Modish: the blog

Spring Gardening with Renee: Gonzo's Girlfriends or the Search for a Citified Hen

When I was a kid I went through all sorts of "When I grow up" dreams. There was a long period where being a horse jockey seemed like heaven (after the Eight Belles incident I'm glad that didn't work out), the cursory veterinarian period (until I learned about worming and med school), being an artist (this was much more than a dream, more like an ingrained detail), living on an island. . . which turned into having an island that was a small village like minded people (those were my Utopian teenage years) that farmed and lived happily together rebelling against popular belief.

Those dreams went away for a long long time, but are back in an evolved form.  Do I have Michael Pollan, Barbara Kingsolver, Linda Cockburn and her family to thank?  My first awakening came from Peter Singer's Animal Liberation, a book originally published in 1975 that has been updated and reissued periodically to reflect changes in technology and farming practices. "Rebellion" itself is now inherent in small scale gardening and farming, 2 practices that I find integral to each other.  I'm not a meat eater, but I wouldn't hesitate to snack on a freshly laid, unfertilized egg, it offers a flavor like no other. Plus, they eat bugs (pest control, woo hoo!), produce manure, and can be quite social animals. 

And chickens, that's a dream I can really wrap my little hippie head around, even now.  Every time I think of my long term, greater-sustainability dream, chickens seem most feasible.  Through my Mr., Charlie, I met Troy and Alisha, parents of Mr. Joy.  They gave us fresh eggs to eat, and since then factory farm eggs have been the equivalent of a supermarket tomato.  They're completely different beasts.  Truly cultivated farm products (produce, milk, eggs, etc.) are rich in color and taste, not to mention nutrients.  Between the Tomlinsons gals and gentleman (image right, via Mr. Joy.Net) and my brother's ever-growing chicken family (now at 8!), I'm constantly in awe of the civilized nature of chickens.  Apparently I'm not the only one; check out this article in the New York Times.

Rules vary from town to town here in the US, check your town website for animal control ordinances. In Matthews, NC one must first apply for permit, then be accepted. The coop must be 25 feet away from property lines, and each bird mush have a minimum of 4 feet floor space.  There are, of course, other rules about cleanliness and upkeep. I'm thinking these rules do not apply to any of the industrial farms in the area. 
It is currently illegal to keep chickens within the city of Toronto, but there is an active movement and petition to have that rule changed. 

Even if you have a small space, there's tons of info on small scale coops: 

The City Chicken Gallery is amazing!
The early iMac twin of lesser fame: The Eglu.

Perhaps you consider yourself a Renaissance (Wo)man? Then a Chicken Moat might be more your style.

Other keepers of the coop:
The City Chicken
Sunset Magazine's One Block Diet Blogger
The Urban Homestead
The Urban Chicken Underground

Getting Started, some helpful resources:
According to the University of Illinois, there are over 175 varieties of chickens!

If you really want to geek out on these fine feathered friends, the Ithaca College Chicken Chart has all sorts of info you never knew you needed to know.

Heritage breeds are the livestock equivalent of an heirloom plant.  They have historical significance, and are often times hard to find, due to breeding out certain traits for commercial farming means.  Learn from the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy about the importance of protecting the biodiversity of these breeds of chickens.

This Poultry Mini-Manual from Mother Earth News just might be my new birdie bible.

Image above from Mad City Chickens, a group dedicated to raising awareness about raising chickens in Madison, Wisconsin.

How about you?  Do you want your own farm fresh eggs, or do you think keeping chickens is just plain fowl?

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring Gardening with Renee: Being a part of the scenery

I’m not much on joining clubs or group activities, perhaps it’s because like most creative entrepreneurs I stay really busy just trying to make do. However, when I read about the National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Habitat program, I decided to join the other 90,000 people who have already taken what can literally be considered a natural plunge.

Lately I've spent afternoons ripping out invasive plants, planting edibles where there once was grass, and mulching with leaves and the grass clippings from our ever-diminishing lawn.  I mean, I’m already doing what they require, I’m actively making changes they suggest, so why not?! Plus you get a pretty little certificate and the option to buy a metal plague to put up in your yard.  Which, I bought.  I am part of a consumer culture, after all.  Anything in the name of self-validation, right?

The best part is, now I can passive-aggressively point to the sign and shrug, which will be hung in a very conspicuous spot, if neighbors complain about my yard. (Have I mentioned my Mr. has kindly dubbed my style “Trash Americana”?) I tend to think lawns are a great yawn, but living in the middle of Suburban America, I'm a minority in terms of taste.  Regardless of stylistic differences, adopting the natural path has certain advantages.

{food} We’ve added feeders for the birds which have resulted in a need to fill the feeders daily now. . . Who came up with the term “Eats like a bird”? They’re highly misguided. We’ve also got a Red Shouldered Hawk hanging around, blue birds, towhees and other interesting feathered creatures to watch with great amusement. The bees seem to be hanging around, with no interest of relocating, in a time of great worry about those positive little pollinators.

