A Gardener's Home

Garden Spiders and White Pumpkins

2011-10-31T13:29:00.001-05:00

Halloween always includes a good spider!

Orb Weavers comprise a huge family of spiders with several hundred species in North America.

They are great additions to the garden by eating the insects that fly into the web.

This particular spider kept our grandson entertained this Fall.

This year all our pumpkins are white. Whether on the window sill or in a wood bowl, I love the look.

These are "Baby Boo" and only grow to 3". You can find several white varieties that work not only for decorations, but also for carving and baking.

Try "Casper", at 15 lbs it is a sweet tasting pumpkin and is perfect for baking. "Cotton Candy" (5-12 lbs) and "Moonshine" (8-12 lbs) are also good for decorating and carving.

The smaller 2 lbs "Lil Pump Ke Mon" is just the right size for displaying.

Looking for recipes for pumpkin treats? Try the new shopping list app aisle411. They have over 130,000 recipes!

Looking for pumpkin seeds to grow your own next year? Try Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds

Preparing your Plants for Winter

2011-10-25T12:55:00.005-05:00

This is a wonderful link about getting your plants ready for the winter!

Thank you to Fox2 and Jennifer at Greenscape Gardens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsNTErSV9IA

Fall, Friends, and Fun

2011-10-18T11:41:00.009-05:00

Our daughter sent this picture of the grandchildren visiting one of the many parks near their new home.

It is such a beautiful time to be outside. I love all the color nature provides.
One of my favorite projects in the Fall is decorating our friend Olive's front porch.
Last year she was approached by the photographer from The Today Show, so we hope that happens this year also--it would be fun to see it on national tv.

Our friend, Marilyn Geery, just got back from Yellowstone Park where she volunteered for the Elk Rut.

This picture has it all...bird, antlers and big brown eyes.

The grandchildren are loving all the pumpkin patches and Fall Festivals.

More grandchildren and pumpkins!

And finally, another photo by Marilyn Geery, giving a new meaning to antlers in the home.

Hope you get outside and enjoy the Fall Fun!

Ladue News Show House 2011

2011-09-28T11:47:00.008-05:00

This is my latest bird nest.

One of the Alpha Phi Omega Washington University Students found it while cleaning the property.

How appropriate, as landscapers and interior designers begin transforming the house, that the bird that built this nest used duct tape!

Bird Nests Indoors

2011-08-31T16:12:00.003-05:00

It is entirely too hot and dry here so I am messing around inside.

The first nest is one we bought. It sits in our window.

The second nest came from our daughter's tree and sits in our greenhouse.
The third nest is from this house and sits on the mantle with shells and antlers.
I just talked with our daughter in California and it is 33 degrees cooler there.

She says no one talks about the weather, so she asked their real estate agent what everyone talks about there.

The agent told her "food".

That works.

It is too hot to cook. Is that close to talking about food ?

Why I haven't blogged for a month...

2011-08-17T11:06:00.008-05:00

It has been just a bit crazy. I won't mention whose dishwasher this is-ha!

All I can say is it has been quite the month.

We were in San Diego.

This is one of my favorite streets in northern San Diego County.
The Eucalyptus trees line the whole street.

Then we went to Los Angeles.

This is the entrance to the Nestle Building.

I loved the combination of the white roses and evergreens.

Unfortunately when we got home, our dog's cancer was to a point we had to put her down.

That still hurts...

On the much happier side: Our youngest daughter became engaged while in Napa Valley.

This picture was arranged by his brother to capture the exact moment! What a wonderful gift!

We are so lucky to be getting another son-in-law.

Then she packed up, put her condo on the market and moved to Atlanta!
I love this shot of the dog.
I miss him also.

Meanwhile, our oldest son and fiance' mailed their wedding invitations :)

Her sister took this picture in Forest Park.
We welcome her and her two beautiful children to the family!
I will blog another day on the wedding photographer, which we loved.

Three days after the wedding, our oldest daughter, son-in-law and four children moved to the San Fransisco area. I think this picture four days later says they are going to love it! Lucky me went along to help with the children while they unpacked.

Mr. M and I are ready for some down time....and cooler weather to garden.
p.s. I didn't mention our youngest son, but he has been plenty busy also with a beautiful (inside and out) girlfiriend.

Strawberries

2011-07-07T10:25:00.009-05:00

Few things are more refreshing than the taste of a strawberry just picked.

Recently in California we visited the famed Chino Ranch.

The have a very small farmers market with the fruits and vegetables

they have not sold to the top chefs in the San Diego area.

These small, pale red "French" strawberries were unbelievable.

They melt in your mouth with a sweetness all their own.

My husband was impressed that a small tug on the stem removed the whole center.

Yes, we ate the entire box before getting back to the hotel!

Can't you see these 'sturdy bone china' farmers market baskets

from Jayson Home & Garden filled with fresh strawberries from your garden?
This picture is from their Spring 2011 catalog.

Strawberries are plants that are easily grown here in Missouri, but do take some time and work. Weeding, especially grasses, from around the beds is essential. I find they do best in raised beds where they get good drainage and air circulation. If that's not possible, I suggest you grow the plants in mounds or in hanging planters. This is my personal go-to book for growing strawberries and other fruits here in the Midwest.

The White Rabbit Keeps Getting Better

2011-07-01T12:42:00.009-05:00

The White Rabbit is becoming one of my favorite places.

Everyday the shop changes, and if you see something you like,

you need to purchase it right then or it will be gone.

I missed out on a wonderful set of painted burlap drapery panels!

Their prices are very reasonable and

their vingettes are interesting and unique.

Summer Meals

2011-06-28T04:08:00.007-05:00

On summer nights we can hear the frogs from the creek below. Thought this would be a fun place setting for dinner on the deck.

The lily pad plates are from Arhaus, the wicker charger from a local grocery store (but Pottery Barn

sells a more expensive one) and the twig place mat came from The Gifted Gardener several years ago. The frog is a rubber toy and I used three bamboo napkin rings from World Market over a plain white cotton napkin.

Gardening in a Stormy Spring

2011-05-02T11:03:00.008-05:00

Our daughter managed to plant her veggies as her soil has been amended to properly drain. The creek has been up most of the spring and the hillside is green and beautiful

This iris was from a friend, Janet Williamson, and is a delight to see from the corner window in our kitchen.
To see more iris be sure to visit the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

Found two of these concrete wall sconces at Steinmart and planted them with sedums.

Spring continues with more rain and I am thankful I don't have to water...yet.

Happy Easter

2011-04-23T23:06:00.002-05:00

'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.'

Isaiah 30:15

Mulch

2011-04-16T12:54:00.003-05:00

Hail was not an option I was considering for mulch.

Gates

2011-04-12T16:58:00.007-05:00

Whether you want to keep things in or out, a gate is a good choice. Gates, in my opinion, should be outside... The above gate is my all time favorite.

Same style, but with man and auto gates.

Gates should be as individual as the owner.

Note the cat carving on the green gates! Very individual.

Check it out

2011-04-07T16:55:00.006-05:00

Check out my guest blog at St Louis Homes & Lifestyle

Just sayin'

2011-03-26T17:41:00.007-05:00

Nature

Our neighbor Jennifer's vintage cake plate

Table by Rose Tarlow

Spring is like Bbq Sauce--each town has it's own 'style'

2011-03-26T17:27:00.008-05:00

Daffodils protected by the snow.

