The Garden Contessa

Contessa Says:  It’s Time To plan for Gardening!!!

Our newest JUNE/JULY/AUGUST   Gardening Announcement 

The Garden Contessa, former owner of Contessa’s Garden and Gift in DelRay is offering June, July and August  appointments. You can still clean up and give your beds a boost by abating with fresh soil and mulch. If you have not cut back your winter early spring plant growth, let us do our magic on your beds/bushes. Make your plans now, and let us help.

For COVID safety, we are always masked and gloved. Our spring season so far is robust and because of recent chill and rain we are really only now getting ready. Summer is coming quickly so it’s the perfect time to plant. If you’d like to arrange for your FREE, first time consultation appointment, please txt 703-548-1882. If you happen to see us out-and-about in our neighborhood, please feel free to introduce yourself. We love meeting new potential gardening contacts. References and photos of current projects are available. Gardening is our passion, so no project is to large or two small. We do it all. ContessasHome@gmail.com

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if you are a current gardening client from our previous  seasons, and many if you are with us three and four years now, we will be offering you priority appointments on spring services. If you know what you have in mind, jot down a few notes and when we contact you, we can discuss.

Last year we did a fair amount of instruction and consultation. We love to teach and share. If you like the process, and the work of taking care of your own yard, we encourage you to retain us for hands on instruction by the hour. One hour can often give you the confidence to execute. We will keep in touch to watch your progress and offer suggestions. If you simply want it to look great and you don’t really feel like you have the gift, or you just don’t really have the time, we are happy to help.

We do have ongoing upkeep and maintenance clients. These relationships are generally arranged for services for the entire spring/summer/fall and even into December. With our mild winters and global warming being a reality, gardening is very much a year long event, with the exception of January and February. Ask us for a site visit and a plan just for your garden…..year round. We will of course customize our service to meet your needs.

We have been gardening in Parkfairfax since 2005. We love our community and our mission is to help you with your garden, but it’s also about dedication to beautifying the neighborhood we all call home. We work closely with our wonderful and dedicated Parkfairfax gardening crews and all projects are discussed with them when we need permissions or advice. We work closely with our Parkfairfax Director of Operations at the yard. A plus for you as we are familiar with current landscaping and modification gardening guidelines, and in some cases services that you need can be handled by their team, by using the Buildium tool.  Thus can be a cost savings firc you. It’s a win-win!! We can offer some helpful tips/advice on posting tickets to be completed in the PFX “Buildium” platform.  It was created for residents and it is the best way to report your projects that need attention.

Fibally….Its already proving to be a wonderful and liberating season. We think plants coming up, are the encouragement we all need right now. “It’s about new beginnings!”  We all need plant beauty in our lives. We are so much looking forward to being outdoors and serving you well

“Contessa” says….. it’s all good

Merrifield Site Visit/Buying Trip

I’m missing a photo of one large Rudy Red Rose Bush. It’s in our car “boot” but I think you cannot see it with the shade.

Anyway, it was a good trip, we took care of three (3) clients and will proceed to planting tomorrow. The plants have already been delivered to our clients. It is such a joy to visit this nursery. Plentiful supply and helpful staff. We kind of know the “lay of the land” at this point, so we are able to navigate without having to ask for assistance. It is a huge campus so go prepared to do some walking. Do dress comfortably and wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

In our latest PFX Newsletter Ad we included Nursery Site visits, by appointment, as part of our offerings. It’s so worth it to go, if you can book a time. We will pick you up, or meet you there. And we assist you with selection based on your sun and shade. One lovely benefit of going with us is the corporate discount we have established. For example, today we purchased a larger Pink Azalea Bush and our client received a $12 discount on a bush that retailed for $40. Welcome news

Now that the rain is behind us, we can all finally start planting in our gardens. We’ve all been waiting to be outdoors and kick off the warmer season. We do believe it’s finally here. Do remember to enjoy the planting process.

“Contessa” says….. it’s a good thing.

Orchid – 2nd Bloom this year

Three full blooms today – appropriate on Mother’s Day

……and they will bloom for about 5 or 6 weeks…

Look closely at the center of this photo. You will see a tiny “knob” on the stem. This is most likely the beginning of another new stem that will produce blooms. Our first bloom was (six) 6 flowers. So we are hopeful it will bloom once again.

We have it placed on a tall fern stand right near direct light…..but no sun. We water it thoroughly through from the top with the sprayer attachment at the sink. Tepid water, not cold. Let it drain right through. Several minutes. Turn from side to side making sure no water has settled in the bottom. Place on a towel on the counter. Let stand 20 minutes so all water drains off. Place your orchid back in its Cachepot.

Orchids can be pricey but most flower bouquets last about five days in water. Your Orchid blooms a long time and your reward is it will bloom again and again. Three blooming cycles are normal each year. Fertilize once a month with a pitcher of water and commercial fertilizer especially for orchids. Use the pour straight through method just the same as before

We love them and they are so beautiful.
ENJOY!

Morning Nourishment

Half of a Grapefruit with Honey…..and stewed Prunes (4).

A healthy dose of Vitamin C and Potassium. I’m now good to go until lunch/dinner at about 3:30/4:00 pm. 

Try it… so good for you and you might like it. 

“CONTESSA”

Gardening Today – Beverley Dr – beds (REVISED) 4:00 pm – Sat – 4/9

BEFORE

INCREDIBLE WEED INFESTATION. Third year. All weeds are jumping into this bed from the common ground area (which happens to be all weeds). We have made numerous requests for PFX to attend alto this area. We will continue to tidy once again,  but until they do the larger work of clearing the back common ground, and planting SOD, which has been requested, unfortunately the weeds will win. I’ve been hired to do this job. I’ve reported what needs to be done. My homeowner wants it cleared again. They will put another request into the Buildium module.

