Succulent Flower Bouquets
29 Jun 2010 5 Comments
in Flowers, Garden Design, Garden Projects, Photography Tags: nadia's san diego garden blog, Reuse succulents, succulent bouquets, succulent design, succulent flower arrangements, succulent wedding bouquet
Aeonium succulent
Have you seen this idea before or am I really behind on the times? Cheers to the flower divas! This is what I stumbled upon this week… succulents mixed in with flowers for bridal bouquets, boutineers, center pieces and really all types of floral arrangements. Succulents are not limited to monochromatic shades of green so there are endless possibilities of mixing in all sorts of colors together… pink, yellow, purple, teal and black to name just a few.
Recycling the bouquets by transplanting them into containers might just be the quintessential green idea since the succulents in these arrangements can be preserved and re-used. How nice it would be to display a living reminder of a special event while adding to its value and memory.
Using Echeveria and Aeonium succulents in rosette shapes compliments the design mixture with the natural shape of roses and carnations. Long lasting flowers such as orchids can keep up with the stability of the succulents offering a long-living bouquet. Sempervivums are more compact and work well in center-piece arrangements.
Echeveria succulent
Here are a few photos from various online sites ~ SO inspiring and beautiful!
Thank you for visiting my garden blog~ www.nadiaknows.com
Creating ~ Growing ~ Staying Inspired
* Thank you to Completely Coastal for featuring several of my blogs on designing with succulents with an ocean theme and thank you for all the wonderful comments!
Flora Grubb Gardens
www.weddingbycolor.com
www.polkadotbride.com
www.projectwedding.com
FLOWER BOXES- New England Travel Photos
26 Jun 2010 4 Comments
in Flowers, Garden Design, Photography Tags: Flowers and Seashells, inspired gardens, nadia's san diego garden blog, New England Flower Box, Travel flower Photos
A sea star perched in a window overlooking a flower box in New Castle, New Hampshire. While on vacation last week I was inspired by so many beautiful gardens from Rhode Island to Maine.
Sea Star & Flower Box
It seemed that at every turn in each town homes and businesses were adorned with beautiful flower boxes and U.S. flags under windows, on porches and doorsteps.
Flags & Flower Box
It feels like summer now that gardens are in full bloom, tomatoes are turning from green to red and eating a watermelon actually has flavor.
Flower Box in Boston
These gardens in New England have inspired me with their color, design and whimsy.
Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com
A place to share and enjoy garden inspiration.
Roadside flower barrel in Rhode Island with iPhoto "antique" effect.
Water-Wise Succulent Gardens
22 Jun 2010 9 Comments
in Cactus, euphorbia, Garden Design, Garden Projects Tags: nadia's garden blog, seashells in the garden, succulent landscape, water wise gardening
The San Diego Mediterranean climate has warm, dry summers and mild winters creating perfect growing conditions for succulent landscapes. We share these climate characteristics with select regions of Chile, Africa, Australia and the Mediterranean Sea which is why many native plants from these regions thrive in San Diego’s sun–loving environment.
Succulents have evolved out of harsh growing conditions and although they require little water, they are quite lush and exotic looking. Other than needing a good draining soil, the overall care is minimal. Succulents are fire-resistant and, unlike their thorny cousin the cactus, they offer smooth foliage and blooms all year-long. Succulent garden-scapes are no longer limited to hillside landscaping with mundane single ice-plant selection, but can be used to create borders for walkways, dramatic potted container designs and specialty theme gardens.
Succulent border on steps and surrounding gazebo.
According to California’s water conservation resource at www.bewaterwise.com, by planting drought-resistant plants a homeowner can save 30-60 gallons of water each time they water. That seems significant in a time when living greener, smarter and healthier is at the forefront of the American agenda. It just makes sense to plant wisely and save money at the same time.
Inspired by the San Diego Botanic Garden’s Under the Sea exhibit, created by Jeff Moore and Bill Teague, the photos below show a smaller recreation of the same idea. The illusion of a coral reef can be achieved in your own backyard- so mask and snorkel are not needed for this ocean dive! Succulents that mimic the shape of anemones, coral an urchins with vibrant orange and blue colors make this themed garden a showstopper. Taking photos of landscaping ideas and keeping those photos in hand while shopping for plants make it surprisingly easy to recreate.
