tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post704395724853939524..comments2023-11-05T06:03:28.618-06:00Comments on Conrad Art Glass & Gardens: A gardener's hardest lesson...Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-87894049481221191452014-03-31T16:09:28.258-05:002014-03-31T16:09:28.258-05:00https://www.facebook.com/larry.conrad.96
https://www.facebook.com/larry.conrad.96<br />Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-34882950011327454512014-03-31T16:08:35.868-05:002014-03-31T16:08:35.868-05:00Beth... since I can't locate your e-mail, coul...Beth... since I can't locate your e-mail, could you contact me at my Facebook link and message me your e-mail address? I will then return e-mail you mine and we should be able to discuss your questions... thanks, LarryLarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-25434681033798262942014-03-31T15:57:45.577-05:002014-03-31T15:57:45.577-05:00Beth... while I definitely don't consider myse...Beth... while I definitely don't consider myself an expert by any means, I'll be glad to offer my input... I'll see if I can find an e-mail for you on your site... I don't know much about Google Plus so it could take a bit... also I've got a horrible cold and back pain from the slipped disk so may not do this today...then again, maybe after my chiropractic appointment... think I'm going to become a hermit... for several years no cold and this is the third one this winter since I started singing with a large chorale and teaching again! lol<br />I'll be in touch one way or the other...LarryLarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-11925846206033150322014-03-31T12:08:54.139-05:002014-03-31T12:08:54.139-05:00Hi Larry, I'm sure you're right about geom...Hi Larry, I'm sure you're right about geometric beds not being as stylistically appropriate for your country property as informal island beds, particularly when designing with trees (and since I have a country garden too, it's probably appropriate for mine as well).<br />I have a couple of questions for you as an expert, since I'm thinking of adding some islands: 1) would you mind taking a look at my plans that I posted about: http://gardenfancy.blogspot.com/2014/03/an-idea-occurs-uh-oh-hard-work-and.html and giving me your opinions about my plans? Number and shape of beds, amount of maintenance required, general plant type choices, tree removal question, etc.?<br />and 2) what sort of mulch do you recommend? I'm thinking of using leaf compost, which I can get relatively affordably from our local landfill by the truckload, but I don't know if that will prevent water evaporation, make the beds hotter in the sun from the dark color, need to be replaced more often, etc. The landfill also has wood chip mulch, but I've read that using that on perennials can hurt their growth, tying up nitrogen -- would that be the case for using it around trees, shrubs and bulbs? The bagged mulches seem so exorbitant for the amounts I'd need. Thanks for your advice! -BethGarden Fancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-41891096849866964502014-03-31T06:01:56.794-05:002014-03-31T06:01:56.794-05:00Thanks Beth... my style of designing really doesn&...Thanks Beth... my style of designing really doesn't work well with formally laid out beds which don't seem to accept size changes as easily. Additionally... this is farm country and formality really doesn't fit the style of this 150 year old cheese factory, or its surroundings. Sometimes I think that if I were younger and healthier, I would start all over again, trying to incorporate all I've learned about design into something fresh and new... alas, that ship has sailed but truth be told, I'll never entirely stop changing out the gardens as long as I have the ability to move and a dollar or two in my pockets... it's in my blood! Hoping you enjoyed your 70's yesterday... we've made a very cold and windy 50's which isn't going to last past today as the week will be wet and slushy... LarryLarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-71308162343049549032014-03-30T23:53:29.029-05:002014-03-30T23:53:29.029-05:00Larry, your gardens so incredibly beautiful and I&...Larry, your gardens so incredibly beautiful and I'm glad you are planning to keep working on them even as it grows harder (I'm only 43 and have already given some thought to future maintenance burdens in designing my gardens, although I'm still adding areas). I have to mention that the photos of your gardens have changed my mind about island beds; most of my garden beds are formal geometric shapes, but I think I will add some islands this year, because your garden (and Butchart and the MOBOT Japanese garden -- you're in great company) are so beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing them with us. I hope you recover from your back injury soon. -BethGarden Fancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12283184170369157189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-20698414108907995112014-03-30T22:26:26.371-05:002014-03-30T22:26:26.371-05:00Thanks Helene... I went in for help immediately an...Thanks Helene... I went in for help immediately and it is better already... LarryLarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-17416193201650407672014-03-30T22:10:21.534-05:002014-03-30T22:10:21.534-05:00Fifty new conifers! That’s a big order.
