tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15875527350122206012024-03-13T02:30:05.171-07:00Portland Garden GeekUrban and not so Urban GardeningPortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-75079973903935671532010-08-25T15:55:00.000-07:002010-08-25T16:38:38.283-07:00Birds of Prey Show at Leach Botanical Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAEvxGyON9reXCPi6NoZW3XnIfWPiI_xtq04E2zzkqY7bUO0W6SOU7EET8GHDOkPGeozUcB9ImUC2_mvAWvnRW0jB-bSPF91rNdazz9eSHPAl02tkfwM_JdvAQab7yKlvn6Grt4ZPrTw/s1600/img_1304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAEvxGyON9reXCPi6NoZW3XnIfWPiI_xtq04E2zzkqY7bUO0W6SOU7EET8GHDOkPGeozUcB9ImUC2_mvAWvnRW0jB-bSPF91rNdazz9eSHPAl02tkfwM_JdvAQab7yKlvn6Grt4ZPrTw/s320/img_1304.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo2_TMMiypAv9NewZREh5-5_9osdoAN7adayh-A12PKCi3rVdX-F5Z1Im-vKNDAmwgPS6X8C2krQcgOFFiBdBsyObqHR1x3vtirdhbfc1PMTzziUb1Z7Ap58cLXCy2eKaodO_nLkhuU4/s1600/img_1306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo2_TMMiypAv9NewZREh5-5_9osdoAN7adayh-A12PKCi3rVdX-F5Z1Im-vKNDAmwgPS6X8C2krQcgOFFiBdBsyObqHR1x3vtirdhbfc1PMTzziUb1Z7Ap58cLXCy2eKaodO_nLkhuU4/s320/img_1306.jpg" /></a>A spotted owl, a turkey vulture, a kestral, and this raven were some of the birds on display at the Leach Botanical Garden last night hosted by the Audubon. These birds are lucky enough to have been rescued by bird lovers and now are most at home with humans and so will not return to the wild. Not to worry, these birds seem quite content with their human friends and their not so wild lifestyles.<br />
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I couldn't help but notice this mushroom cloud of bamboo near the entrance to the garden. If you haven't been here you're missing out an a lovely specimen garden that seems like it straight out of the 1930's.<br />
<a href="http://www.leachgarden.org/">http://www.leachgarden.org/</a>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-64073195743181058472010-08-24T15:07:00.000-07:002010-08-24T15:07:16.572-07:00Mr. Mew's Daily Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jb6Vo9sNcOKVuNTsSF97gkb9DM3GeQTqsjUH8eJZBJWfI-8-pAww8LhVMH3Qsn4h4B4IsIQijC8D7KkuexQOvEirXK_ZkY4Vw_QpWRXSc4WCjil1SZH88D_eDo-lOHiJkEvMWIB9eYc/s1600/img_0779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jb6Vo9sNcOKVuNTsSF97gkb9DM3GeQTqsjUH8eJZBJWfI-8-pAww8LhVMH3Qsn4h4B4IsIQijC8D7KkuexQOvEirXK_ZkY4Vw_QpWRXSc4WCjil1SZH88D_eDo-lOHiJkEvMWIB9eYc/s320/img_0779.jpg" /></a></div>Introducing my new blog, "Mr. Mew's Daily Post; A gentleman's take on a not so civilized world." Come take a look!<br />
<a href="http://mrmewsdailypost.blogspot.com/">http://mrmewsdailypost.blogspot.com/</a>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-17508105359356502712010-08-23T17:02:00.000-07:002010-08-23T17:21:03.325-07:00Meyer Lemon Saga Part 2: My First Lemon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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Okay, so I didn't let it ripen to yellow. I grew impatient. It's already the end of August and i just wanted to sample one. There are two more large lemons on the way in addition to several little guys that may not mature before the weather turns. I'll have to bring them inside and give them extra light on those rainy days I suppose. Maybe I'll leave them alone to actually properly ripen. If you need more, here's some basic Meyer lemon info: <a href="http://www.kathyrmiller.com/meyer_lemon_tree.htm">http://www.kathyrmiller.com/meyer_lemon_tree.htm</a>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-40720311088615395052010-08-23T12:55:00.000-07:002010-08-23T13:10:05.076-07:00You say hazelnut, I say filbertDid you know the majority of American grown hazelnuts are grown right here in Oregon? The hazelnut tree is one of the smallest nut trees and if you have a large enough yard you may want to grown your own. (However, you may be cursing yourself as you mow up hundreds of hazelnuts and destroy your lawn mower if you don't rake or collect them in the fall). Some of the best varieties can be purchased at One Green World Nursery here in Oregon: Santiam, Yamhill, Delta, Gamma.<br />
<a href="http://www.onegreenworld.com/index.php?cPath=2_71">http://www.onegreenworld.com/index.php?cPath=2_71</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Lauder's Walking Stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4bwYCVkiGqfaXDg890ctfnLkyWCxIiU7KWhwn28dUijcD5N_6_c9V5zZYx9xtiknup9ijSQH7eYspCg175v7mbx4tFHaz3zboscjCHLaaBd5agjOG4tlbzhEqDOCLuOheceC4KDFxsw/s1600/220px-Hazelnuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4bwYCVkiGqfaXDg890ctfnLkyWCxIiU7KWhwn28dUijcD5N_6_c9V5zZYx9xtiknup9ijSQH7eYspCg175v7mbx4tFHaz3zboscjCHLaaBd5agjOG4tlbzhEqDOCLuOheceC4KDFxsw/s320/220px-Hazelnuts.jpg" /></a><br />
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Or maybe you don't want to deal with the mess consider the more petite Contorted Filbert (that grows a tidy, compact 6-8 feet) also known as "Harry Lauder's Walking Stick." Who the heck, you ask, is Harry Lauder? Only one of the world's most well-paid singer/stage performer during the WWII era. And why is a contorted hazelnut tree named after this Scottish dude who sang cheesy songs? Because of a twisted walking stick he used during some of his dance numbers. Go figure, stranger plant names are out there: red hot poker, naked ladies, mugwort, greasy beans...PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-10469142622958160552010-08-19T15:53:00.000-07:002010-08-23T12:27:49.834-07:00Meet birds of prey at Leach Botanical Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L6HPXWBjos3VyVK2U8iwL_4Q5mjQ2nOCAM_Lj55Q-rz8Uwv3W1-uzvcTANOLfQwDxdWmMpvXVeNdVcF-mNHUfSlaY0_mUTvXSvrromIC5Ms4EXsnyDD_wg0eC_3_O7A9K-4jJHDim6c/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L6HPXWBjos3VyVK2U8iwL_4Q5mjQ2nOCAM_Lj55Q-rz8Uwv3W1-uzvcTANOLfQwDxdWmMpvXVeNdVcF-mNHUfSlaY0_mUTvXSvrromIC5Ms4EXsnyDD_wg0eC_3_O7A9K-4jJHDim6c/s320/images.jpeg" /></a></div>Next Tuesday, August 24, the Leach Botanical Garden is hosting a get to know your birds of prey with birds from the Audubon Society's bird care center. It's free from 7-8 pm.