The Sound of Beauty

The Sound of Beauty

Posted on July 30, 2013by SimplyLoveGardening.com & TheTrendyKitchen.com

 Reblogged from leaf and twig:

Floating flower bells
silence is their song.

Beautiful Picture.

Welcome to the Garden Spot: God's Garden

Welcome to the Garden Spot: God's Garden: Come join me in the cool Colorado mountains in God's Garden where the moose run free and the eagles soar, where big fish tales can come...

Free Organic Additives for your Garden

Two organic additives for your garden that are FREE!! 

(Article from the American Dahlia Society)

Fall Leaves

Fall is the time we can do our gardens a BIG favor! Rather than rake the leaves up, put them in a plastic bag and send them off to the dump, why not take this free organic additive and spread it on our garden plots. It's FREE and very helpful to our soil. By adding this organic matter we encourage our friends the worms to stay and multiply. Lots of worms are a sign of a healthy soil and healthy soil will produce great plants.

Step one-- Use your lawn mower to grind up the leaves--a couple of passes will accomplish this. Take these ground up leaves and spread them about 3 inches thick on your garden beds.

Step two-- I place some black weed cloth over the leaf mulch to prevent them from blowing away in the winds of winter. By spring most of the leaves will be gone as food for the worms.

Pretty simple and cheap! I would prefer maple leaves but any type will do the job. Feeding the worms will make them happy and want to stay in your garden. As they digest your banquet they produce and leave behind those wonderful worm castings to nourish your plants. They also till your garden to improve your soil. I haven't tilled my dahlia beds in 2 years and can drive my stakes in up to 14" by hand.

In the spring when you uncover your beds the soil will be warmed and your plants will have a good start. There will be some leaf matter left and this can be left on the surface as a mulch or worked into the top few inches of the soil by hand raking.

This fall as I dug my tubers there were loads of worms entwined in my clumps. I gently returned these to the soil and told them dinner was coming. I truly have never seen so many worms in my soil.

So take advantage of this free help for your soil by recycling your leaves in your garden. The worms will thank you!

Used Coffee Grounds

Here is another FREE garden aid-USED COFFEE GROUNDS! We as a country and as individuals drink a lot of coffee. The remains of all this brewing are usually just thrown out with our waste. But wait, these used grounds are a wonderful organic fertilizer for our garden. Last spring I collected many pounds of spent coffee grounds from my local deli. I picked up a 5 gal container every other day. I then spread them on the surface of the garden to be worked in lightly before planting. Don't worry about the filters as they are paper and soon are eaten by the worms (who by the way love coffee grounds). These grounds started my organic dahlia garden off in a fast way.Used coffee grounds contain about 2% nitrogen, about 1/3% of phosphoric acid and 1% potash. Please note most of the nitrogen will be available pretty fast. So use several small amounts over the season. Analysis of coffee grounds also shows that they contain many minerals, include trace minerals and carbohydrates. All this makes used coffee grounds a good fertilizer.

HOW MUCH? Use about 6-8 tablespoons per plant dug in around the roots---or spread ¼" - ½" on the surface of the garden and work it in thoroughly in the top of the soil. I did this 3 times last season with excellent results.

Used coffee grounds and slugs: The research on slugs and caffeine shows that concentrations of caffeine as low as .01% reduces feeding by slugs (they avoid caffeine treated leaves) but that doesn't kill them at that rate. A 1% solution kills 60% of slugs while a 2% solution will knock out 95% of all slugs. Fresh coffee contains about .05% caffeine. Thus the grounds will act as a deterrent but not kill the slugs. Slugs will go elsewhere to eat if given a choice. Next season I plan to use coffee grounds around my dahlia garden to discourage the slugs and snails.

In addition to the above grounds make a wonderful addition to your compost pile.ALL THIS and THEY are FREE!!

CAUTION NOTE: Both leaves and coffee grounds are slightly acidic and may lower your garden Ph so do have your soil tested to reveal the Ph. If needed rather than add lime add crushed eggshells that are equal to or better than lime. Again these are FREE and usually just thrown away adding to the waste stream. Starbucks has a company-sponsored program to give away used coffee grounds.

