October 2008 - Posts

• How to add interest to a pillar or post or tree trunk

  I mentioned before about using old bricks like this in a rosette pattern. My mind keeps coming back to this because I think that round shapes are just pleasant to look at. A post is just a post but when you decorate it with other flanking materials, it Read More... Posted Friday, October 31, 2008 10:24 PM by phempton | 0 Comments

• My new favorite perennial vine

  I saw this at the garden center used as an arbor vine. It is Quisqualis indica or Rangoon Creeper . Apparently it's an aggressive vine that originates in Southeast Asia and is used quite a bit down in Austin. It dies back each winter but keeps coming Read More... Posted Wednesday, October 29, 2008 9:53 PM by phempton | 0 Comments Tagged with: "Quisqualis indica", "Rangoon Creeper"

• Creating pathways in my garden

  No this isn't really about my chicken legs! Living down in a very warm climate takes some special consideration when it comes to gardening. I suppose it does anywhere. Zones are important anywhere, but here the heat is the primary concern. So my style Read More... Posted Monday, October 27, 2008 5:55 PM by phempton | 0 Comments

• A simple wire composting system

  A simple composting system using three bins. These are coated metal basket types and work very well. This is one such setup at The Natural Gardener nursery in Austin. The first bin is the rough stuff and you can see food scraps, branches, grass and leaves Read More... Posted Monday, October 27, 2008 6:53 PM by phempton | 0 Comments

• A couple of great container gardening ideas

  This simple idea struck my wife and I as a nice way to break up a broad surface. We've got a little shed that could use some shelves like this. I like how they are staggered and use old rough cut boards. And these two are kind of simple. The first is Read More... Posted Monday, October 27, 2008 4:14 AM by phempton | 0 Comments

• More gardening ideas

  Another idea that I just love. Reclaimed bricks put down as a pathway. Then a rosette pattern with seasonal annuals as a focal point. Here they used a half whiskey barrel and filled it with all kinds of nice flowers. So here's a closeup of the circle Read More... Posted Monday, October 27, 2008 4:05 AM by phempton | 1 Comments

• Gruene Texas - dance hall and gardening

  Gruene Texas is a great little slice of southern heaven. Here's the water tower from inside the dance hall The Gruene dance hall is the real deal. Every well known country artist has played in that little hall. Back to gardening. I like this container Read More... Posted Monday, October 27, 2008 3:55 AM by phempton | 0 Comments

• Austin Texas on a Fall Evening

  Man I love being back in Austin. An October evening and it's still warm. Read More... Posted Monday, October 27, 2008 3:48 AM by phempton | 0 Comments