CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Cool Idea: Drawer Planters

casasugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:30:55 -0700

I talk often about various forms of recycling and upcycling, and I've seen plenty of ingenious ideas for reusing what might seem useless. But sometimes you needn't change a thing about a household item to give it a new purpose. Sometimes all it takes is a little dirt. That's surely the case with these old drawers that were effortlessly transformed into planters with some soil and seeds. If you want to try this on your own, though, I'd recommend drilling holes in the drawer bases for drainage. And to think: I spent all that time building my own garden box! Ohh, hindsight.
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Name This Plant

casasugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:01 -0700

These crunchy vegetables are a great addition to salads, and even better, they're an easy, rewarding crop to grow. Can you name this plant?

Casa Quickie: White Picket Fence Planter

casasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:30:18 -0700

Yet again, Martha Stewart wins me over with an ingenious and simple craft project! By gluing wooden plant markers to a wooden planter box, and painting it white, you can create your very own indoor white picket fenced garden. Here, herbs are grown, but you can certainly choose any plant you like. I like the idea of growing grass, such as wheat grass, to replicate the look of a suburban front yard. Throw down a miniature newspaper and a kid's bicycle to create a Truman Show-esque diorama.
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Primer: Plants That Deer Don't Like

casasugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I recently showed you some tricks for repelling deer from your garden without pulling out your rifle. But probably the simplest way to keep Bambi away from your beloved plants is to choose plants that he doesn't find palatable. To begin, you should certainly avoid planting hostas, lilies, tulips, hollyhocks, impatiens, sunflowers, crocus, daylilies, lobelia, phlox, rose, and yews, which are deer faves. Here is a list of plants that should be safe from being Bambi's breakfast, lunch, or dinner:

Ornamental grasses. Try astillbe, baptista, bleeding heart, catmint, bloody cranesbill, dusty miller, evening primrose, ferns, foam flower, foxglove, iris, lavender, monarda, nasturtium, peony, salvia, santolina, and yarrow.
Strongly scented herbs and plants. Try sage, lemon balm, monarda (bee balm), chives, chili pepper, garlic, mints, rosemary, thyme, wintergreen, and Russian sage.
Prickly, thorned plants (except roses). Try cleome, holly, boxwood, butterfly bush, Colorado blue spruce, cotoneaster, honeysuckle, Japanese maple, magnolia, Russian olive, viburnum, barberry, and purple coneflower.

Check out Northern Gardening and UGA for more plants that deer tend to avoid.
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How-To: Keeping Deer Out of Your Garden

casasugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Growing up in the country, deer and other creatures were daily visitors to my garden, nibbling and trampling upon everything in sight, and they often caused car accidents in the area. Needless to say, they're not my favorite forest creature. But that doesn't necessarily mean you have to wait for deer season to keep them away from your casa; there are plenty of ways to keep them out of your garden without increasing your daily venison intake. Here are a few:

Install an extremely high fence. Deer can jump quite high, so it must be about eight feet tall to keep them out. Consider invisible deer fence, which isn't such an eyesore. And remember to fence off your driveway entrance or install cattle guards, which they can't cross.
Get a dog to scare the deer away.

There are plenty more to hear about, so

Six Perennials With Late-Flowering Habits

casasugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:00:01 -0700

For most of us, Summer is about being outdoors, enjoying the warm weather, and surrounding yourself with nature. When Fall comes, we bundle up, move indoors, and say goodbye to our gardens as they begin their descent into frosty Winter. But, one way you can have an endless Summer is to choose perennials with late-flowering habits for your garden. Want to find out about some plants that will help extend the flowering season at your home well into October? Then .

Sneezeweed. A bronze/red daisy that blooms mid-September for three to four weeks.
Aster. Another daisy-like flower in white, purple, lavender, pink, or red that blooms prolifically through October.
Chinese lantern. Flowers in mid-Summer with bright-orange seedhead in Fall.
Chinese anemone. Rose flowers bloom in mid-Summer to early Fall.
Autumn joy Simple, pink flowers bloom well into October.
Goldenglow. Golden disc flowers bloom in mid-Summer to early Fall.

