Family Adventures

Fairy garden

2011-08-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

This is my little secret garden, I built the fairy house my self, also swing, bench, and hammock. The back shade in the corner by kitchen window and nook is the perfect place to build this garden. My little gnome is so happy with his little property.

This is my pride delphinium, I planted it from seed two years ago, and now it grow 7 ft tall.

The flowing rock as dry creek. I call it my secret fairy garden because it is hiding behind two mature red currant shrub, people will not notice if I didn't show them about the little world beyond it.

Dry creek was after rain, it was really something beautiful, because I built it but acctually nature make it perfect.

Vegetable Garden on July 2011

2011-07-27T12:22:00.001-07:00

Vegetable garden from the back view with raspberry patch in the temporary raised bed, because it is moist area especially after rain for couple hours, so planting raspberry in the raised bed is acctually good, I'm gonna have raspberry harvest sometime soon.

View from the left side, I keep covering carrot until harvest time, shelled peas and snap peas growing on teepee , which I acctually prefer growing them on row by trellis. But the teepee style can save the growing space .

My first tomato this season, it is early girl variety that I propagated from cutting this spring, this way cut the waiting time for ripe tomato, and acctually it mature faster than seed started tomato, maybe because this is early girl hybrid which is early mature variety, but another type I propagated from seed like big beef, brandywine, ruby heirloom are starting to fruiting , but still later than cutting . Shelled peas is growing on teepee. Bush bean with lettuce growing together are really good companion, both are healthy looking plant compare to another one that I planted them with tomato or onion. My second years munstead lavender, so fragrant, I'm trying to make lavender oil now for July project.

Corn are growing in the raised bed with bush bean for companion plant and mulch them with dried grass clipping, because I didn't use any herbicide for lawn, so it is safe for mulch.Corns are indoor seeded last May which is make them grow faster than direct seeding. I put 1 fish ( kind of raw non salt hering fish) in every hole when transplanting time, same thing I did for transplanting tomato but I added crushed egg shell for tomato. That way acctually cut the fertilizing time, just in case I forget or too late for fertilizing, fish is slow acting nitrogen, and egg shell is calcium. Acctually, I'm not fertilizing them after but the plant look happy tho. Another potato patch is in the back by drainage and back fence, those are russet potato from my pantry, it was potato for eating, but I kept it too long and I found it sprouting, so I planted them and those are look healthier than yukon gold seed I purchased from store which I planted them in the raised bed. Raspberry patch by compost bin and sunflower by the gate, those are giant and dwarf sunflowers.

The new gate that hubby built it last week, I design the arbour and hubby design the gate with the window for peeking. I love it so much because it is like japanese style gate. I planted golden elderberry on both side of the gate for brighten the spot and japanese maple substitute. I prefer using sutherland elderberry for good impact but I read somewhere that golden elderberry is edible. Goji berry with marigold by the back patio, I started them from indoor seeding last December , and I purchased 2 plants from nursery, my original seedling is growing much better than nursery bought. But I see goji berry are fast grower. New addition in the back yard, that is lawn of course , so no more extra weeding like last year, and pathway from flat rock that I collected where ever I found it. Irish moss growing between rocks, it will be spreading to cover the bare dirt eventually, and it can take busy foot traffic too. Another view from herb garden in the raised bed.

July blooming

2011-07-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Mini rock garden is in full bloom, creeping thyme,reseeded bachelor button, daylily, campanula carpatica, blue fescue, allysum saxatile, blue sedum, hen n chick growing here.

June 2011 harvest

2011-07-01T15:08:00.001-07:00

Radish and some radish greens was from early June.
Strawberry from hanging basket, it was the second time harvest.
I just pulled one lettuce plant , because it was only for my self.
The fourth time harvest of spinach, I was used it for spinach bread.

What's blooming now in June ?

2011-06-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Allium and painted daisy are blooming in the front island bed.

Saxifrage is in rock garden, it will spread eventually.

Painted daisy is in full bloom , I planted it three years ago when it was still small seedling, and it is in the victory now as first time blooming.

Jacob ladder is in the back shade garden, it get morning sun only. It look good together with delphinium and silver lamium in the bottom.

Aster alpinus ( pinky ) is blooming under amur maackii tree together with nepeta "dropmore " , finished blooming tulip and daylily.

Salvia are blooming in the front island bed, I forget the variety but I think it is kinda salvia maynight, I planted from seed last year.

Shasta daisy 'alaska' with nepeta x faasenii walker low are blooming in the front corner house, I think it is beautiful combination, they always look fresh for whole day.

Yankee doodle lilac and Mdme. Lemoine lilac are still blooming nicely in the south sunny side of the house.

Viburnum roseum snowball is in the shady front yard, it is first time blooming since I planted last fall. I wish it is fragrant.

Vegetable Garden 2011

2011-06-06T19:23:00.001-07:00

Vegetable garden in early June, everything I plant are starting to grow. Early June is the month with cold and rainy spring here in zone 3, which is good for the lawn so I don't have to water it often, and of course I can keep rain water on the home made rain barrel, cheap and effective, that is garbage can. It is not so attactive looking but it work. I cover tomato planter and corn with blanket frost ,potato in the planter by compost bin, beet with garlic and carrot covered by tulle netting, I have it a lot in the basement from my wedding decoration. The idea was to keep the pest away, and it seem work too. I just cut the tulle as the size of the planter and nail the wooden stake in every corner of the planter , but don't push the nail all the way through, tight the tulle by roll it and hold it on the nail.

