Gardening

• Most Topular Stories

• Ornamental Kale

  Dirt Therapy

  Phillip Oliver

  15 Jan 2012 | 11:15 am

  Ornamental Kale (or Ornamental Cabbage if you prefer) is second only to pansies as a colorful option for winter containers or planting in the ground.  The scientific name is Brassica oleracea. The plant is a member of the mustard family. They can be planted in the fall (from seed or transplants) and when colder temperatures and frosts approach, the color intensifies. They like sunny locations although they will grow in shadier areas, the color may not be as vivid. They also may become leggy if not given enough sun. Although edible, they are not near as tasty as regular cabbages and kale…

• Going vertical with a steel pipe planter

  Digging

  Pam/Digging

  26 Jan 2012 | 2:13 pm

  A few months ago Link Davidson, who has a talent for collecting and repurposing industrial leftovers in gardens (see the garden he designed for his neighbor, Wendy), sold me a piece of heavy steel pipe. He even delivered it to my house, and let me tell you, it is extremely heavy. I found the perfect place for it in the new gravel garden I’ve started between the garage and the front entry. I had help burying two feet of its length in the ground for stability, and I eagerly planted it up with a large toothless sotol (Dasylirion longissimum) that I found on sale at Big Red Sun. Uh-oh. This…

• Green design solutions - moss carpets

  Ewa in the Garden

  27 Jan 2012 | 12:10 am

  Living green design solutions are fresh and inspiring. More and more architects and designers show their extraordinary imagination in designing green interiors. I love especially the below one, designed by Makoto Azuma, Japan-based flower artist, who has created a moss carpet system that can flow through your home in any design you wish, creating a living, breathing textile The carpet is

• Got some credit in the straight world:

  Kiss my Aster!

  Kiss My Aster!

  25 Jan 2012 | 12:55 pm

  New post on the Proven Winners website by yours truly...Check it out right here.

• 4 Bits of Advice for a New Writer

  Doug Green's Blog

  Doug

  21 Jan 2012 | 8:22 am

  In the past month or so, I’ve made a sea-change in my way of thinking about advice to new writers – in advice to myself as well. Herewith: 1) Want to be a writer? First step. Write. It’s that simple. Every morning, start your day with a pen and coil-spring notebook, fill 2-4 pages at a minimum with drafts of articles, rough ideas, rants, dreams, whatever. Just write. And write without much editing. 2) Once a week, preferably twice but once is good, take one of those penned works, clean it up and post it on a blog. Do not worry about creating audiences for your blog, do not…

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  You Grow Girl.

• Here I Am. This is Me.

  Gayla

  26 Jan 2012 | 12:24 pm

  I loved school as a kid. It got me away from the stresses of the house and into a place where I was free to indulge in my love for reading and learning. While the social dynamics of the playground are rarely easy for any of us to navigate, school opened my mind to possibilities, to a world I couldn’t have imagined from within the fear-filled confinement of a dysfunctional family. What I loved most, more than free time in the library or the hours we spent huddled on the floor as the teacher read aloud, was Show and Tell. While, I know that giving presentations was a part of all grades, I…

• What Were They Thinking?

  Gayla

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:58 pm

  Any therapist or self-help guru will tell you upfront, you can’t get into a relationship thinking that you can change the other person. They will tell you that this is an exhausting, destructive predicament that will lead to heartbreak rather than the outcome that you had wished for. They will warn you off of making a further commitment. So will your best friend, your mom, and your great aunt Jean. Yesterday, I learned that the National Wildlife Federation has aligned with Scotts, the company responsible for manufacturing several garden and agricultural toxins, including Miracle Gro and…

• Leaving California with an Aching in My Heart

  Gayla

  23 Jan 2012 | 10:53 am

  The trip to Rancho la Puerta begins and ends at the San Diego airport. This was my first time to Southern California, and since it turned out to be cheaper (due to the New Year travel rush) to stay a few days in San Diego than fly home straight away, we took advantage to enjoy a bonus day and a half in the city. Having now had a chance to see first hand what gardening is like in Southern California, I can say with authority that I would move there in a heartbeat to enjoy that luscious, long-season growing. I spent the last few minutes before we had to head to the airport running from one…

• Rancho la Puerta

  Gayla

  20 Jan 2012 | 10:39 am

  When I booked our trip to Rancho la Puerta, a spa/retreat in Baja California, Mexico a few months back, it was under the assumption that it would be the most vacation-like vacation of my life. I pictured it in my mind as a soft, full-page ad in a magazine, full of promises that I have never desired in a travel destination until recently: stress-free relaxation, time away to rebalance and reconnect with oneself, and an embarrassing heap of lavish, bourgeoisie pampering. Typically, when I travel I want to see, eat, and do it ALL. I research profusely. I make lists and print out maps. I Google…

• Meet My New Assistant

  Gayla

  16 Jan 2012 | 10:42 am

  Today’s post was slotted to be one detailing our wonderful, recuperative trip to the desert, but then we met Molly. Our desire to adopt a rescue dog was solidified over the Holidays and during the trip so on return, we started looking seriously with the intention of finding the right dog for us. I told Davin, “This is going to take some time, months even.” I expected to bring a dog home around the time that the peas go into the ground. Molly was posted on Petfinder on Tuesday night. I called on Wed afternoon and had a long chat with the woman fostering her. She sounded too…

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  The Casual Gardener

• Mexican Pazole Soup Recipe; How To Cook Hominy, Onion, Tomato and Pork Soup

  Shawna Lee Coronado

  23 Jan 2012 | 8:30 am

  Chef Carlos Capistran and Shawna Coronado fix Pazole Soup in Akumal, Mexico. Want the perfect recipe for a cold Winter’s day? Pazole soup made by my charming friend Chef Carlos Capistran from the Lol-Ha Restaurant. Above is a video we made showing how to make the soup. We were fortunate enough to prepare the soup on the beach in Akumal, Mexico. Of all the dishes I prepared with Chef Capistran, this is one of my absolute favorites – it is filled with home cooked flavor and goodness and warms you from the tips of your toes to the top of your soul. HOW TO MAKE PAZOLE (Hominy and Pork) SOUP -…

• Winter Is Cold; You Are Not Alone My Gardening Friends

  Shawna Lee Coronado

  16 Jan 2012 | 7:34 am

  Some days in the frigid, darkness, when cold silence seems our only friend, we gardeners become a little melancholy. We feel lonely and tired and dream of the garden that is yet to erupt into beautiful life. Remember that you are not alone. Around you, particularly online, are all your warm, soft, fuzzy friends who promise to lift your spirit and bring a smile to a precious face, much like the Lamb’s Ears that surround this lone Petunia. Wishing you hugs this wintery January…. lots of hugs. Be patient - gardening is right around the corner. www.shawnacoronado.com

• Wordless Wednesday - - Flowering Hen and Chicks Are Beautiful

  Shawna Lee Coronado

  11 Jan 2012 | 4:17 pm

  www.shawnacoronado.com

• Recipe for Grouper Fish Tikin Xik - How To Cook Garlic, Pepper, Onion, and Tomato Into Perfection

  Shawna Lee Coronado

  9 Jan 2012 | 8:44 am

  Chef Carlos Capistran and Shawna Coronado on the beach in Akumal, Mexico cooking white fish and loving it! This amazing Yucatan Peninsula culinary delight from the Lol-Ha Restaurant is SO GOOD and filled with garlic, pepper, onion, and tomato – delicious things most everyone here in the United States can grow in their gardens. While filming this video in Akumal, Mexico we had a bit of a language problem. Hilariously, you will see that Chef Carlos says “Tikin Xik” which sounds to me as if he is saying “Taking a $*&%” and almost sends me over the edge as I try to pronounce it the…

• How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree: A Happy Ending

  Shawna Lee Coronado

  6 Jan 2012 | 9:19 am

  Yesterday was A DAY! If you recall, I wrote a post on proper Christmas Tree Recycling by my garbage and recycling service, Waste Management Company. By noon I had received 250 + emails, countless phone calls, and comments on my Facebook page from my Mayor and people from countries all over the world. By afternoon City Hall was phoning me and Treehugger.com picked up the story nationally. Treehugger.com asked the question, “Are your Christmas Trees REALLY being recycled?” Wow. First off, let us address Christmas tree recycling itself. Here are some handy-dandy ideas to get you started -…

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  Cold Climate Gardening

• Flowering Houseplants to Stave Off Cabin Fever: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day January 2012

  Kathy Purdy

  15 Jan 2012 | 7:42 pm

  These paperwhites, a housewarming gift from a dear friend, are almost as white as the snow outside. They may not warm my toes, but they warm my heart! The weather outside is finally frightful (subzero Fahrenheit as I write this, and dropping), so I can’t show you the pansy that had been blooming in the unseasonably mild weather. I do have more blooms than usual in the house for January, thanks to a thoughtful friend, a container plant wintering indoors, and an impulse grocery purchase. I passed it by the first week. The second week it was the only one left in the grocery store, and…

• Two Houses: Dioecious Plants, part 6

  Craig Levy

  7 Jan 2012 | 4:33 am

  Imagine having a garden composed of only female plants. It could be considered a goddess garden. Think how subtle that would be. I wonder how long it would take for visitors to discover the organizing principle. It might be the solution for persons with pollen allergies or provide cuts for their house. I could have included Ash, Willows, Poplars, and many others but making a list or creating a catalog isn’t the point. By asking a simple question “Why?” and pursuing it, an unnoticed world opened up. It was always around me, waiting to be revealed. One last story. The picture of cycads…

• Two Houses: Dioecious Plants, part 5

  Craig Levy

  6 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am

  I had a hard time thinking of a vegetable that belonged with this group and then it hit me: Asparagus. Named varieties are usually all male but the grower missed this one. Asparagus is my number one favorite vegetable and the plants from the garden are the sweetest I’ve tasted. Male and female are equally good but do remove the seedlings as a crowded bed will become impossible to tend. This seems the right place to state that marijuana is also a member of this exclusive group. In this case, it is the female plants and their buds that are the objects of desire. Or so I’ve been told.

• Two Houses: Dioecious Plants, part 4

  Craig Levy

  5 Jan 2012 | 5:02 am

  I never considered it before I started looking for these plants but some of them exhibit sexual dimorphism, an obvious physical difference between male and female. The Silene is a good example. The male leaves are narrower, its sepals are pigmented and the flowers are smaller but more abundant. The females are a brighter white, their bases are inflated and they rise on taller stems. Bittersweet also exhibits differences when young. My male is smaller but its leaves are broader. The female is a vigorous grower and is four times as large with narrower leaves. There are generally two kinds of…

• Two Houses: Dioecious Plants, part 3

  Craig Levy

  4 Jan 2012 | 4:37 am

  The swelling flower buds of Red Maples give some of the first colorings in spring, letting us know that most of winter is behind us. The open flowers reveal that they’re part of this group, too. Another dioecious American native is Kentucky Coffee Tree with the challenging name Gymnocladus dioica (jim-NOK-lad-us dy-oh-EYE-kuh, try it, it’s fun). Ungainly as saplings, they appear as nothing more than sticks but with handsome and large compound leaves. I have a liking for plants in the pea family and planted three small ones. I’m hoping I have both types but it will be many years in…

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  A Way to Garden

• doodle by andre: it’s coming to get us

  Margaret

  26 Jan 2012 | 5:20 am

  CLIMATOLOGIST ANDRE JORDAN (a.k.a. the Mad Garden Doodler of South Dakota) has proclaimed: It’s coming to get us! In his return to regular doodling activity after a holiday spent ramping up his booming junk business, he recaps the chaos I know I’m feeling over here, where “winter” apparently can mean just about anything (or nothing). How are you all faring? Related Posts doodle by andre: oh my aching garden-asana! doodle by andre: the balance of power doodle by andre: better late than never?

• can scotts really be a partner to the environment?

  Margaret

  25 Jan 2012 | 12:08 pm

  ITRY TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT about specific companies and their products, except to recommend ones that I find useful or exemplary. Nothing good to say? I usually stay silent. But not today. Reading news of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s new partnership with the National Wildlife Federation—talk about strange, or shall we say deadly, bedfellows?—has gotten the better side of my good manners. How the partners in this greenwashing of an environmental villain plan to spin the reality that the manufacture and use of toxic chemicals can in any way be seen as a boon to wildlife, I do not know. It’s not…

• what zone are you? a new usda hardiness map

  Margaret

  25 Jan 2012 | 9:46 am

  HALF THE NATION’S 80 million gardeners will find themselves officially declared a half-zone warmer today, when the United States Department of Agriculture launches the first update since 1990 to its Plant Hardiness Zone Map. No, the new map is not technically a confirmation of a trend toward global warming, the agency says—a different set of data is used in it than in those longer-range calculations—but it is a more accurate picture of growing conditions across America, particularly in tricky areas such as mountainous ones that may have been rated too cold or two warm in previous…

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  The Occasional Gardener

• Indigo Imposters

  8 Jan 2012 | 12:16 am

  I posted back in May 2009 about how the False Indigo had captured my imagination and gone on to garner the attention of others, the image from my first post about it in 2007 even ending up on a shampoo bottle. Incidentally that first post remains the second most popular post on this site, ever.In April 2010, Charleston Mag contacted me for permission to use that very popular image to illustrate their article Meet the Imposter and with perfect internet manners credited me as the author of that image and added a link to my site.  I say 'that very popular image' because I've…

• Jungle Noir

  10 Dec 2011 | 8:36 pm

  At the recent orchid show in Singapore, I have to admit the couple of things that I was drawn to most was not the orchids themselves.  One was a dazzling display of Nepenthes, the other a diorama of a lowland jungle scene replete with a little stream and a variety of animals.The Nepenthes display showcased a huge variety of shapes, colors and markings that I didn't even know existed. The taste level was also superb, making great use of driftwood and moss and other botanic materials that complemented the markings and colorations of these strange carnivorous flora. I also didn't…

• Modern Eden

  5 Nov 2011 | 10:36 pm

  In November, the first part of a substantial garden project in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay, will be completed, the Flower Dome. In the news recently,  a 2.5 hectare Healing Garden laid out in the shape of a human body opened at the Botanic Garden. There's also the Park in the Sky, the green roofed Nanyang University and more. Without doubt this is a city determined to not only be true to it's moniker 'garden city' but also actively innovating in the area of public urban garden spaces.A while ago I visited another such space, the National Singapore Library and had an…

• Hibiscus Sabdariffa

  29 Sep 2011 | 11:51 pm

  Remember my Roselle drink? Well we dried some of the pods for use later and also tried planting some of the seeds - with great success. Now I have half a dozen Hibiscus Sabdariffa plants that are yielding enough fruit to make the occasional jug of that delicious tropical cranberry like juice.The plants are tall now about six feet and continue to send out buds which begs the question, for how much longer? It's a different world here without a cold season and quite frankly gets me a little confused. Will plants like this roselle and fruiting vegetables like beans and eggplants just keep…

• Garden of Content

  17 Sep 2011 | 3:11 am

  Managing this blog is much like gardening, you move things around, you plant some new things, some things you cut back or they die of their own accord, some things flourish unexpectedly and you, the gardener, gets a little more skilled and experienced over time. Then there's the environment which of late in the rapid changing tech world, could be described as - intense climate change - rapidly changing technology- both hardware and software. Not to mention an evolving culture around social media of facebooking and twittering.As befits the times I changed things up a little bit here…

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  Doug Green's Blog

• Writing and Getting It Out There

  Doug

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:01 am

  Carolyn Haley is a writer, editor and artist (as you’ll see below) and we email back and forth every now and then. She sent me the following email in response to my post about 4 Bits of Advice for a New Writer I thought it was a great letter, capturing the sense of “becoming” a writer and she agreed to let me post it here. Carolyn wrote: I come from a family of artists, and in my youth I was very good. It was assumed by everyone, including myself, that I would progress steadily and successfully into an art career, probably as an illustrator, since that was where my talent so…

• 4 Bits of Advice for a New Writer

  Doug

  21 Jan 2012 | 8:22 am

  In the past month or so, I’ve made a sea-change in my way of thinking about advice to new writers – in advice to myself as well. Herewith: 1) Want to be a writer? First step. Write. It’s that simple. Every morning, start your day with a pen and coil-spring notebook, fill 2-4 pages at a minimum with drafts of articles, rough ideas, rants, dreams, whatever. Just write. And write without much editing. 2) Once a week, preferably twice but once is good, take one of those penned works, clean it up and post it on a blog. Do not worry about creating audiences for your blog, do not…

• Letters to a Young Contrarian: a book review

  Doug

  13 Jan 2012 | 12:03 pm

  I am currently just about finished Letters to a Young Contrarian (Art of Mentoring) by Christopher Hitchens and I want to recommend it to you if you’re at all interested in looking at your writing in a slightly different way (as in making a difference with it). Hitchens died recently and I may be one of the few writer in the known universe who never met him, didn’t know anybody who knew him or even met him, and certainly doesn’t have a story to tell about his life-to-the-metal approach to breathing. Hitchens has been described as one of the great literary critics of the past…

• You’ll Toast Your Bread in the Blood of Owls

  Doug

  11 Dec 2011 | 11:08 am

  A long time ago, in a universe far, far away I confess I was the President of a local Liberal Party Provincial Association in the Province of Ontario. I was also on the provincial board of directors for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. This made me a minor bit player on the stage, but I was young, with enthusiasm and a growing contact-list. A “person of potential” as the line goes. Agriculture was in a state of flux and the family farm was under heavy siege. It was the time of the serious decline of the small family farm to be replaced by the family mega-farm with one farm…

• Dear Santa

  Doug

  8 Dec 2011 | 7:50 am

  By my count Santa, this will be the 61st time I have left cookies and milk by the chimney with care. It is also the 59th year I have written a letter. Let me begin by expressing my disappointment over the last 47 of those years for not having received a real Ferrari. I have received model ones, teeny toy ones, pictures of ones and even a sales tag for one. But none I could drive myself. Santa, a few years ago I purchased a Triumph Spitfire because you simply weren’t coming through as expected and I could only wait so long. While I’m no longer asking for the Ferrari, please…

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  About.com Gardening

• Vote for Your Favorite Gardening Photo

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:00 am

  There are only a couple of days left  to vote for your favorite winning photo from last year's Gardening Photo Challenges.We had 6 themed challenges and picked our favorites, based on both the quality of the photo and how well they conveyed a love of gardening. Now it's time to pick the Best Photo of the Year....Read Full Post

• New Plant Hardiness Zones

  26 Jan 2012 | 1:00 am

  The USDA just came out with all new maps for US Plant Hardiness Zones. The best change is how easy the maps are to read. They're designed for the web and they look great. They're also the culmination of 30 years of data and should be more accurate. Thankfully there's still a zip code look up, for those of us who want to cut to the chase. Don't worry, your existing plants won't now they've moved a zone or 2. They'll still be fine. Here's a look at the changes made to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps. Then go to the USDA site and find your new zone....Read Full Post

• Seeds that Need Light to Germinate

  25 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am

  I was writing about snapdragons the other day and realized I hadn't grown any from seed in quite a few years, so I stopped by the garden center to see what they had. I was reading the packet and remembered that snapdragon seed, like poppies, petunias and several others, germinate best if they are left exposed to the light. That made me curious about what other seeds prefer not being covered in soil. I've compiled a list of many that need light, some seeds that will grow no matter what you do to them and some tips for keeping uncovered seed moist, until they germinate. Here they are: Seeds…

• Dragons in the Garden

  23 Jan 2012 | 1:00 am

  Today marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, so of course my thoughts went straight to the garden, where dragon are right at home. One of my absolute favorite spring/fall flowers is the snapdragon. They're as bright and cheerful as a Chinese New Year...Read Full Post

• Dressed to Garden

  21 Jan 2012 | 3:00 am

  Let's admit it, we're not fashion palettes in the garden. Practicality rules. Rubber shoes, overalls, tools hanging off our belts and, in my case, a big old straw hat. I never garden without a hat. My nose couldn't handle it. I take a lot of ribbing for it, but hey, my nose knows. What's your gardening uniform? Fess up, what wardrobe quirk to you you bring to the garden?

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  Plant Whatever Brings You Joy

• Persimmon Pudding–an Adventure!

  Kathryn

  16 Jan 2012 | 5:22 pm

  Several weeks ago, just before Christmas, I was delighted when a kindly neighbor showed up at my door bearing a gift of a goodly amount of persimmons in a bag. I LOVE persimmons, so this was quite a treat! However, fortunately or unfortunately, they were all simultaneously fully ripened. Perplexed, I decided to risk freezing a few and to ponder later what I would do. I did have the good sense to skin them and measure them out into cups so I might readily use in whatever recipe I would settle on once I'd had time to decide how I might use their deliciousness. A brief google foray got me…

• Winter Rose

  Kathryn

  31 Dec 2011 | 7:01 pm

  Each end of year holiday season it is my practice to hope for and find a rose that I might bring into the house and share as part of my celebration. There is always one and I treasure and cherish it and give it thanks for remaining at this most special time of the year. So you might imagine my surprise that this year it looked like there might be several contenders. What I had not anticipated, in my wildest imagination, was that in every direction there were roses attempting to blossom in the garden as the year ended. I took great delight in noticing that during the many and ongoing frozen…

• Biscotti Revisited!

  Kathryn

  21 Dec 2011 | 6:08 pm

  Merry Christmas, dearest readers! Busy as a bee around here, just as you must be in your homes, preparing for a special holiday. Every year I like to make biscotti, and this year was no different, though I tweaked the recipe ever so slightly simply by dipping the finished cookies into melted white chocolate rather than dark or milk chocolate. I thought I would remind you all how very easy they are to make--and so delicious, and a favorite with almost everyone. So enjoy the photo of my creation of today--and visit the recipe I posted here a couple of holidays ago, and consider adding to your…

• Tiramisu Part One: Ladyfingers

  Kathryn

  4 Dec 2011 | 5:35 pm

  Yes, yes, you are right. That is Julia Child. As I, like many American women I am certain, immediately went out and ordered her two volume cookbooks after viewing the highly successful "Julia and Julia". And there they sat, basically, collecting dust. Until now. For I am on the quest to make the perfect tiramisu for Christmas dinner, and that, for me, at least, begins with ladyfingers made from scratch. Julia to the rescue. Sort of. My first task was to spend two hours searching three stores for a pastry bag, and finally surrendered to just a simple bag from Michael's with a tip that might or…

• Book Notes: Queen of the Sun

  Kathryn

  28 Nov 2011 | 5:38 pm

  November is Bee Month, apparently, as the Universe initiates me more fully into a life that includes more bees. Anyone who has seen the image above, first introduced to us upon the release of the film "Queen of the Sun" and now, on the cover of the book Queen of the Sun from Clairview Books in the UK, is deeply moved, one way or another. Regardless of one's insect persuasion, the mind asks, "How can this be?" And that, dearest readers, is precisely what I intend to find out. For intuitively I think I know. Else why do I cry when I see the trailer for the film? Queen of the Sun is a…

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  NYT > Home & Garden

• Reupholstering a Built-In Banquette

  By TIM McKEOUGH

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am

  Could reupholstering a built-in kitchen banquette help the resale value of a home?

• Currents | TV: Kris Humphries’s ‘Man Cave’ on DIY Network

  By STEVEN KURUTZ

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am

  Freshly divorced from Kim Kardashian, the basketball player will appear in an episode of the show “Man Caves” in which his basement is turned into bedroom and lounge.

• Currents | Furniture: The Beauharnais Sofa by Marie-France de Crecy

  By ELAINE LOUIE

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am

  For the Beauharnais sofa, Marie-France de Crécy collaborated with Julia Gruber, a freelance textile designer, and the French furniture company Gilles Nouailhac.

• Currents | Closing: Moss, the SoHo Design Emporium, Is Closing

  By PILAR VILADAS

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am

  After 18 years in business, the SoHo design emporium is shutting down its retail space on Greene Street.

• Currents | Q&A: Carleton Varney on Teaching Dorothy Draper’s Design

  By RIMA SUQI

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am

  The interior designer, who is starting the Dorothy Draper School of Decorating, on the ways people can improve the way they live.

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  May Dreams Gardens

• A Season to Make Experiments

  Carol

  27 Jan 2012 | 5:36 am

  Obligatory Garden Picture A quote that I love from the book that I love titled The Garden that I Love... "What would be the good or the pleasure of a garden if one did not make experiments?" (Alfred Austin, The Garden that I Love, 1894) Have you "made experiments" in your garden lately or have you played it safe, afraid to risk a season with a mistake or misstep? Maybe this should be the

• My Garden Has Moved

  Carol

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm

  Plopper's Field, now in a zone 6a garden My garden has moved... sort of. When the new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map came out earlier today, I dutifully entered my zip code and discovered, as I suspected might be the case, that my garden has moved. It has moved from zone 5b to zone 6a. What does this move mean? No longer will I start my Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day posts with "here in my zone

• The Garden that I Love

  Carol

  22 Jan 2012 | 9:15 pm

  The universe, aided by my garden designer, gently pushed me toward a new rabbit hole.  After skirting around it through a busy weekend, I've finally fallen in. I got my first glimpse of this rabbit hole on Friday afternoon, when I arrived home just before dusk and spied a bag hanging on the front door knob.  Inside was a book "The Garden that I Love" by Alfred Austin (Macmillian and Co., LTD,

• Inconceivable Antiquity

  Carol

  21 Jan 2012 | 7:32 am

  "How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!" Ralph Waldo Emerson Bring on the roses, violets, and morning dew, it's time for another meeting of the Society of Gardeners Aged 50 and Over (SGAFO). Fun times we are having, too, as today there are no roses, violets, or morning dew anywhere in sight to cover the "inconceivable

• Scarlet Sage

  Carol

  20 Jan 2012 | 3:30 am

   I received some unexpected mail yesterday, a manila envelope from an aunt. Inside the envelope was a copy of a letter my Aunt Marjorie wrote in 2004 with memories of her father, and in particular her recollection as a child of how he spent his last months in failing health before passing away in 1937. Of course, I did not know him, her father, my mother’s father, my maternal grandfather. I

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  Garden of Eatin'

• Chickens!

  Amy

  26 Jan 2012 | 5:15 pm

  “A chicken in every pot” – 1928 Rep. Party campaign slogan “Don’t have a pot to put it in” – 1928 Dem. Party response slogan It’s time to get back to more regular posting! There’s been so much going on that I haven’t had the brain power to formulate a coherent blog post, but I have to start somewhere. May 2005 - we quickly realized we needed different feeders =) Today, it’s chickens. And coops. We’ve had chickens before – in 2001-2002 and again in 2005, but we moved so much that it was impossible to keep them. Now…

• Moo!

  Amy

  8 Jan 2012 | 2:04 pm

  You’ve probably seen this photo on the Facebook page – I’m testing an iPhone WordPress app out here. Will be back to posting soon, with real gardening posts!

• GMO Honey

  Amy

  7 Sep 2011 | 6:45 pm

  Bees + GMO crops = GMO honey. I was thinking about this the other day and Google Alerts was so kind as to send me this. Honey that contains traces of pollen from genetically modified crops needs special authorization before it can be sold, the European Union’s top court said Tuesday, in a judgment that could have widespread consequences on the bloc’s policy on genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. This is good of course, but probably wouldn’t work well in the US. The EU’s policy is much harder on GMO than the US’s, where Monsanto basically has free reign…

• What a mess!

  Amy

  25 Aug 2011 | 1:36 am

  Thanks to a (insert a long string of curse words and creative name calling) hacker, I spent most of this afternoon, evening, and night repairing the damage that was done. Thankfully, I got my database backup to work; unfortunately, all the images on my site (pictures in posts, etc), are long gone. Since I have posts dating back to March 2008, I don’t know if all posts will ever get all their images returned. I’m not pleased. Like a poster on the facebook page said, it’s too bad these jerks don’t spend as much time trying to better the world. But, at least most of my…

• How To Turn a Shed into a Garden Kitchen

  Amy

  18 Aug 2011 | 11:35 am

  This is a guest post from Tiger Sheds. Summer brings blooming flowers, sunny days, and warm weather to backyards around the world. Entertaining guests or neighbours in the yard is a pleasant alternative to eating indoors, but it can be difficult for homeowners to constantly cook and transport food between the kitchen and the yard.  Pre-existing garden sheds provides an excellent starting point for homeowners who want to create a garden kitchen for outdoor parties. The complexity of the new garden kitchen will depend on the homeowner’s budget, goals, and technical expertise. Although a…

• 

  bloomingwriter: gardening in Nova Scotia

• Encouraging a spirit of fairness in the gardening world

  Jodi DeLong

  27 Jan 2012 | 6:43 pm

  The 6th anniversary of Bloomingwriter passed quietly a couple of weeks ago. I was busy with work projects and with developing the growing community of bloominganswers, and I needed some time to think about a retrospective post. Now into its seventh year, Bloomingwriter has long been one of my ways to give back to the gardening community. I've learned so much from other gardeners, other writers, over the years, made some terrific friends, some of whom I've yet to meet face to face but whom I consider close friends regardless. Some of you are cat fans like me, and some continue in the…

• Conifers to brighten your winterscapes

  Jodi DeLong

  16 Jan 2012 | 6:44 pm

  If you aren't a fan of conifers and other evergreens yet, you're missing out on some fantastic garden plants, to say nothing of a fourth gardening season--now, the time of winter interest.  There are more to evergreens than ever-green, I always say. I think many people swore off evergreens because of the uninspired plantings found in many subdivisions. You know the kind I mean. A couple of tall cedars, some overly pruned yews and junipers, all standing huddled against house foundations, or slowly dying from being planted in the wrong location.  Oh, there are just so many more…

• Wordless Wednesday: Dreams of Warmer Days

  Jodi DeLong

  11 Jan 2012 | 9:33 am

  Mostly wordless, except to invite gardeners to join the discussions at bloominganswers.com And warm thanks to all who have already joined and are participating.  

• Happy New Year from Bloomingwriter and Bloominganswers

  Jodi DeLong

  3 Jan 2012 | 1:03 am

  Here it is only the third day of 2012 and I've already managed to pull a bit of a post together! I learned some years ago not to make resolutions, so that I don't have to feel guilty about not keeping them. Instead, I do the best I can. As Master Yoda would say, "Do, or do not--there is no try." He had a point, didn't he, and not just his ears. Mostly I wanted to take the time to say thank you to all those who have already signed up at bloominganswers. It's still very much a work in progress, with some facets that are confusing to me when I'm working behind the scenes to make things as easy…

• Bloominganswers: A present for fellow gardeners

  Jodi DeLong

  29 Dec 2011 | 7:04 pm

  You know you're pretty busy when nearly a week past Christmas you still haven't had time to write a Merry Christmas card to family, friends, fellow gardeners. It's been that kind of a crazy year, though, all the way around. So belated but still heartfelt wishes to everyone, and I hope that Christmas was a kind, happy, and peaceful time for you and your families. At our house, it was a lovely Christmas, made more entertaining than usual because of the five kittens of various sizes that have taken up living here since the summer. They are unable to knock the tree down, it being fastened…

• 

  Digging

• Gardening fever strikes with new garden bed & path

  Pam/Digging

  27 Jan 2012 | 6:09 pm

  I’ve got it bad. This new garden bed—which isn’t even mine but my neighbor’s—is calling my name. Today was beautiful, sunny, and 70 degrees, and I did make one run to the nursery, but I didn’t plant a thing. My book manuscript is due in 5 days, so I stayed indoors (with the windows open) at the computer and tried to tell myself that the weather will be beautiful for planting next week too. But oh, that gardening fever is raging! This is my neighbor Donna’s corner, between her driveway and my front yard. She is letting me design and plant it for her,…

• Going vertical with a steel pipe planter

  Pam/Digging

  26 Jan 2012 | 2:13 pm

  A few months ago Link Davidson, who has a talent for collecting and repurposing industrial leftovers in gardens (see the garden he designed for his neighbor, Wendy), sold me a piece of heavy steel pipe. He even delivered it to my house, and let me tell you, it is extremely heavy. I found the perfect place for it in the new gravel garden I’ve started between the garage and the front entry. I had help burying two feet of its length in the ground for stability, and I eagerly planted it up with a large toothless sotol (Dasylirion longissimum) that I found on sale at Big Red Sun. Uh-oh. This…

• Margaritaville yucca in culvert pipe planter & my winter garden

  Pam/Digging

  21 Jan 2012 | 10:39 am

  Doesn’t everyone want to go to Margaritaville in the winter? I do, so I planted a Yucca recurvifolia ‘Margaritaville’ in a tall culvert pipe I’ve been hoarding for several months, waiting for inspiration to hit. Now it adds height to the drop-off bed behind the pool, next to the yellow motel chairs. Here’s a closer look. I separated two pups from the mother plant and stuck them in the ground at the base of the culvert pipe. This has been a tough spot to get anything to grow because it gets a blast of afternoon sun in the summer, shade the rest of the day, and…

• Under construction: New path and gardens!

  Pam/Digging

  18 Jan 2012 | 5:31 am

  Look, I’m as into self-empowerment as the next person, and I’m generally a DIY gal. But is there anything more thrilling than inviting several strong, capable men over to do your bidding…in the garden? I think not. I’m practically dancing with glee as I see how much progress has been achieved in just one day by these hard-working guys. Within a couple of hours yesterday they ripped out a LOT of grass, making room for a 5-foot wide path through the front yard and around to the back gate, plus a new courtyard-style entry garden, pictured at top. Fully half of the front…

• Thar she blows! Whale’s Tongue agave for Foliage Follow-Up

  Pam/Digging

  16 Jan 2012 | 12:02 am

  Looking out my window as I type this, I see Moby, my great whale of an agave—Agave ovatifolia, to be precise—caught in the morning sunlight. His structural, rose-like form is a matte, pale green that looks whitewashed in strong sunlight. But Moby can be moody, as in the image above, shadowy and menacing, with a wash of blue from the nearby bottle tree coloring his flukes. Do you have any moody foliage to show off today for Foliage Follow-Up? Join me in posting about your lovely leaves of January for Foliage Follow-Up, a way to remind ourselves of the importance of foliage in the…

• 

  blithewold.org

• A new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

  Kris

  26 Jan 2012 | 10:43 am

  It is prettier than the old map, interactive (click on it to check out the zip code zone finder), and the information is finally up to date. But it’s not good news and there are no surprises here. Nothing we haven’t already figured out for ourselves. The new map is based on weather-station data collected [...]

