Spring is Springing

Happy first day of SPRING! I'm so happy it's on it's way. Even though there are rain showers forecast for the next few weeks, the warmer temperatures are waking things up. And they don't say "April showers bring May flowers" for no reason!

I spotted a few tell-tale signs of spring over the weekend. The buds on this ornamental pear are swelling and before long it will be covered in popcorn blossoms!

My bulbs sprouted!!! The tulips are a couple inches tall now...

... and even a hyacinth popped up! You've heard it enough, but I am sad to leave behind the flowers I've planted. They're like old friends.

My daffodils have buds on them. I may see some color yet!

Spring Cleaning

It was so beautiful outside one day I physically couldn't stay indoors. It was a perfect time to do some spring cleaning in the garden beds... things I really should have done sooner but better late than never.
My iris are perking up. I pulled all the dead leaves off to give them a fresh start. I am broken hearted that I can't take these with my to the new house, but my mom assures me there are many more flower starts to be taken from her yard. The new renters better appreciate them.

I found some monsters already... watch out for the mustard weeds! As soon as those little yellow flowers go to seed, they will send up seedlings everywhere. Uproot them early to save yourself some work!

My oregano and chives overwintered nicely and are already filling in. Again, I'm going to miss them, but I have plans for a kitchen herb garden in the new place.

The strawberries spread a lot last year. I think I might have to take a few of these in pots to the new house, especially because of their sentimental value.

I was super excited to see these pushing up--daffodils! All my bulbs are on the north side of the house and while south-facers are already enjoying blooms we are barely thawing. In fact, some pockets of bulbs aren't showing signs of life and I wonder if they rotted in the ground again. Sigh. Our new house faces north too, but I have flower beds planned away from the shadows for my bulb displays!

Just an extra plug, March is a perfect time for yard clean-up. Cut back those dead seeds pods and leaves on perennials to give them a fresh start and nip the weeds in the bud. Enjoy the sunshine in between spring showers this week!

Grapes

A girl in my neighborhood recently asked me about growing grapes. She wants them to climb over her deck, which rang a bell in my head because I just posted about growing climbing plants on pergolas!

I gave her my usual answer when I've never grown something myself: "I'll look it up!" I love to garden but I don't hesitate to look to experts for advice. It has been a good opportunity for me to learn about grapes and now I'm inspired to grow my own! I can picture a lovely little seating area next to my garden made of a small stone patio with a pergola over it, laden with leafy grapevines and juicy purple fruit in the fall.


The basics to consider when growing grapes are what varieties are best suited to your area, where you want them to grow, and how to prune and care for them. The first place I usually look for information is my Sunset Western Garden book. It is a fabulous reference book for any (western) gardener, including climate zones, descriptions and care for over 8,000 plants, a basic guide to creating and maintaining a healthy garden, and a glossary defining garden terms. It's also chock full of beautiful photographs and drawings. I love it.

According to them, a backyard gardener should be careful not to overdo it. "A single grapevine can produce enough new growth every year to arch over a walk, roof an arbor, form a leafy wall, or provide an umbrella of shade over deck or terrace... Once they are established, grape vines grow rampantly. If all you want is a leafy cover for an arbor or patio, you need only train a strong vine up and over its support and thin out entangling new growth each year." I'm going to tell my friend one--maybe two--vines will serve her well. Unless you have rows of trellises or fencing you don't need more than a few grapevines!

There are some basic categories grapes varieties fall under. European grapes, including most wine grapes, are mostly produced in the Northwest and California. Then there are American grapes, which are more hardy and disease resistant, and can be grown in colder climates. Of course there are also hybrids of the two. For the best varieties for Utah gardens, I checked a favorite resource: Utah Cooperative Extension. They provide a great table with pictures, ripening dates, and uses for each variety. One example is 'Concord', a well-known American variety, which is good for juice, jams, and jellies. It's deep blue-black fruit looks tempting to me, although I also love the color of 'Candice', and it says they are better for fresh eating.

Grape vines are best planted in the spring. Soil amended with compost is ideal. If you are planting more than one vine they should be at least 6' to 10' apart, and holes should be about 12" deep. It is best to plant the vine the same depth as it was grown in the nursery, and then it needs to be trimmed back to 2-3 buds. I know that sounds harsh, but the first summer the vines will grow aggressively and then you will be able to select the sturdiest shoots for training.

Pruning is vital for a good grape crop. The SW garden book says, "The purpose of pruning is to limit the amount of potential fruiting wood to ensure the plant doesn't produce too much fruit and that the fruit it does bear is of good quality." For proper pruning practices, I'm going to refer you to a local expert, Larry Sagers. (He's a horticultural specialist for the Utah State Extension Service. He does a lot of work for Thanksgiving Point, and I've taken many classes from him. He's like the Utah garden guru!) Here's his article: "Careful Grape Pruning Brings Sweet Rewards." Pruning should be done in the winter or early spring before bud swell.

Grapes don't seem to require a lot of care, but I found a helpful article on growing grapes organically. It focuses on light and air and pest prevention.

