Category: In the Garden

  • Apple Trees at the Homestead

    We have four apple trees (two varieties for cross-pollination) planted in the the hugelkultur berm along the back fence line nearest the Middle Fork of Ash Creek.

    Tending the hugelkultur berm

    Recently I made sure I removed the deteriorating plant tags — really injured a poor cherry tree in the front garden by not paying attention & girdled a limb when it grew into the tag. Before I tossed the tags and got them off my desk I wanted to record the info. The trees are doing well for us (and even better for our daughter in nearby Independence, Oregon with full sun in her garden) but I have to laugh at the marketing/branding — as I’m learning the code to insert trademark, copyright, registered symbols on a blog post — I think this might be a record! (Anyway, as always, I’ll post this….and then get back to it later to add more info….hmmmmm)

    Golden Treat™ Urban Apples© Garden Debut are “Tall on Taste for Limited Space™” They grow straight up, creating an elegant tree for small landscapes and patios. Golden Treat™ has sweet, golden apples and fruit in the first year planted. A choice of two varieties is required for cross pollination.

    Golden Treat™ Urban Apple Patio Tree

    Tasty Red™ Urban Apples make a great cross-pollinator

    Tasty Red™ Urban Apple®

    Garden Debut

    According to the plant tags, “Garden Debut (R) is a Superior Landscape Collection made up of Great New Plants™ and Trusted Selections™ that have been thoroughly tested for long-term performance.” Find them on Facebook and Pinterest.

    Plant details

    Growth Habit: Reaches an average size of 8-10 feet tall by 2 feet wide

    Use: Perfect for patios and containers.

    Exposure: Sun

    Soil: Wide tolerance of soil types and moistures. Grow in loam, sand or clay.

    Hardiness: Cold Hardy to -20 to -30F/Zone 4

    Care: Feed plants in early spring and again in early fall with all-purpose fertilizer. New plants require more frequent watering than established plantings.

    Where to find

    Available online when in stock at Gurney’s Seed and Nursey Company (since 1866). We were able to buy ours locally.

  • Making Giant Bubbles

    Steve and I are having so much fun sharing Giant Bubbles with the kiddos at the Monmouth Music in the Park Series Summer 2022 sponsored by the Monmouth Business Association!

    I make up a batch of the bubble solution each week.

    Perfect Giant Soap Bubble Recipe

    1 heaping tsp guar powder, food thickener (2-3 grams) 

    7 tbs rubbing alcohol (100 ml)

    8 cups of distilled water (2 liters)

    1 tsp baking powder (4 grams)

    7 tbs Dawn Professional Detergent (100 ml)

    Directions

    Mix the guar powder with the alcohol and stir until there are no clumps.

    Combine the alcohol/guar slurry with the water and mix gently for 10 minutes.  Let it sit for a bit so the guar hydrates.  Then mix again.  The water should thicken slightly, like thin soup or unset gelatin.

    Add the baking powder and stir.

    Add the Dawn Professional Detergent and stir gently, to avoid causing the mixture to foam.

    Dip a giant bubble wand with a fibrous string into the mixture until it is fully immersed and slowly pull the string out.  Wave the want slowly or blow on it to create giant soap bubbles.

    Click on the link for a version that’s easy to print —

    A PERFECT RECIPE FOR GIANT SOAP BUBBLES

  • Peacocks on Olive Way

    Is this my best side?
    Better?
    Such beauty
    Hard to imagine walking around with a tail that long
    American folk art terracotta pottery figurine by Ash Creek Nativities™

    An amazing creature — In the year 2022 the neighborhood is home to a free ranging flock of seven.

    Shop this folk art figurine