tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37932616373035203382024-03-13T00:21:14.311-07:00What's Diggin'?Dirty Stories and other Garden GossipWhitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-75268321984732132602012-04-13T16:40:00.000-07:002012-04-13T18:44:03.102-07:00New Beginnings<div style="text-align: center;">
In an effort to write again in less than 365 days, I opened the newly revised Google Blogger format and was astonished to find that 83 people visited my blog last month and five just yesterday. I was even more flabbergast to read that I have over 4,500 hits. What? Who? The interest in this blog has inspired me to begin writing again. After all, spring is a time for new beginnings.<br />
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I find it interesting that I happen to be facing another chickadee leaving the nest as I sit down to reflect on the past twelve months. I often write about the speed of time because it fascinates me. If only I could have understood it more when I was younger. I wonder if I would have lived each day even fuller if I knew about the speed of life earlier on?<br />
Maybe not.<br />
Just something to think about.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u><i>New Land</i></u></b></span><br />
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I have a new garden layout that excites me. I transplanted two large Leucadendron, and a Rosemary to make way for more vegetables. These will be planted in the ground rather than in my raised beds. Below is the "before" picture of my new planting land. I am letting the poppies do their thing until the nights warm up and I can plant tomatoes and peppers. <br />
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<u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> A Few April To Do's</span></u><br />
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<li style="text-align: left;">April is a great time for soil preparation. I always add chicken manure, some of my compost and alfalfa pellets. I till it into the soil and then let it sit for awhile before planting. This year the evenings are still quite cool, so the soil is waiting patiently. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Clean up any flowering shrubs like azaleas and rhododendrons and begin feeding them their acid plant food once a month until the Fall. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Check your irrigation system thoroughly unclogging emitters and testing timers.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Begin to add mulch to existing plants just covering the roots not too close to the stem. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Design your vegetable garden so that you are ready as soon as the weather permits to plant warm season vegetables. </li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Can You Guess THIS Spring Flower? </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Its a succulent! </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Aeonium Schwarzkopf</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are a follower of this blog, you know that I am a huge fan of succulents. They add texture, variety and interest to all gardens. They also show off long-lasting flowers.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In honor of Chandra, who is experiencing her own new beginning after relocating to Tennessee, I re-planted a strawberry pot she made me several years ago. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It used to be filled with succulents that happily found new homes within my garden as they grew-up. This will be the pot's first venture into strawberries. I will think of Chandra each time I harvest a strawberry. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(See April 2010 Posting: <b>Best Laid Plants... I mean, Plans... </b>to read about the creations Chandra and I made with succulents)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I am excited about writing again. It amazes me that I so fondly wrote about Jeffrey's departure from the nest (<i>See May 2010 and June 2010 Postings</i>) almost two years ago. Indeed time speeds by. I may not have known it when I was younger. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But I know it now. </span></div>
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It is mind boggling that my second chick is leaving the nest. </div>
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Spring is a time to celebrate new beginnings. </div>
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And you KNOW I love celebrations! </div>
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<br /></div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-7081807239413400022011-04-22T14:09:00.000-07:002011-04-22T14:30:06.376-07:00Spring ForthI feel like I just started the Master Gardeners Program and now I am already preparing for the final exam. How did that happen? Remember when you were little and grown-ups bantered about how fast time flies and you were bored by always hearing it? I take all those thoughts back. Time does fly.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Speaking of flying... near this time last year I discovered the nest of Mockingbird eggs. It was a highlight of my garden as you may remember if you're a frequent reader. If you're new, read last June's blog entries. They are my favorite so far, I think. While its fresh on my mind and timely conversation, let me mention the insect activity that I've witnessed. On the heels of a Master Gardener's class on Entomology and Integrated Pest Management, I went out to survey my roses with a magnifying glass (or loop). I have been battling the aphids with hose showers now and then, but I never stopped to actually get involved in their world. I am not taking the aphids on as warmly as I did the Mockingbirds, but the activity on the rose stem is stunning. It's these occurrences in the garden that fascinate me and keep me coming back for more. </div><br />
Before we dive into Spring, I must share the tail-end of the winter harvest. Afterall, vegetable gardening is not just about the planting, it is also about the harvesting, which can be a lot of work in itself. You can imagine the washing, drying and preparing that went along with this typical loot. Bok choy is in the forefront followed by broccoli, chard and way too many oranges and lemons.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC26JMm0DHqrKanIzgYw7SQt7o04L_9ytIBEdQdsiMz-wF3LoHBlVX1fAwyrg90zKecmy4WkcRblWCaho2qJfIwnsH5FijxpHeiyWBXXU-xwqgbjOkAEXtZbbc4lqv3ceDfZ8qtX4Tyo/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC26JMm0DHqrKanIzgYw7SQt7o04L_9ytIBEdQdsiMz-wF3LoHBlVX1fAwyrg90zKecmy4WkcRblWCaho2qJfIwnsH5FijxpHeiyWBXXU-xwqgbjOkAEXtZbbc4lqv3ceDfZ8qtX4Tyo/s320/DSC_0166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>A soil tidbit</i></span></div>As we prepare for our warm season gardens, keep in mind not to till your soil too aggressively. You want to minimize disturbance to your soil and only fuss with the top layer. Let the earthworms do your rototilling. Now is a good time to add organic matter in the form of compost that you've made yourself or purchased from the nursery. Remember that compost is an amendment and not a fertilizer, but it does wonders for soil structure, water retention and the ability for your plants to absorb nutrients.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">SPRING IS THE TIME TO TRY SOMETHING NEW</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kathy asked for some information on composting. First off, there are many ways to compost and you need to find what works for you. I used a silly little book called, <u>Backyard Composting,</u> by Harmonious Technologies in Sebastopol. In addition, <u>Basic Composting,</u> by Ebeling is great if you want to build your own bin. There are numerous sites on the Internet as well. Find something that will help you decide how you'd like to collect and store your material. For example, I collect kitchen scraps in a <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop?showDS=true&Nmpt=&Ntt=kitchen+compost+pail&submit=GO"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Kitchen Compost Pail from the Container Store</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">. </span></div><br />
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When it fills up, I empty it into a large, white paint bucket that sits outside my back kitchen door. I bought it at Home Depot.<br />
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When that fills up, I empty it into a structure I have in the backyard. I built this using six shipping pallets. It has worked well, but it is definitely a slow method. The section on the right is the holding area, while the section on the left is the active area. In this picture, you can see that the left side has decomposed quite a bit.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The key is to build a pile layering equal portions of green material and brown material. Then when you are ready, you start the process of turning your pile and keeping it moist. Maintaining an adequate moisture level will create a nice home for micoorganisms, earthworms and insects. It should be about as wet as a squeezed-out sponge. My pile does not generate high heat because of the size and open construction. If you use a closed container such as, <a href="http://how2compost.com/biostack.php?gclid=COy76OTzsKgCFRlPgwodnhTjHQ">BioStacks</a>, you can create a much faster system. I am looking into a system called <a href="https://www.compostumbler.com/StoreFront/IAFDispatcher"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The Compost Tumbler</span></a>. One of my Master Gardener classmates highly recommended it and she has been composting for over 20 years. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you want a faster system, it is best to shred or chop up your material. The smaller the material, the faster it will decompose.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">WHAT IS GREEN?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Green is your nitrogen.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Anything that was originally cut from a live plant or derived from a vegetable-eating animal. All fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea (even the bag), egg shells (best to break them down first), yard clippings, grasses, weeds, flowers, horse manure.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">WHAT IS BROWN?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Brown is your carbon.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Leaves, straw, sawdust, cardboard</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">I mainly use leaves. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Compost is good everywhere! It is not just for the vegetable gardeners. Flowers, shrubs and even trees like compost. It is a way to slowly release nutrients into the soil. You can sidedress your plants with it just like a mulch. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">A Happy Coincidence</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I was organizing some old pictures today and I found this one of a card that I read one day with Lori and Paula during a memorable occasion in a redwood grove last spring. They had one of those decks of beautiful cards that you read for inspirations and reflection. We were in a group and you had to draw a card and read it to yourself. This was my card. I love that I found it today. Serendipity is defined as a happy coincidence. What's better?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Spring! </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Turn your face to the sun and blossom.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><br />
</span></div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-48636056385079922242011-01-28T17:40:00.000-08:002011-01-28T18:32:06.679-08:00Winter WonderI started writing this blog with the intention of posting every two weeks. I've got one more week to write an entry that will qualify for once a month. I'll blame it on winter, the holidays and too much festivity. My Garden Girlz (or sometimes known as Dirty Girlz) inspired me to get writing!<br />
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While life is busy moving forward, the garden grows with ease and independence during these cooler months. I am never disappointed by its progress in my absence and I often teeter between which season I like better, warm or cool. Cool season vegetables have rich, deep colors between the dark purple leaves of Radicchio and Swiss Chard or the green/purple combination beginning in the Cabbage or the intense lime green Christmas tree peaking through from the Broccoli Romanesco or the snowy white Cauliflower. Natural art using colors I love.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19KrYfbSsB8IJWGTOZY5hHYFCWbd4_a2wVuX5uTyjoq2RxmRE2a_XJCHyo9idMqlFNF7bKXhJkACSh1QMKPqoCgKUq5aBKVGMpGSRDNK0xXUiwByPXLv39DaYhZM12EE8OdOquIK8Xlg/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYc5qGoBUSJYF-7wr1iOG4zdq37N0SaaZ5EysAFTNTLXoOgdCXM42HcSKKUFcxkekYsUhWCPO_hTuLr4-5YRKhi4dZmmqOwVdk7t4EJdLHCYT8FaqR6-OhlQtzBh3Wh6cPGxAxHnOAo8/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYc5qGoBUSJYF-7wr1iOG4zdq37N0SaaZ5EysAFTNTLXoOgdCXM42HcSKKUFcxkekYsUhWCPO_hTuLr4-5YRKhi4dZmmqOwVdk7t4EJdLHCYT8FaqR6-OhlQtzBh3Wh6cPGxAxHnOAo8/s320/DSC_0133.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>For more information about Warm and Cool Season Vegetables and when to plant them, see the <a href="http://www.mastergardeners.org/warm-cool-veg-charts"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Santa Clara Master Gardener's Warm and Cool Season Vegetable Planting Guidelines </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">to </span></a>decide when to plant for best results.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't Forget to Feed the Birds. They eat all year round. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you want them to help you in the summer with insects, feed them so they'll stay!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Resource Tip:</b></span></div><i>We are fortunate in this area to have many resources to learn about our gardens. Now that I have officially started the Master Gardeners Program, I want to make sure you know about the<a href="http://www.mastergardeners.org/hotline"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">HOTLINE.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;"> </span></i><br />
<i>You can call the hotline Monday - Friday from 9:30 -12:30 at 408-282-3105. If you have home gardening questions, ponder no more... just pick up the phone! </i><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January To Do's</span></b><br />
If you haven't done your dormant season pruning, now is the time for your deciduous plants. Acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons are best pruned while they are blooming or immediately thereafter. Don't forget to fertilize as well. I like to sprinkle the ground around my roses with alfalfa pellets that I get at a local feed store. It's an excellent source of Nitrogen often needed at this time of year. It's also time to do your dormant season spraying in order to prevent problems with overwintering insects in the Spring. All spraying must be completed before buds form. Check with your local nursery what the best type of spray is for your conditions.<br />
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<b>Don't forget that your plants may need water during the dry weeks that we have in the winter. Make sure to check your soil. Use your water meter. You'll be surprised to see that often they are parched. Especially your pots!</b><br />
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January is also a good time to pay attention to our indoor plants. Dust off their leaves and flush their root systems. If you can, take them to a sink or bathtub and water several times. Let them drain well or put them in a tray with stones. Do not let them sit in their own water... unless you want their roots to rot.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Erma Bombeck says, "Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died". </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She makes you want to laugh and then say to yourself... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that makes so much sense!</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Easy Peasy Bok Choi </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So fast, yet so good</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmgYZxgK3nwr-o5R4llASDIM8PtVnn6BRtj4CRrMEOTAE_F96HjHvP7re7eWqly4a5pN3NKI8JtCXlbvhVSY3MhoslMQvINYJ9VtIRdeVXRAseh7SxpxC1eonWzF0oKSDKIKdl6kIQ80/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmgYZxgK3nwr-o5R4llASDIM8PtVnn6BRtj4CRrMEOTAE_F96HjHvP7re7eWqly4a5pN3NKI8JtCXlbvhVSY3MhoslMQvINYJ9VtIRdeVXRAseh7SxpxC1eonWzF0oKSDKIKdl6kIQ80/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I pick several leaves of this Win Win Choi (Bok Choi family), wash them off well and loosely chop them into bite site pieces. I put a small amount of sesame oil in a saute pan, add the bok choi, stirring occasionally until it wilts to my desire. I like the stem crunchy so I don't wait too long. Then, I add a couple teaspoons of soy sauce and voila! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Delicious with a nice piece of salmon (with sesame oil and ginger) and a glass of white wine.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Simple is superb.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">January makes me marvel at nature in a different way than June. Its amazing to me and sometimes shocking how plants make it through such miserable conditions. I've been to Tahoe a couple times this winter and I look at the blanket of white snow and envision that in a few months the whole landscape will be drastically changed. Perhaps one of Mother Nature's finest accomplishments is managing seasons. However, it would be hard to agree on what her finest accomplishment is </div><div style="text-align: center;">because she has so many. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Any thoughts? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"There's one good thing about snow - it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbour's." </i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clyde Moore</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-69630627248959857622010-12-02T09:09:00.000-08:002010-12-02T21:09:11.975-08:00Creative MindsI would not want to be the plants in my garden this past week. Its got to be tough freezing all night, thawing out and trying to grow. Each day I imagine its the end of the garden and each day their resilience amazes me. The remaining dahlias and basil died the first frost indicating that there is truth to warm season and cool season vegetables. The warm ones couldn't even last a night.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGkmg0DZWTFPzs_kcHCibqy9-Y2HRSY8IhahuvA1g6vsIUMF7Yc6VBWhy9HLZhHBDfcSGuihwy59Oj6Xb7wKfZwlwCsfaBmDjgzwHwA0NuVaDLaChLbTGzzLVEHq81n7UcUSAYwyH0OU/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGkmg0DZWTFPzs_kcHCibqy9-Y2HRSY8IhahuvA1g6vsIUMF7Yc6VBWhy9HLZhHBDfcSGuihwy59Oj6Xb7wKfZwlwCsfaBmDjgzwHwA0NuVaDLaChLbTGzzLVEHq81n7UcUSAYwyH0OU/s320/DSC_0009.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;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cool season vegetables that I planted this year are: </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Romanesco Broccoli</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bok Choy</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet Peas</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of different lettuces</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brussel Sprouts</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Red Cabbage</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Broccoli</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cauliflower</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chard</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That's a part of it."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">- Denzel Washington</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>GARDEN TIP</b></span>: Protect your frost tender plants when temperatures are low. The single most important thing is to keep the soil moist. Fully hydrated leaves and roots are better equipped to endure the frost. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A contrast to all this cold, harsh activity is the fact that my cactus plant is blooming delicate flowers that beam as bright as the California sun. Another wonder how this tightly compacted, lizard-looking plant can produce such beauty. Please someone, tell me the name of this gem. </div><br />
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I went to the <a href="http://www.spiritrock.org/">Spirit Rock Meditation Center</a> and attended a class led by Jack Kornfield, who has taught meditation since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness to the West. If you've never been to Spirit Rock, you may want to experience it. It's a special place. In any case, during my Daylong Retreat with Myra, we sat and listened to Jack's wise words. His voice is perfectly balanced between soft and strong and pulls you in like a warm hug. One thing that stayed with me was his focus on quieting the mind. He said, "Let the mind quiet and the heart will develop".<br />