A few houseplants you might also try are palms, ferns, mother-in-law’s tongue, euphorbia, and croton. Once your flowers bloom, be sure to share photos in our Su Casa group!
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Casa Verde: Grow Your Own Fruit

casasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:30:43 -0700

Last night I picked some of the Empress plums from the tree in our backyard. Empress plums, also known as Italian prune plums, have a sweet, yellow flesh and purple skin. This variety is an easy grower, too — our tree is dropping plums faster than we can harvest them. While I have plans for making some pies, and maybe even plum cornmeal cake, I know that to get the most out of this fruit harvest I'll have to freeze or can some of the plums.

Besides the delicious treat that a backyard plum provides, another important reason to consider planting a fruit tree at your home is that the fruit doesn't need to be trucked or flown in from halfway across the world. By becoming a backyard fruit farmer, you're providing some locally grown food for your home. And by freezing fruit, making preserves, or even drying it, you can enjoy the sweetness of Summer all year round.

Do you have any fruit growing at your house? Do you visit nearby orchards to pick your own?

Cool Idea: Gardening With Rice Wattles

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:30:54 -0700

Last week, when I volunteered at the SF Victory Garden, I was intrigued by the rice straw wattles that were used to form the garden beds. Rice straw wattles are essentially rice straw, an agricultural bi-product that is enclosed in a netted tube. Both lightweight and malleable, rice straw wattles are often used for erosion control in landscaping, but also work well for garden beds.

I definitely think rice straw wattles are a good option for first-time gardeners who aren't that handy with woodworking tools. By simply connecting a few wattles together, you can create a garden space in a fraction of the time it would take to build a garden box. They also would work well in a space, such as a rooftop garden, where weight is a consideration. I also love the organic, circular shapes that are easily created with wattles.

If you're interested in trying these for your garden, check out Earth Savers' wattles.

Before and After: Mystery Squash

casasugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:00:39 -0700

Remember when I found these mystery seedlings taking over my row of beets?

I pulled up many of the mystery seedlings, but left a few in the garden, since my curiosity was piqued. Well, that tiny little seedling has now become something of a monster plant. I've had to trellis it two separate times, and now I think my best bet to deal with its massive size is to simply drape it on the ground, outside of the garden box.

To see what it looks like now,

Ask Casa: Garden Gifts For Wedded Friends?

casasugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:30:12 -0700

Hi Casa,

My friends just got married, and even though I attended their wedding (gorgeous, by the way!), I still haven't given them their gift. I feel a little guilty about it, but I just couldn't imagine getting them a cheese grater or a set of pillow shams from their registry. I want to get them something a little more unique. So, when they told me at the wedding that they'd recently decided to start a garden at their home, and basically were starting from scratch, I knew that I wanted to get them something to help them in their gardening dreams. They're starting a big gardening project upon return from their honeymoon, so I'd love to have my gift waiting for them. Do you have any ideas for reasonably priced, cool, and unusual garden gifts?

Thanks in advance,
Mosspink

To see my suggestions,

Before and After: My Garden's Blooming!

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:30:36 -0700

A while ago, I showed you how to build a garden box and plant it.

Here's how my garden first looked after I planted seeds and seedlings in it.

To see how it's growing,

Midday Muse: How Does Your Garden Grow?

casasugar — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:00:56 -0700

I don't know about your garden, but Grumpalita's garden isn't coming up silver bells and cockleshells, but it's coming up radishes. Isn't this shade of red just luscious? This photo makes me want to whip up some of YumSugar's Summer corn and radish salad.
How is your garden growing?

Roundup: Gardening Gifts For Mom

casasugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 04:30:58 -0700

The parallel between Spring and Mother's Day has naturally always led me to purchase gardening gifts for my mom each year. But, it's also just nice to help our mamas enjoy their gardens a bit more. The down and dirty gardening types might be happy to receive some helpful tools or gear for their hobby, while the more aesthetic-focused moms might want to receive a copper garden hose holder that simply looks good. And others, nongardeners, certainly wouldn't complain about being gifted a beautiful, potted plant. Think about where your mom falls in the group, and then check out the widget below for some gift ideas that'll please most mothers!

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Ask Casa: General Tips For Growing Fruit Trees

casasugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:00:41 -0700

Earlier this week Adelka asked for some tips for growing pear trees. I thought I'd amend the pear tree advice with some general tips for growing fruit trees.

