P. Allen Smith's
NATURALLY March/April 2018
Guerrilla gardening with
SEED BOMBS
Not even potted: BARE-ROOT PLANTS
Top 10 aromatic flowers 1
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Wildness of Spring As much as we may love to plan our neat garden rows, sometimes it’s best to take our cues from Mother Nature in the early days of spring when she lets her hair down. Her joy practically leaps from the ground with delicate wildflowers, surprise daffodils, lush green clover and other wild grasses. These bursts of life are unplanned, unexpected and inspirational in every way. The never-ending rain and slush of spring finally gives way to the greenery we yearned for in the winter months. The dogwoods, tulip trees, and other early flowering shrubs are a most welcome sight. Spring is about taking chances; about shedding those winter layers and trying something new. In homage to that theme, this issue is devoted to the sensual delights of spring — from fresh fields of wildflowers to the first fragrant blooms outside your door. Welcome to another growing season. May it bless you with bounty.
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P. Allen Smith's
NATURALLY PUBLISHER
P. Allen Smith EDITOR
Melissa Tucker DESIGNER
Katherine Laughlin SOCIAL MEDIA
Sam May PHOTOGRAPHERS
Beth Hall Mark Fonville Jason Masters Steven Veach STYLIST
Lori Wenger
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table of contents
Top 10 fragrant plants 12
Bare-root essentials 28
DIY room freshener 18
Acai smoothie bowl 24
Seed bombs away 32
Spotify playlist 38
CONTACT For advertising inquiries, email cfreeman@pallensmith.com. For editorial and general feedback, email smay@pallensmith.com.
“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want—oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” — Mark Twain
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GARDEN HOME
marathon
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On A pri l 1 4 , sp end an enti re Satu rday w ith Garde n Home on Create TV.
inspired
Watch 12 e pi s o de s f rom s ea s on s 14- 16 and b e inspired to st art proj ec ts i n you r ow n g arden home.
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P. Allen Smith's M O S S M O U N TA I N FA R M
collection shop now
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Heaven Scent
TO P 1 0 F R A G R A N T P L A N TS TO A D D TO YO U R G A R D E N When planning your garden’s annual performance, you take note of color, texture or shape, but the most overlooked player might be fragrance. This oft-forgotten character adds an unseen, but much appreciated, layer of enjoyment to your outdoor space. Strategically placed flowers or herbs will give you a reason to pause and enjoy your garden. Place them near seating areas where you will rest or near windows to perfume the air in your home with every breeze. But be warned, you can go overboard here. Some plants -- such as evening primrose, moonflower vine, angel’s trumpet and August lily — will “awaken” in the moonlight, so keep that in mind. And I’ve heard some homeowners complain of flowers being too fragrant, especially when they’re trying to sleep. Generally speaking, deciding which fragrances you prefer is a very personal decision, so to start you on the journey, here are 10 of my favorite fragrant flowers and herbs for the garden.
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E NGLISH L AVE NDER –
PEONIES -
LE MON BALM -
I always visualize this aromatic herb in
They may seem old-fashioned, but the
This herb lives in the mint family and
large, romantic garden swaths, but in
faithful peony has earned its lasting
has a lemon flavor with a hint of mint.
reality, it grows best for me in containers.
reputation. Prized for their form,
It’s a practical choice, as it’s delightful
There are several species of lavender,
stunning range of colors, and exceptional
in teas, on salads or even in bouquets.
with the most popular being English,
hardiness, few other plants, once
Keep it contained, though, because like
Spanish, French and the lavandins. In
established, bloom so reliably year after
mint, this herb can get out of hand and
my humid, mid-south garden, I have had
year with such little care. Their large,
quickly overrun your garden. Unlike mint,
the most success with a lavandin called
glorious flowers and their intoxicating
the roots are not the problem here. It’s
‘Provence.’ Lavender prefers moist, cool
fragrance make them a wonderful cut
the seeds. The best course of action to
winters and hot, dry summers. A soil
flower.
prevent lemon balm from taking over the
mixture of 1/3 sand, 1/3 topsoil and 1/3
garden is to remove its flowers as soon as
compost works well, and if you place
you notice them.
a few pieces of broken terra cotta in the bottom of the container before you add the soil, it will further improve the drainage.
