TIME TO PLANT SUNFLOWERS

FOR BEAUTIFUL SUMMER BLOOMS- PLANT SUNFLOWERS THIS MONTH- 

The garden stores are showing a large variety and plenty are in stock.

Last year I grew these Van Gogh ornamental sunflowers, they were amazing.

This year I am planting Sunzilla- 12 foot tall sunflowers!

Happy Independence Day

“The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.” — Woodrow Wilson

San Diego Padre Stadium

Blueberry Martini

Salad Bowl- From Garden to Table

One of the easiest raised planter garden vegetables to grow is lettuce. It sprouts up well in cold weather and in the summer can be planted in shady areas for equal success. Planting lettuce seeds each month provides a continual and fresh harvest. Throw in some nasturtium flowers for a peppery tasting and colorful addition. Growing a variety of different lettuce types will make your dinner salad bowl a gastronomic delight! 

Renee's Seeds

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Dahlia Planting Time

Adding more flowers to my garden this year next to my tomatoes and around my herb garden has been very rewarding. If you have not tried Dahlias I highly recommend them! There’s still time to plant them before the summer heat sets in and I promise you will love the sturdiness and beauty of this amazing flower.

The photos below are the Sky Angel Purple Dahlia

Simple Care Guide for Growing and Caring for Dahlias:

→ Plant Dahlias in April and May with morning sun exposure and at least 6 hours of sunshine per day.

→ Plant 4-6″ Deep and 18″ apart. Do not water right away. Less water is better until sprouts have appeared. Since these flowers are planted in April and May the natural rainfall should suffice.

→ Use stakes for tall growing Dahlias over 3 feet.

→ I grow these in my vegetable garden since they both require the same type of fertilizer such as 5-10-10.

→ Dahlia bulbs are tubers. The dahlia plant can mature for years without benefit of seed or spores. To sprout the next season, each tuber must have one eye. This makes a great cut flower.

10 BEST HERBS FOR THE GARDEN

My favorite TOP 10 HERBS for the Garden. I grow these every year and continue to find more and more uses for each one of them. Fresh, dried, baked or blended, herbs create the perfect addition to the backyard garden. Herbs are also great companion plants.

BASIL - CHIVES - CILANTRO - DILL - MINT 
OREGANO - PARSELY - ROSEMARY - SAGE - THYME  

Making Mint Syrup: Also known as Simple Syrup.

2 Cups Granulated Sugar - 2 Tblsp Corn Syrup -

 1 Cup Water - 1 Cup Packed Fresh Mint Leaves

DIRECTIONS: In a small saucepan heat sugar, corn syrup and water to a slow boil until Sugar is dissolved. Add Mint and remove from heat. Stir for 1 minute. Allow syrup to cool back down to room temperature. Pour Mint Syrup into a bowl through a strainer. Store the syrup in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Syrup will keep for several months.  (makes 2 Cups)

ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL HERBS

BASIL IS A SUMMER STAPLE!

CHIVES AND ONIONS

Rosemary, Mint, Chives, Basil in one evening harvest

Time to Plant Pumpkins

Can it really be time for planting pumpkins? YES!

 I recommend trying the Cinderella's Carriage which in Southern California can be planted by seed April through June. Plant in Full Sun with a distance of 3 feet between seeds. They reach 18-35 pounds and are deep orange-red. I purchased these from Renee's seeds and in the past have had great success.

According to Renee's Seeds, "We import seed for this big gorgeous heirloom pumpkin from its original French breeder who maintains the best centuries-old strain, still beloved in European markets. Cinderella's Carriage is our name for this large, thick-fleshed selection that looks exactly like the original in the old-fashioned illustrations of the magical fairy tale coach."

 

Last year my Cinderella Pumpkin at 5 pounds- still growing

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   ************* pumpkin tins***********

Ocean Theme Landscaping Gallery of Photos

Ocean Themed Landscaping, Drought Tolerant and Water Wise. I use all types of mediums to create a water wise landscaping with an ocean theme and peaceful oasis effect.

Ideas: Nautical items, Antique pieces, Driftwood, Seashells, Japanese Glass Floats, Rope, Cement Sea Figures, Glass Mulch, Moonstones, Aloe, Succulents, Cactus, Palms, Euphorbias, Sand, Antique Coke bottles, etc. The list is endless! 

