Visit to Dallas Arboretum

I love visiting public gardens because I get to see rare plants, and I get inspiration for my own garden.   I had the opportunity to visit the Dallas Arboretum, and I wanted to share a few of my favorite gardens.  

McCasland Sunken Garden 

Crape Myrtle Allee

Artwork by Dale Chihuly

Chihuly glass sculptures will be on display at the Dallas Arboretum through November 5, 2012, and they are illuminated on certain nights.

Blue glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly surrounded by mist

Toad Corners

Persian Pond

Persian Pond

Persian Pond

Crocheting Summer Baby Blanket

Photo: Crocheted Summer Baby Blanket

I am crocheting a light, lacey crib blanket this summer.  I have been taking my time doing a little here and there, and I can see this becoming a regular thing because I find it so relaxing.

I am almost done with my first ball of LION BRAND Babysoft yarn in Pink Lemon, and I am about half way done with my project so I will probably end up using one or two more balls of yarn to create a 27" x 38" crib blanket with decorative edging.

For you crocheters or soon-to-be crocheters who like this pattern just look up the "Snapdragon Snitch" pattern from 63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches : Combine Stitches to Make Throws, Pillows, Totes & More (Leisure Arts 3916), ISBN 1-60140-209-0.  It is one of my favorite crochet pattern books, and it only cost about $5.  Not only are the patterns beautiful, but the author also does a great job explaining how to create basic stitches and provides clear directions on how to create these patterns.  

Fennel Seeds Ripening

Photo: Fennel Seeds Ripening

The fennel seeds are ripening.  Hopefully, this time I can harvest a good amount of fennel seeds before the birds make a snack out of them.  I am going to use the seeds to flavor meats and possibly make fennel tea.

Drought brings back memories of 1988 crop losses

Article Written By Christine Stebbins  | Reuters 

Just one year ago Jeff Scates saw the worst flooding on his southern Illinois farmland since 1937. Today, Scates is watching his corn fields shrivel from the driest season in 24 years.

"We've gone from one extreme to the other, from being flooded on three-quarters of the farm now to a drought," said Scates, 42, who with his family members farms 15,000 acres of corn, soybeans and other crops along the Kentucky-Indiana border where the Ohio and Wabash Rivers meet.

Scates said his corn is still in better shape than many fields of his neighbors, who farm sandier soils that do not retain moisture. Moisture is needed to develop a strong root system to sustain plants in the hottest months of July and August.

He says this growing season is reminiscent of the summer of 1988, when the central Corn Belt had significant crop losses. Field conditions were hot and dry early this spring, similar to what happened 24 years ago when local crops, especially corn, were disseminated by lack of summer rains.

"Clearly it's one of these nasty droughts. If it doesn't surpass 1988, it certainly is going to rival it or be among the so-called great droughts we've had in the past 30 years," said Bob Nielsen, extension agronomist at Purdue University, who recalled his time as a crop advisor in 1988 to Indiana farmers....


For Full Story, click here.

Chervil

Photo: Chervil Seedlings

My chervil plant produced a bunch of seeds.  I just stripped them right into this area in the garden, and now I have a whole bunch of chervil seedlings.

First Crop of Grapes

Photo: Grapes Developing on Vine

After three years of waiting, our grapevine has finally produced three bunches of grapes!  They have not fully matured yet, but I had to capture this moment before the birds start pecking at them.

Succulents in a Shell

Photo: Succulents in a Shell

My friend gave me this beautiful succulent arrangement that she made herself!  I love how she arranged the succulent cuttings in this large shell.

Compost Surprise

Photo: Strawberry Plant

Photo: Mystery Plant

I fertilize my plants weekly with compost tea (i.e., water mixed with finished compost).  I allow certain seeds to enter my compost bin, and as you can see some of these seeds have made a home in my garden.  

I identified the first one as a strawberry plant, which I will happily keep.  I am also going to keep the second set of plants just to see what it is.

Continuous Sunflower Blooms

Photo: Successive Plantings of Sunflowers

The sunflowers are blooming against the fence.  I used last year's harvest of sunflower seeds.  The new flowers are smaller in size, and it is probably due to lack of consistent watering and over crowding.  I just threw a bunch of seeds in a row and covered it with soil.

I actually prefer the smaller sunflower heads for floral arrangements.  I planted a new row of sunflowers right in front of the old one.   I am staggering the plantings so that I can have a wall of continuous blooms.

