Author: Liz Braithwaite

Spring Already?

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spring

I took this picture a few days ago. I took it in Sacramento, but it almost feels like I should be able to find blooming flowers here as well. I got an order from Johnny’s, the lights for my seed shelf are installed, and no snow on the ground. I think the gardening season is starting. I’m not sure if I’m excited or overwhelmed…

Current gardening tasks:

  • Prune hardy fruit trees 
  • Sow spring plants inside for transplanting, including broccoli, cabbage, spinach 
  • Plant peas
  • Finish planning garden
  • Organize and test seeds
  • Order any needed seeds or bare root plants

Vacation Across the Desert

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After a year of work, my husband finally got a vacation. We took a short trip out west to visit our twin siblings. (We are both twins: my twin sister is in Nevada, Joe’s twin brother recently moved near Sacramento.) It was a short and fun vacation.

But not without mishaps. We ran out of gas 25 miles east of Wendover. It was a combined effort of stupidity. After a short, tense wait, we found a tow guy and payed $20 per gallon of gas. I was hope that would be all, but it was not to be. Our tire went flat on the way to Sacramento. Luckily it didn’t happen until after the snowstorm, and our spare made it the rest of the way. We did have to buy a new tire to replace a two week old tire. Turns out the hazard insurance was well worth it, though at the time it didn’t seem like we would be keeping the car long enough.

I’m still not done. At Denny’s, I was enjoying my meal, but the food apparently hated me and prevented me from inhaling. After a few moments, I realized that I would rather breathe normally, and Joe successfully rescued me. I was fine, although a bit embarrassed.

Because sitting around talking, playing games and shooting Nerf guns gets a little old, we also went adventuring. First stop was the Discovery Museum in Reno. It was one of my favorite museums I’ve been to, there was lots to keep everyone entertained including brain puzzles that had me stumped. In Sacramento we went to the Zoo and Fairytale land, which were both fun.

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We had a great time. The warm weather in Sacramento made me realize how nice spring is. We had left our home in a snowstorm: but when we got back there was next to no snow. It feels like spring. And I realized I’m not quite ready for spring. I still want to sled and snowshoe and peruse seed catalogs.

Clean or Messy

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Cleanliness is next to godliness.

I think cleanliness is inherently good. Houses that are filled with mice, stickly spills, and neck high clutter are unhealthy and depressing. My own house is pretty tidy. I have a regular schedule to clean bathrooms, floors and such, we do dishes after a meal, and we pick up a lot. The toys and almost all our belongings are organized and put away regularly. Sometimes with two boys, the floor can get covered with toys, the dishes take a bit longer to do, and there can be paint on the floors and fingerprints on the windows that never quite gets cleaned up all the way. But I feel like my home is comfortable, I never feel too bogged down with housework, and I’m nearly always welcome to spur of the moment company.

I was at a friends house. She is not as tidy as me, with toys scattered in all the rooms. Where I like to have all my books in one place, there are books nearly everywhere in her house. It is not a disaster: there aren’t mounds of dust bunnies or foot high piles of clutter. While I was there and our kids were playing, the clutter of toys put me a little on edge. I wasn’t quite sure how to engage in play with my children, what toys to go for. But then I thought that maybe my neatness, and having toys organized into neat bins might be a little uncomfortable for her.

I have been to houses where I felt a little bad for touching anything, where it all looks a little too nice, shiny and perfect. I think we each have our own level of cleanliness we are comfortable with and that is what we should strive for in our own homes. For me, it means kitchen drawers in disarray, toys organized into bins, and ignoring most little messes until I get to them in my cleaning schedule. What matters most, is I feel comfortable in my home, and I am comfortable with the amount of housework I do.

home

Leaving the Church

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I am a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or to put it more simply, I am a Mormon. Recently I have found an increase of people around me leaving the church. This often causes a lot of concern and worry for those who remain in the church. Our church promises a lot of blessings to the faithful and no-one wants to see those blessings taken from those they love.

