Gone Fishing

Time for a break.  (I know for most of you following me, it seems I'm always on a break from the blog).  After a fun productive spring, and an exhaustive June (the 2nd hottest on record), I will be taking a much needed hiatus for the remainder of the summer.  I'll be back on line after Sep01 with a new look and a lot of great info.
Thanks to all of you for your support.
Happy gardening!
- Vynnie

What Do Do Wednesday - Start Composting

It's that time of year.  Well, actually, it's always that time of year.  Time to start composting. 

I won't go into all the reasons why composting is good for you, and why composting is good for the earth, and why you're mother should have told you about composting.  I'll get into all that some other time.  For now, let's just dive into the nitty-gritty.  You wanna compost, here's how:
Just start.  It's gonna be a bit messy.  It's gonna be a bit hard.  It's gonna take work.  You will find your rhythm and create a good system and really like doing it.  But first, you have to just start. 
Step #1: You need stuff.  Grass clippings, leaves, hedge trimmings, yard stuff.  This is the base material.  If you can get yard waste, you have the goods.  Don't have lawn?  You can find bags of it curbside on garbage day.  (Later, I'll show what else can go in the compost). 
Step #2: Make a pile.  It can be on concrete, on the dirt, on grass, or directly in the garden.  A pile is the basic form of composting.  Even if you use a composter, it's just a container with a pile of stuff in it. 
Step #3: Stir the pile. This is not to be confused with 'turning the pile'.  All you really need to do is mix it up.  A little on one side, a little on the other side, a bit in the middle, and in thirty seconds, done.  This should be done a couple days a week.
Step #4: Water it.  After you stir the pile, turn on the hose, use your thumb, count to twenty, done.  Do this a couple days a week. 
Step #5: Repeat Step #3 & #4.  Do this as often as possible (about 3 days a week is ideal) and within 3-4 months, good compost will be ready to use.  The more you stir and water, the sooner your compost will be done. 

(Finished compost 3 ways - Raw, Sifted, Fine Sifted)

What you will need to compost:
Space - A compost pile will be about 3-4'feet wide and 2-3'feet high, and you need room for it.  The pile will grow, and then shrink as you begin to use it.  And stuff will spill, spread and go all over.  Make sure it won't be all over the lawn mower and the bikes.
Composting container - This can be a wood frame system, a tumbler, a static bin, a city provided bin, chicken wire frame, even an old cardboard box.  This is the tidy alternative to a pile.  It may cost money, or a bit of effort to build and/or acquire, but try what will work for you.  I recommend having at least two container systems.
Tools - Something sturdy and reliable to help stir your compost.  A spade shovel is good .  A metal rod is even better.  Typically made of rebar (about 4'ft long), this can be purchased at a hardware store or home improvement center.  Standard shovel will work, as well as a pitchfork, or garden hoe.  Even one of those fancy-schmancy aerator corkscrew tools will do the job.   As long as you have something that will move your compost material around, it's a start.  Oh, don't forget the broom.  You're gonna need it, a lot. 
Water - Without water, composting will likely not happen.  The closer the compost is to a hose source, the better.  Just one less obstacle to manage.  If it's a hassle, you probably won't bother.
Lastly, you need a place to use your compost, like a garden!  Once you start composting, it's only a matter of months when you'll be able to start using it, so be ready. Whether planting in ground or in a raised planter, compost is the magic ingredient.

(Raised beds at Xericopia full of good ol' compost soil and happy plants!)

What else can be added into the compost...(you asked for it)

Happy Composting!

Friday Feature - First Friday!

Are you ready for the weekend?  It's going to be a great time to enjoy the night out.  Why not do something adventurous and check out First Friday.  This is the premiere artwalk in the state, and is actually one of the biggest in the country.
Roosevelt Row is the main hub for what's happening downtown, just south of I-10 off 3rd Street.  The scene is so full of energy, they sometime close off a few blocks just for foot traffic (and a bevy of street performers).  The cornerstone of it all is MADE Art Boutique, one of my favorite places to buy cool, funky books and jewelry.  Here, you can find out about what's happening, where to go, and you might even see someone you know.   

