Tips

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!

Recently I have been working on bibilical plants, however; it is a lot more in depth then I had anticipated, thus, it will take me a few more days to get it done so I am going to post some more tips today.They are always useful regardless.


Garden Journal.

Now is a good time to start a garden journal for next year's garden. In a notebook include areas for sample garden plans, weather information, planting, fertilizing, watering and harvesting dates, and the amount of money spent on garden purchases as in seeds, plants and materials.


Seed Catalogs

January will not only bring the New Year, but plenty of seed catalogs. Go through old catalogs and recycle those you won't need. Begin looking through new catalogs as they arrive for new and exotic varieties plants to grow.I love these catalogs, when I do not purchase the seeds themselves, I make a note of the desired plants I want and buy them when I have the money or the following year when I am able to adjust them into my garden plans.

Evaluate Landscape

Winter reveals the underlying structure, or so-called bones, of a landscape or garden. Without the distraction of greenery and color, we notice both the good and the bad points, sometimes all too easily. Take a little time to observe and jot down a few notes and/or snap a few photos. These will help you plan ahead for next spring and summer. As mentioned above add all of this to your garden journal.It makes things a lot easier when everything is together.


That is it for today,I will be back tomorrow with more tips.
Happy gardening .....

Mary's Garden

Upon speaking to my nephew Dustin tonight, I decided to add another topic which I will be doing in the near future, kids gardening.
I am going to do a a garden design today named Mary's garden in dedication to Mary the mother of Christ.It is a nice little theme garden that involves all annuals. I may make one for myself this spring, simple design and basic materials and plants. Also an interesting theme to say the least.




Choose a location for your garden that has at least 5 hours a
day of sun.

Prepare the garden soil with sand to make it porous for deep
penetration of water and air; humus to make it spongy to retain
water; and fertilizer to nourish plant growth.

After planting, firm soil around plant roots; water; then shade
several days to prevent wilting.

Sprinkle garden with as much water as soil will absorb without
forming puddles. Allow some drying from the top down to induce deep
root growth and to draw in fresh air needed for soil processes and
root vigor. Then re-water thoroughly, etc.

Remove any spent blooms and weeds, and loosen soil with a
cultivating fork if it becomes packed.

For container Mary Gardens, trim the plants back to keep their
blooms low.

That is it for today.Hope you enjoyed. Happy Gardening
Tanya

Herbs in Mythology

Today I am doing a write up or rather a list of the herbs in mythology.I find it interesting to know people have been using plants and herbs for thousands upon thousands of years.Perhaps one day people in the future people will be writing about the plants and herbs in which we used and the creations that man has made from genetics in our time.



(Aconite - Aconitum napellus - Monkshood, Wolf’s Bane)
- Name derived from Aconae, supposed place of origin. It is said that it is an invention of Hecate, goddess of sorcery and witchcraft. Medea another sorceress and wife of King Aegeus was jealous of Theseus, the kings son, and tried to destroy him with a drought of aconite, but the king discovered the plot and saved Theseus. The old men who were infirmed were given droughts of Aconite. All parts of this herb are poisonous, but the root is most often used. It was used in the witches brew and gave a sensation of flying. It is used medicinally as a diuretic and diaphoretic.


(Artemisia - Artemisia absinthium)
- Named after Artemis or Diana, goddess of the hunt. Wormwood was the Artemisia of Greek Mythology. It was used medicinally as a direct poison of parasites. If overdosed, it affected the eyes and could cause convulsions. An ancient proverb is as bitter as wormwood.


(Bluebell - Hyacinthus nonscriptus)
- Flower of grief and mourning. Hyacinthus was a charming youth that both Apollo and Zephrus loved. Hyacinthus was partial to Apollo which angered Zephrus. One day they were all playing quoits and a stray quoit of Zephrus killed Hyacinthus. Apollo was stricken with grief and raised from Hyacinths blood a beautiful purple flower that might ever more exist upon the earth.


(Basil - Ocimum basilicum)
-There are many stories about the origin of basil, but we will surmise that the name coming from the mythical character the basilisk is correct. The basilisk was a large lizard, much like the bearded dragons of today and was thought even a look would kill. Scorpions were also associated with basil and it was thought that eating too much basil would breed scorpions in the brain. Basil is used mainly as a culinary herb.


(Bay Laurel - Laurus nobilis)
- One of the favorite myths pertaining to herbs. Apollo was teasing Cupid about his tiny arrows, and Cupid shot one of love into his heart. Daphne, a nymph was standing close watching the two gods and Cupid shot an arrow to repel into her heart. Apollo saw her and fell madly in love and thought he must have her for his own. She became frightened and started to run from him. He was too fast and began to catch her, she cried to her father the river god Peneus to please save her from Apollo, so her father, who loved her very much turned her into a Laurus nobilis tree. Apollo grabbed the tree and flung his arms around it crying, "My love, my love, I shall love you forever and evermore you shall be green. I will wear your leaves as a crown to remember you." To this day bay wreaths are used as a sign of victory and honor to poets and conquers. Bay is used in all meat dishes and soups. A leaf in your cornmeal or flour will keep the weevils away.


(Borage - Borago officinalis)
- According to Dioscordes this was the famous nepentha of Homer, which was drunk after battle steeped in wine to bring about complete forgetfulness. There is an old saying"Borage is for Courage". Borage has been used as a pot herb or in cooling drinks. The flowers can be candied or frozen in ice cubes.


(Calamint - Calamintha nepeta)
- This was derived from the Greek word Kalos, because of the belief in its power to drive away serpents and the dreaded basilisk, the fable king of the serpents. Gerard said "It takes away the infirmities of the heart and taketh away sorrowfulness." It has mint like flavor and can be used in cooking.


(Centaury - Erythraea centaurium)
- Gentian or Feverwort
-A red flowering herb which is named after the Greek centaur, Chiron (Kirun). Centaurs were half-man and half-horse. Chiron was a great teacher of the gods and was skilled in medicinal herbs. Hercules shot him by mistake with a poison arrow and he cured himself with centaury plant. Jupiter decided he was too powerful and sent him to heaven where he is the constellation Sagittarius. Centaury is used as an antiseptic, astringent and a dye to use on wounds and is a vermifuge.


(Dog's Mercury - Mercurialis perennis (Euphoriaceae)
- Disagreeable odor, extremely acrid and poisonous to animals. Its name is derived from Mercury, god of skill and dexterity. He revealed it medicinal virtues. It is used externally to remove warts, and is used in skin diseases. It produces a blue dye.


(Elecampane - Inula helenium - Wild yellow flower, much like a sunflower)
-The Ancient writers mention Inula as affording a root used both as a medicine and a condiment. The origin of the name helenium probably came from Helen of Troy. She had a large arm full of these flowers when Paris stole her from her husband Menelaus that started the Trojan War that lasted ten years. When Paris was killed Helen returned to Menelaus and through difficulty they returned to Sparta where they lived happily ever after. Elecampane is used medicinally and the roots can be candied and eaten as a sweet.


(Eyebright - Euphrasia officinalis)
- Euphrasia is of Greek origin meaning gladness. Named for one of the Three Graces, Euphrosyne who was distinguished for her joy and mirth. Eyebright is used as an astringent and a lotion for the eyes.


(Fennel - Foeniculum vulgare)
- This herb was held in reverance by early man because Prometheus brought fire to man in the hollow stem. It was and still is used as a vegetable and also used to aid digestion.


