Decorating Your Outdoor Space

31 July, 2011 Reply

Many times outdoor spaces don’t get used much, because they aren’t inviting. You throw up a couple of folding chairs and a cheap plastic table and leave it at that. In today’s market there’s no reason to have an ugly, uninviting, nearly useless outdoor space. With the development of outdoor fabrics that can last for years you can fill you space with furniture, just as comfy as you have inside.

That’s not all that’s needed to make a space really inviting though. It’s the little touches that go a long way to making you attracted to a room. Brightly colored throw pillows, table clothes, placemats, lighting, flowering plants, and especially fragrant flowering plants.

You won’t find many of these things in the outdoor section of the store. Mostly you’ll need to be creative and use items from the kitchen décor section or possibly the bath section. There you’ll be able to find throw rugs, dinnerware, glasses, candle holders, etc., that will hold up to outside use. There are even tablecloths made from the same sun resistant fabrics as is used on outdoor furniture.

If you have a screened in room or hot tub with a shelter, you can check out kitchen curtains to give you some privacy. They even come made out of bamboo, which would look natural and blend in with the surroundings.

Be creative when decorating your outdoor room and you’ll find you’ll spend more time there than inside during the summer.

Instant Satisfaction

28 July, 2011 Reply

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Gardening today is very different than the past. With the advent of the Internet you can have almost anything you want instantly, or at least on its way instantly. It would be very handy to have a cell phone available to you while you’re out in the garden, especially if you have good Internet connectivity.

You can search for the pest that is munching your prized dahlia, order the needed remedy, and call a friend about the loss, all while still in the garden. With some phones you could even take a picture of the pest and send it to the company, so that they can recommend the needed remedy with no guesswork on your part.

Straight Talk has some excellent features that other cell phone providers don’t. First and foremost they don’t require a contract. Second and probably the most important is that they are much less expensive than contract services. Unlimited monthly service starts at only $45 and includes calls, text, picture messaging, and access to the web. If that doesn’t get you hook, line and sinker, then maybe the fact that 411 calls are included at no extra charge will. There are no contracts, no credit checks, and no surprises on your bills. They use only the most trusted phone manufacturers like LG, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia and Samsung. They’ve got everything you need and more.

So, before going out in the garden tomorrow take a look at this video…

Then hop on down to Walmart and get a Straight Talk phone with no activation, reactivation, or termination fees.

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Focus Plant: Pineapple Tomatillo, Ground Cherrie, etc.

25 July, 2011 2 Comments

I was introduced to these little wonders as pineapple tomatillo, also known by quite a few other names one of which is ground cherries. Many people who enjoy Mexican food have had regular tomatillos, especially in salsas. However, the pineapple tomatillo is very different from the regular one. They both have the same husk and shiny round fruit inside, but after that they are quite different.

First off, the pineapple tomatillo is a little bit bigger than a pea. Second, it has a flavor reminiscent of pineapple when fully ripe. Third, it is ripe when it is yellow.

These little morsels are one of my favorites in the hottest part of the summer. They just don’t quit coming on, no matter what kind of furnace-type weather is thrown at them.

You don’t have to worry about when they’re ripe, because they fall off the plant when ready to eat. You remove the papery covering, just like you do with tomotillos. They can be used in most any dish that you use regular tomatillo, just remember to increase the number you use to match what you’d use in regular sized tomatillos. Also, they’re going to impart a fruity flavor to whatever you use them in. I’ve grown both green and purple large sized tomatillos and really prefer the taste of their smaller relative.

My favorite way to use them is to husk them and then just throw them whole into a salad. Nothing else needs to be done with them. They are delicious raw. Actually I prefer their taste raw, as cooked it becomes kind of muddy and less distinct.

Unfortunately, unless you’ve got a really progressive farmer’s market, the only way you’re going to get to eat any of these is to grow them or have a friend who grows them give you some. Growing them is super simple, at least in our hot, humid climate. Just start the seeds indoors about 4 weeks before the last frost and then transplant them out when the soil is good and warm. They don’t need any special care. They love to grow and are prolific bloomers and producers all the way up until the first hard frost.