Tuesday we all played at the park... 75 degrees

Today (Saturday) even the dog doesn't want to be outside

Driving home from shopping....

Our tree out front
Remind me again it is Spring...St Louis Style

Playing Outside

2011-03-14T12:43:00.008-05:00

We babysit every chance we get...and it has been a lot lately. We are ALL ready to get outside!

Of course, this morning we woke to snow covering the ground

Every inch of the house shows signs of the grandchildren. Every piece of furniture has been part of a tent or "house" as the granddaughters say. Why all the babysitting? Our oldest daughter just had her fourth child!

Born just before Valentines Day, she is a wonderful addition.

As soon as I rest up, I am going to plan a children's garden based on the way I have watched them play this winter.

Maybe it will be a sunflower fort, a quiet fairy garden, a tent of beans and morning glories and of course a worm box. It will need to have a place for them to paint rocks and sticks with watercolors, make mud pies, watch/catch fireflies, and make clover bracelets.

Here's to playing outside again!

Still Too Early To Plant

2011-03-13T16:40:00.006-05:00

Sharing gardening thoughts and objects is always fun, but especially so when it is for a great cause. In this case it is a Trivia Night for Mike Karandzieff of Crown Candy Kitchen fame, who is undergoing cancer treatment. I found these things at Nell Hill's in Kansas City, MO. Seems like chicken wire is everywhere and I thought it would be fun to include as a candle holder for inside or outside. The tin plate wrapped in wicker is a nice change from the traditional basket and could have multiple uses. The iron bird card holder makes a perfect seed packet holder...(I keep my seed packets handy in case of questions, then on to my notebook with notes on about the plants. I even write the date I planted the seeds on the packet.) The fern was from Nell Hill's also. Don't normally do plastic, but in this case a real plant wouldn't survive being wrapped up for a couple of weeks. I am still adding things, like garden gloves and a candle for the holder.

It's still too early to plant here, but never too early for sharing the joy of gardening with others!

February on Michigan Avenue--crazy and cold!

2011-02-28T14:30:00.001-06:00

Love Chicago! If you are in town check out the Arts & Artisans shops (there are four). Wonderful gardener's jewelry! Found this striking Gingko leaf in hand patinaed bronze. This style included red horn beads. They carry Michael Michaud's "Silver Seasons" collection. Lots of organic shapes like pea pods in bronze and pearls.

Background is a beautiful silk scarf given to me by our neighbors who left us in charge of their prized orchid while they vacationed in China. Loved the orchid--it even made it into a Post Dispatch photo shoot of our house.

Keeping it Simple in Your Landscape

2011-02-27T14:42:00.008-06:00

This has always been a favorite landscape of mine. It is clean, easy to maintain, and not terribly expensive. The neutral background of stone and gravel allow pots of annuals, herbs and small trees to be changed by season or by whim of the owner.

Pets

2011-02-26T16:58:00.009-06:00

Our dog was diagnosed with cancer last summer...it makes me sad because she is a good friend. She has pretty much destroyed this antique chair by burying her bones and some day we will have to think about repairing and recovering. Right now, I just enjoy seeing her enjoying the chair.

This is where the bones start out. She has not torn up the twig container...and it also keeps the tennis balls under control.

Pets are good for children. Ours grew up with cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters and fish. This pillow is from Seven Sisters and just for cat lovers. Funny, none of our children now have pets of their own.

I found this pillow at Diane Breckenridge's. This one is for dog lovers.

There is even a chair for dog lovers...also at Diane Breckenridge's.

These are friends and staff at Diane Breckenridge's. This has nothing to do with pets, but we had a great time at her holiday open house!

This is NOT a pet! Still can't believe it got in my car engine....(see earlier post)

Outdoors is looking like Christmas this morning!

2010-12-12T14:13:00.004-06:00

House Beautiful...almost

2010-11-18T16:08:00.007-06:00

When December/January 2011 arrived in the mailbox announcing big ideas for decorating in 2011 I couldn't wait to flip through the pages...It was NOT AT ALL what I expected. I couldn't put it down. Even Newll Turner, Editor in Chief, makes reference to the difference in fads and trends. Well, I feel pretty good about things right now...remember last week when I mentioned my burlap book covering??

Well, I took it a little further...and made some window panels for the dining/pub room.

Three yards of burlap ($5.99/yd) and exsisting hardware. What does HB show? Check out page 112. Every window in Roman Alonso's LA apartment is covered in burlap!

This was soooo easy...no sewing. The hardest part is cleaning up all the 'burlap dust'.

There are also several photos this month in both HB and Veranda magazine showing antlers and mounts. These candle holders were gifts from the very talented Bob Pickle. We are looking forward to enjoying them at Thanksgiving, Christmas and always.

I am personally happy to see this trend of using pure and simple objects---inside and outside!

Burlap Books

2010-11-09T12:11:00.007-06:00

When I mentioned to my friend, Kay Wallace, I was covering some books with burlap for our daughter's birthday she suggested I drop some off at her shop F.O.B. St Louis. So I did! I also ended up arranging a table of the books and a burlap tablecloth (also made by moi'). It was just like the old days when Kay's shop was located in Brentwood! Sharing the afternoon was another friend, newly retired managing editor of St Louis Homes & Lifestyles magazine, Vicki Pickle.

Opossum vs Durango

2010-10-26T13:47:00.015-05:00

Just happened to notice some pine needles under the wheel well on our Durango. Imagine my surprise to find this mess in the engine compartment. I reached in to remove the needles and there was this cute little face looking at me...my husband's text made reference to the fact I was a 'country girl' and could handle it-ha!

According to Wikipedea the word opossum comes from the Algonquian aposoum, meaning "white beast". What followed could verify that statement. A call to the Springfield Missouri Animal Control and the battle was on!

The "white beast" was not going to leave his cozy space without a fight...

Finally...who says they only get as big as a household cat???

A big thanks to the Springfield Missouri Animal Control gentleman, my friends from the Wicker Fixer (they kept the situation light and cleaned up afterwards), and my mom who

closed the garage door and went inside laughing.

Horticulture Co-op of Metro St Louis

2010-09-21T12:58:00.018-05:00

I am standing inside Hummert's Booth helping sell some pretty wonderful hand tools of which the profits went to the Horticulture Co-op...

Hosted by St Louis Community College, Meramec Campus. It is worth a visit to the campus to walk the grounds. Enjoy the autumn.

The Wedding was INCREDIBLE

2010-09-16T10:54:00.004-05:00

Very personal and filled with family, friends, food and fun. Just the way a wedding should be!

The conversation always turns to plants!

2010-08-22T15:29:00.010-05:00

It is very hard to have a conversation with a master gardener and not talk about plants. Lunch with Sharon was going pretty good...we were talking about a dinner she was hosting later in the week.

Sharon said she needed to pick up some candles on the way home. I mentioned how much I love the ones at ACE Hardware. They are unscented and in wonderful, rich colors. The candles do drip (remember the 70's when it was popular to let the wax cover a wine bottle???) so plan accordingly.

