First of all, let me thank you for coming to my garden blog post from Tuesday Garden Party last week and commenting - I really love to hear your comments and tips. I promise I will be better about replying back!
This week in the garden, I finally feel like all my hard work is paying off. I enjoy myself in every moment I spend out there. Even my lazy dogs enjoy the peace even if they had to give up their poop patch to attain this garden.
Something that I love in my gardens are bright pops of color. When you have green vegetables and plants as far as the eye can see, it is nice to have a little bright orange or pink thrown in to the mix to make you smile.
I've never been afraid to plant a container, and that is saying a lot because my mom is a fantastic whiz at container gardening.Seriously, she takes it to a whole new level. So even though I often cannot replicate her containers, I will take bits of inspiration from her.
For instance, she always plants perennials in her containers and when they come back in the spring, she will plant annuals around them. It makes the container instantly seem very full and lush and saves you $$ on buying annuals.
Last year I planted a corkscrew grass, mint, some diathus, and annuals in a pot. The mint, grass, and diathus all came back in full force.
And it was great to have the mint contained, but giving height and greenness to the container. I'm enjoying my peppermint tea at night courtesy of this container!
Also, in my herb box, I find it necessary to keep a small pair of scissors right next to the plants. I use a $0.99 kid pair that I place right on the corner. I don't know about you, but I will be in the middle of cooking a dish and then I'll think, "Oh wait, I need thyme" and I'll run out and find that it is really convenient to have the scissors right there waiting for me so I can get back inside quickly.
As mentioned, I love pops of color in the yard. In my particular backyard garden, the bed that borders along my back fence is always covered in shade. So that is a perfect opportunity to plant impatiens. They produce bright color like no one's business all summer long (if you keep it MiracleGrowed a least once a month). Plus I love the contrast of ferns, impatiens, heucheras (coral bells), and clematis vines. When I'm working in the vegetables, it keeps me lightened to look over and see COLOR!
You may think, Wow - she sure spent a fortune and went to town with the impatiens. Actually, I only spent $10 on the entire bed of flowers! Fred Meyer ( a local grocery/all purpose store in the Northwest) has a Memorial Day sale every year where they sell flats of flowers for $10. There are easily 30 plants in the flat, but they are freely planted, so you have to cut out the starts with a knife. Not a big deal for me. And like i said, if you Miracle Grow them every month, by mid-July you get full, lush colorful plants! (and quick disclaimer - MiracleGrow only touches my annual flowers - never anything edible!)
Last tip I have to mention, you must remember to wear protection from the sun. My sunhat is always poised next to my back door for when I want to run out. I was diagnosed with skin cancer two years ago on my nose and it required 4 hours of MOHS surgery to remove it. Be sure to prevent sun damage by wearing a hat or sunscreen every time you go out.
I do and so does my garden helper beauty.
11 comments:
Very darling post my darling. You have taught me a thing or two about veggies, so we know it is in the blood line. It all look so relaxing no all you need is some Mozart or "smooth jazz" playing in the background and Never Never Land(necer wanting to go inside and break the magic) love you
Shannan,
I love all of the Impatiens! I used to have them everywhere at my old house and neighbors would always stop to admire them. Plus, they would re-seed themselves! The scissor idea is great. My 2 year old would love to get a handle on those if I left them out.
And finally, cute blog! Thanks for stopping by and if you lived closer I would share the "fruit of my labor" with you. ;o)
Hope to see you again!
Kristin
You look fantastic!
Love the color in your garden! Great idea about the scissors - I keep a pair on the counter just outside my sliding glass door for the same reason. Thanks for sharing!
love your garden, thanks for teh sissor tip, I'm trying my hand at herbs this year, not sure what to do with them but I'm growing them! LOL
Helen
Your gardens are beautiful. It is fun to check out everyone's gardens.
Your garden is beautiful! But what really cracks me up are the dogs, they look like how I feel... so HOT here in Philly!!! Enjoy!
Shannan, everything looks beautiful! I love the scissor idea.
I am so glad you said that about sun protection. I was diagnosed and had Mohs in December, ugh! I cover everything now... wide brim and long sleeve light cotton shirts for me!
I just love your yard, Shannan- I've been looking at your flower edges in your veggie posts, trying to see what you had growing there, so I was glad to see this post. :-) I love the constant color from impatiens, too. I just didn't get any planted this year. Thanks for the great post!
I would love to have that container of yours as well. So I can tea before going to my long-waited sleep of the day. LOL. Thanks for sharing these photos. My garden is actually just coping up nicely with the hot weather we have. BUt hopefully it goes through it.
Your garden is so relaxing! All my worries will be gone when I sit in front of a garden like yours. I love the color combination of the flowers it makes your garden lovely and happy!
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