The most perfect day every

It is absolutely beautiful outside.

After the spaghetti feed at church Eric and I did just a little yard work.

Eric cleaned underneath the lawn mower. The muffler, spark plug, and the mulching blade off the lawn mower. He will get new parts tomorrow and have the mulching blade and the standard blades sharpen.

I pruned the grapes, the Paw Paw trees, one apple tree, and a pear tree.

Then I put up one hoop house and the frame work for another hoop house. Ran out of plastic so I couldn't finish the second one.

Before going to church Eric spread 40 lbs of weed and feed on the lawn.

We are calling it a day we are tired and need to chill the rest of the afternoon.

It's days like this that I'm grateful to live in Oregon.

Pruning trees, grapes

What a mess

This is an apple tree that needs help

I need the ladder for this job

a pruning saw, hand clippers and the pole pruner

We have a lot of pruning to do

grapes

3 filberts

1 plums

3 cherries

1 apples

2 pears

3 blueberries

1 raspberries

1 marionberries

1 boysenberries

and other random trees birches and maples

It takes time because we have so many and I can only hold my arms up in the air for so long before they tire out.

So I do a little here and a little there

We will see how far I get today

It may be the grapes and berries today

or the apple and pears

Foxglove

foxglove white

perennial

digitalis purpurea alba

these easy to grow old fashioned plants bear stately and striking white flower spikes atop leafy steams. An outstanding plant for mixed flower borders, cottage garden, woodland plantings, and floral arrangements.

height 4 to 5'

hardy zones 4 to 8

spacing 24"

bloom time summer

germination 7 to 10 days

Where and when to plant

select a sunny to light shade location with moist, rich, well drained soil. Sow outdoors in spring (after all danger of frost has passed)or in fall. For earlier blossoms, sow seeds indoors at 65 to 75 degrees. 8 to 10 weeks before planting outside. Leave seeds uncovered after sowing as light aids germination. Plant outside after spring frost or 2 to3 weeks before first frost.

Care

water plats deeply and often. Remove spikes after flowering to encourage new blooms. Apply a light winter mulch in cold winter zones. (note plant leaves are poisonous)

garden design tips

combine with lupine and bell flower

store seed in a cool dry place.

globe thistle

perennial

echinops ritro

This is the best of the globe thistle. Each brunched stem produces 4 to 10 spiny, steel blue flower spheres in mid to late summer. The gray green, thistle like foliage is attractive all season long. Unique plants for a striking effect in borders. Blooms attract butterflies and are excellent cut or dried

height 2 to 4 '

hardy zones 3 to 8

spacing 24 to 36"

Bloom time summer

germination 14 to 21 days

Where and when to plant

select a location with well drained soil. Sow outdoors in spring after all danger of frost has past or for earlier blooms, start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before planting outdoors. Sow seed on soil surface and leave uncovered.

Care

for best cut flower harvest when the top flowers open. for best dried flowers, harvest when 1/3rd of the flower is open. Hang in a warm dried place

Garden dressing tip combine with poppy and baby's breath and fountain grass

Spearmint

perennial herb

mentha spicata

dense spikes of mauve flowers appear in mid to late summer on this commonly grown mint plant. Plants grow rapidly; the leaves have a variety of culinary uses.

Height 12 -14"

hardy zone 4-10

spacing 18 to 24"

bloom time summer

germination 21 to 28 days

Where and when to plant

select a sunny to partial shade location with well drained moist soil. Sow seeds outdoors or start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before planting outdoors. Cover sown seed lightly with planting media. Place sown seed flats in a warm 70 to 75 degree location.

Care

keep soil moist. Mulch lightly to protect from severe winters. For best flavor, harvest Young leaves in spring. Leaves ma be use fresh cut or dried.

Uses

the scented leaves are added to hot and cold beverages, jellies, sauces, and salads, they are also used with vegetables and cooking meats.

store seeds in a cool, dry place.

Pleurisy root

herb

for respiratory infections

asclepias tuberosa

Medicinal uses

pleurisy root is used for respiratory infections to reduce inflammation aid expectoration. This herb was highlyed valued by the plain Indians for lung aliments. Today, a tea made from the root is used for bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, dry cough, and especially for pleurlsy. The milky juice from the pant is applied topically to warts to help soften and heal them.

