More Garden Adventures: Potted in Glendale

Last June I headed to LA - and got to stop by the garden accessory store, Potted ("indoor style for outdoor living"). Trendy, hip, modern ... the place is a treat! I don't usually choose modern, urban or mid-century styles ... probably because I've mostly lived in California ranch houses. Garden-wise I tend towards country, old-fashioned and places that remind me of sitting by a stream. But. I find modern arresting and Potted is all that. Since shopping season is upon us, I thought this would be a good time to introduce people to this store. 

 A Potted's "City Planter" would be a wonderful accent for your chic urban dwelling. 

You can use them as a planter only or as fancy place for your house numbers.

These iron spheres also come in aqua, rust, or "your choice".

This string planter looks like it would be a fun to make.

(Here's a tutorial I save on my Pinterest board, "Garden DIY")

Outdoor rugs are a luxury - even this one made of recycled polypropylene! 

Voila!, you've got a room with this Indoor-Outdoor Turkish Rug. 

Modern Trough Fountain

I love concrete and was happy to see they carry this fountain in 4 finishes.

Being me, I thought, maybe I could make it myself! Yea, sure ...

Mid-Century Hoop Chair

(If I did have an urban garden, it would be fun to create the simple, stunning repetitive looks that show so nicely with sleek, bold lines, like this series of Ginkgo trees underplanted with carex in San Francisco!)

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!  Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

Lesson from the Fling: Anything Goes!

In any activity there are rules, and there are freedoms. In a garden, the rules are largely scientific. The freedoms - well, in truth, anything goes! This was my overall impression at the opening reception of the 6th annual Garden Bloggers Fling in late June! Garden designer, Shirley Watts, has a small eclectic garden, filled with fun surprises. It is a uniquely personal space, meant to be enjoyed. I took some pictures that I show here, but after you look, go to her professional link at the bottom.

Me poking around - and capturing myself in a mirror

Chandelier with a fancy word billboard section behind it

Fling organizers having a chat in a small patchwork patio

Gabion wall filled with mussels and tillandsia (air plants). 

(See this Houzz site for more gabion ideas.)

A charming walkway with carriage lanterns

Vertical metal accents

  This arbor was a popular place for meeting up with old friends!  

(Notice the liberal use of the carriage lights thruout the garden.)

This photo is from Shirley's website. 

Thanks to Shirley for sharing her lovely garden with us!

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!  Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

Garden Umbrellas!

We're going into the winter umbrella season ...

. but I can't help looking back (and forward) to the other season, the one in my Sacramento hometown, that's known as August! I make myself laugh, but really ... our other warm season months around here are sometimes pleasant, temperate ... sometimes not. But, August? It's just plain hot!!! Gardens dry up. Not a pretty site! That's when you need market umbrellas! Yes, sir! Instant shade! 

This sweet tropical garden was originally found in the pages of Sunset Magazine. I think I could live with this, she said with a sly smile ...

But, even without the gorgeous plants, this last August I was surprised by the magic created by a red market umbrella I just happened to have lying around (actually it was sent to me with the hope I'd mention the sender in a blog post, which I am doing here! It's a fine umbrella, and as you'll see with the link, it's on sale!). In addition to the shade effect, it also added a great splash of color.

Multiple umbrellas are a simple, cost-effective alternative to a more expensive (and permanent) pergola or arbor. ..

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!  Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

If Annie's Annuals is Mecca, Sunset Mag is Home Planet!

June 29th, 2013: Hottest day in a million years and we garden bloggers hop on our buses in San Francisco and drive to Sunset Magazine Headquarters in Menlo Park! I'm surprised it looks a bit ordinary. I've grown up with Sunset Mag, and it has always seemed bigger than life. It's not. It has offices and gardens and real people you can talk to! I love it!

After a presentation of new hydrangeas, roses and such by Bailey Nurseries, we are let loose on the grounds. There's a social media contest - who can tweet, FB, instagram the most? Guess who? ME!