Lettuce grand rapid, raddish and spring onion. I planted zucchini in every corner of this planter.

This is the never ending supply of spinach .

Potato and onion growing under tulle screen. It work really good to keep potato bug away.

Beet and garlic as companion plant. I read somewhere that garlic can improve the taste of beet.

Carrot scarlet nantes and white onion growing under tulle screen too.

Golden bantam corn and super sweet corn growing together on the long planter. The rule is to grow sweet corn should be spaced around 7 meters between varieties to ensure the good crop. But I didn't follow it. So we'll see.

Herb planter include echinacea and strawberry. The clump in the corner are lavender from seed last year and ready to blooming . It is better plant if I compare it to the one in the middle, that one was store bought last year, it doesn't looking good in the second year.

Peas , head lettuce , swiss chard. Bean and corn( not germinate yet ) was planted between peas, this is for experiment to compare corn between direct seed and transplanted .

Tomato plant from cutting . They are starting to flower and some of them has little tomato already, way earlier than tomato plant from seed.

There are so many thing to learn in the garden to get better crop. Learn from people who expert with this stuff also learn from our experience in the previous year.

May and June blooming

2011-06-05T19:42:00.000-07:00

Allysum saxatile .
Tulip under the amur maackii tree.
Tulips in the south side of the house.
Tulip by the basement window.
Amur maackii tree blooming in the front yard. Double flowering plum, love this plant.
I just realize this rock garden is heart shape, I didn't make it that way , but I guess my mini rock garden love me , lol.

Propagating Lemon Grass

2011-06-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

Lemon grass is well known for Asian cuisine ingredient as well as mosquito reppelent. Back home I planted this herb along my fish pond, it grew so well and form big clump overhang to the water. It was so easy to plant, I just stick them in to the dirt , no need special requirement for planting this herb. It is consider low maintenance perennial plant too. Although it is tropical herb , it doesn't mean we can't grow this here in the four season country. We can plant it in the container or in the yard during summer , just remember we have to repot it back and bring it indoor during winter. For easy starter plant , just go to nursery that carry tropical herb as transplanting item or mature size one is perfect too. But I prefer to make new plant by propagating my self. It is so easy.

First, when you go grocery shopping, get a bunch of lemon grass stalks, it usually no more than 2 bucks for 3 pcs stalk. Pick the good looking stalk for good result .Cut the stalk about 4 inch from the base, put in to glass with 1 inch water or just enough to cover the base, keep it in warm and bright place such as window sill or just in the countertop is fine too. Use the remaining stalk for cooking.

Change the water every day , and after around 5 days we can see root start forming from the base. It is time to transplant it in to the container with good potting mix .

After one week transplanted , it start grow leaf which is good, and just fertilize it with fish emulsion . Keep it indoor during winter , when spring coming , gradually hardening off for 1 to 2 weeks periode, put the plant outside where it get partially sun and bring it indoor when frost is expected. Because it is perennial , so you will have this herb for years if you keep it in warm place during winter.

Propagating tomato for 2011 garden

2011-04-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

Garden season for zone 3 is on the way, finally winter is almost over. I guess it is time to start tomato plant. This year I propagate tomato with two different ways, stem cutting and seed. If we plant tomato from seed, it will take maturity time as described on seed package. And of course we have to sow seed around 8 weeks before last frost. Those are 'big beef' tomato and 'potato leaf brandywine' tomato started from seed. I have left over seeds from last year season. The seed package says 70 days maturity time for both varieties. I planted the seed around mid March.

Those are 'Early girl hybrid' tomato from stem cutting. The seed package says 52 days maturity time. Also left over seeds from last year season. Acctually this is good variety for zone 3 because of the early maturity time, but I have grown this on my aerogarden, so it make me easy to make more plant, just take stem cutting from extra branch between the leaf ( sucker ). This extra branch is acctually mature plant, so it will grow as mature plant and hopefully get fruit early. I have tried this methode before on 2009 garden season , and I got fruit earlier . This is so easy methode and just basic skill needed.

First, sterilize knife with hydrogen peroxide, take stem cutting , you can take short cut or long cut , it doesn't matter how long the stem cutting is, because tomato plant is easy to root and grow fast too.

Second, rooting methode. You can choose two different methode. The most simple way is just leave the stem on the glass with about 1 inch of clean water, let it sit for couple days, change the water if necessary every day. After 4 or 5 days you will see root start forming on the stem. Then start repot the rooted stem to proper growing medium or potting mix.

Another methode is simple too , take stem cutting and apply rooting hormone, stick the stem on perlite or seed starting mix, then put on propagator . It will take same time about 4 or 5 days to form root on stem.

It is so instant, I think, because on a week you will have plant that look like 6 weeks old seedling. You can cut seed starting time and cost too by taking stem cutting. If you dont have ready plant at home, just start sow 1 seed of variety you want to grow very early, when the plant ready for haircut, then it is time to taking stem cutting. Another option is get ready plant in nursery, they will have tomato plant available around April, just get 1 plant per variety, then keep it indoor, then you can make more plant by taking stem cutting.

Today harvest

2010-08-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

So, I got some big zukes, the biggest one is 475 grams, the third harvest of peas, second harvest of beans ( beans are 756 grams ), and ipomoea aquatica.

