Archive for Tiny House Projects

How to Save Spaghetti Squash Seeds

// August 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, personal

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash, which can be eaten in a variety of ways, is simple to grow in the garden, provided you have the space for the long vines that the plant produces. Saving the seed from spaghetti squash for growing the next year is a simple process. If you plan to keep seeds from the current harvest, you should plant the squash in an area away from other varieties of squashes to prevent cross-pollination.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Sharp knife
  • Heavy spoon
  • Wire mesh colander
  • Paper towels
  • Newspaper
  • Envelope
  • Glass jar with lid

    How to Collect Seeds

    1. Make sure to select a healthy squash to ensure the seed will produce healthy plants.
    2. Use a sharp knife to cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. Place the mesh colander in the sink or on your workspace.
    3. Pick up one of the squash halves and hold it over the colander. Use a big spoon to scoop out the seeds from the center of the squash, allowing them to fall into the colander.
    4. Layer paper towels or newspaper on the counter near your sink. Run the seeds under cool water to separate the seeds from the fibrous ribbons holding them together in big gobs.
    5. Place the clean seeds on the paper towels or newspaper in a single layer. Use a paper towel to pat, pat, pat the top of the seeds dry.
    6. Transfer the seeds to dry paper towels or newspaper and place the seeds in a dry, cool area to finish drying. The seeds should be dry in approximately a week.
    7. Place the dried seeds into an envelope, label and seal. Store the seeds in a closed jar or in the refrigerator until planting time.

    Other Information

    Spaghetti squash can be baked and served plain as a side dish, or you can fork the strands of the squash out and serve with pasta sauce.

    The Chickens Are On The Patio Set Again

    // July 29th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, Tiny House Projects, china, family, funny-bone, humor, life the universe and everything

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    Every morning.  There they are. Four on the table. Two seated in the comfy padded chairs.  Coffee Klatch at the House-of-Chaos.

    Humingbird Moth

    // July 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, life the universe and everything, personal

    I saw this fair creature lapping up it’s nectar dinner on a butterfly bush.  I knew it was a moth, but I didn’t know what kind.  Apparently it is a “hummingbird moth” (Hemaris thysbe):

    “The Hemaris thysbe, or Hummingbird clearwing, is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It lives from Alaska and the Northwest Territories south through British Columbia to Oregon; east through the Great Plains and the Great Lakes area to Maine and Newfoundland; south to Florida and Texas. Adults are frequently mistaken for hummingbirds or bees because of their fast-moving wings and coloration. They have a two inch wingspan. The caterpillars eat viburnum, hawthorn, honeysuckle, and a few types of fruit trees.”

    from Wikipedia

    It reminded me of a flying crawdad!

    Look how beautiful the clear wings are!

    Asiatic Lily – “BlackOut”

    // July 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china

    Remember those Asiatic lilies called “Black Out” that I told you about last year? Here they are!

    Sage Varieties: Toasted Brie and Sage Sandwich

    // July 9th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects

    sage 1

    Makes 1 sandwich

    • 2 white bread slices
    • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh sage
    • 1 to 2 ounces Brie, roughly sliced
    • Fresh sage sprigs, for garnish

    1. Spread one side of both bread slices of with butter. Sprinkle with sage.

    2.  Arrange Brie slices on one buttered bread slice. Place remaining bread slice, buttered side down, on top of Brie,

    3. Spread butter on both sides of sandwich. Cook sandwich in a preheated panini press 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown.

    4. Cut in half and serve immediately.


    Caleb Melchior studies landscape architecture at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. When not working in the design studio, he writes about food and works in the garden.  Article from The Herb Companion

    Marth Steward BlueberryCorn Muffins

    // July 8th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, china, family, inspiration

    Martha Stewart

    Blueberry-Corn Muffins
    Blueberry-Corn Muffins

    Blueberry-Corn Muffins

    This batter can be baked in jumbo or oversize muffin tins. Frozen blueberries may substitute fresh.

    Ingredients

    Makes 6 large muffins.

