I spent yesterday working at Tagawa's. Deadheading and cleaning up the plants. Watering the flowering bulbs and bonsai. What a meditative great feeling. The part I dread is when a customer asks me a question about a plant or other such thing and I feel completely at a loss. I respond from my vague memory and hope I am answering correctly. After they leave I go back and check my answers, which, thankfully, were for the most part, correct. Only a few blunders. BUT, I want to have it come from confidence and surity!!! I want to feel strong in the answers so that I know that I am helping. Only then will I feel 100% great about my nursery job. So I will spend time studying the books on plants and getting to know them. Researching and memorizing the information. Listening and learning.
I remember Dee saying that it will take a couple of years before it comes naturally. I need to give it some time, but also make the time to study and learn as much as I can about plants. Cause I love my job and enjoy working there I want to do my job the best I can and at the level of quality of the others that work there. In just one year I learned a lot about plants, but want to do a better job at helping customers with their questions and concerns.
The scents and the visual appeal of the greenhouse was so refreshingly wonderful. Love it.
Last year I thought about wanting to incorporate houseplants in my house, this year I want to make it happen. Thinking of how to do this as my house is not very accommodating for plants. What I am thinking of doing is setting up a "plant wall".. with shelves and lighting so that I can grow plants in my house. Orchids would be nice.. standing alone and majestic. Then cluster some on a shelf with grow lights. Hanging plants in several areas. Lots of things to plan and do.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Spring is coming.....
The end of February is here.. or close to the end of February. Spring will soon be here. The tree in front has buds. The snow cover is melting (2 months of snow, that's a first for my experience with Colorado winter). Crocus are popping up. Rain is in the forecast instead of snow!! The signs of spring are coming. AND I am working at Tagawa's again this season!!! Walked through the greenhouse on Monday.. the smells and sites are wonderful.
And as I look out over the yard I see many different things that I will need to work on....
POND:
* Dig and restack waterfall. Siphon off pond.. remove fish? pull back liner and dig out the shelf area for the waterfall. Level and reinforce this area, replace liner. Consider getting a waterfall tank from Tagawa's and restack rocks around to camoflouge the tank.
* Reposition and amend "deck" off the pond. As the dirt has settled and is resulting in a slope so I will need to reinforce this area to level the pavers.
* Build up area of the pond that is not level with the other side so that the pond doesn't drain when it is full. SE corner?
BOG:
* Plant plants for the bog area. Water consistently. Taller plants than last year. Reed, cat tails. Bog plants.
POND Area:
*Plant ground cover around the edge intermingled with flowers. Shorter this year than last year.. the ones I put in last year were too high. Lower.. no more than 8 inches. Pinks... ???
PATIO:
*Lay the remainder of the patio.
These will be the first jobs of the season as soon as I can get out into the garden/ yard.
I want a garden that is lush and green. Flowers and cozy corners. Would like to get some higher walls and overhead arches added to the garden which will provide the feeling of rooms and privacy.
Alongside the above jobs, I will want to work on the veggie garden as this also has top priority. See previous blogs to see what I have planned for the veggies.
I am anxious to get out into the yard and start getting things planted and growing. Watching the progression of it all coming together is exciting. I want to make the yard inviting and welcoming to myself and others. Getting antsy to move from planning stage to doing stage. And this year I should have a little more money to get some of the supplies I need for making this happen!!
And as I look out over the yard I see many different things that I will need to work on....
POND:
* Dig and restack waterfall. Siphon off pond.. remove fish? pull back liner and dig out the shelf area for the waterfall. Level and reinforce this area, replace liner. Consider getting a waterfall tank from Tagawa's and restack rocks around to camoflouge the tank.
* Reposition and amend "deck" off the pond. As the dirt has settled and is resulting in a slope so I will need to reinforce this area to level the pavers.
* Build up area of the pond that is not level with the other side so that the pond doesn't drain when it is full. SE corner?
BOG:
* Plant plants for the bog area. Water consistently. Taller plants than last year. Reed, cat tails. Bog plants.
POND Area:
*Plant ground cover around the edge intermingled with flowers. Shorter this year than last year.. the ones I put in last year were too high. Lower.. no more than 8 inches. Pinks... ???
PATIO:
*Lay the remainder of the patio.
These will be the first jobs of the season as soon as I can get out into the garden/ yard.
I want a garden that is lush and green. Flowers and cozy corners. Would like to get some higher walls and overhead arches added to the garden which will provide the feeling of rooms and privacy.
Alongside the above jobs, I will want to work on the veggie garden as this also has top priority. See previous blogs to see what I have planned for the veggies.
I am anxious to get out into the yard and start getting things planted and growing. Watching the progression of it all coming together is exciting. I want to make the yard inviting and welcoming to myself and others. Getting antsy to move from planning stage to doing stage. And this year I should have a little more money to get some of the supplies I need for making this happen!!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
More projects.....
