this year I'll have enough beautiful flowers plus the motivation at the same time to actually finish. I still have to finish painting a bedroom, so that will have to take priority. We'll see. ;)
May 8, 2008 | 11:29 AM PST
Tags: blueberries , blueberry patch , daffodils , crocuses
Here's the blueberry patch that I've been working on so furiously for the past 6 months. As you can see, I've refined the design a bit, and it's looking better. It will look even better, I believe, as it grows in, and I get everything else planted in there. My neighbor gave me some hostas which I at first planted in that little corner, but have since moved as it was too sunny for them there. 
Here's the flower garden with all the daffodils that my mom planted years ago. They have multiplied and filled in quite nicely over the years. I planted some crocuses in there too last fall. 
Apr 18, 2008 | 12:33 PM PST
Well, my gardens are beginning to take shape. I've been hardening off what I started inside and planting some of the flower and veggie plants. I think I have finally achieved a pleasing design for my blueberry patch after a few missteps. I've been digging up and clearing the garden beds of weeds and debris. My neighbor's 3 year old son loves to help me dig--not because of gardening, but because he loves worms. I personally could do without them other than that I know they're good for the soil. I'll be glad to have everything planted and mulched where my main concern will be to merely water everything. I have so much else to do that has been neglected during this harried gardening period. And, of course, I hope to take many pictures of a bountiful harvest. :)
A visitor to my neighbor's house (other neighbor) boldly offered to buy my trellises. I tried to explain that I don't do business things. And she was like, "oh, right, I know... how about a donation?" I explained how I made them from trees that I had cut down in the backyard, and we have a limited number of trees. She seemed like a nice enough person, but sheesh, some people just need to learn that everything isn't for sale. Does she not have trees in her own backyard?? What's wrong with a little grimy manual labor anyway? And in case she didn't notice, my trellises are already being used. Hmph.
Mar 31, 2008 | 6:34 PM PST
Tags: Blueberries , Blueberry bushes
... of my planting life so far this season. The blueberry bushes have arrived! 5 Patriots and 5 Bluecrop. I managed to get 7 into the ground this afternoon. It was cold and rainy today--bad for me, but probably good for the plants. As of now, they basically look like twigs, with only a few leaves and buds. But I'm being optimistic and hoping that they will grow well this season, and perhaps even produce a few blueberries. I've prepared so long and hard for these blueberry bushes, it's hard to believe they're actually here. This is by far the single most expensive gardening project I've done--$65.50 for the blueberry bushes, and probably another $35 for soil amendments, etc. But in addition to producing delicious blueberries, I think they will make the yard more attractive, especially once they've grown in a bit. :)
Mar 19, 2008 | 6:50 AM PST
Tags: seedlings , seeds , malva zebrina , coleus
Here are some pics of *most* of my indoor plants and seedlings which I have started from seed for spring this year. All were started from seed, except for that succulent in the big white pot there. Many of them are still waiting to sprout.
I'm at the point now where I'm trying to acclimate some of the hardier plants to the outdoors, just to make room for my growing collection. It's getting quite crowded in here, but if I don't overdo it like this, I'll probably wish I had all summer. So, hopefully it will pay off. ;) Even though I am starting so many annuals, I have quite a few perennials too, so perhaps I won't have quite the same madness in here next year. I've also winter sown quite a few things, as well as direct sowed flower seeds, sugar snap peas, lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard.
The local nursery gave me some plain large and small black plastic pots. I felt that even though they were within my budget (free), they should still be pretty, so I painted them. I'm also sanding and painting that room, which is why there's dust all over the floor. ;)
This is a coleus that I pinched the heck out of at its growing points so that it would grow in more fully. The pic is kind of blurry. It has grown in since then, quite well.
One of my Malva Zebrinas has begun to bloom indoors!! Only 2 months after sowing. A marigold has bloomed too, but I don't have a pic of that just yet.