Advice For Growing Fruit Trees

In order to get the most bang for your buck (or the most fruit for your tree), provide your fruit tree with two other varieties for cross pollination.
Asian pears, apples, figs, and European pears are all easy to grow. Because of disease issues, apricots, peaches, and cherries need more care.
If you're squeezed for space, consider buying a dwarf or semidwarf tree, which will only grow 20 feet tall at the maximum.
Train your fruit tree so they have a strong, upright trunk, and well-spaced, spreading side branches. Prune your tree to remove broken or diseased branches, and remove crowded branches to increase productivity.
It's especially important to prune branches on apple, cherry, pear, and plum trees. That's because these types of fruit grow on spurs, which are short twigs that grow on older wood. These spurs will die if they don't get enough sunlight.
Be sure fruit trees receive adequate water during the growing season.
Scatter fertilizer starting one foot away from the trunk of fruit trees, so they don't get burned by the highly nitrogen-rich fertilizer. You can scratch the fertilizer into the soil with a rake, and then water it well.

Casa Quickie: Basil Starters, the Cheap and Easy Way

casasugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:45:03 -0700

The next time you buy a batch of basil at the grocery store or farmer's market, don't throw away the stems! Leave a few leaves on any basil cutting that is 3 to 5 inches long. Then, pinch off the flowers on the top of the basil, cut a clean, angled end on the basil, and stick it in some water. Place it in a bright location and within a few weeks you should have enough root growth to plant a crop of basil.

Ask Casa: I Need Help With My Pear Tree

casasugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:00:56 -0700

Hi Casa,

I have a pear tree on the side of the house, and it's my first full Spring there, so I want to treat it right this year and get pears I can actually eat from it. I know fruit trees might not be a wide-range enough topic for a post, but if you have any suggestions or websites you could point me towards, I would appreciate your input! I know there is some trimming and recommended spraying involved, but beyond that I am lost.

Thanks for any help!
Adelka

Hi Adelka,

Some of the advice for taking care of pear trees can be extended to fruit trees in general, so I'm sure your question will benefit a lot of Casa readers. I actually have two pear trees in my yard — an Asian pear tree and a D'anjou pear tree.

To see the rest of my answer, just

Before and After: From Eyesore to Eye Catching

casasugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:00:20 -0700

One of my gardening heroes, You Grow Girl, recently shared a smart idea for prettifying container gardens. You Grow Girl, aka Gayla Trail, often upcycles five-gallon buckets for tomatoes. While these buckets are very inexpensive and very good for planting, they aren't the prettiest, as you can see from this picture.

To see Gayla's solution to this eyesore, just

Casa Quiz: Soil pH

casasugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:00:49 -0700

Remember my post on soil pH? These questions will quiz your knowledge of some of the key definitions you've read on CasaSugar. Show me how much you've learned about soil pH!

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Garden Therapy: Egglings

casasugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:00:36 -0700

Too darn cute. Egglings ($9.50) are handmade ceramic pieces that look like large eggs. Use a spoon to crack it, and instead of finding a hardboiled egg, you'll be presented with a garden just waiting to grow. It couldn't be easier: just water the soil, put it in a sunny spot (such as a kitchen window), and wait for it to grow. You can transplant the plants to the garden once they get bigger. You can choose from a set of herbals, which includes basil, mint, and thyme, or edibles, which includes lavender, spicy pepper, and wild strawberry. Each set of three comes in a handmade gift box with an extra seed pack and terra cotta tray. This would be a great gift for a small space or aspiring gardener.

DIY: Planting Your Garden Box

casasugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:00:12 -0700

Did you read my post on building a redwood planter box? If so, you're already halfway done. You still need to anchor the box, level it, fill it with soil, and plant it. Read on for my list of suggestions on how to do it.

Move your box to the area you want to permanently place it. Since the area in my yard was on a slight incline, I had to dig the box in further on one side than on the other. In any case, you're going to want to dig a perimeter trench for the box, and then place it in the trench.
Use a level to make sure that your box is sitting evenly.
You can stand on the four corners and jump up and down a bit to make sure it's anchored well, too.
Now, break the soil that you dug out of the trenches and use it to stuff into the sides of the box to fill in any holes.
Then, use a pitchfork or shovel to dig up and turn over the grass and soil inside the box.

