CityDiggity
A green space for urban gardenersArchive for Plant food for thought
Raindrops help make a clean sweep in garden after dirty job
I’ve never thought of myself as eccentric, but I dare say others might — had they seen me outside today. In the rain. Using an extension pole cleaning wand to wash down the clerestory windows above my balcony sliders.
In my defense, it was a light rainfall. And no thunder or lightning was involved.
The good news is that after three days of relentless banging, followed by the whirring and grinding sound of a metal blade meeting brick and mortar, I think the work above my balcony is finished. The metal scaffolding was mechanically Read the rest of this entry »
Oh, my aching back: More stress than calm in garden this week
Sometimes you have to wonder if your garden is serving you or if you are serving your garden. The rhetorical question reared its head this week as I played musical chairs with my balcony garden plants.
Let me explain: Work is being done to the facade of our building and the dreaded stage was finally slated for my elevation on Tuesday. So, by 3 a.m. that morning I had painstakingly brought in five railing planter boxes, cell packs of flowers that I haven’t yet made room for, and too many clay Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve got the blues… hope it’s not too much of a good thing
Three shades of blue in a past garden. Even more blue varieties will abound this year, punctuated with yellow, green and orange.
In my mind’s eye, the idea of a monochromatic garden is very intriguing, entrancing even. All-white gardens are quite the rage in certain circles, and, with my adoration of blue flowers, I’ve been oh-so tempted to create an all-blue fantasy.
But I think the reality would be far less satisfying than the dream. Recently, a fellow gardener who shares my love of blue said that if she had her druthers, some day she’d plant a garden of blues Read the rest of this entry »
The color of water and other splashy container gardening secrets revealed
A little water is a wonderful thing. But don't depend on raindrops alone to nourish plants.
Armchair sleuth that I am, I jumped at the chance to gather intel when I saw a crew making its way down one of our city streets attending to the splendid hanging baskets Chicago adorns its lamp posts with during summer.
As the magic wand was extended over the baskets I made a discovery that changed the way I would maintain my container plants in the years to come: the water he used … it was, well, BLUE! Maybe that was the secret to success.
From that point forward every other watering lavished on my plants had just the slightest tinge Read the rest of this entry »
In the urban jungle we take our green space where we find it
Vividly planted sidewalkscapes like this bring touches of nature to the city's concrete jungle.
My obsession with urban gardening is no doubt a manifestation of my own need to get back to nature. It is a need apparently shared by countless city dwellers.
Chicagoans who can afford it buy weekend getaway homes in the country, others squeeze gardens onto terraces, rooftops, porches or, like me, a small condo balcony.
And our city — in league with our pastoral proclivities — plants ginko trees in grates along Read the rest of this entry »
The circle of life goes on and more seeds come out
Heirloom tomato seeds sprouted quickly.
The tax man notwithstanding, mid-April brings with it many a happy harbinger of spring: Tomorrow’s weather forecast puts Chicago in the 70s, we’ve had a couple of days of fitful April showers, the heirloom tomato seeds I planted just last week have sprouted and now, in their new sunny location, are bowing their heads in deference to heliotropism.
Life goes on.
And so does my planting. I’m about to start a second wave — this one just for flowers — and pulling out the 72 peat pellet tray for the occasion. I realize that if you’re a first-timer it’s hard to imagine that these slight seedlings will become strong, fully developed plants, baring flowers and Read the rest of this entry »
A quest for true blue? Prepare for shades of gray along the way
Even though this hydrangea is a vibrant blue, some of its petals display hints of purple.
It may not be up there with the search for the grail, but gardeners’ quest for “true blue” flowers can be equally elusive.
For a couple years now, blue has been the object of my garden affection. I’ve built my color scheme around blue and hunted for seeds and plants of that hue.
That passion took hold of me at the grocery store Read the rest of this entry »
Flowers can bring tidings of comfort, and joy
Morning glory's fleeting flowers last just hours, but sunrise brings a new crop.
I should probably wait until we get to know one another better before I start going on about how gardens are a meditation on Life, and yes, I mean life with a capital “L” (smile). Still, it’s pretty difficult not to see concepts small and large — like growth, reinvention, death and rebirth — rooted in even the most modest of gardens.
Perhaps this accounts for why flowers, given at such joyous occasions as birthdays and anniversaries, are also what we reach for when Read the rest of this entry »
Remains of the day: spring ice can’t dash gardeners’ hope
Much to my cat's dismay, ice had even settled on top of the dead grass in his pot.
After a couple of really pleasant days, the week ended with Saturday evening rain turning to late night snow. By the time I looked out on Sunday, random patches of ice remained on the wooden deck of my balcony. But am I down? Nope. This is typical of the gentle, back-and-forth teasing Chicago weather unleashes on its hopeful gardeners in spring. We enjoy the flirtation! And with flower seeds on the way (I ordered a total of 11 packets) I’m already blocking out the garden in my mind.
And speaking of seeds, if I haven’t made it clear, let me stress to those starting this gardening journey for the first time: I don’t recommend depending on seeds alone. Whether through Read the rest of this entry »
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