Deer help themselves to all the plants — so when I was starting, I started with primarily native species. Our local Green Elephant plant swap offers a plethora of native plants. I’ve been working on enlarging my garden, by decreasing my lawn grass for years. I’ve used this plethora of naturalized organic native plants to free my small garden of the grass carpet covering it! … Continue reading In My Garden: July 2019
Typical procrastinator I’ve been longing for some time just to write. Alone. In the house. By myself. After a thorough cleaning, walking the dogs, cleaning up the house….my desk was ready for me to write at!! Then… I had to straighten the couch, water outdoor plants, and clear off my desk before I could start. I’m so happy we changed the orientation of our office … Continue reading Typical Procrastinator
Gardening with a Green Elephant community is such a wonderful way to increase the diversity in your garden. I’ve been participating for a few years and have not only been able to add more native plants to my landscape, but build relationships with other gardeners as I build my garden. The autumn harvest is a good time to bring excess garden vegetables, seeds, … Continue reading Green Elephant Autumn Bounty
Urban Woods Our urban oasis is filled with many plants, native and ornamental, to give layers of color and texture to our tiny plot. Having surprises around every corner, many areas when leafed out, belies our city plot with only peek-a-boo views of the mountains beyond. Living for nature, loving our wooded lot, and learning how we can continue to improve our little corner of … Continue reading Urban Woods
I’ve not had my phone with me while pruning in my garden and seen true bugs — though I have plenty of images of the butterflies and bees buzzing in my garden 🙂 True Bugs are in the Hemiptera Order and includes cicada, stink bugs, aphids, {et al}. Insects, not true bugs, like bees, Hymenoptera Order, and butterflies, Lepidoptera Order, abound in my pollinator garden. … Continue reading Insects (not true bugs!) 🐝🦋
This is what we started with — a monoculture of of grass. For many in this suburban community, the epitome of suburban bliss. For me? An eyesore. So, it began… Oh what changes the front yard has made! This was after the first summer when I dug up the turf grass adjacent to all the hardscape in the front yard. I used my yard transformation … Continue reading Transformation of our yard, 2017
There is always work to do when you own a home. A few months ago, with no leaves on the deciduous trees, the fort only wanted for a good wash and clear coat sealant. However, with our busy spring now far behind us, and summer in the Pacific Northwest in our midst, we found our trees had completely shaded out the fort! This is … Continue reading Fort Maintenance, July 2017
Gardening is a passion of mine – not only because it’s wonderful to be outside, work the earth with your hands, reap the benefits of a beautiful organic garden for edibles and simple beauty. I also garden for wildlife and creating a restorative habitat on my little lot of land – pollinators, birds, amphibians, and mammals frequenting our yard – but also my own sort … Continue reading Green Elephant Gardening
Summer Strawberries🍓 So delicious, so many, I couldn’t resist trying my hand at a summer drink after seeing a favorite Eastside Seattle eatery, Deru Market, post their version of this luscious drink – Challenge Accepted! I trolled recipes and, since I love basil, I opted to also add this. Mmmmmmm… 🌿 So with handfuls of strawberries and basil, some simple syrup, a … Continue reading Strawberry Bourbon Smash
Bunny disarmed by Robin Hairy Woodpeckers Mmmmmmm……Organic Strawberries from the vine! More Daylillies Echinacea (Purple Headed Coneflower) What’s growing in your garden? Continue reading In my garden, June 2017
