(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 12:29:06

City dwellers have long since used window boxes to decorate windows and balconies with colorful flowers, along with house plants to cheer up a dreary apartment. By thinking outside the box you can take this concept much further. Whether you want to grow flowers or vegetables, containers can help to fill small spaces and soilless areas with color and produce.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 12:27:00

The first two shots show some of the open air spots on the beach right in front of the town (Playa Principal ). The last two shots are of and on the beach at Troncones, a small enclave north of Zihuat, famous for artists and surfers (the last shot shows my wife Liz deciding if she really wants fish sticks for lunch).

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 12:27:00

The first two shots show some of the open air spots on the beach right in front of the town (Playa Principal ). The last two shots are of and on the beach at Troncones, a small enclave north of Zihuat, famous for artists and surfers (the last shot shows my wife Liz deciding if she really wants fish sticks for lunch).

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 12:22:00

Since the snow is still blowing here in Iowa, here are some pictures from our recent stay in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Zihuat, as it is dubbed, was formerly a small fishing village north of Acapulco, and still isn't too much of a big city, with 150,000 people. Being quite a ways south, the climate is beautifully warm in winter; daytime highs were 88-90, with pleasantly dry air, so it cools off at night. There are numerous beaches in and near Zihuat; at top is Playa La Ropa, just south of town; at bottom is the beach at Ixtapa, the resort area north of town. The second picture shows the bay (bahia), and the third picture is a funky open cantina on Playa (beach) Los Gatos, across the bay from Zihuat.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 12:22:00

Since the snow is still blowing here in Iowa, here are some pictures from our recent stay in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Zihuat, as it is dubbed, was formerly a small fishing village north of Acapulco, and still isn't too much of a big city, with 150,000 people. Being quite a ways south, the climate is beautifully warm in winter; daytime highs were 88-90, with pleasantly dry air, so it cools off at night. There are numerous beaches in and near Zihuat; at top is Playa La Ropa, just south of town; at bottom is the beach at Ixtapa, the resort area north of town. The second picture shows the bay (bahia), and the third picture is a funky open cantina on Playa (beach) Los Gatos, across the bay from Zihuat.

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Harlow Carr on 2008-02-28, 11:55:00

From the Queen Mothers lake its a short walk into the Woods. The tree's have been here for years and some from when it was first made into an RHS garden. Hidden amongst the Tree's were the Jewel Like Rhodadendrons. I need to go back in a month to see the woods ablaze with them in flower. I spotted three early flowering Rhodies. The flower buds are like jewels and open up many cupped flowers. These were high in the air though. To smell the flower you needed to lower the branch a little. There are lots of different varieties here in their collection..

Some Narcissus were in Flower above the leaf covered floor of the woods. There were tens of thousands of Daffodils planted, not in Flower. Another reason to go back in a month..

Gods Fingers..Sun Rays came through the trees canopy and illuminated the floor. Making snowdrops start to flower, soon to be followed by Bluebells, and Daffodils.
You can appreciate the size difference between a Tree and the Snowdrop nestled under its barked trunk.

I wanted a Woods floor view of the Snowdrops.The floor was wet from previous rain so I crouched down.

Another Rhodadendron Flower, in soft petaled pink with the red centres. I had to go into the Trees away from the Path. The eyes were alert to flashes of colours that were not green or brown. Hil's thought there were not any in flower as we were too early.

I walked past this once on the way to make a coffee from a flask of hot water.I took the coffee, sugar,milk, and hot water. The red Rhodie from Earlier..

By the Study centre was this beautiful yellow Fir Tree. I think Yellow is a Winter/Spring colour of Daffodils, Narcissus, Forsythia..
Who said there'd be no colour at HC in Febuary?

Crocuses. All more advanced than my garden ones. These were planted under tree's, in this display by the study centre, and along the pathways. You had to watch your feet to make sure you were not trampling on any plants. Tread Lightly like the Birds I kept thinking..They come and go leaving where they have been unchanged. A Native American saying?

