Little corners of the garden 4

a simple little corner - simple garden furniture, pavers, a pergola, screening 

worn adirondack chairs, just waiting to be used

a kitchen courtyard - herbs in pots, a rustic table to enjoy breakfasts or lunches at

vintage garden furniture set on gravel against lavender - perfect spot for tea

cast iron garden furniture in a secluded spot of a wild garden

This is the fourth post on my series of Little Corners of the garden - really simple ideas on what can be done to make your garden a "living" space.  

To view my previous posts on Little Corners of the Garden, click here

All images taken in and around Johannesburg at open gardens or at friend's gardens.
View more Outdoor Wednesday posts, here

All Images: All rights reserved Copyright 2010 Gena D Images

Little corners of the garden 2.

a pair of adirondack chairs, just waiting to be sat on ...

The second in a series of interesting little spaces in the garden.   The idea being to bring you some inspiration to get you thinking about your space...  after all there is nothing more inviting than having a shady little corner where you can read your book, sip your tea, watch the sunset, sip champagne, chat to friends, enjoy an alfresco dinner or brunch or lunch for that matter, or whatever else takes your fancy .....

a concrete bench under the shade of large tree...

a little spot surrounded by roses....

benches, inviting you to relax and take in the scent of lavender ...

a simple wrought iron bench  near the pool ...

a classical wooden bench, offset beautifully against the stone wall

and surrounding roses (it's hiding a pool pump!) ....

So there you go ... hopefully this has inspired you to go out a relook at your garden or your current garden seating .....

To see the previous post on "little corners of the garden", click here.

All pictures taken at Open Gardens and/ or friends gardens

Picture Credits: Gena D Images

Little corners of the garden 1.

a traditional bench set in gravel, against a tree and surrounded by formal hedging

- very calm and tranquil

In this new monthly series, I hope to capture enough pictures of quiet garden corners, fun, interesting or different garden seating options, things to excite you into taking action in your own space.

pairs of Adirondack chairs in a shady spot of the garden,

beckon you to come and take a load off your feet for a while...

Whether you have a large or small garden, if the space is not well utilised, it's a waste. If there is nothing inviting out in the deeper recesses of our gardens, then most of us do not use the garden areas effectively, or at all. One way to change this is to position a bench or garden chairs or even a rustic bistro table in a secluded pretty area of the garden, somewhere that beckons you to drink your chilled glass of wine, or enjoy your tea and scones... a secret place that beckons your attention on a regular basis... and you definitely feel that you want to go out there and sit for a while ....

a lovely verdant corner on a terrace - a perfect spot to enjoy a chilled glass of wine at this bistro table ...

Obviously, the larger your garden the more options you have, to create little spots - for example a bench in a rose garden, a bistro table and chairs under a shady tree and comfortable wicker furniture under a covered patio - three options, all different, are the ideal, if you have the space.

A traditional wooden bench in a rose garden

wooden table and chairs in the middle of the herb and vegetable garden

- a great use of space and a perfect place to start or end the day, I guess ...

Look around your garden, no matter how big or small, see what you have, reassess the space, shade, light - and how you can create little secret places to while the time away.

Gena

Pictures taken on various Johannesburg Open gardens and at "willing" friends homes. 
Gena D Photography & Images.

8 easy steps to Growing Herbs in Pots

Growing your own herbs (and vegetables) is an ever increasing interest across the world, whether for heatlh reasons, ecological reasons, or other. Let's face it, it's fun, resourceful and certainly therapeutic.....

I have previously posted an in depth article on growing your own herbs and vegetables (see links below) as well as other related articles on ways to do this effectively within the space you have. So do take a look at these posts again to refresh your mind on the various ways this simple, yet fun, task can be handled.

Effectively, you do not really need much space, especially to grow herbs (and even some of the smaller veggies such as lettuce, spinach and even lemons, for example). All you need is good soil, you need to water regularly, feed ocassionally and voila ... you can pick, and pick and pick, as you need, to concoct your own healthy salads, and other delicious meals, which somehow just taste that much better when grown in your own space and picked, with your own hands!!!

So onto growing herbs in pots.... this is an ideal solution for those with limited garden space, or like me, where the vegetable patch is just too far from the kitchen. So as we "speak" I am busy setting up a number of pots in a courtyard near our kitchen so that I can quickly pop out the door, and pick what I need, as I need it. OK, what is required for this simple task?

