SALE!

New Etsy Shop

SALE!!

COWGIRL SKIRT EPATTERN $3.50
BUY HERE

Antipasta

All my pinterest research has paid off!  I made the antipasta for Thanksgiving today and it came out amazing!  Virginia Ham, Sharp White Cheddar, Proscitto,  Genoa, Provolone, Broiled Zucchini (yum), Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil, Artichoke Hearts, black Olives and Garlic Bread.  See my Platter Board on Pinterest here.

Waldorf Play Doll, Needs a home!

SOLD!!

Baby Ginger $85

My first waldorf doll in years.  Baby Ginger!  OOAK made from all natural materials.  Green dot, snap back blouse, light green angora tights and a winter white cordory skirt with rick rack trim. This baby is very specially priced because she is the first one.  $85 plus $10 for USA shipping only.

 

Thanks for looking:) Laura

You Can Make This!

Click On pattern shop to the right.  All patterns on sale thru the end of the week $6 each or 5 @ $20.   Email me gingerandlouise@rocketmail.com

Winter Bird Feeders

The perfect winter bird feeder!  Cut down your sunflowers before the birds get all the seeds, then in the winter put them out in the snow!

Natural Bird Feeder!

Pee Gee Hydranger tree

 

I plan on putting these in a few gardens.  So Beautiful.  Variety:  Pee Gee, turns pink in  the fall and blooms all thru August in New York.

 

Sunflower Success

Yay, Success with sunflowers!  Some things I learned:  They germinate really quickly.  Start seeds inside the middle of may.  The ground has to be a certain temp for them to thrive.   When you plant the outside, cover with soda bottles to protect from bugs, bunnies and to create a greenhouse.  They need to be fenced in or you will be feeding the bunnies their morning breakfast everyday!  I put down ladybugs to keep the bugs away.  They don't need much water once they start growing.  Don't plant mamouth unless u r using these for privacy, you only get one flower.

 

 

Beautiful Dahlias

Lynn's Fall Garden

Left to Right
Sedum Autumn Joy, Perovskia Atriplicifolia Russian Sage, Pennisetum Alopecuroides Fountain Grass, Repeat
Front: Coreopsis Verticillata 'moonbeam' Tickseed, Kalimeris Blue Star False Aster

These are the plants are picked for the first of five gardens to be planted at Lynn's house. They should all flower into fall.  The sedum will turn pink then red.  The goal is to bring color into the gardens.

Morning Inspiration

Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction.  BREAK THE HABIT! Talk about your joys.

 Rita Schiano
More inspiration found on this website here.

Bulb Planting Guide

Spring-flowering bulbs are the earliest plants to bloom, with snowdrops and winter aconites flowering in early March in much of New York. You can plant a variety of spring-flowering bulbs to flower from very early to late spring, providing a nearly continuous sequence of bloom. Snowdrops and aconites are soon followed by crocuses, scillas, and chionodoxas. Then come hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips. You can plant tender bulbs or other annual flowers to fill in spaces left after the foliage of spring-flowering bulbs dies back to the ground.

Morning Inspiration

      "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible.'"

                                        Audrey Hepburn

 

Morning Inspiration

 

“Autumn is a Second Spring, When Every Leaf Is a Flower"

Camus

 

The Gardeners Eden.com

 

 

Funny

YARD WORK - AS VIEWED FROM HEAVEN
. (overheard in a conversation between God and St. Francis):
God: Hey, St. Francis, you know all about gardens and nature;
what in the world is going on down there in the U.S.? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistles and the stuff
I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan.
Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought, and
multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms
attract butterflies, honeybees, and flocks of songbirds. I expected
to see a vast garden of color by now. All I see are patches of green.
. .
St. Francis: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. They are called the Suburbanites.
They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill them and
replace them with grass.
. .
God: Grass? But it is so boring, it's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies,
bees or birds, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures.
Do these Suburbanites really want grass growing there?
. .
St. Francis: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it has grown a little, they cut it....
sometimes two times a week.
. .
God: They cut it? Do they bale it like hay?
..
. St. Francis: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
. .
God: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
. .
St. Francis: No sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
. .
God: Now let me get this straight...they fertilize it to make it grow and
when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
. .
St. Francis: Yes, sir.
. .
God: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain
and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.
. .
St. Francis: You aren't going to believe this Lord, but when the grass stops growing
so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it, so they can continue
to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
. .
God: What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke
of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and
shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to
. keep the moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves
become compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.
. .
St. Francis: You'd better sit down, Lord. As soon as the leaves fall, the Suburbanites rake
them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.
. .
God: No way! What do they do to protect the shrubs and tree roots in the winter to
keep the soil moist and loose?
. .
St Francis: After throwing the leaves away, they go out and buy something called mulch.
They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
. .
God: And where do they get this mulch?
. .
St. Francis: They cut down the trees and grind them up to make mulch.
. .
God: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. Saint Catherine,
you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
. .
St. Catherine: 'Dumb and Dumber,' Lord. It's a really stupid movie about . . . .
. .
God: Never mind -- I think I just heard the whole story from Saint Francis!