The snow still covers the ground and I continue to think of garden projects for the upcoming season. Almost forgot that I want to put in a rock garden in the front side yard.. where the makings of a rock garden has been started. Want to "plant" rocks and amend the soil so that it supports plants that are often grown in rock gardens.
I will start to plan and list the supplies I need for my raised vegetable garden plots for this year. That is my prime objective this summer.. to produce a wonderful veggie garden. Every year it seems as though my veggies are always lacking and unproductive, I don't know if it's the soil? the amount or lack of watering? but this year I am going to put more time and effort into the veggies. I have drip hoses and sprinklers that I bought which will stay in place in the veg garden so that all I have to do is pull the hose over to this area and connect and water... fertilize and amend the soil will also be important.
VEGGIE GARDEN PLANS.. OBJECTIVES:
Amend soil.
Succession plantings
Water consistently.
Weed regularily.
Cover/ shade/ and tend!!!
ALSO....
I put in my application for Tagawa Gardens for the upcoming season. And when I stopped in with the paperwork I popped through to say hello to Dee. and it sounds really promising that I will be rehired for the upcoming sesaon!!!! YEAH!! If I make it back for a subsequent season it will be a shoe-in that I will be considered for other seasons thereafter, as long as I apply and keep coming back!!! I love the place.. the plants.. the atmosphere.. the workers.. etc.
This summer my garden is going to be my refuge and haven. It will be my soul replenishing place where I go to meditate and renew myself. I will transcend the place so that it is a healing, safe, and wonderful place to go... and if it isn't I will heal it so that it evolves into the kind of place that is healing and rejuvenating. When I think of a place that is healing and rejuvenating, what do I think of?
HEALING/ REJUVENATING....
Green// lush... quiet.. solitude.. secluded!!! How can I make it so? Lots of plants... waterfall.. more prominent and louder. Pergola over the patio. Gazebo or arbor over the corner seating area. Lots of plants.. bird refugee.. sitting areas.. small, quaint areas/ rooms in the back. Take time to work the garden and also enjoy the garden.. time to relax and enjoy.
Looking forward with great anticipation and hope for a wonderful, beautiful summer in my garden!!!! 07 will be a year of garden wonder. Kristi
I will start to plan and list the supplies I need for my raised vegetable garden plots for this year. That is my prime objective this summer.. to produce a wonderful veggie garden. Every year it seems as though my veggies are always lacking and unproductive, I don't know if it's the soil? the amount or lack of watering? but this year I am going to put more time and effort into the veggies. I have drip hoses and sprinklers that I bought which will stay in place in the veg garden so that all I have to do is pull the hose over to this area and connect and water... fertilize and amend the soil will also be important.
VEGGIE GARDEN PLANS.. OBJECTIVES:
Amend soil.
Succession plantings
Water consistently.
Weed regularily.
Cover/ shade/ and tend!!!
ALSO....
I put in my application for Tagawa Gardens for the upcoming season. And when I stopped in with the paperwork I popped through to say hello to Dee. and it sounds really promising that I will be rehired for the upcoming sesaon!!!! YEAH!! If I make it back for a subsequent season it will be a shoe-in that I will be considered for other seasons thereafter, as long as I apply and keep coming back!!! I love the place.. the plants.. the atmosphere.. the workers.. etc.
This summer my garden is going to be my refuge and haven. It will be my soul replenishing place where I go to meditate and renew myself. I will transcend the place so that it is a healing, safe, and wonderful place to go... and if it isn't I will heal it so that it evolves into the kind of place that is healing and rejuvenating. When I think of a place that is healing and rejuvenating, what do I think of?
HEALING/ REJUVENATING....
Green// lush... quiet.. solitude.. secluded!!! How can I make it so? Lots of plants... waterfall.. more prominent and louder. Pergola over the patio. Gazebo or arbor over the corner seating area. Lots of plants.. bird refugee.. sitting areas.. small, quaint areas/ rooms in the back. Take time to work the garden and also enjoy the garden.. time to relax and enjoy.
Looking forward with great anticipation and hope for a wonderful, beautiful summer in my garden!!!! 07 will be a year of garden wonder. Kristi
Friday, January 12, 2007
More Snow
Expecting more snow this weekend, into next week. I look at the ground cover of snow and think of the potential, the moisture that will be absorbed into the ground.. how wonderful it will be this spring to have all the moisture deep in the ground.
The birds have been really hitting the bird feeder as the ground cover of snow has limited their food supply... there was some wheat in the bottom of the canister that I was storing the bird feed in and they are throwing it on the ground. I thought for sure they would have eaten the wheat berries??? I guess not.
Thinking of one more "job" for this summer. Redoing my waterfall for the pond. I want to find a central rock for the waterfall and then add some around it. I might have to dig the area around the waterfall area and level the ground better. Seems like I left it too uneven and not enough room for a good sized rock to be put on the area. I took down the rock I had because I was afraid that the ground would settle and/or heave and the rocks I had set up would collapse and I would lose the rocks in the bottom of the pond. I learned a lot about digging for a pond. 1) the sides should definitely be anally perfect as far as level with each other. 2) I should have had a lip for the rock edging. 3) I needed more of a platform for the waterfall area and so that it would cascade directly into the water.
