Category: Garden

Diverter fail

On By CarynIn Garden

I’ve known for a while that the downspout diverter for my rain barrel wasn’t working. My rain barrel wasn’t filling, and even when it did the algae growth was so vigorous that the barrel wouldn’t drain. The design of the “barrel” mimics a giant rock, but there is no way to get in and give it a good clean, so the system sat until I could formulate a plan. Then I noticed that the soil was washing away from around the barrel. Hm. When it rained, no water was going down the spout. I took out the diverter and found an entire tube full of dirt made from decayed leaves and roof tile grit.

Photo description: failed plastic diverter (bottom right, rock rain barrel (left side), unassembled downspout (middle), and about 10 gallons of dark dirt (bottom middle)

I reassembled the downspout without the diverter and spread the new dirt where the rain had washed away the soil. I found it interesting that there was enough to fill the space.

I’m still working on a plan for the rain barrel.

Thanksgiving cactus

On By CarynIn Garden

This is an update for my long time readers on my Thanksgiving cactus, which in my house blooms from December to March, approximately. It is growing! Since it is up against a north facing window, the growth is to the sides, but the stems touching the window get cold enough to trigger flower buds, then I turn it around so we can see the blooms. By the time it one side is done blooming, the other has new buds so I turn it back around.

Photo description: “Thanksgiving” cactus blooming in February because of window conditions

I water it once a week for a count of three, and occasionally remember to fertilize. No banana for scale, but the window is 35” inches wide.

Potential local resource

On By CarynIn Craft, Flora, Garden

As I was wandering outside the dead stalks of last season’s Gregg’s Mistflower caught my eye. I love that the plant took over our front flower bed, and the local insects love the flowers that bloom from Spring to Fall. I started clearing the dried stems in preparation for Spring, and wondered if it would make good weaving material.

Photo description: dried Gregg’s Mistflower stems, stripped of leaves

I did an initial test by wrapping some stems in a wet towel. I left them overnight and in the morning tested pliability. They seemed flexible. The next step will be to harvest more and attempt some weaving.

It would be fantastic if my new favorite plant could also be a craft material.

Tea jar terrarium

On By CarynIn Garden

We had an old tea jar that lost its lid, so I made it into a terrarium. Since the top was open I opted for succulents, which like the dryer environment.

Photo description: the side of the terrarium showing the layers of sand, charcoal, rocks, bark mix, and potting soil

I plugged the tea jar spigot hole with a silicone wine bottle stopper, which worked perfectly.

Photo description: lily pad leaf shaped silicone stopper on the side of the jar

I wanted a two layer layout, with the back plants visibly taller and higher than the foreground plants, but I struggled with soil depth and the root systems of the plants I purchased, so it didn’t quite fit my vision.

Photo description: looking down into the terrarium with seven types of plants, decorative rocks, and carved stone turtle and coyote

For the non-plant decor, I raided my childhood rock collection, adding some amethyst crystal, pyrite, fish fossil, and two carved stone figures. Although the container and rocks were no cost, the soil layers and plants added up. I do have left overs that can be applied to a different project, though.

I do like the cactus color pop, and that I have a spiral feel to the layout. Now to see what lives.

Splash of yellow

On By CarynIn Garden

Winter has actually made its way to Texas. Tree leaves are down, the temperature has dropped (mostly), and we’ve seen ice. So I was surprised to see a splash of yellow in the front yard in the form of a dandelion head.

Photo description: dandelion bloom in January amongst fallen leaves

I leave the dandelions, I admit. The thistles I remove, but the common dandelion and lawn daisies get to stay.