Nadia Knows Gardens

I KNOW THAT CREATING + GROWING = INSPIRED LIVING!

New Year’s Gardening Resolutions December 30, 2009

Filed under: Garden Projects,Living Healthy,Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , ,

Happy New Year

“AS THE GARDEN GROWS, SO DOES THE GARDENER.” – author unknown

Is it time again for New Year’s Resolutions? The idea of newness and making life better than before is always alluring to me. I have always been a big fan of resolutions and following through with them for the most part. Sometimes our resolutions teach us that we really don’t need to keep certain ones going, others  teach us to continue on the higher path. There has been a slow transformation for me this year towards living more green in my home and these gardening resolutions aim at keeping this goal a priority. I look forward to the possibility of how these changes and efforts will make a difference in my home and beyond. Living healthier, living greener and reaping the benefits of the effort put forth.

I wish you a very Happy New Year!

NEW YEAR’S GARDENING RESOLUTIONS:

1. Purchase only heirloom and non hybrid seeds.

2. Use no chemicals.

3. Choose green alternatives.

4. Recycle, Reduce and Re-use as much as possible.

5. Make more gifts for others this year “Garden Gifts”- homemade and organic.

6. Mulch more.

7. Read, Learn, Apply.

8. Buy Local, Buy Organic.

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

Create – Grow – Inspire :)

* rainbow photo taken in San Diego, CA. 2009  on the very rare occasion that it rained here! *

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

Toys in the Garden December 29, 2009

Filed under: Garden Design,Photography — nadiaqh @ 11:16 AM
Tags: ,

One of my favorite things in my succulent garden through the years has been finding green plastic army guys that my son has wedged in-between the rocks and plants for me to find. I never have the heart to remove the plastic army guys, even now, years later when I find them weeding. They have a lot more wear and tear and are less strategically placed around the rocks, but that’s o.k. I love knowing that they were put there in fun. I found this photo this morning and laughed because my son won a whole bag of green army men at our Christmas gift exchange this week. I wonder if he will still use them in my garden in an elaborate battle scene… or is he is too grown up for that now? Time will tell, but this photo brought back lots of nice memories this morning as I wind down from a busy Christmas.

Plastic Army Men in My Garden
 

Garden Meditation Video December 28, 2009

Filed under: Garden Design,Garden Projects,Vegetable/ Herb Garden,Video Blogs — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , , , ,

A small space is all you need to create a peace garden. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner and recovering from the busy holiday week, maybe this is just what you need! I know I do. Whether it’s a large garden area, or a small balcony overlooking a busy city… both can enjoy the benefits of a visually calming area. This is a place to take a few deep breaths, offer a prayer of gratitude, burn incense, or carve out a moment of quiet time in your day. Check out my video of a few feng shui garden design spots in my yard which were mindfully created for peace, garden tranquility and relaxation.

Garden Meditation

Garden Meditation

This movie requires Adobe Flash for playback.

Looking for garden mirror-balls? Follow this link: Garden Gazing Globes

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

Create = Grow= Inspire

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS December 25, 2009

Filed under: Living Healthy,Photography — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , , ,

Chula and Bella Santa's Helpers

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   *  *  *  *  *  *  *

-A  SHAKESPEARE GARDEN POEM FOR THIS CHRISTMAS DAY-

“At Christmas I no more desire a rose
Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled mirth;
But like of each thing that in season grows.”
-   William Shakespeare

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY GARDENING BLOG

WWW.NADIAKNOWS.COM

~Reflect today and give thanks for all that you have learned and all that inspires you.~

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

 

CHRISTMAS GARDENER December 23, 2009

Filed under: Garden Projects,Photography — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , ,

Today I watered my christmas tree, trimmed off some stray branches and photographed a few ornaments… I got to garden indoors! How often is it that a 8 foot real Noble Fir is standing in my living room? That “once a year” fragrance filling the room with outdoor ambiance creates that Christmas magic! Cheers to all you Christmas gardeners out there enjoying your indoor tree.

Christmas Tree Trivia: America’s official National Christmas Tree located in King’s Canyon National Park, CA is a giant sequoia called the “General Grant Tree,” it’s over 300 feet high. It was made the official Christmas tree in 1925 and is the Nation’s only Living Shrine. Our Nation’s Christmas Tree also serves as a Living Memorial to honor our country’s fallen war heroes.

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

Merry Christmas!

gingerbread cookie ornament

merry christmas ornament

 

Christmas Tree Lot December 21, 2009

Filed under: Garden Fruits,Living Healthy,Photography — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , , ,

A few of my favorite things… This roadside fruit and flower stand on the border of Carlsbad and Encinitas, CA. All year-long providing organic local fruits and vegetables, chocolate covered and locally picked strawberries, breads, dates, figs and their famous guacamole and chips. During the holidays the strung white lights create a magical aura over the Christmas trees and hanging red chili’s. In October the Pumpkin Patch comes alive with a wave of orange color, the summers provide a quick snack of cherries on the way to the beach. There is always an arrangement of flowers that reflects the season and succulent plant gifts in unique containers.

Location: (5) Freeway at La Costa in Encinitas/Carlsbad go East to Saxony Road- It’s on the SouthEast corner of La Costa Ave and Saxony Road.

