My winter garden away from home..

17 years ago

Here're what I have growing on top of my daughter's kitchen counter at the moment. The plants are inside and out, on both sides of the kitchen windows.

Well, not much but it keeps me from feeling homesick!

Xuan (feeling gloomy because she can't plant!)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

homenovice
17 years ago
Xuan,

You've got it bad, haven't you...
These are gorgeous plants :-)

Anne
0
todancewithwolves
17 years ago
Xuan, I'm only a few blocks from your house and my garden doesn't look as well. You certainly have a green thumb.

Edna
0
Related Discussions
A week away from my garden - too long?
Q
Comments (2)
It probably would be fine, assuming we don't have a heat wave kicking temps up into the upper 90s, which is not real likely based on the cooler-than-average weather so far this year. (I know both our counties have had a few warm days already this year, but they have tended to be the exception and not the rule.) Also, your "little" plants HAVE been in the ground for a while and should have pretty good root systems by the time you go on vacation. You can help prepare them for your absence by watering them very deeply (to a depth of 6") less often as opposed to watering more shallowly more often. That will send their roots down deep to where more moisture resides in the soil. Finally, don't feed them any fertilizer in the week to ten days before you leave. Fertilizing them at that point would give them new growth that might get thirsty more easily than older growth. If you are really worried about it and don't have anyone in your neighborhood that you can rely upon to check on your plants, you can buy a timer and put a soaker hose on a timer and put it in the bed with the plants. You can set the timer to water briefly every day or every other day or whatever will give you peace of mind. Having 2" to 3" of mulch on the ground will also keep the soil moist by slowing the evaporation of moisture from the soil. Being gone a week in May is not going to be too detrimental to your garden, especially if we receive anything close to our average May rainfall. Being gone a week in July or August would be a lot worse for the garden. Dawn
...See More
Humane way to deter Red-winged blackbirds away from a garden?
Q
Comments (6)
Blackbird squabbles bothered me, with one pair attacking another pair's baby, etc. Plus they would try to roost on my house. And peck at all my growing things. So, since I have soil with plenty of small rocks I started waving my arms and then throwing rocks NEAR them, not at them. After a few days they learned that arm-waving precedes the rocks, and they would fly away. Next I would slam a door or sliding window before going outside to waive my arms. Persistence paid off and from then on the blackbirds were deterred from spending much time at my place just by slamming a window or door. The next year they only needed a few days of re-training. My neighbors down the street often have fifty blackbirds on their property. I seldom have any.
...See More
Why do the ducks migrate away from the North in the winter?
Q
Comments (3)
I guess the problem solves itself. As more duck come, the coyote starts to hang out more at the edge of the yard. As a result, the duck get nervous and don't stay for very long.
...See More
drawing animal pests away from a garden
Q
Comments (1)
You know, I swear I commented on this already. Am I hallucinating? Or did you modify and repost it? That would make sense.... Regarding compost attracting critters, we had a problem with that awhile back, I had dug down and was throwing compost into a pit. It attracted loads of mice, rats, raccoons, opposums, you name it. So, I finally gave up and bought a 'worm farm' (aka vermicomposting). Now we have problems with fruit flies, but no rats/mice/raccoons/etc. Not sure how large your venture is, but you may want to compost somewhere else. I don't know the habits of badgers however. Are they scavengers? If so that would explain their attraction to your site. You may want to relocate the composter, if you can get it far enough away that is. Are they digging into your compost too? Most critters are attracted to 'food', get rid of the food supply and you can (hopefully) get rid of the critters too.
...See More
debbieca
17 years ago
Your daughter is lucky to have mom there creating atmosphere : ) The shot from inside is awesome.
0
ginny12
17 years ago
Very, very lovely--and creative.
0
FlowerLady6
17 years ago
Wow, Xuan ~ You certainly create living beauty wherever you go. How long will you be away from home?

Thanks for sharing your temporary garden.