*Two simple FREE ways to improve your garden soil and as we all know great dahlias start with great soil*

 www.dahlia.org 

Great Patio and Porch ideas from Southern Living:

Porch and Patio Design Inspiration

Get inspired by the ideas and designs of these Southern patios and porches. These classics are inviting and inspiring.

Hot Trends in Gardening for Summer 2013

Mini Gardens

People are still strongly interested in being more self-sufficient and growing gardens in less space.  Raised Bed Gardens are one of the most practical and economical way to start flower and vegetable gardens.  Raised Bed Gardens come in all shapes, sizes and materials to fit your Gardening Needs. 

• Growing tomatoes for enjoying during the summer and canning for winter

• Growing flowers for cutting (We are enjoying hydrangeas and dahlia's at our house!)

  

 

Heirloom Seed Saving 

•  Find a favorite tomato?  Save the seeds of yesterday for gardens of tomorrow.
• Anyone, with little more work and attention than it takes to grow a home garden, can begin to re-elevate the gardening experience to a sustainable level. Rediscover the importance, magic and rewards of seed saving...

 

 

 

 

Personal Herb Garden

• Cooking with fresh herbs -- straight from the garden is such a pleasure.  

• Garden planters filled with rosemary, basil, and parsley -- are enjoyable throughout the summer.  We freeze portions for cooking in winter.  Small snack bags work great for freezing a hand full of herbs.

 

 

Edible Landscaping

Pots of Raspberries and Blueberries can be moved around in the summer yard  to catch the sun and used to decorate your landscape as well.  

• If you grow your blueberries in a container, you can easily create a blueberry friendly acidic potting soil and your plants will thrive.

 

Summer Sun Shone Round Me

The Summer Sun Shone Round Me
by Robert Louis Stevenson

The summer sun shone round me,
The folded valley lay
In a stream of sun and odour,
That sultry summer day.

The tall trees stood in the sunlight
As still as still could be,
But the deep grass sighed and rustled
And bowed and beckoned me.

The deep grass moved and whispered
And bowed and brushed my face.
It whispered in the sunshine:
"The winter comes apace."

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson (1850 - 1894) was a Scottish novelist and poet.

Basil, So Many Choices, So Little Time

Basil, So Many Choices, So Little Time

I’m a Basil lover.  I currently have 6 basil plants growing in my herb garden;

·         2 Sweet Basil Plants

·         1 Thai Basil Plant

·         1 Boxwood Basil Plant

·         1 Greek Basil Plant

·         1 Purple Basil Plant

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow and harvest. 

There are many different types of basil to grow. Basil is used world-wide for great added flavor to many dishes. Basil may have smooth, crinkled or ruffled leaves. The foliage may be green or purple. It is appreciated for its flavor and aroma and also for its foliage colors and forms. You can try mixing different leaves for a new twist of flavors. Here are the different types of basil and tips on how to grow basil.

DWARF BASIL: These plants are great for tucking into small spaces, containers and window boxes. There are varieties such as Spicy Globe and Fine Green. They are easy to grow and maintain. These compact varieties can grow up to twelve inches tall and they have small leaves. Dwarf basil is also a great plant to use as an edging plant in a flower bed.

SCENTED BASIL: These include plants with cinnamon, lemon, lime, licorice and other flavors. These flavors are infused with the taste and aroma of basil. They have small leaves and grow to about fifteen inches tall. Many people like to grow this type of basil because of the great scents it adds to a home.

PURPLE BASIL: Purple basil is a very attractive addition to a garden. They add a great accent to a salad. They have beautiful purple leaves and their flowers are usually pink or lavender. Some have purple stems as well as purple foliage.

THAI BASIL: This plant tends to be more compact then other basils. It has smaller and thinner leaves. Thai basil has a delicate clove flavor and scent.

