Container Garden Update, Design, Equipment, Garden Decor, Plants, Products Comments turned off

Recently Purchased from the Gardener’s Notebook Shop – H Potter Window Box Rectangular Succulent Planter

By on February 2nd, 2019

Readers of A Gardener’s Notebook find the coolest items via my store on Amazon. I saw this purchase this morning and it looks great! This is something I would consider purchasing myself for my patio table. I love copper planters and other copper garden decor. — Douglas

H Potter Window Box Rectangular Succulent Planter Indoor Outdoor Flower Garden Planters (16″ x 6″ x 5.75″)

Planter 1

Planter 2

  • HANDCRAFTED – HOME DÉCOR ACCENT – Stainless steel rectangular planter box with an antique copper hand-applied finish for luxurious appeal. This indoor planter box is current with a timeless feel. Use indoors as an herb planter on a windowsill to connect with the outdoors or place outdoors on your patio, deck, or tabletop. Complete with custom rectangular drainage tray, this home décor accent is designed to add character to your living space. No plants included.
  • NATURE BASED PLANTER FOR ALL SEASONS – At widest outer points approximately 16 inches long by 6 inches wide by 5.75 inches high, this planter garden box will make an eye-catching focal point and impressive statement wherever it’s placed. Sold as a single garden planter, beautiful displayed as centerpieces or multiples lining your dining table. Unique and sturdy, if you’re looking for something memorable, this beautiful window box planter. A perfect wedding decoration or birthday gift idea.
  • HEAVY AND DURABLE CONSTRUCTION – Built to last, use with any seasonal décor. Stunning filled with herb pots or flower pots and covered with sheet moss or plant directly inside the metal planter. Easy to update and freshen your holiday decor. Try a color theme this season and a texture theme next month. Simple enough to blend with any home décor. Trending now, the rich antique copper finish adds earthy warmth to your traditional or modern home.
  • INTRICATE DETAILING – MINIMALIST STYLE – Plants not only promote a healthy home environment but can offer a touch of elegant beauty to your home and garden. Uniquely designed with a heavy, durable construction, the H Potter rectangular succulent planter is perfect for alfresco dining and outdoor living. Tranquility of greenery is an ideal mood setter and stress reliever, this gardening planter is the perfect size to fit any location and can be moved easily.
  • QUALITY BY H POTTER – H Potter has been designing and manufacturing premium quality garden products for over 20 years. We do not pretend to be the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. Packaged well, with stunning craftsmanship and backed by great customer service, we’re proud to say our garden products are built to last.

Check out more garden items at Amazon.com

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs

Read more on this topic:

  1. Garden Decor: H Potter Copper Window Box Planter
  2. Summer in the Garden: PHAT TOMMY Elevated Planter Box
  3. Garden Decor: Driftwood Succulent Planter
  4. Garden Decor: Round Copper Planters
  5. Product: Rustic Wooden Planter Baskets
Shared Comments turned off

Why So Many Public Libraries Are Now Giving Out Seeds via City Farmer News

By on February 1st, 2019

Read more on this topic:

  1. Noted: The Royal Horticultural Society’s Allotment Handbook
  2. 10 Easy Pieces: Seed-Saving Envelopes via Gardenista
  3. News: City of Los Angeles Offers Free Recycled Water for (Garden) Irrigation
  4. Ask the Expert: How to Use Plants for Privacy in a City Garden via Gardenista
  5. Noted: Garden Roundup: 10 Perfect Party Spaces in the City by Barbara Peck via Gardenista
Flowering Now, Flowers, In the neighborhood, Los Angeles, Nature/Outdoors, Photos, Plants, Shade Comments turned off

Rhododendron, Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanic Garden, San Marino, California

By on January 29th, 2019

What interesting flowers and plants do you find in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Rhododendron, Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanic Garden, San Marino, California

Rhododendron, Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanic Garden, San Marino, California

I hadn’t been to the Huntington in a long time, but with our Italian family in time it was a “must see.” Danielle and Marcello had visited 16 years ago on their honeymoon and knew that her mother, Francesca would love to see it, too. We walked — and photographed — a large majority of the gardens and viewed some amazing documents on display in the Library.

Like many past visits, surprises lurked around every corner. These rhododendrons sprung into view as we were navigating a back way to the new Chinese Garden. Such bright flowers in the shade always “pop” so much and — as you can imagine — a photograph was required to remember them and share them here and on A Gardener’s Notebook. Had I not decided this particular route and turned this particular corner at this particular time, I might have missed them entirely. Serendipity always plays a great part in travel and photography. 

