gardengater's Blog at GardenStew.com

Our Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

gardengater — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:23:22 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:23 pm (GMT 0)

We recently spent a few days driving through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in our state. Here are a few of the veiws.

First Results

gardengater — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:50:05 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2008 6:50 pm (GMT 0)

Having just returned from a trip to the mountains, we were happy to harvest the first results from the Waterbed Box, Pac Choy, grown in less than 4 weeks.

Our Future Gardens?

gardengater — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:35:09 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2008 5:35 pm (GMT 0)

Charlie became interested in a new type of gardening when I asked him to make me some soda bottle pots. He researched for hours as usual and came up with self-contained planting boxes.
We have Pac Choy, Broccoli, Collards, Lettuce planted. This has been a fun experiment.

Summer memories

gardengater — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:01:34 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 8:01 pm (GMT 0)

Ever wonder where the term "Dog Days" comes from? The ancients believed that when Sirius, the Dog Star, rose at the same time as the sun, they should sacrifice a brown dog to appease the rage of Sirius, believing that the very bright star was causing the hot, sultry weather. No offence to those with little brown dogs.
I was perusing some nice old summer photos named "Summer Grannies" and started to remember the things I used to do on my Grannies' farm, long ago.
I loved her spankin white geese that lived in the yard, and helping her feed them.
I loved the thick featherbed we slept under.
I loved the flowers in her yard and making "dancing ladies by turning the Bleeding hearts inside out.
Try it!
I loved the walk up the dirt road, past the scary bull to the neighbors' because at the end of that test were home made cookies and milk.
I loved sleeping out in the tent with my cousins and getting scared at the night sounds.
Oh, the joys of a childhood summer.

Home and Travel

gardengater — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:11:24 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:11 am (GMT 0)

These photos are from my stomping grounds and places nearby. Charlie and I love to visit the rivers and woods that we live by:

This river empties into the ocean and dolphins migrate here to have their calves. It is so cute to watch a pod, parents and calf swim together.

Surviving the Dog Days

gardengater — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:37:36 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 6:37 pm (GMT 0)

Garden Bounty

gardengater — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:05:55 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:05 pm (GMT 0)

Garden Magic

gardengater — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:42:29 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:42 pm (GMT 0)

Peek under the leaves of the veggie garden and what do I see? Four muskmelons in stages of growth from Kiwi size to bowling ball size! Summer squash poking out yellow toes under the leaves and purple asparagus pushing up a good size stalk, promising more in the future. The cucumbers we have already tasted crisp and tasty, and healthy green beans are hanging off the bush.
The fall garden seeds have already been ordered and will start seeds of beets, spinach, Chinese greens, leeks, garlic cloves and carrots. I'm trying the self-watering pot to start some of them.
....and summer goes on and on.

Border Progress

gardengater — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:49:35 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:49 pm (GMT 0)

Newcomers

gardengater — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:23:58 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:23 pm (GMT 0)

I have new guests to add to my rose garden. Six new Hemerocallis daylilies.
Apricot Sparkles, Dragon's Eye, Chicago Apache, Going Bananas, Daring Deception, Jungle Beauty, oh, and free gift Strawberry Candy. They're soaking their little toes in some diluted plant food right now, but tomorrow, in they go with some nice dry compost and "Rootblast", then a good blanket of bark mulch.
The border is filling in well also, with the help of a couple of sky-blue Plumbago and sparkling white Vinca. The tiny Raspberry Sundae Verbena are taking off too. Cosmos and Red Sunflowers started from seed are three feet tall and about to bloom. It's all growing great guns!!

Fruit in the vegetable garden

gardengater — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:32:47 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:32 pm (GMT 0)

Tomato plants started indoors which my cat Casey slept on, but rallied as soon as I put them in the garden. The cukes are almost seedless and crunchy! I put in a second planting of Bush Beans and lettuce yesterday. My new deep rose, dinner plate Hibiscus also went in. Beside, all the plants got a good feeding. Whew am I tired.

Gardengater

Lingh Lingh

gardengater — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:56:40 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:56 pm (GMT 0)

I do love rose water!

Thank you

gardengater — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:36:35 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:36 pm (GMT 0)

Just a thank you for all your very nice responses to my first photos. I didn't put captions on, so just to identify - the large rose bush is Knockout Rose, around the angel are daylilies and Autumn Joy Sedum. The large bush in background is Butterfly Bush.

