Plants in the Home

I don't really have a green thumb. Well, maybe to some percentage I do, but I think it's pretty natural to compare oneself to their mother, and my mother had a passion for plants and gardens. She even had a degree in botany. My dabbling in the plant world always seem quite amateur in comparison. But, looking at the labels on my blog, I realize that I do post a fair amount about my garden, roses, lavender, and wildflowers. There's something about natural things that grow in the house or yard that make a home cozy and inviting for me. Recently I planted my herb garden. It's growing in a sunny spot in several antique washtubs. Generally one of each type of herb I want and use is enough. But parsley is the exception. The price of a 4" potted parsley plant at the nursery was somewhere between $3.00 and $4.00. And I want a lot of parsley! It dries so well and then can be used all winter long. Instead, I found a packet of parsley seeds for $1.49 and a package of starter discs for $2.50. I decided it was worth a try. It's really been fun checking on my little "parsley garden" every day. They sit in a casserole dish that's on the front porch where the morning sunshine hits it each day. Before I knew it, they started sending shoots out the top and my garden is growing! I'll be transplanting them to a larger container in my herb garden soon.

Sometimes it is fun to propagate plants in other ways as well. Last summer a dear friend who lives 2,300 miles away sent me a fat, puffy letter that was filled with paper towel wrapped leaves. They were African Violet leaves from her mother's favorite, purple African Violet. Both our mothers are gone now, but we have been friends since childhood, and our mother's are a part of our friendship and connection to one another. She sent a note that said to place the leaves in potting soil and water them. They would grow. There were no roots and she didn't even send them in water. Just dry leaves. I placed them in a flower pot and have tended them all these months. Some of the leaves didn't make it, but others thrived under tender loving care and are soon ready to transplant into individual pots. I am eager to see the blossoms when they mature. I will always think of Nancy and her mother, Ruby, when I look at this violet.

And this begonia plant is also being propagated without seeds. A quilt guild member brought cuttings to guilt meeting and said she'd trimmed her begonia and anyone who wanted a start was free to take several home. I put them in a vase of water as soon as I got home and before long they rooted and started sending out new shoots. Recently I planted them in a flower pot and now I'm waiting for them to take off and grow prolifically {I hope}. Some of the leaves near the bottom are not very pretty, as they are torn and tattered right now, but at the roots they have new baby leaves that will soon reach maturity. The old, tattered leaves will then be trimmed away. 

Such simple things can bring such pleasure. Tending plants could be called puttering, I suppose. But helping them thrive and grow is something I choose to do. It seems to keep one grounded and connected with life and nature in so many ways.

Do you tend plants? What are your favorites?

Tufapot [Not a Teapot]

Make a tufapot! Easy and very lightweight, these pots are attractive in a garden or patio. They can be made in any shape, with our without a plastic pot inside, and can be distressed or decorated to go with your garden decor theme. Molded or free-form, the sky is the limit when creating these inexpensive and interesting flower pots.

Ingredients should be measured by volume. Use whatever size of measuring unit you wish. The size is not crucial, but the same unit of measure should be used for each ingredient.

1 1/2 parts peat moss

1 1/2 parts perlite or vermiculite

1 part Portland cement

Step 1: Placed measured perlite in a mixing tub. Dampen or mist it and then set aside.

Step 2: Select a mold (it can be an old pot, a box, or any container of your choice). Cover the mold with plastic. Then, prepare your work areas with plastic gloves, a mixing bucket, water, a dowel or clothespin, and several plastic garbage bags.

Step 3: Place the measured perlite, peat moss, and Portland cement into your

mixing container. With gloves on, hand-mix the ingredients, adding water a small amount at a time. Use care not to add too much water! Your mixture should not be soupy, but rather stay in a firm "ball" in your hand when your hand is cupped and opened.

If water drips from hand when doing this, your mixture is too wet.