• Tucked under a blanket

  Kris

  23 Jan 2012 | 10:22 am

  Snow finally fell in measurable amounts (about 9″) over the weekend forcing us to take life a little more slowly. I think that’s what I love best about a snow days: permission to slow down and tuck in. Luckily I didn’t have anywhere I needed to be as the snow fell and I hope you [...]

• Slippery slopes

  Kris

  20 Jan 2012 | 9:11 am

  Just in time for winter to finally look and feel more like a proper winter, Gail and I are sliding headfirst towards spring. We started the new year by looking through magazine back issues for inspiration. (Do you do that too? It’s as if I never saw them before – and in some cases I [...]

• The weight of winter blooms

  Kris

  16 Jan 2012 | 10:25 am

  Gardeners are reputed to be an optimistic group but I think we might just be stubborn. Most of us at least are prone to occasional – usually weather related – bouts of pessimism, gloom-and-doom opinion competitions, and worry. But no matter how dire we guess things will be, giving up is never an option. (And [...]

• Let’s grow natives

  Kris

  13 Jan 2012 | 9:52 am

  I’m still on seedheads. Yesterday afternoon Gail and I attended a workshop on propagating Rhody Natives (in caps because it’s an initiative spearheaded by the RI Natural History Survey and the New England Wildflower Society to get commercial nurseries involved in propagating Rhode Island’s own native plants both for conservation projects and to sell in [...]

• 

  Ellis Hollow

• Bulbs up

  Craig

  26 Jan 2012 | 7:10 pm

  Cut out of work a little early today.  Was still light when I got home and took the doggies out.  Wow. Snowdrops and Eranthis up and budding.  Lots of other bulbs breaking through.  This is what I'd expect a month from now. With 40s tomorrow and Saturday, the photo season may start a month early, too.

• Cornell experts ready to discuss USDA plant hardiness zone changes

  Craig

  25 Jan 2012 | 4:46 am

  Media conference call at 1 p.m. ... CORNELL UNIVERSITY PRESS OFFICE Jan. 24, 2012 For gardeners and farmers, the earth moves on Wednesday On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will unveil its long-awaited new “Plant Hardiness Zone Map” at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. The map – a vital tool for gardeners, farmers, researchers and policy makers – is expected to change in part to reflect changing climate patterns across the United States. Cornell University, New York’s Land Grant university and home of the Northeast Regional Climate Center and the Atkinson…

• Snowcapped

  Craig

  22 Jan 2012 | 2:16 pm

  A few pix I shot last weekend for Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, but never found time to get online. Snowcapped monarda. Moonscape. Alternative take of snowcapped monarda from earlier in the morning.

• USDA To Release New Edition of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

  Craig

  19 Jan 2012 | 6:23 pm

  This hit my work inbox today. And there's a webinar if you can't be there. USDA To Release New Edition of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2012—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will unveil its new Plant Hardiness Zone Map in an event hosted at the U.S. National Arboretum on Jan. 25 by Dr. Catherine Woteki, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics (REE). The map is an important tool for the country’s estimated 80 million gardeners, and those who grow and breed plants for them. In addition, many others need hardiness zone information,…

• Colbert SuperPac ad

  Craig

  15 Jan 2012 | 6:41 pm

  The Colbert ReportGet More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

• 

  Ledge and Gardens

• Of Gnomes and Dragons - 45 Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, England

  Layanee DeMerchant

  26 Jan 2012 | 11:16 pm

    This week's Flight of Fancy takes us to the town of Chelmsford, Essex, England. In June of 2011 the garden at 45 Waterhouse Lane was visited by twenty plus avid American gardeners. The busy street in front of the house was a challenge to negotiate for those of us used to looking to our left for oncoming traffic. With the help of one of our own, we all managed a safe crossing to the saucy salmon colored home situated between two lovely but less distinctive dwellings. In addition to the color, the front garden of our destination home also stood apart from its neighbors with…

• Wordless Wednesday - January 25, 2012

  Layanee DeMerchant

  25 Jan 2012 | 4:02 am

     

• The Queen's Tears

  Layanee DeMerchant

  23 Jan 2012 | 3:58 am

  The third Tuesday of every month from September to June is Garden Club night and this past week our Garden Club invited Rick Peckham of Peckham's Greenhouses in Little Compton, RI to speak to us about houseplants. January is a time of indoor gardening in RI since the landscape is usually frozen and white.  Rick is a fifth generation plantsman full of plant wisdom, personal experiences with plants (he said he has killed many), and he is a very nice guy. His greenhouses are packed with treasures. He brought many with him and some special, less common plants were among the group. He…

• 

  the back quarter acre

• Preserving parkland

  19 Jan 2012 | 7:24 pm

  Running along the opposite side of our street is a stretch of wooded parkland.  This sliver of open space hosts native plants as well as, yes, some patches of invasives.  At its lowest point, a pond and surrounding wetlands support mallards and other birds. On the far side, the land rises sharply to a train bed.Recently, our town had to vote on whether to sell a portion of this parkland so that an 18th-century  house could be moved on to it (and then vastly augmented so as to ensure financial feasibility for the developer).  As an abutter to this…

• Winter lawn sports

  8 Jan 2012 | 4:57 pm

  In the winter, it's something of a New England tradition to create your own backyard skating rink.  Growing up, my husband's family would flood their driveway to make a sheet of ice for testosterone-fueled pick-up hockey games between siblings and cousins. This winter, his brother erected a board and batten rink in the middle of his circular driveway. For the kids, of course. Well, our sloping yard doesn't have level space for skaters, sticks, and pucks, but we do have a small frozen slab in our side yard.  If the voles and mice that channel paths through the garden this time of…

• Greenwich Village greenery

  1 Jan 2012 | 9:43 pm

  During this past week's immersion in Manhattan, I missed my mid-winter pilgrimage to the High Line. However, between perfume shopping at Aedes de Venustas and nibbling Nizami rolls at Thelewala, I did happen upon the most wonderful Greenwich Village holiday greenery.Almost all of the houses along West 10th Street were decked out for the season. I had to stop, admire, and take a few 'phone pix. Lots of wrought-iron railings were swagged with evergreen boughs.  In front of this double door, pots of paperwhites were additionally stacked on the stairs between miniature pines and…

• Amaryllis mite and main

  2 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am

  Because we have been enjoying a long stretch of mild weather, the seasons seem to be rolling along slowly. Perhaps that's the reason why I've been late in sending some bulbs to the refrigerator to chill and nudging others out of their cool hibernation.  Last night, I finally got around to potting up two amaryllises that I had ordered from John Scheepers.  While cleaning up "Red Pearl," I noticed a soft area on the side of the bulb.  My museum background has me hyper-sensitized to any signs of pest presence, and, with a little poking, a colony of…

• Golden foliage/flowers/fruits/feasts

  28 Nov 2011 | 7:00 am

  The goldenrod may have died back and the maple leaves shed, but there is still a wealth of gold in the garden.Fronds of soft needle-leaved Amsonia hubrichtii are waving in the fall breezes.  This plant has benefited tremendously from being moved to a sunnier spot (even though it took its transplanting hard and slow) and being sheared to 10 inches after spring blooming.A male American holly Ilex opaca is sporting jaunty yellow berries. The Ilex ladies next to him don't care that he is a ill-shaped shambling wreck as long as he has the goods.Happily established on our front…

• 

  A Leafy Indulgence

• Free Range Poinsettias

  Swimray

  14 Jan 2012 | 4:29 pm

  Do I have a green thumb or what?How many people keep poinsettias after Christmas and try to get them to rebloom the next year? And how many people, with fungus gnats, white flies, and yellow leaf drop throw in the towel and throw the darn thing away? They may be cheap but they're not easy.Two years ago, I planted a cheap holiday poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) outdoors in the spring. I wanted to give it a chance to live on past its normal life expectancy so retired and moved it to a warm sunny southern climate.The southern side yard was a perfect place, and it grew quite well. In the fall,…

• Alexandria Holiday Decoration

  Swimray

  7 Jan 2012 | 6:01 pm

  It was a busy time during the holidays, and without many plants growing, there was not much material for the blog. I thought another yearly door decoration post might be in order.Over the past few years, a securities company across the street from my office in Old Town Alexandria decorates its front door in true colonial style. Natural fruit and greens adorn the door and transom window during the holiday season. A few years back, I took a candlelight tour of nearby Mount Vernon. George Washington and his friends celebrated Christmas, but it was not the holiday it is today. Decorations,…

• Iris Rerun

  Swimray

  19 Dec 2011 | 9:30 pm

  This is just a quick post to keep the blog going until the next post. Winter does not have a lot going on for me that hasn't been mentioned before. One exception is yet another post about Clarence the bearded iris [2011.05.03].As mentioned in a previous post [2011.10.23], he started showing signs of blooming in November and December after taking the summer off. I did a bit of research online, and discovered the wonderful world of re-blooming iris. Clarence apparently belongs to this group. I believe that the Tidewater Gardener mentioned in the past that 're-blooming iris' usually means one…

• Neon Hostas

  Swimray

  6 Nov 2011 | 8:34 pm

  With three or four years of hostas under my belt, you would think I know my plants pretty well. This fall they surprised me, maybe because of the unusual weather, maybe because of they are more mature, or maybe because they are trying to impress me.Two of the hostas have stood out. The first, True Blue, was purchased three years ago and is described as, "Large, heart-shaped gray-blue leaves with slightly wavy margins and moderate puckering, excellent substance and pest resistance, near white flowers." To date, they have proved the description correct. This fall, however, True Blue turned…

• October 2011 Flowers In The House

  Swimray

  30 Oct 2011 | 11:11 pm

  Indoor flowers on the last Monday of the month.No corn or corny-copia on the front door, so what does one do for the holiday season? Why not join the Flowers In The House gang. There were a few zinnias and marigolds left in the garden after the cold storm this weekend. Fortunately, after last night's freeze I could still harvest something and will enjoy them for a few more days indoors. This samples the bounty of peppers and flowers that were brought in Sunday.Along with my obviously contrived contribution, find other garden bloggers' Halloween Flowers In The House at the blog Small But…

• 

  A Leafy Indulgence

• Free Range Poinsettias

  Swimray

  14 Jan 2012 | 4:29 pm

  Do I have a green thumb or what?How many people keep poinsettias after Christmas and try to get them to rebloom the next year? And how many people, with fungus gnats, white flies, and yellow leaf drop throw in the towel and throw the darn thing away? They may be cheap but they're not easy.Two years ago, I planted a cheap holiday poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) outdoors in the spring. I wanted to give it a chance to live on past its normal life expectancy so retired and moved it to a warm sunny southern climate.The southern side yard was a perfect place, and it grew quite well. In the fall,…

• Alexandria Holiday Decoration

  Swimray

  7 Jan 2012 | 6:01 pm

  It was a busy time during the holidays, and without many plants growing, there was not much material for the blog. I thought another yearly door decoration post might be in order.Over the past few years, a securities company across the street from my office in Old Town Alexandria decorates its front door in true colonial style. Natural fruit and greens adorn the door and transom window during the holiday season. A few years back, I took a candlelight tour of nearby Mount Vernon. George Washington and his friends celebrated Christmas, but it was not the holiday it is today. Decorations,…

• Iris Rerun

  Swimray

  19 Dec 2011 | 9:30 pm

  This is just a quick post to keep the blog going until the next post. Winter does not have a lot going on for me that hasn't been mentioned before. One exception is yet another post about Clarence the bearded iris [2011.05.03].As mentioned in a previous post [2011.10.23], he started showing signs of blooming in November and December after taking the summer off. I did a bit of research online, and discovered the wonderful world of re-blooming iris. Clarence apparently belongs to this group. I believe that the Tidewater Gardener mentioned in the past that 're-blooming iris' usually means one…

• Neon Hostas

  Swimray

  6 Nov 2011 | 8:34 pm

  With three or four years of hostas under my belt, you would think I know my plants pretty well. This fall they surprised me, maybe because of the unusual weather, maybe because of they are more mature, or maybe because they are trying to impress me.Two of the hostas have stood out. The first, True Blue, was purchased three years ago and is described as, "Large, heart-shaped gray-blue leaves with slightly wavy margins and moderate puckering, excellent substance and pest resistance, near white flowers." To date, they have proved the description correct. This fall, however, True Blue turned…

• October 2011 Flowers In The House

  Swimray

  30 Oct 2011 | 11:11 pm

  Indoor flowers on the last Monday of the month.No corn or corny-copia on the front door, so what does one do for the holiday season? Why not join the Flowers In The House gang. There were a few zinnias and marigolds left in the garden after the cold storm this weekend. Fortunately, after last night's freeze I could still harvest something and will enjoy them for a few more days indoors. This samples the bounty of peppers and flowers that were brought in Sunday.Along with my obviously contrived contribution, find other garden bloggers' Halloween Flowers In The House at the blog Small But…

• 

  A Garden in Bethlehem PA

• Vegetable Garden Quiz

  Marie

  21 Jan 2012 | 12:47 pm

  True or False?.Plant tomato seeds indoors 5 to 7 weeks before last frost date.Determinate tomatoes produce fruit in a batch and indeterminate tomatoes produce fruit continuously until frost..Leggy tomato stems can be planted in a trench leaving the top of the plant above ground and they will grow roots along the stem..Potatoes are actually underground stems.Cucurbits include cucumbers, muskmelons, watermelons, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, and gourds.Beans are nitrogen fixing plants.Blossom end rot on tomatoes is a calcium deficiency caused by anything that interferes with the…

• 2012 Spring Garden Shows & Classes

  Marie

  8 Jan 2012 | 6:52 am

  Before we know it spring gardening season will rush in.There are a lot of local events to look forward to before the real gardening begins. Mark your calendar and be sure to join the fun.,Adventure in AgricultureFeb. 10, 11,12,2012Friday - 5-9pm, Saturday - 10am-9pm and Sunday - 11am-6pmPalmer Park Mall123 Palmer Park MallEaston, PA 18045Phone: 610-258-6017Some local exhibitors: Penn State Master Gardeners, Northampton County Farm Bureau, Becker Honey Farm, Smith Krekk Alpacas, 4H clubs and much more! Fun for kids and adults.Valley Flower and Garden ShowMarch 2, 3 and 4, 2012 –Ag Hall,…

• Nature Apps

  Marie

  31 Dec 2011 | 10:34 am

  We have an abundance of information these days.The technology is evolving fast making it easy to get answers on your phone wherever you are.Here are some of my favorite nature apps. Bird identification:iBird Backyard –iBird Backyard Plus covers 234 birds, including all 149 common backyard feeder birds of North America, plus 86 common shorebirds and raptors.” . . ,Tree identification – Leafsnap – " Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free…

• The Christmas Pickle

  Marie

  21 Dec 2011 | 4:48 am

  The myth:A very old Christmas tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas.Good friends gave me this Garden Pickle Christmas Ornament.He’s too cute to hide.  I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with bountiful gardens!

• Chia Hussy

  Marie

  10 Dec 2011 | 5:30 am

  In October, while looking for something that might work as a quick project for kids, I tried making a Chia Pet.I collected a knee high stocking, potting soil, some grass seed from the garage and various cups, funnels, spoons and markers.I stretched the stocking over a plastic cup and put in about two tablespoons of grass seed.Then I filled the stocking with potting soil.I tied a knot in the end of the stocking, cut off the excess and turned it over. I drew a face with permanent markers, watered the chia head and stood it up in a plastic bathroom cup.I thought she looked a like a bald lady of…

• 

  Bumblebee Blog

• 22 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am

  Robin Ripley

  22 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am

  It’s cold here with a bit of ice and snow on the ground. The hens hate it. There was a huge, chicken-y traffic jam at their window/door this morning. As I opened it three hens bolted outside. But they beat a hasty retreat back into the coop while other hens were still trying to get [...]

• When Friends Come to Visit

  Robin Ripley

  21 Jan 2012 | 12:03 pm

  For most folks, when friends come to visit for a couple of days they’ll send a little note of thanks when they get home. When your friend is a garden blogger, they’ll blog about your garden. My friend and English garden tour travel partner, Layanee, did just that, posting about my garden here on her [...]

• 14 Jan 2012 | 7:33 am

  Robin Ripley

  14 Jan 2012 | 7:33 am

  Today is bottling day. I have had some hard apple cider aging in the basement for a while now. I’m going to add a bit of sugar to it to carbonate it before putting it into stopper bottles. If you hear a loud popping sound, it’s just me opening up a bottle for a little [...]

• Good-Bye, T. Boone Chickens

  Robin Ripley

  13 Jan 2012 | 2:35 pm

  It was a sad week here at the homestead. It started when my most beloved three-year-old rooster, T. Boone Chickens, developed a serious abscess on his big chicken foot. I hauled him off to the veterinarian who anesthetized him and examined him more closely. According to the vet, because chickens don’t have significant blood circulation [...]

• Hand-Crafted Peppery Cheesy Crackers with Nigella and Poppy Seeds

  Robin Ripley

  1 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am

  Do you ever wander through the grocery store, pick up a package of prepared food and think to yourself, “I can make that?” I’m not talking about some pathetic box of pre-made pancakes or a frozen Lean Cuisine. I’m talking about pantry staples, such as…well, such as crackers! At my local grocery store the cracker [...]

• 

  GardenDesignOnline

• Happenings Feb 2012

  Jane Berger

  26 Jan 2012 | 6:12 am

  Selected Events from Around the Country: Jan 21-Feb 26: Caribbean Garden, Bronx, NY Exhibition, NY Botanical Garden, 718-817-8700 Feb 4-Apr 15, Orchid Daze, Atlanta, GA "Hanging Gardens," Atlanta Botanical Garden, 404-876-5859 Feb 11-March 25: Orchid Mania, Cleveland, OH "This Side of Paradise," Cleveland Botanical Garden, 216-721-1600 Feb 18-Apr 29, Orchid...

• Burle Marx Exhibition NYC

  Jane Berger

  24 Jan 2012 | 6:12 am

  Roberto Burle Marx: Tablecloth Jan 26-March 4, 2012 An exhibition at The Rooster Gallery in New York City is featuring several late works by the celebrated Brazilian 20th century landscape architect and artist Roberto Burle Marx. The exhibition is named after a painted tablecloth designed to fit the table of...

• New Plants for 2012: II

  Jane Berger

  21 Jan 2012 | 11:12 pm

  The following -- just a short selection -- of new plants from Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, MI. Pinky Bells™ Abelia (Abelia 'Lynn') I've always been a great fan of abelia, particularly because it blooms away well into fall. The problem has always been the smallish flowers -- maybe...

• Urban Tree of the Year 2012

  Jane Berger

  18 Jan 2012 | 11:12 pm

  Accolade™ Elm (Ulmus 'Morton') The Society of Municipal Arborists has selected the Accolade elm as its urban tree of the year for 2012. Cornell University's Nina Bassuk, Director of the Urban Horticulture Institute, says the original Accolade, at the Morton Arboretum, is "spectacular, reminiscent of the tall arched form of...

• LA Japanese Garden Under Threat

  Jane Berger

  17 Jan 2012 | 6:12 am

  The Garden Conservancy has warned that the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden in Los Angeles is in danger of being destroyed. A notice put out by the organization says UCLA plans to sell the garden -- now closed to the public -- before the end of this month, along with an...

• 

  Life In Sugar Hollow

• The 2012 Calendar

  Tracey

  13 Jan 2012 | 11:27 am

  Hello 2012!{This was my Christmas gift to friends and family.}{{Click on image for larger version.}}

• Chasing the Light

  Tracey

  9 Jan 2012 | 8:53 am

  One of the many lovely things about living on your own five acres is the privacy. Friends will ask if I feel isolated. Ah, no. If I feel a need for people and activity, I seek it out and I have learned to pre-emptively recognize that hankering. Otherwise, I cherish the space and the quiet.Case in point: The ability to bundle up around one's 'lounge wear' ("Mommy, you wore your pajamas all day!"), pull on some warm boots and have a full-moon picnic/bonfire.A new addition to our bonfire set-up were tree stump seats. So cool! {From Corey.} Willa thought of including sparklers and we brought out…

• All Was (Somewhat) Calm

  Tracey

  3 Jan 2012 | 10:33 am

  The Irish Druid in me feels the need for greenery and lights when the days get shorter. And an embarrassing amount of fatty-fat and sugar. So, the holidays fit the bill! A Christmas tree, some terrariums, as well as some homemade chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint bark and these crazy-hit-all-the-taste buds turtles that we gave as presents.When darkness fell, we sought out lights, inside and out, and appreciated the last gasp of evening sun and the wood stove. And then lots and lots of time with friends and family.The time off from the work routine was somewhat restorative. I have a very,…

• December Days (And Low on Gardening Activities)

  Tracey

  8 Dec 2011 | 3:43 pm

  Winter light always gets to me. Gotta get out with the cameras more and more.Willa has a new responsibility - filling up the bird feeder. The little ones really do love having a purpose and projects, right? {Sweeping is another fun 'chore' disguised as 'big girl responsibility'.} I like that she owns moments passionately and completely. {We are learning the names of the birds, too.} Speaking of passionately and completely - many of the photos of Willa, as of late, seem to include a little blurred appendage here and there. Hmm.We will be making wreaths from scratch this weekend. I can't wait.

• The Sugar Hollow Plant List

  Tracey

  2 Dec 2011 | 7:49 am

  Echinacea (also known as coneflower) attracts butterflies and in late fall, gold finches.Taking stock in the garden at season's end! I got 50 more daffodil bulbs planted last weekend and could probably plant 50 bulbs every season for the next 20 years and still not make a dent in the landscape. {I would love our land to be a sea of yellow every late February.}What is on your wish list? What do you recommend?HONEYBEE, BIRD AND BUTTERFLY ATTRACTORS Catnip, white and lavender varietiesButterfly Bush LiatrisGlossy AbeliaSunflowersEchinaceaBee BalmZinniasCaryopteris ‘Blue Beard’Sedum ‘Autumn…

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  Lois de Vries' Garden Views

• How To Plot The Perfect 2012 Gardening Resolutions - 1

  Lois J. de Vries

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm

  Plotting out gardening resolutions during the long, dull, gray days of winter, is a pleasant way to stay connected to our gardening hopes and dreams when cabin fever sets in and we pine for the glorious colors and smells of spring.Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it’s smart to start a gardening resolution list by checking in with the inner gardener. Set aside all the flashy photos

• 2011 Gardening Resolutions – Check-Up

  Lois J. de Vries

  9 Dec 2011 | 2:54 pm

  December means it’s time to look back across the past 12 months to see how much progress has been made on integrating the inner gardener’s 2011 resolutions into the garden sanctuary. It’s a good way to stay on track with those gardening hopes and dreams and come up with some new resolutions next month. The unfinished, or never-started, projects from 2010. The fallen cherry tree was removed

• Lois Appointed to Head International Sustainability Task Force

  Lois J. de Vries

  15 Nov 2011 | 1:48 pm

  Garden lifestyle speaker and coach Lois J. de Vries was recently appointed chair of the Garden Writers of America's Sustainability Task Force. GWA, headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, has 1,800 members worldwide including book authors, staff editors, syndicated columnists, free-lance writers, photographers, landscape designers, television and radio personalities, extension service agents,

• 9 Secrets to Creating The Garden of Your Dreams Secret #6: Know Where To Start - 1

  Lois J. de Vries

  17 Oct 2011 | 3:14 pm

  This septic system's mounded leach field is planted as a perennial garden. Working on the garden landscape is such an exciting pastime that it’s hard not to jump right in with every next big idea that comes along. In some ways, the garden industry is not very different from the fashion industry – styles come and go; this year’s “in” color is “out” next year; breeders are constantly tweaking

• Flower Show: Garden Club of NJ District 4 September 16 and 17th

  Lois J. de Vries

  14 Sep 2011 | 10:58 am

  The restored pool at Bamboo Brook The sixteen clubs that make up District 4 of The Garden Club of New Jersey have collaborated on a period flower show scheduled for Friday, September 16th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, and Saturday, September 17th  from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Floral design entries will be on display in the Stone Barn at Willowwood Arboretum; horticultural submissions can be seen in the

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  Gardener Susan's Blog

• Cycling Again!

  Susan Harris

  10 Jan 2012 | 4:23 pm

  In the two months since I posted to this blog I’ve moved and done lots of shopping and planning for my new home and garden.  I’ll share about that soon enough but for now, I want to write about cycling again after at least 15 years.  My former neighborhood was terrible for cycling – hilly and dangerous – but my new one is fabulous, with trails and parks and even farmland.  So I took my old bike to a funky local bike shop (now owned by a 50-something woman I bonded with instantly) to get it ready for action again.   And here it is – my Nishiki Colorado vintage…

• I’ll sure miss this view

  Susan Harris

  12 Nov 2011 | 11:04 am

  This is my last November looking out onto this awesome view (after 26 years).  But on the bright side, this view can be yours – read my Takoma Park House for Sale page. View from the sunroom.

• My next garden – the “before” photos

  Susan Harris

  28 Oct 2011 | 8:26 am

  As I wrote recently on GardenRant, I thought I’d never leave my current garden, which after 26 years under my sometimes haphazard direction is looking pretty much done.  But for reasons I explained in that Rant post and in Susan Reimer’s column in the Baltimore Sun, I’ve decided to move.  And news flash – I’ve bought my next house!  It’s a co-op townhouse in historic Greenbelt, MD, one that’s just the right size for me, with right-size front and back yards, too. I won’t be moving right away – gotta sell my current home first, and have…

• Madonna loathes hydrangeas – stop the presses!

  Susan Harris

  8 Sep 2011 | 5:44 pm

  Madonna being caught on tape saying “I absolutely loathe hydrangeas” is apparently big news.  I say let’s not waste these beauties on the Material Girl.

• Garden Designers Roundtable: Trying out groundcovers as lawn replacements

  Susan Harris

  22 Aug 2011 | 11:01 pm

  The Garden Designers Roundtable invited the Lawn Reform Coalition to be their guest blogger(s) this month, combining forces to publish 18 articles about Lawn Replacement on the same day, and linking to each other. Great idea, designers!  Scroll down for the links to those 17 other blog posts, including one by me on GardenRant.  There I report on the disaster I made of my back-yard lawn replacement project – now bare earth fast eroding down the hillside. I loved the colorful and tidy little mosaic of low groundcovers here in my front yard, all criss-crossed by brick pavers that repeat…

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  Transatlantic Gardener

• Brits develop new plants too

  Graham Rice

  19 Jan 2012 | 8:33 am

  Last I week I was enthusing about Simply Perennials bringing lots of great new American perennials to the UK for the first time and I was also reminded of an article in Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper a few weeks ago saying, basically, that American plant breeders had taken over the world.But British plant breeders not only have a great history of new introductions going back hundreds of years but in Britain there’s still a huge number of nurseries and plant specialists developing new plants. Although in North America it’s often not clear that these plants are actually British. So…

• Book Bullet: The Art of Creative Pruning by Jake Hobson

  Graham Rice

  15 Jan 2012 | 1:44 pm

  Even coming from England, where topiary of one sort or another is everywhere - ranging from wobbly yew pillars and neat box balls to leaping racehorses and steam trains (yes, really) – this book is an eye opener. The range of pruning artistry developed around the world is amazing.But this is not just a book about topiary – which I suppose is usually thought of as clipping trees and shrubs into shapes. It’s also about thoughtful pruning to enhance the grace of plants without pushing them into forms which some say are simply unnatural. The elegance of conifers or wall trained fruit, for…

• Transatlantic Perennials

  Graham Rice

  9 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am

  “New” is the salesman’s favourite word. It’s the word that gets us to look even if it doesn’t always get us to buy. Doesn’t matter if it’s a TV show or a plant, if it’s new we usually pay attention.Perennials have become amazingly popular in recent decades and new perennials are now being developed all over the world. Laboratory techniques enable them to propagated in large numbers very quickly. Terra Nova Nurseries in Portland, Oregon (who are not retailers) produce over six million young plants a year and have become famous for the huge number of new varieties of perennials…

• Book Bullet: Visitor’s Guide to American Gardens

  Graham Rice

  6 Jan 2012 | 1:31 pm

  Producing a guide to America’s (and Canada’s) gardens comes with both the advantages and disadvantages of a broad North American sweep. It ensures that wherever you travel the book has an interesting visit to suggest, but some states have so few entries that they may all be hundreds of miles from where you happen to be.Entries are crisp and to the point, with symbols to highlight many features, and there’s enough to tempt you to look for more information on those that are especially appealing. But: “Smart-phone scannable QR codes that link to every garden’s website,” says the back…

• If you could pick just one plant...

  Graham Rice

  2 Jan 2012 | 8:11 am

  The great British plantsman E A Bowles once posed this question: “Suppose a wicked uncle,” he wondered, “who wished to check your gardening zeal left you pots of money on condition that you grew only one species of plant: what would you choose?”Then the great man answered his own question: “I should settle on Iris unguicularis,” he answers. And, considering the extraordinary range of plants he grew at his garden at Myddelton House in north London, we should respect his choice.It’s a zone 7 plant so not hardy here in Pennsylvania - well, it grows wild in North Africa - so one of…

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  WashingtonGardener

• Seed Exchange Update: Still Spaces Left, No Seeds Required!

  WashingtonGardener

  27 Jan 2012 | 9:30 am

  We still have some spaces left, so you may register on-site at the Washington Gardener Magazine 2012 Seed Exchange on Saturday, January 28 12:30-4pm at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.On-site Registration opens at 12:00noon. The program begins promptly at 12:30pm. We recommend that you print out the registration form and fill it in and bring it along with a check made out to "Washington Gardener" in order to speed things up and keep the registration line moving quickly.For the registration form and event details go here. To read about the speaker program, go here. To prepare your seeds and…

• Seed Starting Survey Results

  WashingtonGardener

  26 Jan 2012 | 11:13 am

  Our January 2012 Washington Gardener Reader Contest winners chosen at random from among the submitted entries are:~ Arlene Wagner, Reston, VA~ CJ Rock, Hyattsville, MDThey each won two passes to the upcoming Washington Gardener Seed Exchanges (a $15 value per pass). These seed swaps are in-person and face-to-face. You bring your extra seeds and swap them with other gardeners. Everyone will leave with a bag full of seeds, new garden friends, and expert planting advice. The Seed Exchanges are held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in Maryland at Brookside Gardens and on Saturday, February 4, 2012…

• Video Wednesday: New Plant Hardiness Zone Map Unveiled

  WashingtonGardener

  25 Jan 2012 | 3:23 pm

  This video is from today's press conference held at the U.S. National Arboretum. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released the new version of its Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM), updating a useful tool for gardeners and researchers for the first time since 1990 with greater accuracy and detail. The new, interactive map is available online at: www.planthardiness.ars.usda.govAccording to the USDA:"Compared to the 1990 version, zone boundaries in this edition of the map have shifted in many areas. The new map is generally one 5-degree Fahrenheit half-zone warmer than the previous…

• Seed Exchange Sponsor Swag

  WashingtonGardener

  22 Jan 2012 | 3:14 pm

  I've been tweeting out as new Seed Exchange swag has been coming in my door. (And my living room becomes a bigger mess than normal!) Here are just a few of the items that have come in so far:American Horticultural Society http://twitpic.com/8au2lrCobrahead http://twitpic.com/88vuqfBotanical Seeds http://twitpic.com/88uy8sPlant More Plants http://twitpic.com/88h1bbRenee's Garden http://twitpic.com/8996zfWinterSown.org http://twitpic.com/8b7bsuMost of these items will go into the attendee goody bags and the rest will be door prizes.I'll be tweeting more pics as the donations come in the…

• Reader Contest: Seed Exchange Passes

  WashingtonGardener

  21 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  For our January 2012 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away passes to the upcoming Washington Gardener Seed Exchanges (a $15 value per pass). These seed swaps are in-person and face-to-face. You bring your extra seeds and swap them with other gardeners. Everyone will leave with a bag full of seeds, new garden friends, and expert planting advice. The Seed Exchanges are held on Saturday, January 28, 2012 in Maryland at Brookside Gardens and on Saturday, February 4, 2012 in Virginia at Green Spring Gardens from 12:30 – 4:00pm. For full event details, see pages…

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  A Tidewater Gardener

• Out of Africa with Iris unguicularis

  Les

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:29 pm

  Several years ago I made a conscious effort to add more perennials that would bloom at times of the year when few other plants were blooming. I added gallardia, cestrum and cuphea to cover the hot gap from late June until fall. For winter I already had color from camellias, hellebores and my edgeworthia, but I wanted more, especially since winter is my least favorite season. Anything I can get to

• Museum Weather

  Les

  21 Jan 2012 | 4:09 pm

  Typical of Tidewater winter weather, a chill clammy rain is falling today making it a good day for indoor activities. A trip to the museum might be a good choice, so I thought I would post some pictures from this summer when we visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This venerable institution has something for everyone, including many well-known masterpieces. Our friend David who knows a thing

• Bloom Day: A Few New and a Few Déjà Vu

  Les

  15 Jan 2012 | 12:15 am

  Like much of the country, winter has been reluctant here in Tidewater. It has made several quick appearances, but has yet to unleash its full potential, keeping a few plants in a state of confusion and causing others to swell up a little early. I never thought I would say anything like this, but I do wish winter would get here for real and stick around a while, not because I like winter, I don't,

• Tetrapanax papyrifera 'Steroidal Giant'

  Les

  8 Jan 2012 | 5:52 am

  A few years ago a friend of mine asked if I wanted a small piece of Tetrapanax papyrifera dug from her garden. I was familiar with the plant from the display gardens at work, and I was also familiar with how much real estate it demanded and how weedy it could become. Just as I was about to say "no thank you", she mentioned that this one was one called 'Steroidal Giant'.  Intrigued I asked what

• The Last Sunset of 2011

  Les

  31 Dec 2011 | 10:59 pm

  This time last year my head was full of worries and trepidation. I was glad to see 2010 in the rear view mirror, but was not exactly looking forward to 2011.  Tonight you won't find me so anxious, I am not feeling philosophical and not full of introspection, because 2011 has worn down the sharp edges and left me numb.  Numb and apathetic, but not so much that I can't see some hint of brighter

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  clay and limestone

• Wildflower Wednesday: Bee-Witching Flowers

  Gail

  25 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am

   I planted them for their fragrance and they brought me pollinators in the middle of winter.Hamamelis vernalis is a lovely native shrub that blooms when you have just about given up hope that winter will end and warmth will return to the world...Unless, you live in my Middle Tennessee garden and you're wondering where the heck winter has gone!  But, I am not complaining, just saying...I am crazy about these unusual orange/yellow/reddish colored flowers with four crepe paper streaming petals that furl and unfurl with the days temperatures. They smell of spicy vanilla and on warm days…

• Garden Catalog Season Is Here!