 

When A Major Spruce-Up Is In Order

22 July, 2011 Reply

We don’t know how it happens, but sometimes our garbage pile gets out of control. We end up with a stack of old appliances or remodel leftovers that just never quite make it to the landfill. Or maybe you’ve bought a fixer upper and there is a lot of garbage needing to be removed before the house will be livable. Or maybe you just don’t have a big enough vehicle to load the stuff in, or aren’t strong enough to do it. Whatever the cause a pile of junk around even the nicest house can make it look shabby and uncared for.

The other problem is, if you take care of all the stuff that needs to be hauled to various dumping sites, it can take a lot of time and gas. Appliances may need to go to one place, construction leftovers to another. Some items need special handling, such as computers and monitors, because they have hazardous materials in them. Some stuff you want removed may even be recyclable, such as fall leaves and yard trimmings.

Today there are companies that specialize in dealing with your unwanted items. It doesn’t matter what kind of mix you have they’ll come and haul it away for you. Whether it is Appliance Removal Chicago, defunct computer items, or just plain trash, having someone deal with it for you can help your yard look better and you’ll have the feeling that a dead weight has been removed from you, as well.

Accent Lighting In Your Garden

19 July, 2011 Reply

One way to extend the use of your garden is to add lighting for evening drama. Moving beyond the simple pathway lights you can bring attention to certain garden highlights or add some fun for gatherings and parties.

First off you want to have an inviting area. That means keeping uninvited guests away. You’re no longer stuck using the more costly incandescent bulbs for unusual applications. Now there are fluorescent bulbs for almost every application and that includes bug lights. Now you can keep pests at bay and save money.

Now that everyone is comfortable, add some mood lighting. If you have a lot of white flowers in your garden you might want to add a blacklight fluorescent bulb to create a glowing effect. Or maybe you want to add

some color. Fluorescent bulbs now come in red, green, blue, pink and yellow and in all shapes and sizes. They even come in globes so you could have mini-gazing balls strategically placed.

If you want to up-light some of your more dramatic plants, especially plants with interesting foliage like Japanese maples, you can even get floodlights that are fluorescent bulbs.

In the beginning there was the ugly twist bulb, and the triple and quad bulbs, but today there’s a fluorescent bulb for almost every application. That can really be a money saver in your garden and a lot of fun, too.

Preparing For A Shade Garden – Defining Your Shade

14 July, 2011 Reply

Foamflower, great in the shade

In many old, established neighborhoods finding sun is the main concern of gardeners. Shade is in abundance. Knowing how to use that shade can lead to replacing barren dark patches with lovely foliage and flowers. So, get to know what kind of shade you’re looking at, so that you pick the correct plants for the location.

Deep Shade – All day shade, with no direct sunlight reaching the ground. The sites can be dry to moist, so you need to keep that in mind. There are a few plants that will do well in this heavy shade, even fewer if your soil is dry.

Partial Shade – Some direct sun, between 4 to 6 hours. Watch for what part of the day is in shade as morning shade with afternoon sun is hardest on true partial shade plants.

Light or Filtered Shade – This is the dappled sunlight effect, where the sun hits the ground in an ever changing pattern. A large selection of plants do well in this sort of shade.

Open Shade – This is the shade on the north side of a building. There will be no direct sunlight, but light may be reflected from light colored walls or the ground. Open shade often remains damp.

Remember that having your trees professionally trimmed by an arborist (not a tree trimming service, but a true arborist) can help lighten some heavily shaded areas to allow for a larger variety of plants to be thrive.

Storing Spring Bulbs For Fall Planting

11 July, 2011 Reply

Tulip in garden in Germany

June and July are the months to dig up your spring bulbs if you need to move them or separate them. Soon after the leaves have died down you can start the process. If you know where you want to put them you can plant them in that area immediately, you don’t have to wait. However, if you need to move them to an area that’s not yet prepared or are not sure where you want to put them, then you can follow these easy directions to keep them until the fall to plant them.

First you’ll want to dig up the bulbs. Start digging with a garden fork far enough away from the actual bulbs that you won’t damage any of them. Then gently lift them up out of the soil. Don’t separate the bulbs right now, just rinse them off, put them in a box or on a tray, and then let them set for 1-2 weeks to dry out and cure.

Once they are good and dry (not shriveled dry), pull any bulbs that are damaged or show signs of molding out of the batch. Then put them in a mesh bag and hang them in a cool, dark, relatively dry, but not arid place. It should have good air circulation. Many people hang them in their garages or garden sheds, but if you live in an area with hot summers, like I do, then opt for a more temperature-controlled space in a closet or basement (but only if the basement is dry).

