Flowers (annual and perennial), Gardening & Landscape

Favorite Marigold

Marigold has an old variety called Victorian (spun orange) marigold. It is an extra-large, attractive, super-double flowers with tubular petals. The color is a pleasing, clear orange rather than the harsh orange-brown so often seen in African marigolds. Plants are rather compact, seldom exceeding 20 inches. Very uniform size is ideal for cutting yet earns its keep in the border.

There are mainly three families of marigold:

Tagetes erecta are the tallest and most upright, at three to five feet. They are sometimes known as African, or American, marigolds. They thrive under hot, dry conditions.

Bushy T. patula, or French marigolds, are somewhat smaller and more compact. They are often wider than they are tall. Elegant and eye-catching, they have relatively demure flowers and usually grow from 6 inches to 2 feet tall.

The dainty T. tenuifolia are the signet, or rock-garden, marigolds that like hot, dry sites and make a wonderful edging. Their flowers are edible.

Gardening & Landscape, Vegetable and Fruits

Why You Need to Grow Fall Bearing Raspberries

3 years ago, I planted 10 raspberries around 3 feet apart. About 3 months after I planted them they were all mowed down by deer Fortunately, they were hardy beasts and the next year I was pleasantly surprised to see they had made a comeback. It’s been now 3 years since I planted them, and the patch is around 5-foot-wide and 20 foot long.

The I found out that they were everbearing or fall bearing raspberries producing the end of August and thru September till frost. I like the gold over red but I have always had a thing for oddly colored fruit, probably why my alpine strawberry adventures started with white berries. However my bed is planted with red berries which I found are a lot tougher then the whites and golds.

So, you can mow them to the ground in late winter and not worry, just make sure you do not get the June bearing which set fruit on the previous year’s growth.

There is another amazing characteristic of everbearing raspberries that make them perfect for the lazy gardener. Fall bearing raspberry varieties tend to be shorter than summer bearing. I don’t have anything to support my fall raspberries and they couldn’t be happier. They get about 3 feet tall with stocky stems that support themselves well.

If you have the room and you can get your hands on some Fall Gold raspberries I wholeheartedly recommend you plant them. The berries are large, soft and sweet. They would never survive a commercial operation, they barely survive the walk into the house (that may say more about me than it does about the structural integrity of the berries…) I’ve only grown one variety (just lots, and lots of them!) of fall bearing raspberries called Caroline, but next year I plan to add a few more varieties along the south end of the garden.

My favorite use for them is to pick a few and put them in pancake or waffle batter. Of course, you use raspberry syrup poured over them.

DIY Projects

Outdoor deck

Since the outdoor deck plays such a key role for your exterior, it’s very important to give your design ample thought before diving in.When it comes to outdoor deck ideas, your first point of consideration should be the construction materials used. There are four common types, but you’ll want to do some research before deciding which one works best for your family. The options are:

Pressure-Treated Lumber: The most popular and gives that classic hardwood look but requires lots of maintenance and is very susceptible to warping.

Redwood: Other woods like Redwood and Cedar are slightly more durable but are often more expensive.

Composite: Plastic or a composite material requires very little maintenance after installation but can be limited in terms of color and other aesthetic options.

Aluminum: The most durable and the priciest material.

By and large, entertaining is where your deck will really shine. Whether you’re just serving up a casual dinner for your immediate family or you’re planning a big bash with all your friends on the guest list, you’ll want to make sure that your deck is set up to make hosting the event as simple as possible.

Making sure that your deck is outfitted with plenty of lighting and maybe even a few speakers will instantly set a party atmosphere. Also, the addition of an outdoor kitchen or grill and/or wet bar is a great option for those who don’t want to be stuck in a kitchen.

Some ideas to add to an existing deck:

Practicality is key to increasing the use of any patio space. Storage and organization locations, such as a DIY patio beverage station, offer spots for gathering. Customized from an off-the-shelf workbench, special touches to this project include paint on the drawer fronts and an easy-sew curtain to hide supplies.

Many covered patios are wide open to the landscape, which establishes a connection to a yard. But if a little privacy would help enhance the space, consider this DIY idea: Add a trellis or other decorative structure to one of the openings.

Although furniture is a quick fix, a swinging patio bed is a simple, charming DIY solution to relax-worthy seating. Adapt a platform or bench to hold a cushion and a back support. Hooks should be attached to beams, not the ceiling itself.  Also an outdoor area rug makes a great difference in the look of your deck whether stone or wood.

Water is a great draw for lots of reasons: It can hide unwelcome noise and offer soothing ambiance for an outdoor gathering space. Plenty of patio options exist, from tabletop solutions to larger on-ground ideas. Use the proportions of your space and your needs as a guide when selecting the size of your fountain.