Diana C. Kirby, Author at Diana's Designs Austin

About Diana C. Kirby

Diana Kirby is a lifelong gardener and longtime Austinite, who loves the Central Texas climate for the almost year-round opportunities it offers for active gardening and seasonal splendor. Known as an impassioned and successful gardener, Diana began by helping friends design and implement their landscapes. Soon, she was contracted as a professional designer by a popular local landscaping installation firm, where she designed landscapes for residential and commercial clients for several years. In 2007, her new passion blossomed with the launch of her own firm, Diana’s Designs. ... Diana is a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, the Garden Writers Association of America, and she writes a monthly gardening column for the Austin American-Statesman. Diana teaches the Landscape Design classes for several county Texas Agrilife Extension Service Master Gardener certification programs and speaks about gardening and design for garden centers and other groups. Learn more about presentation topics, availability and speaking fees.

Your local grocer can provide you a place to garden

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Potato Bag Container Garden

Many would-be vegetable gardeners are thwarted by a lack of space, impenetrable rocky soil or clay, or a shortage of sunshine. With limited space on a balcony or patio, too much shade or landscape conditions that aren’t conducive to vegetable gardening, what’s a wannabe green thumb to do?

The burgeoning gardening movement and the increasing national interest in growing vegetables at home has fueled the creation of many alternatives to a patch of rich soil in the ground.

Alternative growing containers are the latest trend, making vegetable gardening easier than ever, even for those who have been limited in the past. To go along with the increasing desire for small space alternatives, there are also more container-sized vegetable varieties now than ever before.

Patio gardens and garden container alternatives can be grown with just 5 or 6 hours of sun each day. Don’t forget about vertical spaces, too. Hanging baskets can be used for lightweight greens and herbs and some fruits or vegetables will even grow in upside-down hanging planters. Some of the more popular container options include:

Grow Bags

Most vegetables, potatoes and tomatoes in particular, can be grown in a whole host of containers. From boring plastic pots to specially designed potato grow bags, trash bags, compost bags or even some of those plastic-coated grocery bags we all seem to be accumulating, bags are in.

Still adjusting to the new Austin disposable plastic bag ban, I’ve had to buy more reusable bags and now bags seem to be the latest freebie giveaway of choice for marketing items. I now have enough to cart home groceries for a year, so I might as well put some of those extras to good use in growing my own groceries.

Simply cut drainage holes in the container to allow the water to run out and fill the bag with four to six inches of good soil and compost. Roll the sides of the bag down a little so the young plants get enough sunlight when they are small – you can add more soil later and roll the sides up as the plant grows up. Keep a close eye on the moisture needs of the plant though – remember, containers dry out faster than soil in the ground. It will be time for fall tomatoes and potatoes in just a few weeks, so now would be a great time to start planning for your creative alternative garden.

Many garden supply companies and local independent nurseries also sell grow bags designed specifically for growing vegetables, if you don’t want to do it yourself.

Straw bales

So, maybe you have a yard, but your yard is full of limestone or only has a few very small sunny spots. Straw bales are another alternative to the traditional in-ground vegetable bed. Individual bales can be placed together, to make one big bed that doesn’t require any digging (an absolute plus), or bales can be strategically placed to make the best use of limited sunny spaces by scattering them around.

Just soak the straw for a few days before you plant – it will make it easier to dig a hole in the straw and it starts the decomposition process that adds nutrients to the soil. Then scoop out a hole and fill it with compost and you’re ready to plant. A standard straw bale can usually accommodate 2-3 tomato plants, depending on whether they are determinate or indeterminate. (Determinate tomatoes grow to be medium to large-sized plants; indeterminates are, well, monsters, so plan accordingly based on the plant label.) Plant deep into the straw to give the roots room to grow.

Earth boxes

Earth boxes are another gardening space alternative growing in popularity. Earth boxes are self-watering containers with built-in water reservoirs that can keep the plants watered for several days. There might be excess evaporation exceptions for 107 degrees days, though. The boxes also have a built-in fertilizer band to help feed the plants on an ongoing basis. These containers can be purchased ready to plant or you can make one yourself. With a plastic bin, some PVC pipe, a few tools and a Saturday afternoon, you can create a unique vegetable garden that requires less maintenance and is a great solution for a deck or patio.

