Gnomes... Ror's Worst Enemy

Fun Fact: Rory's Scared of Gnomes

Ror used to jump on to the kitchen table. To deter this we set up a gnome and measuring tape barricade. Since then, I've rearranged my furniture to limit her access points and these gnomes have been moved outside.

How awesome is it that she's scared of gnomes and measuring tape though! When we first moved into our condo it was a nightmare for her. We were measuring everything and she would go hide in the closet ;)

Thank you Gnome Brothers for saving my Mid Century Teak Dinning Table. I will forever be in your debt.

Feed Me Grapes Like a Goddess Please...

Ummmm Grapes. Home grown grapes are so sweet. I do find that they have thicker skins though...

I didn't think you could container garden grapes. I planted these last year, and as spring came upon us I didn't think they were going to come back. But alas, they have in full force. 

If grapes weren't poisonous for dogs I'd could see Ror wanting me to feed her bushels as she lay on a hammock on our patio :) She does do her due diligence every day and sniffs these to see if they are ready.

What I learned in my second year is that you shouldn't trim back the branches too much in the first year. Let them grow wild. Then in the second year you can trim it back as they grow. This way you limit the risk that you will be trimming too much and nothing will grow back. 

I'll definitely report back more findings as the season progresses :) 

Green Grapes Growing

Dark Purple Grapes Growing

(I have not spotted any bushels yet)

I have 3 green grape bushels 

 growing... growing...

growing bigger... 

P.S. If you have any tips for me, let me know. I'd love to see these beauty grow and produce more grapes next year.

Tiny Cherry Trees

Most Cherry tries are self pollinating. This means that you don't need friend trees as pollination partners. I'm accustomed to buying two of everything. This way you always have back up. 

I found these darling trees at the Port Kells Nursery (aka heaven on earth). I planted them together so they can support each other as they grow. Hopefully in 2-3 years I'll get some cherries to munch on. I'll be patient my darlings, because you are so adorable.

I put some Chocolate Mint and Strawberries in the pot as well. Goodness, this pot smells ah-maz-ing...

Allium Flowers

I definitely have a lot of favourites, but my all time favourite flowers are the Allium Flowers. The globe blooms just fill my heart with joy.

Below is a series of photos of the blooming process:

Fun Fact: When the Allium ends it's blooming season it creates beautiful dried blooms. Leave the blooms in the ground to finish the blooming season and watch the blooms change and dry naturally. Then you can cut them and bring them inside.

First Strawberries...

BaBing, the first strawberry of the season :)

She's just small, but soooo tasty... 

I can't wait for more of you to grow grow grow, 

ripen ripen ripen. 

So I can Nom Nom Nom all summer long.

Fun Fact: I've found that the strawberries I buy from the garden centre that year will grow fruit 1 month sooner than the ones that come back from the previous year. 

Apple Tree Friend

(Bob's the one of the Left)

Apple trees need friend trees as pollination partner. So I splurged and got my first apple tree a friend.

I swear to you that the second apple tree can speak to me! In the garden centre he whispered to me that his name is Bob. He kind of looks like a Bob so I just went with it :)

I'm not going lie, I have an ongoing love affair with this tree. He's so cute and he's already giving me apples!

Here's Bob's Bio:

Meet Bob, he's a Golden Sentinel Apple Tree. He doesn't branch out, is perfect for a secondary pollination partner. He love long drinks of cold water straight from the garden hose, and sunny summer days. If he had legs he would take for a summer picnic on the beach, with a sunset stroll to follow.

Apple number One

Baby Apple number Two

Apple I accidentally picked off...

Apple number Three

It's Peony Season

It's Peony Season :)

One of the best times of the year is when you can't walk down the street without spotting Peonies everywhere. Aren't they just the most cheerful flowers?

The perfect bouquet would be a bundle of white and pink Peonies tied with a cream satin ribbon.

ummmm... smells so heavenly ;)

Fun Fact: looking at plants and flowers during the work day relaxes you. 

As my work friends can confirm, I have a jungle in my work office...

Here are my tips to keeping cut flowers last longer.

Best Link Ever...

I was on pinterest this weekend and came across this lovely link.

I'm definitely going to try number 18 the next time I'm planting carrots... who-would-have-though... Gelatin...

also, have you seen this tulip installation? Dream come true!

Children Know Me as the Garden Lady

Do you live in a building where you love absolutely all your neighbours?

I feel so lucky that everyone who moves in is so down to earth and lovely. My neighbours moved out the a couple of months ago, but we still keep in contact via email.

The other day I received an email from my previous neighbours telling me how their daughter was eating peas for dinner and asked if they were from "Bianca's Garden?" This made me immediately squeal with excitement. I love that kids know me by my garden. 

I used to pick blueberry and climb my balcony to give them to her (they are the upstairs neighbours) :)

The Garden Lady Strikes Again

One of my most favourite things is to help other people with their gardens. I love helping everyone find the best bargains for plants, planters, soil, seeds, and everything else.

I'm a collector of knowledge and have used these super powers to collect the best deals around town.

If you're in dire need of a garden bargain message me and I can most definitely steer you to what you're looking for.

P.S. This will also give me more of an excuse to shop all the garden stores multiple times during the season. Currently I have been banned by my husband because I'm obsessed with 'rescuing' plants... that may or may not need 'rescuing' from their nurseries. I have to peruse, in the name of research!