Intention

As I had already brought up the subject of Permaculture, I will recommend a priceless book about it. Many of the blogs that I follow mention it. It does not require a degree in Science to read and comprehend its pages, which is a blessing to someone like me!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gaias%20garden%20permaculture&sprefix=gaias+garden%2Caps%2C1441

In the newly evolving area of my property that I am first devoting to this method, I have planted the bare bones, as in my fruit trees. My vision includes loads of vegetables and herbs along with companion plants and plants to draw in Bees, Butterflies, Birds and other forms of life. I plan on filling every space possible in-between my California Oaks.
This garden which began as empty space waiting to express itself; remains a challenge. It is sloped and slippery and the Gophers loved to tunnel there. The soil; less than desirable,has been amended with a manure-greenwaste mix. I am adding more straw to the planting areas and will now purchase a bale of hay to add, so that there will be a nice thick layer of mulch. This challenge enables me to look at all layers of life through new eyes.

I am also dreaming of a platform/deck around an Oak, from which to contemplate, surrounded by different varieties of Japanese Maples and more edibles. The thought absolutely thrills me! However, it will remain a dream for a while longer. I cannot spend anything more on the garden until next year. It is time to begin its savings account again!

I have other books written by Elizabeth Murray and recently ordered her newest. Its arrival was timely, as I was in dire need of some gentle guidance. 
I purchased one copy from Amazon.com and another from The Secret Garden in Carmel. As a bookshop manager in my past, I like to support our local businesses and independent bookstores.


http://www.amazon.com/Living-Life-Full-Bloom-Relationships/dp/1623361206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409683091&sr=8-1&keywords=a+life+in+full+bloom


One area of personal interest to me was that of Life Mapping. I devoted a hallway wall to drawing it out and filling in, as well as beginning a wall-length vision board, not a new concept, but again; a timely one for me. Elizabeth's chapters are a delight to read and her photos and drawings warm the heart. I would love to take a workshop from her when I can. She is definitely one of our Angels on Earth. I have made personal notes for each chapter in a notebook to work from. Every section is a reminder of the bounty that we all possess. We sometimes forget to access our resources and at times; need to re-learn how.
Through  my intention of understanding these things, I am beginning to clarify what I want to do as I turn new pages in life, or as I sometimes say; when I grow up! In business, I am clear about how I want to proceed. However, I am concerned about how to reach clients who are interested in my new services: Landscape Project Management & Garden Coaching.
I am anxious to become involved in both aspects of this new gardener-client-garden relationship. 


I will leave you with the  Ampelopsis brevipedunculate 'elegans' variagated. Its common name is Porcelain Berry vine.
I have 2 of these spectacular vines left in my garden. I lost my variegated vine, like this one shown. I borrowed this copyrighted photo from Dave's Garden website and it was contributed by: gonedutch.  I have photos of mine, but they are buried.

This vine is considered to be quite invasive, but not where I live. I do cut them back approx. 10' or less, per year in January. Years ago, my 1st one had an amazing display of berries, but when I moved it, it ceased to produce. I do have it on my 2015 plant list. The leaf itself, is gorgeous!

Labor Day

It is Labor Day and I have my list of labor to dive into for the good of my garden. There are spent plants to add to my Hugelkultur planter(concept meaning "hill-culture"). This is a planting bed built upon tree stumps and branches; layered as one would a compost bin. I am on a wood chip layer right now, ready to add to it. I no longer use actual compost bins or a yard waste disposal can. I can use and re-use everything on the property.
The reason for this method is that it is built on wood which will break down, holding moisture and providing nutrients for plant growth. It is the ultimate in garden recycling! This planting area is a part of my new Permaculture food forest. 

I had help to build some terracing to better handle my sloping property. This is a view from my deck.

I added fruit trees almost before realizing what I wanted to create. In this area, I planted  'Pink Lady' and 'Granny Smith' Apples to be near an Apple of a forgotten variety, a 'Burgundy' Plum, a 'Bleinham' Apricot, a Nectarine, Peach, male and female Kiwi and Pomegranate. I had already planted 3 Figs, an Apricot, Quince and 4 'Meyer' Lemons in the front of my garden.
When it was clear that I intended to create a Permaculture environment, I began to add more vegetable starts, began underplanting the trees with Roses, Salvias, Lavender, Bee Balm, Lemon Verbena, Scented Geraniums and Herbs. I dug swales to catch water where I could. I planted 3 Leptospermum laevigatum and a 'Ray Hartman' Ceanothus as a wind break on one side.
My neighbors had Oak trees trimmed and the chips were saved for me. I felt secure in using them in my walking areas through the garden because they were from local healthy trees. My nephew-in-law spread them for me in a very respectful manner, as well as being a joy to be around.
I have some minor chores to do before putting the garden to bed for Fall and Winter, except for putting in some late vegetables and doing regular maintenance. I plan to continue in January, 2015. I hope to add a lot more vegetables and companion plants to act as natural fertilizers and pest control. I do have 4 bird baths and want to install a moving water feature and insect habitat.
It is wonderful to finally understand and implement how I want to live on this piece of Earth.