Instagram  and Follow

Join me on Douglas E. Welch Photography on Facebook

Learn more about rhododendrons with these books

†

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!
† Available from the LA Public Library

Read more on this topic:

  1. Gardens of LA – Huntington Library, Art Galley and Botanic Gardens, San Marino, CA
  2. Garden History: Henry Edwards Huntington house, Oxford Road, San Marino, California. (LOC)
  3. Rhododendron with raindrops, Dunedin Botanic Garden, Dunedin, New Zealand via Instagram
  4. Azaleas
  5. Red hibiscus in the neighborhood
Books, Flowers, Food, Fruit, Garden History, History, Plants Comments turned off

Historical Garden Books: The gardener’s weekly magazine, and floricultural cabinet Vol. 29 (1886) by Harrison, J. J – 31 in a Series

By on January 29th, 2019

Archive.org has a host of old gardening books (from mid-19th to mid-20th Century) available in many formats and on a host of topics. I happened across a few in my Pinterest feed and gone completely down the rabbit hole in this treasure trove of information. Sure some ideas might be out of 

Historical Garden Books: The gardener’s weekly magazine, and floricultural cabinet Vol. 29 (1886) by Harrison, J. J – 31 in a Series

This is another yearly collection of  a weekly mailing bound together into one volume.

Gardenersweeklym2918harr 0001Gardenersweeklym2918harr 0005

Gardenersweeklym2918harr 0013Gardenersweeklym2918harr 0014

Download in Text, PDF, Single Page JPG, TORRENT from Archive.org

FOR AMATEUR CULTIVATORS, AND EXHIBITORS OF PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND FRUITS: FOR GENTLEMEN’S GARDENERS, FLORISTS, NURSERYMEN, AND SEEDSMEN:

FOR NATURALISTS, BOTANISTS, BEEKEEPERS, AND LOVERS OF THE COUNTRY.

Conducted by SHIRLEY HIBBERD, F.R.H.S.

“ There are no ancient gentlemen but gardeners. . . They hold up Adam’s profession.”

Hamlet, v. 1

THE GARDEN ORACLE for 1886 is on the same plan as former issues, the present being the twenty-eighth publication of this work. It contains complete lists of the new plants, new flowers, and new fruits, and a complete list of the New Parliament.

More information on this book:

Publication date 1860
Topics Gardening, Gardening
Publisher London : [Gardener’s Weekly Magazine]
Digitizing sponsor University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates
Language English
Volume v.29(1886)
 
Find more information on garden history with these books

††

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!
† Available from the LA Public Library

Read more on this topic:

  1. Historical Garden Books: The Cottage Gardener – Collection of Weekly Newsletters (1849) – 15 in a Series
  2. Historical Garden Books: The Floral magazine (1870) – 24 in a Series
  3. Historical Garden Books: Gardening a la Mode: Vegetables by Mrs. De Salis – 1 in a series
  4. Historical Garden Books: Popular gardening for town and country, Volume 4 (1888-1889) – 12 in a Series
  5. Historical Garden Books: The gardeners dictionary: containing the methods of cultivating and improving the kitchen, fruit and flower garden, as also the physick garden, wilderness, conservatory, and vineyard (1735) by Philip Miller – 20 in a Series
Container Garden Update, Design, DIY, Education, Equipment, Food, Garden Decor, Horticulture, Products, Projects, Shared Comments turned off

49 Beautiful DIY Raised Garden Beds Ideas via Urban Organic Gardener

By on January 28th, 2019

Whenever you are thinking about adding to your garden — or starting a new one — it is a great idea to have as many examples as possible to choose from. This is where articles like this can really give you a lot of ideas fast.
 
For me, I have installed some wine bottle edging to create sort of a faux-raised bed. I have also looked into the farm watering troughs (and there is a neighbor who has outfitted their entire front yard with them). The raised salad tables and bed with seats are in my idea file for a community garden we are trying to launch in the neighborhood, too.
 
If you are looking for raised bed ideas, this is certainly one, great place to start! — Douglas
 
 
“If you are planning to a vegetable garden, the best place to plant it may not be in the ground, many gardeners today use raised beds which lift the plants and their roots above ground level. There are a number of good reasons to garden this way; you can choose your soil for good plants and good harvest. Raised bed also brings the garden up where it’s easier to reach for weeding and harvesting.”

