Mini Hothouses

Soda bottle mini hothouses are a great way to protect your seedlings from frost.

Supplies needed:
* Empty 2 liter soda bottle
* Scissors or sharp knife
* Seedling

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

1. Rinse out an empty 2 liter soda bottle. Replace cap.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

2. Remove label and discard.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
3. With a sharp knife or scissors cut off bottom. CAUTION: Be careful when cutting the plastic edges are sharp and can cut you.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
4. Throw bottom of soda bottle into your recycling bin.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
5. Place soda bottle over plant and twist down into dirt.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
6. On warm days simply untwist soda cap to allow fresh air.

Keep Earth Green

“Yesterday's news is good for the compost heap”

Irises-(Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) – Part 4 of 4

In part four of the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises series I will show hoe I started a flower bed by my steps. This time I used a new less time consuming method.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Early July-2008

The first thing I did was measure 2 feet out from the steps and placed a fence guide. Then I measured and dug holes 2 ½ feet apart for the Irises, placed some granulated fertilizer in the hole, placed some compost on top of the fertilizer and added some water to the hole. To prep the Irises cut the tops off 2inches from the bulb. When planted fan the roots out, place in the hole, cover with dirt just covering top of bulb, press firmly and water

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Late July 2008

Notice the Iris in the front has grown. You can see the leaves that were cut and new leaves shooting up. Annuals and bi-annuals were planted around the Irises.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Early August 2008

The level part of the stairway show how the mulch was put down. Usually I do not dig up the grass but in this case I did to level it out. In the front of the photo you can see newspaper with mulch on top. To do this first water the ground, place 10 layers of newspaper (DO NOT use the shiny ads in the newspaper), wet thoroughly, add 1-3 inches of mulch, water thoroughly and gently step on the mulch. The newspaper keeps the weed population down.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

Mid September 2008

The annuals and bi-annuals are in full bloom. Next year the dirt and mulch will be removed to reveal the top of the Iris bulb so they can bloom.

High Density Gardening

“Love of flowers and all things green and growing is with many men and women a passion so strong that it often seems to be a sort of primal instinct.”
-Helena Rutherford Ely

Irises-(Dr. Pauline Thompson variety) – Part 3 of 4

Part 3 of the Dr. Pauline Thompson Iris Series takes us to the largest Iris flower bed, which is on the side of my house.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2007

Side Flower Bed - June 2007

This flower bed was started in June of 2007. I dug up an area the length of my home out from the foundation 12 inches. The Irises were planted 2 feet apart about 8 inches from the foundation. In between the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises, toward the lawn edge of the flowerbed, I planted annuals. You can see the Clown Violets in the above photo. Cedar mulch was placed over the top of the bulbs so they would not bloom again. This allows the bulbs to spend energy on bulb reproduction rather than on buds.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Side Flower Bed - Early May 2008

If you compare this photo to the photo above you can see how much the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises have multiplied in a year. The flower bed was expanded another 8 inches to accommodate low annuals and perennials. Now is the time to brush last year’s cedar mulch off the top of the Iris bulbs so they will bloom. If you are using a granulated fertilizer that lasts 3-4 months now is the time to sprinkle it. DO NOT let it touch the leaves or bulbs as the fertilizer will burn them. This should be done before you add a fresh thin layer of cedar mulch to the flower bed.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008
Side Flower Bed - Late May 2008

The Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises have buds on them and are approximately 2 feet tall. Notice how the Irises cover up the blah foundation adding beauty to the building.

CA Darko-Gosnell 2008

Side Flower Bed - Early June 2008

By early June the Dr. Pauline Thompson Irises are starting to bloom and are as high as 3 feet tall. In the lower right hand side of the photo you will see the Lily of the Valley white flower.

Wild Bird Food Recipes

“All the great blessings of my life are present in my thoughts today.”

-Phoebe Cary, Poems and Parodies