(Fig - Ficus carica)
-The fig was dedicated to Bacchus and was the main diet of the early Greeks and Romans. The wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus rested under a fig tree, therefore; was held sacred by the Romans. Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome, Remus died and Romulus collected all the thieves and outlaws to populate his city. The inhabitants of Cyrene crowned themselves with fig wreaths when sacrificing to Saturn holding him to be the discoverer of the fruit.


(Flax - Linum usitatissimun)
- Flax was used for weaving, Minerva and the Three Graces wove the clothes of the gods and their sails. The Ancients used flax seed for bread. Linseed oil is used in paint as a drying agent. Linseed cakes are used medicinally as a laxative. Arachne was a talented weaver and challenged Minerva to a contest. It angered Minerva and she changed her into a spider to weave through eternity.


(Garlic - Allium sativum)
- Garlic was placed by the Ancients at the crossroads as a supper for the goddess Hecate. Homer tells us that the virtues of garlic is what saved Ulysses from being turned into a pig like his soldiers were on the island of Aeaea by Circe, an enchantress. Garlic is now used as a flavoring for meats, and has medicinal properties that contain antiseptic and antibiotic properties. It is used as a stimulant, diuretic, expectorant and is used in healing ointments.


Mints -

Spearmint- Mentha viridis

Peppermint-Mentha piperita

Pennyroyal-Mentha pulegium.

Mentha is derived from the mythological origin ascribed to it. Mentha was a nymph, because of her love for Pluto was turned into the plant mint by Persephone, Pluto’s wife. The Ancients scoured their tables with this herb when preparing for the gods. It is also a bee herb. The gods had fields of mint for bees to use to make honey. Mint is used for teas, and to flavor sweets and vegetables. Medicinally it is a stimulant, carmative and antispasmodic.


(Mistletoe - Loranthacea)
– It was considered the "Golden Bough" which opened the world of the dead to Aneas. To the primitive mind, deaths opposite are sex and fertility and mistletoe stood for this also. It was thought to be a life giver and panacea to cure all ills. Asclepus, the son of Apollo learned the art of healing and was considered the father of medicine. He cured many Greeks with mistletoe. Legend has it that he was shown mistletoe by a serpent in a tomb.


(Mulberry - Morus nigra)
- Berries were eaten at ancient feasts. The love myth pertaining to mulberries is a Romeo and Juliet love story. Pyramus and Thisbe were in love, but were forbade by their parents to marry. They planned a midnight meeting under a mulberry tree. Thisbe arrived first and was frightened by a lion, she ran loosing her veil. The lion picked it up in his bloody mouth and dropped it. Pyramus found the veil and was sure his love had been killed by the lion, then he took his sword saying "My love you will not die alone." He stabbed himself . When Thisbe returned and found her love dead she took up his sword and killed herself. The mingled blood from both traveled up the tree and the berries which had been white, were turned deep red as they have remained to this day. The mulberry tree was dedicated to Minerva by the Ancients. Mulberries can be eaten raw, or made into jams or wine.


(Myrtle – Myrtus communis)
– The emblem of fertility and purity and therefore used in wedding bouquests. Minerva had a favorite virgin, Myrsine, and Minerva saved her by turning her into a myrtle bush. Venus also hid behind a myrtle when the satyrs were chasing her, Myrtle and roses were dedicated to Venus. Bacchus or Dioneyus went to Persephone, goddess of the underworld and offered myrtle to release his mother from death.


(Narcissus - Amaryllidaceae)
- A beautiful youth named Narcissus saw his image in a pool of water and fell in love with it. He tried in vain to embrace the image, but it always alluded him, he was so grief stricken that he would not eat and said "Dear beauty why do you shun me? I love you so." He became weak and pale and withered and in his place when he died was a beautiful blue flower which preserves the memory of Narcissus to this day. This plant is poisonous if taken internally. The word, narcissism, meaning to love oneself comes from this myth.


(Nightshade - Atropa belladonna)
-The devil himself. It has been said he attends this plant. It is deadly poison, but is a valuable medicine. Its botanical name derives from one of the Three Fates, Atropos, who cut the thread of life, which pertains to its poison. Opthomologists use Atropine to dilate the eyes, and it is used as an antispasmodic.Bittersweet is also a nightshade.(Solanum dulmara)


(Parsley - Petroselinum crispum)
- It is said to have sprung from the blood of the Greek hero Archemorus, the forerunner of death. This herb was dedicated to Persephone, goddess of the underworld, and was used in funeral rites. It was considered the herb of the dead. The Ancients fed their chariot horses parsley. Parsley is widely used as a culinary herb, but it is also used medicinally. It is also a diuretic.


(Poppy - Papaver somniferum)
- Opium poppy - Somnus, god of sleep was always crowned with poppies or lying surrounded with them. Ceres, the goddess of corn, wore a crown of grain interwoven with poppies. Poppies were sacred to Ceres. They are still called cornflowers in many European countries. The seeds can be used in cakes. The juice removed from the head is used medicinally for pain.


(Quince - Cydonia vulgaris)
- This fruit has been eaten throughout history. To the Greeks and Romans quince was sacred. Venus is often depicted with a quince in her right hand. Hercules who was sent on twelve labors and the eleventh was to return with golden apples, these supposedly were quince. Hercules went to the divine garden of Hesperides and found the tree guarded by a dragon. He also knew that Atlas, the Titon, who held up the world lived close by, so he went to him and offered to hold up the world if Atlas would go to the tree and bring him some golden apples. Atlas was happy to oblige and soon arrived with the apples, but refused to take the world back on his shoulders. Hercules acted as if he didn’t care, but said if only Atlas would hold it while he adjusted his lions skin on his own shoulders, so Atlas agreed, but when Atlas took it back Hercules bid him farewell and left with the apples. The golden apples were regarded as a symbol of love and happiness. Quince can be eaten raw.


(Rose - Rosaceae)
- The word rose comes from the Greek word rodon (red) and the rose of the Ancients was a deep crimson and supposedly sprung from the blood of Adonis. Adonis was a beautiful young man that Venus fell in love with and went hunting with him. She cautioned him all the while to be careful of large prey. One day she left him in her chariot drawn by swans and started for Mt. Olympus, but on the way she heard Adonis moaning, she returned to him and found him dying, being gored by a wild boar. She was grief stricken and as he lay dying she said "My Adonis, my grief shall endure, but your blood shall be changed into a beautiful flower." It is the flower of love. The gods Cupid and Bacchus are also associated with the rose-the sign of pleasure and companion of mirth and wine. Roses were spread on the floors at great celebrations and were scattered at the feet of Flora, goddess of flowers.


(Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Rosemary is the plant that grows by the sea (mare from which marinus is derived) the syllable rose is that the plant is often seen glittering with dew (ros) on the shores of the sea. The Ancients were well aquainted with this herb that had a reputation for strengthening the memory. The Muses were the nine daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne(Memory). They presided over song and prompted the memory. They sometimes are pictured with rosemary in their hands. Minerva, the goddess of knowledge is also associated with this herb. It was used at both weddings and funerals as it is today. Rosemary is used for culinary, crafting and medicine.


(Rue - Ruta graveolens)
- The name comes from reuo (to set free) because it was used to treat many diseases. The Ancients used it as the chief ingredient of the famous antidote to poison used by King Mithridates who said to become immuned to poison by taking it in gradual doses. It was the DDT of the Ancients.