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-85972309680093266472010-08-16T16:45:00.000-07:002010-08-23T13:02:05.312-07:00Laurelhurst Park's pond clean up is murky(Update: It's been drained and it sounds like the sludge dredging is on schedule. ) I'm still waiting. I'm tired of looking at this icky green sludge called water at Laurelhurst Park. Not to mention that bogus temporary fencing and those threatening signs that surround the pond. It used to be so pretty here. If this is Sam Adams' idea of a "green" Portland it bites. We should have the money to spend cleaning up one of oldest, most classic Portland parks if we have the money to build a new multi-million dollar "green building" downtown.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe0OQqtVKbud2Pw_yGLkUyYyHZHM8X7i7DHSIk4FCRykamJi3o59hM89yGiL9MW57iSENfT45oc9n6ureQRKVAqHvg9_svG2KrTl7s_prlstndGNXlB-BBdyGkUUTjBUX2opvCO-wcso/s1600/laurelhurst-pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe0OQqtVKbud2Pw_yGLkUyYyHZHM8X7i7DHSIk4FCRykamJi3o59hM89yGiL9MW57iSENfT45oc9n6ureQRKVAqHvg9_svG2KrTl7s_prlstndGNXlB-BBdyGkUUTjBUX2opvCO-wcso/s200/laurelhurst-pond.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Why is the pond so gross? Over the years it's become eutrophic which means that the oxygen content has been depleted by organic nutrients. Eventually this results in a thick layer of sediment that in our case has reduced the depth of the pond from around 15 feet to about 18 inches. Yes, inches. In the spring the shallow water heats up and produces the dreaded toxic blue green algae which helps give the pond is pea-soup color.<br />
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The solutions: Basically, the city is supposedly going to start dredging the pond this year. Once the sediment has been removed, the water can be restored and better pumps may be constructed to improve circulation. A few years ago the city tried adding bioremediating enzymes to dissolve the sediment but they decided this effort would take too long.<br />
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"Let's get this dredging party started" the ducks said last time I visited the park! "We second it!" said the turtles.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-47388022594120381512010-08-12T17:13:00.000-07:002010-08-12T17:14:38.602-07:00To buddleia or not to buddleia<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikCTzk1ne38TC4S2aAXSPCh7h7wOjlfSstHAIdYyNO60uP4ziOSTBiXUSP0uICdsyfWdFX5Vw6RsvmVXV1l9gjpNhdQAzob73JHj4tzC7vdHCaAo1nnBPQiDh6EN_iL6x4xwslAqt-W4/s1600/120px-Buddleja_asiatica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikCTzk1ne38TC4S2aAXSPCh7h7wOjlfSstHAIdYyNO60uP4ziOSTBiXUSP0uICdsyfWdFX5Vw6RsvmVXV1l9gjpNhdQAzob73JHj4tzC7vdHCaAo1nnBPQiDh6EN_iL6x4xwslAqt-W4/s320/120px-Buddleja_asiatica.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B. Asiatica</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz35w6L3sxgyqqTVEha1fsKL5RWVZ5AmGJg12gb_waIiBWue7IGBuNzaG4otvr2euNsa79fh7fu3-wDopiUPJqnxIC7_f4Zxs6fM2RsntHqB7-vhngmgcDxes0BeajXmxZglEVa6Dygs/s1600/220px-Buddleja_matico_recht.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz35w6L3sxgyqqTVEha1fsKL5RWVZ5AmGJg12gb_waIiBWue7IGBuNzaG4otvr2euNsa79fh7fu3-wDopiUPJqnxIC7_f4Zxs6fM2RsntHqB7-vhngmgcDxes0BeajXmxZglEVa6Dygs/s320/220px-Buddleja_matico_recht.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B. Globosa</td></tr>
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I happen to love "the butterfly bush." In fact, it's one of the plants that first amazed me before I knew a thing about plants and gardening. Here in Portland they grow like weeds-which unfortunately, is what many people think of them as now. Several years ago B. Davidii was added to the dreaded noxious weeds list here in the Pacific NW.<br />
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For a time, I jumped on the anti-buddleia bandwagon and discouraged people from growing them because of their invasive nature. But now I've chilled out and I feel differently. If you live in the city and you prune the darn thing <span id="goog_601686544"></span><span id="goog_601686545"></span>before it starts to go to seed I don't see an issue with it. If you live near a wetland or an agricultural area and you have an acre filled with 15 foot tall buddleias who are spraying their seeds far and wide you may want to reconsider.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStfBkxj-Dc-9ogcpgJGIU0_-2GCwy_v8hu6i45x4caR8VwLjx8RTYt0N6-4eaItSCX_QBd0AipjTGMOh84Y9CiKuNfC8NLgExiwP2Xk9_Z0b-9nbS_irDF-3uWVwNHetNfNyAf57-EI4/s1600/b.+asian+moon" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStfBkxj-Dc-9ogcpgJGIU0_-2GCwy_v8hu6i45x4caR8VwLjx8RTYt0N6-4eaItSCX_QBd0AipjTGMOh84Y9CiKuNfC8NLgExiwP2Xk9_Z0b-9nbS_irDF-3uWVwNHetNfNyAf57-EI4/s320/b.+asian+moon" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asian Moon </td></tr>
</tbody></table>As buddleia has become demonized over the recent years its benefits have gone overlooked. It isn't called a butterfly bush for nothing-anything that helps out those little winged migrators is a plus in my book even if your neighbors get annoyed at you for a few volunteers in her yard every year. Some birds and hummingbirds really love buddleias and they are easy to grow and generally easy to prune (some flower on last year's wood so be aware of that).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B. Weyeriana</td></tr>
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All this said, I would still avoid B. Davidii-not only am I tired of looking at it, it is the most invasive of the bunch. Instead try B. Globosa, B. Asiatica or B. Weyeriana as more "politically correct" and more unique alternatives. Asian Moon is a new sterile and therefore "guilt free" variety if you want that traditional lilac color.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-80538822303565880532010-08-10T14:53:00.000-07:002010-08-10T14:53:57.637-07:00Stewartia-a nearly perfect tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4FThUQpDDYRGkVb_RTr9zx1a-aH7sJQSYen4VpY63aASV_WDPiA8llHoxb3EPPx3pwnONDPpZ6JcFmJVUIEBDfvKsvLGPzaOY_pHL4DHRcH0hkCUStS13OGHA6H6J8FL3Ri2SJjidc/s1600/img_1249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu4FThUQpDDYRGkVb_RTr9zx1a-aH7sJQSYen4VpY63aASV_WDPiA8llHoxb3EPPx3pwnONDPpZ6JcFmJVUIEBDfvKsvLGPzaOY_pHL4DHRcH0hkCUStS13OGHA6H6J8FL3Ri2SJjidc/s320/img_1249.jpg" /></a></div>Stewartia looks great in any garden, but because of its tidy nature, widely spaced branches and fantastic orange bark it looks especially nice, I think, in a tidy garden with an Asian or woodland theme. This stewartia was planted in a friend's yard about 15 years ago and it just keeps getting better and better. The bark has matured into a really pretty orange/brown mosaic, and the branches fan out in a really lovely horizontal display.<br />
