Day 20 Neighborhood Garden Walk

Today as I was walking to meet Camille I saw a wonderful front yard garden full of drought tolerant plants, I thought I would share it with you. Above are some great look'n Yuckas, below a wonderful composition of grass and blanket flower, and a surprising window box of cacti (although it is not on a window).

...also for those that were in Lethbridge today (June 29, 07) was it not the most freak'n humid day you have ever experienced in Lethbridge?...so, so weird...I felt like I was in Montreal...AND the cotton was floating through the air...so it almost seemed to be snowing...or like fairies flying

Day 20 For Jon

As I have mentioned before, I believe that gardens call people home (although I realize this could depend where you are and how you feel about home...but still home...is home, if we are lucky)...In the past I have posted garden pictures for Dana and Annie, as well as Dagmar, who have been traveling this summer...an now I post these pictures for Jon. They are 'quick shots' as his neighbors were out and I think they thought I was a real estate agent or something.

If you are going to be away and would like to have some pictures of your garden posted on this blog so you can see how your garden grows while you are away...let me know. I would love to post them.

Day 20 Garden Gossip and Kittens

Tonight when we got home we stopped over at Richard and Marlene's for a visit and refreshment on their deck...as I have mentioned in other posts they have an amazing garden. We shared bird, moth and double ug...mouse stories...they said they have had mice in their garage...I am so not amused...I have told myself that there are no city mice, only country mice...

Marlene said that she had harvested some Basil from the Boulevarden for their dinner the other night...sooo cool!

When watering we met Lara who lives just down the street and has a new kitten, Heidi. Heidi is one cute kitten...it is hard to tell in this picture, but one half of her face is dark and the other light...Lara had a great smile and was friendly.















We are looking forward to the long weekend in the garden....it is needing some weeding...The Zucchini seeds from Dana and Annie are coming up! I was worrying about them, but here they grow!

Day 19 Part 1 Deck visit conversations

Last evening we had guests on the deck, artists: Camille Turner (Toronto), Isabelle Hayuer (Montreal), Paul Roberto (Calgary), and Kelly Andres (Lethbridge). Isabelle and I talked about this Public Garden Boulevard Project aka The Boulevarden and guerrilla gardening in general. She told me how lucky we were to have all this space, as in Montreal she does not even have a patio....we discussed the rooftop public gardens that are happening in Montreal...(I have links and videos to some Montreal gardens on this blog if you are interested). Anne Baxter walked by with her dog Mimosa...I invited her to join us for a glass of wine. Years ago she lived in Montreal for a time so she was chatting up Isabelle. It was a nice night.

Day 18 Lavender and Tomatoes

I have been anti-social the last couple of days...so I have not performed or even visited the garden this week. However I was just in the garden this morning and the Lavender is starting to bloom...lovely. I am going to make and give away jars of Lavender sugar in the garden this Sunday afternoon. Stop by if you would like to have a jar of Lavender sugar or just a handful of Lavender... Last summer Moira and I made Lavender Truffles which were wonderful, very rich, but wonderful. Neither of us knew each other that well then (or for that matter...how to make Truffles)...it was one of those afternoons where you get a Cole's Notes of the other person's life...and then want to read the book.

Here are a couple great Lavender 'recipes':

Lavender Body Powder:
Combine together in a bowl:
1 C of finely ground dried lavender buds
1 C of Bentonite Clay
1.5 C of cornstarch
Lavender essential oil
Whisk the clay and cornstarch together, add powdered lavender buds and 3-5 drops of essential oil...sit covered in the bowl for an hour or so and then transfer to a shaker jar.

Lavender Lemonade:
5 C water
1.5 C sugar (I know ug)
12 Stems of fresh Lavender
2.25 C fresh Lemon juice (wow, eh?)
Mix the 2.5 C of water with the sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Remove the flowers from the stem and add to the sugar/water mix. Remove from heat, cover - allow to cool - when cool add the lemon juice - serve over crushed ice and garnish with Lavender blossoms. Serves 8.