{water} I’m now more apt to check on the watering holes (an old thrifted bowl and a big plastic planter saucer) to make sure everyone has something to drink, another important way to alleviate the effects of the drought we’re still in here in the Southeastern U.S. It’s taught me to hold water in greater regard, conserving use inside and capturing the rain outside (a la rain barrels) for the garden.  I’m seriously considering adding a bog to the yard, but one project at a time.

{shelter} The natural areas have become windows of curiosity, allowing me to peek in on nests, notice strange little insects, and understand that “natural areas” are not eyesores in a well groomed lawn (which mine is not) but are essential homes in the greater local community, the one that reminds me that animals are important contributors to the human process of survival.

{garden sustainably} But what it all boils down to is a gentle step back into the symbiotic process. I feel like a part of the cycle when the dirt under my nails attracts a new animal friend to the yard. Perhaps it was reading Ranger Rick growing up that attracted me to the National Wildlife Federation’s site, or perhaps it was a simple desire to contribute to my own little one acre world. Either way, I have a plaque in my yard to remind me to keep on participating in life.

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring Gardening with Renee: Free (or at least cheap!) Plants by the Score

So you missed the window of seed opportunity, but don't have the budget to spring for new plants?  You can always trade (and don't forget the Punk Rock Garden Swap). 

See, there are many ways to fill out your garden without dishing out a ton of dough.  Seeds we've covered here and here a bit more; but maybe next time you cut up a kiwi you'll want to save a few seeds for an experiment all in the good name of gardening. 

Oh, you.  You're such a cut up.
Propagating by cuttings:  In water:  Cut 3-4 inches down of a stem you want to try.  Mint is super easy.  pinch off the lower leaves, stick in a glass of water; if the cutting is short enough, I'll use a shot glass. (Hey, I'm way done with those days of needing them.)  Change the water often.  If you don't you'll end up with a soggy, smelly rotting stem in water. It's not pleasant, trust me.  Roses, basil, tomatoes, mints, catnip--I've had success with rooting all of these in water.

In soil: Using a leaf to turn a new leaf: My Jade Tree and Christmas Cactus have parented many a friend's houseplant just by giving them a fleshy leaf to stick slightly down in some clean ol' dirt.  Some kalanchoes are called mother of thousands for a very good reason.  They line the margins of their leaves with little plantlets, ready to drop them at any given time. Soon the next plant over is threatened by an army of baby kalanchoes.

Mad props, plants in the house: Rooting Hormone: this is a powder you can find at most garden stores; you dip the stem/cut end in the powder and then in the dirt the cutting goes. I've tried it and didn't have any more luck with it than with the natural alternatives.  The bottle says not to use it on edibles which made me leery [read: scared] enough to give it away to someone else who wanted to give it a try. I've also heard of dipping the cutting in honey before adding it to the soil.  Adding crushed aspirin or crushed willow branches to your rooting water are easy alternatives, though the only one I've tried is the willow branches.  I didn't actually cut them, I just put a stick in the water, and it seemed to work well enough.  Personally, I've had lots of success with no additions to water or soil.

A somewhere - in - between - cutting - and- dividing method that works well for woody perennials such as lavender and rosemary is layering. With layering you pin a stem in place on the ground (either with a rock or by burying it in the soil.) Some of these plants prefer to have a notch cut into them before the actual layering.  This method takes a little time.  Last year I just pinned a stem of rosemary to the ground with a bobby pin (stuck it straight down in the dirt) and left it alone.  It grew roots just fine!

You be digging this, we be digging that: The general rule is to wait for a plant to finish blooming before taking cuttings or dividing. 

Dividing roots: Peonies, azaleas, lambs ear, a bazillion types of plants will be just fine if you take a sharp shovel and chomp right between stems and down through the root mass.  Think of it like cell division, only on a really big scale.  Or, maybe not. But get part of the plant, and part of the root structure, then plant them in their new home and water.

Bulb division: Think garlic--one head of garlic has tons and tons of little cloves (bulbs!), each providing you with the opportunity for a new head! Though garlic is best planted in Spring, a lot of other bulbs abide by the division rules.  I have huge, thick patches of daffodils in my yard, and once the leaves die back a bit, I go in dig em up then divide them up. The newly divided bulbs might suffer a bit the next year, but the year after that they're back in full bloom.

Beg Borrow and Steal your way to Eden:  Many areas have Native Plant Rescue groups.  When I first heard of native plant rescue, I envisioned wearing all black with a ski mask, going out and finding small tribes of plants,  digging them up and speeding home to add them to my own yard.  Not nearly so racy a concept, these are clubs that go out to  pre-construction sites, with the owner's permission of course, to rescue the plants before demolition or development begins. I've stumbled on some great deals for plants through Freecycle (obviously free) and Craigslist (at minimal cost).   Or. . . just pinch off a pretty stem when you see one, but I'd suggest you ask first!

Things to remember: take cuttings with clean, sharp shears or pruners and cut the stem at a 45 degree angle.  Stem cuttings should be no longer than 6 inches.   Remove lower leaves that will be below water or soil level.  The roots will grow from the leaf scar you create. 

Some plants are trademarked and/or patented items, not to be duplicated.  May sound odd, but it's true! Make sure you know the origins of the plant you're duplicating!

