A City Garden Patch

Summer Recap

2011-09-03T20:15:00.000-04:00

It is the beginning of September and time to look back on the successful and not so successful endeavors in the garden. Although my attention to the garden has begun to wain as usual, I have been more disciplined this year. Despite my efforts the garden looks tired and unkempt.

All of the container plants have thrived through the summer except for my Mandarin Dream azalea which has been affected by the very wet weather in August and has mildewed leaves. The flower beds continue to be problematic and not one plant that I bought from Annie's thrived and most didn't even survive. Planning and implementing a perennial bed is clearly beyond my skill set. However in the clearly defined space of a pot or raised bed I am better able to make my vision a reality.

My vegetable gardening was very productive and quite a learning curve:

Corn - the heirloom variety I chose was beautiful plant and delicious but I had trouble figuring out the proper harvest time.

Winter Squash - of course took over the yard but was quite productive and I love the Delicata variety.

Eggplant - Next year I will only by the traditional black variety- love grilled eggplant with sauce and cheese

Peppers- yellow and orange grew well but the reds seemed to rot before they turned.

Tomatoes- heirloom varieties or trouble with a capital T...hybrids for me next year!

Cucumbers - some success...work in progress.

Corn a "Special Needs Grain"

2011-06-05T22:28:00.000-04:00

My adventures in planting corn incorrectly started a few years ago. I planted a nice long row of sweet corn and then was utterly bewildered that I wasn't able to harvest even one tiny ear of corn. Well it turns out that corn needs certain growing conditions in order to produce a tasty crop. Corn is a hermaphorodite because each corn plant has both male flowers (the tassel) and female flowers (silk from the ear). In order to help with pollination, corn should be grown close together in multiple rows or in circles. It also helps to give the stalks a gentle shake to help nature take its course. I am experimenting with the traditional Native American way of planting corn this year called The Three Sisters.

The Iroquois people traditionally planted their corn crop with beans and squash. They called these three companion plants the three sisters. Renee's Garden has a great webpage that explains not only how to plant the the three sisters but also why it is beneficial to do so: "Corn provides a natural pole for bean vines to climb. Beans fix nitrogen on their roots, improving the overall fertility of the plot by providing nitrogen to the following years corn. Bean vines also help stabilize the corn plants, making them less vulnerable to blowing over in the wind. Shallow-rooted squash vines become a living mulch, shading emerging weeds and preventing soil moisture from evaporating, thereby improving the overall crops chances of survival in dry years."

Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, who is working hard to improve the eating habits of young people just recently planted the three sisters with a group of Native American children in the White House garden.

Soul Satisfaction

2011-05-02T10:11:00.000-04:00

I have to admit I have spent many a free moment gazing at a variety of catalogs or trolling the Internet looking for swag to buy. I do love the idea of a well feathered nest so over the years I have wasted a great deal of money in the futile quest to transform my home into a page from the Pottery Barn catalog. Because I live with three kids, two dogs, two cats and two parakeets any simulation of a designer home is fleeting at best. However, the money I have spent beautifying my tiny city yard has been money well spent. Everyday that I get to spend in the company of my trees, plants and flowers is a blessing.

I see some strawberries in our future...

2011-04-13T19:51:00.002-04:00

Some of the fondest memories I have of my childhood are the foods that my grandmothers made and grew. My grandma Smith, who lived an hour east of St Louis in Illinois, always had a strawberry patch growing behind the garage. Every June, we picked fresh, sweet sun-kissed strawberries. I love California but by the time its strawberries have traveled 2,500 miles to my grocery store they are a little lacking in the taste department. So when I decided this year to add some raised beds to the middle of the yard in order to maximize my food growing space, the first raised bed I planned was a tiered square bed (I borrowed the idea from Gardener's Supply...wow, I forgot how pretty theirs was) dedicated to strawberries.

Milagro

2011-04-08T18:36:00.001-04:00

Here is my handy-dandy cold frame. Made from recycled cedar, and two re-purposed glass doors from IKEA. I planted the bed in early November with arugula, lettuce, and spinach. They sprouted within a few weeks. I was all set to harvest through the winter, and then December turned frigid and my little sprouts shriveled up. In January, the whole cold frame was buried in snow. I thought for sure my adventures in winter farming were over. Imagine my delight when I looked in the cold frame after the February thaw and so an abundance of fresh greens!

In Praise of Trees

2011-03-31T21:18:00.005-04:00

I think that I shall never see anything more lovely than a tree... I apologize Joyce Kilmer for rearranging the lines of your lovely poem but it is true I love trees in all of their amazing shapes and sizes. Two years ago Better Homes and Gardens or as I call it in my head (Better Homes Than Mine) featured a Seattle rooftop garden with a variety of trees planted in containers. It was a light bulb moment for me!

It turns out that many Japanese Maples love to grow in containers or at least they grow so slow that they don't mind being in a container. Who knew that there are also a wide variety of mini fruit trees that can also grow happily in containers?

