Do it Yourself Raised Garden Planter-
27 Mar 2011 5 Comments
in Garden Design, Garden Projects, Living Healthy, organic gardening, Vegetable/ Herb Garden Tags: backyard garden, build a raised planter, do it yourself garden, nadia's san diego garden blog, Raised garden bed, Starting a garden
♥ If you’re always on the lookout for more space to grow vegetables like I am then here’s an easy way to create it. I decided to add a 4 x 4 x 18″ H raised bed to the very last possible open area available in my garden. I chose the easy method and had the wood planks and posts pre-cut to the exact measurements needed at Home Depot. The planter sits right on top of the designated area “without the posts going into the ground” eliminating the need for digging post holes. For the remainder of the supplies I bought L-brackets, outdoor wood screws, water based paint (with primer included in the paint by Behr)- Color :“Fig Leaf” and wood specific clear-caulking. Using a caulking in between the wood slats and around the posts keeps the planter looking cleaner from water and dirt stains. Apply the caulking to the inside of the planter before painting.
The total cost for the planter was $96.01 including all the supplies needed to finish the project, not a bad addition! Total Time: 2.5 hours- completed in a weekend.
Pre Cut wood, L-brackets, wood screws and paint supplies
Prep screw holes for the L-Brackets. Change out the drill bit for a screw driver bit to make adding screws easy and fast.
Assemble on a flat surface.
Planter is placed in designated area and painting begins
Finished Project: Thank you to my neighbor who helped me plant yesterday and find worms around the yard to add to the new raised garden planter!
Quick addition to the planter with purchased plants: Thyme, Onion, Rosemary, Sweet Pea Flowers, Parsley and Oregano and plans to sow seeds in-between next weekend.
Thank you for visiting my blog:
www.nadiaknows.com
♥ Plant – Create – Enjoy - ♥
Rainwater in the Garden
10 Mar 2011 3 Comments
in Flowers, Garden Design, Garden Projects, Living Healthy, organic gardening, Vegetable/ Herb Garden, water wise garden Tags: benefits of rainwater, nadia's san diego garden blog, organic gardening, rain barrel water, rain water harvesting, vegetable gardening
San Diego Rainbow
It’s not raining this week in San Diego but we may still see some drops in the next month. The garden responds much better to water from the sky as opposed to the water from the faucet. When water comes from the sky it’s free! What a great benefit to harness free water when it rains. Here are some links on the benefits of rain water and rain water harvesting. Education is the first step in conservation and finding ways to be more efficient with using saved water.
Link: Benefits of Rain Water:
Link: Rain Barrel Water
Link: Purchasing Rain Barrels Online
Link: How to Build a Rain Garden
Link: Green Alternatives: Why rainwater is good for plants
Anna Apple Tree after a morning rain.
Link : Protecting Citrus Trees from cold weather.
Rainwater on blooming potted citrus tree.
♥ Thanks for the blog visit…. www.nadiaknows.com ♥
ALOES IN BLOOM
31 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Flowers, Garden Design, Garden Projects, organic gardening, Succulents, water wise garden Tags: aloe plicatilis, aloe vera, aloes for landscaping, blooming aloes, nadia's san diego garden blog
♥ The winter months are when most aloes are at their peak blooming season and also a good time to plant them into the landscape. Aloes are succulents and come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes from ground cover and shrub-like clumping to tree style varieties. Finding the perfect fit for a drought tolerant area should be easy!
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a medicinal aloe aiding in the healing of scrapes, burns and cuts and also considered an anti-aging plant.
Aloe barberae: This tree can reach over 20 feet
Aloe microstigma
This is a nice small aloe that boasts orange candelabra blooms.
Aloe verox
This aloe is big and heavy, I use it to cover a large area on my back hillside landscaping. The word ‘verox’ means fierce due to the spiny edges.
Aloe plicatilis
This is one of my favorites. Small tree-like aloe with smooth upright leaves and a gorgeous orange flower-burst.
Aloe microstigma
Another beauty that turns reddish when in bright sun, or green if planted in some shade.
Aloe Bloom macro photo : HUMMINGBIRD ATTRACTOR!
Most aloes can tolerate cold weather down to 25 degrees. Plant them in well-drained soil or cactus mix for best results. Enjoy blooms in the winter months when everything else in the garden is waiting for spring! My favorite part about aloes is how they attract hummingbirds into my yard, adding another benefit to aloes in the landscape.
Thank you for visiting my garden blog: www.nadiaknows.com
Enjoy!
Flower Frog Succulent Design
19 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Flowers, Garden Design, Garden Projects, Photography, Succulents, water wise garden Tags: design with flower frogs, DIY flower frog, nadia's san diego garden blog, succulent design
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Flower • Frog • Design • • • • • • • • • • • • •
photo credit: embroidables.com
Using flower frogs is the easiest way to create a quick floral or succulent design. These photos below show a 1 inch Flower Frog in a small dish with several succulent cuttings from my yard. This arrangement will last for months with only a weekly watering and partial indoor light.