It seems it may have not been the best idea to put the bird seed directly on the ground...although the birds do love it...

Below are the beginnings of Tomatoes (the plants are a bit windblown...and not in a sexy wind swept sort of way...in a help me outta here kinda way, sad)...the Asparagus seems to have survived and the artichoke is doing well - although I only have one so if it does bloom...there will be one choke to share...but I will...I'll let you know how it grows!

Day 15 Nikka Yuko Garden

I did not spend ANY time in the Boulevarden today....I have a performance planned for tomorrow that am looking forward to.

Paul, Camille and I visited the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden here in Lethbridge (above is a picture from the rock path). We arrived just in time to watch a tea ceremony. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the park, often walking without conversation...we were all soooo relaxed after the park visit we decided to stop at the market for cheese and veggies...and we sat on the deck, had wine, snacked and talked...it was lovely. As I sat on the deck I looked around our garden realized how busy and bright it is compared to Nikka Yuko...neither is better or worse...but they are very different and elicit very different emotions or moods...

Day 14 Catnip and Grass

I found a Bachelor Button growing out of the concrete in the back alley...I love its persistence
I watered and watered today...ug...I am worried about all the water it is taking to keep the plants going...the one side of the garden has drought tolerant plants...but they need water to get established - the vegetable side needs lots of water...I am feeling a little bit environmentally UNfriendly right now...we are setting up a series of rain barrels (we have nine that we are hooking up together)...so we should be better equipped for next year.

I did not perform or speak to anyone today (although a man walked by and friendly said he is looking forward to seeing the yard next year). Paul and I went and mowed a friends lawn so that when they get home they will not have to face long grass...but we have a battery mower and the battery conked out half way through...so we finished it with the weed whacker...better than nothing right...went on a rock hunt this afternoon as I put in a Sedum/Cactus garden and they do better with rocks to keep them warm...then left a small stack on someone's front steps.

For Annie and Dana

This is the second friends garden I have photographed...as I believe gardens entice people home. (They have been in Edmonton as Annie has a show opening at the Alberta Biennale tomorrow night...I feel bad and left out that I am missing it)

They have a great garden full of perennials and tomatoes and sunflowers. Their walkway was beautiful tonight with the sunshine dancing through the shadows of the tree above.

I was surprised to see a Tangerine Twiller (below) in their front garden, they are very rare in Southern Alberta. The second horrible bird picture was a dove or maybe even a love bird...I took the picture with my camera phone so it looks like a skinny crow...but trust me it was lovely.

Day 13 Summer Solstice

I am kinda tired after the evening last night...so this post will be short...if you want to see a few pictures of the wonderful evening they are here http://uleth.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30157&l=7ba4a&id=802530053

It was a great first Summer Solstice celebration, and one that seems like it will become an annual event (although my friend Brian said you don't call it annual event until it has happened two years in a row...so for now it will be a prospective annual event).

We did garden tours, shared good food and got to know each other a bit better. It was an eclectic crowd...and that was lovely. Some of us stayed up until one...which was a bit later than sundown...I am hoping we did not keep the neighbors awake, as all of the neighbors had gone home by then. Today I had Felix (my nephew for the morning). Felix and I watered the garden and walked across the street to return Iris and Nicki's bowl, we returned it with a Peony floating in it as Iris commented last night that she loved the smell of Peonies...the scent is heady, and the are one of my favorite flowers...most of the spring flowers are...maybe I am just sentimental about them as they come first after the winter. I am just noticing that most of the very fragrant flowers are spring flowers (Lily of the Valley, Lilac, Peonies...). Tonight we went over to Dana and Annie's garden...everything is growing like crazy.

Day 12 Part 1 Happy Summer Solstice

This morning is beautiful - it is going to be a great evening for a garden party. I am feeling a little panicky as I realized our yard does not have much yard anymore that is available to sit on...hopefully it will all work out okay.

I went out to water the garden and my blue wonder (annual) is practically dead...I only missed yesterdays watering...weird...I am not convinced that it is the lack of water...I am suspicious...

