"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." Mark Twain

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." Mark Twain, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.If you're from an area where seasons are distinct and easily recognizable, visiting Southern California will make you feel as if you're not having seasonal changes at all.  But if you look closely, you can find it.Location: Terrenea Resort...

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Balboa Island, California (Beach Cottage Gardening)

Hee that is in a towne in May loseth his spring. ~George Herbert, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.My sister-in-law came for a visit and I suggested we take a quick day trip to Balboa Island, located in Newport Beach, CA.This adorable cottage town has fun activities for families and children, including a ferry ride, a carousel, and an arcade.And...

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A Calendar for Growing Flowers in Coastal Southern California

JuneThe first step in having color in your garden is planning well ahead. This month plan for the mums that will make your garden a joy next October. Divide clumps now and make some cuttings too. If you are limited on space, put a few divisions or cuttings in 4" plastic pots and bring them along for the next six weeks then tuck them in. Keep tops pinched back till first week in August. The rewards are so great that I like to put a very small handful of all purpose organic fertilizer in each hole and also use a small spade and work up the soil for...

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“A beautiful thing is never perfect.” ~ Proverb

“A beautiful thing is never perfect.” ~ Proverb, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.I went to the flower fields in Carlsbad , CA with another photographer. If you're visiting Southern California in April or May, this is a wonderful place to explore. They plant the fields in rainbow rows of ranunculus. The last section, nearest the entrance blooms last,...

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A Calendar for Growing Flowers in Coastal Southern California

May May is Lei Day in Hawaii or MAY IS THE MONTH OF MILDEW here on the coast, on your roses.Be sure to spray for mildew on your roses all this month, every week. Spray the soil also. Cut short stems on the roses for the first blooming to let the plant get strong, then after that, long stems to semi-prune as you pick. You can safely fertilize almost everything now, to keep it growing fast. When the rains are over, water infrequently but deeply, about once a week in sandy soil, less often in adobe. Always add organic amendments to soil when you...

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Bright colours or dark ones, sparkling clarity or misty atmosphere, landscape, still life, portrait - I haven't met a subject, style or mood yet that can't be portrayed beautifully in pastel. (Dave Beckett)

Bright colours or dark ones, sparkling clarity or misty atmosphere, landscape, still life, portrait - I haven't met a subject, style or mood yet that can't be portrayed beautifully in pastel. (Dave Beckett), originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.Flowers are blooming everywhere in Southern, California. All of this rain from El Nino has certainly brought...

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Signs of Spring in Southern California

A day before the Groundhog tells the world about the coming of Spring, February first in Southern California shows blossoms everywhere.Happy Girl, originally uploaded by Abby Lanes.It appears that our recent El Nino storms nourished the flowers and helped the insect population.This flowering tree was filled with blooms, and quite a swarm of happy bees,...

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A Calendar for Growing Flowers in Coastal Southern California

Calendula in Florence's Garden in February FEBRUARYCalendula can be in full bloom on Valentine's Day. Do note on your calendar to plant them next September or October. Learn to plant the lovely annuals that will soon be in bloom, in early fall, to get the best and most carefree bloom, we have all year. All of the following bloom best in our early...

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A Calendar for Growing Flowers in Coastal Southern California

My friend, and gardening mentor Florence Sullivan, passed away recently at the age of 95 1/2. I had previously asked her daughter's permission to share her gardening tips. She wrote a booklet, with the above title, so any tips I share on this blog, with this title are from "Florence Sullivan," with the kind permission of her daughter Holly.Since...

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