Read more on this topic:

  1. DIY: How to Build a Raised Garden Bed via Mother Earth News
  2. Noted: Concrete Block Planters And Raised Beds via Improvised Life
  3. Geodesic dome protects cob house and family of 6 in Arctic Circle via Urban Organic Gardener
  4. Inexpensive DIY Wall Decor Ideas and Crafts via DIY Home Decor Guide
  5. Garden Decor: A Collection of Raised Beds
Flowering Now, Flowers, Nature/Outdoors, Photos, Plants Comments turned off

Red hibiscus in the neighborhood

By on January 28th, 2019

What interesting flowers and plants do you find in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Red hibiscus in the neighborhood

Red hibiscus in the neighborhood

Some flowers are so striking they almost appear to be fake. This hibiscus is so glossy, it looks like something created at a silk flower shop and not actually growing along the street. 

This was another photo taken along my walk in the neighborhood. 
 

I find that the revisiting the same places over time allows me to mark the progression of the days and the seasons as plants move from dormancy, to regrowth, to flowering and then setting seed — in some cases. 

Instagram  and Follow

Join me on Douglas E. Welch Photography on Facebook

Learn more about hibiscus with these books

†††

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!
† Available from the LA Public Library

Read more on this topic:

  1. Hibiscus Macro
  2. Sweet pea flowers In the neighborhood via my Instagram
  3. Bougainvillea in the neighborhood
  4. Red, Red, Rose from A Gardener’s Notebook
  5. Purple Hibiscus
Flowering Now, Flowers, In the neighborhood, Nature/Outdoors, Photos, Plants Comments turned off

Bougainvillea in the neighborhood

By on January 27th, 2019

What is your favorite flower or plant? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Bougainvillea in the neighborhood

Bougainvillea in the neighborhood

Spotted along one of my usual neighborhood walks.

After living in the neighborhood for almost 33 years, I have become familiar with the blooming season of most of the trees and plants. This tropical plant is popular here, although it can be susceptible to frost damage on the 1 or 2 nights each year when we get a hard freeze. It is a tropical plant and although Los Angeles is typically warm enough, we do get significant cold snaps. 

The flower bracts of bougainvillea always seem almost TOO bright to be real. They seem to reflect the light in unique ways that almost makes them glow. 

I had one bougainvillea on the property when we moved in, but was placed badly and never failed to grab or scratch us as we went down our alley. Still I can enjoy them, at a distance in other neighbors gardens. 

Instagram  and Follow

Join me on Douglas E. Welch Photography on Facebook

Read more on this topic:

  1. Bougainvillea in the Sun via Instagram
  2. Honeysuckle in the neighborhood
  3. Roses in the Neighborhood via Instagram
  4. Bougainvillea bracts #flowers #plants #bougainvillea #nature #outdoors #garden #gardenersnotebook via Instagram [Photo]
  5. Bougainvillea via My Instagram
Books, Food, Fruit, Garden History, History, Horticulture Comments turned off

Historical Seed Catalogs: Alexander’s garden and field seed catalogue (1921) – 19 in a series

By on January 26th, 2019

Archive.org has a host of old seed catalogs (from mid-19th to mid-20th Century) available in many formats and on a host of topics. I happened across a few in my Pinterest feed and gone completely down the rabbit hole in this treasure trove of information. Sure some ideas might be out of date, but you never know what you might find when you explore these catalogs. I’ll be sharing more catalogs as I find them in the coming weeks. –Douglas

Historical Seed Catalogs: Alexander’s garden and field seed catalogue (1921) – 19 in a series

Historical Seed Catalogs: Alexander's garden and field seed catalogue (1921) - 19 in a seriesHistorical Seed Catalogs: Alexander's garden and field seed catalogue (1921) - 19 in a series

Historical Seed Catalogs: Alexander's garden and field seed catalogue (1921) - 19 in a seriesHistorical Seed Catalogs: Alexander's garden and field seed catalogue (1921) - 19 in a series

Download in Text, PDF, Single Page JPG, TORRENT from Archive.org

Publication date 1921
Topics Vegetables Seeds Catalogs. Fruit Seeds Catalogs. Cottonseed Catalogs.
Publisher Augusta, Ga. : The Company
Digitizing sponsor U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Contributor U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Language English
 
 
 
Learn more about gardening history with these books

††

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!
† Available from the LA Public Library

Read more on this topic:

  1. Historical Seed Catalogs: Catalog, L.A. Watkins Merchandise Company (1904) – 15 in a series
  2. Historical Seed Catalogs: Adolphus Wysong; Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog (1906)f – 5 in a series
  3. Historical Seed Catalogs: Leonard’s seeds / Leonard Seed Company (1916) – 6 in a series
  4. Historical Seed Catalogs: 12th annual price list & catalogue of fresh and reliable garden, field and flower seeds : grown and sold on the seed farm of Samuel Wilson (1888) – 11 in a series
  5. Historical Seed Catalogs: Field, flower and garden seeds by Lee Pioneer Seed Co (1905) – 14 in a series
Education, Flowers, Food, Garden History, History, Nature/Outdoors, Photos, Plants, Travel, UK/Europe Comments turned off

Amaranth (?), Orto Botanico di Brera, Milano, Italia via Instagram

By on January 24th, 2019

Do you take garden pictures on vacation? Leave a comment and share!