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The other day Elaine, one of my garden gurus, invited a group of women to her house to make holiday decorations. It turned into a lovely afternoon of creating alongside these amazing women. I've gathered with this group a number of times as we all share a passion for gardening, but it was particularly special actually working together, learning from each other and appreciating each others' talents. We commented afterwards about how when a group of women come together to create, something magical happens. Our minds were quieted, our hearts developed and we created. Thank you, Jack for giving me the insight to recognize that. I liked it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Succulent Wreaths</span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Materials Needed:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Two wire wreath forms</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sphagnum moss</div><div style="text-align: center;">Potting soil</div><div style="text-align: center;">Plant material - tip cuttings of small sized succulents, stems approximately 2"- 3" long</div><div style="text-align: center;">Greening pins</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wire</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chopsticks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Ie7jwzTwE5FmwE8VMsV54fYImZ1uCCS6O_kBgflo1hBPHA6q6WgBRA2pryji9wQBTIiD8xKUYxZFkr4K7EdDrRKA-uA1zV9IcOD1D6p6VC6m4x1e_hkvBfHGmnz2GLAzJS1d2atLms/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Ie7jwzTwE5FmwE8VMsV54fYImZ1uCCS6O_kBgflo1hBPHA6q6WgBRA2pryji9wQBTIiD8xKUYxZFkr4K7EdDrRKA-uA1zV9IcOD1D6p6VC6m4x1e_hkvBfHGmnz2GLAzJS1d2atLms/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86Ie7jwzTwE5FmwE8VMsV54fYImZ1uCCS6O_kBgflo1hBPHA6q6WgBRA2pryji9wQBTIiD8xKUYxZFkr4K7EdDrRKA-uA1zV9IcOD1D6p6VC6m4x1e_hkvBfHGmnz2GLAzJS1d2atLms/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>We started with a wide variety of succulents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84oaBCueBrpfLp6rZIzD6mjS9rzhMqOBE23kBdyCVxXeBjmXIsG6B_xIbPYfLnN4QQ7Go9TqJpdDnukTAPcLUFW_mqONXrriozCaRGmXNO84m0vTffVHM3KGy-ZmsFBUekgqsIssu8q4/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84oaBCueBrpfLp6rZIzD6mjS9rzhMqOBE23kBdyCVxXeBjmXIsG6B_xIbPYfLnN4QQ7Go9TqJpdDnukTAPcLUFW_mqONXrriozCaRGmXNO84m0vTffVHM3KGy-ZmsFBUekgqsIssu8q4/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Wire, straw, styrafoam, vine wreath forms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiPh6HIjjM3RAjPBN4PPH-akt_2NFiTc7DlEknmRvKSZUdk5raGwhTGaEGoCs2JP0uymKi8v5SpdOb8b1nd7RWzYCle0lAT9CqB0Hbl_Wdzb1xJ3bgCNDqJpcL6XpjvVLCsk2AY9I3H0/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiPh6HIjjM3RAjPBN4PPH-akt_2NFiTc7DlEknmRvKSZUdk5raGwhTGaEGoCs2JP0uymKi8v5SpdOb8b1nd7RWzYCle0lAT9CqB0Hbl_Wdzb1xJ3bgCNDqJpcL6XpjvVLCsk2AY9I3H0/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Put the sphagnum moss (that has been soaking in water) into the wire form. Let about six inches hang off the sides of the form as you can see below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v_Jv49vyaa4YA23Vl69ASQ_5-SHoBaA_gPkKp_Ye0nL7HvzSNcGm38I6YXH3apsV5JJgyXTRI5YaTNXA56AutQfFes5RPxbR_4evMehordZ2aiFH7V4YmP0O_i3KpjgK_4vnaAONIW8/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5v_Jv49vyaa4YA23Vl69ASQ_5-SHoBaA_gPkKp_Ye0nL7HvzSNcGm38I6YXH3apsV5JJgyXTRI5YaTNXA56AutQfFes5RPxbR_4evMehordZ2aiFH7V4YmP0O_i3KpjgK_4vnaAONIW8/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then top the moss with a mound of potting soil. Pack soil down well.This is a messy and wet situation. Remember what Denzel said.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlc_SsaCTpa7me16NrpGhwWIb9PpverD9Gj0Q_0mW7XigUFqtL8E_W4_N7sIFy9ownjcSYIRD-EyzQz84CSotipvpL0JxXBmFYIkJps8d-43_yJYKEKalvqaDmtlqkwrsI4QxeIslppo/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlc_SsaCTpa7me16NrpGhwWIb9PpverD9Gj0Q_0mW7XigUFqtL8E_W4_N7sIFy9ownjcSYIRD-EyzQz84CSotipvpL0JxXBmFYIkJps8d-43_yJYKEKalvqaDmtlqkwrsI4QxeIslppo/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Place the second wire form on top of the first and fold the excess moss (those six extra inches) up over the top of the second wire form. Tightly wrap floral wire around the entire wreath at 1" intervals.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZXfQHYQRcuI0h9Zr3utRLzpv097ON-8ty84BWPMsp2A_ieQ86lM21Q7yk8VgzPMzUuTpNq4kqA6M5toPwkdE36ck0m1N6CqDOkKTrPOS79Jlv-zgWn_dkwoXYdmZWheOA7cVoVPB6t8/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZXfQHYQRcuI0h9Zr3utRLzpv097ON-8ty84BWPMsp2A_ieQ86lM21Q7yk8VgzPMzUuTpNq4kqA6M5toPwkdE36ck0m1N6CqDOkKTrPOS79Jlv-zgWn_dkwoXYdmZWheOA7cVoVPB6t8/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Poke a hole in the moss with a chopstick. Stick the succulent stem into the hole and secure it with a floral pin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAsjCnsIv9WJcSHrSfH5pKydANrw3GMRDKZJIRQpzSTah1eGlsYB__Hqau8gDW50IkLSZDk9tumqyWI56Q5fUKbgwGMwuCWjY39kYSxRn6CGnSGXmcOya6oo4o8qmASMc5bQUF040_Y0/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAsjCnsIv9WJcSHrSfH5pKydANrw3GMRDKZJIRQpzSTah1eGlsYB__Hqau8gDW50IkLSZDk9tumqyWI56Q5fUKbgwGMwuCWjY39kYSxRn6CGnSGXmcOya6oo4o8qmASMc5bQUF040_Y0/s320/DSC_0054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Work your way around the wreath designing an interesting collection of succulents.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpepVEpb_aFV2wBYLlnIdg-0_ZhBn0axOXAt1XS8NNltA_CTfIhuUNIEdqaFsbWdif4g0LhjgsAwWEpsN9yETfIAVYxFS_LijzJzvt1hk_10lVbtOQcV4yKkRvOklWt7_xNqRxgPxeSk/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpepVEpb_aFV2wBYLlnIdg-0_ZhBn0axOXAt1XS8NNltA_CTfIhuUNIEdqaFsbWdif4g0LhjgsAwWEpsN9yETfIAVYxFS_LijzJzvt1hk_10lVbtOQcV4yKkRvOklWt7_xNqRxgPxeSk/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It takes awhile to fill the wreath.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTIUdes58JCt8mZq7g1avxApvcKZLBfaSYcgIa5OKKxoBHp9DD8LIW_V3U922CxitnVY2yHXi1Yorn8SdoKBpI0Xtvp66HUrOla1KRS_WKHjUVFmoF9oBRRKd1TCJurg_0maZtGV4LQ0/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTIUdes58JCt8mZq7g1avxApvcKZLBfaSYcgIa5OKKxoBHp9DD8LIW_V3U922CxitnVY2yHXi1Yorn8SdoKBpI0Xtvp66HUrOla1KRS_WKHjUVFmoF9oBRRKd1TCJurg_0maZtGV4LQ0/s320/DSC_0062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nice use of color and texture, Mary!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jttQWOJ9zimjYUCZf9XYfUqRLs39ZBg9ImlBPBEpzcFAjAK_7YffuZQsaWAfw5ikFfG4H0qBp8EsymZOV4gHW5YXqb4fdRDZE835hgtP8VUwT_VrtCHwwyOHGVq6PyY6WqJwr3vHP5I/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jttQWOJ9zimjYUCZf9XYfUqRLs39ZBg9ImlBPBEpzcFAjAK_7YffuZQsaWAfw5ikFfG4H0qBp8EsymZOV4gHW5YXqb4fdRDZE835hgtP8VUwT_VrtCHwwyOHGVq6PyY6WqJwr3vHP5I/s320/DSC_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sue and Lori are high school friends. We loved meeting Lori and watching the two of them work together. Lori, I might add, is a fellow <a href="http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/home">Timbukt2 fan. If you're looking for a great holiday gift, check out this San Francisco company</a>. The bags are excellent quality and you can even design your own. Just reading their web-site is fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMRZ8CO7wNCOwvVKASxG2w8GekhqDwX4wmnIF9atbHaySTdB2-TPoRd2ZwRw15IYdJyjZyzbKaghSkMEBulnPSvWdim8bSkH_Gn6yyIb4zor8L8yWBRALmHJ9BFmXXg27JbRHRE45L34/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMRZ8CO7wNCOwvVKASxG2w8GekhqDwX4wmnIF9atbHaySTdB2-TPoRd2ZwRw15IYdJyjZyzbKaghSkMEBulnPSvWdim8bSkH_Gn6yyIb4zor8L8yWBRALmHJ9BFmXXg27JbRHRE45L34/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The plants we used were douglas fir, bay laurel, variegated Ilex(holly), eucalyptus, juniper, incense cedar, redwood, spruce, and pine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We embellished with dried pomegranates, pistache berries, pine cones, antlers, rose hips, and ribbons.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMLB2HAEgu6CGEdT2Lc-JbnTTpSGiJKYoxZkvKUtd-K16pBwXptIj04b67reJ5OIrABoim1CYrosYcuhGnLnYhjw17nWNmjvpSCjiHdrIzJdSBe_FHS-H9hN2A4xKEwPQVOvvZgUixVU/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMLB2HAEgu6CGEdT2Lc-JbnTTpSGiJKYoxZkvKUtd-K16pBwXptIj04b67reJ5OIrABoim1CYrosYcuhGnLnYhjw17nWNmjvpSCjiHdrIzJdSBe_FHS-H9hN2A4xKEwPQVOvvZgUixVU/s320/DSC_0056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Quiet creative minds hard at work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggktpyYsZ9WVw5aZ2FpoNbFYIEsT7ATGALV3inNLtPdv342-JhP2-JntISggX5KK1w7njYFv0c8nX80KF1T7IZB120nRjgIWtN9zw4pU-GDhXNOZ1rIKgd6XeSZBoBc6FnyNVEXFc_dIE/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggktpyYsZ9WVw5aZ2FpoNbFYIEsT7ATGALV3inNLtPdv342-JhP2-JntISggX5KK1w7njYFv0c8nX80KF1T7IZB120nRjgIWtN9zw4pU-GDhXNOZ1rIKgd6XeSZBoBc6FnyNVEXFc_dIE/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jill's antler swag looked amazing! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NfWh9PYVHUGJlreSYMAqlZJYdfLBbdDWNFner4sUz07k5queFCtwiRlJnFNm7oMULrF-3s7oern-WtjiLEJvylBUhJ0Q_u50UBFxS9K4oHTedCMOjuPTuZ9dbB5-UNrmmMMAx6xYaIk/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NfWh9PYVHUGJlreSYMAqlZJYdfLBbdDWNFner4sUz07k5queFCtwiRlJnFNm7oMULrF-3s7oern-WtjiLEJvylBUhJ0Q_u50UBFxS9K4oHTedCMOjuPTuZ9dbB5-UNrmmMMAx6xYaIk/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Melinda led the way on the greenery wreaths using the holly and bay leaves beautifully.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90PYVSw_H0n9QUxqPqkFVpdF_zWeTWL1IsfPaYxOqyM3hKdym9jCkn9gyGm4AqQuXjZpnS0YO9m-HCMZUfXPeELqHlENt9nhgHnbvWThWEWQkXUAZ7zD-mvbfJkeUUknAuf_YphCg__E/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90PYVSw_H0n9QUxqPqkFVpdF_zWeTWL1IsfPaYxOqyM3hKdym9jCkn9gyGm4AqQuXjZpnS0YO9m-HCMZUfXPeELqHlENt9nhgHnbvWThWEWQkXUAZ7zD-mvbfJkeUUknAuf_YphCg__E/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elaine made a stunning 36" Magnolia leave wreath for her front door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90PYVSw_H0n9QUxqPqkFVpdF_zWeTWL1IsfPaYxOqyM3hKdym9jCkn9gyGm4AqQuXjZpnS0YO9m-HCMZUfXPeELqHlENt9nhgHnbvWThWEWQkXUAZ7zD-mvbfJkeUUknAuf_YphCg__E/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuYtkeYHzratV3AWFTX9gtG-eqKw4y9YKF0Xd-oJ0arkAvEhTHM1gqEPtR4NWKzJCYwax7HfpxFsrB4ZR7GtsShJ_gYHBcSMk99REBcIWzxoXUYIr91b5hKe6WshcUGyAr4hMcwrg164/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuYtkeYHzratV3AWFTX9gtG-eqKw4y9YKF0Xd-oJ0arkAvEhTHM1gqEPtR4NWKzJCYwax7HfpxFsrB4ZR7GtsShJ_gYHBcSMk99REBcIWzxoXUYIr91b5hKe6WshcUGyAr4hMcwrg164/s320/DSC_0074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I accented mine with three dried pomegranates and an amazing bow (that Elaine tied). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>An early holiday gift: </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">FABULOUS FUN</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WITH</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WONDERFUL WOMEN</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Try it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-63295954330356294262010-10-27T18:14:00.000-07:002010-10-30T15:59:08.934-07:00Changing From One State to AnotherI am not a professional writer so I am hesitant to say that I had writer's block, but I did. Maybe it was a seasonal transition writer's block. I came home from traveling with Jeff to England and Ireland and it took me awhile to get excited about my garden. Hard to believe, I know, but I speak the truth. My garden had been well-tended to by my mother-in-law, but the shortened hours of sunshine affected the plants. I looked at them and could envision the work ahead. Transition from summer to winter.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Garden Travel</span></span></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was the view from our hotel room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzRy2wVAkz3X8fO-ouX6QBdIT9oNNIeLxPPpzHObTlzVsOcRHb6GObSzD7AuuaBHgsKh5IiFMslj9e47CXJ7zJ0G5HjmL7ykQ9QgjmpGwWb379UMf7CL6DwEZ8mfDY2Yr9w1BMvKg2yA/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzRy2wVAkz3X8fO-ouX6QBdIT9oNNIeLxPPpzHObTlzVsOcRHb6GObSzD7AuuaBHgsKh5IiFMslj9e47CXJ7zJ0G5HjmL7ykQ9QgjmpGwWb379UMf7CL6DwEZ8mfDY2Yr9w1BMvKg2yA/s320/DSC_0138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">One of the most visited attractions in Ireland is Powerscourt Gardens, which include it's historic house, Italian and Japanese gardens and a pet cemetery. Oddly enough, the pet cemetery turned out to be my favorite part of the garden.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Grey and Green. Dark and Colorful. Alive and Dead. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Transition.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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One last vacation share. We went to Glendalough in Wicklow County. It is a 12th century monastic city. More of that wonderful green and grey color combination and more intriguing headstones. Wicklow County is considered the garden county, but I think they could make a case that Ireland is the garden country.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">We can complain</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">because rose bushes</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">have thorns, or</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Abraham Lincoln</div>******************************************************************<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Something Old, Something New</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div>I am still feeling the effects of one child now in college. While I am thrilled that Jeffrey is off to a good start, I am faced with the reality that in a couple more years my job will be dramatically different. I was at a gathering the other night where a nice couple asked me, "What do you do?"<br />
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Over the years, I've gained confidence in proudly stating, "I am home with my children". When I heard myself answer the question with my staple line, I knew the next question would be, "And how old are they?"<br />
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Apparently, the time has run out for that standard party line. I can't "be home with the kids" who aren't home! In light of all this transition, <b>I am proud to tell you that I was accepted to the University of California's Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program in Santa Clara for 2011. The first class is in January.</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">CLEVERCLEVERCLEVERCLEVERCLEVERCLEVERCLEVER</span></u></b></div><br />
Ever get tired of cleaning your bird bath? Two wonderful gardener friends shared these alternative ideas for a bird bath for those times when you want to shake things up a little.<br />
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1) Create a butterfly drinking pool - "Some butterflies take in nutrients and salts from mud puddles through their long, straw-like mouth parts. You can make a permanent mud puddle with a plastic or terra-cotta saucer. Fill it with half sand and half composted manure. Pour water in, top it with an overripe banana, and watch how many butterflies stop by." - <i>From Sunset Magazine. </i> I am going to do this in my birdbath and disguise the dish with rocks, sticks or other natural items. That way the activity is eye level and I can move the birdbath to a place that we can watch butterflies.<br />
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2) For winter: How about placing the birdbath outside your window and filling it with votive candles? The light coming in from outdoors will be a party stunner and you can show off your beautiful birdbath while sitting inside.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="hw" d:dhw="1" d:priority="2" style="font-size: 24px;">tran<span class="hsb"></span><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">si</span><span class="hsb"></span><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">tion</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span class="pronGrp"><span class="pr" d:pr="US" style="font-family: HiraMinPro-W3;" type="US"> |tranˈzi<span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;"> sh </span>ən; -ˈsi<span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;"> sh </span>ən|</span></span></span></div><span class="SB" style="display: block; font-family: Baskerville; margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;"></span><br />
<span class="SB" style="display: block; font-family: Baskerville; margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;"></span><br />
<span class="SB" style="display: block; font-family: Baskerville; margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;"></span><br />
<span class="SB" style="display: block; font-family: Baskerville; margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">noun</div><span class="sense" d:abs="1" style="display: block; text-align: center;"><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">the</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">process</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">or</span> a period of <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">changing</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">from</span> one state or condition to <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">another</span> </span></span><span class="sense" d:abs="1" style="display: block; text-align: center;"><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span><span class="sense" d:abs="1" style="display: block; text-align: center;"><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;">That's me. And my garden.</span></span><span class="sense" d:abs="1" style="display: block; text-align: center;"><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">***********</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-12121329347981942422010-09-15T22:53:00.000-07:002010-09-16T07:44:16.839-07:00Get Down and DirtyIf you've never known anyone who is proud of their dirt, you do now. I put a lot of energy into my dirt and I am not talking about the things I've done that deserved a hand-slap, a detention or a policeman. I'm talking about the soil that nourishes the plants. It's soil plus my compost, my worm castings and various other amendments that provide nutrients and texture. Soil has its own ecosystem full of life such as: earthworms, insects, bacteria, and fungi. It is all necessary for a successful garden.<br />
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The circle of soil's starting point is hard to determine. Is it the tomato peel that's thrown into the compost pile? Or is it the compost that's thrown into the garden bed? Do you see what I mean? It goes on and on and on. It's sustainable. Imagine these pictures in a circle:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get it? I love my dirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>End of Summer - Start of Fall</i></span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br />
</i></span></u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the end of summer, I started seeing some powdery mildew on the zucchini and cucumbers. It looked like a light gray or white substance on the leaf. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusATU-GrWrsrGKAPOoAhiTRr04ZBTRSVGttWQNgj7FKHcpIuyXnphrQkA8XxKh9xHDmxJ4nXCInMISNMUXklylNaDlcgKaWlv0hXl-Rwb4XwYNZZVECW46UEZGNNht56r6tiuN8wwszk/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusATU-GrWrsrGKAPOoAhiTRr04ZBTRSVGttWQNgj7FKHcpIuyXnphrQkA8XxKh9xHDmxJ4nXCInMISNMUXklylNaDlcgKaWlv0hXl-Rwb4XwYNZZVECW46UEZGNNht56r6tiuN8wwszk/s320/DSC_0073.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are several different types of powdery mildew and it can even be found on ornamentals. To prevent it, the plants need adequate space, a lot of sunlight and not too much water or moisture. This is hard to do as our daylight gets shorter and evenings cooler. I chose to just cut out the leaves on the larger-than-life zucchini plant. However, my cucumber was so covered with it and the leaves became so brittle, I pulled the whole plant out. Poof, done, it's out of the game. There are some sources that say to use a neem oil, if you're into that, but I chose to see it as a symbol of the end of summer. It's time to move on to cool season vegetables. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Garden Goal</span></u></i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am working towards a year-round garden so instead of pulling everything out and starting with four, empty beds, I planted several winter vegetables alongside the remaining summer plants. For example, I planted a row of different varieties of lettuce underneath a billowing, leafy collard plant. It will provide adequate shading during the heat of these early Fall days. I also planted broccoli and cauliflower amongst the still-producing peppers. It's a bit of a puzzle right now, an art project. I like how it looks with colors and sizes blending together. It will be interesting as the new plants grow and the old plants wither. You know I can get fussy about the visual. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below is a list of some of the cool season vegetables I will plant. I like to plant a few in succession so each harvest isn't ready all at the same time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Broccoli</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Cauliflower </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Chard </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Brussel Sprouts </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Bok Choy</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Peas (Sugar and Snap)</i><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Radishes</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Beets</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lettuce/Salad Greens</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Arugula</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Spinach</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't forget herbs for upcoming holiday cooking: <i>Parsley, Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme, Sage.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And don't forget spring-flowering bulbs and edible flowers such as <i>pansies and violas. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a look at the final days of my summer garden. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0KOV-p0nYFo5KHzSAp4_hoUMJ0J9iu5wtZP5fJEVj4CyT3G426s7lgLoBjBruvGNeBHCAE5QYHpoM0G3OeEAsRAwtrpWb20XFUPnoKHb3YEN6YeskPwbGpQPqsTmYANCsFguxsGsNR0/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0KOV-p0nYFo5KHzSAp4_hoUMJ0J9iu5wtZP5fJEVj4CyT3G426s7lgLoBjBruvGNeBHCAE5QYHpoM0G3OeEAsRAwtrpWb20XFUPnoKHb3YEN6YeskPwbGpQPqsTmYANCsFguxsGsNR0/s320/DSC_0072.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The garden at the end of the pool - fully grown-in! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeY9QYgfjNO0eWMoZwyMYPuYL4UVdS0joGkoFPkJVqJsWqYonGxbmTHGGfCclesGCg9JqMsLJ2ak-W4rB53YI29fxCXvM5YKceUMGKS9Q7c_3YEuu4NLgWRI8TczM6V3-sqmTTNalh-w/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeY9QYgfjNO0eWMoZwyMYPuYL4UVdS0joGkoFPkJVqJsWqYonGxbmTHGGfCclesGCg9JqMsLJ2ak-W4rB53YI29fxCXvM5YKceUMGKS9Q7c_3YEuu4NLgWRI8TczM6V3-sqmTTNalh-w/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The vegetable garden entrance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHsLmGOcEiNSs5SKdmQJcEVpuSU4nTTJcbTpNpTY2APZitJq1Fm5IJbVuCvKqQg1lQJJHgFNHRWH9ANa-pQQQti0MWbwptpQvUgmL_huMN3G9-kDgQ4EHJTtrlwpn9Jz7eaj4VaOwJkQ/s1600/DSC_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHsLmGOcEiNSs5SKdmQJcEVpuSU4nTTJcbTpNpTY2APZitJq1Fm5IJbVuCvKqQg1lQJJHgFNHRWH9ANa-pQQQti0MWbwptpQvUgmL_huMN3G9-kDgQ4EHJTtrlwpn9Jz7eaj4VaOwJkQ/s320/DSC_0120.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Peppers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMAWnt6WfqxId1UkJFKTxxZoMa-v597xoZrOukUyXqrnaTnQ2O6tPz_XKJ8tiBIyXlEfvZ1vA4PHKKA7ZFlacRP0BrDSfQvFMgDSxl5tsCYl_jw9eDo9f_ePQgEikWDBvhXNix4lwerk/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMAWnt6WfqxId1UkJFKTxxZoMa-v597xoZrOukUyXqrnaTnQ2O6tPz_XKJ8tiBIyXlEfvZ1vA4PHKKA7ZFlacRP0BrDSfQvFMgDSxl5tsCYl_jw9eDo9f_ePQgEikWDBvhXNix4lwerk/s320/DSC_0143.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even Hotter Peppers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl2Q2McQse2zJJ38wFlZwfmoFCkxZEPDTB6OuFUCD-GpSPxD8Zs81NXSIpbnW9dLPekcvlIzatuG4aB6HyCXTskah0O2alJ75z3kIb6ZTUrIGUCCrQdIi-i3iI1WHVALuYofihhie_Og/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl2Q2McQse2zJJ38wFlZwfmoFCkxZEPDTB6OuFUCD-GpSPxD8Zs81NXSIpbnW9dLPekcvlIzatuG4aB6HyCXTskah0O2alJ75z3kIb6ZTUrIGUCCrQdIi-i3iI1WHVALuYofihhie_Og/s320/DSC_0130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Basket - Peppers, Eggplants, Tomatoes, a Lemon, Basil and Dahlias! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">As you see, I am proud of my dirt. It's how we grow. It's what builds character. It makes us who we are. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Be proud of your dirt! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still wondering about that policeman?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-38090835547292263702010-08-31T21:30:00.000-07:002010-08-31T21:36:57.029-07:00Mixing a Little Personal With BusinessMy garden looks like a scene I saw in Costa Rica years ago, a jungle with oversized leaves. Or perhaps a scene from a sci-fi, like Jurassic Park where a prehistoric creature will peer out from behind the Collard Greens. Mother Nature was busy this week. She must have known that I'd need a distraction when I returned from Boulder. Love her. She's always looking out for me. I don't need a church to pray and express gratitude. I have my own sacred place.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_caOzvAbjRsRu55w5gJrg2Q-cvQJGvJJFvhvgrVhtTYUZstRpRZKfoD29_v9sbPvB1Bx_6gY6dHjAF-FKB5KcFkLXGzxm5qxmHtGhxDEvRrDgy_e8tjsXDoyj_2ZXj85JtvhMH1I3qvA/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_caOzvAbjRsRu55w5gJrg2Q-cvQJGvJJFvhvgrVhtTYUZstRpRZKfoD29_v9sbPvB1Bx_6gY6dHjAF-FKB5KcFkLXGzxm5qxmHtGhxDEvRrDgy_e8tjsXDoyj_2ZXj85JtvhMH1I3qvA/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" /></a></div><br />