Ocean Theme succulent garden
Materials used for this project include landscaping fabric to eliminate weeds, cactus mix, seashells, lava rocks, boulders, pebbles, succulents, euphorbia, aloe and cacti. Flowing between the rocks and plants are treasures of the sea with Japanese glass floats, heavy rope and ocean figurines. Mixing in other drought tolerant plants that require the same watering needs add diversity and contrast to the succulent-scape design. Building up rocks in mounds not only adds more vertical planting space, but also creates fast drainage, essential for healthy succulents.
Rope, Seashells, Fish and Glass Floats added to garden
No room for a large garden? This can all be achieve in a container pot using the same concepts of design. Only have a small yard space? Create a small Zen garden with smooth round pebbles and succulents planted in a uniform pattern. Hand-painted rocks and stepping-stones can add a personal touch and whimsy to your special garden.
The availability and variety of succulents has increased dramatically over the past 10 years as nurseries try to keep up with the demand for these water wise wonders. Here is a list of popular succulents: Aeonium, Aloe, Euphorbia, Sedum, Sempervivum, Kalanchoe, Haworthia, Graptopetalum and Caralluma for coral-type growth style. I encourage you to experiment with succulents and enjoy the rewards of simple plant care and beautiful surroundings. Happy Gardening!
** Article reprinted from The Beach Break News: Volume 5, Issue 5. Water-Wise Landscaping: Ocean Theme Succulent Garden by Nadia.
* Ocean-Theme online shopping at: Completely Coastal
Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com
Create – Inspire – Grow
Hula Hoops Go Green!
19 Jun 2010 6 Comments
in Garden Design, Garden Projects, Vegetable/ Herb Garden Tags: hula hoop uses, keeping birds away, nadia's san diego garden blog, organic gardening
I received an email photo from a very creative gardener this week and I had to share it on my blog. She cut hula-hoops in half and used them with bird netting to protect her newly planted garden from birds. This is much nicer looking than plain white tubing and hula hoops seem to be a perfect size for raised beds. Very creative and I wish I could take the credit, but thank you for sharing the photo and a wonderful garden idea! The bird netting keeps out the critters yet allows the newly planted seeds plenty of air circulation and room to grow. Using twisty-ties is an easy way to keep the bird netting in place. Adorable and functional. A hip summer twist on the garden plot.
Wordless Wednesday
16 Jun 2010 4 Comments
in Cactus, Photography Tags: garden whimsy, nadia's san diego garden blog
Shade Vegetable Gardening
13 Jun 2010 1 Comment
in Garden Design, Garden Projects, Vegetable/ Herb Garden Tags: Behr Chipotle Paint, Lettuce Garden, nadia's san diego garden blog, Shade Vegetable Gardening, vegetable garden
Creating Garden Space
BEFORE
Eight weeks ago I decided to move the kayaks out of one area in my garden/side yard to create some more edible planting space. This area only gets about 5 hours of sun due to the tall fence that prevents afternoon sun exposure. I researched what I could grow here and found a list of Shade Vegetables. I was surprised to learn that I could have a partial shade garden that could produce all of my lettuce and radish supply for the year. Here is a list of “SHADE GARDEN” vegetables that only need about 3-6 hours of sun per day.
BROCCOLI, PEAS, BEETS, RADISH, SWISS CHARD, BEANS, COLLARDS, MUSTARD GREENS, LETTUCE: ARUGULA, ENDIVE, RADICHIO, ETC. SPINACH, KALE.
Not a bad list for an area that might not get to produce sun-loving vegetables like tomatoes, basil and eggplant.
AFTER
This is an after photo of the area now set up with drip irrigation and planted with lettuce, swiss chard, spinach, strawberries, broccoli, and nasturtium.
The fence is painted with Behr Premium paint color called Chipotle, the red tones of the fence next to the green plants created a nice color pop. Always on a quest for adding more garden planting space to my yard I was pleased with the outcome. Maybe the next thing to go will be the back lawn? 
Thanks for your visit today and happy planting.
New carrot patch in shaded part of garden
Beautiful Garden
11 Jun 2010 1 Comment
in Flowers, Garden Design Tags: beautiful garden, flower garden, nadiaknows gardens, scotland garden
All gardeners live in beautiful places because they make them so.
- Joseph Joubert
A front yard garden in Scotland... a beautiful garden that I photographed on holiday.
