garden98011's Blog
garden98011's Blog
Last Post 25 days, 9 hours Ago
Apr 16, 2008 | 11:06 AM PST
Well, almost done with spring garden clean up. I just have the weeding & sweeping of the courtyard then I can spread compost around the boxwood that edge it and I am DONE!! I love the look of new plant growth against fresh black mulch.
Last year we were unable to entertain due to a remodeling project so this year I am chomping at the bit to get everything done early so we can relax with family and friends. Now just have to wait on warm weather so DH & friend can finish the deck railing then paint the house trim & fence (my project). We had drainage problems in our backyard so it was torn up and again-need warm weather for the grass seed to sprout.
Thought I’d share spring photos then again when the season has peaked, such a difference!
Entry containers-should have cleaned the stairs before these were taken:
My new tree fern-huge 7'x6', way too big-possible mistake for my garden!
Planted fountain will be overflowing with foilage & orange begonias with warm weather:
Removed the bird cage and replanted with brugmansias & ostrich ferns:
Before:
AFTER:
Sweet Gracie Girl has grown and should be bigger by the next garden photo session as well:
Apr 12, 2008 | 7:49 AM PST
My sweet friend and her son are coming over in an hour. I hired him to work in the garden & get the furniture ready to stain and she wanted to come along and garden with me!!!!
I have a question about what to use for cleaning outdoor wood furniture, organically. This is our first year with wood (Balau) furniture; we had metal in the past. and the maintenance was simple. Unfortunately, we have to leave everything outside over the winter and the wood has discolored. Years ago, I would have mixed up a light solution of TSP & bleach-not now. I rarely use chemicals. I Googled solutions w/o success this morning so thought I'd ask you all for any ideas. Do you have a solution to kill dandelions (and not lawn) ?
The sun is out-what a great day! Hope to see some hummers, the feeders are so pretty with the morning sun on them. My husband took the camera w/him on a business trip otherwise I'd share the sun with those of you still experiencing winter-like conditions.
Thanks~Andrea
Apr 9, 2008 | 12:17 PM PST
Okay, on my way out to spread some more compost, but it occurred to me others might not know about a great tip I read a few years back. Before you go get dirty, scratch your nails over a bar of soap. The soap keeps the dirt from embedding itself under your nails for the whole season, it washes out with hot water! I make certain every area is covered with soap, then use latex gloves under my gardening gloves when doing the really messy maintenance-like compost We have sun today! After the compost I will reward myself with hanging the hummingbird feeders and maybe placing some of the glass rods out there~Andrea
Apr 7, 2008 | 1:52 PM PST
Finally took the time to learn how to add photos to my blog-courtesy of Bill Mitchell's directions.
These are the glass pieces I purchased over the weekend. They will be mounted on brass pipes of varying sizes and displayed throughout the garden. We may use low voltage lighting in the pipe for evening enjoyment as well. The bird bath is about 15" diameter and the rods are 24-36" tall:
New glass globe in the old fountain that I replant every year, couldn't ever get the water to sound right so it became a container-I like it much better:
Some of the whacked shrubs (surrounded by mounds of compost) that were full and lush until Saturday:
Apr 6, 2008 | 8:59 PM PST
What a great weekend; my oldest visited from Boise (soon to move here-June) to find a house to purchase- we looked at tons, made an offer, but she went home w/o purchasing. She is such a joy to spend time with, I have missed her immensely, all the more obvious when she was around (hard to keep from squeezing her every second!).
Yesterday, we went to an open house of a glass artist I met w/Mosaic 2007 at the NW Flower & Garden Show. The gal was selling seconds of her work, though it all looked beautiful.
(http://www.glassgardensnw
.com/galleries/public/index.ht
ml)
I am so excited about my purchases, but will have to post photos later, too busy w/J to stop and take any. The pieces will be arranged in the garden after the compost is spread. J just called and has made it safely in her driveway, I can relax-DH poured a nice glass of wine and I am checking my email & GG stuff before I have to answer his questions about the remaining tax documents he's been organizing all afternoon. augh.
