Had a terrific consultation with garden coach Genevieve Schmidt (see her North Coast Gardening blog on the blogroll). What’s a garden coach? Read this North Coast Journal Garden column by Amy Stewart here and here. I’ve finally reached a point where things are starting to come together and I’ve found that there are a few areas that don’t flow the way I’d like. Plus I wanted someone to look things over with a fresh eye.
After two hours with Genevieve, I definitely have a better grasp of the big picture. I did a fairly detailed plan three years ago, but allowed myself to be dragged off-track by the landscape guy we hired and have spent a lot of time undoing about 60% of what he talked me into. Argh.
Anyway, if you intend to do most of the work yourself and have a pretty good idea of what you want, a garden coach like Genevieve can save you a lot of time and money. I wish I’d known about her three years ago.
Planted today:
Nasturtium seeds in the tropical garden: Alaska mix, Fiesta mix, Empress of India and Mahogany.
In the Rose Border: 4 Happy Chappy ground cover roses from Amity Roses in Hydesville.
Next to porch: Pink Perpetue; large-flowered pink climber
Four of the tomatoes didn’t make it because I definitely jumped the gun and planted them too soon. They’ve been replaced with three Romas. I’ll get another Early Girl next time I’m at the nursery.
Sprouted in the last week:
Papaver species, lettuce mix, first row of peas.
Ordered from a new rose nursery that I just came across, Rogue Valley Roses up near Ashland, Oregon:
Variegata de Bologna (my husband called it the “baloney rose”)- the one striped rose that I hadn’t been able to find that I really wanted.
Rosa chinensis mutabilis- this one has been hard to find, too.
The Yeoman- a David Austin English rose. One of the first two English roses I ever got when we were living in the Victorian in Eureka. (Lilian Austin was the other) It’s not a sturdy one and Austin doesn’t offer it anymore. It’s been really hard to find, but I wanted one because the original had the most amazing scent and apricot color, a real jaw-dropper. I’ll baby it and hope it will be happy here.
Other notes:
Tree peonies almost done. First orange oriental poppy bloom done, more buds showing on plant. Sweet williams almost starting. Bleeding heart and purple violets blooming.
Akebono cherry trees and rhododendrons just starting.
Tulips in bloom: Princess Irene, Estelle Rjinveld, ‘Little Beauty’ and other species, gavota, Queen of the Night, Maureen, Mrs. John Scheepers.
Narcissus in bloom: Tahiti, Dickcissel, Geranium
Blooming round the neighborhood: skunk cabbage, coltsfoot, dicentra, trillium, yellow violets; salmon berry and native blackberry just starting
Aw, Susan, thank you so much! I’m so glad I was able to be of help! It was a real pleasure getting to meet you and David (and Nikki and Alex!) and see your beautiful home and garden.
I’m still drooling over your gavota tulips….
[...] was kind enough to write about our day on her gardening blog, Digging Dow’s Prairie. If you enjoy gardening and want to see what is working for other local folks, reading garden blogs [...]