And from there, the fun just spills down the block and around the corner, with JoBot Coffee, Lost Leaf Cafe, Modified ArtSpace, Tammy Coe Cakes, and more.   Feeling hungry?  Your nose will do the walking toward the always awesome Food Truck garden.  Don't feel left out, you gardener types.  You have to go see GrowOp, a great little shop with vintage/found goods and fashion.  Oh, did I forget to mention the entire exterior space is brimming with veggies- along the sidewalk!

If you don't want to venture to far downtown, stay uptown and peep Practical Art, on Central Ave just north of Camelback.  Loads of amazing artisan wares and works of art.  The staff is nice to look at too (Love you guys!).  You can take a stroll for more cool vibes at Frances Vintage where you may not find what you need, but you'll definately find something you want; Stinkweeds music shop where vinyl still lives; and Windsor, and Postino for some fine comfort dining. 
Click here for more details on First Friday.  Now get out and support your local community!

(Cool things you see only at Phoenix First Friday)

What To Do Wednesday: Make A List...

Spring is [unofficially] upon us!  I'm sure, like me, many of you are excited to get out and start gardening away.  But with so many ideas in mind, where to begin??  Filled with anticipation and inspiration, I find the best way to channel all that creative energy is by making lists - fun lists!

What veggies do I like to eat?

What veggies have I tried growing before?
What color flowers do I like best?

(Check your kitchen - you may already have a list!)

 This is my quick-start Step #1 to gardening.  And my Step #2 is seed shopping.  Seeds are not only inspiring but they are often easy to do - and cheap.  With most seed packs, if you get even 50% yield (stuff to grow), in 3-6 months you could save $100 or more, compared to buying transplants.

Here in Phoenix, I have two places I love shopping for seeds, Southwest Gardener and Baker Nursery.  Both carry seed brands that are of good quality and are produced in the southwest region.  Best of all, the folks that work at these establishments have grown many of the seeds before and I can ask them their tricks and tips.

(Seeds galore, ready for the picking.)

 Want a good tip?  Set yourself a budget of $20bucks and go for broke.  Buy a tomato and a pepper; a zucchini and a broccoli; try some basil and chamomile; and don't forget some salvia and zinnia.  The selections are endless!  Don't forget to ask questions before you leave the shop, then get home and do a little homework yourself.  Some seed companies have a wealth of information on their websites.  My favorite, Botanical Interest, actually has a phone app for that!

(Seed junkie on the loose - mmmm, my precious!)

 Before you know it, you'll be hooked (like me) and will be spending $20 each month on seeds - yikes!  Happy shopping!

Friday Feature - Your Garden

It's a new year - time to look within!  Well, within your own space and explore your own garden.   Many of us spend a lot of time, money, and resources trying to fix things about ourselves and our lives.  Maybe this is the year we start focusing appreciation and gratitude toward things about us and right around us. 

So without fully channeling my inner Depak, let's just start with that 'ol space outside.
Take a look (and a walk) around and ask yourself these questions:

What 2 things would I most like to change in my garden?
What 3 things do I really like just as they are?
In my garden, if I could pick a 'Bliss Spot' where would that be?
Which tree is my favorite tree, and why?
How many different forms of wildlife/nature did I see today?
Who do I know would really love to see my garden right now?

It's yours!  Find the joy and beauty of it every day.  Then do something - grand or subtle - to make it more special for you.

Booo!

 

Happy Halloween!!!

Reflecting

Alright, that last post even got me depressed, looking at all that dead stuff - in MY garden!  I'm sure it probably wasn't very inspiring for you out there.  So, to put a smile back on your screen, I thought I'd share some of my 'Firsts' of the season.

Our first batch of heirloom tomatoes!  And this from one of our plants weathered over from last year. 

(Frank can't wait for his first lick of salsa.)

This was the first year we grew strawberries (planted 2010Nov), and they have produced constantly since April.  Even more since June - who knew they loved summer so much!   

(Putting this one on my vision board.)

