Gabriel's Garden Notes

Snowy Days are for Seed Catalogs

    The Puget Sound region finally got a dose of winter and boy is it a doozy.  Much of the city is shut down including public schools, Universities and businesses.  I thus assume that other garden designers, farmers, and gardeners are passing the time perusing seed catalogs and planning to outdo themselves this year.

    I have already received my first order of seeds from PineTree Seeds not only do they have over 1,110 seeds to choose from, but the packets are very reasonably priced at under $2.00.  I stock up on the basics at Pine Tree, sunflowers, broccoli, peas, carrots, lettuce and my favorite cherry tomato Sungold.  Seeds of Change has 100% certified Organic seed and they have some really unusual varieties that I just can't live with out.  There seeds are $3.50 a pack but they are currently offering a 20% discount on tomato seeds so I will definitely be ordering a few new types to try out this year.  I also spotted a rare yellow Zinnia called Peggy's Delight(from Vietnam) that I plan to grow alongside a  blue flowered Nigella and a bluish purple Papaver somniferum (pictured below).     

    I consider myself fortunate in that I have more than one garden to experiment in.  I love the challenge of a dry garden with limited sunlight.  If you have an area that has those conditions try sowing some Forget-Me-Nots and Welsh Poppy's for a cheerful display of blue and yellow from April to July.

    For a full sun area try a mix of Papaver somniferum, Cosmo's and Nigella.  Mix the seed packets together and sprinkle about in between shrubs and perennials in early spring.  Thin out as the seedlings reach an inch or two in size and be dazzled later in the season with the number of appreciative pollinators that visit your garden throughout the spring and summer.  After these happy annuals finish flowering they will produce seed that will pop up as flowers the following year or you can collect and share with friends.

    If you have never grown annuals before you will surprised at how easy it is.  Just be sure to keep the seed beds moist so new seedlings do not dry out.  If you live in south Snohomish County or the greater Seattle area and would like some help getting started I am available for garden consulting, design and maintenance.  Contact me at gabbysgardening@gmail.com

 Till next time, Happy Gardening!

   

How (not) to kill a tree.

    The tree in the photo above is dead.  It has likely been dead for over a year, yet it still stands along with a dozen or so other struggling trees at an elementary school near my home where I often walk my dogs.  I have walked this same property hundreds of times, but just recently noticed that the trees never seem to grow.  Curious, I started to take a closer look. 

      I immediately observed that nearly every tree had trunk damage as the one in the photo above.  Just underneath the bark layer lies the cambium, phloem and xylem.  These are the tissue layers responsible for transporting water and nutrients to the growing tree. Thus, if the tree bark is knicked or damaged it will harm it's overall health and vigor. The  most likely reason for this is that the trees were hit with a gas powered line trimmer or run into with a lawn mower by an inexperienced or careless groundsperson.  Trunk damage to a young tree I would bet is one of the most likely reasons for a tree to fail. 

    There is a very simple way to prevent the trunk of a newly planted or mature tree from being damaged accidentally while mowing lawn areas in the near vicinity by simply create a large mulched tree ring around it. 

    A mulched tree ring not only prevents damage but also creates an area exclusive to the trees roots which will help a newly planted tree establish more quickly and help with the overall vigor of the tree.

    You can use any type of mulch to make your tree ring including; arborist chips, bark, or compost.  I prefer arborist chips if they are available as they last the longest and prevent weeds.  If you have a poor soil with little organic matter in it I would recommend using compost. 

    How big should you make the tree ring?  First, you must realize that a trees roots will eventually extend out beyond it's farthest extending branches.  In the photo on the right there is currently a tree ring which may or may not have existed or been maintained properly when the tree was originally damaged.  I would recommend you create a ring that extends at least 2' from the trunk and   preferably 3' to 4' if the tree is grown in a lawn area.

    Now I have convinced you to mulch around your trees let me show you how easy it is.

