Nadia Knows Gardens

I KNOW THAT CREATING + GROWING = INSPIRED LIVING!

Lavender and Sweet Peas and Patron- A Perfect Blend March 19, 2010

Filed under: Flowers, Living Healthy, Photography — nadiaqh @ 7:07 AM
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Last years pink sweet peas 2009

Last year - 2009 Pink Sweet Peas in a Recycled Patron Bottle

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Last year one of my most popular blogs was about the ease of arranging Sweet Pea flowers in a recycled Patron Tequilla bottle. I’ve received a lot of feedback since that posting from friends and readers that are now hooked on the idea of trying all sorts of different containers and bottles to show off their flowers. Last year’s Heirloom Sweet Peas were purchased from Burpee seeds. This year I am growing Sweet Peas from rareseeds.com in purple heirloom and they are blooming just as well. Sweet Peas in a are still one of my favorite flowers arrangements because of the simplicity, beauty and fragrance. The recycled mini Patron bottle with decorative glass stones at the bottom really add dimension and character to the whole presentation. I wish you could smell these flowers… they are a slice of heaven.

* Renee’s Seeds has a great growing guide for sweet peas. Check it out here in on this link to Sweet Pea growing guide.

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

“gardens inspire me… simplicity is best~”

This year March 2010 - Heirloom Purple Sweet Peas from rareseeds.com. mixed with Lavender flowers.

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day- Go Green! March 17, 2010

Filed under: Garden Design, Living Healthy — nadiaqh @ 6:54 AM
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♣    Happy St. Patrick’s Day    ♣

Good luck in the garden

Shamrocks are considered a good luck symbol; representing faith, hope and love. The age-old saying: “The Luck of the Irish” with its magical mysticism just might rub off in our gardens today with a little St. Patty’s Day symbolism.

The word Shamrock comes from an Irish word meaning little clover and is said to have gotten its symbolic meaning in Ireland in about the fifth century. St. Patrick used the abundantly growing green shamrock to teach Christianity by using a natural method to show the concept of the holy trinity. Each leaf representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The shamrock was a sacred plant in Ireland even before St. Patrick with the Irish Druids because the leaves in a cluster of three formed a triad. Currently the shamrock is still used as a good luck symbol and popular with Irish brides as the clovers are intertwined in bridal bouquets.

Botanically speaking:

“The true Irish Shamrock, as identified by Nathaniel Colgan c. 1893 is a clover. It is not one of any or many clovers, it is one species, collected from a majority of counties at that time and with the exception of a very few plants, the majority were Trifolium repens or a form of this plant – White clover also known as Dutch Clover”. …’From Ireland’ © Jane Lyons, Dublin, Ireland

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

 

Double Delight Rose March 12, 2010

Filed under: Flowers, Photography — nadiaqh @ 8:08 AM
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I’m excited to share this first bloom of my “Double Delight” rose today. In the past my rose gardening was a failure due to mildew from San Diego’s lingering morning fog and excess water on the leaves. Despite my past failure I decided last month to buy three varieties of rose bushes and plant them in containers instead of on the lawn. For the microclimate here in San Diego this is proving to be a far better method for growing roses and is working beautifully. It’s not hard to guess that I am in LOVE with being a rose gardener now. The fragrance is phenomenal, the form exquisite and the color romantic. This is nature at its best.

Here is a little information on the Double Delight:

First Bloom: Double Delight Rose

→ USDA zone 7b-10b

→ Hybrid Tea

→ Registration name: Andeli

→ Height: 3-5′    Width: 2-5′

→ Container Friendly Rose

It’s not too late to buy one of these rose bushes at your local nursery. For an incredible old-fashioned cut flower this one is a winner!

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Create – Grow – Enjoy

(Thank you Kris for your love of roses and inspiring me to give it another try!)

 

Freesias and Chihuahuas March 9, 2010

Filed under: Chihuahuas and Pets, Flowers, Photography — nadiaqh @ 10:50 PM
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PHOTOS OF THE DAY:

March Blooming Freesia and Chihuahuas in the Garden!

Freesia bulbs are a native to South Africa and are perennial bulb flowers from the Iris family (Iridaceae). They are very easy to grow and have a light sweet fragrance. This is a great cutting flower for flower arrangements.

