We've Come A Long Way

One thing about blogging about our happenings here is that you get to look back and see how far you've come. It seems like from a day to day basis that we are always in an uphill battle trying to undertake a huge project or fix something that's come up. I've been looking through some older pictures and here is what I found.

Fall 2008 

Spring 2011

Of course we are still working to finish out many of the areas, like in front of the shed, under the willow tree and also build an arbor for the wisteria to grow over. Its all time, money and materials. It does encourage me to see photos like this. The willow tree has really grown and our field of a backyard is feeling more cozy and useful. We are hoping to replace more of the lawn with raised beds as time goes.

What Shall I Name My Garden Beds?

I recently came across an article on bed names and it got me wandering why I haven't named my beds anything special. Instead of always using the location to describe what bed I'm talking about, how about I name them? I'm working out a list and I hope my nameless gardens will have an identity instead of calling them things such as "The bed at the end of the house by the kids bedrooms" or "The bed on the inside of the side gate" ---so lame. Here's news, according to a post at Dave's Garden I have tons of ways I can name each of them. Of the ones listed I think I do have a bed I need to call-   Murphy Bed - The bed where everything goes wrong  Truck Bed - A bed holding the outdoor grill surrounded with plants. Queen Bed - A bed used to attract bees I'm sure I could add a few more off of the list. They just make you happy thinking about them. Others names I have came across are --- The Red Bed -All things blooming are red The Front Yard Garden - Self-explanatory. Ploppers Garden - Where plants just seem to get "plopped" here or there without rhyme or reason. The Garden of Indecision - Wow, have I got a few of those. I'm still undecided on what to plant there. Animal Name Bed or Zoo Garden- All plants in it have an animal names like Tiger Lily, Bear's Breeches, Butterfly Bush and Monkey Grass Rock Garden -Plants are named after songs The Love Garden - Plants about love like Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate, Bleeding Hearts, Love Lies Bleeding, Forget Me-Nots, and Honesty The Secret Garden - Hidden in the back where no one would think to look Now I could get fancy and give them all posh names to mark us having good-breeding and a prized estate somehow. That would be fun AND funny all at the same time. We could start taking tea in the afternoons near some of the garden beds if it suits us. Do you have your garden beds named? -----I would love to hear them. Also, if you have ideas on some interesting garden names please post them. This will be such fun!! By the way, tomorrow we may or may not serve tea out by the Garden of Indecision. I need to decide and get back with you one it. *grin*

Cinder Block Garden

I recently received a comment about my cinder block garden that made me realize I need to elaborate the "why" I chose to use them. Truth is, I have many so I'll try to explain a few. 1) Years ago, I read "Herb Gardening in Texas" by Sol Melter There are several illustrations in this showing beneficial uses of cinder blocks and herbs. The compartments in the cinder blocks lend themselves as natural planters for herbs and plants that need some sort of containment. The blocks also have a level of flexibility in design, whether you want to bury them halfway to mark a border or stack them for a raised bed that is easier on your back. 2) Organic gardening is another factor I had to consider. Yes, there are natural wood alternatives that have a slower decomposition rate than others such as redwood and cedar. Pressure treated wood or railroad ties would not be something I would want to use for raised beds long term when growing food. Cinder blocks meet both the organic and non-rotting need I have here. It seemed an easy choice. 3) Flexibility in design. That sounds really strange when talking about concrete, but I often compare the blocks to my son's building blocks he played with for years. When I built my cinder block beds a few years ago I thought I knew what I wanted. After several seasons of gardening in them, I decided to change my design for more efficiency. Before After I needed to maximize garden space and make the walking paths smaller for weed control. I  am using the same amount of space as before, but have a much greater area for planting. I've liked the option of being able to change things around. That's just one of my quirks. Efficiency is important to me. 4) Good workspace design. I like the fact I can fill most of the block cells with either plants or something more solid such as pea gravel. As you can see in the "after" photo, I have mint planted there. Good ole' invasive mint. *smile* It looks great and saves me the trouble of it choking out the rest of my herbs. Along the sides of the beds I'm going to fill them with pea sized gravel. I am amazed how much that helps when I work in the beds. I can easily place my knee pad on top of the side and work the bed with little strain or pain. It will serve to keep weeds and spiders out of there too. Black widows just love those kind of spaces and I'm not willing to get that up close and personal with them! 5) My goal for building these beds always goes back to sustainability for me. I'm not getting any younger and these beds should hold up for me for years to come. I consider them an investment into the years I may have trouble with handling harder physical labor. They take little effort to maintain and I can make changes to suit my needs. I googled, "cinder block gardens" and was surprised to find some pretty impressive designs out there. I guess I've only scratched the surface for their uses. I need to get the ball rolling on that!

Earth Day Tribute - What Type of Gardener Are You?

