After a weekend away for work, visiting other peoples' gardens (in Buffalo), it was good to come home again, and find the Formosa lilies in bloom. And we still love our umbrella.
When I am impatient, I remind myself...
And...
So, then this feels better.
Love your garden.....I live in an urban area - mixed use - lots of blacktop surrounding me but I have a few trees, vines and a fence providing a nice oasis. We do, however, have a rat problem and wonder if you do and how how you handle it. I have raised beds but gave up vegetables because of them and use them for flowers, shrubs and ground cover. We and most of our very close neighbors are super conscientious with our trash but per our monthly pest control we are running a hotel in our raised beds under the ivy and other ground cover. I do not want to loose the green the ground cover provides in the beds - some made from stone and slate and curved. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteThank you :-) Hm, rats. I have no rat remedies to offer other than a cat, or small, ratting dog. Rats should not be attracted to the garden first and foremost - definitely another source, nearby.
DeleteWould traps help?
DeleteIt looks so good, and in only one almost-full season. I know pretty much how much work you have put into it, but the results must be so satisfying. Keep going ... it looks just great!
ReplyDeleteThank you, webb :-)
DeleteSo, you were lucky enough to get a garden and not a garage. I like the birch trellis-- perhaps some climbing leaves (edible) to cover it? Is it temperate enough for the hosta to overwinter in the clay pot?
ReplyDeleteHostas are very tough, yes. But the hardy begonias are not that hardy and kicked the bucket!
DeleteOh, how lovely! You've already accomplished so much. It's amazing how the birch poles provide so much definition to your garden, which I realize is not accidental. Or did you put them up so you could grow something on them, given your deceased neighbor's objections? I see a couple of vines to the left of the lilies. Could you tell us what they are, please? It's great to see the progress.
ReplyDeleteYes, I attached the birch so that Rose would not be angry about vines touching her fence. But it also softened and gave character to a very harsh fence. The vine is Basella rubra, a sub tropical 'spinach.' Nice annual, here.
DeleteResilience becomes you..
ReplyDeleteMy hero.
Thank you, Clark. Your comments always give me a boost.
Delete
ReplyDeleteHi Maria. My name is Ruslan. I'm a big fan of your blogs and your books. I love your gardens and their stil your love to them. I would like to know how flourishing your business and your gardens?
I design, create and promote professional websites. If you need a good website I am willing for you to do it for free out of love and respect for ka your design, to your gardens. I love garden plants and love to cook.
With respect and affection to You. Ruslan
Hi Ruslan - this is the third message you've left for me. I see no website for you. What books of mine have you read?
DeleteI'm sorry Maria. You know for some reason I was very worried that you rarely go and my message will not reach you that you will not see it ) I have great difficulty in finding an electronic version of the "66 Square Feet" And I watched a short film about Your work about your gardens in new York. I was very impressed by how passionate you were told in the movie about your garden.
ReplyDeleteI would very much like to read all your books. Where can I order them?
ReplyDeleteYou saw the Russian TV programme? That was interesting. The lady who interviewed me stole a plant from one of the terraces we visited :-) Big drama. You can find the book online on Amazon e-version and print, but I do not know from where it ships for Russia. Maybe UK.
DeleteYes, the Russian TV) the horror )) the journalist has the same name as me )) I was very ashamed of her act) You are so beautiful there like a Princess ) And you have a very beautiful voice. Well I will find a way to order your books Marie )
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_C8ep1sqBc
ReplyDeleteAnd how did this incident happen? As she pulled the plants? She is such a little where she could hide? How she found you? She herself called?
ReplyDeleteIt was from a terrace you do not see in the film...her producer called me.
DeleteThank you for the link, Ruslan, good luck with your own gardening.
Thanks Marie ) I was very pleased to write to you ) I can write to you and ask for advice about my garden? ) I'm trying to grow a Japanese garden )
ReplyDeleteI wish I had time to respond to garden questions, Ruslan, but my work keeps me too busy...
DeleteGood afternoon, Maria. This is fine when there is work which gives inspiration ) I Hope to not get tired a lot because it's a great work what you are doing ) I Will read your books and look for answers ) I wish you a good and easy day
DeleteBeautiful, as always, Marye. You do work wonders and are such an ongoing inspiration. Hope there are other gardeners on the block and that you have met some of them & bonded. In Buffalo, were you visiting the wonderful Elizabeth Licata, by any chance? I love her writing on Garden Rant and her very generous, friendly, communitarian vibe. Hot and dusty here; we get some huge rains but only sporadically. "Keep up the good work," as the teachers always used to tell us in school!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Diane in the Mile High Heat
"Marie," that is! Sorry, Diane
ReplyDeleteFunny - I met Elizabeth for about 10 minutes (unplanned,but thanks to a meeting with someone else earlier in the day), popped in, looked at her garden (being dug up for work to come), trotted down her beautiful block and then had to go to dinner. I would have loved to have spent more time with her but my minders had me on a different schedule...
DeleteMarie: Such a wonderful transformation in so short a time. I'm still remembering your vivid red wall in the 66 sq ft. space - any way you can create a colored wall border to hide the chain link and distant garages next door? A solid border would allow privacy and provide a much better backdrop to your gorgeous plant arrangements.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Boston