    • 1 cup (2 sticks) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
    • 3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling
    • 3 tablespoons honey
    • 2 large eggs
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup yellow cornmeal
    • 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 1 cup blueberries

    Directions

    1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place a Silpat (French nonstick baking mat) or parchment paper on a baking sheet; place six 2 3/4-by-2-inch pastry rings on it. Cut parchment paper into six 10-by-3-inch strips; use them to line molds (paper will extend above rims).
    2. Place softened butter, 3/4 cup sugar, and honey in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add eggs; beat 1 minute more.
    3. Whisk flour, cornmeal, and baking powder together in a medium bowl; add to butter mixture in mixer bowl. Beat until combined. Slowly pour in milk, beating on low, until just combined. Fold in blueberries. Divide dough among molds (do not pack too firmly; each will take about 1 cup). Brush tops with cold water; sprinkle 1 teaspoon sugar over each.
    4. Bake until tops are browned, centers are set, and a cake tester inserted in center of muffin comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool in pans 5 minutes. Tie kitchen twine around muffins to hold parchment. Serve at once.

    First published

    Copyright 2010 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.



    PlantSwap: Bunny Tails (Lagurus ovatus)

    // July 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, writing

    Bunny Tails

    Bunny Tails (Lagurus ovatus)

    I have been doing a LOT of gardening experiments this year.  One of my criteria is that the Tiny House-of-Chaos is to use as much reclaimed, recycled or salvaged material as possible.  Dirt, rocks, plants…anything I can swap, barter or trade.  I did buy five yards of mulch this year and a few perennials at the nursery, but most of my plants I’ve grown from seed exchanged through PlantSwap.

    BunnyTailsBlowing

    Bunny Tails Blowing in the Wind

    Some of those experiments have been wildly successful…others, not so much!  I’ve found that our chickens will find those tiny seeds and destroy the mini-greenhouses built to keep those seeds safe.  That’s what I get for training my chickens as ninja warriors.  Their stealth and cunning has outwitted farmer China.  I am no match for their powers.

    One of the ornamental grasses that I started from seed is called “Bunny Tails”.  It’s proper name is Lagurus ovatus. Here is some information on this plant from PlantFiles:

    PlantFiles: Hare’s Tail Grass, Bunny Tails

    Lagurus ovatus

    Family: Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
    Genus: Lagurus (lag-ur-uss)
    Species: ovatus (oh-VAY-tus) (more…)

    Omega

    // June 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Recovery, Tiny House Projects, buddhist, china, inspiration, life the universe and everything, magick, meditation, personal, professional, spirit, warriors of the light, wisdom, writing, yoga

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    Just got back from a weeekend at The Omega Institute, where I met incredible people who know kindness matters and mindful actions will change the world. I saw sparks of dream manifest in material and spiritual ways. My soul breathed and released the aches of my spine. I saw hope everywhere and my majick sparkled everywhere for all to see and no one tried to swat it away. Communed with fantastic friends and partners of The Path and food and furry forest creatures who have learned that humans aren’t reallly so bad…at least here they aren’t.

    Nice.

    Wake Up @ the HOC

    // June 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Medea, Ohio, Tiny House Projects, china, family, humor, life the universe and everything

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    Last night Mia and I set up one of the tents in the back yard and ended up sleeping there to test it out before a girlfriend and I take it to New York this weekend.

    But if you sleep in a tent in the backyard at the House-of-Chaos, THIS is what will be greeting you first thing in the morning.

    And when I say “morning”, I am meaning about 5:15 A.M.

    First Rose of 2010

    // May 10th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, life, life the universe and everything, personal

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    From one of the $3 bare root cutting plants I purchased from Big Lots. You know, of the seven ghetto plants I got, only one turned out to be a dud! Yeay for gardening on the cheap!

    Faery eyeballs me at WAY too early in the morning…

    // May 10th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, Tiny House Projects, china, sex work

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    Since getting chickens, my morning routine has been changed. The ladies get up early so I have to out around 5:30 and open their hen door and refill the food and water.

    Here we see the early-morning Faery, a barred rock pullet hen, stares at me through her fence, wondering if I brought her any tasty treats!

    First Rose of 2010

    // May 6th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, life, life the universe and everything, personal

    image

    From one of the $3 bare root cutting plants I purchased from Big Lots. You know, of the seven ghetto plants I got, only one turned out to be a dud! Yeay for gardening on the cheap!

    Our Woodland Bluebells

    // May 3rd, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects

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    Hat tip to @gearball for schooling us on what these wee flowers in the back40 at the House-of-Chaos were. All I know is that they smell heavenly; like a mix of fresia and lily-of-the-valley.

