Folks - Check out this blog post on the use of diapers (yup, diapers) as water retention additives to containers. I have often looked at purchasing these polymer additives in the store. It can range from $13 - $49/pound! You know diapers are maybe $1 each.
The question though is what do you do with the diapers afterwards - I guess it's just garbage. Maybe too many of them in the landfill already...
Anyway, thought it was Cool! It appeals to the frugal gardener in me!
http://www.ladybirdln.com/2011/05/my-dirty-secret-revealed.html
Today I noticed garlic and other spring perennials going crazy in my garden. Darn Climate Change! It does feel like Spring in Chicago. I'm reviewing seed catalogs and starting a landscaping class on Saturday! So excited to get a long range plan going.
Sign along!
Teresa
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Overwintering Tender Ornamental Grasses
I absolutely adore ornamental grasses - either in containers or planted in the garden. I have several hardy varieties - Zebra Grass and a Pampas grass. The latter that was a gift from my father which I divide every year and give away :) I purchase several annual grasses each year - and this year decided to try to overwinter a few in containers over the winter.
Here is the process I followed. Just posting this now, since I'm starting to see some new growth in the containers so I'm sure the process will be successful.
1) Get a good section of the grass and plant in containers with appropriate potting soil mixture. I did this about midway through the summer to allow them to grow into the pots. Also purchased a few grasses late in the season and did not plant them. Those are the ones in the photos. These were $20/each in springtime and only $3/each in the fall! If you repot grasses make sure you don't pull any diseased stalks or stems.
2) In late fall or early winter you need to prune the grass. I wanted to save the grass so I followed a process of a) tying up the grass b) then shearing off leaving only 1-2 inches above the crown. Once I had cut it down I then looked through to carefully remove damaged stems or stalks.
 |
| Purchased Fall - 2011 |
 |
| Annual Grass - Prep for Shearing |
3) Place the containers indoors near a light source. Here I put mine in a basement window with other plants I'm over wintering. I make sure to water these regularly to keep the roots alive. I am not applying any fertilizer now. I don't want them to get too big right now - I think it will be difficult to have them grow full and lush with so little light. After 2 months, there are new shoots growing. In the spring I'll start to hit it with fertilizer and then move outdoors.
 |
| Overwintering Annual Grass Indoors |
 |
| Decorating with Grass! |
As an added bonus - I saved the top of the grass that was sheared off - and used it as decoration inside! Adding a nice natural element into my eclectic room!
Happy Gardening!
Teresa Marie
Friday, December 9, 2011
Fern Room Open - Must See It Now (Garfield Park Conservatory)
This past weekend I had the opportunity to walk through the Fern Room at Garfield Park Conservatory. This was the first weekend it has been opened since the hail damage this summer.
You have to go see it. It is a totally new experience and perspective on the original design and intent. These pictures below are the waterfall - newly visible are several streams and additional "falls."
The park district is using this opportunity to refresh the plantings with more unique ferns and period items. Also to add much needed nutrients and adjuvents to the soil In several areas the plantings have been removed - and it's under design. However, don't take that as a negative as if there is nothing to see!
Since the plants have been reduced - what you can now see and appreciate are several rock outcroppings and structural elements from the original installation by Jens Jensen. I have walked the Fern Room literally hundreds of times, and I was so surprised by the landscape architecture I saw for the first time. It really gave me a feeling of being there in 1907! Amazing!
The floriculturist told me that within the next six months the flora will once again have flourished. Plus I think that by next spring construction may start anew on the permanent roof for the Fern Room. All that means is that you have a few months to get in there.
Sign up for a tour - maybe I'll be your guide! Or email me and I'll let you know that dates I'm next there.
Singing Christmas Carols!
Teresa Marie
You have to go see it. It is a totally new experience and perspective on the original design and intent. These pictures below are the waterfall - newly visible are several streams and additional "falls."
 |
| Fern Room, Garfield Park Conservatory Dec 2011 |
 |
| Fern Room, Garfield Park Conservatory, Dec 2011 |
The park district is using this opportunity to refresh the plantings with more unique ferns and period items. Also to add much needed nutrients and adjuvents to the soil In several areas the plantings have been removed - and it's under design. However, don't take that as a negative as if there is nothing to see!
Since the plants have been reduced - what you can now see and appreciate are several rock outcroppings and structural elements from the original installation by Jens Jensen. I have walked the Fern Room literally hundreds of times, and I was so surprised by the landscape architecture I saw for the first time. It really gave me a feeling of being there in 1907! Amazing!
The floriculturist told me that within the next six months the flora will once again have flourished. Plus I think that by next spring construction may start anew on the permanent roof for the Fern Room. All that means is that you have a few months to get in there.
Sign up for a tour - maybe I'll be your guide! Or email me and I'll let you know that dates I'm next there.
Singing Christmas Carols!
Teresa Marie
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory Public Tours - Whoo Hoo!
Check out the website for more information and click the "Tour Registration for Visitors" button to purchase your tour tickets online.
I'm giving a tour this Sunday!
Hope to see you there - Touring with Teresa!
Humming to myself today :)
 |
| Garfield Park Conservatory - Oct 2011 |
It is exciting that Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory is now Offering Guided Tours! I'm one of the Garfield Park Conservatory Guides and did my master gardener training and volunteering there -so I'm happy to show you around. Lots of interesting plant facts, and historical information and just fun! Each of the tour guides brings their own unique energy and spirit!
