Friday, April 19, 2013

Modesty Garden

African Daisies - Understated Joy
Daisies remind me of being young and carefree. 

Forget - Me - Not
The true blues are rare in the garden.
 If I am going to have the blues, I would rather have these little forget-me-nots.

 Sedum
with a demure blush

 

Veronica Hybrids 
 The delicate white stocks of flowers compliment
the bold leaves of the Yucca and are a bees' favorite.

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

My Busy Week

Front Flower Bed


This year I thought I would try snapdragons from seed.
I just threw two handfuls of seed toward the back of the bed. 
VoilĂ 
 

Tomatoes ~ Peppers

Thanks to Food is Free I was able to fill out the rest of my tomato bed. 
I picked up a flat of tomatoes which I have been handing out to neighbors and will be donating the rest to the Hutto Community Garden. 


 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Transplanting Herbs

 
 

Transplanting Herbs  

 

~ Oregano ~


The easiest way to propagate oregano, parsley, or rosemary is through plant division or cuttings.

I cut a soda bottle in half, created drainage holes with a nail and added a mix of soil and vermiculate/perlite. I took 5 cuttings of about  4" for oregano and about 6" for rosemary off the end of a stem.  I planted it in the bottom of the soda bottle, packing it in a little then watering lightly.  Then I added the top back on to the soda bottle and taped the top back to the bottom. This creates a mini greenhouse. Check it regularly to make sure it is staying moist.  If needed you can add a little water through the top.

In about two - three weeks there will be new roots and you can replant the herb in the garden. 




~ Rosemary ~

 
 
To transplant mint or basil you can use the same process of taking a cutting, stripping the leaves from the lower portion but instead of rooting in soil you can root in a small jar with water.  Make sure any of the leaves below the waterline are removed, change the water out every few days and  place the cuttings out of direct sunlight. 
 
 I have so much mint, basil, and parsley that you are welcome to come pull it up by the root and transplant it directly into your garden or pot.  If you transplant it directly in the garden be mindful that you will need to water it daily until it is established.  My cilantro has gone to seed so you are welcome to take seeds with you to use as coriander or plant for cilantro.

I no longer need to plant any of the above mentioned herbs. Rosemary and Oregano are perennials in Central Texas.  Basil, parsley and mint reseed every season.  I plant both rosemary and basil next to and inside my vegetable beds to discourage bugs. 
 
New additions to my herb garden are...
dill
lemon balm
tarragon
stevia
 

Foliage Follow-Up

Foliage Follow-Up is hosted monthly by Pam Penick. 

 Stop on over at  Digging to see her amazing garden. 

I  am new to blogging and anxious to participate in the fun.

 
I live in the city of the Hippo.  In December I picked up this little pot while in Lima, Peru.  It is a fun addition to my front porch succulents.
 

Front Yard Foliage

Monday, April 15, 2013

Gaura Passionate Blush ~  Salvia Farinacea

Yucca Bloom