Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Garden Blog





Before leaving Utah, I had a pretty lovely little garden I was blessed to call my own.  I would spend many hours in it whenever the weather permitted and sometimes when it didn't. It was my haven, my Eden, mine. 

Here in Baltimore I don't have that. There is a "green" space next to our rowhouse where grass and groundcovers grow, sort of. The landlord has given me permission to do what I want with it, but with only one sure summer here I don't want to invest any money in it, only to leave it next year.

Here's the thing... Leaving Utah meant leaving my garden and I had decided the easiest thing to do was pack away that part of me until I had a home+garden again. Turns out it doesn't work that way. Being in the dirt, planting, pruning, digging and working is part of who I am. It's in my soul. It feeds my soul. I can't be without it. Now with springtime fast approaching I am itching to talk plants and designs and everything else to do with gardening. So I had the thought: I should start a garden blog! I would post links to resources I use and like. I could post pics (yours and mine) of plants and gardens with details/information. There is so much potential for sharing. What do ya think? It would be a place where we could talk about our ideas, problems and thoughts on gardening or anything else we can tie back to life and growing things. :)

This is my plan for now... I will give it a few days to marinate and come up with a name, meanwhile you guys need to give me something to write about. If you have questions, now's the time to ask them. If you want ideas for designing beds, pots or baskets or if you just want to talk about something else, let me know. I am not an expert but I am passionate about gardening/plants/life and I hope that makes up for anything I may not know.  Talk to me!

8 comments:

Unknown said...

I am going to plant a garden this year and other then tomatoes, beans, peas and zucchini I know nothing. I would love to try lettuce, raspberries, carrots, cucumbers, maybe grapes. We are making planter boxes so it won't just be in the ground. I would LOVE any help or tips you can give. By the way I think you have had some of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen!
Love Sarah

Ingrid said...

Yes you ARE an expert!
and I LOVE your idea!

So, here are my questions:
1. When can I plant snow peas or sugar snap peas, and what is the difference? And how do I care for them (i.e.: how much watering do they need?)
2. When can I plant lettuce, and again, how much water?
3. I'd love a pot of primroses or something colorful on the porch, but feel it would almost look out of place because everything is so dead and gloomy. I know that this kind of doesn't make sense, but I also think you can kind of get what I mean. How do I incorporate flowers at this time of ear without looking dorky?

(These questions are based on my Utah climate.)
I'll have tons more as time goes on.

ang said...

i think you ARE an expert. and i want to be you when i grow up.

at the very least i want to do raised garden beds this year. how do i make them? where do i get the supplies?? am i supposed to get a certain kind of dirt to go in them??? i am thinking of doing some square foot gardening...what would be the best way to water the beds?

also, our WHOLE yard is a 1970's nightmare. the whole thing needs a complete overhaul (but you already know that as you've seen it). maybe when we're rich and ready to do it we will buy you a plane ticket and pay you to come do it. what?

Karen Liu said...

Is this your house in Utah? The gardens are beautiful! I have a home and some grass and dirt and I no idea how to create beautiful landscaping... it looks terrible and I would love to learn to beautify the grounds so I can have a little piece of Eden. I would love to submit pictures to solicit helpful ideas and such.

Danielle said...

Oh my gosh, that is beautiful!!! I felt like I knew what you mean when I saw your facebook status.. I miss grass and walking barefoot. No wonder YOU really miss your garden-beautiful!!!

Bethany said...

Oh, Mishel, you may have opened a can of worms here! But If all my questions can help ease the garden withdrawal...here goes!
What is the best fertilizer/soil revitalizer for a vegetable garden plot? Is it true that you should rotate where you place your crops (even in a small garden where that's not necessarily easy). How do I keep oriental poppies from taking over my entire flower bed? What are some great late summer perennials/annuals for for full sun? Can I start broccoli and cabbage from seed outside or do they need indoor/green house sprouting (here in UT)? Do I have to buy heirloom varieties if I want to be able use the seeds from the veggies/fruits to plant in the future? What is the best way to store seeds? Do all bulb flowers need a "freeze" to get them to grow again (in particular Calla Lillies)? OK I need to stop now before I overwhelm myself! I look forward to "subscribing" to your garden blog!

Bethany

Unknown said...

Great idea. Where can I go to find your answers to all the questions? I love this.

Unknown said...

I am so glad that I found your blog. Your gardens look so beautiful!!!