    If there is grass around your tree you could first spray the grass with an herbicide, wait till the grass dies back and then apply the mulch.  Or better yet, simply cover up the grass with cardboard or a few layers of newspaper, soak with water, then apply mulch on top.  Depending on how quickly your mulch disentegrates you will need to reapply every year or two.  Do not however remove the sod as you will damage the roots of the tree you are trying to aid.

    

Lasting color.

A nice big conainer near the front entry to your home will add year round color and will welcome you and your guests even on the dreariest of winter days.  The above photo was taken March 23rd.  This container was planted in late September and the purple and orange viola's have bloomed all fall and winter and will continue until they are replaced in early to mid May with summer annuals.

Even the novice gardener should not be afraid to experiment with container plantings.  I recommend keeping it simple.  Start with a larger sized evergreen type plant in the center of the pot (1 or 2 gallon size plants depending on the size of your container).  Some of my favorites are Winter Jasmine, Camellia, New Zealand Flax and Osmanthus 'Goshiki'. Next add a few 4" size plants with interesting foliage.  There are many grasses, herbs, and perennials such as Heuchera that are fun to experiment with.  Then fill in with flowering annuals that will provide flowers throughout the season.  Test out your combination at the nursery to make sure that the colors are complimentary. 

For more inspiration visit your local nurseries and look at the displays and the container combinations their staff designers have created.

Next time I will discuss planting and maintenance tips for you newly created container color spot.

 

Making the case for winter interest.

    As winter rages on bringing snow showers, sleet and day after day of gray skies your days could be brightened with a vast array of winter blooms.  Let this be the year that you take a walk around your landscape in winter and note spaces where you could add some winter and spring blooming bulbs.  What many don't know about bulbs is that they are inexpensive, low maintenance and with the number of varieties available can enhance any garden regardless of style.

    Bulbs like the crocus in the above photo can be purchased and planted in the fall. They are a relatively inexpensive investment initially and many naturalize (multiply) over time. In fact, you can purchase 100 crocus or naricissus bulbs for around $15.00!  Some of the fancier or more rare and prized varieties may cost a bit more but as you can see bulbs are not hard to fit into your garden budget. 

    Both crocus and naricissus are very low maintenance in that they really need no special care and do not need supplemental water during the dry summer months.  I don't generally plant tulips as they do not do well in the Puget Sound area as they prefer good drainage and hot dry summers.  If you really love tulips I would suggest you plant your favorite variety in a container so you can enjoy the blooms then easily lift and discard the bulbs after they are done blooming. 

    I prefer to purchase bulbs from one of the large bulb companies online.  This way I can peruse all the available varieties and can take care to come up with visually pleasing combinations.  In our wet rainy Northwest climate the large and douple cupped naricissus collect so much moisture that the flowers often end up face down in the mud so I recommend the smaller flowered varieties.  My favorite place to purchase bulbs is Van Engelen Inc, they offer planting recommendations, bloom time, good photo's and quality bulbs at a good price. A few of my favorite narcissus to plant are Jonquille, Tazetta, and Poeticus types.

    I hope I have convinced you that adding some bulbs to your garden will be well worth the small investment of time and money.  And as today is cold and rainy, why not start planning for next winter right now!

As always I will end by telling you that I am available for garden design and maintenance help and consultation.  Please contact me at gabbysgardening@gmail.com if you would like to inquire further.

 

 

Time to snip those Epimediums

    Epimediums are a wonderful fairly fast spreading semi-evergreen groundcover.  They are a good choice for a shady or partly shady area. Epimediums grow well alongside ferns, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Pieris, Narcissus, Hosta, etc.  There are dozens of types of Epimediums with flowers ranging from light yellow, orange, red and purple.  Shown above is Epimedium x warleyense in early February. 

    In late winter Epimediums send up a spike of flowers that can be best enjoyed if last years foliage (shown above) has been cut back to the ground.  I try to cut back all Epimedium foliage in February because I love to see the flowers spikes unfurl and I prefer the way the new foliage looks free of the old tattered and browning leaves.  This step though in a natural garden is not necessary for the plant to thrive.  In fact, if you do like to remove the old foliage be sure to add an inch or so of compost to your garden beds yearly to provide nutrients and organic matter to make up for the removal of the old leaves. 

