Not So Fast!!

This last weekend Jason and I did one last yard clean-up and prep for winter. It's so bittersweet pulling out all the vegetable plants that you nurtured and cared for all summer long and reaped such yummy produce from. But, they would have shriveled up and died anyways, so I guess I'm doing them the respectful duty of taking them while they still have some beauty, no?

Anyways, that's not my point. My point is: some of those dead things in your yard are actually quite beautiful and can still be put to some use. I saved some of the more odd and unique clippings from dead-heading my plants for the winter and some general pruning. Just arrange them together like you would a bouquet, and you have a lovely fall focal piece. If you have a lot of darker-colored dead-heading, it would be kind of a spooky porch-piece for Halloween. Too bad I decided to prune the day after...oh, well...Next year for sure!

It just might take some creativity and unlikely pairings. For my fall's end bouquet, i have clippings from:

Lavendar
Crocosmia
Arugula flowers
The last withering hydrangea flowers
Barberry

Dried fenel flowers

Devonly, yours

House Plants

A lot of my house plants have been out-growing their pots lately, so it's time to repot them into larger containers. However, there are some guidlines you should know about when repotting your house plants.

While you might think it would just be easier to stick your tiny plant into a large container as you think it might one day grow to that size, this is not the case. The new pot should be 1-2" larger in diameter (at the top) than the old pot - MAX. Because the roots of your plant are only a big as the last pot they were in, they would not be getting efficient water as all the water would sink to the bottom where the roots are not yet reaching. So you need to take it little by little when growing your indoor plants.

Also, holes at the bottom of the pot are essential for preventing root rot. Some suggest a gravely mixture at the bottom to aid in drainage as well. And speaking of rot: I've experienced a plant that will mold at the top from too much water if I'm not careful. This is a sure time to repot your plant.

And lastely, when you move the plant to the new pot, by pulling apart the roots you will help them grow into your new pot more quickly.

So, happy house planting to you and long live your house plants!

Devonly, yours

Nature walks, sisters, and sunshine

My sister has been visiting me this past week from California, and we've been enjoying all the beauty and oddly enough the sunshine of Seattle.

We were enjoying a walk through Lincoln Park in West Seattle, and there are these trees there - forgive me, I do not know what kind they are - but they reminded me of the manzenita in Northern California where I grew up and I love the way their bark peels off in these curls. Arent' they lovely?

The ocean was so peaceful and inviting (mostly because it was really hot and we wanted to go swimming!). Next time you go for a walk, take a camera and pay attention to the smaller things you might not normally notice.

Devonly, yours

What I did this Weekend: Events

This past weekend was a typical Seattle weekend: Events and happenings all over the city. Plus a mixture of weather. Saturday was hot and steamy, then rolled in the thunder clouds with a cold and rainy Sunday. I'd like to say that I got a lot accomplished, but I must say Jason will take the cake on that one. He single handedly completed our beautful deck. Isn't it lovely?


Saturday, Seattle Tilth had a city chicken tour where urban-dwellers having chickens opened up their yards and coops for the rest to come and learn. Unfortunately, I was at work, so Jason ventured this one alone. He stayed only in West Seattle, but got some great ideas (and some to avoid). Have I mentioned we're planning a coop of our own?


Not exactly sure the idea or humor behind this church-inspired roost.

Then once the weather turned sour and I didn't have to be at work, the Georgetown Garden Tour took place on Saturday. We got some great ideas for our yard and enjoyed the unique neighborhood that is our neighbor.




But it rained...


And rained some more...


After all the tours, we headed over to the West Seattle Summer Festival and found some great local artisans and businesses. But, the rain got the best of us and we had to duck inside. And the best part was, it was all in our neck of the woods. All in all, I say we had a very productive and eventful weekend. How was your weekend?

Devonly, yours

Succulent Shoes

One of my dear friends found these adorable shoes at a Goodwill and wanted to hang them on her wall. Next thing I knew, I was planting succulents in them. I didn't line them with plastic due to the fact that succulents require very little water. But plants that are grown for indoors if you want to hang them inside, and ones that are grown for outdoors if they will be outside.

Devonly, yours

Have a stake out

My poor plants were all looking so sad a droopy, so I gave them a little lift! Staking your plants allows them to continue to grow up, up, and away! as they get a little top heavy. My plants that needed uplifting were my peonies (a typical plant that needs support), tomatoes, sugar snap peas, and some flowers. Here are some different ways you can stake your plants for proper support as they grow:

{A pre-made trellis that you can buy at a hardware store is ideal for climbing vines}

{When tomatoes are young, tie them to a post to encourage their upward mobility}

{As tomatoes get larger, cages can help to support them all around}

{Even just some string will do the trick!}

{A stake with a loop or "cage" is great for tall, top-heavy plants. Garden centers also sell peony- specific supports, I think this works fine for now, especially since my peony is still young and hasn't grown to it's full potential}

Give your plants a hand and something to lean on for a happier, healthier garden.

Devonly, yours

Night Light

Now that the mercury has finally risen, I try to find every reason to be outside as long as I can, even in the the night hours. However, since fireflies don't grace my West Seattle home very often (make that never), I have come up with some cute and inexpensive ways to light my deck. To complete the area, group different size vases filled with river rocks and place tea lights on top. You can also fill extra mason jars with sand and a tea light to line pathways or stairs.

A word of caution: Make sure the branches on which you plan to hang your lanterns are strong enough to support the weight of the jar and the sand. Also, you will need to make the handle long enough to keep the fire clear of the branches and any greenery.

Mason jar lanterns are easy to make at home and make your patio feel like an enchanted forest. You will need:

Glass jars: I used small, short mason jars I had on hand
Wire: proportionate to jar size
Pliers
Sand: you can also use small rocks.
I even have some left over road salt from last winter's storm that would work well.
Tea lights or candles sized accordingly to your jar size

{Start by measuring the wire. You will need enough for at least 1 1/2 times around the mouth of the jar plus enough to use for hanging. Wrap the wire around the mouth once and twist to close}

{Pull the wire back to the opposite side of the jar and loop to secure in place}

{Loop the remaining wire back to the opposite side and twist to secure}

{Fill with sand and place candle firmly down into the sand}
{Hang and enjoy}

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Hope you enjoy your evenings a little longer.

Devonly, Yours.