And away we go…….

”Contessa”

5:06 pm Update (REVISED) – 4/8 – Friday 

We have created a three (3) inch deep edge on this weedy bed. Due to erosion, as this area is slightly sloped, we will recommend that railroad tie’s replace our temporary brick border before the SOD is installed. Somehow, we have to keep the low lying vine and the weeds from infesting yet again. Our fix is temporary. When they finally come to lay SOD – as requested, and approved, they will create a “definitive” edge on this bed and the bricks can be removed. We have also pulled away the weeds and vines from the outside of the brick border to deter further creeping.  Our homeowners have roughly $300 in perennials in this bed. Slowly, tomorrow, we will start clearing the bed of all these weeds. Frankly, because of all the rain we have had it shouldn’t be too time consuming. We have advised our client to go into the Buildium module and find out the status on laying SOD. It needs some resolution.

AFTER

The wind is picking up and it’s pretty shady now so we are wrapping it up for today.

Do stay tuned in…..to our work in the“CONTESSA”

Update – Sat – 4 pm – 4/9

12 to 4 pm  today. Yes we pulled and dug weeds for four (4) hours. Eight bags to the dump. It’s work…. but must get done.  Our resident authorized the purchase of 15 bags of top soil to amend the beds, after we lay thick newspaper down, to smother any remaining weeds. Has to be done. We are able to preserve the plants from last year. Fortunately it’s still early, and with the cool and the rain the plants are only just popping up.

We are going to the nursery this week so we’ll buy two or three more perennials. Every year they agreed to add a few. They trust us to make selections and the budget is generous. It’s a nice little garden and once the common ground area is addressed properly, they shouldn’t have to do this again. The wind has been a nice huge factor this year with “pesty” seedlings from weeds flying all over. So many weeds. Even the large side lawn, which has beautiful green grass is showing lots of weeds this year. We will continue with this project next week. We shall persevere.

“Contessa”

Gardening Consultations

Hello my loyal gardeners,

Contessa here…….

Wow, what a ton of rain we have had. I’m ready for some sunshine too….. but in all honesty, we truly needed this rain. Good news is it’s looking like we are approaching a fantastic week starting next Monday and we will work Friday and Saturday this week.

Appointments are available.  As a reminder, please remember that we offer one free consultation to all Parkfairfax residents. You can tell us what you need or wish for, and we can share with you our vision of what’s possible at your property. It’s really all about sun/shade, erosion, current shape of your beds, the quality of your bushes/plantings, and your soil. We love the consult part of the process. Realistic expectations are important and your ideas for your garden are so important to us. We wish to assist you with realizing a perfect outdoor space. So prepare to make notes when we visit. Free advice is a “good thing” so says “Contessa.”  

Be sure to ask for your free consultation when you txt us.  (703-548-1882). We are now approaching our busiest time of the spring season. We want to serve all of you well, and in a timely manner. Please book your appointments NOW.  

Everything is popping now. The trees are leafing, flowers are almost at peak and our neighborhood is looking so lush and quite beautiful. In our opinion, this is the prettiest time of year in Parkfairfax.

Enjoy this truly lovely season.

“CONTESSA”

Gardening Consultations

Today we have “consultations.” One on Holmes and one on Mt Eagle.

As a reminder, please remember that we offer one free consultation to all Parkfairfax residents. You can tell us what you need or wish for, and we can share with you our vision of what’s possible at your property. It’s really all about sun/shade, erosion, current shape of your beds, the quality of your bushes/plantings, and your soil. We love the consult part of the process. Realistic expectations are important and your ideas for your garden are so important to us. We wish to assist you with realizing a perfect outdoor space. So prepare to make notes when we visit. Free advice is a “good thing” so says “Contessa.”  

Be sure to ask for your free consultation when you txt us.  (703-548-1882). We are now approaching our busiest time of the spring season. We want to serve all of you well and in a timely manner. Please book your appointments NOW.  

Everything is popping now. The trees are leafing, flowers are almost at peak and our neighborhood is looking so lush and quite beautiful. In our opinion, this is the prettiest time of year in Parkfairfax.

Enjoy this truly lovely season.

“CONTESSA”

A Creative Gardening Tip

Hello friends…. “How does your garden grow?”

A Tip  for Growing Seeds in Citrus Peels

This is a creative idea, and a simple way that can help you grow seedlings.  

At my house we eat grapefruit every morning. You can use a half of a grapefruit citrus peel as a seedling pot. Or a large orange works too. 

Grapefruit is one of our favorite fruits so I have a ready supply for this project. Grapefruit peel itself is a good nutrient fertilizer, and the use of grapefruit peel as a seedling pot can not only add nutrients to the soil, but you can directly bury the grapefruit and the seedling right into the soil.

Carefully scoop out the remaining fiber inside the half peel. Poke four very small holes in the bottom. Now fill the rind with potting soil, either purchased or homemade; add two seeds and tepid water. Gently water. Just a few drops should work and start the germination process, because the peel has some moisture in it. Add a few drops every day. You can use a muffin tin to hold the rinds in place. Place under an indoor grow light or in your most sunny window. When your seeds attain some height, thin to one plant per peel and allow to grow some more – until it’s time to transplant. If needed you can add a little more soil to give your seedlings a stabilizer. Its fun, creative and the citrus aroma is an added benefit.

“Contessa” says: it’s a good…and fun thing!

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