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I think I am back on the correct page. This is going to be short because I need to see if my screen is back where it should be.

I had a real embarrassing moment two days ago. I was really puzzled why my tomatoes were so small when I had done everything according to the book that came with my earth box. My sister said just wait, they will grow. Be patient! I was complaining, just a little, to my friend wondering why there were no giant size tomatoes. Of course he was a country boy and I was more of a city slicker, you know, real gullible. We looked over my vines that had endured an attack by monster tomato worms. But the vines are really growing fast and there are some giant tomatoes that are nicely getting red. But why are some of them so small.

He then asked me how many tomato plants I had planted in the earth box. I stated three, one large tomato plant and two cherry tomato plants. All of a sudden the light bulb went off in my head.. I had been picking the cherry tomatoes without realizing it. They are so big I thought they were just small big boy. Duh and double duh. I am sure I will get teased about that goof up for a long time. Just imagine how big the big boy tomatoes will get. I looked this morning and I would say in about two days the wonderful, giant size, beautiful tomatoes will be ready to pick. I am on the way out to buy some fresh bread and bacon for my first bacon and tomato sandwich. Tune in later.

I am trying to fix a problem with the computer, sorry and thank you.

This week has been so much fun. It cooled off a bit and now I can really get into my garden and check things out. We had two showers and the plants are growing by leaps and bounds. I hope you are harvesting the fruits of your labor, whether it be in the form of fruit, veggies or cutting blooms to bring the outside in. Now is a good time to watch the butterfly population explode. They are everywhere. You can create a little oasis for them by adding sand and a smooth stone to a low container just high enough for a inch or so of water. A butterfly likes to land on a warm surface, the stone, and ever so daintily use the water for a sip or very small splash landing.

A Buddleia or Butterfly Bush will attract many different kinds of butterfly. It doesn't make a difference what color bush you have, they are lured in by the wonderful aroma of the bloom. If you stand very still, with a camera in your hand ready to take a picture, it will happen. Just be ready. I try to position myself so I have two or three blooms in front of me. It is highly possible that with enough patience you may get as many as three or four butterfly in one picture.

Try it and post it on myzeeland.com.

I killed a grand total of 11 tomato worms during a two day period. Everytime I pass the earth box in my driveway I look. I cut out the leafless stems and now can see way down to the bottom of the plants. If I see any new leafless stems I will be able to see at a glance if those ugly giant worms are at it again. So far I have picked five wonderful tomatoes. None of them made it into the house for use on a bacon and tomato sandwich. The vines are now 4' instead of the 5' and still growing look but I learned a lesson.

Add that lesson to the 'one a day' lessons I strive for each day and I am enriched. I can't count the many lessons I have learned but at my age, it is many. My motto is: the first lesson is a lesson learned but do it a second time with the same results and it is a big mistake.

Carol A. Gras

Garden Lady

I was gone from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm today. I could not believe my eyes when I walked past my 5' tomato vines. They were 4' and most of the top leaves were gone, vanished. Then I saw him, a giant green worm that really blended well on a vine. Same color! The only reason I spotted him was, he was the only thing left on the top vine. YUCK!! I am usually not squeamish but this thing was a monster worm. I quickly got my clippers and cut the stem down to where he was and dumped him on the ground. When there is one there are usually two. Bad things always come in twos or threes for me. Well. I found four of those monsters. I also saw two little cotton balls and saw small worms in the little nest. I took them out.

When I looked down on the cement they were not bothered a bit, they were still chewing away. I was not a happy camper and quickly stomped on them. BIG BIG mistake. I now have to get out the hose and wash down the side of my house which was at least 4' away. I have to wash off my shoes before I can move anywhere. What a mess. Next time I see them I will put them in my favorite butter container filled with soapy water and let them die clean and take out my frustration on something else. At least they had a good last meal.

I learned very quickly!

