her gardening blog

Archive for June, 2008

So for those who are interested, I have some photos of my car from the crash. We went to the field it had been towed to and took some photos. So I will share those with you here.  As you can see, my car has been put out to pasture.  Would you believe I had just filled the gas tank the day before, had the oil changed on Monday, a new fuel filter put in and new windshield wipers installed?

As a true gardener, I had a bag in the back seat at the time with some seed potatoes that I needed to plant in my garden. I had picked up a new variety to try and hadn’t put them in the ground yet. The potatoes didn’t make the crash and are now smashed potatoes. So it just goes to show that you can take the girl out of the garden, but not the garden out of the girl.

I know that I promised a podcast for Friday, but due to circumstances and how I am feeling, I am going to skip the podcast for this week. The weekly podcast will resume next week. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

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Due to a serious car accident yesterday, Her gardening Blog will be behind a day this week. So the podcast that should have posted later today will not be available until tomorrow. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Now for those of you who are just dying of curiosity….(LOL!) here is what happened…

I was driving through town early yesterday, in our 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue with my 11 year old son. We were stopped at a stop light and were a few cars back in the line. An SUV that was going 40-45 mph slammed into our back end, pushing us into the car just in front of us. The trunk of our car was now in the back seat.

We were very blessed that no one was hurt seriously. I am just sporting some bumps and bruises and I am little sore. I have one small cut on my pinky finger from the broken glass from the back window. My son doesn’t even have a scratch and is not sore at all thus far. We were wearing our seatbelts and God kept us safe. I know that to be true. Even the policemen that were assisting us were amazed that we were not seriously injured.

Anyway, that is it in a nutshell! If you have any questions or want to just leave me comment, please do! Thanks for your understanding!

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With Fathers Day quickly approaching, many people are busy trying to find that perfect gift for Dad to show their love and appreciation for all he does. A very popular gift is a hammock. A hammock can help Dad to relax after a hard day at work in his garden and yard. But how do you choose the right hammock for the Dad in your life?

There are many different styles available on the market today and you are sure to find one that will be perfect for Dad. In this short video, we will explore several choices and options for buying that perfect hammock.

Now that you have seen the many different styles available, which hammock will you choose for your Dad? Why did you choose the one you did?

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Today’s post is a guest post written by Mike Walsh from our new network blog, Election-Coverage.

 

 

Green Thumb? Only If I accidentally dye the thing.

I like, and have grown, several varieties of hot peppers: Habaneras, Cayenne‘s and Jalapenos. They grew rather well as I remember. But that, I think, had more to do with the hardiness of these particular plants, which could apparently deal with what little quality attention I was throwing their way and less to do with any innate ability to grow and nurture anything.

I look at gardening with something of a bemused eye, because most of the time it is my wife who is doing the watering and the pruning and all the other little things that go along with being a gardener. Me, I sit there and grab the stuff that she needs me to grab.

“Honey, could you go grab me the potting soil from under the table?”

“Sure thing Hon!” is my usual response.

“Hon, could you grab the Philodendron and water it?”

The who-do-what drone, “Is that the Pretty One with the Purple Flowers?”

“No, it’s a green leafy plant.”

There’s me looking around at 60 green leafy plants, scratching my head, knowing the most intelligent thing I can do is screw this up badly enough where she won’t ask me to do it again.

Ok, that never actually happened, but I’ve had run-ins close enough where that could have realistically happened.

And yes we have that many plants. I’m just thankful I’m not in charge of them or we’d have 60 dead plants, and I’d have one unhappy wife.

What do I actually know about plants? Not much but I know a few things.

1) They Need Sun. How much depends on the plant. Some need direct sunlight, while others can live with indirect sunlight. I don’t know which one is which most of the time. It’s easier just to leave them near a window and hope as far as I see it.

2) They Need Water. How much depends on the plant. Some can live on very little, like Cacti. Others need considerably more, like Tomatoes. I know this because I’ve had to water Tomatoes more often then any other plant I’ve lived around.

I Love Cacti. I can leave it for weeks on end, and ya know what? No Hassle.

Maybe I should ask the Wife to grow some Nachos.

 

What are some of your gardening mishaps and stories? Leave us a comment and share!

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With Fathers Day just around the corner, you may be trying to think of things that your kids can make to give to their dad. Why not have the kids make a garden gift that he will enjoy using or will cause him to laugh? These gifts do not have to be expensive, and with a little bit of effort and a few supplies, you can help your kids make a gift for dad that is sure to bring a smile to his face.

Barbecue Kit

If Dad loves to grill, why not make a barbecue kit that will keep him smiling all year long? This project can be quite simple to do and the kids will enjoy making it.

