Plan B Garden

Basil seedlings in desperate need of being potted up

Last year I had planted a bunch of perennials on my balcony garden, which was my first growing season in this apartment, after quite a few years of being lucky enough to have land to garden on. I was careful to choose plants that were at least two hardiness zones lower than the one I am in, used large storage totes to plant them in, and did my best to shield them from the elements. Even with all of that, it doesn't look like any survived the extra harsh winter we just came out of.

So instead of spending more money or babying along perennial seedlings, just to probably have them croak on me again, I am going to go the free route and grow annuals of seeds I already have. My balcony doesn't get full sun, but I am still going to chance some sun-lovers. Even if it is a fail, it won't cost me anything. And me with no garden is like a boat with no water. 'Taint happening. The following are what are going to be a part of this year's experiment:

Basil {a mix}
Black Futsu pumpkin
Borage
Broom corn
Calendula
Cilantro
Cornflower
Cosmos {Rubenza and Sensation mix}
Datura
Dill
Greens {kale, arugula, chard, and lettuces, where ever I can find room for them}
Jasmine scented nicotiana
Nasturtiums
Poppies {Angel Wings and Opium}
Scarlet Runner beans
Sweet peas {Cupani and Black Knight}
Teddy Bear sunflowers
Tomatoes {Black Krim and Indigo Rose}
Wild tobacco
Zucchini {Black Beauty & Yellow Pattypan}

I am also growing seedlings for an heirloom and pollinator garden at my work, which is in retirement/nursing for the elderly. It will be interesting to see if they remember any of the varieties that we will be growing there. I am happy to see gardens there for them to enjoy.

Hope you all are getting your hands dirty too!

Calendula Infused Oil

Calendula is one of those staple herbs for my garden, and even after downsizing from a decent-sized yard to a balcony, I still insisted on growing it this year. I like to use it in magic of course, but I also like to make an infused oil with it.

The oil of calendula is great for many things, but I like to use it in both salves and bars for chapped skin, minor cuts, bug bites and I find when used with other herbs, it is quite effective on sore muscles.

Before starting the oil infusion I dry the flowers so there is a lesser chance of the oil going funky. For the actual oil I used grapeseed oil this year, but olive oil or perhaps almond oil work fine as well. My calendula oil is still infusing, and I will let it sit in a cool, dark spot for about a month. I shake it about every other day.

Once it is finished infusing I will strain it through cheesecloth to separate the flowers from the oil and bottle up the oil again until it is ready to use.

To a see a great herbal infusion tutorial, head on over to the Mountain Rose Herbs blog. They also have some great recipes on how to use your calendula oil once it's ready.

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Sláinte!

Laurel

An Anatomy Garden

I will admit to being one of those nerds that daydreams about having theme gardens, and one of those themes is an anatomy garden. Essentially a garden with plants that either resemble parts of a body or have it in their names {common or Latin}, and sometimes they are both.

There are so many potential candidates, so beyond my favourites listed below, I encourage people to search for other options should you be interested in having your own anatomy themed garden!

Black or Brown Eyed Susan

Bleeding Heart

Bloodroot

Borage {Latin borro for "rough hair"}

Coltsfoot

Comfrey {aka "knitbone"}

Cowslip

Devil's Claw

Doll's Eye

Eyebright

Goat's Beard

Herb-Robert {aka "storksbill"}

Hound's Tongue

Lungwort

Maidenhair Fern

Mandrake {Mandragora officinarum roots often resemble a human form}

Orchids {from Greek for "testicle"}

Snapdragon {seed pod looks like wee skulls}

Turtlehead

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Previous related posts:

Ye Olde Peasant Garden

Creating an Ancestor Garden

Sláinte!

Laurel

An Apartment Dweller's Quick Tip for Polytheists: Outdoor Shrines

I had already shared a post about indoor shrines to nature spirits, but I like to keep one outdoors if I can as well. If you are an apartment dweller who is lucky enough to have a patio or balcony, an outdoor shrine can be as easy as a flower pot with whatever pretties you want to put in it.