Sharon later called to say she had purchased candles at ACE Hardware (still couldn't believe she had shopped at a hardware store for a dinner party--but if you are a gardener, then you know we always shop at the hardware stores and nurseries before we entertain...).

She did have a question: What are the shrubs with the blue berries along the parking lot of ACE?

Luckily I had noticed them a couple of days earlier and taken the above picture. They are 'Blue Muffin' Viburnums. They have an intense blue color that makes a great contrast to their glossy green leaves. I love the white flowers in summer. For those of you in areas with deer, they are considered deer resistant plants. Check out more on this variety at Proven Winners.

Summer Simplicity

2010-07-09T23:11:00.006-05:00

One of the things we loved about this house was the neighbors. Tonight we had dinner with Jennifer, Kevin and our mutual friend Millie. Our part included a simple dish...chocolate mint leaves from our herb garden, low acid yellow cherry tomatoes, sausage and cheese from our favorite Italian market all served on a bed of fresh grated parmesan cheese. The pewter dish is by Arte' Italica.

Think Ahead to Fall

2010-07-06T15:31:00.014-05:00

If you enjoy dark greens like spinach, collards and broccoli you can still plant them up until August according to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Even late-season lettuce can take the cold. Also good to plant now and harvest after the first frost are root vegetables.

This recipe, perfect for combining fall apple picking with your fall vegetable garden is from CDKitchen.com:

Broccoli Waldorf Salad

large head broccoli florets cooked and separated

large red apple unpeeled, chopped in small pieces

1 stalk of celery chopped

1/4 of a red onion chopped fine

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup light raisins

1 cup crumbled soft style blue cheese

mayonnaise

salt and pepper

Combine all the ingredients binding together with mayonnaise. Season to taste. Best served the same day, but can be kept 24 hours.
image from RecipeBridge

Fireworks for the Garden

2010-07-03T14:33:00.006-05:00

This time of year my garden in St Louis begins to look a little tired.

One of my all time favorites to 'sparkle it up' for this time of year is Agapanthus 'White Heavens', shown here from Heronswood's Online Catalog. I also grow 'Blue Nile' and keep both in pots I over-winter in the garage. They are wonderful poolside and bloom just in time for the 4th! Add a few pots of red geraniums and big tall glasses of lemonade and you are ready for friends and family. (ok, so our friends really prefer chilled wine and/or cold beer)

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday.

My Sister's Tomatoes

2010-07-02T15:00:00.007-05:00

Imagine for just a moment... You are the youngest child, the under-achiever. You grow up, work, retire, and then, finally, decide to plant your very FIRST tomatoes as a retired citizen.
Now....let's back up just a bit and talk about the over-achiever older sister. *It's probably good here to drop in this fact: She is also a Master Gardener. (did I even spell that correctly?!?!)
Would you, as the youngest sibling, ask for help in this 'tomato' growing adventure....nah, you want to try it on your own. So, because you are SO proud of yourself, you email pictures to your older sister showing her your FIRST EVER PLANTS. What does this older sister do? Call and congratulate you? No. Text or reply to your email showing her your first ever plants? No. What she does, as the over-achiever, is post on your blog the pitiful attempts of your younger sister.
Ok...enough family history.
Today, I am sending you pictures of my 2 tomato plants. I now have 2 1/2 tomatoes turning 'red'!!!!! I have some 'chicken wire' around the plants...and now the chicken wire is too short. What do I do? I ask my older sister! (the master gardener one)--- She informs me that I'm to just let my tomatoes grow out and fall over the side and the plants may well lay on the ground! Who knew!?!?!?!?!?!

Two tomato plants: @ 99 cents each
Two pots, two bags of dirt w/ Miracle Grow, two stakes, plastic tie-up ribbon looking stuff = total $40.23
(Have I ever even eaten $40 worth of tomatoes in a summer? I think not.)
Look on my sister's face when the plants are still alive: Priceless!

P.S. I also asked her why my iris plants hadn't come up in over 10 years...well, they come up about 3 inches...no blooms...and then die. Judy then asks how deep I had planted the bulbs; I said, I didn't really 'measure', but I'd guess about 8-9 inches. You know....you really can learn a lot from a Master Gardener!

1. underachiever??? my sister has more initials behind her name than I can count

2. retired?? yes, from one of the top universities--oh, and she just got back from San Antonio where she attended a conference on poverty

3. gardener?? of hearts and minds- always an educator!

As a side note: I really wrote the blog because it is fun to see people like my sister get excited over growing a tomato. That's really what gardening is all about. Concerning the whole irises thing---I'm sending her my favorite book "Magic of Irises" by Barbara Perry Lawton.

Vote today for Gateway Greening

2010-07-02T12:19:00.002-05:00

This is a project I've personally been involved with for the last 15 years. Pease vote! thanks, Judy

Gateway Greening is one of four non-profit finalists for What Do You Care About TODAY?, a contest sponsored by the NBC® TODAY Show and the Pepsi Refresh Project granting one winning organization $100,000! Nominated by a volunteer, we were chosen from over 700 non-profits nationally. The organization with the most vote wins. Please Vote TODAY!
How to Vote Online: Go to http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38027143/and choose Gateway Greening from the videos. Submit your Vote by viewing the brief Gateway Greening video, clicking "Submit Vote" and then clicking "yes" to confirm your vote. The designation "*Your pick" will show up under the video player confirming your selection.

The TODAY Show featured Gateway Greening’s City Seeds Urban Farm, located in the heart of St. Louis right off Pine Street. The Farm produces affordable, locally grown food on land provided by MODOT. Its farmers, receiving comprehensive services provided by St. Patrick Center, are either currently dealing with or at risk of chronic homelessness, substance abuse or mental illness.

The Voting Period ends on July 6 at 8 p.m. CST. The winning organization will be announced July 7 live on the TODAY Show. If we win, the prize money will help us do more at City Seeds Urban Farm: more farmers, year-round farming, and as a result, more jobs.
Please forward this e-mail, invite all your friends to share on Facebook and tweet the link on Twitter! We need your VOTE to show what WE care about TODAY!
Thank you, The Gateway Greening Gang

2211 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Ph 314.588.9600 x26
Fax 314.588.9600
www.gatewaygreening.org
Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

Growth of a Gardener

2010-06-26T06:24:00.012-05:00

Daughter Julia’s tomatoes, 2009

We all know life is full of surprises and they are often good surprises. That’s what I’m feeling today.

Grandson’s toes and peas

I grew up with a father who loved to garden. I live with my husband of 36 years who loves to garden. We raised four children and now have our fourth grandchild on the way. I am not surprised our children and grandchildren garden, in fact our oldest son majored in Plant Science.

Our 5 year old granddaughter's grocery list

..notice the basil, tomatoes and lettuce??

What surprised me was this picture, arriving by email from my sister! It is captioned “It’s a FIRST. My very own tomatoes.” I am so proud of her! Way to go Peggy!

Outdoor Dining

2010-06-10T14:48:00.011-05:00

The grandchildren always ask to have meals outside. Maybe we need to think about a table that would seat all of us (14- almost 15)

Love this bluestone top table from Mecox

Or this antique wood table also from Mecox

This one also has the benches from AKO

Or this one by Jim Denney via ABC (goodwood collection)
Or this one, a Belgium antique wood top table from Mecox.

