Bulbs..............they are easier than you think!!

Usually at this time of the year, as I am prepping my garden for fall, I wander into my garden room and find bulbs that I have tucked away.  Last year I went to Clyburn Arboretum (a must see if you re into the beauty that surrounds you!!) in Baltimore and happened upon their bulb sale.  The tulip and daffodil display that dotted the landscape was phenomenal, so I had to purchase some bulbs to support their ongoing educational opportunities.

Although the tags have now faded, so exactly what cultivars I have, well I am not quite sure - but most are still firm and some even have bulb-lets......

As with most gardeners, early Spring got away from me and therefore, I did not store them properly...however 98% survival is not bad.

So let's talk about how simple it is to have an outstanding bulb display in your garden.  If you have bulbs from last season and they were stored in a clean and dry spot you are fortunate.  Improper storage of bulbs can lead to rotting and sometimes total disintegration.  Nothing like thinking that a package of bulbs is viable when there is merely a shell with nothing inside.  Gently squeeze any bulbs for firmness.  If all is lost there are many resources where fresh bulbs can be purchased.  If you mail order, use reputable resources for quality bulbs.  I highly recommend Brent and Becky's for mail order.  Don't forget your local small garden centers, without our support, they will surely disappear.

Deciding where you will plant the bulbs is your next most important step. On the back of packaged bulbs there is usually a guide to tell what lighting is needed, how deep, soil requirements, bloom time, etc.  These are written to ensure optimum growth and bloom.

I had my heart set on the taller snowdrops.  The botanical name is Leucojum aestivum. I purchased these at my local garden center Ginkgo Gardens on Capitol Hill. I have also ordered some but I believe in supporting local first.  Considered o be Giant Snowdrops, these bulbs have many of the attributes that I was looking for - they naturalize, deer resistant, late blooming, 14 - 16 inches tall, great for containers and great for rock gardens.

They are recommended to be planted at 5 inches deep and 12 bulbs per square foot.  These bulbs , also known as Summer Snowflakes require well drained soil, full sun to partial shade and definitely should be considered a must have for the garden.  The smaller, earlier blooming snowflakes - Galanthus Nivalis - are sometimes missed due to snowfall depth  or just too cold to linger in the garden to notice them.


Fall is also the right time to plant summer bulbs like lilies.  I marveled at a friend's tree lillies offered by Breck's. Mary Alice gifted me with a box this year and I will be putting them in as soon as possible.  These tree lillies stand taller than me and I am five foot, eight inches tall.  They are healthy and when they bloom, simply light up the garden.  Once again, the packaging inside gave me all the information that I need to ensure optimum success.  My box included red, purple, white and a golden yellow with names like Satisfaction and Garden Treasure..  Yes I am just too excited about the possibilities of them in next year's garden.

So I suggest that while you are looking at the gaps in your garden or remembering all the fantabulous bulb displays of last Spring,, think about planting some bulbs.  YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!!!

Saturday at Old City Farm and Guild Festival....not just another day................

A few weeks ago my dad and I were going to mulch a bed he created in the middle of the front yard...but we decided against it because it was too hot.  We have to be a bit careful in the heat these days after his health scare earlier this summer.  I thought that a brief visit to visit Frank Asher at Old City Farm and Guild's Home Grown DC Event was the wiser thing to do. In my world, when in doubt, find a festival or a party...because life is short....and there should always be time for FUN!!! Off we went to see what fun could we could fall into, on such a warm Saturday afternoon.

Look at those healthy plants!!!

Daddy beat me going into the festival...imagine that!

Well we were not disappointed.  The crowd was manageable and the festive spirit was in the air in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington DC.  My Dad reminisced about how he delivered papers in this area as a child and how much the area had changed. With development encroaching upon this historic neighborhood, the grounds of the Shaw Junior High School, 925 Rhode Island Avenue was looking more like an outdoor party than a small local garden center.  There were people who resided in DC, had grown produce from their own gardens, school groups/gardens and even a flower grower who had items for purchase. If you chose to be a participant, there were several categories that our own Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine, shared with the audience for judging. From the longest bean to the strangest looking vegetable, Kathy invited audience participation by clapping to see who would win.  I still think that one of those vegetables looked a little....well...you just  had to be there.  It looked like so much fun, just think to have an audience of strangers (but food aficionado's) judging your homegrown vegetable - AWESOMNESS!!!  I wonder who won best pie?????  The garden community is such an awesome place to participate and belong.