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The only problem I noticed is that the upper leaves burnt in the heat of summer when the tree was younger although I don't notice much burning anymore. Either the tree has adapted or the sun has changed in that spot. This one is under-planted with cyclamen and moss and it looks great in the fall when the cyclamen bloom and the leaves turn.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GYK1Wyc103LU9x7mCyWvPbpjTA6ug-OfldMRmrI__STGKaHxeP8cAAYaW4ir8cjw2ZmP0cguCF3-jn-ANM57uZySPe5fKbHqTfaZ2lltw80xtSI-L5Y838gPas8lG3C4vKpuzLwsrLE/s1600/img_1250-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GYK1Wyc103LU9x7mCyWvPbpjTA6ug-OfldMRmrI__STGKaHxeP8cAAYaW4ir8cjw2ZmP0cguCF3-jn-ANM57uZySPe5fKbHqTfaZ2lltw80xtSI-L5Y838gPas8lG3C4vKpuzLwsrLE/s320/img_1250-1.jpg" /></a></div>Because it loves the rain and our acid soil it's a pretty easy tree to grow-just make sure you find the perfect spot for it in a bright sunny area with some late afternoon shade. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDb2DGqJk32WOreHC-0FHDvm58xfmDeALA1qprJSiN3jP1P3_gXUP0RWAX5m3grviw2CpSY58jCgE0CsXEadb_JpMqrDZOTde0dxp5CSd3zsGZUanVaO2UthdM3NzAZzgUwwkL5x25E/s1600/img_1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gDb2DGqJk32WOreHC-0FHDvm58xfmDeALA1qprJSiN3jP1P3_gXUP0RWAX5m3grviw2CpSY58jCgE0CsXEadb_JpMqrDZOTde0dxp5CSd3zsGZUanVaO2UthdM3NzAZzgUwwkL5x25E/s320/img_1251.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-69687710424335163412010-08-09T11:41:00.000-07:002010-08-09T12:15:15.706-07:00Meet the Sausage Tree at Koko Crater<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jJfxOYBdxmTtCMSVcLfdbTqtHqdQY_sQtUMk6LE3v6T6U2p17cbhEloKUlayGnDDkXdAzx2OMfE2azgCxLEco5NzCwHh6QciIpVxHMxWN2D-zvRHVYrGQepPHpcd_ax1R_Ig4qNFDmk/s1600/220px-Flowering_stalk_I_IMG_4103.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jJfxOYBdxmTtCMSVcLfdbTqtHqdQY_sQtUMk6LE3v6T6U2p17cbhEloKUlayGnDDkXdAzx2OMfE2azgCxLEco5NzCwHh6QciIpVxHMxWN2D-zvRHVYrGQepPHpcd_ax1R_Ig4qNFDmk/s400/220px-Flowering_stalk_I_IMG_4103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503489842262422002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2t0At6bdK0UnZTEIopWfyF_rvB0BMFpXHa_MO102QDXL6sBHNbrh_gDQyNdgXTOuUI3yUn71jRslXAAuivQ1LzISRZIGFL_G8imhVUDynK-Sx-KilomAu5R00pQ4U7v2yphLF40YsZY/s1600/800px-Ucla_sausagetree_leavesandfruit.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2t0At6bdK0UnZTEIopWfyF_rvB0BMFpXHa_MO102QDXL6sBHNbrh_gDQyNdgXTOuUI3yUn71jRslXAAuivQ1LzISRZIGFL_G8imhVUDynK-Sx-KilomAu5R00pQ4U7v2yphLF40YsZY/s400/800px-Ucla_sausagetree_leavesandfruit.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503489125569345842" border="0" /></a> Keigela africana: otherwise known as the sausage tree. I've only seen the sausage tree in person once and that was in Hawaii at a quiet, hot, mysterious arboretum called Koko Crater Botanical Gardens on the island of Oahu not far from Waikiki-also home to an abundant assortment of fragrant plumeria trees (the flowers that your leis are made from) and an impressive, giant cactus garden the likes of which I've never seen anywhere. Koko Crater is on the east side of the island which is kickass hot in the summer and very dry so most of the plants and trees in this garden are from more arid tropical and subtropical regions. Don't wear flip flops here-there are thorns the size of fingers everywhere and ridiculously fast and aggressive centipedes.<br /><br />The sausage tree is really impressive and funny the first time you come across it. The seed pods can weigh up to twenty pounds so beware of standing under it with your eyeballs wide. The flowers are a pretty sort of leathery hibiscus though I don't believe they were blooming at the time I was there. The "sausages" are not edible to humans however I've read that gorillas, giraffes and hippos like them though I'm not quite sure how the hippos reach them. Perhaps they just stand around and let them fall onto their heads.<br /><br />If I could grow one in Portland would I? Yes, alas we are too rainy and cold for ye ole sausage tree. Maybe it's time for Portland to grow a giant specimen garden under a greenhouse so we can see more tropicals.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-66585575482473983482010-08-05T12:32:00.000-07:002010-08-05T13:40:36.854-07:00Building stone paths with a purpose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCgB6Z-s79Vog95mb4Oq2_c4r2DPOrWoYLjVMy97mvMXXGyJidKikzX0Ij9KM19sIhh-6QwVNYP0nAJo6f6h71GHAiWX4cjSwxG8A3ibMAjBmyd4QHxGb73-Y8a1jJWwXYqOpKFfXW1c/s1600/img_0890.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCgB6Z-s79Vog95mb4Oq2_c4r2DPOrWoYLjVMy97mvMXXGyJidKikzX0Ij9KM19sIhh-6QwVNYP0nAJo6f6h71GHAiWX4cjSwxG8A3ibMAjBmyd4QHxGb73-Y8a1jJWwXYqOpKFfXW1c/s400/img_0890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502016351334254850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeHRIydC6Rm7xypSSWt6Cz1AvM7mCOARpryx4sQ3oqCQj82mRyYXBTbxCYMuR4pgW5ezLtQ_P1nNiifZhCc7mGmCJKyXZK9xPQeSY3vdD4EADVJ6DM_v9nDbpkP7E4EVV2WJ7x-6FzHQ/s1600/img_1222.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeHRIydC6Rm7xypSSWt6Cz1AvM7mCOARpryx4sQ3oqCQj82mRyYXBTbxCYMuR4pgW5ezLtQ_P1nNiifZhCc7mGmCJKyXZK9xPQeSY3vdD4EADVJ6DM_v9nDbpkP7E4EVV2WJ7x-6FzHQ/s400/img_1222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502016514795329410" border="0" /></a>There's nothing more frustrating to me than walking along a perfectly lovely stone path that goes nowhere (we've all had those relationships, right?). Or worse, a path that makes you walk out of your way to get from point a to point b (I've definitely had those relationships). The first thing you ought to do before you go to the rock yard and muse over all those lovely paving stones is to decide where your "natural" walking paths are in your yard. And by this I mean simply, watch how you walk to the shed and then return to the back door and notice the worn areas in the grass or soil. You probably aren't looping around the birdbath, taking a detour towards the large cedar tree and then backing up into the hedge. Or maybe you are. My point is to build the path where you walk, not where you think you ought to walk.