Arthur in the Garden!

Moving to new URL!

2011-07-12T05:05:00.000-04:00

You can now find me at http://Arthur-in-the-garden.com

The Water Garden at Fred Fletcher Park

2011-06-18T10:45:00.002-04:00

The Water Garden at Fred Fletcher Park which is on Glenwood Avenue near the intersection of Peace Street. Behind the water garden is also the gardens of the old Methodist Orphanage.

Water Hyacinths in my water garden.

2011-06-14T20:31:00.003-04:00

Water Hyacinths in my water garden.

These are floating tropical plants that do not tosurvive frost. In tropical areas they can be agressive and cover an entire pond. They are illegal in most tropical states!

Purple Haze Passion Flower

2011-05-31T20:59:00.002-04:00

Blooms......

2011-05-31T19:39:00.000-04:00

A surprise pinkish lily that was supose to be a tiger lilly.

The hydrangeas along the side of the house.

A recipe.........

2011-05-29T03:28:00.000-04:00

Massaman curry paste
3-7 red thai chilis chopped ...
1 tsp chopped lemongrass
1 tsp chopped galangal, (available at most asian grocers)
1 tsp garlic chopped
1 tsp chopped shallot
1/2 tsp toasted coriander seeds
1/2 tsp toasted while pepper corns 1/4 tsp toasted cumin seeds
5 cloves toasted

Put all the ingredients in a mortar and pestle with 1/2 tsp of salt and pound to a fine paste. It takes a while but it's worth it. Don't try this with a food processor, it won't work.

Butterfly weed

2011-05-24T15:17:00.001-04:00

2011-05-24T14:56:00.001-04:00

Hot and humid and in the 90s the next few days!

Summer is here!

2011-05-24T14:30:00.001-04:00

It's hot and humid and the oxeye dasies are finished blooming. To me, this Summer is here! This weekend is Memorial Day which the official star of the summer season at the coast!

Some Old Pictures

2011-04-15T13:13:00.000-04:00

I was cleaning out some old files and thought I would post some old pictures!

2011-04-02T09:59:00.000-04:00

Kerria japonica "Japanese yellow rose or Easter rose"

These grow like weeds here in Central North Carolina. Does well with our 20/30f winters and our 100f and humid summers. They look best when kept clean by removing old limbs once they are finished blooming and allowing the new limbs to take their place. Although if you want it to grow into a big shruby mess with sporatic blooms through out the Summer you would only need to remove dead or damaged limbs.

How to make a bulb cage.

2011-03-19T10:31:00.000-04:00

If you have problems with voles or squirrels eating you bulbs you can use bulb cages to protect them. They are simple to make.

1) Cut a piece of wire to form the four sides of the box. Calculate the length of the wire by multiplying the width for the box size you want by four.

2) Bend the wire to for a box.

3) Bend the individual wires around the wire on the opposite end to secure the box.

4) Add a bottom and secure it the same way.

5) Dig a hole to bury the bulb cage.

5) Place in the location where you are planting your bulbs. You may leave some of the cage above ground or it may be just below ground lever or the mulch.

6) Fill the cage with soil and your bulb(s). Add a top.

You may want to use a wire that has larger holes for the top to allow larger stems of lilies or other bulbs.

Winter and........

2010-12-24T22:18:00.002-05:00

Winter is here! We have had a few snows with another light dusting expected the day after Christmas. Some winter bloomers have started their show. At JC Raulston Arboretum at NCSU the Oregon Grape Hollies (Mahonia) are budding out and the bananas have been frozen to the ground.

I am waiting for the Wintersweets and Witch Hazels to bloom!

Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia gloriosa)

2010-11-27T08:24:00.002-05:00

A Gloriosa Daisy that came up from seed that were sown this Summer. Is a nice surprise that it is blooming now!

Plan your butterfly garden now!