Parts Used

Root, juice

typical preparations

Tea

steep 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled root in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain and out the root and drink 1 cup of the remaining liquid up to 3 times a daily.

for warts

apply the plant's milky sap to warts several times daily

In the garden

this ornamental perennial, also know as Butterfly weed for it's attractiveness to butterflies, produces brilliant orange to red flower in summer which are flowered by slender seeds pods. The lance shape leaves have a fuzzy texture. Ideal for brightening up cottage and meadow gardens and borders. Hardy from zones 4 to 9

Other uses

flowering stems are beautiful additions in floral arrangements

germination 7-21 days

sow depth 1/4"

plant spacing 18

height 18-30"

type perennial

Sow

outdoors in spring in a sunny location with well drained soil after all danger of frost is past. Cover seed very lightly with 1/4 " of fine soil and keep moist. For an earlier harvest, start seed indoors in peat pots 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Moisten soil and place pots in refrigerator to speed germination.

Hints

when plats reach 2 years old, harvest roots in early spring before plant foliage develops, or in fall after foliage dies down. Clean and dry roots thoroughly.

Sweet Annie

Artemisia annua

Annual 4' to 6' tall

Full sun

Heirloom old fashioned, highly aromatic and popular for wreaths, potpourris and floral filler. Fast growing and easy for herbal crafts.

family Asteraceae

Native Europe, Asia

Hardiness annual

Plant Dimensions 4' 6" tall 24 to 36 " wide

Description finely cut. Feathery green foliage (not silver like other artemisians) highly aromatic

bloom season and duration

small chartreuse flowers in late summer to earl fall.

Exposure full sun

soil requirements

Prefers well drained poor soil Neutral to slightly alkaline soil

water requirements

drought tolerant when established. do not over water.

Special care

none. Sometimes munched on by aphids who do little harm. Harvest before flowering to prevent reseeding. Tolerates cool weather and light frosts.

when to plant Outside

spring after last Chance of frost. May also try sowing in fall

Inside

six weeks before last chance of frost

special germination instructions requires light to germinate press lightly into soil. Milled sphagnum moss is a good choice for starting indoors. Keep moist transplant to 2" pots after the first set of true leaves appear.

special uses

makes attractive fragrant wreaths (cut stems of equal length and wire to a grapevine base) or swags; highly aromatic addition to potpourri or sachet bag; filter of substitute for baby's breath in floral arrangements. Often seen dyed in a range of colors as a dried floral foliage may wilt soon after cutting. Put in a vase of water in cool spot to perk it back up. Sometimes grown as a hedge as a deterrent to deer. Traditional herbal remedy in Chinese medicine

other comments other names sweet wormwood, Chinese fragrant fern, qing ho attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. Artemisias were sacred to Artemis the Greek goddess of hunting and are frequently used in moon gardens . Pollen may be troublesome for those with allergies. Harvest before flowers set and or try spraying with hairspray before handling wear gloves to avoid any skin irritations

how to air dry flowers

many dried flower varieties lend themselves to being dried . Don't tray to dry flower that aren't specifically mentioned as good dried flowers. Find a location that is dark,cool, and well ventilated. Air movement is critical. A dehumidifier is recommended in humid climates. Pick Flowers during the heat of the day and during non rainy period. Larkspur should be cut when spike is half open, half in bud. Strip foliage from stems. This isn't necessary, but it will help the plant dry faster. The 5 -10 stems in a bundle with rubber hands and hang them upside down. Try to keep the flowers from toughing each other The rubber bands will tighten as the stems dry out and the flowers heads will put the stems straight. Grasses should be dried in an upright position.

Starting seeds indoors

several critical factors to remember when starting seeds indoors

light

a window or normal household light is not adequate light for starting seedling indoors. fluorescent tube work the best. Use at least a double tube set up one tube being a cool what and one tube being a warm white. Tubes should no more than 3" away fro the seedlings. Seedling should receive 16 hours of light ( a dark period is important

moisture

seedling must be kept moist (not soggy) at Ali times

temperature

for most varieties, normal household temperature 70 to 80 degrees drop in temperature at night is also preferable

soil

your local independent garden center will carry special sterilised for seed starting

Hardening off

when you're plans are ready to go outside start slowly put the outside for a few hours everyday ; slowly increase he time outdoors daily in a week or 10 days , they will be ready for outdoors.

