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Creating In The Midst of Chaos

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Creating in the midst of chaos is a skill worth having. Mental words games and creating moments of laughter always help me cope. I refuse to use the other “C” word in the news these days. I am thinking of positive actions in the garden. Creating joyful moments that will allow me to destress is good mental mojo.

The act of creating for this gardener has many levels…and I see it becoming more unique as we tick away the days. Creating ways to pass the time has me thinking of all positive things that start with the letter C. Curbside is a popular word for many retail entities. This is a great way to keep essential stores open and employees working.

CREATE A PLEASANT MEMORY

Go into the garden and allow those creative juices to flow. Casually stroll, as you mentally begin creating a list of plants in your garden that start with C. This was easy for me this morning. Precious and I wandered from side to side and found a few things in bloom…

Candytuft (Iberis Sempervins) was just waking up this morning.

An unnamed Camellia has three buds this year and I look forward to it blooming. The color is supposed to be Coral…I can’t wait for it to bloom.

This Camellia is a nursery mystery find. I was told it might bloom Coral. I have to wait and see…

Creating alternative ways to experience and enjoy Spring can be assisted by technology. Two Metro stations that are closest to the Cherry Blossoms have been closed as of today. This action was taken to discourage crowds from visiting The National Mall. The show put on by the Cherry Blossoms is a much-anticipated sign of Spring. However, with the aid of technology, the Trust for The National Mall has a Bloomcam feature that is worth checking out. Visit The Trust For The National Mall.

Bloomcam will take you to the Cherry Blossoms as we practice our new norm of social distancing. Creating virtual memories will help us smile through this chaotic moment.

Back to my personal green space. I have worked on creating an environment that brings me seasonal cheer.

Cheery yellow blooms on this Epimedium Sulphureum lifts my spirits along the walkway. Seeing these blooms reminds me that I am a bit late on cutting back the foliage and removing the leaf cover.

Creating places where memories dwell and give me something to look forward to is special. I am not a real Chrysanthemum person. Clara Curtis is my favorite, as it was my first love in my Virginia garden. Clara was responsible for creating a border of seasonal bliss. From October until Christmas, the blooms of Clara danced in my border. My Dad loved ALL Chrysanthemums…and made certain he shared cuttings with all the neighbors.

This is a Chrysanthemum from my parent’s garden. My Dad made sure he gave all four of us cuttings for our gardens. If we did not know any other plant…we knew our Chrysanthemums!!

CHUCKLE OF THE MORNING

Loudly chuckling, this morning I was on a mission. My goal was to find the C plants in my garden before working remotely from home. I could not get a good photo of the carrots growing. I could not find a lot of Chickweed.


Did you know that chickweed was edible? If you are chemical-free, you can eat this right out of the garden. I am so happy I do not have enough this year.

This was a good thing. I did notice other weeds popping through the soil. I am creating a mental list of all that I have to do as I practice social distancing in our new…temporary normal.

Can you find the C plants in your garden? We must stay sane as we commit to protecting each other by social distancing. It is important to stay connected with each other. Our mental health matters.

In what ways are you utilizing this time to find positive ways to celebrate the letter “C”?

Camellia time in my Spring garden. A positive C word…Camelia

Creating more madness in my garden,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Self-Care In Anticipation of Embracing The Garden

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Self-care at this time of world-wide chaos is so important.

Self-care in a time of chaos and crises is a good thing. It does not matter if you are a Weekend warrior, one who lightly dabbles in the garden, or employed fulltime. In the wonderful world of horticulture, taking care of your self is key. Social distancing is actually a thing. For some of us who thrive on personal interaction, this is a gamechanger. I am one of those people lovers. It is even more critical at this time for me to practice self-care.

SELF CARE DAY STARTERS

Starting the day with fresh blooms and your favorite warm beverage is an excellent way to practice self-care of the senses.

