Evening p-patch walk..

P-patch Harvest time..

Rachel's house, Wedgwood Seattle July 2011

Rachel is a lover of people, art and beauty.

Everything in her house has a story and person connected to it

She has passion for everything, I imagine she does nothing with half her heart.

Her garden is like her part of her soul out in the world for us to see.

On my birthday, she shared it all with me and I am so lucky.

Purple Graze

I have been driving past this little garden everyday after I drop the kids at school. It evolves all year in the most graceful way!. Today I was compelled to stop and take a pic, the carpet of purple was too lovely to ignore. Spring is springing, hallelujah.

Garden on a Steep Slope. Dietz Design

Two years ago Dietz Design did a landscape consultation gig. The home owner needed ideas for creating a stairway and exuberant garden on a steep slope. Here's how this garden looked this afternoon.


Everyone needs a little advice and my sister and I are happy to give it. We talk with home and biz owners about their property, discuss options, and give them lots of ideas. We leave them with notes, simple design sketches, plant suggestions, and a list of contractors we have worked with. They take it from there. First hour: $100. Each additional hour $75/hour. It's a great way to give your landscape project a kick start.--R

Still thanking the rain. Wedgwood.

A great front yard garden that looks better than usual...thanks to all that rain.--R

Thanks to all the rain. Bryant.

Well, Anne outdid herself. How do I follow a week of beautiful men? Here's how: I'll share pictures of beautiful gardens that got that way because of all the rain and cool weather we had in Seattle these past 272 days--when the temperature did not go above 75 degrees.

Today's featured garden is on a double lot right across from Bryant Elementary. I walk in this neighborhood all the time and never saw it until recently. It makes me think of "The Secret Garden" http://www.online-literature.com/burnett/secretgarden/--R

Modest house with major color out front.

Installing Lauren's garden.

Yes, the Dietz girlz design and install small urban gardens. We are strong German girlz with a long history of hard labor (just ask our dad about it).--R

On my street

So I have been trying my own advice of not looking for grand beauty... I took this pic as I waited for the kids at the bus stop. Its Jan and look at how a NW garden can look!. Maybe Rebecca can tell us what plants we are looking at....

Have you seen any little blooms yet? I can't wait for Feb for the crocus's and the sarcococa....

Trees and container gardens

Anything can go in a container garden. Trust me.
I have a MLA--R

Fall Garden Clean-Up

Look what our councilwoman Sally Clark found when she cleaned out her veggie garden this week. Yummy carrots and beets.  And such pretty colors.  Just steam those beets, slice them, toss them in a simple vinegrette, add crumbled blue cheese, and some walnuts and voila, a perfect side dish.
Well Done Veggies.

Food not Lawns, Wedgwood Neighborhood, Seattle

Another treat I found on one of my regular walks around the neighborhood.
I've seen a lot of folks tearing up their lawns and planting vegetables. 
Could it be the economy?  I don't know, but I like it.
Rebecca

Grass Lesson 101

     My sister and I love using ornamental grasses in our garden designs. Ornamental grasses are versatile, beautiful, low maintenance plants. They can be used as specimens, foundation plantings, ground covers, screens, or as container plants. In addition, they make great companions to flowering plants and woody shrubs.
     Ornamental grasses are available in a wide array of colors, shapes, textures, and sizes. The flowers and subsequent seed heads are equally diverse, ranging from "ho-hum" to truly spectacular. Each species has its own form, color, and movement pattern. In the fall, spring, and summer many ornamental grasses change their hues from shades of green to shades of red and beige providing a dramatic winter garden accent. The flower spikes (inflorescence) are excellent for drying with colors ranging from maroon to yellow to white. Ornamental grasses also add a dimension of motion and sound to a landscape. This is perhaps their most delightful feature.  As the grasses dry in the winter months, their movement pattern changes and they emit a lovely and soothing whisper.

Lawn Ornament. Wedgwood.

Gnomes, mushrooms, and ducks. I guess they

all make good lawn ornaments!

Well Done Duck.

October Gardening in the Pacific Northwest

 

A little fall gardening is in order.  Here is a short "to do" list:
1. Plant trees and shrubs.  This is really the best time.  It's cool, it's raining, the roots will take root.
Don't forget to stake your trees.
2. Plant shrubs and cool season annuals and perennials.
3. You may compost your garden now, but if you did it in the spring it is not necessary.
Enjoy the cool days and the beautiful autumn light.
Rebecca and Anne

House on 35th Avenue. Wedgwood, Seattle

The owner has created an oasis on one of the
busiest streets in Wedgwood. I'm inspired
by the "floating" concrete pavers and the
entry gate.
Well Done Solitude.

Hallelujah Harvest, Seattle WA

Send us pictures of something beautiful from your

harvest and we will put it on the blog. Show off your

prize zucchinis, or dahlias or tomatoes.....

This garden was breathtaking. We want to see yours..

Let's see your Well Done hard work from this growing

season....

Here comes the harvest

What a great hot summer for growing veggies. Our rainbow swiss chard took over the yard and was so vibrant in color.

I found this patch of chard and our sweet peas to be the highlight of our summer garden.

All was grown from seed. There is also a hidden child in this pic..... can you find her?

Well Done colors, mother nature. Bravo.

Curb Appeal. Wedgwood

Does anyone in Seattle get the permit
required to build a garden in their curb?
I don't think so. This is not a bad way
to break the law.
Well Done Civil Disobedience.