The other photos I must take are of the extreme pruning my backyard took yesterday-almost made me vomit. Our regular yard guy trims everything twice a year, but he had his brother concentrate on the back while he tackled the monster hedge that insulates us from our neighbor's pool noise. His brother did not hear DH tell him the shrubs only needed a light prune, he totally whacked them. Yet another lesson learned, ALWAY be home when others are working in your yard.....DH thought all was under control, plus he was dealing with tax junk & my mother so J & I could be out and about together. Such a sweet man, I fret and he just takes care of things with a smile....lessons abound!
I love the compost that was delivered Friday and have several yards already spread, but will have to wait until the shrubs are "softened" tomorrow, before I work on the remaining heap. I did buy a wheel barrow w/two front wheels at Costco today-should save my previously torn elbow & shoulder from flaring up every other day.
Procrastinated enough-off to answer his dreaded (on my part) questions.........
Hope you all had time to enjoy your gardens this weekend!
~Andrea
Apr 2, 2008 | 4:46 PM PST
Okay, my husband counted all the pots we have been acclimenting (should have waited a month), we have seventy, plus I just planted several new vines, Agapanthus (6) and a Mediterranean Fan Palm. That doesn't include the many bulbs I have already planted (voodoo & surprise lily). To top it off I received my order from Plant Delights today, which thankfully I had pared down since the winter:
Poet's Laurel (Danae racemosa) x 2
Formosa Lily (Lilium formosanum)
White Giant Calla (Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Wht giant)
Sacred Lily (Rohdea japonica) x 3
Oriental Chain Fern (Woodwardia orientalis)
It's a good thing I cancelled my order from Heronswood. Well, only because Mosaic2007 & I found the same plants at the PNW Flower & Garden show, so they are part of the seventy pots-that justification didn't really work.....I really love all the other member's photos of their seedlings, but that would be a mistake for me as well.
I discussed w/C. that next year I absolutely do not need any plants (except a couple for the non-working fountain), he replied "it's not a case of need, it's your recreation, you will always find a way to fit more plants into the yard." Woohoo-bingo, but since he was no help, I really need your reminders over the winter months of 2008-09. This sickness has such a grip, made all the more obvious once spring has sprung. Maybe an obsessed gardener recovery program would help.
The truth is, I like my garden just how it is-I don't need to cram anything else in there. We have a small back yard and I don't want it to look stuffed, but am afraid it may this summer. Once the blah winter months hit, I forget and I order.....So next year I hope to be held accountable by other GG members! I really am serious. I think it could be a defining year. Next spring I will probably be quite surprised I actually survived. Though maybe we should move to a new house, then I can start all over...hmmmmmm now there's a solution. No, the reminders will be helpful or we can start a support group for all the other members in the same boat.
Andrea
Mar 28, 2008 | 7:50 AM PST
Today, I leave to spend a long weekend at my dad's house in eastern WA. I am not crazy about E.WA (went to college over there), while we are almost experiencing spring on this side-they are freezing over there. I packed my 'Under Armour' and ski gloves so I can still run. They retired to Selah twenty eight years ago, so it's my second home. My step-mom (72yo)has metastasized esophageal cancer (6yrs), time is of the essence-hers on this earth will end soon. I am looking forward to the time spent, hopefully soothing her and making her load a bit easier.
Brownthumb had suggested to Gardenbug8 to select a plant to remind her of her sweet sister, Anna. So, I plan on making that a joint decision with D so she is aware of the love that surrounds her. We have a lovely lace leaf maple planted for T, my late husband (died of ALS)-I think of him every time I see one! It will be interesting to see what we come up with for D. D loved to garden, she did it big-never bought a few bulbs, she would buy 500 or 1000. My love of cannas came from her, though I only recently ventured to plant any.
I have the kindest husband in the world who offered to care for my mother w/Alzheimer's (who lives w/us)so I could visit D....bless him! My 17yo promised to keep the castor beans & luffa seeds moist so all that's really left is opening the garage doors for those plants(brugmansias & plumerias, etc) to become more acclimated. The plants in the courtyard waiting for homes are covered in burlap during the night due to our cold snap-hope one of them remembers to uncover during the day....
Oh, and my puppy is staying home, now that could be the issue. She is so quiet, it's quite possible nobody will remember to take her out!!!! Thankfully, we have mostly hardwoods, slate or cork floors & a gallon of Pet Ayre!
