The lawn conversion continues with the installation of Farm bed #1 and Farm bed #2. Stay tuned...
Showing posts with label edibles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label edibles. Show all posts
Monday, March 01, 2010
And So It Begins...
The lawn conversion continues with the installation of Farm bed #1 and Farm bed #2. Stay tuned...
Monday, November 16, 2009
Container Edibles - Simple Beginnings
Do Not Attempt This At Home!
Well, I used to think that about growing edibles in pots. Especially here in Phoenix.
If you're new to this, I recommend starting simple, with plants that are sure to bring success and boost your confidence (something absolutely necessary in gardening).
(cilantro, red salvia, spearmint)
You can't go wrong with herbs and leafy greens. Many of these plants are not fickle about light, don't require much fertilizing, and can rebound from under or over watering.
(swiss chard, lemon thyme, spearmint, kale, dusty miller)
What I like most about growing herbs and greens in pots is the constant bounty. Many of these plants can grow year-round. They fill out the pots and look great just about anywhere in the garden (as long as they receive a bit of sunlight). Also, I can combine them with other flowering plants such as petunia, salvia, and oxalis.
(swiss chard with pine cone tephrocactus)
Don't feel limited by traditional container gardening. Our Phoenix weather allows us to do very interesting things. You'll always find some success in exploration.
Well, I used to think that about growing edibles in pots. Especially here in Phoenix.
If you're new to this, I recommend starting simple, with plants that are sure to bring success and boost your confidence (something absolutely necessary in gardening).
(cilantro, red salvia, spearmint) You can't go wrong with herbs and leafy greens. Many of these plants are not fickle about light, don't require much fertilizing, and can rebound from under or over watering.
(swiss chard, lemon thyme, spearmint, kale, dusty miller)What I like most about growing herbs and greens in pots is the constant bounty. Many of these plants can grow year-round. They fill out the pots and look great just about anywhere in the garden (as long as they receive a bit of sunlight). Also, I can combine them with other flowering plants such as petunia, salvia, and oxalis.
(swiss chard with pine cone tephrocactus)Don't feel limited by traditional container gardening. Our Phoenix weather allows us to do very interesting things. You'll always find some success in exploration.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Graduation Day...
Yes, I can hear the theme in the background as my little ones make their way out into the real world. No more spray misting, no more enclosed humidity, and no more baby talk (yes, I'm that kind of gardener).
(cucumber, cilantro, okra)Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday What To Do
Like most, I enjoy container gardening. But often, we think of use containers to fill bare spaces like patios and entry ways. You know, hardscapes. Here in Phoenix (and other parts of the southwest) where it's over 100* degrees or more (much much more), these hardscape areas can be 10-20 degrees hotter. Certainly, not a place for plants we love, right?
So, try container gardening . . . in the garden. This beautiful large red pot functions as a raised bed for some sun loving edibles. It also adds a nice pop of color amidst a mass of green. The soil is a well draining mix of rich organic compost, topped with a deep layer of bark mulch to reduce dry out. I also hooked it all up on drip emitters (1/2gal per hour) so it gets watered with my other landscape edibles 3days per week.
Even if you use a smaller container, a good layer of mulch will keep the soil moist enough to avoid daily watering.
(chard, oregano, and thyme enjoying summer amongst friends)
So, try container gardening . . . in the garden. This beautiful large red pot functions as a raised bed for some sun loving edibles. It also adds a nice pop of color amidst a mass of green. The soil is a well draining mix of rich organic compost, topped with a deep layer of bark mulch to reduce dry out. I also hooked it all up on drip emitters (1/2gal per hour) so it gets watered with my other landscape edibles 3days per week.
Even if you use a smaller container, a good layer of mulch will keep the soil moist enough to avoid daily watering.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Surviving Summer
It's hot here in Phoenix. Really hot. Yesterday was 115* degrees. Today it was 115*. And the forecast consensus shows over 110* degrees for all of next week. YIKES!! If you think it's tough on us humans, be assured it's tougher on our plants. Remember, outside it's not only hot, but the sun is intense. If it's not a cactus, it's stressing.
One of the easiest ways to beat the heat (well, tolerate the heat) is simply installing shade cover. Just by reducing the amount of direct intense sun, life gets a little bit nicer for plants.
The set-up in my garden is quite rudimentary. It's not pretty, but it is effective, and it only took ten minutes to put in place. My new seedlings are much happier now.
