Gardening - grace grits and gardening

During the dog days of summer, my garden is the boss of me.

July 20, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

Right now, this time of year, my garden is the boss of me. It’s a fact. I plan my day around watering and deadheading and weeding and watering again. The dog days of summer are tough ones on new plants that aren’t well established. Babysitting. That’s what I’m doing.

Webster defines the dog days of summer as: 1) the period between early July and early September when hot sultry summer weather occurs in the northern hemisphere; and 2) a period of stagnation or inactivity. Check and check! The origin of the phrase (first known use in 1538) came from their being reckoned from the heliacal rising of the Dog Star (Sirius).Continue Reading

Vintage Coffee Tin Succulents. My new fav!

July 3, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

There’s a saying in the South that if it isn’t nailed down, we southerners will monogram it. I have my own saying. If it isn’t nailed down, I’m gonna plant something in it. My newest obsession is planting succulents in vintage coffee tins. And if you think about it, the tins are already monogrammed with the company’s label/artwork. Love, love, love.

Here’s one of my favorites—Summer Girl Coffee. How perfect is this? Technically I’m a “summer girl” born almost on the 4th of July. And I’m guzzling coffee while you read this.

Look at the history on this can. “Roasted and Packed by the H. D. Lee Mercantile Company”. H. D. Lee Mercantile was founded in 1889 in Salina, Kansas. This was the first company to manufacture overalls and the zipper fly jean. Today the company makes Lee Rider but no coffee to my knowledge.

Here’s my other favorite.

I chose this one mainly for the colors and the little old Aunt Bea looking lady on the front.

I found these two tins at Long Ago Antiques on Huntsville Road in Fayetteville (one of my favorite places to shop for antiques and vintage items). Similar tins are available on Ebay, often in a group of four or five. Prices vary so look around. Tip: look for ones without lids to save a few dollars.

To preserve the value of vintage tins, I prefer not to drill drainage holes in the bottom, so I added a layer of charcoal in the bottom instead. (Buy the charcoal at your local nursery—it’s not lump charcoal used to grill.) Some of the old tins come with holes rusted in the bottom which solves the drainage issue. Succulents don’t need that much water, so I find they survive quite well with charcoal.

Top with pebbles or moss for aesthetic purposes. I think the rock highlights the plant better.

Voila! Perfect on the porch. I’m taking orders. Not really, but maybe.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]These #vintage coffee tin #succulents will rock your world. #gardenchat #growsomething @WestwoodGardens[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]If it isn’t nailed down, plant something in it. #Vintage Coffee Tin #Succulents! @allsucculents @iPlantPerfect[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Queen, We Will Rock You

Fayetteville Find: Garden Living Supply Co

May 29, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

Modern gardeners rejoice! Garden Living is my latest Fayetteville Find and a place I am elated about. This boutique, located at 160 E. Joyce (near IO Metro), is a true garden living shop complete with interesting specimen plants, gorgeous hand-thrown pottery, Dutch garden tools, eclectic gift items, and not-your-typical outdoor furniture. Dallas people, think Redenta’s and you’ll understand my happiness. Garden Living is the sister floral shop to Pigmint (which has also moved to Joyce Blvd).

Simply walking through is a zen experience.

A few pictures…

Succulents, cloches and cacti.

I’m a big fan of these zinc pots. I have one planted with aloe.

Some pig!

Some orchid!

Here’s a find for you. Cool linen napkins. If I didn’t have a self-imposed napkin moratorium hanging over me, I would snap these up.

Garden Living even has Nest Fragrances. Luxury, people. Sir Elton John apparently agrees because he has his own woodside garden aroma.

So, in a nutshell:

Location: 160 E. Joyce Blvd, Fayetteville; Phone: (479)435-6999; Website: coming soon; Follow on Facebook for information about upcoming classes (YES! there will be classes); Follow Pigmint on Instagram for floral inspiration. Hey, follow me too if you aren’t already:)

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Modern gardeners rejoice! Garden Living Supply Co is just what #Fayetteville needs. @pigmintdotcom @NESTfragrances [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Yo Yo Ma, Bach Cello Suite 1 III. Courante Inspired by Bach No. 1 “The music garden”