Flower Study..Ranunculus...Persian Buttercup

Amazing Grace

 

 

My new favorite flower! I'm obsessed with these.  When they are finished blooming they turn upside down and reveal about 5oo petals!  The bloom on top took my breath away:)  So, the best time to plant these in NY is early spring around March 1.  The more you cut  blooms the more blooms they will send up.  I planted some in pots with violas and pansies and just put some in the ground.  On one of my pots, the leaves have all turned yellow--could be lack of nitrogen, lack of water or not enough sun light.  I think its the sunlight.  They don't like to be too hot but they need a lot of sunlight (hence, early spring flower!)  Also like to be wet but not muddy.  Should grow to about 16" tall.  A really pretty color combo is red, yellow and melon.
This is an experiment!  Learning as I go....

***These did much better in pots, plant in the sun,waster every other day. Short lived, beautiful spring flower.  Didn't do well at all in the ground.  Another variety is a Persian buttercup, taller,  Want to try those next year.

Keep the cats away!

Lavender, lemon Thyme, Rue, Scardey, Cat Plant Plant

Ranunculus are better known to most people as Buttercups. Their beautiful

double flowers look almost like miniature peonies, but their color range is much wider including
red, white, yellow, pink, gold, and orange. The Persian reference in the common name is from the
legend that a shy, handsome Persian prince died of longing because he was unable to declare his
love for a nymph. After his death he was changed into the flower we know today. Persian
buttercups become available as blooming pot plants in late winter and are a wonderful spirit-lifter
until plants begin to bloom outside.

 

Good Read

http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/brain_fog.htm

Edible Nasturtium

I am planting a lot of edible flowers this season.  As a beginner, without a greenhouse, space is an issue and the biggest obstacle is figuring out when to plant the seeds.  I already planted sunflowers--Mistake!!  They are ready to be transplanted and we had snow last night.  I guess this season will still be an experiment an another lesson in patience.

Most of the info here was taken from http://gardening.about.com/od/plantprofiles/p/Nasturtium.htm
http://lizzieslogic.blogspot.com/2010/06/plant-of-week_18.html

ABOUT:

Nasturtiums are loved for their rich, saturated jewel-toned colors. They are fast and easy to grow and, in fact, do best with a little neglect. There are varieties for almost every gardening purpose: bushy plants for borders and edges, trailing plants for walls and containers and climbers to add dramatic height in a garden. The leaves and flowers are edible, with a peppery tang, and even the seed pods are used as a substitute for capersThey are great companion plants as well. Nasturtiums help deter aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, cucumber beetles and other pests. Plant them with tomatoes, radishes, cabbage, cucumbers, and under fruit trees. They come in vibrant colors, or muted tones-variegated leaves or plain-and some are fairly dwarfed while others can be used as a vine, climbing five foot or more.

 

 Varieties:

Huge Nasturium Vines To see article go here

• Alaska Series - Bushy, dwarf plants with heavily variegated foliage and the blossoms are held above the foliage.
• Jewel Series - Bushy, dwarf with double and semi-double blooms. A profuse bloomer, but flowers can tend to get lost under the foliage.
• 'Peach Melba' - Busy, dwarf with semi-double buttery yellow flowers splashed with orangy-red centers. Good for containers.
• 'Canary Creeper' (T. Peregrinum) - Perennial vines with yellow flowers that look like bird’s wings.

'Apricot Twist'. The vines of this trailing variety grow 3 to 4 feet long and the camellia-like double flowers are apricot-orange splashed with raspberry red.

'Empress of India'. This semi-bush selection produces 1- to 2-foot vines and features large, bright scarlet flowers that contrast well with the blue-green leaves.

'Hermine Grashoff'. The vines of this trailer grow 3 to 4 feet long and produce red-orange, camellia-like double flowers.

Jewel of Africa mix. This 4- to 6-foot-long trailing mix includes yellow, red, cream, and pink flowers with unique variegated leaves.

'Moonlight'. The vines of this trailer grow up to 7 feet long and produce unusual, pale yellow flowers.

'Night and Day'. This mix produces compact plants with 12-inch vines and flowers in both white and deep red.

'Peach Melba'. This bush variety has cream flowers with a raspberry red throat.

'Salmon Baby'. The flowers on this bush variety are a striking shade of salmon.

'Strawberries & Cream'. This bush variety features flowers in pale yellow with splashes of strawberry red.

Tall Trailing mix. The vines of this vigorous trailer grow 8 to 10 feet long. Flower colors include rose, yellow, and orange.