Grapes are really abundant this year

Pink Verbena

Mullein

Spiderwort The more I garden and visit with other people and their gardens I have started asking this question. Its easy to be defined by a style, but in truth it goes deeper than that. I have found that gardening in many ways is an extension of a personality. Order, whimsy and purpose mark a garden in the same way we dress ourselves and decorate our homes. I think it is why our curiosity is sparked when an opportunity arises to walk around someone's yard or garden. They all tell a story. And we want to hear that story. Being involved with the Master Gardener program allows me the privilege of seeing more gardens than most. It's interesting to know that some gardens are more showy and "out-front" types that appeal to the eye.Those are the ones that make an immediate impression on visitors as one who knows everything about gardening and must be an expert. The truth is, the surface has only been scratched on the levels of gardening and know how. Even among our Master Gardeners if a question comes up about a certain plant or situation we often know immediately who needs to answer that question. That is why we have "Specialists" for certain things such as Vegetable Gardening, Composting, Etymology, Propagation etc. Its just hard to know everything. I often wonder when someone asks to see my yard what they expect. A botanical garden maybe? A show stopping view from the street? That always intimidates me when I think about it because in truth, I'm not that type of gardener. Mind you, I LOVE flowers and blooms of all types. I collect perennials and my inspiration is always an English Cottage Garden style. I fill in plants and collect them as gifts from friends and family. All of my plants have a story to tell. What is my type? I guess I'm really a backyard type of gardener with a cottage style flair. I plant things with a purpose. I like flowers and herbs so my bees and butterflies are welcomed in for a visit and nourishment. I plant vines and trees for shade. I grow food for animals and people. Its a broad spectrum of interests and I enjoy the challenge. It may not always be showy, but boy does it have a story to tell. One thing I can say is this, moving to the country has liberated my garden creativity process. I love the idea of hanging baskets overflowing with massive annual flowers and show stopping landscape design. I am inspired by them and often under my own breath say, "next year I will try this or that". But I often find myself back in the same places year after year building and dreaming in my own backyard. I like that... no pressure. Today I will be planting a few more herbs and filling soil in a three more raised beds where I grow food. I have several plants that have been given to me as gifts from friends that need a home in my yard. I will gladly place them with love and care as I think about my dear friends who gave them to me. New raised garden beds

Gardening and Microclimates

A microclimate is the climate of a small, specific place within an area as contrasted with the climate of the entire area, or the "macroclimate." The climate of the entire area is indicated by where a region lies in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone (simply "zone" for short). - ref. from about.com

Each year I become more and more aware of the many microclimates within my own yard. This time of year is is a good time to check your plants as they begin to bud out and how different each area of your yard progresses. By knowing a few basic things to look for, you will be able to choose better locations for your plants, shrubs and trees.

I always love a good demonstration on what that means, so when I found this I had to share it!




Cornell University has written a wonderful article on recognizing and dealing with microclimates and is worth your time to read.

Strolling through my yard, I can see the results of using some of these factors in where I place certain plants. I definitely take advantage of my southeast corner close to my home for planting certain things that are more prone to freezing temperatures. I will also make sure I keep my apple trees and other plants that require "chilling hours" out away from items that store heat. There are other things such as hills and valleys that also need to be treated differently. It has even been mentioned that having a privacy fence in your backyard creates a microclimate due to wind circulation and holding heat inside. Now I need to go out to do some more investigating!

What's Bloomin'?

Moderate temperatures have brought back the feeling of near springtime growth here. The strange weather we've had this year had postponed much of the blooming and then the onset of 100 degree days in the summer made them come to a near halt. Plants grow better when temps are below 90 degrees. In fact, that is part of the reason lawns slow their growth in the peak of summer, not just because of less rain.

I really had given up on getting a show of blooms on my Morning Glories this year. Within the past 3 weeks all I can say is, "Wow"! I have several places where they are planted here, by choice or not, that are doing wonderfully now. The Sulphur butterflies are sure enjoying the added nectar it brings.

Zinnias, zinnias and more zinnias are blooming here. I'd saved the seeds from last years plants and planted them around our place. They are such a joy to have. I love to see how many bees, butterflies and hummingbirds stop to visit my zinnias.

My Floribunda hybrid tea rose is doing remarkably well this year too. It's bloomed nearly the whole season. I'm pretty shocked actually. Last year we had so much rain the poor things suffered with black spot and powdery mildew to the point I thought it would never recover. It's doing much better.

The Mexican Bush Sage is new to our garden this year. I have had high hopes on its performance ever since I laid eyes on it in our Master Gardener's educational garden. It was so hardy that when it was dug up, they took a chain saw to it to divide the root ball. We each took home pieces of it. Mine has done quite well and I like the fact the grasshoppers have actually left this alone. The beautiful purple flowers feel like velvet to touch. What fun!

Help, I'm being overtaken!

Scary looking vines? The light green vines on the ground of the picture on the bottom are sweet potato vines. One little plant has taken over that side of my yard. I liked the look of this vine when I saw it at the Dallas Arboretum last year. I had no idea that it would grow so much AND it's only July! There's no telling what it'll be like by September.

In with the sweet potato vine I have morning glories, calla lillies, sedum and even rosemary that I started this spring. Hard to believe with the sea of green.

Lantana, lantana, lantana... I LOVE this plant. It doesn't complain a bit that it's 100+ degrees and really dry. It just keeps on bloomin' and spreadin' just fine. The only thing it complains about is wet feet, but then I do too at times. :) A must for those who cringe over all of the watering you have to do in July here.