    Yum.

    Reel Mover & Rain Barrell/Composter Combo

    // May 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, Tiny House Projects, china, editorial, family, inspiration, life the universe and everything, personal

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    We’re only one family, right? A tiny family at that. A single mom with a bad back and her eleven year old kid. What can we do to be mindful, responsible and accountable for living harmoniously with our environment and community?

    “Why do you even care?” Some say, “You’re a family of two. One adult and one child. It’s not like you have an enormous carbon footprint.”

    No. We don’t. But are are a part of a community, culture and global family that we want to both respect and teach respect for. We live in an amazing place, in an amazing world and our actions should revel in that delight.

    So my small family takes small actions. We’re not financially rich, by any means, so our efforts have to be practical, affordable and easy for one 39 year old woman to accomplish single-handedly.

    image

    We have a Brill reel mower; no gas, no electric. Hand powered and allows me a bit of exercise as I mow. We have a very small lot, so this is practical and affordable and easy to use. The grass clippings are used in both our composter and in the chicken yard or bedding.

    The second is a wonderful tumbling composter and rain barrel. Small footprint compared to the two items being separate. The composter holds 30 gallons of material.

    Since we have chickens and the chicken bedding is great for the composter we use that to provide nitrogen to our compost and get the richest, nutrient-packed compost for our gardens. We use water from the rain barrel to water.

    Its a good system. It is easy, manageable, self-contained, sustainable and it is some small action that create a positive impact and contribution to our little circles of this amazing world.

    Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) Lavender & White

    // April 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china

    My PlantSwap group is so awesome.  The members contract using a Yahoo!Group for seed-for-seed trades or seed-for-postage trades.  This allows us all to dramatically expand the diversity of our gardens with FREE seed exchanges.  I have also learned so much about gardening and collecting seeds and taking care of my garden from the group.  I can’t say enough good about our members.
    On March 23, 2010 I received two PlantSwap trades; one from Barb Nice from PA and the other from Kelly Robinson from TX.  Barb sent me our contacted trade of primrose (which I swapped her some fountain grass), but she also sent me a RAK (Random-Act-of-Kindness) by also including some rose of sharon and rudebeckia maxima.

    Rose of Sharon - Hibiscus Syriacus

    Rose of Sharon - Hibiscus Syriacus

    Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

    Overview of Rose of Sharon:

    Rose of Sharon will help bring a bit of tropical beauty to more temperate climates. The blooms that arrive later in the summer will help revive your garden after the flurry of spring flowers.

    Latin name: Hibiscus syriacus
    Common Names: Rose of Sharon, althaea, hardy hibiscus
    USDA Hardiness Zones: Zones 5-8
    Size & Shape of Rose of Sharon: Rose of Sharon grows to approximately 8-12′ tall and 6′ wide, with a vase shape.
    Exposure: It is best to grow Rose of Sharon in full sun, though it can tolerate up to part shade.
    Foliage/ Flowers/Fruit of Rose of Sharon: Don’t be surprised if the leaves arrive after most of your other plants, as they start producing the leaves late in spring. Leaves are 2-4″ long, often with 3 lobes, and jagged edges.

    • The flowers are 2-5″ wide, in shades of white, pink, red, blue, purple, and violet. There is often a different spot of color in the middle of the throat.
    • The fruit are capsules.

    (more…)

    Primula ( Lismore Yellow Primrose )

    // April 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china

    My PlantSwap group is so awesome.  The members contract using a Yahoo!Group for seed-for-seed trades or seed-for-postage trades.  This allows us all to dramatically expand the diversity of our gardens with FREE seed exchanges.  I have also learned so much about gardening and collecting seeds and taking care of my garden from the group.  I can’t say enough good about our members.
    On March 23, 2010 I received two PlantSwap trades; one from Barb Nice from PA and the other from Kelly Robinson from TX.  Barb sent me our contacted trade of primrose (which I swapped her some fountain grass), but she also sent me a RAK (Random-Act-of-Kindness) by also including some rose of sharon and rudebeckia maxima.

    Primula "Lismore Yellow Primrose"

    Primula "Lismore Yellow Primrose"

    Primula ( Lismore Yellow Primrose )

    ‘Lismore Yellow’ bears short stemmed umbels of 2 to 5 funnel-shaped, light yellow flowers, to 1 inch wide. This rosette-forming evergreen has ovate, deep green leaves, to 1 1/4 inches long. Suitable for an herbaceous or mixed border or rock garden.

