October 30, 2011

...cherry leaves... autumn coloring... any help in guessing the name of the variety?

... my cherry tree, beside flowering beautifully and fruiting has one more lovely habit - its leaves are turning in reach yellow color in the autumn... you see here view from one of the windows... let's go outside and see how does it look...  

...looks beautiful, right? 

... I don't see many so yellow leaves on cherries in other gardens... not every variety  of sweet cherry has this surprising habit...

... this cherry tree is very old... maybe 20 years or more... no idea what is the name  of the variety...


.... do you have an idea what variety this could be? its fruits are very dark color, almost black... any idea?

October 29, 2011

Growing vegetables in pots - what is most challenging?


What I find most challenging in growing vegetables in pots? 

** First - watering and fertilizing **

Soil in pots dries up so quickly, much faster than in other places in the garden.
If I think seriously about growing vegetables in pots, I would invest in self- watering containers or self-watering kit. Unless you have time to water it in the summer even 2 x a day here in my zone 6B.
A friend of mine has installed a self-watering kit, that waters regularly containers standing on the sunny terrace. And guess what? Her plants are thriving!
I am trying to do my best with my watering can, but I can see it’s not the same.
 

** Second - I want my pot veggie garden looking at least well if not adorable **

When I started gardening and I was buying large pots I had this weird idea that containers different in style will look good together. Or maybe rather I should say I was not thinking about...
Today I know that choosing pots for veggie garden is very important and they should be either similar in shape, or material or color. Investing in beautiful pots might be whimsical today for you as well, but it will pay off in the future.

** Third - place **

How to choose the best place for the pots? If you have very sunny, south facing balcony or terrace, forget growing vegetables in pots! Unless you install automatic self-watering kit.
North facing spot might be also suitable for growing some of the types of vegetables. Shady place does not mean you can'r grow vegetables, it means you can't grow all types you wish. Choose the proper ones. For example it might be suitable to grow some lettuces. 

Happy Gardening!
xoxo
Ewa 

October 17, 2011

Flowers today - GBBD October 2011

Flowers today... just before freezing temps will come. Tomorrow. Prophecy says...

...beloved white pelargonium came home already....

... pansies went out, bought at the local bazaar today...

... fuchsia, lobelia and plectrantus came also home... fuchsia will survive... what about the rest? Do you see plectrantus flowering?





... barrel seems to be good location...

... Calluna vulgaris 'Elsie Purnell' planted last year, survived last harsh winter...This is really funny to see that so different flowers were blooming last October. For example Colchicum autumnale - naked ladies were blooming in October, this year end of August. I just had a thought that maybe its a sign that winter will come earlier... oh no!!







... Perovskia (Russian sage) self-seeded ....


... Erica vagans 'Diane Hornibrook' grow great in alkaline soil...




Thank you Carol for hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day.

October 14, 2011

Wondering about benefits of gardening?

Just have a look at this great infografics Janey made me aware of.
Health benefits, mental benefits and financial benefits.
Go gardening! Stop watching TV so much!Its weekend!

Cool Ways Gardening Can Make Your Life Better; The benefits of gardening

Source by Loch Ness Water Gardens

27 Photos of Autumn Garden - Hand Picked

Let's go for a walk... just give me your hand and let me take you to a garden tour.


This garden was  designed first, then constructed and planted. Every plant grows in the proper place and at the same time you feel like its fully natural.    

We have just passed the entrance door on the left and now we go to the porch on the back of the garden.


Look around before we reach the porch - garden is filled with shurubs, grasses and ivy. There is just few  perennials.

Wooden porch embraced with harmonious garden - perfect!

Do you see the path on the right? .... .... it ends with...
.... sandy heath.... with different kinds of ericas ...


... general view from the porch ....

... Hydrangea Pinky Winky looks perfect with usually something missing wax begonias.... now I know what was missing....



Now we turn to the right ride of the porch...

... and see the rest...

... turning to left. Grasses play major role in this autumn garden and make it really impressive. I wonder if photo makes the justice...



DIY swing have usually 2 little female heavy users...

... hey... turn back... see that beautiful view...

... with this tree on the right...

... lantern is not too big, but makes a real statement...

... garden is designed such way, that whenever you enter the new part you can't resist and silent "wow" slips out.... 

... giant leaves of intensively coloured crimson glory vine (Vitis coignetiae) are visible from far... 



... see the furthest part of the garden filled with grasses...


.... and now turn back - we came to an end of the tour - two Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus' embrace the view to a house.
Beata congratulations! I love your garden!
KEEP READING - MORE GREAT STUFF IN OLDER POSTS