One of the challenges with this time of year is what in the world to do with all the harvest? I am always looking for recipes that utilize a large amount of what I pick. A good bang for your buck recipe is Ratatouille. I was worried that the dish was too outdated to serve at a luncheon I had. Was it like walking downstairs in an old, frumpy dress? Nice, but been-there-done-that years ago? Lorin, who is an exceptionally good cook, counseled me that it was a classic and classics don't get frumpy. I wasn't entirely convinced until she told me to top it off with some toasted pinenuts and a bit of goat cheese. Voila! That's what I needed... a little trendy to spice up my classic. I serve this and people often tell me they don't know if they really like ratatouille and then I watch them go for more! I think some people are afraid of that many vegetables all together.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><u>Ratatouille</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">4 large tomatoes (I used a variety)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">1c chopped flat leaf parsley</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">1/2 c chopped basil leaves (I love basil, so I add more)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">2 lb eggplant cut into cubes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">2 large red onion, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">3 assorted bell peppers (1-1/2 lbs) cut into 1 inch pieces</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">4 medium zucchini (2lb) quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into 3/4 inch thick pieces</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">salt and pepper</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Blanch and peel the tomatoes. Coarsely chop them and transfer to a heavy pot with garlic, parsley, basil and some olive oil. Simmer partially covered, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens. About 30 minutes. By the way, this makes an excellent quick pasta sauce as well. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">While the sauce is simmering, toss the eggplant with 1/2t salt and let sit in a colander over the sink for half an hour at least. Pat them dry before cooking.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Once the eggplant has sweat out its needless liquid, saute the onions, eggplant, bell peppers and zucchini over medium heat until they soften - about 10-15 minutes. Epicurious suggests cooking all these vegetables separately. I do not see the reason other than to add to your dirty dishes. Just make sure to stir occasionally. But, if you're a rule follower, you can saute them separately.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Lastly, add the softened vegetables to the tomato sauce, simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very tender, about an hour. Cool, uncovered and serve warm or at room temperature. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">I can also tell you that the flavor is unbelievable the second day! And don't forget to top it with the pinenuts and goat cheese. No frumpy ratatouille here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>AND THE VERDICT IS...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, my Green Zebra Tomato, the very one from Love Apple Farm did have mites. I bought a 3x loop just like Love Apple suggested we do and sure enough, I could see them crawling on the leaves. Not too many per leaf, but enough to see that they had taken up residency and were not going away. There are several remedies that you can find on the Love Apple site (see my most recent posting), but I decided that I have enough tomato plants and I just want it out of the box, like a broken toy. </div><br />
Who needs Sonoma? If you're under the impression that you can't grow grapes in your own backyard and you have to go to the wine country to witness such a feat. Think again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfxv-Um9IJXKBfnC0qL7E9LMbUwYLjpe2obDM7_YFaR09Ngp402gGHUt8FYlf__rODjhz0E169uUgi2GOqClyqzoDMcAC72A8KiXMkwM7kxN5BR3TO7_0MtAiSgvfXnZ-cXj99dh2f4Y/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfxv-Um9IJXKBfnC0qL7E9LMbUwYLjpe2obDM7_YFaR09Ngp402gGHUt8FYlf__rODjhz0E169uUgi2GOqClyqzoDMcAC72A8KiXMkwM7kxN5BR3TO7_0MtAiSgvfXnZ-cXj99dh2f4Y/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I grew these Champagne grapes and they were delicious and impressive on a cheese platter. I love when something really works in the garden! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, P.S. I still need Sonoma, honey. Don't worry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXAsypjbVxOWYC-iK3ioD8IYlpoiTzmzGC3czWtTQfP615EaMDCftA2L14UYi_BYifttHjfc8awMILEb_9NyPBOGLoiXDNYpsQU5acgr0Cq1_0XAy7KzkF2icfw0T78HAM0nOwjkrXAQ/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXAsypjbVxOWYC-iK3ioD8IYlpoiTzmzGC3czWtTQfP615EaMDCftA2L14UYi_BYifttHjfc8awMILEb_9NyPBOGLoiXDNYpsQU5acgr0Cq1_0XAy7KzkF2icfw0T78HAM0nOwjkrXAQ/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>And another first... I harvested beets!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjU4gphaJviMyjbNkkhGTPs0nJgtocf4A_nio_krFIEqE8ulbozq5xaQChvXY5wbDhcOqpYdcTFTxNc8_XEELvg6hjWOkrqyheNlaZPn298WLGhpxxBtUANEK9BokBITKtofFWzmcAHE/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjU4gphaJviMyjbNkkhGTPs0nJgtocf4A_nio_krFIEqE8ulbozq5xaQChvXY5wbDhcOqpYdcTFTxNc8_XEELvg6hjWOkrqyheNlaZPn298WLGhpxxBtUANEK9BokBITKtofFWzmcAHE/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<i><b>personalpersonalpersonalpersonalpersonalpersonal</b></i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>WANNA WALK? </b></div><br />
The annual Bonnie Addario Walk for Lung Cancer is coming up, September 12 at 5:00pm in Golden Gate Park. If you can join me and our Team Xhale, please sign up <a href="https://www.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=426922&lis=1&kntae426922=C0651EA97F454583B8BF5D01BFFD65BF&supId=261493453&team=3815435"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">here</span></a>. We had a fabulous and meaningful time last year with a team of over thirty people. This year, the race is in honor of Jill, a student at UC Berkeley who lost her life to lung cancer and never smoked a cigarette in her life. Please help me support the efforts being made to eradicate this disease that is affecting too many people. Three of my loved ones have died from lung cancer, my father, Liane and King. Please help me help Bonnie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPoee5aVgs2Oi5wnDOW94MSs30qzGOVHeX7tJRux6_pCE27yxiWgdE-6d-dhPbU4U3FWgnxlkzSLTCQZWCo2jINRQRfEvrEslhVwJ6Sc59Rr4dG7lkuiTfhrDNlduRe2BMiFWdCIvwp8/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffe599;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPoee5aVgs2Oi5wnDOW94MSs30qzGOVHeX7tJRux6_pCE27yxiWgdE-6d-dhPbU4U3FWgnxlkzSLTCQZWCo2jINRQRfEvrEslhVwJ6Sc59Rr4dG7lkuiTfhrDNlduRe2BMiFWdCIvwp8/s320/DSC_0379.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<b>AND ... SOME RAW EMOTION... ALWAYS GOOD FOR THE SOUL TO SHARE...</b><br />
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No one can prepare you for the awe of your newborn laying on your belly breathing simultaneously with you, no one can prepare you for the seemingly endless sleepless nights that occur, no one can prepare you for the pride you feel in the nucleus of your cells numerous times throughout their childhood, no one can prepare you for the joy you feel when you hear them laugh from the belly... you know where I am going with this... no one can prepare you for the feeling you have when you walk back in the house after you return from taking your child to college and realize that their returns to home will be temporary forever more. It's a daunting feeling that you cannot prepare for. Don't get me wrong, the happiness I have knowing that Jeffrey has transitioned with ease into his new adventure gives me the required strength to carry on, I just wasn't prepared for the range of emotions that roll in and out like the perfect wave.<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/AVvXsEikZiWKK7HLnis_q4IND837a1vi_YKA7a1MAz9yGtvtQu9hwdYVE6Y3KNOWb2kHp6VASViOSHPLPz8-p2fCpzsb8Wj42dcnxaxS9OGHtzVa1Z9ZdR8PbgKzDcU5NGha6Qas0pQj9K2mQP0/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffe599;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZiWKK7HLnis_q4IND837a1vi_YKA7a1MAz9yGtvtQu9hwdYVE6Y3KNOWb2kHp6VASViOSHPLPz8-p2fCpzsb8Wj42dcnxaxS9OGHtzVa1Z9ZdR8PbgKzDcU5NGha6Qas0pQj9K2mQP0/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Life is Good</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-60780309902401846412010-08-11T13:50:00.000-07:002010-08-11T18:11:46.356-07:00Flying Through Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's August and the </span>vegetables are peaking. I picked my first harvest of tomatoes and even made a batch of Gazpacho, which symbolizes summer garden success, in my opinion. The peppers and eggplant are producing in bulk. The zucchini is tapering off. One plant seems to be just enough. The cucumbers are a bit tricky. I planted Fanfare imagining that I would like the longer version, but they are bitter. I haven't quite mastered just when to harvest them to get an optimal taste. Perhaps my largest accomplishment is the Yellow Watermelon. I picked one yesterday and everyone was impressed at breakfast. I have three more and I am going to leave them on the vine a bit longer hoping for an even sweeter treat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMiOpTufKlzGbI9A6KLZew-6JEu1Ido1KKbuKlLvDQa9LFvjBrcXLWs2tk-h4a9Aob3t5uULT2RhkgdALKR7H09VxtOlnPFGh18hbnU54QaGrvEXYkgIO2C9btLWQDdg9-LsR9LUjYXk/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMiOpTufKlzGbI9A6KLZew-6JEu1Ido1KKbuKlLvDQa9LFvjBrcXLWs2tk-h4a9Aob3t5uULT2RhkgdALKR7H09VxtOlnPFGh18hbnU54QaGrvEXYkgIO2C9btLWQDdg9-LsR9LUjYXk/s320/DSC_0195.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">TOMATO TROUBLE</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember my last post I mentioned that one of my tomato plants turned brown and I had to pull it out? Well, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.growbetterveggies.com/growbetterveggies/2010/07/tomato-russet-mite-oh-my.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Love Apple Farm's Website features an explanation, the Tomato Russet Mite.</span> </a> </span>I haven't purchased a 3x Loop to examine the leaves, but its quite possible that my tomato plant was infested with it. Its also interesting to note that it was the only plant I purchased from Love Apple Farm. If your tomatoes are showing signs of browning and fatigue, read Cynthia's web page and act NOW! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">TOMATO TIP</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">According to Pam Peirce from Golden Gate Gardening (my bible), "When you pick a tomato, try to break the stem at the natural separation point about 1/2 inch above the fruit, leaving the stem and little green cap attached." Also, store fruit out of direct sunlight at room temperature. Refrigeration ruins the flavor. I keep mine in a large bowl on the counter and admire the strong blast of red. Speaking of red... if you have to pick some tomatoes before they are fully ripened, you can force the ripening by putting them in a brown paper bag and rolling the top down pretty close to the bundle of fruit. In other words, don't leave a lot of space in the bag. You can't leave them in the bag for too long for obvious reasons, but they will ripen quicker than leaving them on the counter. Tomatoes give off ethylene gas, which is needed for ripening. The bag holds the gas near the fruit. Pam suggests wrapping each tomato with newspaper. That's too much of a process for me. Plus, the one, weekly newspaper I get, I feed to my worms. Did I just say worms? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">WORM BOX UPDATE</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It never occurred to me that you may be worrying about my worms. Well, they're fine. They are enjoying the shredded newspaper, food scraps and a sprinkle of water, I add to the box each week. There is a fair amount of worm castings, which will be my compost, already accumulating in the box. I haven't quite figured out how to completely separate them from the compost, but I will. So far, I would deem it a successful science experiment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">GARDEN TIP</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't forget to fertilize your flower pots. The soil loses its nutrients quickly from all the watering during these hot summer days. I add a couple tablespoons of fish emulsion to my gallon jug of water (when I remember) and I believe it makes a difference. I also add new flowers to the pots occasionally to keep things colorful and fresh looking. Yet another reason to move towards replacing everything with succulents! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I usually don't post other peoples' photographs, but I couldn't resist this one. Russ, a high school friend of mine is an artist, gardener, nature-admirer and all-around great guy. He often goes on hikes around his property in Ohio with his dog, Butchie and sends pictures and fabulous stories. He sent me this picture, titled Thirsty Butterflys.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3GyowshvFAMFVOPDahZzCzxK4IybvcwDr_pQixWrFMQJTo0wp4oMS1BhVY3fXTQ-FVG5hTGW259D2Uuf3opLQKijo1Zemjfi9Z5iyFq6AeYefWlxQSZY15WpVR0YgjBoUUdopActcfo/s1600/thirsty+butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3GyowshvFAMFVOPDahZzCzxK4IybvcwDr_pQixWrFMQJTo0wp4oMS1BhVY3fXTQ-FVG5hTGW259D2Uuf3opLQKijo1Zemjfi9Z5iyFq6AeYefWlxQSZY15WpVR0YgjBoUUdopActcfo/s320/thirsty+butterflies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've been following this blog, you know that I had baby Mockingbirds who left their nest the day of my son, Jeffrey's graduation party. We've had another significant flight happen in our house although this time it wasn't created by Mother Nature. This surprise was carefully crafted by Mother Whitney. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrO1qsss8vlHab8m-vNI3TU2Dhvnc2zJVXft18JXT68O3ofRzLyNFiz4Ei5PAwNm2VECyAiZs-KKXkgQXJcbEXsw7radnYF7pFdrgq23PmPDIQ1JmZoVYcM9Gg06pEr_xsjkXglJXOx8/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrO1qsss8vlHab8m-vNI3TU2Dhvnc2zJVXft18JXT68O3ofRzLyNFiz4Ei5PAwNm2VECyAiZs-KKXkgQXJcbEXsw7radnYF7pFdrgq23PmPDIQ1JmZoVYcM9Gg06pEr_xsjkXglJXOx8/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Birthday to my darling, daring daughter! She Soared in her Sweet Sixteen at <a href="http://www.iflysfbay.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">iFly, an indoor skydiving experience</span>.</a> Another flight...through life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagr6tEkAFsw9lKDlh44123I2SgRy_zxx8CqF8sGpcjvSwkuupqnmxkoCGxjJKnkAMGCAl3HgeLzhX4JkJ59-Nyt2R4qkUMlUd9l7LBE3ibApm1PHQwUzXw1Fb-BoWDKDm6c7syZToywY/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagr6tEkAFsw9lKDlh44123I2SgRy_zxx8CqF8sGpcjvSwkuupqnmxkoCGxjJKnkAMGCAl3HgeLzhX4JkJ59-Nyt2R4qkUMlUd9l7LBE3ibApm1PHQwUzXw1Fb-BoWDKDm6c7syZToywY/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There was a quote on a sky-blue colored wall at iFly that caught my attention:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always be."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>- </i>Leonardo Da Vinci</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps it makes me think about Jeffrey tasting his flight as he goes off to college next week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I better go back to the garden and find comfort from Mother Nature and ... my Buddha, who reminds me to slow down when I glance at her standing tall against the Phormium. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2dAaOg9aCdjNrNOeVtLBBrPq0dVux_clu2frMAIhgnQKtZloeA7bzmjImtNCl011IVkqBl4p-rH5aln_I3sOyThdVGRWk1QlS-uxrJ4fwN0qRrv9bVEsPxiY-b9b5-bDmstkWMNCHVA/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2dAaOg9aCdjNrNOeVtLBBrPq0dVux_clu2frMAIhgnQKtZloeA7bzmjImtNCl011IVkqBl4p-rH5aln_I3sOyThdVGRWk1QlS-uxrJ4fwN0qRrv9bVEsPxiY-b9b5-bDmstkWMNCHVA/s320/DSC_0088.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">P.S. Did you like the music? </div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-9807419093777317662010-07-27T22:51:00.000-07:002010-07-27T23:02:26.502-07:00Garden Visuals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I love visual surprises. They ignite your curiosity and create a desire for more. A garden is full of surprises that seduce all the senses, which is probably one of the reasons I like them so much. But it isn't the plants that I am talking about right now. For example, I placed this metal lizard on the edge of a vegetable box. Many people have walked through the trellis, seen the lizard and reacted with slight alarm. Its obviously not real given its size and the texture of the metal, but its just enough of a surprise that it makes the person more alert. Now I've got you. You're paying attention to my garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yvtkgry6ijYQBs4AsDgIAo61sG1lEo6ZiJikdheda0_1GlCCWvBpVa0Hz0JGKoHQDQTZ1H06agzDoCOBjyqkQU7NLWetA1Db3q4ai7UlDO1-ZSJ3lSYZzJ-fAtsRQJnxbUV3Gm8epRg/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yvtkgry6ijYQBs4AsDgIAo61sG1lEo6ZiJikdheda0_1GlCCWvBpVa0Hz0JGKoHQDQTZ1H06agzDoCOBjyqkQU7NLWetA1Db3q4ai7UlDO1-ZSJ3lSYZzJ-fAtsRQJnxbUV3Gm8epRg/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought this stone mask in Belize a million years ago. Its faded from the weather and the top of the head broke off. I tucked it under the foliage of this day lily as if the leaves are long hair coming out the top. Its very hidden and few people have ever seen it, but it makes me smile when a new hairstyle emerges. A fun garden visual. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrpnKg9jS5Z-CtCTNuQmOH-3moGBcB7cTiQF4qpIsOmCiQbi7Q4KshxO9Y2ozWu0cOc_Vix2a-7E2ILN9b2liEoRM1mIRO_gB2fiX0AMKnyjbqy4H4gkp9YbYle2gb-wIGnsM_6SlGKw/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrpnKg9jS5Z-CtCTNuQmOH-3moGBcB7cTiQF4qpIsOmCiQbi7Q4KshxO9Y2ozWu0cOc_Vix2a-7E2ILN9b2liEoRM1mIRO_gB2fiX0AMKnyjbqy4H4gkp9YbYle2gb-wIGnsM_6SlGKw/s320/DSC_0085.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also love putting subtle things in pots. Just a little something to make someone look twice. Kathy gave me this beautiful silver garden spoon that personalizes my garden. I was very touched by her generosity and quickly put it in one of my favorite pots! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL_bXtR8eMFhEBOciLEz3wwD0ToUE33hwcAOhznu-7GLphvIjIPDraqt7hwUBpbkBJeLTys_V5vHBTTKM3_omugG8Km5lanrzDLRWFzsL2SZ2uvXzPZwzCwb-o3R_vm-wZOltWl_6uHw/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrL_bXtR8eMFhEBOciLEz3wwD0ToUE33hwcAOhznu-7GLphvIjIPDraqt7hwUBpbkBJeLTys_V5vHBTTKM3_omugG8Km5lanrzDLRWFzsL2SZ2uvXzPZwzCwb-o3R_vm-wZOltWl_6uHw/s320/DSC_0083.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Guaranteed Deer Repellent</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For every One Gallon of Water add:</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1 egg</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1/3 cup milk</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1t vegetable oil</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1t detergent </b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Whisk together and put in a watering can or spray bottle</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Spray every 4-5 days</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't tried this yet because I don't have a deer problem but one of my Garden Gurus, Melinda gave it to me. Give it a try if you've got the need! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A POSSIBLE NEW GARDENING PROJECT</span></b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm going to an informational meeting regarding </span><i><a href="http://www.mastergardeners.org/events"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">applying to the Santa Clara County Master Gardeners Program!</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> This may be just the thing for me to pursue as one of my babes moves onto college. They only admit 50 people and I've heard there are several applicants. If I don't get in, I just won't talk about it anymore... wink,wink. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">GARDEN FAILURE</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">: Perhaps this isn't the best thing to write following my possible desire to become a Master Gardener, but I imagine the Masters would appreciate honesty. Okay, here it is: One of my tomato plants turned an unpleasant brown color. It was large and healthy otherwise, which makes me think it was not due to water. It must have been something systemic. Its the one I bought at Love Apple Farm. Of all the plants! I had to pull the whole thing out because I couldn't stand looking at it amongst all the beautiful, healthy, sea of green. Yikes... They better let me into this program. I need help! </span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>GARDEN TRAVELS:</b></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We just got back from a week at Pinecrest Lake. Natural gardens are truly amazing because they are taken care of by Mother Nature. Her sun and her water. We take 5 mile walks around the lake during the week. This was a beautiful surprise. One of those bonus visuals I've been talking about. Someone carved a chair into this old tree stump. It was irresistible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb55UtBDklRF01SFpkfri8_fzkMn-oP3ueMszyA4oco8f2lCr9f7q4_33YLSwCKNerG6objWl3rgyhSfUU9KU42uRmm-rzdh3a-3TnfGW0RPcUiEL9JYNE4atiG9sUnivePJqRfko-jiw/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb55UtBDklRF01SFpkfri8_fzkMn-oP3ueMszyA4oco8f2lCr9f7q4_33YLSwCKNerG6objWl3rgyhSfUU9KU42uRmm-rzdh3a-3TnfGW0RPcUiEL9JYNE4atiG9sUnivePJqRfko-jiw/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is the Pinecrest Crew. We've been going there for 11 years with this same group. They are irresistible too. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuVj6AXX5KZmkCr3s8WbAN4KCPZlX4YXCOYd9vW8yt0NbYd7M_cdhied1i04Z-2bdJ14yBJfiGEouWephKyb2RQFZuYzCzGTRNGaZ2MAhNjDzrJRyfSiD2bsYq_y8ATtbetL6v51BXkg/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuVj6AXX5KZmkCr3s8WbAN4KCPZlX4YXCOYd9vW8yt0NbYd7M_cdhied1i04Z-2bdJ14yBJfiGEouWephKyb2RQFZuYzCzGTRNGaZ2MAhNjDzrJRyfSiD2bsYq_y8ATtbetL6v51BXkg/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I went on a Magical Mystery Day. It was a day that two wonderful women created for an auction item to benefit The Los Gatos New Millennium Foundation. I have some beautiful pictures from that day that I plan to share on my next blog. Until then, I will leave you with a "Garden Blessing" that was posted outside the Le Potager (vegetable garden) at Maison du Lac in the Santa Cruz Mountains. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytlXXMAC3dB6qGgM2V9NM24kqspB0IMWzj8qga0WVNRn9_-NUU0NnGkF6CzCGzx0_mZEZrfhaWaRMlSiWOMpWlOJfiE83ySUm-QpZDPxyQKenzsXn5QBs-3HYwx3fR4ilRsW_m7v8faM/s1600/DSC_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytlXXMAC3dB6qGgM2V9NM24kqspB0IMWzj8qga0WVNRn9_-NUU0NnGkF6CzCGzx0_mZEZrfhaWaRMlSiWOMpWlOJfiE83ySUm-QpZDPxyQKenzsXn5QBs-3HYwx3fR4ilRsW_m7v8faM/s320/DSC_0074.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Maison du Lac gate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLvpmQ8o-bNhC8W6p_keWka280_4wy0RHeCa5cCCcHzB3rIlnjZaJ1NVQHZHr8ypbKmrbQFnfcOES1vBFe6uae2vjfovxNHFJADm5M8h6A37rZzXBJwWKrEG8wCCK_pdWmn293ykX_Jc/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLvpmQ8o-bNhC8W6p_keWka280_4wy0RHeCa5cCCcHzB3rIlnjZaJ1NVQHZHr8ypbKmrbQFnfcOES1vBFe6uae2vjfovxNHFJADm5M8h6A37rZzXBJwWKrEG8wCCK_pdWmn293ykX_Jc/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Maison du Lac</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-8vSa-rFop0fPyqQLl5WEmS2dC3G3LAAIDOgstG2GsPPEbVKNJIlSfRP15N0eD-sKQP4bQBgmHE0uVPBMPJwxzCmjlL9901AIzwBa4aXhQtPjBKzeWtHwpMgkWF_mhGv_7yKZ48fDMM/s1600/DSC_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-8vSa-rFop0fPyqQLl5WEmS2dC3G3LAAIDOgstG2GsPPEbVKNJIlSfRP15N0eD-sKQP4bQBgmHE0uVPBMPJwxzCmjlL9901AIzwBa4aXhQtPjBKzeWtHwpMgkWF_mhGv_7yKZ48fDMM/s320/DSC_0157.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinecrest Lake<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"May your garden be a place where you can find peace. Where time stands still. Let it refresh your senses, opening you to the hum of insects, the songs of birds, the splash of water, and the sound of wind through the trees." </span></i></span></td></tr>
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</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And that's why I find gardens irresistible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div></div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-84057054264669881922010-07-07T17:46:00.000-07:002010-07-08T14:31:40.678-07:00Happy Flower of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVTr9Ls_TpHH3fEl83kr6R3BtPoaCVtTDZ2WcL7mJ-gBs8CK-tuB2CYOlriYngPPRUuIqu8i-OpATk-Lyz6FIgb5vwrsO7XdOM9tishxQDGSHjqC4QywFwmoaisjUydrRXMz5lAxvx-s/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVTr9Ls_TpHH3fEl83kr6R3BtPoaCVtTDZ2WcL7mJ-gBs8CK-tuB2CYOlriYngPPRUuIqu8i-OpATk-Lyz6FIgb5vwrsO7XdOM9tishxQDGSHjqC4QywFwmoaisjUydrRXMz5lAxvx-s/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Flower mania! Taken at The Bouquets to Art, de Young Museum, San Francisco</i></div><br />
In the book, <i>Gardening Month by Month in Northern California</i>, Bob Tanem and Don Williamson claim that "July is the month to relax and enjoy all of your gardening efforts". I think that's true, for the most part. Everything is planted, growing and even beginning to fruit or flower. Perhaps the one thing that may not be too relaxing is all the watering. Most gardens in my area need a little extra water during these hot summer days. Especially pots, which tend to dry out more quickly due to their size. I am watering differently this summer, as I have mentioned a few times and I am beginning to see the benefit. The water in my tomato bed is turned off completely and therefore the plants rely on my once a week, very deep watering. I try to do it in the morning to avoid any mildewing. I've noticed that the base stem is more sturdy than years past and even the growth that towers over the cages seem to be strong and upright. I will continue to track this as the fruit flourishes and let you know how my study is progressing. The rest of the plants are on a drip every other day and seem to be doing fine with a deep watering (not as much water as the tomatoes) a couple times a week.<br />
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It's also a good idea to make sure you have a nice layer of mulch around the plants. You may notice your mulch is thinning in areas and will benefit from some replenishing. This will help keep the soil cool and moist as well as keep the weeds to a minimum. Lastly, its time for deadheading in order to keep your plants blooming. For example, my roses were amazing mid to late June and started to look parched and spent by early July. I pruned them back heavily almost taking every flower off. <i>Beautiful Roses Made Easy</i>, by Teri Dunn and Ciscoe Morris provides these five "compelling reasons to deadhead your roses as often as you can:<br />
<ul><li>It looks better. Plus you can make beautiful flower arrangements for inside or to take to friends.</li>
<li>It conserves energy. Removing the rose before rose hips (its seed pod) form averts the tiring process of seed formation.</li>
<li>It encourages re-flowering. The plant can now focus on flower production and thus, a longer blooming period.</li>
<li>There will be a better show next year. The plant will have energy to generate new buds on stems, and new flowers for next season.</li>
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6VU3xK0IpEszgIXA2tMK0nQxWQHIt9E7D1d83N0tN3CUk5xmTTCOtJzmgJTLvV0Y-3W9waSTO7o8mZyedk98ZHAguuFmk6BtOzWAizwTbtphhIZn4BwM3MS2e_24SOh21BFH28rkZjs/s1600/DSC_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6VU3xK0IpEszgIXA2tMK0nQxWQHIt9E7D1d83N0tN3CUk5xmTTCOtJzmgJTLvV0Y-3W9waSTO7o8mZyedk98ZHAguuFmk6BtOzWAizwTbtphhIZn4BwM3MS2e_24SOh21BFH28rkZjs/s320/DSC_0500.JPG" /></a><i>My roses line the edge of the back patio. They weren't planted in the best sun-spot, so they have to be tended to extra specially! And given a little forgiveness for some of their behaviors. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What amazes me about a rose is how it starts with this tight small bud and keep opening and opening.</i></div><br />
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I am also getting ready to fertilize again. Some say to feed a rose every six weeks. I can't maintain that schedule, but I can fertilize once in the Spring and I'll do it again shortly. Elaine, one of my Garden Gurus gave me this rose fertilizing recipe from the Mercury News. I've watched my roses get healthier each year.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Rose Fertilizer Recipe - from Livermore rosarian Dave Lowell. </span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Dave says to use this recipe on established roses only; roses must have been planted at least six months.</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">1/2 cup 12-12-12 fertilizer</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">1/2 cup bone meal</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">1/2 cup sulfur (Ironite, soil sulfur or iron sulfur)</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">2 T Epsom Salts</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">1 shovelful chicken manure</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Sprinkle the fertilizer, bone meal, sulfur and Epsom salts around eac plant, mixing into soil if possible. Top with chicken manure, then water in. </span></b></span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Rose Gardening Tip: </span></i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGbAT5gtdCEjwvMPdNryFFzzWr8vvvNKWW_1lcPQ7HhB7sC7CQweaLChHCHOdIEFfMIjn_NMVMtV5SDUjGNeMze3q_u_iPbUNddS4-vLIwe2fOwAsR2BeoB5rXHX2OXNDecwuPHVhCaU/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGbAT5gtdCEjwvMPdNryFFzzWr8vvvNKWW_1lcPQ7HhB7sC7CQweaLChHCHOdIEFfMIjn_NMVMtV5SDUjGNeMze3q_u_iPbUNddS4-vLIwe2fOwAsR2BeoB5rXHX2OXNDecwuPHVhCaU/s320/DSC_0153.JPG" /></a></div>A node is: "The joint in a stem where a bud, branch or leaf starts to grow. The area of the stem between the nodes is the internode. Some books call it a Bud Eye. At the beginning of the season, a bud eye is brown or reddish. Check it out. Its pretty easy to see, once you know what you're looking for. The trick is to cut about 1/4 inch from the bud eye or node. Do not cut right across the bud eye as it may not grow too well. Its always best to cut on a slant (water will run off a slant and not allow disease to enter the stem).<br />
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Its July... sit back and enjoy. And make sure to harvest your vegetables and your flowers. When I have time, I go around my yard with a basket and cut all sorts of things... not just flowers but also branches with interesting leaves. Then, I come inside, line up some clean vases and create. I don't claim to be anywhere near the florist as the people at <a href="http://www.sfexaminer.com/lifestyle/The-making-of-Bouquets-to-Art-90873349.html">Bouquets to Art</a>, but its awesome to combine a bunch of things and see what you get. Much better than buying an arrangement!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhDeWrq3oxjSXGdcJEOJb4EH0WkFXbh9kR-hWW-X_5xjakDec_Hdt5yIcvbYmCCVsE9m32gtcIFhjI5rajpgiyDn6nCWOjbToWwkhE9zzjJ6MFJo_31rEZZpuDTFdtxeMlD5vePDasCs/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhDeWrq3oxjSXGdcJEOJb4EH0WkFXbh9kR-hWW-X_5xjakDec_Hdt5yIcvbYmCCVsE9m32gtcIFhjI5rajpgiyDn6nCWOjbToWwkhE9zzjJ6MFJo_31rEZZpuDTFdtxeMlD5vePDasCs/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Foxglove</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiiHPAS7yxOJdfk53Zb2L6k5s3HsGMHzX9Hz9w6-XVIIgO7QIqfKc0lcSLFAiVLvltc876Pq3yU9mnw9LYlS3R0BC3xDHwEQVb1cm6KPEW9TH9PxgBwVE4W7BpuMB0GH_b8SdhKA_RIQ/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiiHPAS7yxOJdfk53Zb2L6k5s3HsGMHzX9Hz9w6-XVIIgO7QIqfKc0lcSLFAiVLvltc876Pq3yU9mnw9LYlS3R0BC3xDHwEQVb1cm6KPEW9TH9PxgBwVE4W7BpuMB0GH_b8SdhKA_RIQ/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" /></a></div><i> This is what I call Hydrangea Row. Its spectacular right now. I fertilized them generously and have been giving them a lot of extra water on hot days. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-gkMnCJYXmmHc7O6OL9ZCNOmcz96zQLqSYnltvHdmRhK-iTzF9loAU6t0A1JPuJnEcgcYfbn1JWp7gFfpUsVjbJ-rcAhYhVpdYqR0FzkoRR69VDSprVeR8ig5J7ML48qpLfj5UXJaP4/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-gkMnCJYXmmHc7O6OL9ZCNOmcz96zQLqSYnltvHdmRhK-iTzF9loAU6t0A1JPuJnEcgcYfbn1JWp7gFfpUsVjbJ-rcAhYhVpdYqR0FzkoRR69VDSprVeR8ig5J7ML48qpLfj5UXJaP4/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Fruits Of My Labor... I mean, Flowers of My Labor</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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</i></div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-38578092387239209322010-06-28T23:32:00.000-07:002010-07-01T14:33:24.826-07:00Hush Little Mama, Don't You Cry...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><br />
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Sometimes you can't ignore symbolic occurrences. Sometimes they are so blatant it is eerie. Using some input from readers, I learned that my birds were Mockingbirds. The thought of Mockingbirds in my garden was so sweet and fitting as I used to sing, <i>Hush Little Baby </i>to Jeffrey and Carly to help them fall asleep. I paid close attention to my bird babies for days marking their growth in my mind and always curious as to when I'd find them missing while busily preparing for my son's graduation and noticing his growth and signs of strength. I beamed with pride when my baby soared across the stage preening his feathers clutching his diploma with pride dripping from his exaggerated smile.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufP4TF8I2TPCwa3DxwDguCwvOAjAFZ08CV8kd-TbfKqT9XOStyfL9DpuHOgtOM7_f1f1L-nuJ17sDKZTGDs585rZk4-8lxrTKj7UxTOqmUNagYCv9YEPcl7kvpo73Qn6QWw7gqps_RKs/s1600/DSC_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufP4TF8I2TPCwa3DxwDguCwvOAjAFZ08CV8kd-TbfKqT9XOStyfL9DpuHOgtOM7_f1f1L-nuJ17sDKZTGDs585rZk4-8lxrTKj7UxTOqmUNagYCv9YEPcl7kvpo73Qn6QWw7gqps_RKs/s320/DSC_0104.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hush Little Mama, Don't you Cry...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div>The day of Jeffrey's graduation party, I was excited to share the Mockingbirds with anyone who cared or perhaps had been reading this blog. Nature's gift struck again when I discovered the babies left their nest sometime that morning. The nest was empty. Empty nest. Need I say more? The abrupt symbolism hit me over the head like a brick. You can't avoid that. Mother Nature was surely sending me an astounding message. Mother Mockingbird was okay with her babies taking off and I was to be okay with mine. Okay. I get it. Loud and clear.<br />
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It's amazing what happens if you are paying attention. Its not always easy to pay attention while traveling at the speed we all do. I am grateful that I did catch those precious moments in my garden this Spring.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Moving along...</i></span></b><br />
Last night we got back from Santa Monica, the end of three weeks of non-stop adventure with family and friends which began around Jeffrey's High School graduation. I spent two hours watering the garden. It was like visiting an old friend and finding out how they've grown and what challenges they've had to face. I watered plants dead-heading where necessary, admired flowers or the beginning of fruit, harvested my first zuchinnis, trimmed back leaves filled with aphids or eaten by snails and admired the tremendous growth that occurred all over the place. That's why I love gardening. Things are continually changing. Its always a feast for the eyes.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Gardening Notes:</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">- My tomatoes are large. The Yellow Pear is towering over the cage already and I am pruning it back generously this year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Aphids took over a few of my Chard plants so I trimmed them way back and gave them a power wash hoping that new growth will be unaffected. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">- The grapes look fantastic. They are nearing marble size and plentiful. I am fantasizing an amazing photo opportunity this Fall. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">- My strawberries weren't watered well enough during my absences and the whole pot is dried out. It's okay. I can't expect that there won't be some death during the last three weeks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">- The hydrangeas are out of control beautiful. They're getting close to the ones I marvel at on Long Island. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">- My mint barrel was taken over by Lemon Verbena, which obviously seeded itself from last years plants I have since pulled out. I learned this the hard way when I announced to a large party that we were going to make Mojitos with my Mint, only to find that the pot was filled with something that resembled mint, but didn't taste like it. Oops...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-The worms seem to be doing well. They are still moving around in there and that's all I can really report. So far, I don't see anything even close to a material I'd put in my garden. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">- I carefully placed the Mockingbird nest in the corner of one bed as a Memorial to my experience this Spring. The three peppers that are close to the nest were covered in bird poop. Do you suppose? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I had to bathe them carefully to remove all the white spots on the leaves. </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Beautiful Cookbook: </span></i></b></div>My mother-in-law bought me a gift while she was here. We were at Chateau St. Jean (our favorite winery together) and I was admiring a cookbook. She said, "Let me buy this for you". Typically, I would never say, "Okay" as that feels like it exceeds the limits of what is appropriate. However, this time, I heard myself enthusiastically say "Okay" and I grabbed the cookbook. Its beautiful, informative and very, very fun to read. It's called, <a href="http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/10/deliberately-eating-together-thomas-kellers-ad-hoc-at-home-cookbook-review/">ad hoc at home, by Thomas Keller. </a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">A Few Recipes:</span></i></b></div>Lots of people have favorite Pesto Recipes. This is mine. It was given to me by Tish, the woman I mentioned in an earlier blog who grew a very large garden on our property when I was growing up.<br />
The e-mailed recipe is dated 9/27/2000. I've used it ever since. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Pesto Dressing A La Tish</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1/2 cup fresh parsley</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">2 cloves garlic minced</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1/2 tsp each salt and sugar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">2 T Pine Nuts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1/4 cup red wine vinegar</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1/2 cup parmesan cheese</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">2/3 cups extra virgin olive oil</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Put Basil and Parsley in cuisinart and mince well. Add minced garlic, salt, sugar, pine nuts - pulse to combine. Add vinegar and cheese - pulse to combine. Add the olive oil very slowly as the cuisinart is running so the dressing thickens. You can double this recipe easily. It keeps well in the refrigerator for a long time. I also freeze it in ice cube trays to use after basil season. Tish says, "Use it on everything!"</span></div><br />
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First off, Red Chard is such a beautiful leaf. I just harvested a bunch of it with some lemons and the first of the zucchini. I can't help but step back and admire the basket for a bit before I take everything in to wash and eat. It's the Martha Stewart in me.<br />
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The following recipe is from a gal I knew when I lived in Mill Valley. She has recently published a cookbook called, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dus-stripbooks-tree&field-keywords=Get+Naked+Fast%21&x=0&y=0">Get Naked Fast!</a></i> I've been making Diana's Favorite Green Juice Cleanse since I bought the book and I love it. So far, I haven't convinced anyone to love it as much as me, perhaps because they are afraid of drinking vegetables. If you have a juicer and you're into experimenting, try this recipe. To me, it tastes like V-8 without the sodium. I could almost add vodka, but then I couldn't take the wrath that would follow. Not to mention, it would defeat the purpose of the drink. Diana's message is: "No Dairy, No Wheat, No Sugar, No Meat, No Caffeine and No Alcohol". I can adhere to most of that, most of the time. Okay, some of the time...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Diana's Favorite Green Juice Cleanse</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3 cucumbers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">2 bunches of celery</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 bunch parsley</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 bunch rainbow chard (I use my Red Chard)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3 green apples</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3 lemons ( I don't put a lemon in my juicer, so I just squeeze the juice of one lemon)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">2 fennel bulbs </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Do not remove any parts of the vegetable or fruit. Push all the ingredients through the juicer. This fresh juice will last 2 days in the refrigerator. (I've kept mine for three).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Makes 4 quarts</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs_iSsxJIzYRcldxw1FTIHWHnH1cSdeJr1XdswL4atTf9EEACxFpm3-N388ee2jzDgTzheYWk58Qb4v45rKmPmjdBGxsUziABCnf9zdb3DmRwtvbDYnbHCcrO8wUi4UmvAsVVsJ40Wmc/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs_iSsxJIzYRcldxw1FTIHWHnH1cSdeJr1XdswL4atTf9EEACxFpm3-N388ee2jzDgTzheYWk58Qb4v45rKmPmjdBGxsUziABCnf9zdb3DmRwtvbDYnbHCcrO8wUi4UmvAsVVsJ40Wmc/s320/DSC_0153.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It's officially summer. Things are supposed to slow down. So far, my summer has been anything but slow. I am hoping for a change in energy soon. Until then, I will enjoy the clear blue sky that blankets everything. I love that color. Another nod to Mother Nature.<br />
