Tuliprama-wichita botanica

Perennial Bed Project 1 completed May 4th

 All the steps are completed, with finer detailing to come.  We will take more pictures as the perennials mature. Happy gardening!

Perennial Bed Project

Doesn't look like much  now in this photo, however this will change. Plans are to elevate the circular area with sod cut out from the new bed in the upper most area in the photo at right. This will help with drainage.  Step one: will be to mark beds with spray paint. Step two: cut out sod with flat headed shovel and transplant sod. Step three: add sand, compost and till into existing clay soil. Step four: improve drainage by installing drainage tile. Step five: Adding small retaining walls to newly sodded area. Step six: Raking and leveling soil. Mark for plants. Step seven: Plant perennials!!!!! Hopefully by May 1st.

Spring is in the Air

Which means time for new projects! I have been studying all the seed and plant catalogues I can get hold of. Dreams of flower candy dance in my brain.

Fall is in the Air

Temperatures, leaves, and rain are beginning to fall. My favorite time of the year. Time to fertilize lawns, trees, shrubs and perennials. Fall is also a great time to divide most perennials and replant or give to friends and relatives.
The cool temperatures and shorter days begin to slow down plant processes. However the soil temperature which are still warm create continued root growth and carbohydrate production. This is why fall is for planting and fertilizing.

Coleus

These wonderfully colored foliage annuals complement any landscape design or theme.

Hard Facts of Gardening

• Plants die. Sometimes it's your fault; sometimes it isn't.
• Lawn grass would rather grow in your garden than in your lawn.
• "No maintenance" is just a figure of speech.
• If you water your garden, it will rain. If you don't water, it will be dry.
• If you let other people dictate your garden choices, you will end up with a garden that doesn't make you happy.
• Weeding is not a good way to introduce gardening to a young child who can't tell the difference between the plants you want and the ones you don't.
• A gardener-of any skill level-who can't admit to making mistakes is either a fool or a liar.
• You should stop pruning while the tree still has a few branches.
• If deer don't eat it, then rabbits, voles, or groundhogs will.
• You will often buy more plants than you need.
• You will often buy more plants than you can afford.
• You will always buy more plants than your spouse thinks you need or can afford.*

*from Fine Gardening magazine