Harvesting Scallion or Green Onion Seeds

Photo: Last Season's Scallion Seeds Sprouting

Photo: Scallion or "Green Onion" Seed Head

Turn left over green onion stalks into a whole bed of scallions.  All you have to do is plant the unused scallions in the soil, and allow at least one stalk to thicken and flower.  The flower will eventually form seeds, which you will use to plant a new bed of green onions.  You can continue to take cuttings from the other scallions for cooking.  

You will know when the seeds are ready to be harvested when the stem of the plant turns yellow, and you may even see some of the black seeds ready to spill out.  

Cut the stem under the seed head during a dry time of the day.  To save the seeds all you need to do is shake the black seeds into a bag or shake the seeds directly into your garden bed.  The seeds should sprout within a week as long as you provide adequate water.  

Garden in a Bottle

Creating the garden

The first step in bottle gardening is to clean and wash the bottle thoroughly with running water and soap. Using a paper funnel made of newspaper, place a thin layer of charcoal, a layer of pebbles and then coarse as a drainage medium....

To learn more about how you can create your own garden in a bottle, click on the following link
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/garden-bottle-062421162.html

Original Post: Manila Bulletin

4 Tips for Picking Perfect Produce

Four tips for picking perfect produce, http://fxn.ws/LMbdvx - Sent via the FOX News Android App. Check out the FOX News Android application. To learn more and download the app, go to http://www.foxnews.com/android

Monet's Green Thumb: How Art Grew From A Garden

Monet's Green Thumb: How Art Grew From A Garden

DIY Apple Seedling Starter Results

Photo: Plants Growing in DIY Apple Carton Seedling Starter

I planted a variety of seeds in a DIY Apple Carton Seedling Starter I created in April. See Post.  As you can see from the photo above, it was a partial success.  Some seeds took off better than others.

What Grew:

1. Anise
2. Broad Leaf Sage
3. Unknown Plant Growing at Peppermint Site
4. Marjoram
5. Horehound
6. Siam Queen Thai Basil
7. Balm
8. Leek

Seeds that Failed to Germinate:

1. Lavender (fragrant)
2. Summer Savory
3. Peppermint
4. Parsley Paramont
5. Chives

Thornless Raspberry Canes Bearing Fruit

Photo: Canby Raspberry Ripening 

Photo: Canby Raspberry Buds Developing Into Fruit

I ordered my Canby Raspberry canes from eBurgess.com earlier this year, and I am surprised these bare sticks formed fruit the first year.  The berries are delicious, and are also a pleasure to pick since Canby Raspberries have no thorns!    

Free Hawaiian Wedding Flower by Mail

Photo: Hawaiian Wedding Flower, Free Plant of the Month by freeplantsbymail.org

Free Plants By Mail (freeplantsbymail.org) was started by local growers as a way to use the surplus plants from nurseries and also as a way to support The Nature Conservancy.  Free Plants By Mail offers a new free plant each month.  This month they are offering a Hawaiian Wedding Flower.  The Hawaiian Wedding Flower is also known as the Stephanotis Flower, which are small, star shaped and sweet-scented white flowers used commonly in weddings.


Although the plant itself is free, you do have to pay a small shipping and handling fee of $6.95.

This organization also has over 100 plants available for sale on their site.  100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to The Nature Conservancy.

Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Tips on Growing a Tastier Tomato

Did you know over-watering your tomato plant can dilute the taste of the tomato?  You can also water your plants with sea water or brackish water to bring out deeper flavors of the tomato.  For more tips, click on the following link:  How To Grow The Tastiest Tomato? One Secret's In The Soil

Sunflowers Emerging

Sunflowers Emerging 2012

Last year I harvested a lot of sunflower seeds.  This year I planted the seeds along the fence to create a wall of sunflowers.  I still have about a half of gallon-size Ziploc bag full of seeds from last year's harvest!

First Bloom: Dutch Iris

Photo: First Dutch Iris Bloom of the Season

I love starting my morning off in the garden especially in Spring when there is so much activity.  This morning one of the Dutch Iris bulbs I ordered from Michigan Bulb Company last year greeted me in full bloom!  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

DIY Apple Carton Seedling Starter

Apple Carton Seedling Starter

This empty apple carton looked like it could be a great seedling starter.  Keeping the soil evenly moist is critical in getting seeds to germinate, and as you can see in the photo above, this container traps moisture well.  This is my first time using this type of container, but I have high hopes.