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www. nadiaknows.com              Create – Grow – Inspire

Carlsbad Fruit Stand December Trees

Red Chili Strands

 

Sprinkling Nasturtium Here and There December 19, 2009

Filed under: Cooking,Flowers,Vegetable/ Herb Garden — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , , ,

Nasturtium is one of my favorite flowers to plant around the garden. This is the all around easy, fun and yummy flower. They never let me down, always poking up out of the soil just weeks after planting them, growing rapidly and bursting into these awesome yellow and orange flowers that are edible! Nasturtium are my favorites mostly because I make cupcakes for special occasions and this flower makes a perfect cupcake topping. The peppery flavor of Nasturtium complements salads and pairs well when infused in vinegar. When I had a backyard rabbit, she loved eating the nasturtium in low-lying planters and that’s how I started planting them “Here and There”.

****************** Nasturtium Facts: ******************

* A super fun botanical name. Also known as “Trapaeolum Majus”. It is considered a flower and a vegetable.

Nasturtium Seeds

* Native annual flower to Central and South America.

* Great for growing in containers, or trellised as a climbing flower.

* Plant in a hanging basket for a trailing down effect.

* Homeopathic uses: for sore throats chew on Nasturtium leaves.

* Use as a companion plant in-between vegetables to deter pests such as white fly and aphids.

* Actually grows better in poor and sandy soil.

* Plant seeds 1/2 Inch deep and 10″ apart in a sunny or partial shade area.

* The leaves and the flowers can be used to season vinegar, decorate cupcakes and desserts, or toss in salads.

* Germination occurs in only 14 days- this a rewarding and fast grower.

* A perfect flower/vegetable for the beginning gardener.

Nadia's First Nasturtium Bloom

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

Create – Grow – Have Fun

“The Nasturtium Fairy image link”

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************

 

Poinsettia Passion December 16, 2009

Filed under: Flowers,Photography,euphorbia — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , , , ,

Quail Flower Barn

Poinsettias (Euphorbia Pulcherrima) from the Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, CA supply 70% of all poinsettias in the United States and 50% world-wide. The Ecke Family started breeding poinsettias in greenhouses for wholesale over 75 years ago. This photo was taken at the Quail Flower Barn located a half mile North  of the San Diego Botanic Garden and sells Ecke poinsettias along with other flowers all year-long. Stop in to say hello to the owner Cheryl, she is a great source of information on the flower industry and its history in Encinitas. For tourists and locals alike, the Quail Flower Barn established in 1973 is an eclectic location to take photos against its backdrop of rustic brick walls, custom wood doors and antique farming equipment.

Poinsettia plants are natives of Southern Mexico where they can grow up to 12 feet tall in the wild and were used for centuries to decorate churches in December when they bloom. They come in a wide variety of colors and are distinguished with names such as “Jingle Bells” and “Candy Cane”. Poinsettias enjoy temperatures between 60-70 degrees and are part of the Euphorbia genus which is actually a tropical tree. The yellow center of the plant is actually the flower and the large red petals are the leaves.

* Poinsettia plants are not toxic. I saw the famous floral designer/consultant Rene Van Rems literally eat a leaf on stage at the San Diego Horticulture Society meeting tonight to disprove the myth. He was quite a funny speaker and it was well worth going to the meeting tonight to see his talent expressed in his floral and plant displays.  I have included a link to his web site for the floral enthusiasts.

Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com         Create- Grow- Inspire



 

Making Mint Simple Syrup- Video December 14, 2009

Filed under: Cooking,Garden Projects,Vegetable/ Herb Garden,Video Blogs — nadiaqh @ 1:11 AM
Tags: , , ,
Homemade Mint Simple Syrup

Homemade Mint Simple Syrup

This movie requires Adobe Flash for playback.

The holidays are here and I have had many requests for homemade gifts from the garden. I like creating gifts from the garden, especially when they’re organic and easy to do. If the only use this mint syrup gets is for placing it in hot or iced-tea, then it’s well worth it.  Create a basket with some white rum and a bottle of club soda and you have a little “Mojito Party Basket” as a holiday gift! Mint syrup can be poured over cooked fruit, fresh fruit, ice cream and mixed into recipes that call for simple syrup. The Retro glass jars were purchased at  Sur le Table for under $4.00 each. I used “typewriter” FONT to print out homemade labels for the jars. Everyone loves a home-made gift and this one is super yummy and simple to make.

nadia's mint syrup

Making Mint Syrup: Also known as Simple Syrup.

RECIPE:

2 CUPS Granulated Sugar

1 CUP Water

1 CUP Packed Fresh Mint Leaves

2 Tablespoons of Corn Syrup

DIRECTIONS: In a small saucepan heat sugar, corn syrup and water to a slow boil until Sugar is dissolved. Add Mint and remove from heat. Stir for 1 minute. Allow syrup to cool back down to room temperature. Pour Mint Syrup into a bowl through a strainer. Store the syrup in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Syrup will keep for several months.

*makes 2 cups

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

Create- Grow- Inspire

 

Guadalupe Roses and Cactus December 12, 2009

Filed under: Flowers,Photography — nadiaqh @ 6:50 PM
Tags: , ,

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today, December 12th is a celebration day for many people across the world and I could not resist going to the local Catholic Church to take photos of the botanical arrangement surrounding the statue of Virgin of Guadalupe. The roses, cactus and agave plants arranged for this celebration day complimented the vivid colors popularly known in this apparition. Today, after 478 years the cloth that reveals the original picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Bascilica in Mexico City has not deteriorated.   Information Link — Our Lady of Guadalupe day.

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

Create – Grow – Inspire

Roses surrounding Guadalupe Statue