For the rest of the directions, just

Open House: The Low-Down on Your Garden

casasugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:00:46 -0700

Since it's Good to Grow month, for this week's Open House, I figured I'd start off the month by getting the details on your garden — if you have one. What's in your garden: flowers, vegetables, herbs? Is your garden an Edible Estate? Is it an anti-garden? A formal, Versailles-style garden? Is it full of native plants or foreign flora? What plants specifically grow there? Do you garden for purely aesthetic purposes, for environmental reasons, or just to feed your hungry belly? If you don't have one, are you hoping to start one? Are you having any "issues" with your garden? Successes?
Let me know by leaving a comment a below, and we'll get this green thumb rally started!
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Cool Idea: Swords Into Ploughshares, Planting the Piece

casasugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:00:57 -0700

Richmond, VA, artists Christopher Humes and Noah Scalin have taken the Bible literally in their art installation strong>Planting the Piece. The artists interpret the Book of Isaiah quote, "And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks" in a wholly 21^st century — and absolutely inspirational — manner.

The artists molded a 9mm 910 pistol, and then filled the mold with red clay powder, organic humus compost, water, and a seed mixture of annual and perennial flowers, including cornflower, daisies, blazing stars, lupines, poppies, and many other flowers. After these pieces of growable art have been exhibited, they are then planted, sometimes in garden boxes, and sometimes in abandoned city lots. As the "gun" decomposes into the landscape, flowers grow from it, echoing an iconic antiwar image from the '60s.

To find out how you can get your own seed gun or seed bomb, as well as to see a gallery of photos,

How-To: Starting a Spring Wildflower Garden

casasugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:15:29 -0700

If you're planning on adding some wildflowers to your Spring gardening, I have some tips to get you started.

If you're starting your wildflower garden on an area that's already grassy or full of unwanted plants, you can kill the plants by putting down about six to eight layers of wet newspaper. After a month to a month and a half, you'll have a weed- and grass-free area to plant seeds or seedlings upon. You can shred the newspaper to use as mulch (it's good for your soil), or, you can compost it.
If you're planting a small area, you can use seedlings instead of seeds.
Make sure to sow your seeds when danger of frost is past.

For more hints, just

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

casasugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:00:08 -0700

. . . Would you hire a gardener? Source

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

Absolutely! Why do the work if you can pay someone to do it for you!?

If he looked like that I would!

Maybe, I'd enjoy doing some of the work myself though.

Heck no, I'm a hardcore DIY-er.

No, that's completely unnecessary and silly.

DIY: Grow an Herb Garden Indoors

casasugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:00:08 -0700

Want an easy way to get into gardening? Then try an indoor herb garden!

Supplies:

1 large container with 20-inch diameter (plastic or clay, with a drainage hole)
1 saucer to fit container
Certified organic potting soil mix
Herb plants
Gravel or screen mesh
Certified organic fertilizer

To learn the steps,

Definition: Soil pH

casasugar — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil. It's measured on a scale of one to 14, with seven as the neutral mark. So, anything that measures below seven is considered acidic and anything above seven is considered alkaline. Gardeners should know whether their soil is alkaline or acidic because some plants require nutrients that can only be retrieved when the soil pH level falls into an certain range. Hydrangea, for example, will blossom in either pink (alkaline) or blue (acidic), depending on the soil pH. For Good to Grow month, this is a good term to know!
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How-To: Planting Seeds

casasugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:00:58 -0700

Just like you've got to learn your ABC's before you write a bestseller, or even a discount bin title, you must learn the basics of planting seeds before you attempt to grow a full-fledged vegetable garden. So, to commence Good to Grow month, I'm going to start you off with the foundations of seed growth. Then, you'll be armed and ready to grow your very own hanging Solanum lycopersicums, and perhaps some Cucurbita pepos and Abelmoschus esculentus. So, for your first kindergarten (which, coincidentally means literally "children's garden") lesson in planting seeds, and to see a jazzy video,

Etsy Find: Garden Organizer

casasugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:15:10 -0700

Considering that it's Good to Grow month and all, I figured I should hook you up with the best looking gardening gear around. That's where the Milk Pail Garden Organizer ($27) comes in. Constructed of six pockets in cotton and canvas floral and polka-dot fabrics, it not only serves as convenient place to store your garden tools, it's also chic and cheerful. It can be strapped to your waist or around your garden pail, if you have one. If polka dots aren't your thing, it's available in a variety of color options. I don't know about you, but the sight of this just makes me want to do some down and dirty (and adorable) gardening. What do you think?