Well better get to cleaning the inside of the house...Richard have me a huge chive plant for the garden, he broke it into three pieces...I am just waiting for the soil to dry a bit before i transplant it in - it is hanging out in the shade for now.

Day 11 part 3 Going Door to Door...

I made up invitations for the Summer Solstice yard party tomorrow night...they have been sitting on my table for seven days or so...I have not been in the mood to go and meet people...this morning I decided to make myself go...I thought being as it would be a work day I would not run into many people (does the effort count if you do it a bit begrudgingly and in the hopes you won't actually have to do 'it'...talk?) I started off, pit in my stomach, invitations and camera in hand and went door to door. I decided as I was feeling so uneasy and panicky I would force myself to ring the bell and introduce myself.

I met our new neighbor on the corner - her name is Mary and she is Coffee Shop Bonny's daughter. She is not going to be in town for the party - but it was good to meet her. She mows her lawn with a push mower...it is quite a big lawn as it is a corner lot. I feel bad...I offered to give her my weed wacker as we now have a battery one (as I noticed she was out mowing but not able to do around the trees (something in head said don't offer...but...) She said she had one, just didn't feel like doing it - fair enough - but ug....

I then dropped one off to our neighbor to the west...I really have to find out his name I have talked to him many times - but I...well I don't think I have...learned his name...but I could have forgotten. He was disappointed to miss the party as he is heading up to Edmonton tomorrow...he said he would come another time.

I met a woman from across the street, her name is Iris (great gardening name). She has a cute picket fence. She has what I am pretty sure is White Woodruff in her front...she says she cuts it back like crazy and it just 'keeps grown'n". She offered me some, so I will go over sometime to get some...having a ground cover like that can be a nuisance because it can be invasive...but it does keep the 'weeds' out. Below is a picture of the front of her yard. You can see is directly across from us.















I then went across the street to Leanne's house and knocked on the door...I was met by a smiley young guy...














I took a few pictures of the stairs and entry ways of the houses as I went. Here are four stairways...they are in a row starting on the corner....our stairs are missing but would be in between the second and third. All the sidewalks on the north side of my block have these stairs






















The corner house on 13th street and Barry/Lorraine/Allysa, Laura's house.







The below photos are of Joanne's walkway and Dagmar's deck rocks...see previous posts for my fetish of rocks

Day 11 Part 2 For Dagmar

As Dagmar is away in Holland enjoying their gardens, I thought I would post a couple pics of her garden, and Stella, to shamelessly entice her back home. Stella was very friendly to me...however also very camera shy.

Day 11 part 1 Kyohei Sakaguchi - 4-d gardens

I received an email from Dagmar - who is in Holland right now, sigh - who said she wants a Boulevarden....so when she gets back....

and she set me information about the artist Sakaguchi....

"Sakaguchi recent project called "4D Garden", a series of photo documents of unique and creative gardens by anonymous artists that he discovered in back alleys in Tokyo for the last few years." below are a couple of photo's from his website http://www.0yenhouse.com/4d_garden/index.html










This one is called 'water' garden


















This one is called 'wall' garden











This one is called 'mobile' garden

Day 10 Boulevarden

I received an email from Moira and she called the public garden a Boulevarden...I think that is a great name, I am going to steal it and use it often! (Moira likes the above sculpture in the garden)

I was out with the cats this morning to check on the transplanted asparagus (I didn't check the rhubarb because...seriously...can you kill that stuff?!)...so far it looks okay, but I can not help thinking about my planting method, the prescribed planting method... and worrying I have failed them...

I weeded a bit, it is so satisfying to weed when the ground is wet. I then met Jackie who was walking by, she lives just down on the corner. We discussed the garden...she asked about the climbing rose and we mused over the likelihood of it doing okay/blooming where it is planted as it does not get much sun...on a positive note it is sheltered by the big Elm tree...but nonetheless it may need to be relocated next year. Jackie works 9-6 everyday...she said one day on her way home if we were out on the deck she would stop for a visit.

