aren't deer cute?

my parents just moved to the country: they're still in the "aren't deer cute?" phase. it will be a rude awakening!

today's flower: nasturtium

today's flower has got to be my nasturtiums which i planted back in may in my planter boxes...they didnt bloom at all this summer because i think the soil was too rich and they don't like that, but come halloween, they started to show! now it's almost christmas, and despite several hard freezes, they continue to shine!

merry christmas to me!

concrete evidence

for years i have been wanting to make my own concrete or concrete-like planters, but i havent got around to it. luckily, roughfusion has done the work for me and there's a 20% christmas discount!

today's plant: poinsettia

happy national poinsettia day!

lunar eclipse

i missed the lunar eclipse and will now have to wait several years for the next one...for some reason i thought it was tonight!

modern mailbox

the green mailbox from ahsayane design studio is pure form.

it would be at the top of my christmas list if i could find where to buy it...

today's problem: dirty produce

it is december and organic, local fresh fruit and vegetable selections have dwindled with the impending cold weather. a lot of produce currently in the market has been conventionally grown with pesticides and/or imported and grown using who know what! the environmental working group updated its shopper's guide to pesticides in produce this past summer to let consumers know which fruits and vegetables have the most-and the least-pesticide residues. apples are prolific now-and lead the contaminated list-so it is best to buy apples that have been organically grown because pesticides have been linked to a variety of health problems. peeling your conventionally grown root crops will remove some pesticide residues, as will trimming the outer leaves of lettuce, cabbage and other leafy greens. a water rinse will sort of wash off some of the toxins, but i clean my produce in water combined with a little vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to actually get rid of the poisons. it is also important to remember that many organic fruit and vegetables have been grown using manure and this too must be eliminated before eating: not just rinsed off! be healthy: wash your veggies then eat them!

how to make a holiday wreath

every year i dream of making and baking all of my christmas gifts, but somehow, december 25th seems to catch me by surprise and i have no time left for these tasks. this year my plan is to decorate simply, buy handmade gifts from my artist and crafter friends, and finally, enjoy the season! i am going to make a wreath, however! i confirmed this decision as i slipped down the stairs on a recently fallen sweet gum ball and turned my ankle. i had seen a diy project of a white sweet gum ball wreath and i was going to make it! i havent collected the gum balls yet, but i have ordered a straw wreath and floral pins: i hope they arrive today so i can make the wreath this weekend! my intentions are good, but if i dont follow through, i can always order a wreath from etsy:)

hornet hives

the strong winds of autumn have blown most of the leaves off the trees,  and i have noticed these huge paper-y hornet hives hanging in them: i think they might be abandoned housing of bald face hornets.

i believe i may have been stung by a few in my day!

today's weather

the rain has ended and the storm has blown away. 

sunset was lovely!

today's problem: holiday gifts for gardeners

the leaf rake hands are NOT on my wish list...

how to build a green house

i love this house: what a great job at urban guerilla gardening! i like the grey water usage for watering.

today's plant: morning glory

i spend so much time trying to eradicate the bind weed in my yard that i often forget they have some really beautiful members of their family! well, this morning i was reminded.

these lovely pink and purple flowers are from one gnarly Ipomoea purpurea vine around a stop sign.

i dont know what this petite orange variety is called, but i love it!

meteor shower

tonight is the final night of the leonid meteor shower...everyone is worried the moon may be too bright for viewing, but i say "what about the clouds?" 

today's plant: elephant ears

we are enjoying a lovely indian summer here in the mid-atlantic with today's highs in the 70's. today's plant is my neighbor's gorgeous elephant ear, Colocasia esculenta (common taro) which is still looking marvelous despite some recent chilly night temperatures. will it make thanksgiving?

happy veteran's day

happy veteran's day!

weekend gardening events

autumn is a wonderful time to work in your garden...or not!

•there is a fall orchid sale at lyman estate greenhouses in waltham, massachusetts today thru sunday.

•

explore the world of watersheds in richmond. california

(you know: right by the oil refineries in cancer alley).

•winterize your pond correctly saturday at this workshop in woodland, washington.

buy some new plants at mounts botanical garden plant sale in west palm beach.

enjoy!

maximum garden house

vertical gardening has really come into its own, and has migrated from commercial and public installations to the front of your house. and, why not? green spaces are becoming more dear as development takes over every inch of the urban/suburban landscape. the maximum green house (above) was recently completed in singapore, where every inch of land is at a premium. i snapped this photo during my recent visit to san francisco's russian hill, where gardening space is also highly valued.

this gardener may have gone a little overboard, completely obstructing the view of their house (i think there is a house in there!). maintenance of this place must be quite a chore!

today's flower: chrysanthemum

i am not really a fan of chrysanthemums! yeah, yeah: they DO provide fall color, but asters are more my style: mums tend to fall over if not clipped and clipped all summer, and i always seem to forget!

but one of my neighbors obviously knows how to treat them as i stumbled upon this huge poof of lilac-pink ones: lovely!

happy halloween

happy halloween!

weekend gardening events

there is much to do this weekend in the garden and out, coast to coast.