ITALIAN BASIL: This basil is the most widely grown and used. It is used commonly in tomato based sauces. Some varieties have smooth green leaves and others have crinkly foliage. This plant usually grows to about fifteen inches tall and is easy to grow and maintain.

After you have decided on which basil to grow, follow these easy instructions for a successful harvest.   You will plant after all signs of frost are gone. Basil needs rich, moist soil so you will need to add compost onto poor or sandy soil. Proper spacing is very important so you will need to plant seeds or plants about twelve inches apart. For the dwarf types, plant about six to eight inches apart. Make sure the soil is moist not wet. Apply mulch to conserve moisture. When plants reach about six inches tall pinch stem tips to promote leaf production. Every two weeks cut stems just above a leaf node. If plants go to flower, cut them back by one-third. You should have great success with your basil plants as long as you make sure the plants have good air circulation and good soil drainage. You can also give them a monthly feeding of a nutrient rich fertilizing of fish-emulsion and seaweed solution.

Here are some pictures of the most common Basil plants and what they are used for:

Sweet Basil

Sweet Basil and Classic Italian basil can be used in tomato sauce, pesto and salads.

Thai Basil 

Thai Basil is more tender and more intensely flavored than Sweet Basil. Thai basil seeds are highly aromatic with a licorice-basil aroma.  Thai basil is great in both Thai and Italian recipes. It is also a wonderful container plant with late flowering and reaches a height of 24″.

Round Midnight Basil 

Round Midnight Basil This highly aromatic purple leaf basil is a hybrid, with shiny leaves and its dense habit promises a summer of fragrant and tasty pleasure. This is a garden attention-getter, with each plant full and round, 10-12″ tall, 8-10″ across, with showy spikes of light purple blooms.

Lemon Basil 

Lemon Basil – An attractive plant, spreading silver-green leaves with a lemony aroma and flavor for potpourris, tea, chicken, fish, vegetables and herb vinegars. Lemon Basil is native to northwest India.

Greek Basil

Greek Basil is native to Southeast Asia.  Greek basil has been used in cooking and for fragrances for centuries. This plant was brought to Europe in the Middle Ages and it has thrived in the Mediterranean region, as well as by the Caspian and Black Seas. Greek basil consists of tiny leaves on dome shaped, 8″ tall plants. This basil is great with tomatoes, in salads or sauces and is especially interesting in the garden.

Cardinal Basil 

Cardinal Basil flaunts a unique scent, rich and heady with a touch of spice. Strong, deep burgundy stems hold the flowers above the smooth, bright green leaves, ensuring a vibrant show throughout the summer even as you continue harvesting fresh leaves. Cardinal Basil is a beautiful standout in the herb patch and a flavorful addition to the ornamental bed.

Boxwood Basil

Boxwood Basil - Tight mounds of small leaves that resemble boxwood plants make a highly ornamental edging for the patio or for a container by the kitchen door. Boxwood basil is bred in France for a highly flavorful pesto ingredient. It is a beautiful basil variety that makes a fine garden companion.

Summerlong Basil

Summerlong Basil - Very compact, tight bushes, slow to bolt, densely covered with shiny, bright green leaves. Great for pots and ornamental edging in vegetable beds.

Lime Basil

Lime Basil A rare and hard to find seed variety. Lime basil is sweet and fragrant with a mild citrus taste. The lime scent of the bright green, lance-shaped leaves pair perfectly with lemon basil, for a full explosion of tangy fresh flavor. Excellent for flavoring sauces, dressings and desserts.

Identifying Common Problems with Dahlias

Potential Problems with Dahlias:

Early in growing season: 

Aphids

Aphid

Cause: Aphids are a well known pest insect that can quickly colonise the soft tissue parts of your plant. They damage and weaken the plant by sucking the sap out. 

Symptoms: Clusters of these small insects are readily identifiable, normally at the plants tips or on the underside of their leaves. In severe cases, the infected parts can begin to wither due to the quantity of sap being removed from that area. 

