Rachel's Garden Notes

2009-07-08T10:53:00.002-05:00

I have been dead heading my perennials that have been fading to extend their bloom time. Though it takes time to dead head the perennial flowers the rewards are well worth the effort.
So reach for your clippers and proceed to extend the bloom time of your favorite early bloomers.

My rosas and roses have been given their second systemic/fertilizer to promote blooms and protect from powdery mildew/black spot. Seems roses are like teenage youth they require plenty of food for their growth and to bloom.

This time of the year it takes a good eye to know when your plants require watering. Too little is bad for plants for they may go into distress, however, too much is just as bad. So let your trees, shrubs, and flower beds speak to you ...'Water me or Not'.

May your gardens provide many blooms and joys as our season proceeds thru summer into fall.

2009-06-21T20:35:00.002-05:00

June 21st
Today I pruned the peonies back taking off the heavy past prime blooms to allow space in the garden. The surrounding phlox paniculata will greatly appreciate my work, for they prefer air flow around them. One of the major cause for powdery mildew on phlox is the lack of air flow.

I also pruned up the Blue Muffin Viburnum to allow understory plantings enough light to bloom.
It always amazes me on how fast plants can fill in to maturity, just like children they are small young plants turn around and they are full grown.

Pruning and dead heading are two chores that reap many rewards so feel free to clip..clip!

2009-06-08T07:14:00.002-05:00

The cooler weather has allowed me to transplant many of my perennials that have outgrown their designated place. So early mornings my shovel has divided many and gave them new homes in empty places provided by NEW garden beds. Ah the joy of perennials the multiply so readily.

Last week I helped a elderly neighbor divide Siberian iris which she then kindly gave many to me.
In return I walked home with gift only to return shortly with three varieties of Monarda 'bee balm' for her garden. Remember fellow gardeners there is much joy in sharing Nature's beauty!
Rachel

2009-06-03T06:38:00.002-05:00

June has arrived with a slow start for my many May/June blooms. As a gardener and a designer one thing that we can never count on is the weather. This year 2009 has thus far been colder than most years. This has caused many of the plants to bloom almost two weeks behind normal bloom time. As a landscape designer this can really upset my plans for transition in the gardens.

Another unexpected weather twist is the rainfall which has been far more than our normal Spring. Which has given has many overcast cloudy days, and reducing necessary BTU's for plants to germinate.

So in essence I am saying never count on the weather in our Midwest or any where else as being a constant. We must learn to work with what ever our weather is at the given time. May your 'Blooms' whether late or on time give you many joys!
Rachel

2009-05-17T06:15:00.002-05:00

Yesterday before I left to install a garden for a homeowner I pulled 500 garlic mustard from various places on our landscape. I know that my persistence will prevail and keep them from going to seed. A little at time is better that putting one's arms up in despair and giving in to their need to occupy space in unwanted beds. So remember your other plants will appreciate your efforts as you remove invasive garlic mustard.

The garden that I installed yesterday was a cut flower bed that had transition of blooms the entire summer with colors of yellow,white, and pink. It now with provide beauty to them both outdoors and indoors throughout the summer.

We had a mild frost last night which only proves that the weather in Illinois (Midwest) even in May is quite unpredictable. Though the perennials and shrubs can handle it any tender annuals or vegetables that were not covered may have had a short life in 2009.

Enjoy your spring of 2009 and just take the weather as it is sunshine , rain, or (cold ..brrr)

2009-05-08T06:04:00.002-05:00

My day yesterday was in maintenance as I repaired and cleaned any bird houses in need. Then weeded all our paths while transplanted any seedlings that had made a inappropriate home. I would not want the young tender plant children to be trampled.

Next I edged around the flower beds with my straight shovel to create the clean neat trench that I can mulch later today. I am not one to put in the plastic edging or metal, for in my opinion the grass just grows under being as persistent as it desires to spread.

Our pond has been inundated with tadpoles, and thus any cleaning will be delayed till they are bigger.

My loyal and reliable chipper will be put to use today, and then I will use my leaf/wood mulch to give all the beds a healthy layer. This will help them retain necessary moisture to thrive.

I am a little late on amending my roses this year with systemic fertilizer, for I generally like to have it done by end April.

To my fellow gardeners remember a little time and care will have immense hours of pleasure in reward as you gaze upon the blooms provided.