With this knowledge, my answer to how I want my garden landscape business of 31 years to shift, is clear. I will continue a full-service business at this time, but am adding Project Management and Garden Coaching. I have enough experience in these areas to offer my services to clients who would benefit from having their outdoor projects handled for them or simply learning how to properly care for their own gardens or having their maintenance crews guided toward better methods. I set my intention toward these positive changes.

Off to the garden, this Labor Day!

I will leave you with my new favorite Rose. It has not stopped blooming since I discovered it at the nursery in the "woe-begone" sale area and planted it! It is a climbing "Mermaid". Wear gloves!

A Return

I have not blogged for quite some time. It has always given me pause for thought when it came down to writing. I wondered if I would be arrogant in thinking that people would care about what I had to say. Would it be important enough, entertaining enough or meaningful enough?

I am thinking about what I have been doing since my last post. It is probably not so important to reminisce, as to talk about where I am, now. 
I am a grandmother to a toddler named James. I think he has the perfect parents who are loving, responsible, insightful and patient. They all bring to me great joy and promise. James is a great teacher, as children  can be!

In art, I stand on the precipice; teetering as I have for so long. My biggest wish is that I could be spontaneous with the abandon of children. I have returned to a painting that I began well over a year ago. There are many mysteries within it that I am attempting to unlock. I  created a sewing studio and have again enjoyed my foray into the world of textiles, design and embellishment. I look forward to being more active in it during the quiet months.

 I just cleaned my metals studio and am itching to get back to fabricating silver. I love patterning and forming it. It feels like revisiting an ancient life.  atelier1450.etsy.com

In business, which this blog is meant to be about,  I still experience many of the frustrations that I have previously written about. I now approach the age of 62; just numbers, but my body is feeling somewhat worn. I am considering changing my business practices in order to stay in the garden in ways which will allow for me to work within my beliefs. I am disappointed in methods used out there in the garden design and maintenance world. I am guilty, as well. I am more disappointed in people who accept those methods as good garden care. I understand that many crews can be a "bargain" and that is a draw, but it is our responsibility to treat all life with care and respect.

In earlier blogs, I voiced my concerns and shared areas of interest that I began to pursue. I have added Permaculture to that list and have been introducing the concept and its implementation into my own garden. 

It all began with the help of my dog, Galahad's best friend, Caspian. He is not a garden's best friend!

As an overview: I started with the desire to incorporate edibles, which required the removal of Vinca and dog nests! Caspian dug up herbs that I planted and replanted for several days. It was our game! My dog watched and learned!  It took a few months of weekends to re-create my front garden and I learned to wait for it to speak to me. My spine is compromised from many years of work, so my progress was spotty. I created a Lemon area; 3 Meyer Lemons, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Cucumber and the companions; Tegetes lemmonii, Lavender augustifolia, Rosemary and Scented Geraniums. I added Roses to climb and ramble and Wooly Blue Curls and more. My original plan to buy no more than 5 plants; failed! I planted the random pots that sat in the garden for 2 years including those given and willed to me by a friend who I now dedicate my garden to.  I planted Squash, Swiss Chard, Fig trees, Okra and Eggplant.

 I repaired  a little fountain

 and made certain that I planted enough to supply the bees, butterflies and birds with food, which has kept my dog, Galahad, quite busy!
Then; the daydreaming began.....

I staked off areas for terracing and planted 2 fruit trees. The rest was still sorting itself out. But the intention was beginning. I poured over books, videos, blogs and articles about Permaculture. A seed was sprouting. And it is definitely growing.

To be continued...

January 2013

My goodness; almost a year has gone by since I wrote my blog. And what a year it was. Through the good grace of my daughter and son-in-law I was able to end the old year and begin the new in a positive fashion. The downhill slide is turning into a gradual uphill climb. What a difference!
I wait for Spring while still enjoying the rain and colder weather. It has been a time for rest and the climate gives its permission. I am gathering and storing energy needed for the remaining months of the year.
 I fill days off making homemade broths and fermenting Cabbage and making Yogurt; necessary for my healing diet. This year is the year to change my health so that I can be and do what I dream of. I have lived reclusively, other than being with people in my business realm. I am feeling that it is almost time to re-emerge.