2010-11-09T22:14:00.001-05:00

The new plant and seed catalogs have begun to arrive! Plan your butterfly gardens now. Here is a website that list host plants by butterfly species:

http://www.thebutterflysite.com/create-butterfly-garden.shtml

2010-08-05T20:35:00.006-04:00

The heat and humidy has helped everything to grow fast but also brings mildew. Companion plantings of marigolds and basil help to reduce the threat of insects. The hot nights slow the blooming cycles of the peppers and tomatoes but once the nights cool they will begin blooming again!

It will soon be time to plan the Fall garden of lettuce, carrots, radishes, and maybe collards and cabbage?

We'll see!

Bug and Disease website

2010-05-12T09:45:00.001-04:00

http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/

The is a very comprehensive site!

The bugs are here!

2010-05-07T10:55:00.002-04:00

Now that the soil has warmed up most pest have arrived. Here is a website that will help to identify pest and offer treatment recommendations.

http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenproblems/ig/Insects-and-Diseases-of-Plants/

The new raised bed vegetable garden.

2010-04-30T14:15:00.002-04:00

The new raised bed vegetable garden has been planted. I purchased raised bed kits from Lowes. They are about 4 feet square and filled with Miricle Grow Garden Soil. I will post pictures as the season grows!!

Planting of the garden.

2010-04-18T23:35:00.003-04:00

Everything is growing and the farmers market is packed with vendors and people!

I created two raised beds and filled them with Miracle Grow Garden Soil and began planning. In one bed I planted basil and dill around the edges with an Greek oregano plant in the center with cucumber seeds planted around it. The cucumbers should fill the bed and the basil and dill should help keep bugs at bay!

The other bed, I planted lettuce and radishes which will be replaced with tomatoes once they are large enough to go out! I will add pepper plants, too - bell, jalapeno, and banana peppers!

Its official!

2010-04-13T14:15:00.005-04:00

Spring is here. Everything is blooming and a few are already done! The raised garden beds are ready. Once they are filled with new compost and soil the seedlings will be moved from the greenhouse and out to the beds.

I will need to build or create something to keep Gus out as he is the first dog I have had. His pit bull/ black lab background leaves him with the bad habits of loving to chew and digging!

Great bulb website

2010-02-13T06:04:00.001-05:00

www.easytogrowbulbs.com

More snow!

2010-02-13T05:31:00.001-05:00

More snow could mean that some winter flowering plants may have damage to already open buds. If so, just remove the damage buds and allow undamaged buds to replace them once the weather warms!

Winter prep in the Garden!

2009-10-09T17:36:00.001-04:00

Its time to cut back overgrown cannas, banana, or other bloomed out herbaceous perennials. You can then mulch them for winter.

A rainy season.

2009-09-17T09:53:00.001-04:00

With such a rain summer season we have a had an explosion of growth. The shiso are as large as shrubs and about 4 feet tall!

Heat, Humidity, and Rain

2009-07-23T15:09:00.000-04:00

The much appreciated rain has created a very lush yard and garden. Cannas, bananas, and the vegetable garden are all very productive this season. The rain barrels that I have purchased from the city have save much, too.

That bloomin' Banana

2009-06-02T15:33:00.003-04:00

The banana, after two winters of wrapping it in Christmas lights, has finally started to produce a bud! I noticed a "flag" leaf comming out a few weeks ago. The flag is a small leaf that comes right out on the flowering stem. It looks like flag or the shape of your hand. I can't wait to see the stem and the blooms. The bananas are not very edible because they are full of seeds but I am sure they birds and animals will enjoy them. I may also try to germinate the seeds, too.

Tomatoes

2009-03-17T11:47:00.000-04:00

http://www.burpee.com/text/content/email/2009_03_HeirloomTomatoes.html

For those of you who are tomato lovers, Burpee has a great collection of tomatoes.

We have had plenty of rain this winter and I hope the trend continues!

2009-02-28T10:25:00.002-05:00

Spring is near. You know how I can tell? Last night the frogs were singing. This means that they are starting their breeding cycle. In addition, our last hard frost is usually mid-March. Its been so warm lately that the daffodils are blooming, the Asian magnolias are budding out, and the bananas have even begun to grow!