    If you decide to cut back your Epimediums be sure to do so before the flowers start to emerge as it is quite impossible to cut back the foliage without damaging the emerging flowers. 

    If you are looking for some Epimediums to add to your garden then be sure to head to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show now through Sunday at the Washington State Convention Center. 

    I will be focusing on winter garden maintenance tips over the next few months so be sure to check back in.  And if you have any questions please contact me at gabbysgardening@gmail.com

Feeding my addiction.

    

    You would think someone who works outdoors all year round Monday through Friday might be content to spend the weekend indoors.  Well, I am here to tell you it ain't so!  As there were no tasks crying out to be done in the garden today I had to find another excuse to get outside.

    On nearly every Sunday in January you can find me and Alvin, traipsing through some urban or suburban park somewhere in King or Snohomish County.  Funny how long it took me to realize why I chose a profession in the field of Horticulture, and likely why I always have a dog companion.  I "need" to spend time outdoors every day and so it seems that gardening and dog walks are both ways to help me stay motivated to get on outside.  I prefer a setting with mature trees towering overhead and birds flitting about offering me a song.  In the woods there is just so much life to see and wonder at. Mushrooms, moss and lichen are among my favorite forms of life on earth. I like them I think because I know so little of how they function. 

    Today I picked a hike I found on Hiking with my brother that was not to far a drive, had a bit of an elevation gain (800ft), but was still supposedly easy at 5.5 miles.  I had never been to Cougar Mountain before and was excited to check it out.

    We encountered lots of other folks out enjoying the mild winter day including trail runners, families and first timers like me.  Everyone was friendly and why wouldn't they be?  What more could one ask for than a mild winter day spent walking in the woods?

   

2012 is starting off with a bang and plop!

  

     As I toured my home garden on New Years Day 2012, I realized just how much I cherish this garden I have experimented and played in for 9 full years now.  The area devoted to food production grew from a tiny 25 sq. ft. spot in the border to over 400 sq. ft. of vegetable gardens, a greenhouse, fruit trees, rain barrels, compost piles and free range chickens.  There are also flowering trees, perrenials and shrubs which offer seasonal interest and help to attract bees, butterflies and birds.

    There are however, some areas of my outdoor space that I admit are terribly neglected and underused.  For example, I have one area where all the black plastic pots accumulate throughout the year waiting for me to pile them in my truck and take them to a nursery that will recycle or reuse them.  I have another area in my garden that houses the brush pile which I am always meaning to slowly have disappear via my green waste bin.  My procrastination is aided however, in that one of my chickens has created a perfect next box within the bowels of this unsightly mass.

    Then there is the fencing which may seem hodgepodge and shabby to some, but it keeps my dogs and chickens contained so it suits my needs just fine.  A few poorly sited trees that I placed without considering how tall they would one day become are another reminder to that one must always return to the number one rule "right plant, right place". I work around these misplaced trees for now knowing at some point they may have to be removed for the sake of the vegetable garden.    

    The wonderful thing about my garden though is that there is always something happening out there to connect me to nature and to make me feel unbounding joy.  The chickens busy in their search for a tasty worm or larvae.  The Junco's delight me by flitting about the barren trees in search of seeds.  Brussel sprouts waiting patiently to be harvested and enjoyed.  Buds slowly or the Service Berry and Cornelian Cherry swell in preparation for spring. 

    Just today I noticed the exploding yellow flowers of the Witch Hazel as I searched through the brush pile for the seasons first fresh eggs.  2012 is starting off with a bang and plop in my garden.  How about yours?

As I talk about my garden I wonder, what is the most important thing to consider when planning a garden? How would experts answer this question?  Is it the soil, sun exposure, or perhaps where to put a focal point?  For me there is no consideration greater than that the garden you create be one that represents you and your family.  If you don't enjoy working in a garden and your budget does not allow for hiring a professional to help you with a high maintenance garden, then that should be of greatest consideration in a design or renovation. 