I was thinking about my blog when I stopped to read one from a favorite blogger at vignette design. I love all things burlap, California, outside, etc. and she features the perfect vignette in all natural and white. Now I am really inspired to set up an outside dining area--even though it is really hot and sticky here—and keeps storming.

Brown Bottom on Tomatoes

2010-06-10T14:43:00.001-05:00

I am growing some herbs and tomatoes in containers this year - no vegetable garden - just patio plants. I am even trying one of the Topsy Turvy containers.

My little tomatoes have brown bottoms. They look like they are rotting, but when I feel the brown part, it is firm, almost leathery. I clipped off some leaves around them, thinking they weren't getting sun and perhaps sitting on a leaf.

Any ideas?
Julie in Springfield

Hi Julie,
Thanks for visiting the blog and emailing. Most likely your tomatoes have blossom-end rot. It appears as a leathery-brown spot on the bottom of a tomato, just as you described. It is more common on certain varieties and usually on staked plants. It isn't really a disease, but a result of poor growing conditions (no direct reflection on your gardening-as I know you have a beautiful yard). Hopefully it does not continue past the first few tomatoes.

It could be from all the rain and temperature changes you have had. The wet weather messes with both the minerals in the soil and pollination. You can help by shaking the plant a little in the mornings--even tap the blossoms to help spread the pollen.

Hint: Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers. Research shows blossom-end rot is avoided when plants can easily absorb calcium. Nitrogen tends to bind the calcium making it hard to absorb. Choose fertilizers high in phosphorus and potassium for healthy tomatoes.

Judy

Resources: Iowa State University Extension (picture), The Midwest Fruit and Vegetable Book, Missouri Edition, by James A Fizzell, and eHowto.

Orbs, Not just for Gardens anymore…

2010-06-08T16:43:00.003-05:00

Recently my friend Millie and I had a conversation about orbs. She’s been looking for a couple of concrete orbs for her garden. We have a large one in our front yard that came from a local garden center. I really do like the concrete ones, but every once in awhile I think I would like to have some for inside and just might want the ceramic ones.

Can’t you just imagine this room with ceramic orbs instead of globes?

or maybe in the center of a table instead of candles…

what about white ceramic orbs instead of pumpkins for all year round??

Some of my favorites are made by Bauer Pottery Company of Los Angeles www.BauerPottery.com

Pictures from Bauer Pottery, unknown,( please claim,) Helen Green ?, Nest Egg via Remodelista

June is Blueberry Month!

2010-06-08T04:52:00.002-05:00

Head on over to St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles Design Relish Blog for my newest post on blueberries.

St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles

2010-05-04T18:19:00.002-05:00

My new blog post about garden clubs and why we gather together to garden was just posted on St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles "Design Relish" blog. Click HERE to see.

National Pollinator Week Contest

2010-05-04T13:29:00.003-05:00

This is a shot I took several years ago…love those pollinators! Hope you will enter—Let me know.

To celebrate National Pollinator Week (June 21-27), the Garden is dedicating the entire month of June to raising public awareness of pollinators and the critical role they play in our world. In addition to fun and inspiring classes, events and experiences at the Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve, Butterfly House, and EarthWays Center throughout June. The Garden is also launching a public engagement campaign – “Picture-Perfect Pollinators”. The goal of this campaign is to encourage people of all ages to get outside to document pollinators in action, and help us amass 1,000 “picture-perfect pollinators” on the Garden’s Flickr site. (Please note: You must have or create a free Yahoo! account to submit photos via Flickr.)

A selection of the submissions will be used to create a “Tribute to Pollinators” video narrated by Dr. Raven and available in July for all to enjoy and share on the Garden’s YouTube channel.

A New Powder Room Sink

2010-03-24T16:42:00.005-05:00

I want to replace my powder room sink. Because I’m a gardener and because this is a Storybook House I want it to be more romantic. I’m thinking stone. I usually use my own photos but I’m pulling these from my files, so please let me know if these are yours. I’m happy to give you credit!

This one isn’t a sink, but has the feel I’m looking for. This one is wonderfully romantic—a fountain by your soaking tub! (from “Accents of Salado”).

The simplicity of this one has a lot of appeal to me.

More outdoors, but I love the frogs!

The stone and the metal make this a wonderful mix… from Cote de Texas (one of my favorite blogs).

This is pretty darned romantic—maybe too much.

This is the winner so far. The mirror is striking. I love the wood base, but the soap hanging is really sweet.

Do you have a favorite stone sink?

Out on a Limb...Selecting an Arborist

2010-03-18T21:09:00.010-05:00

We have been lucky this year (knock on wood—pun intended) and not had damaging ice storms. That does not mean your trees won’t need some care in spring. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability and arborists provide pruning, removal, emergency tree care, planting and healthcare such as fertilization and insect control.

How do you select an arborist?

Check for membership and certification in professional organizations such as the International Society of Arboriculture, the Tree Care Industry Association, or the American Society of Consulting Arborists.

Ask for proof of insurance (don’t hesitate to call the insurance company if you feel uncertain) as a reputable arborist carries personal and property damage insurance as well as worker’s compensation.
Check for permits and licenses.
Ask for references. Pay attention to the companies your neighbors are using and ask them about the arborist. Make sure they are an established business in the community with a listing in the phone book.
Get more than one estimate. Don’t always go with the low bid. Consider the combination of professionalism, skill, work to be done and price. Avoid individuals who go door to door and offer bargains (We had a personal experience of having someone prune who did not clean their chainsaws after cutting down a diseased oak and it spread the disease to our oaks.)
Remember your trees are a valuable investment so don’t hesitate to ask questions such as

Who will be responsible for clean up?
Does work include stump removal?
Is this the total price or is there an hourly rate if more needs to be done?
When will the work start and when will it end

Be an informed customer and educate yourself on some of the basic principles of tree care. Local garden centers and the Kemper Center at Missouri Botanical Garden are wonderful resources.

photo courtsey of Simon Howden

Pizza Garden

2010-02-11T15:51:00.002-06:00

Think of a Tuscan courtyard - gravel patio, rustic furniture and all around the edges, mossy pots and healthy plantings of Italian herbs and vegetables. Come and get this sense of Tuscany from the many Italian herbs and vegetables that you can grow from seeds or transplants. They range from flat-leaf Italian parsley to compact bushes of Italian Roma tomatoes, from heirloom squash called Marina di Chioggia to Black Tuscan kale. The possibilities of feasts under the Tuscan sun are nearly endless. Bowood's Ellen Barredo and Kathie Hoyer show you how to grow your own Italian garden.

For more information call or visit:
Bowood Farms
4605 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 454-6868
www.bowoodfarms.com

The White Rabbit

2010-02-08T20:48:00.024-06:00

The White Rabbit is a vintage-chic boutique at 9030 Manchester Rd, Brentwood, MO 63144. You can check it out at www.thewhiterabbitstl.com.

The White Rabbit is the perfect place if you are looking for a baby gift or for painted white vintage furniture. They also have some beautiful ‘shell/beach accessories’. I was looking for a “rabbit” for our kitchen window and I had not been in the shop for several months so stopped by. Now they are carrying custom furniture and have expanded their store with all things white and pastels.

