This post will bore you to tears

You're probably asking yourself - "Really John? Are you going to post every single day with the same type of photos with a witty little sound bite after the photo?" Um ... yeah ... cause it's like awesome and you came back to the torture didn't you? Admit it my non gardening friends ... you're getting the itch aren't you? You can't resist it ... it's OK ... you'll find nothing more rewarding and maddening at the same time. Where else can you get that type of stimulation (please don't answer)? Onwards and upwards we go:         

   

The great "tulip in the garage experiment" continues on and we've officially moved them outside. If only Easter were a week or two later we'd have timed it perfectly.   

The 50,000 Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' I have planted almost all have buds formed. The bluish/purple blooms are kick butt against the maroon foliage and they cover ground quickly keeping the weeds out. What is not to like I ask you?

These are boxwood blooms that I never really paid attention to before. Very small and not a real feature of the plant but I like them today and that is all that matters. 

Really played around with the camera today to utilize the close-up option and hopefully it came out to your liking. This is a Viburnum bud on a two year old plant and will be welcome Spring color for me. I love me these shrubs - this is Viburnum Carlesii 'Aurora'.    

More camera testing - this is a Plum 'Thundercloud' tree that is starting to really leaf out. Love the leaf color and looks good contrasted with the green Boxwoods below it.

Sedum 'Autumn Fire' just emerging. Fantastic foliage on these guys and I am anxious to see how it compares to the ever popular 'Autumn Joy'.  

The Geranium 'Brookside' foliage has appeared. These bloom like gangbusters (I need to google this term) but need to be sheared down after blooming to keep them looking good all season.   

And finally, the Knockout roses are leafing out a ton as well. I am going to do whatever it takes to prevent the Japanese beetles from destroying the leaves this year. I picked up a fantastic beetle trap "recipe" from another blogger and will be testing it out. Here is the link:

http://mastergardenerhawaii.blogspot.com/2010/03/home-grown-pest-control-recipes.html
 
That is all for today ... OK one last story.

I was waiting for the school bus this morning with my son and our dog, Casey, decided to take care of business right in the middle of the road as the bus was approaching. After laughing at the scene, my son said "Dad, you should put that in your blog". A boy after my own heart.

Peace       

Strawberry–Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Mrs. ONG here.

Well, I was going to wait until official strawberry season (here in Zone 6) to post the recipe but seeing that it’s forecasted to be summery here this Easter weekend, I present:

Strawberry –Goat Cheese Bruschetta

This is an adaptation of a recipe originally printed in Better Homes & Gardens magazine

This is my favorite kind of recipe—it’s super easy to prepare (really it’s more assembling than cooking), it’s delicious, it’s a crowd pleaser and it’s good looking, too!

Ingredients:
1 8-oz baguette
1-2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 4-oz log goat cheese/chevre
1 ½ cups sliced strawberries*
½ cup arugula, optional (although I love arugula, I don’t use it in this recipe)
Coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh thyme leaves

Preparation:
1.    Heat broiler. Halve baguette length-wise. Place cut sides up on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Brush the cut sides with olive oil. Broil 3-4 inches from heat source, for 1-2 minutes or until lightly toasted.
2.    Slice goat cheese and divide among toasts. Top with sliced strawberries. Return to broiler for an additional 2-3 minutes, until cheese and berries soften. Remove from broiler, top with arugula, if using. Drizzle with additional olive oil, sprinkle salt, pepper and thyme. Cut into pieces and ENJOY. Makes 4 servings.

Perfect on the deck or patio, with drink in hand!



*whenever possible, try to use organic strawberries as they are high on the list of fruits and vegetables that carry the highest level of pesticides: http://www.foodnews.org/

Staying positive

A change of direction for today's entry. Mr. Negative has taken the day off and his sidekick, Mr. It's All Good, will take a shot at this blogging thing.    