Kathy Jentz in her awesomeness as Judge...

I am quite passionate about supporting local business people.  When I first visited Frank at Old City Farm and Guild, I noticed the pottery, healthy plant material, mulch, bee hives and propane....all in one place.  It was also rather neat that customers can participate in a CSA and pick up their produce delivered weekly to Old City Farm and Guild.  What an astute businessman or Pied Piper of Green to think of the necessities one might need in the center of the Shaw area from a grass roots perspective. The staff at Old City Farm and Guild all were quite eager to assist customers - even on this busy day of festivity..a smile ...a Thank You for coming out....how awesome was that???  Frank Asher, I hope you are a permanent fixture in the Shaw neighborhood or at least in the DC area.  You are a needed component to a changing community....



Thinking I had tuckered my Dad out, I was planning on taking him back home.  He had other ideas.  Earlier this summer we were in one of the big box stores - looking at plants - when we over heard this lady sharing that there was this nursery off of Briggs Chaney Road and Old Gunpowder Road. that has excellent merchandise. Road warrior that I am, I was ready to put Dad in the truck and rush over to see what the offerings were.  That young man trains quickly and well...he was headed to the truck before I was!


TBC....

Unanticipated gift in my garden.....

Today was a different kind of Monday.  In my haste to get to work, I glanced at my garden noticing that it was winding down and that we needed the 80% chance of showers in the forecast for today.  I knew that I would revisit my garden when I got home before The Garden Coalition meeting.  It is ritual for me to peruse my garden capturing a visual memory as I depart daily.  However today, I was greeted by a special gift in my garden.

Every year I invite one of my tropical plants to overwinter in the house.  One year I tried Ferns.......that did not last long.  Another year I tried a humongous Fuschia...never again....in my world, this is a ANNUAL tropical plant to be enjoyed for a moment, outdoors where it can just be beautiful.  However for the past two years, I have had success with a particular tropical plant that has even given me a gift of bloom about late February...in the house, by a partially sunny window.

Purchased on clearance at Ginkgo Gardens on Capital Hill, it was end of season and she was looking like she was a leave behind after the party.  I brought her home, all 48 inches of her and THEN thought, where will I over winter her.  The dining room window seemed the perfect spot for her to pause until the following season.  Her first gift was mid February....right around the time when I am itching to get outside in the garden.  It was beautiful........and then it was gone.

Flash forward to this evening......a sweet smell permeated the air in the darkness of the evening.  I remembered the cigar like buds when I left this morning......but never had I experiences such an intoxicating scent, sweet, sultry and right by my front door. Perhaps it was the four blooms emitting what must be the perfume of the heavens.

It was my Brugmansia welcoming me home and offering her fragrant gift of Thanks for bring her to The Cottage In The Court!

The scent makes me think I have escaped to a tropical paradise....

I could simply immerse myself in this bodacious bloom.....

I can only admire the intricate beauty that this bloom holds....

I love gifts, especially unanticipated gifts from my garden...I wish I could capture the scent in a bottle........I will appreciate and respect her beauty for as long as I can....prior to moving her inside allowing me space to paint the exterior of the house......

Sharing the beauty that surrounds me.......

Gratitude and Gardening

Two days ago, a friend of mine Sara Boers (@SocialSaraB) challenged me to a five day Gratitude posting.  No problem.....then today I received an invite to share my end of summer gratitude list as well with Laurel Reagan (www.alphabetsalad.com)...well, I am thinking that both of these ladies feel that perhaps sharing what we are grateful for will plant the seed of gratitude in the lives of those we fellowship with.  Well, gardener that I am, here is my list of a few things - certainly not all and not in sequence - that I am grateful for today at this moment in time..