2009-05-03T11:21:00.003-05:00

I returned last night from a week of creating landscape beauty on a magical piece of property in Fish Creek, Wisconsin (Door County). Long days of hard work as we created a granite fence wall on both sides of the entry drive each having shrubs & perennials to create a very country look. Many other projects completed that gave me as a designer very much satisfaction.

Today I told myself would be a day of rest, however, as I strolled our property to observe all the blooms that arrived while I was away GARLIC MUSTARD caught my eye. I just took a break after pulling over a thousand. Then some ferns were begging to be transplanted away from the edge of the yard.

It seems to me that gardens are like young children always in need of tender care and love!!

2009-04-25T19:34:00.003-05:00

Today I planted two Witch Hazels one vernal and one common in the woodlands. Then I found old semi-rotten logs to accent followed by accents of Trillium, Mertensia, Bloodroot, and Trout Lily. I know that the spring native plants shall only last a short while, but i find joy in recreating what nature has done in the past.

I can only imagine what our property here in northwest Illinois would have looked like if i could have strolled through the woodlands and oak savannas one hundred years ago. With all the construction of new homes over the years the native plants have been at lost for ground to thrive in.

May you be fortunate enough to view our native Illinois plants in a habit that shows their beauty!
Rachel

Spring Has Arrived!

2009-04-18T07:19:00.003-05:00

Today as I walked our woodland path I was ecstatic to see that the Mertensia 'Virginia bluebells' and the Trillium were blooming. Spring has arrived here on our property officially.

I also spent time once again pulling up garlic mustard so as not to invade new beds along with the fact it was trying to crowd out some established woodland plants. My persistence shall prevail in the long run!

Transplanted Trillium

2009-04-12T13:49:00.004-05:00

This morning I transplanted 40 trillium to a new woodland garden in midst of viburnum. Now I just wait patiently for them to multiply and naturalize. Saved from the lawnmower and I feel like a successful rescue was completed.

Cutting Back Ornamental Grasses

2009-04-10T11:48:00.004-05:00

Today I went to do maintenance on a rather large prairie garden I installed which takes some hands on time. While I was cutting down the prairie grasses I was thinking of homeowners who have installed ornamental grasses.

Thus I recommend NOW is the time to cut back if you have not already done so, and then you will not cut new growth. As you cut them back you will note green for the grasses are emerging with our warmer weather. If you are like me I enjoy the grasses through out the entire winter as they wave in the winter wind.

Gooseberries & Garlic Mustard

2009-04-08T20:42:00.002-05:00

This morning I mulched all nine new viburnums from Fall 08 plantings, and also mulched/fertilized 7 gooseberries. The gooseberries are a excellent food source for the birds. However, I remember my Aunt Edith on her Iowa farm gathering gooseberries to make a pie.

As I have been for the past two days continued the task of removing garlic mustard from beds that have needed tending. At this point this morning alone I reached number 600 pulled/dug, and I never ever put them in the compost pile. Instead they are placed in a plastic bag to be disposed of with trash.

Spring cleaning of the gardens is a joy for me, for that is when I see my shrubs & perennials coming alive for the season ahead. May your gardens also be finding rejuvenation so that they may give you blooms that provide many days of joy.

Pond Waterfall Cleaned & Running

2009-03-15T15:37:00.002-06:00

Got the pond waterfall going today so it's all set for migrating birds to arrive. There was still ice on top, so got stepson Blake to use a sledgehammer and break it up so we could remove some of the debris that had fallen in.
We also cleared dead trees from the new lot and prepared the campfire area for future bonfires and marshmallow roasts. Raked leaves out of the beds and broke an "unbreakable" rake in the process! Piles of leaves and branches await to be chipped when our chipper comes back from repair. The hammer inside broke, and the vibrations caused pieces to break off inside and come flying off at me! A frightful experience! Luckily I was able to shut it off with only a minor injury on my shoulder.
Tomorrow I'll work on the compost bins. Need to enlarge them with new fencing and stabilize the supports.

Scattering Snow

2009-03-06T17:03:00.001-06:00

This morning I have thus put 42 wheelbarrows full of snow around the hydrangeas and viburnums planted Fall 2008. This will give them the moisture they so need to start the Spring season. Still more snow to scatter. The compost & snow will provide a good organic bed for future understory perennials.

Winter Reflections

2008-12-15T01:19:00.003-06:00

Well, November was a busy month putting my many gardens to rest. Along with laying out & preparing new beds on our outlying lots, I planted ten (10) new viburnums which were generously fed last years compost. Then logs with character placed to age & decompose. All this so transplants & new woodland perennials have a Spring home to move into.

