tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58399358194193303202024-03-05T14:03:43.622-08:00Mary's Gardening EndeavorsMy outdoor efforts to improve my little corner of the universe. I've got a cat, a bucket, and some pruners. I can do this.Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-72957311768995612612011-10-14T12:44:00.000-07:002011-10-14T12:44:01.222-07:00South Bed Replanted<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I finally got a new camera, posts with photos again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So after my shopping expedition on Friday, I replanted the first flower bed on Saturday. I did the South one, and will work my way around counter clockwise to the NW one. You can check out my <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/10/2012-front-yard-plan.html">plan</a> for more info.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It was 2 hours worth of work:</div><ul><li>Step one: ripped out the bishop’s grass from the triangle spots below the planter where it meets the driveway & replanted those spots with a pink flowering yarrow.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SkVw_AXU_9s/TpTDJDtbbEI/AAAAAAAAA0I/vdlU23ar1W4/s320/Photo+005.jpg" width="240" /></div><ul><li>Step two: carefully dug out all the plants from the flower bed except one white mum (which was later pruned down). I divided the original 3 shastas into… well a bazillion shastas (actually 19) and put them in plastic totes etc.. for now until I’m ready to move them somewhere else and WeeWren picks hers up. Oleander and the other white mum are also in temporary containers at the moment.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_kUXf7-mYpg/TpTDglzS4iI/AAAAAAAAA0I/MPULM08mL7I/s320/Photo+017.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<ul><li>Step three: once the bed was emptied I hopped over to the fence side to try and rip out all of the grass growing below the planter on that side (under the fence and between the neighbor’s driveway. Very difficult, kept banging my hand against the planter and the fence. I resorted to pouring 3 kettle-fulls of boiling water over this strip to try and kill the damn grass. Next time I'm working outside and I see the neighbor I'm gonna ask her if I can sit in her driveway and try to get at it from there. Eventually I will either plant wooly thyme or seed alyssum here.</li>
<li>Step four: tilled up the soil to about 9" deep. Then tilled in compost, poultry manure, bone meal, kelp meal, granular gypsum and just a touch of chelated iron (the oleander had a good bit of yellow) to about 4".</li>
<li>Step five: transplanted all the planned plants except hollyhock. I wanted a purty peach variety Michigan Bulb has on their site, but no nursery has anything like it right now. I substituted a super blue delphinium I found instead.</li>
<li>Step Six: clean-up. I <span class="caps">HATE</span> this step…. took about 10 trips back and forth between the tools, fertilizers, empty nursery containers and full totes of daisies. Not to mention the Felix catus that tried to trip me half a dozen times.</li>
</ul><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>But she is <strong><span class="caps">DONE</span></strong>!!! hoorahs! Here's some pics of the plants that went in: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1464037447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-txxxo3nWdfQ/TpTDK_1CQ7I/AAAAAAAAA0I/JzutMJKFxXQ/s320/Photo+007.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The white mum that was already here, pruned down.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-LF_rqQv8g/TpTDNJZR5XI/AAAAAAAAA0I/SSc506AncM8/s320/Photo+008.jpg" width="240" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A variegated perennial stonecrop</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1464037447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SI3bijHXGxE/TpTDSokj_GI/AAAAAAAAA0I/UzrMIAkEP_Q/s320/Photo+009.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the blue delphinium (and neighbor's Canis lupus familiaris) from <a href="http://www.igardencenter.com/IGC/">International Garden Center</a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1464037447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gO0Lcq8KnNQ/TpTDSxLvAxI/AAAAAAAAA0I/hgaVbk5R-fc/s320/Photo+010.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">annual stock to fill in space around the perennials that shall grow in</div><div style="text-align: center;">(pink to please mother *blah*)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1464037447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3plbxWBZ1Mk/TpTDW84f3QI/AAAAAAAAA0I/8G-t5aqQJU4/s320/Photo+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">my Echinacea double decker from <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/sunflower-farms-gardena">Sunflower Farms </a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1464037447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLPF0Y_wCTI/TpTDbFYAEeI/AAAAAAAAA0I/ofQWRrvxliY/s320/Photo+013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lewis Flax I grew from seed in spring </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1464037447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WcdDVVseDJk/TpTDZ88CzaI/AAAAAAAAA0I/j7jxrz9vmbs/s320/Photo+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the Buddleja from my feeding the <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/05/discovery-of-archie-jrs.html">Archie Jr's fiasco</a>... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1464037447" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FgsN9RbV68/TpTDcxWwI-I/AAAAAAAAA0I/q8AhUdQwmb0/s320/Photo+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gaura grown from seed, I hope this runt grows up quick!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There's a couple other plants I didn't get good picks of. A weird succulent and a pink mum plant.And the overall affect:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNurmWiJK5IVOPI-W_kikQywNdEoaD5PW945GXT9jqXxz9xzbbaBratgCy3YSetwOqs-GVgSNpgRYUuViceeJyls9p-cmhcwojpuyJG6CRT0r1DsMSNo0ly197TP7WyuMi8NbUNFZyO6o/s1600/Photo+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNurmWiJK5IVOPI-W_kikQywNdEoaD5PW945GXT9jqXxz9xzbbaBratgCy3YSetwOqs-GVgSNpgRYUuViceeJyls9p-cmhcwojpuyJG6CRT0r1DsMSNo0ly197TP7WyuMi8NbUNFZyO6o/s400/Photo+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Hopefully I have Bloom Day pics tomorrow. The next installment of the 2012 replanting won't be for a couple of week, got a trip this weekend. Happy gardening to all!</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-70140889623206721022011-10-13T13:58:00.000-07:002011-10-14T12:49:36.778-07:00Nursery Exploring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">*updated with photos*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So last Friday I went shopping for the plants on my list (and naturally ended up with a few extras). It was a nice afternoon and I made time to visit two new (to me) nurseries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First I hit up <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/sunflower-farms-gardena">Sunflower Farms</a> which was really cool! It is not like any other nursery in the Southbay. It is alot like what I image my nursery would look like if I ever ran one :9 You have to go there to understand, it's like someone's backyard forest jumble with plants loosely grouped into different areas. I love it. The lady on duty (I think Melissa?) was very helpful and pleasant to talk to. I showed her my plant list, she was sad they wouldn't have half of the items until spring, but had a guy from propagation go hunt down my echinacea. Here I found the coneflower "double decker" that I thought I'd have to order online, and the yarrow from my list. I also impulse bought two woolly thymes, a catnip and chocolate mint. I want to put the woolly thyme into wide low containers for my Felis catus to hang out on instead of plastering my flower pots again next spring..</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qL5_BTCS3o/Tpc3kkFyjBI/AAAAAAAAA0s/gPCJ4E6wJjQ/s1600/DSCF9739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qL5_BTCS3o/Tpc3kkFyjBI/AAAAAAAAA0s/gPCJ4E6wJjQ/s320/DSCF9739.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3plbxWBZ1Mk/TpTDW84f3QI/AAAAAAAAA0I/8G-t5aqQJU4/s1600/Photo+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3plbxWBZ1Mk/TpTDW84f3QI/AAAAAAAAA0I/8G-t5aqQJU4/s320/Photo+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16--scpxaew/Tpc3e30gfUI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/AWLoJp1xvaM/s1600/DSCF9741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16--scpxaew/Tpc3e30gfUI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/AWLoJp1xvaM/s320/DSCF9741.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4fQNShZ9EE/TpTDI2j3BDI/AAAAAAAAA0I/SWjudjy2abg/s1600/Photo+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4fQNShZ9EE/TpTDI2j3BDI/AAAAAAAAA0I/SWjudjy2abg/s320/Photo+006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Then I checked out <a href="http://www.deep-roots.net/">Deep Roots Garden Center</a>. It is nice, but I was sort of disappointed somehow. From their website info I think I was expecting something more California natives & xeriscape focused. It was way more upscale. They did have a nice patio with drought tolerants and natives, and a succulent section. But most of the their plant space was devoted to tropicals/indoor plants, and popular water-loving annuals. Inside was about 75% pottery and decor, a quarter fertilizers n' such. The soil & fertilizer choices were not bad, quite a few options, but not what I was looking for. Took home some petunias and succulents, but nothing from my Need list :/ I did see a shrub of which I already have a dwarf version but had forgotten the name of, I was happy to re-discover it (alas I have already forgotten its name again).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6x0KCp1smKs/Tpc3kFC8o0I/AAAAAAAAA0k/o6fWAn3KClM/s1600/DSCF9745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6x0KCp1smKs/Tpc3kFC8o0I/AAAAAAAAA0k/o6fWAn3KClM/s320/DSCF9745.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmUma3ttWNM/Tpc3ez_TnHI/AAAAAAAAA0U/3_f8zRIdb64/s1600/DSCF9743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmUma3ttWNM/Tpc3ez_TnHI/AAAAAAAAA0U/3_f8zRIdb64/s320/DSCF9743.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zCVA7wAN6A/Tpc3kcVSwUI/AAAAAAAAA0o/XSUlMMirUcc/s1600/DSCF9744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zCVA7wAN6A/Tpc3kcVSwUI/AAAAAAAAA0o/XSUlMMirUcc/s320/DSCF9744.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally I fell back on my 'safety' the <a href="http://www.igardencenter.com/IGC/">International Garden Center</a>. Plants here are often a bit more expensive than my usually nursery, but they always have a HUGE choice of all kinds of plants. I was super suprised to see their display of plants from Annie's Annuals, with good signage really giving good info about the plants. The guy (damn, I forgot his name and he was sooo helpful and patient that day!) told me that Annie's doesn't use growth inhibitors like most commercial growers, so their plants don't flower until after they are brought home and planted and grow - so they need awesome signs to show buyers how they will look. Nice touch. Guy also spent at least 20 minutes trying to track down if they could order the vanilla milkweed I have my heart set on. After a long catalog & online check he found none of their suppliers are carrying it :( but I was so appreciative that he tried. He also walked me out to check out their Clerodendrum ugandense - which was going by a common name that I've never heard for it before. I was interested because I haven't seen that plant since I bought two at a Home Depot about 10 years ago. I asked him how it was selling, etc. and he was surprised I was interested and happy to talk about how he'd been caring for them for the past year or so and was disappointed that they weren't selling. His explanation is that semi-deciduous is a bad word in our area :9 I did find a gorgeous bright blue delphinium that I'm going to use instead of a hollyhock. I also found the cottonseed meal and kelp meal I've been looking for.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SI3bijHXGxE/TpTDSokj_GI/AAAAAAAAA0I/UzrMIAkEP_Q/s1600/Photo+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SI3bijHXGxE/TpTDSokj_GI/AAAAAAAAA0I/UzrMIAkEP_Q/s320/Photo+009.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So that is what I on a Friday. Next time the start of 2012 planting :) <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-4379681310555558722011-10-07T13:11:00.000-07:002011-10-07T13:11:01.721-07:002012 Front Yard Plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hey there. So I haven't been posting because I had my camera stolen and for some reason I don't like posting without pictures. My cruddy 8 year old backup camera doesn't take very good pictures anymore.<br />
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But I <i>can </i>scan stuff!<br />
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So for weeks I've had thoughts abut what to do to the front yard for 2012 stewing in my mind. The main themes: want natives, want hummingbirds, want butterflies (Archies!) and want perrennials. I did info lookups via Gardenswithwings.com and laspilitas.com and made a spreadsheet that really helped me narrow down what types of plants we should actually get.<br />
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Then I made scaled diagrams of the flower beds and scaled cutouts to represent the plants we have and what I want to see what will fit. Voila: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcmwXCFndkE/To9bgnSuM2I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/GsLgo0qhyQ4/s1600/2012+PLAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcmwXCFndkE/To9bgnSuM2I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/GsLgo0qhyQ4/s640/2012+PLAN.jpg" width="577" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I realize the way I cropped it together some stuff is upside down, but that's the correct positioning :)</span></div><br />
The size of the circle is how much horizontal space each plant should need (larger gaps around plants I don't trust to stay within their listed spacing) and the numbers noted under the name is the average height (so tall doesn't end up in front of short).<br />
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With this I now have my shopping list ready! Also did a new soils test last month so I need some fertilizers as well.<br />
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Most of the very drought tolerant stuff is going the South Bed as I could, because that always suffers the most. Thing that need more moisture are going in the North Beds, because that's where I'm going to hook up a drip system this winter. The East Bed gets all the average water need plants.<br />
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I feel accomplished today :D</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-15832175189024662222011-08-31T11:34:00.000-07:002011-08-31T11:34:11.149-07:00What am I gonna do with these Geese?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When I visited <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-visit-to-archies-garden.html">Archie's Garden</a> this past spring I was somehow talked into bringing home two geese (which started the <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/05/discovery-of-archie-jrs.html">Archie Jr. fiasco</a>). Goose milkweed (<span style="color: #336600; font-family: arial,helvetica;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Asclepias physocarpa )</span> </span></span> that is ;9 haha. I vaguely remember asking them about pink milkweeds because my mom doesn't like hot orange/red flowers (doesn't like to be doubly reminded of the heat in summer) and she didn't have pink ones, but she had the white goose type seedlings.<br />
