Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-26, 19:20:12

Hmmmmmmm. I am sorry to report, this year’s show in Seattle was a disappointment.

There were a handful of very good display gardens, but just a few. Much to my chagrin. Here are a few snaps from my favorites:

Robyn Cannon’s French potager: delish! One part of a three part display titled Garden 2 Table.

A diminutive planting of purple, gray and blue…….enchanting, and was found at the base of the the upcoming planter……

At the base of this ripped and curled steel planter which I absolutely coveted. Couldn’t imagine getting this on the plane.

And this was a cheerful outdoor space……..good color

Incredible dry stack rock work. We were crazy about the walls. I might even be able to pull off the river rock gabians.

And this soft aqua/blue/gray patio set up may be my favorite garden this year, the plant materials were perfectly coordinated with the fabrics or maybe the other way around…..anyway……it worked for me.

I also really liked this outdoor kitchen because it was so humble. No $10K barbie here folks. This reminds me of the rusty kamp kitchen we have in Oregon or the canning kitchen that was featured in one of the articles on Mary Jane’s Farm in Idaho. LOVE IT!

It came with a chicken coop full of laying hens a ‘layin (I counted 2 eggs Wednesday and 1 on Thursday). Sorry the focus is so poor. The coop was roofed with a strawberry patch. This was a LOT of fun!

One more for good measure: This birder’s identification chart was eye catching and a great idea. May steal this notion for the botanical garden. OK, maybe for my garden.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

reporting in

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-26, 17:24:27

The scientists/botanists of Norway and their colleagues deserve a serious shout out for their latest planet worthy accomplishment: the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. As reported on the news tonight, it is a safehouse for seeds from all over the world and holds 4.5 millions seed samples. Protected by polar bears, armed guards and nasty cold, the vault has already withstood a 6.1 earthquake and can preserve seeds for 200 years even if the power goes out…..because of permafrost. I am guessing they calculated in global warming.

This is just one of over 1400 seed banks in the world.

My small voice of thanks if offered up to the people who care about these issues, who work to protect our food supply and our horticultural heritage.

A couple of years ago, I read a book titled Hunger, by Elise Blackwell. It is a fictionalized account of the Seige of Leningrad 1941-1943, which lasted 900 days, and focuses on the scientists and their families who starved to death in an effort to protect the collections from invading rats and German soldiers. Sadly and ironically, the director of that seed bank, Nikolai Vavilov, later died of hunger in a Nazi prison.

Look for a new book by British author Peter Pringle later this year :The Murder of Nikolai Vavilov: The Story of Stalin’s Persecution of One of the Great Scientists of the Twentieth Century. It is scheduled for release in May.

Take THAT! Monsanto.

And to think there are naked cowboys running around New York when there is work like this to be done.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

Seeds have their own Noah’s arks…….

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-25, 16:28:32

Dang. I’ve read The Secret, am working on New Earth for Oprah, have done a few hundred visualizations and never did I envision a Naked Cowboy. OK, I didn’t envision a naked cowboy in a Black Escalade spouting Anthony Robbins as his higher power. And he has nothing but cash (maybe frostbite) comin’ in and no bills.

What folks won’t do for their 15 minutes of fame. yikes!

Post from: Idaho Gardener

aim higher

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-19, 19:21:45

It’s that time of year again! Northwest Flower and Garden Show! Yippee skippee! I will be posting from there the rest of the week.

Stay tuned!

Your roving reporter, Dirt Diva from the Rivah, 94.9, and all ’round gal pal.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

packing packing packing

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-10, 11:16:29

I came across this article TWICE in one week so thought it prudent to share it with you.I mean, really, I don’t want to run into you on the street and have you accusing me of leaving you out of THE LOOP. You know, the groovy loop. The loop of all hip things in gardening. You have a right and a need to know, dear reader/gardening friend. YES YOU DO.

So check this out: . This dynamic duo has created a farm/garden and party room a courtyard in Queens, Long Island, NY.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

The Queen’s farm. No, that is Queens, like in New York

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-06, 07:27:15

You know you are welcome to take it or leave it when it comes to trends. Your garden should be your garden. Make it a place YOU LOVE TO BE! If you are gardening to impress, you are wasting your time. That said, let me rattle off the Garden Media Group’s 2008 Trends Report or ……….drumroll, please……………

WHAT’S IN AND WHAT’S OUT

Gardening for the greater good vs. Gardening for self gratification (already I have issues with this)
Eco-chic gardening vs. chemically needy gardens
Buying local vs. big eco (carbon) footprint
Water in the garden vs wasting water
Smart n’ Easy gardens vs high maintenance gardens
Corresponding color combos vs. complementary color combos
(think monochromatic schemes vs hurdy gurdy, i.e., red-orange-pink instead of red and yellow (screaming)
Curvatious gardens vs. square gardens (hmmmmm, more on this later, again, you know me, I have issues)
Well-lit gardens vs. in-the-dark gardens (’cept for Timm who likes to roam around in his garden in the dark in the summer so rock on)
Gardening for the birds and bees vs reckless gardening

I am going to go ruminate on this a while. While I am adding to my homework/to do list for 2008. Let me know what you think about these trends.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

2008 Trends

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-03, 20:39:49

OK, so now you know about the hot tub, the stones steps and the seeds. There are a couple more items on the list.