In light of yet another pounding rainstorm and subsequent flooding, I am going to think happy thoughts and focus on that. And since I have forgotten how to write in full sentences and in paragraph form (be happy you get capitalization), here are my thoughts for the day:

I can't wait to pick fresh strawberries out on my own deck and have my wife turn them into strawberry and goat cheese bruschetta. It is KILLER and I beg you to try it.

I can't wait to see the Peony buds covered in ants. I honestly enjoy the buds more than the flowers. To quote Carly Simon and Heinz Ketchup - it's the anticipation.

I can't wait to take my first shovel full of self made compost. It's been a long time coming.

I can't wait for the boxes to arrive with everything I ordered on-line in the Winter. I purposely try to forget to enhance the surprise ... OK I'm lying ... everything ordered has already been added to my monstrous Excel spreadsheet.

I can't wait to cut my lawn for the first time - if only for that cut grass smell and to be able to add the cut grass to the compost bins.

I can't wait to change my mind on every plant's location.

I can't wait to use the hummingbird feeder my wife got me for Christmas.

I can't wait to work outside all day, get a head rush whenever I bend over, realize I have Poison Ivy, have filthy fingernails, and then take a shower.

I can't wait to take a trip to the nursery during lunch and locate a few new plants I know nothing about. Then google said plants when I get back to work to see if they will work for me. If they work, then obsess where they will go, how many do I need and when I will purchase them.

I can't wait to deadhead the daylillies religiously each day.  

I can't wait for my daughter to view the blooming flowers from the playroom and then ask me if she can go outside and smell them.

I can't wait for my son to be terrified of the bees and try to sell him on why they are beneficial and our friends

I can't wait to re-read "The Well Tended Perennial Garden" for the 97th time.

I can't wait to scour all of the stores for the summer sales for all of their dying plants and then attempt to revive them.

I can't wait for the ornamental grasses to take shape and lend that structure/texture to the beds.

I can't wait to divide even more perennials in the late summer and squeeze them in wherever I can find room. 

I can't wait to document all that goes on in the gardens and share it with you.

I can't wait to get additional comments from all of you. The comments to date have way exceeded what I thought I would ever get and I promise you they are all read and added to my memory bank.


Thank you.                         

Rain sucks

OK ... maybe a little extreme ... and yes I know the benefits ... blah blah blah ... but enough is enough already. It has been raining non-stop since spring of '09 and walking outside is like walking in a giant bowl of soggy Raisin Bran. I am ready to pack my bags and head to the desert.

Nice ... feel much better now.

On to some photos - both plant related and non plant related:        

One last bit of anger to get out. This is a Holly 'Blue Prince' that was planted last Fall to be studded out to the other 'Blue Princess' Hollies. Well ain't no hanky panky gonna happen anytime soon as this guy died a slow death. I purposely planted this higher than usual to assist in drainage but I most likely planted it too late in the season before it could get established. Lesson learned and I'm moving on.   

Guess it could be worse and look like this still. Actually ... looks kind of nice right now.

Here is my design focus of the day and I've kept it purposely simple. This is a Plum tree (Thundercloud) underplanted with Korean Boxwood. Very basic but works for me in the Fall/Winter. I've got it lined along the driveway with Ajuga 'Chocolate Chip' that I literally divided from 5 main plants into 50 last Fall. My struggle is what to add in here for more of an impact. There are also about 20-25 bulbs planted here that have yet to emerge (that is me being optimistic). I am leaning annuals but they'll need to be able to survive amongst the trees roots and work in wet clay of course. Fire away with those suggestions.       

The Weeping Cherry tree is loaded with buds and can't wait for them to explode. This is a two year old tree and I'm hoping it will really take off soon. I have always leaned away from any type of fertilizer but am curious if you have had any success with it. One definite though, like all the other plants, she'll be getting some nice arse compost and hopefully that will make her happy.     

I like Arborvitaes and this is another one I added last year. I have three 'Nigra' I planted on the Western side of my house which gets blazing afternoon sun and hammered with winds all the time. These guys made it through the first winter with flying colors so I am psyched. They will get real tall and narrow and apparently grow over a foot per year. Color me impressed.  