Beauty in the garden

2010-08-27T17:11:00.001-07:00

Early August blooming

2010-08-09T18:29:00.001-07:00

What's blooming now ? Let's see, I got sweet pea, onion ( in the vegetable garden ), statice ( from seed last March, good for drying and cut flower ), dahlia.
And here are blue queen salvia, early charm aster and gailardia ( from seed last March ), verbena .

July Harvest

2010-08-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

I just harvested when I need it. There are still a lot in the garden.

Small carrots are from thinning out. Snap peas, hot peppers, zuchinni, beets, head lettuce.

Grand rapid lettuce, swiss chard, zuchinni blossoms, green onions.

Alaska peas, and there is still a lot in the garden too.

Update vegetable garden

2010-08-04T23:10:00.000-07:00

Vegetable garden in first week of August. Everything grow good, I didn't get any damage from hail storm last July.

The view from the other side.

The narrow view.

The 2nd floor view. The other side by the back fence still in progress, It is next year project.

Herb garden, hubby is so happy to harvest his first onion bulb for tomato salad, and he said can't wait for fresh tomato and fresh onion on the bowl, he he he.

Head lettuce, ipomoea aquatica, beet, hot chilli. I just harvested big bunch of beets , and still a lot in the garden.

Swiss chard, zuchinni, heirloom tomato, red currant.

Tomato patch , bean, lettuce, sweet corn by the porch.

June and July blooming

2010-07-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

What's blooming in June? Well, a lot. I did not expect any blooming for perennial, because most perenial will blooming in its second year, but I'm lucky, maybe because I choose easy growing perennial , I even started them last March from seed. Sweet pea , ornamental allium, agastache start blooming.

Aster alpinus on its second year, multiply readily and blooming a lot, campanula carpatica started indoor last January, wee willy from saved seed last year, gomphrena started indoor last February.

July update in vegetable garden

2010-07-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Herb garden in first week of July, everything grow good, I grow parsley, chive, sage, sweet basil, lime basil, lavender , mint, thyme, they are growing in the black plastic nursery , so they don't take over the entire planter box, and look neat. Onion , garlic and strawberry are growing around them. Poppy is growing in the corner and echinacea is in the other corner. Bees and butterfly look busy in this area.
I sowed corn seed on June 2nd, they grow fast almost catching up some corn that grow earlier indoor. Sunflower grow in each back corner. Zuchinni grow in the front corner and the middle of planter.

Pea pods and sugar snap peas are climbing the trellis I built using twine on the iron rod and bamboo stake. In the front row are Early great Lake Head lettuce, carrot, beet, swiss chard, for interplanting I plant radish and green onion around carrot. But since onion is bad companion planting for peas , so I plant onion about 2 month later after peas start climbing the trellis.

Cucumber with radish for companion plant. I built cucumber trellis using bamboo stake and put it on 50 deg angle, so when cucumber get mature provide shade for lettuce. Beet, nasturtium, green onion, calendula grow here.

Bush bean, grand rapids lettuce and spinach.

1st batch of beet, head lettuce, carrot and green onion. Beet need thinning when they grow around 4 " tall, and use the green for salad or stir fry.

I don't plant this , but it keep pop up around the garden, and I keep it grow , it looks like kale or chinese brocolli and it look yummy too, lol. Does anyone know what is it ?

Bright Light Swiss chard. Good for stir fry. I keep harvest them for my self and give away to my neighbour and friend , but it keep growing nicely, the leaf even bigger.

Spinach ready to harvest. Yum yummy...

Ipomoea Aquatica. In south east Asia like Indonesia and malaysia, it called kangkong or kangkung, it is very popular on spicy stir fry.

Tomato, Long bean, onion, calendula, parsley, mint grow here. Parsley and mint improve flavour for tomato, calendula and onion to keep pest away. But keep onion more than 1 ft away from bean.

I plant little blue chili pepper, cayenne, habanero and green bell pepper. Onion, marigold , calendula, basil grow here for companion planting to keep pest away.

Honey bicolor sweet corn grow by the back porch with sunflower , long bean and zuchinni. Lavatera grow in the back row. Golden Bantam corn and super sweet corn grow in the other side by the nook. I planted them earlier indoor on the cocopeat pot to see the different between indoor seedling and direct sowing.

June harvest

2010-07-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

Vegetable garden on June 26th, something is ready to harvest.

My first harvest was little blue chilli, chayenne, green onion, and swiss chard , I cooked it for stir fry, hmmm yummy.

2nd harvest on June, grand rapid lettuce, spinach, little tiny strawberry, parsley, green onion.

Cherry belle radish, my husband made cheese spread for sandwich, chopped radish with sour cream and ricotta cheese. yummy...

Vegetable Garden 2010

2010-06-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

I design some stuff for my house landscaping, and I want vegetable garden in the backyard , so this spring around end of April ,hubby built it for me , lucky me, I have handy hubby. Long planters are 3 x 12 ft for growing corn, peas, tomato and chilli pepper.

Small planters are 3 x 4 ft for green such as lettuce spinach, cauliflower and bean.

The medium one in the middle is 4 x 4 ft for herb garden. Because of herb is spread faster so I put black plastic nursery container for planting herb, I put some gravel in the bottom for good drainage. That way herb will not spread around the planter . For soil , I use screened top soil mix ed mushroom compost , cow manure and peat moss. So far I'm so happy with them.