• my life, with all of it's twists and turns;
• my children, Johanna and Thea and my grandsons, Tyree and Tearrance for they are products of the seeds of life planted in me;
• my parents - mommy for instilling the gift of sewing and sowing seeds of portulaca, red celosia and marigolds in our garden .  Daddy for planting the seed of hard work, confidence, practicing femininity and finding the beauty in all things;
• my two tomato's I harvested this morning even after no fertilizer or watering all season.....two are so much better than none ( I have harvested quite a few peppers though);
• my Dad overcoming his little "episode on aging" this summer.....I look forward to being Blessed with more gardening experiences for as long as possible or for as long as the Lord sees fit....;
• my neighbors - Jackie, Nate, Evelyn, Ron and the unnamed ones who watch out for me daily and have done so for the past ten years;
• Kathryn Hall who wrote "Plant Whatever Brings You Joy - Blessed Wisdom From The Garden".  Her words have added clarity to my thought processes on gardening;
• Patricia Patton and the 3B's...for giving me the push to just do it and answering the questions I need to have answered;
• Sara Broers for just being there, my mid-west sister from another Mother for reaching out and sharing...we need another road trip....for clarity (giggle);
• Blogalicious for sponsoring a blogging forum where new and experienced bloggers can network, share an experience having a voice and being heard.  I look forward to learning even more at Blogalicious6 in San Antonio!;
• Aminia, my ever faithful  and protective 140 lb. princess pooch who waits til I am finished writing for her long walks in the middle of the night;
• Kathy Jentz, Washington Gardener Magazine - for sharing new and different experiences, sharing conversations and understanding how passionate I am about gardening and all things beautiful;
• Candice Camille, Pure Nuphoria - who inspires me and makes me know that becoming seasoned has nothing to do with slowing down to a snails pace.  It just means paying more attention to the things in life that matter - taking care of the body and the spirit!

As this summer winds down to the cooler temps of Fall, I am so grateful that my journey on this earth is ever evolving, exciting and  like my garden, a work  in progress!!

What is on your gratitude list for today????

Wordless Wednesday

Subliminal signals our gardens share with us

Transition is the buzzword for this time of the year. Back to school, end of summer clearance in most stores, I noticed the the Lowe's ear me has begun moving the remaining plant material to the front of the nursery yard and YES, I have seen Halloween items creeping into the stores.  Enough already, I am trying to grasp why there are leaves on the ground, crunchy, big brown leaves that cause me to look up and notice yellowing leaves hanging on the trees above.

I do not remember leaves in such abundance on the ground this time last year...but this has been a different kind of summer, following a very different kind of winter. I have noticed a few things this year in my garden as I walk through and wonder where in the world do I start.  I have had one too many projects in the garden this year, so actually planting for enjoyment and pausing to actually see the fruits of my labor - well, let's just say it was not in the cards.

All was not lost however, some of the plants in my garden are screaming look at me, I am still here and looking great just for you....perennials, plant material one can usually count on!

Sedum Autumn Joy and Brilliance are just pausing to start the color parade as the nights get cooler and days stay warm.....

Hosta Francis Williams.....she makes beauty effortless as she flanks the sidewalk leading to my porch...

Hosta "Patriot" along with his friends Heuchera " Molten Lava", Japanese Painted Fern and a touch of vinca minor soften the walkway leading to my "large project" in the rear (details to follow).  Each of these plants have survived yet another year of me not watering, compost in the Spring under a light dressing of mulch ad allowing Mother Nature to water when she felt like it.  

By watching and sometimes listening to the subliminal messages that our gardens share with us, we can plan for the next season. My next season is already here.  I am planning on using as much Heirloom Kale and Chard in my containers accented by seasonal annuals like Pansies and Johnny Jump Up's. I can make my fall/winter garden an edible delight!! I am ordering my garlic from a reliable resource, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, where Ira Wallace is sure to send me the best garlic and shallots for my small garden.

