I've Been So Busy You Deserve A Give Away!

Wow, I noticed I haven't posted since Easter!   What have I been doing?  Well.....Working, taking advantage of this great weather and working in the yard, participating in the Master Gardener Lawn and Garden Show, keeping up with my booth at a local antique mall, AND redesigning my Gardenchick logo and products.  Oh, did I mention grandchildren?

So, I have decided to do a giveaway of one of these great little Garden Journals from Gooseberry Patch.  I had about 2 dozen of them and am down to my last few.  They area great way to keep track of and plan your garden.  They have little pockets for keeping pictures, notes, or seed packets.   And of course, great garden tips and recipes.

How can you get this little planner?  Each time you do one of the following you get entered into the drawing.

• Go to Gardenchick click on my facebook page and "like me"
• 3 entries if you "pin"this photo on Pinterest
• 2 entries if you share this link on facebook
• 2 entries if you tweet the giveaway
• 1entry for your comment

Drawing May 3rd

Karen

Happy Easter

Happy Spring

http://www.MotherEarthNews.com/Organic-Gardening/What-To-Plant-Now.aspx#axzz20E4fJNM8

Spring is my  favorite season.  Windows come open to smell the first freshly mowed lawn of the season.  Projects are planned and  thoughts turn to the garden.  You know this is just a tease, and in a few days mother nature will reel you back in with the freezing night time temperatures, and cool blustery days.

Don't be tricked into planting too early and loosing plants, time and  money. But
there ARE many plants in all parts of the U.S that can be started indoors and some that can sown directly in the ground.

Mother Earth News has created this map of the U.S. showing you what to plant and
when.  Just click on the link to find out when you can go play in the dirt!

Karen

It must be St. Patrick Day, My Fingernails are Green

Yesterday was a beautiful day.  Temperature in the high 70's and sunny.  After a stint at the soccer field with my granddaughters, I came home to finally work in my garden.  It was long overdue.  Like most of you I work a full time job in addition to trying to resurrect, and grow my business Gardenchick, so my yard often suffers.  So many projects, so little time.  I tend to become overwhelmed when I see all the things I want to do, and have learned over the years to focus on one or two things at a time.  That way I feel like I have gotten something accomplished, when I see at least a couple of finished projects.

Yesterday was my strawberry patch in the raised bed.  It had become overgrown, full of chickweed, pine cones and needles from the nearby pinetree and leaves.  All that was cleaned out, and new mulch put down.  I started this bed last year and its amazing how many baby strawberries there are from 5 plants. 

My chicken pen is not pretty.  I love looking at all the coops on pinterest, and hopefully, can get something a little more fitting for the girls one day.  For now, however, I am trying to add a little interest to the fencing.  On HGTV they call this staging.  LOL


 Not so sure they were talking about chicken pens! I brought in a few junking finds, an old feeder, mop bucket, and a water holder.  All the old dirt was cleaned out, new added, and wood chips placed on the ground underneath.  Since my husband does all the mowing, he complains about all the junk in the yard which he can't move and get up close to.  Of course that never stops me, I just have agreed to be the weed puller and the mulch keeps the weeds down.  Plans are for yellow lantana in the feeder, and red geraniums in the mop bucket.  Yellow and red and the hens favorite colors!

Spring is on the way, so get started with those gardening chores!

Karen

Trellis Gardening

Thanks to Cassie for this guest post on  using trellises in the garden.



Gardening is a fun and exciting activity that you and your family will surely enjoy.  Aside from this, it can also serve as a great bonding moment with all the members of your family.  However, proper gardening is not always an easy task to do, and there are several factors that should be considered before you can start your activity in gardening. Below are some pointers you may want to be aware of.

The Use of Vineyard Trellises and Garden Arbors  

Most people would think that vineyard trellises are only used on large farms and commercial vineyards.  However, these trellises can work perfectly in your backyard.  Aside from the fact that garden arbors and trellises can create or provide beauty to the garden location, these structures are also very helpful in producing top quality clusters of grapes.  As you know, grapes are commonly used for wine production and it is important to raise them correctly.  The trellis can be very important in your mini grape garden to provide proper support to the fruit and optimum sweetness to the grapes.  Trellis systems also are being used in order to provide the right amount of sunlight to assist the plant during photosynthesis.  Photosynthesis is very important in aiding the vines to extend and grow properly and uniformly.  This process takes place when the vines are able to convert sunlight and  carbon dioxide into nutrients and sugar.  Because of photosynthesis, the fruits are able to produce a very good flavor and color while growing.

