Thursday, May 21, 2009

Shoo Sheep Shoo!

I have long enjoyed watching the woolly sheep my neighbor has in the field across the street. My neighbors started their farm like endeavor with two sheep two years ago, a ram and a ewe. Last year we oohed and aahed over the baby the ewe had had. It has always amazed us how the sheep enjoy the ten acres of field, following one another, with no fence of any kind to impede their movement. This year we again oohed and aahed as the mother ewe gave birth to not just one baby, but two. One of the lambs was even the cutest shade of brown. Then, to our surprise, two tiny lambs appeared following close behind last years baby who was definitely a baby no more. Wow! Seven wonderful fuzzy creatures to watch and enjoy. They climbed and played on the old tractor and they drank from the ditch by the road. What a great life!

But alas, the easy going, peaceful, grass munching sheep have turned renegade. Yesterday morning, while sipping my coffee, I noticed movement through the blinds. "What was that?" I asked my husband. We rushed to the kitchen door to see the sheep converge on my mother's shrubs next door. I dialed her number and then watched with a smile as she cam running down the walk, wearing her pink pajamas with the phone in one hand and the other waving frantically, exclaiming,"Shoo, sheep, shoo!"

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Drying Sunflowers for Decoration


After Madeline asked, "Do you know if there is a way to dry sunflowers? Or do you think they would get faded?", I set off on a quest to find the best answers for her.

I have dried herbs many times in the past as well as roses but I have never dried sunflowers. I have seen dried sunflowers before for sale at the local Michaels Craft Store so I knew it could be done. The question then became how best to dry them? I investigated this matter through extension offices, craft groups, and countless websites to produce what I hope will give the best results.

The Hanging Method:
This is the most tried and true method out there for drying just about anything. 1. Cut the sunflowers leaving a long stem.
2. Bunch them together and tie the ends with string.
3. Hang the bunch upside down in a dry but dark place.
4. The sunflowers should be dry in a few weeks.
This method is the method that I regularly use with my herbs. The petals of the sunflower will become a little crinkly and fold around the seed pod. Their color will dull partially. All in all this is an easy way to dry the sunflowers. The look is a little rustic.

The Wire Rack Method:
This method is very much the same as the hanging method with the exception that the sunflowers will dry in an upright position and therefore have a more flat appearance.
1. Suspend an old wire clothes shelf, chicken wire, or other mesh wire that is framed in a dry dark place.
2. Cut the sunflowers leaving a stem.
3. Poke the stem of the sunflower through the holes in the wire and position the flower so it rests flat on top of the wire with the stem hanging below.
4. Give each sunflower enough space on the rack so that its petals do not touch another sunflower's petals.
5. The sunflowers should be dry in a few weeks.
This should produce a somewhat flatter flower when dry, but the color will still fade or brown a bit.

Cat Liter Method:
This method I have done before for roses and it works very well. I have always found the color of the dried rose to be very close to its original fresh color.
1. Poor a couple of inches of cheap clay based cat litter into a basin. Be sure to use a kind that won't clump.
2. Remove the sunflower from its stem and lay flat on top of the litter.
3. Carefully pour another inch of litter onto the sunflower.
4. The sunflower should dry in a few days.
I read in my research that some people have even had luck using this method with a microwave. They did steps 1 - 3 and then microwaved for two minutes. This sounds like it might be worth trying especially if you don't want to wait days or weeks to have dried sunflowers.

I hope this helps and happy planting!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Planting a Sunflower Garden

It has been quite a while since I was able to work in the garden, but this weekend I am looking forward to planting sunflowers. It won't matter whether the sun is shining or there is torrential rain, I will be planting a variety of sunflowers to fill a 4 foot by 6 foot area located just outside the kitchen.

We have started two varieties of sunflowers already in peat pots. Peat pots are a great way to start seeds ahead of time. I simply fill them with a good soil and the seed of choice keeping it moist until planting time. I will plant the whole pot which quickly decomposes. This enables the plant to continue growing without the shock of having its roots disturbed.

The Mammoth Sunflower seeds will grow to be 8 - 10 feet tall and these will be at the back of the garden. Mammoth's are gorgeous and very much the typical sunflower people think of when they think of a sunflower. These are about a month old right now and doing well. I plan on staking them with bamboo to provide them with extra support. The wind will knock them over during storms otherwise.

The Velvet Queen seedlings will go in front of the mammoths. These will grow to be 4 to 6 feet tall and are burgundy in color. I am really looking forward to cutting a few of these to go on the kitchen table. These are about 2 weeks old now and are leafing out nicely.

The Big Smile seeds will be direct seeded in the garden. They are very fast to mature and grow to be between 1 and 2 feet tall. These will be planted in front of the Velvet Queen. I can't wait to see how these work out.

