Texas in August

I know it’s been a long time since my last post. It’s been a weird time for me. After smoking for 50+ years, it’s a new normal I’ve been working on finding since Easter Sunday!
So far. So good!
Anyway, I’m here now!

It’s hot.
Okay. I’ve stated the obvious.
It’s Texas. It’s mid August.
There. The “weather talk” is now out of the way.
Two tips I have:
Stay hydrated.
Stay cool.

My first ever garden is still green! The grass around it, not so green. The plants aren’t producing much, but they are hanging in there!

My focus has been to do my best to carry it through this heat - four more weeks.

The other day while watering, if I could carry a tune I would have sung this song in my garden:

Another tip I have... get up early! Before dawn! Get your body woke by sunrise. Then spend a few hours in the garden, or on nature walks. Simply get outside!

I begin watering soon after the sun brings enough light so I can watch where I’m putting my feet.
I also check for tomato horn worms.
I work on outside projects - in the shade - until late morning.
I plan the fall garden in the afternoons under the air conditioning.

That’s how I’m getting through August! What tips will you share that helps you get through these triple digits?

A Living Process

I’ve wanted a Labyrinth for years, and happened to walk my first one ever this past Tuesday morning while Bud was undergoing Carotid Endartarectomy. Located on the grounds of Seton Williamson, Roundrock, Texas, I’m thankful the hospital provides such a lovely place that brought me a bit of peace and settled my soul while waiting.

I’m taking a break from reading about planning and designing a garden. Rather, I’m doing research on creating a Labyrinth. I would like to include one in the West Yard Project. My sister recently suggested planting various herbs and plants to make the design, incorporate the “garden” within the Labyrinth - two for one!

When I saw this one, I thought, YES! This is what Sister was talking about!!

http://www.anetnovakdesign.com/beforeafter.html

With the experience fresh on my mind, I know I cannot have one as big as Seton’s, big enough for an individual using a wheelchair. I just don’t have the space within the yard. I can (and will), however, make the paths wide enough for a walker!

I’m wondering, does the Labyrinth have to be symmetrical? I’ve found on Pinterest hundreds of examples and 99.9% are a circle symmetrical. But does it have to be that way? As long as the path takes one to the center circle then back out again the same way, would it work?

From what I’ve read, the attributes of a Labyrinth are:
   to have a one path in and the same path out,
   a center circle,
   and at least one switch back.

Done.

I am going to make it work...

After setting the center circle with concrete curved blocks, I used extension cords and a bit of rope to “map” out the path. I have plenty of irises to transplant what will edge most of the path, at least on one side. The rest of the “blank” spaces will be filled with herbs and perennials. As I  plant the irises, I will measure the path’s width along the way. I have a bit of wiggle room.

It’s a work in progress... it will be a living, growing, entity for my spiritual path.

Library Book - A Review

Oh My Goodness

Handmade for the Garden: 75 Ingenious Ways to Enhance Your Outdoor Space with DIY Tools, Pots, Supports, Embellishments, and More, by Susan Guagliumi, published in 2014 by Stewart, Tabori & Chang.

The day I checked out 12 ebooks from the library, this book wasn’t immediately available so I placed it on hold. It was only a few days later I received notification it was loaned out to me! Honestly, at first glance I thought it was going to be all about “Yard Art” - I love creating yard art - but it’s so much more!

It is a fun informative book with nice photos and illustrations! I’m a visual learner, making this aspect a great feature. She shares what has worked for her, and what didn’t (and the why),  when it comes to making functional garden tools, supplies, and treatments for and in the garden.

I never thought about making my own seed tape!
I never thought about creating a “mini” hothouse!
I never thought about simply anchoring milk jugs when using them as a cloches!
I never thought about how easy a Hoop House could be to make!
I never thought about making a dibble!

And all the above (and more) is in just the first chapter!

She’s just started!

Although potted (container) plants take more watering, I loved the fabric pot concept, and the wall pockets, and will have to make some! I’m thrilled I saved all the burlap...

