Not much has been happening around the home, but that is about to change. Spring is starting, which means the garden is starting up. We also have some massive plans to work in in the inside of the house, so stay tuned.

Planting bulbs is immensely satisfying. It doesn’t take long in the fall, and then by spring when the act of planting them is nearly forgotten, they spring up and remind you of the wonderful world that exists after the snow.

This pea sprout is the first of the garden. I planted them nearly a month ago during a warm spell. They braved a few cold spells and snow storms, and will start what will hopefully be a large and productive garden.

This flower bud appeared on a shrub I had nearly given up on identifying. I had not seen any flowers or fruit or any other noteworthy characteristics on this thing for a year and a half. This year it has identified itself as a flowering quince. Good to know…although they don’t do great in this climate, so it still might be slated for demolition.

Recently the Weber Basin Water Conservation Learning Garden (they need a shorter name) had a garden fair, and I thought it would be fun to go down there. I haven’t been there in years, and it has matured nicely since a visit while I was in college.

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I’ve been looking at permaculture methods for so long, I miss the water wise gardens that I used to work in/look at and love all the time. They aren’t exclusive at all either–permaculture just often forgets to make things look nice along the way of creating super productive gardens. Solely focused water-wise or xeriscaped gardens don’t.  It was a good reminder to me that even if I am exploring and working with permaculture, I can still remember to make the gardens pretty and not just productive.

Quick side note: A water-wise garden primary focus is to conserve water. It often includes edible gardens, native plants and other good gardening and environmental practices, but it zero-ins on water conservation the most. Many times, a water wise garden will simply tweak traditional garden practices to conserve water more. A permaculture garden would also include water conservation, but the primary focus is the three permaculture ethics: care of the earth, care of the people, and return of surplus. A permaculture garden tends to have more food production and doesn’t follow traditional gardening at all, but instead mimics and builds upon natural landscapes.

 

Often mistaken for sagebrush, this rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus) looks great with a yellow bloom in the fall.

Gardens don’t just grow plants. Here’s a look at some insects I found in my garden the other day:

Ick. I could use a lot less of these grasshoppers. I still don’t have any control methods I’m comfortable with, so I just give these guys glares and kill as many as I can.

Much better. This was a good sized praying mantis, we left him alone.

This guy is (as far as I can tell) a locus borer beetle. We have a lot of locust trees around for the juveniles, but this adult has taken up residence on one of the sunflowers.

Soap box moment: I don’t use insecticides at all, I think it can cause more problems that solutions. It is much more interesting to let insects fight it out. And please, don’t ever spray because you want to prevent an unknown problem. Spray only for known pest as a last result.

I went to the Ogden Nature Center garden tour. It was pouring rain when I started out. The rain added to my already foul mood, but as soon as I started to walk through the gardens it all dissipated.

Notice the  gravel edging 

I started out with the best home on the tour. I believe the owner was a retired nurseryman, and it was a gardener’s haven. Even areas that he felt were weedy (I talked to him briefly), were beautiful. I want two acres that I can transform into a plant paradise, like he has.

I love the blue grama grass here

I’m a big fan of grassed planted in rows. It was windy, and the movement they create is beautiful.

Many of the homes were well landscaped, but less than memorable. I have a picture of one and I have no memory of visiting it. There is nothing wrong with the landscape, but there is nothing special about it either.

This next home stood out. It wasn’t a plant haven, but it was unique. The garden was not what you would expect driving in a cookie cutter suburb. The designer said the garden was meant to be a walking meditation, and it was.

Another home I enjoyed worked with natural features instead of excluding them. Much of the landscape was native hackberry trees, sagebrush and beautiful, natural rock.

Unmowed fine fescue blends with natural rock

I love Gaura “Whirling Butterflies.” I need a permanent garden to put it in. Pictures from Ogden Botanical Gardens

It might be cold and sometimes snowy outside, but spring is in full swing.

The first seedlings in my garden are coming up. Every time I plant a seed I feel anxious, not knowing if the seeds I sow will grow or thrive. All the veggies I seeded are doing wonderful. (I did freeze some lettuce transplants though.)

The bulbs in the front yard are blooming. My three year old has preemptively opened some of the flowers. And my toddler likes to sit on them. It makes the bed more interactive.

The garden center is filled with color. We went to buy some transplants and explore, regardless of the snow falling. So many plants were blooming! My son kept asking me what everything is and I realize how out of practice I am identifying plants: I need to study. (We went down to Willard Bay Gardens. It is an awesome place for perennials)