Mental self-care should be the first line of defense. Not being around people to laugh, share stories and connect can be hard. Setting the stage for positive thoughts is the perfect way to start the day. Gather a bloom or a few from your garden. No garden – OH MY!! Consider finding a photo on-line of your favorite bloom, print, and place where you can see it. Why not print several and place them throughout your residence. I would consider this positive placemaking. Focus and imagine the fragrance, the feel of the leaves, or the texture of the stem. This is a positively simple way to embrace the start of the day.

MENTAL SELF-CARE

Organizing your daily tasks could prove crucial to a productive day.

Becoming overwhelmed can be a trap. Look at your business tools and prioritize the items of importance. We all have a list of low priority items that we almost never get to. What better time to do them? Unfinished projects or paperwork can big down the mind and affect the spirit.

Need to see your co-workers? Consider video conferencing. It is a terrific way to stay connected and collaborate. Even if it isn’t business, check in with your co-workers or clients virtually. Keep each other uplifted. This will speak volumes when the chaos dies down.

This is a perfect time to delve into those projects or reports that require research. I find that uninterrupted time for thorough research is time well spent. Organizing your files or purging reading material is productive as well.

In my neck of the woods, I had a “Snow Pile” of things for a snowy day or blizzard. Since we had no snow, I renamed it my “Moment of Chaos” file. Mental self-care is addressing those things that linger in the back of our minds.

PHYSICAL SELF-CARE

One of my favorite self-care phrases is “Make time to enjoy life”. I adopted this phrase as I listened to my co-workers talk about time. Work, life balance is one of the hardest things to do. I was one of those “always busy” people at one point in my life as well.

One day, while sharing my calendar with my Dad, I realized that I rarely stopped. I seldom paused to really enjoy what I was doing. There was always a deadline or I had to quickly rush from event to event. I considered it never allowing myself to be bored. The act of taking time for self-care just didn’t happen or not often enough.

One evening while talking with my Dad, he shared three words with me. He said, “Just Be Still”. “Teres, You are just going and doing. It is impossible for you to really enjoy the moment. Just be still…” What wonderful words of wisdom. I miss my Dad immensely. One of the gifts he left me were these three words. When I start going, going, and planning to go more – I pause. Taking moments to breathe deeply, I am still. If only to reassess the importance of my why – I am still.

Taking time to get outside is a great way to practice physical self-care. As a gardener – stuck indoors with my garden just out of reach as I work indoors – I am dreaming. Dreaming of ending my day and walking outside to make use of the remaining daylight hours. Sitting all day is not healthy for anyone. Try leg lifts, Tai Chi from your chair, or planking at least once an hour. Don’t just sit and do nothing, do some squats, lift a hand weight or two. Something as simple as walking up and down the steps inside can make a difference. Self-care means coming out on the other side of this National crisis healthier – mentally and physically.

What perfect time to use a moisturizing mask on your face. Indoor heat can be drying to the skin. No-one will see you in your face mask as you make time to take care of your self. After a day of sitting in sedentary solitude, run a warm bath and soak. A bit of aromatherapy, exfoliating salt scrubs, and soft music, will go a long way in reducing stress or angst.

One final tip – meditate and be Thankful. Meditate about the things you are grateful for. Your family, your pet, a job, or even your greenspace. Think about how gorgeous your garden will be when we get through this. Start some seeds or just go to your favorite garden center and practice just being. Being able to make the choice of embracing the ability to realize all is not lost. Things are certainly a mess right now, but we know that change will come. Even after a long grey winter, looking forward to the signs of Spring is always a welcome relief.

Don your sun hat, open up the door, receive your dose of Vitamin D and boldly practice a bit of Self-care.

Here are a few fun resources to check out that focus on self-care:

Tiny Buddha, Habitsbuzz, or The Little Book of Self Care. Each of these references offers great ways to get started.

Looking forward to getting outside and into the garden. Are you?