We had our fist wave of cosmos wildflowers since 2004!  I think there is too much shade in the back garden.  mmmmm...shade....

(Calling all butterflies!)

This year we grew zucchini from seed, and even under the shade of our huge pine trees, they're putting out nice fruit. 

(Smiling big for zucchini!)

(First zucchini-tomato tryst.  Hey you three, get a fridge!)

(This big guy was able to barter for a whole dozen eggs.)

Much to my surprise, our lisbon lemon tree even budded up it's first fruit.  Pretty early, but I hope it's a good sign of things to come. 

(Here come the lemons!)

Perhaps the best first of the season, was our first ever patio umbrellas.  They have done so much for the garden already.

(Our first love - sanctuary!)

About That Summer Gardening Thing...

Okay, I kinda take it back.   Just becuase you're not outside right now, doesn't mean you're not a 'real' desert gardener.  I mean, it IS pretty hot.  Well, let me be more specific; it's rediculously hot, and CA-RAZY humid!  That's where I draw my line.  110*degrees+, combined with humidity above 20%percent would only feel pleasant if you have webbed wings, a barbed tail, and red is your favorite color.   I'm just a 'dry heat' kind of guy.

(Hey chickie, off the nice lawn!)

In honor of the impressive heat, today I'd root for the hot Team USA in the Soccer World Cup, while I do some indoor gardening, in the form of reflection.  Here is a brief peek at what's been happening - er, not happening - here at Xericopia.  Hope your garden is surviving through it all.  Would love to hear about it!

(Farewell to my seedlings.)

(Farewell to more seedlings...)

(Tomato plant hanging on by a crispy thread.)

 (Lavender?!  Seriously?!)

(Even my luecaphylum texas sage can't cope with this humidity.)

The Truth About Broccoli

Finally harvested the last of the broccoli!  Well, sort of.  Typically, 'broccoli' is know as the coral reef looking green stuff that causes most children to skip dessert.  Yes, this is all accurate, but did you know broccoli is also leaves and stems? 

Unlike a lot of other veggies, broccoli is 100% edible!  The floret can be steamed, grilled, sauteed, or eaten raw with a yummy dip.  The leaves are great to saute' into a spicy dish, or chop fine and blanch to add to a mixed green salad.  The stems are perfect in a soup stock, or for morning juicing with apple, cucumber, romaine, and beets. 

As part of the cabbage family, this cruciferous vegetable is packed with vitamins C and A.  Broccoli also boost the body's antioxidant defenses, while lowering LDL cholesterol.  (read more here)

So even long after the 'broccoli season' is passed, I'm still enjoy the yummy and nutritious benefits of broccoli.

(Chop it, steam it, juice it!  Before Frank eats it all!)

The Gardening Season Begins...

Yes.  it's June, and now the gardening season begins....Here, in Phoenix.  If you're not willing to garden during these toasty months, keep your seat and watch the big kids play. 

I spent much of April and May in the whirlwind of house projects.  The frontyard farm beds are built and planted.  Two shade trees installed.  A new roof finally happened (perhaps the most un-nerving week of my life).  Immediately followed by some much needed extreme pruning.  So much, I didn't even compost it all.  A lot of it was bougainvillea and oleander, so no real heartbreak.  All this in preparation for the house painting to come.  

(brbrbrbr! crack-crack-crack! thud-klunk! thud-klunk! pop-pop-pop! brbrbrbrbrbrbrbr!!!!)

(With the bougainvillea fully grown, this wall is rarely seen.)

(I'm all for going green, but this might be over doing it.)

(Since when did gardens become storage units?)

With the garden converted to a garage, not much planting was in the cards.  Thus, birthed the new mission of keeping hope alive - and all my little seedlings.  The spring was incredibly nice, and summer has now arrived with muscles flexed in the shape of a lot of 110*days in the forecast.  

(Where's Hawkeye and Pierce?  This is the triage tent, right?) 