1. Firstly, and this is very important, find a suitable spot - you must have good light and at least 4-6 hours of "direct" sunlight, preferably not late afternoon (west) sun, which is just too harsh - if you have no option, then ensure that your herbs are watered daily, and try to position the pots in a way that they are semi sheltered by surrounding shrubs and trees to limit the direct afternoon sun.
2. Pots - a few large/ wide pots - what is important is the diameter of the pot rather than the height. If you cannot find wide (shorter) pots, then opt for smaller ones but then you will need more of them (it really depends on how many herbs and to what level you want to take this to). TIP: If you are a novice start with a few basic (and easy to grow) herbs - parsley, mint, oregano, basil, rocket, thyme, for example.
3. Soil - good quality potting soil and compost (mix the two - I prefer more compost than potting soil).
4. Herbs - the herbs you wish to plant - here, just remember that if the pot is wide you can plant more than one, or one type. Thyme for example creeps, so is perfect as a "groundcover" (which keeps the soil moist). Marjoram and some types of oregano are also good, another option is strawberries. Just do a bit of reserach first, see what you like and what is available. TIP: I always recommend you start with the herbs you know, you enjoy and will use. You can always add on more as time goes by.
5. Planting - plant the herbs - allowing a decent enough space for each to spread out and grow. For example, a larger bushier type in the centre (or back if placed against a wall, for example), such as basil, surrounded by parsley or thyme or marjoram or even chives....
6. Fertilise - add a sprinkling of good quality fertiliser, preferably organic types.
7. Water - water well. Regular watering is of course, the "secret". I always like to water any new seedlings lightly twice a day (if possible) morning and afternoon, for the first two weeks, therafter you revert to watering as needed. TIP: Always use the finger test i.e. push your forefinger into the soil, if evidently damp, don't water, if dry, water - use your discretion. Also bear in mind that pots in windy passageways and/ or in (west) afternoon sun, need MORE watering.
8. Picking - after about 2-3 weeks your herbs will be flourishing abundantly and you can pick to your hearts content. TIP: that the more you pick the more they produce, and also avoid the herb flowering too early - worst cuplrits in my mind are basil, rocket and some parsleys amongst others. Once they flower (=seed) they stop producing good quality leaves, so as flowers appear I nip them off. Also nipping the top growth means your herbs will bush out (= more leaves which is good) and not gain height (= less leaves, not good).

Of course, have fun whilst doing this and don't forget the sunscreen!!

The pics have been taken on my "trips" around gardens in Johannesburg, and are some great examples of potted herb gardens .....

Let me know how you fare.

Gena A lemon tree in a pot (this has to be a larger pot) surrounded by annuals and creeping herbs.

Links to previous posts on this subject:

Original post on setting up a herb & vegetable garden - click here

Also look through TAGS and select "growing herbs and vegetables" or click here to take you to all articles in this category.

Picture Credits: Gena D Photography

Simple ways to utilise empty (garden) wall space (2)

An empty garden wall is an area that normally stumps most people - a wonderful expanse of wall space, BUT what to do with it? As our living spaces are becoming smaller, the trend is to garden vertically i.e. to use whatever walls you have to visually extend your garden. So here are a few simple but effective examples to inspire you...

First rule of thumb, keep things simple and keep a uniform look!

Paint the wall in question a bright colour (obviously it must blend or contrast with other walls and your house colour, details, textures etc.) Let a brightly coloured climber, such as this pink bougainvillea climb over it ....

Enhance wall space by installing uniform, good quality (treated) trellising along the wall, and plant a reliable climber such as Star Jasmine (as seen here). It's evergreen, flowers profusely, smells beautiful, is low maintenance - all plus points ....

Install trellising or thin wire along the frame of a garage gate, plant Star Jasmine, and voila, a beautiful entrance. You can also add a row of terracotta pots along the adjacent wall to create further interest.

Create a pattern with appropriate wire and nails on a wall. Plant a non invasive creeper, such as mini ivy. I would plant multiple plants, feed and water VERY well. This option will require a bit of patience and training though i.e. to keep placing the loose growth back in line, so to speak. It is worth the effort and the time, as you can see!

