containers Archives | Diana's Designs Austin

Puget Sound Gardeners Fling – People, Plants, and More

Last month 100 garden social media influencers met in Puget Sound WA to tour gardens, share meals, and make new friends. This was the 15th such annual gathering, called the Gardeners Fling. We meet in a different city each year (except for 2 Covid-fraught summers) and the host city gardeners plan a 4-5 day outstanding garden experience.

Our time in Puget Sound was magical. Each garden, private and public, wowed in so many different ways.

I’ll start my virtual tour with the garden of one of our hosts, Camille Paulsen, @tahomaflora .

She has crafted her space to frame and enhance the many gorgeous views of Mount Tahoma, also known as Mount Rainier. The mountain enjoys almost mystical status around Seattle and Tacoma. The days start with an assessment about the visibility of the mountain and end on the same note. How fortunate her family is to have this National Geographic-worthy sight from their deck, their paths, their hills, and so many other vantage points.

We were there on a clear day, and the mountain was glorious.

This little secret seating area on the edge of the hillside had a special view, too.

I can imagine sneaking away to to escape here.

Several paths wind through the property, all of them welcoming and interesting. And many of them with an eye to the view.

On the back deck, a bit of whimsy highlights the distance of treks to similar mountain hot spots.

The light was striking as it poured in between the leaves of a collection of Japanese maples and other wispy trees.

Camille’s artistic flair extends beyond the curating of plants to include an interesting assortment of art in the garden. Various carefully crafted vignettes were tucked throughout.

Sharing the adventure with so many long-time and new gardeners was as fun as discovering the garden itself.

So many unique details caught my eye.

Sweet spaces scattered everywhere.

The pool area was a lovely gathering spot filled with interesting pots and plants.

Tucked down the hill in the forest, koi languished in a beautiful pond, suprised by all their guests.

Enjoying some pats, Camille’s cat seemed unfazed by all the garden gawkers.

Thanks, Camille, for a great tour of your lovingly created garden.

Another post to come soon highlighting other beautiful sights from the 2024 Puget Sound Gardeners Fling.

By Diana C. Kirby|2024-08-18T09:27:49-05:00August 18th, 2024|2024 Garden Bloggers Fling, 2024 Gardeners Fling, 2024 Puget Sound Fling, Blog, bloggers, blogging, cedar tree, Crocosmia, cypress trees, decor, Fairy, ferns, Fling, focal point, foliage, Garden, garden bloggers, garden bloggers fling, garden decor, garden photography, garden statues, garden tour 2024, garden travel, garden visit, garden whimsy, hanging pots, Japanese garden, japanese maple, landscape design, leaves, Mount Ranier, Mount Tahoma, path, paths, pathway, patio, people, photography, plant, pond, pool, rock wall, Sharing Nature's Garden, statuary, statue, succulents, Tacoma, tour, travel, Uncategorized, water feature, water features|9 Comments

July Tip: Container Plants

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. Alternative growing containers are the latest trend, making vegetable gardening easier than ever, even for those who have been limited in the past. 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. Check out some of the more popular options here.

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

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

Herbs Add Depth to Cuisine

They thrive in dry environments, give mild flavor to meats

In the last few weeks, I’ve written about growing herbs in your garden or in containers, and little about each herb and its growing needs and uses. Today, I write about more herbs, starting with the letters in the rest of the alphabet. If you missed A-L, visit Grow herbs in containers all year long.

Marjoram
Though a tender perennial in the oregano family, marjoram is very different than oregano. It has a much milder flavor, and is used to add depth to meat and pork dishes without overpowering them with the Greek/Italian flavor of oregano. It is also used in quiches or frittatas, stuffings, peppers and sausage. Unable to take our full sun, give it some afternoon shade. Indoors, it will need good light to survive the winter inside and will grow best in a bright window. It can go back outside when the chance of frost has passed in the spring – typically early to mid-March.

Mint
Mint likes the sun, but can struggle in the harshest summer heat. It needs plenty of water. It is also frost tender. If you are planting it in the ground, keep it separated from other herbs and mints, as its strong flavor can overtake other herbs. It can spread quickly, so consider that as well – my experience required the purchase of a machete to keep it under control! Personally, I grow mint in pots. Because it is a fast grower, it will need a larger pot to allow the roots to grow. Mint is used in most of the world’s cuisines and there are hundreds of varieties (did you know that lantana is in the mint family? But don’t eat it; its leaves and berries are poisonous.) But you can grow and harvest edible varieties like spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, apple mint, orange mint and pineapple mint. Mint is easiest to grow as a transplant.

Parsley
Possibly the most common herb, there’s much more to parsley than meets the eye. There are two types of parsley – curly and flat-leaf. In addition to a pretty garnish on your plate, parsley adds seasoning to countless dishes and is its own condiment when combined with pine nuts, oil and Parmesan to make pesto. Parsley also has nutritional value — it contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants and is a source of vitamins A, (beta carotene), B (folic acid) and C. Even the ancient Greeks and Romans used it for medicinal purposes. Parsley should get 6 to 8 hours of sun a day and it likes well-drained soil. A biennial, parsley will usually go through the winter, flower and go to seed and then die. You can wait for the seeds that dropped to germinate the next year or you can also buy inexpensive new transplants each spring.