(Savory - Winter savory)
- Satureja montana, Summer savory - S. hortensis - This herb belonged to the satyrs, these were hairy little creatures with short horns, feet of a goat, mischievous and oversexed. They attended to Bacchus and lived in the woods with Pan, god of the shepherds. Both savorys can be used in meat and bean dishes. Winter savory is a perennial and summer savory is an annual. Mercury claims dominion over this herb.


(Thyme - Thymus vulgaris)
- Thymus comes from the Greek word meaning courage. This herb was known to the Ancients because it was a herb the bees loved and honey was loved by the gods. It was used as an aromatic herb and also rubbed on the tables to clean them for food. Thyme was used internally and externally as an antiseptic. "To smell of thyme" was an expression of praise. It was also used to preserve meat.


(Vine Grape - Vitis vinefera)
- Grapes were considered fruit of the gods and Bacchus was the god of wine. He represents not only the intoxicating power of wine but its social and beneficent influences also, so that he is viewed as the promoter of civilization and a lawgiver and lover of peace. Grape leaves were used medicinally for dysentery.


(Walnut - Juglans nigea)
- In the Golden Age" when men lived on acorns the gods lived on walnuts thus the name Jovis glans or Jupiter’s nuts. The kernels contain oil, albumin ,mineral matter, cellulose and water. Walnuts are used for flavoring cakes, cookies and candy.


(Yarrow - Achillea millefolium)
- Achilles, the great warrior in the ten year Trojan War staunched the bleeding wounds of his soldiers with yarrow. He also tried to stop the bleeding wound in his heel, but alas, he died from his wound. Yarrow was called the military herb by the Ancients. We get the words "Achilles tendon " from this incident in mythology. Yarrow is used as "hops" in beer, as snuff, and as an antiseptic.


Well that is a wrap for today. Tomorrow I shall be doing biblical. Happy gardening.
Tanya

Primula/Primrose

Today I want to talk about primroses.

First of all being in a completely new zone and
new country I was somewhat surprised to see all
the primroses in bloom at this time of year.They of
course are not the only plant in bloom,however;they are
in abundance compared to the other plants such
as roses.
I have had to completely re evalute my theories on
growing them to suit the needs of not only North America
but of the United Kingdom as well.





Primula/Primrose

Primroses are perennials that bloom in a wide range
of purples,yellows,reds,pinks and whites.They
are a low growing plant that bursts up in early spring
and in some places late fall.
There are two kinds of primrose:

English primrose: This plant is the smaller plant
and usually have 1 1/2 inch wide flowers.These plants
are available in a wide range of colors.

Japanese Primrose:

This is the easiest of the two plants to grow.They
feature slightly wrinkled, light green leaves and
flowers in brilliant shades of red and white.


Where to plant

Both varieties do best when planted in moist, shadowy
areas, with rich, slightly acidic soil.
The North side of your house is usaully the shadiest
and dampest of areas,thus probably the best location
for the primrose to be planted,however; beneath foilage or
under the canopy of a tree are 2 other great spots
for it.

Perfect partners

These plants go well in the perennial bed with
deep blue forget-me-nots, fiery red Bleeding Hearts
and coral pink Astilbes. They also go well under
Rhododendrons,Azaleas and Camellias.
To brighten dark corners plant groups of primroses
with Ferns,Hostas and other foilage plants that
can tolerate moist,low light areas.English primrose
which is the earliest blooming of the species
go well with Tulips. Mass planting them can be
just as beautiful, whereas, they are so vibrant
with color and taken into account when there are
not so many other plants blooming mass planting
can definately add color to a dead area of your garden.

Some tips for growing

If growing seedlings indoors, make sure pots are kepts
degrees f or the seeds may not sprout.

Use potted primroses in a windowbox.Remove pots in
the summer after they stop blooming and transplant into
the garden.

The fungal infection leaf spot can affect Primroses in the
cool, moist climates that they prefer.Look for dark brown
lesions on yellowing leaves.Remove and destoy any infected
foilage.Dig up and divide Primroses to aid in air circulation.

Keep Primroses well watered in heat.


I have many ideas lately and am planning many things for my write ups for now and the future.
That is it for today.
Happy Gardening.
Tanya

Tips

Protect Perennials with Snow


In cold areas, tender perennials such as candytuft and shrubs such as junipers are best protected from drying winter winds and cold by snow. To help snow gather on your plants, build a snow fence on the up-wind side of plantings.

Slow Forced Bulbs

If forced amaryllis or narcissus bulbs are getting ahead of your holiday schedule and will flower too soon, slow them down by placing potted bulbs in a cool (50F to 60F) room with bright light and cut back on watering.


Control Mealybugs

Check houseplants such as schefflera, ficus, and rubber plants for white, fluffy growth on the leaves and leaf crotches and a sticky substance called honeydew when feeding. To control mealybugs spray insecticidal soap or dab them with rubbing alcohol.



I am beginning to write a lot more tips lately and rather enjoy it. That is about it for today....

Tips

Take Care of Houseplants Brought Indoors

Houseplants brought indoors from a summer outside will most likely be exhibiting leaf drop and stress because of the change in light and temperature. Some plants can be cut back to reduce the stress, and others will need some supplemental light as they adjust. Reduce watering and fertilizing on all but continually blooming plants.


Clean Feeders and Birdbaths

Birds are still finishing up remaining natural foods, but be ready for their winter feeding. If you maintain a birdbath, consider adding a heating coil to keep the water open, or a specially designed solar birdbath. Clean your feeders regularly through the winter as well, to keep from spreading disease.When you feed the birds you cannot stop throughout the winter for the mere fact the birds you have fed become reliant on you for food.

Clever Gardening Technique - Using Hedge Shears to Cut Back Perennials

Tired of struggling with the ropey leaves of daylilies, ornamental grasses, and other tough-leaved perennials? Use a well-sharpened pair of hedge shears to make short work of the task. In fall there is no need to be quite as meticulous when cutting out dead foliage, and hand pruners will leave you frustrated and with a sore hand and blisters. Hedge shears are quick, handy and much more conveniant.


That is it for today...

More tips

Protect Tree Trunks

Protect trunks of fruit trees and newly planted trees from mice and other critters with commercial tree guards or wrap mesh fencing around the trunks. Put these protections in place before the snow falls so they extend all the way to the base of the trees.

Promote Blooms on Christmas Cactus

A Christmas cactus develops buds when night temperatures are 55 to 60 degrees F. If nights are warmer, place your plant where it receives no light from about 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. (such as in a closet) for 30 days. Move the plant to a sunny location during the day. Many people who grow the Christmas cactus state and will swear by it, that if you give it one childrens aspirin per month, the plants yield twice the amount of blooms. I have seen this with my own eyes and was not only surprised but impressed.

Plant an Indoor Herb Garden

The outdoor gardening season may be over, but indoors you can grow many herbs. Sow seeds of parsley, oregano, sage, chives, and dwarf basil in clay pots. Once they germinate, place them under grow lights and water and fertilize (with a half-strength solution) only when very dry. You'll be rewarded with fresh herbs for your winter cooking.

Control Aphids on Indoor Plants

If you've brought potted plants inside after a summer outdoors, chances are you're now seeing a shiny, sticky substance on the leaves and small black or green aphids on the undersides of the leaves. Sometimes a few dunks in a sink full of soapy water will control them, otherwise spray them with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Aphids are very prolific, so check and treat plants frequently. Another affordable trick is to cut up small pieces of yellow paper and cover them in vaseline,put the paper into the infested pots and leave them for roughly 2 days.The aphids will get stuck because of the vaseline. Repeat if nessary.

Well that is it for today....