Allow a green creeper to cover the wall space. You can use the small leaf ivy, the ficus creeper, virginia creeper, boston ivy ...... anything that is low maintenance and hardy, but not aggressive and invasive, so check with your nursery.

So I hope these examples have given you some inspiration on what to do with that glaring wall space ..... Have fun and a great weekend!

To link to the previous post and pictures on utilising empty wall space - click here

Picture Credits: GenaD Photography

Pathways through the garden

Pathways are central to a garden and generally a necessity in that not only do they keep our shoes out of the sand, dust, mud, but also lead, guide and invite us through the garden. Especially when strategically placed, so that you are "almost forced" to go and investigate, take a peek, see what is beyond that corner, shrub, shed, or whatever else it may be.

Pathways can pretty much be in any material whether bark chips, sleeper logs, gravel, pavers, pieces of slate (as per picture above), concrete square pavers or even actual brick paving. In my mind, the simpler the path the better - both in design and material - such as slate or even gravel, which are less formal, more relaxed and certainly more organic in shape, feel and texture. And more likely therefore to last you a lot longer, than a more formal structured path, which will need to be kept immaculate as every little thing that is out of place will show up.

What is important is to try link the material(s) chosen with the "theme" or overall look and feel of the garden, so that the path is part of the garden, appears seemless and not something obtrusive, that pulls the eye away from all the other more interesting things to look at.

I will be posting more pictures of interesting pathways over the next few months, under the tag "pathways" .....

Picture Credit : Country Living magazine

Edible Landscaping

On the back of the vast interest shown in the articles on "growing your own herbs and vegetables, I came arcoss these great little articles from Better Homes & Gardens, that are definitely worth the read:

Growing your own vegetables: "edible landscaping"

Tips for growing an organic vegetable garden

and to read my previous entries on growing herbs and veggies, either click on the tag/ label "growing your own herbs and vegetables or click on links below:
Growing Your own herbs and Vegetables

Picture Credit: Better Homes & Gardens Gallery

Formal Gardens

Formal Gardens can be defined by straight lines, lots of symmetry, neatened edges, mass, simple planting and/ or loads of hedges.

As with most things, you either like the look of a formal garden or not ......I like to think that most pople love the look of formal gardems, but battle to implement or maintain the look themselves - after all, formality by it's nature, requires a lot more attention to keep it looking good.

Personally I like to take the benefits of formal gardens, the neatness, the simplicty, the straight lines and incorporate it with a "looser" garden design, so in effect, even if it includes hedging, the hedging will be more relaxed as opposed to the severe clipping seen in these pictures, above.

And remember that you can still have a formal look with pots - it's all about the plants you choose, how you group them and then just ensuring that you keep the look neat by the odd clipping here and there.
Picture credits: Better Homes and Gardens Gallery

Using Pots to Great Effect (1)

A potted Iceberg Rose in terracotta pot.

Picture: Gena D Photography shot on location, Irene.

Using pots is a great way to add interest to your entrance, patio, courtyard, a secluded corner or passageway. I have touched on this topic briefly in a number of other garden articles on this blog, but today will cover this in a little more detail.

Pots work can work very well, especially when used as features and focal points (the grander and larger the pot, the greater the impact) or when massed together in a group i.e. in the same colour or style or made from the same material, such as terracotta, always makes a great impression, more so, when planted with the same plant - see example below.

Of course pots are fantastic for those with very small garden spaces, and they work very well for growing herbs and vegetables (and I will touch on this in more detail in a future post).Even succulents do well in pots (see pic above) - just remember to water according to the specific plant's requirements.

But, like everything, pots do have their negative aspects, in particular needing more frequent watering, especially in the hotter/ drier months. It may be a good idea to add some form of vermiculite (speak to your local nursery) to the soil - in the right quantities of course, to assist in retaining moisture in the soil for a longer period. Over time you will assess how much is too much/ too little - a good way is to use the simple "finger test" - lightly press you finger into the soil - if it's damp, no need to water, if the soil is bone dry or you need to press deeper to establish moisture - then the pot needs watering.

When choosing plants for your pots, also, always bear in mind, where you wish to place the pot taking into account the actual plant's light/ sun requirements. As for the rest, quite simply you treat your potted plants with the same respect and care as the rest of your garden, you feed, add compost, mulch, water etc. etc. etc. as may be required...

Pictures: Gena D Photography