As of late, I have been slightly obsessed with the enchanting world of Miniature Gardens. Tiny plants become large landscapes with the touch of tiny furnitures, fences and accessories adding whimsy to the otherwise regular planting combinations. Also sometimes referred to Fairy Gardens, these little creations can be made anywhere plants go by adding tiny features to create the illusion that a fairy or gnome might be taking up residence.

Quite surprisingly, I found myself with an empty pot (very unusual for me) and decided that it must become a mini garden. I started brainstorming on what to make of it and found the choices to be daunting. I saw lots of other gardens used sedums, which come in many varieties, shapes and colors, but most want a bit of sunshine and the place my mini garden was going to settle gets nothing but shade. So I ended up with a combination of mosses, mini-tropicals and ferns to piece together.

Mixing colors, textures, heights and flowering/non-flowering plants, I followed the standard rules of landscaping with one exception. I started with my plants first, then added my hardscaping (fences, rocks, etc.) From tallest to smallest, I potted my plants then watered them into settle. Next I added the paths, fences and even a little greenhouse to home the carnivorous flytrap I found!

The best part about my mini-garden is that it can be continually added to or changed, making for a fun little outdoor dollhouse that brings out m inner kid. A few pieces were bought, but the rest were scavenged making the process even more of an adventure! I encourage anyone to try it!

Inspirational links:

http://miniature-gardening.com/

http://www.twogreenthumbs.com/

http://miniaturegardenshoppe.com/content.html

In the past, I have been hesitant to plant potatoes in the garden because A.) They take up so much space and B.) They are so dang cheap at the grocery store that I could never see it being worth the trouble.

HOWEVER, there is an awesome alternative that I am experimenting with, the ever so enchanting method called TRASH CAN POTATOES. It is simple and so clever, solving both challenges of space and cost efficiency.

Potatoes have adventitious roots, which always sounds to me like they are ready for adventure. This is what makes the trash can potato method work. To start with, plant potatoes in about 6-8” of soil. When the sprouts appear, more soil can be added, keeping in mind that some greenery needs to be above soil level. As the plant grows, more soil can be added, until the container is filled to the top with soil, and potatoes!

For about $6 I found a plastic container, drilled some holes at the bottom and added my soil and my potatoes. Voila! I am ready and waiting for my potato harvest sometime late spring/early summer. Now for the part I am really excited about. Like I mentioned earlier, potatoes are cheap and readily available year round. Why would I bother planting boring old russet potatoes when I can get a five pound bag for $2-3? I found some blue potatoes at my fancy local grocery and used those as my seed potatoes. There really is no difference in grocery store potatoes/seed potatoes other than usually size or price. The large potatoes are reserved for baking and french fries, while the little guys go on to make more potatoes for the future. SO now I have some unique tubers growing in my own backyard, saving me some space for other crops, which makes this venture worth my time and effort!

I have a theory that heat can be measured in many ways. By degrees, yes, but there are many variables that can affect that outcome – wind, shade, moisture all factor into the actual temperature. I think the best way to calculate just how hot it really is, is to talk to other people while out in it.

“Boy, it’s a bit warm out today!” is something that is said a bit sarcastically as the temperature wallows in the 90’s. And it’s usually only said once in a short conversation before moving on to “how’s the family, yada yada.”

Once it hits 100, every conversation is started with “It’s a hot one!” or “I guess summer is finally here!” or something to that effect. The actual hotness may be stated again once more either in the middle of, or at the end of the conversation as well. Everyone with skin knows it’s hot out, but it must be said anyway.

After the big 100, however, every damned degree that the mercury rises exponentially causes misery to rise as well. You start sweating just by thinking about going outside. In fact, you avoid going outside at all costs if you can. People get grouchy, short tempered and start cursing Ra when it reaches 105, 106, 107. At this point, it is perfectly acceptable to tell everyone around you just how hot it is at any given point in time. Multiple times, in fact. I am sure I have had entire conversations where the only words said were,

“It’s hot.”

“it’s hot? Hot hot hot hot hot.”

 “Hot!”

Maybe someday, something besides the weather can be talked about. Once the temperature begins to decline, relieving our brains of the smothering heat that is turning them to mush, we can begin to talk of pleasant things. Things like pumpkin pie and sweaters and good books. Just enough time to get in some real conversation before it turns to “Cold.”

“Cold cold cold cold?”

“Cold cold cold cold cold!”

Nature Walk Part II

Nature Walk Part 1

I tried this recipe substituting Lamb’s Quarter for spinach. And I must say it is INCREDIBLE!!! SOOO YUM.

The only thing I would do differently is add MORE Lamb’s Quarter and maybe some toasted pine nuts or walnuts or something. I hope y’all can find some of this stuff (if not, there’s a ton at my garden, help yerselves!) because it is my new favorite green.

In India it is called bathua. In Mexico it is called quelite. Its common American name is Lamb’s Quarter. Botanically it is known as Chenopodium album. Many know it only as a pesky weed. No one really knows where it came from – some say Europe, others say Asia. Wherever it came from, one thing proves certain. This “weed” has made its way all around the globe and settled quite happily.

It is fast growing and quite prolific, one plant producing upwards of a thousand seeds. It grows just about everywhere, in any soil reaching heights of up to 6 feet tall. Sounds like a weed to me, and many of my fellow gardeners feel the same way. One little factoid sets this plant apart from other invasive weeds.

It is edible.

Not only edible, it is just as nutritious and delicious as spinach. Some say it even tastes better than spinach. You can eat it fresh in a salad, steam it, wilt it with onions and bacon – anything you would do to spinach can be done with Lamb’s Quarter. It really goes to prove that the term “weed” is extremely relative. What some may see as a pesky plant competing for soil space, others plant purposefully – selling it as a food crop. Every plant has its purpose, whether or not that purpose is a benefit to us humans directly relates to its status as a weed.

Recently I have been pulling up this weed in my own garden. By the bucketful. It grows faster than I can keep up with but now I think it may have earned its spot in my garden.  My neighbor only begs that I don’t let it go to seed.

so I lost a lot of stuff when we got a frost last week and that was sad. Never plant your tomatoes before they hatch, or something - anyway, lesson learned.

on the up side, we finally got some rain and everything (that survived) has doubled in size!

Plus, I found a happy neighbor, his name is Webster. He is photographed above, looking none too happy about being held. He even peeped at me! Anyway, he can live in my swiss chard for as long as he likes!