<br /><br />Second, make the walk comfortable underfoot. If you build up too high and use clunky, jagged pavers it'll feel like you're hiking on the moon. Make it level and use the flattest stones you can find and use large enough pavers so that they don't wobble after you've sunk them.<br /><br />Third, you may not want to go crazy using all kinds of materials in your path. When I first started building stone paths I thought it would be cool to use many different varieties and colors of stone. Now think about if you dressed this way. Keep it simple and elegant-one or two types of stone will do.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The photo up top is a path I built from very large, very heavy basalt pavers. You can use smaller ones especially for a path that isn't used every day. Before the moss filled in the cracks I poured pea gravel around them to even out the path and make it more walkable. The landscapers blow a lot around here and so the pavers are riding a little high now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The photo below is a fun easy path I built from cheapo Home depot blocks. It's a heavily used walkway and I needed something flatter than basalt pavers. To break up the monotony and to create a curve I used a couple round pavers interspersed with the blocks. All I used for this path was sand, the existing clay soil, my hori hori, a rubber mallet, water and lots of patience.<br /><br />Here's a good how to link:<a href="http://landscaping.about.com/od/drivewaysandwalkways1/ht/stone_walkway.htm"> http://landscaping.about.com/od/drivewaysandwalkways1/ht/stone_walkway.htm</a><br /><br />Note: I don't use landscape fabric for any projects. I hate it and I think it's a waste of time. The weeds just grow on it or through it and after awhile it starts to show-I'd rather look at weeds.<br /><br />Also, the Sunset books are a good source for basic landscaping procedures-<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-57899069245927223382010-08-04T10:37:00.001-07:002010-08-05T13:46:40.832-07:00Creative solutions to your budworm problem<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRilZ4Wz83s0jc-n-PgDUhRUi78Ltb4Udd-4HiXBhl5WzmoPzi53I8ZWKjgBZPRCseRBbIP1dy_3NlqKc_3liFQo0AX9VqV6QXAsHl0tNY21rRhFohjUnQWmhj9_1-71uAegz_HOcUZH0/s1600/220px-Salvia_elegans.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRilZ4Wz83s0jc-n-PgDUhRUi78Ltb4Udd-4HiXBhl5WzmoPzi53I8ZWKjgBZPRCseRBbIP1dy_3NlqKc_3liFQo0AX9VqV6QXAsHl0tNY21rRhFohjUnQWmhj9_1-71uAegz_HOcUZH0/s400/220px-Salvia_elegans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501614457794005346" border="0" /></a>These are the days when I start hearing my mother complaining about "those little worms" on her petunias and geraniums. If you're noticing little black spots, (worm poo) less and less flowering and general ill health you've probably got budworms-they're very prolific this time of year and difficult to control once the infestation is full blown.<br /><br />Pyrethrum based sprays (pyrethrum is an extract of chrysanthemum) are generally recommended for budworms, but since I'm not much of a sprayer here's what I do with annuals that are starting to suck; replace them and get some other annuals that will do well into fall like zinnias, coleus, marigold, and mums if you can find some that don't look plastic. Be creative and buy some perennials that flower in the fall like japanese anenomes or herbs that flower late like pineapple sage (great red flowers as seen above!). Grab some fountain grass from the discount rack and you've got yourself a pretty container that will look good now and great come fall so you can spend the rest of your time raking those leaves into the street. (No, really, don't rake them into the street just because your neighbor's doing it!).PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-12634275350325625402010-08-03T12:30:00.000-07:002010-08-03T17:07:19.572-07:00Oregon coast gardening<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXkO6_Mkvr3hgk8jiXqmQ6mnIH3kBM2xSQLAt8uEgH9br0Hl3nVnnAlTnGdqMHdd17ymUZ_97Zxd7hoOkEBm80X6BF6Y_RmmQbwyA3Hg9cCYG93yQi9mar7LVckDJ8j37mqkksqJIH2I/s1600/220px-Pinus_contorta_28263.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXkO6_Mkvr3hgk8jiXqmQ6mnIH3kBM2xSQLAt8uEgH9br0Hl3nVnnAlTnGdqMHdd17ymUZ_97Zxd7hoOkEBm80X6BF6Y_RmmQbwyA3Hg9cCYG93yQi9mar7LVckDJ8j37mqkksqJIH2I/s400/220px-Pinus_contorta_28263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501275325265442850" border="0" /></a>Having just returned from a long weekend at the beach I was again delighted to see what people are growing in their sandy environs. Lots of daisies, lavenders, rosemary, ceonothus, arbutus, succulents, lilies and bold perennials that I often think of as out of place in Portland gardens but that look great against the big open sky: red hot pokers, globe thistle, palms, calla lily. There was a distinct lack of my urban garden August woes: burnt crisp foliage, spider webs, itchy bitey white flies and psyllids, empty beer cans, the hollers of drunken midnight cart pushers.<br /><br />The colors seem so much brighter to me out on the coast. Just a simple swath of red crocosmia against the faded shingles of a cape cod style house satisfied me. I decided for my future beach house design theme, I would plan for large, bold flowers, succulents as ground cover, a few small pines, some lazy grasses to provide movement and sound, and escallonia hedging if I needed privacy (I love their cute dainty pink flowers). Keep the vacation house easy and low maintenance and save the high maintenance for the place you spend most of your time. Or let nature take its course and have a beach lawn if your front door and windows are high enough and away from blowing sand: let the beach strawberry, flowering succulents and grasses take over.