Planting Nepeta x faassenii

2010-04-20T13:19:00.000-07:00

Nepeta or catmint is one of easy to grow perennial and it grow in zone 3. It can be propagate from seed, cutting or layering. But the easiest way is from cutting .
- In my experience , I propagated Nepeta x faassenii from seed on March 1st in the heated greenhouse. Sow 5 to 8 seeds per plug or 4" pot on good seeding mix, cover by plastic to create humidity. Seed will germinate after 1 to 2 weeks. After first leaves appear, pull out the weak seedling, and fertilize with fish emulsion or starter fertilizer twice for a month. Hardening off seedling when temperature above 10 deg C. I done this in the second weeks of May. Transplant seedling in the garden after danger of frost.
- I propagated nepeta from cutting too. This is the easiest way to propagate the plant and can be done anytime from early spring until August, so the plant can have time to establish the root before first frost coming. Take cutting about 4 " below the leaf node, and strip all lower leaves but the top one to reduce moisture lose. Dip the cutting end tip on rooting hormone and put on the seeding mix or good compost. Cover the pot by plastic or put in the propagator. In about 5 to 7 days, cutting should have root ready. Leave it for 2 or 3 days in its pot then transplant the plant to individual pot or straight in to the garden. Nepeta is fast growing plant and hardy to zone 3.

Seedling picture

2010-04-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well, spring fever here, and still continue with seeding schedule since I started it last February, I know too early but I want the garden in full bloom . My wishlist in 2010 garden are front yard flower bed, rock garden, cutting garden, and vegetable garden. Because lots of plant on my wishlist , it is about hmmm... 80 seed varieties, and 9 bulb varieties . I know , a lot... So, I have to grow my own seedling. Here my seedling pictures in the cutie greenhouse.

I used plastic cup and foam cup, I got 100 pcs small size per pack for cheap.

Tomato seedling started on March 15th, and gomphrena.

Chilli and petunia double.

Agastache blue fortune and campanula carpatica.

Alyssum snowstorm, this is a must flower in my garden, because it is attract bee and so fragrant.

Calendula for vegetable garden companion plant. Shasta daisy in the bottom right.

Carnation for cutting garden.

Celosia and bachelor's button also for cutting garden, container and bed as well.

Nepeta fassenii. for rock garden.

Salvia blue queen, celosia, statice, bachelor's button.

2 weeks old dahlia.

Marigold bonanza, disco queen, disco red, coleus ( still tiny), african daisy. Sorry picture is blury.

Papaver somniferum or peony poppy, wintersown on end of January and germinate on mid March.

Gailardia. Wintersown on end of January and germinate on mid March.

I try wintersowing , see if it germinate in zone 3 winter. I try coneflower, gailardia, rudbeckia, geum, agastache, wild rose, poppy, campanula carpatica, columbine.

Swiss chard, lettuce and spinach, grow in the greenhouse since last February. But now, I put it outside during the day and put it back in the greenhouse during night . Well, I still have more seedling pictures, I will show it in the next post.

Wyndham Carseland

2010-03-25T18:11:00.000-07:00

My 1st winter trip this year, because I'm little bit busy with plant babies , so I just spent almost all time at home, but it's fun. Our destination is Wyndham Carseland in the Wheatland, just 25 minute drive from home, this place is bird conservatory, so best time to visit there is early spring, summer and early fall. It is by the Bow River and around little forest for bird, also there is an island in the river called Johnson island, just wondering how to get there. When I just entered the gate, there were some little birds, I dont know what bird is, they dont scare of people, they like to perch on our hand, maybe looking for food. We walked on the trail by the river and found some tree trunk covered by wire fence , due to beaver habitat in the river.
The picture of nice sky in early spring, love the color.

Spring coming

2010-03-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well, finally spring coming , so excited, little bit busy with indoor planting since last February. Well, I want beautiful garden so I prepare everything. Designing the garden plan and colour of garden and garden theme too. Last year I had great success with front yard garden. So , this year I want more than last year.
I walked little bit , see if something alive in the ground, I was so surprised . My tulips are grow, that is great , because I still mulch them, waiting until early April to remove it, but I guess those tulips can't wait to poke them up.

Indonesian Chicken Soup

2009-11-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

Ingredients :

6 chicken drumstick

4 cups water

1/2 tsp salt

5 clove garlic, minced

2 potato , peeled and cut cube

15 baby carrot

2 tbs spring celery , chopped

2 stalk green onion , chopped

Salt, white pepper as desired

1 shallot, sliced and fry

Direction:

Put chicken, 1/2 tsp salt , water on medium pan, boil until broth come out. Add minced garlic, potato, carrot, salt, white pepper. Boil until all ingredients cooked. Add chopped celery and green onion. Serve with fried shallot as garnish.

Honey and Coconut Milk for rooting hormone

2009-10-04T09:37:00.000-07:00

Honey is good stuff for our life, we use honey for health care, cooking, also good to mix on tea or milk. So, I'm sure people need honey for their life and we always have stock of honey in pantry. Also for coconut milk, we use it for cooking , especially Asian dish.
This time , I'm gonna try use honey and coconut milk for propagating plant as rooting hormone.I use geranium cutting for experiment , because geranium is one of the easiest plant for propagating. The 1st plant dip in honey mixed with boiled water ( let it cool ). The ratio is 1/2 tbsp honey and 1 cup water. I put the lable with pink paper. The 2nd plant dip in honey mixed with cold water. I put lable with blue paper. The ratio is 1/2 tbsp honey and 1 cup water.

The 3rd plant dip in coconut milk mixed with water. I put the lable with green paper. Ratio is 1 tsp coconut milk and 1 cup cold water.
Let those plants uncover, put in bright room but indirect sunlight.

