Hosta, Hosta, Where Aren't Thou Hosta?

Hosta, Hosta, Where Aren't Thou Hosta?

You are in my garden bed so beautiful and bright,

Shaded by a huge oak tree,

Making conditions just right.

You rest soundly on my deck in a container you see,

We vibe on the regular with morning coffee or tea.

You even push through rock,

A sight I've rarely seen,

If not for your exquisiteness, I would brand you quite mean.

Determined is a more appropriate declaration,

You're easy-going in a wide range of size, texture and variegation.

Even in my untamed backyard where no man will go,

You find strength and willpower,

With little sunlight you'll grow.

A little water and some soil is all that you need,

Wait...did I just spend $7.99 to cultivate a weed??!

Smile :)

Composting Made Simple

What is composting?

 Well according to recycleworks.org, composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil.  Anything that was once living will decompose.  By composting your organic waste you are returning nutrients back into the soil in order for the cycle of life to continue.  

Finished compost looks like soil and smells like a forest floor.  I must admit, my kitchen composter smelled more like a barnyard floor until I learned to balance what I added. You can compost grass/lawn clippings, hay, leaves, straw, weeds and other garden waste, wood chips and sawdust, and also kitchen waste- which is what I do.  There are several types of composting and a number of reasons why you should.  The main reasons why I chose to start composting is to teach my children about recycling waste and to feed my garden organically. The countertop kitchen composter I use looks like this:

Notice the holes on top.  Waste needs oxygen in order to decompose.

In it I add used coffee grinds, banana peels and other fruit and veggie waste (adds Nitrogen).  But, I also add waste like old newspaper and cardboard (adds Carbon).  I put a layer of  Nitrogen, then a layer of Carbon to keep the composter from smelling.  It is really quite simple.  Just add waste and in a matter of days it will begin to heat up and decompose.  In about 8 weeks you are blessed with "black gold."  

My little counter top ceramic composter is cute, but does not hold a lot.  Just enough to give my seedlings grown indoors a good initial feeding.  I came across a great idea for a DIY compost bin made of a rubber tote.  Just take an old plastic storage bin and poke holes all around it with a drill.  Rest the bin on bricks in your yard so that the bottom of the bin can receive air as well.  Sounds pretty practical.  This is the next project that I have planned for our next sunny day.  I will fill it all summer and I should be able to cover my garden beds over in the fall in preparation for the winter months.  Wish me luck!

Homemade Garden Stepping Stone

Yuck!

With rain and temps around 45 degrees, I think today will prove to be the perfect day for an indoor craft.  How about "Homemade Stepping Stones?" Are you open to some good old-fashioned therapeutic fun?  Awwwwesome!!!!!  Here is what we used:

• Molds- Plastic Plant Saucers from the dollar store worked for us.  I had some extra ones and fyi...once dry, the cement popped out of these like a champ. I have read that old cake pans, special order molds from online, or molds from your local craft store come in a variety of styles and are reusable. 
• An old bucket- My weeding bucket...don't care how that looks!
• A stirrer/scooper- I used an old salad server spoon.  Worked great!
• Protective gear (gloves, eye wear, and clothes you don't mind getting dirty)
• 10 lb. bag of Sand/Topping Quikrete - I found this for $3.00 at the local hardware store.  We filled five (6in.) saucers and one (10in.) saucer with this one bag!

Steps:

1. Follow the instructions on the cement bag.  You will probably need to add a little more water to make it the right consistency.  Keep extra water close by while you are working your cement.  You want it to have that brownie mix type consistency. 
2. Scoop the mixture into your molds.  If you are using plastic plant saucers no prep work is needed.  Smooth the cement and set the mold to the side to set for awhile.  You want the cement to be slightly firm before you add your beads, gems, etc.  I walked away for a little too long (2 hours). Dinner needed to be addressed.  Consequently, my cement was too firm for us to add our small beads and things.  We still made the best of it (with gloves) and look forward to adding some outdoor paint in a couple of days.
3. Grab the kids...decorate... and voila!  Ready for your garden in 2-3 days. Cement will dry 2-3 shades lighter.

***This craft is a must try.  We are definitely going to try it again now that I know how quickly this particular cement sets.  We had too many fun embellishments that we could not use this time :(  For some very helpful tips and decorating ideas visit: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/steppingstones/a/040201d.htm
                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                

Starting Your Seedlings Indoors

Spring Dreams...

Greenhouse resting on my radiator with coleus, 3rd year calla lily and caladium bulbs. 

Can't wait for spring to arrive?  Well, start your spring garden indoors.  This year I had great success using the 72-count Jiffy peat pellet greenhouse.  I simply followed the directions that were included and before I knew it I had seedlings galore!  I lost a lot of seedlings to nasty "damping off" using seed starter mix.  I didn't experience that with the peat pellets, as they change color when dry- no over watering.  Soon I found myself transferring the fast growing seedlings into styrofoam cups.  You know, the kind that you purchase at any general dollar store.  Fill the cup with a quality potting soil, punch a hole in the bottom for drainage and you and your seedling are off to wonderful beginning.  

February (Verbascum)

 Let There Be Light...

March

May

Make sure that you provide your seedlings with adequate lighting.  I kept the light just a few inches away from the seedlings for about 14 hours a day.  I adjusted the light as the seedlings grew taller of course.  Now,  I could say that I used some elaborate set-up, but I'm going to keep it real with you.  I used full-spectrum light bulbs that I purchased from a big box store, borrowed a few desk lamps from around the house and my seedlings did not know the difference.  Look at them grow!  I won't tell them if you don't.  Being urbane does not mean breaking the bank and being urban doesn't mean that you can not enjoy a beautiful garden.  In my precious but limited space,  I'm looking forward to enjoying a few hollyhock, verbascum, zinnia, perennial mixed daisies, rudbeckia, coleus, coccineum, morning glory; plus tomato, cucumber, bell pepper and spinach in containers... yummy!  Please check out my other posts and let me know what you've got growing.