Step 4: Place a small amount of the mixture in your hand and then press it against the mold, starting at the bottom. It is desirable to have at least 1" thickness as you work around all sides of the mold. At the top of the mold, place a piece of heavy cardboard and flatten the top surface (this will be the bottom of your pot). Form a hole in the bottom with your dowel or clothespin. This should be in the center for drainage. Leave the object in place as the mixture dries.

Step 5: Use a piece of plastic (torn garbage bag) to cover your tufapot. Set aside and clean up your work area.

Step 6: After allowing to dry for one or two days, "pop" the mold away from the cement mixture. Pull out the dowel or clothespin. Wash container off with water and use a wire brush to clean off the tufapot. Rinse and rewrap the pot in plastic and allow to cure for two weeks.

Step 7: After the 2 weeks of curing, the pot is ready for

planting. Rinse the inside of pot with water to remove excess lime content. Put a small rock over the drain-hole and add potting mixture. Plant and enjoy!

A Very Impromptu Tea!

It was a mixed day of sunshine, rain, clouds, and brisk breezes yesterday. But the sunshine ruled for most of the day. Garden gloves, pruners, and a wheelbarrow were gathered to help me as I trimmed roses and lavender, pulled weeds, and spiffed up the flower beds. 

Nearly done, I went into the house for a glass of water and discovered a missed call on my phone. It was my friend, Tari. I called her back and she said she'd be passing by my house in about half an hour and asked could she stop by. Of course!

I swiftly changed my focus from gardening to making afternoon tea. It was definitely impromptu, plus! It was the end of the week-end and there wasn't a single slice of bread in the house! Time was of essence! I was about ready to resort to "just tea" when I remembered my blogging friend, Tammy, from T's Daily Treasures. She always creates simple and delicious looking tea times. So, I decided to create like Tammy! She truly inspired me.

Old London Melba Toasts and Wasa Rosemary Flatbread were in the pantry. Peanut butter and raspberry jam were found and spooned into little glass containers. Almonds, walnuts and dried apricots made a pretty mixture in Turkish nut bowls. And there was oatmeal cake that was quickly cut into squares and plated.  Adagio Sonata Ceylon was brewed and poured into a teapot and Tari's favorite teacups were found. She'd given them to me for a birthday one year, and when we have tea together, I always use them.

Things were ready to carry out to the porch table when she arrived. Whew! That was a quick put-together! Although it wasn't proper, nor fancy, it was wholesome and a perfect accompaniment to tea. We chatted for an hour or more, soaking in the sunshine, enjoying the tea time snack and friendship.

At some point during our tea time, our family pets found us, one by one. Two dogs and a cat, just hoping for a tasty morsel! So patient and quiet, yet with eyes one could not resist! The pets enjoyed tea time too!

March, the Lion

My mother always said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. I think that there's a lot of truth to her belief. I am always ready for spring long before spring is ready to be here! A sunny day inspires me to find my garden pruners and wheelbarrow, but the desire is squelched quickly on days like today when rain and wind exchange places, and occasionally both work together to create chaos in the garden! 

How is your garden? Do you have flowers in bloom? Or possibly snow on the ground yet? Are you finding that your seed catalog is the closest you can get to gardening right now?

The Flowers of Spring

It took awhile for spring to arrive this year. Drizzly, chilly weather slowed the progress of growth in the garden and delayed the blooms of flowers in my garden. But it finally arrived, and it seems vital to duly acknowledge the arrival of spring before the seasons passes on to summer. Hot weather has arrived and the tender blossoms of spring are fading quickly. Lilac, snowball, iris, money plant, peony, dogwood, red bud, rhododendron, tulips, daffodils, cherry, lily of the valley, crab apple, onion blossom, chive blossom, forget-me-not, and more have graced my garden with beautiful blooms this spring. Ninety degree temperatures are sure to fade springs bloom, but summer flowers are soon to follow. Yesterday my roses enjoyed the sunshine and a handful of rose buds opened to full bloom. I'll post pictures of those another day. For now...let's enjoy the beauty of spring.


