Nadia Knows Gardens

I KNOW THAT CREATING + GROWING = INSPIRED LIVING!

ALOHA PLUMERIAS September 30, 2009

Filed under: Flowers,Garden Design,Photography — nadiaqh @ 11:11 AM
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I get the feeling of being in Hawaii when my Plumerias are in bloom. If I close my eyes and smell the scent of the flowers; I can even pretend for a moment that I am on a tropical island. Look at these beauties that are so easy to grow and can create such a vibrant, tropical atmosphere.

Quick Tips for Plumerias:

1. Place in full sun. 2. The soil needs to have good drainage- use cactus mix. 3. Keep soil evenly moist and spray with a water mister, daily if possible. 4. If you get  a cutting, use root hormone to aid in root growth and plant 4 inches into the soil. 5. When the plumeria starts to bloom, add organic bone meal to the soil to boost flowering (a 3 lb. bag is around $6.00). 6. Keep out of frost conditions in the winter by covering at night, or bringing Plumeria indoors. 6. Talk and sing to your plumeria often- you will both grow more abundantly!

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

“I know I want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”

 

SCUBA DIVE IN YOUR GARDEN September 27, 2009

Filed under: Cactus,Garden Design,Garden Projects,Succulents — nadiaqh @ 11:35 AM
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Grab your mask and snorkel (bikini and speedo?) and go for an ocean dive right in your own back yard! I planted this faux Coral Reef garden in an area outside my kitchen patio in a 15′ x 4′ space. I originally saw this idea at the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, CA and wanted to see if I could replicate it in my own yard. For Mother’s Day my gift was a carload of plants (big surprise) and I went to work trying to recreate that colorful ocean display. By using drought tolerant plants such as succulents, cactus, small palms and euphorbia, I was able to reduce watering in this area to only once per week. It now has the illusion of being surrounded by water, yet simultaneously being water wise. This has been one of my favorite projects so far and has become prettier every month as the plants continue to flourish.

* I added sea shells, thick rope, glass balls, ocean statuary and a pebble/lava ground cover at the edges. I even found a faux light weight black anchor on ebay.

* Grouping large rocks and stacking them in mounds creates depth and gives the illusion of a coral reef.

* By placing a landscaping fabric underneath the rocks and pebbles, it not only helps keep weeds out, but prevents the rocks from sinking under the soil.

 

NO BIRDS PLEASE! September 24, 2009

Filed under: Garden Projects,Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 11:11 AM
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Mirrors and Figs September is fig season and mine are being eaten right off the tree. I love to share my garden with the birds and the bees, but  I  will NOT share the figs! I found these great little hanging mirrors threaded on fishing line, and placed them on several branches of the  tree. Happy to report that it solved the bird problem this season!  The flashing mirrors reflecting in the sun must really bother the birds and they stay away.

As they announce at the Padre games- “Hang a Star on It”. This is for sure a Star idea- try it!

** Use any type mirror in the garden area that you want a bird free zone.

(If you live in San Diego- check out “Leaping Lotus” on Cedros Avenue Design District in Solana Beach. I got the mirrors there- under $5.00 per string).

This fig tree is a Desert King- They are large, deep green figs with a strawberry red flesh and very sweet. I like these much more than my mission figs.

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

“I know I want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”

 

Feng Shui for Container Gardening September 21, 2009

Filed under: Garden Design,Succulents — nadiaqh @ 11:11 AM
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The ancient Chinese practice of configuring home or work to promote health, happiness and prosperity- this is called Feng Shui.

Who wouldn’t want more of that in their lives? Here (photos below) I have created a container garden that balances rock, plants, glass and a little art to enhance my backyard BBQ area. Use any size container to create a color palate of garden harmony sprinkled with embellishments.

  • Choose several different colors of succulents or a variety of your favorite plants that require the same watering schedule. This will give the container contrast and allow each plant to stand out in its own beauty. This Feng Shui container is a mixture of seven different succulents, one Euphorbia and one Plumeria.
  • Add a glass watering globe found at Bed Bath & Beyond (remember to use your 20% off coupon), to add a little moisture in the soil in between waterings.
  • Use a large smooth river rock and paint a design on it. The one pictured below is just dots and daisies painted with acrylic paints (you can also use nail polish as a substitute) on an opposing background color. I am not an artist, so most people think my kids painted this… oh well.
  • Place natural rugged looking rocks, or lava rock to squish in-between the plants. Pieces of wood/branches are a great idea too.
  • Choose a plant for the front of the container that drapes over the pot like these succulent string of pearls.

Use all types of objects in your container: shells, sea glass, a metal toy, or antique pieces- customize it to express your passions!

Thank you for visiting my blog! www.nadiaknows.com

“I know I want to keep creating, growing, and having fun.”


 

STEPPING STONE ART September 18, 2009

Filed under: Garden Design,Garden Projects — nadiaqh @ 11:11 AM
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One of my last blogs Step into Zen was about painting your own stepping stones. Here are some photos of other stepping stones we painted… these ones are in my garden. Prop them next to a fence or planter for an artistic flair, or sink  them into the ground and create a colorful path. These are also a great gift for Grandparents. If you have little kids a fun and easy garden gift can be made with just paint and hand/footprints! Doggy paw prints is a sure winner too.

