PSA: An Important Lesson in Planning

You know how before you do something major outside, you're supposed to call Miss Digg to "know what's below," as to not do any damage to gas and utility lines? Well, the same can be said about gardening. (And, no, my house didn't blow up, and yes, the street still has power.)

I have this little hot spot. Literally, full sun, all day, every day. So, last week I had the grand idea to plant a coneflower garden of all types and colors. I go to Romence Gardens last Monday when they were having 40% perennials (score!) and pick out 10 of the best, in traditional purple and also fuschia, green, orange and yellow.

I get home and I go to work to break up the sod and soil. It's tough, it's hot, I'm working, the grass and weeds are breaking up, and I start to churn the dirt and THUNK. I try a couple more times, THUNK. I haven't quite figured it out, but apparently, that's STILL driveway underneath that narrow strip.

So, the lesson learned is, "know what's below" BEFORE you go out buy your flowers, and/or have a back up plan if your space doesn't work out. Seriously, where am I going to put these?

My "hot spot" pre-dug, now eyesore.

What am I going to do with all of this coneflower?

Jack of All Trades, Master of... Something...To Be Determined...

I'm behind, like WAY behind. In case you didn't know, MBA school, gardening and blogging don't mix. The good news is (other than Mother Nature being behind as well--my coneflower still hasn't bloomed), there is a light at the end of the tunnel, as I'll officially be done with grad school in December. The even better news is, I've taken the summer off to devote to my gardens AND my blog. And the EVEN WAY better news is, I hope to start the MSU Master Gardening Program in January. The application is in, I'm just waiting for my acceptance.

In the meantime, keep reading, I hope to post as much as possible. Also, look forward to some positive changes in terms of look, feel, content...maybe even a name change, who knows? (Got any ideas?)

Here are some highlights from the 2011 Master Gardener Tour (Wanna see last year's recap?). You can expect to see my house on the roster in a few years.

Enjoy!

Japanese lilac, I think!

Backyard envy...

Loved the ripples and ridges of this hosta.

I can't remember if these little twisted clematis balls are pre or post flowers, but interesting, eh?

Winding wisteria.

Last iris of the season?

Amazingly, perfectly manicured beds, although I wondered, why no mulch?

Interesting use of old/dead tree branch for a clematis to climb.

There's something very whimsical about poppies.

 Ginko!

Potting shed (and organization) envy...

Oranges! One of my master gardening classes will be about fruit trees.

Black petunias were uber trendy this year, love them paired with that coleus.

Also love the multi-hostas look, paired with astilbe. Sharp shady combo!

 Urban oasis...

Why I Hate Container Gardening...And Why I Still Do It Every Year

July 4th marked another poor execution (a very late execution) in my yearly obligatory display of annuals. Gardening confession: I don't even really like container gardening. In fact, I may hate it and here's why:

Buying annuals is like doing inventory. First, I have to take stock of all of my containers and try to estimate how many annuals will fit in each container. Then, I have to go through the process of picking out size, texture, type and color combinations, and I start to have a petunia panic attack in the garden center. Even after counting, recounting and all of my planning, I'm still usually left with too much or too little.

Containers are like being in a high-maintenance relationship: You don't water me enough, you water me too much, cut back my stems, I'm looking leggy, don't put me in the shade, I'm way too hot, get me out of the sun, I have root rot, you didn't give me enough drainage... It's enough to make any modest gardener feel inadequate.

Annuals are like crack to pests. I just hope the four-lined bug that overdosed on my dahlias last year got some professional help.

My expectations are way too high. In my mind, I create these lush, overflowing vessels of flowers that have BHG knocking on my door for a photoshoot. (It's good to have aspirations, right?) In real life, not so much. This year, I have various begonia mash-ups. Who knew that their jutty stems would make them so difficult to make nice arrangements? Reminds of the summer I planted geraniums. I think I was glamored by their colors...

Every year I seem to experience these same issues. Every year I think it will be different. (You know what they say about people who do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results.) So why do I put myself through the agony? Containers are temporary. Annuals only last one season. And, one of these summers, we'll figure out how to make this love-hate relationship work.

I Love New York (Gardens)

I spent Memorial Day Weekend in the Big Apple, shopping on 5th Avenue (including more than one trip to Tiffany and Co.), a morning at the MoMA, visiting Ground Zero and walking through the great parks of Manhattan. Check out the garden highlights.

Alliums were in bloom everywhere. It was neat to catch them before they were completely open.