I hope she follows my baby to Colorado.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-71859630434738216182010-06-06T23:16:00.000-07:002010-06-07T13:19:45.632-07:00My Science ClassesCarly called me to say they'd hatched. I almost left the swim team banquet set-up to go see them, but I got ahold of myself realizing these were birds, not a grandchild. I'd be lying if I told you they were cute. They're not. Their skin is thin and covered with a mottled layer of fur. Their eyes aren't open and their bones look so brittle its shocking they can support their expanding bodies. Okay, I suppose they are cute simply because they are babies. The amazing thing is how fast they grow. After several days of worrying if they'd still be in the nest each time I go out there, I now confidently peer in and am stunned by their progress. Today, their beaks are wide and yellow and I felt a tinge of a personality emerging when one stretched it's neck and opened its beak. Meanwhile, Mother Bird is frantic wondering what I'm doing poking a black tube so close to the nest. My black tube is having a hard time catching them in action. When I go out without the camera, they are actively opening and closing their mouths like the classic picture you think of in a bird's nest. The one where the Mother Bird is feeding them and they are reaching up towards her with a wide, open mouth. By the time I come back with the camera, they seem to be sound asleep. All my clucking and whistling doesn't do anything but annoy Mother Bird, as well as myself. My favorite part of this authentic natural exhibit is that its eye level. Its a bird's nest that is perfectly placed for our viewing. It's a science class in my garden.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE8-FwC2jFLOGPwxJ1WwoUo3BbDC-vbNlczgxglBYydhDEmydNPNoEI7MPejJV_iLprxMXkRAp_ddl5nkU7Z8PBZMigAJnUoxxfTh55anvc8FMSQD7SKK_F_LD0dtWCrnn4YYh6sYcBk/s1600/DSC_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE8-FwC2jFLOGPwxJ1WwoUo3BbDC-vbNlczgxglBYydhDEmydNPNoEI7MPejJV_iLprxMXkRAp_ddl5nkU7Z8PBZMigAJnUoxxfTh55anvc8FMSQD7SKK_F_LD0dtWCrnn4YYh6sYcBk/s320/DSC_0125.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See the beaks? They're those wide, flat yellow lines at the lower part of the furry head.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ufk-Mp3xSgBRecMk2exw2lockdZpO-Zoe2D9rDSI6yml5ak8iCfoivH9N7LGMeDBGZN3vZ8zYywoNHVJU3m6juskn2YVQQfCJCyAUfIys7LUzZuEA4jqczgrIR28R-zk6_6oqcw_GgI/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ufk-Mp3xSgBRecMk2exw2lockdZpO-Zoe2D9rDSI6yml5ak8iCfoivH9N7LGMeDBGZN3vZ8zYywoNHVJU3m6juskn2YVQQfCJCyAUfIys7LUzZuEA4jqczgrIR28R-zk6_6oqcw_GgI/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mother Bird</div><br />
I still don't know what kind of bird they are. I am almost afraid to find out because one of my research attempts ended up identifying them as some kind of sparrow (I didn't commit it to memory) and it said that they are a mean bird harming others in the yard and bullying them away from various food sources. Oh, no. Can my little babies be mean? I've googled (is that word in the dictionary yet?) "California native birds" and the egg coloring, light blue with black speckles. A few things came up. I need to go to the Birdwatcher and ask someone with some bird knowledge. I hope they're not the mean bird. That, and the bad crow energy out there would be troublesome all together. I want my Science Class to be happy and peaceful and safe.<br />
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<b><i>Garden Tip: A yellowing leaf could be the sign of a nitrogen deficiency. If new leaves appear lighter, usually a pale green or you're seeing a true yellowing within the leaf, you may need to add some fertilizer containing Nitrogen. Nitrogen is water soluble and is absorbed rapidly, so it must be replenished regularly. The best organic sources of nitrogen are manure, bloodmeal, fish emulsion, and alfalfa or soybean meal. Compost and grass clippings are also good sources, but they can be too "hot" for the base of a plant meaning they'd actually burn the root system.</i></b><br />
<b><i>When you buy a packaged fertilizer, you will find three numbers on the label that represent the percentage by weight of each of these primary plant nutrients:</i></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>N- Nitrogen</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>P - Phosphorus</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>K - Potassium</i></b></div><b><i>You need to be careful not to add too much nitrogen to a plant. Usually, packaged fertilizers have instructions. It is worse to add too much fertilizer than not enough.</i></b><br />
<b><i>When I took my Sustainable Gardening course (through the Santa Clara County Master Gardeners Program), my teacher loved using alfalfa pellets (found in feed stores) as a source of nitrogen. She said they would be about a 2 in terms of their percentage by weight so its a nice, safe source. She encouraged us to sprinkle the pellets in the vegetable beds and mix them into the soil. Water breaks the pellets down quickly and they soon dissolve right into the soil. I've been doing this since she told me about it. I also sprinkle some around my roses. Lastly, my Podocarpus, an evergreen shrub that grows as a screen in front of the fence by the pool, was very pale green with some yellowing leaves. I watered a hefty amount of alfalfa into their bases and I saw a considerable change in color over some time. Some say, "proof in the pudding". I say, "proof in the Podocarpus". </i></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">THE WORM BOX</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJ0Rn4ViTJ3G0YM_eDP3W9hH_lxNOfyFjQyCrdPl9M1VfWA75OX-AOaGg_kzEQ3pw0s8u_imK7X4fiawVas6RJlabdi3XZypFOmLFfpycgjDXvW32eXrjcSpi1pYb2qQXgVMXanqJfnM/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJ0Rn4ViTJ3G0YM_eDP3W9hH_lxNOfyFjQyCrdPl9M1VfWA75OX-AOaGg_kzEQ3pw0s8u_imK7X4fiawVas6RJlabdi3XZypFOmLFfpycgjDXvW32eXrjcSpi1pYb2qQXgVMXanqJfnM/s320/Unknown.jpeg" /></a>Let's get one thing straight: I am not afraid of worms. I'm not afraid of spiders. I don't even mind snakes if I know they are there before they know I'm there. When I was little, when Spring sprung my Mom would ask us to go find worms to feed Weldon, our pet Piranha. (At one point we had six horses, six dogs, six cats, a number of rabbits, probably a gerbil or two, two Parakeets, a Sheep and a Piranha. What, you never had a Piranha?) We loved dropping worms into Weldon's tank and watching him go after them. I also liked poking a pencil eraser in there to see what he'd do. Okay, no, I didn't take that picture, but I had to show you what Weldon looked like so I found an image on-line. That was him. He loved worms, as do I now.<br />
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As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I made this worm box with my friend, Polly and her husband, Rob. They are an awesome team of Worm Box Constructors and they were super kind to ask me to join them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovBV4OEYhqC1vu6wDk_KjyOECxfiM1iFE2I7MYiURXgc9Rc0i6K1Co18xk5BB51wbet6XjXLjmI1HdTP0roMBBQV09dzrUig2sUGswD55Oz-js1snG6pO6Si1xzc62iL2G2shInbTS7c/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovBV4OEYhqC1vu6wDk_KjyOECxfiM1iFE2I7MYiURXgc9Rc0i6K1Co18xk5BB51wbet6XjXLjmI1HdTP0roMBBQV09dzrUig2sUGswD55Oz-js1snG6pO6Si1xzc62iL2G2shInbTS7c/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I put the box outside my kitchen near my compost pail (future blog story), added the shredded newspaper I read about and some kitchen scraps. Polly gave me a few worms from a collection she had and I was underway. I soon realized that if I was going to fully capitalize on the size of my box, my worms were going to have to do a lot of mating. So I fast-forwarded the situation by buying some worms on-line at <a href="http://www.redworms4sale.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">Redworms 4 Sale. </span> </a><br />
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One day I came home to this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzetPqzopmKM0OSvzOF_6tMY3LN22PTcpJYFFaN0jxJKU-6eG5icfYYLbDoFfMbi8wPZvK3WgnY_RNKWWWMZ2yWXu0CoycNpvNJ82wUIXhFUnZSBylfG2yfZSqeIY2tS1VvoxidBhrc6Q/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzetPqzopmKM0OSvzOF_6tMY3LN22PTcpJYFFaN0jxJKU-6eG5icfYYLbDoFfMbi8wPZvK3WgnY_RNKWWWMZ2yWXu0CoycNpvNJ82wUIXhFUnZSBylfG2yfZSqeIY2tS1VvoxidBhrc6Q/s320/DSC_0083.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'm Chairing the Casino at Grad Night, I've got 15 people sleeping over all weekend, my son graduates on Friday night and we're having a Graduation Party on Sunday and I am dealing with this?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhoasj3yOdGunYzTvtCzQTlAT8IN0Y-mLkv15J5LMUNlU4QBB_gjw-22NUT8MSOX6crWzspPY-1tkig-vi6ztMy4bwG4hyphenhyphentWbQRLOZ5DQp2458TCMM5o97XgMHBLJyEgikq4m-vwy3h4/s1600/DSC_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhoasj3yOdGunYzTvtCzQTlAT8IN0Y-mLkv15J5LMUNlU4QBB_gjw-22NUT8MSOX6crWzspPY-1tkig-vi6ztMy4bwG4hyphenhyphentWbQRLOZ5DQp2458TCMM5o97XgMHBLJyEgikq4m-vwy3h4/s320/DSC_0089.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Have I lost my mind? Does that actually say, "Live Worms"? I admit, I was a little scared to open that box and find a wild, wiggly wad of worms.<br />
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As you read, I didn't have much time... not to mention, I had to get the worms out of the box and into a more lively environment within a reasonable amount of time, so I had to prepare my box quickly. It was like another Science Class. Ingredients: Newspaper, water, kitchen scraps, a little dirt and worms.<br />
I started with this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUi3fPH2lJ1nc-FaY7OH5VTzqGIGjQyx2o0xh2FGaDp95vk_A3gvYRX6bDdQOS-Vvx-W9d-emTO1B1GtCE34cjnTj_BKrV9EyGLjq8txQETgGyzgUiA3xnHtGrPuL_OdshLZ1d77Drlo/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUi3fPH2lJ1nc-FaY7OH5VTzqGIGjQyx2o0xh2FGaDp95vk_A3gvYRX6bDdQOS-Vvx-W9d-emTO1B1GtCE34cjnTj_BKrV9EyGLjq8txQETgGyzgUiA3xnHtGrPuL_OdshLZ1d77Drlo/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And then added this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZCb2mPV1NobYVOgaglBnZCdBjyGKEnavgxRaprOPZ26Cqj3196CRkwEzjCRNtgYuMghEJIBlj7-PJmhFSd2XWQQVwhM7Fjkvzqcb2E4EgYzCMD7_Ypb7fRFgjA2wA6kOzABnEApe7lo/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZCb2mPV1NobYVOgaglBnZCdBjyGKEnavgxRaprOPZ26Cqj3196CRkwEzjCRNtgYuMghEJIBlj7-PJmhFSd2XWQQVwhM7Fjkvzqcb2E4EgYzCMD7_Ypb7fRFgjA2wA6kOzABnEApe7lo/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" /></a></div>And topped it off with this. It wasn't a wiggly wad. They were all peacefully settled in some nice loose dirt. It was a much calmer scene than I'd envisioned it would be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDbJLhyphenhyphenhniEcMgdfVISm2dscABCYe__uxBJu24ATwG4N9UDjMTrZmjyETGsB9nGBNryHlvXIwysj7bXsMKIA3n387cvUH2a01yxyXz6m3871Qm9cp4GrlCG2BjrkgBQvQWC4U3BteCnQ/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDbJLhyphenhyphenhniEcMgdfVISm2dscABCYe__uxBJu24ATwG4N9UDjMTrZmjyETGsB9nGBNryHlvXIwysj7bXsMKIA3n387cvUH2a01yxyXz6m3871Qm9cp4GrlCG2BjrkgBQvQWC4U3BteCnQ/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Mixed it all up, closed the top and did one of those swish, swish actions with my hands. All finished. Okay, what's next?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Cousin Judi says my blog relaxes her. Relaxed Judi? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As I begin this very emotional week, I will keep in the back of my mind that I am now actively engaged in the lives of two more birds and 500 more worms in the world. Somehow, that may help me keep things in perspective while watching my very own little bird spread his wings across the stage and fly into this next adventure of his life. I am soon to be Mother Bird of a high school graduate. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's how my garden grew this week. How does your garden grow? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-82046393243262016802010-05-31T21:21:00.000-07:002010-06-01T13:44:37.690-07:00It's Anyone's Guess<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's perplexing how a snail would know how to time his venture. Have you ever spent the time to actually watch how slow a snail moves? It should have been the Snail and the Tortoise, but the tortoise beat out the snail when the artists thought about book sales. A snail has to time it's venture from some awesome hiding place all the way up the side of my vegetable boxes, into the dirt, then up the stem of a plant, out onto the leaf, EAT and then do the whole trip in reverse BEFORE the sun comes up again. That is a long distance to travel at such a slow pace. Maybe the little mollusks rev-up their motors in the evening. Several times I have gone out in the dark with a flashlight to examine the progress they are making. I rarely get to see them en-route, but I often do find them enjoying the rewards of their journey. I imagine that when they see me coming with the flashlight, they are saying, "Are you kidding me? I just got all the way up this box and now you're here?" No, I am not the smasher-type. I don't step on them and twist my ankle to grind them in the dirt like some people I know. I usually just pick them up and heftily toss them over the fence to my neighbor's open field and smirk thinking how long its going to take them to get back over the fence and into the box. And, seriously, they must have one helluva headache after that landing, not to mention the beyond repair crack in their mollusky shell.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And then this is what I learned... I read that if you toss them over the fence, they will most likely find their way back AND if their shells are broken, the crack is able to heal over and they survive. You are SUPPOSED to crush them into the soil as they add back nutrients. Who woulda thought? Furthermore, the best method of reducing your snail population is by hand-picking them late at night or very early in the morning while things may still be covered with dew. That's right people, hand-picking! How many can we catch in a night? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have resorted to hand-picking and a sprinkling of </span><a href="http://www.gemplers.com/product.aspx?itemNo=151337&s_kwcid=TC|4086|sluggo||S|p|4309298125"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Sluggo</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> every now and then, when I am distraught because my entire bean seedling is gone and their silvery trail leaves its evidence singing <i>naaa-naaa na naaa-naaa</i>. Pam Peirce believes that Sluggo will eventually be considered an organic method as its ingredients are not harmful to the environment. For further information from Golden Gate Gardener on snails, Sluggo and snail hunting, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://goldengategarden.typepad.com/golden_gate_gardener_/2006/05/where_is_the_bl.html">read here.</a></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sMkpJYVxhPwpvePRlEdVdFZ6pgAnRz3QpuRprAbO6-nXflP7KBpJO4n9U4sYB4e2kr081A2pC1L1iDUomTpTP9U8pFP9Y3p1LjFX5X32AfgNqDrr67sQJ_zLWRYMoHz0I6lfXcjXaN8/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sMkpJYVxhPwpvePRlEdVdFZ6pgAnRz3QpuRprAbO6-nXflP7KBpJO4n9U4sYB4e2kr081A2pC1L1iDUomTpTP9U8pFP9Y3p1LjFX5X32AfgNqDrr67sQJ_zLWRYMoHz0I6lfXcjXaN8/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's time to venture through the Trellis. If you click on this picture to enlarge it, you will notice the beautiful pink and purple flowers towering over the left side of the trellis. Make note of them, and read on...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I've mentioned in earlier blogs, I am a tidy gardener when it comes to my vegetable beds. At least at the start of the season. Eventually, I will learn to year-round garden which would mean I'd have to tolerate a large, often yellowing, drying-out plant ending its career next to a beautiful newly planted seedling yearning for the sun. Someday I will be able to do that, but today I am going to show you all four tidy beds and their darling little ingredients. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ladies and Gentlemen, Bed Number One:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmAuBiKIm72g-ykr0YvGXw11a7cTeGbgRBPKmoSa51yTyba4wbXpX3CthXAnfDprFM2icFr6XzpxNAirbBt6gDm9wGVEjXf5pqVhusmjXGDl_bEUphLsP2kQUyDy-hVUBjbbDNi1KVTc/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmAuBiKIm72g-ykr0YvGXw11a7cTeGbgRBPKmoSa51yTyba4wbXpX3CthXAnfDprFM2icFr6XzpxNAirbBt6gDm9wGVEjXf5pqVhusmjXGDl_bEUphLsP2kQUyDy-hVUBjbbDNi1KVTc/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In this bed you will find Golden Wax Bush Beans, Red Chard, Arugula, Basil Fino Verde, Early Sunshine Yellow Pepper, Ancho Poblano Pepper, Spanish Spice Pepper, Pimiento de Padron Pepper. The peppers are now staked like the one that you can see in the picture. It's possible that the peppers will shade the Chard eventually, but we will see. The far left corner has one Black Beauty Eggplant.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bed Number Two is the Tomato Bed. In this bed you'll find Red Siberian from Carla, San Maranzo from Carla, Yellow Pear, Early Girl and one of Liane's Tomatoes (see "<i>The Tomato, the Mother of the Summer Garden posting for the story</i>). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8s-LzI6g2gC37M3EdadTzF6iii5yFbmvWV3bvgJpx-0_4g_Hf5xKC4DT4gRX_Wko00EPq0cV9ACylXcYbB3X4USbcEaKTl7XGrOaYEWj9Ez2LBVM9nJVvjwMgOZ83LK1ml6PiweFcQI/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8s-LzI6g2gC37M3EdadTzF6iii5yFbmvWV3bvgJpx-0_4g_Hf5xKC4DT4gRX_Wko00EPq0cV9ACylXcYbB3X4USbcEaKTl7XGrOaYEWj9Ez2LBVM9nJVvjwMgOZ83LK1ml6PiweFcQI/s320/DSC_0097.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrQV9u-DkkKe70BmahMUnCBtWxjoPvJ0quM2dy1NZ13QyB4KGfXGhfYfkLL37dlgFA_2WopKiUqihyphenhyphen1nlEthZI2ANGTEKzLDhyphenhyphenseSLBehpv-vNIzC-oaZFFZ3uE7gG-qbzwcnFwTpj9M/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrQV9u-DkkKe70BmahMUnCBtWxjoPvJ0quM2dy1NZ13QyB4KGfXGhfYfkLL37dlgFA_2WopKiUqihyphenhyphen1nlEthZI2ANGTEKzLDhyphenhyphenseSLBehpv-vNIzC-oaZFFZ3uE7gG-qbzwcnFwTpj9M/s320/DSC_0098.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bed Number Three is primarily lettuces right now. I've got Green Leaf lettuce, Bib lettuce and Collard Greens. The Fanfare Cucumbers are at the far end of the bed too shaded for you to actually see them in this picture. They will grow up on lattices that are currently holding up the tail-end of the Sweet Peas. <b>Oh, wait till I tell you </b><b>my pea story.</b> There is a Yellow Baby Watermelon (new to my repertoire) in the front right corner that will eventually consume all the salad green's space - about when it gets too hot for lettuces anyway. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bed Number Four has Bull's Blood Beets (nice name, eh?), Arugula, two more tomatoes, one, Green Zebra from Love Apple Farm and another of Liane's Special tomatoes. There is a Summer Squash in the forefront, which will overtake half the bed as it matures. And three Sweet Basil plants. I will add more Basil in a couple of weeks to stagger the production. And check out the Green Seedless Grapes on the fence! I just planted them last year and they've really taken off. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MgRQuwBqT9OGlFKUEITBWZWNwVFwYWLdh03BMWJACGCppV6MvWs9BjTZ6XpXGRmLUTufq9gt9QYqKEBvWBo1msjSmXjODiJfIdegcL-hUw6VrOwfADDm5Jr7EpBjEv6lnK2QEB6H9rA/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MgRQuwBqT9OGlFKUEITBWZWNwVFwYWLdh03BMWJACGCppV6MvWs9BjTZ6XpXGRmLUTufq9gt9QYqKEBvWBo1msjSmXjODiJfIdegcL-hUw6VrOwfADDm5Jr7EpBjEv6lnK2QEB6H9rA/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vYr48-lgRgpP9HdOB8IZe6noFUePzqYMXy9DCgc8u7Qh-QSLPJSi2AhRAjOzKdBEwKDa5MKvkEcy8hgjdoYWPzbPc2fFyBk0D1hNUlQ6_NdQBSYn6dYSHwgYtlofmq3giv4tb1oWydM/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vYr48-lgRgpP9HdOB8IZe6noFUePzqYMXy9DCgc8u7Qh-QSLPJSi2AhRAjOzKdBEwKDa5MKvkEcy8hgjdoYWPzbPc2fFyBk0D1hNUlQ6_NdQBSYn6dYSHwgYtlofmq3giv4tb1oWydM/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The view of all four together. Notice the piece of wood propping something up on the left box. Now read on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>AGGRAVATION TO ADMIRATION</i></b>: I planted my Sweet Peas with all the other winter vegetables. For some reason, I can't find the little plastic label that comes in the seedling pack. The one that gives you planting information. The one that some people leave right next to the plant just to drive me absolutely crazy. Why would you adorn this beautiful, organic, colorful plant with a piece of white plastic? Anyway, as I was saying, I planted the Pea, it was slow to grow, THEN it started to flower profusely with out-of-this-world pinks and purples. I even took a picture of myself in front of the thing - something I rarely do. THEN, it started to smell wonderful. So wonderful. I kept thinking I should pick those flowers and bring that smell inside. All the while, I was wondering where in the hell is the pea? THEN it came! Flat and hairy! Flat and hairy, people. What in the world? So aggravated! I think I somehow planted an ornamental pea and not having the little plastic thing, I couldn't confirm my hunch. Well, more than a hunch because who is going eat hairy, flat peas? THEN, I decide its time to take the Sweet Pea down. Its a gardening embarrassment. It is taking up valuable real estate and its using my lattices needed for the cucumbers pretty soon. I start to hack up the plant, vigorously peeling it off the lattice, it starts to fall over and... STOP! There is a spectacular nest in there with two adorable little, light blue and black spotted eggs. OMG! I have babies. Just like that, I am responsible for the life of two birds. I stop in my tracks, admire these eggs and wonder, "now what?". I decide that I can't possibly tear down Mother Bird's work (And no, these are not the crow's eggs. I honestly may have felt differently). I can tell she has put in numerous hours making this nest. She even found a piece of my paper towel and brought it back to her nest. Ahhh, and to think that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> used paper towel will comfort </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">my</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> new babies. So Jeff and I carefully reconstructed the now bramble of a pea and drove support stakes into the soil so won't fall over and break the eggs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We were worried that our human scent may deter Mother Bird, but Jeff saw her fly out of the nest! She is back. She is being a good Mother Bird to <i>my</i> two new babies. Am I going to actually see these little darlings all hatched? Or is a raccoon going to find them for breakfast? Or, are they too exposed to the elements now and they are going to fry? Oh geez, I didn't just say that. Fried eggs. No, I didn't mean that. I will keep you in the loop of the many goings-on out there. Its anyone's guess. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT6amF-cGCIuNJ-eQoMk3dpIq3flVIc9Pak8FoLC_0On_WAitZK3UfBqtkXY3gKHuUHE2XSh43j587eKxsVImdTIRmlKo79E3DKmhDfiob0zEckU1I8BKwlhfMnZPY1bseWXuSm6weEg/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsT6amF-cGCIuNJ-eQoMk3dpIq3flVIc9Pak8FoLC_0On_WAitZK3UfBqtkXY3gKHuUHE2XSh43j587eKxsVImdTIRmlKo79E3DKmhDfiob0zEckU1I8BKwlhfMnZPY1bseWXuSm6weEg/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Gardening Tip</b>: <i>Always keep those annoying plastic labels. OR, make sure to write down the exact names of everything you plant. This year, I am keeping the labels in a plastic bag. I just shove them all in there and include a piece of paper that reads, "Summer 2010". It doesn't seem like you really need to do it, until you can't remember what in the heck you planted! And believe me, that WILL happen. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Garden Gossip: </b> Word has it that 1000 Redworms are being delivered to my house tomorrow. Next week's posting will feature the Worm Box and the Worm Delivery. I bet you can't wait. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-82932718328572998112010-05-24T22:10:00.000-07:002010-05-25T07:54:53.748-07:00The Most Important SeedlingsWhat once was a peaceful environment has suddenly turned hostile. I have two crows, who think they are ravens dive bombing me every time I go outside. What are they doing that is making them claim MY garden as THEIR territory? The funny thing is, I am reading, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">The Art of Racing in the Rain.</span> Enzo doesn't like crows either. I'm having a symbiotic moment with my book. Seriously, the crows are caaa-ing loudly everytime my dogs and I walk into the backyard. They angrily swoop down about two feet away from Charlie (my Doberman stuck in a Malti-Poo's body). Its unsettling to see this. One of my wisest friends, Lorna theorizes that these crows are protecting babies. Brilliant, Lorna and probably right on... but, a crow looks so masculine. Do they even have babies?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Let's talk succulents again. A few people were confused about the idea of breaking off a piece of the plant and starting a new one. It's really that easy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I took these "pieces" off the plant and just stuck the stem right in the ground with a little potting soil because the ground is hard and dry under that gravel.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC10vbgzHcswKCyzBqyNS_hq3O8M_DBLgkIyDnBFtMrR5WNj_bKIf54CN6OI1po7CMZvv18Nngs9YmUnKp4PZnPSgeIERZlZLNrLAFa_P7OVPCYY-b5ggIhvKWbCdepuXOkb20zhHmbS0/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC10vbgzHcswKCyzBqyNS_hq3O8M_DBLgkIyDnBFtMrR5WNj_bKIf54CN6OI1po7CMZvv18Nngs9YmUnKp4PZnPSgeIERZlZLNrLAFa_P7OVPCYY-b5ggIhvKWbCdepuXOkb20zhHmbS0/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Can you see the plant I took them from? Its the darker one on the left. Just leave enough stem to plant it with three to four inches in the dirt (so it's firmly anchored in the ground).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzUJfkqUqbDzcqGQyFChfP9xMU0sFrtlNM47aJtGkxkHIewy2gaonRIltysBRH5FDOTTLchnh2k8_oSunX1m7eiIvbdRUOv4_DpacUCG78paDarlsD8lLfw_KEY65ce_mBGtynuCl0cE/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzUJfkqUqbDzcqGQyFChfP9xMU0sFrtlNM47aJtGkxkHIewy2gaonRIltysBRH5FDOTTLchnh2k8_oSunX1m7eiIvbdRUOv4_DpacUCG78paDarlsD8lLfw_KEY65ce_mBGtynuCl0cE/s320/DSC_0102.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This is taken from the other angle. Eventually that whole section will be large succulents growing up to the Ice Plant in the far end. By next year, those stems that I put in the ground will be quite large. I move rocks all the time. This time I moved them between the smaller newly planted stems. It breaks it up a bit so its not so boring. Look at the size of the succulent in the far right side of the picture!<br />
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Another way to fill in an area is by tucking a pot right in the bed. This is that same area bordering my pool, but the far end. The corner needed an interesting anchor after the frost had its way with my Agave plant. While I am letting the Agave grow back a bit, I moved this pot in front of it making the end of the bed interesting once again!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1EUbNi_XbdLh7z5HNfxS4TrsREYrbkPSHlnPA1PKyz3v-9aFwr-JcIoHM0YOkIOR7IAVtWVcKuawIfupfL4FPlKTn1-kq5BFbwhZi9KhHtU9kn8Y1YfvzRPgNonBZwps6HILiE41-YE/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1EUbNi_XbdLh7z5HNfxS4TrsREYrbkPSHlnPA1PKyz3v-9aFwr-JcIoHM0YOkIOR7IAVtWVcKuawIfupfL4FPlKTn1-kq5BFbwhZi9KhHtU9kn8Y1YfvzRPgNonBZwps6HILiE41-YE/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUrMClowDbgJjn9tQm6aAViTzpw0Xais5aMTJukdBxQAw_J_qM5OWrjfE3FWp3Tlt0T_zS8Rl4uCAoIaw0njCiIj6AjPA7sRqBtXtlSguHV30yrl7tvDIk4eqo_pgnIUTGG1tSvgt3_Q/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUrMClowDbgJjn9tQm6aAViTzpw0Xais5aMTJukdBxQAw_J_qM5OWrjfE3FWp3Tlt0T_zS8Rl4uCAoIaw0njCiIj6AjPA7sRqBtXtlSguHV30yrl7tvDIk4eqo_pgnIUTGG1tSvgt3_Q/s320/DSC_0101.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">You can see the Agave peeking over, but you don't see all the frost damage. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH NEWSFLASH </span></span></div><br />
OMG! I met the my guru-est guru, Pam Peirce. She doesn't know she is a guru, but I did manage to tell her that I have a garden blog and get this: She asked me to write the blog address down. Can you imagine if she actually read it? I told her that I refer to her book as "the bible". So, if you live in the Bay Area and STILL haven't purchased Golden Gate Gardening, you really must. She was speaking about her most recent version of the book, which she "has made more appropriate for areas further from the coast." It was wonderful listening to her.<br />
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She read us a special opening and it went something like this: (Pam, if you read this and I have chopped it up, I apologize right now).<br />
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<i>A garden is transformative. The gardener make the garden, while the garden makes the gardener. </i><br />
<i>In a world of such consumerism, when we become a food gardener, we become a producer rather than a consumer. We transform our diets and live longer and healthier lives. </i><br />
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I like it. Transform me.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Things I am now contemplating</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Because of Pam</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ol><li>Think year-round, not so much about Winter and Summer</li>
<li>Study different varieties of plants and learn to purchase interesting seeds from catalogs rather than relying on what is available at the nursery. </li>
<li>Plant more edible things in and among other parts of my yard. For example, I can plant Nasturtium in another area and it's flowers will blend in with what I have planted.</li>
<li>Experiment with a wider variety of leaf lettuces and edible flowers to make an interesting salad even more interesting. Look into things such as: Miner's lettuce, Mizuna and Ruby Streaks..</li>
<li>Collect some horse manure from a nearby barn to use in my compost pile. It will heat it up. </li>
<li>Plant some African Blue Basil. Its a perennial basil that grows to 4' high. It doesn't seed because it is a cross species hybrid so you can go ahead and let it flower, which is great for attracting beneficial insects. </li>
</ol>These are obviously just a few things, but she got me thinking. Always good for the brain. Most of all, I appreciated her attitude about sharing, teaching and "hand-holding". She truly wants people to be happy gardening and she wants to share tips on how to do that. I like her attitude and I want to be like her. In fact, come to think of it, all my gurus are like that! They just haven't written a book about it... yet.<br />
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I've been getting a little too wordy and I don't want to lose any readers so I'll end now by telling you that next week I will share my new Worm Composting Box I made with my friend, Polly and her husband Rob. (What did you do this weekend? Oh, I made a worm composting box.) And, I have pictures of my vegetable garden all planted and ready to grow!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomNBP7U1J69AxEKVgvfnOjqLgXmdt0tAApzEBrutixsQtMqz7dusd-OinFwmW7YOHjWHa5ppzSAXxTO2qDkfrXyJb4VmywaWXVbYyjNOP1GYFrM3E731L_e82Y__H8PFqBU8fe2Zihq4/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomNBP7U1J69AxEKVgvfnOjqLgXmdt0tAApzEBrutixsQtMqz7dusd-OinFwmW7YOHjWHa5ppzSAXxTO2qDkfrXyJb4VmywaWXVbYyjNOP1GYFrM3E731L_e82Y__H8PFqBU8fe2Zihq4/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is the entrance to my Vegetable Garden. Next week, we'll go through the trellis.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, one more thing...</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">These are my most cherished seedlings of all! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Los Gatos High School Senior Prom for Jeffrey and a little hug for Carly. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Back off crows. These are MY babies.</div><br />
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</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-46516309270335118152010-05-16T12:09:00.000-07:002010-05-16T12:12:36.079-07:00Reflections from a Garden NinjaI have a few favorite photos and this is one of them. I took it at <a href="http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1">Butchart Gardens</a> in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island. If you haven't been, it's really a lovely place to see the potentials of a garden. This picture is a reflection off of a pond in the Sunken Garden. It's the kind of place you'd love to stop and hang out for awhile, if there weren't dozens of people milling around.<br />
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I am sharing this picture because of the reflection. I've been doing a lot of reflecting this week as my son turned eighteen. It turned out to be a bigger deal for me than I anticipated. I found myself reviewing years past in my head while making breakfast, playing tennis, grocery shopping, feeding the dogs, showering... you get it. As is typically the case for me, reflecting is satisfying. It churns things up and renews my thoughts. It allows me to review my life so far and absorb it's wonders. As an Aquarian, I can't help to think about the future and I then have a complete "circle of reflection" starting from the past and ending in the future. It's all good. My boy is eighteen now. Life is moving along.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3PehyGZOVm-dikQMD3g9IqTqHkpgLgFNpagvQypLFDOgr1XpkryOTbZ29OoELvPk4VcK85AKAP2YA0R0GygDXhGCpnQQtSMidc0IVdoXDUx2xjVR5BTcxbrMflOHhiQR8rNV1ukp0Hs/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3PehyGZOVm-dikQMD3g9IqTqHkpgLgFNpagvQypLFDOgr1XpkryOTbZ29OoELvPk4VcK85AKAP2YA0R0GygDXhGCpnQQtSMidc0IVdoXDUx2xjVR5BTcxbrMflOHhiQR8rNV1ukp0Hs/s400/DSC_0214.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like tools. I love tools in the kitchen, but I am a stickler for only housing those that I'll use frequently. If the tool's use is to complete a specialized task such as an egg poacher or a melon baller, it usually doesn't get to stay in my kitchen. I am the same way about garden tools. I don't see the need to collect many tools with specialized uses so I tend to fall in love with a few that can do it all. During my trip to the Mt. Feed and Farm Supply in Ben Lomand last week, I acquired a new tool that is fitting my criteria.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sEz5fk8N_8QcWR2iZihs8iefjav8pdnrlr_Nv53xuujjOo_mhMjQyr2FQFm2SEbtRA8yJr2YdeRa1XSWbhm7pJ8WiPftIhCA895tuxXZnaKo1LQ6EHm68znEvmf0o7oFD9vKuOThoLc/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sEz5fk8N_8QcWR2iZihs8iefjav8pdnrlr_Nv53xuujjOo_mhMjQyr2FQFm2SEbtRA8yJr2YdeRa1XSWbhm7pJ8WiPftIhCA895tuxXZnaKo1LQ6EHm68znEvmf0o7oFD9vKuOThoLc/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's called a Soil Scoop and it can cut a stem, puncture the soil to dig further, cradle a seedling and more. And it has a comfortable handle that makes me love it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My new tool will compete with the Hori Hori Knife, which is a Japanese tool. Could you tell by the name? I've actually been gifted two of them and intend to pay it forward to one of my Garden Guppies. This tool can dig and serrate. It's light and knife-like, which makes me feel quick and powerful in the garden, like a Ninja. It's a killer tool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_1rwj3Lp-OnNYmB0SOQ9boMvhjCyDpZoFEMu-6fX5zEV2_p7GdtSFboH_zsgQubgFkpaYkXWLZkL4NbTfm6BpUAtTbcYHH1dut9AE20t6yUu5k4Hc65Te5DW9mCiRdL5YYK9ycWcikc/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_1rwj3Lp-OnNYmB0SOQ9boMvhjCyDpZoFEMu-6fX5zEV2_p7GdtSFboH_zsgQubgFkpaYkXWLZkL4NbTfm6BpUAtTbcYHH1dut9AE20t6yUu5k4Hc65Te5DW9mCiRdL5YYK9ycWcikc/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lastly, I purchased a Moisture Meter. I just got it and I am obsessed. Given my new philosophy of not "over-watering", this tool is providing me a lot of guidance (and entertainment). You simply drive the needle into the soil as deep as you'd imagine the roots would be, and it will give you a reading of dry, moist or wet. I wish I would have had one years ago. I've spent time going around my yard poking it in the soil and am amazed by it's reading sometimes. My kids think I'm off my rocker, but they can just add it to the list of the many things I do that bewilder them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ypGAxJvUCR4cG6VxqZ25J2oI0kkg5_NyysGQsnuIWolSK9VHWWizVTscW3gUPTqTm_23au5O3CLfof7v0wc8zLstWBEFIu9SwRS2OyEQhjCRD5IcfXvFkHalkW6-dZxFuyzxG9hAaeg/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ypGAxJvUCR4cG6VxqZ25J2oI0kkg5_NyysGQsnuIWolSK9VHWWizVTscW3gUPTqTm_23au5O3CLfof7v0wc8zLstWBEFIu9SwRS2OyEQhjCRD5IcfXvFkHalkW6-dZxFuyzxG9hAaeg/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Did you remember? Pam Peirce is coming? See previous postings regarding my admiration for this author. And she is going to be in San Jose? I can't believe it. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">May 22<sup>nd</sup>, 10;30-12;30 am</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Guadalupe River Park and Gardens: Year-round Food Gardening: Getting the most out of your food gardening space.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Visitor & Education Center</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">438 Coleman Avenue</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">San Jose, CA 9510</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Fee class (fee amount to come)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">For more information: </span><a href="mailto:linda@grpg.org" style="color: #336600; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">linda@grpg.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">, 408-298-7657</span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Dirty Story: A few of you mentioned that you went to The Wild Bird Center looking for the Superbac Nature Birdbath Scrub that I recommended and they didn't have it. How embarrassing! I inquired and they ARE planning on a shipment in June. (See April Blog: Best Laid Plants... I mean, Plans...). </i></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">LOVE A LEMON LOVE A LEMON LOVE A LEMON LOVE A LEMON </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdOavNhsIdP1bYmtiNabI81B-vU7TggVfyd0ZFkktAIFvmFqwPoqsxowDvcHxIN0s0g-4F-vJiKpaj2TTu-Y1NyJOvlDnFLrxW8HY1IxuSEBd-hpguF31UALHIcVcBToOFqhime7goBo/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdOavNhsIdP1bYmtiNabI81B-vU7TggVfyd0ZFkktAIFvmFqwPoqsxowDvcHxIN0s0g-4F-vJiKpaj2TTu-Y1NyJOvlDnFLrxW8HY1IxuSEBd-hpguF31UALHIcVcBToOFqhime7goBo/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a>Ever wonder what to do with all the lemons on your lemon tree? If you're like me, you can't keep up. A mature lemon tree can generate a whole-heck-of-a-lot of lemons! My friend, Suzanne (and future featured rose guru) turned me onto the idea of making Limoncello. We made a batch last year and we doubled our output this year. It's one of those recipes that seems Martha Stuart-y, but really isn't. The hardest part is finding the cute bottles to put it in. I found mine at Pier One Imports last year. You can see it on the far right. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Homeade Limoncello - From </b></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><b>epicurious</b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>15 lemons- choose thick skinned lemons</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>2 bottles (750ml) 100 proof Vodka - 100 proof has less flavor that a lower proof one and will take on the lemon flavor better. Also, the higher alcohol level will ensure that the Limoncello will not turn to ice in the freezer.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>4 cups sugar</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>5 cups water</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Wash the lemons and pat dry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Zest the lemons with a vegetable peeler so there is NO WHITE pith on the peel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. In a large glass one gallon jar (see above in the picture) add one bottle of vodka and the lemon zest. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 40 days. As it sits, the vodka takes on the flavor and begins to turn a rich yellow color. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">AFTER the 40 days...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Combine sugar and water in a large saucepan and cook until thickened (5 minutes) . Let the mixture cool and then, add to the Limoncello mixture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. Add the remaining bottle of vodka to the Limoncello/sugar mix and let stand for another 10 to 40 days. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6. Strain and bottle. Keep in the freezer until ready to serve. (I keep mine in the fridge and it's fine).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">LOVE A GUPPY LOVE A GUPPY LOVE A GUPPY LOVE A GUPPY </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Garden Gossip: Word has it that Garden Guppy, Tricia has her vegetable garden planted. Earlier in the week, I received a distraught e-mail that she was going "belly-up". Today, I received an exciting, proud e-mail that she is "swimming"! What a great guppy lesson. Take your time, do not stress, plant when you can, and in the end, you will be rewarded. Huge claps of congratulations to my first Garden Guppy for starting her project. I am as excited as she is. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
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</b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA68OjqxUv8rKFfTfsKCwdc5rybcIZk28aTq5goY8P4gBtiKgmvygu0JMjr9tUJ-grHIrMpdRZD3O6UXmxFVWxZVyOYVKJ0Wdji4g95b85dZimR-NCTQVSe4YiKVZZ8V6uIaeHT6Fmd9w/s1600/IMGP5910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA68OjqxUv8rKFfTfsKCwdc5rybcIZk28aTq5goY8P4gBtiKgmvygu0JMjr9tUJ-grHIrMpdRZD3O6UXmxFVWxZVyOYVKJ0Wdji4g95b85dZimR-NCTQVSe4YiKVZZ8V6uIaeHT6Fmd9w/s320/IMGP5910.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Heads-up: Stay tuned for some funny garden stories. Tricia is one of the funniest story tellers I know, next to Barb, my BF in NYC. If I could get them together at a party, you would NOT want to miss it. The stories could start a gardening sit-com. Barb had a NYC garden for years that was growing between four huge buildings in the most toxic soil in the city, she would claim. But her Hydrangea was bigger than anything I've ever been able to grow. I love a good laugh and these two can provide it, let me tell you! </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This blog has been more fun that I imagined at the start. I have made some wonderful new connections with people, paid more attention to my own garden actions and felt honest excitement for fellow gardeners' achievements. I've been humbled by peoples' reactions and enjoyed thinking about my blog entries during the week. Please continue to provide feedback, suggest topics or ask questions. You can simply hit the comment button below and click on "anonymous" at the pull-down or continue to comment via Facebook. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I wake up, walk outside and see this colorful Ice Plant blooming alongside my pool deck, it starts the day out right! You would struggle to create this color from an oil color palette, but Mother Nature nails it with ease. I am in awe of that woman! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMsV6lBCgk5zILt_v4r_VoXpTeQZus8mvOAWI38k1GfGrFXbCCMIpuDoHyR9JpaBT55H5WXQmdvm7-hHWOu2XYKRRBWKHD_yL2NpNci03_X4ptwaz86NFLoNiVgUbjJBVnfrbsB1HgcQ/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMsV6lBCgk5zILt_v4r_VoXpTeQZus8mvOAWI38k1GfGrFXbCCMIpuDoHyR9JpaBT55H5WXQmdvm7-hHWOu2XYKRRBWKHD_yL2NpNci03_X4ptwaz86NFLoNiVgUbjJBVnfrbsB1HgcQ/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-31458012482723347522010-05-09T22:22:00.000-07:002010-05-09T22:28:24.087-07:00The Tomato, the "Mother" of the Summer GardenIt seems to me that the tomato is the most fussed-over vegetable in the summer group. Perhaps the rose rivals it with it's heirloom names and mystical fertilizing methods, but you don't typically eat a rose, so I say the tomato trumps the rose. It's categorization is even fussy as it claims to be a fruit, but yet it plays a lead role alongside vegetables in most of it's recipes. Nevertheless, most agree it is a "must-have" in a summer garden regardless of its fussy fertilizing methods and wishy-washy watering needs.<br />
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My love for the home-grown tomato started when I was a child in Ohio. My mother's friend, Tish planted a very large garden on my mom's property. It didn't put a dent in her beautiful five acres, but it was larger than anything I can imagine taking care of today. I used to roam the rows like a child in a toy store. When I discovered the taste of a warm, ripe tomato I was hooked. I used to take the disposable salt shaker out to the garden and sprinkle some on each bite. I now am as humbled by the incredible taste of my own plants as I was with Tish's so many years ago.<br />