What's blooming in your part of the world? Pour yourself a cup of TEA and sit down to tell us about those blossoms!



Click on the photos to enlarge. 

People Who Make Us Happy

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." 


Marcel Proust

Recipes for a Beautiful, Natural Garden

An advertisement for something to do with gardening arrived in my mailbox.  The advertisement contains a distracting number of words, cartoon drawings, pictures, and boxed text.  It's somewhat overwhelming, but the garden recipes it contained caught my eye.  Since this is my web journal and a place where I post things that I may want for future reference, I'll post some of the recipes here for safe-keeping.  Maybe you will appreciate them too!

Ant's Away!


5 Tbsp. cornmeal
3 Tbsp. bacon grease
3 Tbsp. baking powder
3 packets yeast


Stir the bacon grease and cornmeal together, creating a paste.  Add the baking powder and yeast.  Mix until well blended.  Place a dab of this mixture in a shallow container and set in areas where ants are prolific.  Ants will love this mixture!  And so will you, because it will eliminate them!

Spicy Critter Tonic


4 tsp. dry mustard
3 Tbsp. cayenne
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. cloves
1 Tbsp. hot sauce
2 quarts water, warm


Stir ingredients together in a garden bucket.  Transfer a portion to a watering can and sprinkle in areas of garden where animals are venturing.  [Alma uses a recipe similar to this for her garden and it works well to keep deer at bay!]

Miracle Boost for Container Plants


1/2 cup Epson salts
1/4 cup coffee grounds [Starbucks gives them away by the bag full!]
1 Tbsp. instant tea granules
4 eggshells, dried and crushed
2 gallons of potting soil


Combine the ingredients in a large garden bucket.  Use in small planters for growing seeds, in pots for indoor plants, and more.  Great for vegetables and other plants.

Rose Heaven Tonic


2 Tbsp. instant tea granules
1 Tbsp. dry red wine powder
1/2 Tbsp. fish emulsion
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. iron [available at garden centers]
1 gallon water


Mix ingredients together in a garden bucket.  Pour 1 quart of this mixture on each rose bush every three weeks.  The result will be a fabulous display of rose blossoms!

Aphid Buster


3 quarts of water
2 Tbsp. horseradish, bottled
2 cups cayenne peppers, chopped fine


Boil the water then remove from stovetop.  Add peppers and horseradish.  Stir and steep for one hour.  Allow to cool and strain.  Toss the solids and pour the liquid into a spray bottle.  Use to spray leaves of plants that are bothered by aphids.  Also works on other small, leaf pests.

Leafy Greens Formula


1 can of beer
1/2 cup fish emulsion
1/2 cup ammonia
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1/4 cup instant tea granules


Mix ingredients together in a bucket.  Place in a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer and spray leaves until well coated.  You will be rewarded with shiny, vibrant leaves.

Lawn Fertilizer


1 can beer
1 can cola [with sugar]
1 cup apple juice
1 cup ammonia
1 cup lemon-scented dishwashing liquid [not anti-bacterial]
1 cup all-purpose plant food [15-30-15]


Mix everything together in a garden bucket.  Pour 1 quart of mixture into a 20 gallon hose-end sprayer.  Apply it to lawn and repeat every three weeks.

Weed Killer!


1 quart water
5 Tbsp. white vinegar
2 Tbsp. salt


Bring the water to a boil.  Stir in the vinegar and the salt.  While the water is still very hot, pour mixture directly onto weeds.  Good for tough, deeply-rooted weeds and thistles.  [Plain boiling water also works on many weeds.]

Wasp Trap Formula


1/2 cup sugar
1 cup vinegar, apple cider
1/2 cup water
1 peel of banana, chopped


Dissolve the sugar and water in a small bucket.  Add the vinegar and banana peel.  Add more water to 1 gallon amount.  Stir well.  Hang from a tree branch.  Wasps will be attracted and die.