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-13637844318961606382010-07-28T11:36:00.000-07:002010-08-03T11:05:12.541-07:00My Meyer lemon tree saga: part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV8SK4WYxEbjvU2kW9Ks7tHz7cYN1peBx6IhlGJrGGZF5ZZ0lqPXyBEcpG6D3nhMvHxtAU5wdSQcLAJOkPPAei2M5yDnfkqDlpHtMCllLpv3CYNBE0b_H7LPSZTmjfzi3LRD1994XRbA/s1600/img_1259.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFV8SK4WYxEbjvU2kW9Ks7tHz7cYN1peBx6IhlGJrGGZF5ZZ0lqPXyBEcpG6D3nhMvHxtAU5wdSQcLAJOkPPAei2M5yDnfkqDlpHtMCllLpv3CYNBE0b_H7LPSZTmjfzi3LRD1994XRbA/s400/img_1259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499034738542023714" border="0" /></a>So, despite my best efforts at neglect, a bout with scale, and some occasional munching by earwigs (I found one yesterday resting comfortably inside a curled leaf-as if it had made a little bed for itself) my potted Meyer lemon tree seems to be doing well and is growing three healthy looking lemons.<br /><br />I really like this guy, but I just don't know where to put it. It doesn't really "go" with my courtyard perennials and trees- so after I re-potted it I stuck it in a sunny spot just off our city sidewalk only to realize it was in a pigeon poop zone. It's still in that general spot but the pigeons seem to have relocated. Will I be washing the lemons with soap before I use them? Yes.<br /><br />I sprayed the plant with Neem oil this spring and that one spraying seemed to get rid of most of the scale. Not sure what to do about the earwigs-I don't like to spray in high summer because I don't want to burn the leaves. I could spray it and then leave it in the shade until it dries-but I probably won't resort to this unless the bugs start going nuts. I can take a little munching here and there.<br /><br />In the meantime, grow little lemons, grow.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-40340126596856554162010-07-27T16:18:00.000-07:002010-07-27T17:30:06.410-07:00Avoiding the dreaded downy mildew fungus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-fxkW2_gq0_WB_P44DqIwVGHCH1Ni6VPdTu7RMSsEoaAPGeS3mw2oqQCeHe01ERuvKBPuBCKGLhznw30tO7zwhpBu_y3WxTY6IROSz250XSDBZjnqEdSrtrKY1eUhK7m-0lX6UOh_Kk/s1600/img_1258.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-fxkW2_gq0_WB_P44DqIwVGHCH1Ni6VPdTu7RMSsEoaAPGeS3mw2oqQCeHe01ERuvKBPuBCKGLhznw30tO7zwhpBu_y3WxTY6IROSz250XSDBZjnqEdSrtrKY1eUhK7m-0lX6UOh_Kk/s400/img_1258.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498732663038464834" border="0" /></a>So far so good. My basil is happy on my balcony and offering its spicy leaves for my tomato and mozzarella salads this year. I haven't heard of the downy mildew fungus hitting Oregon yet, but it's making its way up the east coast, through the Midwest and into California (what doesn't find its way to California?) Growers are the ones getting hit with this the worst since it's a community disease that spreads faster than a cold on an airplane.<br /><br />I've been inspecting the basil regularly and looking for yellowing on the top of the leaves and gray specks (the spores) on the leaves' undersides-again, so far, so good. Not sure why I'd be getting it first but stranger things have happened. If you do find it pull the plant, isolate it and toss it in the trash-don't put it in the compost. Try not to shake the crap out of it when you remove it-this goes for all weeds and plants going to seed or those that are affected by air-borne diseases. You'll want to keep those seeds and spores on the plant and not in the air where they're going to work their magic all over again.<br /><br />Keep the basil in full sun with good air circulation, regular water; you know the drill. Let's hope the dreaded fungus doesn't like Oregon as much as the hipsters do.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-69537853985820602712010-07-26T14:46:00.000-07:002010-07-26T15:12:34.034-07:00Coreopsis rocks!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgLq1nD-P7Co8Q3YjFIGU1fFbNyTeGWbdfi3J0lyc-Hg0T93T0ZZNVfxS9NxRN8Qtw43x1kXtnE3iywRsV-NKSLcaJTbkDX9uuo-Zt3s01RNpeQrq2jn7_3CWMlYWMjD05xbRiqm83ME/s1600/earlysunrise360.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgLq1nD-P7Co8Q3YjFIGU1fFbNyTeGWbdfi3J0lyc-Hg0T93T0ZZNVfxS9NxRN8Qtw43x1kXtnE3iywRsV-NKSLcaJTbkDX9uuo-Zt3s01RNpeQrq2jn7_3CWMlYWMjD05xbRiqm83ME/s400/earlysunrise360.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498338031334513154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I love coreopsis and you should too. It's one of the easiest summer perennials to grow-it's drought tolerant (really it is) especially once it's established; it's very disease, pest resistant, it's happy yellow (or combinations of orange, pink and red), it's a great cut flower, the flowers can last into fall and it doesn't spread like crazy. Some are short, some are tall, some are bold, some are delicate. I love them, and I plan to get more into the courtyard this fall. I planted four small starts in a hot, dry, dog-trampling zone and all four are thriving. I'm hoping that the whole area fills in by next summer and I plan to stick some starts in another dry zone by my mystery hardy pink rose and some spirea. Not the most exciting design, but I've got to plant really tough perennials that will live when I move and no one is watering them in the summer.<br /><br />The pictured coreopsis above is a double called early sunrise and I love, love them, they're the purest of deep yellows. If you're in the Portland area check out Portland Nursery for some nice varieties-they're featured on the website this month.<br /><a href="http://www.portlandnursery.com/plants/perennialPicks/coreopsis.shtml">http://www.portlandnursery.com/plants/perennialPicks/coreopsis.shtml</a>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-46010354961017956322010-07-20T14:58:00.000-07:002010-07-20T16:32:15.275-07:00University greens are under attack<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtTkGsJ6dO9gdvtf7g8He5KfY-rHZrguCrDTGDTZUlbPz2gYbxTFhBgLexl1w9bHx4PyeGbGHMvtBNle_3hjq4blSBRiwdilV7wbjVxLWV10pXVfPfFhyphenhyphenJn0PjNs6GpeNwrvLFr1vbQs/s1600/250px-HarvardYard.