A Meaningful Quote

"Kind hearts are the garden.

Kind thoughts are the roots.

Kind words are the flowers.

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Take care of your garden.

And keep out the weeds.

Fill it with kind words and deeds."

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This is such a lovely quote. Thank you so much to Gollum for bringing it to my attention.

I don't just read the words when I saw this quote. I read the meaning. If you look hard enough you can take meaning from this quote to use in your life. If more of us put the meaning of this quote into practice...this world would be a much nicer place to live in!

As of late many wonderful people have been under attack by one or two very bad trolls on RMS. What these trolls do not know...is that with each attack they are strengthening the bond between those that have been brought together from these acts. I already had so many beautiful friends on RMS before the trolls, but never knew many of the close friends that I now am enjoying. I knew them all...but was cordial and friendly. It wasn't until the events of recent times that I have gotten to see what good can come from a trying time.

I am thankful for the beautiful friendships that these trolls have planted in my garden of friends. The closeness and the support are all the blooms that any of us need. It makes sense that every garden has a weed or two to pluck out and leave to dry on the sidewalk. I have to wonder...if the trolls had some strong and beautiful friendships to gaze upon in the daylight, would they be so angry?

I have to thank the weeds for making my flowers stronger. You will never know the joy, your seeds have sewn for me. My friends have been like a rock for me to rest on, lean on and we grow closer and more solid with each day.

Who would have thought a troll (with her yellowed crooked teeth and green fingernails) could do so much good?

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

IF GARDEN ART IS "OUT" ...BOY AM I BEHIND THE TIMES!

I was reading an article that stated that garden art is "out". Well I guess I will once again be called behind the times. My garden art is "IN" the garden and it is STAYING!

Who decides what is in and/or out? Some guy that has a chip on his shoulder, a famous (or not so famous) name and a computer? My opinion of this sort of decision is one of personal preference.

I think that a garden is a matter of personal opinion. Unless you are designing for a commercial space, it should reflect who you are, where you came from and what you like.

I have many pieces of garden art, that I have gathered together over the years. I have made most of it, and each and every piece is a memory that will stay with me for a lifetime. Every day that I water my garden, I am reminded of an event , day or special person. Here are some examples of my gardens and the "art" I choose so proudly to display.

This is an old water pump that my Dad pulled from the the old house on the homestead that I grew up on. Now don't go thinking that I am that old....My parents bought the old "Day" place, when I was a girl, and have torn down the old place long ago. My Dad ripped down the condemned old house, and fixed up the yard site. My parents have a beautiful yard. A huge yard, filled with gorgeous "art" and flowers, trees, and hiding spaces. My dad raises exotic birds and they are "art" of sorts too.

One day, my Dad arrived at my house with this baby on the back of his truck. I was thrilled! He had painted it gold for me, and I had the perfect spot for it in my yard. When we moved, we took it with us along with the greenhouse. This past year I made it into a fountain, so that the sounds of trickling water could relax those that are in my yard, and it looks like it was made to be mine!

This Bench (below) is my own creation! One day, as I was browsing around in the shops in the downtown of our city, I came across a shop that sells very high end benches. The one in the store was around $400.00! I almost passed out at the price! There is no way on earth that I would be caught dead paying an amount like that for something I could build myself.

Not having a cell phone with a camera at the time, and not wanting to look too obviously taking measurements, I used my body as a measurement. The top peak comes up to my boobs, the arm comes to just above the knee...you get the idea. I ran out to my car, wrote the "stats" on a napkin, and drew a quick diagram. I raced home, pulled the barn board that I had been saving for a special project out, and got to work! I made two of them...gave one to a lady that had become very special to me, and the rest is history.

The window, is one that I made out of old windows that I salvaged from a house slated for demolition. I have actually now made three of them. One for me, one for the lady next door, and one for a friend.

Look at my bird bath! I was looking in a magazine one day and saw one similar to this. I had to have it! It was very pricey, and they wouldn't ship to Canada, so I decided that I would make my own! I have made several now, and am always getting people who want one. The cup on the stick, is there as an accessory.