Today I am going to distribute invitations the neighbor's mailboxes inviting them to the Summer Solstice Party...I bought lights that go under the umbrella...is that tacky?...

Day 9 Procured Asparagus and Rhubarb

Day 9 Rhubarb, Coulees, Cacti, Asparagus and Sweepers

Above is a photo from Sunday's film shoot...we spent the day in the coulees...again an amazing day. This shot shows the film process, Paul and Chris are the marking the edge of the filming frame...and Shrisse, the AD is checking the shot. This shoot reminded me of the Dutch 'gleaning' paintings. The cast/crew were amazed by the flowering cacti which were in bloom...the coulee cacti have papery thin yellow flowers. The cacti growing in my garden have not bloomed yet...this is their second year...they may not be in a sunny enough place.

We had a long day of filming 7-7 or 8...then went for a really nice dinner. We had an amazing crew...everyone worked collectively. I was more than impressed by the openness of Sobaz and Camille. They respected and encouraged input from the crew, there was no ego in sight, it was really refreshing.

At the end of the day, as we drove by the house to supper, I saw Tim at the end of the block unclogging the storm drain so the rain could go down the storm drain.

Monday...

I went and visited Sara and Addison...still cute. I then drove Camille, Sobaz, Charisse, Karen and Lee to Calgary...the trip conversation was amazing and will stay with me for quite a while...

Last Thursday I was at Heather's...I think I may have told this story in a previous blog...but, okay long story short...there was Asparagus and Rhubarb growing in the yard of the abandoned house beside Heather and Moira's house over on 12th Street and 5 a Ave...as I was probably going to be late getting home from Calgary, I asked Paul that if he got home early tonight if he could go over and get Asparagus and Rhubarb...he was not keen on it was I was 'taking it without permission'...however when I got home tonight he had gone and gotten the plants, which was great.

So when I got home from Calgary we planted 4 Rhubarb and...I am guessing...eight or ten Asparagus plants. I tried to follow Jon's planting suggestions...(make a mound to put the roots over) but it was difficult as the roots were very vertical rather than horizontal...so I am crossing my fingers and hoping they will take. I also planted a couple more Sweet Basil plants...I love Basil...it is so good on sandwiches...in salads...sauces...ummm, anything really. We bought a new hose...the other one was leaking...it was annoying...I did not realize how much it annoyed me until I used the new one...yea...no water running down my wrist - we are going to fix the old hose (as it is a great soft rubber one) and use it in the back yard. I was surprised that with all this rain, we noticed that when we planted the rhubarb, only 4 inches down, the soil was very dry. The good news is the transplanted plants are really picking up...however the zucchini seeds have not sprouted yet...but it has been...wow... just over a week since they were planted...wow it seems so much longer...

While I was out planting tonight two boys, about ten, drove by...I said hi, they said hi back and smiled. I explained the purpose of the garden and told them next time they drove their bikes by if there were any tomatoes (there will be no tomatoes for a while...but) they were welcome to have one...they said they would...they drove by again 1/2 hour later or so, smiled and said hi again...nice. A couple walked by...they expressed concern that the garden was 'illegal...isn't that city property?'...I have gotten that response a few times...it is funny that when people are fertilizing, watering, cutting the 'city property' grass their actions are accepted without question...but when planting vegetables and flowers is is considered dodgey...

Hannah came over for a quick glass of wine, a visit on the deck and to pick up her bike...not much happened after that...catching up on quiet time after the busy...but wonderful weekend. I have to get back to writing tomorrow...I am looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to sharing the garden Thursday...

Day 7/8 Cilantro and The Farmer's Market

So today was not a gardening day...although I did get a bit of weeding done and went to Annie and Dana's who left us an amazing water map.

So you might be wondering about the above inside...un-garden photgraph. Well...today I spent the last 14 hours on a film shoot...an amazing film from by Camille Turner with Sobaz Benjamin (co-producer). The above picture was taken over our lunch break and brain storming session for the afternoon shots. Their film explores race, identity and place...those are my words/interpretation. I got up at 6 and we did location scouts 7-9am...then returned home and I watered and weeded a bit...