Even though I didn’t find a rabbit, I did find some wonderful ceramic carrots and turnips and some rusty old sand shovels.

I found the rabbit at The Emporium in Warson Woods. The copper pots were a find when shopping with friend Millie at the Big Bend Antique Store.

Floral designer Marianne Brown helped me put it all together!

Help!

2010-01-17T13:52:00.010-06:00

Help! We are giving a party next weekend and the front of our house just doesn’t say, “Welcome”. Thanks, Mary

Mary,
You should always feel good about pulling up to your home. Curb Appeal matters whether you are selling, buying, throwing a party, or just pulling in the drive after a long day. It is the first and often the only thing anyone sees. Statistics show buyers will not even look inside if they do not like the first impression.

Last spring I consulted with this young couple on the vegetable garden in their backyard and was happy to do a quick fix on the front.

You see these ranches from the 50’s all over the city so I thought you might like to have some simple hints for giving your home more curb appeal.

— We addressed the flowerbeds and shrubs with some deadheading of the perennials, trimming and weeding.
— Rather than mulch (they had done that in late spring) we simply used a tool called a ‘weasel’ that tills the mulch restoring the volume and making the mulch look like new. This is a real cost/time saver.
— The client painted the front door to match her living room walls. A black door can often feel like a big black hole and not very welcoming. A simple decoration on the door—in this case vertical to break up the horizontal lines of the ranch—gives an updated look.
— We also painted rather than replace the house numbers.
— Installed a new, slightly larger light fixture.
— The biggest change was to paint out the brick on the lower half of the front. Using one color really helps the house look larger. Because the house had been painted within the last few years, we didn’t have to paint anything but the bricks and were able to save by using existing paint.
— Again, to break up the horizontal lines, we planted vertical evergreens to accent the porch and beds.
— We added a few stepping stones through the large mulched area for both the postman and the children to use as a path to the neighbor.
— We cut the grass and trimmed the sidewalk and driveway edges.
— We finished in two days and we were even invited to the party!

Curb appeal takes some work, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Contact us at agardenershome@gmail.com for help on making your home one people want to visit. We consult and/or do the labor.

2009 Garden of the Year

2009-10-05T23:29:00.006-05:00

Enjoy this article from St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles entitled Drifts of Color. CLICK HERE.

Picture from St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles

Chocolate Tomatoes

2009-08-15T21:40:00.005-05:00

Randy has really gotten into organic gardening! I’m hoping he will take some pictures of these tomato vines.

Last fall when I visited our friends Randy and Susan’s farm, I was telling Randy about the ‘chocolate tomatoes’ and he decided to try them. We were all personally disappointed in the taste. It could have been all the rain and cool weather in early summer…or it could be they are just not that tasty. They are supposed to be similar to the big boys, but these were not nearly as firm. They are pretty ugly, also. Again, I think it was due to the early and heavy rains. Hope he tries them again next year. Randy has a couple of real winners this year in a small lemon tomato and a large stripped Roma tomato. Susan’s making some wonderful salsas and cold pasta dishes.

If your interested in more heirloom plants check out Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds at http://www.rareseeds.com/ They have Randy’s selections and also some incredible squashes and melons. You may even want to visit Baker Creek here in Missouri.

Floral Design

2009-08-05T12:59:00.002-05:00

Years ago while shopping for our Welsh pine hutch I met Marianne Brown. She was in the basement of a church selling her artificial flower arrangements in a small area of what was the Old English Pine shop (now English Living).

She moved to Florida, worked as an interior designer for several years and is now back in St. Louis as a floral designer. You will love her work and should stop by and see her in her new shop. Those out of town can visit her website at http://www.mariannebrowndesign.com/. On the website you can find the article from Mary Engelbright’s Home Companion magazine showcasing Marianne’s home.

It was a fun visit. Met Tom Sprick a designer here in St Louis and avid customer of Marianne’s. Tom is also a gardener and will be volunteering at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s bulb area soon. Watch for his new website. Designers who pay attention to the exterior as much as the interior are my favorites. Enjoy his blog HERE.

Want more information on English Living? http://www.englishliving.com/ or visit their showroom at 1520 Washington Ave, St Louis, MO 63103.

Borrowing From Your Neighbors

2009-07-10T15:07:00.006-05:00

The best thing about this house is the neighborhood. We knew most of the neighbors before we moved in and if you have a dog you know what I mean when I say it didn’t take long to meet the rest of the neighbors.

Over a decade ago we purchased Uwharrie chairs Bob Timberlake design to go by our tennis court. I loved them. We later used them in the pool area and I loved them there also.

This, however, might be my favorite place. They set at the edge of property and in the Spring “borrow” our neighbors white dogwoods as a backdrop. It’s a perfect place to sit and watch the grandchildren ride their bikes (now that Pops fixed the training wheels).
Look around your own yard and see what “borrowed scenery” you might use as your focal point.

Borrowed scenery (from Japanese shakkei 借景, lit. "borrow/lend scene") is the principle of "incorporating background landscape into the composition of a garden" found in traditional East Asian garden design.

Keeping it Simple

2009-07-09T13:24:00.010-05:00

Mass plantings always make a statement. Above is an example of using just three plants. All are common to our area and easy to find in local nurseries.

This is the area at the bottom of our driveway just as it makes a turn. This is also hiding the view of our neighbor’s construction site (which is just days from being a beautifully landscaped addition).

The planter was originally a fountain we had purchased from The Gifted Gardener. After it cracked one winter I started planting it with annuals. Last year I decided to plant it with the same sedum my daughter had in her front planter. Sedum ellacombianum is both cold and draught tolerant which is wonderful. It blooms in June or July in this area and the picture shows the small star-shaped yellow flowers starting to open.

I also used it on the ground below the planter for visual balance.

We moved the planter into an existing bed of common daylilies.

Then this year instead of cutting down the native Sumac saplings behind the daylilies we let them grow to give a little more privacy. They will turn a beautiful red in the fall, although by then my husband will probably have cut them down.

Sometimes the simplest of plants can make a real statement.

Collections

2009-06-03T08:24:00.009-05:00

Downsizing is a great way to organize your stuff. It forces you to only keep what you really love. I did not even realize I liked birds.

Obviously, I do like birds and nests. I think it all started when our friend Jane Mason came to paint in our gardens. Each year there was a duck that nested in the pool area and raised its young on the pool. It often caused a delay in the spring opening of the pool, but even the children did not seem to mind. Unfortunately, that spring the Labrador across the street escaped and took out the mother duck. Several eggs never hatched. It was such a beautiful nest. Jane sketched for hours in the 90+/-degree heat. Later a guest would tell me she was taking a class from Jane and remembered her working on “Judy’s Duck Eggs”. We think its one of her best. Jane displayed this at the Water Color Show at the Artists Guild and Mike and I were thrilled to be able to purchase such a personal piece of art. It continues to be a reminder of the wonderful, special summer Mike’s mom spent with us while under Hospice care.

You can visit Jane’s website at http://www.watchingpaintdry.com/
Jane also painted a quiet corner of our yard of large oaks, hydrangeas, white azaleas and a favorite bench called “Green Sanctuary”. It hangs in my office.