The Virginia Cooperative Extension sure has a lot to say on the subject, if you want to learn more!

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring Gardening with Renee: Clean and Modern in the Dirty South

 

I'm always up for a challenge, so when I offered plant advice early on in my stint here at Modish, my internet buddy Krystyn Heide decided to throw a tough one my way.  Here’s how Krystyn described her gardening area:

It's about 3ft x 4ft wide. Three sides are enclosed by a short brick wall, with the fourth running flush to the cement patio (see image 1).     On the left, I can only dig about an inch or two before I hit red clay, and an inch under that is concrete(see images 2-4).  It gets deeper as it goes to the right, and on the farthest right side it's several inches deep. The pictures show the short plants I bought, and how high they stick out of the soil when planted on the shortest side of the garden.  The WEIRDEST thing is, there's a drain under the soil, on th e LEFT side. So it gets deeper as it you get closer to the right side, but the drain is on the left. Which means the water just pretty much sits there when it rains.

Here are a couple thoughts:

The not so fun part:
Dealing with clay soil is hard (literally and figuratively) so I would do the not-very-fun task of digging out all of the dirt, and either amending it or replace it.  To amend it, I like Espoma products because they are organic and easy to find, but there are a ton of others on the market. Greensand (which is actually a mineral) can also improve the soil structure for drainage, while adding nutrients back to the soil.  Perhaps even, just to err on the safe side, adding the slightest layer of sand to level the bottom.

 

 

The Fun Part:

The things to consider for this particular bed include: zone (Atlanta is similar to my own - 7b) and elements that might create a microclimate.  The heat of a city in combination with temperatures radiating off roads and buildings will allow consideration of plants that need slightly warmer temperatures than that particular zone.  If I love a zone 8 plant, I'll just plant it closer to my house and it will usually do just fine.  Also consider sunlight and shade, as well as, obviously, soil depth (in this case extremely shallow).   

Have I mentioned I like adding features for the birds in the garden?

Blomus Feeder ($123) and base ($38; both top right) from Lekker: This feeder with the optional base is not only gorgeous, but she can  put the base in before the dirt goes back in the bed and it'll be ready to go! Also since the design incorporates both the bath and the feeder option, she can give the birds refuge in the drought or offer a particular type of food to attract a more specific variety to the patio.

Now for the dirty fingernails!

Anemone (image a)should be planted in the fall, and much like ranunculus (image b), the small tubers need to be planted just about 2 inches below the surface.  Bright and cheery and all mixed in with Mondo Grass the effect could be surprising and striking.  Mondo grass, aka monkey grass and liriope (image c), comes in compact (or dwarf) sizes, which would work really well in such a limited space.  I have been in love with Black Mondo Grass since the first time I saw it. It's a hardy plant that just might try to take over the space, but will put up with the uneven moisture, get it in the dwarf size and you're golden! And the color? Gorgeous, deeply hued, and nontraditional enough to match Krystyn's urban loft environment.  Then, of course, there are the tried and true succulents that I love so much! I mean, come on: shallow roots, drought tolerant and most of them (at least in my experience) aren't too picky about their light requirements, either! Two Dog Gardens (image d) on etsy has some beautiful selections. The  Garden Sage is also worth checking out for a variety of sedum cuttings.

Make several small groupings throughout the bed and cover the rest of the dirt with a layer of beautiful river rocks.  And voila! A modern garden worth of loft style living.

Some resources strictly based on Internet research but are interesting enough that I've added them to my itinerary for my next Atlanta trip:
Randy's Perennials and Water Gardens has several good reviews on Dave's Garden; one reviewer specifically pointed out their broad selection of succulents.  Sounds like a resource worth checking out to me!

The Urban Gardener has the Espoma products I suggested earlier as well as a selection of hardy succulents for Hotlanta (sorry, I had to use that phrase at least once to get it out of my system.  I'm done, I swear). 

A great resource for you Georgianers (Georgianese?) is the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Xeriscape Guide.

So, what say you, Krystyn? Ready to break ground?

Anyone else out there that might have suggestions, questions or comments? Please feel free to join in on the conversation!

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: {punk} Rock Garden + the cheapsk8 gardening swap

I recently made friends with a local guy via the internet, through a gardening forum based out another country entirely. Isn't it funny how something seemingly so old-fashioned can meld so well with new technology? To me, the more we connect in the world, the better off we all are.  In honor of this connectedness the wireless world now allows us, I've lined up a little swaparoo.  See further details at the bottom of this post.

So anyway, back to this new friend.  Besides having plans to take over the world, we also both believe gardening is the new punk rock; and no, I don't mean the puffed up pop of Green Day, but I mean raw, grimy, sometimes a bit funny, awkward, garagey and altogether authentic underground.  The equivalent to the best band you ever heard, all for $2 and a keg stand in your buddy's buddy's basement full of stinky vegans and reckless dancing. (No offense to the strict herbivores out there, it was more of a gluttonous moment remembering my own glory days.)

