Heart Of Hush's Garden

Earth Cry

2010-05-01T12:15:00.000+10:00

Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata)

2010-02-10T20:36:00.002+11:00

Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) seeds.

Hierochloe, from the Greek, hieros, "sacred", and chloe, "grass".
odorata, from the Latin, "sweet smelling, fragrant".

Synonmys: Hierochloe borealis, Buffalo Grass, Sacred grass, Holy Grass, Holy Sweet Grass, Vanilla Grass, Feur Moire (Gaelic), Zebrovka ("the place where bison graze"),
Foin d’odeur, Wenserakon ohonte, Wiingashk, Weengushk, Hair of Mother Earth, Manna Grass, Seneca Grass.

Distribution: Circumboreal; common above 40º north latitude in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Habitat: Wet meadows, low prairies, edges of sloughs and marshes, bogs, shaded streambanks, lakeshores, and cool mountain canyons.

History:
Used for religious purposes both North America and Europe.
This is one of the main ingredients in the smoking mixture for Peace pipes.
Sweetgrass is also a traditional incense or smudge.
Some Native American peoples used it as incense for purification of places and things.
It was strewn before church doors on Saints' days in northern Europe.
Used in France to flavour candy, tobacco, soft drinks, and perfumes.
In Russia it is added to vodka to make Zebrovka (a vanilla scented vodka).
Brewed as a tea, has been used for coughs and sore throats, chapping and windburn, and as an eyewash.
Used by Native Americans for basket making.

Sweetgrass Cultivation:
Full sun to part shade.
Moist to wet rich soil with lots of cow manure (think 60 million bison :-D )
Very hardy. Grows well in containers if given plenty of moisture.

Seeds - Rub seed cases between fingers to remove the seeds. Sow in spring (or at equivalent temperature) in flats/pots and only just cover the seed.
Germination usually begins to take place within 2 weeks but may take several months (wild seeds have a staggered germination).
Water from underneath so as not disturb the seeds. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
Germination rates: Sweetgrass naturally has a very low germination rate of about 5-15% but once you have one plant it spreads easily by runners.

Division in spring or summer. Very simple, virtually any part of the root will regrow to make a new plant.
The plants have a running root system and can spread quickly when grown in suitable conditions.

Sweetgrass Tips for Adelaide, Australia (Mediterranean-like hot/dry conditions):
I have a very small garden so I grow mine in a big plastic storage box, I think it was actually sold as a bait bin, it's something like 200lt in volume.
Its in full sun on the north side of the house.
Soil is potting mix, a bottle of those water saving crystals and a bucket of dynamic lifter (it really likes blood & bone or cow manure).
My Sweetgrass container has no drainage holes on the bottom just one small hole drilled about half way up on one side. Sweetgrass likes really wet soil and this way the bottom half of the box is always saturated unless the plant uses it. When I water I use a stick in the hole and fill to the brim (It can stay that way for hours or days) to saturate the soil and then remove the stick so there is no problem with mosquitoes. This container also keeps the grass stems cleaner as Sweetgrass is a bit floppy. Grass stems can grow up to 1m in length.

Sweetgrass seems only to set seed if the plants are in several cm of water in summer.
Sweetgrass will die if it dries out but is very tough otherwise.

I bought my seeds from a seller on ebay.

http://myworld.ebay.com.au/leaves_of_the_yggdrasil/

Living the Frugal Life: Comfrey: Wonder Plant

2009-09-09T15:48:00.000+10:00

Living the Frugal Life: Comfrey: Wonder Plant

Roses -In Honour Of My Mum

2009-07-26T23:05:00.003+10:00

For some reason I have this instinct I guess you call it to plant and grow roses.

Maybe because my mum use to grow them before she passed away.

So I have been re designing my garden to plant and grow them all around my yard.

Back and front.

I also want to get some fragrant roses.

Climbing ones and ones that grow in pots.

I am going to add some nice roses around my bedroom window and the other 2 bedroom windows as well.

As I achieve this I will take some pics of my progress.

Now I just need to learn about roses and which ones to grow and then buy some.

I will update this post as I achieve.

Len's Garden Page

2008-04-20T14:14:00.001+10:00

Down to earth Gardening Advice from Down Under

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

MOSQUITO REPELANT

2008-04-20T08:14:00.001+10:00

MOSQUITO REPELANT

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

MOSQUITO REPELANT

Start out by roasting garlic in the microwave, squeezing the pulp
out and spinning it in the blender with a little oil.

Then add water and some blue food coloring, and put the concoction in the
fertilizer dispenser that hooks to the hose.(the color was so you know when it was done dispensing)

Mixing garlic powder with water works just as well and is less trouble.

Just spray it all over the grass, vegetation and everything.

It will be effective immediately and the smell does go away quickly.

It lasts for me about 2 weeks or until we have a hard rain.

The stuff is pure magic. It also keeps the gnats and "no see 'ems" away, and even deters the yellowflies.

COMFREY TEA FOR DOG SKIN ALLERGIES

2008-04-20T08:10:00.001+10:00

COMFREY TEA FOR DOG SKIN ALLERGIES

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

COMFREY TEA FOR DOG SKIN ALLERGIES - Cook a mess Comfry Geens, dilute the cool pot liquid down to iced tea color, and pour into the dog's fur.

