We hadn’t planted tomatoes for a year or two, and as a result we ran into unexpected problems  this year. The trees at the back of the garden yard have grown considerably and the raised bed at that end gets far less light now than it has in the past.

We planted the tomatoes in the middle of the bed, running the length, with the basil along both sides and the ends, but the tomatoes blocked the light. As a result, our tomatoes did OK but the basil was a real disapointment.

Luckily, Jeffrey had planted basil around the warming kitchen at White Hall this year. It did very well and he was able to harvest enough for 6-7 batched of pesto.

Already I am planning what I want to do differently next year, so we have more success!  I do need to take the time to write it all out so I don’t forget any details. It is easy to see why Gardening Journals are so popular!

Tink

*In my dreams, all the flowers are in bloom…*

Garden Gate? Yep, no doubt about it… lovely illustrations! And they even have a cute FavIcon on their web site — I LOVE careful branding!

http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/

I grabbed this issue early one morning when I was at Lowe’s buying a new extension cord. The article on the cover that got my attention first was *Get Your Daylilies to Bloom ALL Summer*

I have read it and already I am taking notes (and planning) for next year… I am thinking that the fenced side yard needs to be daylilied! LOLOL We are waiting to see whether or not the Flamingo Maple was really killed in the late frost this Spring or might revive next year, bless its heart! If it didn’t survive, I might replace it with a gazing ball… or see about moving the Flamingo Bird Bath which needs a replacement bowl.(Yes, I confess, I AM a reformed Flamingo Collector)

The other article which caught my eye, but which I haven’t read yet, is titled *Save Time & Water - the SECRET to Soaker Hoses*

I have a feeling that it will join the stash of magazines in my Garden Planning file. I am hoping to move/rebuild our raised vegetable beds next year! *wide evil grin*

Tink

*In my dreams, all the flowers are in bloom…*

Jeffrey picked three Yellow Pear tomatoes. They were quite small and very tasty.

We have decided that we need to adjust how we position the tomatoes and basil next year. The way we planted things this year, the basil doesn’t seem to be getting enough sun… rats…

This is all a strong argument in favor of keeping a Gardening Journal… so I guess I’d better start one or I am sure I won’t remember all of the decisions we are making this year, by the time we plant next season! LOL

Tink

*In my dreams, all the flowers are in bloom…*

Creating a private garden space is a lot of fun to do and will provide you with years of enjoyment after the fact. Sometimes called garden rooms, or outdoor rooms, a private garden space is made to be private. It is a sanctuary you can retreat to anytime you’d like, to enjoy nature, smell the beautiful flowers growing, and simply de-stress from the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

When planning your private garden, the general goal is usually to create a quiet place to retreat from the world. This garden doesn’t have to be fully private, but it does have a much more calming effect when it’s at least semi-private.

Consider the location of your garden before starting to create it. If you must place the garden near busy or noisy areas such as close to the street, there are tactics you can use in your planning and design which will help dampen the noise and distractions. If your garden configuration will allow for it, you’ll get the best results from a private garden space that is placed away from everyday noise and activity.

Private garden spaces usually tend to be on the small side, and many people turn small backyard patios or gazebos into their private garden space. The garden can be as large as you’d like though, depending on your own personal preferences and budget restrictions.

One of the first things you’ll need to plan for is the kind of barrier you’ll use for your garden. One of the reasons a private garden space is often referred to as a garden room, is because many people like to create living walls for their garden area. These walls make the space seem more like an outdoor room because the garden space is more enclosed. If you prefer not to have your garden enclosed too much though, you can simply create an entranceway to your private garden space using an arbor or arch.

Living walls can be made by simply putting up inexpensive materials such as a chain link fence or wooden trellis, and using them to support fast growing flower vines. Flower vines can easily be trained to grow up and over fences, trellis materials, and arches. As these vines mature, they create a thick living wall which separates your garden area from the rest of the world. These vines also tend to shield the area from everyday noise and activity, plus they help to make the garden space cooler than the rest of the yard area may be as well.