Herbs in a Teacup

As autumn makes its presence known, the outside garden is changing its colors. Golds, reds, and oranges are starting to rim leaves on trees. A few brave roses, thankful for the cooler weather, are blooming with renewed energy. And the lawn is lush and green after hot summer days. Our first 'killing frost' usually arrives in mid-October. It's always a day of mourning for me, as I grieve the loss of roses, herbs, and green. This year I decided to extend the season as long as possible, and brought some of nature's herbs indoors!


A local plant nursery has all their plants on sale for half price. They are lush, full-grown, abundant, and fragrant! I bought a tray of fresh herbs and filled a giant teacup with sage, black pearl pepper, lemon thyme, stevia rebaudiana, and sweet basil. They grace my coffee table with beauty and energy. Their fragrance fills the air! When I want a bit more, a gentle rub between thumb and fore-finger enhances their smell and it's more delightful than any perfume. It is aromatherapy at its best! When dinner comes, a snip or two here and there add sweet or savory flavors to mealtime. Visual beauty, fragrant essence, and flavorful delight!

Better a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs 15:17

June!

Overnight, we have jumped from March to June. At least it feels that way because of the weather we have been having. Rainy, cool days have been constant this spring. The Japanese iris in my garden, that usually start blooming the first of May, are beautifully blooming in June this year instead. I'm even having to learn a few new gardening techniques, because plants that usually thrive in our climate are soggy and grumpy about the extra moisture! Some have even wilted because of too much water and I've had to rebuild my hanging planters more than once. On the other hand, the lawn and other parts of my garden are thriving! So are the weeds! And my roses are blooming magnificiently! It will be interesting to observe the garden as the month progresses. This month also brings many happy events --- a family birthday, a celebration for the new university graduate in the family, and the wedding of a very dear friend. April showers may bring May flowers, but this year I'm hoping that the March winds blow much JOY into June days!

Happy 1st of May!

 

Homemade Insecticide

HOMEMADE INSECTICIDE

1 tbsp. of baking soda
1 tsp. of dish soap (any kind)
1 gallon water

Place mixture in a spray bottle.  Spray three times weekly, making sure to get the underneath the leaves in order to to remove the sticky residue from any bugs.

Worm Tea

 

I've been reading about worm castings and how they benefit the garden and have discovered some interesting things. It seems that worms just cannot get enough of worm castings. They are a rich, all-natural source of organic matter. They are full of the nutrients that makes plants grow lush and full. It seems that worms swallow more than their body weight in organic matter in one day. What's left over creates soil that is very rich in nitrogen, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, and potash. It's more valuable to the garden than the richest and finest topsoil. Castings are like a time-release fertilizer. Since they have an oily coating on them, they don't break down immediately, but slow-release over time. Unlike fertilizer, they can't and don't burn plants and can be used abundantly.

Worm castings can be used for:

1.) mixing with potting soil, creating a great environment for germinating seeds; use about 20 - 30% castings to sand.

2.) use as a soil conditioner (they release slowly over time) by placing equal layers of soil and castings in a container or flower bed; water and plant.

3.) use as fertilizer; sprinkle the castings over the base of plants, dig into the soil, and water.

4.) worm castings can be mixed with water to make WORM TEA and then sprayed on plant leaves or added to soil; to make worm tea, add a couple large handfuls of worm castings into the center of a piece of burlap or muslin.  Tie it closed and submerse into a bucket of water. Let it sit overnight, then pull it out, drain, and use the water as your WORM TEA.  The leftover castings are still beneficial to the garden, although some of the nutrients have been leached out into the water.  Use both the tea and remaining castings to enrich your garden.

So, out to the sidewalks during a warm rain, or set to work digging in the yard. Find all those worms and put them in your garden to make castings! Some people compost indoors using special containers that use worms to eat table scraps and compost -- that's a great way to make castings. If you can't find enough worms, watch for signs along the roadway.  Sometimes fishermen sell worms from home. Or check with your closest fishing supply shop.  They sell worms by the dozen.  Worm tea will do wonders for your garden!