Pat stopped by to see if we might have some Cilantro in the garden, as there was no Cilantro at the market...I was happy we could give her some from the garden. So we had a quick visit and contemplated what she could do with her garden as she has experienced three episodes of vandalism as her house. As she looked at the public garden she had said it was funny because she was trying to figure out how to have a garden and NOT have anyone taking her veggies/flowers...or worse worried someone might just wreck them. I have to say that is the only thing I would find disheartening...if someone just wrecked the garden/plants...even if they took the plants that would be fine...but just to wreck them would be sad.

I then went back into the house to steam the costumes and get them laid out...the actors/performers arrived at 10:30...it was quite a process to get them costumed...but they looked amazing. We then went to the farmers market and they filmed a magical performance - I won't even try to explain it here - but if you want to stop by some time for a chat in the garden I would love to share my experiences of the day...it was so moving.

We ended the shooting day at the wind mill farm by Magrath...we were in (this is a guess) a sugar beet field...which had wonderful large rain droplets on them (below). I gathered small flat and round rocks...I have a rock fetish and gather them for reminders of near or far travels. I also collect heart shaped rocks...I have for 6 years (but I only have 8...they are hard to find)...As we were waiting at the film shoot Hannah asked why I was picking up rocks...I told her and told her about my on-going heart shaped rock searches...Hannah looked down and said, 'one like this?' and handed me a small black heart shaped rock...I could not believe it...it was magic.

We, the crew and actors, then met at the Lodge (in the odd fake, real garden), in the lounge...Camille/Sobaz and the other actors Lee, Karen and Cherrise, are staying there...we discussed and planned the shoots for the next day...and the 'piano man' played in the background...I think he has been playing there every time I have ever been there..

On the way home we stopped at Annie and Dana's to water their garden...their note specifically mapped out what needed and didn't need to be watered...my favorite part of the note was the explanation that some of the plants (that did not need watering) may look limp...but to not water them...as it was only a ruse!!...a plant ruse...too funny. Their garden is really nice...lots of perennials...and they have new rose bushes and a veggie garden...in their note they offered us green onions to take home...but I was too tired...maybe next time we go to water...oh...and there was so much 'cotton' in their yard it looked like it had snowed - it was beautiful.
















So does anyone know if this plant...pictured above...is a sugar beet?

Day 6 Mug Wine and Meetings

I went to Calgary today to meet and pick up Sobaz Benjamin and Camille Turner (as well as Lee, Karen, Cherrise). They are shooting a very interesting performance/film here, namely: The Final Frontier.

When I dropped them off at their hotel I came home and watered the garden and weeded...there were not many people around/walking by...for the few that walked by I attempted interaction but it was very one sided...I went to the deck, had a mug of wine and visited with my cats.

At 7:30 we had a production meeting on the deck, it was the first time the deck and yard seemed small...but in a good way. In attendance were: Sobaz, Camille, Lee, Karen, Cherrise, Gloria, Chris, Todd, Paul and I (my mom, Bonnie, stopped by with my nephew, Felix, - as my sister went into labour tonight with her second child...so I am awaiting a phone call with news as I type).

Although the meeting was on the deck, in the garden...unusually the setting did not effect the conversation. It was an interesting night.

Tomorrow we have a full day of scouting and shooting...leaving at 7 am... (we are going to the farmer's market in the morning for a shoot...I think it will be bril).

Tomorrow I will stop over at Annie and Dana's to water their garden...as well as our neighbors, as they are away and unfortunately we have not had rain. I received a nice email from Chris...they had planned to revamp their boulevard as well ...as they 'dislike grass'...I hear ya, man!

Below is the Valerium...which is over 9' tall so far this year (can you see it? it is kinda tough to see in my phone pic...but it is stunning and smells heady...I am seriously (okay not that seriously) considering uprotting it and making some Valium...I have had too many sleepless nights.