The Evil Minty Plan

I have an evil plan.  And that is to take over my yard with mint starting with my path.  I planted a few small sprigs that I dug out of pots that they were in last year and planted them along my herb patch.

I also planted a few different mints in the side of my yard.  They were mostly transplants from last year's stash including White Peppermint, Black Peppermint, Chocolate Mint, Peppermint, and a few others.  I thought I had them all when I stumbled upon a website that had at least 10 varieties that I don't have and in most cases didn't know about.  

My neighbor is astonished by my mint plants.  I told her about the website in which I found more.  I thought she was going to fall over.  It seems my evil minty plan is underway.... bwahahahahahahaha!

Sylvania Natives

My gram passed away a few weeks ago.  She was one of the people in my life who made me love plants and their medicinal properties.  In fact she sent me a list of herbs in which one should grow in their garden for almost all ailments.  I came across the list recently and in the wake of her death I thought I should honor her in the best way possible..... through a medicinal garden.

The only sign denoting the existence of this gem.

I had started looking on line for places that offer unique herbs such as Arnica, Boneset, Black Cohosh, etc.  I found one place that I plan on using, however, a friend suggested I try Sylvania Natives.  Ironically, one of the ladies who works there, Jessica, happened to be at my work over the weekend.  We chatted like old friends and she told me she'd be working Monday.  I called up my mom and away we went to find this gem in the city.

Wild Strawberries 

Upon driving down Ira Way, we almost passed it up as it literally looks like someone's yard.  I quickly pulled in proud of the fact that I actually found it!  When I opened up my door, there were wild strawberries growing right outside of my door.  I wanted to pick some and eat them, but I resisted!

Tupelo Tree

We then entered in past the enchanting wooden etched sign into a raised bed garden haven.  I was especially taken by the first sign I read, which said "Tupelo" which also happens to be the name of my business.

View of the Gardens

I ended up with several native plants with the want to find room for more.  In the end, I didn't find many of the herbs I was looking to add to my medicinal garden.  Cathy, the owner, said she only grows what is literally local plants... meaning if it isn't found in Pittsburgh, she doesn't carry it. She said some of the "native" plants could have been local to a broader region than what she carries.  I was intrigued, though by all of the edible plants as she has a variety of bushes and trees that fruit.

Lots of native plants for sale!

I came home and immediately planted my findings.  Including two different kinds of local bergamot, a wild ginger, boneset (one of the items she did have that I wanted), black cohosh (which I also wanted), local columbines (one of my favorites) and several other plants.  I'll photograph and put them in another blog post.  I am still looking to do my medicinal herb garden but I'll have to save that for another time.

Cathartic Gardening

This morning I woke up with my new goal at hand.  Each morning I wake up between 6 and 6:30 and head right out to the garden to weed.  I figure even a few minutes pulling weeds will make my garden prettier and will keep me on track.  Plus, with that as the goal, getting out of bed will hopefully be easier.

So I went out and started pulling some weeds in the front yard.  A few minutes in I realized I needed to weed another portion of the yard.  So I moved there.  Pretty soon my Adult ADD set in and I couldn't stop moving from space to space pulling all the weeds.  In front of the house, on the side, behind...... OH MY!  I also got other tasks done:

I finally got the Lily of the Valley planted from my grams funeral.

I dug up some Lillies to give to a friend who gave me some Allium.

Then I delivered the plants and went onto the nursery.  There I bought a butterfly bush and a beautiful daisy along with some more hot peppers and annuals for my planters.

I planted my boots and my three tiered planters plus a watering can and bucket that I never got around to planting last year.

I staked my tomatoes for the first time EVER this early in the season.

I almost completely weeded my garden bed.

I planted EVERYTHING I bought.

I raked up the weeds and tidied up the garden area.

I planted potatoes for the first time.

I dug up and turned over one garden bed area where the ivy keeps coming back.... pulling out all of the roots.

Somewhere in the midst of all this work, I sat and cried.  I cried and cried and cried.  I have some reasons and I also have some nonsense reasons for crying, but it felt good.  Six and a half hours later, my yard looks better and my heart is a little less heavy.  How is that for cathartic gardening?