I am going to have to add a new blog to my blogroll today. It's called
Growing Gardens for Palestine. That's combining 2 of my favorite topics! When I get stressed out from life here, I always find that my garden calms me down. Or at least looking at how much work there always needs to be done distracts me. Unfortunately, its not looking so great right now, because there is a ton of weeding to be done. So I will share these pictures to cheer me up and remind me what it can look like. These are from 2 summers ago.
This is my back yard,
and this is the back door.
The hollyhocks were huge that year, but I only had a few. Now I have them sprouting all over the place. Who knew they are practically weeds? I built all the rock walls. When life gives you lots of rocks..... build rock walls.
And this is in front of my house.
"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."
and this is the back door.
The hollyhocks were huge that year, but I only had a few. Now I have them sprouting all over the place. Who knew they are practically weeds? I built all the rock walls. When life gives you lots of rocks..... build rock walls.
And this is in front of my house. 
"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."
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13 comments:
masha Allah, it's lovely. I love to garden too.
MashAllah. How lovely. We are putting in a garden now after living with piles of dirt for years. I am very excited. I too hope for an oasis to emmerse myself in and escape from the realities of Amman. Flowers and greenery sure brighten up the spirits. Your garden is an inspiration. I was just thinking, where can I put the hollyhocks??? :)
Thank you.
Nicole, put hollyhocks someplace where it won't hurt if they seed them selves all over the place. Each big beautiful flower has a big seed head full of seeds and the seeds fall all around and grow easily. They are great to hide an ugly fence, or to make one. The ones in the picture were in an area that I watered all the time, and they grew almost as tall as our house! Some of the ones that grew spontaneously I didn't bother to try and pull when they were little, thinking that they would die from lack of water, and they ended up shoulder high. And they are very hard to discourage from growing. A little one that's under 6 inches tall might have a foot long tap root.
Your garden is lovely mashaAllah.
I was just weeding out back yesterday, preparing to get into planting mode. Springtime and digging in the dirt is one of the greatest therapies for my mind and spirit. We also found two slugs yesterday we appropriately named "Mr. Slugworth" and my daughter took them to school today. Ah, the great outdoors.
LOL! Did your daughter's teacher appreciate the new class pets?
Gorgeous!
ummfarouq,
Was "Mr. Slugworth" one of those startling green ones with the spots, or the dark brown and orange ones with the stripes?
I'll never forgot my son when he was about four coming running in the house and announcing that there was a green snake on the front steps. When I went out to investigate, I found the longest slug I've ever seen. It had to have been at least 8" long, and I picked him up with a shovel and threw him into the neighbors hay field. At least I found out why pansies would disappear over night.
Ok. Sounds like the Hollyhocks are out. But do you have an idea for a decorative tree that might flower and would not get too high and can stand shade more than sun? I know, a big request. I need names so I can go see at the nurseries, and all my American books/info don't really fit here.
Mr. Slugworth was dark brown. He was about 2 inches long when fully stretched but I am sure if I'd left him under that bag of soil, he'd have gotten much bigger. Slugs are actually quite fast without the burdensome shell on their backs.
What is the shrub (tree?) with the pink flower clusters in the picture of the front of the house?
I love how peaceful your garden is. You inspire me for when I move to my own home in just a few short weeks.
I am sorry that I did not reply to the comments here sooner. Nicole, I have no idea what tree to recommend to you for your shady area. Does it get some shade, or deep shade? I think there are a few gardening sites online that focus on "Mediterranean" climate gardens, which includes, oddly enough, Southern California and Australia.
fjb, At one point I think I knew a name for that pink flowering bush, but I just can't think of it. They are pretty common here;sometimes they are used along roads or in the median of a road. They flower a lot and grow easily, but I was told they are poisonous, so a problem if you have little kids. InshaAllah I will post some pictures of the flowers for you.
L Oman, congratulations on your own home! May Allah bless you in it. We are renting, and there is nothing I would love better than having my own house.
You have a very beautiful garden. I have been trying to find out how to grow both flowers and vegetables in Palestine. Oh, and how to improve the soil naturally, as well. I have a feeling it's a lot different than growing things in northern Europe. If you have any suggestions or websites I could go to, I would appreciate it. I am also trying to find a comprehensive site that has pictures and names of all the flowers/medicinal herbs of Palestine. I haven't met too many people (ie. women) who garden a lot in Palestine.
I'm glad I can still see your blog and wonder about the people who have posted on it. Our circumstances are so different. I'm in a suburb outside Philadelphia
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