Other than that bit of frenzy, I soak in their demonstration garden, which looks like the garden most everyone I know would love! This orange-hooped portal is a big hit,

as are these framed plantings (colorful aluminum-framed planting systems for shade or sun, indoors or out by Plantasy). I especially like the use of these bright summer perennials ...

and, this version which is composed of plants from the Sunset Western Plant Collectionn (including the first ground cover Loropetalum, "Purple Pixie"... which grows 1' high and 4 to 5' wide ... I'm using it in a new garden installation this week to spill over and soften some retaining walls!!! Excuse me, I digress.)

Quiet as can be, this cute, wood-fired, pizza oven by Pizza Forno. minds its business until some one says, "Let's make pizza!"

But, my favorite of all spaces is this garden structure. It was the gold metal winner by McKenna Landscaping at the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show in 2012, and so gotta-have-it, that Sunset talked them into re-locating it to their demo garden. I probably have the story a bit askew, but it's essentially true. I was told that Sunset plans to feature it in their January issue. If it happens, remember I told you so! McKenna used reclaimed lumber and old windows, gravel "floors" and the wonderful "Karl Forester" Calamagrostis acutifolia ...

which gives comfort looking out ...

and looking in.

I'm charmed and taken. Great time at Sunset!

Their gates are open to visitors most weekdays between 9 and 4.

See you there! 

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!  Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

A Pilgrimage to Annie's Annuals

One of our "field trips" on the recent Garden Bloggers Fling (SF, 2013), was to Annie's Annuals in Richmond. The first time I heard about Annie's it was described as a "Gardener's Mecca".  Visiting there is like the antithesis of the big box store nurseries ... they have everything! Everything pretty, everything old-fashioned, everything native, just plain everything. Check out the website if you don't believe me!

We get there ... I pose with the Annie's mannequin (girlyquin).

We listen to a presentation about Dramm products (while I take snaps of the Annie's wall mural with its prison wire topping!). We have drawings, prizes, a great lunch and a talk by Annie, herself!

We wander thru the demonstration gardens with our shopping carts. These are the same Clarkias in the bouquet below. I'm not too familiar with Clarkias, but I wonder why ... many are native plants and they make great, long-lasting cut flowers, seem to love my climate. 

Clarkias, scabiosa, nicotiana, and other flowers from the gardens. Here's a link to the clarkia above. Here's one  (more) thing to love about Annie's ... this gardener's candy store does mail order!!!

I close with this video where Annie demonstrates a totally different approach to container gardening. For me this is an eye-opener. I haven't been great with containers, but think I could be with Annie's advic!

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help!  Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

Cleaning out the Blogger Closet!

November 3, 2013: Disclaimer! I've been thinking of blogging, taking pictures for future blogs, but not "doing it!" for the last 2 or 3 years! I have a backlog and just found the perfect vehicle to set things straight - the National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) - a November tradition (yea, contest), where participants post daily on their blogs, as well as the NaBloPoMo site on  BlogHer. I did this once before in '09 and found it a good exercise in just, well, "doing it!" So, I'll be cleaning that backlogged closet full of ideas. I know I will benefit, we'll see about you! Here's my first entry, from the first day of the Garden Bloggers 2013 Fling - saved and waiting to be posted! J

June 27th: I. am. excited. We're leaving for "The Fling"! A soundtrack from the old movie, San Francisco, plays in my own personal entertainment system (my head!), although an octave lower and a bit more Broadway.

,

Jeanette McDonald charming Clark Gable with her high notes!

We arrive in record time, check in to our hotel and go for some look-around. My roommate and travel partner is Tina Henricksen, a fellow garden designer from Roseville. We have fun getting settled in.

It is a day made for heaven. I used to work in this area and have great memories. "San Francisco! Open Your Golden Gate!"

The pigeons seagulls (ahem) at the Yerba Buena Gardens at 3rd and Mission are having a bit of a splash!

We have so much fun, we miss the bus to our opening event! Jeeze ... we take the Bart over and get picked up. All is well.

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help! 

Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

Winner of the Chickeny Giveaway

Congratulations, Nancy Murphy, of Pine Haven Resorts In Hatfield, WI. She wins this first prize in our Geno's Garden Blogaversary Giveaway Month: an autographed copy of "Gardening with Free-Range Chickens - For Dummies" (not that you are) and a pound of Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden's Omega-3 Chicken Forage Blend. Thanks to everyone who commented and entered the giveaway. Our next Giveaway will be a pair of Corona Fruit and Vegetable Snips and some Botanical Interests Seeds. Post coming (very) soon ... aka tomorrow.

 

 Note: if you're a chicken owner and would like to put pictures on my Pinterest Chicken board, let me know. Chickens are such fashion mavens. They're trend setters and should be appropriately represented ... don'tcha think? Check out the board at http://pinterest.com/jeanniehanson/chickens/

The Chickens of Sacramento Valley & A Giveaway!

One thing I find most gardeners love? Animals ... cats, dogs, goats, squirrels, ferrets, bunnies, birds. But, while we love our dogs and cats, it seems the chicken is the up and coming fancy pet of the urban gardener! Not the rooster, because most gardeners and their neighbors don't want to wake up at 4 a.m., , but the hen! (The one who lays eggs.)

The famous chickens of Fair Oaks Village grazing at the park

More and more cities are saying ok to this trend. Sacramento officially said yes in August, 2011 after 2 years of discussion. Folsom, Loomis and Fair Oaks have been chick-willing for some time! Sacramento County requires your property to be 10,000 square feet, or approximately 1/4 acre. Pity for me, I have only 6500! A farm girl at heart, I'd love chickens and a goat. Too bad for me...

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/11/5559237/capital-ranks-no-4-for-backyard.html#storylink=cpy

But I can pretend at events like the upcoming Urban Homesteading event at Talini's Nursery in Sacramento, this weekend (Saturday, from 10 - 4), and, who knows, maybe I'll find out I can have chickens! The makers of these adorable chicken coops will be there, along with refreshments and lots of info! 

Geno's Garden 5th Anniversary Giveaway

Today is the 5th anniversary of this blog, and in true blogger style, we'll be celebrating with a Giveaway! Actually, a series of giveaways ... as there will be giveaways for the next month, all of them inspired by my recent participation at the 6th annual Garden Bloggers Fling in San Francisco. 

Fling Attendees from U.S, Canada and England! Great Group!

The two items below were provided by two of my fellow bloggers, Bonnie Manion "Vintage Garden Girl" and Charlotte "Daffodil Planter" Germaine, who also does charming posts at Dirt du Jour and lives down the street from Peaceful Valley. 

The winner will receive the following:

Autographed copy of Gardening with Free-Range Chickens for Dummies, by Bonnie Jo Manion and Rob Ludlow, owner of the Backyard Chicken. I learned from this book that you can train your chickens with a clicker (!) so they know when to come to dinner. I would so love to do this!!! 

Your chickens can forage on their PVFS Omega-3 Blend

...AND, from: Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden Supply in Grass Valley 1 pound of PVFS Omega-3 Chicken Forage Blend. Charlotte tells me that this can be grown in a wire cage (you'll see the picture on the product page) so that the forage stays lovely like above, with the cage being removed when it's time to eat and then replaced so the chickens don't devour it to death!
:

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment below. The winner will be drawn by a totally fair method in 5 days (August 18th). Make sure you leave or email me your email address if it's not part of your comment, so I can send you your prize when you win!!!

I close with this totally cute video from Peaceful Valley ...

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help! 

Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

For the Love of Summer Flowers

I usually will tell people they shouldn't plant flowers (trees, shrubs, whatever) in the summer. Certainly not in Sacramento! I mean really! Poor little rootlets likely won't get enough water. The plants will struggle and die. Use common sense, wait 'til the cooler weather. Yep, that's what I preach.