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Somehow one seedling from each little pot she gave me managed to survive the little jr.'s that ate every leaf up and had started on the stems :Z They rebounded very slowly though, it was just last month that I potted them up to slightly bigger containers from the square 4" ones they came in.<br />
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Last night I was trying to come up with a 2012 front yard garden plan. Want to eliminate some flowers that aren't working for us and move others to better suited spots. When I went over my list of what I've got in my propagation area and saw my Geese (yes, I shall enjoy calling these Green Children the Geese) on it - I realized I had no clue what size they grow to. Looked it up this morning and it turns out they have the potential to reach 7 FEET. Um, I think that will violate the 36" height limit truce currently in effect for new plants...<br />
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But they are Monarch magnets and have purty decorative seed pods....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hB9Wu8QWxwo/Tl59yzTnnZI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/hOcW-R9XTDQ/s1600/445px-Asclepias_physocarpa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hB9Wu8QWxwo/Tl59yzTnnZI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/hOcW-R9XTDQ/s320/445px-Asclepias_physocarpa2.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_physocarpa">Wikipedia</a></span></div><br />
So I ask: Anyone with any experience growing these? Is this a plant I can prune in a way to limit it's grow without sacrificing it's health? Any advice would be very appreciated!</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-70238351258732404462011-07-15T10:17:00.000-07:002011-07-15T10:17:22.645-07:00Bloom Day July 2011<div style="text-align: justify;">
I missed last month but damnit I'm ready this time! Mostly. This isn't a complete record of <i>everything</i> blooming today, just the best ones :)</div>
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hybrid echeveria</div>
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calendula "zeolights" </div>
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milkweed</div>
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tomato blossoms</div>
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lemon blossoms "pink lemonade"</div>
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feverfew</div>
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pansy "bewitched"</div>
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lobelia "cambridge blue"</div>
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another hybrid echeveria (i think...) </div>
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lobelia & alyssum</div>
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yarrow </div>
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yarrow</div>
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blue butterfly bush</div>
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snapdragon</div>
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marigold "kilimanjaro white"</div>
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zinnia "art deco"</div>
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And don't forget to visit the orginal <a href="http://www.maydreamsgardens.com/2011/07/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-july-2011.html">GBBD</a>!</div>
<br />Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-33359357950161316422011-06-22T16:43:00.000-07:002011-06-22T16:43:06.665-07:00Worms... :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, before the Ortho rant I had promised worms... Well here they are, my cheapo homemade worm bins :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F79b6BHQhso/TgJ3U4ZwHzI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Zw0Es4iHZFQ/s320/worms1.1.jpeg" width="320" /></div><br />
Just two 99 cent plastic (#2) shoebox container nestled inside each other. The top one has the bottom cut out to about 3/4" in from the sides. Two strips cut lengthwise from the removed plastic rectangle bridge the opening in the short direction for a bit of support. A piece of 1/4" metal mesh (hardware cloth - $12.99 and the leftovers made a screen for my regular compost bin) with the cut ends folded over cover the opening in the bottom. (sorry, don't have a pic of the bottom of the top container)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROzFn0dhYCU/TgJ3VaE8QkI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Tc0ZcAtEsb0/s1600/worms1.2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROzFn0dhYCU/TgJ3VaE8QkI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Tc0ZcAtEsb0/s320/worms1.2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Here's the top container so you can see them better. The bottom container is to catch the worm leachate (pee) and other moisture dripping out. It can be used to fertilize plants too. I think I spent total about $15 buying the materials for these two containers (and part of the leftover is in use for the other composting bin) which sure as hell beats even the subsidized $60 commercial worms bins.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piAWdxzJUkU/TgJ3Vi-cqCI/AAAAAAAAAqM/nI7l7Tznb5w/s1600/worms1.3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-piAWdxzJUkU/TgJ3Vi-cqCI/AAAAAAAAAqM/nI7l7Tznb5w/s320/worms1.3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the two bits of broken terra cotta help keep the mesh from the container above from sagging onto the bottom</span></div><br />
Originally there were layers of newspaper strips over the mesh to keep everything from falling into the bottom box. But my wonderful know-it-all worms ate it up and now their castings (poo) has been spilling from their feeding container above to the bottom one where I can easily scoop it up as needed. I put most of the worms back in the feeding container, but sometimes I put some of the big ones into my flower pots.<br />
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If the worms thrive and reproduce enough I may have to build larger bins at some point, but knowing how easy it is I think it will still be super cheap. For now I have a third container prepped to add whenever it's needed, and still have enough materials to build a fourth and maybe a fifth one of this size. I could have myself a deluxe worm penthouse :)<br />
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Originally I got a handful of worms from a gardener in Gardena (of all places) in summer 2010. The first few days they were just in a bucket with some dirt until I built the worms bins. I didn't really know what I was doing and at one point forgot to tend them for over a month. When I looked inside it was fairly dry and I thought for sure I'd killed them. So I let it all sit another month before I opened it up to use whatever castings there were and was astounded to find some worms still alive!<br />
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Well, that immediately got me to tending them properly. If those suckers had the will to live through my neglect I was gonna make an effort to keep them alive. And since then checking on them every day or so has become a fun habit and they still live. However, since I started with such a small batch of worms it would take a very long time for them to eat through any food. I got in the habit of putting scraps in the blender to make it easier for them. When I sorted through my regular compost bin or dug in the flower beds I'd save any red worms I found and add them to the worm bins. But there still weren't enough...<br />
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Recently I got a super boost to my worms when <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-visit-to-archies-garden.html">Archie's Garden gave me</a> almost a full shoe box container full of worms & dirt from their vermicomposing setup. There were plenty of worms in there and they have made friends with my first worms (I hope) and now the bin colony is thriving! I've been giving them a good sized feeding about every two weeks, with a few little scraps in between. They seem to be keeping up with it.<br />
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Last Friday I collected a full cup of castings at once and made worm tea for my container garden :) The young seedlings and eager transplants really seemed to like it. When I was picking the worms out of the castings there were quite a few really tiny ones which I think means.... my worms have breeding!<br />
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*happiness*</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-6028962315895934202011-06-15T10:13:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:13:11.690-07:00Just Checking In...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's been a crazy few days for me and I haven't had much time to garden let alone blog :P So because of unexpected business I have no Bloom Day post :'( but I will do a belated one sometime this week.<br />
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I am still working on the Ortho Elements research, I have more info I will share soon. I just need time to organize it all.<br />
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So, happy bloom day to all who had time! I envy you!</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-75310739647299115722011-06-10T12:18:00.000-07:002011-06-10T12:18:56.833-07:00Ortho Elementals - More Questions than Answers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday I wrote about the <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/06/ortho-elementals-is-lie.html">lies that Ortho put on their Elementals Insecticidal Soap</a>. I also emailed the info to Green UPGRADER and today <a href="http://greenupgrader.com/16232/is-ortho-elementals-organic/">they've got the info up also</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On my way home last night I stopped at one of the Home Depots I sometimes shop in to see if the final labeling of the product is the same as on<a href="http://www.scotts.com/smg/products/ortho-ecosense/PDF/Elementals%20Insecticidal%20Soap.pdf"> Scotts website</a>. Look like yes, if there were any changes they weren't to the info I'm concerned about. Red outlines by me.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlVmbppk6Wg/TfJgXoEI7GI/AAAAAAAAAow/FAQtRQEJLQg/s1600/Ortho1.0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlVmbppk6Wg/TfJgXoEI7GI/AAAAAAAAAow/FAQtRQEJLQg/s400/Ortho1.0.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Product on the shelf. Includes the "MAY BE USED UP TO DAY OF HARVEST" and OMRI Listed labeling. </span></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sw6ehbzCaM/TfJgX3UMBmI/AAAAAAAAAo0/Lbg5fwzB_zc/s1600/Ortho1.1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sw6ehbzCaM/TfJgX3UMBmI/AAAAAAAAAo0/Lbg5fwzB_zc/s400/Ortho1.1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDlmMtwSt9E/TfJgYRpT3qI/AAAAAAAAAo4/ThPYOou-OCE/s1600/Ortho1.2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDlmMtwSt9E/TfJgYRpT3qI/AAAAAAAAAo4/ThPYOou-OCE/s640/Ortho1.2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7elsmjH24s/TfJgYkY5YWI/AAAAAAAAAo8/pcMuOhOqkjY/s1600/Ortho1.3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7elsmjH24s/TfJgYkY5YWI/AAAAAAAAAo8/pcMuOhOqkjY/s640/Ortho1.3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"May be applied to edibles up to day of harvest" </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0PsWSVa2A0/TfJgZMZmZxI/AAAAAAAAApA/FKMeu1Wtwmo/s1600/Ortho1.4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H0PsWSVa2A0/TfJgZMZmZxI/AAAAAAAAApA/FKMeu1Wtwmo/s640/Ortho1.4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for telling me which foods you want me to use this on Ortho.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did a little (or rather a LOT) of thinking on this last night. I went back to <a href="http://www.omri.org/">ORMI's website</a> to look more into them (after all, I've only known of them for a day or two). I am thinking on their statements on their <a href="http://www.omri.org/about">About</a> page</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yNcXmPgDYnE/TfJiYWq21iI/AAAAAAAAApI/J0TdObX5GtE/s1600/OMRI1.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yNcXmPgDYnE/TfJiYWq21iI/AAAAAAAAApI/J0TdObX5GtE/s640/OMRI1.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">screenshot from OMRI - Copyright © 2010 <strong>OMRI</strong></span></div><br />
So this insecticide could be used for a USDA certified organic farm... You know this leads me to think that a small scale farmer - like a local farmer's market vendor - could see this product on the shelf, spot the OMRI logo on the label and assume it was perfect for their organic produce. Especially since the packaging of the product is screaming at you to use it on your food from every angle. A small scale grower might even look it up on OMRI's website to make sure it's organic. And if that grower looked up this product<a href="http://www.omri.org/simple-opl-search/results/ortho"> on OMRI's site</a> they'd see this: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jARV_RQIwpY/TfJmgggpkII/AAAAAAAAApg/ENZdbfto03Y/s1600/OMRI1.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jARV_RQIwpY/TfJmgggpkII/AAAAAAAAApg/ENZdbfto03Y/s640/OMRI1.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">screenshot from OMRI - Copyright © 2010 <strong>OMRI</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong></strong></span>Farmers are people, and people aren't perfect. It's reasonable to assume that a farmer large or small scale might see the above result for their search for Ortho Elementals Insecticidal Soap and accept that as OMRI's approval - then go ahead and use the product just like its instructions say to... on the organic crops he/she is growing for consumers who want certified organic produce. What that farmer might miss (because we all make mistakes) is the info when you click the drop down for this product and the restriction against food crop usage:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrKiHGYxupF-ldycj3l9lozz94W1pBVsWk7pncEcswjRYCfok-piI6384ric7nA9TL-z2rFPL_MyV-CMhPhNfTRrn73SisM3KT2J1dkqHNL7HArPcoIEItDQttEedsDietL1_skl7d3g/s1600/OMRI1.0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrKiHGYxupF-ldycj3l9lozz94W1pBVsWk7pncEcswjRYCfok-piI6384ric7nA9TL-z2rFPL_MyV-CMhPhNfTRrn73SisM3KT2J1dkqHNL7HArPcoIEItDQttEedsDietL1_skl7d3g/s640/OMRI1.0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">screenshot from OMRI - Copyright © 2010 <strong>OMRI</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am more confused than ever about this. Why would OMRI approve something for organic growing - for products farmers can use to grow USDA certified organic produce - but not directly on that produce? Why would they allow their OMRI Listed logo to be used on that product's label if the label is also specifying the consumer to use it in a way not consistent with their approval restrictions?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When did I start sounding like an adult?