I am working on the balance that I was searching for last year.
I am up and emotionally ready for my work days; ready for landscape projects to open up for me. Bring them on! In addition, I am occasionally painting again and expanding my interests. I want to learn to quilt and taking that a step further, I want to dye my own fabrics with nature's colors found in the woods and in the kitchen. I see my quilts (still in the thought process) being non-traditional. I will find my way. I have so many books and resources to spark my imagination. I want to hook rugs also. I spent many years in front of a sewing machine and now, 30 years have gone by. I am slowly reintroducing myself to my Elna machine. I am not moving swiftly into these endeavors, but at least I am gearing up. It feels like I am finding the balance at last and a calmness that drives me.
I look at my garden in Winter and all of the pruning, weeding, cleaning and repairs needed to be performed. It is a privilege to take time and simply begin with anything. I do frown when I think of all of the Vinca that needs pulling up, however. I need to rethink parts of my garden as we will need to prepare for water conservation. I think; more negative space and more edibles.
There is time enough tomorrow to pull on the gardening gloves; tonight I have books to peruse!

Simplicity, Joy & Balance

I have been reminiscing about the times when I was immersed in art;   following it and making it. I realize that composing a landscape is art and certainly there is great satisfaction. I have always believed and trusted in the process. Upon completion of a garden, I still feel the thrill.
I do miss hammering silver, applying brush to color to canvas, needle to fabric.....and more.
Balance. I have lost it. I have looked everywhere.
I concentrate on my business most of every week; working it, promoting it, guiding it, studying about it, communicating about it, financing it and growing with it. Within this schedule, I do not allow myself the time and activities necessary to replenish my vessel. The key is to Simplify.
I feel the need to move back toward my beginnings. I was simply a gardener and an artist; though then, I was finding my way as beginners do. And what adventures! 30 years later, I feel removed to a certain extent from that simple notion of tending to and the arrangement of plants. So, I am thinking about how I want to see myself as I cross another threshold. Ideas:

• Tending many smaller gardens myself and by hand
• Garden Coaching
• Training beginning gardeners who would like to be in the profession
• Designing landscapes and supervising clients' crews through the installation process

I am curious as to how others see shifting their businesses to lower stress and have time for other delights like family, friends, activities and passions.

I have mentioned my upcoming birthday later this year, already. The number doesn't bother me, but I think these decade markers tend to force many of us to stop and rethink the route that we travel. Yes; we need to fund the trip, but need one thing above all. Joy.
Leaving the landscaping page briefly, I am thinking about how I have felt this elusive joy, giving myself a timeline of the past 2 years for this example: Sitting quietly in the garden,sitting by the fire on a rainy day, enjoying home in candlelight, laughing at the silliness of my dog, taking metal work workshops and having time with those I love. The joy that I look forward to is the birth of my grandson; carried by my beautiful healthy daughter with her husband's love, support and involvement. And art needs to take its place within me again because it will support Balance.

I keep coming back to simplify. What can I do right now?
Work enough, make enough, take time for picnics during work days, go window shopping during breaks (galleries), open my eyes while en route, set business communication limits during after- hours, keep my amazing bookkeeper ( Lansida Brockmeyer ; owner of Level Ledgers, Carmel) and begin to limit weekend work, thereby creating time for art. It will be a process, but I need to start somewhere! Simplify equals freeing up more time. Time equals creativity, which is a hop, skip and a jump to joy. Simplify and Joy equal Balance.
Simplify
Joy
Balance

I do like to recommend products and or books that I come across.

I would like to encourage any readers to incorporate edibles in your gardens, even if you have only a deck or porch. There are many books out.
One is "Grow Great Grub: Organic Food from Small Spaces" by Gayla Trail
I will always recommend "Plants and Landscapes for Summer Dry Climates for the San Francisco Bay Region". The title is a little deceiving as not all of the plants are for dry hot climates. Here in Carmel, most are well suited. However, the photos are wonderful and the descriptions are good. I refer to this book while designing, without fail.

A product which I have purchased and not yet used, is Mycorrhizal Fungi. It is one of the more important groups of soil organisms which play a critical role in nutrient cycling, mediating plant stress and protecting against pathogens. It is a cornerstone in the ability of plants to survive transplant shock and become fully established. It is locally available and there are many companies online who carry it. I read about it on an online LinkedIn garden design group discussion that I read daily. Many are from the UK and a few of the contributors said that they never plant without it.

Today's featured jewelry celebrates The Green Man. He is the god of spring; whose image was used as a talisman to encourage new fertility and growth. I am showing 2 sets of "Dog Tags" in sterling on a nickle plated ball chain. They are each $58.00 and can be purchased locally from me or online through Etsy.        atelier1450.etsy.com

Until next time. I want to get to work and finish my list of duties so that perhaps I can take some time to contemplate how I will enter art's door once again.

