Flowers, Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
I’m a little embarrassed to show you this photo, but here it is. This is an African violet, one of a trio of violets that I’ve grown rather unsuccessfully for years. African Violets are known to be a little fussy, but I thought I was doing everything right. I put them in my guest bedroom, which has a north-east exposure and plenty of indirect light. I let them dry out between waterings, and watered very carefully from the bottom, to avoid wetting the leaves. I used a large drainage saucer that increased humidity but had ridges to sit the plants on, which kept the roots from sitting in water. They had light, well-aerated soil, steady temperatures, and regular fertilizer, all the things African Violets are supposed to like.
These plants had it made, yet they sat there stubbornly, season after season, refusing to bloom. Finally, this past spring, I went on a cleaning rampage, and the African Violets didn’t make the cut. I can’t bring myself to throw away a living plant, so instead I stuck them outside in a plastic tray and commenced neglecting them - I was figuring that in a few more weeks, I could throw away a dead plant, which is a lot easier on my conscience. They’ve been hidden behind a shrub, rarely watered, in the North Carolina heat, for about three months. More recently, they’ve been subjected to masonry mortar, paint, bleach, and misplaced ladders, as I’ve done some work to the outside of my house.
After all that, you can imagine my surprise when I saw these blooms! As you can see, the plants are covered in mortar dust, yet they are eagerly sending up purple flowers as though they’ve been babied in a greenhouse. For this, they may get a reprieve. It just goes to show, sometimes in gardening, no amount of fussing can duplicate the conditions of Mother Nature, and sometimes even needy plants can fend for themselves.
Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
I can assure you, no opossums were harmed in the making of this film.
Every day this week, I’ve been watching a small opossum who’s been happily waddling around my back yard and munching on the mulberries. He’s a cute little fella, probably too young to realize he’s nocturnal, but I was so puzzled by his recent daily visits that I decided to tiptoe out with my video camera to investigate. Of course he began a hasty exit, but I managed to catch a glimpse of him as he crept down the slope, into the drainage ditch, then quickly disappeared into the drain pipe that runs out from my basement.
Whoa… wait a minute. He’s crawling up the pipe . . . the pipe leads to the basement . . . I’ve been finding mysterious droppings in the basement . . . suddenly things are making sense! The evidence gets even more convincing if you know that my recent sump pump installation effectively blocked the drain opening in the basement – the sneaky little rascal can’t get in any more, which is probably why he’s hanging around the back yard. He’s trying to figure out what happened to his day spa. (Until I fixed the flooding problem, I hear the red-clay facials were fabulous).
Meanwhile, I’ve got a possum in a drain pipe, a video camera in my hand, and a pump in the basement just waiting to send a nice little squirt of water down that pipe. Come on – what would YOU have done?
Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
I love wildlife, and I love having a yard that is welcoming to animals, even in my downtown neighborhood. I put out several kinds of bird food, because I enjoy the territorial catbird who follows me back and forth as I mow the lawn, usually with a wad of suet in his beak, and the chickadees and finches who fight over the thistle and other seeds. But man, between the chattering squirrels, the pudgy ‘possums, and the sneaky raccoons, my bird feeders don’t stand a chance!
As you can see from the photo, they’ve completely abandoned the work of pulling seeds out of the feeder holes like civilized bandits. Instead, they just take the lid right off and help themselves! And my cat is no help – I once watched a squirrel run right up and smack Houdini on the nose before he had a chance to react, then – I swear – collapse in giggles on the lawn. (Houdini doesn’t know I was looking, so we go on pretending he’s a mighty hunter). There was an opossum in the back yard this morning, and a young raccoon in the bushes last night, and a groundhog waddles by every now and then as well.
Some gardeners go to great lengths to combat the greedy critters that take over even the smallest of gardens. So far, I’m still watching the proceedings from the sidelines, because I know if I ever get started, it’ll be a battle fit for the history books, complete with an embarrassing arsenal of baffles, whirligigs, rubber bands, and – possibly – explosives. During this uneasy peace, the entertainment is more valuable than the bird seed, and I keep my camera handy for the showdowns.
Fruits & Vegetables, Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden, Trees & Shrubs by Julie Day
Mulberries taste like summertime.