*The iris in the photos are miniatures that I brought home from my mom's garden when we sold her home.  They were quickly planted in pots and have been there ever since.  They make such a beautiful bouquet for the back porch when they are in bloom!  I suppose it is time to divide them and plant some of them in an outside flower bed.

Pinky and the Plants

Karleen invited me to look for herbs and vegetable starts at the plant nursery this afternoon.  It was a warm and sunny day.  Beautiful blossoms greeted us as we walked through the street entrance.  The fragrance of herbs was enticing as we rubbed their leaves between our fingers, searching for the most fragrant and flavorful varieties.  Dill, stevia, oregano, rosemary, tomatoes, peppers, and more filled the baskets in our cart as we carefully choose just the right plant for our herb pots and vegetable gardens.  But what was the most fun of all?  It was finding Pinky and friends, hiding under the check-out table.  Thanks for a fun afternoon, Karleen!

Waiting for Spring Gardens

There's nothing like fresh garden produce to give fresh ingredients for kitchen use.  My cozy kitchen has been void of home grown greens for too long now!
 
March is the month where winter and spring have their spats.  Sometimes winter doesn't like to give up its hold, yet spring gently pushes her way into each day.  Daffodils and crocus show promise of spring while blustery winds and chilly days share the stage.  Snow is still passing by occasionally and the distant mountains are covered with a white coat of snow. If one has garden fever, this coldness in quite inhibiting! Instead of turning the soil and sprinkling seeds, garden books and seed catalogues will have to do for now. The garden gloves and seed packets are in the garden shed, just awaiting the day when they can be used! In the meantime, if you want to sow some seeds inside, here are some tips:

Fill a clean pot or container with potting mix until about 3/4 full. Use a large spoon to tamp down the soil. Spray the soil with a kitchen faucet sprayer or a spray bottle. Spread seeds on the mix, taking care that they not be overcrowded. Poke them into the soil with your finger and then cover with a small amount of soil and pat down. If you are using really small seeds, combine them with soil or sand before broadcasting and then tamp down with the back of a spoon or your palm. All the seeds should be covered with a fine layer of soil. Gently water again and then place the pot in a large zip-lock bag or clear bread bag. Seal with a twisty and keep in a warm spot until seeds sprout. After they have sprouted, you can take them out of the bag and place them in a sunny spot. After danger of frost is past, plant them outside in your impatient and ready garden!

Lavender Baskets, Lavender Dreams

 

The lavender stems I started rooting earlier this week are doing well.  They are vibrant and healthy looking so far.  I will admit to even pulling one up to see what was going on under the dirt!  I could see tiny white 'nubs' where roots are starting to grow.  Hopefully I will get the watering formula right, as it is somewhat touchy at this stage.  Generally lavender does not like to have 'wet feet' and grows best if the plants do not receive an abundance of water.  But the instructions for the new little plants are to water twice a day.  Since they don't have roots yet and they need to grow some, I am watering twice daily, but with some reservation.  It will be fun to watch them grow and mature.

There are so many ways to enjoy lavender.  Lavender plants growing in the garden are beautiful and are lovely to be enjoyed simply in nature.  But the long stems with their gray-blue flowers are also appealing to pick and make into wands, bottles, or baskets.  They make a room or drawer so fragrant!  A bowl of lavender bud in a basket or crystal bowl is such fun to run your fingers through when walking by a table that they are set on.  Lavender thoughts and dreams on a February day!    

