My husband thinks I'm just a wee bit crazy for stealing leaves, so I had to tell him about this story - at least I don't pee in the compost, honey!! But if the National Trust is doing it, then it must be OK...
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November 16, 2009
July 27, 2009
some of the winning gardens in the Calgary Hort Society garden competition
I had a lovely day yesterday viewing some of the gardens in the Hort Society's annual competition. As usual, I am humbled by other people's gardening creativity!! Will post some pictures soon...
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And here finally, here they are!
These are only a few pictures from the Huitema garden which won 1st for Perennial Garden, 1st for Water-Wise Garden, and 2nd for Plant Lover's Garden. All I can say is, wow! A deck, gazebo, pond, vegetable garden, multiple seating areas, and a front and back yard jam-packed with plants. I can only hope that in 10 more years my garden will be as nice...
The Keith garden won 2nd for Novice Small Garden. What I liked most were the greenhouse lean-to's built on the south-side of their garage. What a great idea! With hard, clear plastic on top, and plastic sheets that can roll up on the side, this seems like a totally easy way to extend the growing season by a few months. I must put this on my project list...
The Hogg garden won 3rd for Open Mid-Size garden. I was very impressed and inspired by all the creative touches added to this garden - an artist definitely lives here! Left to right, top to bottom: crossing paths cut into the front lawn complete with archways; the arches from a different viewpoint; a very cute little hideaway in the back corner of the yard; a wall made of trellis with roll-down outdoor fabric for when you want more privacy; a firepit with mosaic around the base - love it!; a tunnel of arches to the back gate; a sun painted in gold paint on a semi-circular patio; roses growing in their own little arbour, with glass balls and other decorations too!
And finally, the Scott garden won 1st for Open Large Garden, 1st for Container Garden, 1st for Curb Appeal, 3rd for Shade Garden, and 3rd for Water Garden. In spite of the great plantings and colour, what stood out for me were Yvonne's fabulous metal sculptures. How cool would it be to have a garden to display your own artwork? I especially like the circles that look a little like gears (second row, left) and the triangular-shaped one (second row, middle). Hmm, time to start saving up because she sells her work too! Her website is www.yvonnescott.com.
July 23, 2009
July 01, 2009
May 21, 2009
August 13, 2008
I'm a Healthy Yard
I seem to be collecting ladybug signs this year, without intending to! That's OK, I think they look great.
I got the round one from taking part in the City of Calgary's Healthy Yards program. You get lots of sustainable gardening information (which I didn't really need), a compost bin and a rain barrel (what I really wanted) all for free, just for signing up and promising to compost, use your rainbarrel, and not to use pesticides in your yard for 2 years. Since I do all those things anyway, it was a great deal! I highly recommend this program.
July 28, 2008
pictures just can't do a garden justice
This garden won 1st for Open Large Garden, 1st for Perennial Garden, 1st for Senior's Garden, and 2nd for Plant Lover's Garden in the garden competition this year. It was covered in Gardens West's xx issue, but seeing it in a magazine was not the same as in person.
That's why I love the tours of the winning gardens. There is nothing like experiencing a beautiful garden by being in it - the smells, sounds, and depth cannot be recreated in photos. You get to walk down the paths and find the surprises around the corner. Plus, you get to talk to the gardeners and ask them questions.