This summer, I am loving the mulberry trees in the back yard! The ripe fruit is sweet, juicy, and lightly tart, making it an irresistible summer afternoon snack, and the lush trees turn my back yard into a summertime rainforest. The birds and squirrels seem to like them, too, and as I look out my office window this morning, I can see them swooping, hopping, and feasting from branch to branch.
Mulberry trees are quite drought-tolerant and cold-hardy, and many varieties grow in poor soil. In some areas, they’re even known as “weed trees” because they show up uninvited in neglected areas. Below are some tips for growing mulberry trees, although it must be said that my own trees are tucked into a small, semi-shady back yard, with no supplemental care whatsoever, and they are absolutely dripping with berries.
About Mulberry Trees (Morus sp.)
Native Red Mulberry
- Species: include White Mulberry (Morus alba), Black Mulberry (Morus nigra), Red Mulberry (Morus rubra), and hybrids, with numerous named cultivars. The Red Mulberry, also called American Mulberry, is the only species native to North America.
- Hardiness: Hardy to Zones 3-7, depending on the variety. Black Mulberry is the least cold hardy.
- Size: Red and White Mulberries to 70-80 feet. Black Mulberries are smaller and more bushlike, growing to 30 feet.
- Flowers: Green and not very distinctive.
- Fruit: Edible blackberry-shaped fruits in late spring or early summer. Fruits are white, black, dark red, or lavender. Fruit is deliciously sweet and tart and ripens slowly over time, for an extended harvest. Harvest carefully by hand, or spread a sheet on the ground and lightly shake the branches. Fruits are used fresh and in desserts, preserves, and wines, but be prepared to fight the birds and squirrels for them!
Growing Tips
Black Mulberry
- Light: Full sun for best fruiting.
- Location: Mulberry trees are great for attracting a variety of birds and wildlife to your yard, so plant where you can enjoy them. Don’t plant near sidewalks, structures, or parking areas – the berries will stain (as will the droppings of the feasting birds).
- Soil: Well-draining and deep, although these trees are tolerant of many soil types.
- Water: Although fairly drought-tolerant, it will not fruit well if too dry.
- Nutrient needs: Minimal to no fertilization is needed.
- Pruning and care: Prune lightly to keep a tidy shape. Heavy or regular pruning is not needed. Branches tend to bleed if heavily pruned.
Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
The other day I was outside on the ladder, working on glazing and repairing some windows, when I heard my next-door neighbor (age 3) calling through the hedge, “Hey, we have a huge pile of mulch we have to spread it out, and you should come over here and help me, because this is TOUGH!”
I think the whole neighborhood knows how he feels. This past week, I’ve seen all sorts of hard work happening on my quiet street. Mountains of mulch being spread in flower beds, tillers churning up veggie gardens, the near-constant sounds of mowers and engines and saws, yards adorned with sawhorses and wheelbarrows and tools.
My own yard shows its own signs of improvement, too – my new driveway and retaining wall got a load of rip-rap and gravel; the flower beds received the first of several dozen bales of pine straw; the gutters are clean; and of course there are storm windows, ladders, and empty tubes of caulk and glazing lying around everywhere right now as the windows get a much-needed makeover.
Everyone seems to welcome exercise and fresh air this time of year – it’s a good time to take care of the bigger jobs before the sweltering summer heat sets in, and it feels good to spend the longer evenings admiring a job well done. And I’m nine windows down, four to go, so I’d better get back to work!
Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
Tucked away in the forest, not too far from Asheville, North Carolina, is a wonderfully magical mountain getaway called the Mountain Light Sanctuary. It’s a peaceful, charming place with graceful flowers, spaces for meditation and walking, inviting paths and enchanted indoor and outdoor nooks and crannies.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to go there to rest, explore, and have a long-overdue visit with a lifelong friend. We slept on a porch that was open on three sides, to the soothing sound of rain hitting the tin roof. We made tea and explored the books in the quiet upstairs library. We ate our meals outdoors and watched bluebirds and goldfinches at the feeder. We made a point of sitting in every sitting-spot, walking in every walking-spot, and we even tried the swimming hole, although the water was 55 degrees. We caught up on life and news in the way that only friends who met in kindergarten can.
The weekend reminded me how easily we forget to slow down – in fact, I feel like in that short visit, I had only begun the gearing-down process. It also reminded me how easy it is to bring touches of magic into your own space. A bird feeder, a garden strewn with flower seeds, a simple arrangement of stones or a little waterfall – it doesn’t take much to bring inspiration to a place, but it only works if you take the time to enjoy it.
Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
During the hot spring and summer months, it seems like the whole world heaves a sigh in the evening. And for me, that’s my favorite time to get outdoors for some easy garden chores. Really, it’s more about enjoying the garden, but it also feels good to putter around a little, especially if I’ve spent the day indoors or busy in traffic or crowds.
Deadheading is one of those evening chores – I go around with my basket and clippers, snipping off faded blossoms and pinching back overgrown stems. I also like to water my container plants, maybe pull a weed here and there (just the easy ones), and perhaps (if I’m feeling ambitious) go on a stroll around the yard and dream up future projects or solutions for problem areas.
And I’m not alone. Inevitably, in the evenings, about every other snip, I raise my clippers to wave at neighbors out for an after-dinner walk, or my little neighbor comes over to pet the cat one last time before bed, or my across-the-street neighbors call out greetings from their own yard, waving their own clippers in that age-old greeting between gardeners around the world.
I’m not sure what it is, exactly – maybe the fresh air and bit of exercise, maybe the scents and sounds and squirrels, maybe the comforting feeling of reconnecting with your little patch of nature after a day caught up in nonsense, but the garden in the evening is one of the most restful places on earth.
Julie's Blog, Landscaping & Design, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
The Terrace Gardens at Duke University.
This past weekend, I had the fun of visiting my alma mater and was up to my ears in nostalgia: the campus paths, my old dorms and apartments, Krzyzewskiville, the Chapel, and of course, the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Back then, I was too focused on organic chemistry to have many other conscious thoughts, but I must admit I always had a nagging question as I walked through the gardens on my way to class: “Who did this?” Which was followed by the realization that, I wanted to do it, too.
It’s a place that does good to the soul. From the majestic Terrace Gardens, to the restful Garden of Native Plants, to the stately Asiatic Arboretum, Duke Gardens are a showplace of meticulous care that also invite you to take your shoes off. This visit, I watched hungry ducklings, nesting birds, playing children, picnicking students and families, and even the proverbial (and literal) toad on a lily pad.
It took more than ten years for my nagging question to filter from the back of my mind to the front and inspire me along the path of dirt and green, growing things; but I sure am glad it did, and that the gardens served as a reminder. If you’re ever passing through Durham, North Carolina, Duke Gardens are well worth a stop!
Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden, Trees & Shrubs by Julie Day
I have a favorite running route in my hometown, that takes me through lovely residential neighborhoods and past a couple of nice parks, and gets me back home before I collapse. There are many reasons why it’s my favorite – nice long hills that aren’t too steep, well-tended sidewalks, water fountains at strategic milestones – but I have to say that nothing beats the greeting I get from these guys:
Like happy cheerleaders, these creations usually herald the season with holiday wreaths, Easter egg necklaces, or colorful bows around their necks. Over time, they have been carefully trimmed and shaped through the art of topiary, an ancient form of sculpture using living plants. And in all the years I’ve been running past them, I’ve never seen a single leaf out of place.
Topiary is an art that takes patience and precision, but like many other garden practices, you get to decide how complicated you want it to be. A trimmed square hedge is a simple form of topiary, as are tree-form hibiscus, spiral-shaped arborvitae, and those funny ivy-covered monkeys you see in roadside markets. I like to see people having fun in their garden – these green guardians never fail to bring a smile to my face, and they are a glimpse into the playful personality of the gardener. I mean, how can you be in a bad mood after a visit to a yard like this?
Fruits & Vegetables, Julie's Blog, Lawn and Garden by Julie Day
This past weekend was the opening day of my hometown farmer’s market! Spring has finally arrived, gardening has begun in earnest, and the weather couldn’t have been better. It was a perfect day to jump on the bikes and ride downtown through a shower of cherry blossoms, enjoy lunch at a favorite outdoor cafe, and fill up the backpack with fresh, locally-grown veggies and organic grass-fed steaks to toss on the grill later that evening.
The farmer’s market is one of the highlights of the growing season – local organic honey and jams, fresh flowers, herbs and potted plants, bluegrass pickers under a shady tree, and produce-laden tables that offer a feast for the senses with the best of small-town flavor. And the simplest of meals is so much tastier (and healthier!) with freshly picked fruits and vegetables. Does life really get any better than this?