Sunflowers definitely bring a little happiness into our lives as well as the birds and squirrels that reside on our property. And planting a garden full with them will bring a smile to my face and warm my heart after a very stressful week at work.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Trees Trees Trees

Trees

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

by: Joyce Kilmer 1886–1918


This is one of my all time favorite poems! And with each new leaf that appears my heart sings with this poem. The willows are fully leaved as is the Bradford Pear in my garden. I am still eagerly awaiting the maples and sycamore however. Soon the yard will be transformed into a different land altogether. Gone will be the skeletons that were the naked trees of winter. The trees will don their verdant coats, and they will step into Spring, fully clothed and home to birds aplenty. We will sit beneath their arms and enjoy the coolness of the shade when the weather warms. Truly, thank God for trees!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Gardening is Therapy

When I am feeling frustrated, angry, or sad I turn to the garden. It doesn't matter the season there is always something to do there that can bring me comfort or release. I find shoveling to be especially helpful. Turning the soil for a new planting or even shoveling manure out of the chicken pen are my favorite ways to vent. It is quite impressive just how much can be done in such a short time when anger is the fuel. Draining the tension in this way is much healthier than having an argument with someone and my garden even reaps the benefits.

When I'm disillusioned and disappointed I seek comfort there. A tiny sprout, a blossom about to open, a well engineered nest all remind me that life is worth living. Watering, pruning, planting, and mulching all bring a smile to my face that must be contagious. It isn't long before I find myself humming a tune.

The garden brings me peace and I enjoy the simple thingsMaybe the world would be a much better place if we all gardened.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Planting Grapes

I had to replace two of my grapevines this year. I chose a Thompson red seedless and a green seedless when I went to my local feed store for more layer pellets. It is always a treat to go to Parksley Livestock. Whenever I stop by there is always something new to see and this time it was a great selection of vining fruits. The best part of shopping there is that they make you feel welcome. No sooner than I open the door I hear them say, "Hello, Mrs. Kio. How are you today?" My purchases are always loaded into the van for me. In this high tech, fast paced, superstore world it is nice that there is still a place where someone can go to shop and feel that they are welcome and special. I hope that you all have a store near you that brings a smile to your face.

Well, more about the grapes. I opened the bare root containers upon returning home and then soaked them over night in a five gallon bucket of water. When I checked the next afternoon, these new plants had soaked up 2/3 of all that water. My husband and I then planted them near their respective bamboo posts in the grape arbor, making certain to spread their roots evenly. I gave them a thorough watering and that's it. One of the best things about grapes is how easy they are to grow even with little care. I have often been amazed as I ride past an abandoned home, which hasn't had a family in residence for probably two decades or more, to see clusters of grapes swinging in the breeze from an overgrown vine. I hope that my grapes will be as prosperous for many years to come.

Thursday, March 26, 2009


I have been merrily taking cuttings to root from various roses in the yard. I took these clippings as I was out doing my routine spring maintenance. I could stay in the garden morning, noon, and night in the spring. After the grayness of winter I really enjoy discovering the various hues appearing daily. However, it is also this time of year when I can actually enjoy the outdoors without the buzz and bite of mosquitoes. Living next to the salt marshes of the Chesapeake Bay does have some disadvantages, but on to the roses. They have been pruned, fed, and sprayed.

Pruning:
1. Remove any branches that are broken, black, or dead.
2. Maintain 5 strong branches to form the base of the bush.
3. Shape the remainder of branches to spread up and outward from the base.

Feeding:
1. Mix 1/4 cup of Epsom salt with 1 to 2 shovels of compost and work into the soil surrounding the bushes.

Spraying:
1. Mix 4 teaspoons of baking soda to 1 gallon of water and spray on to roses. This is a great way to prevent and get rid of black spot. I learned this information from the article, Nature's Alternative: 70 Uses For Baking Soda, by Melaine Ryther which was published at Mother Earth News. I never knew there were so many things you could use one product for. Wow!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

How to Root Roses

Some form of rose can be found in nearly every gardener's yard. From the wild rambling rose climbers to the miniature varieties I love them all. This year I am expanding my garden by starting my own rose clippings in order to be more frugal and also because I enjoy waiting with anticipation for my clippings to send out roots and begin to grow.

Rooting roses is not really difficult. There are many different methods to root roses and they do work. I used to cut partially into the branch at an angle just below a set of leaflets, packed that area with wet sphagnum moss, and wrapped it with plastic wrap secured with a rubber band. Roots would then grow on the branch where I had cut and then I would clip the branch and plant it.

Currently, this is the method I use.
1. I clip new growth from the rose bush about 6 inches in length.
2. I let it sit in a rooting water I make from a willow tree in my yard for a couple of days to really soak up the solution. (see last post for recipe)
3. I remove the bottom set of leaves and plant in a good soil so that the nubs where the leaves were is below the soil surface. This is where the new roots will start.
4. I give it a good watering with the willow water one more time.
5. I check on the soil every couple of days and water when needed with just regular water. It is important to keep the soil moist but not soggy.

The roots will form generally in 3 to 6 weeks. It is important to remember that not all of the clippings will root. I plan on 3 or 4 rooting for every 6 I try to start. Happy planting!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Homemade Rooting Tea


We had some limbs that needed to be removed from our curly willow yesterday. I took this opportunity to make some rooting tea. I plan on taking some clippings from some of my mother's roses.
Willows are so easy to root that all you need to do is break a branch, stick it in the ground, and a new tree will grow. Rooting powders can be bought from most garden centers, but I really enjoy using what I have on hand and what nature provides for free.

