A Gardener's Gift

*********************

Any of us living in Savannah, Georgia can tell you how easy it is to be visually spoiled when it comes to historic architecture and secret gardens.

Living on historic Jones Street for five years, I peered through many a wrought iron gate to see what was in bloom.

Jennifer, my friend and fellow choir member, learning that I was intent on "getting my gardening on", asked me if I had the "Garden Guide to the Lower South." I replied I didn't and she insisted it was a valuable resource for anyone serious about gardening here in our particular region. (Thanks for the lovely wedding present!)

Compiled over the years by members of the Trustees Garden Club, the book is a vast collection of gardening wisdom that I hope to learn a lot from.

{ photo credit: Art Meripol of Southern Living, "Savannah's Secret Gardens" }

Our Front Door

*********************

Russ put up the numbers yesterday and I made a quick little wreath out of greenery from around the house. The eucalyptus was left over from the wedding and the pine cones were lonely remnants of our neighbor's tree that no longer exists.

We finished in the nick of time because as the sun went down it became really cold (for us in Savannah). Eek, I woke up this morning to 32 degrees. I hope my newly planted agaves slept warm under their bed of mulch.

Adoring Agave

*********************

I took this shot last year from my mother's garden in Florida. The beautiful blue agaves had taken over and Russ and I asked her for as many as she wanted to get rid of. She took us literally and came to visit us a week before our wedding with her car loaded. We thought the blue would work well for reception arrangements and then they would make themselves at home in our Savannah garden.

Last Saturday I drove to Daytona's Farmer's Market to set up a booth of some work and upon returning home, my mother filled my honda to the brim with loads of little irises. Like the agave, they had spread like green wildfire. I spent a couple of days this week settling them into their new earth and plan to get out there this afternoon to plant the rest.

All the Raise

*********************

Raised garden beds are all the rage and for good reason. For one, there's order to the madness for those fearing their gardens might overrun their yard.

A small space often thwarts people from attempting a grandiose vegetable or decorative garden. Raised beds are easier (in my opinion) to maintain.

They also allow folks with poor, or less than ideal soil quality (such as clay or those living close to the sea) to create their own.

{ photo credit: apartment therapy & popular mechanics }