Sun & Moon

When Kip and I were in New York, we found this great vase at a small 'yard sale' on the upper west side.  It was only a handful of dollars and I was thrilled to bring it home. (It was Kip's official carry-on on the airplane.) It's in my garden, by the door, and serves as my outdoor flower vase!  I have a couple inside, but it's nice to have one in the garden.  It recently held small pink carnations and some fern leaves.  It's reversible face provide the real charm.   

Sun

And Moon

~ Red Clover

Love Affair

There it is!  My very own osteopernum.  Sigh.  I'm smitten.  

 This particular variety, with it's butter yellow petals and indigo center (called Lemon Symphony), is from Proven Winners.  I have a white osteopernum which I will have to show you soon...they are marvelous.    The plant boasts of several blooms at once, creating a satisfying presence of yellow flowers that open up wide during the day, then close up shop at night.  They are also deer resistant!  I've planted two below a purple Dahlia, with some forget me not down in front.  When all three are blooming (waiting on the forget me not) it should be beautiful!  

Anyway, totally enamored.  

~ Red Clover

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Thanks for all the congratulations on the gardening jobs!  I am sure to learn a lot...

I've already learned that sometimes people assume gardening is just a snap your fingers, get to it, and it should look like the cover on this magazine, right?   Well, no.  It takes time to build things up.  I've decided I can't worry about if people think I have accomplished enough.  I am working hard, and doing a good job.   The devil is in the details in gardening, and unless you're putting several thousand dollars into it, that Better Homes & Gardens cover probably won't be happening next week, or the one after that.  Smiles.  

You Might Not Believe It, But...

Due to decisions made by the State Legislature (who I don't think quite understand what they are doing) my job as a mentor for kids in foster care is eliminated as of the end of this month.  You know, financial crisis and all....

Due to impending doom, aka, job disappearing act, I have been searching for a new one...or two, etc. 

Due to answering an advertisement online, and interviewing, I, Red Clover, have become an official gardener.  As in, I am being paid to be someone's gardner.  !   Please don't panic yet, until I explain.  

Due to answering a phone call from my sister (landscape designer of beautiful, and usually rather large homes) minutes after becoming a "gardener", I was offered a second gardening job.  20 hours a week.  At a beautiful home in the mountains of Park City, with a gorgeous landscape design (rivers, trails tucked away, a bridge, ponds, beautiful dry stack stone walls).

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!  

This is hilarious.  I mean, It's exciting that I am getting paid for doing what I love.  I am not a professional, mind you.  I scheduled to take a Master Gardener course in the spring/summer of next year, and am learning...but I really am in heaven!  

Luckily at my first job I am doing things I've done before.  Weeding their garden, forming rows, fertilizing, planting...clearing out flower beds, etc.  I've suggested some ideas for developing their yard (I am not devoid of an artistic sense) and they really like them.  So, when I answered an advertisement to mow a lawn they ended up hiring me to do everything but.  I told them I was still learning, but that I was a hard worker.  I started this week doing some long morning stints getting their garden in working order, and they seem pleased with the progress.  I've hauled out 12 giant garbage bags of weeds out of that garden, and it's not that big!  And after I finished up work, I washed off the tools, because Bob, a "Real Gardner" does that everyday.  Are you proud of me, Sir. Bob?  

I'll start the second job week after next, once my mentoring for the year is wrapped up.  (I am being hired to continue working with one of my kids too, so that will be nice!)  I'll make the hour drive Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  My sister, who does know what she is doing, will spend several sessions showing me what she needs me to do.  A crew will take care of the lawn, etc.  I am more of a detail gardner.  Beds, paths, around the ponds, deadheading, etc.  Really, I'm not quite sure yet.   I am excited to learn as much as I can, and have progressed significantly this last year, but...Baptism by fire, here I come.  

One comfort as I begin this summer venture is that my mind is ablaze with ideas, and a particle of instinct, as to what needs to/could be done, and I am willing to ask a lot of questions for all the things I don't know.  It's refreshing, pleasing work.  And possibly the start of something great.  

~ Red Clover

P.S. My hamstring on my right leg is as sore as can be.  It's my shovel leg.  

Tip Toe

The last several days have found me out and about instead of inside creating blog posts.  You may have noticed.  Well, I have gone on some Red Clover field trips and taken hundreds (not exaggerating) of pictures!   I went to the beautifully manicured gardens of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, to the mountain resort of Sundance (as in the film festival, Mr. Redford, etc.) and snapped some pictures of the spring flora of the red rock desert in Southern Utah! (Mother's Day expedition.)  I am so excited to share with you the beautiful plants, combinations, and ideas I saw in all these places!  Hang tight.  Maybe tomorrow...

Until then, feel free to tip toe through my tulips.  I planted four bulbs and had a wonderful time watching them come out, recording the dates if I remembered, and inspecting each one individually as I only planted one of each color to see what I liked.  

 

Just wait until my next post!  You have never seen such tulips!  Except maybe in Holland.  

~ Red Clover

Why I Love My Landlords

As Kip and I got out of our car the other day Lindy, one of our landlords, was walking towards us.  

"Just the person I wanted to see!"

At first I thought I was in trouble.  She took me over to the side of the garage where two large flats of pansies were dying a slow death.

"They have been here for weeks!  I have not had time to plant them and I threw away my big planters.  Do you want to take them?  I saw you have some pots to put them into.  I've got potting soil already for you in the garage."

!

"Are you sure you don't want me to plant them for you?"  I asked, not wanting to take $30 dollars worth of pansies and $8 worth of potting soil unless she was truly behind the idea.

"Yes.  I won't buy pots in time and these flowers should have been in the ground weeks ago!"

Smiles.  I just love these kinds of service projects!  Bring your flowers that are tired and weary, and I will plant them! 

The next morning I brought the flats down and watered them for a few days until they perked up enough to stand a repotting.   There was one flat of the smaller varieties, and one of the normal, larger type.  I prefer the smaller.  I also prefer it when pansies are planted close together instead of spaced.  I piled them into three long containers and they have really done well!  

I ended up with almost a complete flat left over so I gave it to my parents, because that is one of my father's favorite flowers.

 Yeah for Great Landlords!  

It makes me feel happy that I've planted a beautiful perennial in their yard that they can enjoy long after we have moved!  I'll have to add a few more.