It's become clear to me through posts and PMs that there are some gardeners here just waiting for the chance to discuss gardening!
So, I was thinking... how do you use gardening, or how does it affect you if you need a break, need some respite, need to relax, need inspiration....how do you use it as a therapy tool in caregiving?
What are your activities: Do you go out and pull weeds, read a magazine, design new beds? Look through garden catalogues? Go to garden stores?
And what interests have you added to your gardening? Visit estate or garden displays? Do you go to garden shows?
Does anyone design and plant Knot Gardens? Raised bed planters? Assistive gardens? Pollinator gardens (and have you thought of ways to help the bees and butterflies?)
Are your gardens primarily for pleasure or food, or a mix of both? Do you grow plants for medicinal purposes? Which ones, how do you harvest and process them? Any suggestions?
Do you grow plants that can be used in crafts, such as grapevines for wreaths and lavender for lavender wands? Do you make herbal products such as creams, lotions, chapstick?
What else can you share about gardening and the means in which it nurtures your soul?
I am going to keep it though, because when talking to hubs, I could be at the sink
and he asks a question-thought we were talking-and then he is gone-just disappears-so often and so quickly. But now, when "Budgie" starts to sing, I know hubs went to the back porch. Somehow, that is less frustrating to me to know where he went in the middle of the conversation. Tweet tweet.
"GMO plants, on the other hand, are the result of genetic engineering. This is a process during which the plant’s DNA is altered in a way that cannot occur naturally, and sometimes includes the insertion of genes from other species."
Fortunately I cannot even read the labels on seed packets, that excuse could hold up in a court of law-"I didn't read it." Which is why I have yet to find seeds for growing alfalfa sprouts-hubs had to look for me! Got to get my eyes checked.
Cwillie, It now appears that Organic farmers would disagree-nothing sinister there-but your words were comforting to me anyway. I don't know what to believe anymore.
But when it comes to retailing to the average amateur gardener, they're being rather naive - ironically enough. What on earth makes them think we necessarily read the care labels???
Naomi Klein's book Shock Doctrine addresses the method by which companies like Monsanto and other powerful companies get a foothold in what at one time were referred to as Third World Countries, with the help of the US government's aid programs after disasters.
Google "Monsanto, Iraq" and read the blurb that's the first hit. It and others address how Monsanto wormed its way into being a literal sole source supplier of seeds to Iraqi farmers. Gives new meaning to American actions in Iraq.
I would bet dollars to donuts any twig you tried to root from a Monsanto plant wouldn't be anything like the original plant. I''m sure Monsanto's scientists are devoted to ensuring that doesn't happen.
That's one of the reasons gardeners are adamant about using heirloom varieties and seeds from their own stock, not to mention the whole controversy about GMOs.
I have to say that as far as I'm concerned it's a bit of a red rag to a bull, though. I mean, "catch me if you can" - how's it my fault if I cut a twig or two and they just happen to root?
Some people have over a few dozen lists of seeds to swap.
You'll also find a lot of information on saving heirloom seeds, that produce crops that are true to the originals, as opposed to the hybrids (which some gardeners shun b/c they've been manipulated to produce crops with specific characteristics).
If you don't know how to save seed from a particular vegetable or fruit, post your question on a gardening forum and you'll get a lot of answers.
There are seed savers exchanges, as well as heirloom seed companies.
Amy Goldman is a famous seed saver and grower of unusual and heirloom vegetable varieties. She's appeared on The Victory Garden several times, and is quite a delightful person.
Search for Amy Goldman Fowler and check out her website.
Always post more, others come here for therapy, ya know! And if there wasn't any bloomin posts about flowers blooming, well then, that would just be sad.
People would be falling asleep in their outhouses, no, I mean their hothouse, waiting for something to bloom.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, is it a flower yet? Lol.
Thank you for the info on seeds, a ways back. That was appreciated, and I was sure I said something, but don't see it here.
So, thanks!
Rhizomes grow horizontally and form roots from its bottom while shooting out leaves on the top. Buds form at different parts along the structure, not necessarily at the top. Examples of rhizomes are Canna Lilies and Calla Lilies. Calla Lily Rhizome
Bulb
A bulb is comprised of a plant's stem and leaves. The bottom of the bulb is a compacted stem and roots grow from this part of the bulb. Layers of nutrient-filled leaves sit at the bottom of the bulb and surround a bud that eventually becomes the flower. Examples of bulbs are Tulips, Lilies and Daffodils.
When I worked with tomatoes, we saved seeds for research from the hybrid tomatoes we made. The seeds where cleaned , dried and sent to Australia (their growing season is opposite of ours). They would germinate the seeds, grow them out to maturity for testing on different disease resistance. It would take up to 8 years before the seeds from this years crop was available to growers.
Do you think my row of peas are planted straight?
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPz?
The bulbs I planted last year did not work out. I planted them too close together. I am excited with the new irises as they are doing well and I should have some nice blooms next spring.
Seeding can be fun. I use to save seeds but just don't have time to follow through on it now. Happy seed saving and autumn gardening everyone.
However, way beyond my pay grade and time-wise right now. Tried to save some pumpkin seeds a year ago. I understand that somehow, certain seeds are engineered to not grow due to monopoly interests of seed companies, but not sure. Maybe not grow a second time? I don't know. But if one buys an engineered tomato, saving the seeds is useless.
Guess if something is growing in your garden, saving those seeds might work.
It was my father who taught us to grow avocado seeds, but you know, in all those years I never once saw a tree! Hmmmmn.
Do you wear the ghillie suit for Oct. 31st?
SharynMarie, Congrats on your success with your Iris! Are the bulbs the same ones you bought so many earlier? Planting them in waves of iris now?
Cwillie, Thanks for the reminders about annuals and perennials, as I was wondering which dead things outside I should cut back, then maybe it would grow again. Today is gardening day, but I don't have the heart to ask hubs to work hard on his day off, so I am not going to mention anything about the garden to him.
The yard still looks okay as I was outside in the sun looking around for awhile-until my rose bush bit me and I came inside.
BTW, The bouganvillias spent the summer safely protected under the carport this year, just at the edge with a little sun. As a result, the leaves are a gentler green, looking fresh and new, still with a very few flowers. Maybe I should get it some sun to strengthen it for winter. That requires the two of us to consult and move the planter. O the time, the pain....
Happy Fall gardening everyone!
California has too too much politics at play and YES, I am against the tunnels because I am a nature freak who wants the beauty of nature and wildlife preserved.
My daughter in Idaho can water twice a day if they want and they live in the upper desert in the Southeastern part of Idaho. She keeps her house cold as that is how she and her hubs like it (too cold for me at night), their bill does not reach $100 a month.
The water restrictions is all a political grab game for money and votes.
My point was, prioritize to save the historical gardens in lieu of lush new plantings along the roadsides elsewhere. The Huntington Gardens can even teach us how-they have cactus gardens, and xeriscaping rock gardens.
Makes me doubt the reports of water shortages-the wealthy greens vs. the residents and farmers should allow their's to die? Grow food!
We are expected to get rain tomorrow....most likely on and off showers, however, they are expecting snow at the 7-8,000 ft level so that is a good start for mid October.
I love coleus plants, their color is so vibrant. I can grow them outside here in the shade, they are much more vibrant outside in the shade than as a house plant.