Raised Beds, Pay Off Early

April 19th, I blogged about the raised beds, Mike, Dianne and Copper had built in their back yard. It took them another week to finish the project, so I wanted to update you on the progress they've made in a month.

Pictured above are the green beans planted in one raised bed. Bamboo stakes and string was used for the plants to run, simple, but effective.

Above, Mike is making sure his sugar peas are growing up the trellis he constructed in this bed.

This bed is growing squash, bigger than some planted in our garden at the same time.

Mike and Copper admire the fruits of their labor, after constructing and planting the four raised beds.

Dianne grew these tomato plants from seed in her dinning room window before planting in this raised bed.

I like this idea of placing the seed packs in a plastic bag, tacking to the raised bed, so you can't forget the types of seeds planted, plus all the info is handy! Also, I think the rain gauge is a plus.

Now, Dianne can sit back and enjoy, too, until watering and fertilizing is needed.

 

 

As, you can see, raised beds pay off early, regardless, of your space and time. I bet you have some materials you can use like old planks, cross ties, bricks, or rocks to build a little garden somewhere in your landscape.

 

It won't be long before Mike, Dianne and Copper are enjoying fresh veggies in a meal. I'm amazed their raised beds have only taken a couple of months from start to now!

 

 

Until Next Time........

 

Happy Gardening 2013!

 

 

Posted by Wilma Smith 

 

 

Nelson Gardens

Last Saturday, Mike, Dianne and I attended a food raiser/fund raiser for the Coweta County Pet Food Pantry at Mike and Charlotte Nelson's house. I was excited to go because Charlotte is such a great gardener, as well as, a big animal lover (she has a side business, as a pet sitter; walking, feeding and care taking pets while their owners are on vacation, need assistance, or any situation).

So, even the rain didn't stop the event, they just moved the food, donations and people inside, ringing a bell every so often to give away door prizes. What a fun day!

I spied this breath taking amaryllis (pictured above) from a window inside while enjoying some delicious treats and could hardly wait to go outside for a closer look. Reds are the only amaryllis bulbs I've ever planted and I thought they were the most vibrante, however, I stand corrected after admiring this two foot white.

After, a nice shower we were able to tour what I call the "Nelson Gardens" as with every turn of the head you wanted to look closer at the flowers, plants and neat decorations, like the pool above.

Charlotte informed us about her experiments with items bought straight out of the grocery store. Above is celery and red onions grown from the bottoms cut (usually mulched or thrown away) preparing dishes for a meal. She also has "Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn" coming up in another area.

A smart gardener uses all types of mediums in a garden and adds favorite concrete statues, as well as, decorations to add interest and space. Pebbles, river rock, bricks, wood chips and pine straw are a few I saw at the Nelson Gardens. I also saw ivy, a ground cover used making a great mulch to keep unwanted weeds at bay.

A wrought iron fence as a back drop gives this beautiful rose a dramatic effect. Yarrow is also growing in the foreground.

Charlotte is famous for her straw bale gardening method and as you see above, she has a good start this year with her vegtables. She was featured in the "Coweta Magazine" and has been a speaker at numerous garden clubs to include Coweta County's Backyard Association.

How cute is this idea?  I may have some old rubber boots in my basement.

Everywhere you looked (like the rose above) there were beautiful, healthy plants to enjoy and envy.

But the most important thing for the event was about the help pets will get from the donations to the Coweta County Pet Food Pantry received on Saturday!

 

 

From all the dog and cat food, treats, bowls, leashes, etc. pictured with Charlotte and Holly the event was a success!

 

I need to make a correction from my previous blog, as the Coweta County Pet Food Pantry gives individuals help feeding and caring for their animals when they have fallen on hard times and want to keep pets until better times.

 

  

 

Until Next Time..........

 

Happy Gardening 2013

 

 

 

Postedby Wilma Smith

 

 



Doggone Cute!

This Saturday, May 18, 2013, Charlotte Nelson, a Crossroads Garden Club member is hosting the Coweta County Pet Food Pantry at her residence located at 40 Stephanie Dr., Newnan, GA 30265 (Thomas Crossroads Area) from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

The Pantry is represented by Holly Lewis and donations of the following items will be appreciated:

*dry and canned food for dogs and cats
*chew toys and treats
*cat litter
*bowls
*carriers
*if you love pets then you understand whats needed

Pictured above is Todd a Chiweenie (part chihuahua and part datsun), I adopted several years ago at Pet Smart from a rescue organization. I can't tell you how glad I am that I made the decision to adopt him. Tia, my female Corgi needed a friend and it turns out they are best buds.