~I have two trees to be picked up at a local nursery. They have been sitting there for two seasons. TWO. A multi-trunked Canada Red chokecherry and a stewartia. See, the Canada red was to replace the Capitol pear in the front garden by the living room window. But someone has to chop the pear down, clean out the stump and roots and it ain’t gonna be me. If I did it someone would get hurt. (I once backed over my own car which is a whole ‘nother story, that I will save for a slow day). So, gentle reader, I am beholdin’ to the same guy who is flabbergasted about the hot tub bargain. And it ain’t pretty.

~I can probably wrestle the stewartia into the car and into place.

~I really want to build a combo art studio/hangout + shed for the mower + lean-to greenhouse. I have been saving pictures and ideas for 10 years. Around the studio/hangout/shed/greenhouse I want to put kickbutt raised beds for the world’s coolest looking and funky and colorful kitchen garden. Maybe I could do this while someone is directing the crane for the stone steps. Yessiree bob, multi-tasking!

~I may have neglected to tell you that I can only get one car in the garage. It’s been that way for about 8 years. SomeBODY needs to do something about this.

You KNOW what they say: There is NO rest for the wicked.

TO BE CONTINUED………………

Post from: Idaho Gardener

more homework

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-02, 14:03:58

Me neither. Just thought I would ask. I still have a couple of months to get things in order around here. I thought I would share with you my lofty and goofy-ass goals for the 2008 gardening year.

~find a place to put the hot tub bargain I couldn’t pass up a year ago. Yes, you read that correctly. A hot tub. A bargain. And while you are laughing yourself silly, just go ahead and keep it up. It is NOT like I can put it in the closet (like those stoopid yellow driving mocs I had to buy on sale cuz they were so comfortable and an unusual color and so unusual I feel goofy wearing them). Imagine the darling husband’s reaction to a hot tub bargain. Uh-huh. But it came with a couple of years worth of water treatment supplies.

~get a crane to install the 17 tons of sandstone steps I so lusted after, ordered and paid for. Alright, maybe its not 17 tons, but it is more than 5 tons and they are gorgeous and I wonder just how that is going to come together?

~I ordered $50 worth of seeds this week. I promise to share. Three kinds of heirloom tomatoes, Russian blacks. A gazillion varieties of warty and funky shaped and colored squash. And some zinnia seeds.

I am exhausted just writing about the first three things that came to mind. Think a nap is in order.

TO BE CONTINUED………………….

Post from: Idaho Gardener

Have you finished your homework?

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-02-01, 12:43:24

Someone please remind me who started this Poetry Day among garden bloggers? Thanks to that person. And here is another wonderful piece by Mary Oliver.

Yes! No!

Yes! No! by Mary Oliver

How necessary it is to have opinions! I think the spotted trout
lilies are satisfied, standing a few inches above the earth. I
think serenity is not something you just find in the world,
like a plum tree, holding up its white petals.

The violets, along the river, are opening their blue faces, like
small dark lanterns.

The green mosses, being so many, are as good as brawny.

How important it is to walk along, not in haste but slowly,
looking at everything and calling out

Yes! No! The

swan, for all his pomp, his robes of grass and petals, wants
only to be allowed to live on the nameless pond. The catbrier
is without fault. The water thrushes, down among the sloppy
rocks, are going crazy with happiness. Imagination is better
than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless
and proper work.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

Poetry Day

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2008-01-29, 17:38:56

Don’t get me wrong. I have absolutely nothing against a dark and stormy: day, night…….. or the cocktail which originated in Bermuda . And since I have ESP and know you have a need to know: 2 oz. Gosling’s Black Seal rum + 3 oz. ginger beer + a wedgie of lime over ice in a highball glass.

I love stormy days. I love the snow. But I needed a little shot in the arm - gardener’s arm, that is. Next thing I know I have promised my trusty and loyal Springer sidekick a little teeny road trip. Just a mile or two down the road. (A dog will go anywhere with you and shopping for plants is no exception. The husband, well, he wouldn’t have JUMPED at the chance like the dog did. The dog was thrilled to be included. Excellent response on his part.) Yeah, baby, it’s good to get out.

And there I was. Standing in the greenhouse. Marveling at growing things. Listening to music and the laughter of the garden gals at Edwards. Garnette and Anju were at their desks wading through boxes and boxes of seeds and lists of plants for your 2008 growing pleasure. Kathleen, Wendy, Carolla and Gail walked around with me. There were a couple of Provence and Grosso lavenders in bloom and I couldn’t stop myself. I am a tactile person. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, drag your hand over that gray foliage. Yes! I say YES!!!! Smell those hyacinths. Admire the narcissus from a distance. Love those darling pansies and their happy faces.

We told tall tales and shared plans for our gardens and kept each other company on a dark afternoon lovin every minute of it.

I beseech you fellow gardener, get thee to a greenhouse.

Post from: Idaho Gardener

it was a dark and stormy day