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Saturday, March 22, 2008
New to Bloggin'
"Gardening adds life to your years and years to your life!"
This is the first of my blogs at Google.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Enjoying and Growing Herb Containers
Good Afternoon - windy and very cold in my Garden today. We are beginning our last full week of March and the only signs of spring are the robins eating off of my bird feeders. What better way to warm things up then with some thoughts from the garden past and present.
Today I want to blog about Herbs. Some of my favorite herbs can be found in containers in the house, on my decks, along the walkways, in the flowerbeds and growing freely along the woods on my property. It is to early in the season to be out in the soil preparing the ground to grow our favorite plants but never too early to start planning. These early weeks are perfect time to begin seeds inside to be transfered outside when the weather permits. Herbs are some of the easiest plants to start indoors. There are many different herbs that do very well if giving the right planting and growing conditions. Once they have begun to grow they can be transfered to the garden or in containers.
Pathways leading to my entry doors of our home are lined with herbs. I enjoy using the walk-able herbs in between the stone paver's. A favorite herb to use in this condition is the Creeping Thyme. These are perennials in my zone so they do not have to be replanted each year. They are also a non-evasive plant so they are a perfect addition to any garden. The first photo on this blog features one of my walkways leading into the home lined with herbs. What a wonderful way to welcome friends and family into your home then to enjoy the aroma and wonderful color of herbs.
Creeping Thyme
With a flavor similar to Common Thyme, these gorgeous creeping plants also make an attractive ground cover in small spaces. Zones 5-9. Perennial. Start early indoors. 2"H. Sun. This herb is perfect planted in between the rock in any stepping garden.
Terra Cotta Pots filled with herbs can be found near most of my entry doors, planted near the kitchen door and on the deck where we grill and dine. Ideal locations are those with full sun and closest to the kitchen. All three of my decks have at least one pot of herbs growing on it. Ideally herbs you use in most of your cooking should be put in these areas but any herb is enjoyable.
A few of my favorite herbs to pair up in container planting are as follows : Basil, Purple Ruffles; Basil, Sweet; Borage; Chives, Common; Dill, Fernleaf; Nasturtium, Alaska; Parsley, These can be planted as seeds for good results rather then plugs / plant starters. Don't be afraid to try the seed because they are easy to grow.
Spearmint - Great for yards where they can grow wild!
Leaves impart flavor to iced drinks, sauces, vegetables and lamb. The plants are vigorous and spreading that is why the are perfect out in the garden where they have plenty of room to spread. Prefers part shade to full sun. Start seed early indoors. Plants tolerate light frost; set outside early. Ht. 18-24".
NOTE:
To grow herbs successfully indoors you will need to provide for their needs of light, warmth, water, humidity and nutrients. Be sure to provide them with plenty of elbow room. Herbs hate to be grown where they have to compete for light and air.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Woodpecker
Woodpecker eating off of the feeder near the kitchen window. One of wonderful signs that spring is coming!
- Jennifer said...
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Oh is he just the cutest!!
- May 27, 2008 11:37 PM
Thursday, March 27, 2008
First Signs of Spring
In late afternoon I found myself outside cleaning up one of my flowerbeds near the house. It was nice to see some growth and some fresh green peaking through the mulch.
One of my favorite plants is the perennial Sedium. A more recent sedium that just became available in our area is 'Angelina'. I love the color this low growing sedium produces throughout the year.
Yesterday was also the first day that we enjoyed a cookout and ate outdoors on the the deck near the pond. We decided to grill steak that was fabulous with portabella mushrooms, onion and a splash of olive oil. The salad was a mix green, pecans, and dried cherries with raspberry vinegarette. Very spring .... filling and taste great!
The Recipe for the dressing is simple and yummy:
1/2 c. raspberry vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper, fresh ground
4 tsp. sugar
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
Mix all ingredients together. Makes 1/2 cup. Keep in refrigerator in container with tight fitting lid.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Planning for endless Bouquets.
Just a quick note on this unseasonably cold last Friday in March. Looking forward to getting in the yard and gardening leads me to pounder ideas used in the past. One of my favorite things to do is plant a large section of my perennial garden just for cuttings. I enjoy giving hand fulls of blooms to friends and family during the summer months.
 
One of my favorite bouquets are made up of different sunflowers. There are over 100 different varieties in our area available these days. Some of my favorites for cutting are Sunflower Premier Lemon , Mexican mix, Peach Passion, Red - Orange Mix and Sunrich Orange Summer just to name a few. Most of these seeds can be found locally at Walmart or any home store. Most sunflowers grow best from seed and right in the grown.
Other great zone 5 cool-weather choices include larkspurs, bishop's flowers (Ammi majus), Drummond phlox, cosmos, bells-of-Ireland, toadflax (Linaria sp.), and Shasta and ox-eye daisies. To save seeds from year to year, harvest them as they begin to dry, and store them in a cool, dry place till planting time.
Begin by amending garden soil with large amounts of organic matter. I prefer using composted horse manure; we live next door to a ranch with unlimited amounts of horse manure. A light application of a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer, such as a 14-14-14 product, can be applied on top of the compost and worked into the soil at the same time. After raking the rows, water them well so that the soil can settle prior to seeding.
Soon after sowing, install support stakes or trellises for sweet peas and taller flowers. Thin young seedlings to about 4 inches apart to help them reach their potential. Once they begin blooming, cut the flowers often to encourage profuse production. Then, share your bounty with friends and others in your community.
By planning ahead on what flowers you enjoy in a bouquet you can have endless enjoyment.
Enjoy the weekend - we will be out in the dirt soon!
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*This was my frist month of blogging. I kept all the comments that were originally located on my Blogger.com account.
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4 comments:
You are a gal after my own heart ... gardening, photography, and food (herbs tug my heart and tummy). You have a delightful blog! I am anxious to return and view more photos ... Thanks for the kind words :)
I have been doing the same thing out everyday finding signs of spring! LOve the herb post~they are fun to grow & use!! I found you're link at joey's~The Village Voice~she's great..isn't she..?!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
And enjoy blogging!
Cat
Thanks for your comments about my gardening blog. You blog is very nice too. I'll be sure to visit often :)
Jim
http://kygardener.blogspot.com/
This dressing recipe sounds so good! Love your post!!
Hugs sweetie!