Seriously, who would have thought about making a plant container/pot out of a soaker hose? BRILLIANT!

Right now, I will just make a note her Chapter 3 is about Mosaics. Although beautiful, I just don’t have the time this year. This book will be my go-to if/when time permits.

Now, Chapter 4 is on Cement & Hypertufa! I’d never heard of hypertufa until this book... gardening has a whole other language I’m slowly learning! I’ve never bought any pots other than terra cotta. I know, I’ve lived a sheltered life. No, not really, just never have gotten this “deep” into gardening before!

I’m excited about working with cement and creating it and hypertufa projects! She even recommends doing a web search for “... ideas, recipes, and inspiration.” But then her explanation how to cast leaves is perfect for the upcoming Fairie Garden, not to mention her Fairy house itself!!!

So, mental note to self... this is the go-to chapter for tips, supplies, techniques!

I know with our high winds I’m going to need various supports in the garden. I like the natural look and Chapter 5, Standing Tall, has clever ways/materials for single supports, tripods, and tuteurs.

I’m excited about the same type of suggestions and instructions she gives in Chapter 6, Rustic Trellises, Fences, Arbors & Box Supports. We may not have white cedar or willow she talks about, but our neighbor has a lot of the invasive bamboo I’m certain he’ll be happy to part with!

Off-Season, Chapter 7's Project & Planning is a good reminder to keep good records of what went where.

I’m most grateful Momma kept a journal of sorts about her rose garden! The actual plant markers were lost on some, but I remembered seeing the garden diagram in one of her favorite garden book. When I went to dig up her roses in Dallas when we sold the house, to bring them here, to The Sprott Country Gardens, I was forever grateful to find that special book! I was able to identify which ones were which!  

I need to do the same.

She talks about time-saving tools. I’m already looking around (here and off property) of what I can repurpose to use in the garden. I am training my eye to see things outside the box.

Oh, but then in this final chapter, it was the clincher, the last straw that made me go over to Amazon and purchase this book: creating markers. It’s an Oh My Goodness how clever this is and that is ...

The money I will save utilizing materials I never considered using as plant markers (and I HAVE on hand) just paid for this (used) book! 

Yes. Basically all the different suggestions shown in the book are probably on Pinterest. If I even thought of them to look up, but I get much too distracted by other things and cannot keep focused! I’d rather have a reference book in hand.

I was also impressed by the thorough list of websites “Sources for Supplies” she provided at the end of the book. It too is divided into convenient sections -

cement/hypertufa and mosaic
fabric, cord, and paper goods
metal and wire
natural materials
paint, stencils, and stamps
miscellaneous tools and supplies

She also offers a nice list of Recommended Reading!

Thank You!

Yes. This is a keeper.


NOTE TO SELF: Find the roll of 1" wide heavyweight copper originally purchased for making custom cookie cutters and repurpose its purpose to engrave for plant markers! It’s somewhere around here, I know it is!

Pathway through the Garden

While in the designing phase, I have envisioned a curvy, meandering pathway through the garden, but how do I create it and with what materials?

Things I need to be mindful:

• Something doable for me to create with little help from Bud. I really really want to do it myself! 
• Something for Momma to easily use with her walker. Or, when she uses the electric scooter, meaning turnarounds and roundabouts. Or, for the ease of it (for my hands) when I push her in her wheelchair through the garden. And, it’s not just for Momma, but for anyone visiting The Sprott Country Gardens. One never knows, it could be me.

(The same issues apply when using a wheelbarrow!)

So, it cannot be a pathway made using gravel, flagstone, wooden planks, or even brick. I’m guessing that leaves me with mixing concrete and using pavers... at least, that would be a movable pathway, a living growing flexible path as the garden grows.

I know I don’t want rounded off edge stones, even though I already have two molds that create the “cobble stone” look. The roundness just makes it much more difficult to roll over. Although this mold appears to make crisp edges - and a double good thing - it looks like a quilt pattern! But, I’m not planning to make straight paths! How would I curve and meander the pathway?