    How to Grow this Plant:

    Characteristics
    Cultivar: Lismore Yellow
    Family: Primulaceae
    Size: Height: 0.25 ft. to 0.33 ft.
    Width: 0.33 ft. to 0.5 ft.
    Plant Category: perennials,
    Plant Characteristics: low maintenance, seed start,
    Foliage Characteristics: small leaves, evergreen,
    Foliage Color: dark green,
    Flower Characteristics: long lasting, showy,
    Flower Color: yellows,
    Tolerances: slope,

    Rudbeckia Maxima “Giant Coneflower”

    // April 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china

    My PlantSwap group is so awesome.  The members contract using a Yahoo!Group for seed-for-seed trades or seed-for-postage trades.  This allows us all to dramatically expand the diversity of our gardens with FREE seed exchanges.  I have also learned so much about gardening and collecting seeds and taking care of my garden from the group.  I can’t say enough good about our members.
    On March 23, 2010 I received two PlantSwap trades; one from Barb Nice from PA and the other from Kelly Robinson from TX.  Barb sent me our contacted trade of primrose (which I swapped her some fountain grass), but she also sent me a RAK (Random-Act-of-Kindness) by also including some rose of sharon and rudebeckia maxima.

    Rudbeckia Maxima - Giant Coneflower

    Rudbeckia Maxima - Giant Coneflower

    Rudbeckia maxima Nutt.

    Giant coneflower, Great coneflower, Giant Brown-eyed Susan

    Asteraceae (Aster Family)

    USDA Symbol: RUMA3

    USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

    Giant brown-eyed Susan has clumps of silvery-blue foliage that give rise to stately flower stalks. The flowers have intense yellow ray flowers that dangle from tall brown centers. It should be cut back to the base after blooming to keep tidy and be planted in mass for best effect in landscapes. (more…)

    Poppy (Oriental Red)

    // March 28th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, family

    Poppies Rock!

    I have always loved the beauty and stamina of the oriental poppy.  They are hardy, don’t need much water and produce a beautiful single bloom on top of a delicate stem.  I’ve been attempting to grow some poppies from seed this year and started them in peat pellets on March 12, 2010.  Here’s a great article on how to grow and propagate those fine flowers:

    Growing and Propagating Oriental Poppies

    There are a wide variety of both traditional and new species of poppies. It seems that each year, we see new species that are lovelier than the year before. It may be because more people are including poppies in their gardens. Another reason may be that gardeners are learning the secret of these delicate, silk-like flowers. Red Oriental poppies against a backdrop of evergreens or shrubs are absolutely stunning, and believe it or not, Oriental poppies are easy to grow. (more…)

    Delphinium – Pacific Giants (Delphinium Elatum)

    // March 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Tiny House Projects, china, personal

    Beautiful flower stalks in blue, purple and white appear in spring on tall perennial. Perfect in beds and borders as a background plant. Soil should be kept constantly moist. Fertilize monthly during growing season. Prune old stalks to the ground after new shoots appear. All delphiniums are easy to grow from seed, sown in pots or flats in late July or August. Transplants should be set out in October for late spring to early summer bloom. In colder areas, sow seeds from March to April or set out transplants from June to July for September bloom. Rich, well-drained soil is a must for delphiniums and they love regular fertilizings. Delphiniums will not do well in strongly acid soils, so add lime to make soil more neutral. A little superphosphate worked into hole when planting will result in a stronger plant. Do not cover root crown and beware: Snails and Slugs LOVE this plant, so keep area clean and free of debris. In spring, remove all shoots, except for 2 or 3, and side dress plants with a complete fertilizer. Stake plants early and remove old flower spikes immediately after bloom, leaving only foliage. Once new shoots are several inches tall, cut old stalks back hard. If plants have been well fertilized, you should get a second flush of flowers for fall.

    Important Info :

    Full sun produces best growth and flowering results. Soil should be kept constantly moist.

    (more…)

    Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)

    // March 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china

    Back on March 23, 2010 I received an envelope from Kelly Robinson from my Yahoo!Group PlantSwap.  We exchange free seeds to one another so that we can expand and diversify our gardens at little cost.  Kelly sent me an entire, unopened packet of catnip seeds! My cats are eternally grateful to Kelly for her generous offer and well certainly take advantage of the plants once they get into the ground this spring.

    Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)

    Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)

    Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)

    Common names for Nepeta cataria, a hardy perennial herb of the Mint Family, with pungent fragrance which is highly attractive and exciting to cats.

    Catnip grows to a height of three or four feet, and features downy, light green foliage with small lavender flowers that grow on spikes up to five inches long.

    Catnips grow well in almost any soil, but does best in a moderately rich loam that is well-draining. It’s aroma increases when grown in sandy soil or via the hydroponic method. It will grow acceptably in either sun or shade.

    Catnips is easily propagated by seed, stem cuttings, or rootball division. Seed should be sown in rows late in fall or early in the spring and lightly covered. When sown in the fall, a denser crop is ususally achieved. When plants reach five inches tall, thin so that they stand 12 to 18 inches apart. Catnip can also be started early indoors and transplanted outside after the last chance of frost.

    Cats aren’t the only creatures that benefit from Catnip as the leaves may be candied to enjoy as a dessert and it’s oil is used to relieve the symptoms of headaches and nervousness.

    Catnip Nepeta CatariaGrowing Catnip

    Catnip grows best in full sun combined with average, well drained soil. It grows well in hydroponics as well. It is a perennial herb of the mint family that will grow from 3-5 feet tall. Water them regularly. Cut out last years spent stems in early spring, which creates room for new ones. Cutting the plants completely down after the first bloom set will allow enough time for the plant to completely regrow and bloom again.

    Plant Height
    Catnip grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet (90 – 120cm).

    Plant Spacing
    Catnip plants should be spaced between 15 and 18 inches (38 and 45 cm) apart.

    Preferred Soil pH Range
    Catnip will grow in a relatively wide pH range between 6.1 (mildly acidic) and 7.8 (mildly alkaline).

    Propagation
    From seed. Start seeds indoors before last frost.

    CatnipSoil Requirements
    Well drained, average soil.

    Alternative Growing Media
    Soilless potting mixes, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, coco peat, Oasis foam.

    Time From Seed to Saleable Plant
    Sow in plugs or seedflats 12 to 15 weeks before sale. Seeds to finished plugs, 8 to 10 weeks; plugs to saleable plants, 3 to 5 weeks.

    Sun & Lighting Requirements
    Catnip grown outdoors prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade.

    Chives will grow indoors satisfactorily under standard fluorescent lamps, and exceptionally well under high output fluorescent , compact fluorescent, or high intensity discharge (metal halide or high pressure sodium) plant growing lights. Keep standard fluorescent lamps between 2 and 4 inches from the tops of the plants, high output and compact fluorescents approximately one foot above the plants, and HID lights between 2 and 4 feet above the plants, depending on wattage. Have an oscillating fan gently stir seedlings for at least 2 hours per day to stimulate shorter, sturdier, and more natural plant habit.

    CatnipUSDA Hardiness
    Zones 3a through 9b.

    Water Requirements
    Water on a regular schedule, taking care to not overwater.

    Potential Pests & Diseases
    Whitefly, spider mites. Minimal disease issues.

    Special Notes
    Catnip may be considered a noxious weed or invasive plant in some areas. Catnip is known to attract bees, butterflies or birds and has fragrant blossoms. Catnip self-sows freely; remove flowers (deadhead) if you do not want volunteer seedlings the following season.

    My PlantSwap Seed List

    // March 23rd, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china

    I have mentioned PlantSwap from time to time around these parts.  It’s a wonderful Yahoo! Group that I’m involved with that trades seeds of all sorts.  FOR FREE!  That’s zero dollars, no bucks and FREE.  My goal is to take the nekkid House-of-Chaos yard (front and back) and make it into Arcadia.  Faery Gate and all!  My other goal is to use salvaged, surplus and re-purposed materials to keep costs down to as minimum as possible.

    When I signed up for PlantSwap, I realized that I needed to create a “swap list” of seeds I was looking for.  You are also supposed to list the seeds which you have available for trade.  I didn’t think I had any, but I was wrong.  In the course of picking up a seed packed here and there I’ve accumulated many seeds.  So I’m printing my original trading list from March of 2010.  Hopefully as I plant and record each seed I’ll make a link from this page to the sub-page showing pictures and describing my luck with growing techniques.

