Category: There’s More!

Soil, shrubs, insects and other things us gardeners love to dabble in!

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Gardening Around the World – Episode 3

Meet Dee Nash from Guthrie Oklahoma!  

Guthrie is a small town in Logan county a part of Oklahoma city with a population of a little over 10000 people.  It was first known for its railroad stop after the land run of 1889.  Wikipedia says,   "The Guthrie Historic District includes more than 2,000 buildings and is designated as a National Historic Landmark... and its Victorian architecture provides a backdrop for Wild West and territorial-style entertainment, carriage tours, replica trolley cars, specialty shops, art galleries and yes, the home of Dee Nash!  or as I like to call her Red, from Red Dirt Ramblings!

Guthrie Oklahoma

 

Oma: Tell us a little about yourself Red  and what drew you to Gardening, when you started, etc.

Red of Red Dirt Ramblings

Red: Like many other gardeners, I loved growing things.  I followed my Grandma Nita around her garden. I still remember the black dirt (northeast Oklahoma) against my little white walking shoes. I also remember a few lessons she taught me about cabbage moths and such. I have a photo of her with her tomato plants in my kitchen.  I started with houseplants in my teens, but my gardening didn’t really take off until I got married and had a place of my own. 

Oma: yes! So much yes! My gosh we learned so much from our grandparents. That is one of the things too that I want my children and my grandchildren to remember, time in the garden those are wonderful precious memories that teach about taking care of things other than ourselves. Your land looks amazing tell us about it, have you had it in your family for a long time? 

Red with her Zinnias

Red: My husband, Bill, moved here in his early 20s. He helped guide people to the empty lots when this neighborhood developed in the 1970s. We own 7.5 acres on a beautiful pond because he sold all the lots, and the developer said you need to buy yours now. He’s lived here about 45 years. I married Bill in 1989 and came to live here.  We are east of I-35 so we have trees, sandy soil and rolling hills. The best of everything in Oklahoma because our soil is easy to amend with leaf mold, arborists chips and such. I do have pockets of clay, but I’ve worked on those too. 

Red in the greenhouse

Oma: What a wonderful blessing! And to be able to watch it all grow and then pick your own as well that is a true joy.  I lived in Texas my entire life and moved to Oklahoma in 2019. I was so in awe of the amazing soil from Sandy to loamy just beautiful soil.  So wonderful to grow in; and, as you say the leaves! I know this sounds funny but the leaves are different here too! They are so crispy and they dry up so fast and disappear right into your soil before you even know it. So all the leaves go into my ground every single year I don't think I've thrown a leaf away since 2019!

Red: I live in an oak forest so my leaves don’t disappear like that. I think that’s one of the differences between your part of Oklahoma and mine. My leaves are fibrous, and I shred them before I use them as mulch or compost. Although I use them less because of the lonestar ticks. They like to nest in leaves. 

Oma: What is the thing you enjoy most about gardening? 

Red: The peace it gives me. The insects buzzing about except for Japanese beetles (LOL), the birds. Losing myself in the work. 

Dee in the garden

 

Oma: I couldn't have said it better! There is a peace found in the garden isn't there? It's like we can go there and find where we began where life is where we were meant to be. What is the thing you like the least about gardening?  What do you struggle with?

Red: I hate our heat and sometimes the humidity. I don’t think it’s easy to garden here. The ticks are a new challenge, and you know I have Alpha-gal syndrome from the lonestar tick. I’ve written about it on the blog. I get tired of not feeling well because I also have MCAS.

Oma: the heat can be crazy can't it? And the funny thing is Texas is so much hotter usually around 10° hotter there than it is here in Oklahoma. However the older we get, the hotter it seems to be regardless of the temperature 😂  That is a scary thing to have to think about the ticks. And I'm so sorry to hear that you're having to go through that. I guess with gardening comes bugs. it comes with the turf, the land the trees etc and I suppose ticks likes them too.  For all of you reading yes  this is a serious issue with ticks here is Reds link to learn more about Alpha Gal Syndrome and how to avoid it:

https://reddirtramblings.com/tick-bites-and-alpha-gal-syndrome/

Oma: What is your favorite plant(s) to grow and why?  

Red: I like many plants. Roses, daylilies, prairie plants. I like anything that grows well here and thrives. Phlox paniculate especially some of the newer cultivars like Luminary Ultra Violet and Garden Girls Cover Girl. These are beautiful, hardy, and disease resistant like the passalong phlox I have. I also love to grow tomatoes and peppers. 