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LIL AC -
NOISET TE ROSES -
MO CK OR ANGE -
This beautiful and delicate flowering
You will find this historic variety
Growing citrus trees can be a hassle, so
plant has fragrant lavender blooms. It
throughout the rose garden at Moss
adding mock orange to your garden is one
blooms best when planted in full sun
Mountain Farm, as they were the first
of my favorite ways to get that wonderful
and well-drained, alkaline soil. Plants
class of American roses. I plant the
citrus fragrance without having to care
should be fertilized with a general
Champneys’ Pink Cluster, and the
for fruit trees. While the name suggests
fertilizer in early spring and then again
clusters of pale pink blossoms have an
something deceiving – especially with the
after the bloom cycle. To encourage
intoxicating fragrance. Champneys’ Pink
absence of color on the petals – the scent
blooms, substitute the general fertilizer
Cluster can be trained to climb with the
is real, light and enchanting. For the best
with super phosphate, or a fertilizer high
right support. Pruning will allow you to
results, plant mock orange in full sun or
in phosphorous, for your early spring
grow it as a shrub as well.
partial shade, make sure the soil is moist
feeding.
and place in a well-drained area of your garden or yard.
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HYACI NTH -
GARDE NIA -
With a little love and patience, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous,
A favorite among the older generation, very few plants can top
fragrant hyacinth blooms in the spring. Many people grow them
the sweet smell of gardenias! And those gorgeous white blooms
indoors by forcing the bulbs. To grow outdoors, plant the bulbs
pop against the glossy, deep green foliage. Grow gardenias in a
in early fall in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Growing hyacinths in
protected area that gets full sun to part shade. The plant thrives
containers is another option, and it gives you more control over
in consistently moist, well-drained soil. Feed the plant in the
the soil conditions.
spring before new growth starts using an all-purpose fertilizer.
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HONEYSUCKLE -
PI NEAPPLE SAGE -
Nothing says spring in the south like honeysuckle. Its sweet,
A magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, pineapple
bright scent is always welcome, and it thrives along fences and
sage is named for the pineapple scent of its foliage. The bold
gazebos. It’s not too picky about growing conditions and is a
red blooms make an appearance in late summer/early fall. Grow
perfect choice for attracting wildlife to the garden. Honeysuckle
pineapple sage in a sunny spot that has a bit of afternoon shade.
grows best in full sun but can take a bit of shade. Plant in well-
Soil should be well drained, but the plant needs moisture to
drained soil amended with organic matter for best results.
support it as it grows quickly. Once established, pineapple sage is drought tolerant.
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photo credit: stephanie pollard, helloglow.co
Spring is in the Air C H A M O M I L E BL E N D RO O M S P R A Y
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click here for how-to It’s finally spring, and as much as you’d like to spend all day outdoors, it’s not always possible. So, I like to bring the outdoors inside with a fresh, homemade room spray. Try infusing fresh herbs or citrus peels or other favorite aromas in water and spritz it around for an instant mood booster. Spring is in the air, at long last.
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spring
LUNCH TOURS
get tickets Moss Mountain Farm in roland, arkansas 21
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cranberry pecan Rice salad view recipe
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'lilliput' acai Smoothie bowl smoothie ingredients 1 pack frozen acai (3½ ounces/100g) 1 banana, frozen 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon chia seeds
topping ingredients ¼ cup granola Berries, to taste Sliced ‘Lilliput’ cantaloupe Optional: Banana slices, to taste 1/4 cup shaved almonds Mint, for garnish
directions 1. Place all smoothie ingredients (acai, banana, blueberries, Greek yogurt, and chia seeds) in a blender and blend until smooth. 2. Pour blended mixture into a bowl and top with favorite toppings. 3. Serve immediately.
Note: 'Lilliput' is a personal-size melon that you can use as a bowl. You may add whatever fresh toppings suit your fancy, but granola and cantaloupe are MUSTS for me!
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“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.” –Marty Rubin
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The Bare Essentials HOW TO GET STARTED WITH BARE ROOT FLOWERING PLANTS Somewhere between seeds and seedlings is the bareroot plant starter. It may not look as pretty as the potted plants you get in the nursery, or as promising as a fresh packet of seeds, but it's every bit as viable. The bare-root starter is a live plant in a dormant state. It will arrive when it’s ready to go in the ground and it’s essentially the root system of a plant with the dirt removed. The roots will converge into a “crown,” which is the top of the plant and faces up towards the sky. I’ve always had success with bare-root bulbs, which can be planted in spring or fall. Much like with seeds, you must be patient with these plants as it can take anywhere from six to eight weeks before you start to see obvious growth.