Dreaming of better days and practicing self-care,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Heartfelt Valentines for Gardeners

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Heartfelt Valentines Day gifts can be carefully curated with just a little special attention to the message you want to send.

Heartfelt gifts for Valentine’s day come in many forms. Especially for the Gardener in your life. Finding unique ways to say I Love You for those who enjoy having their hands in the soil is easier than you think! Here are a few heartfelt ideas that keep on giving.

GROWING RED WITH PURPOSE

Heartfelt flowers in red can be more than a bouquet of roses.

Floral bouquets are so easy and practical, right?? How generic is that? As a gardener, a perfect heartfelt gift would be flowers for the garden. A plant that has a red bloom or stem that might be deer-proof would be ideal. Some suggestions are Yarrow “Red Beauty”, Dianthus “Odessa Red” or Salvia Microphylla “HotLips” – all seem appropriate.

If you really want to show off, order a peony in the fall and pot it up for gifting on this day of love. There are also online reputable resources for peonies purchased in the Spring. Usually, these will arrive at the proper planting time. Suggested cultivars are Itoh “Scarlet Heaven”, “Red Charm”, “Red Magic”, “Kansas” or “Blaze”. This would show you put a little thought into selections that become more voluptuous year after year. Even if you order a gift certificate for these cultivars, the message would be clear. Your heartfelt intentions will convey a lot.

EDIBLE REDS FOR HEALTH

Red peppers can be heartfelt in more ways than one. Especially homegrown, mixed into avocado spread on whole-grain bread. A little sizzle in the morning…what fun!

It is the time of year to sow seeds. In my zone, February is the optimum time to sow pepper seeds. Red peppers would definitely show you care about a healthy lifestyle. Did you know red peppers are simply loaded with nutrition?? When you consider they have almost eleven times the beta-carotene of green peppers, that shows you care! There is also that higher Vitamin C component – 1.5 times more in red peppers. Not sure what seeds to buy? Visit your local garden center and choose red pepper seeds to start indoors.

The other option is mail order. I love the selections from Botanical Interests. Sweet choices of something like Jimmy Nardello Sweet Peppers or Yolo Wonder Sweet Pepper seeds. For those who like it hot, Santaka Chile Peppers or some real sizzle, Scotch Bonnet Chile Pepper seeds.

Amaranth seeds or Scarlet Emporer Runner Bean seeds are great edibles that make a statement in the summer garden. One obvious choice is the ever loved tomato. If you want options, a terrific resource that shares online tomato love all year is RennaisanceFarms.org. I look at the tomato photos and simply adore the descriptions. As I move more towards container plantings, Micro dwarf and dwarf varieties are piquing my interests. Varieties like Geranium Kiss is one that I will try to grow this year.

Heartfelt plants in a box with a bow can leave a perennial message of love.

Other edible red options are strawberry plant roots, Rhubarb roots, Thornless Red Rasberry Canes, or Lingonberry plants. Make certain your Valentine has room to accommodate these perennial plants. Also, know what zone your Valentine lives in.

HEARTFELT HOUSEPLANTS

An in-home oasis created by heartfelt houseplants is a unique idea. Especially if they are red.

Houseplant offerings have increased over the years. After all, everybody is not inclined to play in the soil outdoors. There are houseplant offerings that are quite unique. If purchased in advance, the Amaryllis “Red Lion” is a great choice. After bloom, this bulb can summer outdoors or in a bright room. Care and instructions are given for reblooming when purchased or can be found online.

Other heartfelt choices are the Anthurium, Bromeliad, and the Red Christmas Cactus. There are other houseplants that might be a favorite of your Valentine, so choose wisely. Stay away from houseplants that have artificial dyes in the foliage or blooms. If they survive the blooms will not be the same color and the new growth will be green.

Sometimes known as Christmas Cactus, this is one of the easiest plants to grow and share.

