South End Gardens: Rutland Street

Posted on | August 13, 2010 | 4 Comments

My only complaint about my house is the lack of garden space. I want a huge garden full of flowers, herbs, and vegetables—I’m talking insane big. Let’s ditch the driveway! Ok maybe not?

I was in South Boston this week and spotted community gardens all over the neighborhood. Phlox, Black Eyed Susans, Russian Sage, Echinacea, and Sunflowers were all in bloom. The garden above and below was on Rutland Street (click the link for an amazing google maps view) in the South End. The lush green escape covers a block and half. It was a totally amazing place to stumble upon in the middle of the city. Happy Weekend!

Category: boston and metro, garden, massachusetts

Double Rose Peony Poppies Blooming

Posted on | July 9, 2010 | 16 Comments

The peony poppy seeds I planted in early March are starting to bloom. I got about four plants out of one seed packet. The flowers last about three days. But maybe they would last longer if they weren’t being tortured by a mid-summer heat wave? Once the petals drop the inside looks like a poppy pod. Love! I hope they spread…

Stuck In Garden

Posted on | June 23, 2010 | 18 Comments

So what’s happening in the garden? It’s kinda stalled. I wanted to put in a patio this summer but I don’t think it’s going to happen. What I want the driveway to be is something that’s going to take a little more then peagravel. The house still needs major work that will require heavy equipment. So why am I being so silly making a garden when I should be focusing on the larger problems? Like the rotted wall and sill.

And once the house is done I might want something different out back? I really like how my neighbors split up there driveway with a fence and a garden in the middle. The con of this idea is that we would only be left with one parking spot. But we only have one car. In terms of resale I know I am going to hear the complaint that the house doesn’t have a yard but then they will complain about the lack of parking. In the end I think I would enjoy a more private space outback.

So here I am stuck. Trying to figure out where to dump the pile of rocks, bricks, and dirt that have piled up on the back side of my driveway—all found in the gardens when we cleaned them up! I know my neighbors would appreciate it me cleaning up the space. But getting rid of rocks is harder then you think—our dump has no “No Rocks” signs everywhere. So how do you get rid of the sh*t without illegally dumping the stuff in a field. Do I really have to pay someone to take away rocks? And if so what do they do with them? Probably sell them…

Below views of the garden and me in my new sun hat. I got really burnt on a friend’s boat over the weekend. I’ve learned my lesson once and for all. I am not a sun girl but I am surprised how tan I look in that photo! Oh and a photo of Mr. Jack my faithful companion watching me plant delphiniums on Monday night. Um, yes that is a stove behind Jack. Greg bought it back when he thought he was going to turn the first floor into an apartment.

Category: garden

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

Posted on | June 2, 2010 | 27 Comments

Greg told me not to write another post about the garden. I know it’s kinda boring but that this is my life right now. Working and gardening. What I’ve learned: Don’t buy 2 yards of mulch if you have an urban size garden. I’ve mulched my house, two neighbors gardens, and an island in the middle of the street…we still have a pile. Now what? I guess I put up a free mulch sign?

I learned this week not to cut your lupine. Let it go to seed if you want it to come back and spread. Same with the foxglove. We’ll have to wait till next spring to see if that trick worked.

My double rose peony poppies are coming up. I think I have three plants? They seem to coming along. I remember reading on the packet that they may not bloom the first year. Again, we’ll have to be patient and wait and see.

Also, my iris. Looks happy and it’s growing well. But no flowers. What’s up? My mom said I may have planted it too deep. I gave the plant a tug this morning and exposed the rhizomes. I removed the mulch from around the plant because the moisture can make the rhizomes rot. Let me know if you know any good iris flowering tips.

Besides that the garden is coming along well. I outlined the new back shade garden in stones. This coming weekend the stone will get replaced with cobblestones. Using small stones made it easy to play around with the curve.

Note to self: I need to find more flowers that bloom in May. I would love to do some more allium in different sizes. That’s the report from the garden. I’ll be out on the corner pimping the mulch till sunset.

Category: garden

Bark Mulch, Flag, and Planter

Posted on | May 28, 2010 | 8 Comments

Yeah! I’m all done with work for the week. I hope everyone is wrapping up their work and getting ready to relax for the long Memorial Day weekend. Have you ever tried this beer called, Pork Slap Pale Ale (available at Haley’s in mhead)? Greg and I are both loving it and who doesn’t love to drink a beer with two pigs belly slapping on it? Ok maybe you don’t but it’s funny nonetheless.

My mulch came this afternoon. I ordered 2 yards, not sure if that was too much or not? I ran outside to do some test spreading but then I got tired. You gotta take things slow on a holiday weekend, right? Above and below photos of the garden, mulch, my zinc planter, and our new flag— which is hung bizarrely high; I’ll have to move the bracket.

Have a great long weekend. Next week I’ll return with some fun summer potluck recipes. I’m the queen of cold side salads! Make some Maine Whoopie Pies or a Rhubarb Galette to tied yourself over; both are pretty darn delicious for a summery weekend.