Frost

your last day of frost

the last day of frost 32 degrees or less is defined as the first day in spring on which there is less than 50% chance a Frost will occur. This information to crucial when plant a garden. To find out your last day of Frost, call your local independent garden center or your county cooperative agricultural extension service. Also inquire about eh average date of the first fall frost.

Calendula

herb

for sores and skin problems

calendula officinalis

Medicinal uses

Calendula flower petals are used to make ointments, salves and compresses that are used externally for skin problems such as sores, slow to heal wounds, minor burns, dry skin, rashes, and fungal infections. Calendula has antiviral, anti inflammatory and soothing properties and has been shown to help the growth of new, healthy cells at wound sites.

Parts Used

Flower petals

typical preparations

Ointment

heat 2 oz. dried calendula petals and 16ox petroleum jelly in double boiler over low heat for 2 hours. Cool slightly and strain to remove herbs. Discard herbs and refrigerate ointment in sterilized container.

Compress

Steep 1 teaspoons fresh petals in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain. Soak a clean cloth in the tea and apply as a compress for minor cuts and scrapes or use as a wash for inflamed skin.

In garden

This special stain of calendula produces an abundance of large, bright orange flowers, with a high content of medicinal oil. The attractive annual plants bloom from summer to fall. The green, spoon shaped leaves are aromatic. Attractive in beds, boarders, and containers.

Culinary use:

The fresh, edible flower petals are added to salads, soups and sandwiches. Dried petals are use year round to season soups and rice.

Other uses

flower produce a bright orange dye. Flower add color to floral or herbal arrangements. Dried flower are used in potpourri

Germinates 7012 days

sow depth 1/4"

plant spacing 8"

Height 24"

Type annual

Sow outdoors

in early spring in a sunny to partial shade location with well drained soil after all danger of frost is past. Cover seed with 1/4 " of fine soil and firm light. For an earlier harvest, start seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last frost date.

Hints

Harvest Flowers when newly opened. Dry as whole flowers or as individual petals. Store dried flower in moisture proof containers.

Pepper

Pepper california wonder

Description

75 days Introduced in 1928

Tremendous yield of large, thick fleshed, emerald green fruit.

very mild and sweet stuffing pepper. Vigorous upright pants provide good cover for the developing peppers

Planting directions

sow seed indoors 8 weeks before last frost. pant seed 1/4" deep in sterile seed mix and maintain soil temperature of 80 - 85 degrees

Germinates in 6 to 10 days. Transplant when first set of true leaves appear. Fertilize regularly and provide at least 12 hours of light per day. transplant into garden when soil temperatures are 75 to 80 degree in soil enriched with rich compost or a general purpose fertilizer. Space plant 12 " apart and water moderately and evenly until peppers from. Reduce water as peppers mature. Peppers need warmth to grow so do not rush transplanting into the garden

Melon cool green

Honeydew melon tuna

verde fresco

Sweet, firm, light green flesh fills smooth, slightly oval fruits. Tolerant of powdery mildew and fusarium wilt. harvest in 80 days.

Sow in full sun after danger of frost, spring to early summer. In rows 18-30" apart, sow seeds about 3" apart and cover with 1" of fine soil. Firm lightly and keep evenly moist. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.

Full sun 1" deep

3" tall thin

80 days to harvest

Green JB Watermelon (Hybrid)

Characteristics:

An early maturing hybrid variet. Resistant to disease and tolerate wet conditions. Plant is relatively compact. Produces good quality watermelon that weighs 7-9 lbs. Mellon has thin shell and high sugar conten. Ideal for the home garden.

Planting

Select a sunny, well drained site for panting. Sow 1" deep outdoors 2 -3 weeks after last spring frost. Or start indoors and transpalnt outdoors when temperture has warmed up significantly. harden pants off before transpanting and take precautions not damage the roots.

harvesting

harvest 30 days after flowering, or 85 days 90 days after panting. Pick when watermelon develops clear marking and the small vine tip just above the melon turns brown. Avoid excessive watering near the time of harvesting will produce sweeter watermelon.