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtTkGsJ6dO9gdvtf7g8He5KfY-rHZrguCrDTGDTZUlbPz2gYbxTFhBgLexl1w9bHx4PyeGbGHMvtBNle_3hjq4blSBRiwdilV7wbjVxLWV10pXVfPfFhyphenhyphenJn0PjNs6GpeNwrvLFr1vbQs/s400/250px-HarvardYard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496132884660094674" border="0" /></a>The great lawn controversy continues. According to a post on Garden Rant some of our oldest, most bad-ass university greens are under scrutiny-some are getting ripped out, some are allowed to go dormant and others are getting replaced with meadows and other "low maintenance" gardens.<br /><br />In the last decade, lawns have been excessively demonized. It's one of those things that is easily attacked, I think because it is easily seen. You have a lawn? Do you realize you are consorting with the devil?<br /><br />I like lawns. Yes, I am aware that they often require lots of water, fertilizer, gasoline and labor. So does all gardening. After Duke University ripped out some of their lawn and replaced it with a native meadow they realized after a few years that not only did the meadow look crummy after it bloomed but that it was becoming over run with invasive species that would require a bus load of laborers to weed and maintain properly. Not to mention, what the heck are the frisbee golfers to do? Scramble for a pass through itchy, snake ridden weeds?<br /><br />I don't think our universities should be forced to give up the beauty and ease of lawns to fulfill the latest environmental fad. Sometimes being green means just easing up a little on the water and the fertilizer. Let it go dormant in summer when the kids are on break. Mow it a little less. Enhance the soil. Take out the under-utilized areas and replace them with small manageable gardens.<br /><br />Let's use some common sense and realize that grass is actually not the enemy so that we can get back to the lacrosse game without being riddled with guilt.<br /><br />for more: <a href="http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2010/07/lawnsoncampus.html">http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2010/07/lawnsoncampus.html</a>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-38134634266388805412010-07-19T15:12:00.000-07:002010-07-19T15:23:19.599-07:00Pieris is burning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdlcIfWwYZDAyRJiUsVJT2nxMJD3f-8E6ekzfyB-52JcwLy7dvV8tlPUoVuhezNbZG9TW_DvTYkfgaYQO5m7ZQmnfr-VLH05uOnzdvK54aGqTjSU9jpjF9bFv3bZarKNnti8kM4rssYg/s1600/img_1254.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdlcIfWwYZDAyRJiUsVJT2nxMJD3f-8E6ekzfyB-52JcwLy7dvV8tlPUoVuhezNbZG9TW_DvTYkfgaYQO5m7ZQmnfr-VLH05uOnzdvK54aGqTjSU9jpjF9bFv3bZarKNnti8kM4rssYg/s400/img_1254.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495746293779753330" border="0" /></a>Heavy summer pruning and shearing during the summer can be tricky. If you can, wait for a few cloudy days or limit the pruning to plants that are in the shade or out of the sun in the afternoon. And make sure not to schedule a major pruning like I did before a heat wave. This pieris did not appreciate being snipped before four days of 90 plus weather and got a nasty case of sunburn. Oops.<br /><br />What to do after the damage is already done? Go ahead and prune to shape. You'll get a new flush of growth before you know it provided the plant or tree is healthy. Once the weather cools down for good this fall spend some time snipping out those old burnt leaves so you don't have to look at them anymore or just let time take it's course and let them fall naturally. And next time, wait for a cool cloudy week.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-37151219233290251802010-07-13T13:20:00.000-07:002010-07-13T14:13:30.772-07:00The Problems with Urban Garden Share Programs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnaDjwzZR6lnANXulYnIHk2BhNM4RpzkHYAa0oRMSpXmwiXf2dM-e0h4f3jbqyAb2wERwFWFRj5QksHGjIQlnzs0h0oU8NjHFobKaIrnBZtuyAx-ksgO8_In8MdPHfv9xZFUjyLGwukE/s1600/250px-Melides_Tomaten.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnaDjwzZR6lnANXulYnIHk2BhNM4RpzkHYAa0oRMSpXmwiXf2dM-e0h4f3jbqyAb2wERwFWFRj5QksHGjIQlnzs0h0oU8NjHFobKaIrnBZtuyAx-ksgO8_In8MdPHfv9xZFUjyLGwukE/s400/250px-Melides_Tomaten.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493496853355517234" border="0" /></a>I think it's a good idea in theory-sharing a piece of your property so that someone else can garden on it. But, I'm not sure I would be up for it especially if I was the property owner. First of all, you don't really know who's showing up and since you haven't hired them they can basically do whatever they want on your property when you're not looking. And what about liability? What if someone steps on your rake and takes an eye out?<br /><br />Then there are all the logistical problems. Who's going to take care of the daily or weekly maintenance? Who's paying for the supplies? What if you don't like what the people are growing or what if they take off halfway through the project and you're left with most of your lawn removed and a giant pile of sod in your driveway? I think I might know-call a professional.<br /><br />I'm not saying no, just think before you share or plant. Start out small with a tiny plot that isn't going to impact the rest of your yard or drive your neighbors crazy. If you have a good experience, go from there. Trust your instincts when you meet with people and ask them what their gardening experience is. If they seem really young and naive direct them toward a community plot and look for someone how actually knows how to garden and who seems responsible enough to commit to a plan.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-51350421795091237662010-07-12T14:58:00.000-07:002010-07-12T16:49:48.972-07:00Removing plants that have seen better days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p8rcYDNtj5ouvDKXpVnmCn1giachV0AQ0fDodEHGtUSkCBkkJSXfdrryUyga1vR5drvNPPsDA3K4BCpSSI4reaniNo1klhgBBy4gUqEqi9wulc-YoFk5bGnIrf5RVpFyASbx9smIt0M/s1600/250px-Poison.