1 inch metal spiked flower frog in a small dish
Succulent cuttings (7) for Flower Frog arrangement
Plant cuttings pushed into the "spiked pins" of the flower frog
Do it Yourself Easy Flower Frog Succulent Arrangement
SHOP FOR FLOWER FROGS: FOLLOW THIS LINK HERE!
www.nadiaknows.com
← inspired by garden design →
Houseplants to Purify the Air
05 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Garden Projects, Living Healthy, organic gardening Tags: Detox household air, Indoor gardening, Indoor House Plants, nadia's san diego garden blog, Purify Air Houseplants
Chrysalidocarpus Lutescens/ Areca Palm
♥ Winter is a good time to add more living green plants in the home and since we have less time to tend to our gardens outdoors, why not do a little more gardening inside? Here is a list of some great houseplants that will help to:
1) Purify the air
2) Remove allergens from the air
3) Encourage a cleaner environment by ingesting pollutants and balance internal humidity.
- Areca palm: Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
- Dwarf date palm
- Boston fern
- Janet Craig dracaena
- English ivy: Keep this plant away from pets. Considered invasive outdoors.
- Australian sword fern
- Peace Lily
- Rubber plant
- Weeping fig
- Philodendron
- Marble Queen
- Cast Iron plant
- Snake Plant
-
Marble Queen Plant
According to University of Minnesota Horticulturist Deborah Brown in her article on plant purification research states:
“Our space program has led the way to a fascinating and important discovery about the role of houseplants indoors. NASA has been researching methods of cleansing the atmosphere in future space stations to keep them fit for human habitation over extended periods of time. They’ve found that many common houseplants and blooming potted plants help fight pollution indoors. They’re reportedly able to scrub significant amounts of harmful gases out of the air, through the everyday processes of photosynthesis. Some pollutants are also absorbed and rendered harmless in the soil. Plant physiologists already knew that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as part of the photosynthetic process. Now researchers have found many common houseplants absorb benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, as well.”
That is a good incentive to add some fresh greens indoors!
Cast Iron Plant
Snake Plant
Happy Healthy New Year!
www.nadiaknows.com
create – grow – inspire
For the Love of Succulents
20 Dec 2010 2 Comments
in Garden Design, Garden Projects, organic gardening, Photography, Succulents, water wise garden Tags: DIY Succulent wreaths, garden diorama, Garden Gifts, nadia's san diego garden blog, potted succulents, succulent design
SUCCULENT LOVE:
These are my favorites this year from other websites, blogs and online stores. A variety of “DIY” Do-it-Yourself sites that show how to make and create these beautiful succulent designs. Simple and elegant, drought tolerant, lush looking and green!
Garden in a Christmas bulb from: floragrubb.com...It looks like these were dropped in and positioned with a long pair of tweezers. Air plant with moss. Nice idea!
Have you ever wondered how to make a Succulent Wreath? Purchasing these beauties can be expensive, but if you can acquire cuttings from a friend or neighbor wreaths can be a very inexpensive and luxurious Do-It-Yourself Project. Square and Heart wreaths look great too.
Shop for wreaths at: www.vivaterra.com
Photo credit: prudentbaby.com
Follow these Links to learn How to Make a Succulent Wreaths yourself: DIY!
1. http://www.marthastewart.com/article/succulent-wreath
2. http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/12/diy-simple-stunning-living-succulent.html
3. http://www.astorybooklife.com/gardens/living-wreath/
Photo Credit: Debra Lee Baldwin: A beautiful way to plant succulents. This is a bird bath that has been used as a planter. The glass rocks really add a nice whimsical touch.
I’ve had many email requests on how to make succulent bouquets, I found a great website that shares all the specifics! http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2010/02/inspiration-succulents-bouquet-how-to.html
These bouquets could be added to a vase and kept “forever”… or a really long time 
Photo credit: www.weddingwire.com
Got t0 love this one. A small-scale diorama with cactus and toy cars. This could be done with any theme and the creativity would be endless.
photo credit: pottedstore.com
These would all make great gifts for the holidays and throughout the year.
Thanks for visiting my garden blog today.
Stay inspired and enjoy!
www.nadiaknows.com
*HOLIDAY GARDEN GIFT IDEAS *
03 Dec 2010 8 Comments
in Cooking, Flowers, Garden Design, Garden Projects, Living Healthy, Succulents, Vegetable/ Herb Garden Tags: holiday garden gifts, making garden gifts, nadia's san diego garden blog, potted succulent gifts
There is still plenty of time to make or arrange some easy garden gifts for the holidays. Get creative with supplies by finding containers at resale and antique shops, it will add a nostalgic touch without breaking the bank. Water wise plants make it easy on the ‘gift receiver’ who may not be a green thumb, water only once a week and place in a sun for 4-6 hours per day.