This is all a temporary solution for current season. Since my back garden receives west exposure, I have a greater plan for future protection. In summer 2008 I planted some new trees (palo verde, bauhinia, crape myrtle, pomegranate) to create natural shade cover. By next summer 2010, too much sun will not be an issue for me.
(keep cool!)
One of the easiest ways to beat the heat (well, tolerate the heat) is simply installing shade cover. Just by reducing the amount of direct intense sun, life gets a little bit nicer for plants.
The set-up in my garden is quite rudimentary. It's not pretty, but it is effective, and it only took ten minutes to put in place. My new seedlings are much happier now.
This is all a temporary solution for current season. Since my back garden receives west exposure, I have a greater plan for future protection. In summer 2008 I planted some new trees (palo verde, bauhinia, crape myrtle, pomegranate) to create natural shade cover. By next summer 2010, too much sun will not be an issue for me.
(keep cool!)
Sunday, April 05, 2009
In The Gardener's Garden - 2009-04-04
Life is good...
My wife and I spent some peaceful time in the garden today (trying very hard to ignore the wind). So to help focus, I ran off to the frontyard and cut a few things for little vase (Don Juan roses, raspberry snapdragon, nasturtium).
As the wind settled, all the birds came out to eat, and the whole verdin bird family came to visit
But a gardener's work is never done. I have to go prune some edibles and cook them up for dinner!
My wife and I spent some peaceful time in the garden today (trying very hard to ignore the wind). So to help focus, I ran off to the frontyard and cut a few things for little vase (Don Juan roses, raspberry snapdragon, nasturtium).
As the wind settled, all the birds came out to eat, and the whole verdin bird family came to visit
But a gardener's work is never done. I have to go prune some edibles and cook them up for dinner!
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Eating Up Some Spring
One of the best things about living in Phoenix Arizona is the weather. Still 28 days before spring 'officially' begins (March 1st), it is 70* degrees, sunny, and everything is in bloom. This really all began about three weeks ago, just after winter weekend. We had a couple of weeks with lows in the 30's, a few days of glorious rain, and now we're headed full steam into what looks to be an incredible spring season.
Before diving into some big project that involve digging or hauling (I have loads), I thought I'd have a little inspirational fun.
"I'll do edible pots!"
Using some old tera cotta pots (about 18"x18") I made a soil blend of potting mix, compost, mulch, and pumice.
Here are the plants I installed in container #1:
Kale - perfect for salads and green smoothies
Spearmint -I like to snack on when I garden and use in tea
Purple kale - labeled as an ornamental, I saute' with monk pepper and sea salt
Dusty miller - it looks so great, and makes a unique garnish
Here are the plants I installed in container #2:
Dill - great on fish (with lemon) and the blooms attract butterflies
Spinach - full of calcium for green smoothies and salad
Swiss chard - saute' with garlic and spinach - yummm!
Lemon thyme - perfect aromatherapy and in tea
Dusty miller - very cool pressed flower for art cards
Except for the dusty miller and purple kale, I gathered everything else from the Downtown Farmer's Market or Baker Nursery in effort to keep things as organic as possible. These pots will only require watering a couple days per week and should produce well for about two months. I don't intend to fertilize because of the organic composted mulch in the soil mix.
Once temperatures over 90* degrees, I'll transplant everything into a shady area in the garden, hopefully to gain another month of late springtime eats.
Before diving into some big project that involve digging or hauling (I have loads), I thought I'd have a little inspirational fun.
"I'll do edible pots!"
Using some old tera cotta pots (about 18"x18") I made a soil blend of potting mix, compost, mulch, and pumice.
Here are the plants I installed in container #1:
Kale - perfect for salads and green smoothies
Spearmint -I like to snack on when I garden and use in tea
Purple kale - labeled as an ornamental, I saute' with monk pepper and sea salt
Dusty miller - it looks so great, and makes a unique garnish
Here are the plants I installed in container #2:
Dill - great on fish (with lemon) and the blooms attract butterflies
Spinach - full of calcium for green smoothies and salad
Swiss chard - saute' with garlic and spinach - yummm!
Lemon thyme - perfect aromatherapy and in tea
Dusty miller - very cool pressed flower for art cards
Except for the dusty miller and purple kale, I gathered everything else from the Downtown Farmer's Market or Baker Nursery in effort to keep things as organic as possible. These pots will only require watering a couple days per week and should produce well for about two months. I don't intend to fertilize because of the organic composted mulch in the soil mix.
Once temperatures over 90* degrees, I'll transplant everything into a shady area in the garden, hopefully to gain another month of late springtime eats.
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