Sunday Bits #43 (garlic, fertilising tips, beets, seed saving, growing flowers for fall)

You all... it is so cold! Two days ago we were baking in the smoking hot heat, but today we need a parka on!

The plan was to work out in the yard but gosh, I think that can wait a little while. I got quite a bit done during the week - have topped all the tomatoes, took off most of the blossoms and foliage so that the plants put their energy into ripening the fruits, I harvested another big batch of zucchinis, cucumbers, and carrots, and I got the front yard looking ship shape.

My pink annual salvia is huge. It has bloomed well all summer. I should prune it back to see if I can get some late summer blooms but kind of like the tall spires.

One of the very best plants for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, too. So pretty and easy to grow. Whether you buy annual or perennial salvia, they are all fabulous. I love them all.

For those of you who do not follow me on Facebook, I shared my front pathway garden earlier in the week. This area is a tough one! Parts of it get no sun at all, are in deep shade, while the other parts bake in the heat of the late afternoon sun. We get visits from deer, snow heaped on the beds in winter, ice-melt used on the pathway that can leach into the beds... it is not an easy area. I wanted to add colour, feed the bees, hummingbirds, and the (thus far, non-existent) hopefully some day butterflies.

The bed on the left and close to the house, gets no sun. Nada. The front part and the other side of the pathway bakes in the heat, especially as the concrete soaks up the heat.

So, I added tough plants, the ones that take a lickin' but keep on tickin'.

I planted coneflowers and liatris that are doing fantastic, some annual zinnias for filler plants this year. Recently added some gorgeous pink and purple dianthus (thank you, Kathy!), a couple of Veronicas, and some more salvia, of course. Then I mulched it all in to make it look clean and tidy, help retain moisture (as I never water up front, lol), and keep weeds at bay. It took me two days to get rid of all the thistle and dandelions in these pathway beds. Those zinnias will be replaced with catmint (nepeta) next year.

Along the 'what to plant where' theme... Check out these 30 gardens to get ideas. Lots of easy, carefree ideas, not fussy. You all know how I like to just let things go, spread, do their thing. You will like these flower and veggie garden and yard ideas.

I harvested my garlic this week and now have it curing under the porch so it has shade and great air flow. Will cure some for eating, some for planting up again in October, and dehydrate the smaller bulbs into garlic powder.

Are you new to growing garlic? Always wanted to grow your own because you know that your own fresh garlic is sticky, zesty, tasty, and a whole other thing than that subpar stuff you find at the grocers? Here is a how to about garlic growing.

Are you over or under fertilising? Read all the seasonal tips in this good read.

Do you save your own seeds? Are you wanting to but not sure how? Here is an easy how to.

How to grow Jalapeno's (and other hot peppers). Great how to. If you find that you are getting bland tasting peppers, you have likely over-watered them. They like hot and dry. Peppers and eggplants are the perfect plant for busy gardeners. They need no fussing, and water just once or twice a week. Yes, even if grown in the super hot greenhouse. If they are in the ground, water once a week, if in a pot, maybe you can do twice a week (I only do once).

Here is the how-to for sweet bell peppers. They need one extra watering, if you compare to the hot peppers. Peppers are super easy to grow.. but have to be super started early (like January-Feburary).

Seriously great fall planter idea from Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/117023290287644518/

Great fall planter ideas. I am sharing this post mainly for the plant list that they provide you with. I have to say, for some reason, I have never ever thought of using marigolds in my fall planters. What have I been thinking! They come in perfect fall colours, tough and hardy, bloom for a long time. Ideal for fall planters! Also, if you have Lamb's Ears in your garden, you know that they spread like mad so take a clump and pop it in your fall planter for that pretty silver pop.

Growing flowers for fall - I think I will save my marigolds from the tomato bed, get some violas, start some lettuces, and add a bit of Creeping Jenny for a trailer. Easy peasy and I already have all the plants except the violas.

I hope you all got your bulb orders in before the bonus cutoff date? Last year I added a ton of small bulbs, like muscari, squill, puschkinia, and crocuses, so this year I bought mostly tulips. So many tulips! Also bought another 100 muscari to plant as they multiply nicely and needs no further care from me. Here is a post about the 5 best bulbs to plant in fall. She names the Pink Impression tulip, which is a lovely Darwin. In case you missed it when I mentioned it before, the Darwin's are the closest you can get to a perennial tulip. So worth your while to get : )

If you love colour first thing in spring, you will really want to check out this garden (in the picture above)! Isn't that the prettiest spring yard ever? Though I don't think I will ever get the entire yard blooming like one in the picture, I'm going to keep adding bulbs and early perennials each year to get as close to it as I can. Let's feed those early bees and birds. Don't forget to add some early blooming fruiting/ornamental trees and shrubs to add layers of colour.

How to dry hydrangeas. The secret is in the timing.

Bits to Make and Decorate

This garden trellis DIY is easy, pretty, and cost effective to make!

I adore this amazing home in the south of France with it's gorgeous mix of old and new. I would live there in an instant. That orangery (greenhouse) is amazing! Follow Kristin's insta page, too.

This new blog that I found. I have not yet had a chance to go through to find all the best ones for you, there is so much to see and read. I signed up for her newsletter and hope you like it, too.

Are you busy, busy now that the school year is just about to begin again? Check out this command centre for all the super ideas to stay on top of things. I don't really need a command centre per se, but I use a lot of these ideas in my office to try to keep myself on track~ hah!

This designer from Victoria, BC. Wow, just love the bright, airy homes with lots of white and light coloured wood. Check out all the homes for ideas, but this one is super pretty.

Recipes

I am trying to decide whether to make this yummy looking squash pizza. It looks amazing and sounds so delish. My dilemma is whether I want to eat cheese (being a veggie, I try to eat little to no cheese) but honestly, that is literally the only thing holding me back from making it right now. Trying to come up with a yummy alternative but had to share with you as I think it looks so very good!

These mini blueberry muffins. Am I driving you crazy yet, with all these blueberry recipes? My favourite berry this year, it seems... though I do love those strawberry cupcakes I shared before, too - have made them twice already ; )

Yet another zucchini bread recipe. Tis the season! I harvested 11 zukes last week and 5 this week, lots more on the way. Eek! How many zucchini breads can I make and freeze?

A pickled beet recipe. My cylindrical beets are really big already. As soon as hubby comes home we are going to be pickling beets to fill the pantry. I like pickled beets even more than cucumber pickles! This recipe that I am sharing makes one jar so if yours are coming along slowly, or you just want a little bit, this might be the perfect recipe for you. Will share ours when we deal with our beautiful beets : )

What the backyard looked like a year ago today... we've come a long way, baby.

The new veggie beds are bursting with food crops.

Happy Sunday, My Friends ~ Tanja