Not sure what this flower is, but can you see what's in the background?

There were some of the largest hostas I've ever seen. More shots from Battery Park.

What trip to NYC would be complete without a visit to Central Park, including Sheep Meadow, Strawberry Fields and the Bow Bridge.

Humble Abodes

How about creating some homes and habitats for the creatures that literally help your garden grow?

Bird Houses
Bird houses add instant charm to any yard and come in just about any style (and price range) to fit your fancy. Or, you can always build your own, if you're feeling crafty. Bird houses also play a role in bird conservation, particularly in urban areas where there are fewer natural places to nest. But, not all bird houses are created equal. Certain houses attract certain types of birds, so if you want to woo a particular species, do your research.

Mason Bees
Mason bees are solitary, workaholic pollinators and rarely sting. Since they live sans roommates (meaning, they don't create colonies or hives with others), give them a comfy place to call home. I love this idea from Martha Stewart on how to create a simple home for Mason bees out of bamboo sticks.

Bat Houses
Unfortunately, bat populations are diminishing due to declining habitats. Sure, many of us cringe at the thought of creating environments to attract bats, but hear me out. Bats eat mad amounts of mosquitoes, moths and other troublesome insects. A single bat can eat anywhere from 2,000-6,000 insects per night. For all you vegetable gardeners, this is another great means of organic pest control. And, if you give them a proper home, the less likely they are to squat in yours.

Check out this site for more fun facts about bats, and the right way to purchase and install a bat house.

















Top left: Martha Stewart's bamboo mason bee home. Middle left: Chic bird houses from Romence Gardens. Bottom left: Crate and Barrel's driftwood bird house. Middle: Victorian bat house from Best Nest. Right: Anthropolgie's ultra-modern bird house selection.

Garden Pick-Me-Up

Someone at work is collecting coffee grounds for their garden. How do I know this? Well, my super sleuth skills have honed in on the plastic container on top of the coffee maker with a label that says “coffee grounds.” If they are not for their garden, what else would they be for?

Actually, there are quite a few uses for spent coffee grounds—odor absorber, abrasive scouring and cleaning agent, skin exfoliant, and yes, cellulite reducer.

But, coffee grounds are best used in the garden. Here’s the why and how:

• They are a compost pile wonder. Just toss in, filter and all (teabags, too!) Consider them “green” not “brown” material (even though, yes, they are in fact brown), but they are full of nitrogen, which essential for plant growth. 
• Create a natural fertilizer by applying grounds directly to beds and working into the soil. Plants that prefer more acidic soil, such as rhododendrons, azaleas, roses and even fruit trees will particularly develop a caffeine addiction. Or, use this recipe to create a fast-acting liquid fertilizer. Dilute coffee grounds with water at a rate of ½ lb coffee to 5 gallons of water. Mix and spray!
• Rumor has it that grounds repel slugs, snails and ants. Chemical-free pest control!
• Use as a mulch in beds or containers.
• Amend your soil (pre or post planting) to improve the texture and pH, and attract worms.

So, stock up because whether you use your own, collect from the office or visit your local Starbucks, you really can’t have too much. (Note: I’m not entirely sure, but I think you can still go to Starbucks and take as much as you can carry. I’m sure any local coffee house would give away grounds for a good cause. Ask around!)

I’m not going to get into all the facts and figures about coffee ground waste in landfills. Just check out this page, which gets into the science, and sustainable and social causes behind grounds.

Creeping Charlie, You're Dead to Me!

I say in my best Tony Soprano voice...

I'm waging a war against Creeping Charlie, a formidable landscape enemy.

Creeping Charlie is an invasive ground cover that is part of the ivy family. It crowds out the grass, it's rhizomes make it quick to spread, and it's really tough to completely eliminate. And, if you hear someone say it only likes damp, shady areas, they're liars, because the majority of my yard is in full sun. And, the majority of my yard happens to be Charlie.

I'm taking back what's mine through force (and extreme measures, if necessary). I have my arsenal planned, and while nukes aren't an option (although, I have heard of people using a blow torch), being vigilant tends to be the best strategy. Hit hard, hit often, in the fall and after it flowers in the spring for best control. Yes, control. The success stories of those who have actually eradicated Charlie are few and far between.

A great lawn is the foundation for any great landscape. And, I want to be able to run barefoot through my own backyard. If it takes a persistent herbicidal cocktail, so be it.

If you think I'm exaggerating, check out this string of Charlie woes, treatments and results.