Treatment: There are many chemical treatments available including a number of organic, but all of these must be applied at the first signs of infection to achieve the best results.

Slugs

Slug

Cause: Slugs are the number 1 garden pest, and are particularly active in the spring and over wet summers.

Cause:Slugs are particulary drawn to new growth creating irregular holes in and along the sides of the leaves.

Treatments: There are a number of treatments both chemical and organic.

Mid to late summer: 

Spider Mites

Mite

Cause:  Spider mites thrive in warm or hot, dry weather.  They survive over the winter on a number of plants, including many evergreens.  

Symptoms: Dahlias infested with mites often have shriveled tops, distorted leaves, curling leaves and dark foliage with light-colored streaks.  

Treatments: Treat spider mites with neem oil; warm oil and spray underside of leaves.   

Dahlia's are Blooming

This is a great time of year.  My Dahlia's are blooming!

Dahlias are a bit like roses or hostas.  Most gardeners can't just grow one.  

 Once you grow a dahlia, you want more.

Succulents Simplified, 3 Tips for Success!

Succulents Simplified, 3 Tips for Success!

I have seen a lot of articles on Succulents lately and thought I would try growing some myself.  I've done a little research and here is what I found out.

In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents or sometimes fat plants, are plants having some parts that are more than normally thickened and fleshy, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. Succulent plants may store water in various structures, such as leaves and stems.  

Not to be confused with cactus; botanically cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti.

Succulents have become very popular for two reasons.  They are hardier than regular house plants since they don’t need to be watered as regularly and because they can be planted in unconventional planters. The don’t need a ton of soil to survive since they have shallow root systems.

ᔥhttp://www.theidearoom.net/2013/07/succulent-planternot-just-a-housewife.html

1.  Soil Mix Must Drain Well

The first thing you need to know is that succulent roots do not get water from direct contact. Rather, they absorb the water molecules in the air. This is why having a succulent sitting is sopping wet water is so problematic and just makes the plant rot.  Soil Mix must drain well.  Here is a recipe for well draining soil:

• 1 part Turface
• 1 part Pine Bark Fines
• 1 part Crushed Granite

The pine bark provides an organic element and holds water but has air pockets in it and doesn’t break down very quickly. The Turface absorbs some of the water and slowly releases it. The granite doesn’t absorb water but allows the water to flow through the pot between all the particles. The mix is very porous so water flows easily and doesn’t really break down. There is plenty of air so the roots are never sitting in water.

2.  Routine Watering

As a general rule, indoor succulents should be watered every 3-4 days in a pot that has a drainage hole. 

3.  Lots of Sunlight

Succulents need a lot of sunlight to grow happy and healthy. Something I learned though is they don’t like direct sunlight in the heat of the summer when they are outside. They are very prone to sunburn. Rather, if they are outside put them somewhere they will receive some shade and stay relatively cool. Morning light is good with a bright shade in the afternoon. If your plants are inside, put them somewhere they’ll receive bright light for most of the day. They are less likely to get sunburned inside, but it can still happen. Usually a south facing window sill will provide enough light but if you notice signs of sunburn (brown/black spots on the leaves) move it somewhere that the light is not quite as direct.

5 Most Popular Succulents

Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera xbuckleyi)

Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii)

Hens-and-Chicks (Sempervivum tectorumor Echeveria elegans)

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Debra Lee Baldwin, known as "The Succulent Queen", has a new book that just arrived on shelves.  "Succulents Simplified" is a must have for any of you out there that are just addicted to succulents. It is also a perfect place to start in your quest to add succulents to your garden. It does not matter whether you are just beginning or a veteran.  This book has something for everyone. Debra's book shows you how to keep succulents no matter the climate outside. In addition to fabulous photography, she has included care, troubleshooting, diseases and crafting.  She even discusses propagation as well.

ᔥhttp://www.tillysnest.com/2013/06/book-review-and-giveaway-succulents.html

I hope you found this information helpful.  If you have any comments or want to share your experience with Succulents, feel free to post below.