What started as a series of articles in Horticulture became this book. While not the practial, how-to manual I expected, I enjoyed these personal essays. Divided into two parts, theory and practice, Eck waxes philosophical on everything from structure and harmony to foundation plantings and utility areas. Sometimes funny, sometimes condescending, frequently informative I enjoyed the book overall. My favorite, 'Wood to Garden' I read shortly after we trimmed part of our woods. He offered some practical tips that I can use; some of which Iwish I'd known before we did our cutting; such as his recommendation to leave at least a 30 foot distance between native trees to allow them room to grow to their full glory. His article entitled 'Water in the Garden' was the most irritating. While he accepts and seemingly embraces that "gardens of any sort are wholly unnatural; they not only work to be something nature herself would never bring into existence, but they also strive to lie about the fact" (101), the fact that water fatures frequently attempt to do the same is unacceptable. Of course as a water gardener I disagree; fake or real, the sound of my waterfall and the act of gazing at the reflective surface of the pond alive with a variety of wildlife, are as important to my garden as the herbs, vegetables, perennials, trees and shrubs. I need not exhibit my filter, pump or leave a hose lying in the pond to demonstrate that it is man-made. The source is unimportant; it's the effect that counts.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Elements of Garden Design by Joe Eck
What started as a series of articles in Horticulture became this book. While not the practial, how-to manual I expected, I enjoyed these personal essays. Divided into two parts, theory and practice, Eck waxes philosophical on everything from structure and harmony to foundation plantings and utility areas. Sometimes funny, sometimes condescending, frequently informative I enjoyed the book overall. My favorite, 'Wood to Garden' I read shortly after we trimmed part of our woods. He offered some practical tips that I can use; some of which Iwish I'd known before we did our cutting; such as his recommendation to leave at least a 30 foot distance between native trees to allow them room to grow to their full glory. His article entitled 'Water in the Garden' was the most irritating. While he accepts and seemingly embraces that "gardens of any sort are wholly unnatural; they not only work to be something nature herself would never bring into existence, but they also strive to lie about the fact" (101), the fact that water fatures frequently attempt to do the same is unacceptable. Of course as a water gardener I disagree; fake or real, the sound of my waterfall and the act of gazing at the reflective surface of the pond alive with a variety of wildlife, are as important to my garden as the herbs, vegetables, perennials, trees and shrubs. I need not exhibit my filter, pump or leave a hose lying in the pond to demonstrate that it is man-made. The source is unimportant; it's the effect that counts.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Yack
Unfortunately, I don't mean chatting. The day after I posted my last entry, showing off my newly improved waterfall, I returned home to see something on the top. Going closer I found that a bird had expressed it's opinion of our renovations complete with partially digested beetle shells, sunflower seeds and insect wings. Now some may take this as criticism, but I think it goes to show that the creature was literally moved by the renewed beauty it beheld and the invigorating gurgling beneath its feet.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Results of a Week Off...
They said it was going to rain today, but when I woke up this morning it was quiet outside. I had just decided to get up and head out when the rain began. There was a lull earlier this morning so I put on my gardening clothes and the minute I stepped out of my bathroom, the rain began again. Some things just aren't meant to be...
Asparagus Anyone?
I should have plenty to share in three years! Ready or not, the kitchen garden now has 3 asparagus beds! Yes, we do really like asparagus, but I ordered way too many plants and then started to worry that the soil wasn't rich enough or that the deer would eat half the plants and then I wouldn't have enough. I did some research and you can move asparagus plants, as long as you don't try to harvest from them right away, so I decided to go ahead and plant in as much of the Kitchen Garden space I felt I could spare for a year or two. This way, if my fears come true, I can fill in the one bed I had hoped to have with some of the plants from the extra beds. Hopefully, I'll just have extra plants to share with friends next year!
Asparagus Anyone?I should have plenty to share in three years! Ready or not, the kitchen garden now has 3 asparagus beds! Yes, we do really like asparagus, but I ordered way too many plants and then started to worry that the soil wasn't rich enough or that the deer would eat half the plants and then I wouldn't have enough. I did some research and you can move asparagus plants, as long as you don't try to harvest from them right away, so I decided to go ahead and plant in as much of the Kitchen Garden space I felt I could spare for a year or two. This way, if my fears come true, I can fill in the one bed I had hoped to have with some of the plants from the extra beds. Hopefully, I'll just have extra plants to share with friends next year!