Tips

Crack the tips of the watermelon seeds before sowing. This will speed up germination. When direct sow in spring, cover the sowing site with a 6 mil. clear plastic sheet. This will warm up the soil and facilitate germination. Remove the plastic sheet when seedlings well established.

Serving

Wash the melon, slice into desired size. enjoy! watermelon may be kept up to 30 days after harvesting

Anise

herb

for coughs

Pimpinella anisum

medicinal uses

anise seed tea is used as a soothing expectorant for getting rid of phlegm and as a suppressant for coughs, particularly in cases of colds, bronchitis and dry coughs. The flavorful tea is also used to ease indigestion and gas. In addition, anise tea is believed to enhance the body's ability to absorb iron and is used in cases of anemia caused by iron deficiency.

Parts used:

Seeds

Typical preparations

Note: preparations are intened for seed that is harvesd fromgarden grown pants

Tea: gently crush 1 ot 2 teaspoon anise seed just prior to use. Add 1 cup boiling water; cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. strain out the seeds and drink 1 cup of liquid up to 2 times daily.

To treat gas: drink one cup of tea slowly before or after meals.

In the garden

Delicate white flower cluster top the feathery, fragrant leaves of this delicat, annual her. Plant in rows or clusters for bes effect.

Culinary Use

The leaves and seeds have a licorice aroma and flavor. The leaves are used in salads. The seeds are used to flavor cakes, cookies, breads, liqueurs as well as to season fih, poultry, soups and sauces.

Other uses

Add the aromatic seeds to sachets and potpourris. The leaves and flowers are added to water, vinegar, alcohol and ammonia to make cleaning solutions.

Germinates 7-14 days

Sow depth 1/2 "

Plant spacing 6"

Height 18" height 18" Type Annual

Sow

Outdoors in a sunny location with well drained, light soil after all danger of frost is past. For an earlier harvest, start seeds indoors in peat pots 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant young seedlings to the garden after all danger of frost is past.

Hints. Harvest seeds head sin late summer when seeds turn from green to grayish brown. Cut stalks and hang upside down in paper bags to catch the seeds as they dry. Store in tightly sealed containers.

Onion evergreen bunching

Grown exclusively for green, bunching onions. The crispness and mild flavor of this variety make it delicious as an appetizer of relish. Super in salads. This packet will pant approximately a 16 foot row.

Days to germination 10-12

Days to harvest 60

planting depth 1/4" to 12"

spacing row/plant 12" to 2 "

Preserve by fresh use only

Start indoors

in a sunny location 6 weeks before ground can be worked. Or, sow directly in garden in full sun and well drained soil, placing 2 -3 seeds per inch.

thin to 2 " apart when plants are 3 " tall. When onions are pencil thick, begin pulling for table use.

Suggestions

Use thinning and green stems in your favorite recipes to replace chives.

Leeks American Flag

This sweet member of the onion family has large white stems, often 8 to 10 inches long and 2 " across, which are tender and have an excellent flavor. Ideal fresh or cooked in soup.

Days to germination 10 - 15

days to harvest 150

planting depth 1/2 "

spacing row/plant 15"/4"

preserve by fresh use only

start seed indoors

in a sunny location 8 weeks before last frost. (Plants about 6 " tall will transplant best) Or sow directly in garden every 2 " and cover with soil.

Thin

to 4" apart when 4" tall . Note: as they mature, they should be earthed up and blanched like celery.

Suggestions

Leeks need a long growing season to reach full size. Can be left in the ground until hard freeze or pulled when mature and stored in a cool area.

Nantes Carrots

Daucus carota var. sativus

Sowing indoors not recommend.

Sowing Outdoors direct sow from march through mid July. Carrots may be slow and erratic to germinate and the soil needs to be kept moist.

Growing tips. Till or spade the bed deeply (12 016") to allow roots to elongate and develop to their full size. Wait until the soil is dry enough to form a cloudless growing medium when tilled.

