Tonka Tour

Did you ever have your very own Tonka truck?  I never did.  I was Tonka deprived as a youth, but I'm making up for it now.  I purchased my very own second-hand Tonka truck and for just a few dollars, I made a very cool toy fit for the most discerning gardener.  Here's my Tonka truck garden just after completion.

After constructing Tonka, I thought, what the heck, let's go for a spin.  First stop, the Chick Inn.  Hmmm... I guess the chicks are out gallivanting. 

I kinda see why 5 years boys like these Tonka trucks.  My Tonka is king of it's little garden world.  Let's cross the bridge and go check out the watermelon patch.

My garden pond doubles as a huge lake in Tonka's world.

Driving a Tonka truck around is exhausting.  I  think it's time to find a place to park, after all, I'm not 5 years old anymore.  I thought this spot next to my new Sharkskin Agave and Bronze Dyckia would be good, but it doesn't really show Tonka off to her best advantage.

Ah, this is perfect.  The yellow pansies really bring out the color in her chassis.  

I hope you'll consider having a little fun with your garden containers.  If a yellow Tonka truck isn't really your style.  Consider this adorable plastic pail potted up with purple Angelonia.

Or, grab an old red wagon and use your imagination.  Do you see a moss covered fairy land or a desert oasis full of cactus?  It's all child's play.  Have fun!

2012 Garden Resolutions

I resolve to ...

• grow more plants from seeds
• use more cactus in the garden
• sit in my outdoor seating areas

GROW MORE PLANTS FROM SEEDS.  Sure, there are certain plants that I grow from seed like beans, cucumbers and zucchini, but why don't I grow more plants from seed?  The answer is complicated.  I think first and foremost, I've convinced myself that growing plants from seed is difficult.  As a result, I don't bother to plan ahead and put in the effort. After all, why go to all the trouble, if I'm not going to be successful?

New Year's resolutions are about changes in attitude, so this year is going to be different.  Growing plants from seed just makes sense.  It's economical, plus there's so many cool varieties that you can grow from seed.  I'm already mentally preparing my plan of attack.  First, I'll get my seeds organized.  Then, I'll hit up the catalogs looking for something that really sparks my interest.

I'm going to start my seeds in the house, so they'll be ready to go as soon as spring has sprung.  My homemade growing rack has been enlarged to accommodate more seeds trays.  I've already started some sweet peas, plus a flat of basil and rosemary to donate to my garden clubs plant sale.

Tiny Basil Seedling Makes It's Debut

Trailing Rosemary Cuttings

Sweet Pea Seedling

USE MORE CACTUS IN THE GARDEN.  I've mostly steered away from cactus in the past, because, well, I don't know... it's pointy, it's deserty... Honestly, I love perennials, and my cottage garden style just didn't seem to mesh with cactus.  However, I'm becoming more and more convinced that the two can blend together.  

In the garden blog, Digging, there was a recent post called Agaves Green Up the Winter Garden.  In this post, Pam showed me that not only can cactus blend with Perennials they can provide the evergreen, structure in the garden that I have been looking for.

In late fall, I planted a small area using 'Color Guard' Yucca and Parryi Agave Truncata.  When winter brown has taken over, the yellow and green is quite welcome.

SIT IN MY OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS.  I love constructing outdoor seating areas.  I have several outdoor seating areas and benches scattered around my property.  Seems like I would do a lot of sitting, right?  Well, here's what happens... I sit for about 5 seconds, I see a weed or whatever, and the next thing you know, break is over.

I'm sure the answer to this resolution is staring me right in the face.  I just need more seating areas.  What?  That's right, more seating areas mean more opportunities to find one that is weed free.  Surely a weed free seating areas means that I will sit longer.  Phhhew... this resolution is going to be an easy one.

Good luck with all your garden resolutions.