Sunday Farm Update

Late Night?

Today began with a drive to the Farm by our 15yo new driver. Safe and sound.


Some of us were a bit fatigued upon arrival mainly due to staying up til 3am with friends. So, we finally mustered up the energy to hill the pumpkin patch in preparation for seed planting today...


Guess what? 


Someone forgot the seeds! Well, we didn't drive my Yukon Storage Container to the farm, so it didn't happen.

Blisters.Even Gizmo!

Meanwhile, Sam, Marianna & myself completed the hills despite the fact we had no seeds. Here are our blisters to prove it- even Baby Gizmo(Sam calling him Giz-mutt) was in on the goodness. 

Sam working in the rain

We were tricked again with about 3 minutes of hard rain thus sprinklers running most of the evening. 


Robert must be having a contest with someone else growing corn. He has fertilized, watered-  really babied this crop. Says he wants to have a corn party...


Any thoughts?


The flowers have  progressed tremendously this week. There is so much pink, salmon, white, burgundy this year! Planned those colors for upcoming weddings. The broomcorn is about 3 feet high, last year it bolted up to about 10 feet. Lovely in fall arrangements. 


The return home was a white knuckler for me...Our 15 yo drove the truck back and onto Bobby Jones Expressway in the dark. Safely home, I am so proud. 


Blessings 
ML

PS. If you've read this, will you hit the 1+ button at the bottom of this post? Not sure, but I think it's supposed to up my optimization a bit. Thanks.

FlowerCamp 2011

FlowerCamp is about experiencing flowers, fun, and fellowship.

Surrounded by 180 acres of Southern Pines, Campers will experiment

with fresh flowers, greens and grasses to create their own unique fall designs.

FlowerCamp stimulates the artistic spirit for beginning and experienced designers. Campers are guided by good natured designers and Master Gardeners.

Not only is FlowerCamp for your enjoyment, but it is a method of cultivating your creative perspective.

Camp begins at 11am & ends at 2pm. 

September Saturdays:

 9th ,16th, 23th & 30th

11am to 2pm

 Thursday September 15th & 22nd

 10:30am to 1:30pm 

Here are some details about your morning at FlowerCamp:

• Directions will be mailed to you. It takes one hour from Augusta to get to Camp.

• Dress comfortably. Tennis shoes, long pants, layers with sweat jacket or sweater depending on weather. May want to wear a hat.

• You will have access to a cabin with a full kitchen, restrooms and plenty of rocking chairs and places to take a break!

• There are no phones at FlowerCamp. Please bring a cell phone if you need to.

Registration is $65 per Camper and includes all materials, sumptuous catered lunch and refreshments.  Register via email, contact Mary Louise  mlchgarden@comcast.net. Check, cash or credit card accepted & will reserve your space. 

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

ML's Top 10 Seeds: Part One, Flowers.

For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated with growing anything from seed. 

The excitement of gently placing a seed in the newly worked earth, and the anticipation

of germination renews my enthusiasm for the upcoming harvest. This eagerness for life is what drives this experienced gardener and newbies to the "fields". 

Try some of these easy to grow seeds this spring. Remember, Augusta has a last frost range between March 15 & April 15, so be prepared to cover those seedlings if you plant early!

1.   Zinnias- try a new variety, perhaps "romantic" colors this year!

2.   Nasturtiums- a long time favorite of Robert's grandmother, Ma Maw...soak these seeds in warm water for a few hours before planting to speed germination. 

3. Rose Campion (left)

Long time gardener, Joe Agostas, 

shared a film canister(if you remember 

what that is!) filled with seeds. I sprinkled them around the garden, and poof! a spectacular show of this fuschia perenial.

If you know someone with this plant who can share, get some.

4.  Sunflowers

      If you have children or grandchildren, the sunflower is a must. Lots of memories      generated with this happy annual! There are so many varieties, here are just a few of my favorites: 

                   **  Teddy Bear--great for a container

                   ** Moulin Rouge--reminds me of burgundy wine!

                   ** Tithonia--actually a Mexican Sunflower, but so easy! 

                   ** Mammoth-perfect for kids, grow some beans on this one.

5.  Celosia

     

Sounds odd, but this knotty, brain like variety is

oh, so  popular in bridal bouquets. 

There are "flame" varieties, too, which are

just as beautiful but not as unique. 

Please share this post with your Facebook friends...

there's a button below!

Part II...later. 

Blessings from the Garden. 

ML