The Stylish Gardener

Spring, it comes only to retreat, and back again…seems she never tires of teasing us. However, those of us who garden have figured out ways to compensate for that which we cannot change. ( the weather 🙂

Spring lettuces , onion, chive, many herbs, and depending on location…a few other goodies…can be grown in cold frames, high tunnels, greenhouses, and even in open areas with the knowing that you need some form of protection on those nights that dip below what is acceptable. I love the floating row covers, they can be used simply by spreading across/down where needed…or, they can be used on a dome like frame built to keep them from touching the plants.

Remember, if you have large beds or gardening in tilled- soil…take the time to design walking paths between your rows…a thick layer of pine straw will help absorb the shock of your footprints and avoid packing the soil. ( I do this even in my raised-beds) Be aware…if you use wheat straw or other grain straw you will end up with unwanted weed and grass sprouts in the new spring…I highly suggest pine straw…it can be easily removed in the fall or late winter and used in other areas of need. Yes, dead leaves do work…however, they are subject to be taken away by the wind, and they don’t supply nearly the protection of impact as the straw.
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This is the look  we should have come mid-June…

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Spring…she is fickle!

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Teacher/speaker/advocate for- Better Health through Better Food Knowledge.

https://sagehillgardens.com/healthy-after

When the gardens are tended…retreat to the kitchen!
where delectable designs come to mind~

Springs Enticing Menu

    
Hmmm…to blog or swing??

Over a lifetime I’ve know many times that the brightest rays of sunshine come during the most turbulent periods of my life…..through hurricanes, injured children, a military child, loss on many levels that has rocked my core. I have never once ask “why me”….and I’m not going to ask now….to be singled out, chosen and given a beautiful, generous award for being a bright spot in someone’s day, or many day’s….I accept with a gracious gratitude from a well known and respected, in her business world as the BoomerBusinessCoach  (Melodieann Whiteley) https://boomerbusinesscoach.blogspot.com/?
She is a power-house in what she does because she believes, in herself and others. Melodieann is also retired from the military…she also knows how to kick-ass if needed!   Thank you Melodieann for thinking I’m worthy and for being a fabulous woman!

Melodieann wants to know “who or what inspired me to blog and where I find inspiration to do so.”
(Actually I’ve been blogging long before “Blogs” were popular…I have a zillion little notes over a lifetime of bits and pieces of information I felt was worthy of penning to paper.  My inspiration comes from life…it’s a gift and I feel it should be addressed and documented in some way that impacts…someone, somewhere in someway !
Which answers the next question….what I want others to take away from what I share…..CONNECTION…..to a word or a world….one connection leads to another…and another.

Lastly, my favorite things to do when not working…..
(I find it hard to totally define one without the other…I bring my work into my private life and my private life into my work….(well to a point) but that’s none of your business!!
As of November 2018 all retail aspects of Sage Hill was retired….that means more travel time, going places, doing delightful things…then blogging about them! Be sure to Bookmark and visit often.
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Now…the best part. I get to nominate 2 bloggers who inspired, educated and guided me over the years. Many times without knowing how much of a role they played in my decisions……

Richard Rossbauer was/is among my first 3 internet connections. I built , with Richard’s guidance my first website…wow!! did I build that?? Yep, and it worked…not saying it worked well…another story for another time!
I’ve been seeking out Richard’s help on all things internet related since those early years (about 2003) Richard has a plethora of the best info on all things webby…safety being a huge priority! Get to know his work/website….you’ll be better for it.
https://www.facebook.com/richardpresents/
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Faye Durham…does this woman know stuff!  I have contacted her so many times over the years with questions that were demanding, she never said no and she never failed to supply me with answers or a place to start. She is degreed’ and qualified to do what she does…. I love you dear friend.
https://kunzdurham.blogspot.com/?  While we started this blog together, she is the sole owner and supplier now and has been for a few years.

Sunshine Blogger Rules…If you chose to accept.

• Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog and IG account.
• Answer the questions given to you by the person who nominated you.
• Nominate other bloggers (2 – 4) and give them questions to answer.
• Notify your nominees through social media or by commenting on their blog.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award Logo in your post.~~

  Richard and Faye, my questions for you would be…

  1. Is blogging as relevant to your business now as in the beginning?
  2. Is there any one major point you believe makes or breaks a blog’s success?
  3. On a scale of 1-10 …10 being a strong Yes….has your blogging made a difference in your internet success
  4. What is your #1 picky peeve about blogging?

Let’s talk about….

Geranium’s, they are lovely and OK…but I am in love with the Cranesbill that grows wild and talks to me! shhhh….you must listen very carefully.

Despite their common name, scented geraniums are unrelated to the true geranium (Geranium maculatum), or cranesbill, whose lovely rose pink flowers are often found growing wild in temperate woodlands. They are, rather, members of the Pelargonium genus, which includes the beloved garden geranium that’s cultivated in window boxes and ornamental gardens throughout the country. Semi-woody and tender, these perennials are native to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and, if left outdoors, rarely survive the rigorous winters typical of most of the United States.

