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?
GA, yes, it just seemed to using the leaf blower was all that was needed without watching everything down too.
I've seen the smaller white tubs at local food stores; they're generally used to store frosting. I might get some of those.
But there's still no guarantee that the barrels don't have BPA as many plastics do. That's another concern.
Sharyn, there's a lot of wasted water here too. Many Americans just don't understand (or perhaps won't try to understand) the fact that some natural resources are truly finite.
Leaf blowers are another use of finite resources; I do understand the use on commercial facilities, but leaf raking for homeowners is a good way to just be outside and get some fresh air. It might be monotonous but it can actually be calming and soothing.
This is a good topic - what do others use to conserve water and/or fuel? Has anyone created a rain garden to catch rainwater in a specific trough type area? I've seen some very attractive rain gardens.
And on that subject, one of the medical facilities attached to the local hospital has 2 sets of Japanese rain chimes flanking the entrance. I love going there in the rain! (If you want to see some beautiful rain chains, Google "Japanese rain chains" and check out the third hit).
I had inquired on a DIY forum some years ago about adding rain chains to my house but was set back in my plans when someone raised the issue that they're generally copper and copper is a target for thieves. Given that the thieves in Detroit and some suburbs strip copper plumbing from houses, I decided I'd have to find another alternative for the chains.
In Michigan, we can see the effects of the drought in the higher prices of CA produce.
It's to everyone's benefit to conserve water, and that includes the municipalities and golf courses that still water lawns (especially here in Michigan), and people who perform the weekly car washing ritual.
It's also unfortunate that the laws governing use of greywater aren't more accommodating.
I bring this up because I have been very concerned about news reports on California and the drought. Yes, the dams above the Sacramento area such as Shasta are very full from the snow melt and rain, however, in Central Cali, the dams are not even half full, not to be a debbie downer, the drought is far from over. New Melones Dam, at last report was only at 17% capacity, this dam is in Central Cali where much agriculture is produced.
My city has underground wells to provide water. We are also supplied with water from New Melones. City growth, farming and supplying water to habitats in the delta are all vital needs.
My point is California is still in a drought situation. Conservation of our water is a major concern for everyone in the state. Conserve water wisely.
Actually, if he's got masonry and it's in any form like rocks or chunks, it would make great garden decorations.
Plant morning glories. They'll bloom in 5 weeks from planting time, and reach 10 - 15 feet by fall.
Grape vines are also good spreads for summer, but they will grow wildly and prolifically. Polygonum aubertii is a beautiful fast growing vine but invasive in some states. It will also cover the pile by the end of summer.
You can get away with cheap, quick summer coverage by planting vining squash or watermelon.
For late fall and winter coverage:
You can plant evergreen bushes around the pile, picking up unsold evergreens at big box stores or garden centers. You can build a fence (including a cheap one from branches or scrap material) and interplant evergreens that are fairly quick growers.
But evergreens generally aren't fast growers, so you may still need something inbetween shrubs for the spring, summer and fall periods. That's when the fast growers like morning glories come in, and they'll lend beautiful color to the pile as well.
There are other vines such as clematis, corkscrew vine, Dutchman's pipe vine if you want to get fancy, or, and this might appeal to you more: hops. You can harvest the hops to make your own beer. And the hops vines are lovely and attractive.
supposed to be green year round and tolerant of shady conditions .
gotta admit , thats pretty dirt cheap ..
i might even try some on a hillside that i have no intention of ever mowing ..
thanks
Spreading junipers are tough as nails and evergreen, there are some that hug the ground and others that are taller. Usually pretty cheap too.
Hope things are better for you now.
I ordered more irises today from Brecks. Spring hills Nursery was already sold out...can you believe that and it is only April. I guess if I want to get the purple color I want, I will have to order a year or more in advance. Who knew so many want purple irises.
i decided the 32 gallon plastic wine barrel is as much of a kitchen / dining room / food preparation item as any other in the house so i washed it , inverted it and left it in the nook where it operates . it dont take a genius to figure out what its purpose is .