What do you suggest?

One Step at a Time

It’s January! Happy New Year!

And, it’s a glorious rainy day!

I’m keeping myself grounded. It can be a bit overwhelming gathering all the different information needed to transform our west yard into a permaculture half acre garden!

One step at a time, Lanetta! The following is what I’ve done, so far...

Using my word processor program, I printed out a 12-month 2019 calendar.

I found the upcoming Moon Phases for 2019 and transferred the information to my calendar. I still want to get the Farmer’s Almanac, but just haven’t - yet!

Since Christmas day, I’ve been watching the 12 Days of Christmas videos Justin Rhodes (Abundant Permaculture) has produced for us! Because of his sage advice, I now know three things for sure...

1) I will create a spiral shaped herb garden, and
2) the next attempt of growing peach trees, I will plant them in our front yard (west side of sidewalk, of course!) and then,
3) I will plant more diversity and use the layering technique beginning with the established oak trees.

Justin often refers to Bill Mollison, so I ordered the highly recommended book, Introduction to Permaculture, it arrives MONDAY!!!

I also went to my online library access and checked out SEVERAL books! All I can read on my Kindle! I know I have a lot of reading to do... a great activity during these cold rainy January days!
Not to mention the upcoming really “down” time beginning next week, when the love of my life has surgery #2 to get ready for surgery #3!

Oh, and this is not annotated on my “Garden” calendar (because it should be an ongoing activity), but the next warmish dry day we have that I’m home, I need to pick up several wheelbarrow worth of cow poop - and get it spread out in my new “Zones” and “Sectors” - you’ll know what I’m talking about after watching Justin’s videos! Or, read Bill’s book along with me!

I Am Not a Gardener

It is time to dig in the dirt. It’s time to get dirty and hot and sweaty and experience the “good type of” tired. I will be the first to admit – I Am Not a Gardener. Yes. I’ve tried here and there, and have had some flowerbeds [note: term used loosely], but things are going to change!

I’ve made a promise to myself and I won’t wimp out this time, God willing!

If you’ve been reading my blog, or following me on Facebook, you know I’m in Texas. “Summers” run from about mid May through October. Temps are usually in the low to high 80’s then 90’s starting in June, many times hitting low 100’s by August. Humidity is usually pretty high throughout the season/year. Our hard “winters” – snow/ice – don’t usually hit until February, then it’s gone.

For years to come, we all will remember rain we’ve received, especially during the month of May 2015. We are blessed to have finally come out of the drought that hit about five years ago. Our stock tank is up, ready for the summer. I’m so sorry so many had extremely too much rain/tornadoes and lost their homes and lives due to the excessive flooding and storm damage.

I’m not a landscape designer. I go by the seat of my pants. I’ve looked on the internet, especially Pinterest, and have walked around various nurseries in the area. I know what I like/don’t like, and I – sort of – know the look and purpose (butterflies and hummingbirds) I would like to see out my windows, or while walking around the yard.

What I’m facing (and not)…

The yard is the size of a football field with the house sitting on the 50 yard line. The house faces south. Front yard is only about 30 feet from porch to fence. Back yard is about 60 feet from extended arm of “L” shaped house to fence.

“Stuff” is over in the east yard… workshop/barn…equipment… our parking lot… needless to say, that’s “his” side!

I’m saving the back yard – north side – for last. That’s where the old “two seater” outhouse was when we bought the ranch. Bugs and rotted wood got too bad, so it had to come down. The “hole” is still there (hadn’t been used in years prior), with rocks and stuff, high grass/weeds, but it needs dirt. Anyway, what can I say – I’m not messing with it until the very last!

My focus is on the front and west yards. At least, the west side is the first folks see when they visit. But, I’m saying this… I’m doing this for me, not for anyone else, for appearances. Not for what it looks like to others. I need to do this for me.

Well, last week I had planted some Delphiniums and Achilleas next to the lavender (established years ago), up against the fence. During her visit here at the country, Momma and I had gone to Walmart and bought the lovely blooming plants. It was an easy, quick flowerbed to weed and clean up.