You don’t need to keep bulbs in the refrigerator. As a matter of fact the new fridges with their dehumidifying effect can actually suck all the moisture out of bulb and shrivel it to nothing.

In the fall, usually October or November, check the dates with the extension office in your area, you can plant the bulbs back in their new location.

When planting make sure you plant them at the proper depth, with the blossom end up. Add proper nutrients to the hole, so that you’ll end up with healthy blossoms and bulbs for years to come.

Focus Plant: Basil

8 July, 2011 Reply

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is many people’s favorite herb. Almost every Italian dish we prepare has basil as the base of its herbs. Of course basil is good for many other dishes, as well.

Sweet basil is extremely easy to grow from seed, and the seeds stay viable for a long time. I found out the hard way this spring when I took a couple of old packs sprinkled them in a flat and ended up with seven flats of  basil to show for it. In some instances it will even self sow, as I have several plants to show for it this year. You can start the seeds inside in the early spring to get a head start. Just use a soilless mixture (I recommend coconut coir), put them in a bright sunny window, and keep them moist, not wet. In 7-10 days you’ll see your plants begin to emerge.

Plant basil outside after all danger of frost is past as it is not tolerant of frost even a little bit, even temperatures near freezing can do it in. Once planted basil is an easy care plant. Just water regularly and fertilize as you would any other annual. It is recommended to use organic fertilizers, since you are going to eat it. I’ve never had a pest problem with basil, and I’ve lived in several different states, and climates.

You can start to harvest basil at almost any stage, but definitely start harvesting when it gets to its sixth set of leaves. That is when it will start to flower. You want to harvest before it flowers if possible, as the taste is better. I never manage to make it all the time, but keep up with it if possible.

You will not need a lot of basil plants even 3 or 4 can provide you with all the fresh and dried basil you’ll need for the coming year. I had sixteen plants last year and have enough basil for several years!

Harvesting involves cutting the leaves and either using them fresh or preserving them for later use. Fresh cut basil should be put in a container with water and set on your counter. DO NOT put it in the refrigerator or you’ll come back to find a glass full of black slimy leaves. On the counter it can last as much as two weeks. I’ve even had it root in the glass and stay fresh even longer, but don’t count on that.

To preserve basil you can dry or freeze it. If you dry it, try to use a dehydrator with temperature control. Set the temperature at 90°F, place the leaves on the racks spread out in a single layer and allow them to dehydrate overnight. Doing it at a low temperature preserves some essential oils that are lost when dried at a high temperature. Your basil will taste just like fresh!

If you want to freeze it you will need to put it in a carrier oil to keep it from turning to slime when thawed. You can use any oil, but olive is typically used. Place basil in a food processor and chop it into fairly large pieces. Drizzle just enough oil on them while they are being chopped to coat the leaves. Put spoonfuls into ice cube trays and put in the freezer. Once frozen you can pop them out and store them in a bag. One cube will be enough to flavor a soup, salad dressing, or any main dish.

Next blog will be about the different varieties of basil that are available and how to use them.

I’ve Created A Monster

5 July, 2011 Reply

A couple days ago I found a real bargain. I was actually shopping for sewing stuff at a local store, but they have branched out into all kinds of things I’d never go there for and guess what? I found something I’ve been looking for, for a long time, and on sale at 75% off. Guess others don’t shop there for these things either. I found a double hook sheperd’s hook. I’ve wanted one for a hummingbird feeder, but wasn’t interested in shelling out around $25 to watch hummingbirds eat out of a $5 feeder! This was just $7.50.

So, yesterday I put it out and hung the feeder with fresh nectar and the ant guard all filled with water. I had company almost immediately, as I have a lot of flowers that hummingbirds like in my garden. The only problem is that now only one of the hummingbirds is getting to feed, as she’s guarding the feeder and chasing all the other hummers away! Everywhere I’ve ever gone there’s been dozens of hummers feeding at one station, but here she’s decided that she is the owner of this feeder. So, I created a nectar monster. Hopefully over time she’ll get less possessive and I’ll get to watch the others feed with her.

Hummers are so much fun to watch. They’ve gotten used me being in the garden when they feed, so they’ll come within about five feet of me when I’m gardening. They’ll even just hang out looking at me sometimes. Of course I always look back and get to enjoy their tiny inquisitiveness.