Rosemary
Rosemary means “dew of the sea” and makes a beautiful ornamental shrub anywhere in your landscape. It can grow as large as 4 feet wide and 4-5 feet tall, so make sure you give it plenty of room to grow. It’s usually cold hardy in Central Texas, likes full sun, is relatively drought tolerant and likes rocky soil. It does not like wet feet and can struggle in those rare instances that we get a lengthy rainy spell. Rosemary plants are best started from transplants as they have a low germination rate. It is often used to season meats and potatoes and to flavor oils. Woody rosemary stems can be used as skewers for grilling.

Sage
Like rosemary, sage is another Mediterranean herb that likes a dry environment. With a robust and distinctive flavor, sage is frequently used in stuffings, sausages, poultry, roasts and stews. It is frost tolerant but you can enjoy growing sage on your windowsill with plenty of light and good drainage. You can also steep sage to make an excellent gargle for the sore throats of coughs and colds.

Thyme
Tough as they come, thyme is compact and low-growing. It gets about a foot tall, though many varieties are even used as ground cover. It is semi-drought tolerant and is sometimes evergreen in a mild winter. It is often paired with lamb, beef and pork dishes. There are more than 100 different varieties of thyme, and while some have less flavor and are used primarily as ornamentals, they are all, in fact, edible. It can also be used as an insect repellant by steeping the herb in boiling water and putting it in a spray bottle to use in outdoor living areas.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:15-06:00September 15th, 2012|Articles|0 Comments

Grow herbs in containers all year long

Last month I wrote about herb-growing seasons for the outdoor garden. If you’re not a gardener or you don’t have a garden, growing herbs in containers is the perfect way to perk up some pasta for dinner.

A few pretty pots on the porch or on your windowsills inside the house can allow you to enjoy herbs, even out of season.

Most herbs love the sun and require at least three to four hours a day, so make sure you place them where they will get a lot of direct sunlight. Prune and pinch off blooms just as you would outside in the garden to prolong the life of your herbs.

When growing herbs in pots, it’s important to remember to use containers with good drainage and a lightweight potting soil. Choose a mix designed specifically for pots that will help the soil to drain properly. If your pretty pottery doesn’t have a drainage hole, either add one yourself or plant the herb in a plastic pot with holes and then place it inside the pottery. Just putting rocks in the bottom of a pot with no drainage hole won’t suffice. Small pots will dry out faster and require frequent or even daily watering.

Trendy, eye-catching containers are all the rage these days, everything from cowboy boots to teapots, depending on your taste. Be creative about your container herb garden and add an element of style to your tasty space.

Last month, I listed some interesting herbs from A to C. Below is a list of herbs from the middle part of the alphabet, along with some of their characteristics.

Dill — Known primarily for its use in pickling and vinegars and fish dishes, dill is grown for its leaves and its seeds like cilantro. It has a distinct flavor. Dill prefers cool weather and can be direct seeded into the soil or purchased at nurseries as transplants. Because it has a very long tap root, it can tolerate our long dry spells with only average watering. Dill is suited to container gardening but might need to be staked because it gets tall.
Lavender — A perennial and an attractive landscape ornamental plant, there are seemingly endless varieties of lavender. Grown in Mediterranean climates, it sometimes struggles with the heat of our summers. Like rosemary, it should dry out between watering and should not be allowed to have wet roots. Common in French cooking and an ingredient in the herb mix Herbes de Provence, it lends a sweet, aromatic flavor. It’s widely used in sachets, soaps and perfumes.
Lemongrass — It comes in several varieties and can grow 2 feet to 5 feet tall. It likes heat and humidity and full to part sun; it is not cold-tolerant and should be mulched or covered in mild freezes.

Indigenous to Asia and India, lemongrass is frequently used in teas and in cooking. The leaves are harvested down to the ground, using the outer stalks first when they are at least ½-inch thick. Remove hardest outer leaves and slice like scallions. You also can bang on the stalk with a heavy knife handle or spoon to bruise it and put a large stalk into soup to infuse the flavor and remove before serving. Chopped pieces can be placed in a plastic bag and frozen for future use. Lemongrass repels insects and is used in pesticides.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:15-06:00September 7th, 2012|Articles|1 Comment

September Tip: Grow herbs in containers all year long

When growing herbs in pots, it’s important to remember to use containers with good drainage and a lightweight potting soil. Choose a mix designed specifically for pots that will help the soil to drain properly. If your pretty pottery doesn’t have a drainage hole, either add one yourself or plant the herb in a plastic pot with holes and then place it inside the pottery.

By Diana C. Kirby|2015-04-06T13:17:38-05:00September 7th, 2012|Tips|0 Comments

containers

Puget Sound Gardeners Fling – People, Plants, and More

July Tip: Container Plants

Your local grocer can provide you a place to garden

Grow Bags

Straw bales

Earth boxes

Herbs Add Depth to Cuisine

They thrive in dry environments, give mild flavor to meats

Grow herbs in containers all year long

September Tip: Grow herbs in containers all year long

Escape in the garden