Chamomile Tea and the Seedlings

March is here, and with the last frost date quickly approaching it is time to start seeds indoors.  Before I head to the basement to start this year’s farm, I thought I’d share a tip to help your seedlings along: Chamomile Tea.

Every year, countless gardners see their garden hopes dashed in the flats by damping off– a type of fungal infection that can kill tender seedlings.  Damping off is a problem particularly when starting seeds indoors, and it is encouraged by pooor air circulation and/or soil contamination.  I’ve had good luck with my seeds so far, and I credit this success to the following precautions:

1. Use a fresh, sterile seed starting mix.  Many people use Jiffy Mix.  Others start seeds in perlite or vermiculite.  I use Fafard’s germination mix.  Whatever you do, don’t use soil from last year or outside.
2. Add chamomile tea to your soil mix.  Chamomile tea (and tea in general) appears to have some anti-fungal properties.  This helps avoid damping off.  My formula is to brew 2 cups of concentrated chamomile tea (3 tea bags to 2 cups).  I let the tea steep, and then add it to one gallon of water.  I use the chamomile water to moisten the seed mix before sowing.  I also water with the chamomile solution until the seedlings show their first leaves.  Be sure to use pure chamomile- avoid products that have honey or other flavors.  Organic tea is even better.
3. Set up a fan.  Good air circulation will help prevent damping off.  I use a cheap box fan.  You don’t need a wind tunnel- just some air circulation.

That’s it.  Brew some chamomile and start growing.

Reclaiming the Past

An old cornice.  Terra cotta medallions.  Limestone spires.  Cast iron planters.  Junk to some… the detritus of progress.  To others, architectural salvage is pure treasure waiting for new purpose.

The incorporation of architectural salvage is often overlooked when planning a new landscape.  However, these pieces can add a new dimension to a landscape- fusing the past with the present and creating a unique sense of wonder and beauty.  The cornice pictured left once soared above city streets and now, the building long gone, waits for a new purpose.  Perhaps nestled among  hosta,  dicentra swaying nearby… some ivy curling along the weathered stone…. a forgotten piece of the past.

There is always, it seems, a quiet, poetic quality to architectural salvage.  I always wonder how they looked when new, what the building was like, and the people who made them.  Did they ever imagine that cornice or medallion would be part of a garden?  It seems an impossible thought.  But that is what makes these pieces unique and so interesting.

There are many ways architectural salvage can be used in the landscape.  One method, already alluded to, is to incorporate the piece among plantings so it is something to be discovered- almost hidden, as if seen from the corner of your eye.  Perhaps the piece is partically buried, not only to cover the unfinished sides, but to incorporate a sense of time- it has been here a long time.  Another option would be to make the item, such as the limestone medallion pictured here, a center of attention.  The piece could be set upon a natural stone base and viewed as a sculpture.  It could be used as a stepping stone, or maybe even made into a water feature.

Architectural salvage is not limited to carved stone.  Old limestone block or old bricks can be reclaimed and used to build walls or patios.  Old victorian cast iron urns can be used as planters.  Wrought iron decorations or old windows could be added to walls and sections of old iron fencing used as a trellice.  The possibilties are endless, and the result is always a unique, dynamic addition to the landscape.

Renovate and Revive

In this economy most of us are watching our budgets closely.  Perhaps this means putting of that big landscaping project until a later date- you know, that big wipe-the-slate-and-start-over project.  While the big stuff may have to wait until sunnier economic conditions, there are still lots of relatively inexpensive ways to give that old landscape some new juice.

Trimming and pruning. A haircut can go a long way in reviving an older landscape.  Raising the canopy of trees and open up dark corners and let more light in the house.  Often trimming will rejuvenate older shrubs and spur fresh growth.

Mulch is like a fresh coat of paint for your landscape, and the color will make your existing plantings pop and help keep weeds down this summer.  Stick to natural colors- browns and black, and avoid the red (or blue) mulches.  Pine bark mulch offers a nice auburn color and is long lasting.  For the best results, choose a fine textured mulch over chunky stuff.  Also, freshly edged planting bed add definition and clean lines.

Perennials are an economical way to add some color and interest without major renovations.  Brighten a shady area, or inject some color in full sun.  Most perennials last for years, and newer hybrids offer great performance and lower maintenance.  You can split existing perennials and/or transplant the to a new location for a new look.  Perennials can always be moved later on too.  Also, you may want to try some summer bulbs like gladiolus or possibly dahlias.

Annuals offer unparalleled color and flexibility.  They are great in landscaping beds as borders or in planters.  Remember, planters are not just for the patio or deck… they can look good nestled between some shrubs too.  Look into some of the taller varieties to fill that gap where that shrub died last year.

Garden Art. No, not the plastic flamingos or gnomes (though they have their place).  Try visiting Architectural Salvage (on Broadway in downtown Louisville) to find a new use for a terra cotta building medallion, an old urn, or even a section of wrought iron fencing.  Be creative!

Boulders and stones are a great way to add long lasting interest.  Visit some of the local stone yards (Cranes) to see what is available.  Stick to stone that is native to the region (lava rock is nifty, but out of place in Louisville).  Limestone, sandstone, and fieldstone are great additions to any landscape.

Water Features can add interest and soothing sounds to enhance outdoor gathering places.  Pondless features are great for small spaces and are relatively inexpensive and low maintenance.

