Winter still has a firm grip on the garden. I’ve struggled with Blogging over the last year and have wondered if I should still continue the journaling of the little garden. Maybe when the snow melts and the garden begins to wake up-I will too.
Tag: garden photography
Garden Gate
The Winter always looks so pretty in the garden and I love to grab my camera after a snowfall. It was a busy year in the garden with most of the work and attention on the new garden pond. This coming year we look forward to more normal garden task’s and time to sit and enjoy the garden.
Rosemary
The scents and flavors of the season.
Tiger Eye Sumac
As we enter autumn in the garden, the Tiger Eye Sumac foliage becomes the star.
I would so love to grow a Japanese Maple, but sadly it would not survive a zone 4 winter.
The Tiger Eye gives me an interesting shape in the garden and the burst of bright color at the end of the season.
Building A Garden Pond-Part 1
A few years ago, we added a small pond to our garden. After digging a spot in the garden, we pieced together some filters and pump, filled it up with water, and dropped in some rocks and fish.
We loved the sound of water splashing down a small rock waterfall and placed a few pond plants along the edges of the pond.
We sat back to enjoy the tranquility of the pond and watch our little ecosystem grow.
We soon realized that we had some issues!
The water was cloudy and began to grow layers of green algae that we couldn’t skim fast enough from the water. Leaves and pine needles clogged the filter and the hot summer days warmed the shallow water, making it unhealthy for fish; but we hatched lots of mosquitos!!
The pond became a frustration instead of a retreat in the garden!
Early this spring we were given the opportunity to work with the Oase Living Water Company.
Taking a look at images from last year’s garden was all it took to sign up for a garden pond makeover.
With the help of Oase Living Water, we were able to design a pond suited for our zone 4 garden. We wanted a larger pond that we could grow water plants and enjoy colorful Koi fish. We also wanted a pond that was easy to take care of!
Oase helped us select the appropriate equipment to keep a pond that is both beautiful and easy to maintain. We were excited to learn that the equipment has an Eco-friendly rating, making it energy efficient to run the pond equipment.
Oase also have a Clear Water Guarantee. “When a pond owner properly uses specifically marked Clear Water Guarantee products, they are guaranteed to have clear water and minimal maintenance.”
The equipment that we used to build the pond include:
AquaOxy 450 Air Injection Pump
AquaSkim In-Pond Surface Skimmer
Corrugated and Flexible Tubing 1 ½” and 2” diameter
Dismantling the old pond was the first task, and this was the most difficult part of the project!
The little red tractor was perfect for removing the old liner and rock. We also needed to relocate several shrubs and perennials to allow for a larger pond.
Spring is generally the best time to move most plants in the garden, and I am happy to report that everything we transplanted is growing and thriving.
Once the old liner and rocks were removed, we began the task of digging the new pond. We were able to add several feet to the width and length. We chose not to disturb an existing brick paver area and carefully worked around a favorite River Birch Tree that was in place.
Once again the little red tractor was the perfect size for working in the constraints of the garden. The waterfall area was dug by hand with shovels.
We dug the pond to a depth of 40 inches in the center; this depth will prevent the pond from completely freezing solid in the winter with the addition of an aerator. The sides of the pond slope quite sharply; this will help prevent animals and critters from entering the pond and bothering the Koi that will soon inhabit the pond.
The remaining rocks from the old waterfall where removed.
The weather is certainly a factor when working in the garden in early spring. We are a small crew of 2 and with some delays we finally got to this point in the project. The garden looked pretty muddy and messy at this point, but it’s going to be pretty!
Stay tuned for Part 2-The Pond Build!
The prettiest thing in my garden…today.
When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden.
— Minnie Aumonier
A Dovecote- DIY
Dovecotes have a fascinating history dating all the way back to Roman days. Though many have disappeared over the years, during the 17th Century England had over 26,000 dovecotes on the grounds of monasteries and manor houses. Doves at that time were considered a food source, for both the eggs and the birds themselves.
My interest in having a Dovecote in the garden came from years of reading garden books that often focused on beautiful Cottage Gardens in the South of France. I loved the gardens often featured in the magazine Victoria. Dovecotes were often a focal point featured in charming flower filled gardens.
Generally working on a budget and from materials that I have around here, I fashioned a farmhouse Dovecote with clay pots for the potting shed.
You will need:
10 -4 inch clay pots
10 washers with small holes and 10 screws.
Starting at the top; center the first pot and place a washer and screw through the drainage hole in the pot. Screw securely into the siding but avoid over tightening, as this can crack the pot.
Continue adding pots making sure they are just touching each other.
Wait for your Doves or feathered friends to find their stylish new nesting place!
I’m still waiting!
Moss Is My Favorite Color
The garden is still brown and muddy, so I’m drawn to any green I can find!
Proof
That one year that I grew the most pretty Broccoli! No bugs, worms, caterpillars or disease!
Yet to be recreated.
It’s Pumpkin Season
A favorite stop at the MN State Fair each year is the record breaking Pumpkins.
This year was a stunning display of this celebrated Squash.
I bow to the gardeners who grew these beauties!
down to earth digs 