The idea on both lots is to preserve native trillium, cranesbill, mertensia, ferns & so much more.

It took my new shredder hours to make big piles of leaves into chomped down bits which were mixed with perennials shredded. Then many a branch from dead trees & shrubs shredded & added to compost. So sitting in two large 10'x10' framed bins are future Black Gold for gardens of 2009.

Lastly now comes time in January & February to do the planning. Plan for transplants and plan for any new material. Picture in your mind bloom times as your gardens transition the seasons.

With our home being listed as a habit for wildlife I consider two other factors being food source & protection for nesting.

Take time now to reflect likes & dislikes of your gardens / landscape of 2008. Enjoy now the icy & frosty magic of winter that put our landscapes here in Illinois in a deep sleep.

Happy Composting!

2008-10-03T17:37:00.003-05:00

Today is a good start on my compost pile. Sixteen wheelbarrow loads of leaves and cuttings from the garden beds added to recent grass clippings. The push lawnmower then did its job cutting them into very fine pieces to speed up decomposition. My recent baking of cookies had many egg shells to add with the mix.

As leaves continue to fall and I clean garden beds, my Compost Gold for 2009 will continue to grow. Whenever town, villages and cities have pick-up service of fall's leaves which are hauled to a farmer's field, I am please. For what better way to recycle Mother Nature's fertilizer!

A little TLC goes a long way!

2008-09-03T12:27:00.002-05:00

Today I fertilized all of our hydrangea's with a 5 gal mix of fertilizer (Miracle-gro acid loving plant food). Then I started mulching and using our compost to prepare our hydrangea macrophylla for winter. A little tender car goes a long way to enjoy next year's blooms!

Hauling rocks!

2008-08-28T14:22:00.008-05:00

New garden along the front side of our property.

We gathered flagstone for a bench in the new garden.

New flagstone viewing ledge at the pond.

Tucker checking out the new ledge.

This past week I went to the quarry with Janet to get flagstone for the pond to create a ledge for children to stand on safely to feed our koi. First I removed a larger juniper and replaced it with a smaller cedar so the fish are more visible and there is easier access to the new flagstone ledge. I am reminded that when designing, I must take in mind the many aspects of function and view when choosing plantings.

I also created a new bed in our front so as to lead the eye down our side yard. Janet had the idea of adding a stone bench in our new bed. I, physically and mentally, found a way to get the mass of rock home and in place, and it was worth the effort as it adds charm and character to the bed. I’ve also started a rustic curved fence as a backdrop to the new garden.

All I have left to do is mulch the new plantings for moisture retention. Then I’ll continue cleaning up the existing beds. I feel like gardening is caring for toddlers — they both have needs of care so they can grow to flourish! :)

Weather and Blooms

2008-07-23T12:20:00.001-05:00

This year has been a hard year to predict bloom time as in a "normal" year.

I had a Garden Party June 29th this year and Spring Blooms were two weeks behind because lack of heat (BTU's).

On top of that we followed now with record rainfalls (7 inches over norm for month). This has caused many plants to curl as if swimming in a pool way tool long. The only thing we as gardeners can do is provide plants with excellent drainage.

This week I had to replace a rose that had its feet soaking in water. After I removed the rose from site I used pea gravel & peat to provide a proper home. Then fertilized with Bayer Rose Fertilizer with a systemic to prevent disease.

As my grandfather once told me, "We can not change the weather, so we must learn to work with it!"

Garden Competition

2008-05-21T19:03:00.003-05:00

The celandine poppies are a welcome site as the shade garden comes alive!

I continue to attack the garlic mustard so that it does not have a chance to go to seed.

This week I worked at a customer's home updating and adding to a butterfly garden. I was saddened to see how much grass had grown into the perennials, so I quickly started to make a trench and remove the grass from the midst of flowers.

Seedlings most definitely need not compete for water or nutrients with grass. One need not put in plastic or metal edging if they periodically create a trench with a shovel, for grass roots do not like air and will not then creep into flower beds. This creates a softer, more natural edge to the flower bed.

2008-04-18T13:58:00.001-05:00

I've been out in the vegetable and rose garden today prepping the soil getting ready to
turn it over, fertilize and have it ready for the cool weather plants that I'll be putting in this week.

