ValHalla's Profile

Display Name:	ValHalla
Personal URL:	http://dinkydoover.blogspot.com
Member Since:	12/14/07

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TracyJ, two garden design books I rely on are The Nonstop Garden: A Step-by-Step Guide to Smart Plant Choices and Four-Season Designs and The Perennial Gardener's Design Primer. For California, Sunset magazine should be a good resource too. Before & After: A Barren Backyard Comes to Life Studio G Flag this comment	5/16/12 3:45 PM
Bonus: hummingbirds love it! The Notable Native Herb of 2013: Bee Balm Flag this comment	5/10/12 11:17 AM
I spent the weekend building really rudimentary trellises for my black-eyed peas and delicata squash. I was using untreated 1x2s from Home Depot, so I did not even need power tools, just a hack saw and electric screwdriver (plus some twice and deck screws). For anyone with a small garden, vertical is the way to go! Yard Talk: Author Chris Gleason On DIY, Gardening and Outdoor Projects You Can Build Flag this comment	5/7/12 1:34 PM
And if your interest is piqued by the article, look for quince at your farmers' market in fall, and be armed with a quince jam recipe (they are all over the canning blogs). It is one of the easiest jams to master because of its pectin content, and it is delicious! The Fruit You've Probably Never Heard Of, But Should Fall in Love With Right Now Flag this comment	5/4/12 3:17 PM
Lovely! Oh how I dream of returning home to Charleston one day--and gardening there! Evita's Evolving Oasis My Great Outdoors Flag this comment	5/4/12 12:08 PM
It is actually encouraging to see what so many young gardeners and farmers are doing, so I don't really know where this idea originated. Maybe it is because I am looking, but I see bloggers resourcefully raising their own food and not buying into some commercial ideal of gardening. If younger people are not gardening, it is probably because they are living with their parents, or in cities, or under-employed, plus they are marrying and settling down later, etc. It's the economic and social forces at work. I am a Gen X gardener, but I am thankful every day that I have the means and space to be one. Where Are the Gen X & Y Gardeners? The Gardenist Flag this comment	5/2/12 12:53 PM
1) Most important: How much sun does it get (in hours--and morning or afternoon?) 2) Are you interested in edibles or ornamentals--or both? Ideas for Using this Narrow Outdoor Space? Good Question Flag this comment	4/27/12 11:10 AM
Most definitely--this winter it was easy, but even when it freezes/snows there are ways to protect cold hardy plants (arugula, collards, tatsoi, mache). I use plastic greenhouses posted below, but there are plenty of DIY methods. Even just row cover can dramatically extend the season. Check out the book The Year Round Veggie Gardener (also books by Elliot Coleman). http://www.gardeners.com/Cold-Frame-with-Greenhouse-cover/37-443RS,default,pd.html Val's Sunny Backyard Retreat My Great Outdoors Flag this comment	4/26/12 1:00 PM
Yes, lanamal, it's a rain barrel I made in a county class. Honestly, they are kind of a pain. It fills to overflowing in a rainstorm, so I have to make sure I have a hose attached to drain it. It gets stinky if you don't use it up quickly enough, and you have to keep mosquito rings (bt) in it in summer. I also worry about the roof asphalt not being good for my edibles so I only use the water in ornamental beds. Val's Sunny Backyard Retreat My Great Outdoors Flag this comment	4/26/12 12:27 PM
I especially like the curving beds and the way you planted around the patio. ThirdCoastGirl's Before & After Yard My Great Outdoors Flag this comment	4/26/12 12:10 PM
sbucha004, you'll have to heat up your kitchen, but roasting/broiling gives vegetables the grilled taste without the grill. Liven up Your Veggies! 5 Tasty Grilled Salad Recipes Flag this comment	4/23/12 3:46 PM
Most of these are easily replicated with 1x2s and glossy paint, but if I had $800 to burn, the Gracie Modern Arbor would be gracing my garden. Terra Trellis: Colorful & Modern Trellises Store Profile Flag this comment	4/20/12 11:03 AM
I dug my grass up this way, but before topping the raised bed with additional topsoil and compost, I laid a layer of cardboard down. Those beds lack weeds. The ones in which I smothered the grass and weeds with cardboard and plopped soil and compost on top has a weed problem, but just around the edges. Time Lapse Garden Turnover Video Flag this comment	4/20/12 10:40 AM
Some types of bamboo can crack a foundation. The best course of action is to take the photo (and others) to a reputable garden center and describe what you are after. They should be able to recommend the best species for your area that will effectively do what you want them to do. They should also be able to give you care and pruning tips. Help Identifying These Trees for My Zone 5 Garden? Good Questions Flag this comment	4/19/12 4:46 PM
I submitted current photos, but now my garden is much bigger in just a couple weeks' time. Share Your Garden, Outside Space or Project Flag this comment	4/17/12 3:19 PM
Don't forget okra! I dabble in canning, but most of any excess I have ends up frozen (e.g., pesto, berries, plus tomato sauce is easier to freeze than can). Even fresh beans and peppers can be frozen if not dried. Farming @ Home: The Canner's Garden Flag this comment	4/16/12 2:21 PM
The acacia set is great, but you have to keep it oiled. The top of the table has worm more than anything else, but you really can't beat the price, so I am considering topping the table with a flat surface at some point so drinks don't tip over. Any Info on New IKEA Outdoor Furniture? Good Questions Flag this comment	4/12/12 11:29 AM
Fantastic job--I especially like your stone pavers and use of color. Heather's "Japanese Gothic" BackyardMy Great Outdoors Flag this comment	4/3/12 2:57 PM
Try toasting it, too. Keep Orzo on Hand for a Quick Supper Flag this comment	3/20/12 4:16 PM
When the appliances in my rental unit went bad, I asked the landlord--that should always be the first step. Pros & Cons: Replacing Appliances in a Rental Renters Solutions Flag this comment	3/20/12 2:52 PM