A colleague of mine once described some bamboo creeping into her yard from her neighbor's as penile. It seems an appropriate description of the newly planted asparagus too.
The Pond
Okay, so I redid the waterfall yet again, but this time through necessity! The first picture is before, the 2nd after. We had major problems with the pond this winter. Even though it wasn't that
cold temperature wise, the pond froze over with thick ice, all three of our koi died, some of the concrete cracked, ice slugs blocked up the tubing and twice, the tubing broke due to freezing. My Dad, in Stafford, has had a pond for probably twenty years and never had problems like this; it has to be our proximity to the river! Next year we'll have to get a heater.
After the fish died, we didn't rush to fix the waterfall for the 2nd time so we just did it last weekend. We raised it several inches so that we could also fill the pond higher, I adjusted one side where the concrete had cracked so that it too was higher and, using some leftover fieldstone, finally built up the back so that the filter was completely covered, but by moving a rock or two we still had easy access. I like the way the back looks so much that I can't help but wonder how great it would be if the front looked the same way...
It turns out Shoeless Joe was right, if you build it they will come. You know last year we were inundated with frog and toad tadpoles, but what I never got around to blogging was our bullfrog tadpoles! These take two years to come to maturity and luckily they survived the winter! We've also seen some kind of mollusk, have a variety of water bugs and are also currently home to a young water snake! We think it's a Blotched Water Snake, you can see my picture here, he's
hiding in the iris leaves, and a picture where you can actually see what one looks like from th
e Herp Journal on the Internet. He will have to be moved before he gets large enough to eat our bullfrog tadpoles or brand new koi. We're not sure how we'll do that, but we figured we'd start him out in the creek below our house and then take him to the river if he finds his way back.
The PondOkay, so I redid the waterfall yet again, but this time through necessity! The first picture is before, the 2nd after. We had major problems with the pond this winter. Even though it wasn't that
cold temperature wise, the pond froze over with thick ice, all three of our koi died, some of the concrete cracked, ice slugs blocked up the tubing and twice, the tubing broke due to freezing. My Dad, in Stafford, has had a pond for probably twenty years and never had problems like this; it has to be our proximity to the river! Next year we'll have to get a heater.
After the fish died, we didn't rush to fix the waterfall for the 2nd time so we just did it last weekend. We raised it several inches so that we could also fill the pond higher, I adjusted one side where the concrete had cracked so that it too was higher and, using some leftover fieldstone, finally built up the back so that the filter was completely covered, but by moving a rock or two we still had easy access. I like the way the back looks so much that I can't help but wonder how great it would be if the front looked the same way...
It turns out Shoeless Joe was right, if you build it they will come. You know last year we were inundated with frog and toad tadpoles, but what I never got around to blogging was our bullfrog tadpoles! These take two years to come to maturity and luckily they survived the winter! We've also seen some kind of mollusk, have a variety of water bugs and are also currently home to a young water snake! We think it's a Blotched Water Snake, you can see my picture here, he's
hiding in the iris leaves, and a picture where you can actually see what one looks like from th
e Herp Journal on the Internet. He will have to be moved before he gets large enough to eat our bullfrog tadpoles or brand new koi. We're not sure how we'll do that, but we figured we'd start him out in the creek below our house and then take him to the river if he finds his way back.The Woods 
A few weekends ago, I used the brushcutter to thin out the smaller stuff in the woods on one side of the back of the house. This week, my Dad cut down some of the smaller trees that I couldn't get with a brushcutter. Now more light can come in and the beautiful hollies and dogwoods can come into their own. I also have space to plant some native trees, shrubs and plants.
A few weekends ago, I used the brushcutter to thin out the smaller stuff in the woods on one side of the back of the house. This week, my Dad cut down some of the smaller trees that I couldn't get with a brushcutter. Now more light can come in and the beautiful hollies and dogwoods can come into their own. I also have space to plant some native trees, shrubs and plants.