So while the house got stripped, shaved, and a new makeover, I got into some serious gardening - COMPOSTING!  Yup, this is real gardening.  If your not willing to grow your own dirt, you've just got a yard hobby.  That's the great thing about composting; it can be done anytime of the day, anytime of the year, and you're still making nice progress.  I haven't purchased a mulch/soil/amendment product in over four years.  And I have a jug of fertilizer on a shelf that I've pretty much forgotten about.  For me, it's all about sifted soil and compost tea to make a happy garden.

(mmm...compost...)

And the yard work just keeps on coming - but this I'm not complaining about.   Firing up the new barbecue grill garden is a little sweat time I'll gladly sign-up for.

(Vynnie the Gardener chillin' and grillin' at Xericopia!)

Is This Thing On...?

Okay, so my attempt to blog for 30 days wasn't quite successful.   I didn't think spring would require so much outdoor time.  So just a quick catch-up, here are the top ten things happening here at Xericopia:
(1) Got a new greenhouse built (yea!!).  Now all my little seedlings can suffer in the quiet comfort of shade.

(2) Started two new waves of crops.  First wave planted out was: eggplant, tomato, squash, cucumber, sunflower, hollyhock, collards, kale, and dill.

(3)  Watched my collards, kale, and dill die a slow death from aphids and powdery mildew from all that non-stop wind.  (I should've planted kites instead.)

(4)  Second wave of crops getting happy and ready to graduate: Cucumber, sun gold tomato, thai eggplant, bell pepper, hibiscus, beet, purple carrot, lemon balm, rainbow chard, italian kale.  (Oh yeah, that's how I roll in the heat)

(5)  The hotter it gets, the more blooms I see - cactus, zephyranthes, hibiscus Oh My!

(6)  Harvested our first tomato of the season.  This heirloom plant weathered over from 2010Spring and is producing like crazy. 

(7)  I learned flies have at least one redeeming quality, they pollinate strawberries.  We have been harvesting a handful of strawberries every week (damn flies)

 

(8)  Acquired some amazing patio umbrellas from World Market.  Now we have even more sanctuary in the garden. 

(9)  The ipomea morning glory is on the move.  I guess that means summer is really here. 

(10)  Sent Vynnie the Gardener to Bartlett Lake for a little break with friends.  Vitamin D is essential to garden health, ya know.

So thems the happs 'round these parts here at Xericopia.  Loads more to come.  Keep shady!

30 Days In The Gardener's Garden: Day6

Here comes the rain!  At least, that's what the 'meteorologists' are saying.  On cool cloudy days, I make a concerted effort to do just one thing here at Xericopia - OBSERVE.  This is still, in my book, the most important garden practice of all. Plus, why get all sweaty and dirty when the weather is so nice.  

(serenity now, serenity now...)

I noticed my squash seedlings are making an entrance into the garden.  Lots to plant and plenty to share (wink wink, nudge nudge, know-what-I-mean).  
 

(Summer squash making their appearance!)

I have sunflowers galore, and the season is just getting started.  These things come up like weeds everywhere (but not as bad as the hollyhocks). Sunflowers are perfect for simple bouquets around the house with lavender or penstemon or snapdragons.  And, the flower petals are edible, so great for salads.  The seeds I leave for the birdies in the garden (sparrows, finches, verdins, toehees, oh my).

(The sunflower garden is showing off)

Each year I have more and more of these red roses.  Originally, I acquired the plant from a project in 2006 where I dug up the root stock. It only took it two years to start blooming and hasn't slowed.   It only gets about 4 hours of sun, doesn't get fertilized, and not a whole lot of attention.  I wonder if I talked to it more often if it would produce more roses?  Something new to explore...

One neat surprise I discovered was another cauliflower.  This was a bit hidden in the sunflower garden until the leaves got big.  I couldn't quite recall what it was (broccoli? cabbage? brussel sprouts?).   But, like everything else in the garden (including weeds!), just wait long enough and it's sure to bloom.  Then you can figure out what to do with it. 

(yummy cauliflower - ready for roasting with carrots and chard!)

With more rain expected in the weather forecast, expect more eye-time and smiles around Xericopia. (now go plant some seeds!!!)