In the same room as the painting, in the small glass conservatory is a nest taken from the property. It is such a work of art. We waited until the baby birds had flown away before taking it down.

The dining room is another space where birds showed up. They are in the print on the draperies, the pullbacks, the table, and a very temporary grapevine valance (my husband removed it). I especially love using the little stone Mexican birds on the table.

Chocolate Leaves

2009-03-27T02:30:00.001-05:00

Our preschool age granddaughters have already begun to express a love for gardening. The oldest brought me apple seeds to plant with her in our yard and we have been rooting avocado (“our Mom loves avocados”) seeds in the window for a couple of weeks. With several family birthdays this month I thought it would be fun to make Chocolate (“our Mom loves chocolate”) Leaves to decorate the cakes.

I had seen this in a Traditional Home magazine article in 2000 (this Grandmother never throws away a good article) about what chefs, Debbie Gold and Michael Smith, teach their children. It is fun and easy to do with children. It is easier and cleaner to do alone.

You will need:

Baking chocolate—the higher the quality the easier it is to work with
Lemon or rose leaves—these can be purchased
Pastry brush (one for each child recommended).

1) Melt the baking chocolate.

2) With the pastry brush, paint the veined side of the leaf with 2 or 3 layers. Chill briefly after each layer to harden.

3) Carefully peel leaf from chocolate by grasping stem end of leaf and pulling it back. You may need to use the point of a sharp knife to get it started. This step is best left to adults.
One hint is to work in a cool area and chill hands in cold water to make handling the chocolate easier. It melts and breaks easily.

You can make these ahead and keep in covered container in the freezer almost indefinitely. Add them to cakes, cheesecakes or even top of pudding. In these pictures, we tried making them with silk grape leaves, but it is not quite the same. I’d also suggest using a simple shaped leaf. Enjoy.

Forsythia

2009-03-26T02:22:00.001-05:00

Our backyard makes a steep decline to the creek bed and the right side is lined with Forsythia. It started opening last weekend and is in full bloom now. In Michael Dirr’s book “Manual of Woody Landscape Plants”, Dirr describes the plant as giving “the appearance the roots were stuck in an electric socket”. He thinks it is “over rated”. I think, and I’m nowhere near the expert he is, that it has a whimsical butterfly effect in the spring garden. I love the bright yellow that lasts for two to three weeks, usually in March and April. Forsythia bloom also is used to signal it is time to put down pre-emergent on the lawn.

Forsythia is a wonderful hedge if you have room to let it take on its natural form of billowing branches. This woody ornamental can grow as much as four feet a year so give it lots of room. There are new varieties that will fit more compact gardens so ask your local nursery. It is usually used in mass plantings and bank plantings and occasionally as a specimen plant such as our grandmother’s back yard. The branches arching to the ground made it a wonderful hideout. Give it lots of room and avoid planting it under a low window, next to steps or too close to your driveway. It can be beautiful cascading over a wall.

I’m mentioning this plant because its one of those plants people think they need to constantly be trimming. I want everyone to think about the ‘right plant in the right place’ rule and enjoy it for what it is. If you insist on pruning, the best time is right after it blooms. Remember it only blooms on old branches, so cut those and leave the new branches for next years bloom. If you are pruning at the correct time the plant tells you which branches to cut—ahhh, Mother Nature.

I cut some branches and am rooting them to fill in along the border. The branches make a striking display—almost oriental in feel and soon I’ll have some more shrubs. If you cut them in January and place them in warm water the bloom will be forced open. One problem we have here (zone 5) with Forsythia is the sudden drop in temperature this time of year. A late hard freeze will turn the bloom to a slimy brown.

Bee Napkins

2009-03-25T14:16:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite tablecloths is black. Imagine my excitement when I came across these yellow and black Bee napkins. They even came in a cloth envelope. I usually layer the black cloth over a tan tablecloth, but today I layered it on a yellow tablecloth and with the napkins it feels like spring! While you are out, stop by The Gifted Gardener to see these napkins and a whole lot more!

Published!

2009-03-20T09:58:00.006-05:00

Check out Alan Brainerd's article in Ladue News featuring my home and gardens HERE. Thank you, Alan!

Moles

2009-03-20T03:20:00.002-05:00

We have a VERY steep back hill and with all the Daschund digging that has gone on in the past 14 years, we also have several mole tracks that have turned into ravines, small, but growing ones. Any good ideas??
Also, in my newly planted front garden I have a rotten bunch of moles! The little buggers are tearing things up already. It's a bulb garden, but I worry that the roots will be exposed and I'll loose all my plants. Since the Daschund are not allowed out front, I will need a better mole disappearing remedy than them.
Thanks,
Cindy

Be glad you have the Daschund dogs as they were bred to hunt burrow-dwelling animals. They are probably keeping the moles from doing further damage in the back. Of course the dogs are also mischievous, so they are doing their own kind of damage.

There are plenty of ground covers and deep-rooted grasses for steep slopes but you might want to wait until the dogs are too old to dig. Mulch for now and when you are ready to plant remember to use plants that are somewhat drought resistant because the water does run off down the slope.

As far as your front yard is concerned you can use one of the products that contain castor bean oil called CHASE Mole and Gopher Repellents by American Natural Products. It’s safe for people and pets. Unlike traps and other poisons, it doesn’t kill the mole it just chases them to your neighbor… http://www.americannatural.com/

Another option is to use a professional. I interviewed Jeff “The Mole Hunter” Holper on my show after hearing a presentation at the Home and Garden Show. He appears to have a great record and says he has a resume of over 10,000 moles. He has a couple of books on moles and now a DVD. More info: http://www.holperspest.com/

This last option is for you only: Since we are friends with Lucy R just call her and have her bring her lawn chair and shovel. I’d put her up against any professional!

Send your garden question to agardenershome@gmail.com.

The Design Guy

2009-03-19T03:38:00.006-05:00

Scott Tjaden is one of St. Louis’s most creative designers. We met while working on a Symphony Showhouse in 2004 and have volunteered together on several projects since then. He was always entertaining when a guest on my radio show. I thought he had an interesting take on outdoor rooms. Very impressive designer and YOU can take classes from him! Design Guy University runs March through April so sign up soon. Visit http://www.designguystl.com/ for more infomation.

**Check back here every Thursday for upcoming events around St. Louis! Email agardenershome@gmail.com your design or horticulture event if you'd like it mentioned!

Children's Garden Club

2009-03-18T03:31:00.008-05:00

Gardening is for all ages. Doug Wolters of the St Louis County Parks Department several years ago started a Garden Club for Children. It is completely free and you don’t even have to RSVP (which are both good things if your children are small). The children are encouraged to keep a journal and the pages are supplied each month. Master Gardeners and Federated Garden Club members attend and help with the projects. Parents/Grandparents get to visit some of St. Louis’s finest nurseries and parks. Below is the schedule. Enjoy.

Adult Gardening Speaker Series 2009

2009-03-17T10:56:00.002-05:00

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Lawns

2009-03-17T10:44:00.004-05:00

Were you one of the homeowners working on their lawns this past weekend?

Just wanted to remind everyone that the lawn expert, Glen Kraemer, owner of GR Robinson Seed & Service Co, will be speaking at the Museum of Transportation this coming Thursday. Join us for lunch and discussion.
Get all your turf questions answered!