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry, tangent thought there. Their About info also has me thinking about OMRI. It says (and you can see in one of the screenshots above) they are non-profit and receive funding through donations, and "generates income through fees collected for the review of products intended for use in organic production or processing." For some reason this gives me a chill and reminds me of the <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/why-monsanto-always-wins67976">USDA's deregulation process for Monanto's GMOs</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am trying to find answers now. Unfortunately OMRI doesn't list an email address for questions. They have an online inquiry form that I filled out, but couldn't submit because their Captcha engine isn't working (it's not even showing up) and I keep getting error messages that the Captcha I entered being incorrect (can't even see or type one).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have sent an email off to Scotts through their website reading:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Hi,</span><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">I was considering using your Elementals Insecticidal Soap product in my edible container garden. I am working towards a fully organic growing method and by this point I am only buying organic products. Preferable ones I make myself, are certified organic, or approved for USDA certified organic operations. This is just my own personal garden, I'm not selling any produce from it, but I want to make is as pure as I can.</span><br style="color: #274e13;" /><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">I first heard of the Elementals line through Home Depot. I was happy to see on their (and your) website that it is safe for use on edibles and for organic growing. But then I noticed another info section on Home Depot's site that said it was not organic. I double checked Scotts product page which says it is.</span><br style="color: #274e13;" /><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">I then checked OMRI since the product labeling states this item is ORMI Listed and found the following use restriction: "nonfood crop uses only; use on any food crop or fallow fields is prohibited." But your product clearly says it is food safe. Why does your ORMI approval depend on it not being used on food crops? If I understand OMRI's usage correctly, it means that this item would only be ok for USDA certified organic growing standards if I don't use it on edibles.</span><br style="color: #274e13;" /><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">Would you please clarify this for me? I need an insecticidal soap for the summer, but it must be safe for my edibles.</span><br style="color: #274e13;" /><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">Thank you,</span><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">Mary C.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That's non-threatening enough, no?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I think I'm going to continue to update on this... </div></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-40757600891150869172011-06-09T12:57:00.000-07:002011-06-10T12:21:24.636-07:00Ortho Elementals is a LIE!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday thanks to <a href="http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/">Mike</a> I learned about a tactic called <a href="http://sinsofgreenwashing.org/findings/the-seven-sins/">Greenwashing</a>. It's basically deceptive marketing to make people think a product is certified organic or all natural and safe. So yesterday I learned that the few <a href="http://greenupgrader.com/16095/greenwash-alert-miracle-gro-organic-choice/">Organic Choice products I had picked up are not really organic</a>. Damint! I am going to either toss out what's left or take it to a S.A.F.E. disposal site. Of course that doesn't undo the fact that such product is already in my soil :/</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, after the learning I soaked up yesterday I returned to my computer with a fresh brain today... and started thinking about the coupon Home Depot emailed to me yesterday... A biy one get one free for any 32 oz. Ortho Elementals. I had looked up what the product was briefly yesterday to see one (there are four types listed on HD's site) was an "organic" insecticidal soap. I was thinking of getting it this weekend.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This morning I decided to investigate this product a little. It turned into much more than a little and I am not happy at all (except that I didn't buy it). I sent what I found off to <a href="http://greenupgrader.com/">Green UPGRADER</a> and Mike, and I was gonna wait for more experienced people to look into it... but I'm so pissed I'm sharing now! All emphasis in quoted text is mine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So here's our culprit:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nA9rwu8kCI/TfEb-_JPR3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/AFSXfcFzaWI/s1600/Ortho+Elementals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nA9rwu8kCI/TfEb-_JPR3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/AFSXfcFzaWI/s1600/Ortho+Elementals.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Notice that big blank green area at the bottom of the sticker?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Remember that for later...</b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">So the most important info gained from <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202521966/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053">Home Depot's site</a> is the following:</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>If you click the Zoom View link to read the labels you find - </li>
<ul><li> The white sticker on the spray head reads <b style="color: #660000;">"MAY BE USED UP TO DAY OF HARVEST"</b></li>
<li>One the main label sticker it reads <b style="color: #660000;">"For<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> organic gardening"</span></b></li>
</ul><li style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Product Description tab has the following statement: "</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">"<b style="color: #660000;">The soap <u>can be used up to the day of <i>harvest</i></u> and is organic for safe use</b>" and <b><span style="color: #660000;">"Organic formula for safe use in your garden</span></b>"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Specifications tab states:</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> "</span><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="color: #660000;">Organic </b><span style="color: #660000;">: No</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">" <---- RED FLAG PEOPLES!</span></span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span>Um, that's some kinda contradiction there. Is it organic or no? Also the use of the word "harvest" here obviously implies they expect you to use this product on your veggie, herb and fruit plants. So it has to be safe right? Off to the manufacturer's website!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">*GASP*</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This product is owned by Scotts! On that subject let's just say Scotts=Miracle Grow=Round-Up=MONSANTO for now...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On to Scotts info on the <a href="http://www.scotts.com/smg/catalog/productTemplate.jsp?proId=prod10270020&itemId=cat10060006&tabs=usage">Ortho Elementals Insecticidal Soap</a>. First the product's General tab states "</span><b style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">does not persist in the environment, c</span><u>an</u> be used for organic gardening</b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">" and under the Details & Usage tab subheading Benefits "</span><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">For organic gardening</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span> I also found a link on this product's page to a PDF of the product labeling. The one saving factor I find is a note that </span>"<b style="color: #660000;">THIS FILE IS NOT PRODUCTION READY</b>". So there may have been changes before the final labels that appear on the product were printed. That said:</div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>PDF Page 1 (FRONT LABEL): states "<b><i><span style="color: #660000;">For Organic Gardening</span></i></b>"and has the OMRI Listed trademark in what is a blank green area in the picture from Home Depot <i>and </i>Scott's product page for this item. This area also includes active ingredient info and some typical warnings.</li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The rest of the PDF pages include info for label you can't see in pics of the product online and would probably only read after your took it home including the instructions for use:</span><br />
<ul style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">PDF Page 2 (BOOK-OUTSIDE VIEW): "<b><span style="color: #660000;">May be applied to <u>edibles</u> up to day of harvest.</span></b>"</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">PDF Page 3 (BOOK-INSIDE VIEW PAGE 2): "<b><span style="color: #660000;">May used on <u>edible crops</u> up to and including day of harvest.</span></b>"; "<b><span style="color: #660000;">For use...on: fruit and nut tress (e.g., apples, cherries, peaches, pears, pecans, almonts); corn; soybeans; melons; tomatoes; vegetables (e.g., beans, cabbage, cucurbits, peas, potatoes); figs; small fruits (e.g., grapes, strawberry, rasberry); citrus..</span></b>."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">PDF Page 5 (the spray head sticker): "<b><span style="color: #660000;">MAY BE USED UP TO DAY OF HARVEST L0270356000</span></b>"</span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please note - I have not physically seen a bottle of Ortho Elements yet to see if the above statements from Scott's product website made it all the way to print. I am going to try to stop by a Home Depot today to check it out and will update this post after that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/06/ortho-elementals-more-questions-than.html">***UPDATE - I have physically seen this product***</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">So Scott's really <b>WANTS</b> you to use this on your edible plants. No way that they can deny that after seeing this label info final or not. And since their label is at some point intended to include the OMRI Listed endorsement... off to OMRI.org!</span></div><br />
On the Organic Materials Review Institute's site under the <a href="http://www.omri.org/simple-opl-search/results/Ortho%20Elementals">info for Ortho Elementals Insecticidal Soap</a> I found the following Restriction for this product's use cleared stated on the drop-down tab:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"<span style="color: #660000;">May be used as an algicide/demosser, herbicide or insecticide if the requirements of 205.206(e) are met, which requires the use of preventative, mechanical, physical, and other pest, weed, and disease management practices. When used as an herbicide <b>may only be used for farmstead maintenance (roadways, ditches, right of ways, building perimeters) and ornamental crops, <u><span style="color: #990000;">nonfood crop uses only; use on any food crop or fallow fields is prohibited</span></u><u>.</u></b></span>"</div><br />
<b>Holy CRAP!</b> As of this moment it is blatantly apparent to me that Scotts is not only misleading, they are flat out LYING about this product, and probably the other Elementals product as well. I admit I don't know enough about OMRI and their standards, etc. to know if this means this a truly organic product or not - but the fact that it's <b>PROHIBITED TO USE ON ANY FOOD CROP</b> leads me to strongly believe it is not. In fact, it also lacks and USDA Certified Organic labeling either.<br />
<br />
So in case you didn't guess - I'm not buying the product. I'm going home to quarantine anything I can find labelled Ortho, Miracle Grow or Scotts in the garage (though dad shall be pissed that includes his grass seed). I don't know how or why OMRI has restricted it from use on edible plants. I don't really care at this point, because if that is the most up to date info OMRI has on the product, then Scotts is LYING and very possible PUTTING THE CONSUMER AT RISK by pushing this product on your organic edible garden.<br />
<br />
I'm gonna contact my local Home Depot's about this and the nurseries I visit as well. <br />
<br />
Shame on you Scotts.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/06/ortho-elementals-more-questions-than.html">***UPDATE***</a></span> </div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-34010987533220744002011-05-26T12:44:00.000-07:002011-05-26T12:44:21.233-07:00Toe-may-toe-, Toe-ma-toe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ah, tomatoes. The most popular garden endeavor. I am not immune, and I am expecting...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0TyGyUzRVzY/Td6rNKxyNXI/AAAAAAAAAoc/5hrMqScIzUk/s320/Picture+1145.jpg" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">These are Sungold on a plant still hanging on to life from last fall. Yes, this orange color means they are ripe :) Very sweet and tangy itty bitty fruits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WoaM3pe7E9Ac3D8rpJkt_QbYWkmkj9SoVEbJnenqOwLljOnP1q9slRru2DxBdwjfWYcRhdgDpmAZ5USEawZ8S-eJJUDWin48Mud_iM2yaJjse3_dXvr3bepsNDxLTRcwZ7Vw52LjARU/s1600/Picture+1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WoaM3pe7E9Ac3D8rpJkt_QbYWkmkj9SoVEbJnenqOwLljOnP1q9slRru2DxBdwjfWYcRhdgDpmAZ5USEawZ8S-eJJUDWin48Mud_iM2yaJjse3_dXvr3bepsNDxLTRcwZ7Vw52LjARU/s320/Picture+1130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Mexico Midget should be the first of my 2011 tomatoes to ripen... I am anxiously awaiting these red cherry tomatoes. (and crossing my fingers they really are as prolific as reported)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCXSiqXfUBJMoVqXQc4BeO8dSybl0myeB5yrEKWECC_aCx9F9yb653WlqKXCngO51y2qgrvpvnhDLnZb9qjQZMTcv68c-38T1IHwrtqNwaNMhmDP27jiD1oAVZXvnpMOCQ_89imz4EG4/s1600/Clint.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCXSiqXfUBJMoVqXQc4BeO8dSybl0myeB5yrEKWECC_aCx9F9yb653WlqKXCngO51y2qgrvpvnhDLnZb9qjQZMTcv68c-38T1IHwrtqNwaNMhmDP27jiD1oAVZXvnpMOCQ_89imz4EG4/s320/Clint.jpeg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This why little naked guy is a Clint Eastwood's Rowdy Red, <a href="http://www.tomatofest.com/index.html">Tomatofest</a> says it will be "robust not for sissies bold, tomatoey flavors, with a firm, juicy flesh"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyQymX0FK5E/Td6rLX-zn7I/AAAAAAAAAoU/YSbOAh34sV0/s1600/Picture+1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GyQymX0FK5E/Td6rLX-zn7I/AAAAAAAAAoU/YSbOAh34sV0/s320/Picture+1137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Amy's Sugar Gem looks like she's gonna be a good producer already! From Tomatofest: "sweet flavor and the tiny light gold sparkles in the red skin"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZc9PEx461o/Td6rMsLynYI/AAAAAAAAAoY/r5rpluSAPPY/s1600/Picture+1140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZc9PEx461o/Td6rMsLynYI/AAAAAAAAAoY/r5rpluSAPPY/s320/Picture+1140.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">And finally miss Brandywine. Yet to set any fruit, but this is only the first flower cluster - I have high hopes for this summer. Although it may be too cold at night for them to set yet. It was very frustrating to coddle a rooted sucker off a Brandywine last fall all through winter checking daily for new fruit - only to learn they have a much higher temperature minimum to set fruit than cherry tomatoes :Z</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh my! I forgot about my Purple Calabash! I am a bad green mother :'( I know she's flowering... I can't say for sure off the top of my head if she is setting fruit....</div><br />