During the move I had brought the original stones of my mini "dolmen" from my last outdoor shrine and placed them in the pot I had chosen for the new shrine. Yesterday while out and about I came across a log on the side of the road with mossy bits on it. I decided to bring it home with me and now some of the mossy bits are in with the stones. 

I am not sure if the moss will be happy there or not, but if that doesn't work out I was thinking of putting some other woodland pretty in it. 

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Sláinte!

Laurel

First Batch of New Plant Friends!

Some lovely friends were nice enough to stop by Richter's for me on their way home from Toronto over the weekend and grabbed me some of the plants on my wishlist for my new container garden. In this hoard I got columbine, foxglove, Jacob's ladder, lady's mantle, lemon balm, lily-of-the-valley, meadowsweet, periwinkle, sweet woodruff, lemon & wild thyme, and wild ginger.

Most of the seedlings I have started are doing really well, too. I can't wait to add even more to my plant herd!

Laurel

Ideas and Projects for Starting a Container Garden

As I get my own container garden planned and started I have been going over some resources that I thought might be helpful to others who are thinking of starting their own container gardens. Many of the ideas shared here can easily be used for the tiniest container garden to a rambling garden in the ground. I hope that you find this list inspiring! 

The Basics

Beginner Gardening Guide 101 {You Grow Girl}
Container Gardening Guide {You Grow Girl}
Container Plants that Survive Toronto Winters {Dirt on My Hands}
No Man's Land: Keeping a Piece Wild
Ontario Native Plants for Containers {Toronto Balcony Gardens}
Self-Watering Tote Planters {Edible Manhattan}
Thrifty Seed Starting

Rituals, Charms & Spells

Building Outdoor Sacred Space {The Druid's Garden}
Consecrating Seed
Doing Rituals in Nature

Fertility Charm for the Garden
Planting by the Moon {Alchemy Works}

Attracting Wildlife

A Critter Hotel
Balcony Gardening for Pollinators {Balcony Container Gardening}

Bee Watering Stations
Container Gardening for Wildlife Habitat {Ecosystem Gardening}

Gifts for Birds
Hanging Bird Bath {GardenFuzzGarden}
Monarch Butterfly Container Garden Ideas {Monarch Butterfly Garden}
Planting a Container Pollinator Garden {Sky Nursery}
Small Space Butterfly Garden {The Oregonian}

Welcoming Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Themed Gardens

Alpine Trough Garden {Balcony Gardener}
Aromatherapy Container Garden {Aromaceuticals}
Container Gardening for Vegetables {The Farmer's Almanac}
Container Water Garden {HGTV}
Creating an Ancestor Garden
Gardening for Cats {Dirt on My Hands}
Growing a Cottage Garden in Containers {New Pro Containers}
Grow Your Own Perennial Herb Container Garden {Garden Therapy}
Make an Herbal Container Tea Garden {Livin' in the Green}
Moon Garden for Your Balcony {Life on the Balcony}
Ogham Garden {most likely only doable for those with land, but it could be possible using smaller varieties of each tree, shrub and plant}
Plant a Dye Garden {Mother Earth Living}
Plant a Medicinal Herb Garden {Homestead Lady}
Plants for a Poison Garden {Gardening Know How}
Plants for a "Ye Old Peasant" Garden
Shade Container Gardening {Gardening Know How}
Tabletop Woodland Garden

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Sláinte!

Laurel

In the Belly of Garden Planning Madness

Japanese Ghost Fern & Wild Ginger

In my neck of the woods Spring has been teasing us with peaks of her face, and her inevitable emergence is just around the corner. With this, I have been really missing my old garden. I miss every single plant, and just about every single critter that would visit my garden. To distract myself I have been planning a garden for our new home. 

I did not bring any of our outdoor plants with us, however I did bring quite a few containers along, some of my favourite pieces of garden kitsch as well as the stones that were used in our previous outdoor shrine, and of course my seed collection. Otherwise I am starting from scratch. 

