We went to The Pita Pit for dinner tonight. That was great. The one near us is busy and crowded all the time, but we found a better one over on Herndon and Willow. The husband and wife that run the place are really friendly, and they hook us up with the extra toppings just to get us to try them. I love it! And, the place is always quiet when we show up. I've only seen one other patron in the two times that we've been there.
We went out tonight in order to exchange one of the pillows that we bought last night. I didn't think that two King size pillows would fit on our Queen size bed, so we got one King, and one Standard, and a two-pack of King size pillow cases. (I had figured that I could simply hem up the other one.) But, it turns out that left a gap between our pillows, so back went the Standard one.
One the drive back, I pulled into the parking lot of the 99 Cent discount store, so that I could get some more gardening gloves. But, they were already closed. In the same parking lot is drug store that had several racks of flowering plants out front, so I stopped to see what they had. Well, they were on sale, and after a quick check to make sure that it wasn't one of the plants we had picked out that was making Andy's nose go off, we bought two Lobelia at (2/$5.00) and two Ranunculus (at 2/$7.00) plants. One of the Ranunculus is purple, and one is white with purple tips. I am thinking about planting them in the same container (if that will work).
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Allergy Alert
So, I know that a lot of gardeners have problems with allergies that might affect their ability to actually get out into the garden as much as they'd like. And, I certainly ran into that. But, it's not the kinds of allergies that you might think. I just found out (the hard way) that I am allergic to penicillin based products.
As far as I can remember (and I'd have to check with my mom to find out for sure) this was only my second time taking antibiotics. The first was last summer when I got a bad cold that would not go away, and my coworkers were starting to worry about me. This time, I recently got an abscessed tooth, so half of my jaw/cheek was swollen. I am planning to have that tooth pulled because it is loose anyway, but the dentist wants you on antibiotics when they see you.
But, I only got half way through the treatment before Andy had to rush me to the clinic. My whole face was swollen to the point where I could barely open my eyes. My hands were swollen and sore, so that even the lightest touch would bring pain. And, other areas of my body were red and welted. I was itchy everywhere, so I was wearing my knit gloves to keep from aggravating my skin any further. Well, the nurse at the clinic didn't waste any time in her diagnosis: I am allergic to those antibiotics, and the symptoms could last up to a week. Wooo hoo!
So, sorry about not posting the pictures that I promised. I am now feeling like myself again, and will try to get the pictures soon.
As far as I can remember (and I'd have to check with my mom to find out for sure) this was only my second time taking antibiotics. The first was last summer when I got a bad cold that would not go away, and my coworkers were starting to worry about me. This time, I recently got an abscessed tooth, so half of my jaw/cheek was swollen. I am planning to have that tooth pulled because it is loose anyway, but the dentist wants you on antibiotics when they see you.
But, I only got half way through the treatment before Andy had to rush me to the clinic. My whole face was swollen to the point where I could barely open my eyes. My hands were swollen and sore, so that even the lightest touch would bring pain. And, other areas of my body were red and welted. I was itchy everywhere, so I was wearing my knit gloves to keep from aggravating my skin any further. Well, the nurse at the clinic didn't waste any time in her diagnosis: I am allergic to those antibiotics, and the symptoms could last up to a week. Wooo hoo!
So, sorry about not posting the pictures that I promised. I am now feeling like myself again, and will try to get the pictures soon.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The first plants are in the ground.
What an excellent day! Andy's mother, Diane, took us out to one of her favourite nurseries yesterday. H&E Nursery just down the street from our place. It was very lush and well maintained. I saw a sign for a succulent workshop that had happened a few hours before we arrived that I wish I could have attended. I will have to check their schedule to see when they are having another one.
We picked out four plants (for the nice price of $6. each) and a bag of soil. Then we drove back to the trailer to drop them off, and headed over to Baja Fresh for some food. Andy and I both tried the Wahoo (Ono) Fish Tacos that Diane recommended. I tried one of each of the grilled and crisp varieties. They were tasty, but I still like the Grilled Chile-Lime Salmon Tacos from Rubio's better.