My bedtime reading lately has been a little book called UnMarketable, a nonfiction analysis of the incorporation of subculture into corporate marketing, so naturally I've been wondering where I buried my teen angst and desire to fight the man.  But in talking to this fellow digging fellow, I realized the rebellion isn't gone, it's just redirected.

The DIY ethos is inherent in plants, and carries over quite naturally into the world co-opted from a means of survival to a bourgeois hobby.  Think Guerilla Gardeners, the term grassroots, and urban CSAs. Weeds are simply plants that refuse to cooperate with the rules of "fine gardening."  So if you want to call me a weed, I'll take it as a complement.

My approach has been to take cheap stuff and use it around the yard, and I've been satisfied with the results so far. (Okay, admittedly I *do* have an iron bathtub in my yard that was supposed to become a fountain 2 years ago but is still waiting on me to actually do it.)  There are 2 flying dragon citrus trees that were given to me by a friend, bulbs still blooming that my grandmother planted, a wine bottle border around 2 front beds, and a series of thrifted plates screwed onto the fence to prevent my curious puppies from digging into my flower beds (all seen above).

(Images immediately above) Then there's the found Luke Skywalker, who flies from plant to plant, adorning them casually.  Planters made from broken statuary, old thrifted bowls, and aluminum pans; two raised beds that were minimal monetary investment, now hosting their third year's worth of variety of veggies; and a bowl placed on a very simple homemade stand to provide water for the birds. 

(Bottom set of images) You see, in my garden nothing is too serious or too sacred.  I figure if concrete statues of saints are the norm, it's okay to use an old broken plastic nativity Joseph as a planter.  Any kind of basket with some ribbon or a cheap thrifted beaded necklace to hang from becomes a hanging basket; okra is planted as an ornamental flower, it is, after all, a type of hibiscus; and seashells found on the beach become decorative mulch for my houseplants.

This approach of bypassing the synthetic fertilizers and plastic pots has opened my eyes to a world where I can put a little piece of living matter in the ground and wait just long enough that it will turn into a meal.  Amazing.  And there is simply nothing more DIY than that.

* * *

The Swap (aka get schwag): In honor of all that is good 'n dirt cheap, I've started a little swappy swap for Modish readers.   Leave a comment below, introducing yourself with a link to your blog or site if you have one, where you're from and a little about your own gardening tactics.  Your comment will be a reference for those sending you their packages.

You'll send 2 swaps out and receive 2 back. 

This swap is openly defined: In each package you will send 3 goodies for gardening loosely based on the theme: Punk Rock Garden. You should spend less than $5 on your package--which means thrift stores and DIY are a great way to go!

Sign up by May 1, mail out by May 15. 

Oh yeah, one more thing-- you'll need a password to sign up, it's modishingthedirt.

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: Terrariums for E'eryones!

Several weeks ago, while digging through the interweb curiously looking up the plants Kate suggested, I found myself on the Glasshouse Works website fighting the urge to buy a fern I'd been eying, as well as some other plants with interesting and unique foliage.  Since I can only play with my seedlings for so long before we get bored of each other (think watched pot philosophy), I lost the fight and ordered a a caterpillar fern, asparagus fern and a dwarf cousin of horsetail rush.  Most of them arrived healthy and happy, unfortunately the caterpillar fern looked a little raggedy, but had new fronds coming off, so maybe it will perk back up.  These new goodies spawned my first attempt at creating my own personal bio-dome (sans Pauly Shore, thankfully).

So, are you ready to build your own little glass house for your plants?  The major key to success is keeping your plant's water requirements similar.  Succulents are easy to care for plants, usually requiring little water, so you wouldn't want to put them in a soggy, bog-like environment.  On the other hand, a lot of ferns like the densely mulched, moist soil of the forest floor.  Think about where the plants were originally found, and keep similarly sourced plants together.

Find a glass jar, vase, candle holder, cloche--and carefully wash it with warm soapy water.  Really starting with a clean container is good advice for all planters, because even though you can't see it, it doesn't mean it's not there.  The cheapest source is the thrift store where you can find cheese domes for 50 cents, old fish bowls, big jars and more for next to nothing.  I also love these gorgeous little glass bubble terrariums from Orquivalle.com--for a DIY approach, you could definitely do something similar with these hanging planters from Lynn's Crafts.

The many aspects of wet:  Since this was my first attempt, I decided to keep it easy and pick plants that won't throw a fit if they keep wet feet.  Without a drainage hole, you'll need to provide your own drainage.  I used an ample layer of river stone (found in craft stores, pet shops, or hardware stores) and filled in the voids with sand. Make sure you purchase sand suitable for an aquarium or terrarium--playground sand can be treated with herbicide and beach sand can be too salty for most plants. Some people prefer sphagnum moss (found at the hardware store) to fill in the voids and keep their rocks in place. Another pretty drainage option is Recycled Art Glass' tumbled glass. Also, if your container is going to be closed at the top for a truly self sustaining environment, you should apply a layer of activated carbon over your rocks, simply add a layer of sphagnum moss, a layer of charcoal and another layer of sphagnum prior to adding your soil.    

