The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

Author Archives: jmarkowski

River Birch = happiness

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Today’s post will be all about the photos. Photos of the three new River Birches that were planted by Rutgers Nursery this morning:

Enjoy:

 I feel sorry for these two guys. They had to get deep into the clay to plant the 16 foot trees.
Never mind, they used this Auger. Piece of cake (I kid).
Look at that determination and focus.

Subliminal ad placement.
View from inside family room
View of back of house
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
  Have I mentioned how phenomenal this nursery is? Incredible job every time. 
Look at the multiple trunks and peeling bark. It had me at “hello”.
Did I mention the bark?
One last one
I can’t tell you how invigorated I feel having these River Birch (Betula Nigra) planted. They add so much character to the backyard and open up a world of possibilities for integrating them into the overall design. And they like to drink water and I got plenty for them. 
Before I go, I will again rave about the job Rutgers Nursery has done once again. They are planted perfectly, have a one year warranty (no questions asked) and the trees are in absolute perfect condition. Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything differently with this nursery that is THE NURSERY in my neck of the woods in New Jersey. Check them out if you can. You will not regret it:
Also check out the blog they write for oodles of information:
Enjoy the rest of the weekend. 

Screening out the neighbors

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As I had mentioned in a previous post, I just started working with my brother-in-law on landscaping his property and for purposes of this post I wanted to discuss using shrubs/trees for screening purposes. Below are two photos of the areas we are looking to plant a screening in their backyard.   

As you can see, the neighbors are right on top of them so screening is a vital part of this project.

Here are the details:

  • Zone 6
  • Typical NJ clay soil
  • Would classify both areas as partial sun
  • They plan on living here for another 3-5 years

Now my thoughts:

  • I think a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs is the best bet to keep it interesting.
  • We should purchase larger specimens for more immediate impact since they do not plan on living there long term and will help with re-sale.
  • The shrubs/trees need to be relatively narrow (no more than 4 to 5 feet wide) so as not to impede movement in the backyard.
  • Ideally would like to add smaller perennials/annuals underneath the screening to make sure it doesn’t just look like a bunch of shrubs lined up like soldiers. 

Here is where I struggle a bit – plant selection. What I am leaning towards for now:

  • Ilex (Hollies) – they do well in our acidic soil, are evergreen, have Winter interest and are readily available.
  • Deciduous shrubs with contrasting foliage color – I’m thinking a Ninebark like ‘Diablo’ or a Weigela like ‘Summer Wine’ since they can also be pruned for size if necessary.
  • Conifers for contrasting texture although larger sized options are expensive.
  • Larger upright Ornamental Grasses just cause they are all sorts of awesome.

That’s what I got right now. I still need to draw up a more formal version of the plan but this is where I plead for your feedback since I have to see these people a lot and I cannot have them hating on me.

Thank you and good night.                  

Photo-less musings

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As has been my ritual for the past few weeks, I walked outside tonight with the camera in tow ready to snap photos that I could then upload to this blog. A funny thing happened though … I almost immediately put the camera down and just roamed the property. I had forgotten one of the greatest pleasures in life (at least mine  that is) … walking through the gardens, flip flops on, beverage in hand (Sierra Pale Ale) and just looked over the day’s progress on all of the trees, shrubs and perennials. It was like Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul (intentionally hokey) and it felt good. New foliage never looks more crisp and clear and colorful as it does early in the growing season. While I love the Summer and the infusion of flowers, typically the plant foliage will look washed out and you need to stay on top of the watering. This time of year brings about promise of what is to come and pushes what has been in the rear view mirror and I want to soak it all in.

Another thing I love about this time of year is the arrival of the plants purchased over the Winter. When those boxes are opened and the plants are given a chance to breathe, the possibilities are endless and I haven’t had a chance to mess things up yet. The design hat is put on and the next few days after the plants have been delivered are spent sketching out plans and imagining what can be moved where and it all comes together like a giant puzzle … until I change my mind again. Chasing that imaginary perfect design is invigorating and frustrating but never dull and I wouldn’t want it to be any different.

One last thought for the night. Social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) is often maligned and often for good reason, but I can’t say enough about how friggin cool it is when it comes to finding people who have a similar interest all over the world. Selfishly, I cannot wait to read the comments I’ve received on a blog entry and to see them come from the UK, Canada, Croatia or California is really awesome (searched for a better word than awesome but couldn’t come up with one). Reading other blog entries and seeing photos of plants I could never dream of growing is still exciting and always educational. I don’t know when “blogger’s block” will strike me as I’m sure it is inevitable, but for now I am in this 100 percent and don’t plan on slowing down.                              

Now the good news

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I just got back from riding over a rainbow with a unicorn and then we shared a sundae and listened to Wilson Phillips. So needless to say, I am oozing positivity and have left my prior post in the rear view mirror. Now that was cathartic and I am all the better for it.

Love one another and enjoy:    

I have 3 Pieris sitting in containers from last Fall and I am still debating what to do with them. One of the best features of this shrub is the brilliant red new growth as you can see here. I have only one spot where these will work and don’t know if they are “worthy” enough. TBD.
   

