Pecan, what is it good for?

As it turns out, pecan trees make great gardening material. It is a hard wood; meaning that it is rigid, strong, and will not rot quickly. On the slope are the stumps of pecan trees that once towered. On an established tree, it takes more than cutting it down to remove it. Luckily, that is the case with these trees. The growth from the stumps make for nice foliage. However, when the foliage becomes too dense and too tall, they can be harvested for use in the garden or fire starting.

Pecan wood
Pecan wood. Sorted out the straight ones for staking, the not so straight for kindling, and the long ones for other uses.

Continue Reading

March 8th, 2015: Working for more dirt

Keeping the pecan under control
Keeping the pecan under control. (Photo from earlier in the year when just one cut was made.)

The pecan that live on the slope grow quickly. It has been about three years since the slope has been trimmed back. With the help of my brother, John, we spent half the day clearing just one part of the slope back. Cutting is quick to do. Cleaning up is not so quick. The work lies in breaking down the vegetation once it has been cut.

Once broken down, most of the vegetation is reused. The leaves were mulched and will be composted. The wood from the pecan will be used as stakes, fire wood, and terracing material. Continue Reading

Gwen needs a new stake

Last summer, I duct taped another section of bamboo to support the Gwen avocado’s new height. The tree is growing steadily and is need of a new stake after the bamboo stake gave way.

Gwen avocado(Persea americana)
Gwen avocado (Persea americana)

Continue Reading

Toilet paper rolls as starter containers

The cost of gardening can add up pretty quickly. When the costs go up, it can take away from one of the experiences of gardening; which is to save money by growing one’s own crop. One way to save on costs on is to re-purpose containers that you would otherwise toss in the trash as seed starting pots.

Toilet paper roller seed starting container
Toilet paper roll seed starting container

Continue Reading

In the garden, March 2nd, 2015

Forest Pansy Redbud(Cercis canadensis)
Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
IMG_7287
Pomegranate seedling

 

Elephant garlic (left) Chesnok Red garlic (right)
Elephant garlic (left) Chesnok Red garlic (right)
Chesnok Red garlic
Chesnok Red garlic

The Chesnok garlic are extremely happy and doing quite well. The matte green leaves invoke memories of drawing and coloring plants and leaves with Crayloa Green. It is a color I would later discover to not be representive of real foilage. Real foilage tends to be a brighter and glossy green.

Bearss lime
Bearss lime
The tale of two radishes: The daikon radish has a leaf that runs along the soil. Not wanting the leaf to block the sun out, I removed it from one of the radishes. The one with the leaf removed is now growing out of the ground. I wonder if the leaf causes the radish to stay under the soil. The next radishes planted will make for a good experiment.
The tale of two radishes: The daikon radish has a leaf that runs along the soil. Not wanting the leaf to block the sun out, I removed it from one of the radishes. The one with the leaf removed is now growing out of the ground.
I wonder if the leaf causes the radish to stay under the soil. The next radishes planted will make for a good experiment.
IMG_7300
This Apollo’s Fire sunflower is taking the place of a Red Sun sunflower that was mowed down by slugs. To provide it with protection, a used plastic cup is installed along with.
IMG_7524
Thyme might be the most practical herb. It grows easily, grows year round, and can be used to season many types of dishes. Thyme sows itself and after letting it grow, I yanked it out. With the bareroot, I am moving it to a more suitable location. On the far right is rosemary. Like thyme, it grows year round. They both make good ornamental plants that can be harvested for cooking. Cheap, convenient, and fresh.

IMG_7301

First blueberry of the year. 'Sunshine' blueberry
First blueberry of the year. ‘Sunshine’ blueberry

IMG_7526_fp IMG_7527_1

'Sunshine' blueberry blossoms on second year cane
‘Sunshine’ blueberry blossoms on second year cane

IMG_7551_1

California Poppy(Eschscholzia californica)
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
California Poppy(Eschscholzia californica)
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
California Poppy(Eschscholzia californica)
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

 

February 25th, 2015 roundup

February is coming to a close but not without a few surprises to be found and a conclusion to be had.

Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus)
Persian Buttercup (Ranunculus)

Last year was the first time that ranunculus was planted. When it died off, the tuber was saved but not properly stored. Mold got to them and whether they’ll grow was up in the air. A fresh stock of ranunculus was purchased and planted as an insurance policy. The growth of the ranunculus from the new stock pretty much indicates that last year’s molded stock will not grow again.

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

I pass by this amaryllis at least several times a day and did not noticed that it was sending up a flower bud. What is exciting is that this is its first flower bud. In 2012, I purchased an amaryllis bulb and grew it for the first time. When the flower died, I left the plant along believing that the flower would reappear the next year. Instead of a flower, side shoots shot up. It was then that I figured out that in order for the bulb to flower again that it was necessary to cut back all of the foliage. Otherwise, it will form bulbils. With four bulbils of various sizes, I planted them and three years later, the largest of the bulbils is ready to flower. Exciting!

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

Here is momma amaryllis in the terracotta pot and her offspring. One of the offspring only has one leaf blade and has a ways to go before it will flower. Offspring #4 not pictured.

Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

Last year, fennel was planted for the first time. It was a surprise to discover how big the plant gets. Fennel also seeds profusely. This is one of the few fennel that seeded itself.

California Poppy(Eschscholzia californica) flower bud.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) flower bud.
Clivia(Clivia miniata)
Clivia (Clivia miniata)

Botanical Interests seeds

IMG_7191_1Botanical Interests is one of my favorite seed brands. They have a large and interesting collection of vegetables, flowers, and herbs. On top of that, their seed packets are artful and informative. Best of all, they have the scientific names of the plants. Their seeds are available online but I always prefer to pick them up. Around here, I know I can find the complete catalog at a Armstrong Garden Center. I went in looking for the ‘Dragon’s Tongue’ arugula seeds and came out with a few others. This is already displaying restraint.