gardening

Celebrating Spring!

6 May 2013

YES! I think we can say spring is officially here in New Hampshire! The sun has been out in Northern New England for a few weeks now and weather has been in the very comfortable 60′s. The grass is getting greener and all of the spring flowers are blooming. As with every spring, I have collected a great sampling of all things blooming in my neighborhood. I hope you enjoy!

There’s always something beautiful out there, isn’t there? I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

By: PomegranateGrl Category: Gardening Tags: flowers, gardening, Spring

New Garden Additions

7 Aug 2012

3 Comments

These beautiful Tigridia or Tiger Flowers were a new addition to my new flower beds this season.

As bulbs I planted in the Spring, they first come up looking like an iris. There can be more than one bloom on a flower, but each bloom only lasts a day.

They are large flowers at about 4 inches across and are visible from my kitchen. It’s such a nice start ot the day to see one bloomed up on the hill in the morning. In doing a little research, I found they grow in Mexico and Chile. I am not sure if that means they will survive the winter here. Does anyone have them in their garden? Or any experience with them?

Bloom More.

By: PomegranateGrl Category: Gardening Tags: flowers, garden, gardening

Solid As A Rock

15 May 2012

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For Mother’s Day Griffin and I worked on a project for my Mom that has been on my “to do” list for a long time. After seeing this awesome idea for garden markers on Wabi Sabi Mama, I knew this would be something my Mom would like. We purchased some river rocks from the local craft store and some paint markers.

I simply found the flat sides of the rocks and marked them with the herbs I knew my Mom has existing in her garden, or adds each year.

Soon there was a great collection.

One special rock was chosen by Griff. He wanted one that said “Mimi’s Garden”. He decorated this one by himself.

They were a big hit, Mimi loved them. I can’t wait to see them in my Mother’s garden this summer!

Did you do any Mother’s Day crafts, or find any inspiration? Feel free to share the links!

By: PomegranateGrl Category: Gardening Tags: gardening, Holidays, kids projects

Oh Fiddleheads!

1 May 2012

5 Comments

It’s always a pleasant surprise to be perusing the produce isle and find it’s Fiddlehead season!

These tart little greens are a seasonal treat here in New England and are packed with antioxidants, omegas 3 and 6, fiber and iron. They are simply scrumptious sauteed in a little butter and garlic.

They are actually the beginnings of ferns and harvested early in the season, before they bloom their leaves.

I read that they are a non-farmed veggie. I am not too sure on all their details, but I am sure that they are something I look forward to each spring!

By: PomegranateGrl Category: Food, Gardening Tags: Food, gardening

Azaleas and Bumble Bees

28 Apr 2012

7 Comments

This is my favorite blooming bush that we have on our property. It is a large Azalea. It was here when we moved in, and by the size of it, I am pretty sure it’s been here for a long time. It only blooms for a few days a year and is early this season. I always try to take a good picture of it, but I can never seem to capture its beauty in pixel form.

I know how common a shrub this is, but this particular one gets me every year. Its beautiful buds cover it in a canopy of pink/purple. If you look closely they are also painted with a deep purple color in each cup. At dusk, it looks as though it is glowing turning a bright purple color.

While trying to capture it’s beauty, I suddenly got a visitor.

This guy buzzed around this bush, bobbing and diving into each bloom. I didn’t realize until about half way through his dance that my shutter was set lower than it should be missing a still frame of his busy wings.

He especially liked this bloom and spent a few more seconds to enjoy it.

It was so cute to see all the pollen dusting his beautiful black and yellow fuzz.

Another great year of blooms and new friends from my favorite blooming bush!

What are you especially enjoying in your yard right now?

By: PomegranateGrl Category: Gardening Tags: gardening

Enjoying the Catch-Up

16 Jan 2012

5 Comments

A quiet weekend was well received by our family this weekend. It started a bit early with some family games. Watching a 4 year old win at Candyland is good for the soul.

Dinner included this Sesame Crusted Pork Loin. It only marinated for about 45 minutes and it was fantastic. I think next time I’d like to try fresh ginger.

You know how I have started sparring in Tae Kwon Do, well, my desire for a fancy bag for my gear lead me to this pattern, and that lead me to a fun new sewing project. I found the perfect quilted fabric at Joanns. It has a bit of an Asian flare. I also found a matching iron on dragon patch to give it a little extra detail. So far, the fabric is cut, the pocket has been added and the zipper in place.

If these projects weren’t enough, I stopped by the local garden center to participate in a terrarium class. I’ve always wanted to try to make one. At my favorite junque store, there was an old lemonade dispenser. Since I wanted this for the dining room, I thought it would be perfect. It is perfect.

I’ll bring you more on my bag and terrarium later, I promise. How was your weekend?

By: PomegranateGrl Category: The Pomegranate Chronicles Tags: Food, gardening, Recipes, Sewing

Moss Grows on Me

25 Aug 2011

2 Comments

I’ve always loved the look of moss. Not sure why, but I think it always makes a garden look vintage and well established. I have one flower bed in the back yard that is against the fence and gets lots of shade. I have transplanted hosta from the front gardens into this space (I love hosta too!) and it has been thriving. It has also collected a little bit of moss here and there in the bed around the hosta. I love how it looks and thought, wouldn’t it be cool if the moss spread to complete the bed and I would not have to use mulch (I am not a fan of mulch)?

We have moss in more than just the hosta bed. The hubby has been working hard hacking it up and adding grass seed to the lawn areas. I asked him to save it for me so that I could transplant it into my hosta garden.

I read online that moss likes acidic ground. We tested our ground (for the grass) and found we do have high acidity on this side of the lawn. It’s a good spot for moss. I scratched up the surface of the bed and mixed in some fertilizer. Then I placed the patches of moss all around, pushing them into the ground. I watered well and stepped back.

It’s been a few days, and it seems be taking. I hope it spreads, fingers crossed for me. As for the hosta, the holes indicate that we have slugs this year, but that is another story for another post!

Do you have moss? Do you use mulch?

By: PomegranateGrl Category: The Pomegranate Chronicles Tags: gardening

The Backyard- Again…

13 Aug 2011

1 Comment

Our back yard is coming along. Everything seems to be thriving. I have a bed outlined and am starting to transplant flowers.

We don’t have grass down yet. We are holding off until September for that. Our fence came out beautiful and our Japanese Maple is so happy with the new light it is getting.

I can’t wait to show you more pictures. I want to wait until the grass is down first. I’ll be spending today in the new flower bed.

Happy Gardening!

By: PomegranateGrl Category: The Pomegranate Chronicles Tags: gardening

{this moment}

22 Jul 2011

5 Comments

inspired by SouleMama A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

By: PomegranateGrl Category: The Pomegranate Chronicles Tags: gardening, {this moment}