After dinner, we went over to Cost Plus World Market in order to get some more tea for Andy. They have this stuff for relaxation with Valerian, Catmint, Skull Cap, and some other herbs. It really helps Andy fall asleep. I picked up some Kinder Bueno candy bars. They have a hazelnut creme filled wafer shell covered in milk chocolate. I wish it was dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, but I'm not complaining.
For our garden, Andy and I have agreed to go for a purple, black, and green theme (for the most part) with white and a few other colours here and there.
-- -- -- -- --
Potted Plant #1:
-- -- -- -- --
Wallflower (Erysimum Hybrid 'Bowles Mauve') from McCall's Nurseries, Inc.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/
It just so happens that the very first plant we picked is going to be the first plant you see as you come to our yard. I've planted it in a nice clay pot that Diane brought over for us, and stuck it at the very front of the first flower bed. I think that it's perfect because it'll grow up around the light post. I can't put it directly into the ground because there's not enough depth in that bed, but the ground covers should surround the pot, and give a nice layered effect.
-- -- -- -- --
Ground Covers #1,2,3:
-- -- -- -- --
Superbells - Grape Punch (Calibrachoa Hybrid) from Proven Winners
www.provenwinners.com/plants/calibrachoa/superbells
I planted this first one directly into my front flower bed in order to get some colour in there early. However, from everything that I've been reading about them, they do better in containers because they like well-drained soil that is not too damp. So, it might not like all the clay in the soil. I may end up having to dig up that entire bed, to balance the soil better, if the ground covers don't take. But, I will definitely get some more for the containers later, but I'm primarily focusing on getting the flower beds finished before I more on to the potted plants.
Seen here with Sweet Caroline Raven - Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato Vine)
-- -- -- -- --
The Verbena was Diane's idea, and a very good one at that. It says that it is quiet hardy, and it will grow quickly to fill in the flower bed. So, I am excited about that.
Verbena Hybrid - Tapien Blue Violet (Sunmaref TP-V) from Suntory Flowers Limited
www.learn2grow.com/plants/verbena-sunmaref
This is a slightly different variety of Verbena called, "Purple Homestead", to show you what it looks like in a low flower bed. It has larger leaves than the lacey Tapien leaves, and the flowers grow in rounded clumps.
-- -- -- -- --
Bugleweed - Black Scallop (Ajuga raptans)
from Ball Horticultural Company
www.ballhort.com/Growers/plant_info
I'll try to post the pictures of the new plantings tomorrow.
We picked out four plants (for the nice price of $6. each) and a bag of soil. Then we drove back to the trailer to drop them off, and headed over to Baja Fresh for some food. Andy and I both tried the Wahoo (Ono) Fish Tacos that Diane recommended. I tried one of each of the grilled and crisp varieties. They were tasty, but I still like the Grilled Chile-Lime Salmon Tacos from Rubio's better.
After dinner, we went over to Cost Plus World Market in order to get some more tea for Andy. They have this stuff for relaxation with Valerian, Catmint, Skull Cap, and some other herbs. It really helps Andy fall asleep. I picked up some Kinder Bueno candy bars. They have a hazelnut creme filled wafer shell covered in milk chocolate. I wish it was dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, but I'm not complaining.
For our garden, Andy and I have agreed to go for a purple, black, and green theme (for the most part) with white and a few other colours here and there.
-- -- -- -- --
Potted Plant #1:
-- -- -- -- --
Wallflower (Erysimum Hybrid 'Bowles Mauve') from McCall's Nurseries, Inc.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/
It just so happens that the very first plant we picked is going to be the first plant you see as you come to our yard. I've planted it in a nice clay pot that Diane brought over for us, and stuck it at the very front of the first flower bed. I think that it's perfect because it'll grow up around the light post. I can't put it directly into the ground because there's not enough depth in that bed, but the ground covers should surround the pot, and give a nice layered effect.
-- -- -- -- --
Ground Covers #1,2,3:
-- -- -- -- --
Superbells - Grape Punch (Calibrachoa Hybrid) from Proven Winners
www.provenwinners.com/plants/calibrachoa/superbellsI planted this first one directly into my front flower bed in order to get some colour in there early. However, from everything that I've been reading about them, they do better in containers because they like well-drained soil that is not too damp. So, it might not like all the clay in the soil. I may end up having to dig up that entire bed, to balance the soil better, if the ground covers don't take. But, I will definitely get some more for the containers later, but I'm primarily focusing on getting the flower beds finished before I more on to the potted plants.