I've been contacted by the producers of "Arachnophobia III - This Time We're Bigger and Hairier" to see if they could film on my property. I kid. The number of spiders I see throughout the yard, and unfortunately in the garage, is amazing but if they can produce artwork like this I will let them stay. I honestly understand the benefits of spiders and they do not bother me as long as we hang outside in their 'hood. Would appreciate if they would stay out of the house.     

With the 70 degree temps coming later this week, it reminded me of one of the greatest benefits of the warmer weather. Frequent hot air balloon sightings we see all over the sky early morning and late afternoon.  This photo was taken by my wife last Fall from our front porch.    

And while I'm focusing on the impending warmer weather (and forgetting about the rain I just talked about) here are a few photos of the lake house my wife's family owns in Connecticut. A lot of work has been put into the "cottage" of late and I would love to some day soon do a landscape overhaul (time permitting of course). Hopefully more to come on that front.     

Porch view

Kids out on the lawn lakeside 

It's been an emotional journey in this entry today. From the depths of sadness with all the rain to pure elation imagining the summer. Take a deep breath. Promise you a more mundane entry tomorrow.

Until then.

ONG     

Odds and ends

A bit of a slow day today as it continues to get colder, and cloudy with a chance of ... you guessed it ... not meatballs, but snow (my sense of humor has taken a big hit being surrounded by a 4 and 7 year old). I'm not deterred however, as we are looking at low 70's some time next week.

The highlight without a doubt, is that I ordered my River Birch trees from Rutgers Nursery and cannot wait to get them in the ground so they can drink all of the surface water they want. I have ordered a number of trees from Rutgers in the past and they are always top notch and planted perfectly.       

Before I show you a couple of photos (and as a warning they are all way lame) I have some thoughts/comments/stuff to put out there. I'll just fire them off one by one and my apologies ahead of time if they:

a)make no sense
b)make sense but scare you
c)make sense but you question there relevancy
d)make you indifferent

Well ... here goes:

- I have a serious man crush on Jon Stewart. The dude is funny as hell, smart as hell and most importantly from NJ. His interview with Jim Cramer was a classic as is his take on Glenn Beck.  If you're reading this Jon ... call me.
- Funny how your NCAA brackets can be so exciting and all consuming one minute and then in the trash the next minute. F'n Syracuse.
- I love this time of year for all of the baseball optimism. Even a Mets fan can't help but have it.
- I want Sade to tuck me in one night and sing me to sleep.
- The Hurt Locker was a great movie but it is nowhere in the league of Slumdog Millionaire.  
- I wonder if I have inspired at least one person to get more into the gardening thang. If so, that is way cool.

On to the photos:   

This was a Christmas gift from my wife - a Meyer Lemon tree. She couldn't have come up with a more thoughtful and original gift. The pressure has been on to nurse it through until Summer and I think I'm doing OK. It is in a South facing window so gets a lot of sun and I haven't over-watered it to date. I have given it two shots of fertilizer and that's it. Any additional feedback would be awesome, including how to handle in the Summer and into the Fall.        

This Thyme plant was a tiny sprig I found randomly in a pot two summers ago. It thrives in the Winter in this windowsill and is a sight for sore eyes when all else is brown outside. And you know what that is in the bag to the left of it ... tick tick tick ... it is a collection of coffee grinds ready to go into the new compost bins. How you like me now?   

Finally, the Viburnum 'Shoshoni' is leafing out and that rules. I've said it before, I love this shrub and it loves me.

I'm not expecting to get much done this weekend due to prior commitments, but you know I'll get another post out there some how.

Enjoy.

Back at it

Decent weather day here in the Garden State today so I was able to spend some time outside early this morning. Got my run in first - actually my sprints in - gotta give props to HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) - I find it much more interesting than a simple run and it take only 20 minutes. Enough of that, on to the photos and what has transpired here today.     




The compost bins have been put together and are ready to be filled. I really look forward to educating the kids on this and of course enjoying the resulting "gold". Found some scrap wood in the garage to put under the bins to hopefully aid in drainage. Also need to educate myself on the different layers and how to fill these up for the quickest results. Nice.   

