Gardening in My Rubber Boots

May 9

Problem: No Rain Barrel Overflow

We installed our rain barrel a couple years ago but never added an overflow. I had grand dreams, at the time, that we’d eventually add a couple more barrels and collect all the water we needed for summer watering. Someday we’ll do this.

For now we’ll just stick to the one barrel and add an overflow hose towards the top to redirect the water into the drain. AND since we’ve waited so long to add the overflow, you’ll notice that our rain barrel is now slightly lower on the left side.

This is where the water overflows down the side of the barrel and onto the ground below.

This will be my project for next weekend. For now, I need to get to work on my chicken coop. I hate power tools, so wish me luck.

May 3

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My Trip to the Master Gardener Plant Sale

My treasures

This was my first year attending the Snohomish County Master Gardener Plant Sale in Mill Creek. It was well worth the trip. Not only did it have plant starts and a vast selection of tomato plants but it also had a couple specialized nurseries selling unique plants.

I found two real treasures today: Aeonium Arboreum (plant in front) and Heuchera Marmalade (orange/pink plant in back)! Loved both of theses the second I saw them.

For the garden I also picked up Aeonium Pinwheel; Aconitum; and 2 Hostas (both big leaf one blue one green variegated)

For the herbs I purchased Berggarten Sage; Salvia Microphylla ‘Hot Lips’; Golden Sage; Rosemary; Cilantro; Italian Parsley; Dill; French Thyme; 2 Sweet Basil; and Mammoth Sweet Basil. Since I don’t have room in the new herb raised bed, I guess I’ll have to dig up some pots – that should be pretty cute.

For the vegetable garden I picked up some peppers, including Blockbuster Bell; California Wonder Bell; 2 Jalapenos; and a mystery pepper with a poorly written name. I also got six tomatoes: Ildi (yellow cherry); Gardener’s Delight (cherry); Big Beef; Stupice; Big Rainbow; and Ensalada (Roma).

This was my last big plant buying trip of the year. I still need to cover up that pesky fence and get some bamboo to shade the chicken coop.

There were a couple nurseries there that had amazing plants, including White Picket Gardens from Stanwood and the Desert Northwest from Sequim. Desert Northwest is were I picked up the Aeonium. He also had a great selection of eucalyptus plants; and some day I will have a eucalyptus tree in my yard. He did mention that he can ship plants if needed so check them out.

May 2

7 – Euphorbia: My Top 10 Favorite Plants

Euphorbia is great because it’s evergreen and look amazing when flowering. The cut stalks make for a nice greenery in flower arrangements or can hold their own in a vase by themselves. They’re usually pretty tough plants but mine had a pretty rough winter this year (as you can tell from the pictures). All the heavy snow and freezing temperatures, sadly, killed my largest Euphorbia. I am happy to report that six baby plants were left in its place.

May 1

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Growing an Apple Arbor – A True Piece of Art

I visited a nursery in Duvall over four years ago called Box Hill Farm and spotted the most amazing apple arbor along one of their garden pathways. I loved it on the spot and was pleasantly surprised to find they had directions on how to create one.

By the way, this turned out to be a very successful day for me since I also got my red twig dogwood start for a $1 at the Jr. High plant sale in Carnation. It’s BEAUTIFUL now.

I kept the directions for at least a year (maybe two) until I moved into my charming little house. This is when I found the perfect spot in the front yard where it could frame the edge of the lawn perfectly. It’s difficult to capture the true beauty of the apple arbor in a photo – especially since I have it planted in front of a very large hedge. But to give you an idea, the picture (middle) shows how my apple arbor looked the second year.

I also love my apple arbor because it looks like an amazing piece of art in the winter and even in the fall. You can even see how much the arbor has filled out. The picture (right) was taken this past winter – the arbor is now three years old.

You can click on these directions to see a larger view and print.

They can’t possibly mind me passing the directions along four + years later. Here’s a link to their site if you want more information about their nursery. http://www.boxhillfarm.com/index.html

Apr 29

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Our New Raised Bed & Planted Dahlias

New Dahlia Bed

It all started this fall when I decided to dig up the Pampas Grass. Ever since then I knew it was the perfect spot for a new Dahlia bed!

On the first warm day this winter, I painfully dug up the large grass mass and pawned the chunks off on my friends.

Once the smaller new bed was built, I moved the herbs into their smaller home and got to work planting my new and old Dahlias in one location.

I dug up a handful of Dahlias from around the yard and planted into the new bed; leaving maybe six plants scattered around the yard that I couldn’t quite fit. Not bad.

I also planted a bunch of new tubers I purchased this winter, including: Walter Hardisty; Bride To Be; Bliss; Crazy Legs; Tropic Sun; Matchmaker; Touche; Star Child; Serkan; White Onesta; and Pink Accent.

I’m feeling pretty good about getting all my well loved tubers in the ground. Now, I only need to wait 2+ months and I’ll have an endless supply of fresh cut flowers.

Beyond new Dahlia bed are our veggie beds

Here is a full picture of all our raised beds in the back yard.
Notice, the smaller/lighter bed past the Dahlia bed – that’s the new bed – where I was supposed to plant my tubers until I moved the herbs.

Three of the beds are for our veggies, including along the back fence and behind the herb garden. We also have raspberries and blueberries planted along the driveway, a strawberry bed and various fruit trees scattered about.

So far, for veggies, we have peas, carrots, garlic, spinach, lettuce, and radishes sprouting.

We just planted corn, Cinderella pumpkins, and bush beans.

We still have pole beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and random herbs to plant in a couple more weeks.

So, this is where we’re at with the vegetable garden so far this year. I’ll continue to share progress along the way.