Creative container idea for planting succulents. Check out this Blog and Image from: www.faroutflora.com
Vintage Coffee Can Containers for succulents can be found on ebay at very reasonable prices.
Herb infused vinegar and oils.... Many recipes online. I made this one with Rosemary and Thyme in vinegar and olive oil. Make and Store in the refrigerator one week before gift giving.
Spray paint or hand paint wooden stakes, large rocks, bottles, cans, or pots for garden plant markers. Get creative!
Make magnets with glass rounds, glue, and garden photos from magazines or cards. Glue a magnet on the back when dry. I found these glass circles at 'Michael's' Craft store.
Garden Flower Magnet: I used printed card stock paper with a clear silicon glue from Home Depot.
*google image* painted rock garden markers. Too Cute!
For the kids in your life... how about some easy to grow seed packets with pots and small garden tools?
Tie up an assortment of seed packets and throw in a pair of gardening gloves and hand cream.
A whole basket of potted succulents and bamboo in small square containers with gift tags ready to give away.
Have you ever wanted to make a mosaic garden pot? I found a great “how to” video online that in just 2 minutes will show you all you need to create a piece of art. This would be a great project with kids. LINK: HOW TO MAKE A MOSAIC POT!
Google Image for "Mosaic Flower Pot" using glass rounds and small tile pieces.
Mosaic garden pot by: KadeeDesigns.com
WISHING YOU INSPIRATION TO MAKE SOME FUN GARDEN GIFTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON (and hoping you can find some time too)
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY GARDEN BLOG: WWW.NADIAKNOWS.COM
‘ALL I KNOW IS THAT CREATING AND GROWING KEEP ME INSPIRED”
Wine Barrel Container Gardening
28 Nov 2010 2 Comments
in Garden Design, Garden Fruits, Garden Projects, Living Healthy, organic gardening, vegetable garden Tags: Creative container gardening, Edible Landscaping, nadia's san diego garden blog, WIne barrel containers
Early Girl Tomato Plant & Wine Barrel Container
Raised planters provide extra room for gardening and using wine, or whiskey barrels has become very popular. These barrels add a bit more character and rustic charm for tomato vines and rose bushes. Last year I started off with adding barrels for planting blueberries then slowly added on rose bushes, dwarf citrus, a floral container and some for tomatoes. The key to a successful barrel planter is to drill out holes on the bottom for water drainage and supply water lines for easy maintenance. The soil in raised planters need to be fed continuously, so check with your local garden store about organic amendments specific for what is grown. For example, blueberries need acidic soil and using Azalea mix is the perfect soil for this plant, without it the blueberries may never produce.
Create drainage holes at the bottom of the barrel with a large drill bit.
Blueberry Plants for Southern California
Mission Fig Tree surrounded by Daffodil bulbs.
Eureka Lemon Tree & Plumeria Plant mixed together.
Table Top Succulent Planter
18 Nov 2010 2 Comments
in Garden Projects, Living Healthy, Succulents Tags: nadia's san diego garden blog, succulent arrangement, succulent design, succulent planter
This weeks project was creating a succulent planter for my kitchen table. I placed garden charcoal on the bottom of the planter since this heavy stone planter has no drainage holes on the bottom. The middle layer consists of cactus mix then topped it off with small rocks around each succulent. Adding the candle tea light in the middle created a nice ambiance in the evening time.
Table Top Succulent Planter
Than you for visiting my blog today!
♥ Create – Grow – Inspire ♥
Time To Plant Paperwhites!
12 Nov 2010 2 Comments
in Flowers, Garden Projects, Living Healthy, Photography Tags: Growing Narcissus, Holiday Bouquet, Indoor gardening, nadia's san diego garden blog, Narcissus Bulbs
This is a great time to purchase Narcissus “Paperwhite” bulbs to plant indoors for the holidays coming up. It takes about 4 to 5 weeks for the bulbs to fully bloom. Narcissus flowers are very heavily scented and make a beautiful yet simple flower arrangement without adding any other floral variety.
Narcissus Bulbs ready to set out for blooming.
Marbles at the bottom of the vase help support the roots.
Blooming Narcissus planted indoors
1. Use a rock or marble base to set the bulbs on, push the bulbs down into the rocks so the bottom of the bulb is nestled into the rocks. This will give the roots something to hold on to and use as a support while the stalks grow. They can also be planted in regular potting soil.
2. Plant the bulbs close together for a full blooming bouquet effect. The bulbs can be planted as close together as desired.
2. Keep water at the root level of the bulbs and replenish daily as needed.
3. Keep the bulbs in a cool place until the flowers begin to grow, then place them in a brighter location.
4. Tie a ribbon around the tall stems or use a support to keep the flowers from tilting over.
5. Plant several containers a few weeks apart for a continuous show of flowers between November and January.
Narcissus cyclomineus: Native to the mediterranean region.
Family: amaryllidaceae
Genus: narcissus
♥ Thanks for visiting my garden blog today – plant – grow – enjoy! ♥