WRONG thing to do.

While back in Dallas with my mother, I learned the news. Our baby girl promptly broke two blooms from the delphiniums while “taking care of the cows” when they got too close to the yard fence. Well, I learned my lesson (I should have known this already!)… it’s her job… need to move the plants and forget that “flowerbed”.

She can’t just look "through" the fence…she can’t see as well…

The 25+ year old fruitless Mulberry tree finally died in the front yard. I don’t want to cut it down. I have plans for that tree – as long as it’s standing!

I did plant a yellow rose bush, in honor of our 35^th wedding anniversary in April… the first of many flowers/plants I envision around the tree. Three buds are about to open up! I also transplanted a few irises around the tree. I love seeing irises bloom... it's the first sign of Spring!

Once back from Dallas yesterday, I began working more on that particular flowerbed and planted these perennials: 

Delphiniums (transplanted) and staked/protected from south winds with yard art found at Joann’s – on 60% off sale!
Achillea – yarrow (transplanted)
Hot Lips Salvia Angelonia, Summer Snapdragon
Red Yucca (not really yucca)
Autumn Joy Sedum

Knock Out Red Roses

It looks pretty yucky now because I had to space the things to allow for their individual growth. It will probably all run together eventually. However, I believe next year it will be a showcase! I already love my view from the kitchen sink window!

I read about the “Autumn Joy Sedum” and discovered deer also likes them. I’m hoping it survives until I can get to town and buy some sweet basil plants. I’ll position them among the flowering plants. The basil worked nicely keeping deer away from the vegetables in the Keyhole Garden. I would think they would work in the Dead Tree Bed.

Today, I will plant the tomatoes & jalapenos and sweet basil I did get (thinking ahead) in the Keyhole Garden. I’m so thankful I didn’t get the veggies planted before the May rains! I would have had to start all over!

Although my right elbow is a touch sore this morning (even started hurting last night) from hitting the caliche rock bed about 8” below the surface – if I was lucky it was that deep! It’s worth the effort. I’m happy. It is the dirt!

If you're looking for me... I'm at the Keyhole Garden!

A Trashy Purpose

English Lavender

On January 21st of this year, I decided I wanted a new “flower bed” in a location basically worthless growing anything - even grass. The packed, hard ground was only conducive to growing Texas Size Stickers!

Unacceptable.

I envisioned an area outlined in English Lavender, with only one natural entry into this “space” then filled with rows of herbs and flowering plants to bring in the butterflies. I wanted the area is as far away from the house as I could muster – within the fenced in yard – away from the cows! Oh, and I also want a chair out there, one heavy enough to withstand the south winds, a place to sit and read during the quiet early mornings.

The concept of building a Keyhole Garden, layers of recycled materials to break down over time, is what I was going for when raking leaves, pecans/shells, and collecting cardboard boxes and newspapers. This slow “filling” process began. The plan to work on it a little bit at a time over the next month changed when –

my daddy died a week later.

I spent the entire month of February, and part of March, and some of April already, in Dallas with Momma.

Back home for a bit, while sitting on the front porch with hubby the other day, I mentioned I wanted to start working on the new area again. He looked down there and said something like, “Good. It is trashy looking.” I agree. I know, however, it’s a work in progress.

I got back to it yesterday! And, Oh, My, Goodness! It’s amazing how nice the dirt was underneath the trashy mess! It’s a good thing I left it alone for weeks, to let it “work” and do its magic. I wish now I hadn’t stopped covering & trashing it out back in January. I wish I had made the time to get the space totally covered, so all the area could start the “cooking” process.

It wasn’t meant to be. And, that’s okay. I’ll get it done. Maybe not this year, not like I have it envisioned, but I do have two Lavender plants planted, a chair (although I never know where it will be in the yard the next time I go out), and I do have a book!

Happy Gardening! Happy Reading!

How is your gardening/landscaping going?