One of the things I am going to have to figure out is what other types of containers to get. There are all sorts of options out there, and while I tend to gravitate towards the pretties, they are generally more expensive and not always the most practical option. I am thinking of getting a few storage totes, as I have used them to grow things in before and they hold up. I could always gussy them up with some paint, and this would still make them a more affordable option. Plus, I have seen plans online on how to make them insulated for overwintering perennials, which I am keen to try out. More about that to come in a future post, I am sure.

Our balcony faces North-North East, and while it is sheltered and quite large, I don't think it makes sense to grow vegetables on it. I may grow some greens and will definitely grow some herbs, but what I want to focus on are some of my favourite shrubs and trees, woodland plants and plants that pollinators love.

Meadowsweet, loved by the bees and me.

My old hardiness zone was a 4 a or a 3 b and my new one is a 5 b or a 6 a, so it is quite a bit warmer here. That said, when growing perennials in containers, I really should be focusing on plants that will survive about two zones lower than the one I am in. Thankfully the plants that I am really drawn to fit the bill. 

There is already a small gaggle of seedlings starting on the window sill of our office/craft room including a few different types of columbine, Japanese primrose, Fuji Blue balloon flower, cardinal flower, and foxgloves. But there are many more that I hope to put in our new garden.

Below is a list of all the pretties that I am hoping to cram into our new garden:

Trees & Shrubs

• Heather
• Juniper
• Rowan/Mountain Ash

Annuals

• Basil
• Borage
• Calendula
• Cilantro
• Cosmos
• Dill
• Lobelia
• Nasturtium
• Poppies
• Scarlet Runner
• Mini Sunflowers

Perennials & Biennials

• Allheal
• Ballon Flower
• Bleeding Heart
• Cardinal Flower
• Catnip
• Columbine
• Cowslip
• Creeping Jenny
• False Solomon's Seal
• Foxgloves
• Ferns {various}
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit
• Jacob's Ladder
• Japanese Primrose
• Japanese Ghost Fern
• Lady's Mantle
• Lemon Balm
• Liatris
• Lily-of-the-Valley
• Lungwort
• Mayapple
• Meadowsweet
• Mints {Peppermint & Spearmint for sure}
• Mosses {various}
• Mugwort
• Perriwinkle
• Pincushion Flower
• Sage {Garden}
• Sea Holly
• Sedums {Autumn Joy, Hen & Chicks for sure}
• Sweet Woodruff
• Thymes {Woolly, Mountain, & Lemon for sure}
• Turtlehead
• Wild Ginger
• Woodland Poppy
• Wormwood

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If you have any container gardening hints that you would like to share, please feel free!

Sláinte!

Laurel

The 2016 Garden

Previously I had mentioned that my partner and I were moving to new city, which meant I would be leaving my happy little garden behind. I miss it already.

We had decided this past Spring that we would be making the move; this was just after I had gotten our veggie patches prepared, but thankfully it was before I planted anything into the ground. With that big move coming, I ended up just sprinkling grass and various flower seeds onto the veggie patches and helping the perennials along when I had the time.

To be honest, both our front and back yards ended up looking like wee jungles the whole season, as I had very little time for weeding, cutting back and the like. That's ok though, because my gardening aesthetic is wild and woolly anyway. ;)

When I had a moment I would putter around the garden to enjoy it, harvest some and snap photos. What I did do regularly however was still make offerings and utilize our outdoor shrine for festival observances.

Before leaving North Bay, many of the plants from the garden had been adopted out to other folks, some strangers, but mostly friends and family. There are still plenty left behind and I hope whoever lives there after will take good care of them and enjoys them.

For those who are into gardening, I think that we can all understand the attachment that we come to have with both the land and plants we tend to, along with the wildlife that makes their home there. It can be heartbreaking to leave that all behind.

But it is not all gloom, our new home has a pretty large balcony, so it looks like I will be doing some container gardening and plenty of wildcrafting. I will also be keeping a lookout for possible community garden opportunities, which altogether should be enough to keep me happy until we have our own patch of earth again. 