It's VERY POWERFUL so don't use more than ONCE A MONTH and ONLY when needed.

SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

2008-04-20T08:06:00.001+10:00

SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

Use beer set out in shallow containers eg.,. jar lids, sardine cans etc.,. place the beer traps so that the top rim of the trap is accessible by the slug/snail. They crawl in alive and stay there dead, empty traps and renew beer daily.

Coffee as a slug/snail control method:
We used an El-Cheepo instant coffee mixed at a rate of approximately 5 teaspoons to 400 mil's of water.
So far it seems to be working for us there are certainly noticable less slugs in our garden.
We just liberally sprayed the solution all over the plants and around the ground near the plants, needs to be renewed after watering or rain.

More Info Re SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

2008-04-20T08:04:00.001+10:00

More Info Re SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

Using leaf-dip bioassays, we discovered that slugs tended to avoid feeding on plant material treated with caffeine solutions 0.1%, and caffeine solutions as low as 0.01% significantly reduced overall feeding by slugs. Due to concerns about chemical residues, available molluscicides generally cannot be applied directly to food crops for control of slug and snail pests. Caffeine is a natural product which is approved as a food additive. Therefore, caffeine may prove useful for protecting food crops from slugs and snails."
End copy.

More Info Re SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

2008-04-20T08:01:00.001+10:00

More Info Re SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

Following is a copy from another Internet Site

Using leaf-dip bioassays, we discovered that slugs tended to avoid feeding on plant material treated with caffeine solutions 0.1%, and caffeine solutions as low as 0.01% significantly reduced overall feeding by slugs. Due to concerns about chemical residues, available molluscicides generally cannot be applied directly to food crops for control of slug and snail pests. Caffeine is a natural product which is approved as a food additive. Therefore, caffeine may prove useful for protecting food crops from slugs and snails."
End copy.

Weed Killers

2008-04-20T07:58:00.001+10:00

Weed Killers

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

WEED KILLERS

Mix 1 gallon white vinegar, 1 cup table salt, and 1 tablespoon
dishwashing liquid together and spray on weeds. To do so, remove
approximately 2 cups of vinegar from the jug, pour in the salt and
dishwashing liquid, then return the 2 cups of vinegar to the jug.
Close the lid and shake to mix. Transfer to a spray bottle (after
shaking to mix the ingredients) as needed. It works as well, if not
better, than Chemicals, but is much cheaper. Be careful, it will kill
whatever you spray it on!
If you go purchase vinegar, 10% acidity, 20% acid would be better, and
spray it on the weeds in the heat of the full sun, you will have an
effective weed killer.

SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

2008-04-20T07:47:00.001+10:00

SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

clipped from www.lensgarden.com.au

SNAIL & SLUG CONTROL

Use beer set out in shallow containers eg.,. jar lids, sardine cans etc.,. place the beer traps so that the top rim of the trap is accessible by the slug/snail. They crawl in alive and stay there dead, empty traps and renew beer daily.

Coffee as a slug/snail control method:
We used an El-Cheepo instant coffee mixed at a rate of approximately 5 teaspoons to 400 mil's of water.
So far it seems to be working for us there are certainly noticable less slugs in our garden.
We just liberally sprayed the solution all over the plants and around the ground near the plants, needs to be renewed after watering or rain.

Grape Hyacinth

2008-04-19T18:34:00.001+10:00

clipped from www.gardensablaze.com

Once the spring is over, I put the
container in a shady place and forget about it until once again in the fall the
leaves emerge. All in all, this is probably the easiest container and
naturalizing plant I have ever found, so if you haven't tried Grape Hyacinths,
don't discount them because of their small size. Try some this year - and
you will be rewarded for a lifetime.

Grape Hyacinth

2008-04-19T18:32:00.001+10:00

clipped from www.gardensablaze.com

In
my own garden, I was fortunate enough to already have some Grape Hyacinths
growing when I moved in. They were in the middle of the lawn, so I moved
some of them to a rocky area that gets little sun and has rather poor soil.
They have done extremely well under these circumstances, completely covering the
area within just a few years, with basically no interference from me. I
also put a few in a container with some other bulbs years ago. That
container is now completely filled with the Grape Hyacinths. It is a
beautiful sight when it blooms in the spring, and I get a lot of comments on
that particular container planting.

Grape Hyacinth

2008-04-19T18:30:00.001+10:00

clipped from www.gardensablaze.com

Grape Hyacinths come to
life just as everything else is dying down. Bulbs should be planted in the
fall. In established plantings, the leaves will emerge in late summer and
persist through the winter, making a nice looking winter border along paths,
etc. They will tolerate very cold weather, down to at least zero, but may
experience some damage in extreme weather. They flower in early to
mid-spring, and after flowering, as with most bulbs, the leaves should be left
intact until they die back. They are propagated by seed or by
separating their bulb offsets, which is the more common way.

