Dream Book Design

Tis The Season To Plant..Again:)

So remember back when I posted last April that I was planting all these beautiful flowers and herbs? Well the herbs died. The flowers died {kinda by choice}. Well, I’d like to think that it was by choice. I would hate to find out that anything I did was the cause of them dying. I guess, when I think about it, they could have died for a number of different reasons. Were they getting enough water? Had they been eaten by pests that could have easily been removed by a professional Pest Control company? I don’t know, and it doesn’t do me much good thinking about the past and the flowers and herbs that I once had. In a way, I would like to think of it as a blessing.

Because what that left me with was a fresh slate, a new beginning, and huge smile on my face because I love to plant stuff.

As you can already tell, planting flowers and herbs tend to be my go-to choice when it comes to gardening. However, I also have the dream of being able to plant and grow vegetables at some point in my future. Square Foot Gardening, I’ve heard, is something that I should think about incorporating into my own little space to ensure that they have the ability to grow to the best of their ability. I have many friends who are avid gardeners who will be able to tell me everything that I need to know when it comes to this process of gardening so I’m hoping that this will be a success. I just need to make sure that they don’t die on me again.

This was the area where the vinca was growing like weeds:

The flowers actually did a fantastic job of surviving our summer and more, but J and I both totally got tired of them. We wanted something different, with a little more variety in color. Up next is what I let {so embarrassing} my little nook where I keep my herbs, turn in to. The herbs took a serious tole this summer and I just gave up. Sad story. All that pretty green up on top…thats weeds. Sick. If I did try again with herbs I might have to look up pre emergent herbices to make sure the weeds don’t take over again.
On to the happy part, the new babies. I got some of the most beautiful flowers ever at this great little local nursery Bakers. I love it there. Everyone is so kind, knowledgable, and helpful! I made sure to fill the red planter with flowers that have serious hope of making it through the summer, and my little black pot is planted with flowers I just couldn’t resist- even though they usually do not last half way through summer.
Apparently Honey believes in the phrase “stop and smell the roses“.
I also picked up some organic herbs. I did not even know that there were so many types of basil, parsley and oregano plants before I started gardening! I got the ones that I use the most: basil {two plants}, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, and italian parsley. Let’s hope these make it longer than the ones from last year! I love having fresh homegrown herbs for cooking!
The man that helped me was so informative. I am like a clueless little puppy when it comes to all of this stuff. I want to know more, but I just haven’t made the time investment to research and learn it all. I relied on him for most of my decisions {other than me saying “oooo,ahhh, I love those pretty flowers!”} He told me that two things that can help anything survive through an AZ summer, or anywhere for that matter, are these two items:
Growmore:Organic fertilizer, and Super Bloom {for super blooms-duh}. He told me to simply follow the directions for amounts and sprinkle it on the top of everything before planting. Then dig and mash it around throughout the top 1/2 of all soil. Once mixed, plant flowers {or veggies, herbs, etc.} and then use a watering can that has an {per directions} appropriate amount of Super Bloom and water and water the flowers. He said that every time I water them that I should use the Super Bloom mixed in. I am not sure if this is necessary for all states, but for AZ- where its tough to keep anything alive and thriving through our summers, its great!
I cannot tell y’all how excited I was to be gardening yesterday, and actually have some more to do today {oops-didn’t buy enough flowers for the red planter!}. Hope these flowers and herbs bring some cheer to your Thursday morning!
<3,
Adri

Comments

  3. jonalynn says

    Thanks for the info on Baker Nursery and keeping stuff alive in the AZ. My fiance’s grape tree and roses died last summer.

    We’re in the process of looking for a house in one of the historic districts, so hopefully we’ll have the chance to plant stuff again.

    The flowers you chose are so pretty! Good luck with them.

    http://www.turnuptherad.blogspot.com