Gardening in St. Louis County Parks
Museum of Transportation
3015 Barrett Station Road
Adult Gardening Speaker Series 2009

March 19th, 2009

The Adult Gardening Speaker Series is being offered by the Horticulture section of St. Louis County, Parks & Recreation, Master Gardeners and Partnering organizations to increase the gardening success for the Homeowners with regional experts, they will begin at 11:30 AM. Price includes a box lunch, -$15.00 Museum Guest-$10.00 Museum members. Advance reservation required (314) 965-6885 ext. 5

Quilts

2009-03-12T03:56:00.005-05:00

As a child I can remember my sister, Peggy, and I playing under the quilt that was stretched across our great-grandmother’s living room. Mattie (Martha Adams) and her friends would quilt most of the day. I still have several of the beautiful quilts she made. These are the quilts my mother had on her bed growing up in St. Louis. Others are well worn from decades of picnics on the lawn. Our grandchildren still play on them. That means they have lasted six generations.

Cindy Clifton, a talented local quilt maker, sent me the info on a show coming up in Queeny Park. If you don’t already have a family heirloom, this might be wonderful opportunity to purchase a quilt and start your own heirloom collection.

Thimble and Thread Quilt Expo 2009, March 20-22

"The Legacy of Quilting"

Queeny Park

550 Weidman Rd.

Ballwin, MO 63011

Quilt Show Hours

Friday, March 20, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Saturday, March 21, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Sunday, March 22, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Admission $7.00 (access for all three days)

Children 6-12 $1.00, children under 6 are free

Special Exhibits include: Hoffman Fabrics, Challenge Quilts, Quilts from the Vatterott Family collection

**Check back here every Thursday for upcoming events around St. Louis! And feel free to email me at agardenershome@gmail.com your design or horticulture event if you would like me to mention it!

Cindy writes:
Thanks! A small correction. Not sure if you can BUY any quilts at the show, but you can look at almost 300 of them made by our guild. Some of the exhibitors might have a few for sale.

Colorful Friends

2009-03-11T04:35:00.001-05:00

This is a picture recently sent to me by a high school friend, Brenda Whisenant, and includes our friends Elaine and Claire. It’s from Twirler Camp in 1967. That was the summer we learned to twirl with fire batons. For me one of the great things about the Internet is staying in touch. Thanks Brenda.

Color in the House

2009-03-11T03:34:00.001-05:00

The first time I saw this cottage I fell in love with the stone and tile work, especially the backsplash above the range. According to Maggie, Rick arranged these imported German tiles so the tiles never touch the same color, except one time. Neither Maggie nor I seem to think it’s important to find that one time, but feel free to study the tiles if you want.

Truth be known, our counter usually looks like the above as I do not like clutter. As many of you already know I have volunteered on the Symphony Showhouses for many years and become friends with so many wonderful designers and landscapers. Alan Brainerd is one designer that stands out. He helped set up the photo shot above for an article that will appear in Ladue News on the 20th of March. He loves color! My first employment was that of a ‘display artist’ in the gift wholesale business so I love displays.

I’m constantly changing out our accessories so its always fun to have Alan stop by. He refers to me as a ‘frustrated’ designer. Guess that’s why I head outside to garden!

Now that we live here I found the kitchen needed even more color to balance the tiles. You can see I painted the inside of the windowsill orange. White accessories make the color pop. I love these white pitchers. You can write on them with chalk. I found these at Pottery Barn a couple years back, but I recently saw some clear wine and beer glasses at World Market that also have the small chalkboard on them. They are called “chalk talk” and I think that they would be a fun alternative to the ‘wine charms’. You can also find colorful kitchen accessories (like the colanders in the photo shoot) at The Viking Store in Brentwood.

One out of town designer who also loves color is Linda Applewhite. She has a wonderful design philosophy of tying the inside to the outside. http://www.lindaapplewhite.com/

Rabbits and Squirrels

2009-03-10T03:25:00.005-05:00

“I was just thinking about your blog yesterday as I attempted to rake leaves on the windiest day of the year. With spring around the corner, any tips you have on shade plants that rabbits and squirrels don’t like to eat would be much appreciated as I have tried every trick in the book (and on the internet) to get them to stop destroying every plant in my yard.” --Emily F.

Thanks Emily and to the rest of you who have emailed comments and questions. I will post your events soon. It’s exciting to see the hits in the 100’s since we just posted the blog on Saturday and I’m writing this on Monday morning. It should be fun to exchange information and I’m sure we will see each other at events. I’m still trying to get though my own email list and appreciate you passing the blog on to others.

Back to Emily’s comment.

Rabbits and squirrels are a problem for every gardener. Squirrels are currently attempting to destroy the bulbs in our front yard by digging in the mulch…and I used a huge container of Cayenne Pepper on the mulch. I use my dog as a deterrent, but she would rather snooze on the sofa inside. Squirrels are more of a nuisance with their digging, but the rabbits are real problem because they actually eat the plants.

Choosing the right plants for your garden will help. We have a saying, “the right plant in the right place”. You will want to be aware of the soil moisture, as some shade plants prefer dry soil. I’m going to list a few below, but for more information go to http://www.mobot.org/ and go to the Kemper Center plant information. Chip Tynan has a question and answer section that has several suggestions about dealing with rabbits and squirrels. He suggests letting the clover in your yard/garden bed grow so the rabbits eat that instead of the other plants.

I also suggest using native plants when possible. We have several groups who have native plant sales in the spring and I’ll be sure and let you know.

Narcissus ‘Tahiti’
This can be planted in areas that are shaded by trees as long as the soil is well drained. They will typically bloom before the leaves come out. This is one of our “Plants of Merit” and they are planted in several of our county parks and along the highways.

Astilbe
These are excellent plants for shady moist conditions. They tend to look better grouped and I’ve found them to be a good indicator of when the garden needs water. They come in pinks, reds, and whites.

Aruncus Dioicus or Goats Beard
This is a native plant and looks like the astible but more shrub like. It grows to a 3-4 foot clump. This plant will also tolerate our clay soils. It’s hard to go wrong with a native plant.

Lily of the Valley
This plant will even grow in deep shade and is even good for the north side of your house. It does spread and you will want to keep it under control. It even invaded my mother-in-law’s zoysia lawn when it grew on the west side of her house.

Lamb’s Ears Stachys byzantina
This silvery, fuzzy plant can tolerate partial to full sun. It lightens up a shady area and makes a wonderful dried arrangement.

Azaleas, Boxwoods and Yews are all good shrubs to use if you have a rabbit problem.

Herbs are other plants that tend to be rabbit resistant and even asparagus and tomatoes, but these are all plants that need full sun. For annuals choose geraniums and marigolds.

Have you ever won anything?

2009-03-09T05:14:00.000-05:00

My mom and I were shopping for her new home just before Christmas and found a couple of harp-shaped lamps for her at a store called “The Emporium of Warson Woods” on Manchester Rd.

Imagine my surprise when the shop owner, Sally, called in January to say we had won the $500 shopping spree. My mom teases me about my mother-in-law giving her a box of candy back in the 80’s and because my mom lives out of state I had eaten it long before my mom visited (I’m sure I was pregnant). When I called to tell her we had won she said, “I don’t suppose this is like the candy”. I hope her Internet is down…. guess I’ll owe her when she comes in town.