For step-by-step information about how to build your own box, check out this tutorial from Texas A&M.

There are many other container options for inexpensive and moveable mini-gardens, too. Consider large 5-gallon plastic buckets, leftover from house projects, bird seed, or containers being discarded by restaurants or grocery stores. Other options include wooden barrels, galvanized tubs, even bushel baskets. Just make sure the container has adequate drainage by poking holes in the bottom. And, if you’d rather not look at a white plastic pickle bucket housing your tomatoes, you can spray paint your container to match any garden decor.

Local Landscape Designer and Garden Coach Diana Kirby provides landscaping tips at http:/www.dianasdesignsaustin.com and writes a garden blog at https://www.dianasdesignsaustin.com

By Diana C. Kirby|2019-07-15T19:14:41-05:00July 27th, 2013|Articles|1 Comment

Come on in.

Where to start?

Our 6th annual Garden Bloggers Fling in the San Francisco area this year was phenomenal. The Fling crew, Kelly Kilpatrick, Andrea Fox, Charlotte, Claire and Maggie, did an amazing job of crafting a program filled with beautiful private gardens, public gardens and nurseries. They babied us and fed us well and it was so fun to gather with friends, old and new, and join together to discover the Bay area.

As we began our Fling, we all laughingly said that they can grow everything in California. After these garden tours, I think it may be true!

I’m starting my blog posts from the end. After numerous problems with my computer and iPhoto (all self- created problems having to do with TOO many files – 18,000 photos – even after moving 5 years worth of photos elsewhere), these are the photos I’ve uploaded so these are the photos you get to see!

Our last stop – a shopping tour and reception filled with wonderful food and drinks – at the well-known nursery, Flora Grubb. Wow.

The nursery had me on garden overload with its unique plants, bursts of hot color and just plain old cool stuff. Creative vignettes like this classic car overflowing with ferns and phormium captured our attention.

This exotic staghorn fern makes me think of Medusa as it spills out of this Buddha head planter.

The pruning of this palm tree created a live piece of sculptural garden art.

Endless bromeliads – loving the heat and humidity of the Bay area – and paired with hot pots.

Or succulents sitting side-by-side in cool concrete.

Flora Grubb did the landscaping for nearby gardens, and we got a walking tour of the area, which included these great yuccas.

I loved this plant – tibouchina – and was pondering its viability here in Austin, Texas, when Kelly came along, laughed at me, and said:

“No, it won’t grow in Austin, but it will grow in my garden!”

Then she snatched one up and sauntered up to the cash register! I had to laugh. I had a case of serious plant envy by this point without a doubt.

Inside the store, we were surrounded by more beautiful pots and decor.

As things were winding down, and I sat to chat with friends, I almost didn’t notice the cool trenched table inlaid with succulents. I knew I couldn’t get this in my suitcase. Think I could make one? Hmmmm…

Each year at the Fling, there seems to be one specific plant that’s in its full glory in almost every garden we visit. In Buffalo, I remember the mondarda, in Chicago, I remember the alliums. From the San Francisco fling, I will always remember the over-the-top phormium we found in almost every garden. We’re a little too hot and a little too dry to grow them here, but you can bet money I’m gonna try! Maybe in a pot, in a carefully chosen spot and lots of TLC. (No work involved in trying to grow this plant!)

Here’s a glimpse of what I brought home in my suitcase – a succulent, a fern and a few tilandsias along with a trio of metal planters and some red long beans. I would have liked to fill a truck with so much more and drive it home, but that would have been impractical.

This was a spectacular ending to a wonderful Fling. Thanks to everyone who helped by working, hosting, opening their homes, and sponsoring our special event.