Pinterest Photo Gallery Link

DIY PLANT TAGS

For small and large plant tags use a variety of tile sizes with either a flat or glossy finish. Below photos are small travertine tiles. This is a great idea for labeling plants, re-purposing tiles and a great gift idea for your gardening friends. 
Materials:  Small Tiles, Flat Floral Marble, Wire, Hard as Nails Glue, Sharpee Pen, Acrylic Paint. Use a backing wire that is heavy enough for selected tile size. For larger tiles use a wooden dowel.

Thank you to Roberta for a great gift!
PINTEREST DIY 

Individual and Larger Photos Next Page "See More"...

Succulents for Retaining Walls and Borders

Succulents are the quintessential plant for borders or retaining walls as they require very little water. Similar to cactus, succulents are able to store water and planting them in cactus mix helps create the perfect soil environment for easy drainage. Group them closely together and mix in rocks for better growth and showy display. Photos below: front yard planter/retaining wall.

 more succulent photos- "see more"...

March Planting Guide: Southern California

Vegetables:

Beans (bush and pole), Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chives, Collards, Endive, Kale, Parsley, Potatoes, Radish, Spinach, Squash, Swiss Chard, Turnips. Possibly tomatoes at the end of the month.

The soil is beginning to warm up and the selection of vegetables are increasing.

Some of the easiest to grow are lettuce and radishes and planting heirloom, or unique varieties like "rainbow radishes" makes the experience that much better.

Companion planting- Group these together for better yields, harmonious planting and best overall conditions for growing. 

-carrot, parsley, tomato.

-beans (pole), radish, cabbage, lettuce

-beans (bush), carrot, lettuce, strawberry, savory, mint, collard

“The trouble with gardening is that is does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession.” 

 -Phyllis McGinley

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Scrabble Message of the Day- LOVE

What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are and who we will become. -D. Uchtdorf

love

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Ocean Theme Terrarium- Do it Yourself

DIY: Creating Beach Theme Terrariums

Supplies Needed:

* Large Glass Decorative Container (I got mine at Pier 1)
* Horticultural Sand
* Horticultural Charcoal
* Sheet Moss
* Tillandsia- learn more about this plant...- (Tillandsia Plants)
* Succulents
* Seashells, marbles, sea glass and ocean decorations

Layered assembly starts from the bottom of the container with Charcoal, Sand, Sheet Moss, More Sand, Plants, Decorative Shells. This is such an easy project and looks elegant and beautiful anywhere indoors or outside. Layers of potting soil can also be used for less drought tolerant plants. Water once a week with a small spray bottle or drip water on to each plant. 

Beach Theme Terrarium

Top View

Happy St. Valentine's Day

The rose is red, the violet's blue,
The honey's sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou'd be you.^[47][48]

Gammer Gurton's Garland (1784)

Happy Valentine's Day

-- FOLLOWTHIS LINK TO PINTEREST VALENTINE PHOTOS --

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Water Wise Succulent Gardens

The San Diego Mediterranean climate has warm, dry summers and mild winters creating perfect growing conditions for succulent landscapes. We share these climate characteristics with select regions of Chile, Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean Sea which is why many native plants from these regions thrive in San Diego’s sun–loving environment.

Succulents have evolved out of harsh growing conditions and although they require little water, they are quite lush and exotic looking. Other than needing a good draining soil, the overall care is minimal. Succulents are fire-resistant and, unlike their thorny cousin the cactus, they offer smooth foliage and blooms all year-long. Succulent garden-scapes are no longer limited to hillside landscaping with mundane single ice-plant selection, but can be used to create borders for walkways, dramatic potted container designs and specialty theme gardens.

Daily Gratitude

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Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful and appreciative. 
Finding time each day to add more gratitude can help to shift our perspective to a more meaningful day, a more meaningful life. I like to feel more gratitude by embracing the things I love and getting more of that love into my life. Author Marrianne Williamson writes that to have a shift in perspective is a Miracle. Isn't that the truth? Wouldn't you just LOVE it if some people in your life would have a change in perspective? Of course we all would, but it's not so bad for us either! That shift of an expanded gratitude can create more happiness and peace to our lives and others around us.
What brings you joy each day? 
These are my chihuahuas that make me laugh and teach me about unconditional love every day. 
I am thankful for these little life forms!

 My gratitude photos for today...

BELLA

CHULA

Bella and Chula

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