Fertilization tips carrots require very little nitrogen so fertilize cautiously. Work in plenty of organic matter, preferable in the fall.

insect prevention tips carrot fly maggots can be controlled by covering the row with insect barrier fabric at the time of planting.

seed specs. Min germ. Standard 75% usual seed life: 3 years

Some varieties are suitable for winter gardening.

Seed Depth 1/4" -1/2 "

Soil temp. for germ. 60-70 degrees

Days to germination 6-21

light requirements full sun

thin plants 1 1/2 "

Butterfly flower

perennial

Asclepias tuberosa

masses of brilliant, orange red flowers adorn mounded, shrub like clumps of foliage in Summer flowers are followed by pointed seedpods. Lance shaped leaves have a fuzzy texture. Perfect for brighten up borders and cottage garden. A butterfly magnet and great cut flower too.

Height 18 to 30"

hardy zones 4-9

spacing 18 - 24'

bloom time summer

germination 21 -28 days

Where and when to plant

Select a sunny location with well drained, average soil. Plants also thrive in sandy soils and tolerate seaside conditions. Sow seeds outdoors in spring after all danger of frost is past or for earlier blooms, start indoors in peat pots 6-8 weeks before planting outdoors. Chill moist seeds at 34 -40 degrees for four weeks before sowing. Cover sown seeds lightly with planting media.

Care: remove faded flowers. Mulch lightly to protect from sever winters. Transplanting not recommend.

Garden Design tip:

combine with lavender, goldenrod

Store seeds in a cool dry place.

Hollyhock yellow

Alcea rosea chater's double yellow

Perennial

This long time favorite produces 3 to 5 " double yellow blossoms on tall stems of maple shaped leaves. Flowers bloom Summer to early fall. Excellent planted in front of walls, fences, and buildings, and as background plant for shorter plant boarders. Blooms attract all season long.

height 6 - 8

Hardy 3 - 8

Spacing 24"

Bloom time summer to early fall

Germination 7-14 days

Where and when to plant

Select a sunny location with moist, rich, well drained soil. Sow outdoors in Spring after all danger of frost is past. For earlier blossoms, sow indoors 6 to 8 weeks before planting outdoors. Cover seeds very lightly with planting media as some light is necessary for germinating. For best results use plantation seed starting mix and trays.

Care.

Keep soil mist. Fertilize regularly during growing season. Cut stalks to their base after blooming to encourage new blooms. Apply mulch before winter. Plants are tall and my require stalking.

Garden design tip:

combine with Shasta daisy, foxglove, and baby's breath

store seeds in a cool dry place.

Shasta Daisy

Silver Princess Dwarf

perennial

Chrysanthemum superbum (nanum)

Brilliant white daisy flowers bloom on compact, dwarf plants that grow only 12 " tall. Silver princess begins to flower quickly, producing an aboundance of cheerful blooms all summer long. Excellent planted in borders, meadow and cottage gardens.

Height 12"

Hardy Zones 4-10

Spacing 10 -12

bloom time early summer to fall

germination 10 to 14 days

Where and when to plant

Sow seeds outdoors in Spring (after all danger of frost is past) or Fall in a sunny to lightly shaded location with rich, well drained soil. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost. Leave seeds uncovered after sowing (light germination) and keep soil moist. for best results when starting seeds indoors use Plantation seed starting mix and trays.

Care

Water regularly and feed throughout the growing season for best blooms. Remove faded blooms to prolong flowering. Apply mulch before winter in areas with severe weather. Divide plant clumps every 2 to 3 years.

Garden design tip

Combine with poppy painted daisy

and miniature hollyhock

Thyme creeping

Thymus serphyllum (P)

Herbs

Germinates at temperatures between 60 -75 degrees

Sowing indoors start seeds 6 - 8 weeks before your last frost.

Transplant out after danger of last frost has passed.

Sow Outdoors Direct sow herb seeds when soil temperature reaches at least 55 degrees.