Sláinte!

Laurel

New Seeds Available in the Etsy Shop

I have added a few new seed varieties to the Unfettered Wood Etsy shop! 

Red Kuri Winter Squash

 Angel Wings Poppy

 Tiger's Eye Bush Bean

Fernleaf Dill

Jasmine Scented Nicotiana

Jarrahdale Pumpkin

I will be posting some new charms and vintage items in the shop in the next little while.

Sláinte!

Laurel

My 2015 Garden

I have been terrible this year in maintaining this blog, including sharing what was happening in my little garden. So now that it is buried under about six inches of snow, I figured I would get around to it now. Better late than never I suppose. 

Most of the projects that I wanted to tackle this season, were either started and never finished or completely deferred to next year altogether. I did however add some more toad houses, bee watering stations, and bird baths.

Jarrahdale pumpkin growing and Jack-o'-Lantern

This year I grew Jarrahdale and Black Futzu pumpkins for the first time, which both did quite well and will definitely be growing them next year! Both were great looking additions to the display I had on my porch for Hallowe'en and tasty additions to baking and soup recipes.

I tried Watermelon radish in the late spring/early summer and might be the yummiest radish I have ever grown. Another radish variety that was a first for me was Black Spanish, which is supposed to grow as large as a turnip, mine however was not quite as big. The original plan was to grow some to carve into Jack-o'-Lanterns, but being as puny as they were that did not happen. I will try again next year.

Indigo Rose tomatoes

For tomatoes I gave Indigo Rose and Old German a try, which both will be joining my herd of "old faithfuls" next year. Where I will have the room for about a dozen tomato varieties is something I will hopefully figure out over the winter. Heh.

Angel Wing poppies

Other new pretties include Tiger's Eye bush bean {fantastic for bean dip and soup!}, Multi-Coloured Broom corn {great for autumn decorations and the birds love it!}, Jasmine Scented nicotiana {wooooo, smells pretty!} and perhaps my favourite find, Angel Wings poppy. All will be grown again next year.

A new addition this year, anise hyssop.

Throughout the season I added more perennials to the "wild" garden bed that pollinators and other critters love. I am happy with how that garden has turned out and how much wildlife we have been getting there and in the rest of the garden.

Liatris {aka 'gayfeather' and 'blazing star'}

The stinging nettle plants were filled with cocooning Red Admiral caterpillars and one of our milkweed plants had a cocooning Monarch. In general I saw a lot more Monarchs this year, which is great news!

There was also solitary bees of various sorts making themselves at home in the critter hotel and there were so many ladybugs this year. In the trees surrounding our place and our neighbours' yards we had nesting crows, robins, waxwings, squirrels, warblers, finches and sparrows. And of course the chippies and skunks were camping out not too far away either. Heh.

Lily-of the valley and lungwort

Goat's beard

To my relief the perennials beds at the front of my house seemed to recover nicely after having to be dug up last year when we had to get our foundation repaired. I have thought about creating another bed in the front to add some heather and holly and maybe a contained yew and rowan next year.

Ghost fern

Towards the end of the gardening season I got a few more perennials to go throughout the garden, and I also inherited a rose bush from my Auntie's place, which I think is an old fashioned tea with white blooms. I guess I will have to wait until next year to know for sure.

Fall seemed to come late this year, making the overall growing season longer this year than the last few. Up until the last couple of days I could have probably gotten away with growing hardy greens, since we had a green Yuletide. 

But now Winter seems to be here and I will have to wait to garden. Until then I will be daydreaming of digging in the dirt while I am shoveling snow.

Sláinte!

Laurel

An Autumn Planter Idea

Just because the cooler weather is closing in on us doesn't mean that we can't still have some fun with our botanical friends! 

