The heart topiary set the theme for this pot chair.  Painted for Madera Master Gardener.

I felt this chair needed to reflect a patriotic theme.  It painted it for the Clovis Elks to auction in December to raise funds for their annual Christmas Classic Basketball tournament for high school athletes.

I attended Madera Master Gardeners, Fall Holiday Wreath and Decor workshop today.  Everyone had a fantastic time and we are eager to join in again November 19, for another holiday wreath workshop.

This wreath is made from all natural materials from the garden.   The structure is a grapevine,  large leaves are magnolia,  rosettes came from a deodara cedar, and moss is used for a filler.  Look in your garden for interesting leaves, dried berries, twigs, and seed pods etc. A glue gun was used to attach all the different materials.

I am always looking to add yard art to my garden. The latest rage is making flowers from discarded plates. I have decided to call these my forever flowers.  They will keep blooming all year and never wilt or fade.

I found these plates at various flea markets, Goodwill, and Salvation.  My hubby drilled the holes on the silver plated plates with a standard drill bit, each separately.  Copper tubing was used as a spacer, if dimension between the plates is desired.  A bolt, washer, and nut was put through all of them.  The flower can be hung from a wall or fence or attached to an electrical metallic tubing (EMT) to stake in the ground.  The size of the bolt will vary depending on how many plates and are assembled and the thickness of the plates.

The ceramic plates were a bit of a challenge.  He was only able to drill through the largest plate, located in the rear, with a masonry bit.  It was really difficult to drill the other plates, so he just put the bolt, washer and screw through that rear plate so he could attach to the EMT and then used epoxy glue to attach the other plates and knob.

Turtle Nursery

Including a turtle habitat in my garden is in the top ten of my garden bucket list. Besides being great pets turtles eat insects, snails, and grubs. I feel chickens and turtles are a significant ingredient in a comprehensive integrated pest management program.   Snails and slugs are the enemy of any avid gardener.

Last weekend the Madera Master Gardeners held their annual Glorious Gardens Home Tour.  One of the glorious gardens on the tour included a box turtle habitat.  The following pictures were taken of their turtle habitat landscape.

The Turtle Nursery above, is in a water trough on wheels.  What a great idea!  I can see a flower garden for the patio or pool deck in a water trough.

If having a turtle tat sounds intriguing to you check with your local zoo, animal shelter, or reptile organization to adopt a box turtle.

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to go to lunch at a “raw food” restaurant, the Revive Cafe.  It was really good.  I would like to experiment more with the vegetables I grow and add some new ones to my list.  If you would like to try the Revive Cafe they are located at 1807 N Broadway Street, downtown Fresno.  Phone 559-497-5085.  They also have “cooking” classes on how to prepare raw food entree.  I hope you check them out also.  They make a great Keifer tea.

Madera Master Gardener’s Glorious Garden V Tour  is Saturday, April 16.

Fresno Master Gardeners spring tour is Saturday, April 30.  http://ucanr.org/sites/mgfresno/?calitem=122549&g=10616

Busy, busy little red chicks.

Oakhurst Feed & Pet Supply is offering a FREE chick seminar.  They will have speakers giving tips for raising family flocks and backyard pet chickens.   A 50 lb. bag of feed will be given away.  Saturday, March 5 at 10 am 40119 Enterprise Dr, Oakhurst.  Call for directions 559-683-7977

Turkey Talk

Happy Thanksgiving

Look in your yard for outdoor and indoor holiday decorations.  Cut greenery from ornamental shrubs and trees is an economical way to beautifully decorate for the holidays.  We have a security gate on our front entry way which is very utilitarian.  I decorated the gate with boughs cut from our redwood trees.  I use a fine floral wire to attach the boughs.  I have found that if I attach the wire first with some kind of pattern, say about 6 inches apart and then attach the boughs, it seems to a little easier than trying to do both at the same time.  When the holidays are over I just snip the wire and throw  everything away.

Front Entry

Fresh wreaths can also be made with a heavy wire frame that greenery can be attached by wire.  These wire frames are available at your local craft store.  It is best to make bunches and then attach the bunches.  See my post on lavender Wreaths for directions   http://valleygardening.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/111/.   Juniper, Boxwood, Pyracantha, redwood, herbs, Magnolia leaves, any type of hardy evergreen can be used for making your wreath. 

Madera Master Gardeners will be offering a Holiday Wreath Making workshop Saturday, December 4.