Got Shade?

Got Shade?

by | Feb 1, 2025 | Design, Garden plants

Ferns in partial shade.I can’t remember ever recommending a particular plant before . . . well, except for LaVille’s Abutilons and Passion Vines. But I have had such success with Holly Ferns, that I can’t help but mention them. I probably have a dozen of these ferns now—on the south side of the house under a solid cover, on the west next to a solid fence, and on the north side near the front of the house. The key element is shade.

A close-up of a few burned leaves.The first photo is poor because of the partially blocked winter sun, but in the summer, shade is complete because of a Wisteria overhead. The second photo shows what happened when the hot summer sun snuck around the north side of the house and burned a few leaves. The third photo shows that the weak winter sun shoots under a 12 foot cover to strike the plants. That last photo also shows the yellowing caused by a lack of magnesium in the soil. I recently treated with Epsom salts which will solve the problem for a couple of these plants.

A fern with yellowing leaves.Happy Holly Ferns will spread to an excess of 3 feet. Moisture needs are moderate in well-draining soil, so yes, this is not a native plant if that’s your calling. But if you are an evil lawn lover like me, and have a shady planting area, the Holy Fern may be your dream come true, especially since they seem to be heat and cold tolerant and very low maintenance.

Stan, The Shady Man

Air Gap

Air Gap

by | Feb 1, 2025 | Design, Pots, Trees

A box surrounding a large tree.Here is another bit of advice I’m going to give you, even though you could care less. You can see in the first photo the box that surrounds the base of our huge hackberry tree. This is the third box that had to be constructed as the tree grew. We have decided this time to leave the soil bare in the box. The previous box contained potted geraniums and cyclamen around the edges that had been sunken into the soil. Over seasons, we discovered that tree roots invaded the pots through the drain holes and were sucking the water out of the pots as well as the nutrients.

The cut-off base of a pot with a hole in the center.So, I dug the holes a little deeper and placed what you see in the second photo. This is the cut off base of a sturdy gallon pot with a large hole drilled in the center. When inserted upside down beneath the potted plant, this arrangement creates an air gap that roots won’t cross. So, there you have it—an idea for which you probably have no use. Interesting though, don’t you think?

Stan, The Useless Idea Man

Dig Plant Water Repeat

by | Jul 9, 2022 | Design, Garden tools

I just discovered a YouTube web site that you might enjoy. It’s called Dig Plant Water Repeat. It just so happens that the wife of my wife’s current physical therapist makes videos about plants. She is also a PT and loves making videos. People who do videos get paid when you watch the short ads in the programs. She makes 5 new videos each week, so there are hundreds of programs from which to choose. Here are a few of the topics that she has covered: house plants, weed control, propagation, pollinator friendly gardens, drip irrigation, gardening on a budget, cut flower gardens, and garden tools. She lives nearby in Davis, so her planting is appropriate for the Sacramento Valley. Why don’t you give her well designed programs a try? It’s a good way to spend your time when it’s 100 degrees outside. Stan, The Blog Man P.S. I’m considering starting up my own video series called “Work in the Garden  Rest  Repeat” What do you think?

Shovel Pruning

by | Oct 22, 2021 | Design

If you are reading this article, you are probably of an age when you realize that life is short. To that end (so to speak) we gardeners must do all we can to surround our remaining lives with glorious plants. So when you decide that a plant in your garden no longer falls into the “glorious” category, grab your trusty spade and give that plant a good shovel pruning.  Then, replace it with a new plant that will lift your spirits to a new level. However, limit your shovel pruning to your own yard. Your neighbors may not appreciate your efforts to improve their lives.

Stan, The Shovel Pruning Man

It’s Good To Be Odd

by | Jun 22, 2020 | Design

Last year I constructed a lattice-like structure for the garden.  It consisted of 2 by 4 foot metal  black grids supported by 4×4 posts.  I chose to use 3 grids because I knew that a odd number of items is generally preferred.  The structure stood for months and every time I looked at it, it didn’t look right.  I finally figured it out.  The grids were nearly invisible, but the 4 posts were quite noticeable.  It bothered me so much that I extended the lattice with a fifth post and additional grid.  Now I’m happy . . and felt I should expound a little on this concept of displaying an odd number of features.  I asked LaVille why an odd number of items is preferred over an even number.  She said that I was now dealing with art.  I didn’t fully understand her continued explanation.  Google to the rescue: “An odd number of details is more effective at capturing your gaze.  Odd numbers force your eyes to move around the grouping.  That force movement is the heart of visual interest.  It’s for that reason that a set of three is more appealing and memorable than something paired off in two’s.”  So, if you never considered the importance of displaying plants in odd numbers—particularly 3’s, give it a try.  The same principle applies to home decoration, but I’m hardly one to give advice in that realm . . but I have been watching a lot of HGTV lately.

Stan