Roses from the garden

Oma: It is hard to choose one plant isn't it? I mean seriously? There are so many beautiful plants to grow, why choose just one. We shall grow them all!. What is the plant you will not grow again and why?

Red: Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ and Symphyotrichum drummondii, Drummond’s aster. I spend a lot of spring working to control these thugs. They can get out of control and quickly take over. I will never be rid of them.

 

 Oma: Oh! 🤣 See that's where I have to laugh because gardeners are so different. I think it's amazing how we all see beauty in different things. I would never have chosen Rudbeckia simply because I like the fact that it shows up in random places and I can pull it or keep it if I want to. But that's the joy of having so many things to grow isn't it one can find what's best for them!

Red: I think my garden is wetter than yours from what I’ve seen on Instagram and perhaps that’s why it’s more of a thug here. 

Oma: Do you want to try and grow something new this next season; if yes what?

Beautiful Dried Flowers

Red: I grow something new every season just for fun.

Oma: it's so good that you do that! Would you know that I went probably 20 years without trying to grow anything new? Now I don't know why or how I did that. I think it was just comfort I knew what I could grow well and was almost in a way afraid to try something new. But there really is a joy in finding a plant you've never grown and trying to grow it. Especially if it's an odd plant like a gourd or something like that. So I totally agree everybody should try to grow at least one thing new every season. What is your best-learned lesson when it comes to caring for your garden? 

Garden Art at Reds

 

Red: To let some things go and to reuse good plants. They help the garden to flow. 

Oma: yes! I find that a lot with some tomatoes. Sometimes it's just better to grow the cherries cuz I know I'll get a lot of them. They are much easier to grow then the big giant tomatoes. So there is a balance to things and figuring out what works best in your space.  What is the one thing you want new followers to know when they visit your page?

 

Red: That I love teaching people to garden. That’s why I’m a garden coach. I want everyone who wants to garden to be successful. 

Oma: I think they see that Red for sure! I know I did and I've loved following your garden journeys. Who inspires you? If you could meet any gardener you wanted to, who would it be and why?

Garden at Great Dixter
Photo By Horticulture Magazine!

Red: I’ve met so many of them. Sharon Lovejoy is one of my dearest friends, and I used to read her column in Country Gardening or Country Living years ago. I would like to meet Fergus Garrett who is the head gardener at Great Dixter. That’s one garden I haven’t seen. They have garden workshops, and it’s a dream of mine to go over to the UK and stay to do one. 

Oma: oh, wow yes he had a wonderful article in Horticulture Magazine called "A Conversation with Fergus Garrett.  What a great place to be able to work every day.  I have the UK dream in common with you as well. I would love to one day go there and meet all the wonderful people we've met on Instagram and see their Gardens. How can people find you if they want to learn more about you or listen to some of your series or read some of your blogs? 

Red: My blog is Red Dirt Ramblings. I’ve written it for 17 years. My podcast is The Gardenangelists I record with my friend, Carol Michel. We also have a free newsletter.  I’m also on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks Oma! This was so kind of you!

 

Red Dirt Ramblings Blog

Oma: Your so welcome I have enjoyed so much getting to know more about you and your garden journey!  Thank you for taking the time to share with all of us here at Oma's Gardens.  

For More adventures with Gardens Around the World visit my blogs or click below and you can always find me on Facebook or Instagram!

Gardening Around the World - Episode 1

Gardening Around the World- Episode 2

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Using Epsom-Salt in Your Garden

What is Epsom Salt?

Epsom in the garden

Using Epsom salt in your garden once a month is the easiest way to keep your plants healthy!  Epsom is also one of the cheaper forms of fertilizer you can use.  As such, make Epsom a part of your garden regimen and use it monthly! 

Epsom when transplantingEpsom salt is magnesium sulfate and both (magnesium and sulfate) are needed for your plants to thrive.  Magnesium helps with photosynthesis, increases your seeds germination rate and reduces shock when transplanting seedlings into your garden.  Sulfate helps with root growth and the overall strength of your plant.  Both enable your soil to maintain its health, providing a boost of nutrients in both your gardens and your potted plants. 

Mixing Epsom in the soil

What plants should use Epsom?

Epsom Always on hand in my bagEpsom can be used on almost all plants.  Plants like cabbage, onions and broccoli will actually have a  sweeter flavor with the use of Epsom.  Tomatoes, peppers and roses need it even more and will grow stronger with darker leaves and better flower production if used regularly.  Cole crops, squash, flowers and most other vegetables can also benefit from Epsom. 

