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Seeds for Change Wellness
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Elemental Garden Retreat Project Also See Project Blue Sky
Garden Update
Check Back Later to See How Were Are Progressing
June 11, 2007
It has been a few weeks since I have posted any garden news and taken any new photos...but
that doesn't mean the garden has been ignored...
On an average I am spending between 6-8 hours a day working outside...The Elemental
Retreat Garden is at a standstill until the strawberries are done..and they are delicious...
Weeding at least twice a week is necessary to keep the garden beds in good shape, but the
walkways are another story! They are completely overrun ...I have not yet determined the
best route to go to tackle this problem...Am sort of waiting to figure it out after the last section
in the Elemental Garden is completed.
This morning It is raining so I can't get out to get some updated photos of the beds, but here is
a vase with some of the beautiful, prolific roses from the garden entrance.
It has been a few weeks since I have posted any garden news and taken any new photos...but
that doesn't mean the garden has been ignored...
On an average I am spending between 6-8 hours a day working outside...The Elemental
Retreat Garden is at a standstill until the strawberries are done..and they are delicious...
Weeding at least twice a week is necessary to keep the garden beds in good shape, but the
walkways are another story! They are completely overrun ...I have not yet determined the
best route to go to tackle this problem...Am sort of waiting to figure it out after the last section
in the Elemental Garden is completed.
This morning It is raining so I can't get out to get some updated photos of the beds, but here is
a vase with some of the beautiful, prolific roses from the garden entrance.
The roses are just breath-taking and
abundant...never have we had this
experience with this rose bush..
She just seems to be singing her
joyand filling the air with the bounty of
her
happiness.
Each day as I enter the garden I
givegratitude for the work she brought
forth and the pleasure she is giving
to us.
abundant...never have we had this
experience with this rose bush..
She just seems to be singing her
joyand filling the air with the bounty of
her
happiness.
Each day as I enter the garden I
givegratitude for the work she brought
forth and the pleasure she is giving
to us.
Garden Mania
While waiting to finish up the Elemental Garden Retreat, the other areas need attention..
When we first moved to our house over 10 years ago, we were very ambitious with putting in
garden beds...having about 10 major bed areas throughout the property means lots of work if you
don't plan it out right..
Of course, Scott and I, not being gardeners, didn't have a clue and started going wild and
haphazard in design...eventually all catches up....
While operating the Wellness Center in New Britain, much around the house was ignored due
to lack of time...just give those weeds a little bit of time...and they reclaim the land..
So it has been no easy task trying to restore the landscaping from the throes of neglect.
Working one bed at a time, I used a shovel to scrap off the top layer of weeds...digging out the
deep tap roots of many plants, and hand shaking soil from the massive amounts of weeds coming up..
Ran out of compost space, needing to open up a new area to hold the fruits of my labor.
Didn't think to take before and after pictures of the areas, but do have some photos. Once the
ground dries out a bit later this morning, I'll venture out for more updated pisc.
When we first moved to our house over 10 years ago, we were very ambitious with putting in
garden beds...having about 10 major bed areas throughout the property means lots of work if you
don't plan it out right..
Of course, Scott and I, not being gardeners, didn't have a clue and started going wild and
haphazard in design...eventually all catches up....
While operating the Wellness Center in New Britain, much around the house was ignored due
to lack of time...just give those weeds a little bit of time...and they reclaim the land..
So it has been no easy task trying to restore the landscaping from the throes of neglect.
Working one bed at a time, I used a shovel to scrap off the top layer of weeds...digging out the
deep tap roots of many plants, and hand shaking soil from the massive amounts of weeds coming up..
Ran out of compost space, needing to open up a new area to hold the fruits of my labor.
Didn't think to take before and after pictures of the areas, but do have some photos. Once the
ground dries out a bit later this morning, I'll venture out for more updated pisc.
Patio Beds
Below the small back deck...
Placed two window boxes with petunias
and ivy.
Underneath that area added some
patio brick to define the bed...planted
a nice sized azalea we were given at
the one corner, Gladiolas Bulbs were
placed in the back and to the front 2
Lavender plants.
Paving stone was also put in to
create a walkway to the water faucet.
A plant stand with a pot of assorted
annuals was placed front and center
adding a splash of color (Lobelia and
Sutera cordata)
Moved 2 of the solar lights to frame
in the front deck bed
Placed two window boxes with petunias
and ivy.