The Ajuga ‘ Chocolate Chip’ are now blooming which is a sweet burst of blue this time of year. To be honest though, I prefer how these look after they bloom when the foliage takes on a nice maroon color. It will fill in empty spots real quickly but doesn’t take over. As I’ve mentioned before, they all divide real well and you can triple your number of plants in no time.
   

The Potentilla ‘Verna Nana’ are blooming …. ummm …. ehhhhh … they help suppress weeds … they’re OK I guess.
 

Now this plant is FANTASTICAL … blooms early in the Spring … nice green clean foliage that looks great spilling over stones. Another plant that has divided well for me.   

The Iberis ‘Snowflake’ is blooming and I am still lukewarm on this one. I moved these to a new, better draining location this year so I will give them one more year.

About to bloom Malus (Crabapple) and the blooms are off the charts. Bring it.

More tulip blooms about to pop. Sweet.

These Leucojum (Snowbells or Snowdrops … don’t remember) have been a revelation this Spring. I would love to increase the number of these next year as I’m sure they look even better in large masses.  

My first and only emerging Hosta ‘Great Expectations’. I definitely want some more this year. 

The Phlox ‘David’ seedlings are everywhere this year and I’m not sure why but I am anxious to see how they develop.

I transplanted this Itea ‘Henry’s Garnet’ this morning from it’s holding cell in my raised bed to it’s new location in the bed surrounding my driveway. What struck me as funny in this photo is the Spirea sitting in the grass that I took out in order to move the Itea in. I left it there for an hour – roots exposed and all. It got me thinking about how I don’t follow the transplant rules very well and also transplant on a whim. It is a typical “male” stereotype of just “doing” without “thinking”. That will be a topic of it’s own in a future post. 

And I’ll end with a question. How should I handle these small off-shoots growing on the trunk of the tree. Should they be snipped? I’ve read that this should be done immediately whenever they pop up.

I’m thinking about posting a video soon but not yet sure what it will be about. I am considering pulling in a friend who was a prior actor (not kidding … actually once had his SAG card). Be afraid … be very afraid … but also prepare to have your mind blown.

Chat with you soon my friends.

Good news or bad news

Posted on by Posted in Winter interest .

You know the old question “What do you want first, the good news or bad news?”. Well I am contemplating just that as I type this post.

Tick Tick … well … I’ve always been a “Tell me the bad news first” person so I can get it out of the way. The bad news here is that I’ve finally taken a step back (both figuratively and literally) and started taking photos of my garden beds from a distance. And it has revealed what I always knew … I need more structure and more Winter/Early Spring interest. That season in NJ runs from late November until late April and that is too significant of a time to have things relatively bare.

As you’ve seen in previous posts, I am enthralled with new foliage growth and the forming of flower buds (which by the way will be the “good news” in a very soon to follow post). My gardens look lush and flower filled by early June and usually by then I’ve conveniently forgotten about how things looked in the earlier months. Well by posting the photos below I’m hoping it will be a reminder to focus more on evergeens,  conifers and non plants (stones/birdbaths/art/etc) in order to make my gardens more well-rounded.

Here are the photos from afar … view them at your own risk:

This photo of the front bed actually looks better than most as the Catmint grows quickly in the Spring.  

The smaller bed with the Plum tree surrounded by Korean Boxwoods looks OK but definitely needs more to up the interest.

This photo of the front bed on the other side of the front walk also looks a little bit better since a lot of foliage has started to grow. If I had taken this photo 2 or 3 weeks earlier it would have been real bare. 

This is the side bed facing West and although visitors really don’t see it … I do … and it others me to no end. I did have some Euonymus here but the deer downed them. C+ for effort.

Again, this bed looks better than it did 2 to 3 weeks ago but I wanted to at least capture the photo now for a future “Before and After” comparison.

This one hurts. This bed surrounds my driveway and it is ugly with a capital U. It will look good mid-season with all the ornamental grasses but during the Winter/Spring I turn the other way as I walk into the house.

Ugly view #2

Last view of this same bed to prove there are actual plants in there.

Ahhh … the bad news is out of the way. I feel better. Be prepared for more of my typical photos in a post later today because I need to get these out to feel more whole.

Namaste

Photos only a plant geek could love

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I got outside early this morning before it was too hot and too sunny and snapped some photos. It seems like we advanced two months in the last two days and dag nabbit (actually looked up the spelling) I am loving it. We reached the upper 80’s today with a nice breeze so it was the perfect day to be working from home with all of the windows open.

On to the photos: 

The Weeping Cherry is in full bloom and it rocks my world.

We got tulips and what a welcome sight out on the deck this early in the year. Seriously, there may be upwards of 50 tulip pots next year now that I know I can overwinter them easily in the garage.
 

An actual bloom from a bulb planted in the ground in Fall. Dreams do come true! This is a Snowbell and survived the wet winter clay as advertised. Consider me a fan!  

Here come the Crabapple ‘Prairie Fire’ blooms and we would like to offer them a warm welcome. You may stay as long as you like.  

There may only be one bloom on the Viburnum ‘Aurora’ but I couldn’t be more excited. Big expectations have been put on this one … she has two years to deliver the goods.    