  Gail

  20 Jan 2012 | 4:30 am

  It's that time of the year again.Porteranthus stipulatusCatalogs with seductive plant photos promising outstanding blooms and easy care arrive in my mailbox everyday. How's a plant starved gardener able to resist! (I've written about catalogs  before go here)Guidelines!  You've got to have guidelines.The guidelines fit the spirit of this garden and the spirit of this gardener. Without guidelines, I would be stuffing my cart (online or at the nursery) with plants that might be seductively beautiful, but, not make sense for Clay and Limestone.  My guidelines are…

• GBBD: Thank Heaven For Hellebores!

  Gail

  16 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am

   Or, I would be sharing the beautiful blooms that are sitting on my desk with you!Instead, I have these lovely  Helleborus orientalis, Royal Heritage Strain to show you. After my beloved spring ephemeral wildflowers and Hamamelis vernalis,  hellebores are the most welcome flowers in my winter garden.  Just when I've had all the brown and gray I can take they begin their  dramatic blooming.   Demure they aren't.They are the funniest flowers and if you look closelyA Mona Lisa smileyou can see their smile.The kind of smile that makes…

• Marvelous Marcescence or Love Those Lingering Leaves

  Gail

  11 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am

  Ostrya virginiana (American Hophornbeam)Most deciduous trees lose their leaves in autumn, but Oak (Quercus), Beech (Fagus), Hornbeam (Carpinus), Ostrya (Dancing Tree) and  Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)  are an exception.  They hold their leaves until spring when the new emerging leaves push them off.come spring newly emerging leaves will push the old leaves off the treeThis holding onto leaves is referred to as marcescence and no one is absolutely sure why some trees hold onto their leaves while others don't.  It may be that it deters foraging of young buds and branches by deer…

• An Almost Perfect Winter Flower

  Gail

  6 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am

  What do you think? Verbesina virginicaI never tire of seeing frost flowers 'blooming' on a cold morning. They are nature at her most magical. I love sharing its flower magic with you. It's a natural process that happens with just a few plants and Verbesinas are one of them~  (Have You Seen The Frost Flower? and Frost Flowers Blooming In The Garden. )Frostweed magic!Although, more common on the first frosty mornings of fall, here in my Middle Tennessee Zone 7 garden we have all the right  ingredients for frostweed to make its special appearance again and…

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  Dirt Therapy

• My birthday cake

  Phillip Oliver

  27 Jan 2012 | 2:49 pm

  Michael always makes me a Boston Cream Pie for my birthday. It is my favorite cake (I have no idea why they call it a pie). He usually buys a boxed mix but he went all out this year and made it from scratch, using a recipe from Maida Heatter (with a little help from me). I'm going to post the recipe and photos of him making it on my baking blog. It was delicious! I also gained about 5 pounds. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

• Ornamental Kale

  Phillip Oliver

  15 Jan 2012 | 11:15 am

  Ornamental Kale (or Ornamental Cabbage if you prefer) is second only to pansies as a colorful option for winter containers or planting in the ground.  The scientific name is Brassica oleracea. The plant is a member of the mustard family. They can be planted in the fall (from seed or transplants) and when colder temperatures and frosts approach, the color intensifies. They like sunny locations although they will grow in shadier areas, the color may not be as vivid. They also may become leggy if not given enough sun. Although edible, they are not near as tasty as regular cabbages and kale…

• One year ago today...

  Phillip Oliver

  11 Jan 2012 | 8:37 pm

  Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

• Winter berries

  Phillip Oliver

  2 Jan 2012 | 12:08 pm

  Beauty Berry (Callicarpa) Holly (not sure about the variety) Mahonia Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

• Focus on foliage

  Phillip Oliver

  26 Dec 2011 | 6:20 pm

  In my last post, I shared some photos of camellias and other flowers blooming in our late December garden. The flowers are fantastic this time of year but they are by no means the only areas of interest. Evergreen foliage is most welcome in the winter garden. The temperatures have been rather mild thus far and there are still colorful fall leaves hanging on as well. Chinese Holly "O'Spring" (Ilex cornuta) -  This variegated holly is beautiful at all times of the year. I've seen very large specimens in books and on television but this ones seems to be happy at a diminutive size of less…

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  Natural Gardening

• Sugar snap peas and snow peas

  LKW

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:47 pm

  Even though we're in the final days of January, spring is around the corner.  I'll be planting sugar snap and snow peas this weekend, hoping for a long cool spring, without too many damp (seed-rotting) days.  I'll plant more later, too, buffering the odds of germination, emergence, and growth.My garden blogging friend Randy planted his peas last Thursday, following the thickly planted strategy recommended by his spouse Meg.  An excellent approach!The most productive peas that I've ever seen (this were being commercially grown to be sure) were in the mountain highlands of…

• Backyard (garden) birds

  LKW

  26 Jan 2012 | 7:53 pm

  Out in the Garden today with a group of volunteer education program guides, we heard some of our resident birds.  It wasn't the focus of our program, to be sure, as it was an orientation series, but I noticed the uptick in calls, with another mild winter day.Our resident Northern Cardinals, Carolina Wrens, and Tufted Titmice were actively calling, along with a flock of (seasonal) Cedar Waxwings foraging for fruits. We're hearing woodpeckers and our resident red-shouldered hawks, too, calling as they're foraging or hunting.I received an excellent link to a Bald Eagle webcam today at…

• Crocus and snowdrops

  LKW

  24 Jan 2012 | 7:31 pm

  The early spring crocuses in the shady bed outside the breakfast room are flowering now, and I spotted a early snowdrop in front of the house today.  Spring is definitely early, and we had a lovely clear afternoon today that smelled of spring. crocuses from a previous yearI weeded some winter annuals out of the vegetable beds, and put some pre-sprouted spinach seeds in a flat, too.  I'm itching to sow cool-season greens, but I need to check soil temperatures before being too hasty.My camera (an aging, but sturdy Nikon D100 with a nice lens) is languishing up in the mountains,…

• Robin flocks

  LKW

  23 Jan 2012 | 7:28 pm

  a robin eating fruit (from a royalty-free photo used in The Nature of Clemson)It's been busy at the hollies over the last few days. Large numbers of robins have (200+) been devouring the berries on the row of Ilex opaca cultivar hollies above the education building at the garden where I work. They visit the hollies, collect berries, then retreat nearby to eat them, then repeat.This morning, in rain, before I began a program, the circuit from holly to perching trees nearby  (in this case, large Cryptomeria and Southern Magnolia) was in full swing.  Their continuous melodic…

• Categories, labels, and indices

  LKW

  22 Jan 2012 | 8:48 pm

  I've admired the nice category listings on other blogs. What a good thing to do, I thought.  Not all of my posts are profound, but some are worth reading again.  I enjoy doing that, and maybe others would, too, I'm thinking. Hmm. Investigating, I discovered that Google's labels (on their blogger platform) can serve as surrogate categories (that makes sense).  But then I realized that my labels (over years of blogging and a LOT of posts) created a list (triple-columned) totaling over 14 pages.  Hrrhmp. That means I need to go through all of those labels and…

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  Outside Clyde

• Back To The Snake In The Grass

  Christopher C. NC

  27 Jan 2012 | 4:48 pm

  What is the story of Creation without the serpent?I really wasn't liking how the tear in the fabric of Creation was turning out. It still felt off. I gazed down upon it trying to think new thoughts when an old idea filtered back in. At one time I had seen a snake in the grass made from all these boulders. The leaning rocks were reminding me more of a reptile's backbone than a toothy smile. I

• I Can Always Change My Mind

  Christopher C. NC

  26 Jan 2012 | 1:35 pm

  I need one more rock that is too big to move to balance the new line of rocks. I'm sure I can find one. How easy it will be not to move may be another matter.Now that I have wiggled all these rocks into place I am not sure I am liking it all that much. It feels off again. One thing I will try is to have the center section of leaning stones have a mid point and then lean the stones on the right to

• A New Wiggle In Creation

  Christopher C. NC

  25 Jan 2012 | 4:51 pm

  I have seen many pictures of rocks stacked just leaning against each other in a number of different ways and always liked that look. I thought I would give it a try. Now granted the pretty rock pictures I saw had nice fancy squared off rocks, not like the irregular rocks I have. You make do with what you have. I can't afford to buy fancy rocks.And in the process of wiggling rocks this afternoon I

• How Bulbarella Got Her Name

  Christopher C. NC

  24 Jan 2012 | 4:02 pm

  A funny thing happened after the Garden Rant interview. Bulbarella became a search word. Curious readers must have wanted to know what is a Bulbarella. The google wasn't sending them to a post that would help much in the matter and Bulbarella is an Italian surname that was cluttering up the search results. So I will help inquiring minds who want to know.In about two months or less depending upon

• The Garden Rant Interview

  Christopher C. NC

  23 Jan 2012 | 5:19 pm

  I promised them a garden unlike any they have ever seen, high on the low spot of a North Carolina mountain top.There was mention of a wild forest filled with native wildflowers and shrubberies. There was no mention of some other items that might be considered attractions in the wild cultivated gardens.Right now it is hard to imagine the lush that will awaken in a few more months and fill the

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  Growing The Home Garden: Gardening in the Home Landscape

• First Daffodil Blooms of 2012!

  27 Jan 2012 | 5:02 pm

  The first daffodil blooms of 2012 are now on display in my garden!  Every year I like to track the first daffodil of the season.  It amazing how much each year can differ.  The warmer the weather the earlier the flowers appear.  We're almost a month earlier than last year's daffodil blooms! Here's a look back at the dates and posts for the daffodils of the past several years! First Daffodils from 2009-2011 (Spring Hill, TN): February 12, 2009 March 17, 2010 February 25, 2011 As you can see this is the earliest the daffodils have bloomed in my garden yet.  It's been an…

• 5 Ways to Help Wildlife In Your Garden Without the NWF

  27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am

  By now I'm sure you've heard all about the National Wildlife Federation and their new found friend Scott's.  There are quite a few people upset about this arrangement since many of Scott's products are made from ingredients none of us would rather see in the environment.  The NWF exists to promote and help wildlife but it's pretty hard to do that when an "ally" is undermining the process.  The issue is very hot where it concerns the Backyard habitat certification program that the NWF promotes.  Its intent is to encourage gardeners and land owners to enhance their…

• 2012 Nashville Lawn and Garden Show

  26 Jan 2012 | 2:18 pm

  Ever been to the Nashville Lawn and Garden Show? Here's the info for 2012: Gardens Past, Present & Future Will Be Celebrated March 1-4 at the 2012 Nashville Lawn & Garden Show Discussion of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello gardens among the many free presentations at the show Nashville, TN – The timeless appeal, importance and fun of gardening will be celebrated at the 23rd annual Nashville Lawn & Garden Show on Thursday, March 1, through Sunday, March 4, 2012, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. Gardens Past, Present & Future is the theme for the 2012 presentation of…

• Planting Seeds in My Raised Bed Circle

  26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 am

  Last year I put together the circular raised bed in my vegetable garden.  It's in the center of the garden layout which is in the parterre style garden layout I planned last year.  Of course my plans are changing a little this year too.  It never fails, the only thing I don't change in my garden is the fact that I am changing my garden!  I'll show you that plan soon, possibly next week.  For today though I'll share with you the seeds I planted in the center circle raised bed. My center circle is made from concrete retaining wall blocks.  Concrete can make some…

• 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

  25 Jan 2012 | 3:26 pm

  In case you are wondering about where exactly you are situated in the USDA plant hardiness zone maps here are a couple to look at. One is the national map and the other is the Tennessee State map.  The maps are useful when determining which plants to plant in your area.  The zone map shows you the lowest expected temperatures in an area.  You have to take this with a grain of salt though.  If you live in a frost pocket or have various micro-climates in your garden the plants can perform differently.  Our house is situated in a frost pocket and despite the USDA zone…

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  Sharing Nature's Garden

• Spring bulbs are starting to bloom...

  Diana

  27 Jan 2012 | 7:33 pm

  Ah...the promise of spring.When renewal is in the air and the garden begins to awaken from a long winter's nap. Well, not really this year. It was more like a quick cat nap.I love it when the early spring bulbs start coming up and making buds. The daffodils, the muscari, the irises ... they are are all putting on their finery.These are the true harbingers of spring.And they are some of my favorite favorites in the garden. (I really have too many favorites to count.)I'm especially fond of the daffodils - there are up to 200 different species of them. I just have a handful of the different…

• City of Austin develping new Stage 3 water restrictions

  Diana

  18 Jan 2012 | 9:10 pm

  Thursday, city officials will hold a public meeting to discuss development of new Stage 3 water restrictions for Austin. Austin has never implemented Stage 3, but the current severe drought is forcing officials to plan for the worst case scenario.Williamson County had to implement their Stage 3 restrictions last fall, and their restrictions consisted of: No water for lawns, even without a hose No water for cars, even at the car wash No water for pools, public or privateI can't even imagine the devastation of such an action. Austin is in desperate need of a comprehensive water policy that is…

• New pup already helping me garden...

  Diana

  13 Jan 2012 | 7:55 am

  We lost our sweet boy, Tanner, to cancer in November.We adopted him from the Humane Society on my birthday, when he was just 8 weeks old.Soft, cuddly and adorable, he stole our hearts.He would have been 12 on New Year's Day.He was a great dog and my sweet boy. He was funny and willful and full of love. He followed me everywhere. And even at almost 12 years old, you could still bend down to his soft, fuzzy head and get a whiff of that sweet puppy smell that he never lost.He was my Tan-man, Bubbie, Scooby, Bubs, Nudge, and Mr. Man-Man.I had to wait this long to write this post, and it's still…

• Sunshine in the garden...

  Diana

  11 Jan 2012 | 6:15 am

  Unseasonably warm days in the garden have some plants like this daisy thinking that it's already spring.And I can see why.The forecast for today is sunny and 70 -- it doesn't get much better than that.Between the weather and the daisy, it's enough to make a gardener smile.What has you smiling today?

• Broccoli brings back blogging...

  Diana

  9 Jan 2012 | 8:18 pm

  After my holiday hiatus from blogging, reading blogs and pretty much anything that didn't have to do with a kid birthday, Thanksgiving & travel, a holiday party for 160 for which I cook, company for New Year's, and another kid birthday, I'm baaaaaack!And this broccoli brought me back. This pretty, fresh and delicious green goddess adorned our dinner plates last night. Only a few of the winter veggies I planted actually survived our fall attack of the critters. Specifically, 2 broccoli plants, 1 green cabbage, 1 red cabbage and 1 cauliflower. The broccoli was the first to ripen.I know…

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  The Transplantable Rose

• Garden Bloggers Bloom Day January 2012

  Annie in Austin

  15 Jan 2012 | 6:10 pm

  Repeated freezes have edited the garden, removing the warm-weather annuals and sending perennials into dormancy. But the temperatures haven't dipped below 25°F (that sometimes magic number) while late fall rains fell softly, letting enough water sink down to soften the ground so we can dig in the earth once more.That relatively mild weather has allowed the loquats to bloom for two months and has given the Camellia sasanqua 'Shishi Gashira' its longest flowering season ever- Lack of deep freezes has encouraged flowers for over a month to pop out along the arching branches of the Loropetalum,…

• November Bloom Day - Expected and Unexpected

  Annie in Austin

  17 Nov 2011 | 2:45 pm

  Written by Annie in Austin for her Transplantable Rose blogThere's a complete list of blooms for November 15th (along with more photos) over at my Annie's Addendum blog. Please take a look! I did my best with the botanical names but I'm not a botanist - let me know if you think something is wrong.Spot watering/hand watering has kept quite a few things alive in spite of drought and heat. The almost-3 inches of rain that fell on October 9 helped the shrubs and the cooler weather has helped everything - including the gardeners.A few weeks ago the Abelias began blooming and suddenly Monarch…

• Garden Bloggers Bloom Day August 2011

  Annie in Austin

  16 Aug 2011 | 11:25 pm

  My original intention was to ignore May Dreams Garden's GBBD for this month - here in Austin we've had 62 days over 100 degrees F - just a few days from the record. Rain is just a memory and the few plants with flowers seemed to be the same ones that appeared in July - so what was the point? But then on Saturday a Texas Star Hibiscus that I'd been babying along rewarded me with one bright red flower I stubbornly held out... then this morning I noticed an open flower on a Stapelia gigantea plant that I'd moved to a semi-sunny spot on the patio. I took the pot to the patio table for a closer…

• Garden Bloggers Bloom Day July 2011

  Annie in Austin

  16 Jul 2011 | 9:50 pm

  Some of you have already heard how I feel about living in Texas in July. The 2011 heat & drought is worse than when I wrote this song in 2009! The last couple of winters finished off the Aloes, Agaves and cactus, so there's already a nostalgic quality to the photos in the video:"I Don't Want to Be in Texas in July" via my YouTube Station KaefkaBut with the help of a few long hoses and a big hat, I helped quite a few flowers to survive and pose for May Dreams Carol & Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. Most photos will expand when clicked.The plants on the patio and along the back of the house…

• Garden Bloggers Bloom Day June 2011

  Annie in Austin

  16 Jun 2011 | 1:19 am

  This GBBD post for June 2011 was written by Annie in Austin for her Transplantable Rose blog. The ever-quotable Henry Mitchell once said, "It is not nice to garden anywhere.", a phrase from his essay on "The Defiance of Gardeners". This afternoon I defied our Austin weather by buying 5 cut peonies at the local grocery story. The inside of our house may not be cool enough to let them last long, but for now, they smell like peonies! Outside it's hard to summon up defiance after more than 10 days of temperatures over 100°F with the last rain a distant memory and little hope of a break. I've…

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  In the Garden Online

• Easy Edibles: How to Grow Sprouts

  Colleen Vanderlinden

  25 Jan 2012 | 5:57 pm

  Welcome, #SeedChat friends (and anyone else who is curious about getting started with sprouting!) I put this post together to hopefully help pull all of the information we covered on SeedChat into... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• The year that was, and the year that will be.

  Colleen Vanderlinden

  30 Dec 2011 | 8:53 am

  I told myself that I wouldn’t bother doing a yearly wrap-up post this year. But it was a big year, and big years are deserving of at least a little reflection. I’m hoping this... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Garden Blogging and Free Stuff — Some Helpful Tips

  Colleen Vanderlinden

  7 Dec 2011 | 7:27 am

  Recently, a bit of a firestorm has arisen in the garden blogging world. It began as one thing, and, as details about that issue came out, led to a bigger, more serious issue. The event that led to... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• November Tour of My Garden

  Colleen Vanderlinden

  11 Nov 2011 | 9:53 am

  It’s one thing to show my garden in July, when the tomatoes are going full force and the annuals are all blooming like mad, or even in April, when the slightest hint of color is enough to make... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• 10 Ways to Recycle a Jack O’ Lantern After Halloween

  Colleen Vanderlinden

  1 Nov 2011 | 6:58 am

  It’s the day after Halloween. No sign of the Great Pumpkin yet again, and I’m doing my best to resist the 4 huge buckets of candy in the kitchen. Mmmm….Snickers…. The other... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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  Kiss my Aster!

• Got some credit in the straight world:

  Kiss My Aster!

  25 Jan 2012 | 12:55 pm

  New post on the Proven Winners website by yours truly...Check it out right here.

• ok, I swear I'm done now...

  Kiss My Aster!

  20 Jan 2012 | 3:10 pm

  the last of the "Hey girl..."s at FineGardening.com...

• Hey Girl-- Part 2

  Kiss My Aster!

  11 Jan 2012 | 9:37 am

• Hey Girl... The Garden Series

  Kiss My Aster!

  10 Jan 2012 | 4:45 pm

• I'm on a podcast at FineGardening.com

  Kiss My Aster!

  3 Jan 2012 | 1:47 pm

  The ass-kickin' Andrew Keys let me record a rambling and it's on this podcast...

• 

  Mr. McGregor's Daughter

• If Ever I Would Leave You...

  25 Jan 2012 | 9:18 pm

  Cornus alternifoliaWinter is the time for Northern gardeners to dream, not just about plants, but about garden visits. I'm getting my plans together for the 2012 Garden Bloggers' Fling in Asheville,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Postcard from Wauwatosa

  24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am

  Nervous feet while waiting to take the stage for the treble reel.Were you expecting an image of flowers or even bare trees? Sorry, but it was -2F when I walked all the way across the parking lot... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Outdoor Blooms for January

  15 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am

  Galanthus elwesii, giant snowdropFor the first time in a very long time, I have outdoor blooms to show off for January Bloom Day. Winter finally arrived here in Chicagoland with, yes it's true,... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Too Many Flowers?

  12 Jan 2012 | 12:11 pm

  Eryngium 'Jade Frost', Hydrangea macrophylla 'PIIHM-I' (Twist-n-Shout),  Lilium 'Cobra', Arrhenatherum elatius  'Varigatum', Phlox paniculata, Cornus kousa, Dianthus... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• A Great Disappointment

  6 Jan 2012 | 9:26 am

  Helleborus nigerGreetings from the State of Insomnia. I just can't seem to shift off holiday schedule, but the unseasonably warm weather has called me outside anyway. While it appears that the first... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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  Our Little Acre

• In Case You Haven't Heard About the NWF/Scotts Affair

  Kylee

  26 Jan 2012 | 9:01 pm

  If you monitor the goings-on in the gardening world, you know that a firestorm is raging that began with the announcement by the National Wildlife Federation that they're partnering with Scotts Miracle-Gro. If you haven't heard about it, I want to make you aware of the impact of this quite frankly, puzzling, partnership. Snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis) aka Hummingbird Moth on Bee Balm (Monarda sp.) The National Wildlife Federation has historically been an advocate for wildlife. Their latest move has many of us questioning just how deeply their commitment goes. After all, an…

• The Owl and the Pussycat

  Kylee

  25 Jan 2012 | 3:37 pm

  We love our cats. We love our Great Horned Owl, too. But they don't love each other. Well, one of them does, but not for reasons we particularly are fond of. This was brought home to us this week. A couple of weeks ago, Tinker Belle, the latest stray to find its way to Our Little Acre, and who is normally the sweetest, most loving kitty you'd ever meet, was ouchy. Downright grumpy and growly. As near as we could determine, she was hurting in her hind quarters, but she wouldn't really let us investigate things very well without protest. She seemed to be eating okay and getting around all…

• Linnaeus Day: Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'

  Kylee

  23 Jan 2012 | 12:50 am

  Carl Linnaaus My friend, Christopher Tidrick (From the Soil blog), has a new meme launching today that he calls Linnaeus Day. It is so named in honor of Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), the Swede who is credited with the origin of plant taxonomy, or the naming of plants. He prepared the way for the use of binomial nomenclature, using Latin to provide each living thing with a unique name. On Linnaeus Day, Chris challenges us to pick a plant from our garden and find out more about it. This is a wonderful project for information junkies like me. I find history of just about anything to be fascinating…

• All Seeds Considered

  Kylee

  17 Jan 2012 | 9:56 pm

  The seed catalogs are coming fast and furiously now. The companies are playing to our weakness, especially those of us that live in the north. We're all rested from last year's hectic gardening season and we're ready to get back at it. The beautiful photos of the flowers and seed packets make us want to roll up our sleeves, grab our gloves and get planting! But we're still in the planning season because the weather dictates it. It's still too early to start seeds inside. And I don't know about you, but I can't exactly make up my mind just what I want to grow this year. I always want to try a…

• Spring in the Heartland

  Kylee

  11 Jan 2012 | 10:01 pm

  Anemone coronaria I love spring. Especially when it's in winter. Except for a couple of times when we got some snow and ice, this winter has been anything but wintery. It doesn't feel like an extension of fall; it feels more like early spring. In just three more weeks, Punxsutawney Phil and Buckeye Chuck will be crawling out of their holes and telling us if we can expect an early spring or not. I've got news for them - spring is already here. All over the country, we hear about temperatures way above normal and it isn't just a fluke of a day here and there either. It's been like this for…

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  Our Twenty Minute Kitchen Garden

• Gardening with the new USDA Hardiness Zone Map

  Jardinier

  26 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am

  Do you garden in the zone? By which I mean, do you pay attention to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map when planning your garden or making purchases at a nursery or garden center? Among the helpful guidelines created to help gardeners know what to grow is the concept of the gardening zone. You may [...] Related posts:Gardening Wings: on becoming a Master Gardener Indoor Gardening: loving the house plants House plants inventory: Indoor gardening for Clean Air

• Understanding Seed Packet Terms

  Jardinier

  25 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am

  Ah, January in Michigan! During this month, we experience winter at its finest. Cold, snow, ice, rain, fog– we see it all. January is also the gardening season when seed catalogs and seed displays pop up as fast as weeds in the springtime. One week the store aisles are full of holiday clearance, and the [...] Related posts:Today’s Garden Twenty: Starting Seed and a Bit of Raking Seed Catalogs: The Earliest Harvest Saving Seeds for Beginners

• Getting a picture of home gardening in the US

  20 Minute Jan

  21 Jan 2012 | 12:18 pm

  From the White House to neighborhoods, home gardening is on the rise. This helpful graphic comes from the Mother Nature Network. The infographic presents information from a study by the National Gardening Association, which has a great website with many resources for gardeners and a whole area devoted to gardening with kids. It’s encouraging to [...] Related posts:House plants inventory: Indoor gardening for Clean Air How subversive is your garden? Indoor Gardening: The Question of Houseplants

• Make a cool thumb controlled watering pot out of recycled materials

  20 Minute Jan

  14 Jan 2012 | 10:05 am

  One of the things I love about gardening is that the activity provides an outlet for discovering new ways to recycle and re-purpose the materials that flow through our lives. In our garden, we have used empty bottles to make cloches and yogurt containers for starting seeds. We used old windows to make cold frames. [...] Related posts:Tips for Wise Watering in the Vegetable Garden Make Your Own (Recycled) Garden Cloches Broccoli: a cool (weather) crop that keeps on giving

• Reasons to Garden: Finding Surprising Things

  20 Minute Jan

  4 Jan 2012 | 12:50 pm

  According to the BBC, a woman in Sweden recently found the wedding ring that she lost 16 years ago on a carrot growing in her garden. The ring, which she designed herself, went missing from her kitchen in 1995, when she removed it to do Christmas baking. She’d long given up hope of finding it [...] Related posts:A Blanket of Leaves Tucks in the Garden Weeding Another Person’s Garden 4 Reasons to Grow Horseradish

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  The Gardens of Petersonville

• Jade Blooms

  Sheila

  9 Jan 2012 | 10:27 am

  The other day the blooms in a neighbor's yard caught my eye. It seemed way too early for many shrubs that have annual flowering periods and a bit early for natives that bloom in winter. When I got closer I realized that the display was that of the common (at least in our area) jade plant. A succulent shrub that is at best taken for granted and at worse shunned by Southern California gardeners as too pedestrian. I inherited a number of them in my SJC garden and I must admit I am guilty of totally ignoring them for the most part, but when I spotted this display in the back corner of the…

• One More Holiday To Go

  Sheila

  8 Jan 2012 | 10:05 am

  A new year and I am ready to get back to focusing on the gardens, but around our house we still have one more holiday to go - Super Bowl. It is celebrated at our home extensively because it is the one that is expanded to include our old and new friends, neighbors and co-workers, in addition to family. We actually have extended family that travel from around the country to stay that weekend and we open our doors to many friends that we only get to see once in a while due to busy schedules. It would be great if the Super Bowl was moved to a lovely spring weekend when my garden is peaking…

• This is Winter

  Sheila

  22 Dec 2011 | 10:54 am

  For some reason the hibiscus, which are tropical plants , always seem to be blooming in December regardless of the chilly temperatures. Like a bright beam of sunlight on an overcast day.

• Hello Narcissus

  Sheila

  20 Dec 2011 | 9:57 am

  Looking a bit ragged from the rain, the narcissus are the first bulbs in the SJC garden to wake up and greet us just in time for the winter solstice. A welcome sight in the quite garden this time of year.

• The Grace of Camellias

  Sheila

  19 Dec 2011 | 10:52 am

  The other day I was racing around trying to get a dozen things done when I opened the gate to the Laguna house and was taken aback by the beautiful white camellias blooming just inside the gate. I was stopped in my tracks by the beautiful symmetry and perfection of each petal. I did not have my camera with me so you will have to just appreciate this picture from one in my SJC garden which is a bit different. They are such beautiful shrubs that show their charm in the bleak middle of winter. It is easy to see why Coco Chanel was inspired to use the white camellia as her trademark.

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  The Blogging Nurseryman by Trey Pitsenberger

• Still a big opportunity for “real” green businesses

  Trey Pitsenberger

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:59 am

  Had no idea the hullabaloo that would arise after my Tweet of an article from Garden Center Magazine about the partnership between Scotts Miracle-Gro and The National Wildlife Federation and their “Be Out There” campaign. It illustrates well the the … Continue reading →

• You can’t design a marketing campaign to go viral

  Trey Pitsenberger

  26 Jan 2012 | 12:25 pm

  Why do marketing experts tell us that we should design our marketing to go viral? How do you design anything with the idea that people will spread the idea or product enough that it goes viral? You can’t. It’s up … Continue reading →

• New USDA Zone Map Released

  Trey Pitsenberger

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:47 am

  The USDA has released their new zone map of the country. The first new map since 1990, and some zones have been changed. Maragret Roach explains the nuances of the changes at “A Way to Garden”. Out west we use … Continue reading →

• Social Media Workshop for Garden Professionals

  Trey Pitsenberger

  24 Jan 2012 | 11:13 am

  This February 8th I’ll be holding a workshop on “Social Media is the New Village Square-Where Do You Fit In?”. The workshop is held at The Pro-Green Expo in Denver, Colorado. We will discuss the use of social media in … Continue reading →

• Are You a Member of Generation Flux?

  Trey Pitsenberger

  23 Jan 2012 | 11:01 am

  Rarely do I buy magazines. However the latest issue of Fast Company caught my eye. The cover story is “This Is Generation Flux, Meet The Pioneers Of The New (And Chaotic) Frontier Of Businesses”. According to the article, “the future … Continue reading →

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  Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping blog

• The Blow by Blow on Leaf Blower Abuse

  ken

  26 Jan 2012 | 4:43 pm

  I try to keep a level head and my language clean when I’m writing but when it comes to leaf blowers all bets are off, because leaf blowers blow, or that is they suck, if you know what I mean. My favorite descriptive term for these devices is “Polluting-Noise-Bazookas”.  Need I say more? Here at Terra Nova Ecological Landscaping we support a leaf blower ban and we recognize that we are in the minority within our industry on this subject. We must be an oxymoron. I mean, how can we be a landscape business and not be completely enamored with the omnipresent labor-saving device known as the…

• The Dirt on Raised Garden Beds: Mining the Urban Waste Stream for Building Materials

  ken

  29 Dec 2011 | 12:59 pm

  Many recycled and repurposed materials can be sourced from the urban waste stream and used to create planting containers and raised garden beds. Which materials are safe and non-toxic? Which materials are the most durable? I have unpacked the options with this investigation on the pros and cons of a variety of potential materials. Labyrinth garden bed Here is a set of criteria that can be used as a guide. First, lets consider the toxicity of different available building materials on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being completely non toxic and 4 being relatively toxic. Which end of the toxicity…

• Urbanite: The Upside of Upcycling

  ken

  21 Dec 2011 | 7:45 pm

  I don’t usually get all gushy about cement. As a self-professed “softscaper” and plant lover I don’t have much use for the stuff. I opt for plantscapes and permeable surfaces over concrete. Then urbanite comes along and I’m just about ready to write a love sonnet. “Urbanite” is the affectionate name for re-purposed concrete pieces. It’s a funny made-up-name for a common solution to a waste problem. I would even argue that the concept of urbanite could be raised to the level of metaphor because of its transformative role in restoring impervious, compacted, lifeless areas. This…

• A little history and thanks to good old mom.

  ken

  30 Jun 2011 | 6:33 pm

  Terra Nova owner Ken Foster standing in center next to mother Ellie and surrounded by family next to the first Terra Nova bicycle trailer in December 1991. Ellie was Terra Nova’s greatest cheer leader and supporter. She passed away just after Easter 2011. She and Ken’s father Herb on far right helped Ken buy the first Terra Nova truck in 1988. Ellie’s support and enthusiasm for the work Terra Nova does was instrumental in its success. A big heart felt thank you goes out to Ken’s late mother Ellie Foster. From left to right: Onawa Tannheimer-Foster, Joan Tannheimer,…

• The End of the Chai Mulch era ?

  ken

  3 Jun 2011 | 5:08 pm

  The one of a kind ‘Chai Mulch’ at an end ? Sun Chai who has supplied Chai Mulch to Terra Nova customers for the past seven years is moving their production out of town. Chai Mulch may still be available and we will keep you posted as soon as we know when. Chai Mulch bags laid out. Chai it, you'll like it! Chai Mulch is made from chai waste including Cinnamon, Ginger, Allspice, Nutmeg, Star Anise, Cloves and Pepper The best smelling mulch out there!