Like my Bike? I had always wanted a bike in my garden! Sadly the old ones are hard to find at this point in time. Apparently they are a hot item in this area! One day while my family and I were out on a garage sale tour, I spotted this old bike in a garage. I yelled to stop! I jumped out and ran to that bike! It was $1! SOLD! I got some really awful looks from people at the sale...there were lots of very shiny and newer bikes there...but I explained to the guy that I was using it in my garden. He was so happy to hear that as it was his first bike in his life and his wife wanted it to go to the dump.

We took the bike home, (did I mention it is not that old? And that it was a 5 speed?) I cut the bar off, I took all the decals off, and the chain and gears out. I scraped it all up to speed the rusting process and added a wire basket that is meant to hold household items. It looks great to me!

The milk can beside it....well that came from an old friend. It is a keepsake.

My white bicycle...my white bicycle...(ever heard that song by Nazareth?) This bike was a gift from my children for valentines day this past year....

The clock....tick tock...tick tock...was also a gift..

The big iron bike was a birthday gift a few years back... It was my first store bought art piece. I love the look of it.

This little bird house was made from the branches of the tree stump that it is sitting on! The apple tree died and I had wanted to try my hand at making a bird house. I didn't pull the trunk of the tree...so I mounted it onto the original base! It opens on a hinge . I guess you could keep a spare key in there if you wanted to..but we do not! lol

There are two window boxes hanging on the fence. These were hand made by me! I used old windows, and some barn board to put them together. I painted them up.... and there they are!

The ladder and the milk can are from a garage sale. I had a white ladder a few years back that I had planted in one of my flower beds. My dad had given me an old rustic looking ladder....and I loved it so much. Once it had had enough of the garden and was gone to ladder heaven...I found this one. I use it as a replacement to remind me of my Dad.

Does the iron on the fence count as art? If it does, then this is a piece I picked up at a local store here in our city.

The signs....well l made these too...and several others that I have given away. Yes...I do love my power tools! lol.

I know that too much "art" will ruin the look of my garden...and so I think I am cut off for now. But I love what I have and it will not be going away anytime soon...even if some guy with a computer, a chip on his shoulder, and a famous (or not so famous) name said it is "OUT"

Some day, I dream of having a garden that spans several acres, and sports all of my treasures and possibly some new ones. I want to have the type of garden my parents raised me to treasure. But for now...I will collect all that I can tastefully display here in my small city garden.

Until next time…hugs and smiles! Happy Gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

A Tower Of Flowers!

I have a project for this weekend. I will be busy trying to figure out how the heck I am going to get this monster out of my greenhouse! I spent the day cleaning it out and up....and then decided to plant a few more pots with some left over plants. This is what I ended up with!

This is what happens when you have lots of pots, and a few plants left over...combine that with a thought that popped into my head about one similar to this that I was in love with that was made from different sized livestock feeders but was VERY expensive. I figured I would make my own version.

Please remember that this is a newly planted pot, or should I say pots...and it needs time to become established! A little time and fertilizer and this baby will look like a flower fountain! At least I hope so!

The bottom pot is 24 inches in diameter and they graduate to a 10 inch pot. All the bottom three are planted with wave petunia. The top two are regular petunia.
Did I mention that I still have to take this out of the greenhouse? ugh. I also have NO idea where in my yard I will put this monster!
Wish me luck!

Until next time…hugs and smiles!
Have a safe and wonderful weekend friends and we shall see you next week!

happy gardening!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

www.tootsietime.com

What Makes My Gardens Tick? Plant Directory

Many many times, I have been asked "exactly what do you plant?" "which flowers are your favorite?" "What is in that pot?"

So I decided to give you all a little directory of what I plant. I could not get it to work as a link feature...so I made my own. I do hope you find it helpful!
Agertatum

Also known as the foss flower or thistle flower.
Likes full sun-except in areas where hot summer sun is an issue....in this case part shade is best. Pinching out tips and removing withered blooms will keep this plant compact and extend it's flowering season. Ageratim comes in several colors, but the color shown is my favorite.
This is an excellent border or edging plant as it is short. Grows to about 6-8 inches tall. Always check the label on this plant, as there is a variety that is not a dwarf. That one will grow to about 2 1/2 feet.