Yesterday I put together this planter that I have hanging on the railing of my front porch. It took me all of five, maybe ten minutes to stick in the seed heads and fall flowers and berries in it. I am sure any competent floral arranger would shudder at the chaos of it, but to be honest I don't have the patience or attention span to fuss over projects like this too much. But, I wanted to make one anyways, so here it is. ;)

I started off by planting one of those fancy fall cabbages {or is it a kale?} in the container and lined it with some dried moss I had lying around. Then I added some gourds and pumpkins to the front. In the back and on the sides I poked in stems of wormwood, mugwort, tansy, sedum, and added seed heads from dill, echinacea, bergamot, motherwort, teasel, and some others that I am currently forgetting. Then I filled in any empty spaces poppy pods and bittersweet nightshade berries. 

If you don't have an abundance of seed heads and such in your own garden or don't have a garden at all, you could probably find some nifty specimens around your area to use in your own project. Things like goldenrod, rowan berries, mullein, and milkweed pods would be nice or you could use ears of grain and corn, and plant them with mums if you don't like the fall cabbage/kale.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Bumble Buddies

Welcoming Hummingbirds to Your Garden

photo by Denis Fournier

I was hoping to do this post earlier in the gardening season, but here it is nearing the end of August. Better late than never. ;) There might be enough time to implement some of these ideas in your garden this year, or there is always next year.

In my area we get ruby-throated hummingbirds, so this info is really specific to them, although it may be helpful for folks who get other hummingbird species. 

Hummingbird Feeders

one of our feeders in our pollinator garden

Probably the most obvious way to attract hummingbirds to your garden is to use feeders. These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes as well as price ranges. We have a few different ones, and I really recommend using non-plastic feeders. 

Ruby-throated hummers can be quite territorial, so try hanging a few in different spots in your garden, that way everyone has a shot at one of the feeders. It is also good to place them at least 5 feet from the ground to try and avoid predatory cats. 

We put out our feeders in early May and will leave them up until the later part of Autumn, that way any early comers and those who leave later will have a food source. 

While there are nectar solutions available on the market, I recommend making your own. Nectar is made with a simple ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar {please do not use maple syrup, honey or food colouring!}, bringing both to a boil just enough to dissolve the sugar, and of course let it cool off fully before putting it into your feeders. Sometimes I will have some nectar left over which I will store in the fridge for no more than 2 days. 

If you notice your nectar looking cloudy after being out, it is definitely time to change it. When it is cooler out I will change mine every 2 or 3 days, and once a day when it is hot out. 

Keeping feeders clean and free of fungus is so important, or else hummers can get very sick or die from a fungal infection. I clean ours every time I refill our feeders with nectar, using very hot water and scrubbing with a bottle brush. If I see black mold I will use some hydrogen peroxide on it and rinse very well. This video below has some good tips on how to clean your feeders:

Plants to Attract Hummingbirds

jewelweed

Another great way to attract hummers is by growing plants rich in nectar. There are so many great varieties out there and many of them are low maintenance. Below is a list of praise-worthy plants that  I have noticed hummers flocking to:

Beebalm

Bleeding Heart

Butterfly Weed

Cardinal Flower

Catmint

Columbine

Coral Bells

Dahlia

Daylily 

Foxglove

Gladiolus

Hollyhocks

Impatiens

Iris

Jewelweed

Larkspur

Liatris

Lupine

Nasturtium

Nicotina

Petunia

Phlox

Pincushion Flower

Sages

Scarlet Runner Bean

Smart Weed

Sweet William

Verbena

Other Little Things

photo by dw_ross

There are a few other things that you could do to make your gardening a welcoming place to hummingbirds, such as providing water and shelter. 

We have birdbaths scattered throughout our yard, and I have even seen hummers making use of the bee watering stations we have set up too. There are hummingbird houses available out there, which I have never personally used before, but having trees and large bushes around create some safety from predators and perhaps even nesting spots is another option.

Something else that can be done to make your garden a sanctuary for hummers and other critters is by using no synthetic pesticides, herbicides and insecticides and leaving at least one spot "wild". To find out more about this whole idea, check out some of my previous posts No Man's Land: Keep a Piece Wild and A Critter Hotel.

Sláinte!

Laurel