Winterize Roses

Winterize Roses

Once the ground begins to freeze and you have consistent temperatures in the low 20s F., it's time to protect modern hybrid roses from the winter's wind and the cold. The simplest method is to mound bark mulch around the base of the rose, covering the graft union (the swollen part of the stem near the ground). The mound should be about 1 foot high. If you can, go a step further and set a cylinder of wire mesh fencing around the plant and fill it with hay or straw. Wait until spring to cut back the canes. Another way is to heap evergreen boughs over the roses by weaveing them so to speak. It would look similar to a tee pee or tent.This trick has always worked for me.


Copy write Tanya Wallace

A few helpful tips

(Install Tree Guards)


To protect young trees from hungry mice and rabbits eating their bark, wrap trunks with plastic tree wrap. Wrap the covering around the trunk up about 1 foot off the ground and 2 to 3 inches into the soil. This should do the trick. :)


(Plant an Indoor Herb Garden)

To grow herbs indoors, sow seeds of parsley, oregano, sage, chives, and basil in flats.They should take anywheres from 1-3 weeks to germinate given the species of seed. Once germinated, transplant seedlings into individual clay pots and place them under grow lights. Water and fertilize, with a weak solution, only when very dry.

(Feed Birds)

Most birds such as grosbeaks and nuthatches prefer black oil sunflower seeds in a bird feeder. Ground feeders such as sparrows, and juncoes prefer cracked corn scattered on the ground. Woodpeckers and chickadees appreciate suet hung in a wire basket,however;given my experience of feeding the birds, most seem to love sunflower seeds.


(Protect Miniature Roses)

Many miniature roses are hardy, but still need some winter protection in cold areas. Cover roses with a 2-foot tall, mounded layer of chopped leaves, bark mulch, hay or evergreen boughs. Remove in spring at the first sign of new growth.


(Shield Evergreens)

In cold areas, tender broad-leaved and needled evergreen trees and shrubs may need burlap screens to protect them against prevailing winds and winter sun. Erect wooden frames over small evergreens to prevent snow or ice damage, especially under eaves then wrap with burlap.


Well that is a wrap for today.Hopefully these can be useful...cheers

Gifts for Gardeners




Personalized Dried-Flower Bouquets
Add a personal touch by choosing the flowers and container to suit the recipient. For the genteel tea lover, use floral foam to arrange pastel flowers in a small, decorative teapot. For someone with flamboyant taste, create a striking arrangement of richly colored flowers, seedpods and curly willow branches in a large copper, stone or pottery vase. For the wine connoisseur, artfully arrange several twigs sporting rose hips or other berries -- I especially like eucalpytus berries for their distinctive blue-grey color -- in a pewter wine goblet. For an unusual twist, drape trailing flowers and twigs over the side of a wall-mounted vase.

Dried Herbs and Teas
If you dry herbs from your garden, consider packaging up assortments or a blends to give as gifts. Create your own "signature" herb blends for your favorite dishes, combining homegrown herbs with purchased spices. Include suggestions or recipes for using the blends. Make your own tea bags and fill them with dried mint leaves, lemon balm (or lemon thyme or lemon verbena), rose hips, chamomile flowers or raspberry leaves. You can purchase the empty bags with one side open, fill them and then seal with an iron. To preserve their freshness, nestle the tea bags into an attractive container that keeps out light, such as a covered sugar bowl or a wide-mouthed, colored-glass jar topped with a cork.

Seed Packets
If you're a seed saver, why not package up seeds you've saved from your best bloomers. Enclose them in the empty tea bags sold for stuffing with tea leaves (which can be cut open later on) and place them in small cellophane bags. Decorate with stickers representing the flowers inside and handwritten labels noting the variety name and perhaps why you chose to save the seed, e.g.You can also put them in small envelopes which works as nicely.

Edible Concoctions

If you have favorite recipes for preserving foods from your garden, chances are someone else would appreciate them too. You could compile some into a booklet or onto recipe cards, and include a sample of one of the edible delight. I still have recipe cards written by my grandmother and I treasure them.


Gift Baskets
Keep your eyes open for interesting ceramic or clay pots and fill them with items that pamper: jars of aromatic rubbing salts for tired feet, herbal bath beads, scented soaps and lotions, luffa sponges, and nail brushes. Or buy an apron in a botanical fabric and fill the pockets with essentials: pruners, plant labels, gloves, a trowel and a gardening journal.

Finally, provided you know your friends' reading habits, you can't go wrong with a subscription to a gardening magazine or a gardening book. Personally, I don't think it's possible to own too many gardening books!


Well that is it for today,I will be back tomorrow.

Well I have been away for quite sometime but made quite a few discoveries concerning plants and growing them in different ways then I am used to.I am now in a new climate,the United Kingdom,Wales.It is absolutely beautiful,yet I was not aware of the amount of rain that actually falls here and the vegetation that thives and struggles in this zone.The zone is 8 and I must admit it is about one of the best zones you could find yourself when it concerns growing plants,however; they must be moisture and mildew resistant plants. In other terms, plants that like to be watered regulary,thus; most plants grow here, even palm trees.The summer is amoung one of the best,not to hot, nor to cold,excellent for growing conditions. I now know why roses thrive here and have found myself in some of the most amazing,wonderful gardens imaginable.It is like a fairy tale to be in a beautiful castle garden and to be completely honest I am astounded by the beauty and the variety of vegetation that can grow here. I bam quite happy to be back online and once again writing.I will be back everyday and I would like to thank the people who have subscibed to this and also for their patience.In the next few days I will be writing a lot more ,uploading some of my photos as well as doing more things to get this site going. Cheers Tanya

Perennials

Well it seems I have fallen behind.I shall try not to let that happen anymore,however unforessens circumstances you have no control over sometimes, kind of like the weather I suppose. Here is a list of perennials that can be planted I can add more but I shall post these for the time being.


A photo of some of the flowers in my rock garden all perennials.




Copywrite Tanya W

(For Cut Flowers)

Achillea millefolium - Yarrow

Aconitum napellus - Garden Monkshood

Alchemilla mollis - Lady's Mantle

Anemone - poppy anemone

Anemone japonica - Japanese Amemone

Aquilegia spp. - Columbine

Armeria maritima - Common or Sea Thrift

Aster, various

Astrantia major - Great Masterwort

Campanula persicifolia - Peach-leaved Bellflower

Centaurea- cornflower

Chrysanthemem coccineum - Painted Lady

Chrysanthemum x superbum - Shasta Daisy

Convallaria majalis - Lily-of-the-Valley

Coreopsis spp. - Coreopsis

Delphinium elatum - Delphinium or Larkspur

Delphinium hybrids

Dianthus barbatus - Sweet William

Dianthus spp...

Dicentra - Bleeding Heart

Echinacea purpurea - Purple Coneflower

Echinops ritro - Small Globe Thistle

Gaillardia aristata - Blanket Flower

Gypsophilia paniculata - Baby's Breath

Heliopsis helianthoides - Sunflower Heliopsis

Heuchera sanguinea - Coral Bells

Iris, various

Lavandula angustifolia - English Lavender

Liatris spp. - Gayfeather

Lilium spp. - Hardy Lilies

Lupinus 'Russell Hybrid' - Russel Hybrid Lupine

Lysimachia - Gooseneck Loosestrife

Mertensia virginica - Blue Bells

Monarda didyma- Bee balm

Myosotis sylvestris-Chinese Forget-me-not

Paeonia, various - Peony

Penstemon spp. - Beardtongue

Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower

Rudbeckia spp. - Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia, various - Cone Flower

Salvia azurea grandflora - Azure Sage

Scabiosa spp. - Pincushion Flower

Stokesia laevis - Stokes Aster

Veronica spicata - Spike Speedwell


This is a photo of my anemones,poppy anemone.