Listen to your surroundings and your garden today.  Find out what it is sharing with you.  It might be telling you that you need more transitional color - before the mums start blooming.  It might be telling you that next year one more sowing of annual seeds for cutting is in order.  There are many things that our gardens share with us....but we have to unbusy ourselves and listen.......listen....and observe....... 

WE MUST BLOOM IN SPITE OF IT ALL........

I am so Thankful that it is raining today.  Sometimes the rain seems to push the reset button.  We need to have the reset button pushed today, so in my world - I am Thankful that if just for today, I am pushing my reset button. 

It has been a summer of unexpected happenings and life changers - yet again.  I vaguely remember starting to plant all of my summer pots so that I could sit outside and just breathe and enjoy the beauty that surrounds me.  Well....I have not had a lot of time to do so (yet I am keeping hope alive for autumnal pausing) however there was this one huge pot overflowing with weeds and I thought, well let me put some chard, lettuce or something in so that it can be a tad more productive than a weed laden pot.  As I cleared awway the obvious weeds, I noticed something off-white - almost looked like crumpled paper of some sort. I continued to cautiously and carefully dismiss the weeds, I remembered that I had put a small Hydrangea in this pot..... it was now blooming and it made me smile.  How awesome is this?? 

 

Sometimes we have to dismiss all of the negative energy that surrounds us -cautiously and carefully -and just do what we do.  If that means we have to bloom in spite of it all - THEN WE MUST BLOOM.  Otherwise, we will succumb to all of the forces that are against all things positive.  In spite of all that is going on in our midst, we must seek out the beauty that surrounds us....

 

DO YOU SEE THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS YOU AND HOW THANKFUL ARE YOU THAT YOU CAN????



 

BRANCH AVENUE IN BLOOM....BUILDING A COMMUNITY WITH FOOD, FUN AND INFORMATION

BRANCH AVENUE IN BLOOM

A new initiative to reinvigorate Branch Avenue at Naylor Road and the St. Barnabas Road Commercial Corridor...............a program of the Maryland SBTDC

Most people who know me realize quite quickly that I am dedicated to community building, beautification efforts, supporting local business and sharing useful information.  I happened upon something right in my back yard (so to speak) that speaks to these principles which I am passionate about. 

In 2012, the first Branch Avenue Day proved to be the spark that lit the surrounding communities along the St. Barnabas Road corridor into action.  Providing the residents with a farmer's market, beautification efforts and maintaining a safe environment, Branch Avenue In Bloom project is continually working to build the community.  From the Marlow Heights Shopping Center to Sam's Car Wash, including Iverson Mall and River of Life Church - these Community Building Businesses have joined forces to make this a weekend of gathering great fresh produce, collecting school supplies and spending local dollars where they are needed most - LOCALLY.

Mr. Fleming Thomas , Market Manager, could not hide the excitement in his voice while sharing with me that Dusty Harrison (a boxer with a winning record of 23 - 0) would be on hand to sign autographs,  as well as music, give aways and of course an awesome Farmer's Market.  The local Fire Department will have information as well as some of the local government agencies.  Just think one could start out by visiting the Market, seeing exactly what the offerings are for local produce available for purchase, grab a free backpack, collect school supplies that will be given out from the local businesses,  patronize some of the food sources and end the day by attending a Church service....all in your own community!!!

According to Jennifer Funn, Program Coordinator of Branch Avenue In Bloom, 60 cents of every dollar spent in the community goes back into the community. This means that the more we spend in our community, the more jobs it will provide by attracting more businesses to share in the business of Community Building.  What a win win for everybody!!

This wonderful day filled with fun starts at 9:00 am and goes on until 4.  The second part of this wonderful day begins at River of Life Church and continues on until 8:00 pm.  Join the celebration of Branch Avenue Day.......I can't wait to speak to Mr. Fleming about the Urban Farm.............

Building a Community....On Purpose

With all of the emphasis on community building and community gardens that provide enthusiastic conversation, I found one community garden that has a personal purpose of giving back, teaching and creating a vibrant, thriving community.