Underneath that area added some
patio brick to define the bed...planted
a nice sized azalea we were given at
the one corner, Gladiolas Bulbs were
placed in the back and to the front 2
Lavender plants.
Paving stone was also put in to
create a walkway to the water faucet.
A plant stand with a pot of assorted
annuals was placed front and center
adding a splash of color (Lobelia and
Sutera cordata)
Moved 2 of the solar lights to frame
in the front deck bed
Potted Sunflower Saluting the Entrance
Right Side Deck Bed
Wish I had thought to take a photo of this bed before starting...it was a massive undertaking
requiring a week to complete by the scrape-shovel-hand weed method...the good thing is I am
building upper body strength in the process
requiring a week to complete by the scrape-shovel-hand weed method...the good thing is I am
building upper body strength in the process
A few trees flank the one side
of this bed...cleared out
underneath leaving the Wild
Violets for ground cover.
Below the pool deck planted a
few Marigolds, a Coreopsis, and
to the far left a Phlox to trail down
into the next bed.
There were a lot of rocks in the
soil so they were rescued for use
to define the area below the pool
deck.
of this bed...cleared out
underneath leaving the Wild
Violets for ground cover.
Below the pool deck planted a
few Marigolds, a Coreopsis, and
to the far left a Phlox to trail down
into the next bed.
There were a lot of rocks in the
soil so they were rescued for use
to define the area below the pool
deck.
Interspersed perennials,
annuals, veggie and herb
plants into this area..
Herbs: Tarragon, Curry,
Borage and Chamomile...
Veggies: Pole Beans,
an Ornamental Bean with an
edible pod, Eggplant and a
few varieties of Hot Peppers..
Perennials: Coreopsis
Annuals: Marigolds, Gazanea,
Snapdragons, and
Argyranthemun frutescens
Potted plant: Jumping Jacks,
Brachycome and Vinca
Bird feeder added for our
feathered friends
annuals, veggie and herb
plants into this area..
Herbs: Tarragon, Curry,
Borage and Chamomile...
Veggies: Pole Beans,
an Ornamental Bean with an
edible pod, Eggplant and a
few varieties of Hot Peppers..
Perennials: Coreopsis
Annuals: Marigolds, Gazanea,
Snapdragons, and
Argyranthemun frutescens
Potted plant: Jumping Jacks,
Brachycome and Vinca
Bird feeder added for our
feathered friends
Once again, using branching, a
focal point trellis was made for the pole
beans to climb.
Another smaller branch was used to
stake the tarragon, this one is an
upright variety.
The ornamental beans seeds with
the edible pods were planted along the
back end of the deck which will provide
support.
focal point trellis was made for the pole
beans to climb.
Another smaller branch was used to
stake the tarragon, this one is an
upright variety.
The ornamental beans seeds with
the edible pods were planted along the
back end of the deck which will provide
support.
To add instant color, several potted
plants with annuals are scattered
throughout the patio and deck...
Included are Geraniums, Stawflowers,
Bridal Veil, Lantana, and Daisy
plants with annuals are scattered
throughout the patio and deck...
Included are Geraniums, Stawflowers,
Bridal Veil, Lantana, and Daisy
Left Side Deck Bed
This area didn't require as much work, only took a few hours to clear out the weeds from the bed.
It is a partially shaded area for most of the bed...
A Spice Bush is in the corner, surrounded by many huge, beautiful Hostas, Astilbe, Black-Eyed
Susan, Lemon Balm and Bee Balm plants...these perennial plants keep the maintenance low..
It is a partially shaded area for most of the bed...
A Spice Bush is in the corner, surrounded by many huge, beautiful Hostas, Astilbe, Black-Eyed
Susan, Lemon Balm and Bee Balm plants...these perennial plants keep the maintenance low..
A few groupings of Sunflowers volunteered for service in the far left corner of this bed...
Above to the right is one of our biodynamic tomato plants in the bigger pot...planted in the ground
in the back are a few more biodynamic tomato plants we grew from seed
Annuals scattered about are Impatiences, Lisianthus and Torenia
Above to the right is one of our biodynamic tomato plants in the bigger pot...planted in the ground
in the back are a few more biodynamic tomato plants we grew from seed
Annuals scattered about are Impatiences, Lisianthus and Torenia
Potted Cucumber Plant on Patio
Front of Patio Bed
Another week long clearing project....this picture was taken after much of the bed
was cleared...many embedded grasses, ant hills, and thorny weeds overran this patch.