  

 

Lavender Renewal

 

With sunny weather this week, it simply has been impossible to stay inside.  All week long, work has been done in the yard as trimming, pruning, and weeding has been completed.  If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know I love lavender!  At one time our garden had over 100 lavender plants of forty different varieties.  Lavender plants have a tendency to grow woody stems over time, and although ours have been trimmed faithfully each autumn, they have become somewhat unruly and overgrown.  With reluctance, about thirty lavender plants were pulled up, making way for new plants after spring arrives.  I decided this was a good time to learn how to propagate new plants from some of my favorite old ones.  Stems of the silvery leafy-green plant were cut and prepared for rooting.  After removing the lower leaves, each stem was dipped in honey and then placed in potting soil to root.  Twice a day they are gently watered and each little planter is set in larger trays and set in a warm place.  They seem to be doing well, and although they have only been set to grow a day or two, I couldn't resist pulling one up to see what was going on in the soil.  I'm quite sure I saw a tiny little root starting on the stem I pulled, but it could be wishful thinking.  Time will tell.  

Diana, Princess of Wales Rose

Autumn brings cooler weather, and the roses perk up, blooming like spring again for a few short weeks. Since the weatherman is predicting freezing nighttime temperatures, I decided to take some last pictures of my roses for this season. The Diana, Princess of Wales rose by my back porch is my all-time favorite. Its soft colors blend together beautifully and represent the "People's Princess" so well. Enjoy the last of the season as we look forward to the one ahead.

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Morning Glories and Chatter

This morning I'm headed out to pick a bucket of Simplicity pink roses for Paula. She's doing an antique show with her sister this week-end, and they are decorating their booth with fresh flowers. How fun to be able to share with them in this way! Earlier I walked my yard, looking at what was in bloom and might be of benefit to them. The roses are nice, but what it so magnificent right now are the morning glories climbing the dog kennel fence! They are a jumble of heart-shaped leaves and purple and hot pink flowers! Each morning they are at their best, but take an early nap mid-afternoon, disappearing into themselves, only to open wide again the next morning. I wish they could be cut and shared for the antique booth, but they are too tender. So, with morning glory thoughts in mind, I thought I'd share with you a tea towel I embroidered on linen --- one that was inspired by my garden morning glories. Thanks for stopping by and may your day be glorious!

Glorious Morning Glory

Glorious Morning Glory

Morning glory. I remember hearing those words from my mother when I was a child. Morning glory was an invasive weed and was pesky in mother's beautiful flower beds. I used to wonder why it was called a weed, though, as I thought the pristine white flowers so very pretty. A few years ago I discovered a new kind of morning glory. This ones winds and grows its way up a trellis or fence, and looks elegant and beautiful with its large blossoms in a variety of colors. Deep blue, purple, and pink flowers look like faces that poke out from a tangle of heart-shaped leaves. The faces disappear in the late afternoon, but return full force in the morning. Non-invasive, yet abundant, morning glories are truly glorious!

*Our dogs get relief from the summer heat during the summer months when the morning glory vines cover their kennel walls, as they create welcome shade.

After Gardening Soak

It's July --- which means the weeds are growing in the garden --- and need pulled so we can continue to enjoy the beautiful flowers and veggies we planted last spring. It also means it's quite hot outside. Aches and pains are intensified with all the sweat and labor. Here's a simple recipe for the bath to help sooth your muscles and help you relax. Enjoy a warm soak while sipping on a glass of iced Strawberry & Lavender Lemonade.

After Gardening Soak

1/4 cup lavender, dried
1/4 cup rosemary, dried
1/4 cup eucalyptus, dried

Pour 4 cups of boiling water over herbs and allow to steep for 20 minutes or longer. Remove herbs and add the liquid to bath water. Relax and enjoy. Be soothed!

Strawberry & Lavender Lemonade

2 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups sugar
6 large strawberries
1 tablespoon lavender flowers, dried
2 1/2 cups water
2 1/4 cups lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
Fresh lavender flower stems for garnish

Combine 2 1/2 cups water, sugar, and strawberries in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. After sugar dissolves, reduce heat and simmer for five minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in lavender flowers and cover. Allow mixture to cool. Then, strain into a large pitcher, mashing the strawberries as you strain. Add the additional water with the lemon juice and stir well. Pour into tall glass over ice and garnish with a long stem of lavender and bud. Enjoy!

[Click on the photo if you'd like a larger view]