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  North Coast Gardening Blog

• Gardening Article: Pros and Cons of Raised Bed Gardening

  North Coast Gardener

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  There’s no better way for a gardener to deal with poor soil conditions than to plant a raised bed garden. If you aren’t gardening on rocky or hard soil, you may be wondering if a raised bed garden would be ideal for you. The answer is complicated. There are both pros and cons to raised bed gardening. Let’s explore them.Pros:• Raised beds start getting warm earlier in the spring, which means you can start planting earlier in the year.• The soil in raised beds is less likely to get compacted.• If you know you’ll be planting certain types of plants in your raised bed garden, you…

• Gardening Article: Gardening Tools For Everyday Gardening

  North Coast Gardener

  18 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  Article Copyright North Coast Gardening BlogGardening is an activity that uses physical abilities as well as design abilities to create a garden. Some tools will be used all year long while different tools may be needed during certain seasons of the year. Gardening requires sturdy tools to use in order to achieve a healthy garden. Gardeners must use a wide variety of tools to maintain the health of a garden. This list provides you with the most important and common gardening tools you will need for your garden.GARDENING TOOLSBasics Gardening Items• Garden tools basket or apronCarry your…

• Gardening Article: Growing Onions In The Garden

  North Coast Gardener

  11 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  Onions are one of the first vegetables to be planted in the spring. Onion sprigs start showing up at feed stores and garden centers as soon as the soil is warm enough to work. Growing onions isn’t rocket science, but there are a few things you need to consider in order to grow the best onions possible.Onions fall into three main groups depending on the amount of daylight they receive each day. Long day onions grow best in the North, where the summer day is long and they get 14-16 hours of sun. Short day onions grow best in the South, where shorter days mean only 11-12 hours of sunlight.

• Gardening Article: Making Your Lawn And Garden Sale Ready

  North Coast Gardener

  4 Jan 2012 | 10:00 am

  You only have one chance to make a first impression. This is true for buildings as well. Curb appeal is extremely important. If you have a property for sale, think of interactions with potential buyers as interviews with your property. The building needs to have a good resume (history of additions, repairs, damage, etc.), a solid cover letter (staged so that buyers can see themselves in it) and a confident, effective first impression. The curb appeal of your building is the interview equivalent of a nice suit and firm handshake. Curb appeal starts with your lawn. Follow these tips to make…

• Gardening Article: The History Of English Allotments

  North Coast Gardener

  28 Dec 2011 | 10:00 am

  For 27 years or so I have been an active gardener and I wouldn’t turn back the clock one single day. I love being outside in the fresh air growing an aesthetic garden for the family to enjoy and tending to my crops on the allotment, whilst having some good old banter with the old boys. However, I realised I don’t know half as much about the history of allotments than I thought I did and so I took it upon myself to find out. On my journey to discovery I was pleasantly surprised to find out allotments date back 1,000 years to the Saxon times. However, it’s the St Ann’s Allotments in…

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  Garden Porn

• So far it is bits and pieces and a couple of design concepts

  Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle

  22 Jan 2012 | 1:54 pm

  I was invited to install a small 4x8 garden space at the 2012 San Francisco Garden show that will be open to the public in late March at the San Mateo Event Center.At this time I am exploring a variety of design concepts , doing cost analysis studies , gathering found objects and puttering in the studio and greenhouse.I’ve narrowed it down to 2 options and I’’m leaning toward # 2 because it has a simple overhead arbor and judging from past shows, the lighting is lacking in design so I will need to design my own lighting system. option 1 - probably notFrom 2012 garden showoption 2 -…

• evolution with glass

  Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle

  21 Dec 2011 | 4:09 pm

  It has always been a dream of mine to design with glass.It was during my last two years in a high school drafting class that I started working on a house design that had a glass stair case and a sunken glass living room. ( yes it was the early 70’s when sunken living rooms were all the rage ) .Photo from Hospitality DesignFrom October 31, 2011My high school drafting teacher , Mr. Nolan, didn’t tell me that my glass house design was impractical or unattainable . Instead he encouraged me to continue to design and handed me an application to Harvard’s Graduate School of Design summer…

• A Burle Marx influence.

  Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle

  8 Dec 2011 | 6:39 pm

  Twenty some odd years ago I was influenced by the work of Roberto Burle Marx, (1909-1994)He was Brazil's most influential landscape architect and is internationally recognized as the "creator of the modern garden." Mr. Marx is also recognized for his discovery of many native Brazilan rainforest plants. One of my favorites is Tibouchina , which I often use in my garden designs here in Northern California. Below is a photo of a garden wall that Mr. Marx designed using discarded and collected building shards.From Water fountains in the landscapeBelow is a garden that I designed for the 1990 S.F.

• Terrariums. Simple and fun.

  Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle

  18 Oct 2011 | 1:29 pm

  Ever wondered how to make a terrarium ?The folks at POTTED - http://www.pottedstore.com/our-blog/ have a great tutorial that is easy to follow and will offer lots of inspiration.I vaguely remember making a terrarium back in the 1960’s with my mom. We used a small oval fish tank and colored aquarium gravel. It was probably pretty gaudy looking when we finished but it remains one of those memories where as kids we were encouraged to create arts and crafts without any derogatory judgement. I tried my hand at making a terrarium a few days ago.I used a glass domed cheese serving dish , a glass…

• New ON LINE Garden Lifestyle magazine : LEAF

  Deviant Deziner, aka Michelle

  17 Oct 2011 | 11:57 am

  The debut issue hit the web waved on October 17 2011.The cover shot is a beautiful photo by Saxon Holt shot of a garden designed by Topher Delaney.I think it is rather fitting that Topher made the cover issue, She is after all, a female landscape design trailblazer that has done much over the course of her 30 year career in brining to the forefront the field of site specific sculptural landscaping.Open publication - Free publishing - More design outsideand check out page 66 - an outdoor fire sculpture that we designed for a family in Squaw…

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  Dirt By Amy Stewart

• The Carson Mansion

  Amy Stewart

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm

  Just down the street from my house is the Carson mansion, one of the most famous Victorians in the country. It's now owned by a private club called the Ingomar Club.  I'm lucky to know a few members, so I get to see the inside from time to time. Please note that this painting is in a frame, and--well--it can't easily be removed from the frame.  (Ooops!)  Read the complete details in the eBay auction listing before you bid.  8 x 10 oil on board, framed.  Click here to bid.  Go here to see more paintings.

• Lena's House

  Amy Stewart

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm

  I walk past this little yellow house every day. It's one of those classic cheerful California bungalows.  It just seems to call out "Paint me!" every time I walk by, so I finally did. 8 x 10 oil on board, framed. Please read the information about the frame on eBay carefully before bidding.  Click here to learn more, and go here to see all my paintings.

• Ladybird and Ida

  Amy Stewart

  25 Jan 2012 | 6:53 pm

  My girls!  This is Ladybird, a Buff Orpington, and Ida, an Ameraucana.  8 x 8, oil on 1/2 inch board.  Click here to bid, and go here to see more paintings.

• Taxi!

  Amy Stewart

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm

  A quick little New York painting.  6 x 6 inches and the bidding starts at just $25.  Click here to bid, and go here to see all my paintings.

• A Pair of Pears

  Amy Stewart

  22 Jan 2012 | 8:00 pm

  I have two pear paintings going up for auction.  I think they're kind of nice as a pair, but I'm listing them separately and I'll let you decide.   Both are 5 x 7, and both are painted on thin (1/16 inch) masonite board. The top one is live now, so click here to bid. The second one goes live on January 23 at 6 pm, and the link will be live then:  click here. Both are starting at the low low price of $25.  There are lots of other deals to be had as I make space for new paintings in the new year, so go here to see everything.

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  தென்றல்

• மூன்று வியப்புகள்!!! - பகுதி - 2

  Vavanna (உமர்தம்பிஅண்ணன்)

  22 Jan 2012 | 12:28 pm

  பகுதி - 2பழைய கனவுகளில் மூழ்கி, தலைப்பை மறந்து, பாதை மாறி, வெகு தூரம் வந்து விட்டேன்! மன்னியுங்கள்! மீண்டும் 1957 ஆகஸ்டு முதல் தேதிக்குப் போவோம்!  காலைச் சிற்றுண்டி முடிந்தது. எனது ஞானத் தந்தை, முதல்வர், பேராசிரியர், தி.தனக்கோடி…

• மூன்று வியப்புகள்!!!

  Vavanna (உமர்தம்பிஅண்ணன்)

  18 Dec 2011 | 12:20 pm

  1957- ஆம் ஆண்டு, ஆகஸ்டுத் திங்கள், முதல் நாள், அன்று தான் அதிராம்பட்டினம் மண்ணில் முதல் தடவையாகக் காலை வைத்தேன்! முதல் நாள் அன்றே மூன்று வியப்புக் குறிகள் என் நெஞ்சில் பதிந்தன!கல்லூரி இருக்கும் ஊர் பெரிய நகரமாக, மாட மாளிகைகள்,…

• ஐம்பது ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்!

  Vavanna (உமர்தம்பிஅண்ணன்)

  11 Dec 2011 | 10:30 am

  அதிரை நகரக் கல்வித் தந்தை ஹாஜி எஸ்.எம்.எஸ். ஷேக் ஜலாலுதீன் 28-01-1920 – ல் பிறந்தார். நகரத் தந்தை சேர்மன், முஹம்மது அபுல் ஹசன் மரைக்காயரின் ஒரே பிள்ளை; செல்லப்பிள்ளை; சேர்மன் தன் தந்தை ஹாஜி ஷேக் ஜலாலுதீன் பெயரைப் பிள்ளைக்குச்…

• எம் சிந்தையைக் கவர்ந்த கல்வித் தந்தை!

  Vavanna (உமர்தம்பிஅண்ணன்)

  11 Dec 2011 | 10:17 am

  A.M.M.A.,Bed.

• நடையா, இது நடையா! நற் கடமையன்றோ நடக்குது!

  Vavanna (உமர்தம்பிஅண்ணன்)

  2 Nov 2011 | 9:39 pm

  “நான் வாக்கிங் போகும்போது கச்சலை அவிழ்த்து விட்டு,சலாம் சொல்லிக் கடக்குமளவுக்கு மதிப்பிற்குரிய வாத்தியார்களின் ராஜபாட்டை நடைப் பயிற்சி தொடர்கிறதா?” என்று, உமர் வரலாறு ஆக்கத்துக்குக் ‘கமென்ட்’ எழுதிய கவிஞர் சபீர்…

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  The Whispering Crane Institute

• Warren Buffet, on your Chosen Profession

  Rick Anderson

  4 Jan 2012 | 3:54 pm

  This quote from Warren Buffet seems to make a lot of great sense to me, I mean how hard is it to become a expert in one field, let alone a expert in two fields. The CENTS show is coming up in OHIO, and the ANLA Mgmt Clinic is coming up in Louisville, KY. Two great events to sharpen some skills, do some networking, and learn about some new possibilities in our great profession. For most people, the bulk of their income is going to come form earning power in their chosen profession. Therefore, from the standpoint of building wealth, free time is better spent sharpening one’s professional…

• 2011 in review

  Rick Anderson

  2 Jan 2012 | 9:30 pm

  The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 200,000 times in 2011. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 9 days for that many people to see it. Click here to see the complete report. Filed under: Blogroll, Einstein, landscape design, pergola

• 2012

  Rick Anderson

  30 Dec 2011 | 8:46 pm

  Well what’s going to happen this year? The housing market seems to be recovering in a few areas but most areas the market is still depressed and most folks see no sign of an upturned market. If folks do not believe there house is going to appreciate or at least stay at least level there will not be much enthusiasm to put money in those backyards which means no money in our pockets for sure. We can only hope for a bottoming out of the market and a real start to the rise in the unemployment numbers putting Americans back to work, and a more positve outlook on the future. Good luck to us…

• December 29th

  Rick Anderson

  30 Dec 2011 | 7:14 pm

  Dear Readers Today it was 54 degrees and sunny. The cats were grateful and played outside most of the day, it was a great day to get some good fresh air and just enjoy an amazing December day. It was so great I’d have to call it a Chamber of Commerce kind of day here in beautiful East Central Ohio. Here’s to wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a great 2012. Will I post more in 2012? I sure hope so   Rick Anderson Filed under: nature, stuff

• June 6th, 1944

  Rick Anderson

  6 Jun 2011 | 3:03 pm

  Soldiers helping soldiers The story Okay I pulled this account from Blonde Housewife, who pulled it from BlackFive(dot)net I’d been looking for something to post about today and this seems the most appropiate. On a day when so many gave the last full measure for the United States of America. I pulled this from the D-Day website, some startling numbers of involvement Operation Neptune 195,701 – Number of personnel assigned to Operation Neptune (sailors and soldiers) 25,000 – Number of Navy allies crews engaged in the framework of Operation Neptune 15,500 – Number of…

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  Skippy's Vegetable Garden

• first snow of the year

  kathy

  17 Jan 2012 | 10:20 pm

  Finally. We got a couple inches of snow last night. Looks like it will melt in the next few days.

• Nearly 100 reasons to grow a vegetable garden

  kathy

  17 Jan 2012 | 7:28 pm

  I was listening to an NPR radio show this afternoon and heard vegetable gardens mentioned. It was a show about Sugar. Author Robbie McCauley talked about how everyone used to have access to home grown food. She said its a crime that we don't anymore. Here here!And then Molly commented on an old post of mine that listed reasons to grow your own vegetables. Molly said "..for FUN!"So I am posting my list again. I've added lots of reasons sent in by other gardeners. The list is almost up to 100 reasons now. I counted about 60.Nearly 100 reasons to grow a vegetable garden:For fun! (Molly)To find…

• winter sunset on the big pond

  kathy

  16 Jan 2012 | 7:38 pm

  Another very chilly day. The day was ~10-25*F. Fortunately less wind than yesterday. Lots of birds were on the big pond (Fresh Pond in Cambridge). The ones I saw:20 Canvas back ducks20 Ring necked ducks50 Canada geesea pair of bufflehead ducksmaybe a male wood duck?lots of sea gullsa few robinsand a Coopers hawk eating his dinner

• winter flora

  kathy

  14 Jan 2012 | 9:51 pm

  When I walked Skippy yesterday I brought my camera and macro lens. I looked for dried things to photograph while Skippy sniffed and played. Usually I wait for him. This time, he waited for me. It doesn't compare with other seasons, but I found a few interesting things. Still no snow here to cover the plants.

• my community garden plot

  kathy

  9 Jan 2012 | 9:12 pm

  Pretty quiet at my garden plot now. The parsnips I planted too late are still in the ground and still too small. The only action is the garlic. I planted this very late too. Tiny sprouts are just poking up in the cracking soil. Its another winter like 2007 with no snow and mild weather (my favorite type of winter!!!). I was looking back at my records from previous gardens. We were knee-deep last year, but 5 years ago was very much like this year.I like this quote that I came across recently"January is the quietest month in the garden. ... But just because it looks quiet doesn't mean that…

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  A Garden Journal Diary of Ilona's Garden

• A Little Magic in the Garden

  Ilona

  20 Jan 2012 | 10:56 am

  A display from one of the garden stores I visited. It seems that the idea of creating a Fairy Garden is popular again this year, and no surprise since there is something about those itsy bitsy little worlds that catch the imagination even if you don't believe in fairies, per se. (Shhhh, don't let Tinkerbell hear that!) Latest trend in gardening goes miniature was an article I came across that reports on some ways to make and use Fairy Gardens that are installed in containers, "They make good centerpieces for tables and are good garden decorations". At first I thought a fairy garden would be…

• A Robert Frost Sort of Evening

  Ilona

  18 Jan 2012 | 6:18 pm

  Looking for a Sunset Bird in Winter by Robert Frost The west was getting out of gold, The breath of air had died of cold, When shoeing home across the white, I thought I saw a bird alight. In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face; A bird with an angelic gift Was singing in it sweet and swift. No bird was singing in it now. A single leaf was on a bough, And that was all there was to see In going twice around the tree. From my advantage on a hill I judged that such a crystal chill Was only adding frost to snow As gilt to gold that wouldn't show. A brush had left a…

• Plotting out the Year

  Ilona

  15 Jan 2012 | 1:54 pm

  After doing some inspired thinking on why resolutions fail, I gathered the family members together for a beginning of 2012 planning session. Just a brainstorm and planning session which situated the family vacation times well out of the early garden season. I am so glad. This year I believe I will succeed in the garden in a way that has eluded me for the past several years. It is not that I haven't gardened, or even that it wasn't high on the priority list, because not only do I continue to love the garden, it truly is one of my most satisfying and overall beneficial activities. But when many…

• What Are Your Garden Plans For 2012?

  Ilona

  15 Jan 2012 | 12:58 pm

  I was just wondering. It is January, and until the last week, it was weather to garden in more than weather to plan with, and that was rather strange. We were out digging postholes for the fence to corral the new dog. but now that real January weather has settled in, i.e. freezing temperatures, snow, ice, wind, and other inclement conditions, I have started to plan. Then was wondering what the general consensus is for gardening in 2012. Does the economy still influence us? Our generational values or stage of life? For me, it is my age and plans for the year that are the main guidelines for my…

• Solace of the Garden

  Ilona

  5 Jan 2012 | 8:24 am

  At times when grief seems overwhelming, or when personal sorrows weigh down the spirit, people often find balm in nature. It seems to speak in a way that is healing to our souls. In a garden, where one is most intimately acquainted with nature, we often see it as a workplace, a place that invites us to active experimentation, investigative curiosity, and diligent labor. But when our hearts are most grieved we want none of that.... and it is then that we discover the garden as a place of solace, a place that waits for us.In those times we are no longer laying plans or putting ourselves into…

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  Gardening Tips ‘n Ideas

• Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum | Purple Fountain Grass

  Stuart

  22 Jan 2012 | 5:14 pm

  Grasses are one family of plants that have made an amazing entrance into the horticultural world in the past decade or so. Prior to that the only grass that most gardeners would keep was their hallowed piece of turf. Today, grasses are taking a giant leap forward and one of the more popular species is Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum – more commonly known as Purple Fountain Grass. Purple Fountain Grass Is One of the More Common Ornamental Grasses Quite noticeably this grass wasn’t on the radar of any home gardener five years ago but since then it has exploded into our yards at an…

• Sugar Cane Mulch Could Be The Mulch of the Decade

  Stuart

  15 Jan 2012 | 5:06 pm

  Like most gardeners I’ve tried a plethora of mulches in my garden. Some have been purely for their aesthetic value, others for their ability to control weeds and still others to offer a feeding solution. But I’ve never been impressed with any mulch to offer all three options – until I began using sugar cane mulch. Where Sugar Cane Mulch Comes From Where Does Sugar Cane Mulch Come From? For those who have no idea what sugar cane mulch is allow me to explain. When sugar cane is processed it leaves behind the cut canes – extracted of all its sugary goodness. These canes…

• Bosch KEO | Cordless Garden Saw

  Stuart

  20 Dec 2011 | 7:00 pm

  If you’re looking for a garden tool for the gardener who has everything then look no further. The new Bosch Keo Cordless Garden Saw is one power tool that any gardener will find useful. While its main usage is designed for pruning trees and shrubs this dynamo pocket-rocket can handle a myriad of tasks. Powered by a 10.8V Li-Ion battery and weighing just over 1 kilogram, finding applications for this nifty gadget will be a source of pleasure. Using the Bosch Keo Cordless Garden Saw So, let’s start with its primary function – pruning. Pruning with the Bosch Keo One of the…

• Become a Master at Hydroponic Gardening

  Stuart

  8 Dec 2011 | 3:24 pm

  Hydroponic gardening can be a great way to grow vegetables, flowers, and other types of plants. It allows gardeners to control every aspect of their plant’s growth, allows higher plant yields, and helps prevent the spread of fungus and other plant diseases. Hydroponic gardening is an efficient way to grow vegetables Instead of using soil, hydroponic gardening uses a liquid to provide nutrients and minerals to plants. Most hydroponic gardening rooms use a combination of water pumps, nutrient release timers, and artificial lights to provide optimal growing conditions. Equipment Needed for…

• How To Create a Flagstone Patio

  Stuart

  6 Dec 2011 | 4:16 pm

  Creating a flagstone patio is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project that can usually be tackled and completed in a weekend. While some patios call for tricky, involved concrete pours, this patio uses only water and sand to create. There is very little maintenance for flagstones, as it does not shift or crack and damaged stones are easily replaces. Here is how to create the perfect patio: Clear and Outline the Area You’re going to rake out the desired patio site, so try to pick a mainly level, smooth area and rake until the soil is evenly distributed. Get rid of any grass or other…

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  Gardener to Farmer

• It Was Really Nothing...

  Jean Ann Van Krevelen

  11 Jan 2012 | 11:06 am

  I reach this point every winter where I haven't gardened for several months and I really have nothing to say. For most people, that would prevent them from blogging...but then, I am not most people. Oh no...I intend to use this space to talk about nothing. Really...nothing...(for optimal effect, this post should be read while listening  The Smiths "William") Merriam -Webster defines nothing (noun) as follows: a : something that does not exist b : the absence of all magnitude or quantity; also : zero 1a c : nothingness, nonexistence As gardeners, we often rush to fill emptiness. It's almost…

• Proven Winners Garden Guru: Christmas Comes Early!

  Jean Ann Van Krevelen

  5 Dec 2011 | 9:37 am

  Thanks to Proven Winners, Christmas came early this year...I am super excited to announce that I am one of the new Proven Winners Garden Gurus! Frankly, I can't think of a better gift to give a garden writer than the chance to write about awesome plants from an awesome company. So what is a Garden Guru? Essentially, we (me and a team of 7 other gardeners) are the home gardener representatives of Proven Winners. We'll be testing out their plants, writing about growing methods and conditions, and chatting it up on Twitter and Facebook. And the new Proven Winners website and blog are fantastic…

• Dirr Enclopedia Giveaway

  Jean Ann Van Krevelen

  1 Dec 2011 | 7:39 am

  When I was awarded the PR contract to represent the new Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs earlier this year, I almost fainted. An author who is a horticultural legend + an unprecedented encyclopedia = a once in a lifetime opportunity. And this week, Timber Press is giving away a copy of this massive book...so head over and leave a comment to enter the drawing! I met Dr. Michael Dirr and his wife Bonnie back in August when he was in Portland for his speaking engagement at Farwest. I don't know what I expected...I mean, the man is a living legend. There is no one on the planet with a…

• Japanese Maples: A Love Story

  Jean Ann Van Krevelen

  2 Nov 2011 | 12:48 pm

  I have a confession. I am in love with a Japanese Maple. Yes, I know...human/botanical love affairs can be tawdry things, but I can't help myself. I am simply mesmerized by the beauty she produces from spring till frost. It's funny, I don't even know her name...she came with the property. But, I suspect it's Crimson Queen (Acer palmatum-dissectum).  Here she is in late spring, flirting with me. Her bright chartruse seed pods peeking out from underneath delicate leaves. While the rest of my landscape is full of polite pastels and soft-hued greens, her rouged leaves demand my attention, their…

• Justin Timberlake, Daryl Hannah and Nicole Richie, Oh My!

  Jean Ann Van Krevelen

  20 Oct 2011 | 11:02 am

  As I mentioned in my last post, the kind folks at Kellogg Garden Products invited me to attend the Environmental Media Awards on the lot of the Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA. I got all gussied up and hobnobbed with the rich and famous. Well, maybe I should say hobbled with the rich and famous since I could barely walk in my ridiculously gorgeous red heels. But I digress... My friend Fern Richardson was my handler for the night. She made sure I didn't drool all over Justin Timberlake. This is one of the blurry photos I have of JT. He was on the move all night. I didn't want to appear…

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  Flowergardengirl™

• An Angry Mob Storms the National Wildlife Federation

  flowergardengirl

  28 Jan 2012 | 4:44 am

  I witnessed an angry mob storm the National Wildlife Federation this week. Honestly– I’ve called companies out on their practices before and backed up my allegations with screen shots proving the incident and concrete evidence but what I witnessed today was just short of a lynching. ( Photo is of my Teddy Bear Sunflowers) I was cruising my Facebook page and reading my live feed when I noticed garden bloggers wishing ill will on the National Wildlife Federation. Now I don’t keep up with this organization so I visited a couple of blogs to check out the story. I have promoted…

• God Shines Upon the Glistening Trees

  flowergardengirl

  23 Jan 2012 | 11:01 pm

  God Shines There is a light that God shines upon the glistening trees. You can’t imagine God’s light until you bend your knees. There is a light that God shines that sparkles in the snow. You can’t imagine God’s light until you come to know. There is a light that God shines from on His throne on high. You can’t imagine God’s light until He draws you nigh. Flowergardengirl January 2012 Filed under: Foilage as interest, Garden Photography, Poetry in the Garden

• Bluebirds nesting early in 2012

  flowergardengirl

  21 Jan 2012 | 3:22 pm

  The Bluebirds are nesting early in 2012. Here you see one at my nut feeder. There are 4 in all that have been visiting my feeders for the past two weeks. Our Bluebird box is receiving a good deal of activity. This is early for them to start nesting but we’ve had a very mild winter. It’s in the 50′s today. I’m glad they are nesting early because it will give them a chance to get good and established before the wrens start their search for a home. If our weather holds mild, we could see up to three nestings. Usually they lay 4 to 6 powdery blue eggs. Incubation last…

• Here’s a quickie…

  flowergardengirl

  10 Jan 2012 | 10:02 pm

  Here’s a quickie,  —- made you look. I don’t know what these flowers are because I’ve completely forgotten. I know they were all over my garden when I planted them. Filed under: Flower Photography

• Adding a Split Rail fence to deter deer in the garden

  flowergardengirl

  2 Jan 2012 | 9:43 pm

  This is the year that I start bugging my husband about adding a split rail fence to our property line. The deer have gotten out of control and starting to eat my fancy hydrangeas. Of course a deer can jump a fence this height with very little effort except that I’ve got a few tips that will make it a more successful barrier. Zigzagging the fence confuses the deer a bit. If they think they aren’t going to land on solid ground then they will avoid the jump. I’ll also add some rose bushes, large rocks, and other obstacles on my side of the fence to discourage them. They will…

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  Plants & Bulbs

• Gloriosa superba - A Grower´s Guide

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:36 am

  The stunning Glory Lily has a deadly secret but rewards cultivation with a fabulous floral display that is almost unrivalled.

• Acis autumnalis - A Grower´s Guide

  21 Jan 2012 | 7:14 am

  Confusion reigns in the classification of this little plant, but it still manages to hold its dainty white Autumn bells high to charm all who see it.

• How to Propagate Nectarine Seeds

  20 Jan 2012 | 1:06 am

  Nectarines and peaches are often interchanged. The difference between the two: Nectarines are smaller than peaches, are more aromatic and have more red c

• Romulea tempskyana - A Grower´s Guide

  17 Jan 2012 | 3:35 am

  This brilliantly coloured eastern Mediterranean relative of the crocuses creates a floral impact far greater than its diminutive stature might suggest.

• Lachenalia bulbifera - A Grower´s Guide

  11 Jan 2012 | 6:25 am

  Sometimes known as the Cape Hyacinth, Lachenalia bulbifera is among the most popular species of this versatile group of winter and spring-flowering bulbs.

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  Bananas.org

• scotch botanical wipes

  sunfish

  27 Jan 2012 | 9:17 pm

  Don't know if this is something new .Pretty interesting .http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...OXsZrQ&cad=rja

• TY TY ad

  bananas101

  27 Jan 2012 | 7:16 pm

  Banana Plant 25% Off Free Shipping on Phone Orders. $13.95 Up. Free Shipping 25% Disc. www.TyTyGa.com/Lowest-Price-Online It has been awhile since I have checked this site, but upon loading the web page I got the ad for banana's from the Ty Ty plantation. LOL the Ty Ty company and its many web sites have the worst reputation. You have to be very desperate to order from ty ty.

• Overwintered Eneste...

  sashaeffer

  27 Jan 2012 | 4:29 pm

  Can't stop this bute from growing..even when brought inside for the winter. Having to move again to make room for Bottle Palm I bought today.

• New Documentary About CCD in Beekeeping

  dekkard

  26 Jan 2012 | 4:37 pm

  I find this new documentary interesting and share a reference to it because there was some discussion recently about this subject here on Bananas.org. One can choose to watch the video at the link below or buy it. "New Movie Queen of the Sun Wonders: What Are the Bees Telling Us? From the director of The Real Dirt on Farmer John comes the new documentary Queen of the Sun, a profound and disturbing look at the global bee crisis. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the…

• Plants for sale

  sunfish

  26 Jan 2012 | 3:05 pm

  Local pickup only. Figs,palms,passiflora,pineapple,dragon fruit,Barbados cherry,Allspice, etc. Come over make me an offer

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  WordPress.com News

• Chrome Users: Try the WordPress.com Extension

  Christopher Finke

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:54 pm

  Want to receive WordPress.com notifications instantly, even when you’re not on WordPress.com? Add the new WordPress.com extension for Chrome and as soon as you get a new follower or a new like on one of your posts, a notification will appear in your browser: Simply click the icon to view your latest WordPress.com notifications: Start following new blogs without visiting WordPress.com The Chrome extension also makes it easy to follow sites from your WordPress.com account by displaying a Follow button whenever you’re browsing a site that has an RSS feed. Clicking the Follow button…

• Your Stats Have a New Home

  Andy Skelton

  26 Jan 2012 | 10:46 am

  Are you addicted to checking your site stats? You are not alone. The stats dashboard has always been one of the most popular admin screens. It’s gratifying to know that people are visiting your place online. With the WordPress.com front page evolving into a one-stop shop for posting, exploring, following and reading blogs, it seemed natural to put your blog stats there, too.  Stats are becoming more and more about interacting with your readers and other bloggers. You’ll still see your summary stats and chart on your main dashboard, and the full stats page in your dashboard will…

• Reblogging is Back!

  Erica Johnson

  22 Jan 2012 | 1:27 pm

  As we mentioned last week, you can like and reblog posts directly from your reader, which displays a stream of all the updates published on all the blogs you follow from your WordPress.com account. We’ve also brought the reblog button back to the toolbar that appears at the top of the screen when you’re logged into WordPress.com. Note that you’ll only see the like and reblog options while you’re looking at individual posts. For example, you’ll see this on the left side of your toolbar while viewing http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/read-blogs: And your…

• New Theme: Newsy

  Philip Arthur Moore

  20 Jan 2012 | 12:18 pm

  It’s been an extra big week in the news ’round these parts, so much so that the launch announcement of our latest premium theme seems like an extra extra good way to headline our Friday. Newsy is a versatile business and news-friendly theme that offers up to ten different layouts, four footer columns, custom link and accent colors, and a custom site header. Brand and content-focused editorial teams will love publishing with this theme. Newsy: Home Page Designed by Themify, Newsy comes with an impressive set of Theme Options that afford you a great deal of flexibility with how you…

• Read All Your Favorite Blogs in One Place

  Erica Johnson

  19 Jan 2012 | 6:04 pm

  If you feel like it’s a chore to keep up with all your favorite blogs, you can now read posts from all the blogs you follow (even the ones that aren’t on WordPress.com!) in one convenient place on the WordPress.com home page: Your reader displays all the posts across all the blogs you follow in the order they were published, with the most recent content appearing at the top. You’ll see an excerpt of the introduction to each post, the first image in the post, and thumbnails of any other images that the post contains. You can even like and reblog WordPress.com content directly…

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  North Coast Gardening

• Wildlife Miscellany: Trends, Native Plant Books, and Special Thanks to Carole Brown

  Genevieve

  26 Jan 2012 | 10:20 am

  A quick wrap-up of some recent posts on wildlife gardening from around the web. . . You know how I love to read the garden trend reports at the start of each year, and this year I’m seeing a lot of trends that I like. Over at Beautiful Wildlife Gardens, Carole Brown posted a list of the gardening trends she’s hoping will take off this year. The post is filled with links to other articles for more in-depth reading, so head on over and check out her predictions. Next up, I posted about three of the native plant books I’ve found indispensable in learning more about the plants…

• Bored of Your Winter View?

  Genevieve

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:43 am

  Perk things up this winter by adding some winter-interest plants, attracting birds, and creating colorful containers out of cut stems and evergreen boughs. That’s my advice over at Landscaping Network, where I talk about some superstar plants and some non-intuitive ways of bringing birds to your winter garden. A special tip o’ the nib to Carole Brown, who graciously let me use her photos of birds enjoying her own wildlife garden to illustrate my post! Then, over at Proven Winners, it’s all about planting beautiful plants that bring the birds flocking to your garden. Even if…

• Don’t Do This: The Garden Designers’ Roundtable on Horrible Landscaping Blunders

  Genevieve

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am

  This post might get a little ugly. Scratch that. It’s definitely getting ugly. Today, I’ve got a quick round up of some of the worst offenders I’ve seen in professionally installed landscapes. Roving bamboo, landscape fabric stifling tree trunks, unhappy plants suffering a variety of maladies. . . and all of it easily preventable. Want to keep from making some of these landscaping mistakes? Read on for a quick, unattractive tutorial. Don’t strangle your plants with landscape fabric Nothing like enjoying the beautiful white bark of a lovely white birch, then following…

• Get Thee Out to a Garden Show!

