Gardening in Small Spaces http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com Tips, Designs, and Inspiration for Gardening in Small Spaces Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:24:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 GardeningInSmallSpaceshttp://feedburner.google.com The Sad State of My Balcony Garden http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardeningInSmallSpaces/~3/IKME2FXwMBQ/ http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/04/15/the-sad-state-of-my-balcony-garden/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:24:10 +0000 Tennille http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/?p=796 Hi everyone!  I think I am finally ready to start gardening again.  Today is April 15 and that date typically signifies the last frost here in Northern New Jersey.  I figure that this would be a good day to get started with my 2010 balcony container garden as I can plant just about anything outside without out fear of it being compromised by the frost. 

One thing I realized today and that you can see by this picture is that I have a lot of work to do.  Unfortunately during the winter months our balcony it pretty much forgotten about.  We continue to water the containers that have perennial plants in them but not much maintenance goes on during those cold winter months.  This has led to the sad state that my balcony garden is in.  I know that my garden is in bad shape but with a little effort I also know that I can get things blooming out there again.  I love this time a year.  Everything is in bloom and it is the time when my creativity is at its best.

There are some some signs of life out on my balcony as the hostas, bugleweed and a few other plants are starting to come up.  It is really exciting.  I did not really do a garden plan this year as I did last year during the winter months but I feel like I am in a better place this year.  Everything was new to the garden last year so I had to find a home for everything.  This year we have some old friends returning and just need a few exciting annuals to pair with them and I think that we will be okay.  I am looking forward to getting started and posting on the happenings of my small space garden. 

Happy Container Gardening!
Tennille


]]> http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/04/15/the-sad-state-of-my-balcony-garden/feed/ 0 http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/04/15/the-sad-state-of-my-balcony-garden/ Happy Valentines Day! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardeningInSmallSpaces/~3/s5A0UlQ5Ie4/ http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/02/14/happy-valentines-day/#comments Sun, 14 Feb 2010 14:29:15 +0000 Tennille http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/?p=775 Happy Valentine’s Day Out there!  I hope that everyone has exciting plans to enjoy the holiday with the special people in your lives. 

So I picked a cactus as a present for my oldest daughter for Valentine’s Day and I am not sure what this subconsciously means about the way I feel about love and Valentine’s Day.  Have I become so cynical about love that I think if I dare to get close to someone I will surely get hurt, or shall I say pricked in the case of our cactus?  I have been single for quite a while.  Have I given up on love?  I am not sure what it means but the traditional roses just did not seem fitting and I could not bring myself to buy them for her. After growing concerned that I may be passing my cynicism about love and particularly this holiday down to my daughter I decided to explore what the cactus symbolizes. Maybe this would help me understand why I wanted to give her this prickly present for Valentine’s Day. 

I found a few different explanations for the symbolism of the cactus.   According to Wiki Symbolism the cactus symbolizes endurance and warmth.  Wiki Answers added maternal love, courage and stoicism.  These don’t seem like such bad things to pass along.  I am happy I found the reference to maternal love seems as it makes my gift seem very appropriate now. 

Again, Happy Valentines Day!


]]> http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/02/14/happy-valentines-day/feed/ 0 http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/02/14/happy-valentines-day/ Sensational Succulents – Gardening in Small Spaces Container Garden Recipe http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardeningInSmallSpaces/~3/eQRF8AN6qwY/ http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/02/12/sensational-succulents-gardening-in-small-spaces-container-garden-recipe/#comments Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:48:21 +0000 Tennille http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/?p=758 It has been a long time since I have gotten my hands dirty so creating this container after a blizzard in New Jersey, inside of course was a lot of fun.  I love succulents but I have to admit that I have been rather intimidated by them.  They need special soil, they are easy to over water and I am just not sure how to combine them to make a great container.  I changed my mind when I stumbled across a Rihpsalis prismatica in Home Depot.  This was a beautiful trailing succulent and it was one that I could not leave in the store.  So what would I pair it with I thought to myself.  It would most certainly have to be another succulent as pairing plants with similar light and water requirements is one of the most important rules of container gardening.  Then I noticed a huge Aloe vera plant and it reminded me of those bromeliads that I like so much.  The Aloe Vera would turn out to be multifunctional as I been meaning to start growing this as I use it a homemade hair product.  Aloe Vera is sold in many forms and is best known for its ability to soothe irritated skin and burns.  This would surely make a great attraction piece of “thriller” and then I can have the rihpsalis trail over the front of the container.  I purchased a new container and bought some decorative rocks to cover the exposed soil.  Well the result was the following creation. 