Alyssum

This flower is an absolute favorite of mine. It likes full sun to partial shade, can be used in hanging baskets or as a border. If you plant it as a border it will spread out and mound nicely at about 3 inches tall and about 8 inches wide. ( I tend to plant closer than 8 inches so as to avoid a space in between plants.) If you plant it in a hanging basket or pot it will flow beautifully out of the pot. It has a sweet smell and it comes in a variety of colors such as white, red, purple, yellow, or a mixture of several.

Banana

The large seeded banana is a fast growing and tropical type plant that can be used as a large addition to a planter, or as a house plant. It will grow 2-3 feet the first year, and if given enough light and a large enough pot, 4-5 feet by the second. It likes full sun in a cooler climate, but prefers partial shade where it is hot. It is easily wintered in a brightly lit room. With banana you can control the size of the plant, simply by the size of the pot you use. The larger the pot, the larger the plant will grow. Lower leaves on this plant will naturally yellow and die off, simply cut them off. Be sure to always keep the soil moist, water when dry or you will encounter problems.

Calibrachoa

Also known as Million Bells.

This plant is appropriately nicknamed as it sports millions of small petunia-like flowers all over its bushy, trailing branches. Calibrachoa likes full sun to part shade, and is easy to care for. excellent in hanging baskets, and is available in many different colors.

Coleus

Coleus Black Dragon Coleus Salmon Rose
Coleus is a beautiful foliage plant. It can survive in full sun, if kept moist, but prefers light shade. If you left it in the sun, its colorful leaves will not be as dark. It fades in too much sun. Pinch plant back at growing tip to encourage a bushy growth and remove flowers as soon as they are forming. Coleus is also a good house plant. It will grow 8-10 inches tall.

Dahlia

Dahlias can grow from one to eight feet tall. The shorter varieties are fairly compact plants and they are prolific bloomers. They require frequent removal of the spent flowers to keep the plant attractive. This plant will bloom non stop form June until frost. They like full sun to partial shade. Too much shade will cause a leggy appearance to the plant.

Hyacinth Bean (Dolichos Lab Lab)

Also known as Purple Bean Vine

The Purple Bean Vine is a tropical vine that produces blue-green leaves and fragrant purple pea like flowers. This plant is heat tolerant and may be planted against a south wall. I have had better luck with it in a pot and in a lightly shaded area. After this plant blooms the flowers will produce lovely purple pods that resemble peas. Because this is a vine, you will need to provide support for it to climb on. I love using this plant. It is easy to grow, and very showy.

Dusty Miller

Silver Dust

This is a very pretty foliage plant. Having it mixed in among your flowers will help make the color of the blooms pop. It grows to about 8 inches tall, and loves full sun. It also makes a great border plant for those beds that have bigger flowers such as geranium or marigold.

Geranium

I just love the bright colors that Geraniums have to offer! They come in lots of colors and grow to about 8-12 inches tall. I grow them in full sun or partial shade. They require some dead heading (removal of spent flowers) to keep them looking nice, but the effort will be well worth it!

Heliotrope

Heliotope is a very pretty plant. The dark green leaves and the beautiful purple flowers are a welcome addition to any garden . The most wonderful characteristic is the smell of the flowers. They smell like vanilla or cherry pie! This plant likes cooler temperatures in full sun or partial shade. It will grow to about 12 inches tall. Pinching back will promote bushier growth. I have to use caution with this plant, as my dog likes the smell and will nibble on it. Heliotrope is poisonous to pets!

Hydrangea

Striking, large balls of white or pink are the most well known characteristics of this plant. Giving them the correct conditions, the blossoms can even turn blue! This plant is a shade lover....never a full sun plant. It loves the cooler conditions that the shade will provide. Deep shade may be too dark. Hydrangea needs to be kept moist at all times, which means vigilant watering. Many of these plants will grow to about 12 inches.