  Genevieve

  23 Jan 2012 | 11:26 am

  . . .or garden extravaganza, as the case may be. This spring, there are a few cool in-person events that you won’t want to miss if you’re in the general region. If you live in. . . San Diego, CA Proven Winners is holding an Outdoor Living Extravaganza on March 3rd, a one-day retreat with four speakers, a catered lunch, and goodie bags with tools and toys for all attendees. Steve Asbell went last year and made me madly jealous. Who knows, maybe next year they’ll hold one a little closer to my Humboldt home? Get the details here, and if you’re not in CA, check out their…

• 2012 Garden Trends: What the Cool Kids are Planting This Year

  Genevieve

  16 Jan 2012 | 7:40 pm

  I have a weakness for all the trend reports that come out at the start of each new year. While I have my own ideas about what’s going to be hot, I love to pore over these reports and alternately nod my head or think (hope!) the writer is crazy. Trend reports are a fun way of getting encouragement to try something new, because if something’s coming into style, you can bet you’ll find the resources and instructions you need at local garden shops or in the glossies. So what are my predictions for 2012? Here goes. . . Eco goes in-depth Designers keep on predicting a resurgence…

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  High Altitude Gardening

• Friday's Freebie: BHG's Orchid Manual

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:25 pm

  Brassia Rex Christine ~ my most 'exotic' orchidDo you grow Orchids? I avoided them for years. Thinking they were too high maintenance. The only person I knew who grew them kept all of hers on a kitchen counter, near a north facing window.When they're not in bloom, they're the ugliest things. Or, so I thought. Gangly stems stretch to the sun as new buds begin to take shape.Once I embraced the challenge of getting orchids to re-bloom, I totally changed my tune. These days, I'm as excited with the green shoots and buds as I am with the stunning flowers.Orchids keep me company while I'm…

• Wordless Wednesday: Window Sill Gardens

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:45 pm

  AzaleasGeranium (I'm a total sucker for this peachy keen color.)Micro-mini RosesA delightful mess of my favorite indoor flowers ~ colorful Kalanchoe You know what I love about flowers? Everything.How when they start to smile, they put a smile on my face, too.How could anyone look at this crazy mess of blossoms and still feel grumpy?To meet more Wordless Wednesday participants, click here!Follow @Kate_HAGardens

• Ortensia Blu and a Recipe, too.

  20 Jan 2012 | 11:30 am

  Hi, Everybody ~ I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. Laney is a Connecticut gardener who recently combined her 3 great passions ~ gardening, cooking, and the wonders of Italy. Her online store ~ Ortensia Blu ~ sells gourmet goodies imported from Italy.  I'm always on the prowl for fab Italian recipes so I invited her to do a guest blog post and share a favorite recipe with us. Buon Appetito!'Ortensia Blu' means blue hydrangea.{From Laney} Gardeners and cooks have a lot in common ~ we enjoy working with our hands, we're tantalized by the scents and fragrances in our gardens. It…

• Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day ~ January, 2012

  15 Jan 2012 | 11:12 am

  I love it when GBBD lands on a weekend, when there's plenty of time to take stock of what's going on.Outdoors ~ weirdness abounds. I was taking pictures out there, this morning, without a coat on. It's that warm. In January. In a ski resort.Up close & personal with my favorite KalanchoeBut, since it is January I hope I can get away with playing up my indoor garden. Here we go...By some bizarre stroke of luck, ALL of my Kalanchoes burst into bloom last week. I squeeze all the colors into one big pot so it has a garden bed effect.I take full credit for this though it's not from a good…

• Friday's Freebie: Yes! You Can!

  13 Jan 2012 | 11:13 am

  That jar o' jam was not that hard to do.My daughter is going back to school to become a registered dietitian. (Big applause for L! That's a hard choice to make... going deep into debt with student loans, putting adulthood on hold and heading back into the classroom because her first degree was just not lighting her fire.) I'm very proud of her for making this decision. And, of course, this new path is prompting all sorts of food, nutrition and dietary discussions.I sort of made the resolution ~ (made it in my head, but I guess, now, I'm declaring it) ~ to grow more and store more during this…

• 

  Ewa in the Garden

• Green design solutions - moss carpets

  27 Jan 2012 | 12:10 am

  Living green design solutions are fresh and inspiring. More and more architects and designers show their extraordinary imagination in designing green interiors. I love especially the below one, designed by Makoto Azuma, Japan-based flower artist, who has created a moss carpet system that can flow through your home in any design you wish, creating a living, breathing textile The carpet is

• Hyacinths forcing easier than I thought, but I need to master the art of forcing

  25 Jan 2012 | 12:15 am

  Forcing hyacints at home is easier than I thought. If you want to do it, start it 2-3 months before you'd like to get the flowers. You can start them from mid-September to December. Bulbs need the cold treatment 10 to 13 weeks before planting. So, it sums up to approx. 3-4 months you should start the procedure before expected blooms. For flowering in late December, you should start planting

• Recycled green products new year inspiration

  3 Jan 2012 | 1:09 pm

  I look and admire the creativity of its creators. Parts that usually go to trash can get new life and not quite look trashy! New life as lamps, tables, stools, pillows... Few years ago somebody got a great idea and decided to organize one day trade exhibition, where you can see and shop recycled green products which are the result of human creative minds. Going to such exhibition is

• Over 70 year old apple tree still bearing fruits, no pesticides

  31 Dec 2011 | 3:48 am

  This unknown apple tree variety somebody have planted before World War II and since then it bears beautiful fruits. This means it's at least 70 years old - or even might be older. Nobody remembers people who possibly have got this great idea to plant it.  You see... People are gone, but apple tree is still feeding us...   No pesticides ever! were applied on this apple tree. Apples can be

• Eco Christmas decorations

  21 Dec 2011 | 2:23 pm

  These recycled Christmas decorations are easy to make, original, eco-friendly and beautiful... Spotted last week on the exhibition of Christmas decorations in Wilanow Palace Orangery.  So simple, so easy to make... .. Wish you fun while making it!

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  The Manic Gardener

• Coleslaw, anyone?

  The Manic Gardener

  17 Jan 2012 | 12:43 am

    Meadow Zelenitz-McCracken, The Bozeman Chronicle, Jan. 14, 2012 I had to blink once or twice when I saw this photo in Saturday’s paper. I mean, that 65 pound monster was grown here in Bozeman. By a third grader. I bet it outweighs her. You can read the article in the Bozeman Chronicle, or join me in my room, where you’ll find me sobbing under my bed. The aptly named Meadow grew not only the largest cabbage in this year’s Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program, but the largest ever grown in the program. Clearly, Meadow has a great future as a gardener. Me, I’m going to…

• King Corn: an exposé with a light touch

  The Manic Gardener

  24 Dec 2011 | 12:22 am

  We just watched King Corn this evening. I know, it’s been out for a while; we’re a bit behind the curve here. But if you are too–if you haven’t seen it–it’s worth the time. It’s funny and lowkey, and sort of sneaks up sideways on its subject, an exposé of commodity corn. I didn’t know the setup when we started watching: two recent college graduates (Ian Cheney and Curtis Ellis) get their hair analyzed (!), learn they’re “made of corn,” and decide to go back to the Iowa town both their grandfathers had farmed in years before,…

• Podcast #13 – Notes and Links for “Turning the Tables: Organic Farmers Sue Monsanto”

  The Manic Gardener

  19 Dec 2011 | 6:03 pm

  The “upcoming” podcast mentioned a few days ago is now up. You can listen to or download the show, “Turning the Tables: Organic Farmers Sue Monsanto,” to get part of the back story about why 83 organic seed growers, farmers, and organizations are suing GMO seed giant (and manufacturer of RoundUp) Monsanto. You can also check out my original post on the suit, written a couple of days after it was filed last spring, for some background. In the course of the show, many sins are laid at Monsanto’s feet: that genetically modified crops don’t increase yields as promised, that…

• Upcoming podcast: Organics vs. Monsanto

  The Manic Gardener

  16 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am

  Yesterday I came off a marathon podcast editing session–about 20 hours straight, tacked onto the end of a work day. It’s not the first time I’ve stayed up all night putting the podcast to bed; this fall I’ve probably been up more Tuesday nights than I’ve slept. But this was a bigger deal than most. This was a show about the suit brought by organic farmers, seed growers, and organizations against Monsanto, the seed company that keeps suing farmers whose fields become contaminated with its genetically modified–and patented–seeds. Last spring, this group…

• A Recipe for Childhood Obesity

  The Manic Gardener

  15 Dec 2011 | 10:07 pm

  If you’re low on things to be mad about, I’ve got an article for you. But if your blood pressure is already high, maybe you should pass. The article, which appeared in the N.Y. Times a couple of Sundays back (Dec. 3, 2011), describes how companies that provide food for school lunches are getting rich turning simple, healthy ingredients into junk food.  How can this be? In “How the Food Industry Eats Your Kid’s Lunch,” investigative reporter Lucy Komisar explains all, in an article packed with relevant stats and useful links. I’m giving no more than a…

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  Your Small Kitchen Garden

• National Wildlife Federation & Scotts Miracle Gro: OMG!

  Daniel Gasteiger

  26 Jan 2012 | 1:50 am

  I’d be happy to have a stand of goldenrod in my backyard wildlife habitat if it attracted butterflies and honeybees. Were I to use Scotts lawn and garden chemicals on my lawn and garden, I’d stand a reasonable chance of killing the very wildlife my habitat was supposed to attract. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Scotts (the cure-it-with-chemicals lawn & garden company) have created some kind of partnership where Scotts is giving money to fund NWF projects. The NWF seems pleased to have this support from Scotts. Scotts must be ecstatic to have bought a relationship…

• Post Produce, Jan 2012: Sweet & Sour Pork

  Daniel Gasteiger

  22 Jan 2012 | 2:37 am

  Scroll to the bottom of this post if you’re here to link to your January 2012 Post Produce post. I look forward to seeing what you’re consuming from your garden! I can pineapple and pickled mixed vegetables so they’re on hand when I want to make sweet and sour pork. The vegetables are carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and chili peppers quick-pickled in brine made of water, vinegar, and salt. Canning pickled vegetables involves specific procedures to prevent growth of deadly bacteria, so please don’t make your own pickled vegetables without following USDA-tested…

• Flexible Plastic Containers in my Small Kitchen Garden

  Daniel Gasteiger

  11 Jan 2012 | 8:23 pm

  Have you seen these flexible plastic buckets in your local department or gardening store? I did some math and found that they hold up to severn and a half gallons. They seem to be sun-tolerant, and the handles make them easy to move around on a deck or patio during growing season. I’m always experimenting with low-cost, simple ways to extend my small kitchen garden. One of my greatest frustrations has been the expense of buying or building planters to handle vegetables with large root systems. Cheap, durable planters that hold five or more gallons of soil typically cost $15 or more, and…

• Butterflies and Puddling in my Small Kitchen Garden

  Daniel Gasteiger

  6 Jan 2012 | 9:16 pm

  The flower beds my wife maintains near my small kitchen garden get a lot of attention from butterflies. My wife has established various ornamental plants near my small kitchen garden. Many of these, she has heard, will attract butterflies. I can attest that at least some do; there are often colorful butterflies flitting about while I till soil, plant vegetables, remove weeds, prune, and otherwise muddle about in my vegetable beds. I enjoy the variety of butterflies that come and go, and I have two observations I want to share. A Kitchen Gardener’s Deep Thought about Butterflies #1…

• Whatever Happened in the Book Giveaway?

  Daniel Gasteiger

  2 Jan 2012 | 12:13 am

  I’m embarrassed, and must apologize to the folks who participated in my Yes, You Can! Holiday Giveaway at the beginning of December. In my last comment on that post, I said I’d announce the winner before my bedtime on Saturday, December 10. I can’t even remember all the reasons that didn’t happen. So many things didn’t go “just so” that I actually FORGOT about the giveaway. Today, while scrolling through the blog, I found the post and had a panic attack. Please forgive me for the omission. Iris suggested the name Hairy Yes, You Canary for this Yard…

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  Jennah's Garden

• I’m taking a stand. Someone has to.

  Jennah

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:30 am

  It’s not clever any more.

• The Future of the Blog

  Jennah

  19 Jan 2012 | 6:31 pm

  I’m still going to be largely MIA here for a while. Because I’m tired. What kind of creature eats every 3 hours? sheesh. That’s the one drawback of breastfeeding: only I can do it (yeah I can pump, but I’m putting that off as long as possible until I go back to work, since sometimes they get spoiled and will only drink from a bottle after having one). But Ainsley’s a pretty darn good baby so far and sleeps fairly well (though her most awake period of the day is between 9PM-12AM, which is pretty cruel). Plus she’s pretty freaking cute. (Credit for the weekly…

• Ainsley’s Story

  Jennah

  14 Jan 2012 | 9:21 am

  Some of these details may be jumbled and out of order a bit, because the whole night is kind of a blur. Craziest 24 hours of my life, that’s for sure. And sorry, long post. Wanted to get it all out before I forget. Plus, I know when I was pregnant (and before) I ate up posts like this because I wanted every. single. detail. last pre-hospital belly pic, just before leaving for the doctor At my last scheduled doctor’s appointment, 5 days overdue, my doctor “stripped my membranes” (which is as fun as it sounds). I was still only 1cm dilated (the same as the previous…

• She’s here!

  Jennah

  7 Jan 2012 | 10:22 pm

  Ainsley Anna 1/4/2012 at 3:07pm 8 lbs 6 oz 20.5 in long Totally gorgeous Details when I am not blogging from my phone, waiting to breastfeed because Ainsley had a traumatic fart and it’s pointless to go back to sleep for 30 mins.

• Yep, she’s still in there.

  Jennah

  1 Jan 2012 | 3:40 pm

  40 weeks, 2 days.

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  Outdoor Decor Blog. Find the patio ideas you are looking for.

• Easy Outdoor Decor Site Map, Shop Gazebos, Use these Patio Ideas, Outdoor Decorating Ideas

  5 Jan 2012 | 6:39 pm

  Easy Outdoor Decor Site Map

• Outdoor Decor Blog. Find the patio ideas you are looking for.

  5 Jan 2012 | 4:50 pm

  Outdoor Decor Blog. Make Your Escape! Bring your plants and outdoor living space and we'll show you the gazebos, patio accessories, and patio ideas.

• Garden Art From Trash - Metal Garden Art - Outdoor Decorating Ideas

  4 Jan 2012 | 9:59 am

  Garden Art From Trash - Some people are crazy about diamonds, furs, fancy cars and fine art. Not me. My passion is garden art from trash!

• Easy Outdoor Decor, Fabulous Gazebos, Shopping, Outdoor Living Patio Ideas, Patio Accessories, Lawn and Garden Decor

  30 Dec 2011 | 8:17 pm

  Trendy not spendy outdoor decor, gazebos and patio accessories. Smart outdoor living patio ideas.

• Outdoor Living Resources - Outdoor Decor - Outdoor Garden Decor

  26 Nov 2011 | 9:30 am

  Outdoor living resources - outdoor living furniture, grills, fire pits and fire places. Outdoor Kitchen Accessories. Outdoor garden decor, hammocks and fountains and more.

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  Dirt Du Jour Daily Blog

• Free Tomato Tower Friday!

  cindymcnatt@gmail.com

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:48 am

  If our recent warming trend has you licking your chops over tomato season, get a gander at this give away: the Rolling Tomato Tower from EarthEasy.com.  The untreated cedar construction allows for the deep roots that tomatoes love. Heavy-duty casters let you roll it into the sun or out. It assembles, tool-free in 5 minutes. Like EarthEasy, follow EarthEasy, get their sustainable newsletter. To win the tower, share one of your tallest tomato tales. Did you grow the biggest, the most abundant, the longest lived tomato ever? Dirt du jour will pick a winner at random, eyes closed, pinkie…

• New plant hardiness zone map

  cindymcnatt@gmail.com

  26 Jan 2012 | 9:43 am

  What is the best part of the new USDA zone map besides the fact you might find yourself in a slightly better sounding growing zone than the one you currently garden in? The handy zip code zone finder....so there’s no guessing. whatever Yahoo.com—National Wildlife Federation and ScottsMiracle-Gro team up?

• Hortus abundace

  cindymcnatt@gmail.com

  25 Jan 2012 | 9:06 am

  If you fancy yourself a lively-minded gardener then you might subscribe to Hortus, the quarterly journal with contributions from Penelope Hobhouse, Stephen Lacey, Noel Kingsbury, John Brookes and more.  According to their website someone recently said that reading Hortus was like joining the most elite gardening club in the world. whatever StarTribune—The generational gardening divide

• Hosing around

  cindymcnatt@gmail.com

  24 Jan 2012 | 9:37 am

  Sent to me by alert reader Scott Daigre who you may remember from Hortus (Pasadena) days or currently know because of Tomatomania - one more way to have fun with your garden hose. whatever Bloomberg.com—Audubon’s first edition “Birds of America” fetches $7.9 million at auction.

• Free book Friday!

  cindymcnatt@gmail.com

  19 Jan 2012 | 7:12 pm

  If you’re like I was, a real softy when it comes to letting your chickens peck where they want, then the adorable Free Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom (Timber Press) is probably a perfect choice for you. The delightfully photographed book (Kate Baldwin) is 210 pages of ideas for letting your chickens roam the range with the least amount of damage. Good book for first-timer chicken keepers, too. To win it - you know the drill - leave a note in comments about your dream chicken - even if you don’t have one, but want one. A winner will be chosen at random, eyes closed, pinkie promise.

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  Native Sons - Plant of the Week

• Omphalodes cappadocica

  Jimmy Alcantar

  13 Jan 2012 | 4:16 pm

  One of our favorite woodland species, Omphalodes is a trailing perennial to 10 inches high with slowly spreading underground stems.  Loose sprays of flat, bright blue flowers are held above tufts of oval-shaped basal leaves in mid to late spring.  Sporadic flowers occur in our garden year round, although the spring flowering is much more pronounced.  Plant in partial or full shade in organic rich, but well-drained soil.  It will tolerate some drought, but is much better with moderate to regular irrigation.  Consider using Omphalodes in woodland gardens, shady borders, or as small scale…

• Cistus x bornetianus 'Jester'

  Jimmy Alcantar

  18 Nov 2011 | 1:46 pm

  Glowing pink flowers with deep orange centers conjure images of a medieval prankster but this sturdy Rockrose is no joker! Velvety grey-green leaves clothe the billowy shrub that grows 2 to 3 feet high and wide. Suited to the dry garden, border, or sunny slope.  As with all Rockrose provide full sun, well drained soil and infrequent water. Hardy 10F. Available in #1 container this week for $3.85.

• Polygala virgata

  Jimmy Alcantar

  4 Nov 2011 | 12:46 pm

  A vase-shaped, evergreen-ish shrub growing to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, Polygala virgata is a show-stopper in full bloom. Deep purple sweet-pea-like flowers coat the stems Summer through Fall. This South African native thrives in a wide range of situations including poor soils (sandstone, limestone, clay) and wet feet. Purple broom frequently drops most of its tiny blue-green, lance-shaped leaves as it blooms, creating an even more spectacular show. Fast growing, it performs best when combined with other shrubs in full sun or part shade. Flowering sprays are lovely in a vase alone or…

• Hardenbergia violacea 'Walkabout Purple'

  Jimmy Alcantar

  28 Oct 2011 | 4:11 pm

  Hardenbergia violacea 'Walkabout Purple' is a compact evergreen vining shrub that climbs by twining stems to 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Pinkish purple flowers with chartreuse spot in center cascade like small Wisteria blossoms in the winter to early spring. Plant in sun or light shade in hot inland areas. Tolerates and even prefers heavy soil so long as it drains well. Requires little water once established. Hardy to 25F. Hardenbergia violacea 'Walkabout Purple' is available in #1 containers this week.

• Anigozanthos 'Pink Dwarf'

  Jimmy Alcantar

  21 Oct 2011 | 5:51 pm

  A tidy, clump forming perennial to 18 inches tall with the typical strapped shaped leaves of the genus.  Pink flowers are borne on 2 to 4 foot stems covered in downy pink hairs from early summer to fall.  Recommended for sunny locations with good air circulation and moderate irrigation. ‘Dwarf Pink’ is an good choice for containers and can be used in meadows with a variety of low growing grasses. Hardy to about 25 degrees F. Anigozanthos 'Pink Dwarf' is available in #1 containers.

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  Water Fountains and Relaxation

• Big Statements made with these Floor Fountains

  Nick

  26 Jan 2012 | 6:19 am

  Large Floor Fountain Make a Big Splash! Indoor water fountains are often used as decoration element in many homes, but these beautiful water features can also be used outside the house. No matter if you only have a small patio, or you have large house with big garden, there are many possibilities for you to [...]

• What Kind of Patio Heater Should I Get?

  Nick

  24 Jan 2012 | 9:17 am

  Patio Heater Types and Considerations in Use The patio heaters become more and more important since many people put money and time in exterior decoration as much as they put in the interior décor. People who enjoy sitting outside their house know the importance of having good heating source in the colder days of the [...]

• The Truth about Bean Bag Furniture

  Nick

  19 Jan 2012 | 6:41 am

  What to Consider when Buying Kids Bean Bag Chair? Buying any type of furniture for kids’ room can be very hard and this also applies for buying kids bean bag chairs. There are many various options available, considering their size, shape, design, and you cannot be sure that you will choose the one that your [...]

• Cedar Patio Furniture: What is up with Cedar?

  Nick

  16 Jan 2012 | 10:37 am

  There are many options out there for deck and patio furniture. If you’re looking for some furniture, you should take some time to explore the many types of furniture available. This can seem like a difficult task, but it’ll be worthwhile when you’ve picked out just the right furniture for your home.   Cedar furniture [...]

• High-End Cedar Patio Furniture: 3 Reasons to Pay a little Extra

  Nick

  11 Jan 2012 | 6:25 am

  The Reasons Why You Should Have Expensive Cedar Furniture Garden furniture can be made of many different materials, such as metal, plastic, wicker, aluminum, different types of wood, but why is the cedar furniture that expensive? What makes it that price, and is your investment in it worthed? One of the most important reasons for [...]

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  Bay Area Tendrils

• Timeless Settings: Garden Sojourns

  Bay Area Tendrils

  26 Jan 2012 | 2:15 pm

  The memories we bring back from our travels.... ....are an essential part of the journey. Long after returning home, the beauty of a setting, and the sense of discovery remain to be savored on a winter's evening. A richly rewarding surprise on a recent trip to London: Kensington Roof Gardens - adjacent to Sir Richard Branson's Babylon Restaurant.  Spring is a fine time to see the wisteria blooming above an ornate arched portal. For information on scheduling a visit to this hidden green sanctuary in the heart of Kensington  ... visit my web site. 

• Fabulous Tour: Mallorca & Menorca

  Bay Area Tendrils

  20 Jan 2012 | 10:04 pm

  The Pacific Horticulture Foundation is offering a wonderful tour highlighting the gardens, cuisine, and art of Mallorca and Menorca, escorted by Katherine Greenberg. Photo © Courtesy Katherine Greenberg For more information... visit the 'Tours' page on the Pacific Horticulture web site, and click on  April 14-24th, 2012 - Mallorca and Menorca. There are a few spots open as I post this announcement.  What an incredible experience of the Balearic Islands this tour promises to be!

• Celebrate Truffles! Napa Truffle Festival

  Bay Area Tendrils

  3 Jan 2012 | 12:41 pm

  January 13 - 16, 2012 / Napa Truffle Festival My knowledge of truffles has its limits, despite the delight I take in savoring cuisine boasting the flavor of the extraordinarily renowned fungus. The Second Annual Napa Truffle Festival promises to add to my familiarity of all aspects of the strangely beguiling yet homely truffle, be it the black Perigord winter truffleor the summer species known as Burgundy:  In botanical nomenclature, that's Tuber melanosporum or Tuber aestivum/uncinatum. The Westin Verasa, Napa hosts the festivities that bring together expert…

• Red Urns .. Water Features: Sonoma Travel

  Bay Area Tendrils

  27 Dec 2011 | 10:59 am

  Our Christmas holiday this year... ....encompassed a getaway to Sonoma & Napa Wine Country: Courtyard water feature at the Sonoma Valley Inn. On this restful sojourn we savored meals at fabulous restaurants and discovered great wines. Fabulous weather, too, as the rainy season seems temporarily suspended, with blue skies and brilliant sunshine. Hazy, however, as wood burning fireplaces contribute polluting particles, leading to 'Spare the Air' days. 

• Angels are Gathering in the Garden...

  Bay Area Tendrils

  23 Dec 2011 | 11:01 am

  I woke to find angels perched on the living room mantle...  and cavorting in my garden! A reminder to wish all my virtual friends a Happy Holiday Season. Warmest wishes for a brilliant 2012!

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  Daffodil Planter

• Queen Elizabeth gives New Year Honours to gardeners

  1 Jan 2012 | 10:05 pm

  Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are shown a new vegetable patch by a Buckingham Palace gardener. (Photo courtesy The Telegraph)Queen Elizabeth II has pronounced gardening an honourable profession. In the annual New Year Honours List she acts on behalf of the government and gives titles and medals to hundreds of politicians and their pals. Some worthy citizens who have served their country are commended too.The Queen also has a few awards that are her own personal gift, and this year she recognized four gardeners.No doubt as we weed and hoe we wish that someday, someone would notice our…

• Daffodil growing tips from around North America

  15 Oct 2011 | 2:20 pm

  Photo courtesy #FleurChatThe #FleurChat daffodil chatterers are everywhere from British Columbia to the Deep South. We had fun talking daffodils when I was honored to be the #FleurChat guestRead about their favorite daffodil varieties, growing tips, and how many bulbs they're planting right now (lots!) in the transcript from our convivial #FleurChat about daffodils#FleurChat is a Twitter event on alternate Thursdays at 6 p.m. Pacific time.A recent guest on #FleurChat was Kathy Jentz, editor/publisher of Washington Gardener magazine, and member of the board of the Garden Writers Association,…

• Still: Life

  3 Jul 2011 | 9:10 pm

  Guest post: a poem from award-winning poet, essayist, and radio presenter, Molly Fisk. Molly gardens in Nevada City, California. Find your own voice when you sign up for her writing classes (either in Molly's Nevada City living room or online). Need to get your mojo going? She's a life coach too.Grass waist-high and tough to pull by hand, you've tried it.Some broad-leafed plant the mower balks atso it owns the leach field. A rainy spring and cold--every green thing grown thick-stalked, deep-rooted, hollyhocksspying over seven-foot deck railing, vast explosionsof nasturtiums. Want to bet the…

• Announcing the Daffodil Blogorama winners!

  16 May 2011 | 12:15 am

  Photo: ori2uruDaffodil season may be over, but five lucky readers will have daffodil note cubes to cheer them through the rest of the year. Perfect for jotting down bulb orders!The blind, random selection yielded the names of Claire, plaisanter, Angela, Jan and Kathy.I will send the names to First Daffodils 2011, our generous prize donor, and she will ship the prizes. If you didn't win, you can still order your own note cubes at her site.Why so long for this announcement? I was hither and yon, at flower shows, and then entranced by my own daffodil season. The last bloom was poeticus Narcissus…

• Daffodil Blogorama 2011

  20 Mar 2011 | 2:10 am

  Narcissus Nirvana returns, with the second annual Daffodil Blogorama (a round-up of blog posts about daffodils) and a daffodil notecube giveaway from First Daffodils 2011.First, the giveawayThe daffodil notecube giveaway is courtesy of First Daffodils 2011 -- a photo blog that chronicles daffodils coming up all over the world each spring.The blogger makes daffodil note cubes with William Wordsworth's poem on the sides, and she is kindly donating five note cubes as prizes, one each for five lucky readers.Enter by going to the First Daffodils 2011 site and looking at the photos. Then return…

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  Thai Garden Design - The Thai Landscaping Experts

• Need lots of Earth / Soil in Thailand? No problem....

  Pornchai Gardens

  18 Jan 2012 | 9:36 am

  If you have a landscaping project, are building a house, or just need lots of dirt / earth / soil to backfill large areas, then email ben@thaigardendesign.com. We can get you the best prices for local soil and earth, whether it's for sculpting hills, general landscaping, or topsoil for planting and grassing. If you need large amounts of soil for your project in Thailand, then make sure you're getting the best prices. Contact Thai Garden Design.

• Tropical Waterfall Garden for Pattaya Resident

  Pornchai Gardens

  9 Jan 2012 | 3:20 am

  The Thai Garden team recently installed a new waterfall and tropical landscaped garden for a Pattaya resident who wanted to do something 'unique' with his garden space. The garden space was similar in style to other residences in that it basically consisted of a grass lawn and border planting. The customer said he wanted some water running down a waterfall into a natural rock pond, a new brick wall to cover the blank white space of the existing wall, lighting in and outside the pond, plus a sitting terrace as well as improvements to their raised terrace (picture above - right). The…

• Improved Garden Sala and Deck in Pattaya

  Pornchai Gardens

  4 Jan 2012 | 10:41 pm

  Thai Garden Design visited with a Pattaya resident who was planning a Christmas party and wanted to improve the look of his garden sala and wood deck located around his pool. The existing setup was a little tired, and there were a few gaps appearing amongst the deck boards,and the sala also need some work. The team replaced all the deck boards with mai daeng, and painted it a more natural wood colour. Some of the runners underneath also needed replacing. The sala was patched up properly, and repainted. Can you notice the difference? If you are looking to improve you garden landscape in…

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  A Gardener in Progress

• Now you see it, now you don't.

  Catherine@AGardenerinProgress

  21 Jan 2012 | 6:35 pm

  After a week of snow, snow, more snow, an ice storm, heavy rain and wind we are finally enjoying a nice break in the weather.  After a nerve wracking night listening to the wind blow through the trees we woke to sun and some blue skies.  It's almost hard to remember all the different weather we experienced in one week.  I was anxious to get out and see how the garden did now that I could see most of it again. This was the pond just a day and a half ago.  I love how the snow looks at night. This was the pond this afternoon.  What a difference!  There is still some…

• Okay, I get it. It's winter.

  Catherine@AGardenerinProgress

  19 Jan 2012 | 2:30 pm

  Okay, okay Mother Nature we believe it's winter now!  The snow has been piling up for days.  We've had snow falling since Saturday, with our biggest "dump" yesterday.  All week the forecasters have been changing and putting off the snow and rain.  As of right now it's still snowing heavily.  The worst part though, is that last night and this morning there was freezing rain and now many trees' branches are breaking under the weight, it's actually dangerous to go out where there are large trees.  Sadly one person has already lost their life from a falling…

• Gardening Snowmen!

  Catherine@AGardenerinProgress

  17 Jan 2012 | 4:27 pm

  We've gone from no winter, to full on snowy winter over the last few days.  Today a few inches have fallen, but it sounds like the big storm will be tomorrow.  Around here the weather forecasts change all the time so who knows what will actually happen.  Sweet Pea and her friends went off and so the Littlest Gardener and I went and played out in the snow.  Got to take advantage of it while it's here. We made a couple of Snowgardeners.  This guy found that the Kale and Chard were looking pretty good after digging them out from under the snow. This one had a butterfly…

• A snowy January Bloom Day

  Catherine@AGardenerinProgress

  15 Jan 2012 | 12:41 pm

  Well, it finally seems like winter has arrived. I think just about everyone was hoping for a little snow since we haven't seen a flake since last winter. They started predicting it almost a week ago and sure enough we did get some. I haven't joined in on bloom day for awhile and thought it would be fun to see what was blooming while it was snowing. This is what it looked like a little while ago from our front porch.  I had bare feet and was still in pj's so I didn't venture out much further. The rest of these pictures were taken yesterday afternoon after our first snow: One reason I love…

• Too early and right on time.

  Catherine@AGardenerinProgress

  8 Jan 2012 | 7:36 pm

   We are having some amazingly mild weather lately, and from what I've been reading, so has a lot of the country.  I'd say many of us are due some mild weather after a year of real extremes.  I've been seeing posts and hearing people talking about some of the plants that are already showing buds or making their way up through the soil.  As much as I love seeing those signs of spring I'm a little nervous that we could and probably will get some really cold weather.  Some plants will be fine either way, but there are some that might not be.  The main one I'm…

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  BLOG.CHICAGOLANDGARDENING.COM

• Flower Show Photo Contest

  Chicagoland Gardening Blog

  10 Jan 2012 | 3:53 pm

  Since new management took over the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, the organizers have made audience participation a priority. There’s the Horticulture Competition, for example, in which gardeners can bring in their prize plants for judging by a group of local professionals. All entries are displayed at the show, along with their ribbons. See www.chicagoflower.com for details. Then there are the Potting Parties in which you pay a participation fee to the charity of your choice and then get to pot up a plant to take home.Another worthy effort is the photography contest. The entry deadline…

• The Shape of Things to Come

  Chicagoland Gardening Blog

  4 Jan 2012 | 10:26 am

  “The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn, and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn.” -- from the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796)  How fitting that quote is to welcome in 2012. The mild December weather has given way to some unusual sightings in local gardens. The common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) put forth its buds in Jan Lord’s south suburban garden on New Year’s Day. Snowdrops are known to bloom from January through March, depending on the weather, but this could be a first. The common snowdrop grows naturally in a wide area across Europe and is found from…

• What’s Hot & What’s Not

  Chicagoland Gardening Blog

  2 Jan 2012 | 11:39 am

  Now that the 2011 garden scene has flown by and the last shriveled leaf has disappeared under the snow, gung-ho gardeners are scrambling through the debris of old Christmas mail, looking for new catalogs or squinting through miles of web sites searching for the next great plant. With eternal optimism, gardeners think about the new year and new choices.Maybe this is the year we can believe the headline that reads “this is the year of the herb garden.” If the results of a survey of more than twenty local garden centers are any indication ,hydrangeas and Knockout® roses win the popularity…

• Self-sowing Annuals

  Chicagoland Gardening Blog

  26 Dec 2011 | 8:56 pm

  Here it is, a couple days after Christmas, and I can see that I’m going to have a bumper crop of forget-me-nots among the tulips this spring. The forget-me-nots are annuals that have been self-seeding in my garden for years, and when there are enough of them, they form an attractive foot-tall light blue haze over the front garden bed. Eventually the plants start getting leggy, the foliage loses its luster and I uproot them, always trying to leave a few to drop their seeds for the next year’s display. Sometime during the fall they germinate, and by December they’re about a half inch tall…

• The Last Hurrahs

  Chicagoland Gardening Blog

  16 Nov 2011 | 9:17 pm

  Chicago-area gardens typically experience that first fall frost in mid-October, but this year we’ve been lucky. It’s been pretty darn mild up until now.That’s been a boon for some annuals, like the blue-flowered Salvia guarantica, cosmos and sweet alyssum, which have bloomed for several months.Gardening season has pretty much come to the final chapter for 2011, but this is a good time to evaluate your landscape. Do your plants offer more than one season of color? That’s something to think about as you plan for next spring’s purchases.--Nina Koziol

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  Veggie Gardener: Organic Vegetable Gardening Tips

• 5 Awesome New Vegetable Varieties for 2012

  Tee

  26 Jan 2012 | 4:15 am

  Although we are in the middle of winter, it is the perfect time to start thinking about what to grow in our 2012 vegetable gardens. One of the things that makes planning a vegetable garden so difficult is all the different varieties of vegetables there are to choose from. Seed companies certainly don’t make the [...]

