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At this time of year I want to be able to sit back, cold drink and good novel in hand, and enjoy the fruits of my labors so to speak. Well sure enough the vegetable garden is producing potatoes, carrots, beets and salad among other things but I especially love being able to walk outside and cut an armful of flowers for the home.
If one of your garden dreams is to have a cutting garden also, call me to set up an appointment for a landscape consultation and we'll make it happen. Or head to my earlier blog post 'Growing a Floral Bouquet' for easy ideas. |
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SOS for container gardens
While most of the USA is suffering record high temperatures we in Seattle are still in the 60s with lots of grey skies and far too much rain! At least all I have to do is change clothes but for the plants in our containers it's a whole other story. Stressed and soggy plants suffer from fungal diseases and slugs on steroids (and yes I am still cutting them with scissors - or skewering them as a warning to their friends - my apologies to those of you whose sensibilities I offend). Thankfully a few minutes with a pair of scissors will put things right (and not just for the slugs).
- Cut off all dead flowers and leaves
- Carefully lift plants off soil surface and remove anything nasty - slugs (they love to burrow in between plants or up against the inside edge of the pot), fuzzy Sluggo pellets & fuzzy leaves.
- Scratch the soil surface to freshen it up and add new slug pellets while you're in there.
- Don't feed the containers at this point. When plants are stressed they need to recover gently rather than with a fast blast of fertilizer. Give them two weeks of TLC and careful watering and then resume biweekly liquid feeds if that is your thing. Personally I prefer adding a slow release granular fertilizer at the start of the season so I don't have to think about it again. Safer and easier.
- Pray for sunshine....
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Click image for photo credit
Design by Carol Johannson
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Garden Adventures - for thumbs of all colors, is a lighthearted, information packed blog for all gardeners and garden lovers. Laugh while you learn, pick up new ideas and be inspired by others. The most popular post this months was Color Echoes - the easy way to play with color. Read it again here. Don't miss out! Sign up today to receive these posts automatically. Just head over to my blog and follow the instructions 'subscribe by email'. Back to top
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Le jardinet is now on Facebook
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Stop by frequently to enjoy photographs, garden news and links to the latest garden products and books - all in bite sized chunks. Remember to 'like' the page to get up to the minute information on people, places and plants sent right to your inbox! P.S. You don't need a Facebook account to view a business Facebook page. Nor are you asked for any personal information. 
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Book NOW for my September class
Register early and save $$;
September 24th 9.00am-12.30pmInspired Design for Gardens Large & Small Enjoy a PowerPoint presentation on creating stunning plant combinations and vignettes, learning how professionals use color cues and texture in garden design. Using these techniques I will then demonstrate how to plant up two unique container gardens that will continue to look fabulous until spring before giving a final inspirational look at some of my other designs. Beautiful photography and new ideas will give you confidence to create the garden of your dreams, no matter how large or small the space. Open to the public.
Fee; $49 before Sept. 9th, $64 after Sept. 9th
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Le Jardinet in Fine Gardening Magazine
Container Gardening by Fine Gardening Magazine. Vol 8, 2011
Taunton Press has included a revision of my 2008 article Style in the Shade in this special publication. Low light needn't cramp your creativity or limit your plant choices. Purchase here
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August Garden Events
- Sat August 6th - Sun. 7th, 10am-4pm. Northwest Artists in Action, Molbaks, Woodinville. Meet a group of local artists, watch them at work, ask questions and buy something special. Free. Details
- Sat. August 6th, 11am-noon. Creative Ways to use Succulents and Sedums, Molbaks, Woodinville. Meet designer Michelle Skujiins for an informal demonstration creating a decorative wreath. Free. Details
- Thurs. August 11th, 5-8pm. Midsummer's Eve - a party in the gardens at the Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island. Nibbles, wines, auction, raffles and music. All in the serene setting of this enchanting garden. Details.
- Fri. August 26th, 1-6pm and Sat/Sun 27/28th 10am-6pm Art in the Garden, Bellevue Botanical Garden. Over 30 artists, a wide range of styles and materials - something for everyone. Details.
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Share the News
Love these newsletters? Want to tell your friends about some of the fun events or share some of my design ideas? Either click or use the social media links at the top of the page to send via Facebook, Twitter and the like. Encourage friends and family to sign up so they don't miss out on special offers, plant news and local garden events! Want more? My newsletters are now archived on my website so you can look up seasonal tips and photographs from previous editions.
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Maybe we can finally celebrate summer???
Karen Chapman CPH
Le Jardinet
425 765 3574
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PLANT OF THE MONTH  | Purple aloe
(Yucca a. 'Purpurea') |
A great alternative to Cordyline or New Zealand flax, this tropical looking beauty is hardy to zone 5.
The dusky purple foliage is stunning. and a real boost
to the winter garden when finding evergreen plants in shades of purple is tough. This is a new introduction by Briggs nursery; click on the image to contact them and see who your closest retailer is. I found mine at Dragonfly Farms nursery. |
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Professional Affiliations
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Imagination goes here
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