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

“I know I want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”

 

Picture Perfect Succulents September 16, 2009

Filed under: Garden Projects,Succulents — nadiaqh @ 8:23 AM
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This is a quick blog to show off my new macro lens on my camera. How beautiful is this echeveria close up? This succulent is a about 3 inches round and of course water wise. It looks great in all size pots and also in yard landscaping.  I’m looking forward to sharing some great photos with you on this garden blog and showing you cactus and succulents in a whole new way! Let me know which photos you like the best- I love to hear from you!

ECHEVERIA CLOSE

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

” I know I want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”

** note to my niece: I thought you would especially like this blog since it is your favorite color– GREEN **

 

Zen in the Garden September 14, 2009

Filed under: Garden Projects — nadiaqh @ 11:32 AM
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Abandoned Stepping Stones

Abandoned Stepping Stones

My friend called me this week to tell me she found some old stepping stones on the side of the road and knew that I would find a way to put them to use. Since I have been working on her garden this month, and she requested a ZEN THEME, I thought it would be a creative (and cheap) addition. What is the saying?… One person’s trash is another person’s treasure? After cleaning them up, I hunted for some supplies and found a can of  blue paint in the garage along with a tube of red and black acrylic paint. I looked up different symbols that would represent a Zen type theme on Google Images, and found that the Chinese characters for peace was perfect. I printed out the image and my daughter painted it for me on the stone- who says teenagers are lazy? She did a great job and it was just the perfect stepping stone for my friend’s garden. I brushed a thin layer of clear exterior furniture varnish on top to make it more weather resistant.

Next, I wanted to create something next to the stepping stone to add to the Zen Theme. By stacking several round beach rocks one on top of the other (glued with liquid nails) and placing it adjacent to the stepping stone it added a nice vertical dimension.

If you have ever driven in San Diego between Encinitas and Solana Beach on Highway 101 you will see rock stacking. On the large boulders that separate the highway and beach are these tall and fragile rock stacks… only they are not stacked with liquid nails so it doesn’t last long! It has become a popular art form, but very temporary. I will get a photo for you next time I’m down at the beach for a future blog, but see this photo below to get the idea. Very peaceful.

Peace- Painted on a Stepping Stone

Chinese Characters for Peace

Thank you for visiting my blog: nadiaknows.com

” I know that I want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”

 

Sweet Peas and Patron September 12, 2009

Filed under: Flowers,Garden Projects — nadiaqh @ 3:46 PM
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Sweet Peas and Patron

Sweet Peas and Patron

This is a super cool and fun way to recycle that creates a good conversation piece and one that usually gets noticed by the guys in the room. When you are done drinking your Patron recycle the bottle by creating a vase! The glass surface of a Patron bottle has an uneven affect to it which is similar to the look of hammered tin. The large and small Patron bottles both have a square-like shape and both sizes work well as a vase. It’s an even nicer presentation with glass floral pebbles, beach glass or marbles sunk on the bottom. O.K. even better when you grow your own heirloom Sweet Peas!

I gave this to a neighbor who was sick and she liked the “flowers in party mode!”  It was an instant mood lifter.

* Note to my sister–Patron is a type of Tequila (I would have to give you my bottle upon completion if you desire to try this!).


Thank you for visiting my blog! www.nadiaknows.com

“I know I want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”

 

Sloshed Slugs September 10, 2009

Filed under: Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 3:44 PM
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I have read a few organic gardening articles about various methods for getting rid of snails and slugs in the yard and put one to the test last night. Could it really be true that allowing them to enjoy a night time swim in a pool of beer can do the trick?  This week I’m getting my raised planters ready for fall crops and I wanted to cleanse the soil of any hiding slugs before planting seeds. After sinking a few shallow dishes in the planter and adjusting the rim of the dish so that it was just even with the soils surface, I then filled them up with some cheap beer (shall I say the name?). The next morning I discovered over 30 slugs were captured.  What a great way to get those slimy slugs out of the soil and it sure beats getting up early in the morning and hand picking them out. I love a succesful experiment- try it- it works!

Slugs Doing The Backstroke In Budweiser
Slugs Doing The Backstroke In Budweiser

Thank you for visiting my blog! www.nadiaknows.com

“i know i want to keep creating, growing and having fun.”

 

Garden Birdbath-or Chihuahua water bowl? September 7, 2009

Filed under: Garden Design,Garden Projects,Succulents — nadiaqh @ 10:47 PM
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Welcome to my first gardening blog. I am a super simple gardener… the easier the better!  I look forward to sharing with you how to have creative fun with gardening, making projects and cooking with what you grow. Here is an idea… How do you create an inexpensive and fun birdbath?

chihuahuas testing out the birdbath

chihuahuas testing out the birdbath

I am working on my girlfriends garden this week (will show you in future blogs) and thought this would be a nice little touch to her patio garden. I bought a sealed clay pot and a saucer that is much larger than the pot, turned the pot upside down and used Liquid Nails to glue the saucer on top. Find a saucer that is as deep as possible. I then took little half round glass marbles (craft store in floral supply) and glued them in random order to the bottom of the saucer. The total cost was under $15.00. Let it dry over night then add water. After setting the birdbath into place my chihuahuas decided that it served better as a water bowl for them.

Thanks for checking out my blog- nadiaknows.com

“i know i want to keep growing, creating and having fun”