First, find Dad some new barbecue utensils. If Dad has some favorite utensils that are in primo condition, then just swipe those at the last minute Saturday night. Now, you will need to find a terra-cotta pot or gardening container that is deep enough to hold those utensils. Have the kids paint and decorate the pot. Then when it is dry, seal it with a clear coat spray varnish.

Fill the decorated pot with the barbecue utensils, a new barbecue mitt, and Dad’s favorite dry rub and sauce.

Garden Seed Box

If Dad has leftover seeds from planting the garden, why not make him a box to hold them in? This can be fairly simple as all you will really need is a large recipe file box and some decorations. The kids can decorate the box with garden pictures. If you are feeling especially adventurous, you might take empty seed packets and have the lids decoupage them onto the box for decoration. Then place the leftover seed packets in the box and Dad will be smiling.

Money Tree

We all know that at times, dads like to ask their kids something along the lines of, “Do you think money grows on trees?” Well, why not make a money tree that is sure to make him laugh?

Have the kids find a nice twiggy branch in the yard or garden. In an empty soup can that the kids have painted in dad’s favorite color, place the branch and some plaster of paris. Wait for the plaster to harden. Then simply tie money onto the branches of the tree with string. You can just use play money if you want…the effect will be the same.

Funny Dad Plant

For a gift that is sure to get a chuckle, have you kids make a Funny Dad Plant. These are simple to make and the end result will be more than one smile on everyone’s face.

Have your kids draw a funny face on a Styrofoam cup. You can help them to glue wiggle eyes on for an even greater effect if desired. Once the cup is decorated, fill it with potting soil. Sprinkle some perennial rye grass seed on top and lightly water. To encourage the growth of the grass, for dad’s green hair, place a Ziploc bag over the top and place in a sunny location inside the house. The grass should germinate in time for Fathers Day if you do this early enough in the week. It is fun and the kids and Dad will love it.

Gifts for Dad don’t have to be expensive. But he will love gifts that the kids make because they come from the heart. What are some of your ideas for gifts that kids can make for Dad?

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In this week’s podcast, we are focusing on how to plant a new lawn from seed. By following the steps I give to you, you will be sure to have that lush, green, healthy lawn you have been dreaming about.

A healthy and great start to your new lawn will be extremely beneficial and help you to have the lawn you desire. You can choose seed that is drought tolerant and you can manage the watering so that a deep root system is established. By doing these things in the beginning, you will train the lawn to stay green with even less water. And that will give you the best of both worlds…water conservation and a lush, green lawn to play on.

If you have a question for us here at Her Gardening Blog, please leave a comment below the podcast. We will be happy to answer your questions and build an entire weekly podcast around them. Enjoy!

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Vines are typically used to grow up and along fences, walls and the sides of buildings. There are two types of vines: twining and clinging. The twining vines need something to twine around such as a trellis or a chain link fence. Clinging vines generally have suction cups that suction themselves to a wall or a fence.

Here are some of the vines and groundcovers that will grow in at least zones 3 – 5. I have included the minimum zone that these will grow in parentheses.

Vines

• Dutchman’s Pipe—Vigorous, twining vine. Large, heart-shaped green leaves. Grows flat against a trellis. Offers dense shade. The flowers are brown and small and are usually hidden by the leaves, and resemble a Meerschaum pipe. It grows in sun or shade, and grows to about 30’ long. (Zone 4)

• Honeysuckle, Dropmore Scarlet—Tall growing, twining vine. Bright orange=scarlet tubular flowers from June to September. Grows in full sun. Fast growing to 10 – 20’ long, 10’ wide. (Zone 3)

• Honeysuckle, Goldflame—Woody, twining vine valued for fragrant, rosy-red and yellow flowers from June until Frost. Fast growing to 10 – 20’ long. Needs full sun. (Zone 5)

• Honeysuckle, Hall’s—An extremely vigorous twining vine. The extremely fragrant white flowers fade to yellow. Needs full sun. Fast growing to 15 – 20’ long. (Zone 5)

• Honeysuckle, Mandarin—Twining vine with orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Masses of flowers bloom from May through July. Needs full sun. Fast growing to 15 – 20’ long. (Zone 3)

• Hops, Nugget Ornamental—A vigorous climbing vine that will quickly wraps itself around any upright structure in a season. Produces papery cone-like hops later in the summer, typically used to produce beer. Will die back to the ground each winter, but grows back quickly each season. Grows 15 – 20’ tall. (Zone 3)