How to Prune Fruit Trees
10 Jun 2010 2 Comments
in Books, Garden Fruits, Garden Projects, Vegetable/ Herb Garden Tags: garden fruit tree pruning, nadia's san diego garden blog, Pruning Advice, R.Sanford Martin
HOW TO PRUNE FRUIT TREES by R. Sanford Martin
Deciduous Citrus- Subtropical- Fruit Trees- Berries and Grapes
How to Prune Fruit Trees by R. Sanford Martin
Need a little help with pruning? How To Prune Fruit Trees by R. Sanford Martin is the best price for pruning advice you can purchase hands down. For a grand total of $6.99 I bought this book at Armstrong Nursery with an original copyright in 1944 in its 21st edition. This simple 90 page book deals with pruning almond, figs, lime, pear, persimmon, plums, raspberry, strawberry guava, and berries to name just a few. There is also a chapter on planting and training young trees and the very interesting technique of Espallier Training. With each fruit tree described you will learn how that particular tree bears fruit and its individual pruning needs written with the most simple instructions possible. Taking the time and caring for potted or in ground trees is much more rewarding when the harvest outcome can be manipulated by how the tree is pruned. R. Sanford Martin born in 1900 was an author and horticulturist who spend years developing techniques in pruning, soil treatment and natural fertilizers known as humus. During his lifetime Martin’s ideas were not mainstream and yet today this book is still one of the most sought after pruning books, simple and straight forward. Interestingly the author is quoted in the forward of the book: “It is not my intention to make expert pruners out of everyone owning a fruit tree, but I hope that I may help those who have the desire and time to care for their own trees, thereby eliminating much unnecessary neglect and destruction by incorrect treatment.” Well said, this is my book pick of the month!
Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com
Cultivate- Harvest- Enjoy!
The Backyard Gardener
07 Jun 2010 4 Comments
in Garden Design, Garden Projects, Living Healthy, Vegetable/ Herb Garden Tags: backyard garden, growing easy vegetables, lettuce patch, nadia's san diego garden blog, the simple gardener
Gardening can be as simple as growing a few of your favorite vegetables in pots in your backyard, patio or balcony. A fresh salad mix of organic lettuce, tomatoes, basil, carrots and radishes takes only a few months and re-planting new seeds after harvesting guarantees a year round harvest here in San Diego.
A guide to a simple Backyard Salad Garden:
Cherry Tomatoes: Buy them as small plants or sow seeds directly into the soil. Home grown cherry tomatoes make a great potted plant and the taste is far better than anything you can buy in the grocery store. Vine ripe has its advantages in flavor and color!
Basil: Grow basil right next to the tomatoes to maximize space and take advantage of a great duo companion planting. Eating them together right off the vine is what gardening is all about.
Carrots: Buy seed strips/seed tape for easy planting and pour very hot to boiling water over them when sowing the seeds to encourage faster germination. Carrots are a very rewarding vegetable since they are ready to eat in about 60 days and with so many varieties available it is fun trying out different colors and shapes. Sow carrot seeds every few weeks throughout the summer in full sun. A square foot area can produce 25 carrots.
carrots and radishes
Radishes: Super easy veggie that is ready to eat in 21-30 days after sowing. These come in many varieties and add a great surface color to the garden.
Easter Egg Radishes: Colorful radishes in purple, pink, red and white
Lettuce: Another easy to grow vegetable that prefers partial shade in the hot summer months. This can also be planted with planting strips and has an average 40 days to harvest.
* A link to PLANTING STRIPS / Seed Tape
* A link to unique RADISHES
* A link to some unusual Carrots
All you need is a little space to create a great backyard, patio or balcony garden this summer. Happy Planting!
www.nadiaknows.com
Plant- Grow – Enjoy
One of my Lettuce patches with sunflower and tomato in the background
Cactus Bloom- Friday Photo
04 Jun 2010 3 Comments
in Cactus, Flowers, Photography Tags: Cactus Flower, Echinopsis, San Diego garden blog, Trichocereus brevispinulosis, white blooming cactus
WHITE CACTUS BLOOM
After eight years this columnar cactus in my yard expressed its first bloom with a very light fragrance and lasting only 24 hours. A little internet research helped me find the botanical name: Trichocereus brevispinulosis a native to South America also known as part of the Echinopsis spp. family of cactus.