Literally overnight, this Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ emerged. It is in one of the few areas that gets afternoon shade so will hopefully continue to thrive. I love the foliage on these and would keep them even if they didn’t bloom. The only issue is that they can crisp up quickly if let to go dry so you have to stay on top of watering these.    

Emerging Hypericum ‘Albury Purple’ (St John’s Wort). Wonder if I could just eat these leaves and get the effect promised by the over the counter stuff? Anyways, great green/purple foliage, yellow flowers and berries later in the season that for me, persisted into the Fall. Need to get me some more of these.  

More Viburnum buds (Shoshoni) that will soon explode. I’ve raved about these previously so won’t bore you again. But remember … these rock the party. 

Narcissus … enjoy them while they last … and remember to always let the foliage die down naturally as long as possible to rejuvenate for next year.

I kicked it old school and did the “Worm” when I saw this today. It is Eupatorium ‘Chocolate’ and planted it late last year and I am thrilled to see the return visit. Great/awesome/fantastic/killer foliage color that is a great contrast to all the green in the garden. I just need to remember to keep the Liquid Fence nearby these … they are prone to Bambi damage.     

Spirea ‘Goldmound’. I jumped on the chartreuse foliage bandwagon two years ago and have yet to drop off. The color just pops and works so well with almost any other color. Again, I don’t even care about the pink blooms on these babies, foliage is all I need.

Admit it … this stone RULES! Look at that texture and color and just all around awesomeness. I found a bunch of these when I was digging out our front bed and what a gem (other than the physical torture of getting these out – this is one of the smallest ones).  Just adds so much to a garden bed when interspersed with plants.   

That is all for now. I plan on getting outside later today to start digging out the sod where I am extending the back bed around the deck. I am so ready for some serious manual labor even if it is only for a short period of time. Photos of the experience will be included in tomorrow’s post.

Bye   

What green means to me

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Admittedly, I am cynical to a fault and should probably tone down the sarcasm as well (maybe it is a New Jersey thing). I’ve started to see this rub off on my children and know that I need to tone it down a bit. I’m not looking to change what I believe is in my nature, I’m just looking to scale it back a notch or two for the benefit of those around me.

However, one area where I’ve seen cynicism grow to levels beyond what I would have ever expected is with the “green” movement. Maybe it is politically based more than anything else, but to deny that there is an issue with global warming, as an example, is simply naïve. There may be a number of different ways to address the problem, but you have to first acknowledge that it is truly a crisis.

The corporation where I work recently installed water-less urinals that save upwards of 40,000 gallons of water a year. While recently using said urinal, a colleague said to me “You know they installed these because they wanted to save money, it has nothing to do with the environment”. My cynical nature wanted to take over and say “You’re right my friend” but after quick reflection, I realized, who cares what the true purpose behind it was, it is a good thing – end of story.

I’m probably going to bother some of my readers with this next topic, but I have no use for synthetic fertilizers of any sort for a lawn and have never used them. I don’t need a perfect lawn like the Scott’s commercials will sell to you and the sooner you realize the whole Scott’s program is a marketing scheme, the better off you will be. I don’t even use natural products on the lawn. I simply cut the lawn at a higher setting as it will aid in blocking out the weed seeds from germinating and will put much less stress on the grass leaves. Standing over the lawn with a hose and just spraying it haphazardly doesn’t help a bit – it just wastes valuable water. Your lawn does not need as much water as you think. In fact, I never water my lawn and just let nature take its course.

So back to those same kiddies mentioned earlier. My son is 7 and my daughter is 4. They are at a very impressionable age right now (well not always with my daughter … there’s the cynical John sneaking in again) and my wife and I have accepted the responsibility of taking advantage of that. If you read my blog you know I only recently installed compost bins. I am late to the game, I know, but better late than never and man do I feel strongly about it. Each night after dinner, we evaluate the scraps left over and determine what can be composted. Once that is done, the kids march the scraps out to the compost bins and throw them in. Both kids have asked us more than once why they are doing it and I guarantee they can tell you, very eloquently, what the benefits are. Chalk one up for Mom and Dad.

I am very proud of the gardens I’ve created and the flowers that are abundant as a result. This results in high bee traffic which obviously is a very good thing … except to my son. He is terrified and doesn’t want to hear about all the so-called benefits. But as any good parent will do, I continue to hammer home why he shouldn’t be scared and why they are crucial to the environment. He may not care right now, but I know it will click eventually and that will be a happy day.

I am not claiming to be an angel when it comes to being an environmentally friendly guy in all ways possible. But I am making it a top priority to educate my children on what we all can do to make our world a better place. If they can be more responsible in their lifetime than I have been, then I have done my job.

I’ve written this post as part of the Garden Bloggers Sustainable Living Project, which is a series of blog entries written by garden bloggers (much more prominent than me to say the least) in anticipation of Earth Day on April 22nd. I urge you to do even one thing that will benefit the environment and I guarantee you won’t stop there – and that my friends is not cynical.

Yellow mold on tree

Strawberry–Goat Cheese Bruschetta

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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

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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.