January 2012

Apparently, I am an infrequent blogger. I shall try to remedy that this year.

As this new year begins, I see opportunity on the horizon. Newness is a daily event. New buds may be unfolding early this year; the weather is so different. There are gardens to plan and plants; previously ignored; to now include. There is art; floral- inspired linoleum cuts to print on fabrics for baby clothes and more.

In my garden, I plan to fill ornamental spaces with edibles along with my designated vegetable box, pots and new areas planned for compost piles and eventual plantings.

My "material" goals this year are to purchase 2- 9 drawer Excalibur food dehydrators for myself and my daughter and son-in-law and to replace all gas powered gardening equipment with electric and/or battery powered and acquire really good quality hand tools. These go hand in hand with being a healthy gardener adding to a healthy environment. I found a great site for the dehydrator for our bounties (plus juicers and more)   www.discountjuicers.com

There are 2 products for the garden that I am going to try out. Both are available at Home Depot; either in store or  with free shipping. I will have to purchase online as my local stores (Seaside, Salinas & Watsonville) do not carry them.....Beats Peat and Mega Mulch dark brown. They are both made from the highly sustainable Coconut Coir. Beats Peat is used in place of the non-sustainable Peat Moss; mixed with planting medium. It should still have amendments added like compost or fertilizer, if you would like. It comes in a compressed block weighing 11 lbs. and expands in water to up to 3 cubic feet. Mega Mulch is typically used as a mulch to retain moisture and block weeds, instead of using bark.In water, it expands to up to 2 cubic feet. Both products cost less than $10.00.

I temporarily set my gardening books aside for need of a British DVD fix during my week off. However, I am off to the Carmel Library this week for a fresh stack of garden reading. It always inspires. I will share any spectacular reads.

I plan to incorporate meadows and edibles in landscapes this year; hoping to dissuade clients from installing or keeping lawns. In the past, I disliked succulents and the color orange. I have changed my mind.

In keeping with all things "nature", I have begun a dog sitting service called Canines at Catherine's. Clients are happy to not have to leave their dogs at boarding facilities any longer, but to have them stay and go with me around the clock. It is an endeavor which allows me to combine my adoration of dogs with my love of the garden coupled with its duties as owner of my landscape gardening business. It is the best of both worlds. Pictured, is my Sir Galahad; a White Shepherd pup (not so helpful in the garden!).

As an artist, I infrequently create hand fabricated sterling silver jewelry pieces; some with a botanical theme. Featured, is a sterling necklace depicting organic Eucalyptus leaves; clearly being eaten in their environment. The central piece is a hollowform with the leaf patterns roll printed. It is something of a show-stopper which can be worn by either a man or a woman. I am charging $375.00 for this piece. My work is sold on  atelier1450.etsy.com

I would like to end this blog and begin this year with a note of thanks to my family, friends, associates and clients who have stood by me and given support. You are all my North Star.

I feel a bit rusty in the writing department, though I have actually been writing in my many notepads for quite some time. I hope to share my philosophies, recommendations for gardening books, plant combinations, plants that may not be used enough, stories, photos of gardens and perhaps throw in a photo every now and again of a piece of botanical- inspired piece of sterling silver jewelry that I have made in my studio.
I welcome comments, suggestions & questions.
As I near 60, next year, I have been forced to once again review my business and how it reflects itself in my life. The times are tough for all of us. We have gone through 2 years of some percentage of business decline. In my business in this area, many of us are losing clients to those who do not know about plants and their care, but can run equipment that enable them to "sweep the dirt under the carpet" and create the illusion of proper garden maintenance; in 1/4 of the time and price. I am offended by this practice. I think that in time, homeowners will realize that they will end up spending more in the long run after their gardens have been compromised.
I would like to see the day come again when gardens are tended by hand & are planted with appropriate plants allowing room for natural growth. I am interested in Companion Planting, beneficial insects, composting, replacing lawns with meadows or edibles, integrating vegetables and herbs withing the perennial garden, vertical gardening & eliminating commercial fertilizers and pesticides from the garden. This is where my new vision is taking me; away from the "normal" way of gardening.  These "old fashioned" methods will fly further and affect far more in a positive way.
I have been spending much time studying all of these methods and attempting to understand how they can be applied to gardens that I tend for clients who may or may not be in favor of going in a different direction. People are used to commercial products which green up lawns and plants very quickly and eliminate pests. By approaching a garden organically, the process takes longer, but is much more satisfying over time.

Recommended Book: "Gardening at the Dragon's Gate" by author, Wendy Johnson

It is an important book to keep in the bookshelf for reference. It is both spiritual and technical.