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A pic of my Chinese forget-me-nots. They are lovely in the late
spring beautiful burst of blue.



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(For Fragrance)

Allium - chives

Arabis caucasica - Rock Cress

Artemisia abrotanum - Southernwood

Centranthus ruber - Red Valerian

Convallaria majalis - Lily-of-the-Valley

Dianthus plumarius - Border Pinks

Dictamnus albus - Gas Plant

Dracocephalum moldavicum

Filipendula ulmaria - Queen-of-the-Meadow

Galium odoratum - Sweet woodruff

Heliotropium aborescens - Heliotrope

Hesperis matronalis - Sweet Rocket

Hosta plantaginea - Fragrant Plantain Lily

Iris hybrids - Iris

Lavandula angustifolia - English Lavender

Monarda didyma - Bee Balm

Oenothera odorata - Evening Primrose

Paeonia, hybrids - peony

Petasites fragrans - Sweet Coltsfoot

Phlox paniculata - Phlox

Rosa species - Sweet Brier

Valeriana officinalis - Common Valerian

Viola cornuta - Tufted Pansy

Viola odorata - Sweet Violet

Tymus, spp. - Thyme

Chives in my rock garden

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A few photos of my violas



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For Wet Soil

Ampanula glomerata - Clustered Bellflower

Aruncus dioicus - Goat's Beard

Asclepias incarnata - Swamp Milkweed

Astilbe x arendsii - Astilbe

Boltonia asteroides - White Boltonia

Caltha palustris - Yellowflag

Cimicifuga racemosa - Black Snakeroot

Centaurea- cornflower

Dicentra spp. - Bleeding Heart

Houttuynia cordata 'Variegata' - Houttuynia

Iris ensata - Japanese Iris

Ligularia spp. - Ligularia

Lobelia cardinalis - Cardinal Flower

Lysimachia clethroides - Gooseneck Loosestrife

Lysimachia punctata - Yellow Loosestrife

Matteuccia pensylvanica - Ostrich fern

Miscanthus sinensis - Ornamental Grass

Monarda didyma - Bee Balm

Myosotis scorpioides - True Forget-me-not

Myosotis sylvestris-Chinese Forget-me-not

Onoclea sensibillis - Sensitive Fern

Osmunda cinnamomea - Cinnamon Fern

Osmunda regalis - Royal Fern

Physostegia virginiana - Obedient Plant

Rodgersia pinnata - Featherleaf Rodgersflower

Saxifraga pennslyvanica - Penn. or Swamp Saxifrage

Tradescantia x andersoniana - Virginia Spiderwort

Trollis europaeus - Globeflower


This is a photo of my Trollius Globe flower.This one is called the Fire Globe.




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Centuarea.

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This is a photo of my Bleeding heart and Lamium.



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(Ferns for Shady Areas)

Adiantum pedatum - maidenhair fern

Asplenium tririchomanes - maidenhair spleeenwort

Athyrium filix-femina - lady fern

Athyrium niponicum - Japanese painted fern

Athyrium thelyperoides - silvery glade-fern

Blechnum spicant - deer-foot fern

Cystopteris bulbifera - bulblet fern

Cystopteris fragilis - bladder fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula - hay-scented fern

Dryopteris filix-mas - male fern

Dryopteris goldiana - Goldie's wood fern

Dryopteris marginalis - marginal shield fern

Hymenophyllum tunbrigensis - Tunbridge's filmy fern

Matteuccia pensylvanica - ostrich fern

Onoclea sensibilis - sensitive fern

Osmunda cinnamomea - cinnamon fern

Osmunda claytoniana - interrupted fern

Osmunda regalis - royal fern

Polystichum acrostichoides - Christmas fern

Polystichum braunii - Braun's holly fern

Pteridium aquilinum - bracken fern

Thelypteris noveboracensis - New York fern

Trichomanes petersii - Peter's filmy fern


(Ground covers for shady areas)

Aegopodium- bishops weed

Ajuga repens - bugleweed

Anemone sylvestris - snowdrop anemone

Asarum spp. - wild ginger

Caltha palustris - marsh marigold, cowslip

Chickweed - snowdrops

Convallaria majalis - lily-of-the-valley

Cornus canadensis - bunchberry

Doronicum plantagineum - leopard's bane

Epimedidum spp. - bishop's hat

Galax urceolata - galax

Galium odoratum - sweet woodruff

Gaultheria procumbens - wintergreen

Goodyera repens - rattlesnake plantain

Hendera spp. - ivy

Hosta spp. - hosta, plantain lily

Lamiastrum galeobdolon - yellow archangel

Lamium - white nancy

Liriope spp. - dwarf lilyturf

Lycopodium spp. - club moss

Maianthemum canadense - false lily-of-the-valley

Mitchella repens - partridgeberry

Mitella diphylla - bishop's-cap

Myosotis sylvestris-Chinese Forget-me-not

Ophiopogon spp. - mondo grass

Pachysandra spp. - pachysandra, spurge

Phlox stolonifera - creeping phlox

Pulmonaria spp. - lungwort

Saxifraga spp. - strawberry begonia, saxifraga

Symphytum grandiflorum - comfrey

Tiarella cordifolia - foam flower

Vinca minor - vinca


My Lamium -white nancy

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Forget-me nots, violas and chickweed

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My Creeping Phlox also known as Moss Phlox.This one is called candy cane.





The white chinese forget-me-not.



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(Vines)

Akebias spp. - chocolate vine

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata - porcelain berry

Aristolochia durior - Dutchman's-pipe

Campsis radicans - trumpet vine

Clematis spp. - clematis

Hedera spp. - ivy

Hydrangea anomala petiolaris - climbing hydrangea

Lonicera x heckrottii - gold flame honeysuckle

Parthenocissus quinquefolia - Virginia creeper

Parthenocissus tricuspidata - Boston ivy

Polygonum aubertii - silver-lace vine

Schisandra chinensis - magnolia vine

Schizophragma hydrangeoides -

Wisteria sinensis - wistera



Hopefully if all works out for me I shall be back tomorrow..

Shrubs

This is a list of shrubs that may be helpful when choosing a selection for you yard/landscape. I am going to add photos that I took with each post.This is the crabapple.



Copywrite Tanya W




Shrubs for Shady Areas

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Aronia arbutifolia - chokeberry

Forsythia spp. - forsythia

Ilex aquifolium - English holly

Leucothoe fontanesiana - drooping leucothoe

Sarcococca hookerana digyna - sarcococca

Taxus spp. - yew

Tsuga canadensis - hemlock
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Shrubs for Part-Shade

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Abelia x grandiflora - glossy abelia

Abeliophyllum distichum - white forsythia

Calycanthus floridus - sweet shrub

Camellia japonica - camellia

Clethra alnifolia - sweet pepperbush

Cornus alba - red-twig dogwood

Corylopsis spp. - winter hazel

Daphne x burkwoodii - Burkwood's daphne

Enkianthus campanulatus - enkianthus

Fothergilla major - large fothergilla

Hamamelis spp. - witch hazel

Hibiscus syriacus - rose of Sharon

Hydrangea arborescens - tree hydrangea

Hydrangea aspera - rough-leaved hydrangea

Hydrangea quercifolia - oakleaf hydrangea

Kalmia latifolia - mountain laurel

Kerria japonica - kerria

Magnolia stellata - star magnolia

Pieris spp. - andromeda

Rhododendron spp. - azaleas, rhododendron

Spiraea x Bumalda - spirea

Spiraea x Vanhouttei - bridal wreath

Viburnum spp. - viburnum
...