Next time... worms :)</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-52587976239016411332011-05-24T12:55:00.000-07:002011-05-24T12:58:11.048-07:00The Discovery of Archie Jr.'s<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"> Last week I talked about <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-visit-to-archies-garden.html">Archie's Garden</a>, when I got free worms and milkweed. Turns out those milkweed came with a bonus prize:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFdEw6NO5Q0/TdwJ4IbCuyI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/DCAeekieWyU/s1600/Picture+942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFdEw6NO5Q0/TdwJ4IbCuyI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/DCAeekieWyU/s320/Picture+942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On May 8 while tending my seedlings to my great surpise there was an Archie Jr.! </div><div style="text-align: justify;">As if things couldn't get any better, the next day I found...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ86PoHOZ3k/TdwJ4rSme-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/aShsfRc4aMk/s1600/Picture+959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ86PoHOZ3k/TdwJ4rSme-I/AAAAAAAAAnU/aShsfRc4aMk/s320/Picture+959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Two monarch caterpillars at once - and we've never had any! I am extatic. Mother was less thrilled, her first reaction when I did the happy dance and "I got Archie's" song was "oh no, now you're naming caterpillars?". She was a bit cheerier when I explained why they are named Archie Jr and why they are so special, as well as making the promise that they don't come inside the house... (I accidentally brought a green one in with some salad greens last year and her reaction when I found it was rather hilarious) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uC1P50e6jdI/TdwJ5DtrYJI/AAAAAAAAAnY/X2QanyzNfFE/s1600/Picture+974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uC1P50e6jdI/TdwJ5DtrYJI/AAAAAAAAAnY/X2QanyzNfFE/s320/Picture+974.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three days after discovery Archie Jr #1 has most definitely grown... Also, they each tried to stop my heart by disappearing for a day, but they each came back. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And by one week later:</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXtR_GKoBd8/TdwJ6Z_xc6I/AAAAAAAAAng/nRGxFvzTSko/s1600/Picture+1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXtR_GKoBd8/TdwJ6Z_xc6I/AAAAAAAAAng/nRGxFvzTSko/s320/Picture+1127.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLukyMBXx40/TdwJ5zysQSI/AAAAAAAAAnc/pnTzrgBs3NI/s1600/Picture+1126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLukyMBXx40/TdwJ5zysQSI/AAAAAAAAAnc/pnTzrgBs3NI/s320/Picture+1126.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Ok, at this point I was starting to have doubts about those Milkweed seedlings keeping up with the Archies. And those doubts turned out to be well founded because by the 15th they'd eaten one milkweed seedling bare of leaves and were working on the stem; and the other seedling triplet was only a degree better. Commence emergency nursery runs...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>First I went to my local nursery: asked for milkweed, got a funny look, clarified "butterfly milkweed, butterfly bush" and got pointed to the only variety they had (and also picked up a purty columbine and echeveria because I am weak) only to discover a couple of hours later that the Archies weren't eating it... wrong butterfly bush. They gave me buddleja, similar common name, way wrong species :/ (I will be returning it, just haven't gotten around to it quite yet)<br />
<br />
So I zoomed over to Home Depot because damnit, milkweed is popular now and it's blooming season and they ought to have it! But no, they don't. *&#%$^@!!!<br />
<br />
And it was off to the International Garden Center (I could wander that place for hours... alas it is a bit pricey and reserved for special days *sigh*) where they're nicest little old guy happily showed me each of the milkweeds they had. Real milkweeds - Asclepias tuberosa (there was also a buddleja in bloom, thankfully I learned the first time though). I finally picked out the all yellow one first previewed in my <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/05/belated-bloom-day-may-2011.html">Belated Bloom Day</a> post. I also took home a blue annual dwarf delphinium *coughcough* for my mom of course.<br />
<br />
And at home I wasted no time repotting that sucker and relocating the Archies!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Av3kz6GxARE/TdwJ05w71aI/AAAAAAAAAm4/RsOZL7vOMKo/s1600/Picture+647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Av3kz6GxARE/TdwJ05w71aI/AAAAAAAAAm4/RsOZL7vOMKo/s320/Picture+647.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab663Ilm-Hc/TdwJ1l2ZmjI/AAAAAAAAAm8/ql5nuzDMMgw/s1600/Picture+651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab663Ilm-Hc/TdwJ1l2ZmjI/AAAAAAAAAm8/ql5nuzDMMgw/s320/Picture+651.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Naturally a day after that one of them disappeared again... he has not come back yet `:( Then my remaining Archie Jr. started doing the Dracula here:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnTFLCxsqkw/TdwJ2EzbneI/AAAAAAAAAnA/flTHqz3ASmM/s1600/Picture+656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnTFLCxsqkw/TdwJ2EzbneI/AAAAAAAAAnA/flTHqz3ASmM/s320/Picture+656.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"> He did the Dracula for 3 days straight. I thought he was going into crystalis mode, but no it was just a ruse. He started nibbling again...while I did battle with his cousins - the Fuzzy Terrors!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf1jKjJek5cZ3Nt2e1bS_hKoeTataRVJQCODh93hLAAMC38xNQO8zHOzxLdhLbNGW5cnlw_1TylDAYNLxMZiZbc5osMdAEYqfUMv1Hu58ksz5aK8o_-_XfezKRntS69oL7k09EkV5RMA/s1600/Picture+679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWf1jKjJek5cZ3Nt2e1bS_hKoeTataRVJQCODh93hLAAMC38xNQO8zHOzxLdhLbNGW5cnlw_1TylDAYNLxMZiZbc5osMdAEYqfUMv1Hu58ksz5aK8o_-_XfezKRntS69oL7k09EkV5RMA/s320/Picture+679.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">You deplete my Kale, you get banished to the ornamentals in the front yard... :P</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, last time I saw Archie Jr. he was still happily munching away his milkweed and getting super chubba. I didn't see him for a couple of day again, but then he reappeared this morning. I just wish he'd get to the crystalis stage so I can stop fussing over him!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQhv4oRZd90/TdwJ3nUFjHI/AAAAAAAAAnM/txyIORwbFRQ/s1600/Picture+737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQhv4oRZd90/TdwJ3nUFjHI/AAAAAAAAAnM/txyIORwbFRQ/s320/Picture+737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"> *sigh* I am a sucker for living critters.<br />
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Btw, the little milkweed seedlings look like they may acutally survive. The one that was eaten bare is trying to sprout new leaves, as are the other ones. Hoorah! </div><br />
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</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-31037297305271041932011-05-23T10:30:00.000-07:002011-05-23T10:30:49.922-07:00Southbay Gardeners<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Hi there. So I've been exploring <a href="http://myfolia.com/">Folia</a> which is another online gardening community. It has some similarities to the Dave's Garden website, but quite a bit more user friendly. There's the free subscription which so far seems very useful especially for new gardeners to keep track of things. There's also a few more bells and whistles if you want a paid subscription which is by a donation to the site for whatever you can afford ( I think I may actually do that next pay period).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Anyway, one of the reasons I started blogging about my green children is I want to connect with other gardeners, and especially others in my area. Because my growing climate is very different from most of the county and general advise can be confusing. I had found one gardening group near me on gardening, but their meetings have been kind of sporadic, and many of them quite a distance from me. On Folia I was able to make my own <b><i>free</i></b> group, and so I did. If you're in the LA check out <a href="http://myfolia.com/groups/431-southbay-gardeners">Southbay Gardeners</a> :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D1wP17z8-hg/TdqXL6vTDFI/AAAAAAAAAmw/WbC6cgIekRY/s1600/nast.jpg" /></div><br />
</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-71492721659995095822011-05-17T10:44:00.000-07:002011-05-17T10:44:57.515-07:00My visit to Archie's Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On April 30th I had the pleasure of riding through the <a href="http://marvistagreengardenshowcase.blogspot.com/">Mar Vista Garden Showcase</a> with John and <a href="http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/">Mike</a> :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KlIR8uDRJZ0/TdKxEeGqigI/AAAAAAAAAmU/z2MbqEQcUwc/s320/Picture+810.jpg" width="213" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Always nice to have an escort that's easy on the eyes ;)</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I want to show off my favorite garden from the day - which sadly Mike missed out on since he had to return to his work :P Anyway, it was <a href="http://www.archiesgarden.com/">Archie's Garden</a>! You can see their Mar Vista spread <a href="http://marvistagreengardenshowcase.blogspot.com/2011/01/3745-meier-street.html">here</a>. Their Mar Vista article got my attention for them being a certified wildlife habitat and focus on Monarch butterflies. I though it'd be interesting but had no idea how much I'd really love it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp_LqNq0w9g/TdKxGF1AwKI/AAAAAAAAAmg/_4q_0WxEZt4/s1600/Picture+842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vp_LqNq0w9g/TdKxGF1AwKI/AAAAAAAAAmg/_4q_0WxEZt4/s320/Picture+842.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I want their grape vine...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmn42Bd2CSBUOC-ijTkgP5jXZkVsYu_mOEOm-TTnMqNoX5Ehl9GT0BVDeUFHejugmvnxmpAQEQqtJRh3i5Z5-6f9JL9BVfC-_u8ezK8oYrFaDA50f_vBA2zqFljUGwXFadSCJyOT07oA/s1600/Picture+839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmn42Bd2CSBUOC-ijTkgP5jXZkVsYu_mOEOm-TTnMqNoX5Ehl9GT0BVDeUFHejugmvnxmpAQEQqtJRh3i5Z5-6f9JL9BVfC-_u8ezK8oYrFaDA50f_vBA2zqFljUGwXFadSCJyOT07oA/s320/Picture+839.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rCYmB42M1Pg/TdKxHPDTRbI/AAAAAAAAAmk/1WcMdEGf_bQ/s1600/Picture+843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rCYmB42M1Pg/TdKxHPDTRbI/AAAAAAAAAmk/1WcMdEGf_bQ/s320/Picture+843.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the *not so* Secret Garden entrance...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The place is literally overflowing with native plants and charm. Everything is blooming and thriving. The whole place has a laid back country cottage charm that held me there much longer than it should have. It was also educational - there was information on becoming a certified wildlife habitat, native plants, Monarch butterflies and worm composting.<br />
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I will admit it - I shamelessly came for the free worms! And put them to good use, half went to John's own brand new DIY vermicomposting setup :) They were very generous and nearly filled the 6 quart container I brought with me! I think my favorite moment of the visit was when I explained to her that I'd gotten such a small number of worms to start my vermicompost I was afraid they'd inbreed - and she said well if you start hearing *mimickedcountrybanjomusic* then I'd start to worry. Ok, in print it sounds really dumb but in person it was hilarious :9<br />
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They also had a display about choosing solar panels, NOT about what setup is cheapest or most efficient, far more important. How to choose solar panels that are properly tested and certified so they don't spontaneously combust and nearly burn down your house. Seriously. It happened to them because they didn't know to check for certification, and their building & safety office didn't either. One day they started burning and luckily the fire department got it put out in time to save the roof. They have one of the faulty panels left which was up in the backyard for guests to inspect. They already have new panels on their roof - UL tested and approved now that they know. Their building department knows now too and their local fire department is using their near tragedy as an educational tool for others.<br />
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And lastly what won me over (as if the rest wasn't enough) were the free milkweed transplants and seeds they were giving out. They labelled the different varieties, and even had some that came with Monarch eggs or caterpillars! I took a couple which were not supposed to have any wildlife coming with them because I don't have any other milkweed they could eat and I wanted the seedlings to survive! They would have sent me home with many many more but luckily I was limited in carry space w/the bike n' all ;) There will be more about those milkweeds I picked up soon... *hinthint*<br />
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So I give a huge THANK YOU to Archie's Garden for sharing!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBURM67QzlQ/TdKxFL3YwNI/AAAAAAAAAmY/E-0LGV6TA4M/s1600/Picture+836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBURM67QzlQ/TdKxFL3YwNI/AAAAAAAAAmY/E-0LGV6TA4M/s320/Picture+836.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-19430709921448866342011-05-17T10:11:00.000-07:002011-05-17T10:11:29.986-07:00LOTB Community Container Garden Update 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I have been wanting to post about my green children participating in the LOTB <a href="http://lifeonthebalcony.com/community-container-garden-2/">Community Container Garden</a> project. Fern came up with the idea of selecting a small variety of plants that can be grown in containers in many climates for her readers to give a try. She figured it'd be cool for many people to be able to give input on the same plants to help each other. She also set up a forum for participants to have one central place to post about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">So out of the five varieties chosen I am growing 3 because I already had seeds for two and I was excited to hear about the other. I already had my tomatoes and cucs picked out for the year.<br />
