Wednesday Vignette: Overflowing Containers

The freeway light fixture containers are overflowing. Mr. Barnaby wasn't happy with my camera being aimed at something other than him. 

I'm happy with my green on green theme in these containers. I mixed Asarum caudatum, Vaccinium nummularia, and Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold'. I added some glass chunks for some added sparkle. 

We're hard at work renovating our front and side garden. I'll share pictures of our progress in my next post.

Please remember to visit my buddy, Anna, to see the rest of the Wednesday Vignettes.

Wednesday Vignette: Dancing Ferns

Last night, I walked through the Naturescaping Demonstration Gardens before attending a soil class taught by my favorite soil scientist, Martha Minnick. The garden glowed in the golden light and I felt intoxicated by all the apple blossoms that almost completely masked the scent of cow manure emanating from the pasture across the street. These unfurling ferns captured my attention because they appeared to be joyfully dancing. 

Don't you feel the same way on a beautiful April evening?

Don't forget to visit Anna at Flutter and Hum to see more Wednesday Vignettes.

Wednesday Vignette: Primula

Primula sieboidii 'Lacy Lady'

I paused for a moment, from spring garden chores, to enjoy the primulas shining in the afternoon sunlight. 

Please visit Anna at Flutter and Hum for more Wednesday Vignettes.

Wednesday Vignette: Starting to Bloom

I am often accused of being a positive person.

Today, a Master Gardener trainee in the answer clinic told me that I could find something positive to say about the dump. What she didn’t know, was that I was sitting there nervously waiting for a local reporter to come chat with me about an upcoming beneficial insect class in Camas. My hands were shaking and I kept putting them in my pockets to hide my nerves.

I had just stepped out of a meeting where we had assigned our first two volunteers to local school gardens as part of our new Garden Discovery program. This is the first small step after three plus months of brainstorming and planning how to provide more garden lessons to grade school students in Clark County. Next week, we’re building 10 lesson kits for our volunteers to check out and use in gardens. Change can be so painstakingly difficult.  

One of my gardening mentors has warned me that I will fail. Just like that. I flipped her off inside my rain jacket pocket as I listened to her try and rain on my parade. 

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star magnolia flower bud

I’m at a point in my life where I feel like the only thing that I can do to help our future generations is to teach adults and children how to be good stewards of our planet, vote, buy local, and to grow organic veggies. Public speaking scares me. Speaking to reporters scares me. But, I do it anyways. My Master Gardener badge makes me bold and courageous and forces me outside my comfort zone.

The interview with the reporter went well, even though I managed to forget the word neonicotinoids. Doh! I dashed into the answer clinic and the mg trainee was delighted that she remembered the term as we printed a handout for the reporter.  I could have hugged her.

Then I took the reporter out to the greenhouse for the photo shoot. My fellow volunteers playfully teased me as the reporter took my picture. “She’s going to be our local Cisco.” The reporter stared blankly back not understanding the reference. And just like it was over. I walked the reporter back to her car before I went back out to check on the milkweed in the greenhouse. They are thriving.

Now, I’m taking a week in my garden to recharge my batteries, before the next wave of presentations and classes. My life is beginning to bloom. I can feel it. Spring is here and I’m not afraid to fail. 

Don't forget to visit our Wednesday Vignette hostess, Anna at Flutter and Hum, to view all of the Wednesday Vignettes.

Trowel Flower Garden Art

Today, I picked up my completed Trowel Flowers from the Marshall Community Center where I've been taking pottery classes. I simply couldn't wait until tomorrow to pick them up! I carefully placed them on my car seat with the seat belt over them. Barnaby behaved and stayed in the backseat. Good dog!

Aren't they gaudy in a fun way?

And here are the trowel flowers tucked into the raised juniper bed on the back patio. So, what do you think of my beginner sculptures? And do you create art for your garden?

I've always wanted to take a pottery class and I'm so glad that I did. What classes are you putting off?