The birds have been really hitting the bird feeder as the ground cover of snow has limited their food supply... there was some wheat in the bottom of the canister that I was storing the bird feed in and they are throwing it on the ground. I thought for sure they would have eaten the wheat berries??? I guess not.
Thinking of one more "job" for this summer. Redoing my waterfall for the pond. I want to find a central rock for the waterfall and then add some around it. I might have to dig the area around the waterfall area and level the ground better. Seems like I left it too uneven and not enough room for a good sized rock to be put on the area. I took down the rock I had because I was afraid that the ground would settle and/or heave and the rocks I had set up would collapse and I would lose the rocks in the bottom of the pond. I learned a lot about digging for a pond. 1) the sides should definitely be anally perfect as far as level with each other. 2) I should have had a lip for the rock edging. 3) I needed more of a platform for the waterfall area and so that it would cascade directly into the water.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Garden Dreaming
Spent some time today looking at the various plants and seed catalogs (online). And there are just so many wonderfully, beautiful plants. Each spring there is a feeling of optimism of the potentially gorgeous garden that I will have. But the summers of Colorado always seem to burn those dreams right up. I need to break down and realize that watering is a mainstay of Colorado gardening. A little manipulation to get things growing, instead of cooking....
I envision things for every part of my garden/ yard. Since I did a lot of work last year, putting in the corner garden/sitting area and the pond area, I am hoping that this year I can put more effort into planting and mantaining the new growth.
Container gardens in the front...
Bird feeders
Butterfly flowers
Hummingbird flowers
Corner garden:
Along the back wall build and put in some type of art work.... a focal point. A shelf over the rocks?
I envision things for every part of my garden/ yard. Since I did a lot of work last year, putting in the corner garden/sitting area and the pond area, I am hoping that this year I can put more effort into planting and mantaining the new growth.
Container gardens in the front...
Bird feeders
Butterfly flowers
Hummingbird flowers
Corner garden:
Along the back wall build and put in some type of art work.... a focal point. A shelf over the rocks?
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Gardening for the Soul
This year I want to approach Gardening in a more soulful manner...
There were times last summer when I approached my garden time as work time. I want to step back and remember that my garden is my retreat. My garden should be a place to reflect, to replenish, and marvel at the miracle of growth and renewal!!!
January is a month of planning and anticipation of the gardening months. This year, at this time, in Colorado I have up to two feet of snow in the backyard and along the garden walk in the frontyard. When I look on the snow, I see a blanket of hope covering the flowerbeds and lawn. The promise and hope of the upcoming season that it will be productive and beautiful, knowing that this snow is much needed moisture that will seep into the ground.
Planning. My plans are to "dream big" of what I want to accomplish.
VEGETABLE GARDEN AREA:
*Install raised beds
*Remove current garden shed in order to enlarge the growing area.
*Install a small garden shed/ wall unit along north fence.
EAST YARD:
*Clean up branches/ mulch.
*Clean up compost area.
*Dig and replenish area.
*Prepare for fruit trees and plants for '08 season.
RAISED BED and CORNER-Seating area:
*Plant loads of perennials and annuals for a flower bed that blooms with beauty.
*Lower level, plant with medium sized, mounding flowers.
*Plant vines or tall flowers (gladiolus?) along fence.
*Pots or containers along south wall?
*Trim evergreen and plant shade plants.... hostas? ground cover? astilbes?
There were times last summer when I approached my garden time as work time. I want to step back and remember that my garden is my retreat. My garden should be a place to reflect, to replenish, and marvel at the miracle of growth and renewal!!!
January is a month of planning and anticipation of the gardening months. This year, at this time, in Colorado I have up to two feet of snow in the backyard and along the garden walk in the frontyard. When I look on the snow, I see a blanket of hope covering the flowerbeds and lawn. The promise and hope of the upcoming season that it will be productive and beautiful, knowing that this snow is much needed moisture that will seep into the ground.
Planning. My plans are to "dream big" of what I want to accomplish.
VEGETABLE GARDEN AREA:
*Install raised beds
*Remove current garden shed in order to enlarge the growing area.
*Install a small garden shed/ wall unit along north fence.
EAST YARD:
*Clean up branches/ mulch.
*Clean up compost area.
*Dig and replenish area.
*Prepare for fruit trees and plants for '08 season.
RAISED BED and CORNER-Seating area:
*Plant loads of perennials and annuals for a flower bed that blooms with beauty.
*Lower level, plant with medium sized, mounding flowers.
*Plant vines or tall flowers (gladiolus?) along fence.
*Pots or containers along south wall?
*Trim evergreen and plant shade plants.... hostas? ground cover? astilbes?
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