After 5 days, the water looks browniesh, it looks like debris on it. Plants still look fresh.
Let see closer, the 1st plant looks browniesh in the bottom right on leaf bud.
The 2nd plant also looks browniesh on the leaf bud.
The 3rd plant looks better of all, water looks clean and plant looks fresh too.
So, I repot them to 4 inch pots, and keep in indirect sunlight.

This is what I get after 20 days. The 3rd plant with coconut milk for rooting hormone ( green paper ) is the best one of all. The 1st and 2nd plant with honey for rooting hormone are dead, they wilt and rot. So, by this experiment , I can say that honey is not the best stuff for rooting hormone, and I prefer coconut milk for it. But we still can get comercial rooting hormone by cheap, so as long as it still available in store , better use it.

Minewanka lake

2009-09-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Last August was the perfect time to go camping, we deciced to go camping in Two Jake campground for some reasons. There are three lakes close together. So, during the day we can go to those lakes for couple minutes by walk. Feel the nature and admire the perfect landscaping around it.

Lake Minewanka is the biggest lake in this area, great for scubadiving or fishing, as it says on historical site that is underwater old city , which this city was existed years ago in the area. I love the colour of the lake, looks really blue.
In Minewanka Lake we can go hike for about 1 hour, there is Minewanka Canyon with wooden bridge between hills.
We went for swimming in Johnson Lake, it is big enough for swimming and canoeing. The stream is for water flowing from the lake with the wooden bridge, create the beautiful natural landscaping.

Hubby in Two Jake Lake. He enjoy to walk across the lake to get the small island by the layed wood bark.

Johnston Canyon in summer. We went there in spring roadtrip for the first time. Because this place was close from Two Jake Campground, so we went back there and we had plan to go hike up the top of the hill to see the Inkpot. Johnston Canyon always look fantastic with its nature.

So, this is Inkpot, we hiked up there for more 3 km from the Johnston Canyon Upper Fall. Well, it is not really far, but the trail is up and down the hill, so litle bit tiring. but I made it , yay...!! The Inkpot is like pond with 4 different colours ( I think, I forgot what it says on siteboard ), dominant to blue, green and yellow. The bubble come up from the ground create a wave of mud in the bottom of the pond.
This place is remind me about my picture that I like to draw when I was kid he he he. Mountain for background, cloud, blue sky, some trees and the meadow. I was walking to the creek there.

Miniature flower arrangement

2009-09-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Another thing I would try to do is arranging flower. It is so much fun. I dont have big flower to cut, so I try to arrange some little flower into small glass for vase, this one shot glass is perfect for it.

Flower arrangement is using our imagination, so think about something beautiful with harmonize the color and texture. It is like gardening , there is no limit on flower arrangement.

September blooming

2009-09-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

September is like end of flower bloom, this is what I get on this month. A unique colour gladiolus.

Red gladiolus.

White and pink troath gladiolus.
Yellow gladiolus.

Gladiolus in row, some of them are blooming , some of them just shoot flower bud.

Hanging basket with full bloom, those flowers are bacopa, red calibrachoa, brachycome and ivy.

I planted this container 2 months ago from cutting except for marigold from seed.

Lobelia, petunia hybrid , bacopa and creeping jenny ( in the back side ) are planted on basket. Lobelia is self cleaning so dead heading is not necessary, they will dry for a while and grow back nicely.

My flower bed in the front yard is in full bloom. It was like disaster when hail storm hitted on last August, but they grow back really nice. They are low care flowers.

I repot those hosta into self watering container. When it was still in the ground, those cute little rabbits eat them, so I rather move it to container.

Pomfret fish Grill

2009-09-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

The recipe is originally from Indonesia, if you like fish and chilli spice, you can try this serve with steamed rice. Tasty.

Ingredients:
1 medium size pomfret fish
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp white pepper powder
2 tbsp chopped onion
3 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger powder

Sauce:
1 cup sweet soy sauce
2 chilli pepper, sliced thin
1 tomato, sliced cube
2 shallot, sliced cube
1 lime cut half

Directions:
Mix together salt, turmeric, onion, garlic, white pepper, ginger. Pour over the fish and marinate for 1 hour.
Sauce : mix together all ingredients, except the lime.
Set the fish on baking dish .Broil the fish in the oven on 450 deg F for 20 minutes, or you can use grill. Remove the fish, put in the plate and pour the sauce over the fish. For more taste, squeeze lime , and pour the juice over the fish. Serve with steamed rice.

Propagating coleus

2009-09-16T11:34:00.001-07:00

I bought coleus in late spring, and I know it is annual plant here, instead of buy the same plant on the next season, so I make it more plant. Those item are what I need, this time I use perlite for rooting medium. Actually we can propagate coleus in water as well, they can depelove root easily.

I took tip cutting just below the leaf node about 4 inch , then trim the leaf below the tip, dip it to rooting hormone about 1 inch, put the cutting on perlite as rooting medium.Water it thoroughly. If the perlite is wet or too much water, it is OK, as long as the pot has hole for drainage.

Cover it with plastic to create humidity, I'm recycling chicken dome for it as always. I know it sounds funny. But it is work for propagating plant. Place the cutting in the shade, out of direct sunlight. Take off the cover everyday for 1 minute, to get the air circulation.

After 2 weeks, the plant has root readily, it is time to repot them.

Harvesting Tomato

2009-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

This is what I get for summer harvest. Those tomato are not big enough for the size but that is a lot. Well, I just let them ripe on the plant, so about 2 weeks later will be so juicy.