That is about it for today....

Annuals

Today I am posting a list of annuals for different areas. This list should help in choosing annuals for the upcoming growing season.Most annuals need full sun for at least 4 to 6 hours a day to flower well.
As the flowers fade, remove them (dead-head) before seeds are formed to keep plants looking attractive and encourage continuing flowering. Heavy pruning can invigorate some species. For example, petunias, when they become to laggy, can be cut back in midsummer to within a few inches of the ground, fertilized and heavily watered, and they will be full and attractive again in just a few weeks.
Many annuals give off a scent, so you can add some wonderful fragrances to your garden, as well as their visual pleasure. To get the most enjoyment from fragrant plants, position them where your nose will find them: on a deck in containers; close to a window; and on the edges of your garden, patio, pathway or porch...






(Hardy annuals) — such as pansies, and ornamental kale are grown for color in cool and cold seasons. They are usually planted in the fall. Most decline or die with the onset of summer heat.

(Half-hardy annuals) —such as allysum and dianthus can tolerate light frost and are usually planted in early spring for spring and early summer color. They usually decline in summer heat but it is possible for them to bloom again in the fall.

(Tender annuals) — such as vinca, zinnia and impatiens — cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. They should be planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.

LIST OF ANNUALS

((Fragrant Annuals))

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Dianthus (Dianthus species)
Four o’clock (Mirabalis jalapa)
Heliotrope (Heliotropum arboresccens)
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana species)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Petunia (Petunia species)
Stocks (Matthiola incana)
Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
Wallflower (Erysimum species)
Sweet Sultan (Centaurea moschata


((Annuals for Hanging Baskets))


Black Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
Chilean Bellflower (Nolana paradoxa)
Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)
Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula)
Fuchsia (Fuchsia species)
Glory Flower (Eccremocarpus scaber)
Heliotrope (Heliotropium aborescens)
Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana and hybrids)
Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum)
Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis)
Licorice Plant (Helichrysum petiolatum)
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Meadow Foam (Limnanthes douglasii)
Morning Glory (Ipomoea species)
Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Petunia (Petunia X hybrida)
Petunias (Cascade and Wave series)
Starglory (Mina Lobata)
Trailing Lantana (Lantana montevidensis)
Verbena (Verbena X hyrbida)


((Annuals for Edging))

Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum)
Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Chilean Bellflower (Nolana paradoxa)
Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)
Dusty Miller (Senicio cineraria)
English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
False Blue Flax (Heliophila longifolia)
Flowering Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Marigold (Tagetes species)
Meadow Foam (Limnanthes douglasii)
Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Pimpernel (Anagallis monelli linifolia)
Toadflax (Linaria species)
Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)
Virginia Stock (Malcomia maritima)
Yellow Ageratum (Lonus annua)

((Annuals to attract Butterflies & Hummingbirds))

Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Cosmos (Cosmos species)
Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana species)
Four o’clock (Mirabalis jalapa)
Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella)
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
Heliotrope (Heliotropum arboresccens)
Lantana (Lantana species)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Phlox (Phlox drummondi)
Salvia (Salvia species)
Starflower (Pentas lanceolata)
Verbena (Verbena species)
Zinnia (Zinnia species)


((Annuals for Shade and Part Shade))

Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum)
Begonia (Begonia species)
Caladium (Caladium species)
Climbing Fumitory (Adlumina fungosa)
Coleus (Coleus hybrids)
Coleus (Solenostemon scutteleriodes)
Collinsia (Collinsia species)
Edging Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Fuchsia (Fuchsia species)
Impatiens (Impatiens species)
Job's Tears (Coix lacryma jobi)
Mignonette (Reseda odorata)
Monkey Flower (Mimulus hybridus)
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Persian Violet (Exacum affine)
Primrose (Primula species)
Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum)
Wishbone Flower (Torenia fournieri)
Woodland Tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris)
Woodruff (Asperula orientalis)


((Annuals for Sun or Shade))

Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum)
Coleus (Coleus hybrids)
Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina)
Horned Violet (Viola cornuta)
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens-cultorum)


((Annual Vines))

Balloon Vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum)
Black-eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
Canary Bird Vine (Tropaeolum perigrinum)
Cardinal Vine (Ipomoea x multifida)
Climbing Fumitory (Adlumina fungosa)
Cup and Saucer Vine (Cobaea scandens)
Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
Glory Flower (Eccremocarpus scaber)
Hyacinth Bean Vine (Dolchos lablab purpureus)
Love-in-a-Puff (Cardiospermum halicacabum)
Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor)
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Ornamental Gourd (Curcurbita pepo hybrids)
Purple Bell Vine (Rhodochiton atrosanguineum)
Scarlet Runner Bean (Phaseolus coccineus)
Spanish Flag (Mina lobata)
Starglory (Mina lobata)
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)


((Annual for Hot, Dry Locations))

African Daisy (Dimorphotheca)
Annual Phlox (Phlox drummondi)
Annual Vinca (Cataranthus roseus)
Baby's Breath (Gypsophila elegans)
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
Calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Cape Marigold (Dimorphotheca sinuata)
Cockscomb (Celosia cristata)
Cornflower (Centaurea species)
Cosmos (Cosmos species)
Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens)
Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
Gaillardia (Gaillardia pulchella)
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia hirta)
Gold Medallion (Melampoddium paludosum)
Livingstone Daisy (Dorotheanus belledformis)
Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
Poppies (Papaver species)
Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens)
Snow-on-the-Mountain (Euphorbia marginata)
Spider Flower (Cleome hasslerana)
Statice (Limonium sinuatum)
Summer Cypress (Kochia scoparia)
Verbena (Verbena species)
Zinnia (Zinnia species)


((Annual for Moist and Cool Locations))

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)
Blue Lace Flower (Trachymene coreulea)
Blue Woodruff (Asperula orientalis)
Bugloss (Anchusa capensis)
Caladium (Caladium species)
Canterbury Bells (Campanula medium)
Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica)
Globe Candytuft (Iberis umbellata)
Monkey Flower (Mimulus hybridus)
Pink (Dianthus species)
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Pouch Nemisa (Nemesia strumosa)
Summer Cypress (Kochia scoparia)
Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
Verbena (Verbena hybrids)
Wishbone Flower (Torenia fournieri)


((Hardy and Half-Hardy Annuals))

Allysum (Lobularia maritima)
Annual Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Annual Phlox (Phlox drummondi)
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Delphinium (Delphinium species)
Dianthus (Dianthus species)
English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Flowering Cabbage-Kale (Brassica oleracea)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea ‘Foxy’)
Johnny-jump-up (Viola tricolor)
Larkspur (Consolida ambigua)
Monkey Flower (Mimulus hybridus)
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana)
Poppy (Papaver species)
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus)
Stocks (Matthiola incana)
Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

The many words for a gardener.

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As you can tell I like to add my photography to my site as well.