Are your annual baskets looking a little weathered and in need of attention? Cut them back and give them a little fertilizer. You do not have to dump your baskets, especially your hanging ones. I am sure that by now they are looking sad. Cut them back, add a little fertilizer and/or soil. By now the root system is probably very, very well established and there is not enough soil in the pots to hold moisture. It is supposed to be very hot during the next week for sure. Take your baskets down and give them a rest, at least for the weekend. If you add soil to the pot and add just a touch of your favorite fertilizer and then give them a huge drink of water they will revive and start new shoots within a very short period of time.

If you have added any new trees, shrubs or plants this year, make sure they have enough water. We had a lot of rain in June and the first part of July which is ideal for newly planted foilage but do not forget to keep it up. Anytime the temperature is near ninety all plants need a extra drink. We have been fortunate this year to have had enough rain, in places too much, but remember two years ago, a lot of plants did not survive. Whole fields of crops dried up and withered.

Bad news, the Japanese beetles are out in full force. They can strip the leaves, leaving just the veins. They will eat almost anything. I have found nothing that really works to get rid of them. I used to walk around with a long handled trowel and a butter tub filled with 2 parts of ammonia to 8 parts of water, and place it under them and tap the branch, they fall in and drown. That was years ago when we only had a few. This year, for some reason, they are out in force. They always pick out the nicest bud, to do their thing.  If you have found something out there that really works other than Grubex, let us know.

I saw three praying mantis in my garden today. I know they are good bugs and eat some pests but I guess its back to the books to find out what. Maybe aphids? They are very fragile looking, when you see them up close. They are truely remarkable when you see them on a plant, a beautiful shade of light green. They blend right in. Of course they do, that is what God intended.

Stay Cool

I did  not receive any phone calls nor have I seen any strange cars going down my street in search of my garden. If you see me outside working in my garden feel free to stop and say hi. First of all I want to make it clear that this project is not strictly limited to Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners are volunteers who have the basic knowledge of plant, soil, bugs, and a whole lot of other things. We take classes and have to pass tests just like a small school that is limited to Gardening and all that goes with it. M.G. choose to take classes, projects to help the community, answer questions and a whole lot more. Anyone can sign up by calling the Grand Haven Master Gardener program co-ordinator for Ottawa County, whereas if you live in Grand Rapids you call the Kent County office. It can change your life forever.

Some individuals take the class because they want to learn more about the hobby gardening. Some take the class because they want to work in some related field. But that is not what I am looking for. Maybe someone has a plant  or shrub they would like to donate, or a little extra compost, good potting soil, the possibilites are endless. You don't have to be a gardener to help. Maybe someone has an idea they would like to propose. We will welcome all the help we can get. Maybe you are a arm chair gardener who has some great ideas or a builder with extra wood. How about solar lights? Do you just want to watch and learn?  Dates and times will be posted.

All volunteers are welcome, ideas appreciated and expected.

Please either call 748-1535 or reply through myZeeland.com. I do realize that all homes do not have a computer, so pass the word around. Think about what can I give back to my community. One garden center has offered a discount if we purchase there. Thank you.

Fall will be here before we know it and fall is one of the best times to dig in plants. The earth is still warm from the sun and nights cool off. That would be a ideal time to get started.

♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.♥.

Several weeks ago I answered a E-mail from Shane VanOosterhout, director of the Ottawa County Master Gardener program. It was the typical E-mail that said volunteer ops. To laypeople it means ‘there is a volunteer opportunity available, so check it out if you are interested’. I always open up the E-mail to see where the opportunity is, and usually it is in Grand Haven. Well, not this time, it was in my backyard. It gave a name to reply to if I was interested. I wasted no time and immediately wrote out a quick E-mail and sent it to Haven Park Christian Nursing Home. I stated that I lived two blocks away and would love to see what the opportunity involved. I received a reply back that they would get back to me.

During the mid 80's I worked at the nursing home as a Certified Nurses Aid on second shift. I got to know some of the patients on 100 wing as it was called back then. I have not been in the Nursing Home since then. Wow, what a eye opener, everything had changed, no I take that back. The building has changed but not the people. It was close to lunch time and some residents were already waiting for their noon meal. The staff was close at hand waiting to help those in need of assistance. That part will never change.

