Spring & Thwarted Gardening


Spring & Thwarted Gardening

I come from a long line of thwarted gardeners and farmers. Maybe all Swedes are like that- our weather or circumstance is never quite good enough to really explore all o the plant varieties and sun that you want to. I visited an East Bay Nursery last weekend and managed to pick up some annuals and other plants to replace my few pots in my apt.

This geranium cracks me up. You can’t see teh pot but it is super tiny, with two huge branches coming out of it, and big red flowers at the end. My dad keeps making reference to Watergate when he sees it. I laugh because it is struggling in the smallest ever pot, but it likes it. Gave it some nitrogen the other day, so it will continue to thrive iadversity. I guess it’s a strength of that plant- they like to be “stressed.” I know some people who are like that too.

The herbs: chives, because who doesn’t like some nice fresh chives?? And basil, which has been a winner over and over again (pesto!!!) but not so good when I make basil mojitos, and serve them as regular mojitos (evil laugh).

This is a hanging basket arrangement that I am inordinately proud of. Center: the black grass that is an accent, but will soon overwhelm. Trailing: little white flowers name of which I forgot, and they’re not alyssum. I feel like this was a good choice– I’ve noticed this plant doing well in a few planters in the neighborhood. It’s the easy way of gardening: finding out what already works in your climate and soil by cruisng the neighbors. Surrounding the sides, “mystery” impatiens. I bought a six pack of budding impatiens having no idea what color they are! Yes, I go out on the balcony every day to figure out what color they are going to be.