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2p8rcYDNtj5ouvDKXpVnmCn1giachV0AQ0fDodEHGtUSkCBkkJSXfdrryUyga1vR5drvNPPsDA3K4BCpSSI4reaniNo1klhgBBy4gUqEqi9wulc-YoFk5bGnIrf5RVpFyASbx9smIt0M/s400/250px-Poison.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493170771317039922" border="0" /></a>Maybe that old English lavender in your backyard was a flourishing and flamboyant rock star in its day, but now it's a bit of a wash-up playing county fairs and the occasional Vegas lounge. It's taking up valuable real estate-the sunniest spot in your border garden, but you just don't have the heart to remove it. Or even worse, you can't decide whether or not to remove it.<br /><br />Sometimes it helps to talk it out with a gardening friend or a gardening professional. If the plant hasn't thrived in years its probably run its course and isn't going to improve. Take it out. If you need a little Irish courage to do this drink a couple of beers before hand-it helps ease the pain.<br /><br />If you're attached to the plant take some of the blooms or foliage and dry them in that dictionary you never open anymore. Try to fill the space with something that will be meaningful as well-a division from a friend, or that really expensive sheared boxwood Scotty dog you've always wanted.<br /><br />Gardens can get stagnant and you'll spend less time out there if you keep putting off the inevitable. After the initial pain you'll be really excited about that new space you just opened up.PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-24820131006848656172010-07-07T12:42:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:09:16.060-07:00Debunking gardening myths with the Renegade Gardener<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3kWKjVhpY5fjn0jCxXtiRkY4NZogH_mDsieGYmxraRNfXaV9Gls0UiC91fimYDkC1_3xUWixQc-eLmFEcsi6HDXG2knbFrsEN1v-zRWquBsN1uiio6MI3oWv-aCryGSVS6QsRzhA05U/s1600/don-2-1-10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491256894012192450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3kWKjVhpY5fjn0jCxXtiRkY4NZogH_mDsieGYmxraRNfXaV9Gls0UiC91fimYDkC1_3xUWixQc-eLmFEcsi6HDXG2knbFrsEN1v-zRWquBsN1uiio6MI3oWv-aCryGSVS6QsRzhA05U/s400/don-2-1-10.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Renegade Gardener is Don Engebretson and he runs one of my favorite gardening sites thus far (other than my own of course)! One of the more useful and fun sections on the site is the "myth of the week." It's a great resource for all gardeners-his irreverent writing, midwestern sensibilites and actual understanding of science (wierd, I know) make it a great go to site to answer those hard questions like, "But God mandates that you can only divide perennials in the spring," or "Will my neighbor incite a city wide protest if I cut down a tree in my yard?" Check it out.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.renegadegardener.com/">http://www.renegadegardener.com/</a> </div>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-50313300330897992082010-07-01T16:11:00.000-07:002010-07-01T16:20:26.803-07:00Burnet: a happy little addition to the herb garden<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrzedjOwiBLi3QQCb-_WVt4Y45h6O7-AXK_b8Lv7n2tbqxkaFLtDFfnzofYT2D2wwgqFW_Bh09AqFEaTqwJ_dMY0nz1D9r20-pTynJKJxkR70JaLUti8hiGihFUTNJF-p3p3c7EYtd3Y/s1600/burnet.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489081517858956786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrzedjOwiBLi3QQCb-_WVt4Y45h6O7-AXK_b8Lv7n2tbqxkaFLtDFfnzofYT2D2wwgqFW_Bh09AqFEaTqwJ_dMY0nz1D9r20-pTynJKJxkR70JaLUti8hiGihFUTNJF-p3p3c7EYtd3Y/s400/burnet.bmp" border="0" /></a>Parsely, sage, rosemary and thyme-all rock stars in the herb garden-but why not try something a little different like burnet. Impress your friends by sprinkling a little crushed burnet into their salad and watch as they dig around with their forks looking for a cucumber. Imagine their astonishment when they alas, find none.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Burnet has a unique, fresh cucumber flavor that's great in anything that calls for cukes-raita, salad, a cucumber martini for those warm summer nights. It's also a delightfully symmetrical plant with a tidy character for you neat freaks. Go on, get out of your little herb rut and try something new. I know I should. </div>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-48440990207576832922010-06-30T10:52:00.000-07:002010-06-30T11:09:03.400-07:00Deep watering is deep<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlLJ8dmwusoNK-tctKBOKrx_Ej7hG7dsb7meAF635-6PbzNnz88iuLMEIi4D96wKXNcxp4TqugWbHKOsSDHdYFqn4QGx_Jmv4aZZCxWO11_3Gj0-rDVg7CYm7bON43k97BWk31vLu1o4/s1600/240px-PivotWithDrops.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488629900749187346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 171px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlLJ8dmwusoNK-tctKBOKrx_Ej7hG7dsb7meAF635-6PbzNnz88iuLMEIi4D96wKXNcxp4TqugWbHKOsSDHdYFqn4QGx_Jmv4aZZCxWO11_3Gj0-rDVg7CYm7bON43k97BWk31vLu1o4/s400/240px-PivotWithDrops.jpg" border="0" /></a> Now that the rains have mostly given way to sun (am I cursing us by saying this?) it's time to think about watering on a regular basis. If you don't have a proper irrigation system you may want to get one. Or, if you're like me and you enjoy watering by hand go ahead and do that. Just make sure you water thoroughly.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Soaking your plants really well a couple times a week encourages deep strong root systems. Why is this good? Shallow root systems are needy and weak. They require more watering and are more susceptible to disease and general abuse. If you do use irrigation, set it up so that it's not running every day if you can. Most gardens really don't need it every day. You'll be glad when you take that mid summer vacation to return to plants that are still alive (because no matter the instructions you give your dog sitters will forget to water).</div><br /><div>I generally like to water in the morning, but if you're really busy any time of day is okay unless it's really hot. I like to water in the morning and in the evenings during a heat wave. Drink up. </div>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-37272908509003308792010-06-29T15:26:00.000-07:002010-06-29T15:56:27.823-07:00Itchius Maximus or Poison-oak<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q_hpDBmlm95IgSL8VcxqxOi23n1_Lr3vofiUKT3Pe843MAFoF38QfbhzOoLc0ItRehqkDbed2vNjJdPUB-CU8aDS5gaW8uv3OcBZURzujiNgDvRAr5XbNkDxT04kv6jYZ11q-fqh9aE/s1600/PoisonOakRedPhase.