Here are words a gardeners can ponder over, rather interesting there are so many and I am quite sure I can think of more but here is what I have come up with for now:

Aging Air Animals April Art August

Autumn Beauty Birds Blog Breathing Bugs

Cats Chaos Cheerfulness Children Clichés Chores

Clouds Cold Mountain Sages Community Complexity

Compost Conservation Cooking Crafts Creativity

Cuttings Curiosity Dawn Death December Definitions Design

Desire Dirt Divine Dogs Drinking Earth Ecology

Education Epigrams Essentials Exercise Evil

Facts Fall Family February

Fertilizer Fire Five Precepts Flowers Food Forests

Fountains Fragerant Friendship Fruit Gardening Jounal Gardeners

Gardens Generosity Grains Grapes Grass Growth Haiku

Han Shan Happiness Health Hedges

Herbs Heavenly History Home Humor Hunger

Insects Interdependence January Jokes Joyous

July June Kids Labor Lawns Leaves Learning

Leisure Life Light Links Love

March May Meditation Memories Months Moonlight

Morning Monthly Mysticism Night Old Age October

November Pantheism Peace Pests Play Ponds Practice

Propagation Pruning Qigong Quips

Quiet Rain Reading Rebirth Red Bluff CA Relaxation

Religion Rest Riddles Roots Rocks

Seasons Seeds Seeing Senryu September

Short Poems Shrubs Silence Simplicity

Sitting Smelling Soil Solitude Spirituality

Spring Springtime Sun Summer Summertime Sunshine

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Taoism Taste Tea Time Timeline Tips Tools

Touching Tranquility Trees Vegetables Vines Vision View Walking Walls

Water Wine Weather Weblog Weeding Wilderness Wind

Winter Wintertime Woods Work Yoga Zen

Spring flowers in bloom

Here are a few pics of some of my spring flowers up so far, however most of them are not in bloom right now. When you create gardens it is as I said, they are a work of art. I like to take photos of my gardens for this very fact, not to mention have nicely cut flowers when ever I want and not have to spend a fortune on them to have fresh flowers when I so choose.

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My first daffodil of the season in bloom, the name of it is the King Alfred.


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My muscari, hybred hyacinths, very pretty in the spring as you can tell they are blue.

Today I am covering the questions to ask yourself before planning and beginning a garden.These questions are very important because they will give you an idea as to what you are truly looking for and what your needs are.

1) Do you want a big garden or small garden?________________________

2) Do you want multiple gardens?__________________________________

3)Do you want to make your garden/gardens a major feature, or use it/them as a foreground for a wall, patio, walk or foundation?____________________________________________________

4) Do you want to showcase individual plants, or is the overview of the entire garden more important to you?______________________________

5)Do you want a big show of bloom for a specific season, of a smaller show that continues to bloom from spring through fall?_____________________

6)What time of the year would you most enjoy being in the garden/gardens?________________________________________________

7)Are there times of the growing season where you would most likely be away for a few weeks?___________________________________________

8)Do you want a high or low maintenace garden?_____________________

9)Do you have a favorite color scheme or do you prefer a mix of colors?________________________________________________________

10)Do you have any specific plants or flowers that you would like to see in your garden/gardens_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

11)Do you want lots of flowers to cut for fresh or dried arrangements or will you enjoy them mainly outside? _____________________________________________________________




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This is a list of questions to ask yourself before creating a garden or doing any kind of landscaping for that matter. This can be very helpful if you are looking to begin a new project. It took me quite some time to create this list, it is what I call my landscape needs checklist and that is just exactly what it is.




LANDSCAPE NEEDS CHECKLIST

Hide a foundation, or transform a dull or ugly foundation planting
Soften a wall or fence
Add color under a shade tree
Add interest along the front of a yard
Surround a terrace, patio or deck
Add color to a door yard
Soften the edges of a pool
Beautify a lamp post or mail box
Create a boundary
Hide a unattractive view or element like a utility pole or laundry line
Add splashes of color in the lawn
Fill a bare spot
Create a place to walk in the yard
Beautify a garage or outbuilding
Beautify A garage or outbuilding
Surround a bench, trellis , arbor or bower
Soften the outlines of a raised porch
Give a new home a more finished look
Create a period look for the home
Fill raised beds where vegetables once grew

That is a wrap for today....

My dog and I chilling in my jungle ,out of the sun. Example of enjoying your gardens....

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As important as it is to our health and well being as individuals to have flowers in our lives, the benefits of flowers and gardens to ourselves and others can reach greater distances then we might ever imagine.
You may never know how you have affected the people that walk by your garden each day. Maybe it will inspire a child who can look at the petal of a flower or provide happiness to the elderly people who can no longer do gardening themselves.
Since one of the most well known traits of a gardener is their prosperity for sharing, be it through seeds, divisions, advice opinions, information or experiences, you may very well start a chain reaction with your deeds.
Many people do not realize this , even though a lot of people do gardening as a leisure activity that the benefits from gardening are outstanding. Psychiatrists, doctors and physical therapists all agree that gardening is good for both mental stress and anxiety, that is not even mentioning the fact you are also getting good exercise in the process. You really only need to know the basics about gardening and you do not have to be an expert to be able to do it.
Not only is it good for your health and well being it is also a great way to express your artistic creativity because that is what I call a well put together garden, art. Why do you suppose so many artists/painters paint them, they are a thing of beauty a piece of art work themselves that you have created to your own liking, an expression of yourself. Any garner can and will be able to tell you the joy it can actually bring, however; I am not talking about weeding but that is most certainly not the plants fault.
Plants have survived millions of years with out us, so when you buy one follow the directions on the back but there is truly no need to go overboard. Find out what zone it grows best in, the kind of soil it likes, and where it prefers to be in the sun or shade. That is pretty much all you need to do other then plant it.
To get the most enjoyment out of gardening here are a few to tips to make it easier to be completely stress free so you can enjoy it not look at it like more work.
1) Pace yourself, spread out difficult projects overtime.
2) Say no to projects that do not fit into your time schedule.
3) Try to let your worries go by doing some gardening, gardeners typically become absorbed in their work, giving their mind a rest from the normal worries and cares of the day.
4) Vary your tasks, for example a full day of pruning or weeding will not only become tedious but it will also give you blisters and back aches.
5)Do something for the kid in you everyday, like pick some flowers blow a dandelion blossom etc.... we all have a kid inside of us just waiting to be let out for a while.
And last but not least
6) Place stools, garden chairs or benches at strategic points in your garden so you will have many opportunities to rest and enjoy what you have created.

Well that is about it for today...

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I most often choose perennials over any other group of plants because of their diversity, as in
colors, shapes, textures, sizes forms and bloom seasons. Perennials, more then any other group is in fact what most often converts the average yard into a wondrous thing of beauty, a garden.
Add a few Daylilies, Peonies, or Echinacea around a mailbox or lamp post, a cluster of ornamental grass or some English Lavender at the corner of your house, some Lamium or Rudbeckia under a tree or among the foundation planting of some shrubs and your yard begins to transform into a character of lushness and beauty.
Expend a little more effort into creating some beds and borders overflowing with the flowers and foliage of perennials and your on you way to having a yard or garden people fantasize about having.
I believe the biggest reasons gardeners have been drawn to them over the centuries is their ability to grow for years on end, theoretically saving labor, time and money.


I use annuals as fillers because I truly do love them, but as stated above they do not save labor, time and money for the mere fact, they have to be dead headed regularly to keep blooming throughout the summer. They also require a lot of watering but most times the effort is worth it if you have chosen the annual/annuals to suit your garden.
Annuals are very graceful plants and I have to love the fact that they do bloom all summer long always consistent color and bloom. There are thousands upon thousands of different types of annuals and most of them are truly beautiful.
If you like container gardening annuals are a must. Add some begonias, petunias and lobelia to a hanging basket or urn and set them by your entrance or in the front and you most certainly have a showstopper container. Also they are very useful when perennials have stopped blooming and you feel your garden is lacking the color and the beauty it had.