FlowerLady
0
haxuan
Original Author
17 years ago
Hello everyone and thanks for your compliments about these tiny bits and pieces of plants! Actually the plants have been saved from my daughter's negligence, except for the kalanchoe and azalea - which I bought from HD.
My daughter (and her husband, too) doesn't know how to plant but they do like flowers and plants, so when they moved into this house two years ago, they stocked their backyard/patio with many pot plants. Unfortunary, many could not survive survive her inappropriate treatment!
When we arrived last October I rescued whatever plants I could, including 3 geraniums, one azalea, some dahlias, some dianthus, an ivy topiary (spelling?)and something else I don't know the names of. I also tried to root some cuttings of cacti and succulents. Then when Edna came for dinner last time, she brought me an amarylis (very nice of her!). I also bought myself 3 african violets (I always have violets back in 'Nam), but one is dying (Edna said they don't like gas heater, which unfortunately is what we have here!).
So, all of those constitute my garden away from home and I have been worrying so much to keep them alive through winter! I'll be here until after the New Year and will go back in mid-January. I hope my daughter will be able to take care of the plants after I leave, though.
BTW, we have a pet - Emmy - who is sooooo smart. Here's a photo of her watching the National Championship Dog Show on TV. Isn't she cute, folks?

{{gwi:438677}}

Thank you for letting me 'talk' so much. Really have little to do in this weather!

Xuan
0
gottagarden
17 years ago
That's a wonderful view from inside looking out. You sure have a green thumb! I love blooming houseplants in the winter, memories of warmer days.
0
chickencollecter
17 years ago
Simply beautiful!!

Be Safe, Rach
0

Related Stories

PETS Garden Alert: 22 Plants to Keep Away From Pets

By Marianne Lipanovich

Avoid potential danger by keeping dogs and cats away from these landscaping and houseplant favorites

Full Story

MOVING Making a Home Away From Home

By Laura Gaskill

Feeling like a stranger in a strange land? These tips can help ease the transition after a big move

Full Story

WINTER GARDENING Inspiring Winter Scenes From the Denver Botanic Gardens

By Le jardinet

Use seed heads, bare branches and grasses to design lovely garden displays when the ground is frozen

Full Story

VINTAGE STYLE Get Away From It All in a Glamper

By Laura Gaskill

A glammed-up camper can transport you to a happy place, whether in your yard or on the highway

Full Story

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: Home Away From Home for an Irish Family in Australia

By Emily Hutchinson

A contemporary new build nods to Irish residential design while embracing its natural surroundings

Full Story

TRAVEL BY DESIGN Homes Away From Home: 10 Charming U.S. Bed-and-Breakfasts

By Vanessa Brunner

Looking for a more personal stay on your getaway? These homey bed-and-breakfasts roll out the welcome mat in style

Full Story

TRAVEL BY DESIGN Homes Away From Home: 6 Appealing International Bed-and-Breakfasts

By Vanessa Brunner

Live like a local in a foreign land. These design-friendly B and Bs offer comfort and style for a wide range of budgets

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Decor Pieces for That First Home Away From Home

By Add a Pinch | Robyn Stone

Gather ideas now for a comfy and stylish dorm room in the fall — or try these finds in a new grad's first solo digs

Full Story

TRAVEL BY DESIGN 11 Amazing Home-Away-From-Home Tree Houses Around the World

By Mitchell Parker

Go climb a tree — and spend the night. Tree house hotels and lodges are booming as exotic vacation alternatives

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES An Expat’s Guide to Making a Home Away From Home

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

How do you stay balanced when each foot is in a different culture? You take a stand where you hang your hat

Full Story

My winter garden away from home..

Comments (8)

homenovice

todancewithwolves

Related Discussions

debbieca

ginny12

FlowerLady6

haxuan
Original Author

gottagarden

chickencollecter

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

My winter garden away from home..

Comments (8)

homenovice

todancewithwolves

Related Discussions

debbieca

ginny12

FlowerLady6

haxuanOriginal Author

gottagarden

chickencollecter

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

haxuan
Original Author