Grow a Fig Tree in your Midwest Landscape

-by Debra Anchors

Brown Turkey Fig Tree

I was pleasantly surprised today. I discovered that I could grow a fig tree in West Michigan. This 12- to 30-foot tree (or shrub) contributes eye-catching form to rural as well as urban gardens, especially in winter (USDA Zones 8-10) – where gnarled trunk and spreading limbs clothed with leaves stand silhouetted against an open sky. Dark green leaves shaped vaguely like human hands cast welcome shade on hot days and can grow large enough for a child to hide behind. No wonder Adam and Eve, aghast at their new-found nakedness, “sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons".

Despite their association with Moorish gardens in the Middle East, and other sultry environments, figs can flourish as far north as USDA Zone-5, with winter protection. Gardeners in regions where temperatures drop below 10°F wrap trunks and vulnerable branches in microfoam sheeting (the same material packagers use to protect breakable goods during shipment); a “coat” of burlap placed on top of the foam keeps the tree from heating up too much when sun hits the insulation. Other techniques for protecting figs in winter include severe pruning followed by a heavy blanket of mulch, or burial (after digging a trench adjacent to the tree, loosen the root ball, then lay the tree on its side inside the trench).

“A fig for a care, a fig for a woe!”
–John Heywood (1497-1580)

No matter where you plant them, figs should receive as much sun as possible; the south side of a building is ideal, as heat from the wall encourages the fruit to ripen quickly. Soil can be poor as long as it is well drained. After becoming established, figs would rather have too little water than too much. Feeding is unnecessary and can, in fact, be counterproductive, as excessive nitrogen encourages foliage growth at the expense of fruit. Figs should be pruned the first year or two during the dormant season to establish an open framework. In subsequent years, pinch back stems to redirect growth and maintain form.  Experts agree that short-jointed, sturdy shoots are the most fruitful.

Unlike peaches and pears, figs do not continue to ripen if harvested prematurely. This is why figs purchased at a supermarket never taste as good as fresh-picked ones. Low-acid figs are naturally high in vitamins A and C and offer a rich source of calcium and iron. Often, the only problem confronting cooks during harvest is an overabundance of fruit. The solution: dry the figs in the sun and then enjoy them throughout the coming months. Or, transform the excess into jam or chutney. Even the plants leaves can be put to use as “doilies” to decorate cheese or fruit platters. Based on such abundance, it’s no wonder figs make great gifts.

Secure in the knowledge that my gardens are now considered to be in the Zone 6a growing area, due to the updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, I believe I will include a ‘Brown Turkey’ Fig Tree in my planting plan this spring.





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Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra

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Moss Recipes - How to grow moss

- by Debra Anchors

What is moss?  Moss is big business.  Gardeners who want to add moss to their landscapes can purchase products like a moss kit in a carton or even order moss online; but why?   You can easily make your own moss given a "starter" of some native moss, the right conditions and some patience.

The best time to plant a moss garden is when evaporation is low; usually in the spring or fall (in seasonal areas). Mosses can withstand drought better than grass; moss suspends its growth while waiting for water. A shady area in your garden, where flowers and shrubs have difficulty growing, is a perfect spot for a moss garden. Moss does require some light for growth.  Mosses cannot grow in full sunlight nor can they grow in deep shade.

A moss carpet is delightfully soft to walk on. Take note, however, “Only farmers and summer guests walk on moss!” -Tove Jansson.

Moss doesn't stand up well to foot traffic. When you walk on a moss once, it will recover the next time it rains. But, if walked on a second and third time before a rainfall, moss may not recover, but die and need to be replaced. If you walk around on moss, you'll kill it faster than you will a lawn.

How to grow moss

Begin by obtaining some moss native to your area. Ask your friends. One of them probably has moss in their landscape, but fights against it instead of allowing it to thrive. Moss can be found in woodland areas, too, but be sure to get permission before digging.

You can “paint” directly onto the area where you want the moss to grow, but be aware that you may breed a crop of weeds in addition to moss, since you can’t control the environment. Instead, sow the moss in tubs and “tent” with a wet towel. Then transplant the moss into your desired area when mature enough.

Moss Recipes to Try

I was given two very different recipes for growing moss. Every gardener has his or her own “tried-and-true” method of propagating moss – who am I to judge which is best? Perhaps you use your own recipe to create  moss too. If you possess a moss recipe you have used and love, would you please share it?