My walkabout this morning revealed stalks of Asparagus just grown up since the heavy rain we had last night, also starting to harvest cukes. The Heirlooms have set some tomatoes - something to look forward to.

My rescued roses are budded and will bloom soon. More pictures!

I had guests this weekend, a niece and her daughter who just graduated from high school. We went dolphin watching and spent time on the beach. Of course there was a lot of eating going on. Our seafood here at the beach is very, very good. We are so blessed. Hope you all are enjoying the fruits of your labors.

Gardengater

Visitors of the serpent class

gardengater — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:56:18 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:56 pm (GMT 0)

I love critters great and small, however the latest visitor took my breath away. As I worked on one of my beds a sudden slithering movement caught my eye. It was a long black snake with white markings and beady eyes. He quietly climbed up the side and into a convenient hole in the side of my home and underneath as if he lived there, which I hope he doesn't with all my heart. My husband feels he's a non-poisonous variety and looked for temporary abode. (I think he was making me feel better) Such is life in beautiful, rural North Carolina. I'll take it.

Gardengater

The Strawberry Patch

gardengater — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:09:02 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:09 pm (GMT 0)

My neglected strawberry patch got some much needed care with compost and a black mulch. I don't know what kind they are, but continue to have berries into July. Very sweet! I still need to fix with bird screening as our local Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Robins love them. I can't wait to combine them with my Rhubarb in a great topping for cake. This is the fun of summer days.

Gardengater

Gifts from the Garden

gardengater — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:37:45 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:37 pm (GMT 0)

Yesterday was clean up the veggie garden day. Once the distracting weeds were out of the way, I discovered two more melons and tiny cukes starting. four Heritage peppers, and cabbage were added. Hope it's not too late. The spinach never got very big, but enough for a salad of baby leaves, yum.

My good husband put up a trellis over my back door and I've planted Carolina Jessamine next to it. It has a fabulous scent when in bloom. Can't wait. The Will Goodwin Clematis is climing up a trellis in a container on my front porch. Will it bloom this summer ? It's a new plant.

Gardens are popping up all over in our neighborhood. Where there were plain lots are now Petunia beds, stone walks and porch containers, even another small veggie plot. Charlie says "we've started a craze here" and I so hope so. Our yards look so much happier.

We're getting new neighbors. Wish us another gardener.

Gardengater

Rose Revival

gardengater — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:14:49 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:14 pm (GMT 0)

Hallelujah!!
The roses are coming back! I recently cut back four roses infected with Black Spot. I used a systemic fungicide on emerging leaves and they appear to be thriving, nary a spot - out, out, darn spot. One even has tiny buds with blooms, unbelievable. I am watching them carefully. I would like an organic solution to the problem, as I use as little spray as possible. I just had to save my babies.

Gardengater

Collecting Seed !?!

gardengater — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:17:52 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:17 pm (GMT 0)

I need advice on seed collection. How does one know when seed is ready to collect? Can they be dried in microwave or do they like to be air dried? So many questions - do I store in baggies or jars, in cupboard or refrigerator? Those tiny specks that hold the genes for new plant life are a total mystery to me. I will search and collect and replant and hope that they come to life to start a new cycle.

Solving watering problems

gardengater — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:14:05 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:14 pm (GMT 0)

Last year and the year before I carried dozens of gallons of water to my plants. This year I've improved my system. I have a garden on either side of my home and veggie plot in the back. My husband, Charlie installed a 2-hose fixture on the faucet to which I attached a soaker hose on one side,threaded through the border and regular hose on the other for rose garden and veggies. This is saving my back this year and getting water needs met. Yeah for Charlie.

gardengater

Special Visitor

gardengater — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:52:25 -0400

Author: gardengater
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 8:52 pm (GMT 0)

I've been recieving many nice responses to my questions, I know will improve my techniques. Today I had a special visitor. While sitting on my front deck, under my very pleasant umbrella watching the birds and butterflies, a small brown bird with cream speckled breast dropped into an old watering can next to me and gave me the "eye". He flew off into the beautiful bradford pear tree in our yard. Later he came again, practically landing on my table. I hope they know that they are welcome and visit again. They seem to like my deck garden. I know the lizards do. I've added another Black and Blue Salvia to make a bigger "show" and a new variety of red, with a gorgeous scent. Slowly but surely, I'll have the "cottage garden" I want. I keep a picture of what I want it to look like on my kitchen wall. I believe if I look at it long enough, it will materialize.(with a lot of work of course.

gardengater