(March 13, 2009 Newsletter) We are only 4 weeks away from Good Friday, which
many of us associate with planting our gardens. Even though the weather is
still fluctuating like night and day, we still need to plan for our
vegetable and herb gardens as well as for new additions to our relaxation
gardens.
Our vegetable garden seed kits are ready for shipping and the herb garden
seed kits should be ready for shipping after next week. It is the perfect
time for planting wildflower seeds, so if you have a large area that you
would like to see lots of summer color go ahead and order. Remember,
wildflower seeds should be planted when there is still a nip in the air.
My daughter, Cyd, wants to plant a vegetable garden this spring. Cyd and her
husband plant tomato and pepper plants in pots around their patio every
year, but this will be their first actual in the ground garden. She has her
vegetable garden seed kit which became available over the past few days. So,
then, her next question to me, "But Mom, now what do I do?" We either have
children that have asked that or maybe we, too, have done that. Well, you
know me; I emailed her the perfect link to give her all the information she
needs right from the start. She liked it and said that was exactly what she
needed. I thought this might be the year that some of you tried your hand at
planting a vegetable garden, too, and will find this link quite helpful. It
goes to Fine Gardening Magazine (one of my favorites).
http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/plan-a-vegetable-garden.aspx
We use the words environment and habitat interchangeably, so I wanted to
know exactly what the difference is between the two. I mean, I know their
definitions, but what are their actual differences. Well, at Dictionary.com,
environment is listed as the external factors affecting an organism or in
respect to landscaping, an indoor/outdoor setting designed to be site
specific, while habitat refers to a natural environment for the life and
growth of an organism or a special environment or place where a person or
thing is usually found. Between the two, I like habitat because when I can't
find Steve in the house, I always find him walking through the garden
visiting with the plants (oh, yes, he does visit with the plants.). He
enjoys being in the garden even more than I do and as the weather warms it
becomes our favorite spot to unwind after work.
Some of the things I believe that make our garden habitat special for us
are:
Privacy and protection from the outside world
Intimate areas only large enough for a tiny table and 2 chairs
Plants with varied textures and color
Use of different materials in creating pathways and edging
Plenty of seating in the open areas
A fire pit for cooler evenings
It seems that around mid June the garden magically comes alive with blooms.
There isn't anything much more relaxing as sitting in the garden on a lazy
weekend afternoon watching the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds fly from
bloom to bloom.
That's nature at its best!
Next week, let's talk more about habitats and how you can create your own
place where you can be found.
Until then check out the Monthly Members Value Page, our new landscape idea
slideshow and find out what the new Spring Bonus Items are for Members Only.
Visit our idea album on Facebook, too.
Later..
Cheryl