French Baby Leeks Primor

Bread in France for premium fresh markets, we import Primor for extra early yields of top quality , no bulbing leeks with tender sweet, snowy flesh. This vigorous first quality hybrid germinates quickly and sizes up fast for ample summer harvests. You'll have lots of leeks to pull as 1/2 inch thick babies and grill to Sweet succulence, or grow to maturity as long thick bulbless shanks full of juicy savor. A marvelous French specialty.

Plant in Feb. - April; July-Aug.

Sun/Shade Full Sun

Planting depth 1/2 "

Space seeds 1 "

Days to germinate 14- 21 days

Days to harvest approx. 110

Best to start indoors

Sow seeds 1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix, cover 1/2 inch deep, and firm soil over seeds. Keep moist and provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant out. Seeds germinate sporadically over 2 to 3 weeks and grow slowly at first. Once seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall, transplant 4 to 6 inches apart into well worked, fertile soil in full sun. To get long shanked leeks, plant seedlings down deep into the soil, so tips stick up 2 inches above ground level.

To start outdoors

Sow seeds in well worked, fertile soil in full sun. Space seeds 1 " apart, or broadcast thinly for bed planting. Cover 1/2 " deep and firm soil well over seeds; keep soil moist to ensure good germination. Thin as above.

Growing notes

Plant leeks in early spring and again in mid summer for fall and winter use. Long growing leeks need a rich fertile soil, so add lots of compost or aged manure before planting, and fertilize several times over the growing season. Weed leeks carefully when young, and mulch to conserve soil moisture.

Harvest and Use

Harvest as slim babies to steam whole or quickly grill. Let some leeks mature to full size and dig as needed with a garden fork. Mature leeks store well in the ground during the winter months. Use in cooking like sweet onion, or as a tasty vegetable side dish.

Planting more seeds

Planting more seeds in flats

Hollyhock

Butterfly flower

Pleurisy root

Nantes carrots

Anise

California wonder pepper

evergreen bunching onion

American flag leek

Calendula

cool green melon

Green JB Watermelon Hybrid

shasta Daisy

Thyme Creeping

French Baby Leeks primor

I used 4 bags of soil today

Saturday gardening

Thyme container up close

Columbine is coming up

So is the bleeding heart

The cat grass is really going to town

So are the strawberry starts

One side of the green house is seeded and watered

I put up another hoop house and planted a lot of peas in pots instead of direct sowing our birds eat them all.

So once they are up I'll transplant.

I put the onion pot on a stake

And also the rhubarb pot on a stake

This was my morning project creating a welcoming entrance arrangement

I planted the thyme plants in a wire pot with sphagnum moss I used bubble wrap to line the basket and filled it with soil mixed with soil moist.

Before planting the peas I covered them with an inoculate, I still have more peas to plant

These window boxes are done and filled with soil mixed with soil moist

The window box by the hot tub needs sphagnum moss I ran out

Garden Tips

Great Garden tips

from a garden DVD I watched today from Netflix's called Garden tips

line a terra cotta container with a plastic grocery bag poke holes in the bottom of the bag for drainage fill with soil and you won’t have to water as often

Lemon verbena is good for nausea

Toothpicks all over a container soil surface will keep cats out

Marigolds next to tomatoes will distract bugs

save you vacuum cleaner dust and put a handful around your tomato plants work into the soil. Do this once a week, your tomatoes will have thinner skins and smell sweet.

save those eggshells crush and put around plants to prevent slugs

sharp sand and sharp gravel will also prevent slugs

1 tablespoon of epson salt to 1 pint of water to water dull looking plants once every 2 weeks till plants look good again

Salt water is good for cabbage type vegetables to water with for the first few weeks to discourage pests.

beer on a cotton ball to wash the dust of household plants so they can breath again

use a green tomato to clean your hands

scrap you fingernails along a bar of soap before working in the garden to keep those nails clean

bleach in water let sit for an hour then put cut flowers in to preserve them

also lemon aid or lemon soda works to make sure it’s flat so all the bubbles are out

old video tape on a string to distract birds or old cd’s will do the trick

plastic ice cream bucket to grow carrots

plant yellow flower by beans so they will pollinate

table salt on dandelions to kill them

Put cut roses in boiling water for 15 seconds and they will last longer in the vase

put grass seed in refrigerator then plant in summer grass needs a change of weather to activate the seed.