Time to add some dirt and plants!  Use sterilized, well draining, potting soil.  I'd like to emphasize sterilized so you don't bring in mold or fungus, which means from a new sealed bag, or baking older dirt.  I, personally guessed the ratio of dirt I used, by adding a shallow layer, then placing my plants on top and filling extra dirt around them. 

Arrange your plants on a counter top to make sure they'll be visible and interesting in their new home.  Make sure your plants won't grow too big for your planter, because if they're especially happy in their new space they'll outgrow it even quicker.  I picked plants that appreciate a nice, moist home.  Later on today (if the April showers ever stop) I'll go on a hunt for moss.  But if you're not interested in being a hunter or gatherer, you can find moss on etsy!  Fluffn' Flowers has some of the gorgeous green fuzzy ground cover.

Once the planting and placing is done, water your new garden.  The soil will settle some, so be prepared to add more along the way.

Step back and enjoy! (And watch a frustrated kitty try and get to the goods!)

Need some extra inspiration?  You can find plenty, as well as evidence of the addictive nature of building your own beautiful little worlds, in the flickr Terrariums pool.  I love all the toy critters and figures that have made their way into so many of them!

1. Teacup Cloche from Life in Sugar Hollow; 2. the damp posse from Grey Birds; 3. Terrariums from Sarah Ivy; 4. Terrarium from K8tron; 5. Oh, Deer! another beauty from Sarah Ivy; 6. Terrariums from Ex. Libris; 7. tiny terrarium from Vintage Chica; 8. Terrarium from Maize Hutton; 9. terrarium from Justin and Elise.

Other cool links in hopes of regaining cool points post Pauly Shore reference:
Inhabitat's tutorial for building a terrarium;
Jill Bliss' Forest Coral terrariums as seen on the Adorn Blog;
Joy's terrarium post on the Bluelines Blog;
Gennine's gorgeous Terrarium print;
and another of my absolute all time favorites: Paula Hayes' terrariums are absolutely sublime.

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: Skin Guard-ening

I’m a slather some SPF on and get out there and dig kinda lady. Okay, not so much “lady” per se, considering while the neighbors are taking modest precautions (a bandanna around the neck to prevent the most literal interpretation of being a Southerner "redneck") I’ll don in a knee length skirt and cowboy boots to shovel my patch of earth around, meanwhile showing all sorts of leg.

But just because I like a little sunshine on my limbs doesn't mean it's open-season for skin abuse.   

1) Raw Beauty Happy Hour hand and body lotion: This lotion contains green tea to help protect the skin from UVA and UVB rays. They're a great indie replacement for the Body Shop (now owned by L'Oreal) lotion I used to use.  $12.99

2) Natty Girl Phat Lips: Moisturize your lips and then dab on those fresh-from-the-garden cuticles that need a little extra nourishment. I'm a former Burt's Bees addict, but once they were bought out by Clorox, I needed to find a new love. $15

3) Ban Stinky's Pink Sugar Pit Love: I've been looking for a good replacement for the Tom's of Maine deo I used to use.  (FYI--despite the "green looking" packaging, Tom's of Maine is now owned by animal testing giant Colgate) One of the best things about gardening is the detoxifying sweat your bound to work up.  One of the worst things is that very same anti-social stench. This looks to be just what the stink doctor ordered.  $6.44

4)  Joyful Girl Naturals Organic Sun Protection:  Probably one of the hardest things for me to find is a suitable, organic lotion with sun protection without buying corporate, and if you plan on doing any yard work SPF is a pretty big deal.  Joyful Girl Naturals steps up to the task for about $10 less than Estee Lauder's Aveda products; that's enough to make me a Joyful Girl, too!  $15.00

5) La Diva Bella Natural Bug Repellant: Another good replacement for the Burt's Bees insect spray I used to depend on, this DEET free combination of essential oils will keep the skeeters skedaddling.  $3.00

6) Mama Bomb Coconut Milk Bath Soak: A suitable vegan alternative to a milk bath, especially if you ended up a little pink after a day working in the sun.  The coconut milk and oatmeal will soothe your savage skin, and you might be so relaxed you can shrug off all the "Your mama jokes" sure to ensue. $21.00

Take a second to feel good about the skin you're in by protecting it and supporting indie shops, and get out there and grow!

Happy gardening, and until next week, your sweet smelling gardening gal pal~Renee

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: Share your space

Poor birds get a bad rap: "For the birds", "bird brained", "flip the bird", but the airborne little creatures are more than just a bad cliché (hey, you can't help but recognize the ongoing design trend!) they're very beneficial for the garden, too!

Some birds eat mosquitoes, others eat mice, and generally speaking, they help balance the ecosystem of your space. In appreciation of our fine feathered friends, I’ve compiled a small grouping of some of my favorite etsy ornithological delights.

Steel Ribbons' sleek and stylish bird feeder (above left $45.00) is modern and affordable.  Bacon Square Farm's asymmetrical bird house (above right, $18) has a reused bike chain as the perch, which is too cool for eco-school in my mind.

Joe Papendick's bird feeders are a bigger investment (above left, $275; above right, $350), but the gorgeous, welded sculptures are not only good for the birds, but easily considered an art purchase as well.