Compost
My son was assigned the hateful duty of removing the pachysandra from the driveway bed last summer. Unfortunately, once the compost bin was full much of what he pulled up was dumped outside, partly on the path. It is now, like most of the stuff in the bin, mostly ready to use, but still had some pockets of pachysandra here and there. I bought some stiff, mesh netting, stapled it to some stakes and crea
ted a compost sieve. Once I was done, the mesh wasn't wide enough to span the wheelbarrow or garden gate so I needed another piece. Then the gap between the two pieces was a problem and meant that un-sifted compost was falling through. One morning I spent about an hour weaving a piece of wire to sew the two pieces of mesh together. It now works like a charm and the compost is beautiful!
My son was assigned the hateful duty of removing the pachysandra from the driveway bed last summer. Unfortunately, once the compost bin was full much of what he pulled up was dumped outside, partly on the path. It is now, like most of the stuff in the bin, mostly ready to use, but still had some pockets of pachysandra here and there. I bought some stiff, mesh netting, stapled it to some stakes and crea
ted a compost sieve. Once I was done, the mesh wasn't wide enough to span the wheelbarrow or garden gate so I needed another piece. Then the gap between the two pieces was a problem and meant that un-sifted compost was falling through. One morning I spent about an hour weaving a piece of wire to sew the two pieces of mesh together. It now works like a charm and the compost is beautiful! The trickiest part to using it now is to watch for skinks and earthworms scooped up with the compost. I have to shake the compost so that the usable stuff falls into the wheelbarrow and that requires an action similar to using a cheese grater. Not a pleasant way to go, but by going slowly and watching carefully, I think I'm saving everyone. There's still more to get, but so far the finished compost has been added to the cutting and vegetable gardens.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Dinner Outside on the Porch
It was such a lovely, warm evening that we ate outside on the porch for the first time! Two mourning doves were battling over territory while we ate and occassionally we saw what we suspect and hope is a mama bluebird peeking her head out of the bluebird box. Even though dinner was only cleaning out the frig, everything tasted especially delicious listening to the birds and smelling fresh air.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Plans
This won't come as a surprise to most who know me, but I hate the cold. Seriously hate it. I spend most of my off-time in the winter, on my couch, under a blanket, the doors to my living room closed with the heater on. Ever seen a made for TV movie where a person caught in a s nowstorm fights against all odds and overcomes great obstacles to find their way back to civilization and only loses a toe or two in the process? If that ever happens to me, just find my car, I'll be frozen to death inside.
The Driveway Bed
All winter I drove past this inherited bed of dormant spirea and roses of this bed on my way into the garage. It offered no hope of Spring and absolutely no beauty. My plan is to move the spirea around the cutting garden (surprise! I haven't mentioned this one yet), give the pink tea roses away (Caroline? Martha?) and replace them with camellias. Martha has been telling me how lovely hers is and the idea of coming home to something that is beautiful and blooming in the freezing cold excites me. In between I'll plant some perennials for year round interest. and of course, the Sweet Autumn clematis gets to stay. Of course, my research also indicates that deer like camellias so this could be a very bad idea...
The Cutting Garden
I created the beds so quickly as a dumping ground for the daisies and some other things. I planted some poppy and cleome seeds last Fall and have lots more seeds to plant as well. Ultimately, I'd like to continue it and turn the area behind it into a meadow garden.
So even on what most would consider "warm winter days" the only gardening in my life comes from books, catalogs and tv. However, as an obsessive planner I usually make good use of the time. Here's a taste of what I've cooked up for this year; in order of priority because as you'll see it's too much to get done this season and even the next few years.
We put the fence up last Fall (I know, I know pictures are forthcoming), but still have to do the gate (next week!) Besides that I need to plant, plant, plant!
The Front Bed
Last year, I planted Coreopsis 'Golden Showers' and Geranium 'New Hampshire' in between the liriope and it occured to me this winter that the impact of mass planting is sorely missing. So I've decided to buy more of the above, leaving those I planted last year in place, but group the extras around them in waves that weave around the lirope back and forth to the brick sidewalk.
Last year, I planted Coreopsis 'Golden Showers' and Geranium 'New Hampshire' in between the liriope and it occured to me this winter that the impact of mass planting is sorely missing. So I've decided to buy more of the above, leaving those I planted last year in place, but group the extras around them in waves that weave around the lirope back and forth to the brick sidewalk.