This was kinda about gardening-more rambling than gardening though. Looking forward to what God has in store this weekend! See ya next week~Andrea
Mar 15, 2008 | 4:03 PM PST
Today was so blissful, though I can hardly sit long enough to check email and wait for my Ibuprofen to kick in. First, I am remembering each moment 24 years ago like it just happened-my oldest daughter was born and I still remember the absolute "high" I felt (natural!-but sure wish I would have had an epi!!). She currently lives in Boise, but is moving back to our neck of the woods in June-sooooooooo exciting, she is lovely.
Remembering the birth is not why I needed the IB. Today was the second annual "Garden Party" for my sweet friend (avid gardener) and her family. Her youngest suffered a seizure January 2007 from undiagnosed Addison's disease ( http://www.annaleesullivan.
blogspot.com/ ) and she has her hands full, but amazing things are happening and we are watching that darling child improve-ahhhhhhhhh-long journey though. So, we had less turn out than anticipated-it was raining (March=rain in Seattle area), but we were able to get all six yards of compost spread, three yards of gravel to freshen her pathways and tons of trimming, weeding, etc. Stepping back (after 6hrs), and looking at the tidy yard was so joyful. Knowing she'll have someplace peaceful to just breathe when everything else gets crazy is such a blessing. You should have seen the look on her face-what a wonderful woman.
I had to share with all you other gardeners-you know that feeling. Many of you are still under inches of snow, but just imagine the feeling when you have freshly spread compost. Your peaceful spot is right around the corner. ~ Andrea
Mar 12, 2008 | 12:15 AM PST
My sweet 17yo daughter came home from a movie tonight and relayed this story:
J (daughter) was on her way to meet a friend when she noticed a car stuck in the ditch. She stopped and asked if the driver needed any assistance, the woman said she had already placed a call to her husband. Before driving off J asked again-"are you certain you're okay?". The woman said "yes, just take my advice though, whenever you see an opossum-just hit it."
I laughed so hard-no wonder we see tons of them squashed around here! ~Andrea (P.S. J is so kind hearted...great kiddo-okay, almost young woman)
.
Mar 6, 2008 | 7:13 PM PST
Saturday, 3/1 started my morning off meeting my sweet friend to get going on joint training for the 3Day-we went 7miles. Last week, I sold our fountain on Craig's list, had the neighbor boy dig a pond bought a beautiful shimmery orangey-red pot from Aw Pottery & had it plumbed for a fountain. Today, all we needed to do was level the bottom of the pond, line everything with old carpet, then the liner plus concrete blocks to support the pot (24x34) and finally place the container on those blocks-doesn't sound like much, but that pot is heavy. We finished most of the project by dark.
Sunday, 3/2-started the fountain project after church thinking we'd be done in an hour or so-haha. We had to reposition some of the stone patio to level it out-not an easy task. Being newly married, this project was really good for us to experience together. I loved having him outside in the garden, he would do something that didn't need my assistance so I would plant a few things then run over to help, we worked well together-though I tend to be a bit more of a perfectionist-working on that. I also took time to hand paint round-up on every piece of lamium I found poking its leaf through the ground, normally an organic gardener, but had absolutely no remorse! We were finally ready to add water at 5pm! It looks beautiful. So much for the supposed "2hr DIY" as the directions in the magazine where I read the article stated.
Monday, 3/3-checked on new fountain-hmmmmmmmmm water level was down 4"-bummer. Told DH he saw it as well, but was hoping I had drained it for some reason! (So wish I had) We finally agreed the earth had to settle and that was the cause-made us feel better at the time (denial is good). I refilled several times throughout the morning....major bummer-down about 6". Now we have to drain that huge pot, move it off the blocks, emtpy the pond (not huge-half circle 54x24deep), until we find the leak...not looking forward to the process. Off to my dental appointment, love getting my teeth cleaned, feels so good after.
Tuesday, 3/4-Started acclimating plants little over a week ago-wee bit soon, should have waited-but that first sunny day got the best of me. Today the brugs are showing a lot of new growth, the plumerias are shooting new leaves and the palm leaf begonias are visably larger. Plan to pop some more in the garden this weekend. Some new EEs are even breaking through! My mom starts a new social class from 11:30-4:30 today..so I have free time, should clean the floors, but bet I'll putter outside after exercising!