A chill.......

2008-12-08T11:36:00.002-05:00

The banana is wrapped in the c9 Christmas light to help it get through the Winter. I hope to have bananas next Summer! I also found some nice 3 gal Sabal Minors at Home Depot so I purchased about 7 of them!

State Fair

2008-10-15T18:47:00.003-04:00

This is a great reminder that its time to prepair your garden for the Fall. Its also time to clean up and spray the house plants that are outside to prepair them for comming inside. Purchasing new trays to prevent floor and shelf damage, too!

A chill is in the air!!

2008-10-02T19:13:00.001-04:00

Its time for mums, bulbs, and anything else you can get! Winterize the ponds and rain barrels and clean out those gutters!

Low water lawns.

2008-07-26T09:49:00.002-04:00

Even though I have replaced most of my lawn with beds of perennials that are drought resistant I still would like to maintain a small area of lawn about 30 feet by 20 feet near the street. I have been researching low water lawn grasses and here is a great website and provider of alternative grasses that are more drought tolerant than the common Mediterranean grass so common today!

http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/27053/

Best Regards

Arthur
www.arthurinthegarden.com

Study shows twice a week lawn watering is enough!

2008-06-25T14:24:00.000-04:00

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3097728/

Lawn-watering limits under consideration in Raleigh wouldn't harm most lawns, according to a study by four North Carolina State University professors.

Time Flies.

2008-06-21T15:49:00.002-04:00

The past few months have flown by. The drought has returned and I am glad I did not plant many annuals like I was planning to do when we had all the rain in the Spring. The water conservation rules are still being enforced and the temps have been in the 90s with barely any rain! The water has even evaporated from my old garbage can that I use as a second rain barrell!

Lots of Rain!

2008-04-22T17:23:00.002-04:00

I have never been so happy to see rain. It seems that our weather is back to normal? Everything is growing like crazy ---and the rain barrels are full!

Doves and Bugs

2008-04-19T12:03:00.002-04:00

The European Collard Dove has rapidly spread across North America in the past 30 years and is often confused with the common ring-neck dove which is a common cage bird and if often released. Here is a good page to help you with discerning which bird you are seeing.
http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/RNColorPics/RNECDCompare.htm

The weather has been warm enough lately to allow some early bug populations to take off! Nip these in the bud using environmentally safe pesticides.

Arthur
www.arthurinthegarden.com

Is winter back?

2008-04-15T07:09:00.001-04:00

One last cold snap to remind everyone that Winter is not over, yet! This should be the last, though. The rain has made everything nice and green. The trees are just about all leaved out. Its looks like Spring is over but the temps don't say it yet!

Farmer's Market time

2008-04-11T13:43:00.003-04:00

Its time to visit the farmer markets. I am all about buying local to support our local farmers and to keep the money local, too!

http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com/
http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/facilities/markets/raleigh/
www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
http://www.localharvest.org/

Indy Week recipes on line

2008-03-29T18:37:00.002-04:00

http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Archive?searchPhrase=Kroger%3A+रेसिपेस