In the News: The Midcentury Anti-Garden

casasugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:30:29 -0700

LA Times' More Stark Than the Desert Around Them takes an alarming note of the growing trend of "extending the spareness of home interiors into the garden, and wiping out natural habitat in the process," by midcentury modern homeowners in Palm Springs. These midcentury mod enthusiasts have begun to replace the natural and/or traditional landscapes surrounding their homes with minimalist "gardens" made simply of gravel, lawn, or geometrically-shaped arrangements of cacti and grass, or shaved palm trees. This new terrain is quite the departure from those surrounding well-known designs by 1950s architects like Albert Frey and William Krisel.
On one hand, it's nice to see homeowners realizing the relationship between the architecture of their home and their landscaping, and putting extra thought into it rather than accepting what already exists or what's "the norm" for homes of different architectural styles. But it's also sad to hear that "fig and lemon trees planted there 40 years before by the original owner" are being ripped out. I'm all for designing appropriately for architecture and climate, but this type of starkness will lead to erosion and desertification; a little tasteful xeriscaping, much more appropriate and eco-friendly for the Palm Springs climate, seems to be the perfect compromise. To see more images, check out the gallery.

Did You Force Any Bulbs This Winter?

casasugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:00:53 -0700

Source

Did You Force Any Bulbs This Winter?

Yes

No, but I plan to next Winter.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

DIY: Terrarium

casasugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:15:31 -0700

Are you longing for Spring green but your backyard is full of snow and mud? Then get some interior green going with an easy-to-make terrarium. (Thanks to Grumpalita for the great photos of her terrariums!)

Supplies

Glass jars with lids. You can find these at thrift stores for hardly any money at all.
gravel
rich potting soil
small, shade-loving plants such as fern, moss, viola, or hosta
spray bottle filled with water

To find out how to make your terrarium,

Name This Plant

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:01:42 -0800

If you look carefully enough, you can read my label, but even without that massive hint, I'm sure you Casa readers can figure out who I am.

DIY: Suitcase Planter

casasugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:15:07 -0800

Sarah from Modern Roost shared this Suitcase Planter that her brother made, and I think it's perfect for Renewal month. It's also fit for that green-thumb dude in your life. What an inventive way to give new purpose to the dusty, old suitcase sitting in your attic!

To get the supply list and learn the steps,

Gift Guide: Green Thumb

casasugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:04:49 -0800

There's something incredibly sexy about a guy who knows his way around a wheelbarrow and gardening spade (or maybe that's the farm girl in me talking). Still, a pair of grass-stained Carhartts and some dirty work boots never hurt anyone's sex appeal, if you ask me.

So if you have a gardener, landscape architect, farm boy, or other obsessed green thumb guy in your life, I've got the gifts to help him scratch that itch (and hopefully it's not from some poisonous plant, but just in case I've got something for that, too). I've gathered green thumb-related presents at various price points in the hopes that one of these will strike your green guy's fancy—and maybe he'll grow you some gorgeous flowers as a thank you!

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Gift Guide: Patio Plants For a Happy Housewarming

casasugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:36:58 -0800

Whether someone on your gift-giving list has just bought a first home or recently moved into a sweet new rental property, one of the loveliest ways to say Happy Housewarming! is with a festive container plant.

For the aspiring small-space gardener, try this patio gardening seed mix ($14) from Seeds of Change. Pop these pretty packets in a beribboned-woven basket (which can then be used for harvesting peas, beans, and herbs), and present it to your newly moved pal. You can step it up a notch with some beautiful front-stoop cypress trees, like this set of three cypress trees ($39) from Smith and Hawken. And finally, for a truly unusual statement, present your new home dweller with this stunning wine-grape bonsai tree ($64.50) from Organic Style.

Creating Festive Winter Gardens

casasugar — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:00:54 -0800

Do you reside in a harsh Winter climate? Manitoba, perhaps? Vermont, Norway, or Minnesota? Don't worry — there are still some pretty Winter options for creating container gardens.

Small conifers, or needled evergreens, are great choices for hardy winter container gardening, and these dwarf trees come in a variety of shapes, including balls, cones, and columns, as well as varieties that trail, which will add variety to your container. Add some wintergreen to the container for a bright pop of color from its red berries. In the Spring, you can transplant directly from the containers into your yard for easy landscaping. Check in at Evergreen Plant Nursery for some evergreens.

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Name This Plant

casasugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:00:31 -0800

I am a type of squash, but can you tell me what kind? Just one word please—don't write squash afterwards or your answer won't qualify!

Name This Plant

casasugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 08:34:54 -0800

I am a type of squash, but can you tell me what kind? Just one word please—don't write squash afterwards or your answer won't qualify!