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

♥ Create – Grow – Inspire ♥


 

TALAVERA MEETS A FIRESTICK March 8, 2010

Filed under: Garden Design, Succulents, euphorbia — nadiaqh @ 8:08 AM
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I planted this dynamic looking Euphorbia tirucalli, common name “Firestick”  in a Talavera ceramic pot matching the orange and green colors of the succulent with the colors painted onto the ceramics. Talavera pottery is made in Mexico exclusively in the State of Puebla with the same techniques used in the 16th century.

Firestick

Euphorbia tirucalli is a native to South Africa and grows well in drained soil with no frost exposure. In San Diego it is the most colorful in winter months with tips of bright orange-red and a green-yellow base. I call this Euphorbia a “show stopper” because it stands out among my other plants with absolute beauty in color and form. A great container plant, but also grows well on hillsides for landscaping with a growth potential of 30 feet tall and 6 feet wide.

Firestick in the landscape

The E. tirucalli is a fast grower, drought tolerant, grows well near the coast and loves full sun. I designed this meditation garden (photo below) with a Firestick which is kept pruned back to maintain the small size. The growth and pruning diversity with this Euphorbia allows for more creativity with landscaping design.

The new growth tips are where the color bursts are most prominent. Other common names for this plant are: Milk bush, Pencil bush, Pencil tree and Firestick.

* My Chihuahuas and Euphorbia tirucalli *

* Note: The Euphorbia plant contains a milky sap that can burn skin and eyes, wear protective gear when trimming or working with this plant.

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Create- Grow – Get inspired by nature!


 

March into Planting! March 5, 2010

Filed under: Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 9:29 AM
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Here is the Southern California planting guide for March.

Southern California in March has just the right amount of rainfall to water our gardens for free, the evenings are warming up and getting ready for those squash and bean seeds and the days are sunny and beautiful. Now go plant!

VEGETABLES:

Planting Seeds

Asparagus – (last month to plant asparagus until October).

BEANS : Bush and Pole beans

Beets – (plant all year)

Broccoli – (last month to plant until September).

Brussel Sprouts  -  Cabbage -

Carrots : Plant these all year-long, every month!

Chives- Collards  - Lettuce: Endive -

Swiss Chard – (all year-long) – Spinach  -

Radish- (another all year long vegetable)

Potatoes  -   Peas – Parsley – Spinach

Squash- Summer and Winter –   Turnips –

Tomatoes – Start indoors this month!

* FLOWERS: Some of my favorite  flowers that I have planted in my garden this month are: Carnation, Nasturtium, Sweet Peas, Sage and lavender.

“The trouble with gardening is that is does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession.” — Phyllis McGinley

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

 

Gardening with Gnomes March 3, 2010

Filed under: Garden Design, Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 6:40 AM
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Mushroom Garden Gnome

Does your garden grow better with gnomes? Garden gnomes originated in European folklore depicted wearing red hats, tunics and holding garden tools. In the 1800’s German potters made them from clay stoneware and sold them as lawn and garden ornamentation said to bring good luck, humor, wisdom and prosperity to the owner. They are whimsical little creatures that for some add character to a garden, but for others only create an eyesore. Several large garden clubs in the U.K. have banned garden gnomes from elite flower and garden shows stating they decrease the sophistication of garden landscapes.  Other groups such as the “Garden Gnome Liberationists” direct their energies towards “borrowing” gnomes out of gardens and photographing them all over the world at popular travel locations, some say this was the start of the now popular Travelocity Gnome.  

Blogs such as Gnome Frenzy are dedicated to collecting photographs of these traveling gnomes at famous places around the world and posting them on the web. It seems more people are inclined to like the Travelocity gnome with its updated appearance and reference to good times over the more traditional European ceramic gnomes with mythical powers of fortune and luck.

The mushroom gnome photographed above standing in-between my basil and oregano was only “borrowed” for a few weeks for blogging purposes, soon to be returned to its rightful owner.

I think the garden gnome craze is in the same genre as the plastic pink flamingos – love them or leave them!