Spaghetti Olio with garlic shrimp

2009-09-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

When I wanna cook something quick, so I cook this spicy spaghetti.

Ingredients :

300 gr Angel hair pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
3 clove garlic, sliced
1 red chilli pepper, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
4 lt water

2 pounds shrimp, shelled and deveined
3 tbsp lemon juice
salt to taste
4 clove garlic, crushed or minced
1/4 cup butter
fresh parsley (chopped )for garnish
parmesan cheese

Direction:

Boil water in the pot rapidly, reduce heat and add pasta until tender, drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in the pan, add garlic and chilli , sauté, add pasta, salt, pepper. Stirr well and set aside.
Heat butter on the skillet, add shrimp and garlic, turning frequently until shrimp turn pink, add salt and lemon juice. Stirr well and remove the skillet from heat. Serve with pasta and garnish it with parsley and parmesan cheese.

Black Pepper Sauce

2009-09-14T18:07:00.000-07:00

This sauce is good with garlic chicken. Hubby's favourite menu.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp black pepper powder
2 clove garlic , chopped
1 tbsp chopped onion
pinch salt
1 tsp oyster sauce
1/4 tsp maggy sauce
1 tsp sweet soy sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 3 tbsp water
1 cup water

Directions:

Put 1 cup water on pan, add chopped garlic,onion, cook in the medium heat until boiling. Add black pepper powder, salt, sugar, oyster sauce, maggy sauce, sweet soy sauce, simmer it. Add mixed cornstarch, simmer it until the sauce thicken.

Oven Baked Hash Brown

Ingredients:

250 gr hash brown

2 tsp dried dill leaf

2 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 deg F. Mix all ingredient together and put on the baking dish. Oven for 35 minutes. Serve.

Garlic Chicken

2009-09-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

This is hubby's favourite chicken for dinner.

Ingredients :
3 pcs chicken breast ( boneless and skinless )
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cajun powder seasoning ( if you like )
1 egg
2 tsp garlic powder
1 cup sunflower oil

Directions:
In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and egg. Marinate chicken breast on whisked milk and egg for 1 hour in the fridge.In another medium bowl, mix together bread crumbs, flour, pepper, parika, garlic powder, salt and cajun powder. Heat the cooking oil on the frying pan, dip marinated chicken on the dry ingredient until coated. Fry chicken for about 5 minutes or until golden brown per side and juices run clear. Remove and drain on the paper towel. Serve.

Sweet and sour shrimp

2009-09-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

First time I came here, I cooked this shrimp for hubby, he like it. Hope you like it too.
Ingredients :

1 pound shrimp ( shelled and deveined )

1/4 cup chopped onion (or 2 shallot)

1 red chilli (seeded and chopped)

3 cloves garlic (minced or chopped)

1 lemon ( juice )

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1 tsp salt ( as desired )

1 tsp sugar ( as desire )

1 tsp dried parsley

1/4 tsp white pepper

spring parsley for garnish

1 cup sunflower oil

2 tbsp sunflower oil

Directions:

Marinate shrimp with lemon juice and salt for 15 minutes. Heat 1 cup cooking oil on the large pan, fry shrimp for about 3 minutes or until pink, set aside. Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil on another pan , add minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped red chilli, simmer it until fragrant. Add fry shrimp, tomato sauce, dried parsley ,white pepper, sugar. Simmer it for about 3 minute. Serve.

Fish Creek

2009-09-14T14:59:00.001-07:00

Biking in Fish Creek. I was so tired and take rest here in the steep hill. The breathtaking view is whole Fish Creek and Bow River. Amazing.

But this is not in Fish Creek. It is a great view in Alberta farmland. Picture was taken around 9 pm, so effect of sunset plus cloudy create a beautiful colour of the land.

Three Valley Gap

2009-09-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Beautiful reflection on the lake, looks like the big mirror in the ground to keep the beauty of nature.

Another beautiful reflection, people called this place Ghost Town or Three Valle Gap just about 15 minutes from Revelstoke.

I think I know that girl, yea.. thats me he he he. Sitting and admiring the view here . Three Valley Lake Chateau is in the background. The lovely chateau is complete with replica and historical building.

Okanagan Lake

2009-09-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

We went there for summer vacation, this is Waterfront Park, Kelowna. Just around the City Park.
This is on the way to Penticton. Beautiful and peaceful.
It is not a good picture , but it is good view in background. We went there for couple days, and we fell in love with this place.

Propagating Tomato

2009-09-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

Basic of propagating :

1. Stem Cutting : Softwood, hardwood, tip cutting

2. Air layering

3. Grafting
4. Dividing
5. Seeding
Rooting Medium : Peat moss, perlite, sand, vermiculite, water
Rooting hormone such as comercial stuff , water from willow's twig also work well

I like free plant and I like to learn how to get that. So far I propagate plant by stem cutting ( softwood and tip cutting ). I use peat moss mixed with perlite for medium, but if just thin stem cutting, I use peat pellet, that way I can see the plant is growing when the root come out.

Propagating tomato:

We can propagate tomato by stem cutting and get fruit in the same time of the season.

I took stem cutting from the sucker, as we know that we can pinch tomato sucker to promote better fruit. So, I rather take the sucker to get more plant. Just cut the stem right under the leaf node. Dip it to rooting hormone for about 1.5 cm.