The leaf texture of the SG can be smooth, sticky or velvety. The back of the leaf is what releases the scent for which each geranium is named.

They are well suited for growing in container’s but do very well in the ground also. They thrive in sunny locations and need evenly moist soil, and they do much better from rooted cuttings than from seed.
It’s a good idea to water several hours before you plan to take cuttings.

While there are well over 100 varieties of the SG , for culinary use the rose, lemon and mint are most in demand.

They do attract some pest and careful attention is required if you wish to have healthy and thriving plants. Caterpillar’s, aphids, mealybugs, and white flies are just a few of the things you may find having lunch.

You can easily control the caterpillars by lifting off and placing some-place else.

I always grow an extra small patch of parsley for them to feed on, …..some will turn into beautiful butterflies you know, so please never kill them.

The other pest you can wash away with diluted alcohol and a Q-tip.
A good insecticidal soap will work also.

If you need a good book about these lovely plants:

“Knowing, Growing and Enjoying Scented Geraniums” (by) Jim Becker and Faye
Brawner.

Happy Gardening…..it’s time!

So many of you know me so well…you know I spent the last 16 years developing and fine tuning a garden project. A project successful in so many ways. A project that will forever have threads running through my days.

Even with that truth…

I feel it is now time to move into another phase of my life…I will never stop playing/working in the gardens…however, my focus will now be on “more”
beauty, bliss and passion for the coming days/years that stretch before me .

A bit of edge to any day/day’s activity is energizing and requires thought and action…two requirements for an interesting life.

Sooo, don’t be surprised at anything you might see from me!!

*Beauty is not all about our face and Bliss is not a state of utopia….the two together is how we move through our time and gifts we leave along the way for others.

*Stylish is not “dressed up”…..it is dressed to feel good and bring confidence and pleasure to something we have to do every day…..So, since we have to dress daily…dress with purpose! Oh…and smile!

Artfully arranged, flowers on the table turn a simple meal into a dining pleasure. Soon the wild flowers will be plentiful….no need to buy ….

Some would say a ‘garden is a garden’….but I would say….each garden has its own special signature.  Whether formal or cottage style, there are many touches that can transform the simplest to splendor and the formal to ease and comfort.

Cottage gardens began in England and were more for growing food than for simple pleasure.
As more and more food became available in markets the cottage garden became more ornamental. My first thought when Cottage gardening comes to mind is “overcrowded.” However, overcrowded can be beautiful if a little thought goes into the placement of the bulk of planting.
Fencing and hedges, paths and garden art can define areas of interest, leaving the rest for casual viewing and not so much close-up inspection.

If one is lucky enough to have plants from previous generations of family or friends…this can bring an element of  meaning to be cherished and passed on to other family and friends who garden.

A Memory garden inside a garden is a special way to honor those who have gone from our lives.

Sage Hill Farms is named in memory of my mother….who thought she could not cook anything worthy of eating without Sage.  

Don’t forget the critter garden when remembrance spots are planned…..children especially have a hard time adjusting to losing a pet, understanding why baby birds get tossed from their nest and die…butterflies with broken wings that render them helpless….knowing they are in a safe place that can be cared for makes these rough moments a bit easier to accept.

Whatever plans you have for your spring garden…make it you own, name it, treat it with the same love and attention that you expect for yourself….the rewards will be more than you can imagine.

Oh…and don’t forget to add herbs anywhere and everywhere. Garlic grows well among and is beneficial to roses. Basil is a lifeline for tomatoes. 

Above all else, let your own personality guide you~

Fake news, fake politician’s, fake promises, fake medicine, fake food….and then there are….the Gardens at Sage Hill…..nothing fake here baby!

Happy spring in waiting….

The first 12 raised beds were built and planted at Sage Hill in 2003…all commercial transactions were halted in November of 2018…..

I’ve adjusted on paper…the mind and body however seems to have over-looked the memo!!

A new routine, less demands, more time to wander, explore and play….

So, why do I feel a wee bit lost…..

Updates to come!!  There is family food to grow….a home updating to complete and a plethora of day trips to make…. hmmm….

A blog post that somehow got lost between then and now….

Once again the towering Silver Maple is ready for a new season…..and so am I.

Leaving the grounds for my early evening walk on Saturday….I looked up the towering Silver Maple and ask…will your leaves even fall this season?  Within the blink of my eyes…one gorgeous silver leaf came floating down and landed at my feet…somehow I felt instructed to leave it be…..I did document it with a photo…just to remind myself and perhaps you…all things happen in their own designated time…for a reason….Mother Nature and God never fails to instruct me, scold me and assure me….who is in charge and how wasteful we are to doubt.

Not every tree has silver leaves, but every cloud has a silver lining….

Autumn has arrived…embrace it…just as is!

This is the last of the Rose series….you can revisit anytime by book-marking   www.sagehillgardens.com and click into the Stylish Gardener blog.