So here I am two years later and I might need a trees anonymous program. In containers, I now have 3 fruit trees, 4 Japanese maples, 1 compact hinoki falsecypress, 1 crepe myrtle, and in the ground I have 2 apple colonnade trees, 2 dogwoods, and 1 mystery tree. Yes, that's right 13 trees on 640 sq. ft.

A New Start

2011-03-31T21:14:00.001-04:00

Three seasons have come and gone since I last posted on this blog. Last year's garden makeover was so successful that it was hard for me to actually leave the garden and write about it. I think I am going to have more to say this spring.

Variegation is the Spice of Life

2010-05-07T07:07:00.001-04:00

Anyone who knows me will verify that I am a "flower ho". I love flowers in all shapes and sizes. They lift my spirit and sing to my soul in a real and tangible way. However, as I have grown older and gardened more, I have learned to look beyond the showy flower and appreciate the foliage on plants just as much. The variations in foliage color, shape and pattern can be just as beautiful and often longer lasting. At the Philadelphia Flower Show this year, I discovered geraniums with big beautiful chocolaty leaves that I was determined to find for my container displays this year. In my search, I found some gorgeous varieties of geraniums with leaves as pretty as the flowers. The first picture is of Pelagardini "Mrs. Pollack". She doesn't show any sign of flowering, but I can hear her saying, " Honey, with leaves as pretty as mine I don't need to flower!" Mrs. Pollack is sharing her container with Dark Dancer White Clover. The second picture is of the geranium Crystal Palace Gem with the most delicious spring green leaves that make me smile just thinking about them.

We Have Lift Off!

2010-04-30T22:05:00.001-04:00

My patio makeover is almost complete, and I have to say that my results exceeded expectations. I also exceeded my budget, but it is money well spent! I hesitate to post the "before" picture... I can't even remember why I took that picture last spring or saved it for the matter. However, it serves a purpose now in showing a dramatic improvement!

By the Numbers

2010-04-19T22:14:00.004-04:00

Despite the fact that even the simplest math equation can befuddle me, I find the congruence of math and nature through patterns amazing. In his book Mathematics in Nature: Modeling Patterns in the Natural WorldJohn A. Adam explains these patterns on a variety of levels so that even those math challenged like myself can appreciate them. The idea of an ordered universe where the formation of waves in a puddle or dunes in sand are both ruled by mathematical relationships, and the wonderful tendency of plants, seashells, and even cracks in the mud to have recurring mathematical patterns is very comforting to me.

Progress

2010-04-18T20:54:00.004-04:00

The plants I ordered from Bluestone Perennials arrived on Friday. As instructed, I gave them a chance to recuperate from their journey before I planted them today. Two of my new pots are now filled with plants. Hopefully, my trees will be arriving this week!

Words Aren't Enough!

2010-04-13T06:51:00.003-04:00

I have lived in my house for 15 years now, and every one of those years my wonderful dad has helped me with many home projects both big and small. Last Saturday, he spent four hours with me in the garden weeding and mulching. The week before he built and installed a beautiful entertainment center for my son's room! Thank you, Pop! I love you with all of my heart!!!!

Happy Accidents

2010-04-01T15:07:00.008-04:00

The weather here in Philadelphia is absolutely gorgeous! I spent much of the morning weeding which is my least favorite garden chore. In fact, I dislike weeding so much that I often will just leave the weed alone "to see what it will become". I now have a beautiful tree growing along the fence for just that reason. In a burst of ambition, I started to dig out the heart shaped ground cover that has invaded my flowers beds. However, it only took 10 minutes of tedious digging for me to decide that maybe it doesn't look that bad after all. My first shipment from White Flower Farm arrived today. Carpet Thyme which I am planting in the raised flower bed at the front of the fence. I also planted the helleborus (lenten roses) underneath the kid's fort. Next year they should bloom in February which will be a lovely treat.

The Magic Seed

2010-03-27T07:49:00.013-04:00

In the spring of 1973, we planted seeds in second grade. Everyone was given a choice of seeds. I chose corn. Although growing one kernel of corn in a 4 inch pot does not take much physical effort, I poured a tremendous amount of mental energy into my tiny stalk of corn. I stared at him from across the room amazed at how much he was growing. I stayed in from recess to help water the plants, and I talked to him in a whisper voice. He rewarded me by growing into an amazing bonsai corn stalk with a cocktail sized ear of corn. After all these years, I still feel that same awe when a seedling sprouts and I still talk to my plants.

Have you thanked a bee, butterfly or wasp today?

2010-03-20T18:57:00.023-04:00

Although the first flowering plants appeared on earth 130 million years ago, it took another 30 to 60 million years and the development of the petal before flowers started working their full magic on planet earth. In his National Geographic article "The Big Bloom—How Flowering Plants Changed the World", Michael Klesius explains that the interaction of insects and flowering plants created a very successful and enduring relationship: " In time flowers evolved arresting colors, alluring fragrances, and special petals that provide landing pads for their insect pollinators. Uppermost in the benefits package for insects is nectar, a nutritious fluid flowers provide as a type of trading commodity in exchange for pollen dispersal." That's right we owe a great big shout out to butterflies, bees and wasps for all of those luscious blossoms that inspire and nourish the human spirit.