Impatiens

Impatiens like some full sun in cooler areas, but thrive in partial shade. They come in dozens of colors and are a nice low growing plant. They will reach a height of about 6-8 inches. There are many different varieties of Impatiens. Some are known as Bizzy Lizzy....and are used as a houseplant. They are easily grown , but need to be watered daily.

Lavatera

Silver Cups

Lavatera is a very pretty addition to your garden. It is a tall plant that should be planted at the back of your bed. It will grow from 1-7 feet tall. Lavatera loves full sun. This plant comes in many colors but the most common is pink.

Lobelia

There are two main types of Lobelia. The small compact type, and the longer trailing variety. Both make excellent edging or border plants and have profusions of small flowers. This plant will come in a variety of colors, so you can choose what ever color will suit your fancy. I love Lobelia for the vibrant colors it has. It grows well in full sun, but blooms will last longer in partial shade . If you plant in full sun....regular watering is a must. The smaller variety will grow to about 6 inches, while the trailing type will grow to about 12 inches

Malva

Malva Maritiana Malva Zebrena

Malva is a beautiful plant for the garden. It Will grow from 1-7 feet. Malva is directly related to the Lavatera that we discussed earlier. Malva is a bushier branching and aggressive flowering gem for any garden. This plant loves full sun, and is very easy to grow. May re-seed itself the following season.

Marigold

Marigolds are one plant that needs no introduction. They come in a variety of colors and types. Marigolds love full sun but will tolerate partial shade. This plant will bloom profusely for the full season. My personal favorite characteristic of this plant is that cats do not really like the smell and therefore will stay away from them. I have also heard that deer do not like them either. They will grow from 8-10 inches tall and make a welcome addition to any border or garden.

Morning Glory

Morning Glory is a climbing plant. This vine loves full sun and will need to have support to climb on. Morning Glory will flower full season. They close their flowers when the hot sun is out, but in the morning they are open and absolutely beautiful. They will grow 6-12 feet in one season.

Osteospermum

This lovely plant is a member of the Daisy family. It comes in many different and very bright colors. It will do well in a pot or a bed. It will grow to about 12-18 inches tall. Osteospermum likes full sun and will bloom all season long. Removing the spent blooms will make more blooms appear. This plant is a favorite of mine.

Pansy

Need I say too much about this old favorite? Pansy is a beautiful and colorful plant that comes in more colors than I can count. It is an excellent plant for full sun or part shade. It grows to about 8 inches tall and will thrive in beds or pots. I always think of the flowers as spectators in the front row of my beds!

Petunia

The petunia is an old stand by. It comes in dozens of colors and types. I use the celebrity series for the beds and the wave series for my hanging pots. The celebrity series will grow to about 12 inches tall and very bushy. It will flower over and over again all season long. The wave series will grow from 18 inches to 3 feet long! They are very bushy and full and prolific flowering plants. Petunia prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade. They are easy to grow and care for.

Snap Dragon

Snap Dragons are a versatile old favorite. They come in many many colors are easy to care for and come in a variety of sizes. The small ones are about 8 inches tall, the medium ones are about 12 inches tall and the tallest come up to 18-24 inches! They are a compliment to every garden and the colors are just gorgeous! They like full sun or partial shade and are very easy to care for! They are a hardy plant that will keep blooming even after the first frosts hit.

Swedish Ivy

This plant is a very good basket filler! It will compliment any flower. The foliage in the silver will make the colors pop. It is the hanging basket Dusty Miller. Will grow to about 2 feet long and loves full sun to part shade. An easy and very beautiful plant.

Batat/Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato is an unusual green plant whose leaves grow in different shapes and sizes. It is a good plant for training along a trellis or for hanging baskets. It is related to the morning glory family. Will do best in partial shade but will tolerate the hot sun if necessary.

Well there you have it! I am sure I missed a few...but this is the main part of my gardens. Have fun choosing your favorites!

Until Next Time…Happy Gardening!

Original posting 5/22/08

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com