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Showing posts with label Gardening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gardening. Show all posts
Trees of Abundance
This weekend, the temperature was in the 90's, but I was able to do a good bit of gardening in the early morning, and again during the evening. Of course, the kids wanted to help (little ones, not the older ones); which means I have some clean up yet to do. And this coming week, we are having the backyard cleared, a meaningful first step to the backyard adventure plans which are falling nicely into place.
Anyway I still need two "street trees", so I just ordered two 
Red Maples from a website. Because of their mission, I wanted to share this neat resource with you for free trees, shrubs and perennials. I think it's a neat mission because they save plants, trees and shrubs from the landfills, they employ workers with disabilities, and you get free plants for your garden. This is a win-win-win-win situation (the last win is for the environment).
Anyway, visit their website freetreesandplantshome and reserve some trees for your garden.
Style Points: Garden Planning
Hello!
Whew. This is the longest hiatus I've taken since starting this blog! With everything settled after my recent move I'm able to get back to my routine. So....
This week my focus is on garden design. While the weather is so variable, it's the best time for me to collect garden and seed catalogs, take stock of what worked with last year's projects, and plan the details for the next gardening season.
So my new plans are for a city garden with limited space and access. Quite different from rambling play spaces in a rural setting. I've started with the basic requirements for the outdoor space:
- Making it connect to the indoors; the transition space being the patio and 3-season sun porch;
- Room for entertainment;
- Room to grow a small heirloom and children's veggie garden;
- Xerascaping (drought tolerant plantings and low impact garden strategies)
- Creativity/Fun for kids with a sense of surprise and adventure;
- Oh and did I mention low maintenance with lots of perennials?
I've included a few resources for heirloom and seed exchange websites as well as children's gardening resources I am currently exploring.
Resources:
Seed Exchange
Seed Savers
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
KinderGARDEN
Sharon Lovejoy, author - Sharon's website contains an extensive list of children's gardens - lots of inspiration. She is a wonderful author.
enjoy!
Lise
Think Creatively, Live Longer
Last night while blogging I watched a segment on TV about living longer. The researchers at Blue Zones are on a quest to find the common traits of people who live to be 100+. So far they've found these common factors:
- Family
- No Smoking
- Plant-based diet
- Constant Moderate Physical Activity
- Social Engagement
- Legumes
- Empowered Women
- Sunshine
- Gardening
These make sense to me. And of course, I think that creativity is a driving element to encourage a long life. For example, creative planning can bring families closer together, creative recipes and menu planning can certainly make it easier to use more legumes and other vegetables. Planning social engagements (celebrations); family gatherings; traditional Sunday family meals, and gardens all require the use of your creative energy.
So thank you to all the researchers at Blue Zones. I feel good about where we're headed!
Be well, be creative!
Lise
Garden Style
Before the cold weather sets in, you'll notice new plants showing up in front of your farmer's market or food store which signals that it's time to plant your Fall flowers and bulbs and make something creative!
Two of my Fall favorites are mums and marigolds. Both of these plants prefer full sun, rich soil and good drainage.
Mums come in a variety of different colors including yellow, white, purple, orange, and pink. For the best design, I find that they make a bold statement when grouped together as a border plant or in combination with existing shrubs.
Marigolds are wonderful when planted in mass and give a wonderful pop of color to your garden beds. 
Here is a quick list of last minute gardening tasks before Winter:
- Plan your Spring bulb garden. It's usually safe to plant hardy bulbs in late October or early November after the soil has cooled. Hardy bulbs flower in the Spring and include tulips, irises, daffodils and hyacinths.
- Plant shrubs and trees now. Be sure to water and mulch well.
- Divide any of the perennials that seem to have leveled out on their growth or flowering habits. Though not all varieties should be divided in the fall; it's safe to divide your hostas, daylilies, iris and geraniums.