pair of panty hose over your boots to keep critters and bugs out

spray plant food on wall for climbers to crawl on and access

shower caps over seed starts

egg carton upside down under shed will attract good bugs

bamboo canes hollowed out and tied in a bundle will also attract good bugs

and yellow flat type flower will also attract beneficial insects

cut out bottom of a pot and plant your tomatoes in the pot in your garden you tomatoes will do better

mussel spray on a tea bag put where you don’t want cats to go they hate the smell

borax and sugar mixed will kill ants

damp tissue some compost sand and water in a plastic bag for cuttings hand on a clothes line if you use root tone dip and tap off it doesn’t need much

clear nail polish on a plant tag will protect the writing

banana skins chopped up one around each rose

1 Tablespoon of baking soda 1/4 pint milk mixed spray on roses and you won’t have black spot

deodorant roll on container pop out ball fill with weed killer and roll on individual weeds

shredded wheat to attract martin birds

cut tomato shoots and start a new plant

fill container all over the yard to collect water plants like lukewarm water

hang a banana near a tomato plant to ripen fruit

bubble wrap in a green house will keep it warm

wrap bubble wrap around terra cotta pots to keep them warm

oasis to start cuttings

oil and sand to clean tools

cut what cucumber you need cover with plastic wrap and a rubber band to keep on vine

baby nipples or camera canisters on a bamboo pole so you don’t poke your eye out

mist your yellow Rebeccea’s next to your beans at night

hole in jam jar to hold twine and it wont get tangled

Check out this old video of victory gardens

http://www.archive.org/details/victory_garden

The largest flower show

I was watching Good Morning America this morning they were showing pictures of the largest flower show in the world that has been going on since the 1800

The Philadelphia flower show.

Wouldn't that will be fun to go to sometime?

Getting ready to plant peas

A few years ago I planted what I thought was nasturtium seed.

I didn't mark the seeds in the bag I had gathered the year before.

So planting this 4 by 8 bed to my surprise I planted peas.

Well there were so many that they held each other up.

Now I mark my seeds when storing them away for the winter.

This time I will plant two type of peas the edible pod and the sugar snap pea

I soak pea seed for 24 hours

Then coat them in an inoculant before planting

you can plant direct in the ground this time of year

We have a problem with birds,

so I plant them in the greenhouse when they are little plants I transplant them

Planting more seeds in flats

Today foxgloves, spearmint, Sweet Annie, echinacea, Globe thistle, Anthea cantaloupe, and bell peppers

Window boxes

Before and ....

After....

Working on window boxes

Because it's raining so hard I only covered moss on 3 of the 5 window boxes and I am hydrating the soil moist Chrystal in the shop

This is the process:

After putting moss on the outside of the bubble wrap it's time to fill the boxes with soil.

I hydrated the soil moist and mixed it in with the soil.

Then filled the soil into the window boxes.

Now we are ready to plant geraniums

All in a days work

I 've had this bird bath stand forever but the top I never had

So today when at the nursery they had a green saucer I thought would do the trick

What do you think?

I put the collection of thyme on top temporarily till I pot them up later

Amazing what you can do with a stapler and bubble wrap

Line a planter box

Soak sphagnum moss

Then stuff the wet sphagnum moss between the planter box and the bubble wrap

I bought soil moist at the nursery today

They are Chrystal like polymers that you soak in water and they hold moisture,

you mix it with your soil and put it in planter boxes so you don't have to water as often.

I will put the soil and soil moist in boxes probably Saturday

Later I will plant geraniums in these window boxes and they will look good for the wedding.

Finished the path way with exception of planting of the thyme seed

Project #3

As you can see gardening is a dirty job, these are my new garden pants I bought in the men's department at Kmart yesterday they have side pockets one for my garden pruners and the other pocket for my camera.

This is my new garden shirt that I bought for 99 cents at Kmart in the men's department.