Tip Top Alaska mix. The vines of this bush-type mix grow just 10 inches long. Flower colors include yellow, crimson, orange, cherry, and salmon, held above variegated foliage.

Whirlybird mix. This bush variety is available as a mix of flower colors, or in separate colors, including cream, salmon, gold, and cherry rose. The flowers are semi-double.

Uses

Use the blossoms either whole or chopped to decorate creamy soups, salads, butters, cakes and platters. Their sweet, peppery taste adds to the enjoyment.  Plus, it's not just the flowers and buds that are packed with a zippy flavor; the young leaves are tender and edible as well. Nasturtiums are popular with chefs and home gardeners because their colorful flowers not only dress up a plate, they're high in vitamins A, C (10 times as much as lettuce), and D.

This looks so good!  Nasturtiunn with cream cheese and chives

Growing



Nasturtiums are usually started from seed. Soak the seeds in warm water overnite.  It also helps to nick the outer shell with a small knife. The seeds germinate quickly and the plants will be up and blooming in little time. Seeds can be sow directly in the garden, when the soil has warmed, or started indoors about 2-4 weeks earlier. Nasturtiums don’t especially like being transplanted, so starting indoor seedlings in peat pots will reduce transplant shock. Once planted, they tend to take care of themselves. Alternatively,. Sow seeds 10 to 12 inches apart in the garden about a week before the last frost date for your area. In all but the richest soils, amend the planting area by mixing in a 1-inch layer of compost. Plants shouldn't need supplemental fertilizing during the growing season

Once they are established, nasturtiums will continue to spread and bloom until the first frost, with very little work or water from you. They will grow in partial shade but you will get mostly foliage as they don't flower as well in those conditions as they do in their preferred full sun location.They love cool, damp, well-drained soil. If plants begin to flag in the heat of summer, cut them back and they'll regrow and flower again when cooler weather arrives in fall.

Do best in well drained soil.

Harvest

For salads, harvest nasturtium flower buds, flowers, and young leaves in the cool of the morning when flowers have just opened. The more heat-stressed the plant, the more pungent the leaves and flowers will taste. Gently wash and dry the flowers and leaves and use immediately or store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Although you can eat the whole flower, if the flavor is too strong use only the milder-tasting petals.

 

 

Cheat Sheet

 

1.  Flowers are edible with a peppery taste, see above pics

2. Fast and easy to grow

3.  Can be grown in the garden or in a container or hanging basket

4.  Available as a dwarf plant or climbing vine

5. Deter bugs

5.  Good companion plant for tomatoes, cucs, cabbage, radishes

6.  Poor soil conditions, lots of sun,

7. Too much shade will give you mostly leaves

8.  Nick and soak overnight

9.  Start indoors 2 weeks before you are going to plant
10. Moonlight pastel yellow vine
11. No fertilizer
12. Water once a week
13. If they start dying in summer heat, cut back and they will rebloom in fall
14. If starting inside, use peat pots
 

 

Climbing Roses...Fastest Growing

Reprinted from http://www.gardenguides.com/122968-fastest-growing-climbing-roses.html

Many gardeners prefer planting fast-growing plants as they provide immediate results in the garden. Several varieties of fast-growing climbing roses exist for the impatient gardener, including New Dawn and Ramblin' Red; both produce vigorous growth and profuse colorful blooms. Climbing roses are often trained on a trellis, gardening wall or against a tall tree. The fine beauty and fragrance of climbing roses help contribute to an attractive display amongst the landscape. They are exceedingly popular in flower gardens worldwide.

 New Dawn

This fast-growing climbing rose is favored for its ability to reach remarkable heights in a relatively short period of time. New Dawn frequently reaches heights between 15 and 25 feet, making it a dramatic asset in any garden. Blooms appear in shades of pink and are quite full. Allow this rose plenty of room to grow since it is known for its enthusiastic side branching. Cut back older canes to the bud each year to limit growth. New dawn requires full sun exposure and regular watering for optimal bloom. Fertilizer aids in growth and bloom production. This cultivar is also cold hardy in USDA regions 5 through 9, providing evergreen foliage throughout the year.

 

                                     Golden Showers

Golden Showers are climbing roses known for their fast-growing nature and colorful, bright yellow and creamy blooms. The blooms appear in clusters with loosely petaled double flowers. Golden showers emit a sweet fragrance and generally reach heights between 6 and 10 feet tall with adequate care. Golden showers are slightly shade tolerant and can survive in poor soils, making it a suitable climbing rose for parts of the garden that don't receive full-light. The glossy, dark-green foliage provides contrast to the bright blooms. Many gardeners enjoy growing this climbing rose along decorative fences, columns and garden walls. Golden showers are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10.

 

 

Read more: The Fastest-Growing Climbing Roses | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/122968-fastest-growing-climbing-roses.html#ixzz2NqemhxUO