- Rake those leaves and fill your compost pile. Compost from fall leaves doesn't attract as many pests as compost piles filled with kitchen scraps. A good tip for those who don't like furry surprises :-)
- Be sure to celebrate with an end of season outdoor gathering. Plan a project for everyone to take part in. Maybe it's a sculpture for your backyard, or stepping stones to keep your feet out of the mud. Whatever the project, make it fun and memorable.
- Light up the chiminea, relax and take in the beautiful color of the Fall season.
Enjoy!
Lise
Insider Secrets
I'm not sure why exactly. But I see big cities differently than most. Especially New York.
Living in the South as a damn Yankee (Yes, I have been called that; as if you have a choice on where you're born?? :-) - I am constantly reminded of how negative Northern cities are. There are the issues with overcrowding; long commutes; less space to move about; violent crime and the list goes on. I can't disagree that there are ills that plague all areas. Including the South. *gasp*.
But what visitors don't often see are the times when the city is at its most peaceful. A New York City with no cars driving down the streets. Right around 4:30 am with a hint of sun rising in the distance. You are the only person outside and feel alone in a city with millions of people. Coming across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan there are no horns, no blaring music, just a peacefulness about the city that makes you think people here are warm, safe, and protected by the other people in their community.
And how about further South to D.C.? Where a stroll through Georgetown leads you down a shady side street, where you catch a glimpse of a lush garden oasis in the midst of a busy metro area. The cozy lounge chairs are just calling you off your path for a cool Mojito. Divine.
I believe that we should all strive to create minature versions of these ideals. Well known places indeed. But still with hidden and sublime secrets. Secret knowledge that will keep you smiling on the inside when people say discouraging words about a place you happen to really love.
Inside, our homes can be places that nurture and surprise us. Places that allow us to breathe, relax and create. Whether in a big city or a small country town far away from Macy's Herald Square. Carve out a place for yourself and make it your own. And by all means, remember that you're allowed to keep what you really hold dear - a secret!
Be inspired...
Lise
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Creativity @ home – outdoors™
Are there design workshops for the outdoors too? You bet. You can enjoy the warmer months of the year in a space infused with meaningful, artful style.
This summer, I'm conducting live workshops and teleclasses where we'll discuss your outside living areas, trees and other plantings, private outdoor spaces, hardscapes, meditation areas, trees and what they mean to you, art in the garden, nourishment from your land, soul gardening, kitchen gardens, as well as child and child-like uses for the garden.
Together we'll use drawing, collage, and visualization techniques to produce a lifestyle workbook for the outdoors & creative space portfolio.
Email me for updated teleclass schedules or to book a workshop for your group.
All my workshops are featured here.
Style Points: Living Artistically Outdoors
I didn't realize how much I was longing for this beautiful Spring weather. I have spent nearly every weekend outside thinking about ways to encourage artful living in the garden.
When it's raining and I'm kept inside, I pour through magazines and online resources for products. During my shopping trips I've noticed that big-box retailers have started to offer more products designed for outdoor living. Whether it's kitchens, (complete with dishwashers and ice makers) or huge stainless steel grills - there are a lot of products to choose from. However, when I'm outside, I just want to relax and get away. Beyond a grill, I don't want to move my kitchen outdoors. I'm really just particularly fond of the natural settings, with a few special artistic touches to draw the eye further into the garden.
I have seen a couple of ideas for creating paintings using exterior latex paints that will withstand the elements, but I'm really talking about the kind of art that is displayed between the green leaves of my garden. This weekend, if the kids are planning mother's day gifts... What I'd really like are painted rocks for the garden! (Hopefully something with a scary face to keep the deer from eating my Hostas!!)
If I don't get what I'm hoping for Mother's day, I'll be shopping online next weekend. I discovered a nice selection of garden art. Here's a link for you to visit Garden Art & Accessories online. They have uniquely hand sculpted wall hangings, lanterns & garden lighting, stepping stones, masks/faces, bird feeders/baths & houses, whirlygigs, planters & hanging baskets, garden stakes, compasses, garden sculptures and many other accessories for home/ garden/ patio.
Enjoy being creative outdoors!