• Winchester Gardens’ Herb Fertilizer Review

  Tee

  8 Sep 2011 | 7:49 am

  If you enjoy using fresh herbs in your meals then it’s hard to beat growing your own. Most herbs are very easy to grow, do not take much space, and do not require too much maintenance. And who doesn’t like the taste and aroma of fresh herbs in the kitchen? As I mentioned, herbs don’t [...]

• How to Make Green Tomatoes Ripen Faster

  Tee

  28 Aug 2011 | 7:00 am

  Waiting for your green tomatoes to begin ripening can seem like an eternity sometimes. It’s like they are just sitting on the vine refusing to turn in color so you can begin harvesting them. Although it seems like the tomatoes will never ripen – don’t worry, they will eventually. Why Does It Seem Like My [...]

• 10 Great Vegetables to Grow In Fall

  Tee

  27 Aug 2011 | 8:04 am

  You may think that gardening for the season is finished once the summer crops begin to wane, but that’s hardly the case. In fact, your vegetable garden is truly just getting started good. There are many vegetables that grow well during the fall and even into the winter months in some cases. If you are [...]

• Preparing the Vegetable Garden for Fall Planting

  Tee

  22 Aug 2011 | 8:45 am

  As summer starts to slowly drift into fall, it’s a great time to begin preparing the vegetable garden for fall planting. Getting ready for your fall crops is not much different preparing it in the spring, but there are a couple of differences. Here is how I prepare my vegetable garden for fall planting. Clean [...]

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  Life on the Balcony

• Five Things Friday: Citrus

  Fern

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  I’m starting a new series called “Five Things Friday.” Each Friday, I’ll share links to five articles all curated around a theme. This week, all of the links will be related citrus trees. Growing them. Eating their fruit. The pests that bother them. Etc. While I have your attention, I want to invite you to send in your own themed lists. Here’s the rules: (1) the list must revolve around some sort of container gardening theme, (2) each link must be to a different website, and (3) the list must contain one link to an article on LOTB. Sound like fun? Shoot me an…

• Thompson’s Building Materials Pallet Garden

  Fern

  13 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  When a co-worker mentioned that my friend Brenda at Thompson’s Building Materials in Fontana, CA had made some pallet gardens, I rushed (literally!) over to take a look. Don’t let Thompson’s name fool you into thinking they don’t have fantastic plants and pottery (and really awesome built in BBQs if you have the space for one). Because they do! I bought a kumquat while I was there. If you’re in Southern California, you should go check them out. The pallet gardens are hanging near the design center. By the way, Brenda attached the pallet gardens to the wall using…

• Wordless Wednesday: A Sneak Peek of My Book!!!

  Fern

  11 Jan 2012 | 5:12 pm

  [Available for pre-order on Amazon]  

• Grow Some Tangy Citrus in Your Container Garden

  Fern

  5 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  This post has been rumbling around in my head for quite some time. Citrus trees are among container gardeners’ favorite victims fruit trees, so I don’t know why it has taken me so long to put my thoughts down in a blog post. I have had several citrus trees, including blood oranges and tangerines. Though one of the professors that taught my master gardener class would disagree, they make great container plants. Here’s how to grow a little bit ‘o sunshine on your balcony or patio… Suitably Small Varieties for Container Gardening Like all trees you plan to grow in a…

• How to Winterize Your Urban Garden, Part Three (Wrapping Your Plants)

  Guest Post

  20 Dec 2011 | 4:00 pm

  Today I’m thrilled to introduce a series of posts written by Patricia Youngquist AKA The Last Leaf Gardener.  This is her second post in the series on winterizing. Be sure to check out her introduction to winterizing, and Patricia’s thoughts on building cold frames. This is Patricia’s third and final post in the series. Here she talks about how to wrap plants bubble wrap and burlap (sounds nice and cozy, doesn’t it?!). After two years of “cold-frame living” my plants were established enough to survive without a winter home; however, I did mulch them very well,…

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  Miss Rumphius' Rules

• Luxury Pizza Oven: Wood Stone Ovens

  Susan aka Miss. R

  26 Jan 2012 | 6:28 am

  Last night I was invited to a dinner cooked entirely in a Wood Stone Oven.  A relatively new addition to the myriad of luxury products available for outdoor kitchens,  Wood Stone has adapted its commercial product–California Pizza Kitchen uses their ovens–for outdoor home use. On the patio... The food was delicious and the product was impressive.  These ovens can be wood fired, gas fired or a combination of both.  They heat consistently because they are a single ceramic unit–a problem I have had when trying to cook in a kit built oven.  I like to cook as well as…

• Garden Designers Roundtable: Reality Check! Designers Save Money

  Susan aka Miss. R

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:45 am

    This post is a bit of a rant because I find that so many people don’t really get it. Landscape renovations and installations are as big a construction project as any bathroom, kitchen or home addition. Few would attempt those without a having a detailed plan or hiring qualified contractors, yet many people with a shovel and a free weekend believe that they can build their landscapes themselves. Worse yet are those who profess to be professionals and do not have the training or skills to mitigate even the most basic of landscape related problems. (The tortured River Birch below…

• Marimekko, outdoor fabric please?

  Susan aka Miss. R

  23 Jan 2012 | 5:10 am

  If there were ever fabric prints suited for outdoor use they would be Marimekko. When their new store opened on Fifth Avenue in NYC in October I was thrilled. The Flatiron neighborhood shop I finally visited in early December and my first taste of what I hoped would come was outide in the adjacent square– the umbrellas in the classic Unikko pattern over cafe tables and chairs. Out came my camera phone to snap the Fatboy brand tag to explore later.  I was in a hurry to get inside! Fatboy Marimekko Market umbrella On first glance, this was a treasure trove of possibilities.  Bold,…

• Art and Garden: Sarah Illenberger

  Susan aka Miss. R

  20 Jan 2012 | 8:16 am

  I ran across these flower and plant images created by Sarah Illenberger last night. I was still thinking about them this morning.  When that happens, I don’t wait, I share. Heart Spine Breathe I think they are haunting and beautiful.

• Garden Ideas from Ikea

  Susan aka Miss. R

  19 Jan 2012 | 7:35 am

  Yesterday I took a friend heading to warmer climes to the airport.  After I dropped her off I decided have a cheap lunch at the nearly adjacent Ikea.  I wasn’t looking for garden inspiration, but that’s what I found. Only one of these items was meant for use in a garden or on a patio, but that’s where I would use all of  them. Right at the top of the escalator I spotted these powder coated stackable chairs.  They were in an interior display, but could easily go outside. Red Stackable Chair They also come in a few other colors–I really like the blue.   Under $50,…

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  Journal

• Impressionist Painter Claude Monet was a Garden Designer

  Allan

  25 Jan 2012 | 7:49 pm

  Monet’s Passion: Ideas Inspiration and Insight from the Painter’s Gardens, by Elizabeth Murray, Pomegranate Artbooks We are so caught up in the historical and aesthetic significance of the English garden, and its recent American transformation, that we easily forget about the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet and his significant contribution to flower garden design. Elizabeth Murray created this jewel of a publication as homage to Monet’s horticultural genius. It is a beautiful, elegant example of the art of publishing at its best.   Claude Monet, Garden at…

• Winner of Two Tickets to the Pacific Orchid Exposition

  Allan

  25 Jan 2012 | 1:14 pm

  Gina Braden of Berkeley, California is the winner of two tickets to the Pacific Orchid Exposition to be held in San Francisco from February 23 to 26, 2012. Thanks to all who participated in this give-away.

• The Eveready Bunny is a Pink Garden in Devon.

  Allan

  22 Jan 2012 | 10:44 pm

  Here is an example of a pink garden that keeps on giving and giving. This photo essay from Holbrook Garden in Devon, U.K underscores that, in temperate and colder climates, pink is one of the most enduring colors in the garden. The pink gardens of Holbrook in June The pink garden in July August flowers in the pink garden September blooms in the pink garden The last hurrah of pink in October

• Win Two Tickets to the Pacific Orchid Exhibition, February 2012.

  Allan

  19 Jan 2012 | 4:22 pm

  Phalaenopsis hybrid. Photo by Eric Hunt for San Francisco Orchid Society. Orchid lovers, who are planning to be in San Francisco, California at the end of February, are invited to attend the Pacific Orchid Exposition sponsored by the San Francisco Orchid Society. This event will take place February 23 to 26, 2012, at Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion. The Pacific Orchid Exhibition is the largest orchid show in the United States, exhibiting more than 150,000 orchid flowers from all over the world. The event offers educational exhibits from local, national and international orchid growers.

• Through the Eyes of a Gardener

  Allan

  17 Jan 2012 | 8:43 pm

  Supermarket Hibiscus by Roy Latham, QuickShotArtist.comNature bestowed upon my family the trait of acute perception. We see things others miss. This ability is a useful tool when communicating with difficult people, but a handicap when it overwhelms us with more information than we can process. We have no control over the spontaneity and speed with which our eyes gather data. It just happens. Those who share this trait sometimes observe what they cannot understand, and that makes them anxious. Stress may be generated when an object that is out of place is first noticed. In the garden, I am…

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  Blisstree » LIVE

• Afternoon Links: Prep A Quick And Healthy Dinner

  Emily Moorhouse

  27 Jan 2012 | 2:29 pm

  • Master the art of resilience. (HuffPost Fitness) • Ways to prep a quick, healthy dinner. (fitsugar) • A quick fix for feeling down in the dumps. (The Stir) • Can you make your husband change? (YourTango) • How to handle your debt. (HuffPost Women • How to handle difficult people. (YouBeauty) • Vegetable cocktails you should try. (Organic Authority) • Health and fitness books you should buy. (Well + Good) Post from: Blisstree

• 6 Reasons Why Your Period Might Be Irregular

  Hanna Brooks Olsen

  27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm

  Contrary to what you may be inclined to believe by the period-shaming media, your monthly flow is not embarrassing, not blue, not consistant, and often, not monthly at all. In fact, for most women, at some point in their lives, unusual menstruation is the norm–and that perfect, 28-day cycle is an illusive creature, like a hormonal unicorn leaping over rainbows of body-positive tampon ads off on the horizon. But even with that knowledge, when your period does something unpredicted, it can still be worrisome. I asked Heather Corinna, Founder and Executive Director  of…

• Why Snooki Should Promote Exercise And Diet Instead of Zantrex3

  Briana Rognlin

  27 Jan 2012 | 12:15 pm

  I’ve already written about how amazing it is that Snooki‘s new Zantrex commercial features the same music as Jessie Spano‘s caffeine pill breakdown. Now it’s time for me to have a serious talk about her new body and why I’m so bummed that she’s peddling diet drugs instead of focusing on all the other hard work she’s been doing to get healthy. Snooki has been showing off her newly toned (albeit badly photoshopped) body on Twitter since December, and she even appeared on Ellen reporting on her new—dare I say it?—healthy habits, like working out…

• Anti-Obesity Program Horrors: They May Cause Eating Disorders

  Deborah Dunham

  27 Jan 2012 | 10:40 am

  A new poll says 30% of parents have seen at least one worrisome behavior in their children that could be associated with an eating disorder—and they’re blaming it on school-based anti-obesity programs. Of course, lowering childhood obesity rates is a good thing, but it seems a lot of school programs are taking a dangerous approach: Instead of teaching kids how to life a happy, healthy lifestyle through positive role models, they teach them how not to be obese. The difference—inspiration vs. fear—makes all the difference between controlling obesity and, it appears, eating…

• Obese Docs Less Likely To Diagnose Obese Patients

  Elizabeth Nolan Brown

  27 Jan 2012 | 9:50 am

  Whether a doctor’s weight interferes with his or her ability to diagnose patients is a question I would normally consider stupid and insulting. But new research shows this actually might be the case—at least when that diagnosis is obesity. According to a study published this month in the journal Obesity, doctors who were overweight or obese were far less likely to diagnose obesity than docs in the normal weight range. The study, conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, surveyed 500 doctors across the United States. Researchers found doctors with a ‘normal’…

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  garden therapy

• Serenity Now! DIY Lavender Eye Pillows

  Stevie

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:24 pm

  Now making your own lavender eye pillow is not a unique concept but add linen, popcorn, an ink jet printer, and a just a dash of Seinfeld, and you got yourself a fun & funky Weekend Project, baby! The concept behind this DIY came from 4 different ideas melded into one relaxing project: 1.  The container of lavender that I harvested this year has inspired many a project. 2.  I had some left over popcorn from making door socks a few weeks ago.  Popcorn has the perfect weight and feel for eye pillows, it doesn’t go rancid like flax and some other fillers, and it’s cheap.   Also,…

• Cherry Blossom Umbrella Flash Mob

  Stevie

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:13 pm

  Ever wanted to be a part of a flash mob?  The energy of being involved in the 2010 Olympic Flash Mob was unlike anything I can describe.  There is really something special about dancing with a large group and here is your chance to give it a try.   To celebrate the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival the VCBF is putting on a Cherry Blossom Umbrella Flash Mob Dance complete with pink umbrellas!  Part Bollywood and part Singing’ in the Rain, this upbeat flash mob is sure to be a blast for those who participate!   Sign up at: www.vcbf.ca .  

• Block Printed Tea Towels

  Stevie

  21 Jan 2012 | 9:55 pm

  Cotton flour sack tea towels are my absolute favorite in the kitchen but they need a bit of pizzazz too.  With the help of some fabric paint and a lino block or stamp, this simple project adds some sunshine to kitchen chores.  For this weekend’s project, grab some materials and make some of your own.  WARNING: printing is addictive.  Soon you will be doing napkins, placemats, table cloths, curtains, clothing…. Materials: Flour sack tea towels (ironed) Fabric Paint Paint roller / brushes Linoleum block or rubber stamp Old towel and large plastic bag (freezer bags are good, plastic…

• Draft Stoppers: How to Make DIY Door Socks

  Stevie

  15 Jan 2012 | 8:16 pm

  These DIY draft socks are super simple to make, inexpensive, and work well to stop the chilly drafts from under doors or from window sills. Oh, and they are freakin’ adorable too!  Here’s how to make your own. Materials: Socks – pick nice long ones.  Men’s woolly work socks are shown here, but knee socks would also be a great choice Dried popcorn Stuffing from old pillows, an old sweater, etc Fabric scrap Sewing machine or needle and thread Directions: 1.  Measure the length of the doorway or window you would like to use the draft sock on.  Cut a length of fabric that is 1 inch…

• Whole Wheat Blueberry Lemon Scone Recipe

  Stevie

  14 Jan 2012 | 1:57 pm

  Continuing with this month’s Citrus Celebration theme, this morning we made the flakiest whole wheat blueberry lemon scones for breakfast.  With a perfectly balanced aroma of lemon, sweet blueberries, and buttery goodness, these are hands-down my favourite scones.  The scone is shown here with Meyer Lemon Marmalade that was made earlier this week (stay tuned for the recipe).  In the meantime, try them with this Blood Orange and Raspberry Jam.    Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour 2 cups whole wheat flour 1/4 cup sugar 2 tsp baking powder 1/2  tsp baking soda 1 cup (2…

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  Indoor Herb Garden Kits and Herbal Remedies

• Radish – as a Herbal Remedy

  peter

  15 Jan 2012 | 1:02 am

  radish CRUCIFERAE/BRASSlCACEAERaphanussativus Garden Radish Appearance The leaves and stalk of the garden radish are stiffly fuzzy. The white or pinkish blossoms contain darkish veins and are structured in a longish terminal raceme. An annual or biennial herb with a round to spindle-shaped tuberous taproot of various colorations,  branched stalk and pinnately lobed, toothed foliage. The fruit is a siliqua, which is extended into a narrow seedless beak; the seeds are brown colored. History The normal Garden Radish was grown as a herbal remedy and vegetable by the classical Egyptians as well…

• Herbal Remedies – Lungwort Not Just For Lungs

  peter

  12 Jan 2012 | 11:40 pm

  Lungwort Lungwort BORAGINACEAE Pulmonaria officinalis True to the doctrine of signatures, lungwort both resembles and heals lungs. But it does a lot more than that: Appearance A perennial herb with bell-shaped blossoms arranged in terminal monochasial cymes. They are pink at first,  blue after fertilization. All portions of the plant have stiff hairs. Lungwort typically sports a creeping rhizome together with a clump of angled, unbranched, upright or ascending stems. The alternating leaves are oval or else cordate, generally white-spotted; the low ones are stalked, the higher ones sessile…

• Yarrow – First Among Natural Herbal Remedies?.. Part 2

  peter

  7 Jan 2012 | 3:35 am

  Yarrow Border External use Externally a decoction is used as a herbal remedy to deal with slow-healing cuts, skin rashes and eczema, chapped skin and in the form of a gargle and bath additive. Yarrow should be consumed in moderation and not for long periods because doing so might cause skin itching. It may be utilized as a sitz bath for sore, cramp-like ailments in the lower female pelvis (pelvic autonomic dysfunction). It is also employed for injuries, nosebleeds, ulcers, swollen eyes and hemorrhoidal inflamation. In folklore it is held as an outstanding cure for injuries and cuts. Yarrow…

• Yarrow – First Among Natural Herbal Remedies?.. Part 1

  peter

  6 Jan 2012 | 7:22 am

  Yarrow Varieties As promised, part 2 of the yarrow article. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for all the good feedback on part 1. Yarrow Achillea millefolium Other names Millefolium, milfoil, thousand-leaf, gordoloba, thousand- leaf clover, green arrow, soldiers’ woundwort, nosebleed, dog daisy, bloodwort, sanguinary, carpenter grass, old-mans pepper, cammock and achillia. Appearance A perennial natural herbal remedy with a creeping rhizome and vertical, furrowed and downy stems. The dark-green basal and stem foliage are lanceolate and nicely dispersed (2-3 times pinnate). The compact…

• One Of The Oldest Herbal Remedies

  peter

  20 Dec 2011 | 6:41 am

  Rhubarb Plant POLYGON ACEAE Rheum palmatum (as well as types) Curative Rhubarb, Chinese Rhubarb Appearance A perennial herb with a heavy rhizome together with a basal rosette of coarsely toothed palmately split foliage. The rather tall, robust, hollow, lightly furrowed stalk is branched towards the top part and possesses terminal panicles of reddish to greenish-white blossoms. The whole plant is reddish. The fruit is a triangular achene. Look Out For The Poison In Rhubarb! Although arguably one of the most ancient of herbal remedies, oxalates are present in all parts of rhubarb plants, most…

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  Urban Organic Gardener

• Questions to Ask Yourself When Deciding What to Grow

  Mike Lieberman

  27 Jan 2012 | 3:22 am

  Deciding what to grow is an important decision. It’s also the question that I get asked most often when people are starting their urban gardens. To that question, I often respond with a series of questions that you need to ask yourself. Here they are: What’s the location that I am growing in? How much sunlight does my space get? What am I growing in? Once you answer those three questions, your choices will automatically be narrowed down. If you only get three hours of sunlight, your chances of growing cucumbers are small. Then you can move on to the next set of questions to ask…

• How to Determine the Amount of Sunlight Your Garden Gets

  Mike Lieberman

  25 Jan 2012 | 3:02 am

  What can I grow? That’s the most common question that I get asked. First, you’ll have to decide on the location of your urban garden. Then you’ll have to determine how much sunlight your garden space gets. There are four main categories of sunlight: Full sun. 6+ hours of direct sunlight. Partial sun. 4-5 hours of direct sunlight. Partial shade. 2-4 hours of direct sunlight. Shade Less than 1 hour of direct sunlight. Since we are living in urban environments, we have other structures that we are dealing with as well. Those can be adjacent buildings, over hangs and walls. I…

• 7 Location Ideas for Apartment and Urban Gardens

  Mike Lieberman

  23 Jan 2012 | 3:59 am

  When you live in an apartment your space is limited. That’s especially true when it comes to your garden. We barely have room for furniture. Forget about tomatoes. This is why it’s important to consider all options when deciding where to start your apartment vegetable garden. Since a lot of apartment dwellers are renters as well, we need to take into consideration the costs involved and what our landlord will allow. It ain’t no thang though because here are seven (7) spaces where you can start your apartment garden: Fire escape. This is where it all started for me in 2009.

• I’m Moving and Losing My Balcony Garden

  Mike Lieberman

  20 Jan 2012 | 3:40 am

  I’m going to be moving in the next couple of weeks. Why does it matter and what’s it have to do with urban gardening? Even though I’m moving into the apartment next door to mine, I am losing the balcony and the balcony garden. Why should you care? It matters because I will be growing in an all new location and using new methods including growing indoors using natural and grow lights and growing hydroponically. So be sure to hit me up with your indoor and hydroponic questions. Losing my balcony, but gaining more garden space I am still going to be container gardening just in…

• Storing Your Seeds For the Long-Term…in the Freezer

  Mike Lieberman

  18 Jan 2012 | 3:10 am

  The strangest posts wind up causing some controversy. It doesn’t make sense to me. When I wrote about why having an emergency seed bank is important, I didn’t quite get the reaction that I’d expect. I received emails, Facebook comments and Tweets saying that I couldn’t be more wrong about storing the seeds and that freezing them was a horrible idea. I’ll admit that I have never frozen seeds before and then used them. It is a recommendation that I’ve seen countless time before. So I did a bit of research and here’s some excerpts from sites: Last year…

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  Ecosystem Gardening

• Angry Supporters Withdraw Donations to National Wildlife Federation to Protest Partnership with Scotts Miracle Gro

  Carole Sevilla Brown

  27 Jan 2012 | 10:36 am

  NWF partnership with Scotts sparks protest by angry supporters In the firestorm of the “green backlash” following my announcement earlier this week that the National Wildlife Federation had teamed up with Scotts Miracle Gro, angry supporters are withdrawing their support of this organization. Former supporters have taken to posting their disbelief, sadness, anger and more on the National Wildlife Federation Facebook page. There’s a petition to stop NWF from partnering with Scotts. There are calls for the resignation of NWF CEO Larry Schweiger. Many of these folks have been…

• Occupy Scotts

  Carole Sevilla Brown

  26 Jan 2012 | 12:30 pm

  Boycott Scotts!!! Occupy Scotts!!! Since I first wrote about the fact that the National Wildlife Federation had made an apparent deal with the devil and partnered with Scotts Miracle Gro, the internet has been abuzz with outrage that NWF had sold out. I can totally understand why people are so upset. I was deeply saddened by this news myself. But the outrage has continued to grow as garden writers, environmentalists, and other advocates have taken up the call against the National Wildlife Federation. The NWF facebook page (you must click “Everyone” on the right hand side under the…

• National Wildlife Federation and Scotts Miracle Gro: Perfect Together?

  Carole Sevilla Brown

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:45 am

  What's NWF doing with Scotts Miracle Gro? [Update: Listen to my interview with David Mizejewski of National Wildlife Federation here] Imagine my dismay when I saw a press release yesterday from Scotts Miracle Gro proudly announcing their partnership with the National Wildlife Federation. Really? WHY???? You wouldn’t think that the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and Scotts Miracle Gro have anything in common would you? I mean, NWF is a very well respected wildlife advocacy and conservation organization, and Scotts has a VERY bad reputation for creating lots of nasty chemicals…

• Reader Appreciation: Genevieve Schmidt

  Carole Sevilla Brown

  23 Jan 2012 | 10:01 am

  © Genevieve Schmidt Last week I noticed that I have quite a few posts inspired by one particular reader, Genevieve Schmidt of North Coast Gardening, and I wanted to take a moment to thank her for her support, her thoughtful comments, and the wonderful articles she writes at her blog. I guess Gen is my muse and I’m proud to know her, and count her among my friends. For many mainstream gardeners, the question of what to do with autumn leaves means only one thing: bag them up and throw them away. For me, creating welcoming habitat for wildlife is my sole purpose in having a garden, and…

• The Ecosystem Gardener is a Bad Ass

  Carole Sevilla Brown

  20 Jan 2012 | 7:07 am

  Over the years I’ve been invited to speak at many conferences about Ecosystem Gardening and how we can all learn to make healthier choices in our gardens and create welcoming habitat for wildlife in our landscapes. And I love sharing what I know and meeting other passionate wildlife gardeners. For example, my good friend Pat Sutton and I will be speaking on March 24 at the Pinelands Short Course, presenting a full day of programming about creating wildlife habitat gardens. I’m so excited that we’ll be sharing the stage this day. I spoke at this conference last year as well,…

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  The Garden Plot

• GMG's Friday Find!

  Garden Media Group

  27 Jan 2012 | 9:27 am

  Its Friday again and time for our Friday Find. This week's is slightly different with a Rock N Roll theme! I've already blogged today about ANLA's Garden Idol competition tonight so I tried to keep in the same theme....Be a Rock Star in your garden! Petal Power Record Plantable Paper (Say that fast three times...) I found this colorful creation on aHa Modern Living website. Lots of cool items there. Check them out!   Here is their description...Inside the Petal Power 45 record sleeve are two amazing sheets of plantable paper filled with wildflower seeds ready to sow. Add a…

• Tonight is Garden Idol!!!!

  Garden Media Group

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:54 am

  Tonight is Season Three of ANLA's Garden Idol! Our client, Hines Growers, is one of the Garden Idol 'contestants' and will be singing and dancing their hearts out about their new Bloomtastic! plants...Buddleia Lavender Veil and Bahama Bay Hibiscus 'Amazon Queen.' Garden Idol, hosted by Lloyd Traven, is all about growers entering new plants to win "best in show" with clever performances in some over-the-top costumes. They'll be strutting their stuff in front of a panel of celebrity judges and the audience. Last year was cool; this year promises to be a Rockin' Eve! And…

• Headed to ANLA Clinc to Feed Our Minds

  Suzi McCoy

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:04 am

  One of my favorite industry events of the year is the ANLA Management Clinic sponsored by the American Nursery and Landscape managers at the top of their game. About 1,000 owners of progressive garden centers and the top companies they deal with gather in Louisville, KY for an intense week of learning, networking and seeing what’s new. The Clinic is invigorating, it’s innovative, and it gets my juices flowing. It is one of the few conferences I attend where I actually have a hard time picking between speakers. This year’s theme is “Feed Your Mind, Grow Your Business.” As the ANLA…

• A Taste of Kentucky: ANLA Style

  Garden Media Group

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  We are headed out TOMORROW for one of our favorite trade shows, the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) Management Clinic.  The Clinic brings together the top minds in our industry for lectures, educational sessions and bootcamps.  Our own Suzi McCoy is one of the esteemed speakers. Catch her talk on 'Garden Trends' on January 26th and 'Making the Most of Out a Trade Show' on January 27th.   And, speaking of education, we are hosting what promises to be yet another great GMG event, A Taste of Kentucky.  Come taste different bourbons, eat delicious, crunchy…

• This ain't American Idol- it's Garden Idol

  Garden Media Group

  23 Jan 2012 | 8:51 am

  We're heading out to Louisville, KY next week (1/25-1/28) to attend ANLA Clinic (American Nursery and Landscape Association) that promises to be informative and FUN! ANLA knows how to put on a show with top speakers and presenters (like our own Suzi McCoy) on subjects that range from practical solutions to real-world problems, to current and upcoming Garden and Horticulture Trends to watch. We always enjoy meeting the happy mix of retailers, growers, scientists, media and a few errant minstrels thrown in. And the dinners and hospitality suites are always a great time to let…

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  Thanks for today.

• Backyard Birds--We've Got 'Em Here!

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  22 Jan 2012 | 11:12 pm

  Every year we look forward to an influx of colorful birds in our yard. The numbers generally pick up in January, and usually coincide with colder temperatures. While birds are here at any given time throughout the year, there is more obvious activity at the feeders during the winter months: Finches and a Bluebird at one of the feeding stations What do we do to attract the birds?  One thing we do is provide a variety of seeds, nuts and berries in several different bird feeders.  Black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower nuts, peanut pieces, safflower seed, nijer seed, and suet is…

• January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  16 Jan 2012 | 11:11 pm

  Just in time for January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, six of my Hellebore plants have begun to bloom, with the 'Christmas Rose' completely opened: Helleborus x niger 'Jacob' (Christmas Rose) Helleborus x nigercors 'HGC Green Corsican' (Winter Rose) Helleborus hybridus *unknown variety Helleborus x hybridus 'Red Lady' (Lenten Rose) Helleborus x hybridus 'Pine Knot Select' (Lenten Rose) Helleborus x ballardiae 'Pink Frost' I have many other Hellebores but as yet, they haven't developed buds, so there will (hopefully) be more in February, March and April. All three of my Galanthus elwesii (Giant…

• Fire, Ice, Snow and Bulbs

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  12 Jan 2012 | 9:44 pm

  Last Thursday found the edges and still sections of our stream glazed over with ice crystals. It was a pretty sight to view up close:                                                          (Click photos to enlarge) The next day, I awoke extra-early and glanced outside to see an unusually fiery, spectacular sunrise: There's an old saying that goes, 'Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning'...but that did not end up applying. As it turned…

• A New Blogging Year Has Begun!

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  1 Jan 2012 | 10:52 pm

  It's a new year and it's time for me to start spending more time here on the blog and less time procrastinating and (I hate to admit it)...'Facebooking'! Yes, I've become somewhat of a Facebook addict in the last year and I need to ween myself from it and back to writing and sharing what's goin' on in my garden! I never shared this Monkshood that bloomed from late fall into November! It was a charmer! Honestly, for months on end I have been taking photos of garden 'happenings', but I haven't bothered to share them. Well, a couple of photos did get uploaded to FB but there were no posts…

• Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on Wordless Wednesday

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  16 Nov 2011 | 2:21 pm

  Today I'm thankful for the flowers that continue to bloom in my mid-November garden:                                                         (*click on photos to enlarge) ...and in the containers, a few colorful blooms also remain: Yesterday was Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens. Despite a yard full of leaves covering just about every inch of garden space, I wanted to share the few colorful blooms that managed to survive our recent bizarre…

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  My Garden

• Pole Pruners and Saws

  28 Jan 2012 | 5:41 am

  Pole Pruners and Saws

• uk garden supplies

  28 Jan 2012 | 5:41 am

  uk garden supplies

• Lawn Mowers

  28 Jan 2012 | 5:41 am

  Lawn Mowers

• Garden Bargains, Coupons and Vouchers

  28 Jan 2012 | 5:41 am

  Garden Bargains, Coupons and Vouchers

• Store Map

  28 Jan 2012 | 5:41 am

  Store Map

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  Personal Garden Coach

• Ice as Garden Art in the Landscape

  personalgardencoach

  26 Jan 2012 | 2:11 pm

  Recently our La Nina winter proved its muscle in a move that took many of us by surprise. We went from utterly spring weather with the landscape feeling as if it is about to burst to life, to snow, power outages, an amazing ice storm that no one saw coming and then a wind storm. Below is a sampling of some of the best images I captured over the three-day period. There are a few neat before and after shots so you can see the morphing of the landscape the way I did. I saw the ice as such beautiful nature made art. I hope you enjoy these shots as much as I had fun getting them! Gold Ilex Crenata…

• Garden Designer’s Roundtable – Winter Reality Check for the Landscape

  personalgardencoach

  24 Jan 2012 | 2:00 am

  There seems to be a time cycle in gardens and landscapes of about 10 years. Whether you live in a new neighborhood or an established area of homes, where landscapes ebb and flow with changes and age. New people move into the neighborhood, older neighbors move out and the landscape still remains there growing and changing. But, we often forget to take the long view in the life of large plants like trees. Our Homeowner’s Association’s could stand to take note here. While we move though our busy lives, trees and shrubs mature and we often don’t realize that they were either…

• Wordless Wednesday 1/18/12 – Lichen It

  personalgardencoach

  18 Jan 2012 | 4:57 pm

  Lichen on a tree in my snowy neighborhood yesterday.

• Consider Your Gardens “Bones” in Winter

  personalgardencoach

  16 Jan 2012 | 2:37 pm

  Does your garden have eye-catching focal points during the long months of winter? I hope the answer is yes! But, if not, this is the best time of the year to spend taking inventory of your gardens weaker points when it comes to structure or what we Designer types refer to as the “Bones” of the garden. 'Crimson Queen' Japanese Maple This Maple sits outside my dining room, framed perfectly by the window. It’s stunning year round. They are covered in snow here, but in the pot are some stainless steel balls that look so cool! One thing that I always take note of this…

• December 2011 Bloom Day Photos

  personalgardencoach

  15 Dec 2011 | 1:19 pm

  Happy Holidays!!!!

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  Gardeners Journal

• This year, I resolve ...

  Gardener's Supply

  3 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am

  Start exercising, lose weight, clean the closets .... Why do most New Year's resolutions focus on things you should do, and not things you want to do? Instead, we decided to come up with some garden resolutions that you'll want to keep! strong { font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 1.5em; font-weight: normal; color: #76aa34; line-height: 1.25em; }

• Fire and Resolutions

  Gardener's Supply

  29 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am

  On the shortest day of the year, the employees of Gardener's Supply gather for a moment of personal reflection. Each of us writes one of the year's regrets on a scrap of paper. Then, Jim Feinson, our company president leads us into the crisp December air, where a copper fire pit blazes. We toss our regrets into the fire and toast marshmallows in the flames. We also write a personal

• Red-Carpet Plants

  Gardener's Supply

  26 Dec 2011 | 7:22 am

  The announcement of award-winning plants might not generate the buzz of the Academy Awards — at least not among the general public. But if you're a gardener who likes to stay on top of the latest and greatest, then perusing plant awards offers a glimpse into what to expect at garden centers this spring. The Jack Frost brunnera, a prize-winner in 2012, is a shade-tolerant perennial with

• Amaryllis, Again

  Gardener's Supply

  20 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am

  Many people wonder if you can get amaryllis bulbs to rebloom. Yes! It's easy because amaryllis are forgiving plants. Amaryllis thrive best in bright, indirect light. Amaryllis benefit from a summer outdoors. For best growth and bloom potential, remove them from pots and plant them in the ground. "The flowers faded months ago, but I can't bear to throw it out. I'd like to save it

• Save a Seed or Two

  Gardener's Supply

  1 Dec 2011 | 7:00 am

  I'm finally getting around to tidying up some of my flower gardens, and one of the benefits of my tardiness is that there are plenty of seedpods filled with ripe seeds. In a matter of minutes I collected hundreds of seeds for replanting. Saving seeds is one of gardening's best-kept secrets. When else in life can you get something for nothing? Some seeds, like these from a columbine

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  About.com Organic Gardening

• New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - Has Your Zone Changed?