This is the perfect piece for our front hall! Sorry Mom.

Purchased several years ago, the mirror was also from The Emporium and I love the detail of ladybugs and worms. My favorite garden piece was an antique herb drying rack. It was featured in an article about my garden room in St Louis Homes and Lifestyles magazine a few years back. Sally has a wonderful collection of pine and painted furniture. You can find lots of lamps, accessories and antiques from dealers. It is just a fun shop to browse. Maybe you will win the next shopping spree!

The lamp was from Summer House out in Manchester. I have a matching sconce from MKS Designs, 272 Lamp and Lantern, hanging on the front door. And of course, the wooden bowls have the bug theme. I found them at the back of the Thomasville furniture store 10 years ago. They usually have an area of markdowns.

I move things around constantly until it just comes together. When you find something you love, it always has a place in your home. Thanks again to The Emporium and my Mom--the front hall is now complete.

Poison Answer!

2009-03-09T04:34:00.000-05:00

Do you know which one is poisonous? Which one is the carrot?

Carrot.......................Poison Hemlock........Queen Anne’s Lace

For detailed information on the whole Umbel Family of plants check out Barbara Lawton’s book “Parsleys, Fennels, and Queen Anne’s Lace” on Amazon.

My Library

2009-03-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Growing up, my grandmother was the county librarian. I love to read. I love old books and have several of my great-grandmother’s collection. I also collect old religious books including Bibles…I buy them at garage/estate sales. It would be better if people used the Bibles as reading material, but in my case they are usually a topic of conversation when people visit our home. As kids we used to have a saying… “Do you swear on a stack of Bibles?” I try not to swear at all except when I garden. It reminds me of my former neighbor Lucy. Because we were raising children we took out our frustrations by digging in the dirt. We shared a garden between our houses where we laughed hard, cried softly, and used swear words loudly. It still makes me laugh. We once had a visitor who commented how ‘whimsical’ our garden was…and I’m sure it was!

Master Gardeners are to educate others based on research. We all tend to have pretty extensive libraries of our own and can use the Kemper Center resources at the Missouri Botanical Garden when needed. We also use each other. For the past few years I’ve been serving on the board of the Museum of Transportation. Recently, Doug Wolters, St Louis County Parks Dept., and I have put together an interesting adult speaker series on gardening. Check it out on the website.
http://www.transportmuseumassociation.org/

Doug and I have also been working on a native landscape grant with good friends and fellow master gardeners Betty Struckhoff and Carol Wellman.

Back to books

One of my favorite garden writers, Barbara Perry Lawton, also happens to be a master gardener. I feel privileged to have been in the same garden club and she was one of my favorite guests on the radio show. If you like herbs and/or history you will enjoy her book “Parsleys, Fennels, and Queen Anne’s Lace” published by Timber Press.

According to Barbara's book (which you can find HERE), Socrates (470-399 BCE) was poisoned by a member of the parsley family, poison hemlock. In a radio interview she told me she had seen a rather large patch of poison hemlock along the railroad tracks Valley Park. With the going green efforts and more areas converting to native plants, maybe a little more education is needed. You need to know what it looks like so your children and grandchildren don’t play in it. I never stop learning new things from other gardeners. Barbara Lawton has won national awards for her writing and you can find her books on Amazon.com and at local bookstores including the gift shop at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Do you know which one is poisonous? Which one is the carrot? Leave a comment to me know your guess and then check back tomorrow for the answer!

In the picture above is also a book on Heucheras or common name coral bells by Dan Heims. I heard him at the Horticulture Coop Symposium at Meramec Community College in spring of 2007. He is president of Terra Nova Nurseries which is a wholesale nursery specializing in perennials. As a lover of ‘chocolate’ plants I have several heucheras in our garden.

Heuchera ‘Carmel’ ...............Heuchera ‘Brownie’....Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles”

More on Chocolate plants will follow along with my favorite websites and nurseries.

If you cannot be outside digging in the dirt, you can be inside reading about digging in the dirt.

Daughters, Sons and Grandchildren

2009-03-08T05:33:00.000-05:00

Our oldest daughter has all the traits of a ‘first-born’. She’s also a graphic designer. I have her to thank for suggesting I start this blog. My husband says I need to get my own camera, but I don’t because it allows me to spend more time with the grandchildren while she takes the photos.

Our oldest son was a plant science major. He was cutting grass for neighbors when he was 14. We share a great love for all things horticulture. He has a very good job and he could use a good wife. (more grandchildren)

Our youngest daughter just bought her first home last Saturday. I’m sure there will be more on that subject. Her current home—a studio loft in the city-- was just featured in St. Louis Homes& Lifestyles last month. We are really happy she will be living just blocks from her brother. She also has a very good job and could use a good husband. (more grandchildren)

Our youngest son will graduate from college this summer. NEEDS A GOOD JOB!

Ok guys—just kidding about the spouses…

Welcome to A Gardener’s Home

2009-03-07T06:44:00.000-06:00

CAN’T WAIT FOR SPRING

It is never too late to be what you might have been. George Eliot

That is the way I feel when I look at gardens and houses (although Mr. Eliot probably meant the above statement to be about people).

My husband, our 7-year-old Australian Shepard and I currently live in a 1937 Storybook Cottage* with visits from our son who is away at college. We live at the top of a hill and at the bottom runs a natural creek complete with small waterfall. After living here about 18 months, we are just beginning to make house and garden “what it might have been”.

These are hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis - Common, Dutch or Garden Hyacinth) coming up from bulbs planted by Richard Spencer who lived and gardened here before us. His widow Maggie says he planted them by the door so everyone who came and went could enjoy their scent. We loved them last spring and when I saw them last week it made the 17-degree weather seem more tolerable. Richard was a mason by trade and you will see his work throughout the yard and house.

Our front yard is pretty plain at the moment. It is way too cold to work much in the garden. If you live in St Louis you know we have had 70-degree weather and the next day 20-degrees. We use cypress mulch and a triple-ground darker mulch to not only help stabilize the ground temperature but also add accents in the winter. Underneath all this mulch are about 650 bulbs. As a garden writer I often receive trial bulbs (about 150 this past fall) and I’ll be writing about as they come up. Richard had a lot of bulbs already planted and we added about 400 bulbs I had ordered and let sit in our unheated garage most of the winter. We planted them in late January, early February, so I’m also considering them as trial bulbs. Check back for more on bulbs and I’ll show you my secret for planting large amounts…hint: power tools.

Thanks to friend David Homeier we also added a bed of pachysandra (Pachysandra procumbens) under the maple tree. It was one of those sunny fall days and David brought over cuttings from his beds and helped me plant them. It was also the day we had to put our 15-year-old Aussie to sleep. Gardening always helps me deal with life’s ups and downs. The vet made a paw print in plaster for us to keep. I had to laugh as the print was muddy and it reminded me of all the times she dug in the yard trying to get a mole, not to mention all the muddy prints she made thru the house. Still miss that dog.

*For more about these cottage homes check out this informative book “Storybook Style America’s Whimsical Homes of the Twenties” by Arrol Gellner and Douglas Keister. Amazon books has it listed starting at $17.