The Pond
I loved my 3 liatris last year so I'm going to order more. After that more hummingbird, butterfly plants.
The Patio Beds
I've definitely decided on a white and silver theme in the three beds immediately surrounding the patio. That means moving much of what's currently in the beds to another location. The pink miniature roses get to stay because I suspect the only reason they're still alive is because the bricks and their raised planter have created a little microclimate. The lavenders can stay as well and perhaps the santolina. I don't mind looking at it as long as I don't have to smell it!
As far as what's going: the beautiful 'Miss Jessie' mums (possibly around the driveway, or since I love the way they sprawl and droop, the lower patio bed), the gorgeous nameless salvia from our old house (in the driveway bed, just to the right when you enter the patio), the asiatic lilies 
(maybe the lower patio bed too) and finally, even though they're technically white the daisies. I don't think I mentioned last year how very unimpressed I am by them. The flowers are quaint and pretty enough, but they brown quickly and then there are, perched atop their stems, brown and ugly. They were the biggest catalyst for my getting the cutting garden in last Fall; once I move them there I can cut them for the house before they brown. I know what you're thinking; I could do that where they are now, but that would be taking the white out of the white garden!
(maybe the lower patio bed too) and finally, even though they're technically white the daisies. I don't think I mentioned last year how very unimpressed I am by them. The flowers are quaint and pretty enough, but they brown quickly and then there are, perched atop their stems, brown and ugly. They were the biggest catalyst for my getting the cutting garden in last Fall; once I move them there I can cut them for the house before they brown. I know what you're thinking; I could do that where they are now, but that would be taking the white out of the white garden! 
The Driveway BedAll winter I drove past this inherited bed of dormant spirea and roses of this bed on my way into the garage. It offered no hope of Spring and absolutely no beauty. My plan is to move the spirea around the cutting garden (surprise! I haven't mentioned this one yet), give the pink tea roses away (Caroline? Martha?) and replace them with camellias. Martha has been telling me how lovely hers is and the idea of coming home to something that is beautiful and blooming in the freezing cold excites me. In between I'll plant some perennials for year round interest. and of course, the Sweet Autumn clematis gets to stay. Of course, my research also indicates that deer like camellias so this could be a very bad idea...
The Cutting Garden
I created the beds so quickly as a dumping ground for the daisies and some other things. I planted some poppy and cleome seeds last Fall and have lots more seeds to plant as well. Ultimately, I'd like to continue it and turn the area behind it into a meadow garden.
The woods at the top of the hill
A couple of weekends ago I used my brush cutter and thinned the area to the left of the house one tank of gas worth. That's how I use the brush cutter. I go flat out, because I have trouble starting it, until it dies due to lack of gas. After that, I usually can't use my arms properly for an hour or two, but I figure eventually my arms will get stronger and that will stop. Plus there are few things more amusing than trying to drink a glass of water with your hands and them shaking so badly most of is spilled.
On Monday, my Dad is bringing his chainsaw over and we're going to play with our chainsaws removing some of the saplings that are too big for the brush cutter. Don't worry, we're leaving some dead tress for the animals and the fully established tress as well. Once all of that is done, I would like 
to slowly incorporate some pretty native trees, shrubs and even plants.
The Lower Patio Bed
It slopes. Underneath the cedars by the driveway they put a series of large rocks in the middle of the bed. I can't imagine why. They're mostly buried now under vinca and weeds; my plan is to move them to build up the front of this bed so that it is level. Once that's done, I want to plant hummingbird and butterfly plants. 
The Cedars
Currently, the stupid stones, some weeds, vinca and two beautiful dicentra. First, get at least one more dicentra. Second, find out what conditions make dicentra happy to get an idea about what else to go in there. Add some sweet woodruff, if the conditions are right, because Martha loves it and a groundcover seems appropriate under these trees.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Look what's new since Sunday!
The native dogwood is almost in bloom. We have approximately six on our property, but this one is doing the best. The rest are in the woods and a little crowded, but I'm working on thinning them out. 
This is in the bed below the deck. Phlox? Anyone?
A seedling? If only I can remember what I planted there...
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