July 14 , 2011
How far we’ve come in garden philosophy|Cheryl Hazeltine insight
We take a lot of things for cede . Uh , like rainwater . Long ago , I learned that just because my cenizo bloom , it does n’t mean rainwater : it ’s just humid . This metre , it was n’t even that humid . It was just clock time to show off , especially after that one treasured rainfall we got .
But when I started garden , it would have been as rarefied as rainwater to find a cenizo in a nursery . Commonly called Texas sage , originally we have a go at it it for its lavender flowers . Now , you’re able to find many bloom colors on cultivars that promote very silvery leave-taking or a littler ontogenesis use .
Along with aboriginal works and their spin - offs , there have been lots of significant changes in garden doctrine since 1980 when Cheryl Hazeltine and Joan Filvaroff first publishedThe Central Texas Gardener .
In 1999 , Cheryl and Barry Lovelace updated it asThe New Central Texas Gardener . In fall 2010,Texas A&M University Pressreleased this expanded and update resource , fill with coloration pictures taken by Cheryl ’s husband , Richard , along with bullet points and play up baksheesh . It ’s classy !
In this fabulous resource , written from a “ done this ” perspective , Cheryl guides us with on - target information about soil , insects , innovation , vegetables , xeric ornamental plants and trees . And her book is n’t just fresh : so is her information about techniques , from lawn aeration to soil preservation . She notes the “ tried and true ” practices that no longer have acceptance – and the ones that do .
This week on CTG , Tom meet with Cheryl to nail how far we ’ve fare since VHS meant “ video on need . ”
I really love the URLSthat Cheryl includes in each chapter to spare you some lookup time . Online hunting is a heavy imagination , as long as you terminate up at a sure site ! Otherwise , it ’s just like 1980 and you wind up with information best applied in Virginia .
Even in 1980 , we relied on our Extension Service for info . Now , it ’s even easier online . you could also associate to yourcounty Texas AgriLife Extension site forspecific guides for your area .
Cheryl exemplify how gardener are get braver to express their personalities with curb beds , hardscape , and other purpose , rather than plopping everything up against the sign of the zodiac and calling it a day .
She explain how far we ’ve get in sensitivity to our soil , our true “ initiation planting . ” And instead of “ one size of it fit all , ” we ’ve come to understand the essential connection between soil , web site , and plant life .
As a new nurseryman , I direct for the flora that prompt me of childhood . We all do . And often , it ’s difficult to face the facts . But or else of gardenias , now I bliss in the spring bouquet of star jasmine .
I never knew Turk cap as a child , but I enjoy its flowers that attract hummingbird that I never met personally until they came to my terrace . Now , every child can have this experience , since you’re able to buy Turk caps at every baby’s room , thanks to many root who brought aboriginal plants into mainstream glasshouse originate .
These 24-hour interval , we plant for year - unit of ammunition diversityto attract our birds and good insects that we ’ve come to know by name ( or at least we count them up ! ) . We understand the integral connection between our gardens and the environment . We do n’t ( I hope ) pour down off every bug , since most of them are good . Pesticides demolish the creatures that we make love and welcome as our best pest control ( plus , they ’re cute ! )
We ’ve learned that a good squishis more satisfactory than something that upset the natural garden proportion and our safety . Why would anyone use a product that says , “ Keep tiddler and pets away for 24 hours ? ! ” And that includes organic products , like pyrethrum .
With Tom , Cheryl says it best : “ In fact , you go out and say , what ’s wrong with my clitoris bush ? Nobody is eating it ! And once you get to that full point you ’re thinking solely other than about the appearance of the landscape . ” Indeed .
or else of still gardens in a unremitting state of tidiness , we relish plant diversity and its kaleidoscope , sometimes messy .
Instead of thinking “ mess”when plants go to seed , like my rainwater lilies , we patiently await the day that seed ripen to increase our collection . Or we ’re joyous that birds nail them for dinner and do the airing for us .
H2O is a immense issue ( and do n’t we know it!).But in 1980 , gardener grumbled about drouth days and then cater an extravagant hose . Not only has the cost , along with community restrictions , pushed us to waterwise plants , we ’ve also become raw about a limited resource .
On tour , meet Michael McNichol , who sweep up the doctrine of sustainability and respect for resources when he built his house and garden for married woman Stacy and their young minor . And when I say establish , I mean it : he did most of it himself !
During construction of their energy efficient domicile ( before the nascence of their son ) , he and Stacy lived in their Airstream .
For home and garden , Michael pull from his depository financial institution bill of innovation , unvoiced work , and sensitiveness to resources rather than a ton of money . A lot of the materials are recycled finds , and most of the plants are passalongs from sharing gardeners . Michael ’s philosophy and originative idea will launch us out our summertime doldrums , for indisputable !
Many thanks to Sherry Cordry who “ passed along ” this garden discovery !
Another change since 1980 : gardener pile on the mulch . Sure , it ’s not a raw conception , but somewhere along the way , gardener decide everything had to be “ goodish , ” quickly scraping off come down folio from any bed . It ’s nature ’s way to reincarnate the soil , so why not go for this complimentary , positively sustainable proficiency ? But if we want to buy mulch for a tidy look , what is the proficient one ? And how do we do it correctly ?
This week , Daphne has the answer . When buying mulch , it does n’t matter if it ’s cedar or hardwood . But , it ’s best to select one that ’s shredded or a small aggregate . Avoid those large bark chips , except for walkways . I ’ve always take heed that they were “ roofy motels . ” Absolutely avoid hot chocolate mulch , which is disastrous to dogs , and entirely not a sustainable production for Central Texas .
And one thing we ’ve learned : do n’t cram it up against your plants and specially your trees . Leave some external respiration room at the stems and trunks . This is especially important around tree diagram . This dusk , Trisha ’s going to give us “ 5 Tips to bolt down Your Trees . ” So , that ’s a sneak preview .
Daphne ’s industrial plant of the Weekis an A&MTexas Superstar , angelonia .
I try one this class and it is great ! I ’ve pick up from other gardeners who testify to its tenacious carrying out in long heat . So , I plan to add a parcel of them next late spring .
sure enough , pond , birdbath , and jet have been around for a long fourth dimension . But over the year , they ’ve become more mainstream as we recognise their holistic role in our garden habitats . Since alga has been around a long prison term , too , Steve Kainer fromHill Country Water Gardens & Nurseryillustrates how to control and prevent it .
And not since 1980,but since last weekend , CTG has a Facebook pageboy ! Come on over & check it out !
Until next week , Linda
tags :