Typically this area in years past has been a home to hundreds of Comos, then beautiful
Sunflowers moved in as a result of the winter feeding block we place in this bed for the
birds...but for some reason, this year not as many Sunflower plants showed up...
was cleared...many embedded grasses, ant hills, and thorny weeds overran this patch.
Typically this area in years past has been a home to hundreds of Comos, then beautiful
Sunflowers moved in as a result of the winter feeding block we place in this bed for the
birds...but for some reason, this year not as many Sunflower plants showed up...
Plantings Finished
Mostly perennials fill this bed: Yarrow, Lambs Ear, Phlox, Ornamental Grasses,
Lavender, Butterfly Bush, Rose of Sharon,an ornamental shrub I was given but don't
know what it is, and Coreposis
Some annuals added for color Dusty Miller, Snap Dragons, Zinna, Vinca,
Scattered throughout Sunflowers
Mostly perennials fill this bed: Yarrow, Lambs Ear, Phlox, Ornamental Grasses,
Lavender, Butterfly Bush, Rose of Sharon,an ornamental shrub I was given but don't
know what it is, and Coreposis
Some annuals added for color Dusty Miller, Snap Dragons, Zinna, Vinca,
Scattered throughout Sunflowers
Our Biodynamic Tomato Plant
Planted seeds for biodynamic tomato
plants...ended up with 9 plants
scattered throughout the various
areas....only this one was planted via
instructions with a 3 ft x 2 ft hole filled
with garbage, compost, green matter,
and soil.
To my surprise, this little fellow is not
growing as big and strong as some of
the others..
But I have faith we will achieve a
great crop with this technique.
Planted seeds for biodynamic tomato
plants...ended up with 9 plants
scattered throughout the various
areas....only this one was planted via
instructions with a 3 ft x 2 ft hole filled
with garbage, compost, green matter,
and soil.
To my surprise, this little fellow is not
growing as big and strong as some of
the others..
But I have faith we will achieve a
great crop with this technique.
Butterflies Are Forever...
Milkweed: Mission Monarch
A few years ago a few lone milkweeds showed up in our tiger country (wild growing area) and
we were thrilled...now we are blessed with these beauties popping up all over the place...in
bloom they smell wonderful, and they also are a great attraction for the Monarch Butterfly ...
Story: The Monarch and the Milkweed...
A female monarch lays its eggs on a sprouted milkweed plant. The eggs hatch in four to five
days producing tiny yellow, black and white banded larvae (caterpillars). These caterpillars will
feed solely on milkweed and eat enormous quantities because they are growing fast. They will
grow to 2,700 times their original size in only two weeks, molting five times in the process. At
three weeks old the caterpillar will enter the pupa stage and gradually change into an emerald
green case ringed with golden dots called a chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar
rebuilds into an adult butterfly which, at five weeks old, climbs out of the chrysalis head first. Its
bright orange and black wings signal to predators, "Beware!" Why? Monarchs are what they
eat! The milkweed's "milk" or white latex is both acidic and somewhat poisonous to many
animals. Since a monarch cater-pillar feeds solely on milkweed, it absorbs these substances
into its body and stores them throughout its life. Therefore, the monarch tastes awful to many
of its predators.
we were thrilled...now we are blessed with these beauties popping up all over the place...in
bloom they smell wonderful, and they also are a great attraction for the Monarch Butterfly ...
Story: The Monarch and the Milkweed...
A female monarch lays its eggs on a sprouted milkweed plant. The eggs hatch in four to five
days producing tiny yellow, black and white banded larvae (caterpillars). These caterpillars will
feed solely on milkweed and eat enormous quantities because they are growing fast. They will
grow to 2,700 times their original size in only two weeks, molting five times in the process. At
three weeks old the caterpillar will enter the pupa stage and gradually change into an emerald
green case ringed with golden dots called a chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar
rebuilds into an adult butterfly which, at five weeks old, climbs out of the chrysalis head first. Its
bright orange and black wings signal to predators, "Beware!" Why? Monarchs are what they
eat! The milkweed's "milk" or white latex is both acidic and somewhat poisonous to many
animals. Since a monarch cater-pillar feeds solely on milkweed, it absorbs these substances
into its body and stores them throughout its life. Therefore, the monarch tastes awful to many
of its predators.