Wednesday, 3/5-Took care of Annie today (my sweet friend's 4yo daughter w/Addison's-had seizure 1/2007-brain damaged)WoW is she getting better, started a new tube fed diet to help w/seizures and reduce meds-slow going, but she's being healed daily. Her mom is a gardener so we discussed several options for her design at the church and I went to three nurseries to find the plants for budgeting purposes-hard work, but had to be done-haha!! It was the perfect day to be roaming around those nurseries-loved it. Was finally able to purchase my tree fern-decided my garden could hardly hold one, let alone two(selected the one on the right under my misc.album). They had some sort of white bug on them when they returned from the Flower & Garden show, so the nursery wouldn't let me buy it until it was sprayed, etc. They will care for it until ready to plant 4/15!!! So exciting-it's almost 5' tall.
Thursday, 3/6-Have a class this morning, but am hoping I will get outside this afternoon. I need to make room for that tree fern! Looks like the sun will shine all day, we had ice on the windows when I drove my daughter to school-spring weather. Okay, here it is 6:30 and no gardening was done today. After class & running around purchasing plants for the church project w/my mom (fun though!), it started to become overcast and is now raining. I did survey and compiled a list of things to send to Bugnut and am excited about that.
This blog is truly for my reference-my creative writing skills were only utilized when in college (lonnnnnnng time ago) or while writing a resume (lonnnnnnng time ago as well)~Andrea
Feb 21, 2008 | 12:14 PM PST
I Think the several day blog is more my style, testing this format out:
Thursday, 2/14
Well today was so fun. I potted up cannas, hanging begonias, elephant ears, ostrich & cinnamon ferns, more gloirosa vines and even planted some castor bean & luffa seeds(thanks Deb). Fridays are a free day for me, my mom attends a memory class -she always ask me where we're going as pull into the parking lot :)-gotta laugh! So I have from 10-2 alone, weather wise it should be fairly decent-woohoo. I plan on gleefully killing a bunch of lamium left from the last person's attempt! Personally, I feel lamium should be labeled under noxious weed along w/crown vetch & bishop's weed~Andrea
Saturday, 2/16
I was going to keep my husband company on a ferry trip to see a client in Port Hadock, but our caregiver (for my mother) cancelled at the last minute. It is wonderful how things seem to work out. While I would have enjoyed spending time w/DH and seeing the project, my garden helper and I accomplished sooooooooooooo much in the garden that I feel ahead of the game-whew. Chris(Mosaic2007) arrives Wednesday morning and now I'll feel comfortable letting her in the backyard!
Sunday, 2/17
With help from my mom, I finally cleared the akebia & climbing rose off the arbor over our swing so I can repaint. I will replace w/C.armandi-the whole structure will be removed with the new addition, but I wanted the white gone until then-could be a year or two. Plus, I was tired of trying to keep the roses looking tidy. Unfortunately, while clipping the roses, my mom became ill, she went to bed.
Monday, 2/18
Turns out we all had food poisioning from a lunch we ate at a local fish & chips joint. Dh & I were ill all day.....101 temp as well. No gardening today.
Tuesday, 2/19
After helping me put all the newly potted plants back in the garage (spent the day in the sun), my husband asked "are all these going in our garden?"....I almost fell over laughing.-all the while thinking to myself- oh yes, all these and many more that haven't even been purchased my loving husband!
Wednesday, 2/20 FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW
Once again, our caregiver cancelled short notice, but my darling daughter and sweet husband filled in caring for my mom so I could go to the show as planned-so thankful! I picked up Chris at the train station and off we went. I should take time to list what we bought-or at least what I did for my future reference. I believe this blog will be as close to organizing a notebook as I will ever get!
Begonia Luxurians x 3, Paeonia japonica, Sarracenia 'Judith Hindle', Dichelostemma ida-maia, Disporum cantoniense 'Green Giant', Disporum cantoniense 'Night Heron x 2, Impatiens omeiana, Alstroemeria haemantha-orange, Kniphofia 'Vanilla'. Non plant-a beautiful glass leaf from Glass Gardens NW www.glassgardensnw.com>
Chris is a great friend, unfortunately,we rarely get to spend time together since she moved to Oregon, so this day was a treat. We were less than impressed with the display gardens, did see my tree ferns in one-they looked great. We parked our loot at the plant check and went to Palomino's for happy hour, stuffed and two glasses of wine later, we retrived our treasures and made our way to Bothell. Such bliss being around all those plants and spending time with Chris!
