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Posts from the ‘Flower & Garden’ Category

Nov 15

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What’s Blooming November 15

Here is what’s blooming, looks like a bloom or simply has a little color in my garden this month.

Oct 24

2 Comments

Book Review: Let it Rot!

Book Cover

Book Cover

When packing for my (work) trip to Los Angeles I grabbed a couple books off our bookshelf to read during the week-long trip.  One book I grabbed was called ‘Let it Rot! The Gardener’s Guide to Composting’ by Stu Campbell.

I want to start by saying I really enjoyed reading this book.  Stu does a great job explaining how the ENTIRE compost process should work.  After reading the book, I feel I better understand what happens between the time I add the raw materials to my bin and put the compost in my garden.  I now know if I tend to my compost pile more often by turning it, aerating it and adding a natural activator, such as alfalfa  meal, I could have compost ready to add to our garden multiple times a season instead of once a season.

Here’s one of my favorite excerpts from the book:

“Maybe the time has come for us to start being less compulsive about worms, insects and bacteria and to become more conscious of  how these things benefit us rather than harm us. Things might be better if we just let them rot!”

Overflowing Compost Bin

Overflowing Compost Bin

I also realize I need a better compost bin. Much to my delight, Stu provides instructions on how to build compost bins to meet a variety of needs.  I even found one I plan to build in my back yard to replace the small plastic bin we’re not happy with – it’s too small and falls apart often.

If you’re curious about compost and want to know how to do it right, you should pick up Stu Campbell’s book ‘Let it Rot! The Gardener’s Guide to Composting.’  It’s a quick read that’s packed full of easy to understand and very useful information.

My only regret is that I didn’t read this book earlier.

Oct 15

19 Comments

What’s Blooming October 15

Here’s everything that’s blooming in my garden this October 15, 2009.  Don’t click to zoom — I didn’t realize the pictures were fuzzy until I got them on the computer & didn’t want to do over.

If I’ve named something incorrectly, I won’t be offended if you let me know.

Oct 13

1 Comment

Time for the House Plants to Shine

Our Begonia House Plant

The Most Beautiful Begonia

I hate to say it, but if I was responsible for our house plants, they’d all be dead. I may turn them occasionally when I think they’re growing into the sun too much or repot them. Other than that I do nothing.

Now that our outside garden is getting ready for Fall/Winter it’s time for our indoor garden to shine. Since this is where we’ll be hiding for the next six months, we’re happy to have the green and beauty in the house to keep us sane.

Not only do we have the pictured Begonia but we have many Aloe, African Violet, Christmas Cactus, Wandering Jew, Spider Plant, Cacti and a couple random nameless plants. I got most of these plants for free by taking a small cutting from another plant, including the Begonia — we took a cutting from one of my mom’s plants. This is a great and inexpensive way to start a house plant collection.

Some time before our next big freeze I need to dig up the Aeonium in the outside garden and find a spot in our tiny house. They’ll be a nice addition to our indoor winter garden.

Oct 10

11 Comments

Secret Garden Remodel

Front Yard Today

How the Front Yard Looks Today

After “discussing” it all morning, I think we finally agree how we’re going to improve the front yard. To start we’re going to turn the grass patch on the right into an oval — giving me a larger shade garden space under the magnolia (tulip tree).  Then, we’re going to remove the small hedge and cement pathway leading to the front door.  Instead of the rigid cement pathway I’d like to replace it with large circular stones that I haven’t found yet – but will.  I also plan to move around a lot of the plants in the garden on the left.

New Front Door

New Front Door Close Up

So the rest of the house matches the new front door, we’re going to add a little brown accent to the inside of our window frames. I hear on these older houses you should really have three colors: your main house color, trim and accent color.  We haven’t added our accent color yet .

Now, to figure out where I’m going to plant all those Japanese Holly I’ll be digging up along the front path…

I’ll keep you posted on our progress. We plan to remodel the back yard next to add a patio and more garden space.

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