The Charles Madison Nabrit Memorial Garden in Columbus, Ohio and is a thoughtful memorial to the late husband of Paula Penn-Nabrit.  This 60 foot Organic garden was created to build a sustainable community that would teach others how to grow, share in the fruits of their labor and the skill of preparing the harvest with those less fortunate.  Community building from a woman who teaches and believes in the spirit of the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31), a CAN DO ATTITUDE and she has done it with her community!!!.  

Partnering with Telos Training, Inc., a 501(3)(c)  and The Church of The Apostolic Faith, the ground work was laid with land and of course the seeds to grow on the land.  This project was enthusiastically started in May of this year and even with a short season, they have lush plants growing and recently had a harvest party on-site. The plans detail how the garden is laid out and the selected plant material that was chosen.   The vision and passion of this African American Organic Garden are clearly demonstrated and shared with all, by visiting the facebook page or the website.  You can see the future plans developed by this awesome woman and how important this effort is.  What an awesome experience this garden has brought to this community in such a short time!!  Their sons and other volunteers have given of their time to make Mrs. Nabrit's vision become a reality....now THAT speaks to community!

So far with awesome support from local organizations and now with an indiegogo campaign, the gardens are thriving, but still need some additional funding.  The funding is needed for fencing, lights, sand, gravel, trenching, rain barrels, composter, a garden cart just to name a few things.  The anticipated costs - $10,000.00.  As gardeners, we know how things add up and  in order for this garden that gives back to the community to grow, financial help would really be a great way to end this Zone 5 Organic effort.



An indiegogo campaign is ongoing until the end of September to help Mrs. Nabrit and her sons make this garden grow. What a wonderful way to honor her beloved.   Can you help???  Look into Telos Training, Inc  http://www.telosinc.org, to see how the fruits of this labor of love will help in teaching how to harvest/prepare/store produce and it will also feed the less fortunate in this economically depressed food desert.  More importantly check out the indiegogo campaign to see how you can be a part of this effort from afar...

http://www.indiegogo.com/

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/charles-madison-nabrit-memorial-garden

https://www.facebook.com/TelosTraining



I donated and  bet you can as well.....Building Community....it is a terrific thing!!!

Falling into the next season....

It is that time of year where quite a few people are thinking about end of summer vacations, back to school shopping, Halloween costumes and more.  I am falling into autumnal gardening mode.  What can I plant to replace the annuals that I will pull from my garden or my containers?  What can I do that will add interest, excitement and added value to keep my pansies company.  I have just the solution - add edibles to my beds and perhaps a cover crop to keep those pesky weeds down during the winter months.

I had to identify what I could grow that would survive during the winter months with minimal care.  My options were greater than I thought.  I could sow a second season crop of radishes, kohlrabi, turnips, chard, collards, beets, lettuce, spinach, carrots, garlic, parsley and most importantly the latest "Super" food - KALE!  I understand that some say there will be a shortage of kale due to it's popularity.  Well, if you have not had kale salad using baby kale greens...mmmmm.....you might want to go into your garden, plant some kale seeds and give it a try. You should not sow salad greens all at one time,  but every few days to once a week until mid September.  This depends on your available space - whether it be container or in the garden plot.  The best way to determine this is to READ THE BACK OF THE PACKET. In addition to the picture on the front, the information on the back is your yellow brick road to success.  You must however stay the course. Proper watering, weed control and perhaps in some instances, a floating row cover can aid in combating pests that could potentially ruin a good meal.

Starting some seeds in the fridge or a very cool garage, like spinach or lettuces that require cooler temps give you a head start on seedlings that could be transplanted as the temps get cooler. This also allows time to prepare the ground and perhaps consider cover crops.  Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange writes in "The Timber Press Guide To Vegetable Gardening in the Southeast" that she is using a clover cover crop during the winter months.  This adds and enhances nitrogen in the soil for the following season in addition to suppressing weeds.  You can mow or cut the clover and leave the debris to breakdown and act as a green manure, once again enhancing the soil. 