Mar 8, 2008 | 6:47 PM PST
Tags: Philadelphia Flower Show , Landscaping , Flower displays
I came. I saw. I took pictures for ya'll. ;) The theme this year was New Orleans. I knew that before I went, but had forgotten by the time I got there, and thought that maybe the theme was music as there were so many trumpets, musical notes, etc. My neighbor was volunteering there this year, and was kind enough to give me one of the free tickets that she got for volunteering. :) I looked for her while I was there, but couldn't find her. It was very crowded. I did manage to find their seed store. ;) They were selling seeds from several different companies, so there was a pretty good selection and opportunity to compare prices somewhat. I restrained myself a great deal and only bought 5 packets of seed-- fuchsia, cyclamen, snapdragons, coleus "Fairway Mosaic," and cat grass. I brought an extra roll of film, thinking that *maybe* I would need it. I could have easily gone through another roll of film, and wished that I had brought more, but I'll know for next year. I actually had a hard time getting pictures of anything more than the backs of people's heads. ;)
After taking in the show, I had a little lunch at the Reading Terminal Market, which is like a farmer's market with a bunch of little restaurants. That was really crowded too! I went around noon, so no wonder. All in all, a nice little trip. :)
For those of you in the area who are interested, the flower show is going on through Sunday, March 9--tomorrow. My pics really don't begin to cover all that is there, so it's worth the trip, if you would like to see it in person.
I'm putting the best pics here, and the rest are in my photo album.
Feb 27, 2008 | 6:07 PM PST
Tags: seeds , seedlings , marigold , coleus , Epsom salt , tomatoes , daylilies , hosta , Spring Fever
Well, the marigolds are starting to set flower buds indoors just 4 weeks after sowing. Sheesh!! I had no idea they grew that fast. Oh well. It will be nice to have some pretty flowers indoors while I'm still waiting for spring.
Two of my coleus are starting to look very nice. They take quite a while to get started, but the longer they're around, the faster the new leaves grow. So they're growing at a decent pace by now.
I finally located some Epsom salt at the pharmacy, after have looked in several nurseries for it. 4 lbs. for 3 bucks. Not too bad. I've already put some on some of my more well established plants. We'll see if it makes any difference. So far, at least, it hasn't killed anything. ;)
I just sowed a bunch of tomato seeds-- beefsteak, cherry, Italian heirloom, and Italian market. Hopefully my crop will be better this year since I'm starting them so early, and I think I have a bit better of an idea of what I'm doing this year.
My one daylily which germinated about two months ago is really starting to take off. It must have been establishing a good root system in all of that time. Now sets of leaves are starting to poke through on the other side of the pot. And the new leaves seem much thicker and sturdier that the first set of leaves. I'm still waiting on the rest of my daylily seeds. Just because they haven't germinated yet, doesn't necessarily mean that they're duds. ;)
I have 58 hosta seeds. I most sincerely hope that all or most of them germinate and grow. I could so easily use 58 hostas around the yard.
What can I say?? I wish it was warm out! I'm so itching to get outside and move around at least a bit. But at least I'll be somewhat prepared this spring. ;)
Feb 23, 2008 | 11:54 AM PST
Tags: marigold , peat pots
when they want to be planted. I was moving around my plants the other day, and when I picked up the marigold peat pots, there were huge roots poking through and hanging off of them. I was quite surprised that they had such big roots already as they were quite small with only 2 sets of leaves and about 3 1/2 weeks since sowing. Well, at least I'll know they have a strong root system when I set them out in spring. ;)
Feb 19, 2008 | 6:19 AM PST
Tags: seedlings , indoor garden , spring planning
Well, I went to the nursery yesterday to look for manure, straw, Epsom salt, and 6-cell starter pots. They don't carry Epsom salt, they didn't currently have manure and straw, and they don't normally carry 6-cell starter pots, though they said they might be able to order them for me. BUT they did have a pile of old plastic pots that they let me rummage through for free. I got a bunch of 3" and 4" square pots, plus 2 giant pots which will be good for tomatoes. Plus I bought a bag of 10-10-10 all purpose fertilizer. So, all in all, I'd say it was a worthwhile trip. I'm planning on painting the big pots and maybe some of the little pots so they won't look like cheap black plastic, even though that's what they are.
As for my indoor garden, I've counted and I have a little over 150 plants started. I've been rotating them under the lights and in the windowsills since I don't really have the number of light fixtures to accommodate all plants 24/7. I realized about a week ago that those coily long-life light bulbs that go in regular table lamps are actually florescent. So I've been using those to increase and enhance my indoor garden. One of my main problems so far seems to be that my cat loves to eat my hollyhocks. I've started a pot with 10-15 hollyhock seeds just for him. I hope that will be enough to keep him occupied.