The space age, retro feel of One Off's bird feeder design (above left and right, $50.00) would make them pop out in any yard.

Potter's Vision's (above left, $24.00) and Fruit Fly Pie's feeders are both clean designs made from ceramics.   I love the perch on the one from Potter's Vision, while Fruit Fly Pie's approach could work in both a country cottage garden or a more modern setting.

Well, kids, it's time for this bird to fly.  Until next week, feel free to post any questions, comments or scandalous gardening secrets in the comments section, and I'll be sure to take a gander.  Happy Spring!
xoxo~Renee

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: One Tough Mother

Earth has been at it for a long, long time.  She has these complex systems that work so quietly to create absolute beauty, and they keep functioning (for the most part) no matter how many kinks we throw at her system.   
And you don't think you can keep a plant alive to save your life?  Don't believe the hype! Nature just isn't programmed that way.  Just remember to look for the toughest kids in your neck of the woods.

I asked Atlanta, GA plant expert Kate Mattison, k8tron for those of you who flickr, to describe 5 plants you can't kill (and tips on keeping them alive for the person with the gangrene thumb). She kindly responded to my request, and included scientific names to avoid any confusion.

Take it away, Kate!

I'm going with some plants that will both fit with the season of planting and have major color. Nothing like echoing spring colors and excitement with your indoor/outdoor plants. :) 

Chamaedorea elegans (below left): AKA Parlor Palm, Parlour Palm. Light, fluffy....this plant is the ideal palm to have indoors. Once spring hits, above 50 degrees, move her outside! Excellent plant for the porch and for maximum coverage if trying to conceal anything unsightly or use for privacy in groups of three on a porch.
Dracaena fragrans 'Lemon Lime' (above right, her picture): Lovin' the chartreuse and green. This plant only requires about a water a week and can withstand low light. Don't over water it, I swear. The colors are fun fun fun.

Euonymus alatus 'Compacta' (below left): Dwarf Burning Bush, Cork bush, Winged Euonymus:  This shrub like plant can grow in zones 4-8 and provides excellent fall color. It can thrive in partial shade to full sun and requires little  attention for it to flourish.

Fatsia japonica (above right, her picture): Great green leaves that are almost star-shaped. The leaves can get up to 12" wide! Can withstand winters that get down to about 10 degrees if protected with mulch or leaves. Very resistant to pests and diseases.

Sansevieria  canaliculata (below left): AKA Sword Plant. Very cool plant. Falls under the Cacti and Succulent category. Very thick skin, can stand all but freeze. This plant has tons of architectural interest and looks great with modern  decor.

Even though she listed five plants, I just had to ask about her air plant (above right). This is what Kate said:

Yes, my air plant is called Tillandsia bulbosa (find them on eBay) and it's super easy to care for too! Just mist about once a week and it's happy. I keep it in indirect light and it can either be attached to a piece or wood or another plant, or sit around freely on its own.

So there you go, easy peasy, off-the-beaten-path plants to make your world grow.  Thanks, Kate!  To visit her actual garden virtually, go check out her flickr gardening set, you be glad you did.

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: What would Gayla do?

It's no secret I harbor a huge amount of respect for Gayla Trail, author of You Grow Girl (and developer of the site by the same name).  In fact, I let the whole world know in my first post here on Modish. Often, while playing with my plants, I'll stumble on a problem for a second before asking myself, "What would Gayla do?" That's when I pick up my well-worn copy of You Grow Girl and find my answer.

But why do I preach the gospel of Big G, you wonder?

Because she's a woman who wears many gardening hats having kept the You Grow Girl site running for 8 years, she stands strong for her beliefs, takes an organic approach to life in general, she’s thrifty and admittedly imperfect (a rare attribute in the gardening world where photoshopped gardens reign supreme) all the while running a business with her partner Davin. 

Not to mention her talent with a camera. . . but back to the plants.

I caught up with her recently and asked her what 5 things she recommends keeping on hand when gardening. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Kelp Meal - Kelp meal is high in potassium making it great for the all around health of your plants and a must-have for any type of garden from indoor to container to in-ground. It comes in liquid form as a concentrate but I prefer the dry meal form because it is more versatile and a whole lot lighter on the wallet. I brew mine as a tea, spray it on the leaves,

2. Seeds - Sure you could grow a whole garden from cuttings and purchased transplants but seeds are the cheapest way to grow big since each seed is a plant-to-be and every pack comes with at least 20 of them. Plus, seeds are easily mailed in an envelope which expands your options beyond the local garden center and then some. If you're looking for real diversity joining a group like Seeds of Diversity Canada [http://www.seeds.ca] or Seed Savers [http://www.seedsavers.org] will give you access to literally thousands of varieties of just about everything under the sun.

3. Worm Castings - A worm casting is just a nicer way to say worm poo. A fairly balanced fertilizer, worm castings are odorless and gentle enough to use on delicate seedlings. Sprinkle some onto the soil when you plant or brew it into a tea to boost your plant's immune system.  The best part is you can easily keep a worm bin underneath your sink and make your own free of charge.