Name This Plant

casasugar — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:23:11 -0700

Some of my varieties include birdhouse, warty bottle, mini dipper, and bottle. I also make an excellent birdhouse.

Name This Creature

casasugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:06:03 -0700

I come out at night to buzz around your porch light. I'm not as pretty as my daytime counterparts, but I may pollinate your garden plants. Though depending on what type I am, I just might destroy them instead.

Name This Fruit

casasugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:00:15 -0700

Okay friends, I'm throwing you a very, very slow softball here. (Make sure to pluralize your answer.)

Name This Plant

casasugar — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 04:53:06 -0700

One of my grandma's favorite Danish recipes, agurkasalet, is made primarily with this delicious vegetable. (Note: It's shown in its baby state; this veggie gets much bigger.)

Name This Fruit

casasugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 07:32:40 -0700

In the fall, you can find me at West Coast farmers' markets. I traveled far across the Pacific to get here, and most people still aren't familiar with my yummy taste. Because I'm so rare, I'll give you another hint: My name starts with the letter "P."

Name This Plant

casasugar — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 05:03:30 -0700

My satisfying crunch and peppery taste make me an obvious addition to salads.

Enjoy Garden Herbs Year-Round

casasugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:45:34 -0700

Like many other gardeners, I've enjoyed the convenience of stepping onto my deck to pick sage, basil, marjoram, parsley, and many other herbs throughout the summer. These herbs were a great addition to salads and entrées, and left my tastebuds humming throughout many a meal.

As the temperature drops across the country, some gardeners may have already resigned themselves to giving up their herbs until next spring. But I'm here to tell you that you don't have to!

If you already have herbs in your garden, then you can transfer them indoors for the fall and winter. According to Lighter Footsteps, mint, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and chives all have a great chance to make it indoors.

To find out how to transplant your herbs, just

Midday Muse: Autumn Flora

casasugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:30:33 -0700

German photographer Janne Peters certainly has an eye for capturing natural beauty. When I first stumbled upon her photos, through An Indian Summer, I literally caught my breath. And the autumnal colors of this lone bloom are making me itchy to go and buy some autumn bouquets immediately.

Name This Plant

casasugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:00:15 -0700

When I'm a little closer to fully grown, there will be a large green orb in my center.

Fall Garden Inspiration: Seed Catalogs (and Sites)

casasugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:30:00 -0700

Whether you grew a prolific vegetable patch last summer or are just gearing up to start your very first garden, now is the time to start planning. There are a ton of great seed catalogs out there that will help you to gain inspiration. Check out Seeds of Change,
Territorial Seed Company, or Abundant Life Seeds for organic seeds and garden supplies. I also love the Jung seed catalog—it's huge and packed full of gorgeous photos of veggies, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

If you're still not feeling inspired, take a look at Gayla's incredible rooftop garden, from the awesome garden site You Grow Girl. Gayla grew 14 tomato plants and 2 tomatillo plants on her Canadian rooftop, amongst all the other bounty. She's also the the founder of the You Grow Girl site and the author of You Grow Girl: The Groundbreaking Guide to Gardening. Impressive, indeed!

Su Casa: A Flower-Filled Porch

casasugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:38:16 -0700

Ah, if only we were all lucky enough to have a flower display as lovely as the one created by Zoe Loves Doug. Until then, at least we can admire her handiwork in today's Su Casa. (Want to share your photos? Here's how to post in the Su Casa group.)

A serious flower-gardening hobbyist, Zoe Loves Doug grows all sorts of beautiful things at her Colorado pad, including poppies, petunias, marigolds, and chrysanthemums.

Planting Perennials For Your Fall Garden

casasugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 06:00:23 -0700

I named autumn perennials one of my must-haves for September. After all, just because summer is fading fast doesn't mean you can't enjoy gazing at a colorful flower garden for a few more months.

In fact, late summer / early fall is the ideal time to plant flowers that will bloom into the cold season. For ideas on what to grow, iVillage has a great list of seven star fall perennials; here are a few for you to try.

Seven of the Best Fall Perennials, via iVillage

Ceratostigma: This fall beauty has brilliant clusters of blooms. It makes great ground cover with shiny dark green leaves that turn red during late fall. Does well in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.
Cimicifuga: This species does well in a moist, shady to partial shady location with fertile, humus-rich soil. Certain species (ramose Atropurpurea) has very divided leaves that are mahogany and purple stemmed with very slender, candle-like creamy white flowers.

For five more Fall perennials to try,