Seen here with Sweet Caroline Raven - Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato Vine)
-- -- -- -- --
The Verbena was Diane's idea, and a very good one at that. It says that it is quiet hardy, and it will grow quickly to fill in the flower bed. So, I am excited about that.
Verbena Hybrid - Tapien Blue Violet (Sunmaref TP-V) from Suntory Flowers Limited
www.learn2grow.com/plants/verbena-sunmaref
This is a slightly different variety of Verbena called, "Purple Homestead", to show you what it looks like in a low flower bed. It has larger leaves than the lacey Tapien leaves, and the flowers grow in rounded clumps.
-- -- -- -- --
Bugleweed - Black Scallop (Ajuga raptans)
from Ball Horticultural Company
www.ballhort.com/Growers/plant_info
I'll try to post the pictures of the new plantings tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Trying to beat the rain.
Yesterday it was finally dry enough for me to do some more digging in the garden. The ground was still pretty water logged, but weather was nice, and if I watched where I stepped, I wouldn't sink in. Today was even better. I got the big pile of dirt and rocks out of the front yard, two buckets at a time, and started the hole that will eventually be filled with gravel.
You may ask, "How is that different from the gravel that was already in the front yard?" Well, when we moved here, the gravel was mixed with a lot of dirt and clay, and it formed a low mound in the front and side yards. It was a haven for all the weeds. When I get done, the gravel will be level, and the dirt will all be in the flower beds. So, maybe, the weeds will not be able to grow there.
I am digging down several inches below where the gravel will eventually sit with the hopes of catching some of the run-off rain water from the rest of the yard. It seems to get pretty bad here, as the park had not planned to manage the run-off water. So, when it rains, giant puddles are formed every where there is a low spot.
Our next door neighbors have it worse that we do because their driveway floods, too. If, my idea to catch the rain water in a gravel-filled ditch help to alleviate the puddles in our yard, then I will offer to do the same for our neighbors' as well.
Anyway, I have been digging, and shifting dirt piles, as fast as I can because it is supposed to rain again this weekend, and I want to test my rain trap. I also want to get the work in the front yard out of the way as quick as possible. Since we live in the front of the park, many of the other residents drive past our lot every day. I know that they have been checking on our landscaping progress because some of the neighbors who have stopped to chat with me have mentioned our yard work. I'd like to show that we are actually making improvements, and not perpetually digging in the dirt.
You may ask, "How is that different from the gravel that was already in the front yard?" Well, when we moved here, the gravel was mixed with a lot of dirt and clay, and it formed a low mound in the front and side yards. It was a haven for all the weeds. When I get done, the gravel will be level, and the dirt will all be in the flower beds. So, maybe, the weeds will not be able to grow there.
I am digging down several inches below where the gravel will eventually sit with the hopes of catching some of the run-off rain water from the rest of the yard. It seems to get pretty bad here, as the park had not planned to manage the run-off water. So, when it rains, giant puddles are formed every where there is a low spot.
Our next door neighbors have it worse that we do because their driveway floods, too. If, my idea to catch the rain water in a gravel-filled ditch help to alleviate the puddles in our yard, then I will offer to do the same for our neighbors' as well.
Anyway, I have been digging, and shifting dirt piles, as fast as I can because it is supposed to rain again this weekend, and I want to test my rain trap. I also want to get the work in the front yard out of the way as quick as possible. Since we live in the front of the park, many of the other residents drive past our lot every day. I know that they have been checking on our landscaping progress because some of the neighbors who have stopped to chat with me have mentioned our yard work. I'd like to show that we are actually making improvements, and not perpetually digging in the dirt.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
What to do today?
No gardening, today, because the rain is still soaking the yard. And, all of the holes I've been so earnestly digging for the new garden beds are lakes and ponds right now. Oh well, there are plenty of thing to do inside that I have been putting off. Andy and I still need to finish unpacking our boxes from the move. That would probably be a good place to start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)