  25 Jan 2012 | 5:54 am

  This morning, the USDA released its new Plant Hardiness Zone Map (which you can see here.) About half of all the zones in the U.S. moved a half-zone warmer than they were on the previous map....Read Full Post

• Vegetables to Sow in January

  21 Jan 2012 | 7:29 am

  January marks the beginning of the indoor seed-starting season for those of us in zone 6 and above. While the pickings are slim for me still (onions and parsley), it will be so nice to have something green under my grow lights again. Below are a few links to help you get started with seed sowing:...Read Full Post

• Do You Use Manure Tea in Your Garden?

  15 Jan 2012 | 5:42 am

  I've hit that point in winter during which I start obsessing about the garden. Daydreaming, planning, re-planning, highlighting things to order... all fun, of course, but not nearly as fun as actually digging in my garden. I've got cabin fever, badly....Read Full Post

• One More Reason to Vermicompost

  5 Jan 2012 | 1:57 am

  If you've ever started plants from seed, only to find your healthy seedlings suddenly drooping, shriveled shells of their former selves, then you know very well what "damping off" is. Damping off is a fungal disease that causes your seedlings to wither and die shortly after germination. A long-standing practice has been to water seedlings with chamomile tea to prevent damping off, but gardeners now have a more potent tool in their arsenal: worm poo....Read Full Post

• Happy New Year!

  31 Dec 2011 | 5:54 am

  I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for helping to make 2011 a great year. I hope the articles you've read here at About Organic Gardening have helped you grow better, solve problems in your garden, and really enjoy the fruits of your labor. I'm looking forward to a great 2012!...Read Full Post

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  Carrots and Kids

• {So What If It's Cold}

  Deb

  17 Jan 2012 | 11:17 am

  Following on from my last post, it is, naturally, now winter proper. I am sat here with a very cold nose, wearing four layers and contemplating a fifth. Of course, it is not really the weather for blogging either. Really, I should be ironing.... And when I used to run a gardening club I decreed it wasn't the weather for gardening. Oh, I know there are things to do but it was always nice to have a break. Now I am a helper whose main responsibility is to just turn up, we are ploughing on. This week we replenished a dead hedge. It's quite cool, but something you'd need a lot of space for I…

• {Feels Like Spring}

  Deb

  12 Jan 2012 | 2:06 am

  I admit I have been enjoying this weather. Out and about the other day, it really felt like spring. And I know, I do, that isn't good. No doubt we will have some bad weather, I keep seeing snow shovels and sledges for sale everywhere. That in itself is unusual, I'm sure I never used to. I read about someone hearing a blackbird singing the other morning. And how it might turn out to be a challenging gardening year because there has been no cold snap to kill off pests. Although I haven't missed the snow this year, I have missed the crunchy, frosty mornings. But despite all of that, all the…

• {gardening with glue}

  Deb

  3 Jan 2012 | 11:33 am

  The weather has been grim. I'm pretty sure it's been horrid throughout the whole of the UK. And strange. After the hardest rain I've seen in a long time there was blue sky. But I'm not complaining. After all I wasn't out in it. But I am hoping this is not a sign of things to come, weather-wise, in 2012. Please. Still, it did mean that I could get on with doing a rather favourite form of gardening. That of gardening with glue. While I like reading gardening books, it's pictures that help form my ideas and get me inspired. So in lieu of seed catalogues which are winging their way to me, I cut…

• {gardening goals}

  Deb

  2 Jan 2012 | 4:27 pm

  I'm not normally a fan of the new year but after the December I've had I am greeting 2012 like an old friend, and smothering it in kisses. And because this blog shouldn't be a depository for all my moaning I won't go on about the car that cost £1,700 to fix, the boiler that broke down or a lurgy picked up at school that saw all seven of us ill with three on antibiotics. All in the two weeks before Christmas. But no, I'm not dwelling on that or the utter exhaustion that has shrouded these holidays. To say I am looking forward to a bit of peace tomorrow is probably understating it somewhat.

• {The Ultimate Thrifty Tip}

  Deb

  4 Dec 2011 | 5:55 pm

  I'll be honest, I don't really do thrifty or frugal. It's not that I couldn't do with a few pointers in that department. I'm the first to admit that cutting back is not an area of expertise. But I won't let that stop me from offering you the ultimate thrifty tip! At this stage you're probably looking a bit puzzled and wondering what on earth I think I'm doing. What, me? Obviously we could all do with some help in cutting back. I have been doing this in lots of ways, from not buying new books to eschewing the tumble dryer. But the best way to help our finances - the ultimate thrifty tip which…

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  This Grandmother's Garden

• It's beginning to look a lot like... ♪ ♫ ♪

  Carolyn ♥

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:48 am

              ...Finally we have snow!  Early Morning Snow in my Gardens... LOVE the shades of blue  they reflect. Just when we were beginning to think  it was going to be a snowless Winter. Never have we had such a season. Welcome snow! And to think that last Winter was a record snow season  that kept Utah Ski Resorts open through July 4. What a difference this year has been!  ♦♦♦ Remember to join me the first day of each month for the  Walk in the Gardens Challenge.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you have discovered!

• Sunrise in Sweden

  Carolyn ♥

  11 Jan 2012 | 10:51 pm

  The sun is rising in Sweden. It is the last sunrise my son will see  before he begins his long journey home. Two years of humble service  for his Savior as a missionary called of God  to proclaim His holy gospel. Two years seems like forever to a mother... so grateful he could go, so full of joy that it is finally time  to come home. Tomorrow night... and I am so excited! *actual picture taken in Sweden by my son

• In Search of Snow... January "Walk in the Gardens" Challenge

  Carolyn ♥

  31 Dec 2011 | 11:47 pm

  It has been chillingly cold  but still no measure-able snowfall in my gardens, so we went to the mountains to find some. A good excuse for a walk don't ya think? Not much snow up there either.  The ski resorts are making snow for their slopes. But we did find snow,  though not the deep fluffy stuff we played in last year.  Click here and here and here. (Oh we had such fun on last year's mountain get-a-way.) This year was a different kind of fun... though we did find some interesting pics to shoot during our stay... things we might have missed if we hadn't gone for a walk…

• Merry Christmas!

  Carolyn ♥

  21 Dec 2011 | 10:08 am

                        May your Christmas be filled with joy  and love and peace. Remember to join me the first of each month for my  Walk in the Gardens Challenge. Take time to get up from behind your computer and walk about in this beautiful world we live in.  Capture images of your walk  and then add your link to the list that will be here on January 1st. We'll welcome the New Year with renewed energy! My walk will be through snow scenes of Winter as I bundle up to…

• Naughty or Nice...

  Carolyn ♥

  12 Dec 2011 | 11:19 am

  Several of my grand-kiddos discovered these little Elves  making mischief in the Christmas tree bows. Lively little characters with curious expressions that captured a three, four and six year old's imagination. "Grandma, you have Elves at your house, too?!" Their bright eyes sparkled with absolute wonder. Oh, they know all about Elves...  "they watch to see if you're naughty" the four year old exclaimed with conviction. "We have one at our house, Mr. Glimpse, and every morning he's in a different place."  chimed in the 6 year old. "Do your elves see us Grandma?"  the…

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  Annie's Gardening Corner

• Happy Feet

  27 Jan 2012 | 8:05 am

  For those of us who prefer our feet plunked in the soil, staying grounded during the winter season can be quite a challenge. So how do you keep those garden feet happy? One of the most clever ways to keep some spry in your garden step is to travel. Whether it’s near or far, discovering a botanical wonderland can be just the ticket. This weekend is a perfect time to scout out garden lectures or events that are occurring nearby or scour the Sunday travel section for a botanical getaway. Do you know about a garden event or lecture taking place? Are you planning to travel or have…

• Flower or Flowerless

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:15 am

  Is your desk cluttered with papers despite the illusion that our lives should be paperless? Well, lucky you if you keep a neat desk. Okay, so where’s the Annie tie-in to flower or flowerless? In the mist of all that workspace chaos, it’s important to have that slender rose (no fake, plastic stuff) or a live potted plant to nurture during the workday. The Thursday morning question is - do you keep a vase full of flowers or a live plant growing in your workspace? I digress to a rerun from last year’s archives http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2011/03/wallflowers.html about office cubicles…

• Today’s Pace

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:20 am

  On this wordless Wednesday, use these contemplative words from Emerson to curb our urgency for spring. “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” Images by Ann Bilowz If you like this blog, remember to post and become a friend on our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/abilowz or follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/annbilowz (where there are even more shared tidbits) or subscribe on the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. Questions, comments or…

• Winter Warmth

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:14 am

  With seasonable temperatures melting what little snow cover we garnered thus far in the East, one might be tempted to pack away the winter garb and consider this blustery season a ‘done deal’. You might even think certain woody plant material or perennials might overwinter that you thought weren’t possible before. Alert to all hort dorks. You may be particularly interested in an online USDA news conference tomorrow, January 25, 2012, 10:45 a.m. EST where the unveiling of the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map will take place. According to a USDA news release, "The map is an…

• Today’s Dazzle

  23 Jan 2012 | 10:09 am

  Where do you weigh in on the winter acceptance scale? Do you view this season as a restful gift for the gardener or do you see just drizzle and drab? Well, if you want to see today’s dazzle, then be part of a Monday giveaway. That is if you are interested in blueberries! If you were paying attention to the January 13th post, http://blog.bilowzassociates.com/2012/01/more-dazzle-in-berry.html I mentioned a new line of berries coming down the pike called Brazelberries. Thanks to Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, 5 copies of ‘A Gardener’s Guide to Blueberries’, a compilation of…

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  Serenity in the Garden

• Jacques Majorelle and his Blue Garden

  Jan Johnsen

  23 Jan 2012 | 7:56 am

  Blue features are the most mysterious elements in a landscape. Nowhere is this more true than in the magnificent ‘Majorelle Garden’ located in the heart of Marrakesh, Morocco. Originally created in the 1920’s by the French artist and gardener, Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962), this remarkable 12 acre haven has revolutionized the way we think of color in the garden.  Majorelle was an avid plant collector and filled his botanical park, now open to the public, with exotic plant species from all over the world.  But the overriding feature in this hot and dry environment is…

• 10 Great Garden Photos of 2011 - Serenity in the Garden

  Jan Johnsen

  29 Dec 2011 | 11:05 pm

  What makes a great garden photo? Anything that delights you! But if I had to put my finger on it - salient aspects would be the quality of the light and the richness of color.   Also, composition would figure prominently. That said, here are some memorable photographs that have been featured in this year's 'Serenity in the Garden' blog posts....my criteria? whatever grabbed my eye as I perused the photos...I hope you agree.  Doug Thayer Bench photo: Jan Johnsen zen garden kyushu  garden by Jan Johnsen Jim's Poppies 2011 : Jan Johnsen Allerton Gardens Kauai …

• Purple Angelonia and more in a Purple Garden

  Jan Johnsen

  11 Dec 2011 | 6:55 pm

  Johnsen Landscapes & Pools - Angelface Blue Angelonia and white Begonias l  “If you pass by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it, God gets real pissed off.” ~ Alice Walker Purple tickles the brain. It speaks to us of mystery and enlightenment.  Purple gardens evoke delight and sumptuousness. Leonardo da Vinci said that light streaming through purple stained glass windows could increase the power of meditation ten fold. And scientists have found that purple stimulates the brain activity used in problem solving, integrating both hemispheres of the brain – the…

• Yin / Yang in the Garden - A Landscape Design Tip

  Jan Johnsen

  24 Nov 2011 | 7:02 am

  The High Point / Shady Corner Balance – Serenity Assured A truly harmonious outdoor space is a blend of both open space and shady shelter. The counterbalance of these two opposites can be seen as the ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ of the landscape.  Johnsen Landscapes & Pools - www.johnsenlandscapes.com A high point or open level lawnis bright and forceful, ‘yang’. A sheltered shady spot is muted and soft or ‘yin’. Seeing the world through the complementary lens of yin and yang is an eye opening exercise. Gardens containing both qualities feel balanced and comfortable. Therefore…

• A Glorious Fall Planting at the NY Botanical Garden

  Jan Johnsen

  20 Nov 2011 | 11:04 am

  Recently I visited the Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Gardens at the New York Botanical Garden. What a treat in November! I was was so impressed I decided to share with you some of the plants in one corner of this wonderful garden space.  And to think this is in the Bronx, NY.....

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  MySecretGarden

• Frankfurt Botanical Garden

  24 Jan 2012 | 2:59 pm

  If you travel to Frankfurt, Germany, I highly recommend that you plan a visit to two interesting gardens. There is just several minutes of walking from one garden to another. I visited them in May 2011. My pictures from Palmengarten  are here: The PalmenGarten in Frankfurt, Germany . This post includes my pictures of Goether University Botanical Garden. Botanischer Garten Frankfurt am Main is maintained by the Johann Wolfgang University. It is a botanical gaden and arboretum.The day I was there, there were very few visitors. In most of the parts of the garden, I met no…

• My Icy Winter Garden

  22 Jan 2012 | 12:36 pm

  Isn't there one step from beauty to ugliness? But stop! Why do I call it ugliness?After the temperature went up on Thursday January 19th, our snow turned to ice.Having similar, and even worse previous experiences when we lived in the Midwest, helped to cope with the icy situation. Winter is not a disaster, it's a season with its own features. It's us, people, who assign those features to categories good and bad. An icy storm  might be bad for us, but it's a part of  nature. Plants are stronger than we often think. Putting aside hybrids, most of the plants are…

• My Snowy Winter Garden (zone 7b)

  20 Jan 2012 | 2:06 pm

  Footprints in the snow show where we take our new puppy day and night for housetraining.A view of our cul de sac. It's clear that schools will be closed. This is the first time in seven years when we have had three snow days! Kids are happy!You need to be a kid to ride a bike on the snow!Beyond the street, there is a little wonderful forest:  It's so quiet here...Back to my garden.You can see my pineapple under the clematis arch: We got 6 inches of snow in 24 hours. Do you see the Privet to the right from the house entrance? Several years ago, heavy snow slid from the…

• Happy Snow Dogs. My Pictures Of The Day

  18 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm

  ***Copyright 2011 TatyanaS

• Roses Under Snow. My Picture Of The Day

  16 Jan 2012 | 10:37 pm

  *I join  Nature Footstep NF-flowers and Wordless Wednesday***Copyright 2012 TatyanaS

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  Veg Plotting

• Salad Days: Of Sprouted Seeds and Microgreens

  VP

  27 Jan 2012 | 6:45 am

  I'm experimenting with some radishes for microgreens - not quite the mini forest of waving seed leaves I have in my mind's eye yet, but aren't those root hairs fab?Welcome to January's edition of Salad Days: our monthly get together on the fourth Friday each month to see how everyone's getting on with their 52 Week Salad Challenge!When I kicked off the challenge 3 weeks ago, I didn't expect the enormous reaction I've seen from right across the globe. Many thanks to you who've already started writing your blogposts and tweeting your pictures, experiences and questions using the #saladchat…

• Some Dates for Your Diary

  VP

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:15 am

  Filling out the pages of this year's calendar reminded me there's quite a few brand new gardening related events to look forward to in 2012. Here's a roundup of some extra dates you might like to put in your diary...MarchThere's no Red Nose Day this year, but there is Garden Re-leaf Day on Tuesday 13th March instead. All proceeds will go to the charity Greenfingers, which raises money to build gardens at children's hospices.April16-22 April has been designated as the first National Gardening Week by the RHS. Expect all kinds of activities designed to encourage us to get gardening - here's the…

• Seed Giveaway 2012

  VP

  23 Jan 2012 | 2:30 am

  January's a great time to dust off the seed tin and see what I already have before hitting the slew of catalogues which have flopped through the letterbox recently. As a result I've found I have more seed than I know what to do with. Last year's Nasturtium seed giveaway went down very well, so I thought I'd do the same with this year's spares. I've weeded out all the packets which have gone out of date, so you'll get something which stands a good chance of working well for you this year. Here's what's available - any numbers in brackets mean I have more than one packet to…

• Salad Leaves for January

  VP

  20 Jan 2012 | 6:10 am

  A quick, visual guide to salad flavours - spotted in Marlborough earlier this monthStarting a salad challenge in January is probably the toughest time to start here in the northern hemisphere but if we can prove we can grow something now, then it bodes well for the rest of the year. Thank goodness we didn't embark on this quest this time last year! The coldest winter in decades would have made life pretty tough indeed.The excesses of Christmas have given way to New Year's good intentions so this is probably why this challenge has struck a chord with so many of you. There's a desire for fresh,…

• How Advertising Works in Chippenham #29

  VP

  18 Jan 2012 | 6:15 am

  Build your supermarket on one of the town's most popular estatesMake sure there's a large, warm welcoming area to get shoppers in from the coldAdd several features designed to help them spend more moneyWait for a blogger with a camera to wonder since when have coins not been cash?Et voila!I know I'm being a little unfair as these are a feature of many a supermarket outside of Chippenham, but it was only when I was in my local one that the penny (literally!) dropped ;)If you're not reading this on vegplotting.blogspot.com, Blotanical or your own web reader such as Bloglines or Google Reader,…

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  Home and Garden: Roses Vegetables Tomatoes Composting

• Koi Fish Tank Update

  Admin

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:12 pm

  An update of my koi fish I bought on 14 march at 2″ inch long, now 3-4″ long, largest one probably just under 5″inch. 20 Ghost coloured koi’s, 3 Butterfly kois, and an Algae eating sucking loach. I have Been feeding them a mixture of Hikari Gold mini pellets and Koi Pool Hi Growth mini [...]

• How To Compost

  Admin

  27 Jan 2012 | 1:12 pm

  Look how easy it is to compost.

• Cool Live Wallpaper for Android

  Admin

  14 Jan 2012 | 10:48 am

  Take a look at some of these cool Live Wallpapers for your Android 2.1 or above phone! For more: bit.ly Incoming search terms:cool live wallpaperslive wallpapercomposting 2012cool live wallpaperliving wallpaper of roseswallpapers for your android

• Composting

  Admin

  14 Jan 2012 | 8:25 am

  Wherever possible I think it’s a good idea to make your own garden compost. It not only saves you having to dispose of garden waste at the local tip, the compost that you make is great for the garden. There’s an old saying that goes “you only get out of the garden what you put [...]

• Request: Koi Fish

  Admin

  3 Jan 2012 | 10:59 am

  Hey guys! This was requested by Chastity, aka pdbncbb, and I thought it was such an awesome idea! Thanks for the request sweetie! Here is the link to her channel: www.youtube.com I pretty much based it off of tattoo flash art. I am totally in love with tattoos, even though I do not have any [...]

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  Restoring The Landscape With Native Plants

• Native Plant of the Week: Michigan Lily ~ Lilium michiganense

  27 Jan 2012 | 9:14 am

  Michigan Lily ~ Lilium michiganense If you want a show stopping native alternative to asiatic lilies, then check out the beautiful Michigan Lily. The bright orange flowers are speckled with brown spots. Over 3 inches wide, the large buds and flowers hang downwards from a long stem. Flowers open in early July, as the six tepals unfurl they curve backwards upon themselves. Michigan Lilies are found in moist locations, along riparian areas and wetland edges. Be sure to plant your bulbs/plants in a mesic to moist location in part or full sun. The leaves are equally interesting, arranged in whorls…

• Design and Construction of a Thriving Pond Habitat

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:38 am

  One of my blog followers, Mark Funk emailed me in December. In our email conversation I learned about his amazing pond design and construction and wanted to share his project with you. Here's Mark's story in his own words: As a university student who had become obsessed with native plants, I was thrilled to hear my parents say that they would like to put a native pond garden in our front yard last year. I had been entertaining the idea of a career in natural landscaping, so our yard became the perfect stage for me to practise and hone my skills. Being my first real venture into natural…

• Native Plant of the Week: Hoary Puccoon ~ Lithospermum canescens

  20 Jan 2012 | 10:26 am

  Hoary Puccoon ~ Lithospermum canescens The bright orange flowers of Hoary Puccoon are a treat to see in full bloom in May. A tough native perennial of mesic to dry sites, it is most commonly found in full sun in dry prairies or woodland edges. It is notoriously very difficult to grow from seed, if at all. Lithospermum is Greek for lithos (stone) and sperma (seed), for its extremely hard seed coat. Transplant success is also low due to its tap root. Blooming in early to mid May, the five parted tubular flowers are arranged in cymes that curve over as they open. The leaves are…

• High Bush Cranberry Viburnums - Native or Not?

  19 Jan 2012 | 8:21 am

  My post today at Native Plant Wildlife Gardens is about European vs American High Bush Cranberry Viburnum.

• Native Plant of the Week: Pale Corydalis ~ Corydalis sempervirens

  13 Jan 2012 | 11:08 am

  Pale Corydalis (Rock Harlequin) ~ Corydalis sempervirens Pale Corydalis is a very attractive biennial native. I saw a large cluster of these growing this spring in late May in central Ontario. Growing in shallow soils on top of the Canadian shield granite bedrock, most plants reached heights close to 3 feet tall. Pale Corydalis is in the Fumitory family (Fumariaceae) along with other great natives - Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) and a beautiful biennial vine Climbing Fumitory, (Adlumia fungosa). Fumitory plants have interesting four parted flowers, often fused into a tube or…

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  Eat Your Landscape

• Harvested My First Grapefruit

  Beuna Tomalino

  19 Jan 2012 | 10:48 am

  You may think it is not possible to grow fruit indoors.   I just harvested my first grapefruit from a tree that I have had for about two years.  In my zone 6 yard I have to keep it indoors most of the year. My key lime produced for the first time and I have picked lemons from my lemon tree.  One of my lemon trees was purchased two years ago the other one I have had for many years and have moved from Utah to Alaska and back again.

• Save Money On Healthy Foods

  Beuna Tomalino

  31 Dec 2011 | 10:40 am

  The article  The Twenty Healthiest Foods for Under $1 from Divine Caroline has a list of healthy foods to help you eat healthy while saving money on your grocery budget.  Imagine how much you could save if you grew them yourself.  Depending on the amount of land you have it may be difficult to grow enough oats for your use.  Purchasing in bulk for storage would save you even more.   If you are in an area that allows chickens you can produce your own eggs.  Potatoes, kale, apples, and broccoli should not be much of a problem for most people.  Apple…

• Gifts for Gardeners

  Beuna Tomalino

  8 Dec 2011 | 7:48 pm

  Need ideas for gifts for gardeners (or for you)? Some possibilities could be tools, indoor plants (what about a Vanilla vine?), seeds, seed starting supplies, catalogs, books, magazines or ezines, plant markers, books, or ebooks. Not only gardening tools but what about tools for preserving, storing, or using the harvest? Compile a list of resources as a gift including websites, forums, elists, and more. I hope you would include some of my resources in your list including Garden Inspire, EatYourLandscape, and HerbLinks For more ideas check this article and this site What are your ideas?

• Think It Is Too Early To Plan Your Landscape?

  Beuna Tomalino

  21 Nov 2011 | 11:33 pm

  Now is a great time to think about your landscape and garden for next year.  What vegetable, herbs, and fruits do you and your family consume? Which of these grow in your area and could be used in place of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals in your landscape?Time to plan for 2012’s harvestBY LEE ESTERLY RICHTER SPECIAL TO THE BLADE (Toledo Blade)It’s almost the time of year when many of us are harvesting the last of our homegrown produce for 2011. Here it is the middle of September already, and it’s time to start planning next year’s garden. More and more gardeners in…

• Why Do You Garden?

  Beuna Tomalino

  4 Nov 2011 | 11:54 am

  A survey by the National Gardening Association came up with several reasons why people garden.  Is the reason you garden on this list or do you have another reason? To grow better tasting food To save money on food bills To grow better quality food To grow food I know is safe To feel more productive To spend more time outdoors To get back to basics To have food to share with others To live more locally To have a family activity To teach my kids about gardening

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  Bacon Seed

• Have A Growing Heart

  Melanie/baconseed

  15 Jan 2012 | 11:31 pm

  This past year I have been most touched by the No Kids Hungry campaign. One afternoon, while wrapping Christmas gifts and stressing wondering if I should stretch my budget to include Christmas cards, I caught an episode of Ellen. You know it was one of those moments where you are caught in your own worry that seem so important at the time, then you are told a story that makes you immediately aware of how truly blessed you are. Ellen had Jeff Bridges (the spokes person for No Child Hungry campaign) with Sherrie Gahn, principal of Whitney Elementary. Sherrie was speaking about how the tone of…

• Superwoman For Halloween

  Melanie/baconseed

  1 Nov 2011 | 10:00 am

  Yesterday was Halloween and I have to say this Momma was on! Did you ever have one of those days that instead of wallowing in the mom guilt for the things that you didn’t do you actually bask in the appreciation for what you did do? Like think wow, I was like Superwoman today! After taking the girls to school at 8:15, I hurried home to brew myself a pot of Thanksgiving roast from Starbucks, YUM! Then I sat down at the computer to do a bit of research for a post that I wanted to write for my real estate blog about Haunted Real Estate! After about an hour of research I wrote my post, then…

• Reading To My Big Girls

  Melanie/baconseed

  23 Oct 2011 | 9:32 pm

  Something has happened recently, ah yes another milestone. Oh how they are passing so fast! All of the sudden when it comes to reading, my girls are more interested in the words than the pictures. When they sit down to flip through a book on their own, or snuggle up together they still chose a picture book. Usually using the pictures to spin the tales to themselves or out loud to each other. But when it is time for me to read to them, they have recently begun asking for chapter books . So at the end of the summer while I was buying school supplies at Target, I noticed a bin filled with…

• This is what has been taking me all day …… for the last 5 months!

  Melanie/baconseed

  16 Oct 2011 | 10:15 am

  As my tagline says….this is what has been taking me all day…..well here is what the garden girls have been up to since May (hint: it has not been gardening!) Well the spring began happily I weeded, tilled, planted my seeds and watered. I delighted as usual in my favorite place while Gracia tended to her bugs, and Sophia sang to the sprouts and swung on her swings. We started off the spring peaceful. Little did I know that the Real Estate License that I spent late winter getting was about to be put into action so fast I was left running in heels rather than garden boots trying to…

• Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – May 2011

  Melanie/baconseed

  15 May 2011 | 2:44 pm

  Gracia discovered our first ripe strawberry of the season! Thankfully she was patient enough to let her momma capture the moment on film before she devoured it exclaiming that it was delicious, and tasted like the sun Sophia then went off in hopes of making her own discovery. She happily shouted that the radishes looked ready to pull. As usual she talked to the radishes preparing them for what was about to happen The Bacon Seed Veggie Garden is doing well with (L to R), Radish-Cherry Bell, Radish-French Dressing, Lettuce Leaf Slad Bowl Blend, Farmers Market Blend, Kale, Lettuce-Butterhead,…

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  GrowBlog

• Growing Aubergines (Eggplant) in Cooler Climates

  27 Jan 2012 | 4:53 am

  Delicious as aubergines are (eggplants to those outside Europe), any of us growing in temperate climates will undoubtedly find them just a bit of a struggle. Aubergines hail from India, where temperatures can occasionally top 50C or 122F (yes, really!). So with cool, northern summers it should come as no surprise that these plants need as long a growing season as we can possibly muster; it’s very much a case of early to rise and late to bed for these tropical beauties!

• Winter Vegetable Garden Maintenance

  20 Jan 2012 | 3:50 am

  Most people leave their vegetable gardens alone during the long winter months but a little preparation during these cold months can get you off to a roaring start in spring

• Winter Pruning of Gooseberries and Currant Bushes

  13 Jan 2012 | 6:48 am

  If you find pruning fruit bushes difficult you’re certainly not alone. The diagrams in books may look very straight-forward, but it’s a whole different story when faced with your own, undiagrammatical, pruning challenge. Still, it has to be done if you’re not to end up with a tangle of unproductive branches and here, in the in the northern hemisphere, it’s just about the right time to get out the secateurs, although you can prune at any time during the plants’ dormant period, up until early spring.

• Creating a Potager Garden

  30 Dec 2011 | 5:55 am

  People often say to me that they’d love to grow their own food at home, but that a vegetable plot would look out of place in their garden. They imagine ruler-straight rows and unsightly muddy gaps where plants have been dug up, but I always tell them that they can have their cake (well, veg) and eat it too – the answer is to create a potager...

• Growing Onions in Clusters - The Easy Way to Grow from Seed

  23 Dec 2011 | 3:44 am

  Received wisdom has many kitchen gardeners starting their onions off from sets – small, immature bulbs that swell to a respectable size within a few short months. But while sets are speedy, convenient and generally reliable, it’s worth noting that onions will also grow handsomely from seeds sown in the dark depths of winter. With all quiet on the veg front, it is reassuring to be doing something now that will carry us through to the new growing season that’s just weeks away.

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  Landscape Universe- Danny's Landscape Services

• Planting trees and shrubs with a story.

  pilotguitar

  23 Jan 2012 | 3:28 pm

                      Life seems to happen when we are not looking! Often in our lives we have events that happen and we would like to do something to make them have meaning or to demonstrate that it has meaning to us. Our family planted trees to honor those who passed. I have memories as a young child of planting a tree in honor of those who we lost. I continue this practice even today as we have trees that were planted in honor. We often say " Tony's tree" or " Grandpa tree" or "Grandma bush".

• Fall checklist: Watering Schedule, Pruning, Fertilizing

  pilotguitar

  26 Oct 2011 | 3:10 pm

  As the leaves turn to the colors of sunrises and sunsets our focus turns to our changing climate . With shorter days and cooler temps. our plants need less water than in the summer so its time to cut back or even turn off these systems. How much you adjust downward will depend on the plants you have, exposure, and rainfall. Those who live in dry climates will have to maintain a watering schedule but those where the rain comes early and regularly can put the watering can away till spring. Dormant plants will be turning colors and leaves will be falling. It is a good idea to pick these leaves…

• Mulching enough or too much?

  pilotguitar

  26 Aug 2011 | 12:27 pm

  Are you mulching enough or too much? We have all heard that we should mulch our beds to save water and have healthy plants. There are factors that should be considered before you disease or kill your plants with too much mulch lovin. First you have to decide what to mulch with. Wood chips are a popular item as they are readily available at low cost from arborists. Some problems that may occur is that these chips are not composted and thus carry any disease that the tree or shrub may have had . Thus you may be putting a disease at the base of your plant! A composted ( cooked) mulch is…

• Saving water with rain water harvesting.

  pilotguitar

  11 Aug 2011 | 1:26 pm

  Many area's of the country are experiencing drought. In areas that receive ample rain fall the idea and process of using water effectively without waste is still wise. There are many benefits to collecting rain water besides the water saving attribute. Our water systems are deluged with chemicals to make it safe for consumption. These additives are not good for plants. Rain water is still the best source for our growing food crops and our landscapes.You can make a simple rain barrel for your use easily that will allow you to water with water that is better for your garden and you!

• Build a compost Tower

  pilotguitar

  27 Jul 2011 | 2:56 pm

  A compost tower will allow you to recycle those grass clippings and yard waste and even kitchen waste. As you fill the tower you can even add manure and red worms from a fishing outlet. This will speed up the process and make the nutrients available faster. The idea of a compost tower is that you add waste to the top and it turns into compost by the bottom. As you water it from the top every week the water picks up the nutrients and carries them out the bottom and into your soil. The plants that you have planted around the tower then get watered with the best compost tea ever. You are also…

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  THE ENDURING GARDENER

• Hello Hellebores

  The Enduring Gardener

  14 Jan 2012 | 7:44 am

  First hellebore flowers The first hellebores are in bloom and are particularly welcome as I had to dig them all up in the autumn and put them in pots while I waited for building work to finish. It is generally said that they hate being moved and won’t flower for a few years afterwards, but I think the combination of the time of year and the mild winter means that they have dealt with the move far better than I expected and seem very happy back in their newly enriched beds. I’ve been around the various plants removing last year’s foliage and making sure that any affected by blackspot (as…

• A Satisfying Sight

  The Enduring Gardener

  11 Jan 2012 | 4:30 am

  There’s always a time around Christmas when I wonder what possessed me to buy so many bulbs – and when I’m going to finish planting them. Somehow I managed to get them all in this year and although planting them couldn’t always be described as ‘fun’ – it’s lovely to see all my pots filled and bulbs starting to show. This is the time of year when friends ask me ‘is it too late to plant bulbs?’ and I generally reply that bulbs are more likely to flower in the ground than in a paper bag.

• Designer Labels – of the horticultural variety of course.

  The Enduring Gardener

  9 Jan 2012 | 1:26 pm

  When we had the new roof put on the house I asked the builder to leave me any slate offcuts. I now have a huge stack in the garage and someone who is a dab hand with a tile cutter and happy to cut the slate into labels as I need them. They are so much nicer and more discreet than other labels. The white marker pen seems to work well on slate – I’m just checking them for durability, which so far is good despite the recent deluges.

• Thug Alert

  The Enduring Gardener

  30 Dec 2011 | 1:48 am

  Some years I succumbed to the charms of the winter honeysuckle with its delicate and fragrant winter flowers. Having just spent the best part of two days prising its tough-as-old-boots roots out of the border I would recommend that it isn’t planted – except where nothing else will grow. Starting as a small plant in a 1 litre pot (as illustrated in the photo perched atop the roots), it sent out runners and popped up in several places. It’s boring in summer, grows very large and I’ve decided should be relegated to understorey planting in woodland.