    Enjoy!

    Plant Swap List for China Krys Darrington

    chinagrrrl | china@chinakrysdarrington.com  |  Zone 5B  Akron, OH
    

    SEEDS I HAVE: (more…)

    Lavandula angustifolia “Hidcote Lavender” (perennial)

    // March 22nd, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects

    Lavender Hidcote

    From the most awesome PlantSwap group I received a nice envelope containing; lavender, black-eyed Susan vine and Chinese houses:

    Hidcote Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)  is a very popular cultivar for hedging. It has a compact and erect habit with gray lanceolate leaves. It’s deep violet flowers are strongly scented and bloom in dense spikes on 12 to 14 inch stems. This is the classic lavender used in sachets, perfumes, wands, etc. Foliage is aromatic and grey-green and flower lavender, appearing in July and August. Thrives in full sun and loose, well-drained soil. Little to no fertilization best. To keep plants compact, prune soon after flowering. (more…)

    Chinese Houses (Collinsia bicolor)

    // March 21st, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects

    Chinese HousesFrom the most awesome PlantSwap group I received a nice envelope containing; lavender, black-eyed Susan vine and Chinese houses.  This is the growing information I’ve collected for the Chinese houses, a flower I never have attempted to grow before now.

    Family: Scrophulariaceae (skrof-yoo-larr-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info)
    Genus: Collinsia (kol-IN-see-uh) (Info)
    Species: bicolor (BY-kul-ur) (Info)
    Synonym:Collinsia heterophylla

    Chinese HousesCategory: Annuals

    Height: 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
    Spacing:
    6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
    Hardiness:
    USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
    Sun Exposure:
    Sun to Partial Shade

    Height: 1 to 2 ft.
    Plant Type:
    Annual. Lives just one year. Grows quickly, blooms heavily, dies with first frost. Can regrow following spring if seed falls on bare ground.
    Bloom Color: Pink, Violet/Lavender, White/Near White
    Bloom Time:
    Mid Summer

    (more…)

    Thunbergia “Black-Eyed Susan vine” (Annual)

    // March 19th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects

    I received some Thunbergia seeds from my PlantSwap group and I’m going to start them this weekend in some 2″ peat pots.  I think this fast-growing vine will look wonderful with some of the arbors and trellises that we’re making at the House-of-Chaos.

    Thunbergia - Black-eyed Susan VineThunbergia, also known as black-eyed Susan vine or clock vine, is a quick-growing vine boasting many open-faced flowers, usually with dark centers (hence the name “black-eyed Susan”). Where not struck down by frost it is a perennial, but most climates of the United States grow it as a beautiful annual. The name Thunbergia honors a Swedish botanist named Karl Pehr Thunberg.

    Description of thunbergia, black-eyed Susan vine, clock vine: Black-eyed Susan vine can grow 6 to 8 feet tall in a season and has rough, hairy leaves. The blooms have 5 distinct petals and are symmetrical. Flower color can be white, yellow, orange, or cream. Most of them have dark centers. (more…)

    Butterfly Bush – Mixed Colors (Buddleia)

    // March 18th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // House-of-Chaos, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, personal

    The House-of-Chaos started some Peat Pellets with Butterfly Bush seeds on March 12, 2010.  The seeds for Butterfly Bush are tiny, tiny, tiny and really hard to plant properly.  I’m hoping I got enough seed into each pellet so that some will germinate and sprout.    I’m told that pre-chilling the seed before sowing should happen by mixing the seed in with some damp compost and sealing it in plastic zip bag and placing it into the fridge (not the freezer) for about 4 weeks can assist to speed germination.

    After the seeds have germinated so that they are large enough to handle, plant them into 3″ pots and then plant them out about 6′ apart into any reasonable soil that is in full sun.  It’s supposed to be sown from late winter to early summer in some rich compost which should just cover the seed.  Make sure that the compost is moist, but not wet.

    If you want to keep the Butterfly Bush a manageable size, make sure to prune it back each spring to about 2-3″ of old wood.

