Container Gardening - What Worked, What Didn't

At the beginning of the summer, I bemoaned in a blog post my tiny postage stamp yard, Container Gardening Part 1 but was resolute that I would make it beautiful and make it work.

For the most part, my experiments with container gardening worked well. My tomatoes produced buckets full, my cucumbers, according to my hubby, are the best I have ever grown. My green beans and peas were adequate, but next year I will allow them more space between plants for a larger crop.

Cucumbers

Pole Green Beans

Tomatoes and Nasturium

My zucchini and yellow summer squash, not so much!  Usually by this time of year, people are rolling up their car windows and turning on their porch lights, so I don't leave a bag full for them to “enjoy".

This year, in spite of large plants, the crop was lacking. We only had squash twice and that means, no chocolate chip zucchini bread for the freezer. 

Next year we are purchasing a horse trough to use as a raised bed.  I will plant the zucchini, yellow summer squash and Pole Beans together.  That way they will all have room to roam and produce.

courtesy of All Recipes website,

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2 cups all-purpose flour $
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• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups finely shredded zucchini (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• Cooking spray
  

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Place first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at low speed until well blended. Stir in applesauce.
3. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating just until moist. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Spoon batter into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack, and remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.
   

Of course the containers of flowers were amazing, I had a lot of fun this spring finding the colors and going several new greenhouses to put them together just so. I love coleus and am thinking of trying to bring some of them in this winter for a pick me up on those drab winter days. 

 Coleus

(The bench is a redo of a wobbly one found in the yard)

Coral Geranium, Marigold, and Red Fire Salvia

I did purchase a bare root Charisma rose at the beginning of the season and planted it in a large pot. It has bloomed nonstop – with clusters of small fragrant bright orange roses. After a scare with sugar aphids, it rallied to bloom some more. For the sugar aphids, I used a spray bottle of water, added a few drops of dawn dish washing soap and tobasco.  I sprayed all the leaves thoroughly,  especially underneath, where they lurk.  I let that sit for a day or so, then I sprayed the roses with a hard stream of water a few times. Then I planted two chives in the pot with the roses. Aphids have an  abhorrence of garlic or onion, rather like vampires.  The aphids have not returned.

 Charisma Rose

My recycled bird bath's little succulent garden grew wonderfully and seems quite happy in the sun. All of the plants are perennials so I will move it to the back in a protected area and try to keep it over winter.

Bird Bath of Succulents

A family of barn swallows build the most incredible mud nest on the brick of our house. We, being idiots, decided to allow the nest to remain. They had 5 babies so we were able to watch as they grew into adulthood and left the nest. Just as we were about to take it down, mama swallow had another batch. So we are going through the entire process again. My husband finds it quite interesting to clean the porch daily since the little ones put their feathery behinds over the side of nest to do their business. Delightful. Next year we will be more aware and discourage them from building.

Five Baby Swallows Ready To Leave the Nest

I have begun the process of bringing the geraniums inside (make sure you repot and spray off so you don't bring their little buggie friends in also.) They will bloom in the winter and take away some of the winter gloom.

Pink Geranium

Riley enjoying the deck

So sadly summer has come to an end and with it lessons learned and a fresh approach for next year.

Written by Tanjla of the Etsy shop ZeldasCottage

 

Dear Cynthia - Cynthia Returns

 After a summer hiatus of monumental proportions, our very own Cynthia has returned with her infinite wisdom.  Welcome Back Cynthia!  You have been missed.

The first question for Cynthia is from a desperate lady named "Z"


Dear Cynthia,

My husband, I will call him G, always wants to party, party, party. I am more interested in a few close friends for a little soiree.
I am running out of ideas for these huge parties he feels we must have with all of the upper crust guests.
How can I convince him that intimate parties are the very most wonderful? I would love a nice quiet evening at the cottage.

Desperately,
Z



Dear Z,

I wholeheartedly agree that an intimate gathering is far chicer than a big bash. Do not fret, my dear. You are not alone. In fact, I've been fielding similar queries for ages!

So, gather 'round, Gals. Miss Cynthia has hatched a plan to virtually guarantee you have hosted your final big bash.

Begin by explaining to your Happenin' Hubby that you have been amiss in not sharing the delights of party planning with him. Bestow upon him the "gift" of engineering a blowout complete with all the hoopla your man about town is craving.

Proper menu planning will ensure his gathering is a success. These fabulous cookbooks are chock full of delicious party food ideas:

 

Retro Party Menus Cookbook (DottieDigsVintage)

or

 

Salad Set or Barbeque in a Box Cookbooks (PlumsandHoney)

Next, he'll need to survey the scene and make sure your shelves are stocked with proper serving accouterments. A sufficient supply of stylish cocktail gear will ensure the party rolls on smoothly:

Dorothy Thorpe Style Bar Glasses

 (BarwareBreweriana)

 

Mad Men Highball Glasses (KarensChicNShabby)

Of course, Hubby will want to protect his favorite party clothes during his many hours of prepping in the kitchen! This handsome cooking gear will outfit the new chef in true style:

 British Royal Guard Apron (LittleRedHenONLINE)

Hubby's earnest endeavors will ensure his party's success. By the time the last guest departs, your poor fellow will no doubt be utterly exhausted. Allow him a quiet moment before clean up to gather his wits. This is NOT the time to point out the perils of large parties. Simply hold your tongue, hide your smile and hand him a Bromo-Seltzer!

Cynthia is Angela's alter ego and holds a degree in psychology, journalism and vintageology.
She is the proprietor of the shop, SunshineSurprises