Feb 21, 2008 | 12:21 AM PST
Okay, on 2/14 I had started a lengthy blog expecting to cover the week, but deleted it and started rewriting it the next day-just posted it today and it listed as 5 days old-so timing must start from the initial date of typing. Is there anyway to modify that? Thanks~Andrea
Feb 13, 2008 | 5:10 PM PST
We had a trace of spring here today, unfortunately as I was walking the dogs it started to sprinkle. Boy, did we fly home, with that blink of sun, I really wanted to accomplish something in the garden today! Thankfully, the rain stopped and I was able to trim many of the ornamental grasses in the front beds. I heeded that little voice to stop before I reinjured my elbow & shoulder,which, I felt, was quite mature. All the while I cut the grass, I felt sorry for the poor haircuts they were receiving and was ever thankful I didn't try to earn extra $ in college cutting people's hair(many friends did).
After working outside, I turned my focus to planting a few inside gardens for a customer. This woman saw the containers I had donated to an auction and contacted me about creating three for her. I am an outdoor gardener-this really made me step outside the box. As I was assembling the containers in my laundry room, I noticed one of the glorosia vines I recently planted had grown almost two feet tall! There was also a leaf on one of the plumerias and the Eucomis (pineapple lily) planted at the base of that plumeria was several inches tall as well. I marvel at creation-how these bulbs know when to sprout , there is no light in that room other than when I do laundry-wow! When I took the glorosia outside for light & a photo session, I noticed yet another treat. My front container needed rotation and after I turned it I noticed a black elephant ear had wintered over in the back..They are usually less hardy and I have not had any winter over outside, but the porch is fairly protected. So exciting!
So, I posted the photos on a new album-check them out.
Two other good things about today: Exactly one week before Chris(Mosaic2007) arrives (by train) for the garden show. We will spend all day at the show and have a nice dinner downtown before we return to my house. Today one of my husband's new clients scheduled a consultation at their beach house in Port Hadock so we are taking a mini day trip together Saturday. My youngest will be around to care for my mom while we're gone-what a treat! It will be Gracie's first ferry boat ride! Sure wish Heronswood hadn't sold, I could have stopped(shopped) on our way.
Happy Valentine's Day to all. Eighteen years ago today we found out I was finally pregnant with our youngest daughter so this is my valentine's day! She just got a new "arrest me red" car, so that's her present! (ha-not-though actually a gift from my mom) Time flies.
Whew that was a long blog....
Best,
Andrea
Feb 7, 2008 | 5:17 PM PST
My mom & I took a trip to a local nursery to purchase a palm tree for my friend whose dad passed away Monday. They have a tropical garden so I thought it more appropriate than sending flowers. While at the nursery, I was able to visit my tree ferns and thought I'd share a photo. The ferns are being loaned by the nursery for a display garden at the flower & garden show in Seattle, I will get them after and when ready to plant-April...At least we had a sun-break today. Woohoo!
I am also posting an interestingly trained C. armandi I saw on a drive. The owner had it trimmed so well and in a way I have not seen before.
Since I am not techno savvy and have no idea how to upload photos to this blog, the photos are posted in a new album labeled "miscellaneous".
Feb 6, 2008 | 6:48 PM PST
This gardening thing is such an addiction. I promised myself I WOULD NOT purchase any plants during the winter season. Every winter my laundry room and/or living room turn into a mini nursery, then I am stuck trying to acclimate everything. My family gets tired of assisting me at night (pulling everything in) , I am constantly watching my animals so they do not nibble the new growth....Today I received (just arrived-mysteriously-hahaha) a huge (by mail-order standards) Michelia Figo (Banana Shrub), once again-great Ebay seller, perfectly packaged in a 3 gal contailer-3 1/2 ' tall.
The weather forecast is bleak for the next ten days, but I am hoping to get a mini-prespring garden spruce done before Mosaic2007 arrives for the garden show on 2/20! Per Mosaic-it will be time to trim the dead leaves off my bananas when she's here, for that and many other reasons, I cannot wait until she arrives! ~Andrea