I use peat pellet for rooting medium, make a hole on it using chop stick or pencil.
Put the plant on the medium and make sure it is not fall over.
Create humidity by cover it with clear plastic bag or other stuff that can create humidity. I use a box from baked chicken he he he, I know that is funny, but it is work really good. My Hubby said that is chicken dome , lol.

The cutting has root on a week. As we can see on the picture with red arrow pointing on to the root. Then I transplant it to 1 gal pot . It grow really good and bearing fruit at the same time in the season with all those tomatos.

Enchanted Forest

2009-09-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

This is my childish mind, I always keep in my mind that fairy is exist and live around people. So, when we drove to Kelowna , I found this, yay... Fairy tale forest. The Enchanted forest that complete with castle and dragon ( of course just sculpture ), and some creatures on fairy tale.
Idont know what kind of plant is that, the leaf is huge.
I looks like a little tiny creature who stand up around the tree, Fairy has come alive ....ha ha ha..
The little house in the forest, I was so excited, I feel like to live in the fairy tale , lol.

Elysium Gardens

2009-09-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

Elys ium gardens is in Kelowna, British Columbia. Hubby and I went there on August , so all plants are blooming. This garden is really beautiful, even lots of bees, and the garden has sweet fragrant around. We went there for summer vacation to Kelowna, I love this city, so warm. So , first day we visited this garden. Those are apple trees with some shade loving perennial around trees. They use grass for pathway, simple but beautiful .

That flower is taller than me, lol. Well, it was the first time I saw giant rudbeckia, it is match with globe thistle and purple coneflower, those flowers are bloom from late spring to late summer, such a good companion plant.

This garden is perfect for wedding ceremony.

I'm not sure , but I think those flowers are pee-gee hydrangea along the pathway and pergola in the background, beautiful.
Hubby like this garden so much, so he pretended sit in his backyard ha ha ha. Or maybe he was thinking to build the lovely garden like it, hmmmm.

This is what I wanna do. Build zen garden in the corner of my backyard.

Flower Garden 2009

2009-08-13T13:55:00.001-07:00

Frontyard

Flowerbed in the front side with a little rock garden, lol. I plant allysum for the border, also for bed along the driveway. I love it, everytime I visit my little garden or even just stand up around, I can smell really nice honey fragrant. All those plants are sweet william, baby blue eyes, campanula, marigold, scarlet flax, lily, chrysanthemums, aster alpinus, geranium and a lot more. Wait , what is that, ghost or black shadow with camera ha ha ha. By the porch are gladiolus. In the south side, I plant some perennial for sun loving such as rudbeckia, coneflower , russian sage , hollyhock ( just sprouting ), ninebark and lilacs.
Little rock garden with some creeping plants such as creeping thyme, baby's breath, blue fescue, coralbell, hakonechloa macra aureola and campanula in the backside.

Baby's breath in full bloom.
Fire in the garden he he he, just marigold with sunset light.

Flower bed in back side, maybe I need more plants.

My new container garden he he he, I planted thos flowers from cutting, I tried to propagate flower by softwood cutting using media and rooting hormone, and I made it. Free flower ...

Home Decoration

2009-08-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Living Room
Decoration use ceramic vase and ornamental flower craft , it give oriental touch.

My birthday gift from mom, this is Calla Lily ( Zanthedeschia Elliottiana ). It make living room look elegan because of the flower meaning.

TRICK and TRIAL GARDENING

2009-07-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

SPRING CROP 2009

This spring, I wanna plant tomato and chili pepper, because I like hot pepper, so I plant habanero and thai chili. I know that is sound like HOT...!!! But I like it. I started to plant seeds indoor in container. I didn't have any fancy seeding tray, so I used window box planter. One box for tomato and one box for chili. I covered it by saran plastic wrap.The 3 containers are just gladioulous bulb and pink calla lilly.

I planted seeds on April 14th.

After 2 weeks (April 27th) all seeds are germinate.

Even gladioulous and calla lilly are grow, we can

see there is little tiny sprout in the middle of it.

Then 2 weeks later (May 10th), I transplant them into plastic cup, because they looks crowdy and growing slowly if I let them grow in the window box. I make drainage hole in the bottom of plastic cup.Just cut it by scissor. Tomato seedlings are in the back and chilli seedlings are in the front.

Gladiolous and calla lily are grow bigger.

2 weeks later and so, all seedlings grow bigger (May 28th).

I planted green onion, pearl onion and garlic too. I tried to plant sweet pea, I make the seeding pot from newspaper scrap. They grow fast, but I'm not sure when I transplant it outside , because as I know they don't transplant well.Sweet pea is better we sow outside in the garden directly.

(June, 12th) I transplant chili and tomato seedlings into 2 gal pot and 1 gal pot. Before I transplant seedling on it,there are some steps that good for growing tomato on container.I put good quality of potting mix on the base about 4" then put fish (I bought a bag of frozen fish, just small fish and let it stand in room temperature and cut them by 3 pieces each) and crusted egg shell on it , cover with soil about 2", (remove seedling from its pot and remove the first true leaf) set seedling above then add soil until seedling planted above the first true leaf node, this method will encourage strong root. Fish is good amendment as fertilizer for plant and egg shell is good as it contain of calcium for strong stem. I put this organic stuff so I don't have to give them another fertilizer. Put saucer under container, water the plant thoroughly by soaking the soil, make sure don't splash the plant. The good time to watering is in early morning about 6 am or 7 am. As I know that tomato doesn't like wet or too much water, I found the best method to watering, I put a medium glass of water on saucer that keep the soil on container moist and watering from the bottom will encourage strong root growth to get water deeply.