Turns out Todd is not only a good friend to Tia and a good lap buddy to me, he is also a great little watch dog with lots of personality!

Although, Todd seems a little bored with all this news about the Pet Food Pantry, I know he loves to help other pets who may need it while awaiting adoption.

This event is also having a raffle ($1.00 a ticket) to win a big cat tower. All donations for the tower will go to the Coweta County Pet Food Pantry.

So come for a few minutes to drop off donations, or stay for the two hours. You'll also enjoy Charlotte's gardens, as she uses straw bales (a unique technique) to grow most of her vegetables and flowers.



Until Next Time........

Happy Gardening 2013!


Posted by Wilma Smith

Beeing Happy!

Last week end Jerry, Deborah and I traveled to Buster's Bees located at 3910 Champagne Drive, Jonesboro, GA to pick up our hive of bees. Because we are novices in the beekeeping craft, we chose to buy an established hive, only requiring us to pick it up and place it on our property (removing a screen over the entrance and exit) and feeding the bees sugar water to keep them satisfied until they get use to their new home.

So, far it appears to me they like it here, as they should. Now they are not competing with other hives, they have more water than at their old home and there is plenty of blooms around to keep them busy.

Above, you can see what I mean by the completion, but Fran and Buster have a great place for their bee business. They build all the hives from inside out (with love) to include the frames, wax and every detail the bees need to grow, feed and make honey. Plus, they have a store on sight where they sell clothing, tools and any supplies needed for the craft.

 

There's something about bees that make you happy! Just look at this picture of Jerry and his honey, Deborah waiting on our hive to bee loaded for home (no puns, intended). 

  

 



 

 

While Buster and his friend loaded the hive on our truck, I took a closer look at the old truck in the background. Looks to be a Willis Jeep model to me but I am certainly no antique car expert.

 



 

 



 

Either way, I like driving a truck and this beauty had a big "W" on the tailgate, so what do you think? I didn't get a chance to ask Buster. Let me know your guess for a chance to win a "Rose of Sharon" bush.

Tia and Todd even seem more loving and happier, since we brought the bees home.

Bees are phenomenal and have a fantastic role in a yard and garden (increasing blooms and harvests), besides producing honey, a major organic ingredient in thousands of recipes.

They can travel miles in their quest for pollen and nectar to gather, helping all landscapes along the way and with every buzz, they're happy doing it.


Until Next Time Bee Happy........

Happy Gardening 2012!


Posted by Wilma Smith

"What's Going On" in the Garden...

Finally, as seen above, our garden is catching up and beginning to take shape. Thankfully, Spring 2013, was a season. For several years, it went from winter to summer (cold to hot) but this Spring has been cool and warm and I am certainly not complaining!

However, garden wise, we tend to remember the failures and successes from a few years past and plant accordingly.

The potatoes are beginning to grow (seen above is a row of red), best for boiling and adding to a pot of green beans or a crab boil. This is a short row, the long row (half red/half white) look just as good.

The leeks on the right, Deberah planted from seed last year can be thinned out and the ones we pull cooked now. On the left is kale, a cool weather green that will be ready soon for sauteing or add to a healthy shake.

Pictured above is a row of carrots, hard to see now, but by fall, they should be big enough to store bunches in the fridge. Jerry and I worked half a day hoeing, fertilizing and mulching last week. Luckily, too, Spring 2013 has provided adequate rain saving us from watering.

Our lettuce is so sweet. You can't buy this in a bag at the grocery store.

The strawberries are blooming and we should be able to enjoy produce in several weeks. I bought a flat at Lowe's last year, but to be honest, I should have researched the varieties. These are not ever bearing and may only produce one season, per year. I'm hoping the flavor makes it worth the time.

Last year the sugar peas were three times this size at the end of April. We used the same fence as last year for the trellis. Just shows the difference in seasons and placement. It's a good idea to rotate crops every year.

Although, not pictured we also have several rows of "Rattlesnake" green beans, twelve tomato plants (so far) and at least six rows of squash coming up. Our two rows of cucumbers haven't sprouted and may need to be replanted.

As Marvin Gaye sang it, so well, that's, "What's Going On" in the garden this week. I'll be hoeing to that song for a while!