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Elaine's husband Rex is an amazing gardener and perhaps the master garden guru of tomatoes. He told me he is planting 35 tomatoes this year and that is not a typo. Elaine and Rex are a team of garden gurus on their land that they "Bewitched" from Tuscany. They have a vineyard, a vegetable garden in the shape of a wheel, an orchard of fruit trees, roses that could be at <a href="http://www.filoli.org/plan-your-visit/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Filoli Gardens</span></a>, bees and the most amazing succulent beds with the largest Aeonium I have ever seen.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8zQcap2rPy-ztvagHzneT0PC1XIK3qSFdXBRQzlMOOqOMcKl7Lf1LHlN2hTh0ImAVumlzZ3PgVXEdRIjqoSO8tIASeP4ObX8gDh6-ykmvopDucVbXu3baDZYqX_Z8iMiLoUNSODdNyk/s1600/DSC_0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8zQcap2rPy-ztvagHzneT0PC1XIK3qSFdXBRQzlMOOqOMcKl7Lf1LHlN2hTh0ImAVumlzZ3PgVXEdRIjqoSO8tIASeP4ObX8gDh6-ykmvopDucVbXu3baDZYqX_Z8iMiLoUNSODdNyk/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An aerial view of Elaine's vegetable garden and Rex's vineyard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwlDXN8DWUDWmL4W0ijjcKx6SzRMazRksTjMSwVtzb1OrrnpTfhyfnneH05NgZNsHWt41JNxom7zd0wGcbH2FcCOTx4QKE2ZFzf5DmrJv1OXMBXQRjgnT-CaAWKIt-4OlSMoHbeaqrdo/s1600/DSC_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwlDXN8DWUDWmL4W0ijjcKx6SzRMazRksTjMSwVtzb1OrrnpTfhyfnneH05NgZNsHWt41JNxom7zd0wGcbH2FcCOTx4QKE2ZFzf5DmrJv1OXMBXQRjgnT-CaAWKIt-4OlSMoHbeaqrdo/s320/DSC_0150.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The wall to the left borders the round shape of her garden and she plants in rough pie sections. The garden is a work of art as she plants flowers amongst the vegetables and always keeps it looking interesting. She is currently transitioning to summer vegetables.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-k4gl_a7fB2LP4km-MDxpPe6X3U2Ho5fHDezNf3BJjBwyQdRpbTBc6rsNKU2Zt9nenIB4Ce2DyV0z8UIz6lvYDsPdJgOYVG9eI4n8C_L1SzN5kLKAFTSo3xkchQc823qkZ9pJnK0Ew4/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-k4gl_a7fB2LP4km-MDxpPe6X3U2Ho5fHDezNf3BJjBwyQdRpbTBc6rsNKU2Zt9nenIB4Ce2DyV0z8UIz6lvYDsPdJgOYVG9eI4n8C_L1SzN5kLKAFTSo3xkchQc823qkZ9pJnK0Ew4/s320/DSC_0155.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Bees</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/AVvXsEhU5NbMw9A7pO1VT2UiXewpiqICK7fBYQN9mIeukIoRMLDIwFiNnrOPw06rM081R9dVA509gd5XiYdXyc26uCx9yz3Cp1D0HSuNqftj1k87PejIoJ7ZoL9fDwsIY64jbvOi3efWxTvBbog/s1600/DSC_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5NbMw9A7pO1VT2UiXewpiqICK7fBYQN9mIeukIoRMLDIwFiNnrOPw06rM081R9dVA509gd5XiYdXyc26uCx9yz3Cp1D0HSuNqftj1k87PejIoJ7ZoL9fDwsIY64jbvOi3efWxTvBbog/s320/DSC_0139.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A new succulent bed in the front of her house. I had to take this angle so you could see inside the bed as well as the size of the bed. Click on it to enlarge the photo. The colors are brilliant!</div><br />
One thing for sure is there are more ways to fertilize a tomato than any other vegetable that I know of so far. During a recent visit Rex told me he is planting his following a method he learned about through <a href="http://www.growbetterveggies.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Love Apple Farm</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">. </span>His mention of fish heads, aspirin and eggshells was enough to make me run to the computer when I got home and look up the web-site.<br />
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The past few Mother's Days we've been going to Wisteria in Soquel. Its a nursery and antique store that does a little Mother's Day spread so the kids enjoy eating chocolate covered strawberries while I meander through the nursery. Well, this year I changed the plan and we took off for Love Apple Farm and Mt. Feed and Farm Supply, both located in Ben Lomand. Cynthia Sandberg from Love Apple grows the vegetables for <a href="http://www.manresarestaurant.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Manresa Restaurant</span>.</a> Her method of planting tomatoes uses:<br />
<ul><li>A fish head (or two handfuls of dry fish or kelp meal)</li>
<li>A handful of bone meal</li>
<li>Two handfuls of Sustane 4-6-4 dry organic fertilizer</li>
<li>A handful of 100% worm castings</li>
<li>Two aspirin tablets</li>
<li>Two tablespoons of Humic Acid (aka Humate Soil Conditioner).</li>
<li>Several crushed egg shell and, </li>
<li>She sprinkles mychorizzal fungae on the rootball before planting. </li>
</ul><div>Isn't this amazing? All these things? I had to try it! So I bought a Striped Zebra Tomato, a decent sized box of worm castings at Love Apple for $10 and some dry kelp meal from the Mt. Feed and Supply Store (which sells all of Cynthia's ingredients). I had the rest of the magic solution at home (except the mychorizzal fungae - I didn't do that step). I now have my own experiment underway. Two tomatoes planted with this method and five that I planted earlier in the week with an organic fertilizer and <a href="http://www.johnandbobs.com/?gclid=CMiQrZvdxqECFRmjagodtHfAAg">John and Bob's Soil Optimizer</a> from Yamagamis.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oFD1DN9BoTP7jb7FvIScxBfPHBIIEd4RSSaWAT1tK74n_PRbCBW7IgnFrbUvu_tIfFIF1C8xG2w6nAV_1gs6WY53A_lNKGRj6O4pk_ivK8EReMOBZ2F0vuI5tE_dk_VQV-po-6Ohw7o/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oFD1DN9BoTP7jb7FvIScxBfPHBIIEd4RSSaWAT1tK74n_PRbCBW7IgnFrbUvu_tIfFIF1C8xG2w6nAV_1gs6WY53A_lNKGRj6O4pk_ivK8EReMOBZ2F0vuI5tE_dk_VQV-po-6Ohw7o/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was careful to clip the lower leafs off the base of the plant which enables it to grow a stronger root system.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FY-aIrVvRvLE6RMg4SFGyIGpUF8rymhf3NuQfKSVghnh-OiPwhsJcNfUgom34IfwPxMeM5Qe7AVpqeVa_z3h4V7yw_CqzbgHfOUQE7t4nq15ZKJiiGJ9T8-hIL66PPJToDwA_3mUMhc/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FY-aIrVvRvLE6RMg4SFGyIGpUF8rymhf3NuQfKSVghnh-OiPwhsJcNfUgom34IfwPxMeM5Qe7AVpqeVa_z3h4V7yw_CqzbgHfOUQE7t4nq15ZKJiiGJ9T8-hIL66PPJToDwA_3mUMhc/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plant it deep in the hole so most of the stem is covered by dirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vmuQR6jiEj9mmTaXk8UY1wE_Bn_Mvo2JK1a1IPCWUmbtyqV9TbLrOmtFePbYy5pEd5GH4bbBQE7-0BwPsUIUrumEjzl66YzceFdvBdG5R5mDOzIZHyyBkl5koQNgA7YSdjEztiTtufs/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vmuQR6jiEj9mmTaXk8UY1wE_Bn_Mvo2JK1a1IPCWUmbtyqV9TbLrOmtFePbYy5pEd5GH4bbBQE7-0BwPsUIUrumEjzl66YzceFdvBdG5R5mDOzIZHyyBkl5koQNgA7YSdjEztiTtufs/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Water it in the ground right after planting. You can even make a little moat around the plant and let the water drain a couple of times.</div><br />
One thing most gardeners agree on is that a tomato plant needs at least five hours of sun and deep waterings only when the plant really needs the water. I know I have over-watered in past years because when I pulled the plant out the roots were not very deep. This is s sign that the plant is getting all its water needs on the surface and it never needed to grow deep to find water. One web-site suggested a slow hose watering for a half hour per plant. I believe that each condition is different. It would depend on the heat and the size of your plant, but keep in mind that it takes awhile for water to reach below two feet deep.<br />
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<i><b>Garden Gossip: Tomato fertilizers should be low in nitrogen. Too much of it promotes foliage growth and makes fruits taste watery and bland. Below are a few other garden secrets I've read about tomatoes: </b></i><br />
<ul><li><i><b>Water with 1T of Epsom salts per 1 gallon of water per each foot of your plant. Do this once every week or two.</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Plant a banana peel at the bottom of the hole which acts as a slow-release of potassium and other trace elements.</b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Every week or two, crush eggshells in a blender and add water (about six shells per quart). The calcium helps prevent blossom-end rot. </b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Soak two handfuls of worm castings in 5 gallons of water for a couple days. Sift the water and use it to water the plants. </b></i></li>
</ul><br />
Beautiful Tomato Story: One of my best friends, Liane passed away two years ago from Lung Cancer, which is a reason I support the <a href="http://www.lungcancerfoundation.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Bonnie Addario Lung Cancer Foundation</span></span></a> as a board member, fundraiser, and advocate. Liane and her father, Richard had a ritual each year of planting tomatoes together. I didn't realize that Richard had been growing those same plants each year from the original seeds. I was honored last Thursday when we had our annual Liane's Birthday Luncheon and Sister Viv, Sister Ang and Mother Nora brought me two plants from Richard's garden project. I am so touched to have these tomatoes in my garden this year. It adds an element to my garden that gives me great, great joy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqp10yESfjrtWR_jQtetXF7KDKw5Ry8dEr31Uc3jz7WmFhr9neJjX-XPWUeavj1ggkwsuFa-7M_vhYFt0wdm511Ra0UjwZsLe3kJ45S_xTGsiH-FOEDJKB5BVkhWu12gqmfVgwH4LZeY/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqp10yESfjrtWR_jQtetXF7KDKw5Ry8dEr31Uc3jz7WmFhr9neJjX-XPWUeavj1ggkwsuFa-7M_vhYFt0wdm511Ra0UjwZsLe3kJ45S_xTGsiH-FOEDJKB5BVkhWu12gqmfVgwH4LZeY/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" /><span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me, Angela, Viv, Nora, Myra, Barb, Adrienne</div><div style="text-align: center;">At our annual Liane's Birthday Luncheon<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Dirty Garden Story: Were you wondering how Love Apple Farm got their name? Well, the tomato used to be considered an aphrodisiac (in fact, some people still believe it is) thus, the name Love Apple! </b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's been a full week of tomato happenings including my meaningful gifted tomatoes and ending with a fantastic Mother's Day with my family learning more about the fussy fruit. Whatever method you choose to use for fertilizing your Love Apple, a little prayer to the best Mother of all is advised. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Mother's Day, Mother Nature!</div><br />
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</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-33225299039104999632010-05-02T21:17:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:11:58.581-07:00Gurus and Guppies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> have Garden Blogger Overwhelmedness (GBO), a condition that happens when too much gardening activity happens in one week and the blogger doesn't even know where to start. I've been writing this in my head all week and it keeps growing into something just short of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0451225244/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=2436680021&ref=pd_sl_609lepzdko_e"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pillars of the Earth</span></span></a></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, which clearly no one would have the patience to read. I will edit best I can, but things are really blooming these days.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As promised, I want to introduce you to Carla, one of my favorite Garden Gurus. I was so excited when she asked me to come see her new greenhouse that she got from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ExternalPageView?pageKey=EXTERNAL_PAGE_17"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;">FarmTek</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Her garden is simultaneously, beautiful and functional. As we ente</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">red, the greenhouse is on the right housing several seedlings waiting for warmer weather. She also keeps supplies, fertilizers, soil and tools handy and organized. When you're inside it feels warm and inspiring. Of course I left wanting one. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carla also has several interesting pots featuring a nice selection of succulents immaculately dressed with naturally colored gravel. </span></span><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garden Gossip: She told me that I gave her a tip to buy larger quantities of gravel at a pet store. Its the gravel that's used in aquariums and you can get different shapes, sizes and colors to match your pots or hues in the plants. Imagine that! I actually passed on something useful to one of my gurus! </span></span></i></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carla will plant her tomatoes on trellises that she had built in the back-side of her vegetable beds. This is a great way to utilize space as she puts the tomatoes in the back and rows of other plants in front. For me, supporting a lumbering tomato plant can be a challenge. Mine always seem to grow taller than the cage and begin falling all over each other. Her trellis helps keep them actually anchored to something. I look forward to seeing her garden when she gets her summer vegetables planted and her tomatoes on the trellis. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he has several beauties in her yard, but one that sticks out is a variegated Euphorbia. It adds so much color and texture to a prominent spot. Take a look at it next time you're at Green Thumb (did you join their Facebook page yet?) and tell Carla you saw in on this blog. </span></span><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Among several tomatoes in her greenhouse (which are probably in the ground by now) she has San Marzano, Yellow Pear and Red Sibierian. I will be able to try these this year as she gifted me some!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you, Carla. I am grateful to my Garden Gurus. They have taught me so much and my garden has grown into a place I love spending time in. It's become a place to relax, entertain, make beautiful bouquets for inside the house and most importantly, to eat from! Therefore, I am most excited to tell you about my new category of gardeners... the Garden Guppy! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Garden Guppy is someone who is excited to learn and who I can share a little bit of my ever-growing knowledge with. A Garden Guppy enhances my passion for gardening because I imagine what is around the corner for them. A bountiful vegetable garden that creates a salad to be proud of! Or, an amazing rose that hardly needs anything but a glass vase, or a sweet, sweet strawberry that puts a big smile on her daughter's face. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first Garden Guppy is Tricia! She called me to ask if I'd come over and help her get three vegetable beds started. Are you kidding me? So exciting! Even though she had to call me because I got the date messed up, I rushed over and was thrilled to see that this was going to be right up my alley. I told her to get some chicken manure and compost (as mentioned in my first posting, "Introducing"). We will be planting vegetable this week after her manure "cools off". We planned a simple garden with not too many plants as it's her first year. We're devoting half of a bed to strawberries because her daughter loves them! If you're a Garden Guppy, follow Tricia's garden with me and see what happens. I don't have photos because I screeched out of my driveway when I realized I messed up the meeting date and forgot my camera. Not the best start to becoming her guru someday. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Full of good sense: Plant a pot of Heliotrope and place it next to a door that you frequently go in and out of. Preferably a partially shaded door. Mine is on my back porch. When you walk outside you'll be greeted by a strong scent of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">vanilla. The deep green leaves contrast the purple flower so beautifully, but the scent is over-the-top yummy! </span></span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OMG! Did I not tell you yet? Pam Pierce is coming to town. Who is THAT, you say? She is the author of "the bible", <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Gate-Gardening-Year-Round-California/dp/157061136X"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">G</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">olden Gate Gardening</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;">. Okay, I understand those of you that don't live in the area may not feel the excitement, but bare with me. For those of us that are here, this is a great opportunity to hear a very knowledgeable gardener. The Guru-est. </span></i></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garden Gossip: Pam Pierce, author of Golden Gate Gardener will be at Guadalupe Park on May 22nd from 10:30 - 12:30. The topic is, "Year round Food Gardening- Get the Most Out Of Your Food Garden Space"! Can you believe this? I am hoping to go, if you'd like to make a date of it! </span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was almost 75 degrees today as I went on a Garden Tour with Elaine and two of her wonderful friends. Today was <a href="http://www.gardenconservancy.org/opendays/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">South Bay Open Day</span></a>, a program put on by </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.gardenconservancy.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">The Garden Conservancy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The Garden Conservancy was established 20 years ago and is "a national institution to save and preserve America's exceptional gardens for the education and enjoyment of the public". We went to four gardens on the tour. It was fantastic! And I mean fantastic! I've never been on a garden tour before and it caused my GBO (remember my condition?) to peak! I took over a hundred pictures that I will share with you in my next posting. I need time to edit and share only the very best. One of the homes had a two-acre Japanese-style water garden that may as well have been at </span></span><a href="http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Butchard Gardens</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The pond, "dotted with waterlilies" was 2,000 square feet. Seriously. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of all, I enjoyed meeting my new gardening friends, Judy and Melinda and spending time with Elaine, my next-to-be featured Garden Guru! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One Garden tip before we go: Lorena, a lovely and highly educated gardener at </span></span><a href="http://www.yamagamisnursery.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yamagami</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">reminded me that when you plant tomatoes, pick off the lower little leaves to create "open wounds" that roots can grow out of. Then bury the stem deep in the ground leaving only the top of the tomato exposed. This will create a very strong base for the plant as roots will grow from several areas out of the main stem. Also, water it in the ground at planting (make sure to plant it with some vegetable food!) and then leave it alone for quite awhile. Lorena says don't water it for two weeks, but I don't know if I can do that. </span></span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think its finally warm enough to get some vegetables in the ground. I went to Yamagami on a rainy afternoon,shopped with an umbrella and left with: Black Beauty Eggplant, Yellow Baby Watermelon, Pimiento de Padron Pepper, Ancho Pablano Pepper, Fanfare Cucumber, Spanish Spice Pepper and Early Sunsation Pepper. Oh, I couldn't resist just one Early Girl Tomato to add to my collection from Carla! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel my GBO getting better already. May the sun shine brightly on you this week! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQhJ-fKjlQeVTQu1dqgjZe-iuMT0Wkywp-gLyBT7Y-x47B0Vh1LdkPEZUleZwhkTV7t-awvXUbqYe22nn5LLBRfcZIYXLghcO1yo4vau4cc0q5ctsCZqurD_U6BZdj_fgx9Zw0Uve2ME/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQhJ-fKjlQeVTQu1dqgjZe-iuMT0Wkywp-gLyBT7Y-x47B0Vh1LdkPEZUleZwhkTV7t-awvXUbqYe22nn5LLBRfcZIYXLghcO1yo4vau4cc0q5ctsCZqurD_U6BZdj_fgx9Zw0Uve2ME/s320/DSC_0153.JPG" /></span></i></a></div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-52393498065482034532010-04-26T16:19:00.000-07:002010-04-27T09:10:32.320-07:00Best Laid Plants... I mean, Plans...Well, it didn't quite happen like I'd planned. I ran into one of my garden gurus, Elaine in the parking lot after tennis. Remember I told you about her? Well, she thought it was still too cold to plant vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers. We are expecting some cold weather again this week. I felt badly because I told you that I was planting and I wanted to send you an e-mail saying my plan was derailed, but then that would have been presumptuous. If you did plant, you'll probably be fine. You may want to shelter your seedlings from possible frost by putting a cardboard box over them. Their little struggling roots is a bad thought.<br />
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So I decided to refresh some pots and plant some more <a href="http://www.bhg.com/topics/lawn-and-garden/flowers/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">flowers</span></a>. You really can never have enough of them. I bought some six packs of purple Petunias, Stock in a variety of colors, Alyssum, Marigolds, and Cosmos from Green Thumb. Did you join their Facebook page yet? (see previous blog). I admit, I also bought some from Ace Hardware. I was there picking up some lightbulbs and couldn't resist. 'Tis the season. I'll let you know how they do.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nhS6vyqwiEMqdkbSxpaHLHThO5vALD1AWPgVfR5kb3yg9Wk0jUlIqpprzrnpzYhxx62NiUYjBl8t8kjK4BKURR8yp8YbIUpm4RAEyBQu0Ru1u-V0UkxVQ8I6bTgCejjuJCXC1CwwONo/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nhS6vyqwiEMqdkbSxpaHLHThO5vALD1AWPgVfR5kb3yg9Wk0jUlIqpprzrnpzYhxx62NiUYjBl8t8kjK4BKURR8yp8YbIUpm4RAEyBQu0Ru1u-V0UkxVQ8I6bTgCejjuJCXC1CwwONo/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Watering flowers can get a little out of control once our warm weather hits. I don't want to feel responsible for my flower pots like feeding the dogs. I have the solution: Succulents! They're amazing because there are so many different shapes, textures, and colors AND they do <b>not</b> need a lot of tending to. AND, many bloom amazing colorful flowers. I have some tucked in garden beds combined with other flowering, leafy plants throughout my yard. It makes it interesting. Oh, here is another wonderful thing: You can take cuttings from many succulents, stick the stem in some dirt (or a pot) and voila, you have another plant! Big, big fan of succulents. Mine were a little beat up by the frosts we had this winter, but they seem to be reviving themselves. If your weather gets really cold or if you live in the snow, only plant in pots and bring them inside during the winter. It's worth the extra effort.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4Z1vv0WlyWNEAssWGnq0z8r0UKg7Snzhvr0sU7njayiyYLG5ocTlH5Y3-5_D08QnNulS_Vna0wYgX8lJXL8fY4Usaje4gLvPG33mqS1PGHpBjGbnYDqkPy0tagOzyPNWK_n-OjfYPy4/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4Z1vv0WlyWNEAssWGnq0z8r0UKg7Snzhvr0sU7njayiyYLG5ocTlH5Y3-5_D08QnNulS_Vna0wYgX8lJXL8fY4Usaje4gLvPG33mqS1PGHpBjGbnYDqkPy0tagOzyPNWK_n-OjfYPy4/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" /></a></div><br />