The official first flower of the year. I unfortunately damaged a lot of the Crocus bulbs while transplanting last season but two made it through and flowered today.  

Recently purchased these two urns and you guessed it ... would love to get your feedback on what to fill them with. It is completely in shade. I tend to lean to one specimen per container but as always I am open to anything.    

A follow-up to a prior post from this week. I took out the 'ol extension cord and shaped the new bed. I would have started digging out the grass today but it is still too wet. What do you think? I typically have no patience and just dig out the grass rather than smother with a tarp or newspapers. And ... officially gave up using Round-Up. Can I dig out sections of the grass and simply throw in the compost bin? Should it be cut up into real small pieces and loosened up more? 

My first venture into growing vegetables in containers has officially started. 3 different lettuces, spinach and kale seeds have been sown. You know I'll be taking pictures of these over the next few weeks. 

It's all good

This is an Itea 'Henry's Garnet' that I "stole" from a local nursery late last Fall for like $3 dollars. Threw it in the raised bed and cannot wait to move it to it's proper home. I love these shrubs and they love me (or my conditions I should say). They are a little late to leaf out in Spring but the blooms are nice, shape is nice and the kick ass Fall color is worth it alone (especially next to the Amsonias which have incredible yellow Fall color).     

One last photo for today. This is a Mum I pulled out of it's container and just threw in the raised bed last Fall. Didn't plant it ... just threw it in. And lo and behold it rooted and is showing new growth. Now I feel the need to keep it because I am so proud of it yet don't really like Mums all that much. Oh the problems we face each day.

Namaste
ONG 

ONG in the house

Obsession - [uhb-sesh-uhn]

The domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.

Neurosis - [noo-roh-sis]

A functional disorder in which feelings of anxiety, obsessional thoughts, compulsive acts, and physical complaints without objective evidence of disease, in various degrees and patterns, dominate the personality.

 

I'm liking the title I chose for this blog more and more. The photos below may not be riveting to many of you but man it inspires me like mad. I love this time of year. For your viewing pleasure (even if out of focus a bit):   

Daffodils ... woo hoo ... not much more to say than that.

I planted a few Boltonia last spring but the deer wolfed them down ... twice. I will be protecting them much more this year and look forward to the results. Just happy they came back for more.  

Love me some Nepeta (Catmint). Foliage emerges early and matures quickly. Blooms are stupendous, great edger and after a Summer shearing a nice rebloom with clean foliage. Just don't believe the ultimate size the tags will tell you. These get wide (some up to 3 feet) but if you plan accordingly it will be peachy.      

A photo only a plant lover will enjoy. New foliage emerging from the Hydrangea (Endless Summer) is always a good time. I transplanted 3 of these last Spring and they didn't like it much. Now that they have had time to settle, I am counting on some big time blooms for the front walkway.   

At first glance these remind of tombstones. Anyway ... these are emerging Snowflake bulbs ... and it worked! Bulbs actually survived my winter wetness (an understatement) and so I am elated. Hope they bloom like they are supposed to ... until next time.   

Here come the Siberian Iris. Boring I know ... but was a little concerned as they were transplanted after blooming last Spring (sensing a theme here?).    

Photo will make you vomit from dizziness ... sorry ... but it is emerging foliage of an Aster (Purple Dome) that literally spent the past few months swimming. Tough little guys that have now endeared themselves to me ... and the rabbits soon i'm sure.

Phlox (David) survived my dividing from last Fall. I rule!

Just a Spirea (Goldflame) that I saved from the dead in the middle of last Summer. Thank you Lowe's ... your loss.

Spirea (Little Elf). That's it. Nothing witty.

Crabapple blooms=happy dance.

A fine collection of weeds I am very proud of.

Look what arrived yesterday in the mail. Compost time for ONG. I am very excited to finally take this seriously and cannot wait to reap the benefits. Although not sure why this had to be made in Vietnam. I guess that is a discussion for another day.

