Sunday Zen

Irvine, California

 

 

Durango, Colorado

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Garden News — Sad Day

I mentioned the passing of our amazing Bea Grow a while ago. Her death last December was sad, but now comes the truly unbelievable news that her garden is to be dismantled bit by little bit. I was as shocked as I imagine most of my fellow gardeners were when I read the craigslist notice of the sale of the contents of her house and garden that my friend sent me.

Disposing of the house contents I can understand, but taking apart the garden? Say it isn’t so!

This is a beautiful and amazing space. Bea was a true master of her craft and the garden she created on a hot, Southern California hillside was a joy to see. There are surprises and delights wherever you look — an adorable beehive watering can nestled amongst the greenery, graceful fountains and pedestals, a bird house with Bea’s little wren friend flitting in and out, delicious color combinations, and, amazingly, a rhododendron. Who but Bea could grow a rhododendron in San Clemente?!

Bea was very generous about showing her garden and with gardening advice. You could ask her anything and she would tell you her formula. I was pleased to hear that she credited watering with a weak solution of fish emulsion (one of our favorite techniques) for her success with containers plantings.

And it wasn’t just the garden that was beautiful. Bea was as lovely and gracious a person as you could ever meet. She was kind, funny and humble. The day I visited I asked if I could take her picture. She said yes, but she didn’t think I really wanted to do that. She told me she wasn’t a very good subject as she was very plain-looking. On the contrary, I told her, and I meant it. See for yourself. Not conventionally beautiful perhaps, but beautiful nonetheless; Bea was as lovely looking as any flower in her garden.

Bea (3rd from left) sharing her gardening tips.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Bea and her garden since I heard the news. The sale of the contents of her garden seems so wanton and disrespectful of a life’s work. Surely there’s some gardener out there who would love to buy Bea’s house and put his or her touch on this jewel.

I know all about change and impermanence and have meditated on this concept often. But this week I am struggling with it. Sometimes it’s just too soon.

And, no, I’m not going to the sale. As much as I’d love to have a small piece of Bea’s garden to put in mine, I don’t think I can bear to see the destruction of her work. The memory will be enough.

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The Bees Are Back!

Saturday: The bees are coming today! To get ready for their arrival, I’m preparing their sugar syrup and making a homemade version of Honey B Healthy, a nourishing supplement that is added to the syrup.

I’ll be teaching my co-workers how to be beekeepers and they’ll be installing the bees on Sunday with my guidance. Ray built us some beautiful Top Bar Hives (Thanks, Ray!) which will be their new home. We are very excited!

We have, over the last couple of weeks in our (very little) spare time, been creating a bee and butterfly sanctuary. It’s in its beginning stages and will soon be filled with plants that all the local pollinators will want to come and visit. We are also adding a labyrinth that will be planted with medicinal herbs and a vegetable garden filled with heirloom vegetables. The hives will be nestled in this wonderful little spot we’ve created located in the Animas River Valley.  It’s coming together beautifully and I’ll be posting pictures of the hives and gardens soon.

Happy Spring everybody!

Recipe found on the Beekeepers of the Ozarks:

Honey B Healthy (generic)

• 5 cups of water
• 2 1/2 lbs of sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon lecithin granules (used as an emulsifier)
• 15 drops spearmint oil
• 15 drops lemongrass oil.
• 6 drops of thyme oil (optional)

Dissolve lecithin in 1/4 cup of water. This may take several hours. Bring water to a boil, remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved. Stir in lecithin until dissolved. Stir in essential oils until everything is evenly distributed. Cool before using.

I use 1 tablespoon per quart but I don’t use thyme in my mixture. One to two tablespoons per gallon works if using thyme oil.

Makes about 2 quarts.

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Be Back Soon

You may have noticed that we haven’t posted anything new in a while — since before Christmas as a matter of fact. Mary Beth and I are busy with other projects, but we wanted to let you know that we’ll be back soon.

Stay tuned.

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Tuesday’s Tips — Gifts for Garden Photographers

We love our gardens and we love our photography, so what could be better than garden photography? Not much. We thought we’d be Santa’s little helpers and list a few items that would be sure to please anyone who takes shooting gardens even a little bit seriously. The only thing hard about making this list was narrowing it down to just a few items.

Barbara:

At the very top of my list would be a macro lens. I want to get up close and personal with every blossom and leaf in my garden and a macro is the way to do it. An AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm F2.8 would do the trick, though truthfully it’s at a price that would take several Christmases to justify. Still, I can dream can’t I?

Much more reasonably priced would be a 5 in 1 collapsible reflector kit. This is a great, inexpensive way to control lighting in the garden. Use the sliver or gold reflectors to add light to the subject, or use the translucent disc to soften the highlights and shadows — instant overcast lighting.

There are so many books on my list. At the top is one that Mary Beth recommends as well, Beane Flowers. Christopher Beane shows you flowers like you’ve never seen them before. I also like The Art of Flower and Garden Photography by Clive Nichols. This book is out of print, but you can buy good used copies here.

By the way, you don’t have to spend a fortune on books. I’ve been checking gardening and photography books out of the library by the armload. Happy as a pig in you-know-what!

 

Mary Beth:

First – Mapplethorpe The Complete Flowers. I saw this beautiful book in Open Shutter Gallery here in Durango a few months ago. I was mesmerized. I plopped myself down on the floor and got lost in it.  If you are interested photographing flowers or just want to look at some beautiful photographs check it out. This book, by the way, is the only present I’m asking for this Christmas. If the price is too hefty, another beautiful book would Beane Flowers — gorgeous.

Second on my list would be a BlackRapid Sport sling for my camera. I want one of these for when I go snowshoeing or on long hikes. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about my camera slipping off my shoulder.

Third is a wide-angle lens; to be more specific the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L. I long to have a wide-angle lens to capture the wildflowers that go on forever here in the mountains during the spring and early summer.

Let us know what’s on your list. We love to talk equipment!

 

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Sunday Zen

Durango. Colorado

Irvine, California

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Sunday Zen

Durango, Colorado

Irvine, California

Read Full Post »