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Here's how my green babies were doing on April 12, about a month after sowing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6RRjuNp97S8/TdKmLK8ExXI/AAAAAAAAAlc/4E7XU8Ev_1I/s320/DSCF2999.jpg" width="213" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> sunflower Sunspot</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was doing so well I had already potted it in a plastic 12" pot I found somewhere</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SswQy5PYQjg/TdKmL41Wo7I/AAAAAAAAAlg/87CNtbeMp_s/s1600/DSCF3001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SswQy5PYQjg/TdKmL41Wo7I/AAAAAAAAAlg/87CNtbeMp_s/s320/DSCF3001.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> basil Purple Petra</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eOFgv9li1I/TdKmMRrfyBI/AAAAAAAAAlk/iAbriiu9A6E/s1600/DSCF3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1eOFgv9li1I/TdKmMRrfyBI/AAAAAAAAAlk/iAbriiu9A6E/s320/DSCF3002.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> garlic chives</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">On April 22 I planted another of the Sunspots in one of my <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2010/03/tomato-pot-1.html">tompots</a> from last year with some lettuce Marvel of Four Seasons for contrast. I also tucked in a cambridge blue lobelia that had volunteered in another pot.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DL-AgnbI9t0/TdKmMzkzM9I/AAAAAAAAAlo/ihafTOWS8j0/s1600/Picture+620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DL-AgnbI9t0/TdKmMzkzM9I/AAAAAAAAAlo/ihafTOWS8j0/s320/Picture+620.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">On April 29 I stopped by home for lunch and to my horror... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr6Fnf4KYc4/TdKmNggp71I/AAAAAAAAAls/CJKjdzj0TLY/s1600/Picture+759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jr6Fnf4KYc4/TdKmNggp71I/AAAAAAAAAls/CJKjdzj0TLY/s320/Picture+759.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I have no idea what happened</div><div style="text-align: center;">My best guess is it just got so hot that day it cooked :;(</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">At least it's two sisters have been flourishing. Here's the tompot one on May 2:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVvCTWlFurM/TdKmOK3NUQI/AAAAAAAAAlw/VdWqNiNyo_E/s1600/Picture+913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PVvCTWlFurM/TdKmOK3NUQI/AAAAAAAAAlw/VdWqNiNyo_E/s320/Picture+913.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Incidentally, somehow during the month of April I managed to grow a very nice set of nails despite all my mucking about without garden gloves... They've since been broken, cracked, snagged, ragged, clipped & etc.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Efwxl-71pKw/TdKmOmjg3gI/AAAAAAAAAl0/LZQu9CQV0S4/s1600/Picture+939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Efwxl-71pKw/TdKmOmjg3gI/AAAAAAAAAl0/LZQu9CQV0S4/s320/Picture+939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">May 8th I was finally able to transplant the garlic chives into the Utility Rack Planter and I put a basil in with my tomato Mexico Midget.</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2ZYKKBx9Wg/TdKmPorRgNI/AAAAAAAAAl8/dveQ-XRt2tE/s1600/Picture+962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2ZYKKBx9Wg/TdKmPorRgNI/AAAAAAAAAl8/dveQ-XRt2tE/s320/Picture+962.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clint Eastwood is bending to greet them hehehe...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXfj8zfmoH4/TdKmQcK1WaI/AAAAAAAAAmA/-RJogCPmhgE/s320/Picture+964.jpg" width="213" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> btw, that 13" pot was $6.99 at Ikea..*hinthint*</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJCmQajIA5I/TdKmQ9C4gzI/AAAAAAAAAmE/6mxPcTUhQSU/s1600/Picture+966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJCmQajIA5I/TdKmQ9C4gzI/AAAAAAAAAmE/6mxPcTUhQSU/s320/Picture+966.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the tompotted sunflower and it's lettuce entourage seem happy</div><div style="text-align: center;">the fudog to the bottom right was a Goodwill find :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21jcyRM3wgk/TdKmR5GqPbI/AAAAAAAAAmM/oc8MS3r8NHI/s1600/Picture+978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21jcyRM3wgk/TdKmR5GqPbI/AAAAAAAAAmM/oc8MS3r8NHI/s320/Picture+978.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it spends its days taunting me with the promise of flowers to come...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There is another sunflower I've left in a 1 gal pot because I can't decide another spot to put it right now. I will also probably grow some more the rest of spring through fall.<br />
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Oh, and instead of thinning the basil seedlings I managed to carefully separate them so I now have 5 more transplants. I am going to pot a couple of them and if anyone in the LA area would like the others lemme know... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TX8UEn0yunI/TdKmRTI3N-I/AAAAAAAAAmI/chqcrXamlSY/s1600/Picture+972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TX8UEn0yunI/TdKmRTI3N-I/AAAAAAAAAmI/chqcrXamlSY/s320/Picture+972.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">So as of today the sunflowers have still not yet bloomed :( The anticipation is making me antsy :/ I'm hoping by this weekend the chives will be doing well enough I can snip some to put in a meal. I don't think I'll glean anything off the basil for a few more weeks.<br />
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And that's it, we're all caught up on my Community Container Garden :) Good luck to everyone else participating too!</div></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-52687208614813613012011-05-16T14:22:00.000-07:002011-05-16T14:26:48.740-07:00Belated Bloom Day May 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I didn't have time or access to a computer yesterday, but damnit I want to share my flowers! So here they go :) First the backyard containers:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSCy3puvDrQ/TdFwsOOoxRI/AAAAAAAAAiA/ZAd5ETQ8rJg/s1600/Picture+1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSCy3puvDrQ/TdFwsOOoxRI/AAAAAAAAAiA/ZAd5ETQ8rJg/s320/Picture+1055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">cosmo <i>Seashells Blend </i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSoVlKVx22g/TdFwsi_hJxI/AAAAAAAAAiE/W949uc9o_e4/s1600/Picture+1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSoVlKVx22g/TdFwsi_hJxI/AAAAAAAAAiE/W949uc9o_e4/s320/Picture+1057.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">common chives & lobelia </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUuOAzOJ4EY/TdFwtC1s_fI/AAAAAAAAAiI/Uvr7DSqp4Ng/s1600/Picture+1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUuOAzOJ4EY/TdFwtC1s_fI/AAAAAAAAAiI/Uvr7DSqp4Ng/s320/Picture+1058.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I <i>think</i> these may be a creeping Jenny, they came home hiding in fountain grass from the nursery two years ago. I like the peach colored flowers which only open in sunlight (it was cloudy when I took the pic)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZsGZW2UXJU/TdFwt_Of6TI/AAAAAAAAAiM/kbmF9F0V3qU/s1600/Picture+1061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ZsGZW2UXJU/TdFwt_Of6TI/AAAAAAAAAiM/kbmF9F0V3qU/s320/Picture+1061.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And this is a calendula <i>Kablooma</i>, not quite what I was hoping it would be :/</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtaWraPf40U/TdFwuVdFrjI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/HQkUluJTaTg/s1600/Picture+1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LtaWraPf40U/TdFwuVdFrjI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/HQkUluJTaTg/s320/Picture+1062.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> annual blue salvia among my tomatos</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NWer3k9Y4N_N9UWKp9GiK3zMX-M54_UbsMmIf_j7nV89ggMqVYUPFsVIOZi3IDY5LRzgnj3AdjC8lbYbduscsfI7PRDUZd0UZGqDHcbiC16HUaE20In-qI0olaVT8rR0TFHtSnFIvQU/s1600/Picture+1063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NWer3k9Y4N_N9UWKp9GiK3zMX-M54_UbsMmIf_j7nV89ggMqVYUPFsVIOZi3IDY5LRzgnj3AdjC8lbYbduscsfI7PRDUZd0UZGqDHcbiC16HUaE20In-qI0olaVT8rR0TFHtSnFIvQU/s320/Picture+1063.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> common thyme</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIaiz24Vh2Q/TdFwvVHrSyI/AAAAAAAAAiY/wCEovwksYwY/s1600/Picture+1065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIaiz24Vh2Q/TdFwvVHrSyI/AAAAAAAAAiY/wCEovwksYwY/s320/Picture+1065.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> heliotrope :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Md0OUvO8Ns/TdFwvynYbeI/AAAAAAAAAic/uKpdaEQ6zZ8/s1600/Picture+1066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Md0OUvO8Ns/TdFwvynYbeI/AAAAAAAAAic/uKpdaEQ6zZ8/s320/Picture+1066.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">alyssum </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OR-Q5ewaGwY/TdFwwQsoZSI/AAAAAAAAAig/gFTCaIqW_m0/s1600/Picture+1067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OR-Q5ewaGwY/TdFwwQsoZSI/AAAAAAAAAig/gFTCaIqW_m0/s320/Picture+1067.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/04/project-shelving-rack-into-raised.html">new tomatoes</a> are finally blooming!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d8gnJED2LPs/TdFww12PTvI/AAAAAAAAAik/O4BNKXsS6Os/s1600/Picture+1068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d8gnJED2LPs/TdFww12PTvI/AAAAAAAAAik/O4BNKXsS6Os/s320/Picture+1068.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">nasturtium <i>Alaska </i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTnAUJto7xA/TdFwxVWla_I/AAAAAAAAAio/AKOZckAwttM/s1600/Picture+1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTnAUJto7xA/TdFwxVWla_I/AAAAAAAAAio/AKOZckAwttM/s320/Picture+1069.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I allow some oxalis with lavender/pink flowers to hang around</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaHEReGxgfE/TdF12A0cwdI/AAAAAAAAAis/xZGh8np8n5A/s1600/Picture+1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaHEReGxgfE/TdF12A0cwdI/AAAAAAAAAis/xZGh8np8n5A/s320/Picture+1070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm highly surprised that my pansies <i>Bewitch'd</i> are still around this late into spring</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo3oLvo5DNY/TdF12xTIroI/AAAAAAAAAiw/lVkwPIqxBfY/s1600/Picture+1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo3oLvo5DNY/TdF12xTIroI/AAAAAAAAAiw/lVkwPIqxBfY/s320/Picture+1071.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> lots of alyssum this year, bringing tons of hover flies :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6Y3rkz-Gpg/TdF13dv4OnI/AAAAAAAAAi0/T2CyT80wbwE/s1600/Picture+1072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6Y3rkz-Gpg/TdF13dv4OnI/AAAAAAAAAi0/T2CyT80wbwE/s320/Picture+1072.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">MYSTERY PLANT!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Three of these have come up so far. I think they may be volunteers from my guara last year (which have since been transplanted to the rental property). The plants are tall and thin, the flowers miniscule and they keep disappearing (see the stumps?). The blooms don't look like the guara though. Any ideas out there?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EahucUrOaew/TdF13rHYaHI/AAAAAAAAAi4/woUbE9VNC68/s1600/Picture+1073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EahucUrOaew/TdF13rHYaHI/AAAAAAAAAi4/woUbE9VNC68/s320/Picture+1073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">strawberry <i>Fragola Quattro Stagioni</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">The other Sequoia are blooming too, but forgot to photo them<i> </i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoiPGxW6WHM/TdF14FSYsBI/AAAAAAAAAi8/SH8E2d5Dc10/s1600/Picture+1074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoiPGxW6WHM/TdF14FSYsBI/AAAAAAAAAi8/SH8E2d5Dc10/s320/Picture+1074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> my peach miniature roses (99 cent store find!) are starting to bloom again :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfAoGF4Z5xQ/TdF14iHj7fI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Yd9Uw9X8nBY/s1600/Picture+1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nfAoGF4Z5xQ/TdF14iHj7fI/AAAAAAAAAjA/Yd9Uw9X8nBY/s320/Picture+1076.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think this is the purtiest onion flower head I've seen :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrwKbStDa8M/TdGTyitkSQI/AAAAAAAAAko/tXgm-HNNsnE/s1600/DSCF3669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrwKbStDa8M/TdGTyitkSQI/AAAAAAAAAko/tXgm-HNNsnE/s320/DSCF3669.JPG" width="217" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and my new yellow milkweed (more on this emergency purchase later)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And now the front yard:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLe30SW7LFw/TdF5hkza6eI/AAAAAAAAAjE/AVh6rrPTbzI/s1600/Picture+1082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eLe30SW7LFw/TdF5hkza6eI/AAAAAAAAAjE/AVh6rrPTbzI/s320/Picture+1082.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Da's <i>shastas</i> are going nuts</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DmiA7y59oc/TdF5iMV9pxI/AAAAAAAAAjI/IKJ1emxAM2M/s1600/Picture+1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DmiA7y59oc/TdF5iMV9pxI/AAAAAAAAAjI/IKJ1emxAM2M/s320/Picture+1083.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the sweet pea Princess Elizabeth</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They had been blooming wonderfully, but yesterday they were down to the last and it was time to cut them down. That was the last photo I took, and of course saved some seed pods.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FayZv6uOIW4/TdF5ioG3r9I/AAAAAAAAAjM/aLhZlVhpob8/s1600/Picture+1085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FayZv6uOIW4/TdF5ioG3r9I/AAAAAAAAAjM/aLhZlVhpob8/s320/Picture+1085.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the geraniums (unknown variety) by the front gate are back in their full glory</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt08KDUB22c/TdF5i3CPAzI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/wYe6-4XDJLQ/s1600/Picture+1086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zt08KDUB22c/TdF5i3CPAzI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/wYe6-4XDJLQ/s320/Picture+1086.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Da's lavender rosebush is happy again</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5gPYJHeyv0/TdF5judcsMI/AAAAAAAAAjU/oIBK8tR0Odk/s1600/Picture+1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5gPYJHeyv0/TdF5judcsMI/AAAAAAAAAjU/oIBK8tR0Odk/s320/Picture+1087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I've added kalanchoe from the 99 Cent Store along the strip behind the sliding gate</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QkiofGh6icg/TdF88YAv_NI/AAAAAAAAAjc/qhhhFuy9PVQ/s1600/Picture+1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QkiofGh6icg/TdF88YAv_NI/AAAAAAAAAjc/qhhhFuy9PVQ/s320/Picture+1090.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the blue butterfly bush is coming out nicely again :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtpjHDHYVFQ/TdF888k8_dI/AAAAAAAAAjg/0_W7Q1ik8gk/s1600/Picture+1091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtpjHDHYVFQ/TdF888k8_dI/AAAAAAAAAjg/0_W7Q1ik8gk/s320/Picture+1091.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> we've got a profusion of calendula <i>Zeolights</i> by way of a seed trade with <a href="http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/">Mike</a> - thanks dude!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80kRJ4K1VxaytqwBSUsVi-YoAUBzxsmO1Y7sJIx8_iuTnGzWPR3gUYHmpgDFwdjhYoqIdf5Nrt1_E4tONjSOEf-4r7fYuWwvj1_R_E9r-QT8yqxAKLA-IlHWa0erk-MACM17eRf8sz1g/s1600/Picture+1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80kRJ4K1VxaytqwBSUsVi-YoAUBzxsmO1Y7sJIx8_iuTnGzWPR3gUYHmpgDFwdjhYoqIdf5Nrt1_E4tONjSOEf-4r7fYuWwvj1_R_E9r-QT8yqxAKLA-IlHWa0erk-MACM17eRf8sz1g/s320/Picture+1092.