My friend, Chandra and I had so much fun planting over a hundred pots with succulents, displaying them at our homes and inviting our friends to come buy them. We did that twice (one Fall and one Spring) and then realized that our friends could only buy so many succulent pots and sales would likely decline. Our business is <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Buds 'n Blooms</span></i> and someday more fun, creative ideas will bloom with my bud. We both love to dig in the dirt!<br />
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If you click on the picture, you can see the pots enlarged. There are some amazing ones, if I do say so myself.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx7Aymlq_BdfLeLTCMLUyws9k-LKoRqk8rGWiie_b2muXgXscgjwCrGZobKXBOsfP73mStPS6bHTbgWS_Ef33aemeTZmk8e37bCFiQA8ITI-4F85JXl4_s2TwYnbsH2Xz4R4G1TkoH9w/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx7Aymlq_BdfLeLTCMLUyws9k-LKoRqk8rGWiie_b2muXgXscgjwCrGZobKXBOsfP73mStPS6bHTbgWS_Ef33aemeTZmk8e37bCFiQA8ITI-4F85JXl4_s2TwYnbsH2Xz4R4G1TkoH9w/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
This was our first show at Chandra's. We were so proud of our creations and had so much fun making each one that we never wanted anyone to buy them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8P3-uFlbWlctMJ0LEMS2vXDhoNlYRGz5bdjUy_pt2Sb32NE1Ti8tOxwGk-DfSnEOnDJa9IAGN_Ag7SbNRyNL3jX0uyCeS_zruAabiprn8e5waG1Jz2pUeOkO1vLbVA3qxqWftywpsKuY/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8P3-uFlbWlctMJ0LEMS2vXDhoNlYRGz5bdjUy_pt2Sb32NE1Ti8tOxwGk-DfSnEOnDJa9IAGN_Ag7SbNRyNL3jX0uyCeS_zruAabiprn8e5waG1Jz2pUeOkO1vLbVA3qxqWftywpsKuY/s320/DSC_0094.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Chandra's back deck. Amazing view, eh? Okay, now look at the succulents!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24HRJGoYrVa5DfB6TVU1ECT5blFQkTPIIJbN8Vaq_sEWzaFLQM7joXYGmw1hppZ3MGaWmDByQ53mHUG_y70oIsctZRu1-ZmXD891fXPnLrwENfP2fd4wjorpkFVxfCVV1g3jT9cF4iNw/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24HRJGoYrVa5DfB6TVU1ECT5blFQkTPIIJbN8Vaq_sEWzaFLQM7joXYGmw1hppZ3MGaWmDByQ53mHUG_y70oIsctZRu1-ZmXD891fXPnLrwENfP2fd4wjorpkFVxfCVV1g3jT9cF4iNw/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" /></a><br />
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If anyone would like to hire <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Buds 'n Blooms</span></i> to refresh your pots or create new ones, just let me know.<br />
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Sad garden story: the artichoke I transplanted? Well, it's not dead, but it's not real happy either. I am going to cut it way back and hope that it comes back next year. For the time being, it's not the beautiful sculptural plant that I envisioned. In fact, it's so ugly, that I can't even photograph it for you. The even sadder truth is that there are two baby artichokes growing. I really stressed out this mama artichoke! Better luck next year.<br />
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Time to clean out the bird feeders and birdbath. I loyally feed my flock of yellow finches. They like Nyger seed and they go through a tube about every two weeks. Not quite as bad as the dogs, but a small feeling of responsibility. The birdbath is a pain because the water gets murky quickly, but its a nice feature in the garden and it's pretty awesome when you get to witness a bird playing in it. This is the best cleaner: SuperBac Nature Birdbath Scrub - "Melts Away Birdbath Scum". That about says it all. I like it because the solution is safe for the birds and the brush is part of the bottle. I don't have to go find the brush each time (I'm big on convenience). You can buy it at the Wild Bird Center in King's Court Shopping Center, Los Gatos for $11.95. I had my first bottle for almost a year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ1s1RytP9O54sUNaUjA7AyUMwmw95X8z33llVdlnFbmkbRtBWeQwP6jZsxE2UF7Yppjo0zQh0B7F5Y7Jd8Xidzf4alP-QDHCkSek6QRu94e0_8Sj1LCli1VMHNmhvBmuhVN78LDG-Qw/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ1s1RytP9O54sUNaUjA7AyUMwmw95X8z33llVdlnFbmkbRtBWeQwP6jZsxE2UF7Yppjo0zQh0B7F5Y7Jd8Xidzf4alP-QDHCkSek6QRu94e0_8Sj1LCli1VMHNmhvBmuhVN78LDG-Qw/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<b><i>Gardening Tip: </i></b><br />
<b><i>When you plant flowers in the ground or a pot, pinch off some of the buds ( I just can't bring myself to pinch them all off) and then the plant will focus on growing its roots rather than blooming those buds! </i></b><br />
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I had an epiphany. I love having epiphanies. As I've mentioned, hopefully several times, I have a few gardening gurus who I've learned so much from. I decided to feature some of these wonderful people in my blog. My next blog will feature Carla, from Green Thumb. You know when you meet someone and you just hit if off immediately? Like old friends from way back? That's how I feel about Carla and she's a great gardener too! Wait till you see her backyard!<br />
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No dirty stories this week other than I discovered that some of my tennis gals can really dance it up! Even in our tennis outfits amongst a scene of well-dressed party-goers, who, no doubt ended up envious of our fun. The sun was shining that night. Or was it a full moon?<br />
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Speaking of full moon... Carla says, "Italians plant by the full moon of April". That's this weekend.Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-2999176764683139792010-04-19T22:34:00.000-07:002010-04-20T09:34:26.242-07:00Ready? Set. GO!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYDsy9LSx2oqlMFpd4P33zWabRev-TxoDsjwK6X17pH6G8mDzrpBqCvvkubr85DECyGWUa9rfpFrPclyvMi8sUa7_LEAbdHapTOF_DUT0Q5MOA_6OaQIoj_pKCd6EKfGThZsh1ra5AuA/s1600/DSC_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYDsy9LSx2oqlMFpd4P33zWabRev-TxoDsjwK6X17pH6G8mDzrpBqCvvkubr85DECyGWUa9rfpFrPclyvMi8sUa7_LEAbdHapTOF_DUT0Q5MOA_6OaQIoj_pKCd6EKfGThZsh1ra5AuA/s400/DSC_0486.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get excited looking at pictures of past summer gardens. I can see how much the clematis has grown from last year. I pulled those Hollyhocks out that you see towering above the arch (the white flowers). I see the Dahlias in the lower right hand corner and it reminds me to get some bulbs. And hurry up! The exciting thing is the different looks you get each year. For me, its not too planned. Sure, I have certain areas for the flowers, for the herbs and the beds are thoughtfully planted, but I also like to randomly tuck things in odd places to see if they work and to add color or texture to a boring area. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In any case, its all fun. It's not meant to be stressful or overwhelming or burdensome. It's not meant to be a source of more tasks or a source of bad feelings. It really should be about rejuvenation, relaxation, attention to nature, and patience. Of course there is work and there are points in the season where you'll need extra time... like, harvesting time. But, you should plan your space according to how the work makes you feel. If you are thinking that it may take too much time, then plant a small garden. How about a garden just for salads? Plant some lettuces, cucumbers and tomatoes. Just three things and see how that goes. I've heard some friends say, "I don't have enough space". Then, make one small bed. Its not about size! Its just about the experience. (Okay, I didn't really just say that.) I've also heard people say, "I don't have a green thumb". I don't get that. Green thumb? Does that mean that there is some magical energy that some thumbs have that make plants grow and those that don't have this thumb can never have plants? There is NO SUCH THING. A brown thumb is just an uneducated thumb. Usually someone who doesn't understand how much to water or someone who doesn't know that you have to actually feed plants. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Seeds v. Seedlings:</b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having said that, let's get started! I am going to the nursery this week to begin picking out my summer veggies. I am not really good about planting seeds, but each year I give it a try. I have been successful with chard, lettuces, and radishes. In keeping with my low stress philosophy, I usually buy seedlings at the nursery. Then, I can visually plan out my beds by placing the seedlings where I want them. It is fun to use some seeds. But, up to this point, mine have been on an experimental basis. I also suggest planting your seeds sooner rather than later as it becomes more difficult as the sun gets stronger. Only once have I grown something inside and then transplanted it. It was a chard plant that ended up producing me mounds of delicious, beautifully colored leaves. Believe it or not, it was actually hard for me to pull that plant out when the time came because I had watched it start from a seed. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>More space planning: </b></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have your beds made already, try to plant east to west for the greatest sun exposure. And, plant your tallest crops to the north so they don't shade the rest of the garden. Sometimes this is hard to do, but I use it as a guideline. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And try to incorporate some type of resting spot for yourself. Like a table and chairs, or a bench, or a stool. Just something to sit down and admire your garden. A place to take your morning coffee!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By now, my soil is ready for planting. I hope yours is too. I'm going to <a href="http://www.yamagamisnursery.com/">Yamagami Nursery</a> this week if you want to join me. Time for action, people! </span><br />
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</span>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-42835647787419346642010-04-13T19:57:00.000-07:002010-04-13T21:33:45.102-07:00A Barrel O' FunCheesy title, but the point is that you can utilize a wine barrel to decorate your garden and control space.<br />
There are some plants that wreak havoc on your garden unintentionally and a wine barrel is the perfect solution. Take mint, for example. I planted some pineapple mint amongst a few other varieties two summers ago. This Spring it came back again full-force. If it was in my beds, it would spread aggressively and take up too much space.. especially for the amount that I use it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OgsDoHStsKsZstJAIODONzugX_phIfDTNcMKeiDpcrYHWG36BM9dSp2jqWOcIGLMB-G1M4onqlzq5eU4qPlzNB95ubAwCEDiL24ocNRyZei3VL04GrJZOmr3PKe5xYqnYOCAc1zNQvI/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OgsDoHStsKsZstJAIODONzugX_phIfDTNcMKeiDpcrYHWG36BM9dSp2jqWOcIGLMB-G1M4onqlzq5eU4qPlzNB95ubAwCEDiL24ocNRyZei3VL04GrJZOmr3PKe5xYqnYOCAc1zNQvI/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mint is great for Mojitos, obviously.. but its also used in Mediterranean dishes, which I make a lot in the summer with all the summer veggies. I also make this Mint Sauce that is fabulous with grilled lamb chops or lamb kebobs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Mint Sauce</span></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3/4 c. mint, coarsely chopped</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 c. flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3T chives</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3T capers</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 shallot, minced</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 clove garlic, minced</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1 lemon zested</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">3 T fresh lemon juice</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">1/2 c. olive oil</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Puree the mint and parsley in a food processor until smooth, then add the remaining ingredients to the processor. Add the olive oil last and in steady stream.</span><br />
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</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Strawberries are another plant that I keep out of my main beds. I don't get a large harvest by putting them in a wine barrel, but that's okay for now. I nibble on them while I am working in the garden or pick a few to put in my cereal in the morning. Strawberries need a lot of water and they like nitrogen. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pam Peirce (Remember her? Did you buy the book yet?) says that the strawberry pots you see in the nurseries, the ones with large holes in the sides, don't really work. She claims that strawberries need four inches in each direction for root growth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGF5B9kzUf5oqnhKoIWAn8WqKM6s0V5QypGpNgzTfWRBRM2QDCqthnio43obKo6KH4M9xjXTPo67whsCDGdPLt2t4tubHpYUNU8gP_1w8r5w86ak1OXi6Cc2TApUH2oW-QDwWVVD2ghE/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGF5B9kzUf5oqnhKoIWAn8WqKM6s0V5QypGpNgzTfWRBRM2QDCqthnio43obKo6KH4M9xjXTPo67whsCDGdPLt2t4tubHpYUNU8gP_1w8r5w86ak1OXi6Cc2TApUH2oW-QDwWVVD2ghE/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought an artichoke plant to put in my winter garden from Green Thumb Nursery. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/GreenThumbLosGatos">Join their Facebook Page</a> and learn about specials going on and other fun information. I didn't know much about artichokes other than they take up a lot of space. And mine proved that theory right! They are supposed to bear fruit February and April, but mine didn't bear any (garden failure). However, its the most beautiful, sculptural plant and I couldn't get rid of it, but I also couldn't let it use valuable summer real estate. So, I used a wine barrel! Transplanting can be tricky, but I've had as many successes as failures. If anything, it will add a new element to the back end of my garden. I read that artichokes grow in the same place for several years so I may have found a wonderful solution. You'll be the first to know when I eat my first artichoke. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByJY1l1Fy-lF0O2toLsjd-9vfmLgcqv4H5FSdyQtso-m2_e2zSzCoTe9vK7eXJv2N9k3QLPvkPLoyTsWY4o4vWQbL4htJe1eONQ84ooyBiViFaG9DqInHr6czMryJPJlVbFOwJXEVt_E/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByJY1l1Fy-lF0O2toLsjd-9vfmLgcqv4H5FSdyQtso-m2_e2zSzCoTe9vK7eXJv2N9k3QLPvkPLoyTsWY4o4vWQbL4htJe1eONQ84ooyBiViFaG9DqInHr6czMryJPJlVbFOwJXEVt_E/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, it's Boulder All the Way. Go Buffs! Getting closer to that day of real transition. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793261637303520338.post-5047790127615722572010-04-09T09:58:00.000-07:002010-04-09T12:02:10.804-07:00Introducing ...<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really don't profess to be a master gardener or anything remotely close to that.. I'm just someone who had an idea, took a 6 week class at the Campbell Recreation Center, had some boxes built and has learned from reading, listening and trial and error. I now have two summer gardens and two winter gardens under my belt.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SUMMER AND WINTER LOOKS</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-EZjAieyYsjMktL3X0I8j1k7X5iiwLOqXaBR1bxLDB_CIlRqK8B_mL4ntpsMYd5gzg23p6W2HkZSud12wObWHRonuxsSLU8LCNj6wLI1s4iWdoTzHFzHS6abeycJJBdRAFQ1YTQhDeI/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457623903232852210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-EZjAieyYsjMktL3X0I8j1k7X5iiwLOqXaBR1bxLDB_CIlRqK8B_mL4ntpsMYd5gzg23p6W2HkZSud12wObWHRonuxsSLU8LCNj6wLI1s4iWdoTzHFzHS6abeycJJBdRAFQ1YTQhDeI/s400/DSC_0489.JPG" style="display: block; height: 133px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X6XUKKn6WHcZSKgNwzvDRIkAkFrZMmNnkzMODMlrUuRqmH3oYn6Y9aQX0zh8HWiCFoXnkzarZflMCvgA8ue4cXPA0WZBZ0EflUImb5-J80f_MLsufDfVRLTI4spi85iovP2rlfa4t8M/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457624781772541650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X6XUKKn6WHcZSKgNwzvDRIkAkFrZMmNnkzMODMlrUuRqmH3oYn6Y9aQX0zh8HWiCFoXnkzarZflMCvgA8ue4cXPA0WZBZ0EflUImb5-J80f_MLsufDfVRLTI4spi85iovP2rlfa4t8M/s400/DSC_0202.JPG" style="display: block; height: 133px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided that this summer it would be fun to document each step and see for myself how it all goes ... and grows, while sharing it with anyone who is interested. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had a few people ask me to come over to their house and help them so it's possible that this may spark some curiosity. If nothing else, my friend, Vicki told me I could publish this into a book at the end of the season and save it for my kids... as if....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'll need a few things to get started. The first, is what I will refer to as the Bible. Its </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Golden Gate Gardening</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, by Pam Peirce. Its perfect for gardening in this climate and Pam makes it all sound so simple!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you buy that for just under $20.00, think about these things that you'll need:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1) Space that gets good sun</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2) Soil thats amended </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Adequate access to water</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the space that I started with:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnWESv2an5D5QVNP9VW-PfeLvgesA3QGTthDcUodxXcxmeqhOgIRD-4_X4DKjTdct71CmAHVTo6pp8F_O5DP3F2G4WKaQuRCxtFRLkF5CAxdl5ytnekIz5uNaxVJPcp8d0q3zIUrN474/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457908301185167538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnWESv2an5D5QVNP9VW-PfeLvgesA3QGTthDcUodxXcxmeqhOgIRD-4_X4DKjTdct71CmAHVTo6pp8F_O5DP3F2G4WKaQuRCxtFRLkF5CAxdl5ytnekIz5uNaxVJPcp8d0q3zIUrN474/s200/DSC_0232.JPG" style="display: block; height: 133px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I walked out different sized beds and marked them with string by taking four wooden stakes from Ace Hardware and then attaching string to resemble the sides. It was important to be able to walk around and in between all the beds. I also knew I wanted a path wide enough for a wheel barrel to manuevre though all the beds. I ended up with 3 4x10 and one slightly shorter to accommodate an apricot tree (which never blooms by the way).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After awhile, it looked like this:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfABx67Wx8covHk6wIvmPAlYIYuMLeft01z_LeTq0bRjE65jyQ9XtDLMqsM-Jue70guofUnyKD3uv-6vBQzrINFYLkIplqF0niJqK55XW-zJgLC7BhkZppx2BsQaTfU7rk1R_vprf4KE/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457905011452093586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfABx67Wx8covHk6wIvmPAlYIYuMLeft01z_LeTq0bRjE65jyQ9XtDLMqsM-Jue70guofUnyKD3uv-6vBQzrINFYLkIplqF0niJqK55XW-zJgLC7BhkZppx2BsQaTfU7rk1R_vprf4KE/s400/DSC_0037.JPG" style="display: block; height: 133px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V7WeR-05J7F7noJKeolNqSzp0KHTogCApVEHy_aXBRblfPxp-076LujsaiQkzSDdXRqjgqrmdh2Nrsw5LPXhRB6uQStQptWIdqlzEU5sVZZzYZ8X4F_Z1Ymydw4QUGFIJBTLUdLmjVY/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V7WeR-05J7F7noJKeolNqSzp0KHTogCApVEHy_aXBRblfPxp-076LujsaiQkzSDdXRqjgqrmdh2Nrsw5LPXhRB6uQStQptWIdqlzEU5sVZZzYZ8X4F_Z1Ymydw4QUGFIJBTLUdLmjVY/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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As you see the boxes are filled with soil. I used regular organic soil that my gardner brought in, but depending on how much you need, you can get it at any nursery or larger supply store. If you're not using raised bed, that is great too! Afterall, you probably paid a lot for that soil, already! I would still recommend amending soil that you already have and plotting out a space with actual dimensions. To amend the soil (make it delicious for the plants), I use chicken manure and some compost. My friend, Elaine is my gardening guru. Between her and "the bible" (did you buy the book yet?), I've learned a ton. We will get into composting later. But for now, just use chicken manure and buy some bags of compost like you see here. Save the compost to lay around the plants after you've set them in the ground. Blend the soil and chicken manure about six inches to one foot down. The soil should be loose and crumbly.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my son, Jeffrey. Don't get too excited. This is rare, he owed me money and I translated that into garden labor. He was my mixer for an hour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRmyQzEH-2HZwj5rq6u_nwIllpt_alIIDBABiQakYg7hy9oLqmF6IxkAsLu6yUXxd2lmj022y9DkbxbYtwrwLA7g1eEgBROaWi4DdXSecHd4Epov1RILXM0KAUPG8Y0FVuD266RkpHIE/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRmyQzEH-2HZwj5rq6u_nwIllpt_alIIDBABiQakYg7hy9oLqmF6IxkAsLu6yUXxd2lmj022y9DkbxbYtwrwLA7g1eEgBROaWi4DdXSecHd4Epov1RILXM0KAUPG8Y0FVuD266RkpHIE/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" /></span></a><br />
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</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it. Four beds that will sit for a week or so. Its best to let the chicken manure rest for a bit before planting so it doesn't burn the fragile roots. Ahhh, now I can sit and rest and think about the veggies that I want to plant. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll get into water and plants, and wine barrels planting and tools and... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I need to get packing to take my son to Boulder for an "admitted student" weekend! Perhaps even a little more exciting than my soil and possibly will result in some material for more dirty stories later... </span></div>Whitney Spagnolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628074141014536699noreply@blogger.com3