Monday – Dishing Out The Dirt

Chilly and wet, how lovely to start the week this way. I shouldn’t complain because this temperature will soon be a fond memory, and I will be wishing to have temps in the low 50s.

Ornamental Grasses

I usually keep my ornamental grass up all winter long for the birds to feed from those seeds. I typically cut them to the ground in February or March. For some, you may decide to cut them down in the late fall or early winter.

If you would like, you can keep the fronds as a display for a while by tying the bundle off, just as you would if you were cutting it down. Place that tied bundle into a large urn or pot and you have a pretty display to set anywhere. The birds can still enjoy the seeds, and you have a fall and winter display for a few extra months. When you are ready to discard, just lift and carry easily to the compost.

Wood from the Black Locust Tree

If you use raised beds, you may want to search out the wood from a black locust tree. This wood is not toxic, and is cheaper than redwood or cedar, and lasts longer. In pioneer days, it was used for fence posts and those posts are still sturdy after more than 100 years.

Maybe you have one on your own land. You would know because the tree is distinctive for its bean pods, big ones falling all over the ground, and also for its thorns clustered at the branches. It flowers in the spring and is a fast grower. But if you need to clear trees, it may be one you might take to the local lumber yards to be cut into boards for a raised bed.

I think that bark is beautiful, but I have a thing for pretty bark on trees. If you look around you at all the examples of the differences in how bark grows, you will be amazed. But this one is especially pretty.

Heavy Pots In Saucers – Use Your Marbles!

Do you have any really heavy pots in saucers that you have trouble turning?  I know you probably need to get around and behind them if that planters is really big. Such as when you prune, inspect for pests, deadhead if there are flowers, and even to get sun exposure evenly all around. And I am sure there are many other reasons.

You probably already have a saucer under the planter, but how about adding some marbles or round stone to that saucer, setting the planter back into the saucer and on top of the marbles or stones. ( Get some help because this will probably be hard.)

You will now be able to rotate the planter on top of those marbles easily and those marbles will last a long time. In addition, it helps drainage because the marbles hold the planter up so drainage is improved too.

Well, have a wonderful week. It is getting cooler here so I really have to get some more hypertufa pots made for the fall, so I need to get to it.

Have you made some this year? Visit the Facebook page and post photos of them. And check me out on Pinterest too!