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Yarrow in the gate strip</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nO0kCvZGxDU/TdF8-HmDneI/AAAAAAAAAjo/VeRuo33oNeU/s1600/Picture+1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nO0kCvZGxDU/TdF8-HmDneI/AAAAAAAAAjo/VeRuo33oNeU/s320/Picture+1093.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> a volunteer nasturtium <i>Alaska</i> that popped up by the yarrow</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85bwkud8KyrtQQ_snv9QR-XF6av8oqGk5kbH9kZE3VUQodDwfqsT2D5HUvCWGCNFoce97ISBH_YTLGQUqAgbhiuEa37eyswZA4XuU9IkuEyEI6zA0HZYKaEMgOPEm7eV4aK7wI-Jck8A/s1600/Picture+1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85bwkud8KyrtQQ_snv9QR-XF6av8oqGk5kbH9kZE3VUQodDwfqsT2D5HUvCWGCNFoce97ISBH_YTLGQUqAgbhiuEa37eyswZA4XuU9IkuEyEI6zA0HZYKaEMgOPEm7eV4aK7wI-Jck8A/s320/Picture+1094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Da's new <i>Peace</i> rose just planted a few weeks ago, the snap dragons around it aren't blooming yet :(</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRu0fffYxas/TdF9Daw2f9I/AAAAAAAAAj0/JFTD7nzh9Uc/s1600/Picture+1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRu0fffYxas/TdF9Daw2f9I/AAAAAAAAAj0/JFTD7nzh9Uc/s320/Picture+1096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> this second year scabiosa <i>Isaac's House</i> it finally blooming, I was hoping for a more bluish tint</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLyWEr7cwgg/TdF9EJzJdAI/AAAAAAAAAj4/cOfgCXDnZ2M/s1600/Picture+1098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wLyWEr7cwgg/TdF9EJzJdAI/AAAAAAAAAj4/cOfgCXDnZ2M/s320/Picture+1098.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> and no clue why but the bluebells have been doing <i>terribly</i> this spring, perhaps too wet?</div><div style="text-align: center;">anyway, finally got some going with Da's new <i>Beloved</i> rosebush</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGBmkqcpkbo/TdGB0oXGu5I/AAAAAAAAAkA/AxXwUN8Iaqw/s1600/Picture+1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UGBmkqcpkbo/TdGB0oXGu5I/AAAAAAAAAkA/AxXwUN8Iaqw/s320/Picture+1099.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> still ridiculously happy the larkspur <i>Shades of Blue </i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">which are actually <b>purple</b> :/</span> re-seeded itself :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgQsUejZr2s/TdGB1A556xI/AAAAAAAAAkE/Fb3xGDVr9t0/s1600/Picture+1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgQsUejZr2s/TdGB1A556xI/AAAAAAAAAkE/Fb3xGDVr9t0/s320/Picture+1102.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> new sweet lavender in the front</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5x31MI-7_dI/TdGB1kMI-QI/AAAAAAAAAkI/mVFRiS-tL1k/s1600/Picture+1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5x31MI-7_dI/TdGB1kMI-QI/AAAAAAAAAkI/mVFRiS-tL1k/s320/Picture+1103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the statice that refuses to die :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCeuyX3I5FI/TdGB2ecVKoI/AAAAAAAAAkM/2pl__0PG10k/s1600/Picture+1104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dCeuyX3I5FI/TdGB2ecVKoI/AAAAAAAAAkM/2pl__0PG10k/s320/Picture+1104.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I finally have borage! and it's a bee magnet as promised :) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JOUMvvVRBbE/TdGB23ZePvI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/XqA-qJLYv0s/s1600/Picture+1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JOUMvvVRBbE/TdGB23ZePvI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/XqA-qJLYv0s/s320/Picture+1105.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> a new geranium I got for Ma, forget the variety...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4oSUMDusnM/TdGB3f_dkVI/AAAAAAAAAkU/DlbLrAc1Xjs/s1600/Picture+1109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4oSUMDusnM/TdGB3f_dkVI/AAAAAAAAAkU/DlbLrAc1Xjs/s320/Picture+1109.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">zinnia <i>Art Deco</i> is finally opening up :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWCZgHRfpPQ/TdGDXRoBImI/AAAAAAAAAkY/cmyPfs8Rhn8/s1600/Picture+1110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nWCZgHRfpPQ/TdGDXRoBImI/AAAAAAAAAkY/cmyPfs8Rhn8/s320/Picture+1110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> another</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnglWbDjDonuLdyc8tBObI20o8KwCmNVd87w5Dhg6kGWn_O67ZzGQKJRV7RJcEiBvun7Y1mtSeJRdkPglBv8_InROQI2mHvHR6lEvgqv4I8QAXZaFKYYxDuP7ZNxdccCSRAd4xgwCMc4/s1600/Picture+1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnglWbDjDonuLdyc8tBObI20o8KwCmNVd87w5Dhg6kGWn_O67ZzGQKJRV7RJcEiBvun7Y1mtSeJRdkPglBv8_InROQI2mHvHR6lEvgqv4I8QAXZaFKYYxDuP7ZNxdccCSRAd4xgwCMc4/s320/Picture+1111.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">lobelia Crystal Palace recently transplanted below the white rosebush </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyJxxYnKaZU/TdGDYWzm9iI/AAAAAAAAAkg/n4TfMzwZmhM/s1600/Picture+1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PyJxxYnKaZU/TdGDYWzm9iI/AAAAAAAAAkg/n4TfMzwZmhM/s320/Picture+1112.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> and Da's white roses</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8STv8ZBsuA/TdGDYx_vsOI/AAAAAAAAAkk/gWd-c9tLeNQ/s1600/Picture+1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T8STv8ZBsuA/TdGDYx_vsOI/AAAAAAAAAkk/gWd-c9tLeNQ/s320/Picture+1114.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and of course you can't leave without admiring my Felis catus "<i>Watching You</i>"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other things blooming that didn't photograph well are my new spanish lavendar and lavender <i>Lemon Leigh</i>, columbine, morning glory <i>Heavenly Blue</i> and an unknown purple morning glory.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The poppy Mission Bells and Lauren's Grape were already spent and whacked down for the year :'( </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was very frustrated that my bolted lettuces and sunflower for the <a href="http://lifeonthebalcony.com/community-container-garden-2/">Community Container Garden</a> project are budding budding budding - and not yet bloomed in time :P<br />
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Happy Belated Bloom Day to everyone! </div></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-73017294656267979592011-04-26T13:13:00.000-07:002012-01-04T19:06:34.388-08:00Project: Shelving Rack into Raised Planter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Two weeks ago I finally got around to a project I've been dreaming of for months. With help from my da we turned this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDEWNI0Va_I/Tbcbl5tW9lI/AAAAAAAAAhM/AynqTkhY3ic/s1600/NRP1.1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QDEWNI0Va_I/Tbcbl5tW9lI/AAAAAAAAAhM/AynqTkhY3ic/s320/NRP1.1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">FREE second hand metal utility shelving rack :) </span></div><br />
Into this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bocbqBvJMZE/TbcbqucXhLI/AAAAAAAAAho/jfr13Enkddw/s1600/NRP1.8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bocbqBvJMZE/TbcbqucXhLI/AAAAAAAAAho/jfr13Enkddw/s320/NRP1.8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Raised planter!</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Over a year ago a friend gave the metal rack to me when he was cleaning out his garage. Originally I'd considered making it a greenhouse for seedlings, or just use it as nice shelves to set containers on ...but it'd been thickly painted after its first assembly and I couldn't get the pieces to budge. I didn't want shelves or a greenhouse I couldn't modify as necessary. So I repainted it from fire engine red to a calmer brown and set stuff on and under it while I decided what to do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally the raised planter idea came. Da helped me get the lumber from a local place he used to use (he was a cabinet maker for decades). Rough sawn cedar. He was being contrary that day and bought it for me ;) Da picked it up when the order came in, John helped me unload at home and get things set up for us to start work.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6gd4hByDgw/Tbcbmd5QygI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/N8aSy8rCjVg/s1600/NRP1.2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6gd4hByDgw/Tbcbmd5QygI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/N8aSy8rCjVg/s320/NRP1.2.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> My dear Grumpy took over the project almost immediately.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJBhZ-iyNX0/Tbcbmxpc43I/AAAAAAAAAhU/C5BuO_RPA_o/s1600/NRP1.3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WJBhZ-iyNX0/Tbcbmxpc43I/AAAAAAAAAhU/C5BuO_RPA_o/s320/NRP1.3.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I am always fascinated and frustrated watching him work.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(he does not like to let me <strike>play with</strike> use the power <strike>toys</strike> tools)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDhPygCGEj8/Tbcbnf6NieI/AAAAAAAAAhY/hx5z578UjGQ/s1600/NRP1.4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDhPygCGEj8/Tbcbnf6NieI/AAAAAAAAAhY/hx5z578UjGQ/s320/NRP1.4.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">There's the bottom boards ready</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4PywrxlH1k/TbcboE5en6I/AAAAAAAAAhc/EbjGUiCC0Kg/s1600/NRP1.5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4PywrxlH1k/TbcboE5en6I/AAAAAAAAAhc/EbjGUiCC0Kg/s320/NRP1.5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rough sawn is cheaper and I love the look, but it is not without hazzards :( </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YngGVXCuVAo/TbcbpBhRXrI/AAAAAAAAAhg/1WZnFLs_tcA/s1600/NRP1.6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YngGVXCuVAo/TbcbpBhRXrI/AAAAAAAAAhg/1WZnFLs_tcA/s320/NRP1.6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can see the way the racks are put together makes the bottom boards slope inwards ... perfect for drainage! I cut a coconut basket liner in half and put that inside each end of the planter to keep the soil from spilling out. I also used an old cloth sheet scrap to line the drainage crack all along the bottom to keep the soil in.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zecVlvAkmn4/Tbcbpw65DMI/AAAAAAAAAhk/-efr-SdmhNU/s1600/NRP1.7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zecVlvAkmn4/Tbcbpw65DMI/AAAAAAAAAhk/-efr-SdmhNU/s320/NRP1.7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">And here's the completed planter!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The measuring, cutting and putting together took less than two hours! We had to split some boards, and re-cut boards by little increments to get them all to fit properly (the rack wasn't put together perfectly square). The front (long) boards were put in first, then the side (short) ones sandwiched between them at the ends. The L shape of the legs holds the sides up, and the pressure from the soil inside keeps them in place. We used ZERO screws or nails! (not counting the bits attaching the rack pieces that were already there). I thought about painting the outside with Earthsafe paints.... but I <i>love</i> the look of the raw wood :)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">After all that was done I used E.B. Stone soil I bought with my <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/04/groupon-deal-for-la-area-gardeners.html">Groupon</a> to fill it, took six 20 qt. bags oh my! I used five of the Edna's Best Potting Soil and 1 Flower & Vegetable Soil, and mixed in a few cups of Kellog's organic vegetable fertilizer.</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BArLqpp84s/TbcbrF_KDtI/AAAAAAAAAhs/oofiIB4wnxA/s1600/NRP1.9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2BArLqpp84s/TbcbrF_KDtI/AAAAAAAAAhs/oofiIB4wnxA/s320/NRP1.9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You can see that Felis catus "Oh So Helpful" did her part by keeping the bags from flying away</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"> Then the fun part came. I transplanted four tomatoes (roots and stems buried 12" min!), three blue annual salvias, two akashiso, two kale Dwarf Blue and a Marvel of Four Seasons lettuce. A few days later I exchanged the kale with nasturtium Alaskas when I was that's a no-no mix in my companion planting guide. There is still some space left along the front. I might put basil or chives from the LotB community garden project there, or onions and carrots... We will see.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also used some plant markers I found at Ikea for the tomatoes. They are nice, two for a dollar :) I used paint markers, which come off with rubbing alcohol for next season, to write the varieties.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHZCU-llHCY/TbcbrqeOHVI/AAAAAAAAAhw/ZeX-5feNP8U/s1600/NRP1.10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gHZCU-llHCY/TbcbrqeOHVI/AAAAAAAAAhw/ZeX-5feNP8U/s320/NRP1.10.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pBXKZdopT9Y/TbcbscMeS0I/AAAAAAAAAh0/mGEPAz43raM/s1600/NRP1.11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pBXKZdopT9Y/TbcbscMeS0I/AAAAAAAAAh0/mGEPAz43raM/s320/NRP1.11.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nyXSSdlU9NsjLJ-NnNE4FkMHfNumw52cWpdjM9hcQf_NP1TA621jq38tyXjn9nQ6UE17iE1ssz5ZLBUGag4Detwc-aMLIx3BRnvRIC5wCDNV-qmTrf2EiA5jn7IUHzIA5Z5gwHJ2nOg/s1600/NRP1.12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nyXSSdlU9NsjLJ-NnNE4FkMHfNumw52cWpdjM9hcQf_NP1TA621jq38tyXjn9nQ6UE17iE1ssz5ZLBUGag4Detwc-aMLIx3BRnvRIC5wCDNV-qmTrf2EiA5jn7IUHzIA5Z5gwHJ2nOg/s320/NRP1.12.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Umo4BgLjehI/TbcbtU3QpaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/azTx2ll1xkg/s1600/NRP1.13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Umo4BgLjehI/TbcbtU3QpaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/azTx2ll1xkg/s320/NRP1.13.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
I'm very happy with this project. Thanks Da!<br />
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*update*<br />
Here's an October 2011 photo. The fall plants are growing in well, and the cast iron wall ornament I found at a yard sale completes it :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eD-oKPgGW7E/TpTEE3IvxDI/AAAAAAAAA0I/eVgrsXhqS1o/s1600/Photo+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eD-oKPgGW7E/TpTEE3IvxDI/AAAAAAAAA0I/eVgrsXhqS1o/s320/Photo+034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>*UPDATE 1/4/12*<br />
I'm entering this project in the Not Just a Housewife's Best DIY Project of 2011 contest, please click the link below and vote for me!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2012/01/best-diy-project-of-2011-contest.html" target"blank"=""><img border="0" src="http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr283/StacyRisenmay/contest-button-200x200.jpg" /></a></center></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-28974488278748917632011-04-20T11:54:00.000-07:002011-04-20T11:54:59.717-07:00Mar Vista Garden Showcase<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Next weekend on Saturday, April 30th is the <a href="http://marvistagreengardenshowcase.blogspot.com/">Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase</a>. If you are in or near LA County with would be an awesome day event for you running from 11am to 4pm and it's FREE!<br />