I am taking this hot month, as summer is drawing to an end, to observe my garden.  Look for gaps where I might need color next year, where I can sneak in some seeds of carrots or lettuces, some calendula, for late fall or early Spring bloom.  I will look at the containers that might not have done exactly what I wanted them to do.  Perhaps I can salvage or re-position some of those plants to finish out the summer in other containers.  I can seed the empty pots and look forward to a healthy harvest of awesomeness, right in my own back yard.  I can even plant my Paris Market Mix (Baby Mesclun Salad) in my recycled soda bottle planter...now this could be cool....

or perhaps I will use the Scarlet Charlotte Gourmet Ruby Chard, under planted  with Tenderleaf Corn Salad in the reusable salad planter bag....

Are you ready for Fall???  Have you considered the options  of enhancing your healthy options this fall and adding something beautiful at the same time???  I fall in love with my garden at least 365 days a year.  Right now I am falling in love with all things beautiful in my garden, as I fall into the next season. A new season to enjoy the fruits of this past summer, can and freeze for edible memories during the winter as I pause and of course plan for the seasons to come...

Hollyhock Heaven

My dad and I buy a lot from Bluestone Perennials.  This year he bought several Hollyhock's. They are all healthy and  Let me tell you.....the selection offered this year was awesome!!!  

 

Fiesta Time Hollyhock is a one woman party.  I am in love with this bloom!
 

 

Spring Celebrities Lemon was also a knock out this Spring.  Like powder puffs on a velvety green stem...

 

 

There were two other varieties he ordered Spring Celebrities Carmine and Spring Celebrities Crimson.  These were budalicious and hopefully the deer will not nibble before we can experience the blooms.  Gardening is so good for the mind, body and spirit!!!

BRIGHT FARMS CROWD FUNDING UPDATE

I consider myself an up front kind of person, a woman on a mission of finding all things beautiful and promoting eco- friendly/sustainable living.  I am excited about the possibilities of Ward 8 getting something positive in it's midst.  Especially something that speaks to the healthy eating and wellness of this under served community.  I am so excited that when I got news of a change in the crowd funding of the Bright Farms/Ward 8/Giant food Greenhouse project, I was completely taken aback.

According to the email I received, the crowdfunding effort has been discontinued.  Any and all monies received will be returned.  The good thing is that the project will still move forward and the funding is in place.

I guess I will not get my supporter kit :( and the party might not happen....................BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY......

THE BRIGHT FARMS GREENHOUSE PROJECT IN WARD 8 IS STILL HAPPENING!!!

Bright Farms,

The residents of Ward 8 are excited about this and look forward to the opportunities that will prove to be fruitful from this venture.  I am looking forward to this innovative idea that will provide resources right here in the Nation's Capital to a community that needs this uplifting project.  We will be keeping our fingers crossed as we watch this project unfold!!

Keeping thoughts of Green and Growing Things...........and of course all things beautiful.  Which Bright Farms...............THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!!!

Ward 8, Giant Food and Bright Farms............YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

Once again this week, I was delighted to read an article that was focused on something positive happening Washington, DC - particularly Ward 8.  I am a native Washingtonian and grew up in Riggs Park, Eastern Avenue to be exact.  It was a different Washington, DC back then.  We walked to school, we went outside and played in our yard and my Mom was a homemaker.  My siblings and I grew up eating food from the local Giant Food Store.  Summer morning's we were awakened by the smell of fresh cantaloupe, honeydew or watermelon waiting for us in the kitchen as a preamble to a hearty hot breakfast.  Yes, those were the days when there were not a lot of chemicals to concern ourselves with as we devoured fresh food prepared daily from my stay at home mom.

OK - REALITY CHECK.  Those days are for the most part over.  With daily talk of knowing where your food is coming from, GMO's, glysophosphate and other nasty chemicals permeating the soil, tainting our food and causing rare illnesses, I long for those days once again.  When my daughters were growing up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, I either grew our produce or went to the market.  I was also a founding farmer for one of the transitionally organic CSA's in Stafford County at the Eitt Farm.  We ate good, we ate fresh and we knew where our food came from, how it was grown....usually knew or became friends with the farmers at the market and I felt good about what was I was feeding my family.  We tried different vegetables that we had never tried before and my daughters loved the experience.  My daughters know the hard work that goes into growing and harvesting good, healthy, organic food.  Quite honestly, every child should experience growing and harvesting their own food or at least know how it is done in today's world........especially the under served people in Ward 8 in Washington, DC.