When I had one old friend mention on social media that he had left the church, this Mormon scripture came to mind: Article of Faith #11: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Our church teaches agency. Part of our journey here is to discover what we will choose, in our actions and beliefs. I know many whose thoughts and feelings take them away from the church: they are not able to believe in it, live up to the teachings, or  feel comfortable with regular activity. If it isn’t working in their life, I cannot fault them from stepping away.

In our church, we often expect and encourage people to leave behind their original church and traditions and come join in our worship and culture. I think it has to go the other way sometimes as well: sometimes we have to let people leave our church. Ultimately, it is more important to follow our own conscience then the conscience of others around us.

For me, I believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true, that it is a church literally guided by Christ, and provides the fullness of His gospel. My belief comes from the simple knowledge that following its teachings has brought me great joy. I would like all to experience the same joy, blessings and promises I have received through the church: but I also believe it just isn’t going to happen for some people. And I can respect that, and hope they find their own truth and joy.

Peace Outside

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I don’t quite get using winter as an excuse to stay inside. Sure winter is cold, so you can’t just throw the door open and go outside in bare feet and whatever you happen to be wearing. And sometimes it takes awhile to get boots/jackets/mittens and whatever else everybody needs on and get out the door. We also never quite stay outside as long as when it is warmer either. But ultimately I love playing outside in the winter just as much as any other season. We go outside nearly everyday. And we don’t limit our excursions: this week we’ve gone sledding, played at a park, gone disc golfing, splashed in puddles, played basketball, shoveled snow.

In winter, the ground is covered in snow. Plants are bare or have lost all their color, there isn’t tons of people out and about. Winter is peace and rest. I would hate to stay inside and miss the sweet calm and solitude I feel when I got outside.

Crystal Gardens

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crystal

What looks like a fun science project in pictures was actually a bit of a nightmare. There’s nothing hard about what we did. We combined equal amounts of Epsom salts and warm water and put it in the fridge. The next day we had crystal gardens, that are still holding up almost a week later.

What pictures don’t show is the half cup of Epsom salt spilled on the floor. And then, after that was mostly cleaned up, a puddle of broken mason jar, water and salt.

The results of our experiment are: don’t involve a toddler.

What’s Your Garden Style

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Do you prefer the packed plants of a cottage garden, or the sleek lines of a modern garden? By knowing your particular garden style, it is easier to envision what your garden can become. For ease, I have categorized garden styles based on three types of gardeners.

Type One: I Hate Yard Work

Do you have no idea what a pair of loppers of for, or have yet to buy a shovel? This category just might fit you. Those who embrace type one do anything but gardening on a Saturday. They might love a variety of flowers, and shrubs, as long as they never have to do anything to them. Their gardens are often never seen or used for months at a time. If you belong to type one, your garden might fit one of the following styles:

Weed-driven

weeds

Elements: A minimum of cultivated plants, with preference for native and exotic invasive plants. Siberian Elms, annual grasses, thistles and bindweed are home in this garden. Maintenance involves avoiding dandelion diggers, weed killers and mulch.

Sterilized Ground

sterile

Elements: A sterilized ground garden is devoid of any plant life. Preference is given to rocks, concrete, and bare ground. This garden style is very popular with Round-up enthusiasts.

Type Two: I Have no Idea What I’m Doing

These gardeners are more involved in their gardens than type one. They have a variety of gardening tools and plants, none of which would be recommended by a horticulturist. Type two gardeners enjoy spending time in their gardens doing tasks that usually make things worse. If you are a type two gardener, your garden might fit into one of the following styles:

Overabundance of Petunias

petunia

Elements: Common plants like petunias proliferate, although generally do not thrive. Cement curbing, large swatches of lawn, and perhaps a few roses also are common elements in this style.

