Children's Stories

Blake visited us Friday evening and told us the following story: He has a cat named Kat-Cha that only eats pickles. We asked him what he thought of various family members and he reported that: Popo is a Milkhead, Nona is a Fly-Cat, Greatgrandma is a Flower, Mamma is a Jungle Gym. Where he comes up with these ideas is a mystery but it shows the enormous imagination of young children. I found an interesting Blog from Terra and it pertains to children and writing.

http://carmaswindow.blogspot.com/

Angels and Gardens

Have you ever created an angel garden? A friend gave me an angel statue that was placed under one of the magestic Redwoods on the patio. Blue stepping stones- each with a Calla Lily in the center- an Asparagus Plumosa Fern and a small birdbath were positioned around the angel. I planted Star Jasmines for their heavenly scent and the recently germinated Moonflowers. Just imagine the flowers illuminating the angel garden in the evening as the sweet night air fills our senses with joy! Thank God for our two beautiful daughters-they are our angels on earth!

Riparian Corridors

Riparian corridors are areas of land next to creeks and rivers. Santa Cruz County has the San Lorenzo River and all the "feeder" creeks such as Boulder Creek, Two Bar Creek and Bear Creek. A tip to help maintain a healthy riparian corridor is to remove the non-native, invasive species (scotch broom, ivy, periwinkle) and replant with natives such as Wild Ginger (Asarum caudatum)), California Blackberries (Rubus ursinus), and the Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus). Be sure to net any slopes before planting to prevent erosion.

Here's Trace picking out the perfect Christmas tree in the Two Bar Valley.

Herbs and Blurbs

Heres my "little froggy "grandson, Blake, getting ready to hop into bed. Last weekend he visited and he helped his Nona plant tomatoes and water the Lavenders. We had so much fun working in the garden and playing outside! Just wait until he see the herbs I planted....

Planting herbs in the Spring garden such as Dill, Cilantro, and Basil and my mouth waters for some of the yummy foods we create from their bounty. Think Salmon and Dill lends its flavor to the sweet taste, Cilantro and spicy Salsas, Basil and the old stand by-Pesto. What's your favorite herb to grow in your garden and do you have a favorite recipe that incorporates its flavor?

April Blooms

It's been cool here in the Santa Cruz Mountains but the garden is growing and little treasures keep popping up. Sweet pea and Moonflower seeds are boldly pushing their way into the cool Spring air. The Wysteria is unfurling soft, velvety leaves, tentatively stretching towards the sun. Wild onions have emerged with their white flowers dancing among the orange Montbretia. The Japanese Maples are clothed in new leaves and spreading their limbs. Sunday Trace noticed our squirrel wind chime softly singing the wind's tune. Weather people say warmth is on it's way and Saturday may bring us an 80 degree sitting-out- on- the-patio- listening-to-the-birds-afternoon.

The Guesthouse by Rumi

" The Guesthouse" by Rumi --

.
The Guesthouse
This being human is a guesthouse Every morning a new arrival A joy, a depression, a meanness

Some momentary awareness Comes as an unexpected visitor Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they're a crowd of sorrows Who violently sweep your house Empty of its furniture

Still treat each guest honorably He may be cleaning you out For some new delight!
The dark thought, the shame, the malice Meet them at the door laughing And invite them in Be grateful for whoever comes

Because each has been sent As a guide from the beyond
Translated by Coleman Barks

Bees and Haiku

Bees are the pollinators of our gardens. Lately the bee population has diminished all around California. Encourage them to visit by planting California blackberries ( Rubis ursinus) and herbs such as Lavender, Mints, Rosemay and Basil. Don't forget to add a Bee Balm plant ( Monarda didyma) This member of the Mint family can be used in the herb garden, smells very sweet, and takes full sun to half shade. You'll breathe yummy scents when you sit outside this Spring and the bee population will increase. Hurrah!

Heres's a Haiku poem written by James Hacket about bees.

"Loud frantic buzzing:
a bumblebee emptying
a web laced with dew "

And the answer to the best watering temperature for seedlings from my experiment is 70 degrees F........

Seeds to Sprouts

Great news! Last night I noticed that the marigold seeds I planted a week ago have germinated. My new trick is to place the newly planted seeds in a potting soil/sand mix on top of my fireplace hearth. The extra heat seems to cause earlier seed germination. This reminds me of an experiment I did when I took Ornamental Horticulture at Foothill College. The class was called "Nursery Practices" (or something very close) and I experimented with using different temperatures of water to water my seedlings. What do you think was the optimum temperature for rapid growth? I'll answer this next posting.

This is a picture of my grandson, Blake, getting ready to help his Nona and Popo sweep the deck

Native Plants

Living in the coastal mountains of Central California gives us the chance to incorporate native plants into our garden. Plants such as Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape) are great as barrier plants and for wildlife. They require little care and have lovely yellow blossoms in April. The blossoms turn into berries that are enjoyed by the birds. Sambucus nigra ( Blue Elderberry) grows wild in the mountains near creeks and also produces berries in the Fall. Our squirrels use the branches as a tree path as they jump from our Birch and Cherry trees to the Elderberry . The Blue Jays love to congregate in the Elderberry and mock the squirrels with their chorus of cawing.