I grew up knowing Ward 8 as that area of DC that you just did not go into.  It just was not safe and was always on the news.  This time however, I am ecstatic to report that something great and positive and wonderful is about to happen in Ward 8 and should make the news as well.  The Anacostia Economic Development Corporation, Bright Farms and Giant Food have entered into an agreement for Giant Food to be the exclusive resource of year round local produce grown locally.  According to Mr Paul Lightfoot,  Bright Farms is in the process of Crowdfunding  the World's most Productive and Largest Urban Farm....in our very own Ward 8....imagine that???

Bright Farms is not new to this type of adventure.  As we focus more and more on the renewal energy industry, Bright Farms business model has been proven to be successful.  Currently many grocery stores in Bucks County, Pennsylvania are enjoying the benefits of year round fresh produce grown locally due to the efforts and vision of Mr. Lightfoot and the Bright Farms Team.   I listened to Mr Lightfoot recently on a Ted Talk where he spoke about his mission of growing and delivering the freshest food possible.  Simple mission of growing it as locally as possible and delivering it as fresh as possible within hours of harvesting, all while watching his environmental footprint. This is just a good idea  on so many levels. Bringing such a facility to Ward 8 will aid in permanent green jobs with benefits, including health care, will educate the surrounding community on the benefits of knowing where your food comes from, will connect the food producers to the community and give this under served community a sense that someone cares...an Uplifting or Revival of Spirit, so to speak.

With 55 days left, Indiegogo and Bright Farms has a crowd funding event happening right now that you can participate in - even if you do not live in the DMV.  If you visit www.Indiegogo.com, you will find more  information and the options on how to donate to this  more than worthwhile effort. This 100,000 square foot facility will do such great things for the community that surrounds it.  All of the ground work is taking place now, permits are being issued, final architectural plans and last but not least - the financing needs to be secured.

From $5.00 on up, Indiegogo has a great selection of items in return for your donation to make this a reality. I personally am donating to receive not just a warm fuzzy feeling that I am helping to build a better Ward 8, but for the invitation to the party (there will be a party for sure) a complete supporter kit including a tote, a water bottle, tee shirt, and hydroponic starter kit.

I want to say THANK YOU AEDC, Bright Farms and Giant Food for realizing that giving back to the community can help build a community and there is nothing better than a healthy community.  I would  love to just shake your hand Mr. Lightfoot for having the vision and the experience of what it takes to bring fresh ideas as well as jobs and produce to this under served community.....perhaps on opening day for a tour or at the party???

Please visit www.indiegogo.com, search under FOOD and look for Help build a hydroponic greenhouse farm in our Nations Capital.


As Washingtonians have heard many times over the years.....

THAT'S MY GIANT!!!

Brookgreen Gardens.....................I do so miss you............

For those of you who know me, I am all about all things beautiful and I seek the beauty in all things.  On a recent visit to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I did not have to go far to find one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever visited.....Brookgreen Gardens.

Located in the Low Country of South Carolina, across the street from Atalaya, which is on the grounds of Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens should be on every gardeners bucket list or vision board.  My journey to Brookgreen took me a mere thirty minutes from Myrtle Beach.  I had hoped to also visit Atalaya on the same trip, but had no idea of what was in store for me at Brookgreen Gardens.

Archer M. and Anna Hyatt Huntington created this naturalistic oasis of beauty out of their love for each other and their love of nature..  Mr. Archer Huntington was a man who never really had to worry about money, a wealthy industrialist/philanthropist and a scholar.  Mrs. Anna Huntington was a respected artist and sculptor. One of the most awesome things about this couple is that they did not have a formal college education.  Both of these fine people were either privately tutored or self taught.....simply amazing.  To see what they have created should inspire anyone to just DO what you are inspired to do.