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TIPS FOR GROWI NG BARE-RO OT PL ANTS : - Your bare-root plant will arrive in a plastic bag, and should be damp, but not too moldy. Your new plant should go in the ground as soon as possible, but if you need a few days, you can store them in a cool dry place, like a cool garage or a basement. Warmth and moisture will signal them to start growing so check on them occasionally to be sure they aren’t getting moldy or soft. They can be kept this way for about 5 days.
- Sometimes bare root plants can dry out during transit so it is a good idea to soak them in a bucket of water for 2 to 4 hours to rehydrate them before planting.
- Follow the instructions for planting, and take care not to plant too deep. Many times bare-root plants won’t thrive or bloom if the crown is too far below the surface.
- Once planted, give them a bit of water, but not too much. The roots will need time to adjust to their new home, and you don’t want to add more stress.
- Wait to fertilize until your plant is about 6 inches tall. You can also add a bit of mulch at this time.
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s ho p n ow
l a rg e st g row e r o f day l i l i e s , p 30
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p e o n i e s , a n d i r i s i n t h e wo r l d 31
Seed Bombs Away
r e ca p t ure neglec ted pl anting areas of your commu nit y wit h guerrill a g ardenin g tac tic s. Move over bath bombs, the latest trend in earthy, self-indulgence is the seed bomb. Often called guerrilla gardening, seed bombs are made for areas where you’d like to add color but can’t easily cultivate because of fences or other blockages. These bombs would be best employed — or deployed — in the neglected flowerbeds and street planters of your community. You could also attack a forgotten section of your neighborhood with one, but you didn’t hear that from us.
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h ow to make seed bom bs 3 parts of natural clay; can be found at art stores 5 parts compost 1 part wildflower seeds - you can use a pre-made wildflower seed mix water
Start with 1 handful of seeds. Add the 5 parts of compost and mix well. Add the 3 parts of clay and mix thoroughly. Add small amounts of water, mix until consistency is similar to biscuit dough. Grab a chunk, and roll in your hand until round and smooth, and truffle sized. Air dry in a warm dry place; preferably overnight. Once dry they can be stored for a few weeks in a cool, dark place.
The idea is to pack an array of seeds into a ball with all the things they’d need to get started on their journey. The casing of clay will protect the seeds from birds and insects. It also soaks up rain and dew, allowing the seeds to germinate and prepare for their transformation into seedlings. The compost gives them the nutrients they need to grow. Seed bombs work best when “planted” — tossed somewhere casually — in early spring or fall, so the April showers can help them do their work.
They’re perfect for your newbie gardeners, as it gives them a sense of accomplishment and might even encourage them to progress to the next level of gardening. Creating seed bombs is simple and easy. And if you’ve ever made truffles or cake balls, this may feel eerily similar.
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p. allen smith’s
poultry workshop -
S at u r day
-
4.07.18 GET TICKETS
m o s s m o u n ta i n fa r m Roland, Ar $96.75 per person (All applicable taxes included)
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Be sure to support your local 4-H/FFA chapters and to visit your county, state and regional livestock and poultry shows to help further the cause. heritagepoultry.org
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Photographer: Lyndsey Sullivan Photography
plan your wedding, rehearsal dinner or bridal photography at p. allen smith's private garden home retreat
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Click here to listen.
1.
FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR The Lumineers
2. ISLAND IN THE SUN Weezer 3.
HERE COMES THE SUN The Beatles
4.
MORNING LIGHT Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys
5.
THE ROCK DOC Fruit Bats
6. GOLDEN My Morning Jacket 7.
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8. WILDFLOWERS Miley Cyrus 9.
SUN GIANT Fleet Foxes
10. 5 YEARS TIME Noah and the Whale 11. SUN IS SHINING Bob Marley & The Wailers 12. THE WARMTH OF THE SUN The Beach Boys 13. AIN'T NO SUNSHINE Bill Withers 14. SUNRISE Norah Jones
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cluckstin timberlake
Watch out, spring chickens. Cluckstin Timberlake is bringing sexy bock. Like his musical counterpart, Cluckstin is talented, charming and popular at Moss Mountain Farm. When it comes to turning heads, he can’t stop the feeling. If you visit, you’ll typically hear this show-stopping Buff Orpington crowing about something and strutting around like he owns the place.
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