Aquacone helping sad plant

Time to Catch Up

We had a nice quiet Memorial Day weekend.  I had lots of time to garden and sew.  However I did find it kinda weird when people wished 'Happy Memorial Day' - maybe they've forgotten what it represents.

Here's a product that I use every year when planting in warmer weather.  It's 
called the 'Aquacone' and I get them from
Gardener's Supply Company (not a paid endorsement).  I have 6 and have used them for years now.  Just cut off the end of a 2 liter soda bottle and attach the cone where the lid was.  It comes with holes that can be punched out to  regulate the amount of water.  Then push it in the ground near the roots of the new plant.  It really helps get plants settled and promotes deeper rooting.    

Just push it down near the roots

My lavender harvest is off to a fantastic start this year.  Right now I hang the bunches to dry on spring tension rods in the doorway between the kitchen and dining room.  Hubbie had me order a different type of rack which should be here some time this week.  That way we can use the doorway instead of going around the 'long' way. 

This is just half of what's hanging now

 Gardening Tip:

          Use rubber bands to tie the bunches together - as the herbs dry
          the bands stay tight and you don't have them falling all over the 
          floor.  I just loop the rubber band over the rod and back around
          the stems.

 I finally finished a wall quilt that I've been working on.  We've had lots of wind and smoke from a huge wild fire in New Mexico.  That made it difficult to work outside so I made an indoor garden quilt.  The pattern is "Wonky Wildflowers" from Pine Mountain Designs.  It was a lot of fun learning some new blocks and I love incorporating embroidery in designs.  The button centers on the flowers were my own touch.  I used scraps from my stash and just had fun with the colors.  Notice that I also made a scrappy binding.

Those little green blobs are volunteer portulaca

Budget Gardening Tip

Volunteer plants can be quite a help in the garden.  Last year I had two hanging planters of portulaca.  Throughout the summer they would go to seed from time to time and I was glad to see that seedlings were showing up this spring.  I pull out the ones that I don't want and let others go.  They'll be happy and reseed themselves again.  Freebies are great.  My friends and I also share seeds that we save from our own plants. 

Volunteer prickly pear cactus

Volunteers can be unexpected too.  This cactus appeared about 4 years ago at the bottom of a rain spout.  I'm guessing that some bird enjoyed the fruit and deposited the seeds via poo on our roof.  Then a rare rain storm washed it down the gutter where it took root.  After it was about 2 inches high I scooped it up with a trowel and moved it to its present location.  I totally ignore it and as you can see it is very happy.

Mums March 25

Mums May 26

Dividing perennials can also be great.  I often have lots of chrysanthemums that need to be divided.  I spread them around my own garden and share them with others.  It makes my plants happier because they aren't so crowded and makes me happy to share.

Some of the plants that I divide and share from my garden are:  chrysanthemums, asters, coral bells (heuchera), and various sedums.  Bulbs also multiply and I share when they finish blooming.
     

Baby Turtle 'J'


The other day I found the first of this year's crop of turtles in the garden.  They're really hard to find since they are only slightly larger than a quarter.  Following up
on our alphabet naming system this one is 'J' until our granddaughters name her.  I brought her inside to take the pictures.  She's trying very hard to escape from saucer.  It's so much fun to find turtles and lizards in my garden.  And yes, eventually I'll have to share some of our herd with friends and neighbors.  But not yet!  Then it will have to be a joint decision between me and our girlies about who gets to move on to other pastures.

Saving Money

These days all of us are looking for ways to save our pennies.  One idea is to ask at local nurseries about 'distressed' plants.  Many of them have an area where they put plants that are nearly dead.  One of my favorite places to check is Lowes.  They have plants on clearance for 50% or more off the previous retail price.  I've gotten some real deals with plants that just need a little TLC.  Yesterday I saw a woman buying roses in 2 gallon containers for $5 each - and they looked fantastic!

Half flat of alyssum for $3

Today's Tip:
To rescue these sad things here's what I do: 
                Water thoroughly
                 Trim off spent blooms (this helps the plant put energy into                        roots instead of seeds)
                 Use some root stimulator to give it a boost
              Plant and water regularly for a few days
              Be patient and enjoy your thriftiness