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They have multiple tours going on focused on different aspects of green gardening like native planting and solar power. If you click on the different tour maps it has lists of the gardens included and each one's special features so you can plan what you really want to see ahead of time! (so kind, thank you!) It seems many of the home garden in the tours have been featured in Sunset and other gardening mags, including <a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-elizabeth-low-garden-20110416,0,6756029.story">this one</a> that was in the LA Times.<br />
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I think I am going to skip my city's Youth Day Parade this year to check it out! And I think I'll be riding my bici through.... any other LA gardeners wanna meet up and join me?!</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-48826099314909096532011-04-12T11:59:00.000-07:002011-04-12T12:00:08.765-07:00Grape Poppies at Last!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">I tried to grow Lauren's Grape poppies unsuccessfully several times last year. This year I finally have 3 plants going strong and two just bloomed yesterday! Sorry, just can't wait for Bloom Day this month...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h790BJPsMao/TaSgdvLg9VI/AAAAAAAAAg8/uVdGH5gPJfU/s1600/GP1.1.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h790BJPsMao/TaSgdvLg9VI/AAAAAAAAAg8/uVdGH5gPJfU/s320/GP1.1.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWQ5NQRJvks/TaSgeIgxJ8I/AAAAAAAAAhA/_D4OqmJc_Tw/s1600/GP1.2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWQ5NQRJvks/TaSgeIgxJ8I/AAAAAAAAAhA/_D4OqmJc_Tw/s320/GP1.2.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBl14uN3JCk/TaSgeoOWZnI/AAAAAAAAAhE/vH-KU3OHTds/s1600/GP1.3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBl14uN3JCk/TaSgeoOWZnI/AAAAAAAAAhE/vH-KU3OHTds/s320/GP1.3.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XekOn26cgPA/TaSgfMAlqzI/AAAAAAAAAhI/JDhN-bClANk/s1600/GP1.4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XekOn26cgPA/TaSgfMAlqzI/AAAAAAAAAhI/JDhN-bClANk/s320/GP1.4.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The plants are much taller and wider than I expected from the packet info. The blossoms are also larger than I'd hoped and a perfect red wine color! The pics don't do them justice, they are much more purple in person. Even Photoshop couldn't help me show the proper coloring *sigh*. Very happy again today :)</div></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-10160460686285538642011-04-11T10:18:00.000-07:002011-04-11T10:18:13.940-07:00Happy Sightings!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I've had four sightings in the last 3 weeks that have made me do happy dances :) Sadly, each time I had no camera in my hands :/<br />
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Three weeks ago I saw my <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-has-falcon.html">Cooper's hawk</a> fly overhead just before sunset. I assume he/she was heading to wherever the nest is for the night. I hadn't seen it for awhile and was worrying over it.<br />
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The week after that I got up to water my green children one morning and found hover flies everywhere in my container garden! They were going after my alyssum and too fast to catch on camera :/ I saw many different sizes and colors so I think that means there's a good variety in my mini-habitat :)<br />
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Last week I stopped by home in the middle of day and there was the Cooper's hawk again! It flew out of dad's avocado tree (online info says they like to ambush little birds inside tree canopies) and sat on our fence briefly before flying off to chase a crow. That was amazing to see. Despite the fact that it's trying to make a meal out of my little army (as I call the sparrows and morning doves that come to our feeder) I really like having that hawk around. I would just prefer it to eat more pigeons instead...<br />
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Aaand... this morning while watering my green children again I heard a weird buzzy noise and looked up and - hummingbird! First I've seen this year. It was checking out the Alaska nasturtiums in the backyard :) I'm surprised to have it visit the container garden when I've hung a hummingbird feeder in the front yard :z<br />
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I must add more nasturtiums.... and transplant the red salvia I got last week....<br />
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Happy wildlife sightings to everyone!</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-16084652184780365012011-04-01T12:27:00.000-07:002011-04-01T12:27:45.120-07:00Groupon Deal for LA Area Gardeners!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hey, I found this Groupon deal today for Armstrong Garden Centers in Long Beach, Torrance, Westchester and Santa Monica! $25 for $50 of plants or supplies! Details at <a href="http://www.groupon.com/los-angeles/deals/armstrong-garden-centers-1?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=uu10989463">Groupon.com</a><br />
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Hope this helps some gardeners out!<br />
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Have fun getting your hands dirty this weekend!</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-24623170800809539042011-03-31T11:37:00.000-07:002011-03-31T11:39:59.138-07:00Returning to a Near Tragedy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;">About two weeks ago I went out of town to visit family for the weekend. Nice short trip. While I was gone we had another very crazy rainstorm according to everyone at home. Mom even told me she had brought some plants inside because they were getting drenched. Even though the weather was warm and perfect where I was, I was kind of envious not to be around for the rain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we arrived home last Monday almost the first thing I did was fawn over how well my recent transplants in the front had done -</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5bxxGMU-zo/TZTFJLgA65I/AAAAAAAAAgk/i9dkRROESFs/s1600/MXR1.4.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5bxxGMU-zo/TZTFJLgA65I/AAAAAAAAAgk/i9dkRROESFs/s320/MXR1.4.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">calendula Zeolights and a mystery larkspur from trade</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRd6g-JuxRs/TZTFIDI0oGI/AAAAAAAAAgc/n9rfs6SSVig/s1600/MXR1.2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRd6g-JuxRs/TZTFIDI0oGI/AAAAAAAAAgc/n9rfs6SSVig/s320/MXR1.2.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">yarrow along the front strip, and a nasturtium that came up out of nowhere</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKKpE0cLXeQ/TZTFIj3A36I/AAAAAAAAAgg/K5dMAdtjWeU/s1600/MXR1.3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKKpE0cLXeQ/TZTFIj3A36I/AAAAAAAAAgg/K5dMAdtjWeU/s320/MXR1.3.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the yarrow are already sending up new shoots!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Then I went to the backyard to check on my Green Babies and the water level in the rain gauge - </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGDhB-Mcllk/TZTFHtGsg3I/AAAAAAAAAgY/5keuBQ0Yzic/s1600/MXR1.1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGDhB-Mcllk/TZTFHtGsg3I/AAAAAAAAAgY/5keuBQ0Yzic/s320/MXR1.1.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>over two inches!</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">(in our area that's how much we <i>might</i> get in an <i>entire year</i>)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Then in my ridiculously happy state I turned around and nearly fell over when I saw the babies - </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5d14WRHUfos/TZTFJZHbDjI/AAAAAAAAAgo/P-ZpnGDLmNM/s1600/MXR1.5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5d14WRHUfos/TZTFJZHbDjI/AAAAAAAAAgo/P-ZpnGDLmNM/s320/MXR1.5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nhyTeZwpqu0/TZTFJ8RTHCI/AAAAAAAAAgs/mCrBcYtg6ek/s1600/MXR1.6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nhyTeZwpqu0/TZTFJ8RTHCI/AAAAAAAAAgs/mCrBcYtg6ek/s320/MXR1.6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> NOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was not prepared for that. See, the youngest seedlings are all on a recently completed craft shelf under an east facing overhang. It's the perfect spot to get all the sun they need, stay out of the worst heat of the day, and stay protected from weather and overnight chill. Well, apparently not so perfect if it's raining with an easterly wind :/ The next thirty minutes were spent draining all the trays and checking on every baby.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div>When I was a bit calmer mom came and reminded me about the plants she had moved inside. I had totally forgotten about that and rushed in -<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz1Wtu-4Ke8/TZTFKu6FAHI/AAAAAAAAAgw/0gREhZPEDYI/s1600/MXR1.7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz1Wtu-4Ke8/TZTFKu6FAHI/AAAAAAAAAgw/0gREhZPEDYI/s320/MXR1.7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Felis catus "Lead the Way" insisted on showing me the miracle</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It was very relieving to find the rest on my Green Children safe and sound. And very surprised. See, mom likes all the different flower varieties I've gotten growing in the front yard after decades of only rose bushes, Shasta daisies and cosmos. But she finds it annoying that I start so many seeds indoors and spend so much time fussing over the Green Babies that we can't possibly have enough room for. It is a freaking miracle, a momentary grace of the garden spirits if you will, that she noticed, cared enough, and went to the trouble of bringing them inside. If she hadn't I would have had to restart all those weeks old plants, some nearly ready to go to the rental, our front yard, and my container garden.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In fact despite the crazy weather there was only one loss -</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ_ZbcumLQM/TZTFLDgyTOI/AAAAAAAAAg0/UXnx5gUZ1ds/s1600/MXR1.8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ_ZbcumLQM/TZTFLDgyTOI/AAAAAAAAAg0/UXnx5gUZ1ds/s320/MXR1.8.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> my desert bluebell, the wind stripped all the flowers and nearly all the foliage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All the other container plantings were doing great, especially my successful black pansy -</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzpUl0Tg_YU/TZTFLZt9DxI/AAAAAAAAAg4/5tR6eEtjLRk/s1600/MXR1.9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzpUl0Tg_YU/TZTFLZt9DxI/AAAAAAAAAg4/5tR6eEtjLRk/s320/MXR1.9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-47582982704039700442011-03-15T11:30:00.000-07:002011-03-15T11:30:35.325-07:00Bloom Day March 2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_643437040">And here they are! First the front yard's bounty:</a><br />
<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_643437040"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_643437040" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iNvG_U2JrTk/TX-eU5UfbvI/AAAAAAAAAgM/SlBBDb0yCCs/s320/DSCF2387.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dad's sunny euryops</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_643437040" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zDooj9JSdxU/TX-eUl80CYI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Ihfj4fSruZE/s320/DSCF2386.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and his white roses are starting to wake up</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0fTwKBVJQgQ/TX-eTI5UVUI/AAAAAAAAAf4/vBsZCvcHaAs/s320/DSCF2379.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">his shaggy white daisies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zFzQsTEcL7g/TX-eSGLdDgI/AAAAAAAAAfw/pzQs-zY9__8/s320/DSCF2377.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a new Coleonema compacta I couldn't pass up for my mom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HxufD-G4xq0/TX-eUTj2meI/AAAAAAAAAgE/V9WyGOwIdRM/s320/DSCF2384.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">purple statice that is taking over its flower bed like nobody's business</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlG_FavBQEUnGcTT6LRHutC4fRwAoAMGWHx2Z7PMWm-dkOBEG3FxC8rVp4_CndXxztl5nZ473cEURFYiCM4f2izyYjqcboYS_TmzLpjlJIPwCPimxzr2-XyDJNb96vGJR4BLEm33ap0g/s320/DSCF2285.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">California poppies Mission Bells</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I try to grow a different color poppy for mom and <i>naturally</i> it's only the orange of the color blend that I get)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxQBThUodfyKLQuGCWXinx0m9yFkRT8jlP5jf4lDheeIZzIhf9WJemm8fP3QxMHvGHQpK9En_15fm0tTrI_LddaCaWhhvW0zp0Dmn59B7lcevzLowxhqC1nyRwAJ1I2hfTMFlRfWHPrg/s320/DSCF2382.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a new sweet lavender</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WSH9DMgghcM/TX-eTV8AUGI/AAAAAAAAAf8/gGyc47xM6M4/s320/DSCF2380.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">perennial candytuft</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">y'know last year I didn't think much of these guys but I find I like them winding through other plants</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PHl8pkRLDCI/TX-eSrEr1II/AAAAAAAAAf0/STAA81qVJhg/s320/DSCF2378.jpg" width="240" /></div><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_643437040"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pink geraniums</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now my purty edibles: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4myG2vLWhf0/TX-eNiI-MAI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/koKqbeyJvVA/s320/DSCF2368.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">snap peas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tZNWyvhMVqQ/TX-eRvzSWoI/AAAAAAAAAfs/BAzOrY_IfAI/s320/DSCF2376.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and again</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jHgAHQPWBbE/TX-ePlmA1aI/AAAAAAAAAfg/KW93XlgXfuw/s320/DSCF2372.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">mmm...strawberry Fragola Quattro Stagioni</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-34k8GuvUdSU/TX-eO8l6yUI/AAAAAAAAAfY/-E4I7xvk0tM/s320/DSCF2370.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">radish Watermelon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the edible root part is as big as my fist right now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7vBcwF98ycY/TX-eMGU3ovI/AAAAAAAAAfE/B0S-U_horGM/s320/DSCF2365.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">bunching onion</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hehe, my army buddy was all excited when he saw this one until he touched it and said "awuh, it's soft I thought it'd be pointy" :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3fQDPHHx8Eg/TX-eK-lbrYI/AAAAAAAAAe4/mwW5QVmErAQ/s320/DSCF2362.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my first lemon Pink Lemonade blossom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">never much cared for variegated leaves but these are growing on me...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And my personal ornamentals in my container garden:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M8oZhMzrbz0/TX-eIn9eRgI/AAAAAAAAAeg/rID_i5Fl4rQ/s320/DSCF2355.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a new geranium, eventually to go into the front for mom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Dyvy3TrfX08/TX-eJDbC8GI/AAAAAAAAAek/dX10q8OI-Ng/s320/DSCF2356.