How do I use Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt can be used as a foliage spray or placed directly in the soil.   I personally prefer the soil as it is only required monthly and it's easy to add it in the garden.  However, I have used the foliage spray when my plants get larger and I have more to feed.

Using it on most any transplant and monthly feeding

Foliage: A good rule of thumb when using Epsom as a spray for your foliage is 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. Spray this mix on your plants leaves every two weeks.

Water it in

Soil:  If using Epsom in the soil use 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height around the base of the plant and work it into the soil with your hands or a trowel once a month.

Potted plants: 2 tablespoons in one gallon of water and use this to water your plants with one time per month.

 

PS: The raised bed you see here are from Vego Garden!  They offer so many options, sizes and shapes for your garden.  Visit them today and use omasgardens10off for a 10$ discount at checkout.  I am a proud Vego Garden ambassador.  Ask me anything about these products ill gladly help.  I do get a small percentage for each purchase using my code.

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Transform a Garden Space Part 1: Height

Novel Blue Raised Bed by Vego Garden

There are so many ways to transform a garden space and make a garden shine.  However, there are three simple things that consistently seem to work regardless of the garden.  These are:

      1. Height: Creating a sightline with varying heights
      2. Color: Using color for major impact
      3. Texture:  Including plant texture in a garden design

We’ll review these three ways in more detail with a three part series  and focus on the multiple options one has to transform a garden space with height first!

Creating a sightline with varying heights 

A Look at the View of all the various heights in a garden from small to large plants and raised and in ground beds

Varying the Height of the items in a garden is paramount to making a space stand out.  What do I mean by height? I mean making sure there is a good mixture of things with varying height from ground level to sky level.  This can be done with anything from the plants to the containers and even to the fixtures around a garden. Creating multiple layers of height simply makes a space more visually interesting.  And, in lots of ways ensures all the plants and the items in a garden have a spotlight of some sort. Let's look at a couple ways to do this.

Using Plants For Height

Looking at the layers of plants in a space

Mixing low level plants with tall or super tall plants is one of the simplest things to do to add height to a garden.  Take for example the Day lilies growing here. These are  ground level plants and will get no more than two to three feet tall on the shrub side.  They are bordering cosmos and Zinnias which will grow three to four feet tall.  All of these flowers are then growing under Giant sunflowers which will rise to over ten feet tall!  Layering plants in a garden provides a continuous expansion for our eyes. Giving a person something to look at all the way to the sky! 

Mixing in Ground and Raised Beds 

Enjoying the View down the path

 

A mixture of inground and raised beds across a space is another wonderful way to add height and visual interest in a garden.  Take for example the way this  yard appeared before any beds were added.  The lines were flat, even the areas where inground gardens had been added still appeared flat in the space.  However, adding a single raised bed in the corner completely changed the layout even before plants came in. Adding a taller raised bed along the fence line changed things.   All of a sudden there were three levels of items to look at and grow in.  Plants at the ground layered with height, plants raised up.  This can be seen in the far back corner as well.  All plants were at the ground level. Having a mix simply makes the space look and feel more interesting.  

Note all my raised beds are from Vego Garden!

Using Potted Plants or a mix of pots 

Playing with Various Shapes of Planters

Once the layers of plants and various raised beds have been decided, pulling pots into the mix can really add flair. One can simply have fun with pots.  From shapes and sizes that are small and round to square or long pots are simply fun.  Take for example the two Vego Garden Planters added the top of the shelter above the raised bed  Simply adding these two pots pulled even more height to the mix,  The raised space now ladders the eyes up another layer and shows a blast of green surrounding the raised beds below it.  

Using arbors or Teepees

Arbors or teepees can transform any garden right away!  After all they are tall and have shapes and colors of their own allowing plants to climb up them.  All of a sudden what was on the ground can sore into a space giving shadows and visuality that just wasn't there before.  so never hesitate to add a Arbor for plants to give height to an area.

In Conclusion

Using height in a garden with beds and pots or inground plants is a wonderful way to help a space shine.  Come back and we will look at tips for the second item Color; and, how color can transform a space.  While your reading, here are some of the other blogs that can help you with growing the plants seen in this space.  Ill be adding more soon so check back often.