Plants such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, lettuce - all the cool weather plants - can go in now here in Illinois, but our warm weather ones are still a few weeks away. Our last freeze date here technically is May 15, so don't rush the tomatoes or you'll just have to plant them again!

It's important to know your USDA plant hardiness zone and know your last frost date before you put in your warm weather vegetables.

2008-04-16T11:01:00.003-05:00

Keep your eyes open for garlic mustard as Spring evolves! With a diligent hands-on approach of removing it, you may keep it from invading your gardens. It is INVASIVE and can choke out other plants. Garlic mustard is difficult to eradicate because seeds can lie dormant for years, so don't allow it to go to seed in your garden.

Starting to get busy!

2008-04-13T16:41:00.001-05:00

Of late I've been raking up the leaves and mulching them so they're ready for compost and adding them to the gardens. Been working on a new compost bin. Also been doing maintenance for other people and coming across ornamental grasses that have not been cut yet. It's getting right to the end of cutting the ornamental grasses. They should be down 6-8" because they're starting to shoot new growth. So if you haven't done your ornamental grasses yet, now is the time.

This week I'll be going around fertilizing all the evergreens to green them up. They've had plenty of moisture this year because we had a record-breaking snowfall, but we're a little short on chelated iron in the plants around the pond. So I'll be adding an evergreen fertilizer to add the supplements ammonia sulfide and chelated iron and things that keep to them nice and green and promote growth.

I'm also going to get ready to fertilize the shrubs now - the spring blooming ones, lilacs - and I'll probably fertilize the hydrangeas and other things too so they're ready for the summer along with any of the other shrubs that look like they might need a boost. So spring is coming in!

I've also been going out and dividing some of the plants. Now's a good time for division just as they're breaking ground and popping. If you can get out there and divide them they won't go into too much of a shock because of the cool nights and plenty of moisture to help them to promote root growth. I'm glad spring is here and I hope you're looking forward to a productive spring as you add plants, divide, multiply, or re-create your gardens with a design that's more suitable for you're area. Enjoy your gardening!

Spring Is Near!

2008-03-19T09:07:00.001-06:00

Finches roosting outside our window.

As our record-breaking snowy winter comes to an end, all the trees, shrubs and perennials are pleased with the additional water to start the spring season. However, in Illinois the unexpected drastic fluctuations in March temperatures can still hurt plants. The worst scenario is a day in the 60's-70's followed by a heavy freeze. That harms buds in flowering trees and may cause crown rot in perennial flowers.

The crown is the point where stems are about to emerge just above the root system. When the crown has been exposed to thaw/freeze conditions, the crown gets up heaved and exposed, making it susceptible to rot.

Do not pull away any mulch protection completely or too soon. From now until the end of April you may have to keep an eye on your beds. Warm weather and then deep freeze is brutal on plants in Spring.

If you see signs of a heavy freeze after the temperature went below 25̊F and there was ½" to 1" of ice at the base of the plant, cover the bed or plant crowns with mulch. When temperatures warm again, pull the mulch back from the crown to avoid having plants rot from too much moisture.

Signs of frost on trees and shrubs will be noticeable on the buds where the moisture turned to ice when the buds were just ready to emerge. On the plant you will see emerging buds turning dark brown to black , thus stunting growth for the season or decreasing blooms on flowering trees and shrubs.

Parenting a flower means a constant observation of preparation for weather changes - much like making sure your child has gloves on a snowy day! Spring is drawing near for as I walk my gardens I see buds on trees and shrubs that almost speak to me, saying, “Be patient, I’m almost ready!”

Happy New Year 2008!

2008-01-16T18:04:00.000-06:00

Robert and Rachel hiking in Colorado late Dec. 2007

I just had a reminder of the awe and the wonder of nature, as stepson Robert and I went to hike up the Denny Creek Trail in Colorado, of the beauty of the mountains, the beauty of the trees, the snow glistening and what it reminded me of is all seasons are beautiful.

Winter has a beauty of its own as the skeletal of the trees come alive, so when planning a garden or a landscape one has to keep in mind the shape of the trees, the shape of the shrubs, what they'll look like in the winter when the perennial flowers go dormant, when the shrubs have their buds sitting and waiting for the next season.

So remember winter, it's a forgotten season, but remember the beauty and the awesome skeletal look - the winterscape. At this point and time right now, being January 1st, it's time to start planning again for laying out a new garden or laying out the perimeters for a garden. So plan your garden with heights and textures that include the winter glory.