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Iceland poppies and lobelia Crystal Palace</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aT5rYkpr6XM/TX-eQ1K3PpI/AAAAAAAAAfk/xfLGvZ62soU/s1600/DSCF2374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aT5rYkpr6XM/TX-eQ1K3PpI/AAAAAAAAAfk/xfLGvZ62soU/s320/DSCF2374.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">red ranunculus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ku3mf0W4H18/TX-eJSfufAI/AAAAAAAAAeo/0XQJ2Z9LJYs/s320/DSCF2357.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">peachy-red ranunculus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(camera never captures this hue quite right)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TkI-PAFvknM/TX-eKBHIayI/AAAAAAAAAew/IXjjTfYVSJo/s320/DSCF2360.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a pansy Bewitched and some failed viola Amber Jewels</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oEpL7AUbghE/TX-eVYyMgiI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/XQqR-i58Z8g/s320/pansy.jpg" width="239" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">another of my fail pansy Bewitched</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RC72QBbSOYo/TX-eLORHRyI/AAAAAAAAAe8/En1pZgABzWA/s320/DSCF2363.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">alyssum Tiny Tim and lobelia Crystal Palace</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uSATjSb41h0/TX-eLjVPFxI/AAAAAAAAAfA/thYjvUzSPgU/s320/DSCF2364.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my endearing bluebells :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s17QGZE2cN8/TX-eMsbKV4I/AAAAAAAAAfI/aWjgEv-gkU4/s320/DSCF2366.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> alyssum Oriental Nights</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mhGCwTbPWuk/TX-eM3RE-8I/AAAAAAAAAfM/8kg4uUqKQvA/s320/DSCF2367.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">kalanchoe</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0lYKdZNVUE4/TX-eRWL9zSI/AAAAAAAAAfo/cSf16pGPXOw/s320/DSCF2375.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a successful viola Amber Jewels!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And finally my nasties, they have somehow sunk their roots into my heart and have quickly becoming a highly favored plant:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A-ToSE-Kgtc/TX-eJ0B_8lI/AAAAAAAAAes/8I4G_mo37co/s320/DSCF2359.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">nasturtium Tall Single</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V_ve880Z25E/TX-eKdFbmDI/AAAAAAAAAe0/NkU1NqgBkXw/s320/DSCF2361.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">an Alaska (it looks like a fairy hat!) with some lobelia Cambridge Blue</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TtAwudN-PMA/TX-eOFtCOQI/AAAAAAAAAfU/KKzKs31a7Hs/s1600/DSCF2369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TtAwudN-PMA/TX-eOFtCOQI/AAAAAAAAAfU/KKzKs31a7Hs/s320/DSCF2369.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">another Alask, it was my most "moundy"one until I had to prune it from an aphid attack :/</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mMYnKH0TvpM/TX-ePF4rXVI/AAAAAAAAAfc/MKCX_45Teq4/s320/DSCF2371.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and my most favorite nasty <3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it's an Alaska that started vining instead of mounding, it's 4 feet long and I love how it hugs the turquoise pot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hV4Yf7ISEus/TX-eIcwI7bI/AAAAAAAAAec/7hHV2VzAsCU/s320/DSCF2338.jpg" width="240" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this little fellow is my "red sheep" it's growing on the same vine as the yellow nasties in the above pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KIFfpRnu1IU/TX-eH4Z_WyI/AAAAAAAAAeY/1emxEWoSutg/s320/DSCF2337.jpg" width="240" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">how could anyone not like these cheery little fellows?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And to think, little more than a year ago nasturtiums weren't even on my radar...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Bloom Day all!</div></div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-81831872869803020382011-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:002011-03-14T11:50:17.290-07:00Peanut Shells...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Some days I swear my dad just wants to see what new thing he can do to screw with my brain. Lately it's been with peanut shells.<br />
<br />
Most everybody's heard the story of how long <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington_Carver">George Washington Carver</a> proposed using peanuts as a cover crop to re-vigorize agricultural soil. My dad took it to heart. Growing up I was very accustomed to him sprinkling his peanut shells in the rose beds after a snack. There hadn't been so much of that since we re-did the yard and dad was temporarily restricted in what nuts he was allowed to eat. But now he can eat all the peanuts he pleases again he's even got a 2 pound bag on the dinning room table to prove it :9 And he's gotten more inventive about where he sprinkles them...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MIdSVoqJr_E/TX5dUF8z7PI/AAAAAAAAAd8/E_zGQPSNimA/s1600/DSCF2293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MIdSVoqJr_E/TX5dUF8z7PI/AAAAAAAAAd8/E_zGQPSNimA/s320/DSCF2293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...there's the traditional rose bed location...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcLw18hRyIlr5mXBHI7JGfqAwenm0FkXCqnHqGINANsJPQrKMHKwUJQb0yE6uF5HeYM9Gdox-Wxk0YrhEBhGSDaBZNqa6zRw27Nywlxa7Zen4Z44_b76gihdDORHxWFn8_t3DXYfsGsc/s1600/DSCF2295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcLw18hRyIlr5mXBHI7JGfqAwenm0FkXCqnHqGINANsJPQrKMHKwUJQb0yE6uF5HeYM9Gdox-Wxk0YrhEBhGSDaBZNqa6zRw27Nywlxa7Zen4Z44_b76gihdDORHxWFn8_t3DXYfsGsc/s320/DSCF2295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...and my potted blue butterfly bush as well.</div><br />
See at first I was frustrated while it was very cold over the winter he often just threw them in the trash. Then I trained him to put them in the bucket I used every morning to pick whatever's ready to eat so I could dump it into my compost bin first. That lasted a nice month. Now it's warmer and it seems if he doesn't immediately see my garden trimmings bucket he just finds somewhere 'good enough' for them...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OqIofNefXfo/TX5dVxzGUfI/AAAAAAAAAeI/ACvB-HcC_OA/s1600/DSCF2297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OqIofNefXfo/TX5dVxzGUfI/AAAAAAAAAeI/ACvB-HcC_OA/s320/DSCF2297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...including an empty pot I haven't gotten to re-planting yet...<br />
(3 feet away from the garden trimmings bucket)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PhUFAKSoY3A/TX5dWUvuQfI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Q_lANjf5I_8/s1600/DSCF2298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PhUFAKSoY3A/TX5dWUvuQfI/AAAAAAAAAeM/Q_lANjf5I_8/s320/DSCF2298.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">...and an empty bin we usually toss from the garage recyclables into...<br />
(2 feet from the garden trimmings bucket)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bx4ia1jrgDE/TX5dTmKKABI/AAAAAAAAAd4/gZJfImK3C0A/s1600/DSCF2284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bx4ia1jrgDE/TX5dTmKKABI/AAAAAAAAAd4/gZJfImK3C0A/s320/DSCF2284.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">...my heliotrope...</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ks7yZlL1hA0/TX5dVsv1ALI/AAAAAAAAAeE/e29JTDRlolY/s1600/DSCF2296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ks7yZlL1hA0/TX5dVsv1ALI/AAAAAAAAAeE/e29JTDRlolY/s320/DSCF2296.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">... the broken pots I save to crush into drainage gravel...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dkSkqgY3iE8/TX5dWzM9OII/AAAAAAAAAeQ/M9E48ygOoCI/s1600/DSCF2354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dkSkqgY3iE8/TX5dWzM9OII/AAAAAAAAAeQ/M9E48ygOoCI/s320/DSCF2354.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...and atop the bin I store my <i>finished</i> compost in...<br />
(5 feet from the compost bin and <i>yes</i> he <b>knows</b> where it is!)</div><br />
*<i>sigh</i>* well, if my dad doesn't make me a little crazy - he would find something much <b>more</b> frustrating to do...</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-36757521136468699612011-02-25T11:36:00.000-08:002011-02-25T11:36:34.911-08:00Water Drops<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">They are so pretty. Watching the incoming storm, I remember these pics I snapped last Sunday morning:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_-2iRlhZeI/TWgDuJ4m9WI/AAAAAAAAAdU/n3HioEpYO4s/s1600/WD1.1.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_-2iRlhZeI/TWgDuJ4m9WI/AAAAAAAAAdU/n3HioEpYO4s/s320/WD1.1.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> here was the total of last's week rain from Tuesday to Sunday morning (inches)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWhUbn_kmec/TWgDurwkzXI/AAAAAAAAAdY/_NzZor2WAuU/s1600/WD1.2.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWhUbn_kmec/TWgDurwkzXI/AAAAAAAAAdY/_NzZor2WAuU/s320/WD1.2.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">snap pea leaves really hold their droplets! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1mN383f0fs/TWgDvLH4fYI/AAAAAAAAAdc/4hLoKueS3ss/s1600/WD1.3.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1mN383f0fs/TWgDvLH4fYI/AAAAAAAAAdc/4hLoKueS3ss/s320/WD1.3.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shsvUS0Vi70/TWgDv5fupoI/AAAAAAAAAdg/aFs4v1KEfSg/s1600/WD1.4.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-shsvUS0Vi70/TWgDv5fupoI/AAAAAAAAAdg/aFs4v1KEfSg/s320/WD1.4.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I like how they caught along the edges of the nasturtium leaves... </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1U2OlBgg9U/TWgDwSUclfI/AAAAAAAAAdk/z4cIu-UVz3E/s1600/WD1.5.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1U2OlBgg9U/TWgDwSUclfI/AAAAAAAAAdk/z4cIu-UVz3E/s320/WD1.5.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...and on my tomato cages</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrqIdV7AVCM/TWgDwykRdOI/AAAAAAAAAdo/gonrAJbPM_E/s1600/WD1.6.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrqIdV7AVCM/TWgDwykRdOI/AAAAAAAAAdo/gonrAJbPM_E/s320/WD1.6.JPEG" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbZAsvC1roc/TWgDxTJlleI/AAAAAAAAAds/bmmYxysUjCg/s1600/WD1.7.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbZAsvC1roc/TWgDxTJlleI/AAAAAAAAAds/bmmYxysUjCg/s320/WD1.7.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaB29vw1EwM/TWgDx4SwsbI/AAAAAAAAAdw/s98catQBnlk/s1600/WD1.8.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MaB29vw1EwM/TWgDx4SwsbI/AAAAAAAAAdw/s98catQBnlk/s320/WD1.8.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviIDI8c_ngs4vVXHJ3X5PLlTaXr6g_IMKHkEDaN031zyEqE7pR-LWmAYBZydwX0tsXVoVqcuIjL-FIeINnTZOs5XixCf7N4GHcvG1PRBPLc9d9CoSZQzNZJMMz5gztD8R3mS2gI6QkSc/s1600/WD1.9.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviIDI8c_ngs4vVXHJ3X5PLlTaXr6g_IMKHkEDaN031zyEqE7pR-LWmAYBZydwX0tsXVoVqcuIjL-FIeINnTZOs5XixCf7N4GHcvG1PRBPLc9d9CoSZQzNZJMMz5gztD8R3mS2gI6QkSc/s320/WD1.9.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Here's to this weekend's arctic storm and more rain drops!</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839935819419330320.post-85168880427694490422011-02-23T13:29:00.000-08:002011-02-23T13:33:02.097-08:00Seed Bombs Away!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I finally had the perfect opportunity to make use of my <a href="http://marysgardeningendeavors.blogspot.com/2011/01/finally-some-seed-bombs.html">Seed Bombs</a>! Last Tuesday I knew it would be lightly raining for several days building up to a heavy rain Saturday. It didn't pour on Saturday like I hoped, but my rain gauge showed me 3/4" for the week. And it's supposed to rain again this weekend :) That should germinate my babies!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QMcCgfWUU38/TWV2carFs-I/AAAAAAAAAc8/GNU8NnsUwPQ/s320/SB2.1.JPEG" width="240" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> here they are in one of favorite carry buckets :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88Q72qY1J6w/TWV2dFK6OAI/AAAAAAAAAdA/6PK4T3Qf0jo/s1600/SB2.2.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88Q72qY1J6w/TWV2dFK6OAI/AAAAAAAAAdA/6PK4T3Qf0jo/s320/SB2.2.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> and here's my primary target - the former Malibu Castle and Monsoon Lagoon</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKmUiBcMN-o/TWV2ma0O5ZI/AAAAAAAAAdI/znkWZXAiNrs/s1600/SB2.4.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKmUiBcMN-o/TWV2ma0O5ZI/AAAAAAAAAdI/znkWZXAiNrs/s320/SB2.4.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> oh I miss my childhood haunt :'(</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1uAwkXfn7M/TWV2nKk9_SI/AAAAAAAAAdM/WS5BlbYxm5s/s1600/SB2.5.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1uAwkXfn7M/TWV2nKk9_SI/AAAAAAAAAdM/WS5BlbYxm5s/s320/SB2.5.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> right by my local Metro station :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Malibu Castle now a bunch of ruins and vacant land being used as an "Auto Hotel" which means big cargo trucks park in humongous lot overnight and their drivers take a nap. I miss the good 'ol days when the mini golf was always busy and there was the Monsoon Lagoon open during summer. The Lagoon was a little water park that was torn down long before the Castle went under, it used to be in that large expanse of vacant land between the street and the Castle in that first picture of the location.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think it's perfect for seed bombs because most of the land is not paved over. Also, there is green growth most of the year, even in summer. I think the weight of the trucks parking there compacts the ground enough that water gets trapped in many of the tracks for long periods of time. Many also runoff from guys rinsing their trucks off. Anyway, I flung more than three dozen seed bombs in all directions. This weekend or next week I'll be stopping for more pics to see how it goes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The seed bombs performed great so far. Some broke apart on first impact. The ones I threw farther and at a lower angle bounced once or twice before breaking apart. Good, now moisture will get to the seeds faster and hopefully spread them out more :) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBU6phk984I/TWV2niBqBHI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/TNqFcnWZ0hE/s1600/SB3.1.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBU6phk984I/TWV2niBqBHI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/TNqFcnWZ0hE/s320/SB3.1.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">work</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I also dropped some in the parking lot at the office. Lord that place could use some purtiness. I've also got it in the back of my mind to transplant some morning glories to climb up with the ivy there....<br />
<br />
Aaaaaand - I also tossed some seed bombs in other random locations I drove by last week. I will try to get pics soon. It was after dark when I did most of them. I hope they take. <br />
<br />
</div>Mary C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00119966558876842164noreply@blogger.com1