By Diana C. Kirby|2019-07-15T19:14:41-05:00July 14th, 2013|2013 fling, 2013 Garden Bloggers Fling, Blog, bright edge yucca, bromeliads, cacti, Flora Grubb, garden art, garden decor, garden tour, nursery, phormium, planters, pots, Sharing Nature's Garden, staghorn fern, succulents, yucca|3 Comments

One of my favorite ventures during our trip to Thailand was the tour of the orchid farm outside of Chiang Mai, which is in the mountains of northern Thailand. When we walked in, my dear husband handed me the camera and went of to entertain the girl and leave me to my orchid oggling.

There were rows and rows of them, in every possible color, size and shape. I was actually a little nervous that I’d get lost in there.

I have a lot of variegated shell ginger in my garden, but this sealed the deal for me – I will be getting some other gingers to add to the mix.

There was a little cafe to sit and have a snack or a drink, but I was too focused to stop!

Carvings and intricate architectural details greeted us everywhere we went.

The raised stepping stones will make passage through the rows of orchids possible when the monsoons come this month.

I was fascinated by the propagation areas and their growing of the orchids in tiny glass jars.

I’m not sure why there was a collection of cool old cars there, but they added character to the farm.

They also had information on display to educate visitors about growing orchids.

So now I have serious orchid envy. I may have to try, again, to keep an orchid alive for more than a few months!

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:39:30-05:00July 2nd, 2013|Blog, ginger, orchid farm, orchids, Sharing Nature's Garden, Thailand, vacation, vacation 2013|0 Comments

Tidbits of our trip to Thailand…

You think you know hot. You do not. Here’s what I said to my husband when we arrived for our 16-day trip to Thailand:

“I will never ever complain about the Texas heat again. Ever.”

We ventured out into the weekend market where we saw and smelled every thing imaginable. You could buy anything from fresh flowers to clothes to souvenirs to live eels and stinky durian fruit. It was a bit of an assault on the senses for our 10-year old who, on more than one occasion, could be seen plugging her nose.

Then on our first full day of sightseeing, we headed off to the Grand Palace, the Wat of the Reclining Buddha (its huge), Golden Mountain Temple and two more Buddhas in one Wat.

I was struck by the simplicity of pots of water lilies scattered about the Grand Palace compound. There was a different kind around every corner, but no other landscaping or garden elements.

And then we shopped. We shopped a lot. There was “stuff” everywhere. Souvenirs and crafts and carvings and fabric. And all very inexpensive.

We rode tuk-tuk’s…think of a motorcycle with three wheels and a place for two/three people to sit in the back. We had a wild ride back to the hotel through really amazing traffic and well, heat. But it was so hot that even traffic-filled fumes of breeze felt good! It took 20 minutes and cost a whopping $5.

Then we went to the amazing hotel pool…afternoon heat and humidity there was not fit for man nor beast.

The tropical plants and trees there were incredible and we visited an orchid farm that just blew me away.

I was overwhelmed by the friendliness of the Thai people. Customary greetings and goodbyes include bringing together the hands and a slight bow of the head, which you do to everyone you see. I learned greetings and goodbyes and thank you and the Thai always smiled and appreciated it. Hotel and large restaurant people spoke English, but most on the street didn’t. But we all managed to communicate in spite of that. And they were so sweet to our daughter – I’d read that they love kids and it was clearly evident.

The tropical plants and trees there were incredible and we visited an orchid farm that just blew me away. I’ll post about the orchid farm next, so check back.

More of our trip to come …

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:39:30-05:00June 26th, 2013|Blog, Sharing Nature's Garden, Thailand, vacation 2013|0 Comments

June Tip: Grow Vines for Vertical Interest

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Gripping and twirling their tendrils upward, searching for the sky, vines decorate our fences, pergolas and walls, adding vertical interest to our gardens. Vines provide screening, shade, and color and they also attract birds, butterflies and bees to the garden. There are many beautiful annual and perennial vines for gardeners to choose from here in Central Texas.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:14-06:00June 22nd, 2013|Tips|0 Comments

Vines give gardens vertical interest

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Vines

Gripping and twirling their tendrils upward, searching for the sky, vines decorate our fences, pergolas and walls, adding vertical interest to our gardens.