That's about it for today...

This is one of my garden's with perennials and annuals mixed, as mentioned, I like annuals for the purpose to act as the fillers for perennials that are not in bloom or have stopped blooming. It is always nice to have a contant show of bloom, thus; I use annuals to maintain that consistant show.

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Perennials:
A perennial is a plant in which grows back year after year and usually dies down to dormant roots each winter. Some perennials live only four to five summers while others can be enjoyed for decades, however; if maintained they can and should be divided every three years, thereby; increasing the chances of always having the plant.

Annuals:
An annual is a plant that completes its life cycle, from seed to bloom and back to seed again, all in a single growing season. A practical definition of annuals is that they are plants that have to be replaced every year in the garden. They are reliable in the flower garden in the sense they are continuously blooming from Spring through Fall, but again only reliable for one season unlike perennials.

Tomorrow I shall write the benefits of having perennials as well as annuals, however; my preference is perennials but I do like to use annuals as fillers.

That is it for today....

North America is divided into climate regions called hardiness zones. It is important to understand the basic principles of hardiness zones in order to select plants that will survive in your specific climate region.
There are 11 zones in North America with Zone 1 being the coldest, going up to Zone 11 the mildest.
There are 10 zones for Europe and they follow the same principles as the North Americian hardiness zone map.

Zone determination takes into consideration several factors and the are as follows:

1-2) Minimum and maximum temperatures
3) Amount of rainfall during the growing season
4) Depth of snow cover,
5) Length of frost free periods,
6) Length of growing season and wind conditions.
7) The length of the growing season and the lowest temperature of the coldest month are the most important factors in establishing hardiness zones.

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Living in zone 5, there are literallly thousands upon thousands of plants that will survive in my zone. When purchasing a plant always check the back of the tag and find out what the zone requirements are, for example if it says will survive in zones 4-8, yet you live in zone 2 or 10 it is not a good idea to purchase the plant especially if this plant is a perinnial. If you are considering annuals even many of them have zone requirements.
To be safe, always find out the zone requirements before you purchase a plant.

Tomorrow I will do a write up on the difference between perinnials and annuals.



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Another photo of my crocuses, corms only grow in certain zones, they require fairly cold conditions in order to bloom so regardless to say the winters have to be somewhat cold.

Thats a wrap for today.

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I realize this is a little off base, but I thought I would do something a little different where as it is Easter.
Above I posted one of my photos of the Easter lily. Rather pretty lily ,yet hard to grow out doors in my climate, therefore; I grow it indoors.

I happen to love this time of year. I think spring is my favorite season for the mere fact it is associated with rebirth, everything comes to life once again.
I will admit my birthday is also in April so it certainly adds to why I like the spring, however; living in a climate such as mine it seems to me everyone likes the spring.
We have fairly severe winters here and just when it seems as though you cannot take one more day it, the spring comes, brightening everything. The dreariness in which the winter had brought at last disappears. You cannot get much better then that....

Tomorrow I shall do a write up of the zones, but today I wanted to do a little something for easter.

How Easter came to be

For the Christian world, Easter is the commemoration of Jesus's resurrection, observed on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox, which can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. But for those who love food, it is also a holiday associated with chocolate, painted eggs and big family meals. Early on Easter morning children get up and search the house for eggs and other treats left by the Easter bunny. the eggs and the rabbit itself are ancient symbols of fertility and springtime rebirth.

That is about it for today, I hope everyone has a wonderful easter. Cheers.

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While taking a stroll around my yard yesterday I was delighted to see my Crocuses in bloom and doing so well.
I decided to take a few photos of them which turned out rather good, so I added them to the blog.

As mentioned yesterday about division, I had divided the corms last year as well as my Tulip bulbs and they are now full once again and looking their best, unlike the year before, for the mere fact the bulbs were too overcrowed and beginning to lag from insuffiecient amount of room for the roots to spread properly.

My spring garden is going to be beautiful this year. In fact a few of them in which I have are going to be lovely, but there is one inparticular I dote on because it is the first garden you see, right beside the entrance of my house.
The first garden your eyes focus on should always be the best. The show stopper so to speak, something that brings interest and curiousity to your visitors eyes as well as your own. That creates a balance all on its own and speaks volumes about the rest of your yard.

I shall list the plants I have in my showstopper garden and they are as follows:

Crocuses mixed colors, purple, orange, yellow, white and lavender
Hybred late blooming red Tulips,
Angelique, double pink peonie Tulips,also a late bloomers,
Normal red, yellow, and mixed red and yellow Tulips
Tiger tulip
Moss phlox, candy cane and dark pink
Foget me nots, blue
Primrose, sunshine susie
early blooming orcids, white and yellow
Hyacinths, blue
Violas, mixed colors, blue, purple, peach, yellow and white
King Alfred daffodils

Now in other gardens I have those same things, but also some space takers suchs as:

4 different colors of Peonies
Bleeding heart, D'eximia
The himalayan blue poppy, this is from the alpines of tibet
Convallaria majalis, lily of the valley
Saponaria, soapwort dark pink in color
Anemonies, coronia, mixed colors doubles
Rhodondendron
French lilacs
Miniature eastern redbud
Bearded Irises
Syberian irises
Stone crop sedum called sun
Chives

That about sums it up for my spring gardens.
I hope some of these plants I listed can be helpful in choosing plants if you are looking to create a spring garden, or the four season gardens as I have.
All of these plants look wonderful in the spring and even having a few of them in your garden will delight you.
Also tulips and daffodils are wonderful to have a cut flowers to not to mention leaves you with a sense of satisfaction that you yourself grew them.

That about wraps it up for today.

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Spring begins

The spring has arrived and everything is beginning to come to life either, budding, sprouting forth from the ground, or early spring flowers blooming.
It is now time to clean the gardens out from the winter damage and whatever else that may be keeping it from looking its best. It is also time to plant the new bulbs, corms and tubers you may have for the late spring and summer bloom.

Bulbs are plants such as Tulips, Daffodils and Hyacinths. They should be planted in the fall.
Corms are plants such as crocuses and gladiolis. They vary, crocuses in the fall, gladiolis very soon, after last frost because they are a summer blooming plant.
Tubers are plants such as Dahlias and some begonias. They should also be planted when there are no signs of frost. Even a small amount of frost can and will kill tubers.

Each plant varies in shape and size not to mention whether they have to be dug up each fall or left in the ground.The depth to be buried also varies.
Plants such as tulips, crocuses, daffodils, gladiolis and hyacinths can all be planted fairly deep so that you can plant summer blooming plants on top of them.
Again as mentioned above, spring blooming plants should be planted in the fall. Late spring and summer plants should be planted in the early spring providing it is in a frost free enviroment.

Bulbs and corms that are left in the ground normally are able to regenerate and create new bulbs from the mother plant/bulb, this is called naturalizing. After a few years they have to be dug up and divided because they usually become overcrowded and have a tendancy not to bloom as well, if at all. The advantage to division, however; is that you get a fairly good amount of bulbs from this mother bulb so that you will be able to plant them in other areas around your home and garden without having to take another cent out of your pocket book for more bulbs.

When the blooms begin to fade, before they go to seed, they should be cut off the stalk to ensure the bulbs conserve and stores enough energy in order to produce blooms for the following season. Let the leaves of the plants dry on there own and then cut them off when they are dried.

That about wraps it up for today. I shall be back with more tips very soon.