I can't wait to give grapes a go in my new landscape!

Pergolas and Arbors

Now that the cat is out of the bag... yep we are building a house! The longed for day is approaching... a yard of my very own! As excited as I am, I'm also overwhelmed by the idea of designing a half acre into the dream space I want it to be. While I know these things take time, I have someone breathing down my neck to lay out a landscape plan so he can install sprinklers this summer!

One thing I have been thinking a lot about is pergolas and arbors. They add so much character to a space and provide a place for climbing plants, like wisteria... my favorite!! We had wisteria growing on pergolas at the Noni gardens and I vowed then that I would have my own someday.

Doesn't this just feel like the entrance to an enchanted garden?

I love this simple pergola over a small sitting area. I can imagine a little patio in a corner of the yard, maybe down by the garden, with some seating from which to enjoy the landscape from a different view.

I like how this small arbor provides a smooth transition from the driveway to the garden.

Mike is planning on adding to the small deck we will have already, and we considered putting a pergola there for a little bit of character and shade.

By the way, all of these pictures came from Better Homes and Gardens website. I am subscribed to their email newsletter and they send me new ideas every few days. It has been a great way to keep me thinking, and it's so fun to browse all their slide shows of beautiful landscapes and dream! Someday!

Delicious and Nutritious

Once in awhile I like to share a recipe that I love, just cuz I think everyone should enjoy it as much as I do!

I have been hankering after some home-made granola, so yesterday we hit the Win-Co bulk bins. AMAZING! Everything is so cheap! For example my 6 cups of oats came to $.88!


The recipe is so easy and healthy. I'm not sure of the source because I got it from my sister-in-law Rebecca...

The Best of Granola's

6 c. rolled oats (Can use any combination of rolled grains)
1/2 to 1 c. wheat germ
1 c. unsweetened coconut
1 c. nuts (we used whole almonds)
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1 c. ribbon coconut
1/4 c. sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 c. canola oil
1 c. honey (to taste)
1 c. raisins (or other dried fruit)
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons vanilla

Mix grains, nuts, seeds and coconut together thoroughly. Pour oil and honey over mixture and stir well. Spread on 2 lightly oiled cookie sheets and bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Stir occasionally while baking. When mixture is golden brown take out and mix in the raisins and any other dried fruit you wish to add, vanilla and almond extract. Put back into oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes.

Pour granola into large bowl and drizzle about 1/2 c. additional honey over mixture. Stir well and allow to cool.

Store in a tightly sealed container. For variety add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1 teaspoon nutmeg.

My only variations are that I use half cranberries, half raisins, and I don't add the extra honey at then end because I think the texture is perfect right out of the oven.

Any guesses on what this gnarly thing is? Well, it's one piece of the huge bag of ginger I got in my Bountiful Basket last week! I have never cooked with fresh ginger myself so it inspired me to look around on the web for ideas. We are going to try homemade gingersnaps with the real thing, a chicken recipe, and then I found this...

Cheesecake Factory Thai Lettuce Wraps Recipe!

Remember how I had these in Hawaii and LOVED them? At the time I thought they seemed pretty easy to make... well, when you are using fresh ginger and all other fresh ingredients, it's a little time consuming, but it was so worth it. Especially when Mike said he liked them even more than the restaurant. Can you get a higher compliment than that?

Flower Shop

With Valentine's Day (the biggest flower day of the year!) around the corner, I set up a little play flower shop for my daughter to get a flavor. She absolutely loves it and wants to play all day! She tells me in the morning that she "opened the shop", asks all day if she can be the florist, and closes the shop before bedtime.

I wanted to share the idea because not only is she enjoying it, she's learning a ton in the process.

Flower names and ID. I am proud (as a hort major!) that these words are common in our house: gerbera, rose, ranuculus, orchid, dahlia, and daisy. I just got out some of my old flower books for 'catalogs' and rounded up all the artificial flowers I could find in the house. You could even make your own catalogs from magazines and pictures online.

Money. Maddie is obsessed with money, and this has been a fun way to teach her the difference between dollars and cents, as well as work on counting and numbers.

Writing. As part of the purchasing process I have her write down my order. She usually scribbles, but she has also sounded out some names and learned to write a few numbers.

Desigining. Look at this little florist in the making! She made me a corsage (with a hair clip and bracelet) and changes flowers out of vases.


Imagination. We have had lots of fun pretending we're celebrating birthdays, going to parties and dances, getting married, visiting someone who is sick, and giving people flowers just because we love them.

I'm actually quite enjoying the little bouquets around the house.


***And now a little note on buying real flowers for the big day...

As much as I think it's important to support the local shops, we all know Costco has the best prices, hands down, right?!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Daffodils and Sunshine

You don't believe me? Well, it is only February so these treasures are in my kitchen. They are helping to assuage the winter blues and making me so excited for spring!






Oh they make me smile. I don't mind doing my dishes when the sun is coming in on these beauties. I love the little details... isn't that orange ruffle amazing?