Gardening in My Rubber Boots

Mar 16

What’s Blooming March 15, 2011

All I have to share are rattier versions of February’s blooms. It appears I have nothing new that blooms between February 15 and March 15. Something I’ll need to remedy for next year.

Click here if you want to check out February’s post.

Ciao!

Mar 13

92 Comments

Bare Walls & Fences Rejoice – ‘Garden Up!’ Has You Covered! (Giveaway)

Garden Up! (page 69): Hop vine skirting telephone pole

As some of you may or may not know, I am a small space gardener who’s obsessed with secret gardens and pretty much anything to do with vines, hedges and espalier.

That’s why I think everyone should pick up Rebecca Sweet and Susan Morrison’s new book Garden Up!: Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces. This book is right up my alley! It’s full of amazing pictures and how-to’s that’ll inspire (corrupt) anyone into adding more vertical interest to their garden.

You think I’m kidding? Since reading Garden Up! I’ve purchased two plum trees to espalier, one espalier 3-way cherry tree AND just yesterday I ordered a hop vine from Peaceful Valley.

Since we’re trying to be self sufficient, these new edibles will be a great addition to our potager while adding visual interest to our last few bare walls/fences. I mean, look at the beautiful hops picture I stole from the book! Makes you want one too, doesn’t it?

The book also covers vertical gardening like succulent walls and Woolly Pockets. Two things I hope to experiment with some day. Plus, it includes plant recommendations, artwork ideas and creative materials you can use to grow your garden upward.

If any of this resonates with you, you will want this book.

Plus, if you purchase Garden Up! online, Susan and Rebecca are offering a signed bookplate to the first 100 people (click here to see the hand illustration by Susan). Just send an email with your name and mailing address to: susan@morrison-sweet.com.

Garden Up! Cyber Book Party & Giveaways

Because this post is part of a cyber book launch, I have the pleasure of giving away a $25 gift certificate for Peaceful Valley (www.GrowOrganic.com). Peaceful Valley is an online organic nursery and garden store – I especially like their organic fertilizer selection. Just think, if you win, you can get a hop vine too!

To enter the contest, all you have to do is leave a comment below – winners will be chosen randomly. The contest runs for a full week, so check back on March 21 to see if you’re the winner!

Of course, it wouldn’t be a party with just one prize. That why you have six more chances of winning!! Below is a full list of participating blogs and the prizes they’re giving out. The top link takes you to the blog where you can enter to win – the bottom link takes you to the vendor site where you can purchase the prize if you don’t win!

Blue Planet Garden Blog
Prize: Nouveau Leaf Wrought Iron Trellis
Prize Vendor: H. Potter

Gossip in the Garden
Prize: Fiskars tool basket
Prize Vendor: Fiskars

Compost in My Shoe
Prize: $50 gift certificate
Prize Vendor: Annie’s Annuals and Perennials

Digging
Prize: Succulent Living Picture Kit
Prize Vendor: Succulent Gardens

J Peterson Garden Design
Prize: $75 gift certificate
Prize Vendor: High Country Gardens

Interleafings
Prize: Wally One
Prize Vendor: Woolly Pockets

Disclaimers: 1. I did not purchase the book but was given a copy for review. My garden is pictured in the book (pages 10, 33, 74). I feel blessed I was asked to review the book and participate in this cyber book party. I would’ve purchased the book anyway because it’s a subject I love. 2. I’m excited I get to give away the Peaceful Valley gift card. They’ve got a fantastic selection of organic fertilizers and plants, and they have a beautiful catalog. I really did purchase one of their hop vines.

Mar 10

4 Comments

Everyone chases happiness, not noticing that happiness is at their heels

– Bertolt Brecht

Mar 8

2 Comments

My New Favorite Spot

We’re in the process of building a greenhouse from antique windows and needed to make a little room. I must say I love the way this displaced raised bed looks with the pear trees, fence, honey suckle and bed frame arbor. I think it’s the brown and rust colors mixed with a hint of burgundy from the honeysuckle buds. I had to move my dahlias but I’m really happy about this change. Plus, I can’t wait until our greenhouse is done!

Displaced raised bed in its new spot!

Mar 4

8 Comments

My Northwest Flower & Garden Show Favorites

Every winter the Northwest Flower & Garden Show helps me brush off the cobwebs and get excited for spring. This year was even more exciting because I met up with many of my garden idols and online friends. I even got to listen to seminars by Jessi Bloom, Rebecca Sweet & Susan Morrison, Teresa O’Connor & Jayme Jenkins, Ivette Soler and Joe Lamp’l (check out their hyperlinked books).

I loved every minute of this show so I thought I’d share what I loved most (aside from the people).

Here’s some cool stuff I found:

Here are my favorite display gardens:

Christianson’s Nursery was most like my own garden (but better). I really enjoyed their A Day Well Spent garden because it was simple, elegant and classic. It also had veggies and easy to implement ideas like the short fence covered in vines pictured below. Most of my pictures of this garden were blurry.
www.christiansonsnursery.com

Christianson's Nursery

Short little fence covered in vines.

Also by the front entrance was Courtney Goetz’s garden: Paradise (to be) Regained. Not saying anything bad about Courtney, but I was SHOCKED when I learned the person who designed this garden was only 17! It was not only beautiful but also very thoughtful – it was full of great ideas, plant picks and had a recycling message. I bet (hope) this isn’t the last we hear from her.
www.thecreativegardener.com

Repurposed shipping container

Greenhouse on top of the shipping container!

Use for plastic water bottles

Radiator borders

Metal grates as stepping stones

Key chain rain chain

My favorite themed garden was by far the Run Little Pigs,RUN! garden by Susan Browne Landscape Design. I walked around this one a couple times (at least) and found something new and fun to look at each time. Plus, my dad did an amazing job reading me this story as a kid. I still remember.
www.fancyplantsgardens.com

Straw house planted with complementary reds

The twig house - my personal favorite.

The brick house with views of the other two.

The BIG BAD WOLF's house - situated right behind the straw house.

Here are a couple other photos I liked from the other display gardens.

Meadow lawn

Giant Urn

I got some of these cattails in burgundy!!

Stone bench and rock wall

Pink Flamingo Croquet

Wine cork stepping stones?

Here are my favorite container gardens:

Since I LOVE succulents and repurposed pots, it was no wonder I loved The Lusher Life Project container garden display.

So many succulents!

Bottle terrarium

Love the contrast with the red/orange box

And last but not least, the Eat, Pray, Love, Garden. My friends Christina Salwitz and Janit Calvo (Two Green Thumbs Miniature Garden Center) combined forces to create this beautiful garden.