Smart Pots
I discovered in my online travels, a product called a ‘Smart Pot’. This interesting innovation is a felt-like fabric alternative to traditional plastic or ceramic pots, which claims to have numerous advantages over those formats including: Unique Features: • Releases heat — roots stay cooler during hot weather • Plants need repotting less often • Air-prunes the plant’s root structure — stops root circling! • Reusable...
(I Never Promised You) A Rose Garden
The most accidental sub-project of the front yard so far. End of season bargains found on some roses while shopping for plants online proved irresistible, so while I had no intention of doing anything ‘rosy’, I suddenly found myself with five different roses that needed a home. So I thought I would need to perhaps make a dedicated extra small garden bed for them. But I couldn’t decide on an ideal location for it. At...
Spuds Away!
I’ve been impatiently waiting for the chitting to work on the spuds and decide today it would have to do (to plant the first batch – I plan to stagger planting in three parts and hopefully spread the harvest time accordingly). Guided by Helen Razer’s excellent article/tutorial (http://bit.ly/helen_spuds), I’ve used certified seed spuds, six to a planter bag, and my own mixture of light and fluffy growing media...
Getting Very Berry
One of the most enjoyable minor projects in the past couple of years has been the raspberries. I picked up a couple of canes on Free cycle from someone whose raspberries were taking over. They’ve been a great success, providing a handful of fruit that first year, and a lot more than that last year. I expect them to be even more prolific this year. I haven’t really got the hang of pruning them – you’re supposed...
Plant Hospital
I’ve always been a sucker for an unwell (and hence marked down priced) plant, and recently is no exception. I currently have several rescues in progress. There’s a couple that have been in pots here at the house since before I moved in, and are finally getting some attention. Also a tree fern I found down the dead side of the house that was close to death. That got broken in the process of getting out out of the ground,...