Another cool, blustery spring day makes one wonder when the "normal" temps are going to start for this year! Many perennials are getting off to a slow start but the cool weather hasn't hindered my apple espalier (pronounced es-PAL-yay) one bit. The Fuji apple tree has doubled, maybe tripled its blossoms this year making a …
It's an overwhelmingly busy time of year in the garden if you live in the Intermountain West. The temps have climbed to a moderate 60-70ish most days and the soil is warm and ready for digging. Now you may be thinking, "Well, that's what gardener's love to do so really, why the drama about it …
Continue reading Avert the Garden Mayhem of May! Dig, mix, plant…repeat
Don't you just love, love, love the first cuts from your garden! Yesterday was my first cut of spinach and chives. The first harvest of spinach was just enough to add a little color, nutrition and rich antioxidants to a simple pasta dish. I steamed the spinach in a colander set above the pasta while …
Continue reading Friday Favorite: Fresh Cuts From the Garden
My favorite fruit is berries. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, Marionberries, loganberries, huckleberries and probably others I don't know of yet. Remember Bubba in Forest Gump and how he liked shrimp? Well that is how I am with berries. I like them fresh, frozen, heated, blended and maybe even sautéed. I can always enjoy berry pie, …
Mother's Day! What a grand holiday for mothers that are also gardeners! For it is without a doubt the best day of the year to recruit "garden helpers." It is a day where the willingness to do something nice for Mom combines with the fresh breath of Spring helping the most hesitant of gardeners get …
Continue reading This Mother’s Day was for Seizing the Moment and the Helpers
On this beautiful Spring day I decided to spend some time creating a container garden. I absolutely love creating gardens in the confined space of a pot. It is easier to see how the plants will highlight each other and provides instant gratification to set something beautiful on a porch, patio or balcony where there …
I have to say it can't be officially Spring until the tulips arrive! No matter where you live, it just seems like Spring is "official" once you spot the gorgeous cup-shaped blooms of brilliantly colored tulips swaying in the breeze. Tulips are one of my favorite spring flowers and in-part it is because you never …
Remember the seeds we labored over a few weeks back...the ones started inside to get a head start on the growing season. Well, if all has been growing well it is probably time to "harden off" or "pot up." In the style of modern communication; HO or PU. To HO seedlings, be patient and spend …
You know what I mean right? To a have a fabulous home-cooked meal, you have to go grocery shopping. Or to have a favorite pair of jeans ready for the weekend you have to do laundry. Well, it is the same with gardening. You have to spend some time doing some of the not-so-fun necessities …
Continue reading As Spring advances, remember the necessities
Look what I spotted yesterday ...does this look like the typical spring primrose? I didn't think so either. I kinda have the attitude "seen one primrose, seen 'em all," but then I spotted this cool dude sitting on a shelf banging its head about every so often as the breeze changed direction. It reminded …
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