Lise
Natural Home & Garden looking for your green home or garden!
Natural Home & Garden features 10 to 12 houses (about two per issue) each year. They are looking for homes that are built or remodeled using cutting-edge, sustainable building methods and are tastefully decorated using natural, organic products.
If your home is chosen for a feature article, they will send out a professional photographer to make sure your home is beautifully represented.
Please note that you'll need a few things like:
- A description of the home and a comprehensive list of what makes the home green.
- Photos of the home, completely finished and completely furnished.
Click here for submission guidelines.
Beautiful Patios
Love these for the patio. These are made by artist Bonnie Pringle.
Wonderful... beautiful...
Found here
Style Points: Eye Candy
Creature comforts - so important in my book.
In my online travels today, I discovered a wonderful website - Magnolia Casual, Inc. I love the fabrics featured here. This company makes it easy for a girl to live with bright graphic details and vibrant colors.
I envision these colors on my back porch or in my family room. I am especially fond of the Iris Garden, and Fine and Dandy patterns. For whatever reason they make me connect back to my childhood summers at my grandparents house. I think of vintage lawn chairs and dappled sunlight through big oak trees.
Magnolia Casual - this line definitely wins my style points for the week!
Be Well & Be Creative,
Lise
Garden Spaces
So in my last post about garden designs for kids. I talked about the plans for the children's garden.
Here's what we've done so far...
- We were pretty eager about getting started, so everyone joined in and planted seeds indoors for the outside garden
- We've got squash growing pretty rapidly, along with lots of tomato plants and a few peppers. My son is quite proud.
- We've also taken a few photos and we're pretty excited that it will be in the 80's nearly every day this week. Lots of sun, lots o' flowers hopefully.
Here's the gems I have on working with children:
- Give them a say so about what goes in the garden;
- Limit the time outside so it's not overwhelming;
- Get good sunscreen!
- Let go of all the rules for what's right and let them explore. Mistakes are ok, even if it means they've stepped on a few plants along the way;
- Every garden trip is a learning experience in some small way;
- Watering the garden is a good task for children, especially 5-year olds that have boundaries (mom has control of the water source!);
- While you're being patient and watching the garden grow, be creative in other areas of your home;
- Love being around your family.
Creatively yours,
Lise
_______________
Garden Design for Kids
I often use my home as one big canvas for experimenting. (Thank goodness my family is used to me and my creative ideas.) As the weather warms up here in North Carolina, I'm ready to dig into my next big project which involves creating a garden room for my kids.
I've already started on sketches of the outdoor space, and the functional aspects - for what a one and five year old might like to use. This is usually the first step in my design process - just getting the ideas out on paper and figuring out what really works. This way I also have something to show my son, and see if it meets with his approval. So far, he's my toughest client, but he's coming around.
Last weekend, we agreed on creating a small garden and play area within view of my kitchen windows and back deck. Since it is really hot here in the summer months, it is important for me to create shady areas. Right now, there are no trees in the area to offer this shade, so with my husband's assistance, I'll create a tee-pee like structure out of bamboo or willow to support the growth of large vines. We have also decided on a sunflower room with giant sunflowers.
I think both of these areas will offer some shady spots.
The kids garden will also have these key elements in the overall design:
- Garden Art (of course)
- A shallow water feature
- Edible plants to learn about gardening
- Sand for play
- Some sort of hand-built fencing material around the garden
- Transitional spaces for next year
I've also decided that this is a multi-year project. The kids aren't old enough yet for the tree house I've designed. But maybe in a few more years...
To get them in on the idea, we started with a book A Child's Garden: Introducing Your Child to the Joys of the Garden
After a few evening stories, we decided on some plants. We are currently considering:
- Lamb's ear
- Tomato plants
- Giant Sunflowers
- Pumpkins
- Carrots
- Small potatoes
Right now my yard is completely blank so I'm hoping that this project will take root pretty quickly.
I'll keep you all posted :-)
Creatively yours,
Lise
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