Another option to create your private garden space quickly, is to buy flower pots and containers in a variety of sizes, then buy plants which have already started to grow. Arrange your flower boxes, pots and containers around the perimeter of the garden space, then plant the new flowers into them. If you choose flower pots and containers which have varying sizes and heights, you’ll be able to strategically place them in locations to block out everyday activities from your main line of sight. This type of private garden space won’t always block out much noise though, so it’s a solution that would be most effective in a secluded area of the yard.

Tink

*In my dreams, all the flowers are in bloom…*

Xeriscaping is particularly useful for creating gardens that need little to no watering, and it’s used the most in the desert southwestern area of the United States, because water is quite scarce in those areas.

When most people start thinking about how to create a garden which uses little to no water other than natural rainfall amounts, they immediately think of creating a cactus garden. Cactus gardens can be quite beautiful in and of themselves, but this is not the only way to create a beautiful garden which doesn’t need supplemental watering from you. Here are two of the more effective.

Method One -

An excellent way to help reduce the amount of water your plants need is to buy special water crystals to add to your garden soil. These crystals are designed to absorb and hold water for long periods of time - usually about two weeks - so that you can water your plants less yet still have them be healthy and beautiful.

The water crystals absorb water each time you water your garden, then they slowly release that water to the plants over time. You can buy potting soil which already has these crystals added, or you can buy the crystals themselves and add them to the existing areas of your garden where they are needed most.

Method Two -

You can also help your garden plants and flowers conserve water by simply giving them a good thick layer of natural mulch. Use dead leaves, dry grass clippings, sawdust, wood chips, or even tree bark pieces to cover the ground around your plants. This covering will help keep the soil from drying out quickly and you won’t need to water your plants as often, even in the dry heat of summer. The mulch will also protect your plants from the winter cold, too.

Needless to say, plant choice can also have an impact on water needs.

Cactus are plants which probably have the lowest water needs of any kind of plant, and there are many which are quite beautiful throughout the year. Most cactus plants create blooming flowers, and many of them change to various colors in different seasons too.

There are many other types of plants which require very little water to thrive, in addition to cactus plants. Other gorgeous plants grow quite well even in the worst of the drought seasons. These low water plants are often very unique, and they can really make your garden stand out from the neighbor’s.

Some of the best plants to use for low water gardening needs are the Desert Mallow and the California Poppy. These often have flowers which range from light peach to orange in color, but you’ll sometimes see them in other shades, too.

The leaves on these plants may seem a bit strange to someone who has never seen them before. They’re a paler green color and they’re a bit hairy. These plants draw butterflies and hummingbirds so they’ll be an excellent addition to your xeriscaping garden plans.

Tink

*In my dreams, all the flowers are in bloom…*

We have basil and tomatoes in one bed and peppers (LOTS of sweet banana peppers) in the other. Right off the bat, we were having problems with the peppers being nibbled, probably by bugs!

I remembered that in years past, we always planted marigolds in the beds to ward off insects and we hadn’t done that this year. Hmmm….. Jeffrey picked some up the next time he went shopping and we put them in… and saw an instant improvement. Who’d a thunk?

My current plan is to get the third bed cleaned out this year, so it is ready to go for next year. I figure we can work on it a bit at a time.

Jeffrey is working at White Hall State Historic Site again this year. He and our BEAUTIFUL Singer 1906 Lotus treadle machine, Miss Kathleen, are there as *Living History*. He actually makes the costumes for the tour guides on the treadle machine.

He works in the warming kitchen and has been spending the mornings putting in small herb gardens around the doors. He has also bee working in the gardens around the Stone Kitchen on site.

He and the Park Manager went to an Herb Farm in Frankfort, KY last week and bought plants for the gardens. I have decided to start saving my pennies to buy next year’s Basil there. Jeffrey said their stock was outstanding. I’ll check on the name and add a link later on.

Tink

*In my dreams, all the flowers are in bloom…*