Heartfelt gifts for this day of showing your Valentine can be as unique as you want. It is how much thought you put into the selection, that will show just how much you notice and care.

Here’s hoping your Valentine reads this…skip the chocolate, please.

Growing Love for humankind…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Seeds – Fellowshipping and Swapping

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Seeds are one of the most economical ways to begin gardening. Pass along or purchased, seeds are the gift that keeps on giving.

Seeds can plant memorable moments of joy for the home and the garden. A mere seed from a favored plant or an item one has dreams of growing can invoke happiness. Every January, in the middle of the nesting season, seeds are on the minds of many gardeners. After all, National Seed Swap Day celebrated on the last Saturday in January is a moment to fellowship and share.

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

Since 2006, devotees of the seed world can credit Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine for creating this wonderful day of seed love. Those who enjoy growing from seed, pick through their unsown seeds from the prior season, find a seed swap, and participates in a day of information, education, and seed swapping. Groups large and small line up tables, acquire speakers and create an organized activity day. Others simply find unique ways to share the love of seeds. For some, it is an opportunity to gather seeds of rare plants or just something they consider “new”. For others, it is a way to obtain answers to their seed questions or to bolster their hutzpah to just sow something different. Any way you look at it – seeds are cool, engaging and present endless opportunities to engage with the earth.

This year I volunteered to assist with the Washington Gardener Seed Swap I. Brookside Gardens, one of the most supportive entities for engaging in nature in Montgomery County, was the site for this day of seed swapping. I am so glad I did!!

EARNING AND LEARNING ABOUT SEEDS

Seed Swap bags packed with just enough room left over for collecting seeds, of course.

Arriving early, we packed swag bags with products from some of the sponsors. Filling each swag bag with seed starting information, product samples, and more! I chose a pink one that I hoped would accommodate my haul. I came to volunteer …but I also came to swap!

Seeds are the best investment to get you in the mood to garden!

As we waited for the attendees, I perused the items featured on the Free tables. Three tables of information for gardeners of all levels. From books to catalogs to egg crates, all for free. I knew it was the calm before the storm. We had to open the doors early to accommodate the attendees.

SPOKEN WORDS ON SEEDS

Debby Ward, Prior Unity Garden helped us release our fears of transplanting and more.

Our first speaker was Debby Ward, Prior Unity Garden located in Northern Virginia. I have heard Debby speak before and once again she did not disappoint. This year she shared a story about Hardening Off and Transplanting Seedlings. We have all had seedling failures. Not enough light, too much light, too much water, dampening off and more. Debby shared tips on our zone, frost/freeze dates, how to simplify the transplanting process and more. Her approach to addressing these topics was quite empowering. YES, I can cut that seedling back so the stronger one can thrive (you had to be there). Listening to Debby’s words and really identifying with her story, I found myself starting seeds at midnight!

Our first winner of the raffles was quite overjoyed! He shared how awesome this prize was.

Next, we had a few raffles of everything from pond kits to books. The raffles took place throughout the day. Each of the attendees scanned the table to know what they wanted should they have the winning ticket.

Linda L. Jones, Elements of Nature shared tips on Companion Planting and using this process to our best advantage.

Our next speaker was Linda L. Jones, Elements of Nature, Certified Master Gardener, curator of Botanicals and Farmeceuticals for personal use. Linda shared tips on Companion Planting for Pest Management in the Home Garden. From Cosmos to Sedum we learned what to plant with what and why. We discovered how certain plants encouraged good bugs and some not so good bugs as well.

Once again another empowering moment for anyone who just might have hesitations about playing in the dirt. Companion planting is the art of knowing what to plant near what. This practice of companion planting also focuses on plant health. Trust me, I am definitely growing Cosmos this year. I had already noticed some collected seeds from Linda’s garden on the Annual table.

Attendees perusing the Annual seeds and bulb table during a break. Plotting, planning their seed grabs…for when the swap begins.