Just Waiting for Spring!

2010-03-10T06:02:00.010-05:00

In his book OH the Places You"ll Go, Dr. Suess' whimsical thesis on life, he describes the uselessness of a life spent in anticipation rather than living:

" Waiting for the fish too bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting,perhaps, for their Uncle Jack
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting."

These weeks spent between winter's end and true spring are the most difficult for me. We just finished a week of very spring like weather here in Philadelphia, and yet I know the capriciousness of March. Fine today, horrible tomorrow. However, my wait is not mindless nor is it useless. I attend to each sign of spring with relish. Last weekend's garden clean up revealed sprouting tulips. Early yesterday morning, I spotted my first Robin Redbreast in my neighbor's yard. I wonder if she is the same one who built a nest in my Kousa dogwood tree last year. If it is her, surely while surviving this past year she acquired the sense to know that my tree is too little and flimsy to be a safe place for her eggs. Yes, I am waiting but the waiting is good!

Waiting for spring to arrive, or
just waiting to see what has survived
or waiting for winter to be spent
or waiting for the lilac's scent
or waiting for the leaves to pop
or just waiting for the rain to stop
or for the sun to shine,
or the smell of basil, lavender and thyme
I am just waiting.

Plant Prejudice

2010-03-06T04:05:00.018-05:00

Who knew that a little discrimination in the garden could be so funny. I enjoyed reading Elizabeth Licata's post on GWI about plants that she does not like despite the fact that quite a few of her least favorites grow in my garden. However, I laughed out loud when I went onto read the comments. Particulary, this very funny comment about the annual Dusty Miller. “Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria). I hate it simply because of the name. It has nothing to do with the silvery foliage or habit. It's just So trashy. I picture a pregnant, shoeless woman with a cigarette in her mouth, standing in the door of her trailer. "There she is, there's old Dusty Miller." Now I know why I love Dusty Miller so much! In his book Green Places in Small Spaces, Kerwin Fischer is not afraid to tell you exactly how he feels either. He describes ornamental cabbage “as a gaggle of hideously pink “ornamental(s)” lining the front walk, waiting to expose themselves shamelessly to the hapless visitor.” That is an image that I am going to carry happily for a very long time.

Picture Credit - copyright 2006 John Fleming - no rights reserved

P.S. My mom thinks that Hanoki Falsecypress must be the father of Dusty Miller's baby and he abandoned her. Which is why she is living alone in a trailer, shoeless and smoking because her nerves are bad. No wonder I love him. He is a scamp!

Where was I on saturday?

2010-03-02T17:59:00.010-05:00

I thought I went to the Philadelphia International Flower Show for the member's preview on Saturday and then I read the article in The Inquirer on Sunday and I am not sure if I was there at all. I don't remember any of that stuff. Why can't I remember the "the Dutch canal lined with bicycles and tulips" or the "MODA Botanica's exhibit of six huge shipping containers purchased from the Camden and Baltimore waterfronts". Really, I can't remember a shipping container called "the urban jungle" covered in graffiti? How could I miss that? Oh yeah, maybe it was because I brought two of my children. My 11 year old son who just wanted to see a rose and have his picture taken with it. My seven year old daughter who upon arrival at the convention center asked "when does the show start and where do we sit?" After I explained that the flowers were the show , she resigned herself to just wanting ice cream and her picture taken whenever we stopped to look at something for longer for than 3 seconds. Live and learn!

Back to the Beginning!

2010-03-01T17:02:00.006-05:00

Before I had three children, I had quite a few houseplants. Mostly african violets but a few others, also. That was a long time ago. As I have been cooped up this winter with too much time on my hands and the lack of will to really do anything useful, I discovered two wonderful gardening blogs called Garden Rant and Gardening While Intoxicated. Just as I discovered them, they were discussing their indoor plants, how many they had,and what types. I looked around my house and felt quite inadequate, but also inspired! I can take care of a houseplant or two. I had better be able to if my ambitious garden plans are going to be accomplished this year! So I took the plunge and bought six african violets at the flower show. I can do this!

The Long Winter

2010-02-28T12:00:00.001-05:00

Winter isn't my favorite season by any stretch of the imagination but it has it's own rewards! Hot comforting soup, fluffy slippers, snow days and the luxury of putting on pajamas at 4 in the afternoon or never taking them off in the first place. However, this record setting winter in Philadelphia has definitely worn out its' welcome. A silver lining is that I have had an unusual amount of time to plan for a new and improved garden!

Love at First Sight!

2010-02-28T10:40:00.004-05:00

I fell in love at the Philadelphia International Flower Show and his name is Compact Hinoki Falsecypress. My picture did not capture the true beauty of this tree!