Excellent developments at Ranch du Bois today: the salad bar has been planted. In went the black kale, the baby bok choy, and the spicy greens mix. Planted several packets of heirloom poppy seeds. Plus, planted an additional big pot of baby bok choy. At the grocery store today, I saw the bok at $2.98 per pound. Now, I know you can go to the Asian market for a better deal, but hey, I am all about growing my own.
Bansai Posts |
| Tinsley house (15/06) |
| (04/06) |
Hi and welcome to Idaho Gardener. My name is Mary Ann Newcomer. I also have several nicknames – the printable ones are M. A. , Auntie Mame , Dirt Diva, Princess Dew Sparkle and Duchess of Dirt.
A native daughter of Idaho, I have been gardening since I was a small child. My grandmother and grandfather were avid gardeners and I was given a 3′x3′ plot for starters. I was encouraged to grow radishes, I believe because they came up in just a couple of days (instant gratification for a 5 year old) and because the first sets of leaves were heart shaped (a message from my grandmother).
I served on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Botanical Garden for over a decade and still work with the Lewis and Clark Native Plant Garden committee and the Garden’s committee for Design Review. I have spent a good part of the last 20 years fund raising for, and promoting the programs at the garden. I chaired the committee that built the Contemporary English Garden in 1997.
Largely self taught, I have an insatiable curiousity and thirst for knowledge, especially relating to horticulture and garden design. I make every effort to attend as many educational seminars/workshops/programs/speakers series as time and money will allow.
I find myself focusing a lot on the concept of ‘genus loci’. It is about honoring the spirit of place. In my case, that means understanding the lay of the land, the weather that comes with it, how to garden and live in harmony with my surroundings.
I am a scout-in-training with Meredith Corporation (publisher of Better Homes and Gardens and 128 other titles). I do garden design in the Boise Valley, teach classes on garden design, and aspire to write a book on the gardens of the Intermountain West.
All content is copyrighted by me. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed.
I wish! We still have snow on the ground! I’m so hungry for fresh greens, and can’t wait for those spring salads. I want to plant Napa cabbage this year. Made my first jar of kimchi a few days ago with store-bought Napa, and it’s delicious.
We are new to the Boise area and we do not know what “works well” here. We want to put in some raspberry bushes. What kind would you recommend?
so curious what variety of bok choy you planted – I have struggled with it bolting. ugh!
Mary Ann – thank you for the book; I just returned from 2 weeks away and it was the perfect welcome home! (can’t find your email, and have low enough energy to give up quick…)