C-A-R-E-ing about Memorial Day !!

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May flowers 3

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continuing to comment

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ardent about

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regular

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emergence of blooms

(all in my yard).

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If you note the dates, you see I collected, and added pictures, over the last couple of weeks. Sadly, the rain storm on May 26th & 27th destroyed most (if not all) of the blooms in my garden. Did you see May Flowers 1 and May Flowers 2??

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Patio Pickers are unsatisfactory (imho)

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Flowers are my friend?! Homegrown veggies are illusive!! I believed the Patio Pickers would compliment the Garden Tower.

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I had such high hopes for radishes and green onions for my salads. Two separate plantings, both a failure (see pictures below). The Patio Picker has a reservoir in the bottom and I question whether the soil has been too wet. The plants had full sunshine.

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The season is young; I’ll wait to see what happens with Aspabroc. However, several web sites indicate fifty days to maturity and it has been over sixty days since I planted…. (FYI: The radish greens went into the compost tube of my Garden Tower.)

Unique planter

One of my readers sent this picture and wrote: “I saw this on Facebook and thought about you!!!!” ~~ Wow, isn’t that unique? Personally, I would not have the space for that planter but I find it intriguing. 

Snakes !!

cautious

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apprehensive

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restless

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edgy

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“Critters” in the garden is to be expected (aphids, armadillo, bees, birds, butterflies, caterpillars, deer, gecko, gophers, moles, rabbits, squirrels). I understand!! Snakes in my yard is a different matter. Previously, in two-and-one-half years, I’ve only seen one small harmless snake (4/21/14). Now, in two days, I’ve seen two snakes and I’m feeling anxious.

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Epsom Salt in the garden

Twenty-one Epsom Salt Garden “cheats” you don’t want to miss!!

Click the link (above) to go to original website.

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Applying Epsom Salt – Basics

Here are the basic methods and general rates for applying Epsom salt to plants and soil. NOTE: It is always advisable to have a soil test done before applying any nutrients to soil.

Soil Incorporation – Broadcast 1 cup per 100 square feet, mix well into before planting.

At Planting Time – When planting seedlings or new plants, dig a hole and place about 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt in the bottom of hole and cover with a thin layer of dirt, place the plant in the hole and finish planting.

Pre-Planting Soak – Prior to planting, soak root balls in 1/2 cup of Epsom salt diluted in one gallon of water.

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Belatedly, I made the purchases and sprayed my tomato plants. Actually made the purchases yesterday and sprayed today.

Fight Depression and Anxiety with a Therapy Garden

Spending time in my garden is my medicine!! Frequently, I’ve touted the benefit. Here’s an article that states gardening is recommended to fight depression and anxiety. Below is a brief excerpt from the article.

EASY DOES IT: Horticulture therapists modify healing gardens to help ease the task of gardening and make it more enjoyable. If you have a bad back or limited mobility, consider creating tall raised beds or container gardening. Design clear, accessible pathways throughout your garden, and keep your cool under shade canopies. If you don’t have the space or time for a large garden [consider a Garden Tower], Kennedy suggests creating a small herb garden in a large pot. Regular picking will help keep herbs small and healthy, and foster a strong connection with the plants. [Bold emphasis, underline and reference to Garden Tower added by Lorraine.]

Container gardening

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There is so much information on the Internet.

I benefit from data and like to share details with my readers.

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container

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gardening

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This web link starts with flower gardens but moves to veggies. Followers of my blog know that my new love is my Garden Tower. However, my yard is full of planters with flowers to attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Bees. This quote from the aforementioned web site describes my garden: “If you have an eclectic style yard, then your job will be easy, just about any container will work, and a combination of styles will look just fine.”  I mentioned in an earlier blog that I am not a landscape architect but I hasten to say that I attempt to mix and match containers so they complement one another. (Remember the title of my blog: Casual Approach Rejected Entirely. Nothing haphazard about my garden?!)

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Counting containers, wind chimes, & bird feeders

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One hundred forty-three planters (but that number changes from day-to-day).

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Bird feeders (but that number changes from month to month).

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Wind chimes (but that number is subject to change).

 

 

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Just in case you question my infatuation for the garden: Counting containers (planters), wind chimes, and bird feeders.

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Silly old senior!!

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Urban Gardening With Vegetables

How to grow edibles in pots and planters.

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My focus and energy is directed toward my Garden Tower. But I have other containers for veggies.  ~~ I like my Patio Pickers. ~~ This article is helpful for “container gardening.”

container gardening

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See my earlier message about Aspabroc.