4. A Good Spade - Don't bother with one of those flimsy cheap spades. Look for something with a sturdy handle that isn't going to crumble on contact with a patch of clay soil or a rock. Keep your eyes peeled at garage sales and auctions. If it's been around this long it should be able to take on anything your yard can throw at it. A good spade is even handy when container gardening, although a sturdy kitchen spoon is often all you need with small pots.

5. Soaker Hose or Watering Can - Admittedly you probably won't require a soaker hose in a container garden but they are a nice water-wise way to go hands-free without waste.  Regular hoses are prone to a wet n' wild brand of gardening where the water goes everywhere except where it is intended... on the soil.  Watering with a can is another way to make sure water gets at the roots and not on the leaves where the excess moisture
can make your plants more susceptible to disease. A "can" doesn't have to be anything fancy -- an empty water bottle with a few holes drilled into the cap makes a perfect makeshift can.

Thanks for sharing your ideas Gayla, you're an inspiration to us all.

All photos credited to Gayla Trail and Davin Risk--
To see more of their beautiful work, check out the You Grow Girl Flickr set.

Until next week, happy growing! ~Renee

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: Greenhouse on the Fly

So, you're ready to get growing? Gather your tools gals (and gents); it's time to get crafty.  Here's what you need (see image 1):

a) Dirt carrying apparatus (if you're not keen on digging in with your hands, I used a wooden kitchen spoon.)

b) Hole poker for putting your seeds in the dirt (I'm using a chopstick, you can use a pencil, stick, knitting needle, etc)

c) Seeds

d) Seed starting pots (see last week's post)

e) Loose soil made especially for seed starting.  These usually contain vermiculite, perlite, peat moss, and perhaps a little bit of regular ol' dirt.  You want a light, airy mix that will allow fragile little roots to grow and expand.

f) Some sort of clear plastic housing for your little seeds.  This will be your own personal greenhouse.

g) Drill

I don't know how many of you are like me, but I get distracted really easily.  Conveniently, this is also how I rationalize little messes all over the house.
And also why I used to see plastic storage bins and envision instantaneous organization, as they jump from the shelf into the cart and I happily go on my way to the more enlightened, well-organized and stackable life of visible storage units.  This was before I met the Mr., who brought to my attention that I actually had to do the organizing, destroying all hopes of magic occurring once the stuff was in the containers.  Perhaps this is too much information . . . but the point is, in my house they've become obsolete before their time.

Until I turned them into mini-greenhouses (hold your applause).

We all have clear plastic things hanging around the house.  Plastic that doesn't really have an obvious second purpose, skipping "reuse" and going straight to "recycle".   

Some ideas to get the ol' brain moving: 2 liter bottles (or, heck!, why not the smaller ones, too?), take out containers, those super nice plastic storage bags with a zipper that bedding comes in, milk jugs, even plastic baggies.

So here we go, are you ready to make an easy peasy handy dandy super thrifty greenhouse (image 2)?

All it takes is a drill with a 1/4" bit and a couple holes in each side for ventilation (3).  If you don't add ventilation you'll end up growing mold, which isn't that exciting.

"How in the world did I make a greenhouse," you ask with a hint of amazement in your voice.  I drilled 3 holes per side, leaving the top solid; that way, when I move them outside, I can transfer the seed starts to sit on the lid, then flip the bottom over to become the top and still have a small tray that will hold water. 

On mine, I've taped a diagram (written in permanent marker) of what was planted where. Or you can use store bought seed markers, Popsicle sticks work great, too! Permanent markers are your friends.  Keep that in mind.

No matter your source, the same principals apply: clear plastic for the sun to get through, holes for ventilation (a sharp knife, scissors, or nail holes will also work if the drill is overkill), bottom tray for watering (watering from the bottom encourages little roots to grow down rather than stay on the surface, prepping your little babies for standing strong all on their own.)

GardenGate Magazine has a little tutorial on using 2 liter bottles for cloches (aka greenhouses).  I'd be wary of melting plastic (I'm also wary of nonstick cooking surfaces, though) but that's my 2 cents.
Instructables also has some great resources for DIY mini-greenhouses with on-hand materials (and a geodesic dome full sized one!)

I always take the experimental approach to this gardening thing, and if you're just starting out, I suggest the same approach.  There will be trip-ups along the way, but all in all it's a learning experience. 

For that reason, I'm trying out several types of seed starting pots this year. I had some peat pellets from who knows where still sealed in their baggies, so I started those last week. This week I'm starting seeds in the toilet paper tubes, as well as in peat pots and some plastic trays I had leftover from purchasing small starts. It’s a good idea to start with clean materials, that way you’re not jinxed with fungus from the get go.

Fill the pots with your seed starting mix, and moisten the soil. Not sopping wet, but damp enough to clump up. Pat your dirt down enough to get the air pockets out and your ready to start pokin’ some holes. Your seed packets should say how deep the seeds should be, but if you’ve traded or just can’t read the instructions on the seed packet, the rule to go by is twice as deep as the diameter of the seed; loosely cover the top of your seed, mist it a little more, and put the lid on the box. You’re almost there!

