Winter Projects

Outside its cold and grey, but inside its the perfect day to go surfing; on the web that is. We live in such a wonderful age today where finding the right project to fit our needs and goals for our gardens is only a click away. Having just moved to a new property this past fall, the idea of laying out a new garden and flower beds seems like a daunting task to say the least. I want to try and stay environmentally friendly as possible, while creating a look that is unique to me. As a gardener I understand it is my responsibility to set an example and to help others learn and find ways that can help our wonderful planet. So armed with a large mug of coffee and a view of my future garden I began my task. Several hours later I find myself excited and filled with renewed energy to get my gardens planted. The deck off of the kitchen is my first area of attention and the ideas below are not only earth friendly but economical as well. both being wise choices.

My first of many projects is from http://www.thetinylife.com/gardening-small-space/ . The gutter planters will be perfect to line the rail of the decking outside my kitchen.  This project will allow me to be able to enjoy fresh herbs and assorted lettuces in a unique raised planting bed. Raised planter like this one is great for people that have back or knee problems as well as or have limited space.How will I do it? The website comes with directions but at first blush it seems quite simple. Measuring the needed amount of gutter, I will use a pair of tin snips to get the needed length, drilling drainage holes with a large drill bit. Finally adding end caps which I might have to buy from a local Home Improvement store if I cant salvage any and then attaching to the railing on the decking with wood screws should accomplish the task. If I am feeling extra creative I might paint them in bright colors for extra fun.

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For seeding I found a great site that included how to make your own planting dibble http://beekman1802.com/general/a-homemade-dibble.html. A dibble is what can be used to make equally spaced and depth holes for seeds. The dibble can be made in different shapes and sizes with a minimal amount of equipment and materials. Since I will be planting a trough type of garden I will use a 1 inch x 4 inch x 2 feet for easy handling and workability. This site is definitely worth spending sometime exploring.

If I really plan and organize myself and my projects I can make my own seedling cups from toilet paper rolls with the directions I found at http://savingslifestyle.com/2011/06/stockpiling-reminder-roll-toilet-paper/ . I must have known I was going to find this project as I have been saving toilet paper rolls for about 3 months and have enough to make quite a few seedling cups that will get started under the grow light in the next few weeks.

Once I complete this project I have another one waiting in the wings on different planters and ways to stack them..and wait till you see what I can do with old shoe storage hangers!

Did I mention my Pallet planter? With matching lounge chairs? Being green is going to be so much fun this year and its going to save me so much Green!

To much fun! I was recently invited to visit a local paper making art studio. I had no idea such an incredible and creative environment existed or that I could take classes in paper making, book binding, Japanese paper making and a number of other great programs.

The afternoon started with a stroll of the grounds where even though the studio is located in a very urban environment they grow their own trees from which they strip and make pulp(slurry). The cores of the trees are then used for a number of other green projects throughout the area and are free to visiting floral designers and artist in the local area.

Fueled by all of the possibilities at my hands for the lost art of paper making I did some quick research and found a number of great projects to introduce children to paper making, conservation and recycling. The best part was these three ideas could be incorporated into one winter afternoon with some old recycled paper, a blender, water, seeds(not necessary but adds to the fun of it) and old felt or similar materials and it seems children as well adults of all ages enjoyed the project!

Had I thought this out a bit better the artistic different possibilities were endless! Ideally making the paper without the seeds and printing on it for Christmas cards what could be more fun for a ladies night out? Perhaps next year. The creative possibilities are endless!

Note: I was able to locate a paper pulp(known as a slurry) from a supplier near where I lived to give me a more finished product. The product was sold in 5 gallon buckets by type (there were a number of color, texture and base component choices) however in a pinch the recipe from ehow.com was equally as much fun.

Read more at http://www.ehow.com/how_4464555_make-seed-embedded-plantable-paper.html

• 1. Collect a large pile of recyclable paper and tear it into very small pieces. Place the pieces in the blender jar. Fill the blender jar one-half to one-third full.

• 2 .Pour warm water into the blender jar over the pieces of paper. Fill the blender to the top line with warm water. Turn the blender on low for about 10 seconds. Increase the speed (or use the "Blend" button) for about 30 seconds or until no visible paper flakes remain.
• 3. Sprinkle one-half to a teaspoon of flower seeds into the mixture and stir well (do not blend). Set the strainer on the cup or bowl and pour the mixture into the strainer. Use the spoon or spatula to press the mixture against the strainer and squeeze out more water.
• 4. Lay the piece of flannel or felt onto a flat surface and dump the mixture onto the fabric. Use the spoon or spatula to spread it out on the fabric into the shape you want. Spread it as thin as you can so that it will dry quicker.
• 5. Use the sponge to flatten the mixture and absorb more of the water from the paper mixture. Press firmly with the terry cloth or microfiber towel to absorb still more water.
• 6. Allow the paper to dry on the top and then turn it over. Allow the other side to dry completely. Use the paper to make a note card or postcard. Include instructions for your recipient, letting them know that they can plant the paper directly into the ground or soil in a pot.

Faced with winter at my doorstep and my Peonies (Paeonia) in need of division, I remembered back to my first time dividing these spring beauties. At that time I was a novice gardener and was overwhelmed on how to handle them. I had heard so many horror tales and the intranet was not what it is today so exact information was hard to get.

Peony (Paeonia) division can be completed in a few short easy to follow steps. Working with clean tools and being careful not to transfer disease or fungal infections from any ill plants to healthy ones is one of the most important aspects of the transfer although tricky is easy enough to avoid.

How To Divide Peonies

1. Prepare a site for the divided Peonies, making sure the area has good light and is somewhere you can enjoy the Peonies fragrance and beauty daily during the blooming season. Keep in mind that Peonies do not like to be disturbed as they have a fine root system and only need to be divided every 4-5 years.

2. Cut back your summer stalks to about four inches with a sharp clean pruner. Remove and discard all leaves from the growing area, this is done to discourage any fungal or disease growth that may transfer from Peony to Peony.

3. Dig a wide area around the Peony crown making sure to try not to damage the tender buds and to get enough of the root as possible.

4. Remove as much soil from the crown area as possible by using a hose or gentle spray faucet. I like to place the roots that need to be  cleaned in a 5 gallon bucket of water to presoak off some of the soil while I work on the others. I then use another 5 gallon bucket for the cleaned roots to drain and air dry a bit before I begin to divide them. 

5. At this point there is usually a tangle of roots and buds. Looking at the buds separate the crowns by leaving at least one but three eyes is best of buds on each section that is separated out. I have some that may have only one eye or bud and some with two or three, its more how nature has laid out the Peony crown and its not always accurate or easy to cut so many two or three eyed sections.

6. Cut the sections into 4-6 inch lengths with the buds intact using a clean knife or clippers. Keeping the clippers or knife clean at this point is fairly easy and can be done by making a bleach and water solution of a 9 part (water) - 1 part (bleach) ratio and then dipping your cutting utensil in the solution between cuts.

7. The sections you have made by are now ready to be planted in the ground.

8. Place the crown with the buds  upwards just above the soil line. Peonies have the hardest time transferring well when they are placed to deeply in the ground; so correct placement no deeper then 2 inches is paramount to a successful division. That's it!