Proposal by the Pond

Did these Mallards get engaged by the backyard pond.  Click here to find out.

Endless Summer Hydrangeas - Twist and Shout

Twist and Shout Hydrangea is a very popular member of the Endless Summer Hydrangea family, and for good reason.  This newest member of the family was introduced in North America in 2009, and was developed at the University of Georgia, combining the best traits of Penny Mac and Lady in Red.
The blossoms vary in color depending on the acidity of the soil.  The bountiful blooms are unequalled with centers of lacy pink caps, surrounded by petals of varying shades of pink and periwinkle blue.
The Endless Summer family of Hydrangeas are easy to care for and are winter hardy in zones 4-9.   They bloom on both old and new wood, providing gorgeous large blossoms of color throughout the summer.
Twist and Shout Hydrangea Endless Summer do well in partial shade (morning sun and afternoon shade seem to work best) and soil that is kept moist, but not wet.  The stems of the shrubs turn red, and the foliage burgundy-red in the fall.
Shrubs grow to 3'-5' in height and width and work well as a focal point in a garden, or as a backdrop for other perennials and annuals.

To plant your Twist and Shout Hydrangea:

1) Locate an area that receives about 1/2 day of morning sun where the shrub will have room to grow to its full size of 3'-5' in diameter and height.

2) Dig a hole that is 1 1/2 times the size of the pot that the plant is in.

3) Tipping the plant upside down, remove it from the pot and loosen the root ball.

4) Center the root ball in the middle of the hole and add enough soil back in so that the top of the root ball is even with the top of the hole.

5) Fill the hole with water until it is 1/2 full.

6) Fill in the remaining hole with dirt and pack down securely.

7) Water around the base of the plant, then cover with mulch.

8) Keep the soil moist, but well drained.

9) Fertilizer can be added in the spring, but should not be applied after August.

10) Foliage can be trimmed back in the fall after a killing frost, but may also be left for winter accent in the garden.

Twist and Shout Hydrangea is a phenomenal addition to a landscape, providing four-season beauty in the garden, with very little maintenance.

Square Foot Gardening is easy, affordable and fun for kids too!

Using the square foot gardening method in a raised bed garden, everyone can be a gardener!

It's true - even if you live in an inner city apartment building on the top floor! Mel Bartholomew's "Square Foot Gardening" book gives you a detailed, step-by-step method for creating your own raised bed gardens that will produce an abundance of fresh vegetables in your own back yard. The best part is that it will require very little effort on your part, once you get your raised bed garden planted.

Growing your own food is more popular than ever, and even if you have limited space available for a garden, you can create an area large enough to grow a few of your favorite vegetables and herbs. A raised garden bed can also be the perfect solution for first-time, or experienced gardeners who have physical or mobility limitations.

Plants need air and well drained soil in order to thrive; raised beds provide both. The soil does not compact as easily in the elevated bed, and as a result, is easier to aerate.

Raised beds can be filled with rich garden soil, so it doesn't matter what the make-up of your natural soil is, and you can modify the level of acidity to fit the needs of your produce. You can choose the location of your raised garden, whether you're looking for a shaded or full sun garden area.

According to EarthEasy.com, raised beds can also extend the growing season, as the soil warms earlier in the spring. You can also build a cloche over the bed to keep moisture and heat in, and pests out. Harvest produced from raised beds is typically 1.4-2 times greater than a traditional garden, due to optimum growing conditions.

Building a square foot garden

If you're looking for an easy way to grow fresh vegetables in your backyard, but don't want to mess with tilling and digging and weeding, square foot gardening is the answer!

You can either build your own frames for the raised bed garden, or you can purchase a raised bed garden kit.

You will be amazed at how much produce can be grown in a single 4'x4' squared foot garden.  One single bed produces 4 heads of broccoli, 8 heads of cabbage, 1 eggplant, 4 pepper plants, and 12 onions. Since the vegetables are harvested at different times during the summer, the small space is used to its maximum potential. 

Garden can be handicap accessible

There are raised bed garden options for individuals who have physical disabilities also. Even if bending and kneeling has become too painful or impossible to do, you can still enjoy the benefits of growing your own vegetables and flowers. There are a variety of beds that come in all sizes and heights, for those individual who are more comfortable sitting or standing while performing gardening tasks.

Planting a Vegetable Garden

In the state of Minnesota, the average date of the last frost is May 15, but the risk of a killing frost exists for as late at June 15. A general rule of thumb is that you should not transfer warm weather seedlings such as tomato and pepper plants, until after Memorial Day. Even then, you will want to keep an eye on weather reports and be prepared to cover seedlings with plastic domes made from recycled pop bottles, or some other protective cover, in the event that temperatures fall below 32 degrees.

Another key factor in successful germination is the moisture content of the soil. Prior to working up the soil (tilling) in preparation for planting, you'll want to do a consistency check to make sure that the soil contains the correct moisture content. You can do this by pressing a small amount of soil in your hand. If it is too wet, it will form a ball. If it is too dry, it will break apart. The proper consistency is evident when the soil crumbles into clumps.

The range of 70-79 degrees F is ideal for warm season crops such as beans, corn, melons, and garlic. In Minnesota, this temperature range is typically reached in mid-May. Cabbage, cauliflower, onions, spinach, lettuce, peas, and leeks are considered cool season crops and can be planted prior to May 15. Potatoes can be planted directly in the ground as soon as the ground is prepared.

Warm season crops that require a long growing season, such as tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, and celery will need to either be started indoors about six weeks prior to the date that you transplant them in your garden, or purchased from your local nursery. Starting seeds indoors requires about 18 hours of direct light, and a good seed starting soil mix to ensure that the seeds don't get spindly and dampen off due to fungus or lack of light.

When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, harden plants off by setting them outside in the shade and reduce watering for a few days, prior to transplanting them. This will help them to adjust to the climate, making the transition easier and more likely to succeed.

Once the seedlings have taken hold and begin to flourish, keep the soil aerated by hoeing or tilling around the plants. Weeds should be eliminated on a regular basis and your garden should be watered periodically during dry spells to ensure an abundance of produce. If there is a large population of rabbits or deer in your back yard, you may want to install a mesh fence around the perimeter of your garden to keep leaf-eating pests at bay.

Each season is a little different from year to year, which may require variations in your planting and harvesting schedules. It may be helpful to keep a gardening journal to record dates and list types of seeds that you had the most success with. Photos are also an easy, accurate way to keep track of the stages of your garden. After a few successful seasons, you will have a proven method for starting and growing fresh, wholesome produce in your own back yard.