Find a consistently warm spot in your house. You don’t need to worry about light yet, but bottom warmth will aid in the success of your seeds. I have mine on the back of the dryer, which is also conveniently near enough to the stove. It’s not direct heat, but with the everyday activities in our house, they do stay consistently warm. Older refrigerators generally stay warm on top, near a heat vent, the top of old computer monitors. . . do a little treasure hunt for warm spots in your home.

Monitor your moisture levels (don’t let your seeds dry out!), and water from the bottom, allowing the soil mix to wick the water up to your seeds. Sometimes I mist the top, just for good measure.

I bet in seven days, you’ll be seeing green!

-Renee

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: Tips to grow on- Starting your garden from scratch

The rogue sunflower growing underneath your bird feeder, the seeds ready for spitting contests during watermelon season, even the poppy seeds on your morning bagel, little beginnings of plant life are everyday, but we just have to look around and realize it. 

So where do we start looking for seeds to grow without supporting the giants of retail? 

Trade with your friends: Exhibit 1--those little plastic jewelry baggies are perfect for an impromptu seed swap.  I've never been able to use all the seeds that come in a pack all by my lonesome, so why not share?

Etsy does it again! Check out the seed selection from Greenthing, A Breath of French Air, and SapphireChild, who also offers some reasonably priced plants!  Do a search yourself and find many many more!

So you've got the seeds and need to decide the best way to get them started.  There are plenty of options out there (exhibit 2), including peat pots and peat pellets, plastic trays that come with mini-green house lids,   the options are endless.  I say save your money and make your own.  NatureMoms has some great ideas (including using eggshells).  This year I'm going with the toilet tube cut in half variety (exhibits 4 and 5).

1) Collect empty tubes a plenty.

2) Cut them in half lengthwise.

3) Fold the tube lengthwise and cut 3/4 inch slits on each crease. Cut two more slits, each one about halfway between your first two.  These are the tabs that will make the bottom of your seed pots.

4) Fold 'em like you do a moving box (Jena can help you with that!) so they stay closed.

Now they're ready for a loose, loamy seed starting mix.  You can make your own, or venture on down to the indie-owned hardware store and start getting to now your local business owner!

Other seed sources:  John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, Pinetree Seeds ,  Seed Savers Exchange.

If you're looking to increase your houseplant garden, don't forget to check out your local flea market! Get creative and you might find some sort of crazy container to put it in. . .like, say, an old tea pot!

Next Friday we'll get to planting and talk suitable seed environments.

Comments, questions, suggestions of your own? 

I'll be glad to field 'em in the comments section below!

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.

Spring gardening with Renee: Hello all you New Wave PhotoSynth Diggin' Revolutionaries

Hello again Modish-ites! It feels good to be back, and even better knowing that winter is almost over.  I thought I'd use this first post to introduce myself and my approach to gardening. 

When it comes to digging in the dirt, I take a natural approach.   I recycle as many things as I can, I don't add chemical fertilizers, and I love a healthy dose of bugs (ok, not aphids, but the beneficial ones).  I have a lot of "failures" but with those come some amazing successes.  When I plant ornamentals, I take the stick-it-in-the-dirt-and-let-it-do-it's-thing approach.  I don't like fussy. Big box stores give me the heebie jeebies, but if I need it, I use them as a last resort.  So that about sums the dirty girl in me up! 

Before we really start mucking around in the soil, I want to share some of my favorite gardening resources:

You Grow Girl: My number 1 go to for finding the answers I just can't seem to find.  Gayla's book of the same name is the one book I consistently reference.  It's easy to read, and practical enough for both the newbie and advanced gardeners. If you still can't find an answer, search the forums. 
Don't overlook Gayla's Blog (on the homepage) for real life experience without the Photoshopped perfection of the glossy garden mags. 

This Garden is Illegal: Heather (aka Hannamyluv) writes in a conversational style with a practical approach to gardening.  If you want funny (but sound) advice with the sporadic curse word, this is your gal. Another woman who isn't afraid to show the upsets in the plant world, her tomato tastings are a go-to for me when I'm seed shopping.

Local Harvest: This is where I go when I want to source locally.  I'm not able to grow all of our food, but I sure do want to know where it comes from.  This site has forums, a blog, and a store to round out the DIY approach for your garden.  After all, nothing feels better than supporting the little guy.

Cooperative Extension:  Speaking of local, do you know about your local cooperative extension? That's the agricultural leg of the government here in the US.  These are the peeps who know what kind of soil you have in the general area (and if you will need to amend it) as well as the ones who put together a comprehensive guide to what you can expect to grow easily in your zone.   

Dave's Garden: A little more standard approach to gardening (which is a little less fun, in my eyes) but a whole lot of info at your fingertips.  I mostly use this site when I'm looking at a catalog I've never heard of, to see what the user's reviews are. 

Also, if you have questions, or suggestions, please feel free to post them in the comments section and I will either answer them or use my favorite resources to answer them!

Renee Garner has a passion to make things grow, although her brownish thumb wants her to believe otherwise.  When mud pies aren't on the menu, you can find her doodling the days away at Wolfie and the Sneak.