Posts Tagged ‘Gardening’

Here’s a recap of the best instagrams of last week. If you want the day to day follow me here! I went to a free watercolor class this week at the library here in Rockaway. They  have many free classes. Check them out! Your looking at a serviceberry tree in my front yard! Delicious for the birds as well as you. This tree thrives in our costal zone. Edible gardens are beautiful and useful! More garden photos. This is an Oak  hydrangea which can grow six feet tall. Since last year, mine […]

I was walking back from the YMCA last week and noticed the dandelions have flowered. Time to forage in the great wilderness, or as I like to call it, the median of Shore Front Parkway. I know what you’re thinking, “Gross!! Dogs pee there!!” Whatever. I bet gophers pee on asparagus and kale in the organic farms. Either way, I still feel natural, locally grown foods are healthier for us than the pre-packaged produce in the supermarket. God knows what they spray on those greens! Besides, germs make your immune […]

If you remember, in the spring we implemented Cousin Lesley’s garden design –  the flower beds thrived and looked beautiful all summer. In fact, it still looks great now. But one thing was missing – the magical Foxtail Lily. This floral is a bulb, so I couldn’t plant it until now! As the common name dictates, this plant looks like a fox’s tail. It’s stunning with an impressive hight up to 8 feet! It is native to semi-desert areas in Asia – so perfect for the sandy soil conditions in Rockaway. I’ve never […]

Very proud of my Mother-in-law Maureen (and Tomato Gal contributor!). She’s been recognized in The Wave for her dedicated service in the beatification of Veterans’ Circle. Check it out! Photo Credit Dan Brown: https://www.facebook.com/skininkmag    

Spring has arrived in Rockaway. Time to get the bike tuned up! The new boardwalk will be done in two months, I can’t wait to cruise the whole stretch. I’m so excited to start gardening. I have big plans for the front garden this year. I’m in the process of writing a post about it. For now, here are some photos of what’s popping up in my garden. The irises. The peonies. To my delight, the Japanese maple twig I took from my sisters’ house last summer is growing! One […]

In the mornings, I like to stroll around the front and backyard looking at the garden. Well, it’s more like over-grown weeds with random flowers intermixed. I’ve been busy with house projects so the garden has been left to run wild.  Matt makes fun of me saying, “You look insane watering those weeds!” The other morning while sipping my coffee I spotted this agastache plant growning out of a crack in the house. My friend John gave us some agastache a while back. When we moved from Ridgewood, we dismantled the roof deck and the agastache came […]

Here it is, past the July 4th weekend and this is what my basil plants look like (above).  Last year I was so proud that I had a red grape tomato one day after my Italian friend in Brooklyn had his first one.  This year my basil leaves a lot to be desired. My friend Fran, has a jungle of basil growing in her yard.  My sister, Brenda, has it coming out of the cracks in her deck, so it isn’t the cold Spring or lack of sunshine here in […]

Okay, now that your lilac bush has finished blooming and you have all these dead flower heads, what do you do? To encourage even more flowers next Spring, pinch off the dead head at the base, as shown. Next year instead of one flower on that stem, you’ll get two. Try it! And of course, you’ll be putting those dead flower heads in your compost pile to add organic matter to your soil.

My Friend Ed has an aquarium which is a hobby I’m interested in as well. Perhaps once things settle down with the house I can start one. Ed told me something interesting, when he changes the water in his tank, he saves it and uses it to water his plants! My first thought was… hoarding old, dirty fish water is totally weird and gross but Ed explained that fish excrements in the water act as a natural fertilizer for plants*. Ed has a stellar plant collection (see above), so it all makes sense. Google also concurs: Before you pour […]

My first time at Edgemere Farm was for the Italian night summer dinner. Ever since, I’ve been a regular visitor. Excitement is building for opening weekend at Edgemere Farm – May 2nd and 3rd, 9am – 2pm. If you would like a free tree, you must reserve and register here in advance. Items for sale include garden plants, herbs, fresh eggs and more. Also The End of  The A shopping mobile truck will be parked outside selling house plants and beach gear. Hope to see you there! Edgemere Farm /  Facebook 385 Beach […]