Sensational Succulents Recipe
Thriller: Aloe Vera 1 Plant
Spiller: Rhipsalis prismatica 1 Plant
Container Size and Type: 12″ Plastic Purple Container (Had to Drill Holes)
Soil Type: Scotts® Miracle Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix
Light: Low Light 

Plants Purchased: Home Depot (February 2009)
Container Purchased: Home Depot (January 2009)
Decorative Rocks Purchased: Home Depot (January 2009)
Soil Purchased: Home Depot (January 2009)


]]> http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/02/12/sensational-succulents-gardening-in-small-spaces-container-garden-recipe/feed/ 2 http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/02/12/sensational-succulents-gardening-in-small-spaces-container-garden-recipe/ Mild Weather in NJ Makes Me Anxious to Start My 2010 Containers http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardeningInSmallSpaces/~3/hoHrupHqrIU/ http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/01/28/mild-weather-in-nj-makes-me-anxious-to-start-my-2010-containers/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:57:51 +0000 Tennille http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/?p=748 It is at this time of year that I get most excited for the upcoming gardening season.  We have experienced rather mild weather here in Northern, NJ and it is playing with my emotions a bit.  I wish that it would stay like this so I can get some containers going on my balcony but it is certainty that the 20 degree weather will return.  I actually think that there is a cold front coming in tonight.  I just keep telling myself that spring is right around the corner. 

It is hard for a gardener not to get anxious about the upcoming gardening season.  It is when things are the most dreary outside that I find it most beneficial to think about those beautiful containers that I will soon be able to create.  These thoughts keep me warm an fuzzy on a cold winter day.   So what is a container gardener to do in the meantime.  Plan for the upcoming season.  Start seeds indoors if you are able to.  They are light fixtures and seed starting kits to help you do this.  This might be a good challenge if you are new to gardening.  My kids love to help me start seeds and watch them sprout.  It gives them and me such sense of accomplishment.  You can look for new ideas in gardening magazines and books.  I just check a few out at a time from my local library.    The possibilities with what you can do while waiting to garden are many and you will find that you are ahead of the game when you are able to garden outside.  Remember spring is right around  the corner.

Tennille

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]]> http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/01/28/mild-weather-in-nj-makes-me-anxious-to-start-my-2010-containers/feed/ 1 http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2010/01/28/mild-weather-in-nj-makes-me-anxious-to-start-my-2010-containers/ My Container Garden Refuge http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GardeningInSmallSpaces/~3/9P-pub4Ja7U/ http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/2009/07/28/my-container-garden-refuge/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:09:52 +0000 Tennille http://gardeninginsmallspaces.com/?p=743 It has been quite a while since my last post and I did not want July to end without sharing at least something about what is happening in my small space garden.   My plants are actually doing quite well.  Hostas, Impatiens, Astilbe, Ageratum are all in full bloom and my Coleus (started from seeds) are doing very well.  My spillers,  English Ivy and Ajuga Bugleweed are overflowing  and giving my containers a remarkable finish.   It is splendid display.  We have enjoyed a few barbecues in the space and my 6 year old daughter has even created her own little beach on the balcony where the Polly Pocket people are enjoying sun bathing.  We are fully enjoying our small space garden.

The greatest benefit of the garden for me  has been my ability to feel relaxed and reflective when tending to flowers or just sitting out on my balcony reading a book.  It is an instant calm that has really helped me over the last few months.  The recession has finally hit home and it has not been easy.  More and more of my time has been channeled into my day job.  I am an Executive Recruiter by day and the sales cycle has grown increasingly long.  That coupled with the downturn in jobs makes for very interesting/frustrating days.  The first thing I do when I get home is step on my balcony, take a glimpse at all of the beauty around me and take a deep breath.  It really helps put it all into perspective.  I can’t help but feel better.

I know that so many people are struggling at this time.  I hope that they to can step into a garden for a little relief.

Happy Container Gardening!

Tennille

Useful Links
Gardening is Good Therapy

Get Back to Nature with Garden Therapy



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