There are three tour options;
1) Behind-the-Scenes (Adults only) - see the propagation houses, works
2) Tropical Treat - (all ages)
3) Conversatory Highlights - General Tour.
Check out the website for more information and click the "Tour Registration for Visitors" button to purchase your tour tickets online.
I'm giving a tour this Sunday!
Hope to see you there - Touring with Teresa!
Humming to myself today :)
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Denver Botanic Garden - Great day!
Today I had the pleasure of roaming around the Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street. This is a "new" botanic garden relative to those in Chicago. It was started in 1958 in conjunction with the City of Denver - and was based on land that was a former cemetery! The conservatory was added in the 70's. Today it is a very impressive botanic garden and conservatory.
The design of the garden includes many elements that we see in Jensen type landscapes
Keep in mind that there are a plethora of pathways and it can get confusing if you are trying to stick to a plan. Most of the paths are paved and suitable for all levels. Some rock walkways and steps, but not too many. Luckily it is small and compact so looping around isn't an issue. My whole walk around was less than 2.5 miles. Also although I don't show them here - there are wonderful sculptures as focal points around the garden.
Here are two shots of a few my favorite long views. On the left is the walkway along the greenhouses. You can peer into the windows on the right side of this photo and see into the propagation greenhouses. They were all very clean - I was surprised :) The shot on the left, at the base of the orange wall is a waterway. There are containers on pedestals at constant intervals. You can see the cactus poking up. That is the container. Just really nice to come around a corner and be surprised by these vistas.
It's hard to explain all the little details that have gone into melding different gardens into one cohesive display. Take a look at the picture below of parts that I liked.
The cutting garden had several beds which were all arranged by color. You can see the white beds in the front. I thought this was such a nice way to do it. I'm more partial to blues - although they do not show up so well. I also loved the red flower beds, and the orange was so tall! The shots of the cutting flower beds have at least four different flower varieties - looks so nice.
Then when I needed a little break - or I saw something that I want to study. There was a bench or chairs at the ready. Almost around every corner, some little setting that looked so peaceful and purposeful at the same time. Wouldn't it be so amazing to have this scene below as my backyard, or how about around the corner from my office, or my bus stop!
The food on the Monet Deck is great by the way. Sitting in the shade and looking out over the Monet Pool was enjoyable. I met a nice man named Alan who is a member here. He filled me in on events and concerts they have.
Happy day today exploring the garden. It was easy to get there from downtown by bus, and I walked back past the capital, and art museum. Lots to see here. Have to take another visit. I hope I can time it for spring. I think the Alpine garden would be wonderful then - in bloom. Also there is a lilac garden which I bet smells just awesome at that time of year!
Singing Country Western!
Teresa Marie
The design of the garden includes many elements that we see in Jensen type landscapes
- there was plenty of water and movement and it was all done in natural settings.
- There were several "long views" - see the shots below.
- The premise is several "rooms" or vignettes of smaller gardens on a theme that seamlessly meld together to offer a wide variety of impressions and emotions.
- The small views and secret areas are abundant!
Keep in mind that there are a plethora of pathways and it can get confusing if you are trying to stick to a plan. Most of the paths are paved and suitable for all levels. Some rock walkways and steps, but not too many. Luckily it is small and compact so looping around isn't an issue. My whole walk around was less than 2.5 miles. Also although I don't show them here - there are wonderful sculptures as focal points around the garden.
Here are two shots of a few my favorite long views. On the left is the walkway along the greenhouses. You can peer into the windows on the right side of this photo and see into the propagation greenhouses. They were all very clean - I was surprised :) The shot on the left, at the base of the orange wall is a waterway. There are containers on pedestals at constant intervals. You can see the cactus poking up. That is the container. Just really nice to come around a corner and be surprised by these vistas.
 |
| Shady Lane - Lots of places to sit :) |
 |
| El Pomar Waterway |
It's hard to explain all the little details that have gone into melding different gardens into one cohesive display. Take a look at the picture below of parts that I liked.
 |
| Lainie's Cutting Garden - Sep 2011 |
 |
| Alpine Garden - Sep 2011 |
 |
| Romantic Garden - Long View, Formal: Sept 2011 |
 |
| Orange Cut Flowers |
 |
| Blue Cut Flower Bed |
 |
| Red Cut Flowers |
The cutting garden had several beds which were all arranged by color. You can see the white beds in the front. I thought this was such a nice way to do it. I'm more partial to blues - although they do not show up so well. I also loved the red flower beds, and the orange was so tall! The shots of the cutting flower beds have at least four different flower varieties - looks so nice.
Then when I needed a little break - or I saw something that I want to study. There was a bench or chairs at the ready. Almost around every corner, some little setting that looked so peaceful and purposeful at the same time. Wouldn't it be so amazing to have this scene below as my backyard, or how about around the corner from my office, or my bus stop!The food on the Monet Deck is great by the way. Sitting in the shade and looking out over the Monet Pool was enjoyable. I met a nice man named Alan who is a member here. He filled me in on events and concerts they have.
Happy day today exploring the garden. It was easy to get there from downtown by bus, and I walked back past the capital, and art museum. Lots to see here. Have to take another visit. I hope I can time it for spring. I think the Alpine garden would be wonderful then - in bloom. Also there is a lilac garden which I bet smells just awesome at that time of year!
Singing Country Western!
Teresa Marie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)