• Ivy, Boston—Dense, self-clinging vine. Attractive green foliage and exceptional orange-red fall color. Blue-black berries. Excellent for covering masonry, fences. Full to partial sun. Fast grower to 30 – 45’ long. (Zone 4)

• Ivy, Engelmann—Vigorous, climbing vine. Fall color is a deep, burgundy-red. Small blue fruits are attractive to birds. Rapid growing to 20 – 30’. (Zone 3)

• Rose, Henry Kelsey—Beautiful climbing rose with medium red, double flowers with a yellow center. Rich, spicy fragrance. Small orange hips in the fall. Dark glossy green foliage tinted with burgundy. Needs full sun. Grows 6 – 7’ tall. (Zone 3)

• Rose, John Davis—Climbing rose with medium pink, double flowers. Spicy fragrance. Needs full sun. Grows 6 – 8’ tall. (Zone 3)

• Rose, William Baffin—Climbing rose with strawberry pink blooms all summer. Small red-orange rose hips in the fall. Needs full sun. Grows 8 – 10’ tall. (Zone 3)

• Trumpetvine—Shrubby, coarse foliage on a vigorous, twining vine. Will climb in stone or woodwork. Showy, orange and scarlet flowers blossom in mid-summer. Grows to 20 – 30’ long. (Zone 5)

• Virginia Creeper/Woodbine—Rapid growing, twining vine. Deep burgundy-red fall foliage. Small blue fruits attractive to birds. Full sun or shade. Fast growing to 30’ long. (Zone 3)

Groundcovers

• Juniper, Blue Rug—Low growing, evergreen groundcover. Forms a dense mat of blue foliage. Good as a groundcover or along banks. Attractive when used to drape over a retaining wall. Full sun to light shade. Grows 4 – 6” high, 3 – 5’ wide. (Zone 3)

• Juniper, Calgary Carpet—Low growing, evergreen groundcover. Soft green foliage. Use along walkways or as a groundcover. Needs full sun. Grows 6 – 9” tall, 10’ wide. (Zone 3)

• Juniper, Japanese Garden—Evergreen groundcover. Beautiful bluish-green foliage. Nice accent in a rock garden. Needs full sun. Grows 6 – 10” tall, 3 – 5’ wide. (Zone 4)

• Kinnickinnick—Excellent evergreen groundcover with waxy green foliage and scarlet red fruit. Thrives in sandy soil and hot sun. Pinkish-white flowers in spring. Fruits in August and September. Full to partial sun. Spreads 10 – 15’ wide. (Zone 2)

• Mahonia, Creeping—Low growing, evergreen groundcover. Dull blue-green leaves in summer turn a bronzy purple for the winter months. Blooms in early spring with yellow flowers. Blue-black berries in August and September. Full sun to part shade. Grows 12 -15” tall, 3 – 4’ wide. (Zone 5)

• Wintercreeper, Purpleleaf—Outstanding evergreen groundcover. Deep green foliage turns a beautiful, rich plum color during the cool season. Will climb nearby structures or walls. Full to partial sun. Moderate grower to 6 – 8’ wide. (Zone 4)

Now that you have some ideas for some great vines and groundcovers, which ones will you use in your yard? What other vines and groundcovers will you use? How will you use them? Leave me a comment about your vines and groundcovers.

Photo by Kevin Rosseel

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When it comes to a beautiful flower garden, the possibilities are endless. You are only limited by your imagination. However, sometimes if we are not familiar with the different flowers, we may overlook some great options. Sometimes it helps to have a visual idea in our minds of what some of the different flowers may look like during the mid-summer months.

Today, I have provided you with a short video that shows you some possibilities for your flower garden. This video depicts some great annuals and perennials in full bloom.

Now that you have seen some of the flower choices, what are you going to add to your garden? How will your garden look this summer? Leave me a comment with your flower garden ideas.

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One of the most important things you can do for your organic garden is to learn about your soil. This can help you to make your soil environment the best it can be for your plants. I found some great information in a post by Colleen Vanderlinden of About.com. Here is some of what she had to say:

Learning as much as you can about your soil will help you decide what needs to be done to make it ideal for the plants you want to grow. If you can learn about your soil’s texture, composition, drainage, acidity, and mineral density, you will avoid, up front, the disappointing results that can occur when your soil is unsuitable for your dream garden.

Soil Test #1: The Squeeze Test

One of the most basic characteristics of soil is its composition. In general, soils are classified as clay soils, sandy soils, or loamy soils. Clay is nutrient rich, but slow draining. Sand is quick draining, but has trouble retaining nutrients and moisture. Loam is generally considered to be ideal soil because it retains moisture and nutrients but doesn’t stay soggy.