Amaranth (?), Orto Botanico di Brera, Milano, Italia via Instagram

Amaranth (?), Orto Botanico di Brera, Milano, Italia

I had no idea what to expect when visiting this garden hidden away in Milan. I checked it out on Google maps but the foliage hid most of the garden from sight. Still, it seemed intriguing enough for a visit and we were going to be nearby at the Museo del Risorgimento anyway.

The usual entrance, through the Museum of Fine Arts, was closed so it took a bit of walking to get around to another entrance. This led us through a very swanky district and offered up some more great photos, so it was worth it.
The garden was neither small nor large but “just right.” Most everything could be observed from the entrance but paths led here and there into an amazing number of specific areas, including some for edible plants like this amaranth.
The lovely purple flowers and seeds drew me close automatically. It is a sizable plant, so it made quite an impression, even from a distance. Even in the shade the colors shown out brightly.

I was so interested, I returned to the garden a second time when I was in my own and @drrosannewelch was attending the SRN Conference. The mosquitos were fierce within the shady and damp environment but I persevered for another hour or so of photography.

Instagram and Follow

Don’t miss a single post!

Sign up for the Gardener’s Notebook Mailing List

Read more on this topic:

  1. Orto Botanico di Brera/Brera Botanic Garden via Instagram
  2. Roses and ruins via Instagram
  3. Parco di Monza seen from the windows of Villa Reale via Instagram
  4. Fish pond, Villa Reale, Monza, Italy via Instagram
  5. Dunedin Daffodils via Instagram
Books, Flowers, Food, Fruit, Garden History, History, Nature/Outdoors, Plants Comments turned off

Historical Garden Books: The garden book of California by Angier, Belle Sumner (1906) – 30 in a Series

By on January 22nd, 2019

Archive.org has a host of old gardening books (from mid-19th to mid-20th Century) available in many formats and on a host of topics. I happened across a few in my Pinterest feed and gone completely down the rabbit hole in this treasure trove of information. Sure some ideas might be out of 

Historical Garden Books: The garden book of California by Angier, Belle Sumner (1906)- 30 in a Series

Historical Garden Books: The garden book of California by Angier, Belle Sumner (1906)- 30 in a SeriesHistorical Garden Books: The garden book of California by Angier, Belle Sumner (1906)- 30 in a Series

Historical Garden Books: The garden book of California by Angier, Belle Sumner (1906)- 30 in a SeriesHistorical Garden Books: The garden book of California by Angier, Belle Sumner (1906)- 30 in a Series

Download in Text, PDF, Single Page JPG, TORRENT from Archive.org

THE FLOWER GARDEN AS A FACTOR IN HOME-MAKING

The hope of America is in the homes of America. Whatever will lead to the betterment of our home life is to be sought after.

The garden of the world is California, and the ideal home may be made here. I am fearful at times, however, that home-makers, and this means especially the women, for they are the homekeepers of the land, fail to appreciate the very large influence that the garden, and especially the flower garden, has on the life of the family and of the community.

I believe that nine out of ten people that come to California come because of our fine climate, and they come ex pecting to live out-of-doors the greater part of each year; but the same strenuous conditions that surround life elsewhere are found here. Just as many hours must be put into the daily grind as in New York City, if the livelihood is to be made for the family.

More information on this book:

Publication date 1906
Topics Gardening, Gardens
Publisher San Francisco, New York, P. Elder and company
Digitizing sponsor MSN
Contributor usage rights See terms
Language English
 
 
Find more information on garden history with these books

††

* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!
† Available from the LA Public Library

Read more on this topic:

  1. Historical Garden Books: Flower Gardens by Henry Sherman Adams (1913) – 2 in a series
  2. Historical Garden Books: A book of the country and the garden .. by Batson, H. M. (Henrietta M.) (1903) – 29 in a Series
  3. Historical Garden Books: Biggle garden book; vegetables, small fruits and flowers for pleasure and profit (1908) by Jacob Biggle, – 19 in a Series
  4. Historical Garden Books: House & Garden’s Book Of Gardens by Richardson Little Wright (1921) – 21 in a Series
  5. Historical Garden Books: The Cottage Gardener – Collection of Weekly Newsletters (1849) – 15 in a Series