Sweet sitting spot in the Nichols Garden, as seen on the Fling

 

But ... ahhh ... sigh ... how come I don't care? Why do I keep heading to the nurseries? It's largely because a month ago I spent 4 wonderful days in the bay area (San Francisco) with 70 other garden bloggers (U.S., Canada and England) at the 6th Annual Garden Bloggers Fling, and, I'm too inspired to stop!

My little Black-eyed Susie

 

Also ... my perennials (like this Black-eyed Susan) are back better than ever and they want company! Why do I keep buying plants? It's cuz I've got the fever. I can't help it!

Monarda

 

Last summer my husband and I drove up to Oregon to visit the middle chicklet. She lives in S.E. Portland which has a marvelous mix of old houses and gardens, some wild, some tended. Beautiful flowers everywhere ...

Foxgloves

 

... in  the forests near Mount St. Helen's ...

Overflowing Border in Cannon Beach, Or.

 

... and along the  Oregon coast, where gardens have an easier time in the heat of August than those in our Sacramento Valley. Sigh. Envy. Seeing the gardens of the Pacific Northwest,  I had decided we should settle for less in Sacramento.  But, Nope!  I've got the fever. I can't help it!

The lessons I have learned this summer and am now willing to share are that if you are going to be dumb and try to plant in the summer, try to use gallon plants - they have a stronger root base. Also, get them in the ground quick! After that, water them carefully as their root base is still small, and, guard them as carefully as a baby in the sun (that is to say, create some artificial shade when it's a scorcher!).

The other lesson - and the most important one -  is there's beauty to be had. Why wait?!? If you include spring, gardens in our area can give us pleasure and contentment for most of the year . Stick your neck out. Dare to blow it. Just don't blame me. I've got the fever. I can't help it!

Daylilies and Daisies - My Sacramento Garden

 

On a serious note, I am a trained and qualified Green Gardener. There are plants that work in our climate. Try to use them!!!! 

 I know I've been absent on my blog ... you've probably gotten discouraged from even stopping by. But, do keep an eye out this month. because I'll be posting stories about all the wonderful, outrageous and inspiring gardens we Flingers visited last month. Jeannie

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help! 

Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.

Garden Adventures in Vacaville - Who Knew?

Yesterday I headed out to Vacaville ... just 41 minutes from my house, or so said Miss Google Maps. I love our valley and our farmlands. Even our brown hills. But, I'm also happy for my air conditioned car!

So, I'm driving along, and take the Cherry Glen Road loop, just like I'm supposed to, and WHOA! What's that? It's time for a pottery stop. I have 3 clients looking for fountains, that means I'm looking, too! Garden Essentials has 3+ acres of pottery ... most of it ceramic of various sizes and shapes, but they carry classical fountains as well. They're located at 5934 Cherry Glen Road in Vacaville, and also on Face Book, where they show more of their line.

Some of their pottery...

With my side stop concluded, I continue to my destination, Morningsun Herb Farm. If a farm visit sounds like your kind of pleasure, you'll love it here. It has a HUGE selection of herbs (medicinal/culinary) and veg ... an entire hoop house devoted to ornamental salvia (my favorite) and lots of Mediterranean perennials as well. It also has a thriving mail order business. Morningsun is also on Facebook (hey! so am I, wink, wink). Behind this sign are their 93 varieties of tomatoes, along with all the other warm season veg (summer squash, eggplant, peppers, tomatillo, melons).

I was charmed by their shop. Jeez ... it took me back to my "hippy days" ... (in truth, I was never much of a hippy - not quite hip enough!). Anyways, the herbal smells captivated me. 

I brought home a bunch of plants ... 3 different salvias, russian sage and verbena bonariensis, tomatoes, summer squash and eggplant. The vegetables will go in today, the ornamentals later.

Here's my small herb garden, planted yesterday with some basil, thyme, chives, old rock and brick and a lime tree that I just happened to have sitting around! I'm also going to throw some seeds out. Believe me, I have a few!!!

If you've read this far, I know you love plants and gardening as much as I do! Isn't it fun!?!?!

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help! 

Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.