To determine your soil type, take a handful of moist (but not wet) soil from your garden, and give it a firm squeeze. Then, open your hand. One of three things will happen:

1. It will hold its shape, and when you give it a light poke, it crumbles. Lucky you—this means you have luxurious loam!
2. It will hold its shape, and, when poked, sits stubbornly in your hand. This means you have clay soil.
3. It will fall apart as soon as you open your hand. This means you have sandy soil.

Now that you know what type of soil you have, you can work on improving it.

By Colleen Vanderlinden, About.com

For more of Colleen’s great advice and the rest of her post, please visit her here. She walks you through three more tests that you can do to make your soil be the best it can be. When growing an organic garden, you want as many things in your favor as possible. You will already be getting several benefits from the things you grow organically.

What are your thoughts on improving your soil for your organic garden? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Photo provided by Freephoto.com

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Companion planting is the practice of planting two different plants in close proximity to each other on the theory that they may help each other in some way. Some plants complement each other, giving off byproducts that the other plant needs. Those byproducts may be chemicals and micronutrients that the other plant may benefit from.

Other beneficial plants provide some protection against insects and planting a few of them near a desired plant may help to keep certain insects away. For example, I always plant some marigolds in amongst my pepper plants. This helps repel aphids from my plants and it kind of looks pretty as well. The bright splashes of color are fun amongst the green.

Here is a list of vegetables that you may plant or have planted in your garden and what goes well together and what does not:

Vegetables

• Asparagus—Good Companions: Tomatoes, Parsley, Basil–Bad Companions: None

• Beans (Bush)—Good Companions: Cauliflower, Carrots, Beets, Cabbage, Cucumbers, and Potatoes–Bad Companions: Onions

• Beans (Pole)—Good Companions: Corn and Radishes– Bad Companions: Kohlrabi, Beets, and Sunflowers

• Beets—Good Companions: Bush Beans, Onions and Kohlrabi–Bad Companions: Pole Beans

• Broccoli—Good Companions: Dill, Celery, Sage, Potatoes, Beets, and Onions– Bad Companions: Tomatoes, Pole Beans, Strawberries

• Cabbage—Good Companions: Dill, Celery, Sage, Onions, and Potatoes– Bad Companions: Strawberries, Tomatoes, Pole Beans

• Carrots—Good Companions: Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Peas– Bad Companions: Dill

• Cauliflower—Good Companions: Celery– Bad Companions: Tomatoes, Strawberries
• Celery—Good Companions: Tomatoes, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Leeks–Bad Companions: None

• Corn—Good Companions: Potatoes, Peas, Bean, Cucumbers, Squash and Pumpkins– Bad Companions: Tomatoes

• Dill—Good Companions: Cabbage—Bad Companions: Carrots

• Eggplant—Good Companions: Beans—Bad Companions: None

• Garlic—Good Companions: Roses—Bad Companions: Peas and Beans

• Kale—Good Companions: Late Cabbage and Potatoes—Bad Companions: None

• Kohlrabi—Good Companions: Onions, Beets and Cucumbers—Bad Companions: Strawberries, Tomatoes, and Pole Beans

• Leeks—Good Companions: Celery, Onions, and Carrots—Bad Companions: None

• Lettuce—Good Companions: Onions, Strawberries, Cucumbers, Carrots, and Radishes—Bad Companions: None

• Melons—Good Companions: Corn and Sunflowers—Bad Companions: Potatoes

• Onions—Good Companions: Beets, Carrots, Lettuce, Garlic, Summer Savory—Bad Companions: Peas, Beans

• Peas—Good Companions: Radishes, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Beans, Turnips—Bad Companions: Onions

• Potatoes—Good Companions: Beans, Corn, Peas, Cabbage, Cucumbers—Bad Companions: Hyssop

• Radishes—Good Companions: Peas, Lettuce, Nasturtium, Cucumbers—Bad Companions: Hyssop

• Spinach—Good Companions: Strawberries—Bad Companions: None

• Squash, Pumpkin—Good Companions: Nasturtium, Corn—Bad Companions: Potatoes

• Tomatoes—Good Companions: Asparagus, Parsley, Chives, Onions, Carrots, Marigold, Nasturtium—Bad Companions: Dill, Cabbage, Fennel

• Turnips—Good Companions: Peas, Beans—Bad Companions—None

If you have already planted your garden and you have inadvertently planted bad companions, you will at least have some answers why things may not be going as planned. And if all else fails, grab some marigolds for your peppers and tomatoes. You won’t be sorry!

What plants do you like to plant together and why? Leave me a comment and let me know what you like to plant together.

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