Recipe:
1 jar
willow branches
boiling water

1. Chop a couple of handfuls of willow branches into pieces small enough to fit in your jar. Crush them slightly and then place them in the jar.
2. Boil enough water to fill the jar and cover the willow pieces.
3. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours to steep. It is then ready for use.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Camillia in Bloom


I took this picture today with my cell phone. It was one of two buds that had opened today. There are many more ready to unfold tomorrow. Isn't it wonderful to watch the miracles that happen in a garden? The plants change and look different each day. There is always something new to see.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Since there is a wee bit of Irish blood still flowing in my family's veins, I hold a special fondness for this holiday. Many here in the United States enjoy the occasion with parades, drinking beer, and wearing green. For me, St. Patrick's day is a reminder that the official first day of spring is almost here and my garden will soon erupt in a colorful collection of blossoms. Yippee!

The shamrock, though not a colorful plant, is an emblem of Ireland. And since I love all things Irish, I have two shamrocks (also known as oxalis) planted beneath the crab apple in my front yard. They faithfully return each spring without any care. I enjoy these green plants with their tiny white flowers and leaves that close when the sun goes down. They are one of the few things that give me a tie to my heritage. However, when summer comes on strong, I will have to bid farewell to these fine plants. Shamrocks enjoy the cool weather of early spring but go dormant soon after temperatures rise above 80 degrees.

You may be wondering how the shamrock came to be tied to Ireland and this holiday. Although these plants dot the hills of Ireland, it is more the association that the shamrock has with Christianity that forms the bond. Its three leaves represent the holy trinity. Today is the day that St. Patrick died and we celebrate to honor his teachings. It is part of lore that he reached down while preaching to the pagans and plucked a shamrock from the ground. He then went on to touch each leaf and explain to the people about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

I hope you are as fortunate as I to have a few shamrocks in your garden. If not,
these tiny bulbs just need to be planted in a well lit, moist location, and then forgot about. Until my next post I leave you with an Irish blessing -


May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Lichen


During my inspection of the fruit trees I found one of the pears had some patches of lichen. Lichen won't hurt the tree but it does signify that the tree is declining. This particular one is getting old and may indeed be reaching its end. I carefully removed the dead branches and gave it an extra dose of fertilizer as well. Hopefully this will help it improve.
A lichen is actually two organisms that are living together in a symbiotic relationship. One is a fungus and the other an algae. The algae is the one responsible for providing energy for their survival and the fungus provides a home. Lichen can be found anywhere. They live in areas that have good air quality. Some lichens are even found on the Arctic Tundra.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Fruit Tree Care in the Spring

Now that the days have consistently been reaching 45 degrees, my fruit trees are craving some tender loving care. This weekend I am looking forward to preparing them for the growing season. I will prune, spray, fertilize, and mulch. Let me explain my plan a little better:

1. I am going to remove the mouse guards. Those are those white plastic things that spiral around the lower trunk near the ground. They are great for prevented bark injury during the winter. However, I can't forget to remove them in the spring or I will give the fruit loving pests shelter, especially the dreaded apple borer.

2. I am going to prune the trees into a cone shape. This allows the sunlight to reach more of the tree and therefore allows more photosynthesis to occur. Photosynthesis is the process where the chlorophyll in the leaves become energized by the sun to combine CO2 from the air with water to create sugar. This sugar is the trees food. No cooking or doing dishes for trees. Wouldn't it be great if all we had to do was stand in the sun and voila - we're full!

3. I am also going to spray the tree with dormant oil. You can by this from garden centers easily. I make my own. A long time ago I read an article in a magazine which told how to make dormant oil. Most people have these ingredients on hand so why buy something special. I just mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of liquid hand soap. I will spray all the branches making sure to coat them. This basically suffocates any little pests that decided to make my trees home through the winter. Last fall I noticed some aphids so I am counting on this to get rid of them.

4. I will also give the trees a good fertilizing with compost. You can buy it or create your own. I absolutely love composting. Right now we just have a pile in the back yard, but I am very interested in starting a wormery. There are great little set ups that even have a spigot that can pour out a great worm tea that I just know my plants would enjoy. Ah... maybe this will be a new project.

5. The last thing I need to do is to remulch. I will create a circle with a one yard diameter around each tree. This will discourage the weeds and grass from creeping in. I certainly don't want them getting the benefit of the compost I just added. My trees are greedy - they want it all. And they certainly deserve it; after all, they will provide my family with fresh fruit for many years to come.

Well its definitely going to be a busy weekend. Hope the trees appreciate it. I better get started!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Spring


Every place has its own signs that spring is on the way. Here near the salt marshes of the Chesapeake Bay it is the sounds of thousands of waterfowl stopping for a rest on their journey northward. It is also the chorus of peepers each evening. One that brings an immediate smile to me, however, is the sea of yellow daffodils that dot the countryside. I can not help but share the joy that William Wordsworth felt while walking with his sister all those many years ago when he wrote his famous poem in 1804 - Daffodils.

I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.