It's become clear to me through posts and PMs that there are some gardeners here just waiting for the chance to discuss gardening!
So, I was thinking... how do you use gardening, or how does it affect you if you need a break, need some respite, need to relax, need inspiration....how do you use it as a therapy tool in caregiving?
What are your activities: Do you go out and pull weeds, read a magazine, design new beds? Look through garden catalogues? Go to garden stores?
And what interests have you added to your gardening? Visit estate or garden displays? Do you go to garden shows?
Does anyone design and plant Knot Gardens? Raised bed planters? Assistive gardens? Pollinator gardens (and have you thought of ways to help the bees and butterflies?)
Are your gardens primarily for pleasure or food, or a mix of both? Do you grow plants for medicinal purposes? Which ones, how do you harvest and process them? Any suggestions?
Do you grow plants that can be used in crafts, such as grapevines for wreaths and lavender for lavender wands? Do you make herbal products such as creams, lotions, chapstick?
What else can you share about gardening and the means in which it nurtures your soul?
Irises are coming along nicely. Stocks are thickening up so am expecting possible blooms by end of month.
Windy, its those expectations that get us everytime! Then, nature goes and surprises us! But so glad there are multiple uses for that tractor, snow or spring grass. What else does the tractor do? Are there tractor races or competitions in your area?
When I went outside with my hot chocolate-do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well, there was a huge nest of possible flying termites hatching out of a pile of sand where the cement meets the block wall. Three lizards were in attendance, feasting. We wanted the lizards to eat, and did not spray the termites. Later, they were all gone, so many had flown away.
The real good news-The bouganvillas are blooming! A deep burgundy, on only one plant, but blooming.
And, go figure, when Sharyn explained how to cut back the rosebush to choose between tall or big flowers, I must have got creative so now there is one very tall bloom, and one short bloom with a big fat flower! Pink.
Now, Windy's tractor.....we could suggest he add stereo. I was thinking how appropriate Ride of the Valkyries would be as a theme song..... I can just imagine it now....revving up the engine, listening to the opening strains, and then away he goes, accompanied by the rousing and triumphal music of the Valkyries on their voyage. By that time any critters lounging around in snow piles would be far away, hiding in burrows or piles of snow far away from the musical tractor. They might even plow out some of the driveway as they flee in panic.
I do like to bring a radio out with me when I garden. I think my plants like the attention from my cat just sleeping in their shade.
GA, too funny!!!
Hot chocolate is definitely on the agenda today.
I've thought of bringing a radio outside; at least it would block the barking of the poor neglected dog whose owners just plop him/her outside. Poor thing is shy and won't even come up to me to be greeted.
And it would also block out the baseball games from the neighbor who plays them so loud I can hear them from 200' away. What I think I might do is garden on Saturday afternoon and play the Sat. Afternoon at the Metropolitan Opera on full blast. Hopefully I can time the gardening with a day with the opera is Wagnerian and rousing.
I haven't played music for my plants but that's a great idea. I also like the idea of a Plant Whisperer. I'm going to start saying good morning to mine every time I go out to the garden.
im busting some tomato seeds in my window box . i dont really have the energy for gardening this year but the official tally says ive got 4 quarts of canned tomatoes left . ill feel better when i have 100 quarts .
i dont even skin em anymore . the skins and seeds are great in tomato based dishes .
A walk in the garden in the morning is good for the soul. Good morning to all the plants and they will reward you with blooms and a bounty for fruit and veggies.
i always wholeheartedly seek advice -- then i do what i wanted to do in the first place .
how do we seperate thought from reality ? i might be raising healthy cherry trees or i could be in an asylum right now , staring at a padded wall , screaming -- i found a place to empty my s*it bucket ..
who's to say who's right or wrong ?
americans utilize human waste too but we pretend to sterilize it beforehand .
whatever ..
cutesy terminology makes americans think their exceptional . imo , we are not .
we are innovative , hard working , and smart -- just like 80 % of the world .
offense intended to the 20 % of people who cant seem to establish anything resembling a society , use r@#$ as a war weapon , and employ child soldiers .
great for plants , but pretty toxic where shellfish are concerned .
my rainwater system is proving itself adequate enough to support a toilet by now and possibly even my washing machine , but old habits die hard .
i dont WANT to be like everybody else .
ive started them in the window box before and i know ill have to remove them from direct sunlight or they ' ll grow too rapidly and lack stem diameter .
too tall , too fast ..
im not very bright , i have to rely on past experiences to guide me .