Coastal Growers' Market Saunderstown, RI

Saturday, May 14, 2011 — Saturday, October 29, 2011

Designing with California Friendly Plants Irvine, CA

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Knowing Native Plants: Trees of BHWP New Hope, PA

Saturday, October 29, 2011

2011 Green Industry Conference Louisville, KY

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 — Saturday, October 29, 2011

today's problem: stink bugs

yes: they are trying to get inside your house now! the dreaded brown marmorated stink bugs are feeling the chill, and they want to come in doors to lay an egg! i am not big on killing things-especially with pesticides-but the horrible stink bug needs to go! i find myself hunting them down from the mini blinds, crushing them in tissues, and finally, flushing them down the toilet: yuch! this year, both maryland and virginia received special permission to chemically treat peach and apple crops from this dreaded beast: bad news for fruit lovers! but, this is what they did to my tomatoes this year.

brookside gardens

today you can feel fall in the air.

the leaves are just beginning to get color and the wind is blowing them off of the trees and swirling them around the streets.

one of my favorite places to visit during this season is brookside gardens.

this public garden has so many lovely plantings set in wonderful vignettes which showcase all the beauty of autumn.

bird feeder

i found this super bird feeder at cb2 and i couldnt be happier! it is made of enameled metal so it is easy to clean and the squirrels just slide right off! 

what to do with too much basil?

the vegetables and herbs i planted in containers are still overflowing with stuff even though it is mid-october. i have so much basil right now and no time to cook stuff: i dont want to waste it so what should i do? 

well, apparently, you can freeze it semi-processed and use it later!

so, i picked it, washed it, pulsed it in the food processor with olive oil, and stored it in air-tight containers: problem solved!

maryland home and garden show

the show is on...and you can get discounted tickets here.

foodscapes

lovely and fantastic fantasy world from artist carl warner.

monach butterfly

temperatures may have dropped, but autumn hasn't set in yet and everything hasn't migrated south. not only did i see all kinds of bees today, but the dragonflies were on the move and this lovely monarch was on one of my buddleia...such a relief after four weeks of overcast skies!

pods

i love these great contemporary planters: would be great for my cactus and succulent collections.

what's the weather?

the current weather is quite warm, even in the shade...i like it: maybe it will kill some weeds!

common good

you can be part of the common good by planting seeds at common good city farm...or learn how to plant seeds: the popular urban farm and education center also wants you to harvest your seeds, weed, compost and participate in the garden as community. help grow fresh fruit and veggies for low-income residents of dc while ruining your manicure, er, getting your hands dirty. orientation is tomorrow (and the first saturday of every month through september), sign up for specific times and tasks, then get to work. 

The Wharf Farmers Market

farmer's markets are only getting better and closer to you these days... if you happen to work or live in southwest dc, grab a beer, listen to live music and buy some fresh organic veggies at The Wharf Farmers Market, today and every other thursday through september, 5-8pm at the 7th street landing @ 7th and water streets, sw dc.

dividing plants

how cool are these oversized-plant space dividers from buzzispace?

via design milk (thanks!)

green roof

i love this modern house...and the green roof is amazing!

sunset

after our extreme heat here in the mis-atlantic (which caused half my veggies to bolt) ended sunday evening, fantastic weather has been upon us! tonight's sunset was amazing, but rain is in the near future, and i am thankful!

heat wave

we are busy setting records here in dc...damn, it's hot!

strawberry festival

well, it isn't exactly a festival, but the one strawberry pot has produced quite a few non-stink-bug-eaten berries this year, creating somewhat of a party- a festival of sorts-in my mouth.

luna moth

i left the screen door ajar so oto could get in without knocking the screen out again, and this is what came in! it is a luna moth, one of the largest moths. thankfully, the big guy was on the screen so i could shut the door and he (or she) could fly away at will.

best show garden

the daily telegraph show garden has been named best show garden at the chelsea flower show this year.

radishes

i never liked radishes until i started eating at meylin's: the pickled vegetables are inspiring and delicious. so, now i am growing them. the radishes in my square foot garden needed big-time thinning as i planted the entire pack of seeds in 12 square inches (last year's seed). i now have a ton of radish greens...what to do?

apparently there are lots of things! i am not so big on the radish greens raw as they are a little furry, but...

braised radish greens
1. cook radish greens with olive oil, garlic and a dash of nutmeg until wilted and garlic is cooked.
2. add a dash of balsamic vinegar.
3. remove from heat.
4. salt.
5. pepper.
6. eat.

radish green soup
1. cook onions and/or leeks over low heat with olive oil until soft and slightly carmelized (10-15 minutes).
2. add radish greens and cook til wilted.
3. add 1medium/large chopped potato
4. add 8 cups of cold water and/or broth. bring to a boil and cook til potatoes are tender.
5. remove from heat and let cool slightly.
6. salt and pepper.
7. smooth in a blender then strain through a fine sieve or chinoise.
8. stir in some lemon juice.
9. adjust seasoning
10. top with a dollop of greek yogurt topped and chopped chives.
11. eat.

clematis flowers

i have never been able to grow clematis because i've never found the perfect combo of "cold feet and hot head" in my yard. my neighbors have, though and they've created quite a spring spectacle!

yellow rose

roses are in full bloom around here. these yellow beauties stopped me in my tracks as i was walking the dog through the hood: gorgeous!