Note: use an old blender and mix the concoction outdoors due to the aroma of the finished product.

Grow your own moss recipe 1:

• Several handfuls of native moss (separated as much as possible from the soil) 
• 1 large container of plain yogurt
• Buttermilk

Mix the moss and yogurt in a blender, slowly add buttermilk until the mixture becomes a runny paste. Use a brush to paint the mixture onto the desired surface. Spray your new moss garden daily with water as it grows - moss thrives when moist.

Grow your own moss recipe 2:

• Several handfuls of native moss (separated as much as possible from the soil) 
• 12 oz. can of beer 
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender until the mixture liquefies. Use a brush to paint the mixture onto the desired surface. Spray your new moss garden daily with water as it grows - moss thrives when moist.

Video: Saiho-ji Zen Garden (Moss Temple) Kyoto Japan

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in the garden.  If you enjoyed this article, please let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra

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Willow Tea as a Rooting Hormone

- by Debra Anchors

Weeping Willow

Willow Tea is an easy to make rooting hormone used to propagate plant cuttings. And, best of all, it’s free. Willow bark contains natural plant growth hormones; namely, indolebutyric acid and salicylic acid.  






How to make Willow Tea:

1. Collect young twigs/stems of any of willow species with green or yellow bark (Salix spp.).
2. Remove all leaves.
3. Cut the twigs into short pieces, about 1" (2.5cm) long, and place them in a heatproof container.
4. Cover the cut stems with boiling water, just as you would when brewing tea.  Allow the willow and water to steep overnight.
5. Separate the liquid from the twigs by pouring the tea through a strainer or sieve. Your willow tea is now ready to use for rooting cuttings. 

Willow tea can be kept for up to two months if you keep it in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.  It’s a good idea to label the jar so you remember what it is. Also, write down the date it was brewed and the expiration date (two months from the date it was prepared).

To use willow tea as a rooting compound, pour some into a small jar and place the cuttings you would like to root into the tea as you would flowers in a vase. Leave the cuttings to soak overnight – or for several hours – long enough to absorb the rooting hormone. Once absorbed, prepare the stems as you would when propagating any other cutting.

Once planted in your chosen medium, water your cuttings with willow tea to give them an even better start and further enhance their rooting.

Aspirin as a rooting hormone?

Recently, I have been reading articles and forums on the topic of using aspirin as a rooting hormone.  I will test these reports with my own cuttings, but for the cost of two extra strength aspirin, what would I have to lose but a little bit of time?

The comments on the forums I have been perusing instruct us to:

“Crush two extra strength aspirin in a half-liter of distilled water and let sit with occasional agitation overnight. Now dip your stems in the aspirin water instead of rooting hormone before putting them in the medium and you will have excellent results."

What do you think? Will you try using aspirin as a rooting hormone?

Enjoy this video produced by Whiteflower Farm



If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever!
-Debra

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Time-lapse video of flowers as they bloom

- by Debra Anchors

I have been creating a photo gallery of my gardens; please take a peek by using the tab above.

In the meantime, as I continue to work on the photo gallery, I though you would enjoy viewing a video of flowers blooming.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.

Thank you for stopping by to spend time in my garden.  If you liked the article, please take a moment to let me know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever! 
-Debra

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More inspired thoughts of spring gardening

- by Debra Anchors


In my Gardens Inspired post this past Saturday, I shared some images I had saved in my files that are inspiring my mood and plans for spring these days. Thank you for all of your kind comments and requests to see more.

Fashionista

Fashionista
Altum's Horticultural Center & Landscape
Zionsville, Indiana

Quilt Garden

Quilt Garden

Linton's Enchanted Gardens

Elkhart, Indiana

Peaceful Pathway

Peaceful Pathway

Photography - Michael Hunter

Neuhouser Garden & Gifts

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Washing away winter

Washing away winter

Altum's Horticultural Center & Landscape

Zionsville, Indiana

What is your inspiration?

Thank you for stopping by and spending a little time with me. If you enjoyed this article, please post a comment so I will know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Garden like you'll live forever!