Each Seed Swap is different. The Washington Gardener Seed Swap is very well organized, with a great selection of seeds. Kathy Jentz makes sure there is a break for snacks.

Pam Stegall Roberts of Calvert Farm sharing information about an Organic Seasonal Farm Share. CSAs are always good to support!

Pam Stegall Roberts of Calvert Farm donated the snacks for the day. This CSA operates on sustainable and chemical-free practices. Calvert Farm accepts Maryland Market Money and accepts donations to help families in Maryland stretch their food budgets. We are all aware that sometimes the opportunity for access to healthier, fresh food options can prove difficult. There are drop off locations and Pam has begun to offer a payment plan for a share of produce per season. Coming up with a lump sum of money for a share of organic produce can now be affordable. What a terrific idea. Even I am pondering this as an option, so I can grow more flowers.

The crowd sits attentively waiting for the first group to be called. The Seed Swap was about to get real!!

Finally, it was time for some serious seed swapping. The attendees had hovered over the tables, noting where their Wish List seeds were located. We listened to the announcements and positioned ourselves to be ready for the first pickings. It was a pleasantly tense moment for this room full of “Seed Heads”. Each attendee was on a mission and quite focused on the task at hand.

THE BEGINNING OF MY WINNING

This year there was a houseplant cutting table. I noticed a cutting of something I was going to order from a catalog this week. When Kathy announced, “all those from Prince Georges County you may now pick one packet of seeds,” I knew where to head. While the bulk of the attendees went to gather seeds…I headed over to the cutting table. The Brugmansia cutting was mine. I could have done a Brugmansia dance!

I wonder what seeds I can use to start my Pollinator Victory Garden early??

The day wore on until the tables were empty and the room packed up. Elated when I won a book, there was also that moment when I collected three more books from the free table. I was one happy “Seed Head”.

SECOND CHANCES

I know you are thinking…wow…I missed this day of Intentional Love of Seeds. There are seed swaps going on almost all Spring long. In fact, Washington Gardener Seed Swap II is Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Greenspring Gardens, Alexandria, Virginia. Two new speakers – Niraj Ray, Cultivate the City ( Seed Starting 101) and Carol Allen, Horticulturist (The Lost Art of Plant Sharing: Taking Cuttings, Saving Seed and Dividing). This will be another can’t miss Seed Swap for those who love seeds. To purchase a ticket click here.

Seeds of Celosia, squash, Castor beans to ward off the groundhog and more. This was a terrific day!!

I gathered some additional seeds for flowers and squash. I love stuffed squash blossoms. As I drove home, I was daydreaming about winter sowing, potting up my Brugmansia cutting, Christmas Lima Beans, and reading the book I won, The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman. Thank me later, but rumor has it that Christmas Lima Beans are a thing.

Have you attended a seed swap? Do seeds help get you through the winter when you can’t put your hands in the dirt? Try to find a seed swap near you and swaps some seeds. Even if you do not have seeds to swap, someone has donated more than enough. Better yet, create your own Seed Swap Day!

Off to check my winter sowing jugs, grinning from ear to ear with my Nasturtium Alaska seeds, and dreaming of our next season!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Nasturtiums – Party Girl In the Garden

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Nasturtiums are considered the party girls of the summer garden. Used here and there, she can bring joy to a gardener’s garden.

Nasturtiums are an annual that should be considered for any summer garden. Planted in the ground or in a container, this easy to grow annual should be invited to your garden party. Mostly known for the red, orange, and yellow party dresses or blooms, nasturtium is a muli-asking Diva.

A simple pot or plot of less than perfect soil will usually do the trick. First, decide what you want – more leaves or more blooms. If you want more leaves, enhance your soil with organic matter. If you want more blooms, provide a dry slightly humus soil with low fertility. The beauty of this party girl is she is low maintenance.