I filled 15 flats of pots with soil, now I can plant more seeds

Today I went through 3 bags of soil

I moved these flat and laid them on top of a raised bed I'll let the rain water the soil

Then I'll seed later

These are the pots that came out of the sterilization solution

I put more pots in the sterilize solution

Sad one pallet is empty, that means I only have this pallet of soil left

I hope I have enough to get through the season

Time for a tea break

Project #2

Almost finished

I ordered some thyme seed in volume to plant in the sand

ran out of sand probably need 4 more bags

These pictures are backwards as you can see this is sand

This is landscape cloth held with landscape clips

This is the area I'm trying to create the path with slate and thyme with

I weeded this area several days ago, I put preen on before putting on the landscape cloth

Project #1

Put bulb food on the bulbs

Plant 50 Mt. Everest iris bulb and 50 Discovery Iris bulbs among these rocks

I first dug the soil out

Then I put cayenne pepper everywhere to discourage moles and gophers

Then bulb food

planted the bulbs and covered with soil

Topped with a nice soil on top so I know where I planted the bulbs

and marked areas with a plant tag

With the remaining good soil I topped these iris by the hot tub

These Iris are heirloom Iris from John and Marilyn's farm house in Stayton

John's grandparents planted them

I don't know what they are called

Ran out of bulb food need to get some more to fertilize this area

We have used 3 boxes of bulb food this year so far.

rain or not here I come

strawberries

cat grass sprouting

sterilizing more pots in our large plastic trash can and a sterilizing solution for 24 to 48 hours

new Chive tag out of a pop can and a bamboo stick and twine

New parsley tag made out of a pop can and bamboo stick and twine

New Rhubarb label made out of a terracotta pot

later on when I find the right stake I will attach it to the stake with a washer and a screw

New label made out of a terracotta pot

These onions were also in the pantry starting to grow so might as well put them in the garden

The potatoes in our pantry were sprouting so I decided to plant them

Fill the potato bin with soil

Or if you don't have a potato bin use an old trash can and drill holes all over it on the sides and bottom.

lay your potatoes on top with eyes up.

Some people cut their potatoes when there is several eyes to stretch out their potato seed.

But potato growers don't recommend this because this encourages rot and bugs.

I recommend planting the potato whole.

Cover with soil and wait till you seed the bin completely covered with green leaves

When the leaves turn yellow and dye back your potatoes are ready to harvest.

This year I put chicken wire under the bin

because last year the moles thought the potatoes were for them.

Now our potatoes are safe.

It's funny I was tired, but I go outside and get fresh air and rain on my face and I feel better.

Just like the plants I take care of.

Time for dinner

Update on the bulbs

My husband with the 27 bad bulbs and the Costco receipt took the bulbs back

and Costco gave him a replacement bag.

Yea!

So I can plant more bulbs with a bonus of more bulbs.

Costco said they never had anyone return bulbs before.

I guess no one ever had a bag of bad bulbs.

Making plant labels

terracotta pots, pop cans and bamboo sticks

I've been researching all sorts of ways to label you plants

We have so many and I need to do it cheaply.

So after my research last night on google images these two ideas I like.

Attractive and inexpensive.

The terracotta pot upside down with the name of the item on it.

You can screw this little pot on a stake thorough the drain hole and secure it with a washer on the top to make the hole smaller and a place for the screw to be snugged up against without breaking the pot.

The pop can you cut the top of the can and bottom of the can off with a serrated knife to start a hole. Then take your kitchen shears to cut the rest of the lid and bottom off.

You end up with a think flat sheet of aluminum.

I cut the sheet into four pieces

Then folded each piece in half so it would be the shape you see above

I wrote the name of the plant favoring one side leaving it blank on the other end

Take scotch tape to secure the open end of the folded aluminum and cover the rest of the tag with tape.

Trim tape

With a 3 foot piece of twine I wrapped the aluminum tag with a criss cross securing the tag to the bamboo stick and tied the two ends together in a knot.

One pop can makes 4 tags.

I don't drink pop but my sister does and she watches our home

she forgets to take her cans with her.

The raking never ends

This little maple is pruned

After taking out dead plants or pruning plants I topped all the containers with good soil

The area by the tree we cut down yesterday is raked and hauled off

The area next to that is raked and hauled off as well

I was hoping my endurance would hold out but it's over and it's only 3:00 pm ugg!

Well I'll clean up and maybe return those bulbs to Costco