I met with two women from the Gillead Unit staff who shared their expectations and hopes, for a area adjacent to the lunchroom, shared by the dementia patients. We walked through the lunchroom and went out into a enclosed area. It is a place where children, friends, families etc. can take their loved ones and enjoy the out of doors. The staff would like it to be calm but colorful, easy for wheelchairs to maneuver and patients spend some hands on time. As we walked around the area it became very apparent to me how much passion these women had for the residents. One of the first things they wanted, was to cover a chain link fence with vines. I now can see why. Fences are meant to either keep people in or out. They want to soften the lines of the fence so it does not look like a fence.

It is a very welcome area away from the noise inside, enclosed for privacy and out of the wind for warmth. I see it as a opportunity for Zeeland as a whole, family, friends etc. to give back to the older generation what they deserve. Dementia strikes almost every family in one way or another. Beyond the physical area of what we can plant, I can see a opportunity for families giving a memorial that all can enjoy in the form of seating, statuary, or even a bubbling fountain and a whole mix of wonderful, colorful shrubs, plants and bulbs for enjoyment. There were a few raised beds that could be used to grow vegetables. Think about my earth box. I could see evidence of use from the homemade stepping stones the patients made to the annual plants that were planted by the residents. It showed a sense of ownership. The residents cared. I was told that dementia patients in particular, like the color yellow. Well, guess how many plants are bright yellow. That would not be a problem.

The more we talked the more excited I got just thinking about the possibilities. The area has a wonderful gazebo and wide walkways. It also has a nice stand of trees just waiting for bulbs and shade plants to be dug in. I was told that the area has underground sprinkling already in place. What more could we ask for?

I can see making a list of needs, wants and wishes that the community of Zeeland and their families may want to give as a memorial. I remember stating this in one of my earlier blogs how much I believe that giving a plant that can be reused such as Hosta ‘Praying Hands’, Hosta ‘Remember Me’, especially if I knew the person well, was in good taste, and much appreciated. There are many gardening features that could compliment this area. Why not give this while a patient still remembers. Remember they will be looking at this area at least three times a day. Some residents may be able to help by picking out a spot where they would like to see color, color and more color. Bird feeders, especially in the winter, can provide entertainment for all. Some of the most colorful birds come to feeders during the winter. I was told there were some resident rabbits, who eat things they should not. Who cares? Squirrels and rabbits are a source of constant acrobatic fun. They do like corn, either on or off the cob. We could make a spot just for them.

I volunteered to help co-ordinate this plan and see where it goes. It may take a number of years before it is finished. But gardening is never finished, there is always room for one more. I have already E-mailed the plan to Shane from the Ottawa extension and his reply was “ Yes, this is wonderful, and a perfect match for Master Gardener Volunteers. I’ll send out emails for volunteers whenever you need, keep me posted”.

I would like to suggest a name for this project and hope that the people of Zeeland will let me know in one way or another what they think. More on that later. That brings us to the point, who am I? My name, Garden Lady, was given to me by one little boy who brought me a bulb to place in my garden. This was several years ago, but he was carefully carrying one small bulb in his hands and wanted to give it to me, The Garden Lady. I will never forget the look on his face as he handed it to me, with his mother walking in the distance, keeping her eye on him.

I am Carol A. Gras and live on Michigan Street in Zeeland. You may call me at 748-1535 if you wish. I have a machine that will pick up calls if I am out working in my garden. Please leave a message. I plan on volunteering my time and some of my plants to help get this project started. Depending on the response from the wonderful, close knit, caring people who make up our city of Zeeland, this project could be one of the first of its kind in Michigan.

Has anyone out there figured out who I am? I have posted photos of friends, my garden, my outhouse and colorful flowers. Unless someone has guessed and spills the beans, I am going to reveal who I am this week end.

STAY TUNED!

Just to let you know that the tomato plants are none the worse for being starved for water. I, a city girl, picked two fresh, wonderful, warm, sun ripened tomatoes. I am trying to get a good photo to post just to prove these tomato plants exist, but it is hard to see through the fencing. I will keep trying.