SOW AND GROW

Soak the seed to soften the shell-like coating. I use a kelp/water solution when I soak any seed to hasten the germination period. Sow the seed two times as deep as the length of the seed. Nasturtiums require darkness to germinate. If you are sowing inside, seeds can be started as early as 3 weeks prior to the last frost date in your zone. In Zone 6/7, mid-April or early May, is a terrific time to start these seeds.

Be sure to watch the outside temperatures. Keep in mind, this young lady is not a fan of frost, extremely hot sun, or strong winds. If they become weather-beaten, pinch off the leaves and more leaves will surely sprout. Follow the leaf to the main stem and pinch it off. This will trigger the nasturtium to sprout more leaves. This leaf dance party will continue until the first frost of autumn.

Once the seedlings have been hardened off and planted outside, provide protection from the strong summer sun. After all, no girl wants to get sunburn or scorching on her leaves. Nasturtiums will happily consider part shade without skipping a beat.

Light on the lettuce? Does your salad need a picker-upper? Nasturtium brings the party to the table.

MULTI-TASKING MOMMA

Now that she is flourishing from a lack of attention, the nasturtium is ready to show off. From the leaves to the blossoms, certain foods can be taken from ‘okay’ to ‘dancing in your mouth!’

The leaves can be sliced up or left whole. A milder taste can be appreciated in the smaller leaves. The spicy, mustard-like bite is found in the larger leaves. If you harvest the leaves for later use, rinse, dry, and refrigerate them in a baggie. Consider using them within 3 to 5 days. Without light, the leaves will yellow.

Sliced, diced, stuffed, stir-fried, and more are just a few of the ways the nasturtium leaf can be used. Easily flavored vinegar, using the leaves and the buds make a colorful addition for use from the pantry. Tied with a bow, a jar of spicy nasturtium vinegar makes a great gift from the garden.

Imagine a large nasturtium leaf with a dab of chicken salad and rolled up as a mid-afternoon snack. Such a different twist to enjoy a chicken wrap with a little zing!

Did you know that the leaves also have an antiseptic quality? By grinding the leaves and straining in water, this solution can be used to clean up simple wounds. A natural antibiotic, fresh from the garden. Leaves of the nasturtium can also be used as a tea to soothe sore throats and minimize cold symptoms. Nasturtium leaves also contain Vitamin C…what’s not to love?

Nasturtiums are ready to dance to almost any tune from the garden to the plate! I marvel at the ways one can use this resourceful plant.

SAVOR THE FLAVOR

A few nasturtium leaves, mixed greens, a smattering of blossoms, craisins, add one boiled egg…the perfect salad. I call this disco on a plate!

Stuffed blooms make such a statement at a dinner party. The unexpected mingling of herbs or dried fruit bits in goat cheese, cottage or ricotta cheese is purely delightful. Add blossoms to a jar and mince a clove or two of garlic. Allow this to settle in a pantry for a week or so. Strain and use to flavor a nice pasta, or add to a mashup of nasturtium leaves for pesto. Chopped blossoms mixed in soft butter makes a colorful spread on toast for a bit of morning joy!

CHOOSING YOUR MIXER

These are just a few ways to grow this wonderful annual. As a mixer in the garden, Nasturtium is a graceful socialite. She can hang down to cascade over the side of a planter, climb up a low fence, or be used as a groundcover. Such a tasty way to cover a barren area and have an edible border at your fingertips! There are also compact dwarf cultivars. Consult your seed catalogs to choose wisely.

A simple vase of nasturtium leaves can prove to be an asset in the kitchen.

WHEN THE PARTY IS OVER

What to do with the stems that are pinched back? Consider using them in a vase. This plant mixes well as a filler with just about any cut flowers. A simple vase placed in the kitchen will remind you to use every part of this plant as often as possible.

For my summer garden party, Nasturtiums will always be welcome guests. What will you invite to your summer garden party?

Seeking Nasturtium ‘Alaska’ seeds as I nest…

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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