Some seedlings on 1 gal container. My calla lily is bigger so I put it outside to see if this plant will grow better with full sun. Some pest like to flying around tomato and chili, even for calla lily, like aphid.Marigold flower has benefit to plant around veggies, it can keep pest like aphid stay away. I think pest doesn't like smell of marigold.

Pinching tomato sucker

Well, if we live in the north like zone 3, growing season is very short.Plant get sunlight about 3 month between frost. So, we can grow fine fruit without pruning plants. But for growing perfectly if we want to prune, here are a few guidelines (I found this on expert gardener site).

For determinate types, there is no need to prune at all.

For indeterminate types, allow one, two, or three suckers to grow from the base of the plant. Each of these will become a main stem with lots of flowers and fruit. Prune off all the others suckers and provide the plants with strong support. Research has shown that the best time to remove suckers is when they are about 3 to 4 inches long.

For the semi-determinate types, limit your pruning. When the plant is 8 - 10 inches high, look carefully and observe the first flower cluster on the stem. Remove all the suckers below the flower cluster except for the one immediately below the cluster. We may have to go back and give these a second pruning 7 to 10 days later. Remove no more than that or we run the risk of pruning too much.

I planted Sub Arctic Plenty tomato , this is determinate type and I purchased Big Beef tomato seedling from local nursery, this is indeterminate type. So, I just followed the guidlines above. Beside those sucker aren't bothering me.

Look at those green onion and garlic, they grow (yay!). Even the big white onion (I don't know the name of this onion).It grow on the purple pot. Woohooo....

I'm lucky that I have patio east facing. All plant can get sunlight for 6 until 8 hours a day.

July 21st, 2009 . All tomatos and pepper are grow and blooming.

The big beef tomato variety in blooming and bearing fruit.

Big beef tomatos are ripe now.

Some sub arctic plenty tomato are bearing fruit. I like to grow them , but I dont know what should I do with those tomatos, too much, lol.

Old Picture

2009-07-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

Old picture, very old he he he. It just webcam effect, but I really like this picture , just like we lived in years ago.

Off Road

2009-07-14T17:25:00.000-07:00

March 2009

It was still winter time, but it wasn't slippery and so much fun.

I took this picture when we driving.

Beautiful. Looks like long long drive he he he

June 2009

It was in McLean, it was more than 30 jeeps, we were just about ready to go after to do some registration.

We were there for some training how to do all stuff and safety matter.

This jeep need to take a bath he he.

Nice park !!!!

Field of Dandelions.....

Where am I ? Help , help !!! I'm in the middle of nowhere.... Run girl....run....

PC guy

2009-07-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

Well, check this out how is the PC guy working

Wedding Decoration

2009-07-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

Well, it was on February, but it is Ok I post this event right now. This is what I want for wedding decoration, simple and sweet. I decorated all that stuff by my self, and Mom helped me too.

This is for dinner, I used tulle, calla lily silk flower , and white ribbon.

Centerpiece , I used white tulip, because it is mean pure love.

Wedding cake, of course I order this one he he he. I love the topper. Looks elegan.

I make this ring bearer by my self. It is easy to make this little pillow.

My bouquet. I like calla lily , this flower is mean majestic beauty. So, this is match with white tulip.

This is where I say 'I do' . Decoration on the top and side of arch are silk flower and white ribbon. I put a pot with bunch of tulips n calla lily for each side of arch and I used tulle to cover the arch.

Birthday

2009-07-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

Birthday, hmmmm what am I gonna do. And surprise..... My husband take me to go picnic in the park by downtown. I like picnic, bring some fruit, and feel the breeze around trees. Then touch the river , how cold the water is.

Bow river by downtown. My hubby ask me to walk in the river with him, and whooaaaaa..... brrrrrr.... so cold for the first couple minutes, then after that it is fun.

Mom make this cake for my birthday. Wonderful. Thanks Mom. Yummy....

Spring Road Trip 2009

2009-06-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

Spring is coming. I'm so excited. Because it is spring trip time. Well, we have plan to go to all the nature vacation around here. But we need lots of time to see all place. For now , we just go to those place. And of course wonderful view.

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls. Great little hike definitely recommended if you are in the area.

Moraine Lake ... wonderful view. Great nature for summer vacation, we can go for canoeing there and take great shots of whole lake.
Here we are, the famouse destination Lake Louise. It is really beautiful view here. acctually, it was crowdy around here, maybe because of the season for vacation. We can stay overnight there if we wanna enjoy the nature for longer, they have lodge, inn even the fancy one , chateau.

Johnston Canyon upper fall. Just about 15 minutes hike to the up level. Wonderful, isn't it ?

Castle Mountain.

It was in Bragg Creek. This is a small town, with great nature around. Most people come here for picnic, biking, and fishing. Because, this town has beautiful lake and river all the way here.

Fish Creek, it is in town. This place is a big park, with a lake, picnic park, biking trail, creek, and Bow River.We can fishing here too in the Bow river. And Golf course around it.

Horseshoe in Drumheller. They have Helicopter rent service here. Great view, I can imagine how was life here million years ago.

We went to Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller. The great destination to know about huge creatures.I only can say a word , WONDERFUL. It show this fossil has size 21 meters. The fossil is not complete , but can you imagine how big the creature is ? HUGE !!

ROOAAARRR...

My lovely hubby pose in Hoodoos. We hike up the hill there, then we can see all view in Badland.