DIY Apple Carton Seedling Starter

Materials:

• Empty apple container or similar container.  We got this one from Costco.
• Permanent Marker
• Potting soil
• Seeds
• Water (use a hose with a mister nozzle, a spray bottle, or gently pour water from a cup)
• Pen and Paper (to track what seeds you planted)

Directions: 

1. Close the container, and number each dome.  This makes recording what you planted in each dome easier. 
2. Open the container, and fill each space with soil.  
3. Then plant your seeds in each pod, and make sure you write down which seeds were planted in each pod.
4. Then gently water the soil in a way that does not disturb the seeds.  Water until the soil is moist, but not soggy.  
5. Close the container and place it on a level surface in a shady area.  Then wait!  You should not have to water the plant for several days.  Only water the soil if it looks or feels dry to the touch.

Empty Carton

Planting Seeds in Empty Apple Carton

Spittle Bugs Are Hatching

Photo: Spittle bug hiding in "foam" or "spittle"

Foam or a spittle-like substance has appeared on my strawberries, kohlrabi, fennel, parsley, chamomile, African daisies and calendula, which means the spittle bugs (also known as froghoppers) have hatched.
In its earlier stage, spittle bugs take in the sap from plants and secrete bubbles from its other end to cover itself.  This layer of bubbles provide protection from predators.

Although spittle bugs do feed from the sap of plants, the amount of damage is minimal.  Therefore, insecticide is not necessary when there is only a moderate infestation.  Instead I have been dislodging the "foam" and the spittle bug by spraying the affected plants with a strong jet of water from the hose.  Without its protection of foam, the spittle bug will be exposed to natural  predators and the elements.

DIY Plant Supports for Less than a Quarter

Are you looking for cheap plant supports?  I picked up some fence stays for only 18 cents each at Home Depot.  Then I unravelled them and shaped them to create plant supports for my peas.  When shaped into arches, they are sturdy enough to support light, trailing plants like peas.

I created several arches out of fence stays.  The whole project cost less than $2, and took less than 20 minutes of my time.  The peas will grow along the archway, and red giant mustard greens and spinach will grow beneath the archway.

Fence stays transformed into plant supports

Fence Stays

Peas growing on fence stay support

Sage Blooming

My sage plant is blooming.  I love these flowers, and the foliage stays green year round over here.  I am considering planting some in our flower bed.  

Sage Buds

Sage in Full Bloom

Happy Earth Day!

Borage Seeds from last year are emerging from the soil

Happy Earth Day everyone!  Sunny and warmer days are finally here, and I have been hard at work in the garden.

Newly Planted Strawberry Surecrop Bed

New Transplants: 

• Strawberry "Surecrop" - I planted a new bed of surecrop strawberries.  These were advertised to be high-yielding crops at an average of 3 pints of berries per plant, and is supposed to be a consistent producer.  
• Early Girl Tomato - This hybrid tomato plant is an early producer and is supposed to bear 5oz fruits. 
• Grape "Catwaba" - These grapes are supposed to be great for making jams and jellies, and even red wine or champagne.  I will have to patient because this is its first year, and grapes generally produce fruit in their second or third year.
• Raspberry "Thornless Canby" - This plant is suppose to produce extra large, bright red raspberries, but I chose it mostly because it is thornless.  
• Horseradish 
• Jalapeno

From Seed:

• Radish "Early Scarlet"
• Spinach "Bloomsdale"
• Red Giant Mustard Greens
• Cantelope
• Black Zuccini
• Bell Pepper "Yellow Monster"
• Watermelon "Sugar Baby"
• Elephant Garlic
• Edamame
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Bell Pepper "Horizon"
• Stuttgarter Giant Onion
• Swiss Chard "Northern Lights"
• Anise
• Balm
• Siam Queen Thai Basil
• Sweet Basil
• Caraway
• Fragrant Lavender
• Chives 
• Horehound
• Sweet Marjoram
• Peppermint
• Sage
• Summer Savory
• Dill
• Calendula
• Marigold
• Sunflowers
• Carnation (mix)

Cuttings - I am attempting to propagate the following plants by cuttings.

• Maple Tree (green)
• Purple Ice Plant
• Geraniums
• Mosquito (repelling) Plant
• Hydrangea

Freesias Are Blooming

The freesias are blooming in the garden.  I look forward to the sight and smell of these flowers each spring. 

Free Bird of Paradise by Mail

Photo: Free Bird of Paradise", Free Plant of the Month by freeplantsbymail.org

Free Plants By Mail (freeplantsbymail.org) was started by local growers as a way to use the surplus plants from nurseries and also as a way to support The Nature Conservancy.  Free Plants By Mail offers a new free plant each month.  This month they are offering Bird of Paradise plant.  The Bird of Paradise flower resembles a bird that is poking out of the leaves.  Although the plant itself is free, you do have to pay a small shipping and handling fee of $6.95.

This organization also has over 100 plants available for sale on their site.  100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to The Nature Conservancy.

Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Free Agave Plant by Mail

Photo: Agave "Century Plant", Free Plant of the Month by freeplantsbymail.org

Free Plants By Mail (freeplantsbymail.org) was started by local growers as a way to use the surplus plants from nurseries and also as a way to support The Nature Conservancy.  Free Plants By Mail offers a new free plant each month.  This month they are offering Agave "Century Plant".  It takes 100 years for this agave plant to bloom!  Although the plant itself is free, you do have to pay a small shipping and handling fee of $6.95.

This organization also has over 100 plants available for sale on their site.  100% of the proceeds from the sale will go to The Nature Conservancy.

Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Make a Worry List

Photo: 365 Health and Happiness Boosters by M.J. Ryan

Take a tip from M.J. Ryan, and boost your happiness by creating a worry list.  Just put your pen to paper and write down any and all worries that come to mind until you have flushed them all out.  It really is incredibly effective.

M.J. suggests rating your worries from a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the extreme so that you can gain perspective on your everyday worries.  I also found it helpful to write down what I could do to mitigate my concerns.  For example, one of my greatest worries is dying before I get to do all the big things I wanted to do in life so I created a Bucket List (i.e., a list of all the things I want to do before I die).  The years are still flying by and it does not change the fact that tomorrow is not guaranteed, but the bucket list does give me something to actively work on. 

Track Down Lost Money

You may have unclaimed property waiting to be returned to you!  Below are some sources to help you start your search:

State-held Money.  State treasuries hold unclaimed property from uncashed dividend checks, returned utility deposits, uncollected insurance benefits and more.  Visit the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) at http://unclaimed.org/ and click on your state to start tracking down possible unclaimed money.

Old U.S. Savings Bonds.  Visit www.treasuryhunt.gov to start searching for old U.S. Savings bonds.  There are billions of dollars in old savings bonds that have stopped earning interest, but have not been cashed.

Missing IRS Tax Refunds.  If you have not received a tax refund check, you can search for it by using the IRS's Where's My Refund? tool at www.irs.gov.

Other.  For some other possible sources of unclaimed money, please check http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Government-Unclaimed-Money.shtml.

DIY Cardboard Christmas Lights Organizer

Don't throw away those Christmas boxes just yet.  You can tear down a couple and turn them into inexpensive Christmas lights organizers.   

Materials:

• Scissors
• Pen or Marker
• Rectangles cut from cardboard boxes

Directions:

Fig. A

Fig. B

Fig. C

1. Use the scissors to cut the box along the creases.  You should end up with several rectangular pieces.
2. Then use the scissors to make about of 1 inch long cuts at points 1 and 2 (See Fig A).
3. Then insert one end of the wire in slot 1 (See Fig B).  Then start wrapping the Christmas lights around the cardboard working yourself from left to right.  Make sure you leave about 2 inches of space from the edge (See point 3 in Fig A).
4. After you are done hook the end in point 2 (See Fig A). 
5. Now label point number 2 with "Unwind Starting Here" and at point 4 you can label the Christmas light description.  For example, "Christmas Tree Lights, 1 of 2."
6. Store lights away in a container for next year!

365 Health and Happiness Boosters

Photo: 365 Health and Happiness Boosters by M.J. Ryan

True happiness isn't contingent on circumstances.  

It is a sense of contentment that exists independently of the good fortune that might find us.

I would describe myself as a strong, happy, positive person.  I generally can find the silver lining in any situation, find solutions to problems, and have the discipline and strength to resolve any issue.  Of course, that was easy for me because up until a few years ago I have lived my life pretty much the way I had planned it.  I did have my share of trials and tribulations along the way, but there was nothing that I could not overcome on my own.  

Then all of a sudden I was blindsided with some life-altering events that completely derailed me from my life plan.  My future as I had envisioned it had been demolished.  For the first time in my life, I was stuck.  I was in limbo and I hated it.  I could not see my situation clearly, and I knew I needed some additional help this time.  Talking to a therapist was not for me, and talking with family and friends had their limitations so I turned to books.  

This is one of many books, I have read.  It is actually the book that made me realize why I could not dig myself out of my depression: "Feeling stuck is what causes most of the misery" (p. 11).  Difficulties no matter how overwhelming they may seem at the time are still temporary.    When I read this passage I realized I needed to work on acceptance, reevaluate myself and create a new set of goals.    

This is such a great book that I decided to read it all over again one day at a time.  This book is filled with great ideas to "boost" or "enhance" your own happiness.  It is a light-hearted, easy read and is really meant for everyone.  I highly recommend you start the New Year with this book!