Combo Planting

Its interesting to learn about mixing plants in a pot i.e. combo planting.


The combo planting that I have seen enhances the pots by mixing many different colored flowers. It really looks beautiful.  Unfortunately, I have not really started planting flowers.


I like mint.


So, I have decided to combo plant with the Aloe Vera pots.  This will stop weeds from growing and I will get more mint.

Mint transplanted and growing healthy

Aloe Vera and Mint sharing a space

Portuluca and Bougain Villae Combo Planting

Growing well together

I like this idea of increasing herb everywhere without much effort.

Sunflowers

Since I was a young girl (which was many moons ago), I have always loved Sunflowers.


I would catch a glimpse of it when I pass someone's garden and see this bright yellow flower stretching towards the sun.  I felt warm inside and it brought a smile to my face.


I used to stay in Bangkok, Thailand for 3 years and one of the most amazing experience I had was visiting Saraburi in November (2.5 hours drive from Bangkok city).  There were Sunflowers stretching out as far as my eyes could see.  Tall, majestic and brilliant yellow.  I even bought a dried Sunflower as large as a dinner plate!  How cool is that?

Sunflower has smaller buds, next to another Sunflower plant I purchased from another Nursery

I have been gardening for the last 1 year and felt that it was time to plunge in and try to plant some Sunflower in my Garden.  So, when I was at the Sg Buloh nursery, I saw this Sunflower which has a huge flower and also has other smaller buds, I thought that it looked unique.  Rather than enjoying only one large flower, I get to enjoy a few sunflower buds in one plant.  

Newly purchased Sunflower

The large bud was already dried up and I was keen to purchase it to germinate my own seeds.

Small pretty Sunflower buds all over

So, I dried the seeds.  Almost 100 seeds!

I planted it just beside my house overlooking my glass door.  I want to admire it each time I look out

I am already in the process of germinating it and look forward to have the front of my house surrounded with Sunflowers.  It would look glorious.


Absolutely beautiful!

New Vegetable Bed

I am ready.


Yes, I am.


For....  an increase responsibilities as a Gardener.


I have decided to relocate the Aloe Vera and leave the whole space for vegetables.  Loads of them.

My initial Aloe Vera locations

Aloe Vera in its new home... happily

My favorite plant, ever!

Hammock in the Garden

1 Hammock + 1 Hammock = 2 Hammocks

1 cool evening +  1 crazy idea = 2 Boys having fun

1 Teenage Son +  1 Little  Boy  =  2 swinging Monkeys

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has been a medicinal and even considered a miraculous plant.  The benefits are endless.... Just naming some:

• boost immune system
• antioxidant
• digestive tract
• sunburn
• antifungal, antibacterial
• clears scars, acne
• natural antiseptic
• and hundreds more

I have not used it that extensive.  So far, I have used it for burns, moisturizer, mask, wounds and hair. 

To consume internally, its best taken raw in a smoothie with juices.  Just google it and there are heaps of write up on how to clean it up.  I have taken it in my green smoothie and it doesn't taste anything.

I  grow 2 varieties in my Garden, a total of about more than 20 plants and still adding on more.  

I know, I have a little obsession.  Maybe not a little.  Maybe a little more than that.

Growing Sweet Potatoes

I bought 2 pieces of Sweet Potatoes from the Supermarket and was wondering if I could grow them.  I did some internet research and it could be viable growing them in containers.  Easier to harvest the Sweet Potatoes.  This time round, I will not be growing for their leaves.

Trying to grow shoots

There is another variety which I would like to get my hands on, The Okinawan Sweet Potato but I have not seen it in the Supermarket.  The local market sells the above variety organically for RM15 per kg. 

Rock Melon

Rock Melon is very delicious and aromatic.  Juicy.  Sweet. Delicious.  

I absolutely have to try to grow some in my garden.  Easy to grow?  Difficult?  I don't know.

I bought one the other day in Giant Supermarket and it cost RM7.99 per kg! Yikes!  So, expensive eventhough its grown in Malaysia.  So, a small little fruit cost almost RM10.

I am going to try really hard to grow some.  

My Little Boy finished 1/2 of this Rock Melon all by himself

I am not sure how long it will take for it to grow and fruit.  But. I. Am. Going. To. Try.  

Metal Trellis for the Rock Melon plants

Rock Melon growing well

Stevia Success!

I am very happy to say that I have successfully transplanted Stevia.  You can read about it here.


I now have almost 12 plants but one died.


But.


Still.

Stevia successfully transplanted

I am a very happy Gardener.