Hi Kimmie, This sounds like a good show for KRON, "The New Henry's Garden", of course starring Kim Haworth! I can see it now... Michelle
In My Garden Blog:
Northern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
June 4, 2009
By
Kim Haworth,
San Bruno, CA
Name that bloom! Verbascum is just one of the mystery plants in my new (actually Henry's) garden.
My Very Own Garden -- Almost
Hallelujah! I have a real garden at long last! Well, to tell the truth, it's not actually mine, but Henry has hired me to tend his garden in San Mateo. His wife Melanie has given me carte blanche to plant any thing my little heart desires. I have been receiving e-mails with photo attachments from her asking me the name of this or that particular weird plant. Of course if I don't know, I just make up a name and everybody is happy. For years I fooled my husband by telling him that every plant he asked about was an "echeveria." He finally caught on when we were taking a walk around Angel Island. He asked the name of a tiny wild cyclamen and I told him it was an echeveria. A few feet further down the path, he asked about one of those big Echiums with the purple spikes and I told him THAT was an echeveria too. He looked at me and I could just see the wheels spinning behind his eyeballs. I don't think he trusted me for years after that episode.
Purchasing
Anyway, we went to buy some plants for the garden. We strolled the aisles and gathered 4 flats of very healthy annuals and perennials. We bought all kinds of things from helleborus to echinops, although I think Henry pulled out the echinops because it looked like a thistle.
Planting
Planting the collection was kind of crazy. I thought Henry would be at work on the cool, overcast day I had scheduled to plant, but he was working from home. Henry is a wonderful person and a very dear friend, but he can be peculiar to work with because he is like a kid who wants to know everything. "Why are we planting this here? Why are you digging such a big hole? How big will this plant get? When does this bloom? Shouldn't this one go over there?" Finally I just had him dig the holes and I did the planting.
Mulching
Henry and I have an ongoing argument about mulch. He wants the uniform look of composted redwood. I don't want to pay for all those bags of compost and actually prefer the look of the free chipped tree trimmings given away by the City of Brisbane. I have two big plastic garden totes that I fill with free mulch every time I go down to the garden in San Mateo. It doesn't spread very far, but eventually I will have all the beds covered with 2 to 4 inches of mulch, which will save me hours of weeding and Henry mucho dinero on his water bill.
Composting
I have also activated his composters. He has a tumbler that I like very much and also some kind of bin thing that has a door at the bottom. I keep adding clippings at the top, but nothing ever seems to happen at the bottom of that box. The tumbler, however, is providing beautiful finished compost at a pretty good rate. Unfortunately, I set it on a slight incline and it's hard to turn. Once it's empty, I'll move it to a new, level location in full sun.
Pat Myself on the Back!
I take great pride in my new garden. Every week, after a few hours of weeding and mulching, I look back on what I have accomplished and feel really good. I get sweaty, dirty, and thirsty, and enjoy every single minute spent outdoors.
Join the discussion!
--
We welcome your questions and comments about this column. Care to share your gardening thoughts, insights, triumphs, or disappointments with your fellow gardening enthusiasts? Join the lively
discussions on our FaceBook page and receive free daily tips!
- Add a comment -
Michelle Vera | June 4, 2009 | 5:47PM
Suzie Rose | June 4, 2009 | 8:10PM
Gee, Kimmie...had I known you wanted a garden of your very own, I would have offered our garden although it's a bit far away from where you live. However, the offer stands - - if you'd like a garden to do with as you wish, you have ours - - in Monte Rio. I promise not to ask ALL the questions that Henry has - - as I know a good amount of the names of many of the plants and flowers that work well up here. Just let me know when you'll be here, and I'll get the guest quarters ready for you.
Suzie Rose | June 4, 2009 | 8:18PM
Do you know who sells Blue Globe Thistle (echinops) in my area?
Elizabeth | June 7, 2009 | 2:43PM
What garden do you visit in San Mateo and where do you get the woodchips? -E!
kimmie haworth | June 8, 2009 | 12:10PM
I pick up the mulch outside of the Brisbane Community Garden. The tree crews dump a load every couple of weeks. Also, South City has a free mulch pick up area on Junipero Serra, just before you get to Hickey Blvd. Call your local park and recreation department for more info. Suzie, thanks for the offer, but one garden is enough for me, at least for right now. You can probably find echinops at one of the garden centers in Sebastopol. I don't know enough about the the Santa Rosa area to be able to recommend anyplace. I drove over to Annie's Annuals in Richmond, but you may not want to go that far. I love the idea of the NEW Henry's Garden. I have been talking with Buzz on the phone and he misses our show too. All we need is 8K per week to get the show back on the air. Any ideas, anybody?
Christy | June 16, 2009 | 8:29PM
I've yearned for a tumbling composter for a couple years because it they sound so logical and EASY. Do you know if the $400+ Compos tumblers are twice as good as the simplier $200 tumblers I see at garden stores? Any leads on free compost in the Santa Cruz area?
Tamberly Mott | July 1, 2009 | 1:34PM
Hello Kim, Congrats on getting your garden! I just met with some folks who have plots in the Brisbane Community Garden...and they suggested I should talk to you. I'm developing a eco-educational mentor program for the community of Brisbane (involving Daly City and SSF too). I'd love to have an opportunity to meet and discuss this project with you. I have been a resident of Brisbane for just over 2 years...and have my counseling practice here in town too. My email is tamberlymott@yahoo.com or you can contact me through my web site www.tamberlymott.com and/or see the project splash page with mission statement @ www.growinggreenhands.com I do hope to connect at your earliest convenience. Warmly, Tamberly
kimmie haworth | July 1, 2009 | 2:24PM
Tamberly, I think I met you at the pool last year, but I probably wouldn't recognize you with your clothes on (just kidding!). I am happy to help with gardening programs, especially for children and seniors.