    There is much to consider when planning a new garden or in renovating an old one.  I find it surprising how many people neglect the outdoor space around their homes.  As I drive around neighborhoods in the Seattle region I note that 90% of gardens detract from the curb appeal of the home.  How I would love to help a few more of these homeowners come up with a plan that will create a landscape that would fit their needs, their budget, their lifestyle and likely benefit the community as well.

   My life revolves around gardening so I consider myself fortunate because I have been able to work in a wide array of gardens throughout my 15 years of working as a professional gardener. I also recieved outstanding, well-rounded horticultural training through Edmonds Community College Horticulture Department.  For the most part I have spent my time improving private gardens, but I also spent one year working in the Soest Perennial Garden at the Center for Urban Horticulture and a year on the Grounds Crew at the University of Washington.  By working in many different settings I gained valuable hands on knowledge about how to best care for trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs.  I also learned which trees to never plant near patio or lawn, and which perennials perform the best. Gardening I have learned is best learned not from books but by working in the garden, observing and noting failures as well as successes.

If 2012 is the year you decide to give yourself the gift of a garden that you love then please follow my blog or contact me for a garden consultation.

For more information you can contact me at gabbysgardening@gmail.com 

An Autumn so beautiful it made me weep.

For those who tend gardens fall and winter are times to reflect upon the success and failures of the past season.  The first big storm of fall arrived in the Puget Sound on 11-11-11.  This storm was part of a storm that hit Alaska this past week.  My friend Geov Parrish put it this way in an email correspondence to me:

I guess the weather today is the dregs of a huge, once-in-a-lifetime storm that hit Alaska a couple days ago. It was particularly bad because the Bering Sea would normally be frozen over by this time of year, but thanks to climate change, that's no longer the case, so the open water fed the development of the storm. Yet another connection to CC our liberal media can't be bothered making.

Overall we have had a magnificent fall prior to this recent weather pattern.  Many days full of sunshine and blue skies for which to enjoy an array of trees showing off their yellow, red, and orange leaves.  I have talked with many other gardeners and they echo my thoughts that we are about 2 weeks behind the normal time of leaf drop for our area.  This is probably due to our very long wet spring and coolish summer.

In my own garden I continued to harvest tomatoes into October and am still harvesting lettuce that was planted in August.

 November was much drier than normal, but now the rains are here with a vengeance.  Still, fall clean up continues.  Summer perennials are cut back and divided as needed. Leaves are raked up or left to decompose.  Time to start perusing gardening books, magazines and seed catalogs. 

Cottage Gardens

 

 

What do you think of when you imagine a Cottage Garden?  If you have ever visited one I would expect your answer to include: climbing roses, rosemary, lavender, sweet peas, phlox, sunflowers, shasta daisies, and columbine. 

What do I think of when I imagine a Cottage Garden?  WORK!!!!  Of all the styles of garden I have worked in or created by far cottage gardens take the most planning and maintenance. The mix of vines, shrubs, perennials, annuals and trees that appears so slapdash and free from editing, is in fact quite the opposite.  The denseness of the plantings that make the garden look so full make the garden nearly impossible to keep weed free.  Working in a garden where nearly every square inch is covered in flowers of some sort with out stepping on anything is somewhat like playing the game twister.  Now add pouring rain or sun and you will start to appreciate the work a cottage garden takes. 

And though I may sound like I am complaining or trying to warn you about creating such a garden, which perhaps I am.  I must also say that cottage gardens are also my favorite.  They have so much variety that each day there is something new to celebrate.  Each year it is only a matter of picking up a few different seed packets than the previous year to completely change the color scheme. 

So if you dare start a cottage garden, I say do so.  In preparation though, you may want to take up yoga.

 

Revenge of the Lawn Part 1

 

Although my garden service does not include lawn maintenance I do know through my years of working in gardens that a beautiful lawn can be a lovely accent to the garden.  It can also be a detriment and cause many extra hours of maintenance per year if it is not maintained properly.

