Garden Consult

Garden Consult

Garden for Grandkids

I visited another "ML" out in Appling, Ga in March. Acres of beauty surrounded

her timeless home. We walked to the back yard and I was dazzled by her organized

garden space. Ten almost empty plots begging for zinnias, cosmos, celosia, sunflowers
and herbs!

10 tidy beds waiting

Here are my recommendations to ML for her "Grand Garden"...

Those beds in the back are a dream! I would use that as a teaching area for your Grandkids! You can go all out by putting dwarf English Boxwoods at corners of each bed for a more formal look or just plant what you like!

ü  My head was filled with Zinnias, both tall "cut & come again" varieties and the Profusion series which are very low maintenance but will give you color...they come in orange, white and a pink.

ü  Sunflowers...several varieties

ü  Celosia

ü  Cosmos

ü  Echinacea..or Coneflower which has many colors and sizes other than tall purple!

ü  Bronze okra, some corn, bush beans...all easy from seed.

ü  Lambs ear is another herb to consider particularly with children since they are so soft and fuzzy.

ü  Maybe even some tall tuteurs as below for growing vines...

garden tutuer

Blessings
ML

Magical Merry Makeover

Great visit with a young mama who wants to share gardening experiences with her two little ones. 

This family recently added a phenomenal porch complete with bar, 

cooking area and lots of sitting space to watch Georgia games. 

Just outside the party porch is the area above...

PERFECT for a veggie/cutting garden!

Two ideas so far :

3 "beds" on each side of pathway which lead to throne

OR

a "keyhole" design with rays of beds outlined with
 hardy sun-loving annuals


AND

We are keeping the iron "throne" that is against the brick wall with a 

path leading up to it from

 the tiny "walk up" steps in below right corner. 

The dwarf nandinas to the left will be moved to cushion the throne.

The ideal plant list includes:

strawberries

Easy Cut Flowers for kids:   zinnias cosmos sunflowers

okra

corn

tomatoes

a variety of herbs for grilling: rosemary, basil, chives, mint and parsley

INSPIRATION

One color of hardy annuals outlining garden

One or Two areas for perennial herbs

Strawberry Patch

Bean Teepee for far upper right corner

Are you smarter than a 3rd grader?

The answer is no, just older!

First, don't forget to vote for your favorite porch setup as posted on November 3rd

"Porches on Parade"

You may vote until November 12th, but why wait? All 3 styles reflect the unique personalities of the designers.

I was invited to speak to a group of 120 Third Graders at Lake Forest Hills elementary school this week. Though flattered, I was so nervous! They are studying herbs, so I gave an overview of gardening & herbs...

Sharing some of thier questions:

• What is your favorite flower? Nasturtium



• Your favorite tool? The Claw



• Do you use fertilizer? Yes, mostly organic and Llama poop (big laugh)!



• How much would you charge to make a garden? Hmmmm. depends on how big it is!

The teacher came by that afternoon bearing a gift certificate and 3 packs of nasturtium seeds! Great time with these kids, but I need more practice...my confidence level is much higher with adults...strange.

Well, to turn that around I am working on a Spring Garden Camp for Kids.

Not sure about details, but open to suggestions...

Blessings from the Garden.

ML