Other purposes of Vineyard Trellising

Because of the benefits of adding trellises to the garden, many farmers and gardeners already adopt the method of trellising to their gardens for many other uses other than grapes.  Whatever you use your trellis for, you should pick from a variety of methods to find the trellis suitable for your needs.

Large plants such as tomatoes are suitable for trellises, but should be supported by large posts that are 15 to 20 feet away from the plant.   It's also necessary to provide 15 to 18 inches between plants and use a 10 to 12 gauge wire to to trellis the plant.  The first wire should be about 6 inches from the soil.

Cassie supplied this article for www.jimssupply.com   Many of your farm, garden, and trellising needs can be found here.  There was no compensation for this post.  Picture courtesy of buzzle.com

Happy Gardening

Karen

Elderberry 2013 Herb of the Year

Many of you recognize elder as a common shrub that grows around ditches and wet areas but may not know  the elder had a sacred past in England.  The tree was thought to house the "Elder Mother", and  permission had to be requested to use any of her parts.  And generous she was.  Flowers, roots, leaves, bark, and berries have been used in a variety ways for medicinal purposes.  If vampires are a threat you can bury an elder branch under a corpse or hang a twig over your doorway to fend off witches!   

Today elderberries are often used in jams jellies and pies.  

Elderberry Jelly

2 quarts elderberries washed and stems removed

2 cups water

1 box pectin

5 cups sugar

Bring berries and water to a boil in a large non reactive saucepan. Simmer  until berries are soft.  Strain through a jelly bag or cheesecloth.  Do not squeeze for a clear jelly.  You should have 31/2 cups of juice, if not , pour a little water through the crushed berries.  Return 3 cups of elderberry juice to the pan and add the pectin to the juice.  Bring to a boil.  Stir in the sugar and bring to a full rolling boil. Boil for one minute.  Remove from heat.  Skim and pour into hot sterilized jars.  Seal with hot paraffin immediately.

Photo courtesy of www.elderberryjuice.net

Elderberry info and recipe from China Bayles Book of Days by Susan Wittig Albert

Photo courtesy of

Starting zinnia seeds

On my way to work at 6 a.m. this morning, I thought spring had come early. A balmy 59 degrees! But that came with a price.....drizzling rain. I will take it. I hate cold weather.  I grabbed the new Country Living Magazine, thinking I might get a minute to read the article on starting seeds. I have never had any luck bringing those little seedlings to fruition, and was hoping that this lucky 2013 year would be my year.

I think I will start with something easy like zinnias. Their bright colors and ability to thrive in the hot south, makes them a good choice to brighten up the split rail fence in my yard. There's a tall variety that grows over three feet tall that would be perfect.




About 6 weeks before the last expected frost date ( which would be around April 21st in north Georgia ) I can start my seeds.  Individual little peat pots may little more expensive, but they can be planted directly into the ground.
Place two seeds in each pot of soil and cover lightly.

Water enough to be wet, but not soggy. Cover with plastic wrap to keep moist. Place in a warm location with a temperature around 70 to 75 degrees.  I believe this is where I often have trouble with germination.  My house is never that warm, because I keep the thermostat down.  This year I believe I will purchase a grow mat to place under them.  After a week to 10 days the seeds should germinate. Remove the plastic wrap and keep the seeds moist, but again not soggy.  Once the plants develop two true leaves, remove one of the plants if two have germinated.  Cut one of the plants down with scissors instead of pulling it, to prevent damaging the tender roots of the other plant. About two weeks after the last frost, plant your zinnias outdoors in a sunny spot.  Keep watered until well established.  It won't be long until you will have these pretty flowers to enjoy.

Hurry Spring!
Karen


Photos from www.gardenphotos.com