I read with interest an article in the Times Online from the UK. Gardening in the UK always fascinates me. Gardeners there have long been in tune with making the most of small plots of land and making them shine. Those across the pond have made urban gardening and adaptable gardening into an art form.
But this post by James Alexander-Sinclair was very thought provoking. Mr Alexander-Sinclair is an accomplished garden and landscape designer. He also writes for many journals and newspapers in the UK and Europe.
Mr Alexander-Sinclair described how our gardens go from the anticipatory stage where there is only just dirt and hope. We add soil, till in nutrients, carefully plant seeds, hope, water and wait.
Then we reach the new baby stage in which we're delighted when anything grows well, "These yews have only been in two years and see how they flourish”. And our garden evolves as we do with plants coming and going, and moving onto new locations.
Our garden reaches the petulant teen years when some plants grow well and the rest are doing their own thing. We shake our head wondering what has happened. But like all stages of life and gardening, we and the garden move on.
Our plants show a certain maturity as some firmly establish their roots and places in the garden.
We trim, we tweak. Adding annuals to the mix for a spot of color or a slip from a friend's cherished perennial collection. The garden grows and changes.
I've taken the liberty of having James Alexander-Sinclair sum it up:
- A happy garden will always be a work in progress. Things should always be ebbing and flowing; plants come, plants grow; insects breeze about; birds arrive, fledge and leave.
It is a busy and thriving metropolis without the inherent transport problems.
Forget Samuel Johnson’s famous remark about London: surely it is more apt that the man who is tired of gardening must be tired of life?
And I ask you, "Is your garden happy?"
All in a gardener's day,
My thanks to James Alexander-Sinclair and to the Times Online-UK for sharing the original article. And to Susan H "Mommy of 9" for the photo.
Filed under Container Gardening, adaptive gardening by 
With all the gloom and doom about the economy we're all looking for ways to save money and still enjoy life. Gardening offers just that opportunity. For those of us wanting something more accessible than planting in the ground and for the rest of us-Think container gardening. You can move the plants around to offer spots of color outside and inside.
You can have massive results with a minimal outgo of cash. If you're in the more temperate climates like San Antonio it's time to think of planting winter plants. For annuals the pansies, mums and ornamental kale.
For those in the colder climates it's bulb planting time. Most nurseries both online and offline are having specials. So take advantage and buy now. Plant now.
Ready to get some inexpensive holiday gifts for teachers and others? Forcing bulbs is a great gift. Cheerful and a special gift for anyone. I found a bulb overstock special where you can get 100 bulbs for less than $15 including shipping. Following my earlier post of how to force bulbs that gives you a little over 16 presents. (I haven't figure out how to explain to my wife why we have no space in the refrigerator for food, but I'm open to suggestions..) When you add pots and soil you have gifts for under $2 each!
And everyone loves receiving a gift of fresh flowers especially in winter. To find out more go to Overstock Sale at BloomingBulb
All in a gardener's day,
Filed under Container Gardening, accessible, accessible gardening, adaptive gardening, enabled gardening by
Those gardeners looking to sell their houses have a big advantage over the rest of the market. We know how to make plants grow and thrive. And nothing says, "Welcome," more than a well-groomed front yard.
According to realtors curb appeal is the first view buyers see when they drive by your house or arrive for a showing. Most buyers decide yes or no on a house based on their first impression.
So here's some ways to make your house's curb appeal outstanding. If you need help, either hire a company or one of the neighbor kids (with guidance) to help.
Make your front entry outstanding.
- Add some flowers in pots (use some from your container garden) or buy some fresh annuals and place in a basket or pot along the door side.
- Paint the front door
- Add a new welcome mat
Trim the shrubs and lawn.
- Gently trim the shrubs. This is to get rid of the wooley look, not to take it back to the roots.
- Mow and edge the lawn.
- If it's fall, rake the leaves. Winter shovel the snow.
Mulch the beds, especially in the front of the house. An inch or so of mulch can make the front beds spiff up quickly.
Sit in your car and take a look at your house as you drive by. Stop in front of the house and notice what stands out. Your front door should be inviting people to come in and buy. As a gardener you have the expertise to showcase your house as you get ready for your next garden.
All in a gardener's day,
PS Don't forget to take roots and slips to use in your next garden. Good luck selling!
Thanks to Peter Caulfield for use of the photo.
Filed under Container Gardening by
