Another post featuring one of 64 kinds of change described by I Ching. This is #49.
Cicada 1
Cicada 2
“For time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future.” John F Kennedy
Sometimes we get an answer before we have the question. That is what happened when I reviewed Backyard Medicine, Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal. On page 123, they share that oak twigs are nature’s tooth-brush due to natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. They encourage picking a small twig, chewing the end to massage gums as well as clean your teeth.
This week I trimmed low branches of my oak trees and these fun facts came to mind.
Tooth brush anyone?
Imagine…before we had our billion dollar toothbrush industry we had oak twigs. I suppose that also explains the wooden picks that predate today’s flossing options.
Historical perspective:
How the rest of the world brushes their teeth | MNN – Mother Nature Network
http://m.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/how-the-rest-of-the-world-brushes-their-teeth
1498 – “The bristle toothbrush was invented in China. Coarse hairs taken from the back of a hog’s neck were used for the bristles, attached at right angles to a bone or bamboo handle (similar to the modern type). The best bristles came from hogs raised in the colder climates of China and Siberia, where the animals grew stouter and firmer hair. Since 3000 BC, ancient civilizations had been cleaning teeth with a “chew-stick” by using a thin twig with a frayed end.”
Have you tried this?
The twigs are the solution to minimize environmental impact, but not likely for superior dental health.
Cantaloupes!
Ready to eat in a few days.
Two of over a dozen.
Vines from two plants spread both ways along retaining wall.
These cantaloupes are a special treat. We don’t usually try to grow them, since the garden space is filled with herbs, hostas, coneflower, heliopsis, butterfly bush, Dave’s fly in diner for the birds with bath.
Ready, set
Slice
Slice
We have shared one of four cantaloupes with wildlife…..it seems this one may have been so ripe that it split open when we were out-of-town and raccoons feasted!
Raccoon feast
2014 photos: celebrating summer’s bold color palette, bright whites included
http://www.weather.com/travel/summer-countdown/summer-solstice-first-day-summer-20140619
Yes, there is room for annual flowers/plants in the lawn of perennial flowers/plants! We choose to use containers for annuals.
Last year I planted “Wave” petunias in the old containers. These hang like photos on a wall in an indoor room by decorating the fence “wall”. Cost = $3 each. I planted lantana and verbena this year….”Citrus” and “Raspberry” photos below.
Wave petunias
The next project was filling hanging baskets. These have another variety of “Wave” petunias. We did three more baskets with begonias. Cost = $5 each (including new cocoa fiber liners).
Hanging baskets
Three pairs of foam containers flank the front porch step. My tradition/habit is to have geraniums and spike plant (foliage). I choose variegated Salvia for the largest of the containers. Cost = $4 each.
Front step containers
Last but not least is a pair of containers for purple fountain grass by the garage doors. This terra-cotta looking container has weathered well over 10+ years (unlike the real thing). Cost = $8 each.
Purple fountain grass
Container contents Total = $74 plus some potting soil and mulch to top off.
Raspberry Verbena
Citrus Lantana
At home this time, it is time to spruce up the landscape with mulch. We usually order 10 cubic yards of mulch. Since this week was a solo project, I ordered 5 cubic yards. At 500 pounds per cubic yard, the challenge was 2500 pounds or 1.25 tons. So, less work than moving firewood….hmmmm (see previous post). I had a rain delay before finishing. No comment on the hours nor pace.
Does this look like 2500 pounds?
I got great coverage of the landscape for the street view. I’ll be moving and adding plants in the next couple of weeks, then finish with the next 5 cubic yards.
I also found the Asiatic lilies I moved in the fall. They popped up behind the new iris bulbs. I need to make notes on my checklists 🙂
Standing Stone 1
Standing stone 2
Golden Quartz steps
This is the neighbor’s view.
South lawn south view
South lawn southwest view
The Breck’s sale catalog for bulbs direct from Holland and perennials has arrived! It is well received after Polar Vortex Part 1 & 2. Fun fact: we have 23 days to receive 6.9 more inches of snow to tie the seasonal record set in the winter of 1981-2. That is likely!
In the meantime, let’s order bulbs and plants. The lower seasonal temperatures may have killed off plant material.
My shopping list:
Frosty Morn Sedum and Goatsbeard for the Moon Garden
Red border lilies and Crocosmia for the center island bed
Rainbow Yarrow for the southeast corner bed
Deluxe gladioli Mixture Super Sak
White Swan coneflower (note my signature icon)
It is deep
It is deep. 2
Potting bench 1
Potting benches get dirty and cluttered!
We found this mottled brown laminate countertop in the sale bin. It has been perfect for this space, my purpose and an outstanding value for $5. It is installed at the right ergonomic height just below my elbow, which creates a space to tuck away several trash containers storing potting soil and pots. Dividing perennials is the number one project.
This is also our central bird and squirrel feeding preparation area. Our fly-in diner serves suet cakes, corn on the cob, thistle, hummingbird nectar, various mixes for wild birds and when the price is right….peanuts.
Cleaned and ready for another season.
elfcroft 