I underst...Fifty new conifers! That’s a big order. <br />I understand the dilemma of planning a garden for the future whilst trying to make it look great for today and tomorrow – not easy with slow growing plants and trees. Sometimes I suppose we just have to plant a bit too close and take out things later - even though I do things on a very much smaller scale than you. <br /><br />I hope you will be able to enjoy your garden for many more years to come and that your plan comes together. Sorry to hear about your slipped disk, I have had 7 in the past, I know what you are going through! Take care of yourself my friend.HELENEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16112289914239038835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-79710084840399918162014-03-30T14:08:11.855-05:002014-03-30T14:08:11.855-05:00Denise... nice to meet you! Your garden sounds wo...Denise... nice to meet you! Your garden sounds wonderful and I will check it out here in a bit, assuming you have a blog. I can't imagine ten acres... two acres is a handful!! Your comment about faux rocks caught my interest as well... several years ago I spent $100 on tapes out of Australia on how to make them... at least I think it was Australia...could have been New Zealand... I need to get those out and try the techniques! Larry<br /><br /><br />Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-8468695998383475772014-03-30T11:28:12.601-05:002014-03-30T11:28:12.601-05:00Larry, Your gardens are so tranquil and vibrant, I...Larry, Your gardens are so tranquil and vibrant, I enjoy walking though them (through the camera's eyes). I also enjoy reading your "garden journal" filled with love and creativity. I have 8 acres that I maintain and create and recreate. My garden is still in its infancy. The garden being only 10 years old and younger. My husband helps, he loves to do all the hardscape, he makes all the faux rocks, so that I can carry them. He helps me dig holes and start new beds. Then I take over. My father is always telling me I work too hard and should give it up, it's not worth it. Only a gardener understands. I see your gardens and only look forward to mine maturing. Thank you for sharing this, you are an inspiration.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17656711880188379343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-34340169410047809562014-03-30T01:49:13.044-05:002014-03-30T01:49:13.044-05:00Toni... so nice to hear from you... hope you are d...Toni... so nice to hear from you... hope you are doing well! LarryLarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-20703753333002469132014-03-30T00:30:08.055-05:002014-03-30T00:30:08.055-05:00Just when I think your gardens couldn't get mo...Just when I think your gardens couldn't get more amazing, you add more beds to do just that, make your garden more amazing! And you are not talking little projects here -- this is heavy duty work! Hopefully we can all grow old in our gardens, being grateful for whatever we can still do in them and always amazed by God's creation. Keep up the good work, but please pace yourself because injuries are no fun, as you well know! Take care...Tonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13862726143727717921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-1053574398241731802014-03-29T23:21:05.838-05:002014-03-29T23:21:05.838-05:00Mary... it breaks my heart to think of a gardener ...Mary... it breaks my heart to think of a gardener having to leave their gardens ever. My goal is to be able to spend my last years sitting in the gardens on a bench and just soaking them up... I know I will have to get past my perfectionistic ways but that's ok. I have fond memories of my grandmother sitting in her late 90's and watching the world go by around her... to be honest, I already enjoy some of this... it's amazing the things you see... birds especially that you never knew visited and the like. I sincerely hope that you can stay right where you are for as long as you want and may God bless you in whatever you decide down the road... Larry<br />Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13563036192373891209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5150141118511473521.post-87463135950034326692014-03-29T21:36:30.998-05:002014-03-29T21:36:30.998-05:00Larry, I so enjoy seeing your beautiful gardens. ...Larry, I so enjoy seeing your beautiful gardens. I know exactly how you feel. I will be 79 this July and if I get down on my knees I can't get up so I have to hire young men to plant. I am pretty sure if God is willing that I can have at least 2 more years here in my home before I move into a retirement apartment. As we get olden things have to change to make it more livable for us. I will truly miss my gardens. And more than likely how ever buys my home will not want to do all this gardening. But I will have wonderful memories to last the rest of my life.<br />The weather man said that we will now be getting our winter, which is not cold at all, but they are predicting rain all week. Crazy weather and we have been having so many earth quakes since Friday night - its scary. I have had a lot of damage, but no structural.<br />That's what is going on here in Sunny CA.<br />Have a wonderful Sunday and I truly love your gardens.<br />Mary<br /> Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03265174897498950754noreply@blogger.com