6 posts tagged “gardening”

Officially, it's Olea europea 'Montra', more familiarly known as Little Ollie Dwarf Olive (found tag while pruning).

I pruned the two Little Ollies back, all the way back. Like the rose bush – back, no leaves. Aaron's jaw dropped when he saw it. I guess I should have left some leaves on! I managed to leave a few leaves on the 2nd one, but not sure if it's enough.

On the invasive ferns, as I keep pulling them out and the long running root systems, I keep finding these huge marble-like bulbs, the size of a plump red globe grape.

Having failed to find a good pruner before President's Day, we have decided to go tackle our scarily over-grown rose bush ourselves today. Here's a collection of the best advice I've found online.

This first one is the best, especially since it is appropriate for the Northern California climate. She focuses on how much to cut, and counsels against the dangers of overpruning. She also talks about shaping, and how to pick outward facing buds to cut.

This second one from Houston is also great, as he focuses on how to pick out the old and weak canes versus healthy ones. The write-up on chron.com where the video is housed is also pretty good, so check that out.

If you still want some extra guidance on how to select the outward-facing eye, this third video, from Christine Williams of Heirloom Roses, may help.

Here's a good picture of how far above the eye to cut.

Today, my teacher and author of "Golden Gate Gardening" came to our place for a consultation. Basically, to tell us what we got in our garden, and how to take care of it. I only wish we had done this sooner!

Some notes for future reference:

• Grass – cut down when looking ratty
• Peruvian lily – doing good
• Azalea – some pruning, get some acidic soil fertilizer
• Rose bush, mystery shrub & olive tree – get a pruner to help us!
• Jasmine – doing good, keep it trimmed and not matted
• Big mystery bush – okay to let it grow thick; just cut back to keep shape
• Star jasmine (in pots) – big root system
• Gravel area – consider putting down weed control
• Strawberries, doing fine

Ooh, good news: two orchids have developed new stalks with buds!

Now the rains have stopped, it's time to face the carpet of weeds that has sprouted in the backyard.  After 3 hours, only about half of the yard has been de-weeded, and not that thoroughly :-(  Not eager to use chemicals, I'm doing this painstakingly by hand.

On a happier note, the strawberries, while a little sad looking after being pounded by the rains, look like they'll survive.

Tonight I waged my first battle against the aphids in my herb box. 

Yesterday, I concocted the "smellerific citrus spray" from my "You Grow Girl" gen-X growing guide (click here for recipe).  I added some dried lavender, fresh thyme and Dr. Bonner's lavender castille soap. 

After letting it soak overnight, I sprayed a full bottle on my parsley, sage, thyme and rosemary.  I did not have the patience to do a test on the plants – I am crossing my fingers that this will do them no harm.  The rains start again tomorrow, and I want to take care of the terrible pests before that!

Sunny new year's day.  Beautiful day for gardening.

Strawberries are holding up alright.  Need to get them some nitrogen and plastic mulch.

The snow peas, sadly, are suffering from some sort of wilt.  Worse, they start from where the stalk shoots up from the soil.  The rest of the plant looks so good though, even flowering at the top.  So I just picked off the wilted leaves, and hope for the best.  I think it's powdery mildew, from all the rains.

Weeds have carpeted the entire yard.  Got to get to them before they go to seed.  I guess there's no short cut if we're not looking to use chemicals.  Zen weeding ahead.

The rose bush needs pruning.  That's an understatement.  It needs a makeover.  Tried my hand at it, but not quite sure what to do.  The olive tree too is quite overgrown, but at least it looks presentable.  Will probably have to get at least a consultation from the gardener we met at Sloat. 
 
The parsley is flourishing in the herb box.  A wonder, since it's also completely overtaken by aphids.  The two sages aren't doing too hot, with holes starting to appear on their leaves.  The three thymes are doing splendidly, the lemon one being the only one that is a little thin.

Also did some cleaning: hosed down the tools, washed the gloves in the washing machine.