Plant a tree.  Perhaps you lost a tree during the hurricane or ice storm, and a replacement is due.  Some flowering ornamentals include cherries, dogwoods, redbud and magnolias.  Consider planting a shade tree, such as a maple or oak.  Look into some of our native trees, such as the Kentucky Coffee Tree.  There are some new elm hybrids such as “Valley Forge” that closely mimic the American Elm, which has all but disappeared from our landscapes.  Some unique additions might be the Katsura, White Fringetree, Carolina Silverbell, Buckeyes, and Sweetgums.  Trees are key structural parts of you landscape, so carefully consider placement and the growth habits of your selection.

Finally, try growing from seed.  Many great annuals do best when planted from seed after last frost (Derby Day here in Louisville).  Try Tithonia “Mexican Sunflowers” or even traditional sunflowers to brighten up a fenceline.   Other annuals like Cosmos and Amaranth offer big color an interest.  Sow some Columbine seeds in shady areas.  Also, don’t be afraid to incorporate herbs like basil, oregano and sage in your landscape.

Landscaping does not have to break the bank, and landscaping done well is always a good investment.  Plus, landscaping can improve functionality and add enjoyment to your property.  We can work with almost any budget to spruce up you landscape.

Jefferson in the Backyard

My daughter, son and I will be bringing Thomas Jefferson to the garden this year.  No, not a statue, plaque or a pile of histric documents.  Rather we will be exploring Jefferson’s passion for gardening.  And Jefferson was a serious gardener.  The gardens of Monticello are a testament to Jefferson’s obsession, and he kept detailed notes on the plants he grew.  In fact, our third President was a bit of a spendthrift when it came to buying plants and seeds…. a familiar problem for me as well.

Our objective is to grow a selection of plants that Jefferson would have grown at Monticello.  Most varieties still exist today, though some have been hybridized over the years.  We have purchased the seeds, and will start some indoors this month.  It will take some work, but I think it will be fun.  The real reward will be this summer when the garden is in full swing.  Summer days with Thomas Jefferson… what could be better?

Thomas Jefferson’s Flower Garden at Monticello by Edwin M. Betts and Hazlehurst Bolton Perkins is a good resource to learn more.

Our partial plant list this year:

• Amaranthus… several varieties, including Joseph’s Coat and Love-Lies-Bleeding
• Calendula
• Celosia- Indiana Giant Cockscomb.  Jefferson generally avoided oddities, but he grew this one.  Produces a huge comb.
• Cosmos
• Four O’Clocks- Sometime called “Marvel of Peru.”  As the name suggest, the flowers really do open at 4:00PM.
• Larkspur
• Marigold
• Mimosa- Jefferson grew this- sometimes called the “Sensitive Plant.”  The leaves close when touched.
• Tobacco- ornamental varieties.  Fragrant at night.  Sometimes this was planted under bedroom windows.
• Poppies
• Snapdragon
• Campanula
• Columbine (wild)
• Delphinium
• Foxglove
• Feverfew- great companion plant for roses.  Feverfew produces a pyrethrin, which helps repel insects.
• Hollyhock- looking forward to these!
• Maltese Cross
• Musk Mallow
• Gladiolus
• Probably a few more that I’m forgetting.

We’ll also try to work in a few tea roses, herbs, and vegetables.  My three year old son fell in love with a plant called “Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate” and is fascinated with the idea of Moonflowers and Morning Glory.  While not exactly Jeffersonian, we’ll fit them in.  I’m sure Thomas wouldn’t mind.

Nature Band-Aids

Here is a presentation given by James Howard Kunstler titled “The Tragedy of Suburbia.”  Kunstler is the author of The Geography of Nowhere, a history of suburbia and urban development in the U.S.  Kunstler is a proponent of New Urbanism, which strives to reform many aspects of real estate development and urban planning, from urban retrofits to suburban infill.  New urbanist neighborhoods are designed to contain a diverse range of housing and jobs, and to be walkable.  Worth a look, with some of my comments below.

* Possibly NSFW:  Kunstler takes a provocative stance in this presentation, and occasionally uses some adult language.

Kustler spoke of how defining space is critical to creating a place of character and quality.  With regard to landscaping, this means avoiding the temptation to install a “Nature Band-Aid”- a random or ill-planned planting intended to compensate for an otherwise vacant or dismal area.  While there may not be much we can do about the location or architecture of our homes, we can use landscaping to define space and create character and quality for our homes.

The use of space is one of my first considerations when designing a project.  This goes beyond whether there is enough room for a particular plant to grow, mature and thrive, but whether the planting compliments the surrounding environment and/or serves a purpose, be it aesthetic or utilitarian.

Perhaps the biggest problem I encounter when evaluating an existing landscape is poor planning.  For instance, too often I see trees planted within several feet of a foundation… this might seem fine when the plant is six feet tall, but what happens when they grow to thirty feet tall and are eating the second story gutter and cracking the foundation?  My own home features a white pine planted within six feet of the foundation– it was a Christmas tree 30 years ago and probably looked charming when it was planted.  I’m sure the original homeowners thought (correctly) that the corner of the house needed “something,” and they did manage to save a cute little tree from the mulch shredder.   Today, that white pine is easily over sixty feet tall, drips sap all over the driveway and sends limbs crashing down on the garage roof after nearly every storm.  Not to mention the deluge of pine needles in the Fall.  White pines are excellent trees and certainly have a place in landscape design, but the tree in question is destined to become mulch someday because of poor planning.  The tree (and the property) would have been better served had it been located in a space where it had room to grow.

Good landscape planning should, in my view, mature gracefully.  The planting should improve with age and help define the space in which we live.