The Huntington's bought four rice plantations in what is now known as Murrells Inlet, Georgetown County, South Carolina, bordering the banks of the Waccamaw River.  The thought process was to settle in an area that would help Anna's Tuberculosis, a warmer winter climate during the winter months (they lived in New York and Connecticut), provide a place where she could work as an artist and exhibit her art as well.  They built Atalaya, which they considered their Winter home.  Across the road they developed Brookgreen Gardens.  In doing so, they were responsible for opening America's first public outdoor sculpture garden.  Oh what a garden it is!!!  You can find out more about the Huntington's and their vision at www.brookgreen.org ...however...I need to share a little about the gardens.........those glorious gardens.....the gardens that pop up in my mind at random times throughout the day.

If you are an art lover, then imagine seeing a life size statue of Homer....

Diana of the Chase.....................

or

The Fountain of The Muses.........................

all in one place,each  surrounded by amazing floral combinations, water features and dragonfly's.  Oh the dragonflies were in such abundance.  Each time I paused....this garden does make one pause often and repeatedly....a dragon fly would make it's presence known. Resting on my shoulder, my shoes, my camera, as well as the art in the garden.  This garden with all of it's sculptures and vignettes was truly a garden filled with love and life.

I will not spoil it for you, as this is a garden that must be seen and appreciated individually, but a few things jumped out at me, causing me to anticipate my next visit.  I love texture. I love to see textures mixed and in abundance.  There are a few spaces where the textural tapestry of green just makes you gasp in amazement.

There were some vignettes that spoke to texture with minimal bright colors.  The cool greens allowed your eye to rest, even though the sculptures within the garden, would catch your eye and allow one to mentally look at the vignette as a picture within a bigger picture.  The dappled light of certain areas would make something so ordinary, like a little bloom, moss  hanging from the branches above or hydrangeas embracing a borrowed view "POP" right before your eyes. 

The sounds..................oh the sounds of nature - not cars, buses or emergency vehicles....just nature.  The buzzing in my ear from the wings of the dragon flies, the sounds of baby birds, the many fountains/water features and on this particular day, the sound of rain.  The rain steadily, but gently dancing on the leaves, in the ponds, on the sculptures and on the pathways was like an outdoor symphony, quietly in 3D.  I almost got soaked, but I did not care, because I was mentally immersed in all that Brookgreen had to offer me at that moment.  Entering this garden was like entering a dream on a hot summers day in the south, complete with mature alleys of Live Oaks that once led to the Big House (as the slaves would call it) which Mrs. Huntington used as a central point of the garden design, which on paper resembled the shape of a butterfly, with opened wings. I know...simply amazing.  The Huntington's were on a mission to surround themselves with all things beautiful, while appreciating and preserving nature, yet capturing and exhibiting the essence of Mrs. Huntington's work.  I get emotional when I think of the discussions they might have had as they walked among the naturalistic landscape at various times of the year to really create their version of beauty. 

The garden rooms.  Oh the different garden rooms with an abundance of horticultural delights. from the Climbing Lillies to the Cleome, from the Hosta's to the Heuchera, from the Native Pines to the Crepe Myrtles....and of course, I always have a favorite.   The Poetry Room.....

There is no way to enjoy all  of Brookgreen Gardens in one day,  Far too much is offered not just for the gardener, but for children ( the Low Country Zoo Discover Room and Enchanted Storybook Forest), butterfly enthusiasts, Cypress Aviary, Plantation History and Nature Tour,  boat cruises, a beautiful collection of Long Needle Pines, a fantabulous gift shop and The Poetry Garden Room.... and there is so much more!!!  For the cost of the ticket, a mere $14.00, one can visit and re-visit for 7 consecutive days.  No wonder Brookgreen Gardens is considered a National Historic Landmark and one of the top 10 public gardens in the United States..  Now to wait til Christmas, when I hope to return and spend more time and perhaps visit Atalaya and Huntington beach as well....

I wish horses could fly....

`

so I could be strolling through Brookgreen Gardens right now.........