Today:
* Applied used coffee grounds to soil in blueberry bed. I do this twice a year: in the Spring right as the new leaves bud, once the Fall as the shrubs go dormant. Blueberries like acidic soil.
* Continued getting basement "garden" area organized.
30 March 2009
29 March 2009
Tasks - 3/29/09
Today:
* Finished weeding the herb bed.
* Weeded the blueberry bed.
* Moved a bag of leaves into one of the leaf bins. My neighborhood doesn't have the over-abundance of leaves problem that others have, so in the Fall I collect leaves from cross-town neighbors, even from off the street corners downtown, so that I have a steady supply of leaf material for my garden's needs.
* At Oscar Albert: Bought 2 columnar apple trees, each a different variety which is required for pollination.
* At Garden Fever: Bought 1 Vern's Turkey Brown fig tree.
* Finished weeding the herb bed.
* Weeded the blueberry bed.
* Moved a bag of leaves into one of the leaf bins. My neighborhood doesn't have the over-abundance of leaves problem that others have, so in the Fall I collect leaves from cross-town neighbors, even from off the street corners downtown, so that I have a steady supply of leaf material for my garden's needs.
* At Oscar Albert: Bought 2 columnar apple trees, each a different variety which is required for pollination.
* At Garden Fever: Bought 1 Vern's Turkey Brown fig tree.
22 March 2009
March thus far
This weather blows. Too cold and rainy to do much of anything, just warm and light enough for the grass to grow. Feh.
Speaking of grass, today's urban goating workshop provided me with some basic information. Goats are not the answer to my grass problem. They don't graze the ground. While I could use their manure for compost, they're better suited for people interested in milk, particularly for making cheese and yogurt.
On the way home, I stopped by a Starbucks to pick up a bag of used grounds. Many coffeeshops offer this free service, but I use the nearest Starbucks because they collect the grounds in neat, easily carried bags, that they stack by the door. Convenient.
Today's grounds are destined for my blueberry bushes, any remainders will heat up the youngest of my compost bins.
Speaking of grass, today's urban goating workshop provided me with some basic information. Goats are not the answer to my grass problem. They don't graze the ground. While I could use their manure for compost, they're better suited for people interested in milk, particularly for making cheese and yogurt.
On the way home, I stopped by a Starbucks to pick up a bag of used grounds. Many coffeeshops offer this free service, but I use the nearest Starbucks because they collect the grounds in neat, easily carried bags, that they stack by the door. Convenient.
Today's grounds are destined for my blueberry bushes, any remainders will heat up the youngest of my compost bins.
21 March 2009
Tasks - 3/21/09
Today:
* Went to the Portland Farmers Market, which in addition to foodstuffs, also sells starts and plants.
* Went to the Chinese Garden plant sale and purchased one black mondo.
* Went to Garden Fever and picked up a few red tag plants and some sweet pea starts (I never have much success growing from seed, probably because I blithely disregard the planting instructions).
* Sowed 2/3 plantings of arugula.
* Cut back a little more of the driveway overgrowth.
* Weeded the white hellebore bed on the North side of the house.
* Began weeding the herb bed on the North side of the house.
* Went to the Portland Farmers Market, which in addition to foodstuffs, also sells starts and plants.
* Went to the Chinese Garden plant sale and purchased one black mondo.
* Went to Garden Fever and picked up a few red tag plants and some sweet pea starts (I never have much success growing from seed, probably because I blithely disregard the planting instructions).
* Sowed 2/3 plantings of arugula.
* Cut back a little more of the driveway overgrowth.
* Weeded the white hellebore bed on the North side of the house.
* Began weeding the herb bed on the North side of the house.
17 March 2009
Mondo mondo mondo
Every Spring, Portland's Chinese Garden hosts a plant sale. It's a great opportunity to support the garden and obtain some neat plants for your garden. Plus, knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice.
I buy a black mondo every year. It spreads easily (but not invasive) and can be divided, so it's a good value if you have a little patience.
After careful selection of the best mondo, I stroll around the garden, always surprised at how much life is stirring so early in the season. Then tea and almond cookies at the onsite Tao of Tea. Nice.
I buy a black mondo every year. It spreads easily (but not invasive) and can be divided, so it's a good value if you have a little patience.
After careful selection of the best mondo, I stroll around the garden, always surprised at how much life is stirring so early in the season. Then tea and almond cookies at the onsite Tao of Tea. Nice.
12 March 2009
Never mow again!
Never mow again! That's my fantasy -- one which my neighbors might suggest is already fulfilled.
Okay, so, I've got this idea that a goat could eat the grass. Okay, so, typing that idea out loud makes it sound not as good as it did in my head.
But I'm not the only one with goaty ideas. Following quickly behind the city chicken movement is a nascent interest in goat keeping. If you'd like to know more, join me at Pistils Nursery's Urban Goat Keeping Workshop on Sunday, March 22 at 1:30pm. Email them soon to reserve a spot.
Okay, so, I've got this idea that a goat could eat the grass. Okay, so, typing that idea out loud makes it sound not as good as it did in my head.
But I'm not the only one with goaty ideas. Following quickly behind the city chicken movement is a nascent interest in goat keeping. If you'd like to know more, join me at Pistils Nursery's Urban Goat Keeping Workshop on Sunday, March 22 at 1:30pm. Email them soon to reserve a spot.
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