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488332258971169202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6q_hpDBmlm95IgSL8VcxqxOi23n1_Lr3vofiUKT3Pe843MAFoF38QfbhzOoLc0ItRehqkDbed2vNjJdPUB-CU8aDS5gaW8uv3OcBZURzujiNgDvRAr5XbNkDxT04kv6jYZ11q-fqh9aE/s400/PoisonOakRedPhase.jpg" border="0" /></a> Poison oak or <em>toxicodendron diversilobum</em> is not to be messed with. Here in Portland you can find it in the forests cozying up underneath a Doug fir or in some other shady spot. It also happens to be in my parents backyard where my dad and his landscaper had a bit of a scuffle with it (yes, the plant won round one). Now that it's been identified it's going to face the firing squad-first a splash of weed killer and then death by shovel. If you're thinking this is cruel, think again. Besides giving you a nasty, blistering rash it's a heck of a plant to rip out due to it's tough rootstock system and the fact that you have to avoid having any of it come into contact with your skin.<br /><div></div><br /><div>If you happen to notice it creeping into your yard get rid of it quickly before it matures and no, cutting it down to the ground every year won't stop it. Get it before it gets you. </div>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-10971419366808429812010-06-28T14:03:00.000-07:002010-06-28T16:33:36.326-07:00Are you a mullet gardener?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzH2VUOa3hvVLu033Ygl2MXxMlL9rLXNKe5nVQT1aDG0BVTamTWLJrYNAthUHl9rx7n2pqJLqACTmpSPwKd_DvoGfhjKbfQREi9amRUfVuZ7rMdjcN35QVhAEj1uSvUdr0BYQH1J8ecA/s1600/200px-SuperMullet.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487937683740686434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 287px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzH2VUOa3hvVLu033Ygl2MXxMlL9rLXNKe5nVQT1aDG0BVTamTWLJrYNAthUHl9rx7n2pqJLqACTmpSPwKd_DvoGfhjKbfQREi9amRUfVuZ7rMdjcN35QVhAEj1uSvUdr0BYQH1J8ecA/s400/200px-SuperMullet.jpg" border="0" /></a> One gardening approach is a lot like a mullet-business in the front, party in the back. Keep the front yard simple so you can spend more of your time fiddling in the back flipping burgers and yelling at the kids.<br /><div></div><br /><div>A lot of famous gardeners actually have quite boring front yards-why? Because they're smart. Wowing your neighbors with show quality rose beds is fine if you have the money to spend on a crew of minions but if it's just you you'll want to devote your time where it counts-at the party in the back.</div><br /><div></div><div>So slow down if you've just moved into a new house or if you're getting started on a new project. The best of intentions can end in lots of dead and misplaced plants. And if you screw up in front everyone will know and we can't have that! Okay, so maybe you like the front yard better, maybe you like listening to your neighbor drone on endlessly about their problems-fine. Putter around and try to figure out where you think you'll spend your time and start working on that area first. Let the boring parts of the yard be boring. You don't actually need every space filled. Gardening is supposed to be fun, not a chore. Don't save the best for last-get started on it and let it grow from there. Party on dude. </div>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1587552735012220601.post-83822081618108483032010-06-24T14:38:00.001-07:002010-06-24T15:03:59.774-07:00It's summer and I don't have a thing to wear...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtlOLUG4UsrdPqt4EfbIpiN3dl043lyCzGbFWReQ9WMO1G1Y9qopueQ8MpjF1cQXBo3iA1vm9dJEc_mpVVJfKVucEwuD27ayR0_ze1G-rTurn7_a4bjTix42G_98z-zhxLSgzOjwzryA/s1600/120px-Beautiful_zinnia-cropped-big2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486463535204489458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 90px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtlOLUG4UsrdPqt4EfbIpiN3dl043lyCzGbFWReQ9WMO1G1Y9qopueQ8MpjF1cQXBo3iA1vm9dJEc_mpVVJfKVucEwuD27ayR0_ze1G-rTurn7_a4bjTix42G_98z-zhxLSgzOjwzryA/s400/120px-Beautiful_zinnia-cropped-big2.jpg" border="0" /></a> My spring pansies are a fried up sad mess on my balcony. I'm embarrassed to call myself a professional gardener. And yes, pansies for all you plant snobs. I know they're boring old lady plants, but old lady plants make me happy as do their little yellow faces bobbing in the rain-plus they're cheap and the only thing that blooms in that spot in February and March that's not a bulb.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Part of the reason I've waited so long to plant my summer annuals is because it's such a pain in butt working on the balcony. It's too small to actually work on-besides, I'm not really supposed to be putting my weight onto it. Everytime I'm out there I imagine my clay pots and my body plummeting into the courtyard like a scene out of a gothic romance novel.</div><br /><div>I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I think I'm really in yellow this year and as usual I'm into cheap this year so it might be those big fat zinnias and probably some petunias so that they can fill in and cascade down through the wrought iron. I've had a fantasy for the last two years of doing only one color-it would look pretty cool and stunning from across the street but whenever I get to the nursery I abandon my sophisticated approach and end up with pinks, oranges, reds, etc. I just can't help it, I'm an old-fashioned midwest girl at heart.</div><br /><div>So, my big plan? Decide at the nursery. I always do with annuals. Making do with what the nursery has in stock is fun and challenging and if I can get all my plants on sale I'm on cloud nine. You'd be surprised how creative you can be with limited options and for you indecisive nit pickers out there having only a few choices will make your life much easier. </div>PortlandGardenGeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172870012548245290noreply@blogger.com0