Growing Lavender

Growing Potatoes

The Planning

Growing Skyscraper Sunflowers

 

 

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Herbal Face Food Plant of the Month: Yarrow

It's time for the Herbal Face Food(HFF) Plant of the Month!  A monthly dedication to the various plants used by HFF to create their amazing skin care products.  This months HFF plant moment is dedicated to the amazing Yarrow. 

Yarrow has become one of my favorite wild herbs. Those who don't have it in their gardens probably are not aware of its medicinal and health benefits. Yarrow provides vitamins A, C potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and niacin.  Yarrow is also commonly known as  an astringent with anti-inflammatory properties which is one of the main draws  and with all of this its no wonder HFF wants Yarrow in their amazing serums.

About Yarrow

Yarrow originated from Europe and Asia and is now commonly found all around the globe. The scientific name for Yarrow is Achillea millefolium other names include common yarrow (the white wild Yarrow), nosebleed plant or soldier's wound wort.   Several of these names tell us clearly that one of the benefits of Yarrow is blood and wound dressing.   Dr. Nicole Apelian describes Yarrow in her book, The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies as, “nature's tourniquet.” 

Yarrow comes in several colors from white to light pinks and purples to red and yellow.  kidadl.com has a great list of specific types including their colors!   I have read however that common Yarrow, that grows wild with white flowers is the best and strongest for medicinal use.  

Benefits of Yarrow

The benefits of Yarrow are so vast, it truly is an amazing plant for skin.  Here are just a few of the uses:  

    • Yarrow can be used in teas fresh or dried for nausea or stomach flues, hard menstrual cycles or reducing fevers (as it creates sweating).  Women that are pregnant should not drink Yarrow tea.  
    • Powder from dried yarrow can be used to stop bleeding (many sites caution not to use on deep wounds as it will heal it too quickly from the inside). 
    • Fresh yarrow leaves can also be used as a poultice for bleeding and the leaves can be used for stopping nose bleeds. 
    • Yarrow helps reduce swelling in bruises, or sprains or can be used as a antibacterial on scratches or minor cuts. 
    • Yarrow flowers can be used in baths for itchy skin or hives.  
    • The leaves and flowers can be made into a tincture with Alcohol or as an oil in olive oil or carrier oils.  It can even be made into a salve with beeswax and infused yarrow oil.
    • Yarrow can be substituted for hops and barley in beer and and mead.

Continue The Journey: Read more about growing and using this wonderful plant:

Brought to you by Herbal Face Food

The plant of the month series brought to you by  Herbal Face Food.  A company I'm very happy to support.  Each of their products are made with 100% plants! The most powerful plants in the world.   As they say, "HFF is not plant based it's plant powered" bringing together up to 100 different plants depending on the product.  HFF is the only 100% plant based skin care product on the market.  Note: I do make a small commission on  referrals.  As a result I'm able to offer a 20% discount to my readers along with tips on how to grow and use these same wonderful plants in your own home or plot gardens.

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Amazingly Edible Sunflower

 

It's no secret I love Sunflowers.  They’re on my fence, in my yard and make up about 60% of my tepees and arbors!  However, let's talk about the amazingly edible sunflower plant!  And not just seeds, all of the plant from the roots to the stalks to the leaves, petals and the seeds are edible.  The majority of the entire sunflower can be eaten.  It's quite amazing actually that most only know of the seeds; and, is the exact reason for this quick series starting with the leaves of the sunflower plants.    

Let's Talk Sunflower Leaves!

Sunflower leaves are simply a joy to me.  Why?  They are so large, so strong and thick they are like pieces of leather on larger sunflower plants. They are beautiful to look at in a garden adding depth and color, texture and even height.   The giant leaves add shade to plants on hot afternoons, helping to extend the lives of cold crops if grown above them. All of this is enough for one to love them.   Imagine the excitement when discovering they’re also edible!  I won't lie, sunflowers have a bite that's hard to explain; it's an extremely unique bitter flavor. Nutty in a way almost peppery as well.  Lets look at ways to eat them!

Young Shoots

Young sunflower shoots are edible microgreens!  Unlike their older siblings that get bitter with age, the microgreens are super soft, have a thick feel and at this point are actually sweet.  Shoots are often grown in window gardens and used on salads and on sandwiches. Let some of the seeds fall each season and the yard will be so full there will be no issues sacrificing many of the babies to the microgreen category!  

Tender Leaves

Tender leaves, those that are still young on soft stalks can be eaten raw in salads. The entire leaf can be eaten at this stage without removing the veins.  Although, they actually taste slightly more bitter to me at this stage believe it or not, I prefer the mid adult leaves.   One can soften the flavor some by removing the center vein of the leaf. 