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Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

♥  Create – Grow – Enjoy   ♥

 

Rainbow Radishes February 27, 2010

Filed under: Living Healthy, Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 1:45 PM
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Growing Fun and Easy Vegetables:

For a fast growing vegetable try growing radishes, a great vegetable for the impatient gardener and ready to eat 28 days after sowing. Growing vegetables such as radishes and carrots are simple to grow and surprisingly rewarding at harvest time. “Rainbow Radishes” pictured below are unique in the assortment of colors- white, pink, purple and red purchased online from Renee’s seeds.

Rainbow Radishes

These seeds grew perfectly and delivered a tasty, juicy and spicy little treat today. I like Renee’s seeds for the quality and seemingly 100% seed germination, accurate harvest time and final product just as the package promises. My winter crop has been fed completely by rainwater these past few months and I want to believe that everything tastes better when water comes from the sky and not from the faucet.

Radishes remind me of my parents and how my mom used to cut them up at dinner time in the shape of a roses and how much my dad always enjoyed them. I planted this garden bed with my parents in mind and for my Dad’s birthday I plan to surprise him with a basket of colorful radishes.

Tips for planting:

* Grow in a raised bed or container with organic planting mix.

Simple low framed garden bed with Turnips and Radishes

* 6-8 Hours of sun is required for good growth.

* Consistent watering and weeding is needed.

* Plant at depth and distance according to package directions.

WEB SITE PHOTOS FROM RENEE’S SEEDS: RAINBOW RADISH SEED PACKET

. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY GARDEN BLOG: www.nadiaknows.com

Plant – Grow – Enjoy

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Gardening Dogs February 24, 2010

Filed under: Chihuahuas and Pets, Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 5:08 PM
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Our mom thinks we like to garden, but we really just like to pose for photos and keep her company when she’s in the garden. We are not too excited about the turnips and radishes that are shown growing in this photo, we prefer broccoli. Contrary to popular opinion concerning the chihuahua breed being “un-trainable” we actually passed obedience class and will sit and stay on command, with one exception being UPS deliveries which we still run out to the truck if we can sneak by the adults.

Chihuahuas and Turnips

Roxy is the Golden Retriever that our parents adopted from the Golden Retriever Rescue of San Diego about 7 months ago, she was used for 7 years as a breeding mill mommy in very bad conditions (see this website on puppy mills) and is adjusting to a happier life with us now.  It took us a little while to get used to her because she is so much bigger than we are, but Roxy is a gentle giant. We all like to chew on carrots and smell all the vegetables growing in the garden. Mom calls us “her gardening dogs”.

Roxy

When we get tired out from helping mom we like run around in the backyard, or take long naps relaxing in the sun. It’s a good life being a dog and living in a warm climate.

Thanks for stopping by to meet us. Happy gardening!

 

Succulent Container Designs February 21, 2010

Filed under: Garden Design, Garden Projects, Succulents — nadiaqh @ 7:17 AM
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modern succulent design

Succulent Container Designs

A small tabletop succulent design with a simple inspirational message rock, decorative pebbles and a linear design of small succulents all the same species makes a clever gift. I like to keep my camera with me when I shop at garden stores to gather up design ideas for creating my own garden gifts, this one shown has a popsicle stick price tag for $60. Being creative with gifts can mean reproducing a design like this one for less than half the price- now that’s being creative! There are many possibilities when designing with succulents from choosing the size and color of a container to picking out which succulent species will best match the theme. Modern, Feng-shui, Ocean theme, or Mexican-Rustic are just a few themes that come to mind when I create gifts for family and friends, and matching up their personality is part of the creativity and design.

Succulents have evolved out of harsh growing conditions and although they look quite exotic, they actually grow well in average soil conditions weathering both hot and cool temperatures. The key to growing successful succulents is planting them in containers that allow for good drainage.

This tabletop display is especially stunning with the choice of using one succulent species and planting them on a diagonal. As the rock says, Imagine!

Tips for creating succulent containers:

1. Use garden charcoal as the bottom 1/4 of the container base.

2. Use cactus mix to fill the container. Place succulents and add a top decorative rock or sand around plants.

3. Water succulents at the roots of the plants, avoid saturating the leaves.

4. Allow soil to dry between watering.

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com

Sharing Inspirations- Creating- Growing