Grape Hyacinth

2008-04-19T18:27:00.001+10:00

clipped from www.gardensablaze.com

Grape Hyacinths do well
from zone 3 to zone 9, so they are a viable option for most of us. They
are also one of the plants to choose if deer are a problem in your area. Planted
at the bases of shrubs, or left to naturalize under trees, they can have a
stunning effect. They make good companions to Daffodils, Tulips, alyssum,
candytuft, and just about any other spring plant you can think of, adding a
beautiful shade of blue that is otherwise hard to come by at that time of
year. They will tolerate most soils, except areas that don't drain
well. They have grass-like, gracefully arching leaves, and make good
border and container plants. They will do well in full sun to part shade.

Grape Hyacinth

2008-04-19T18:24:00.001+10:00

Growing Grape Hyacinth

clipped from www.gardensablaze.com

Grape
Hyacinth
Who would have thought it
possible that a tiny little flower could preoccupy a person
so completely that there simply wasn't room for any other
thought....Sophie Scholl

Grape
Hyacinth, otherwise known as Muscari, are actually not Hyacinths at all.
They are members of the Lily family, and are native to the Mediterranean area
and Asia Minor. They are small plants, usually not much more than 10
inches tall, and produce blue or purple petals that are fused together and have
small white tips, giving them a balloon-like or, well.....grape like appearance,
and they have sort of a musky-grassy smell. One grape
hyacinth plant doesn't look like much, but in a mass planting, these small bulbs
can be a total knockout.

Hyacinth

2008-04-19T18:16:00.001+10:00

Growing Hyacinth

clipped from www.gardenexpress.com.au

HYACINTH

Hyacinths flower easily and have the added bonus of fragrance. They
need sun, well drained soil and are best in cool districts, or grown
in containers so you can move them indoors to appreciate their flowers
and perfume.

Watering - Normal
watering is required during dry weather.

Fertilising - Animal
manure, blood and bone, or a complete fertiliser should be worked through
the soil before planting.

Lifting and storage -
Bulbs should be dug when the leaves have turned yellow. Dry and
clean the bulbs and store in a warm, airy position.

Pests - Bait snails
and slugs.

Tips - Hyacinth grow
particularly well in pots.

Tulips

2008-04-19T18:12:00.001+10:00

Growing Tulips

clipped from www.gardenexpress.com.au

TULIPS

Watering - Tulips
like a cool, moist soil that is not too wet. Continue watering after
flowering, until foliage begins to turn yellow.

Fertilising - Complete
organic fertiliser should be worked through the soil before planting.

Lifting and storage -
Dig when foliage turns yellow. Dry off bulbs and keep in a warm
airy position. (16-23 degrees is best).

Pests - Watch for
aphids and spray with an insecticide if necessary.

Tips - Plant in cool
weather; late April or May. Place bulbs in fridge crisper for 4-8 weeks
before planting. Keep soil moist and cool after planting.

Fressias

2008-04-19T18:10:00.001+10:00

Growing Fressias

clipped from www.gardenexpress.com.au

FREESIAS

Freesias grow well from Tasmania to Queensland. Freesias do not need
heavy fertilising and seem to perform well in all soil types. One dislike
is boggy poorly drained ground (a common complaint for most bulbs).
Grow Freesias for their beautiful perfume, vibrant colour and excellent
cut flowers. Overall one of the easiest growing bulbs.

Watering - Only necessary
if soil begins to dry due to insufficient rainfall.

Fertilising - Prefers
addition of slow release granules to soil prior to planting or fertilise
top dressing 6 weeks after shoots appear.

Lifting and storage -Digging
only necessary when clumps become too thick. Dig up after foliage yellows.

Pests - Spray for
insects and bait snails when buds appear.

Tips - Point of bulb
faces upwards.

Hyacinth in a glass vase

2008-04-19T17:32:00.001+10:00

How to grow Hyacinth in a glass vase

clipped from www.gardenexpress.com.au

Filled them up with water just below the bulb and put them in a dark well ventilated spot (the cupboard)

Dietes

2008-04-19T17:14:00.001+10:00

Designs of Dietes

clipped from hellohello.com.au

lowering
borders

Butterfly Grass®
Dietes used in low flowering borders,
roadside and commercial plantings

lowering
borders

ommercial
plantings

oadside
plantings

More Information On Dietes

2008-04-19T17:11:00.001+10:00

More Information On Dietes and Pictures

clipped from hellohello.com.au

Image of Dietes

2008-04-19T17:04:00.001+10:00

Flowering Dietes

clipped from www.abulk.com.au

Dietes

2008-04-19T17:02:00.001+10:00

Information on Dietes

clipped from www.abulk.com.au

Dietes

An attractive, clump forming perennial with light green, sword shaped leaves. Beautiful, light yellow flowers with brownish spots are produced on branch stems throughout spring and summer. A fast growing, spreading plant, ideal for use as an accent plant near ponds or at the side of pathways and entrances. A versatile and hardy plant tolerating a wide range of soil conditions and frost. For best results plant in full sun in mosit, well drained soil. Can also be planted in containers.

Dietes

2008-04-19T16:59:00.001+10:00

Image of Dietes Flower

clipped from photos1.blogger.com