Large Adult Leaves

Large adult leaves can be cooked like greens, boiled, sauteed or steamed with salt, garlic and butter.  The older they get the tougher they get and the longer they take to cook. When using the super large leaves, boiling first is best with a water refresh.   I like to harvest the leaves in the mid range size prior to blooming.  Once flowers bloom the leaves naturally start to die down.   

I did say they are like the bitter lettuces, with a bite that leaves you wondering how to describe them. Serving with savory dishes compliments the bite of this beautiful green!  They are also wonderful with mushrooms.  The earthy flavor of mushrooms  complements the greens well and they do great with fatty meats.

Here is a recipe for eating with fatty meats

    • 5 to 6 midsize Sunflower leaves
    • 1 quarter purple onion
    • 3 to 4 (or more if your like me 5) garlic cloves 
    • Balsamic vinegar
    • Olive oil
    • Salt
    • Crushed pepper 
    • Butter
    1. Wash, remove the center and main side veins from the leaves. Add olive oil to pan and heat while dicing garlic and red onion. Add Onion and garlic to oil and saute until slightly brown on a low simmer
    2. While cooking garlic and onion boil water and blanch the greens until slightly soft and the water is a soft green.  Drain greens and add to butter, garlic and online mix.
    3. Stir fry  the greens for a moment coating them with the oil. Add a few tablespoons of water.  Add pepper flakes and stir fry in.
    4. Steam well for a moment and then add a generous amount of balsamic vinegar. Lower heat and let simmer for another 10 minutes or so.  If liquid evaporates add more vinegar!
    5. Once the leaves are stir fried and the liquid has evaporated some add butter to the pan and allow it to sizzle

Add salt and pepper and serve hot!

 

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Relocating Plants

It's Spring!!  And, it seems all I want to do is move things around in order to get ready for it!   Its almost like that spring fever some get.  You know where one wants to clean their house and rearrange their furniture.  The room feels so new, so clean.   The garden does the same thing to me.  The only difference being when relocating plants, instead of simply shoving the furniture around and being slightly horrified at the mess found below it, roots have to come up.  That's right the entire plant has to be moved and this for some can be a little scary; it doesn't have to be.

Why would one relocate plants?

I have to admit I relocate plants all the times.  Some of my babies have been moved as many as three times.  Why? The biggest reason is expanding the garden.  Take these lavender plants for example.  They were in the perfect place... last year; sitting right at the boarder of my garden.  However, after once again expanding the space they are no longer perfectly placed and have to be moved.   Other reasons could include realizing the perfect place is not perfect.  The plants are not happy.  They are either experiencing too much, or not enough sun or even water etc.  Regardless of the reason, if your on a journey to relocate your plant babies use these tips to help with the transition.

Choose the right day! 

Choosing the day is the number one thing to consider when relocating plants.  Bottom line never move plants unless you absolutely have to on an extremely hot bright sunny day.  That's right, extreme heat can add horrible stress to the plant as it tries to recover so don't move them in the heat.  The best time to move plants is either on a cool sunny in spring or my favorite an overcast cloudy day with a soft rainy occurring.  Doing this makes all the difference to ones plants.

Maintain as much of the root ball and as possible.

Some roots will be lost however savings as much as one can will ensure a fast transition to the new space.

Add Epsom salt to the new spot. 

We are not the only ones who feel relaxed in an Epsom bath.  Nope its the perfect thing to add to plants.  Just a few teaspoons mixed into the soil is perfect to help them relax through the move.  Visit my article Epsom Salt Once a Month! – Quick hit!  for more details on Epsom in your garden.

Keep soil the same level as previously found.

Make note how the plant is sitting in its current space.  Dig the new hole large enough to set the plant fully in the ground and fill the soil back to the same plant height.

Water, water, water

Water should be a given; however here are a few things to help the plants establish faster.

  • Fill the entire new hole with water prior to placing the root ball into it, then fill the soil in over the water.  Yes the soil will soak it up. This helps ensure soft moist soil the now weakened roots can push through as they re-establish themselves.  Second, even if its a plant that prefers little water, provide them a bit extra over the next few weeks.  Don't drown them, ensure however the soil stays semi-moist. Again, this allows those wounded roots to easily take ownership and start to regrow.

In a strange way relocating plants successfully does give one that same feeling of walking into a new room.  Especially when completed successfully, so use these tips and move those babies as needed around that wonderful new space.

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