Indy Week recipes on line

Garden Balsam

2008-03-29T18:30:00.002-04:00

Old Fashioned Garden Balsam

Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a native of India and is known for it's quick growth from seed to bloom. The annual blooms are slightly hidden by the dark green foliage, but both are pretty and charming. If given plenty of sun, rich soil and water it will spread out about 12 inches wide and it will grow to two foot tall. Double Camellia Mix, which is easy to locate in seed catalogs, grows to about 10 inches tall and has a double bloom which is very pretty. The stems are thick and sturdy, so they won't need support.
You will find varieties in white, pink, rose, red, orange, lavender, purple as well as combinations of colors. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost if you'd like early blooms, but they can also be direct seeded in the soil when frost has passed. Balsam transplants well, even when in bloom, which is a definite plus if you tend to plant too many and need to make room, as I have been known to do on occasion!
Though balsam has very short stemmed blooms that can't be used as traditional cut flowers, they can be cut and floated in glass bowls for a pretty summer accent. The blooms are similar to small open roses or camellias. Though the bedding impatients, available in garden centers are far more popular, I think Garden Balsam is a lovely old fashioned plant that should be added to everyone's garden.
Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a native of India and is known for it's quick growth from seed to bloom. The annual blooms are slightly hidden by the dark green foliage, but both are pretty and charming. If given plenty of sun, rich soil and water it will spread out about 12 inches wide and it will grow to two foot tall. Double Camellia Mix, which is easy to locate in seed catalogs, grows to about 10 inches tall and has a double bloom which is very pretty. The stems are thick and sturdy, so they won't need support.
You will find varieties in white, pink, rose, red, orange, lavender, purple as well as combinations of colors. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost if you'd like early blooms, but they can also be direct seeded in the soil when frost has passed. Balsam transplants well, even when in bloom, which is a definite plus if you tend to plant too many and need to make room, as I have been known to do on occasion!
Though balsam has very short stemmed blooms that can't be used as traditional cut flowers, they can be cut and floated in glass bowls for a pretty summer accent. The blooms are similar to small open roses or camellias. Though the bedding impatients, available in garden centers are far more popular, I think Garden Balsam is a lovely old fashioned plant that should be added to everyone's garden.

You can usually find the seed in the heirloom section in the garden center or on on-line

Flower Seed Resources:-Thompson&Morgan Seeds--Nature Hills Nursery -Park Seed -Monticello Garden Shop

http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week337.shtml

Wind, Rain, and a little cold!

2008-03-16T12:45:00.005-04:00

The nearly week of regular rains have been welcomed. Unfortunately, the cold has damaged some blooming plants such as my Asian magnolia. The winds help in clearing dead limbs and such. If you have a limb grinder you could add them to you compost for you garden.

Remember, in planning for you garden this year its important to remember the drought and don't plant too much that needs regular watering. This will save you money on wasted plants that die (like I did) or on plants that are not going to thrive.

Make your own seed starter pots!!

2008-03-12T14:54:00.000-04:00

http://underwoodgardens.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/836
Paper PotMaker
Ingenious, environmentally friendly way to recycle newspaper into 2 1/4 in. seedling pots which hold water remarkably well and can be planted directly into the garden. Economical and easy - even a child can do it. Made of solid maple to last for years and even become an heirloom.

Wow! An early spring.

2008-03-01T12:04:00.003-05:00

It just keeps getting warmer. The daffodils have just about bloomed out. Cherry trees are in full bloom and its only March 1st.

Wow, Is spring here?

2008-02-15T18:09:00.001-05:00

Will all the warm weather and rain it feels like Spring.

I have already decided to not plant anything next year since Raleigh is now in stage 2 water restrictions and you cannot water anything. Not sure how I am going to handle that??

Super Warm!

2008-01-30T15:03:00.001-05:00

Its been so warm lately that even the bananas are growing again! I suspect that by the second week of February we will have temps back in the low 20s that would even cause the Acubas to wilt!

Water Wise gardening

2008-01-15T17:38:00.000-05:00

http://www.thewaterwisegarden.com

The above link is a great resource of information for waterwise gardening. It is an Australian website but still is a great resouce for information my plants

It's cold!!

2007-12-19T17:53:00.000-05:00

Winter seem to have finally arrived! Temps in the 20s are now reminding the garden it's time to sleep. Once the ground has frozen you can much most bulbs and beds. This prevents the ground from heaving from quick alternating freezes and thaws.

First Hard Frost

2007-12-15T19:11:00.000-05:00

The first hard frost is expected within the next few days. The bananas have been blacked alittle with the last cold night but I am afraid that this one will be enough to kill then to the trunk. I might wrap then in leaves to try to preserve the trunks as much as possible. I hope to get them to bloom by next fall.

Welcome to my Gardening Blogg for Gardening in Raleigh, North Carolina!

2007-12-12T16:47:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my Gardening Blogg for Gardening in Raleigh, North Carolina!