
It's become clear to me through posts and PMs that there are some gardeners here just waiting for the chance to discuss gardening!
So, I was thinking... how do you use gardening, or how does it affect you if you need a break, need some respite, need to relax, need inspiration....how do you use it as a therapy tool in caregiving?
What are your activities: Do you go out and pull weeds, read a magazine, design new beds? Look through garden catalogues? Go to garden stores?
And what interests have you added to your gardening? Visit estate or garden displays? Do you go to garden shows?
Does anyone design and plant Knot Gardens? Raised bed planters? Assistive gardens? Pollinator gardens (and have you thought of ways to help the bees and butterflies?)
Are your gardens primarily for pleasure or food, or a mix of both? Do you grow plants for medicinal purposes? Which ones, how do you harvest and process them? Any suggestions?
Do you grow plants that can be used in crafts, such as grapevines for wreaths and lavender for lavender wands? Do you make herbal products such as creams, lotions, chapstick?
What else can you share about gardening and the means in which it nurtures your soul?
I've often wondered about that when I see plants at Home Depot, Lowes, and grocery stores. Sometimes the plants haven't yet flowered or fruited, and I'm not sure whether or not cross pollination can occur once a plant is close to the fruiting stage or if it has to have been when the seed is forming.
I've discovered some visitors which I wish would go back home. I've found what I'm pretty sure is Virginia Creeper in my yard for the last few years. They're way, way out of their comfort zone.
And I found a pawlonia at my father's house, I believe it was 2 years ago b/c after researching it I chopped it down and bark stripped the trunk. Guess what? It's back this year.
The tree I thought I killed 2 years ago grew up to about 10 feet in one year. (I looked around for Jack as I thought this might be his beanstalk, but I never found anyone except the neighbors.)
This apparently is a nuisance plant; it grows rapidly and seems to be very durable. I did read though that its wood is good for carving. So guess what this plant is going to contribute to my eventual woodworking goals? I'll bark strip it again after cutting all the good wood, and research to try to remember what I can pour on it to deter it from self resurrection. I can't remember if it's salt, or vinegar, or something that might kill it.
Pawlonia:
Photos:
https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pautom/all.html
And another:
https://laidbackgardener.blog/2018/04/06/how-to-grow-a-monster-leaf-paulownia/
The second photo is closer to the volunteer in Dad's yard. Apparently this tree originated in Eastern Asia. I'm guessing it traveled in goods from China, and somehow made it to Michigan, perhaps in Chinese packages or other products. I'd like to find a way to send it back. It's a nuisance, especially next to a house.
A neighbor walked by, said hello. She is a caregiver starting her own business.
She has some well-placed potted plants and garden chairs in her back yard with a large umbrella that has not yet blown over.
Would it be weird to hire her as a 'garden caregiver'? Regular gardeners and landscapers have not worked out for me. Thinking on it....
I like to check out what other people have planted when I'm out walking and the other day I spied the exact same weird little orange peppers as I have (I guess they were not as noticeable when they were still green because I walk by this place often)... no doubt they shopped at the same place I did!
(and no, I'm not wearing scented anything)
Trifid peppers.
Glad - they are definitely sweet not hot, I wonder if they are some kind of unintentional hybrid. Plants I have bought in recent years have been really hit or miss when it comes to being what I think I'm getting: broccoli that turns out to be broccoli raab, cucumbers that are pickling rather than slicing and now the peppers.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/g27556089/types-of-peppers/
On another note - suggestions to paint or spray plants with powdery mildew (my zucchini) with diluted milk seems to be working.
I used to think ladybugs were delightful little creatures. Not so much now.
I used to see more of them, and loved having them around. I don't recall many last year or the previous years. They're sweet little creatures, and I enjoy knowing that they're finding something in the area and yard that appeals to them.
Years and years ago my parents and I took a trip to a place where Dad gets fish, although I can't remember what kind. While there, I got out to walk around and was shocked to see the walls of the small shed crawling with ladybugs, and realized that they weren't the good ladybugs. They were the Asian ones, which can be nasty.
I'm getting a handful of green and yellow beans every day or two to add to my supper.
The sweet potato that I coaxed and cajoled but couldn't get to sprout this spring has finally come to life, I can't imagine I'll get anything but leaves before winter though. I think I might bring slips in and grow them as house plants through the winter, that way I can easily start new babies next spring.
sharyn - I am nursing one tomato plant in a pot too and a rhubarb which has to be transplanted.
Having pulled a few weeds earlier and done a little fertilizing one bed in the back is looking reasonable - lots of delphiniums and roses, and a few other things. My shrub roses in front didn't to well last winter and needs some serious pruning. Dd and I may tackle that later.
I have an appointment in September for a quote about work on the other bed in the back. Couldn't get one earlier. Everyone in town must be redoing their gardens!
I planted one tomato plant since it’s just my hubs and me. It is a big beef tomato. We are having unusual weather temps over 100 degrees. So far it has been 11 days, Saturday it rises over 100 again. I have about 12 tomatoes set before the heat wave. They need to be fertilized but I been waiting for the heatwave to end, I bought a natural fertilizer that is 2-1-3. I fertilized it this morning. I’m hoping this will help perp up my plant I’m concerned about the flowers not fertilizing from the heat since I’m growing it in a
pot, I want to be sure it is getting enough water and calcium so it does not develop blossom end rot. I will harvest the first tomato tomorrow.
I also planted 2 clematis plants that are compact plants for borders or in pots. They are called Little Lemons. One is starting to bloom.
happy blooming and harvesting to everyone
Of course I'm much better at planning than implementing those plans 🤣
As for my garden - I've finally accepted that it's too hot for my container peas to produce any more so I need to figure out what tho plant there next, any ideas?
My lettuce is bolting too (but I already have a zucchini growing there), luckily I actually like the taste of bitter greens so I'll have a few more meals yet!