Until Next Time......

Happy Gardening 2013!


Posted by Wilma Smith

Raise the Bar -- No Raise the Bed

If you're not inclined to till a garden spot, try building raised beds like Mike and Dianne (my neighbors and fellow gardeners) to grow your veggies and herbs. They are improving their outdoor living space while saving time and money at the grocery store this year, as well as, future seasons.

Although the initial cost of building supplies, soil, seed or plants hit your pocket in the beginning, later benefits kick in and you're glad the investment was made.

Mike and Dianne chose to make four, 2X6' beds, as seen above. The corner posts were approximately a foot in height. Rather than landscape ties or other material wood materials, Mike chose decorative planks that blended more with his new slate table and brick patio.

 

Lowe's had garden soil on sale the week-end they bought supplies. They bought peat moss and manure to mix into the top layers of their beds. Dianne bought tomato seeds, onion sets and other favorites, grew them inside in February to plant in the beds once completed. 

Their dog Copper (a Redbone-Lab Mix) loved helping Mike every minute in the back yard constructing the beds!

Prior to securing the beds and adding the soil, Mike placed plastic tarp underneath to prevent unwanted weeds. Note, water can drain through the type of protection he used under his beds.

Copper post tops were placed on each corner of their raised beds matching the copper squares in their new slate table, umbrella set.

Copper, worked so hard helping Mike and Dianne, he needed a drink from the bird bath. I think he had a lot of influence on this project (Copper, what do you think?)

Mike and Dianne, raised the bar in their backyard by adding raised beds to their outdoor living space. I can't wait till they ask me over for dinner to include some of those fresh veggies, they cook on the grill.


There are lots of advantages in using this method of gardening:

    *Easier to maintain a planting schedule
    *Easier to weed
    *Less traffic from animals & humans
    *Control soil & fertilizer
    *Saves time
    *Less stress on bones & joints
    *Lots more, especially, if you build one
   


Until next time.......

Happy Gardening 2013!

Posted by Wilma Smith

Color "Pops" with Azaleas

If your yard needs some color in spring try adding azaleas or rhododendrons bushes for a "pop!" The photos on today's blog were taken at my mom's and as you can see, the colors are brilliant from her every window.

Azaleas are a member of the "Rhododendron" family, as well as, the  evergreen"Tsutsuji" and deciduous "Pentanthera." families. They are native to Asia, Europe and North America, but amazingly, can be traced back 70 million years ago to the "Ericaceae" family which includes, rhododendrons, blueberries and pieris. Asian monks in Buddhist Monasteries first began to cultivate, grow and develop the hundreds of colors, sizes and species we can buy today at our local garden outlets.

Both azaleas and rhododendrons do best in moist acidic soil, just like the wood's dirt surrounding my mom's house. They like dappled sunlight, you find in or around the edge of woods.

Coral azaleas are planted at the back of mom's deck. Chinese culture calls it, "thinking of home bush," good name for Merl's yard.

Azaleas are slow-growing and once established take little fertilizer or care, maybe pruning, depending on the location. When planting, always break up the root ball first and insure the hole is several sizes bigger than the initial pot. Plus add peat moss, rich soil and especially some loving care.

This red azalea bush is one of mother's smallest.

Although, azaleas and rhododendrons are in the same family, azaleas blooms and leaves are smaller and usually have only one blossom per stem, however, colors and sizes vary depending on the species. 

The white azalea bushes are the last to bloom. Always wait to prune any blooming bush until after it stops blooming, plus, cuttings are the best method to propagate and add to your azalea collection. 

In the northern hemisphere azaleas bloom in spring while in the southern hemisphere they bloom in winter and especially in the southeastern United States, we celebrate the "Pop"  of their color with lots of festivals.

Valdosta, Ga., Mobile, Ala., Norfolk, Va., Wilmington, N.C. and Palatka, Fla. are the most well known for southeastern "Azalea Festivals" in the late March and April.

Let's don't forget the infamous "Master's" golf tournament (happening this week) in Augusta, Georgia. And of course last but not least, Callaway Gardens.

In 1930, Cason and Virginia Calloway discovered a color "pop" of bright orange-red native azaleas on a picnic that led to a family tourist attraction known as "Calloway Gardens," comprised of 13,000 acres today, anyone can enjoy. A little "pop" of color can go a long way!


Until Next Time.........

Happy Gardening 2013!


Posted by Wilma Smith