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April 12, 2011
Today I’d like to talk about Ferns and how now is the perfect time in the Northwest to prune those lovelies. The fiddleheads (new shoots) are finally willing to unfurl and delight us with their grace. So quick, prune the old fronds down to the base before the new shoots grow up and confuse things. Don’t despair if you can’t get to them, the old fronds can still be cut back later in the season but it’s much easier to do it now before the new fronds grow among the existing. The plant will look a little bare for a short while but once the new fronds begin unfurling their lush, green delight you’ll be glad you pruned them when you did.
What to do with the old fronds? Well, you can put them in your yard waste bin, add them to your own compost pile or lay them on the ground as mulch. They add a nice texture to the side of a path or a garden bed and as they decompose they will add wonderful nutrients to the soil.
March 25, 2011
Bulbs! Bulbs! Bulbs! Ever wonder what to do with those daffodill, tulip, crocus and hyacinth bulbs once they've finished putting on their spring show? Just let them be. Let them wither, turn brown and just lay there. To us it may look like they're not doing anything but the leaves are busy soaking up nutrients from the sun and storing them for next Spring's flower show.
Some folks like to tie the leaves into a loose knot for a tidier look but it's not necessary. You can also plant them near deciduous shrubs or perennials that will cover up the leaves as they (the shrubs and perennials) leaf out. When the bulb leaves are completely brown, that is the time to cut them back at the soil level.
So if you've ever wondered why your bulbs haven't bloomed, perhaps you cut them back too soon the previous Spring. Or, maybe it was your friendly neighborhood squirrels playing tricks and relocating them to their favorite location! In any event, it's a great excuse to plant new bulbs come Fall. Check out the species tulips. They are very sweet.
p.s. If you'd like to comment on my blog, please email me at Lucinda@SpiritGardenDesign.com
March 15, 2011
Oh my gosh! It's been several weeks since the garden show and I'm just getting back to you now. We're seeing increased activity in the garden. The cherry trees are beginning to bloom and early perennials are poking their heads out of the ground. And, guess what?! It's time to begin sowing hardy leafy greens and spring peas, fava beans and radishes and planting onion sets for green onions.
Since it's been a little cooler and wetter than normal, you may want to check the soil temperature to make sure it's above 50 degrees. Before sowing, be sure to incorporate organic compost and organic vegetable food (according to package directions) into the soil. Ciscoe Morris recommends moistening the seed and coating it with an inoculant (available at nurseries and garden centers) to improve nutrient uptake and crop production. If you plant climbing varieties, get your trellis(s) ready for the pea and fava bean tendrils when they come popping up out of the ground.
Since my garden has become quite shady, with only a few hours of sun per day, I'm going to sow my pea and lettuce seeds in containers to take advantage of the sunniest areas. Vegetables are quite happy to grow in containers if you don't have a suitable garden spot. Remember to keep the soil evenly moist and avoid wetting the foliage, although Mother Nature doesn't always abide by that rule!
February 22, 2011
Well kids, it's that time of year again for The Northwest Flower & Garden Show. The garden show is one of the largest in the country and is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives just for the enormity of it! The display gardens are full scale gardens built inside the convention center and contain full grown trees and shrubs along with blooming bulbs and annuals. Last year there were chickens and goats in some of the gardens. It's pretty amazing and is a great way to get ideas for your own gardens and to see what the hot new plants are.
Landscape designers and contractors start planning in August for the show in February. The most amazing thing to me about these gardens is that they are built in 3 days! Move-in begins on Friday and gardens must be completed by Monday afternoon. Huge dump trucks containing boulders, mulch, full size trees and plants drive around the showroom floor dropping off materials at each location for garden construction. Workers at each site are efficiently and skillfully bring each garden to life. It's a sight to behold! And a huge amount of work!
So if you want to get away for a taste of summer, head on down to The Northwest Flower & Garden Show http://www.gardenshow.com this week Wednesday through Sunday 9 am - 9 pm at the Washington State Convention Center. I'll be staffing the WSNLA (Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association) garden on Friday afternoon from 3 - 5 pm so stop by and say Howdy!
February 10, 2011
I'd like to thank Adrian Leontovich of Lions Mane Productions for helping me update my website and enhance the search engine optimization so folks like you can find me. Adrian is masterful at encouraging his clients to become 'granular' aka very specific in identifying their target market...even those folks who don't know they need you. He has many years of experience and is able to articulate his words of guidng wisdom to direct his clients, in this case me, in a direction that will be most beneficial. So, if you haven't updated your website in at least a year CALL ADRIAN now! 206.235.0381 Web address: www.lionsmaneproductions.com. THANKS ADRIAN!!!
February 2, 2011
WELCOME to my blog / garden journal! I hope you will find my postings interesting, fun, inspiring and thought provoking. I also hope you will share your thoughts, comments and experiences with me.