Power Tools

power tool

Elements: Hedge plants and over manicured lawns are a must. The more tasks that involve a gas driven tool the better. Hedges are often half dead, and topping trees is common.

Death is Okay

death

Elements: At least several dead trees, straw-colored grass, combined with sickly roses are hallmarks of this garden. Usually plants are chosen based on any characteristic except if it is well adapted to the location.

Type Three: Boring is Better

Type three gardeners enjoy a very small palette of plants, with no visual interest. Beds are typically undersized and filled with nothing in particular. All garden work is concentrated to one or two types of plants.

Lawn Only

lawn

Elements: The only plant allowed is lawn, and perhaps a tree. Often maintained to shiny green, lawn is everywhere, including small side yards and awkward corners. This style is great for those who enjoy mowing lawns for long hours during the summer.

Transition

transition

Elements: These gardens are typically once well-maintained gardens, that are slowly reverting to nothingness. All flowers and shrubs in beds are best left alone and will hopefully die quickly, making way for beds with a small covering of wood chips or rocks and plenty of visible week fabric.

 

Hopefully now you have narrowed down you garden type and style. I would love to see more pictures of the styles listed above. (Mine were all from my archives and some aren’t as representative of the style as I would like.) Please head over to my Facebook page and share.

World Map

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I’ve been recently try to integrate more Montessori methods in my school. It somewhat can get expensive and complicated, but they also have some great ideas and materials. I recently put together this Montessori-inspired world map.

map

I used material I had on hand. My template came from Imagine Our Life, who has a more awesome version on her site. I used Velco stuck to the foam board to make it a puzzle. PB is already interested in geography: one of his favorite computer games is to look around on Google earth. He’s enjoyed this map and it was pretty easy to make. 

map2

Hiring a Landscape Professional

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In the world of landscaping (and probably any career), there is a slew of certifications, and education paths. Right now I’m a stay at home mom primarily. It gives me a chance to think about where I want to go in my career after my children get older, and there are a lot of options for continuing education. Here’s a look. I thought this would be very useful for those looking to hire people, which is why I’m posting it. Many references are state specific, and I based all mine in Utah, where I live.

Master Gardener: Being a Master Gardener is essentially being a volunteer for the extension service. There is an associated training course that is good but not extensive. It is nowhere near a Master’s degree despite the title. Anyone claiming to be a master gardener professionally shouldn’t: the title should be restrained to volunteer work with the extension. (I put this up here, so people would know exactly what it is and not think Master Gardeners are well-qualified landscaping professionals. They are not, and never will be.)

Horticulturist: Understands the cultivation of plants. It doesn’t have a definite meaning, but should mean a degree in horticulture or related field or extensive work experience. Certification is available through the ASHS.  I have a BS in Ornamental Horticulture, so this is what I most frequently call myself.

Landscape Architect: Understands and designs the structures of outdoor spaces. They are licensed by the state, and have a degree in Landscape Architecture.

Landscape or Garden Designer: Designs outdoor spaces. Anyone can be a garden designer, but preferably there are degree programs and ALPD certification.

Arborist: A tree surgeon, primarily working with cultivated trees. Certification is pretty standard through the ISA, an arborist will frequently also have a degree.

Landscaper: Installs or maintains landscapes. No qualifications needed, should have a general contractors licence from the state, and many also have other certifications and a degree in a related field.

Nursery Professional: Grows or sells plants. The person or business should be licensed through the Utah Department of Agriculture, and can also receive certification through the UNLA.

Irrigation Designer: Can be a landscape designer or landscape architect. Should have specific experience/coursework in irrigation design. Certification available through the IA.

Pesticide Applicator: Anyone who applies chemicals commercially. Licensed through the Utah Department of Agriculture.

Permaculture Designer: Designs landscapes using the principles of permaculture and received minimally a permaculture design certificate.

Extension Agent: Works for the land grant university (USU here), has a masters degree in plant science or related field.

There is a lot of overlap here, but there’s a starting point and some things to look for.