In addition to my indoor garden, I've winter sowed about 150 seeds outdoors. None of them have yet germinated, but I'll keep you posted. :)
Jan 22, 2008 | 8:43 PM PST
Tags: seedlings , seeds
As promised, here are some pics of my seedlings and makeshift light stands.
This is some grass that I grew indoors for my cat. I got the idea when I saw seeds in a catalog for "cat grass". It said that cats need a certain amout of vegetation to aid digestion. And after my cat ate 3 small Malva Zebrina plants to death, I decided to grow some grass for him. He isn't much interested in the grass, but my dog ate some from one of the pots when she had an upset tummy, so it wasn't a total waste. 
Leek seeds on the windowsill... haven't yet germinated. 
An assortment of pots and seeds. Some have seeds or seedlings in them, some are still waiting.
From left to right... Balloon Flower seedlings, Blue Flax seedlings, and two 3 month old Coleus plants. 
From left to right... Larkspur seedlings, a 6-pack of Hollyhock seedlings, a 4 week old daylily in the white pot, you can't really see it in the picture, but it's there, I promise, and two 1 1/2 month old Hollyhocks.
Some of you may be wondering why I'm starting seeds so early here in chilly zone 6b. Well... I have my reasons, no, really, I do. For one thing, I'm hoping that some of my perennials will flower this year. I'm even secretly dreaming that my foxgloves will bloom this summer, though being biennials, that is very unlikely. Another reason, some--not all--of the seeds that I'm starting are said to take anywhere from a few weeks to months to germinate. So, if they do take that long, then I may only have one or two sets of true leaves on them by the time Spring rolls around, even though starting them so early. With the annuals, I'm hoping to get a full summer's worth of flowers out of them, so I guess I'm erring on the side of having too many big plants to deal with indoors rather than having them bloom only to be killed by a frost a little while later. So... that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. ;)
Jan 21, 2008 | 1:46 PM PST
Tags: seedlings , coleus , hollyhocks , daylily , leeks
My coleus, just 3 months old, are growing at a snail's pace, but are delightful, nonetheless. They have a few sets of leaves and are beginning to develop color. The hollyhocks are 1 1/2 months old and about 4 inches tall with several-- 5-6 --true leaves. The daylily, about 4 weeks old, has three grass-like leaves, the tallest being about 3 inches. The balloon flowers, larkspur, malva zebrina, and blue flax have just begun sprouting and signs of their first true leaves are beginning to emerge. Still waiting on the begonias and foxgloves and a pot of blue fescue seeds, as well as some additional daylilies and coleus. And I just sowed some leek seeds as they take 150 days (that's 5 months!!) to reach maturity. I plan on planting them in succession so that there will be leeks throughout the summer into fall.
Jan 8, 2008 | 8:47 AM PST
Tags: daylilies , daylily
I can't believe it! After having read how impossible it is to start daylilies from seed, I'm quite surprised to see that one of the two that I potted up has begun to sprout. I followed these instructions http://www.dianedaylilies.com
/seeds.html and it worked. I'm really glad about it too, as I had planned to plant a row of about 20 or so daylilies along the blueberry hedge that I'm planting, and to buy that many plants from a nursery would be cost-prohibitive. I have many more seeds in the fridge just waiting to be potted up. The daylilies probably won't flower until the 2nd year, but the foliage at least should be attractive for the first year.
Jan 2, 2008 | 8:56 PM PST
Tags: Winter Gardening , indoor light , blueberries
That may sound odd coming from a gardener, but I feel I have so many things to do in preparation for the Spring garden feast. Among them, ordering seeds and starting seeds. I got a 20" "under the cabinet" florescent light at HD for $12.49 to grow plants indoors. I will probably get more as my collection expands. I'm hoping to have full bushy plants ready for Spring. I have thus far started coleus, hollyhocks, and am trying in earnest to start some day lilies. They're doing remarkably well under this little light -- far more effective than the windowsill.
Thanks to the encouragemnet and advice I received here, I am moving full steam ahead with my blueberry bush hedge plan. I have amended the soil with perlite, peat, sulfer, sand from the Christmas lumanaries, and anything else I could get my hands on ;) . The soil had tested at a pH of 6.5, so I may have to do some more amending in the Spring too. I'm glad to have it started, though, as the ground is probably going to be freezing up and snow covered fairly soon. Will post pictures as things get planted and the gardens start to come to life. :)