Debra 

Inspired thoughts of spring gardening

- by Debra Anchors


Like all gardeners in the frozen north, I spend the winter dreaming of the projects I will take on during the coming season. Ideas are written in the margins of catalogs and magazines and within a very quickly expanding file residing on Pinterest. A digital camera is almost always with me so that when I see a clever or beautiful idea to adapt to my garden, I capture a photograph of it.


As I go through my photographs, I thought I would share a few things inspiring my mood and thoughts of spring these days. How do you get your inspiration?

Flowerpot resting place

Flowerpot resting place

Photography – Debra Anchors

Location - Crystal Gardens in Frankfort, Michigan

DIY Garden Screens

DIY Garden Screens
Photography – Debra Anchors

Moss Maiden

Moss Maiden

“I'm Too Sexy for my Jeans” 

by Plantiluer L'univers 
Image sourced while visiting BBB Seed Heirloom Vegetable & Wildflower Seeds 

Denim Planters

Denim Planters

“Jean-etically Modified Plants” 

by Tom Ballinger for BBB Seed Heirloom Vegetable & Wildflower Seeds 

I found this fabulous inspiration while viewing Altum's Horticultural Center & Landscape located in Zionsville, Indiana.

Although there weren't instructions for constructing these bodacious beauties, I would place a kitchen size garbage bag inside each leg and then fill each with something that could follow the line of the jeans but also be heavy enough to hold the planter in place. I would then use another kitchen garbage bag for the seat of the jeans, filled with a quality garden soil. 

Or, I might thread some rope through the belt loops of the jeans and then attach them to something sturdy, such as a fence.  I could then use bubble wrap or crumpled plastic grocery bags to shape the legs.

What do you think?  How would you make one of the denim planters?

Thank you for stopping by and spending a little time with me. If you enjoyed this article, please post a comment so I will know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Garden like you'll live forever!

Debra

Lawn and garden tips – gardening with vinegar

- by Debra Anchors


Vinegar has been used as an organic method of weed control, cleanser and as plant nutrition in the landscape for generations. Although these tips are not new, I am passing the information along for readers who may not yet be aware of how useful (and inexpensive) vinegar can be in the garden. I find that 10% vinegar (sometimes sold as pickling vinegar) works best but white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar works also.

Kill grass: To kill grass on sidewalks and driveways, pour full strength white distilled vinegar on it.

Kill weeds: Spray white distilled vinegar full strength on top of weeds. Reapply on any new growth until plants have starved.

Increase soil acidity: In hard water areas, add a cup of vinegar to a gallon of tap water for watering acid loving plants like rhododendrons, gardenias or azaleas. The vinegar will release iron in the soil for the plants to use.

Neutralize garden lime: Rinse your hands liberally with white distilled vinegar after working with garden lime to avoid rough and flaking skin. Clean pots before re-potting, rinse with vinegar to remove excess lime.

Keep Flowers Longer: Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons white vinegar in a 1-quart vase of water.  Trim stems and change water every five days.

Fertilize potted plants: To create an inexpensive and mild fertilizer, which also purifies the water, mix 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar and 1 gallon of water (an easy way to measure an ounce is to use a shot glass).

Add nutrients to your plants: Mix vinegar and water using a ratio of 1:8.  Mix a separate solution of sugar and water in a mixture of 1:8. Combine the vinegar and sugar mixtures. Add to your plants as long as needed.





A source used while writing this post: The Vinegar Institute.

Thank you for stopping by and spending a little time with me. If you enjoyed this article, please post a comment so I will know. I will be delighted if you would suggest Gardens Inspired to your friends, follow me or subscribe to my Blog.

Wishing you joyful gardening! 
-Debra

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Another year begins

- by Debra Anchors


In our gardens this year, may we all

Plant three rows of peas: 
Peace of mind 
Peace of heart 
Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash: 
Squash gossip 
Squash indifference 
Squash grumbling 
Squash selfishness



Plant four rows of lettuce: 
Lettuce be faithful 
Lettuce be kind 
Lettuce be obedient 
Lettuce really love one another

No garden is full without turnips: 
Turnip for meetings 
Turnip for service 
Turnip to help one another

To complete our garden, we must have thyme: 
Thyme for God 
Thyme for study 
Thyme for prayer

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.

I am sending you my best wishes of renewal, prosperity, joy and love in this new year. May this be the first of many joyful days to come.

Please do not miss this very thoughtful video:



Leave a legacy, but garden like you’ll live forever! 
-Debra

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