Many of my clients hire me to maintain their garden beds, but take on the lawn maintenance themselves.  This can help cut back on the overhead expense of lawn care, but can add to the expense of maintaining the garden and detract from the overall design if best practices are not utilized.

Proper tools are essential to maintaining your lawn.  You may use a manual or gas powered mower, please note that with a manual mower you will want to mow very often as they tend to not do a good job on longer grass.  Sharp blades cut the grass, dull blades rip and tear leaving the lawn looking dull and drab.  To keep the edges of the lawn looking tidy you will need a line trimmer.  There are both electric and gas powered types of line trimmers and both will work on a maintained area.  An electric trimmer though does not have the power to take on overgrown areas however.  Electric trimmers are generally much lighter than the gas powered versions. So depending consider what type of tasks you will use your trimmer for before choosing between an electric or gas powered version.  Last, to clean up hard surfaces after mowing you will want a good push broom or power blower.

Other tools that may be needed from time to time are:  edger, thatcher, aerater, spreader.  These are all available to rent if you want to try to take on these tasks yourself or another option is to hire those yearly tasks out to a reliable company. 

I do recommend fertilizing your lawns.  The key here is to use the right amount, too little and your grass will have a hard time competing with weeds.  Too much and your lawn will grow to quickly and become overstressed which can lead to disease.  The lawn care company I recommend fertilizes with organic fertilizer in late spring and early fall.  He may also recommend an application of moss killer in late winter or mid autumn if needed. 

If a lawn does not get the nutrients it needs it will become overrun with weeds and sparse patches.  These weeds if allowed to go to seed will blow into the surrounding landscaped beds, leading to more maintenance of the beds.  The grass itself can also set seed which can spread into the beds if not mowed and trimmed on a regular basis.

Mowing season in the Puget Sound area starts in March and can extend into November. In cool weather when lawns are growing slow to moderately they should be mowed once every 10 days to 2 weeks at the minimun.  As the weather warms in late April weekly mowing is best to maintain a healthy lawn.  A lawn that is allowed to grow long between mowings and then cut very short becomes very stressed and can become vulnerable to disease, bare patches and invasion by weeds.

If you have not been using best practices to maintain your lawn don't worry, lawns improve quickly with the above listed techniques.  And do consider that the time spent properly maintaining turf areas enhances the curbside appeal of your home and saves time and money on maintaining your landscaped beds as well.

 

Who has time for blues?

 

  

Winter started out quite cold here in the Puget Sound area.  It is very rare for us to experience below freezing temps this time of year, but we are just now thawing out from over a week of clear skies and nights in the low 20's.  Needless to say I have been able to take some time off to relax as even the most enthusiastic of gardeners should stay out of their gardens with temperatures that low. 

Why, you ask?  Well, for one the ground is frozen so no hand weeding or transplanting can be accomplished.  Secondly, when it is that chilly pruning should also be avoided as branches become brittle and thus it is easy to snap and break branches as you work.  It is though a good time to plan! 

For the vegetable gardener there are stacks of seed catalogs to peruse.  Then there is always the stack of gardening books and magazines to catch up on that you couldn't get to all spring summer and fall because you were too busy working in the garden.  It's also a great time to take a class at the Edmonds Community College Horticulture Department(where I received an ATA in Landscape Management) or check out one of the organic gardening classes held by Seattle Tilth. 

 

I also love to visit my favorite nurseries in the Seattle area this time of year.  Molbaksin Woodinville, Wight'sof Lynnwood, Swanson's in Ballard and and Sky Nursery in Shoreline all offer seminars found listed on their websites.  Many of these seminars are free and feature local gardening experts like Cisco Morris and Valerie Easton.  Molbak's and Swanson's also have nice cafe's within their stores that are surrounded by tropical plants and water features stocked with Koi.  In fact, a trip to Swanson's with a friend on a rainy day is a sure cure for the Seattle winter blues!