    This excellent article about Butterfly Bush is from:  http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/mvv2-94.htm (more…)

    Blue Fescue ornamental grass – (Festuca ovina glauca) ‘Elijah Blue’

    // March 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, personal

    Blue Fescue "Elija blue" ornamental grass

    Blue Fescue "Elija blue" ornamental grass

    Description

    • Height: 10″
    • Width: 12″
    • Exposure: Sun or Part Shade
    • Water: Low
    • Hardiness: USDA Zones 4-9
    • Pruning: None necessary. If foliage becomes unsightly may be cut back and allowed to reflush new growth

    Blue Fescue is probably the most attractive of the dwarf ornamental grass. The thick tufts of steely blue blades are outstanding in the garden. The mounded tufts grow to about 10″ high and produce silvery-buff flower stems.  Blue fescue  is used for massing, edging or as a single specimen in dry, well-drained poor soils.

    Blue fescue grows well in full sun up to partial afternoon shade.

    Pony Tails Ornamental Grass (Stipa tenuissima)

    // March 14th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, personal

    Pony Tails Ornamental Grass ( Stipa tenuissima)

    Pony Tails Ornamental Grass ( Stipa tenuissima)

    Stipa tenuissima known in English as “angel hair”, “Mexican feather grass”, “Mexican needle grass”, “ponytails”, or “silky thread grass”, and in French as cheveux d’ange, is a perennial native to parts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Not surprisingly, it is not hardy in Toronto.

    These beautiful clumps of Mexican feather grass dancing in the breeze were growing at
    Toronto Botanical Garden.

    Description

    • Height: 18-24″
    • Width: 18″
    • Exposure: Sun
    • Water: Very drought tolerant
    • Hardiness: Zones 7-10
    • Pruning: Cut back to 6″ in late winter

    Ponytail Grass, also known as ‘Mexican Feather Grass”, is a very attractive ornamental grass that forms fine textured clumps about 18 inches wide and an equal spread. It is very drought tolerant and must have well-drained soil.

    Use Ponytail grass as accents in the garden and it is especially attractive when planted in groups. Perfect for dry slopes. Also a good container plant. Wispy, fall seed heads start out buff color then changing to golden-bronze.

    How to Grow Spaghetti Squash From Seed

    // March 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // House-of-Chaos, Ohio, PlantSwap, Tiny House Projects, china, personal

    Spaghetti Squash seeds

    Spaghetti squash seeds

    This is an exciting time at the House-of-Chaos.  We’ve been exchanging seeds via PlantSwap and Freecycle and starting those seeds in Peat Pellet Greenhouses.  Each greenhouse has 36 chambers so I’m able to get three dozen seedling started.  One of those seedlings are spaghetti squash, a melon squash that produces the closest thing to pasta!  The sweet golden fiber is delicious when baked, served with butter and cheese, pesto, Alfredo, marinara and meatballs.

    Spaghetti squash is an easy-to-grow squash that can be grown nearly anywhere. It’s a winter squash, which means that it’s not harvested until cool weather, after the skin has had a chance to become hard. Because spaghetti squash is so easy to grow, and develops so quickly, it’s an especially good beginner plant for young gardeners. Just be sure you have a sunny spot and plenty of space in your garden for the sprawling vines.

    Instructions

    1. Young Spaghetti Squash

      Young Spaghetti Squash

      Plant spaghetti squash seeds about three weeks after the last frost inyour area, or when the soil is about 60 degrees F. Select a large, sunny spot in your garden, and prepare the soil for planting. Remove weeds, loosen the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches, and work in at least 2 inches of compost.

    2. Hoe the loosened soil into mounds, and plant four or five spaghetti squash seeds 1 inch deep in each mound. Leave a minimum of 6 feet between each mound, and allow at least 50 to 75 square feet for each one. Keep the soil damp until the seedlings sprout, and then water deeply once a week. Spaghetti squash does better if the soil is kept fairly dry.
    3. Keep the area free of weeds either by hand or with a hoe. If you use a hoe, work carefully so you don’t disturb the shallow roots of the spaghetti squash.
    4. Thin the seedlings when they’re 3 to 4 inches tall. Leave the two largest spaghetti squash plants per mound, and remove the remaining seedlings by pinching them off at ground level. Don’t pull the seedlings, because doing so can dislodge the seedlings you want to keep.
    5. Harvest spaghetti squash when the skin is hard, usually in September or October, or before the first hard frost. Cut the squash from the vines, leaving about 2 inches of stem remaining. Store the squash, not touching, in a dry place where the temperature remain between 50 and 55 degrees F.