Snowdrops. These were planted along the Path that ran parallell to the Streamside. The Lake had a waterfall that Fed into the Stream. Harlow Beck.

Just one Photo of the Streamside. HC has the Longest streamside Garden of any public garden in the UK. I love flowing water, and the light reflecting off it.

Some unknown white flowers. The Heavy winds had reaked havoc the day before felling tree's, knocking birdboxes off, and benches blown over. Some parts were cordoned off. I wanted to see if the pigs were at the top of the Valley, the 3000 new trees planted for trees for life, and the new Bird hide. Maybe next time..

The Last image of this second post is the Metal Flower, like a daisy. It reflects the Light and Sky. Throughout HC there was metal sculptures, Mesh figures filled with leaves (like the Bear hugging the tree, and the Teapot.) Giant Flys, Butterflys, and Birds stand in borders and by pathways.
I liked the Giant spade with the Bird sat on top of it overlooking the streamside. I saw a sundial by a bench, and a black statue of a little boy holding a duckling..
One more post to go about HC! Hope its okay for you all!

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Harlow Carr on 2008-02-28, 11:43:00

After a day in my own garden I thought I would try to capture the essence of Harlow Carr. The RHS's most northerly garden. A beautiful silver Birch sits opposite the main entrance. The blue sky and clouds are behind it. The woods of Harlow Carr are in the foreground.

Rose Revolution border in Febuary. They pretty much look like mine, planted bare root, and only a few leaves appearing now. The Robin was about two foot from the gardener inspecting the ground for bugs. The Perennials were all cut down to the ground. That left some lone grasses between the bare rose stems. Good for birds to eat though soil...

The Vegetable Garden. I loved their raised beds here. The only thing growing were some leeks and some parsley. I liked the arched frames with the willow between the metal. The sun was shining for a while.

A lovely combination of a Holly hedge under planted with Pink Flowering Cyclamen. It led to the Gardens Through Time display, and the Queen Mothers Lake.

A little Greenhouse had masses of Plants and I loved this Iris. Cool Blue with the White, yellow, and black colours. There were masses of Irises, Crocuses, Narcissus. Its like a plant holding bay before they get moved out. The view of the lake was perfect too.

How to get Winter colour.. Plant Dogwoods, and grasses. They were brightly coloured in the sunlight when it peeked from behind the clouds. I need to buy a few more dogwoods as I have one in the garden.

Some leaves glowing in the Sunlight, part of the gardens through time. I loved the architectural quality of the plants and the stone mulch below.

Some fluffy grass heads. These were so soft, and billowy in the gentle breeze. The curator of HC is a big fan I think of grasses. They are in use in the main borders, pathside borders, around the Queen Mothers Lake, and Streamside.

Still Waters echoing the Sky with the Trees, grasses, and plants around the Queen Mothers lake. Reflections where the Sky and Earth touch in the middle.



The First Dozen pictures of Harlow Carr. Colours, Light, and Water. There are two more posts to come tonight. I had a hard time choosing a few photos to blog, and ended up selecting thirty six images from yesterday. I loved the visit again. The weather and light have been different on every visit as has whats been in flower. It is a truly spectacular Garden. The garden of a thousand photos and views..
( I actually have taken now 1100 photos of Harlow Carr gardens.My camera button is a bit wobbly now from usage.)

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 09:43:22

Any parent will know that getting playhouses for their children has provided them with years of fun. If you are considering buying such an item for your child you will soon discover there are plenty of different ones to choose from.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 09:42:07

When you are trying to choose the right kind of garden sheds for your home you will need to take a number of different things into consideration. So you should therefore take your time and look at each shed carefully to ensure that it meets all of your requirements.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 09:26:53

In most cases, herb gardens may be harvested on a daily basis. It becomes very easy and convenient to step outside and pluck a few herbs for cooking or to reach over to that container over your kitchen sink for herbs grown indoors for all your meals. Keep in mind that in many cases, using fresh herbs will provide the best flavor and quality. When picked just before they are added to your recipe.