Today I’d like to talk about Ferns and how now is the perfect time in the Northwest to prune those lovelies. The fiddleheads (new shoots) are finally willing to unfurl and delight us with their grace. So quick, prune the old fronds down to the base before the new shoots grow up and confuse things. Don’t despair if you can’t get to them, the old fronds can still be cut back later in the season but it’s much easier to do it now before the new fronds grow among the existing. The plant will look a little bare for a short while but once the new fronds begin unfurling their lush, green delight you’ll be glad you pruned them when you did.
What to do with the old fronds? Well, you can put them in your yard waste bin, add them to your own compost pile or lay them on the ground as mulch. They add a nice texture to the side of a path or a garden bed and as they decompose they will add wonderful nutrients to the soil.
March 25, 2011
Bulbs! Bulbs! Bulbs! Ever wonder what to do with those daffodill, tulip, crocus and hyacinth bulbs once they've finished putting on their spring show? Just let them be. Let them wither, turn brown and just lay there. To us it may look like they're not doing anything but the leaves are busy soaking up nutrients from the sun and storing them for next Spring's flower show.
Some folks like to tie the leaves into a loose knot for a tidier look but it's not necessary. You can also plant them near deciduous shrubs or perennials that will cover up the leaves as they (the shrubs and perennials) leaf out. When the bulb leaves are completely brown, that is the time to cut them back at the soil level.
So if you've ever wondered why your bulbs haven't bloomed, perhaps you cut them back too soon the previous Spring. Or, maybe it was your friendly neighborhood squirrels playing tricks and relocating them to their favorite location! In any event, it's a great excuse to plant new bulbs come Fall. Check out the species tulips. They are very sweet.
p.s. If you'd like to comment on my blog, please email me at Lucinda@SpiritGardenDesign.com
March 15, 2011
Oh my gosh! It's been several weeks since the garden show and I'm just getting back to you now. We're seeing increased activity in the garden. The cherry trees are beginning to bloom and early perennials are poking their heads out of the ground. And, guess what?! It's time to begin sowing hardy leafy greens and spring peas, fava beans and radishes and planting onion sets for green onions.
Since it's been a little cooler and wetter than normal, you may want to check the soil temperature to make sure it's above 50 degrees. Before sowing, be sure to incorporate organic compost and organic vegetable food (according to package directions) into the soil. Ciscoe Morris recommends moistening the seed and coating it with an inoculant (available at nurseries and garden centers) to improve nutrient uptake and crop production. If you plant climbing varieties, get your trellis(s) ready for the pea and fava bean tendrils when they come popping up out of the ground.
Since my garden has become quite shady, with only a few hours of sun per day, I'm going to sow my pea and lettuce seeds in containers to take advantage of the sunniest areas. Vegetables are quite happy to grow in containers if you don't have a suitable garden spot. Remember to keep the soil evenly moist and avoid wetting the foliage, although Mother Nature doesn't always abide by that rule!
February 22, 2011
Well kids, it's that time of year again for The Northwest Flower & Garden Show. The garden show is one of the largest in the country and is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives just for the enormity of it! The display gardens are full scale gardens built inside the convention center and contain full grown trees and shrubs along with blooming bulbs and annuals. Last year there were chickens and goats in some of the gardens. It's pretty amazing and is a great way to get ideas for your own gardens and to see what the hot new plants are.
Landscape designers and contractors start planning in August for the show in February. The most amazing thing to me about these gardens is that they are built in 3 days! Move-in begins on Friday and gardens must be completed by Monday afternoon. Huge dump trucks containing boulders, mulch, full size trees and plants drive around the showroom floor dropping off materials at each location for garden construction. Workers at each site are efficiently and skillfully bring each garden to life. It's a sight to behold! And a huge amount of work!
So if you want to get away for a taste of summer, head on down to The Northwest Flower & Garden Show http://www.gardenshow.com this week Wednesday through Sunday 9 am - 9 pm at the Washington State Convention Center. I'll be staffing the WSNLA (Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association) garden on Friday afternoon from 3 - 5 pm so stop by and say Howdy!
February 10, 2011
I'd like to thank Adrian Leontovich of Lions Mane Productions for helping me update my website and enhance the search engine optimization so folks like you can find me. Adrian is masterful at encouraging his clients to become 'granular' aka very specific in identifying their target market...even those folks who don't know they need you. He has many years of experience and is able to articulate his words of guidng wisdom to direct his clients, in this case me, in a direction that will be most beneficial. So, if you haven't updated your website in at least a year CALL ADRIAN now! 206.235.0381 Web address: www.lionsmaneproductions.com. THANKS ADRIAN!!!
February 2, 2011
WELCOME to my blog / garden journal! I hope you will find my postings interesting, fun, inspiring and thought provoking. I also hope you will share your thoughts, comments and experiences with me.
As a landscape designer and garden coach I love working with folks in their gardens. I believe gardeners have hope. Why else would we take the time and effort to till the soil, sow seeds, plant and nurture our gardens as we would our babies, our own. Wait, they are our own! Our gardens are an extension of ourselves, our souls. When we tend our gardens we are tending our souls. What a wonderful thing to do for the planet, and for ourselves!
So to all of you hopeful souls out there, I encourage you to share your journey with me as I share my journey with you. Please stay tuned!
With joy,
Lucinda O'Halloran