Vines provide screening, shade, and color and they also attract birds, butterflies and bees to the garden. There are many beautiful annual and perennial vines for gardeners to choose from here in Central Texas.

Vines adhere themselves to various surfaces by either twining, grasping tendrils or adhesive disks.

Twining vines wrap themselves around a plant or support and grow upward in a spiral form, making them great for columns, trellises or obelisks. Honeysuckle, crossvine and wisteria all twine.

Plants with grasping tendrils wrap themselves around trellises and support structures. They do less damage and are less powerful than twining vines. Passionflower, morning glories and clematis have tendrils.

Plants that use disk-like features like suction cups are able to climb up walls and fences without the use or trellises or wire. They are able to attach themselves to textured surfaces but can do a great deal of damage over time. Boston ivy, Trumpet vine and Virginia creeper climb in this manner.

Annual vines

Morning glory vine

These staples – vestiges from Grandma’s cottage garden — come in a rainbow of colors and open with aplomb in the morning sun. Best sown in about April after the danger of frost has passed, my favorite variety is Grandpa Ott’s, a deep bluish-purple color that provides a rich and unique color in the garden.

Cypress vine

A relative of the morning glory, Cypress vine couldn’t be more different. Lacy, fern-like foliage weaves a delicate but invasive web adorned with endless tiny red trumpet-shaped blooms that will cover any surface in record speed. And then come back with thousands of seedlings for years thereafter. This vine is great for an area where it’s easy to manage the errant seedlings and you look forward to seeing it come back year after year. The seedlings are simple to pull out or mow over as they are very delicate, unlike some vine volunteers.

Hyacinth bean vine

Covered with bright purple bean pods and delicate lavender and purple blooms in midsummer, this vine is drought tolerant and a fast grower. It is almost always an annual here, so save the purple pods and their seeds to replant in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.

Perennial Vines

Trumpet vine

Not for the faint of heart, trumpet vine is an aggressive, fast-growing climber that not only grows upward and outward, but also sends out adventitious roots, or runners that can take over your garden. It grows by grasping and burrowing into textured surfaces and can be difficult to remove. Best planted on a strong structure with plenty of space to expand, trumpet vine has dramatic, trumpet shaped blooms that attract hummingbirds and bees and its woody stems provide an interesting structural element to the garden. A less aggressive form of trumpet vine is ‘madame galen.’ It will grow in sun or part shade and can be found in shades of yellow-gold to peach to orange.

Confederate Jasmine

Also called Star Jasmine, this dense vine makes an excellent screen and is covered in small, fragrant white blooms throughout the spring. Its beautiful scent will fill your garden. It is drought tolerant and will do well in sun to part shade.

Wisteria

Known for its old-world charm and ability to embrace even the largest pergolas and gazebos, wisteria’s gently-arching lavender blooms attract pollinators and infuse the garden with the scent of spring. While the two Asian species can be invasive, American, or Texas, wisteria is an excellent non-invasive native variety.

Passionflower vine

Likes full sun or dappled shade and is estimated to come in between 400 to 500 different varieties with 9 of them native to the U.S. Be forewarned – the leaves are a favorite food source for many butterflies and moths and they can take a real bite out of your plant if it’s young. With a more established, larger plant, it’s usually ok to share it with the caterpillars in exchange for the beautiful butterflies and moths they will produce. Many are very invasive, requiring an open or easily maintained space where new vines can be left to come up from the roots or can easily be removed.

Evergreen vines

Crossvine

A tendril climber that can reach amazing heights, crossvine can most often be found in tangerine, yellow and red. Tangerine Beauty is a common variety grown in Central Texas. Mine has not only scaled our wrought iron fence, but has found its way to the top of the oak next to it. It makes for a stunning display in the spring when it bursts into bloom. It can grow in sun or shade. It is semi-evergreen, meaning mine holds onto about ½ of its leaves in the winter.

Texas coral honeysuckle

This drought-tolerant vine will do well in part sun to part shade. Its coral blooms attract hummingbirds. This variety is not invasive like the common yellow honeysuckle. It’s also deer resistant.