Thanks for sticking with me.
John   

Guest post - DigTheDirt.com

Check out the guest post I wrote at digthedirt.com:

http://www.digthedirt.com/contributions/2751-Why-Gardening-Kind-Sir-

This site is phenomenal and I've only scratched the surface of everything there.  

Design time

The past week has been all about tending to the plants, removing debris and doing a dance (still partial to the Running Man) whenever I noticed new growth. Now that most of that work is done I am obsessing over design changes - mostly bed shape and adding some more "structural" elements to these beds.

By structural I am focusing on not only adding more structural type plants like conifers or other evergreens, but items like large stones/boulders or even a birdbath. It has become more and more obvious that I have become too  deciduous and need more permanency. I'm sure there is a deep psychological meaning behind that but I'll spare you that analysis ... for now.

One thing I've noticed since I started this blog and taking photos, is that it really gives me the chance to take a step back and look at the yard/gardens in a different way. Below are a bunch of photos I took of my backyard and I've had some time to analyze them. By analyze, I promise you I am not over thinking it (despite this blog's moniker). I really enjoy this part of the process and eventually putting into practice. So here we go:                  

I have extended this bed twice the past two years and I am finally happy with the depth of the bed. However, I now want to extend the bed further out as it wraps around the deck and eventually meets the landing at the bottom of the stairs. This will allow me to create a more layered bed (no idea if that word fits but you get it) in front of the deck and bring it more into scale with the deck/house.    

Here's another view of that bed as you approach the stairs. Really obvious how shallow this bed is from this view. I am imagining a looping bed line that runs in from of the stairs and ends at the Crabapple tree at the back of this photo.     

This is the landing at the bottom of the deck stairs. I have been contemplating painting the wood along the edge of the brick but don't think that would make much of an impact. Most likely, I will plant heavily along the sides in order to soften the hard edges. If I extend the beds out on both sides as I was describing previously, then I'll have an additional planting area in front of the landing. I would then add a few stepping stones that would take you out into the yard.       

This is the view on the other side of the deck where again, I can really see how narrow it is and out of scale with the size of the deck. The three shrubs in the photo are the spireas I decided to not prune again this year out of fear of them not responding as quickly as I would like. 

This is a view of one half of the deck that hopefully shows why I believe the beds in front need to be larger. Last year, I loaded up on containers in this area and honestly I think I failed miserably with what I planted in them. This year there will be a ton of lettuce, spinach, beans, strawberries and herbs in pots and hopefully I can make it all look good enough together. Even if not, we'll eat well and the kids will have a chance to get up close and personal with growing their own food.       

This is the view right from the deck stairs. The playground needs some plantings around it but there are a few challenges. The deer come right through the area daily and I don't have easy access to a water source this far back from the house. I would love to frame the area with something significant on both sides and have considered large grasses or something evergreen for year long interest. I would also like to soften the look of the railroad ties but do not want anything that attracts bees because the kids will run for their lives immediately. So please ... I need your input here ASAP!


  

Speaking of input ... please put your thinking caps on and help me here. This is a very prominent part of the lawn that can be viewed from the house in multiple areas. It is a low lying area that I have attempted to build up the past 2 years with a combination of fine sand and soil. It has helped a bit but it still stays saturated after a decent rain. Your eye is immediately drawn to it when on the deck and I need to do something about it. What is your opinion of an island bed with water loving plants? Would it not fit just floating out in the middle of the lawn? Or should I keep up the effort of slowly raising the soil level and plant grass there?     

One last quick question. This is the view from on the deck towards the sump pump area. Has anyone successfully planted on top of a sump pump with success? Is there anything that is shallow rooted enough to not be a concern? Any other creative ideas? Maybe a golf net that I can drive balls into?        

OK I lied. Another audience participation segment. Arborvitae in containers ... yay or nay? If yay, what would you plant underneath it? Make it seasonal and plant different trailing annuals? Sweet Potato Vine? Stop with all the Arborvitaes already John?

Ciao