Here's a look at the finished Shady Fern Garden
Friday, April 30, 2010
Busy Spring!
Yes, it's been a busy spring so far...I've already had issues from "gardener's weekend" sore muscles! A few days ago, a friend and I went to Goode's greenhouse just to look around. I came home with a backseat full of stuff! As I work through my lessons in Gardening and Landscaping, I felt it would be a great addition to my garden to include a shady fern corner. I visited several places and looked for ferns, but until I went to Goode's I came up empty. So, after stocking up on Lady Fern, Christmas Fern, Male Fern, Sensitive fern, Rock Fern, Ostrich Fern and a few others, I came home and began!
First the area was full of weeds and sticks etc so I had to clean it all out. I actually made a scale map based on the size the ferns are to be when mature. Everything I've read says you shouldn't have the ferns touching each other. (No fraternization I guess ;) After that, it was easy to place them and dig them in. The area is extremely rich soil because I've been using it for a compost for years...so I didn't need to add anything. After adding a few impatients for color, I covered the whole thing in chipped branches that we ran through our chipper for mulch. The rain came at a perfect time!
First the area was full of weeds and sticks etc so I had to clean it all out. I actually made a scale map based on the size the ferns are to be when mature. Everything I've read says you shouldn't have the ferns touching each other. (No fraternization I guess ;) After that, it was easy to place them and dig them in. The area is extremely rich soil because I've been using it for a compost for years...so I didn't need to add anything. After adding a few impatients for color, I covered the whole thing in chipped branches that we ran through our chipper for mulch. The rain came at a perfect time!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
So much to do!
It seems there isn't as much muscle to go around in my garden! I have been raking, dividing hostas and replanting as well as collecting all the winter debris. Spring is really my favorite season as everything turns green again and blooms or begins budding and growing!
My classes are going great...I spend a lot of time on the train reading and re-reading my books. There are so many great ideas in these books, I've begun to make a list of plants I want. Because I have a really shady corner, I think I'll start a fern garden there. So many different ones are available that I'll have plenty to pick from. If you have a really shady place, or a place with dappled sunshine, ferns are very carefree and require little attention after planting. They make a great addition to the garden with many different shades of green and textures. Some are huge, up to 12 feet tall, and some are tiny just barely 2-3 inches. They pair up great with spring bulbs, or perennials for spring through summer color.
Enjoy this best season of the year (and be ready for some sore muscles) when everything begins to grow!
My classes are going great...I spend a lot of time on the train reading and re-reading my books. There are so many great ideas in these books, I've begun to make a list of plants I want. Because I have a really shady corner, I think I'll start a fern garden there. So many different ones are available that I'll have plenty to pick from. If you have a really shady place, or a place with dappled sunshine, ferns are very carefree and require little attention after planting. They make a great addition to the garden with many different shades of green and textures. Some are huge, up to 12 feet tall, and some are tiny just barely 2-3 inches. They pair up great with spring bulbs, or perennials for spring through summer color.
Enjoy this best season of the year (and be ready for some sore muscles) when everything begins to grow!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Riding on the Choo choo!
I'm so excited! I am leaving tomorrow to visit my daughter Suzanne. She and her husband Chris have just brought a little girl into this world and I can hardly wait to go. I'll be leaving tomorrow on the train! I've never ridden the train here in Iowa, Cambridge to London being the only other time I've ridden. Can't wait to load some pictures here from my latest granddaughter!!!!!
I'll continue my course while traveling; lots of time on the train. With the beautiful spring days, there are bulbs and little tiny early bloomers all over. The winter has taken it's toll on many bushes though. Especially since the rabbits have been hungry! And what about all those ladybug-beetles????? They're everywhere!
I'll continue my course while traveling; lots of time on the train. With the beautiful spring days, there are bulbs and little tiny early bloomers all over. The winter has taken it's toll on many bushes though. Especially since the rabbits have been hungry! And what about all those ladybug-beetles????? They're everywhere!
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