• Comely Carrots

  The Enduring Gardener

  29 Dec 2011 | 1:31 am

  Last year I accidentally left 2 large pots of carrots unharvested in the autumn and found they remained in really good condition through much of the winter. This year I’ve repeated the process intentionally.

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  Gardening with Cheryl

• Best Winter Gardening Tips to Get a Start on Spring and Summer Yard Care

  Cheryl Jones

  15 Jan 2012 | 5:50 pm

  Apply these best winter gardening tips and you will get a head start on your spring and summer yard care. There are moments when you look outside during winter and wish desperately for the warmth of summer. Don’t fret. Make winter the season of preparing for a long relaxing summer. These winter gardening chores are the first [...]

• Spring Garden Maintenance to Start Your Garden Growing

  Cheryl Jones

  31 Dec 2011 | 6:22 am

  Follow these easy spring garden maintenance tips and you will be enjoying your yard. Even after one weekend of spring garden cleaning you can have leaves raked, trees and shrubs pruned and ground ready for planting new plants. A little spring garden maintenance means less yard work in summer. Arm yourself with a rake, weed eater or heavy shears, a tool [...]

• Planting under Black Walnut Trees

  Cheryl Jones

  30 Dec 2011 | 1:10 am

  What plants grow under black walnut trees? This is a question that we at Greenwood Nursery hear quite often. It is a good question, because not all plants thrive in close proximity to black walnut trees. Juglans nigra, commonly known as black walnut, is the largest of the twenty species of Juglans native to the United [...]

• 4 Ways to Stay Fit Through Winter

  Cheryl Jones

  13 Dec 2011 | 11:34 pm

  Winter is  the time of year most that of us reduce our physical activity and begin hibernating – just like nature. Lack of movement and eating comfort foods causes us to put on a few pounds. I’ve listed the best ways to stay fit and feel great during winter and the holiday season. Pick your favoriteways to stay fit. Join me and let’s commit together!   [...]

• Winter Window Box Ideas

  Cheryl Jones

  7 Dec 2011 | 12:25 pm

    Looking for window box or planter ideas that will survive the holidays? Click onto the link here Winter Window Box Ideas for examples of how using smaller sized container plants allows you to pull together some really great window boxes. Using small ornamental grasses, young evergreen trees and shrubs, potted ivy and herbs, you will [...]

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  Urban Gardens » Urban Gardens | Unlimited Thinking For Limited Spaces

• Industrial Planter System Hangs Out Indoors Too

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:34 pm

  It’s winter, in some areas it’s indoor planting time. Don’t have enough space? No problem. I recently came across California designer, Eric Trine, who describes himself as “a maker of things.” He’s created this wonderful handcrafted mountable planter system… Read More...

• Pots and Vases That Stack Up

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  24 Jan 2012 | 3:11 pm

  Gitta Gschwendtner’s Stack Pots and Stack Vases make me smile–a play on wares. The ceramic plant pots and vases were commissioned by the British Council to commemorate their 75th anniversary. The vase was then based on the original design… Read More...

• Inside Peek at O’Hare Airport’s Vertical Farm

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  23 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am

  Photo: Future Growing After traveling a lot for the majority of my career, airport delays are usually not something I get excited about. However, a recent (cancelled) trip from Columbus, Ohio to my home in Chicago (and… Read More...

• Architecturally Informed Indoor Outdoor Art Furniture

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  19 Jan 2012 | 1:26 pm

  Only a single Lodge Chair, above, has been produced. We love wire these days. Salvadorian artist Baltasar Portillo sculpts together powder coated wrought iron to form this collection of indoor-outdoor “art” furniture. Portillo’s series of Armadillo… Read More...

• Oppose Internet Censorship!

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  18 Jan 2012 | 3:19 pm

  Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S. Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop… Read More...

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  Busch Gardens in Virginia Blog

• I'm a wolf trainer!

  Bruce Wilson

  18 Jan 2012 | 9:17 am

    For those of you that have been reading Megan’s wolf blogs over the past couple of years, I have some exciting news to kick off our 2012 season. Megan was recently promoted to Supervisor of Animal Training at Busch Gardens. We're so proud of her and know she'll do great in her new role.  Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to see her in The Secret Life of Predators presentation.  With Megan's promotion, that left an opening on our Animal Training Team. I am happy to report I have made the transition from our Animal Ambassador Team to Animal…

• Training - Getting Ready for 2012

  Emily Hoffman

  29 Dec 2011 | 9:05 am

  Water Country USA seems empty when I visit the park. No life vests, tubes, water and especially no guests. Still, we are hard at work getting ready for a fantastic 2012 season. Behind the scenes we start training next week. Five lifeguards are attending a Water Safety Instructor class. This class will certify these guards to teach swim lessons next summer. Starting in June we will be offering swim lessons for ages 6 months and up. Our guards love teaching these classes because it’s important that everyone know how to be safe in the water. Beginning January 3, another group of lifeguards…

• The Smells of Christmas

  Emily Hoffman

  23 Dec 2011 | 2:21 pm

  Many of us associate memories with smells. A favorite aroma reminds of us of a loved one and the smell of cookies baking may remind us of home. Walking around Christmas Town, I enjoy taking in the smells around the park. The smell of Christmas pines overtakes you on several pathways. The Bavarian roasted nuts with sugar in Ireland and Oktoberfest is always tempting.  I love the bubble gum smell in the Penguin Paradise. Hot chocolate and other wonderful food scents are found all over the park. These scents alongside the 5 million twinkling lights and other decorations complete the…

• Holiday Window Decor

  Emily Hoffman

  23 Dec 2011 | 8:50 am

    When it’s time to decorate for the holidays, mistletoe and holly come easily to mind when thinking about creating window box arrangements. Here at the park, we have many window boxes and containers to fill.  By coordinating the color palette for the individual countries, we can make use of a great deal of plant material we have available at the park. We have a variety of Juniper, in shades of green, blue and gold.  Due to the variety and quantity, we use those as the framework for most of the displays. There are many hollies here, as well, but often the berry-to-leaf…

• Bones of the garden enhance winter décor

  Emily Hoffman

  21 Dec 2011 | 8:28 am

  What is planted in your garden that will enhance your winter decor? Many of the elements that are present all year can have a true opportunity to shine at the end of the growing season. This year’s weather conditions in Williamsburg have given us a beautiful fall season. The trees have turned wonderfully and, in some cases, the winds have blown most of that color onto the ground. But those trees that you have chosen for their beautiful bones, the actual structure of the tree itself, are still sure to please. Large, native trees such as Oak, Birch and Sycamore, as well as, more…

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  Urban Gardens » Urban Gardens | Unlimited Thinking For Limited Spaces

• Industrial Planter System Hangs Out Indoors Too

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:34 pm

  It’s winter, in some areas it’s indoor planting time. Don’t have enough space? No problem. I recently came across California designer, Eric Trine, who describes himself as “a maker of things.” He’s created this wonderful handcrafted mountable planter system… Read More...

• Pots and Vases That Stack Up

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  24 Jan 2012 | 3:11 pm

  Gitta Gschwendtner’s Stack Pots and Stack Vases make me smile–a play on wares. The ceramic plant pots and vases were commissioned by the British Council to commemorate their 75th anniversary. The vase was then based on the original design… Read More...

• Inside Peek at O’Hare Airport’s Vertical Farm

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  23 Jan 2012 | 11:00 am

  Photo: Future Growing After traveling a lot for the majority of my career, airport delays are usually not something I get excited about. However, a recent (cancelled) trip from Columbus, Ohio to my home in Chicago (and… Read More...

• Architecturally Informed Indoor Outdoor Art Furniture

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  19 Jan 2012 | 1:26 pm

  Only a single Lodge Chair, above, has been produced. We love wire these days. Salvadorian artist Baltasar Portillo sculpts together powder coated wrought iron to form this collection of indoor-outdoor “art” furniture. Portillo’s series of Armadillo… Read More...

• Oppose Internet Censorship!

  Robin Plaskoff Horton

  18 Jan 2012 | 3:19 pm

  Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S. Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop… Read More...

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  My Tool Blog

• 9 garden pests that you will want to avoid!

  MTS Team

  25 Jan 2012 | 6:23 am

  You might think your garden belongs to you, but it’s actually home to a whole host of creatures who’ve laid claim to the dirt and plants growing in it. Some of them are considerate guests, eating debris and pesky insects and enriching the soil with their leavings. Others are not so kind, being the sort that will feed on your plants, tear up the ground and spread diseases to crops and people alike. From aphids to voles, these critters stand ready to do battle with you over the patch of greenery you’re trying to nurture. They won’t leave of their own accord, so you’ll have to use all…

• Drag racing with power tools

  MTS Team

  22 Jan 2012 | 6:44 am

  Now here is an unusual past time, drag racing with power tools. For this hobby a range of power tools can be used. From ‘Big block belt sanders to nitro burning funny-saws’. Believe it or not, there’s more than one type of racing you can do. Whilst the racing typically features hand held power tools raced along specially constructed tracks, some folks like to go a step further and use power tools to drive full sized vehicles. Be it with leaf blowers, disc cutters or chain saws. If you’re from the UK, think scrap heap challenge meets robot wars and your most of the way there. Check…

• The world’s biggest power tools part 2: The saw

  MTS Team

  19 Jan 2012 | 11:16 am

  The world’s biggest saw If you’re tired of tools that can drill holes the size of subways, ones that can drain the black sea or even drill a hole from Russia to Alaska, then check out the world’s biggest saw. Photo by : Slava Stepanov It stands at a staggering 145ft high and weighs in at 45,000 tonnes. This huge excavation saw was designed to help workers in Kazakhstan mine coal. You’ll probably not be surprised to hear that it can even cut through mountains! Working in a similar way to a chainsaw, the saw blade cuts deep into the coal seam, and can break off bug…

• The world’s biggest power tools part 1: Drills

  MTS Team

  11 Jan 2012 | 1:00 pm

  The world’s largest drill As technology has advanced so too have tools. Not only have they become more advanced, but some have got bigger.  In fact  some power tools are so big, you’d have to call them gigantic! What will Abramovich do with the world’s biggest power tool? The world’ biggest drill may now be in the hands of one of the world’s richest people. A few years ago Chelsea chairman and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought what is thought to be the largest drill. Whilst its probably a more practical purchase than spending £50m on Fernando Torres, you still…

• Popular herbs to grow in your garden

  MTS Team

  21 Dec 2011 | 1:15 am

  If you are interested in learning more about growing herbs or are thinking of establishing yourself as an herb gardener, it will probably pique your interest to know what herbs we think are the seven most popular to grow in your garden. 1. Basil. Very easy to grow in a garden and you can grow it almost anywhere! You can grow basil outdoors in your actual garden or even in a small pot on your windowsill. 2. Chives. Another herb that is excellent for home gardeners . Easy to grow, chives can be used in many recipes and can also be dried for seasonings. 3. Cilantro. People grow cilantro for…

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  a charlotte garden

• Snowdrops

  Daricia, A Charlotte Garden

  26 Jan 2012 | 12:18 pm

  Galanthus elwesii Snowdrops (Galanthus), like orchids and tulips, have their wildly passionate advocates.   They can become an obsession.  Author/blogger John Grimshaw recently posted on his blog that a galanthophile had purchased a single bulb of Galanthus 'Green Tear' for 360 British pounds (that's $564 USD)! I can't say I would pay large sums for a bulb, but I am among the charmed.  The diminutive size, dainty, nodding blooms, fresh white and green color, and a fragrance you notice as you kneel for a photograph, make…

• indoor farming

  Daricia, A Charlotte Garden

  25 Jan 2012 | 10:29 am

  Years ago we had a pair of gerbils named Limp and Bizkit.  Did she say Limp and Bizkit?  Yes, she did.  They were named by my (then) fifth-grade son for a band he deemed worthy of ... something ... I'm not sure what.  I guess naming gerbils after.  These gerbils lived a long time, in spite of fifth-grader's inconsistent attention; one of them was twice as old as an average gerbil when he finally departed this world to reunite with his gerbil brother who had passed on a couple of years prior. "Does this have anything to do with indoor farming?," you might…

• blame it on susan orlean

  Daricia, A Charlotte Garden

  24 Jan 2012 | 2:08 pm

  I've been re-enamored of orchids lately, for a couple of reasons.  For one, it's that time of year.  You can find them on display everywhere right now, from botanical gardens to restaurants, malls and airports. hotel lobbies, too Orchids get their chance to shine during winter when we're more focused on indoor gardening than outdoors; once they start blooming, the flowers can last an entire winter. my new miniature moth orchid (Phalaenopsis).  i couldn't resist this cute one with the intensely red-toned, white-edged petals.  (also pictured top of post) gaylord…

• Blooming Today: Jelena Witch Hazel

  Daricia, A Charlotte Garden

  23 Jan 2012 | 9:12 am

  Last spring we added four witch hazels to our garden, Hamamelis x intermedia 'Jelena'.  I had only seen pictures of these but loved the unusual flower form, the great color of the blooms, and the intense hues of the autumn leaves.  I crossed my fingers that the ones we got were correctly labeled! early fall, Hamamelis 'Jelena' Just a few days ago, I  told Karin at Southern Meadows (also in zone 7b) that I had no witch hazel blooms yet, but yesterday I walked out to look again and found that two of the shrubs do have a few blooms! The brown leaves of last season still cling…

• Free-Range Chicken Gardens: New Book and Contest by Timber Press

  Daricia, A Charlotte Garden

  20 Jan 2012 | 9:59 am

  Keeping chickens in your backyard has become quite the hip thing to do these days.  Have you considered it? Timber Press is releasing a new book this month, Free-Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom.  The cover of the book and this cute one minute video of author (and award winning garden designer!) Jessi Bloom in her garden, have got me trying to figure out how I can possibly add chickens to my suburban backyard. From the Timber Press website: It's true, you can keep chickens and have a beautiful garden, too. And fresh eggs are just one of the many benefits —…

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  How to Grow Great Potatoes

• Why You Should Grow Disease Resistant Potatoes

  Annette Welsford

  13 Jan 2012 | 6:09 am

  The great Irish famine of the mid-19th century shows us how vulnerable potatoes can be when it comes to disease. Potato blight, caused by a rampant fungus caused a massive crop failure throughout Ireland, leading to famine and starvation. Many of those who survived the famine decided to emigrate to far-off lands like North America and Australia, leading to a drop in the Irish population of some 50%. Hybrid Potatoes can Resist Disease Of course it was the common so-called Irish potato that was affected by the terrible blight. So it is not surprising that horticulturists decided to do what they…

• How to Harvest your Home-grown Potatoes

  Annette Welsford

  3 Dec 2011 | 3:08 am

  A successful potato crop will keep you stocked up with freshly grown potatoes for as long as eight weeks, from the time the plant flowers. The first potatoes you can harvest will be little, baby potatoes – normally referred to as "new potatoes". This could be as early as six weeks after planting; be guided by the flowers which should be fully open. A mature crop though will only be ready 12 to 14 weeks after planting, depending on the variety. Harvesting New Potatoes The harvesting process for young, new potatoes is not the same as for mature tubers. The reason for this is…

• How Potatoes Grow, Step-by-Step

  Annette Welsford

  8 Nov 2011 | 6:17 am

  If you have never grown potatoes before, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the growing process of tubers, so that you can take appropriate and progressive action to ensure a successful crop.   While stems, leaves and flowers do form above the ground, it is the expanding section of the plant – the tuber – under the ground that forms the crop.   Once you have planted your "seed" tubers, there are five main stages to watch for: the green sprouts that emerge from the eyes of the seed potatoes, the stalks and lush green leaves that form, flowers (and…

• Growing and Cooking the Best Mashed Potatoes

  Annette Welsford

  3 Oct 2011 | 5:22 am

  Potatoes are a staple and potentially delicious food, although a large number of people are surprisingly unimaginative and uninventive when it comes to cooking processes.   Mashed potato is a perfect example of a dish that may be totally mundane, or marvellously cordon bleu!   At its most mundane, mashed potato is made by boiling the tuber and then adding a knob of butter or yellow margarine, plus salt and pepper to taste. Many people also add a bit of milk or cream before mashing. There's nothing to it really, except that if you don't mash it thoroughly, and season it…

• Grow Different Coloured Potatoes

  Annette Welsford

  14 Sep 2011 | 6:32 pm

  Many people think of potatoes as being dull-looking, brown-skinned vegetables that you can bake, boil or fry. But not only are there numerous ways to cook the common potato, there are also a multitude of different types of potato – more than 5,000 varieties in all. Perhaps even more surprisingly, potatoes come in a myriad of different colours, from white to blue and dark purple.   This shows that the common potato is no longer as "common" as it used to be! Unfortunately though, only a small number of varieties make their way to any of the world's supermarket shelves.

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  Growing Veggies

• Different Ways to Cook Spinach

  Annette

  12 Jan 2012 | 7:10 am

  Larry G. Jones, Laura Conlin, Russ Reid, Naomi 'Ma Larkin' Lever liked this postHomegrown spinach casserole Spinach is an incredibly easy vegetable to grow, particularly Swiss chard or silver beet. But what do you do when you are faced with kilo after kilo of fresh spinach? Different types of Spinach True spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is not grown as widely as high yielding Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) which is, to many non-horticultural people all over the world, the only spinach there is. The most likely reason for this is that true spinach has a much shorter picking season, it…

• Growing asparagus beans

  Annette

  31 Dec 2011 | 9:38 pm

  Werner Paulhardt, Sherryn Mehta, Deborah Hamel, Larry G. Jones liked this postThis lovely story comes from our customers, Richard and Jennifer Shawver. “Thanks for the book on potatoes which I thoroughly enjoyed. I’ve read everything except for the diseases. I also bought your book on tomatoes and enjoyed all the tips for growing. We spend part of our time here in east Malaysia where my wife has her house. I’m from Seattle where we go to my home. She is an avid gardener while I just grow one or two things each year. In Malaysia gardening is year round while in Seattle there…

• Growing your own Beetroot

  Annette

  3 Dec 2011 | 1:32 am

  Jeff Walton, Larry G. Jones liked this postWhile not everyone rates beetroot as their most popular veggie, it is a really easy root crop to grow in a home garden. Better still, there are now different-coloured varieties, including both white and golden fleshed beet, adding a new dimension to this soft, super-sweet root vegetable. The Best Soil for Growing Beetroot While you can grow beet in various types of soil, like most root vegetables, this plant prefers deep, rich soil that is nice and crumbly. It doesn’t do well in poor, sandy soil, or in soil that is hard and compact. Beetroots…

• Growing Colourful Onions

  Annette

  7 Nov 2011 | 4:48 am

  Billy Welch, Larry G. Jones, Jeff Walton, Peter O'Connell, Robert Buford, Raphia Trenkle, Nora Hutchinson Hall liked this postOnions are a hugely useful vegetable that is good for making sauces, is delicious in stews and soups, and beautifully tangy in salads, and is guaranteed to a zing to the plainest sandwiches. But not all onions are created equal. They come in different colours (primarily red, white, yellow and brown) and sizes, and the flavour of different types really is different. Different coloured onions: Caledon Globe, White Pearl and Red Creole. Different Types of Onions Most…

• What you can do with Fennel

  Annette

  3 Oct 2011 | 7:51 am

  Bulb Fennel Fennel is a much maligned vegetable that grows wild in some parts of the world. It is an outcast in the average vegetable garden because it is not a good companion for any other vegetables. Furthermore, many people find its distinct aniseed flavour abhorrent. However fennel does have its uses, both medicinal and culinary, and it is incredibly easy to grow. The Benefits of Fennel Fennel has amazing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and some say anti-cancer properties. It is packed with fibre and it is particularly high in essential Vitamins A and C. Traditionally fennel has been used…

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  Thanks for today.

• Backyard Birds--We've Got 'Em Here!

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  22 Jan 2012 | 11:12 pm

  Every year we look forward to an influx of colorful birds in our yard. The numbers generally pick up in January, and usually coincide with colder temperatures. While birds are here at any given time throughout the year, there is more obvious activity at the feeders during the winter months: Finches and a Bluebird at one of the feeding stations What do we do to attract the birds?  One thing we do is provide a variety of seeds, nuts and berries in several different bird feeders.  Black oil sunflower seed, hulled sunflower nuts, peanut pieces, safflower seed, nijer seed, and suet is…

• January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  16 Jan 2012 | 11:11 pm

  Just in time for January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, six of my Hellebore plants have begun to bloom, with the 'Christmas Rose' completely opened: Helleborus x niger 'Jacob' (Christmas Rose) Helleborus x nigercors 'HGC Green Corsican' (Winter Rose) Helleborus hybridus *unknown variety Helleborus x hybridus 'Red Lady' (Lenten Rose) Helleborus x hybridus 'Pine Knot Select' (Lenten Rose) Helleborus x ballardiae 'Pink Frost' I have many other Hellebores but as yet, they haven't developed buds, so there will (hopefully) be more in February, March and April. All three of my Galanthus elwesii (Giant…

• Fire, Ice, Snow and Bulbs

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  12 Jan 2012 | 9:44 pm

  Last Thursday found the edges and still sections of our stream glazed over with ice crystals. It was a pretty sight to view up close:                                                          (Click photos to enlarge) The next day, I awoke extra-early and glanced outside to see an unusually fiery, spectacular sunrise: There's an old saying that goes, 'Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning'...but that did not end up applying. As it turned…

• A New Blogging Year Has Begun!

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  1 Jan 2012 | 10:52 pm

  It's a new year and it's time for me to start spending more time here on the blog and less time procrastinating and (I hate to admit it)...'Facebooking'! Yes, I've become somewhat of a Facebook addict in the last year and I need to ween myself from it and back to writing and sharing what's goin' on in my garden! I never shared this Monkshood that bloomed from late fall into November! It was a charmer! Honestly, for months on end I have been taking photos of garden 'happenings', but I haven't bothered to share them. Well, a couple of photos did get uploaded to FB but there were no posts…

• Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on Wordless Wednesday

  Jan@Thanks for today.

  16 Nov 2011 | 2:21 pm

  Today I'm thankful for the flowers that continue to bloom in my mid-November garden:                                                         (*click on photos to enlarge) ...and in the containers, a few colorful blooms also remain: Yesterday was Garden Bloggers Bloom Day at May Dreams Gardens. Despite a yard full of leaves covering just about every inch of garden space, I wanted to share the few colorful blooms that managed to survive our recent bizarre…

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  Lead up the Garden Path

• It’s Snowdrop Time!

  Pauline

  27 Jan 2012 | 4:29 pm

  To a lot of people snowdrops are all the same, I thought this for many, many years, until I once visited a garden which had lots of really different varieties and fell under their spell. There are still species snowdrops to be bought, but mainly these days the bulbs that are bought are the many hybrids that are produced, sometimes by seeding naturally, sometimes by selective breeding. Some bulbs cost a small fortune, upwards of £300, but a lot can be bought quite reasonably, thank goodness. I only ever buy one of each variety, then wait for them to bulk up, some do so much quicker than…

• Free Cornus Hedge.

  Pauline

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  Some of you may remember last month , when clipping the Cornus bushes to make our Christmas decorations, the stems of Cornus alba sibirica Westonbirt which I put in a white vase. Well, you should just see them now, look at all the new growth that they have put out, lots of leaves everywhere. And not just leaves, tiny flowers wherever you look. If you look at the other end, there are loads of roots forming!! I really can’t bear to waste anything, so these will be used to form a hedge at the end of the woodland where we have  a bank just covered with ivy. I’m now thinking of next…

• January Foliage for GBFD.

  Pauline

  22 Jan 2012 | 12:53 am

  I can imagine that most people will be posting beautiful photos of frost encrusted leaves for this months foliage day, not me however, as we are still waiting for our first frost. I have sown some meconopsis seeds and am waiting for the frost to stratify them before I can bring them into the greenhouse for them to sprout, just as well that gardening teaches us patience! At this time of year it is mainly the evergreens that are making the garden look “furnished” although there are still some deciduous leaves that are looking good enough to be included. One plant that stands out, no…

• January, Garden Bloggers Bloom Day.

  Pauline

  15 Jan 2012 | 8:31 am

  One New Year’s decision was to take part in GBBD for the first time. This time last year it wouldn’t have been possible because everywhere was under a foot of snow, this year it is a very different story, with temperatures far higher than they should be. Some plants have carried on flowering from last year, they just don’t want to stop, even though they were cut back last November. Others have been persuaded to flower much earlier than usual, just hope they don’t get caught out by the frosts that are forecast this weekend. This first photo is of the chaenomeles by the…

• Sculpture Exhibition at Rosemoor.

  Pauline

  11 Jan 2012 | 1:02 pm

  The beauty of living in this country is that garden visiting doesn’t have to stop just because it is winter. I don’t know about other countries, but here we are lucky to have people or organisations who are willing to create special winter gardens and hold sculpture exhibitions within their already very large gardens. These gardens can be scaled down for our own gardens to maybe just one bed or part of a bed that can be seen from the house, no point in getting cold unnecessarily! Even if you don’t have the room to make a special bed, then we can take inspiration from all the…

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  leavesnbloom

• Perthshire Native Snowdrops

  leavesnbloom

  24 Jan 2012 | 6:09 pm

  Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as theyBut hardier far, once more I see thee bend. Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day, Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylayThe rising sun, and on the plains descend; f2.8 Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friendWhose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May f2.8 Shall soon behold this border

• A Crisp January Garden Bloggers Bloom Day 2012

  leavesnbloom

  14 Jan 2012 | 4:59 pm

  Strange weather isn't it and do you think that our winter has gone into hibernation? It's certainly a great time to buy a snow shovel at a discounted price around here!  The radio is on as I type this and the weatherman is assuring me that it's going to get a little bit frosty and crisper here over the next few days.  Now 'crisp'  is a word I can relate to in January but will some of my flowers

• Is Spring coming earlier?

  leavesnbloom

  7 Jan 2012 | 7:54 am

  Is Spring coming earlier? Well you might find the answer if you're interested in Phenology.  It's the science of recording natural regularly occurring events and it's name is derived  from the Greek words “phaino” (to show or appear) and “logos” (to study).  This year I'm looking forward to being one of the volunteer "Citizen Scientists"  for the UK's Nature's Calendar Survey in my locality of

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  The Sage Butterfly

• W4W - Reflection in a Crystal Palace

  The Sage Butterfly

  24 Jan 2012 | 7:46 pm

  Over the last few days, we have had several ice storms that covered trees, shrubs, lawn, and garden beds with a cloak of crystalline shimmering magic. When I walk outside, the ice-covered surroundings make me feel as if I have entered a crystal palace. Light reflects off of every surface, and the ice glistens and sparkles like everything has been polished and shined.  The branches glisten even in the gray smoke of fog, melting just enough to create soft and slippery thorns.Donna at Garden Walk Garden Talk is hosting Word for Wednesday with the word, reflection.Reflection - the act…

• Wintertide Foliage - GBFD

  The Sage Butterfly

  21 Jan 2012 | 2:35 pm

  I did not expect to find as much foliage as I did in the midst of winter, but there were some interesting finds.Winter's foliage in photographs...Because of the mild winter we have been having, so far, some plants have begun to bud. I have been covering the vegetables in the vegetable garden on nights that fall below freezing. They are lasting longer than usual.We have not had a lot of snow...just a bit...And we had an ice storm recently...glistening, glassy, glitter...I am joining Christina at Creating My Own Garden of the Hesperides for Garden Bloggers Foliage Day.© copyright 2012 Michelle…

• An Herbal Adventure - Garden Book Review

  The Sage Butterfly

  19 Jan 2012 | 10:22 pm

  Since one of my new year's resolutions is to foster good health, I have been reading some herbal books that I have on the shelf. One book, in particular, is a book I have had for many years. It is an illustrated guide to herbs that includes herbal gardening and cooking but also includes medicinal uses for herbs as well as some beauty treatments, such as facial masks. I refer to it often for one or more of these purposes.=========================================Title:  The Herb BookAuthors: Arabella Boxer & Philippa BackPublished in 1985 by Peerage Books (This book was first published…

• A Year of Enchanted Discovery - A Birthday!

  The Sage Butterfly

  18 Jan 2012 | 11:01 pm

  The Sage Butterfly is one year old today. I have learned much in this year through trial and error, through experimentation, and through other bloggers. It has been an interesting and fulfilling experience to express my affection for nature by writing about my garden, animals I encounter, and other discoveries or reflections. I like having my garden documented through the blog and having a way to express even the smallest observations.When I decided to write a blog last year, my intention was to share all the knowledge I had about environmental concerns, ideas, and acts--to inform and…

• Stillness

  The Sage Butterfly

  13 Jan 2012 | 1:41 pm

  Winter, in its dormancy, has a stillness that permeates through the echoes between the branches. Many trees do not have the vibrancy of their leaves, and much of the perennial landscape has abandoned life above the soil and gone into a still and gentle hibernation. Some species of animals take this time to hibernate in warmer dens--their voices silent--not to be seen or heard until spring. Nature's vivid colors are absent, and the gray and brown hues have a restful quality about them.In winter, I am able to find stillness more than in any other time of the year. In the spring, I am active…

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  Garden Walk, Garden Talk

• Go Nuts on Squirrel Appreciation Day or Any Other Day for That Matter

  Garden Walk Garden Talk

  26 Jan 2012 | 10:37 pm

  Did you appreciate your squirrels on January 21st? And is DC going over the edge? My gosh is there some crazy going on. Continue reading →

• W4W – Reflection in Photos

  Garden Walk Garden Talk

  24 Jan 2012 | 6:56 pm

  The Word 4 Wednesday is Reflection. If you choose join along with a reflective image. Continue reading →

• Stark Raving Mad Bees and Nature’s Own Horror Movie

  Garden Walk Garden Talk

  22 Jan 2012 | 10:04 pm

  Bee Zombies, a tale like a horror flick. Continue reading →

• Month in Tens – January 11 -20

  Garden Walk Garden Talk

  20 Jan 2012 | 9:50 pm

  The Month in Tens continues with a little 'Shooting the Ordinary" social commentary. Continue reading →

• Month in Tens Calendar

  Garden Walk Garden Talk

  19 Jan 2012 | 8:31 am

  The 2012 calendar preview to the Month in Tens with a look in images at the weather in Niagara Falls, NY. Continue reading →

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  PlanterTomato Vegetable Gardening

• The New Potato Chip Is Made From Kale

  H. Mark Delman

  25 Jan 2012 | 9:45 am

  In this posting, I provide a delicious alternative to potato chips.  Don't tell the kids, but they are also very healthy. King Potato Chip According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American eats about sixty-five pounds of potatoes each year.  About fourteen pounds of these potatoes are used to make potato chips -- or about 4 pounds of chips per person after cooking. I love potato chips and I'm not going to give up eating them anytime soon.  However, I want to make you aware of a healthier substitute you can easily make at home.  And the really amazing news is that you…

• Hardiness Zones Systems & Plant Selection

  H. Mark Delman

  22 Jan 2012 | 9:16 am

  In this posting, I cover three systems for determining which plants to grow in your area. In order to help gardeners determine the right plants for their area, a number of organizations have developed systems that specify the types of plants that can be grown in a given geography.   Here are the most important three systems used in the United States. USDA Hardiness Zones The oldest, and most widely adopted system, was created by the United States Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the U.S. National Arboretum in 1960. The USDA Hardiness zone map divides the U.S. into 11 zones…

• My 2012 Garden Plan - What's In and What's Out

  H. Mark Delman

  15 Jan 2012 | 8:21 am

  In my last posting, I covered some of the new and interesting vegetable varieties that you might consider adding to your garden.  In this posting, I'll let you know what's going what's being added and dropped to my garden in 2012 and share my 2012 garden plan. What's In & What's Out Long-Fellow Corn is Out- Last year I successfully planted an heirloom variety of flint corn called Longfellow.  This is an heirloom corn that is used to make cornmeal for pollenta, tortillas and other dishes that require low sugar/high starch corn.  This crop was extremely successful for me and I ended up…

• Ten Interesting New Vegetable Varieties for 2012

  H. Mark Delman

  11 Jan 2012 | 7:36 am

  In December and January, the seed catalogs start showing up in my mailbox.  In this posting, I highlight some new varieties that caught my eye as I thumbed through the pages of these various catalogs.  Some are new varieties, some are just new to me, and some are just plain wacky.  Here are ten varieties that might interest you: Wasabi Arugula - this variety offered by Renee's Garden Seeds is supposed to have a spicy flavor profile that is similar to wasabi paste that is used to make sushi.  I love hot hit of wasabi and am excited to try this in my garden this year.  In the spirit of…

• Smithsonian Collection of 10,000 Seed Catalogs

  H. Mark Delman

  8 Jan 2012 | 1:36 pm

  Yesterday, I posted on my favorite seed catalogs.  If you'd like to look at see some truly beautiful seed catalog covers from days gone, by check out this link to the collection at the Smithsonian Institution. The collection contains over 10,000 seed and nursery catalogs from the 1830' through the 1930's.  The Smithsonian site has an on-line tool that lets you browse by plant type (tomatoes, apples, begonias, etc.) or by seed company.

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  Gardenerd

• Homesteading: Making Yogurt...Again

  Christy Wilhelmi

  26 Jan 2012 | 8:34 am

  After seeing Vegucated, the vegan documentary that shows the underside of our country's meat and dairy industry, I was highly motivated to find organic milk products from truly trustworthy suppliers. Many of our organic dairy manufacturers like Horizon and Organic Valley still utilize confined feedlot techniques and, without going in to details, they don't treat their cows very well. I wanted control over my dairy ASAP. I did ...

• Romanesco Broccoli: Fibonacci of the Garden

  Christy Wilhelmi

  25 Jan 2012 | 11:32 am

  Growing new varieties each season keeps the garden interesting. Since we focus on heirlooms and open pollinated varieties here at Gardenerd, our choices are not new, but rather newly discovered. After a slight seed debacle last year where we grew seeds from an (unnamed) seed company that purchased Romanesco seeds from an untrustworthy supplier, resulting in Romanesco that looked nothing like Romanesco, we tried again this year with guaranteed seed. What ...

• Got Beans? Sun Coast Farms Does.

  Christy Wilhelmi

  16 Jan 2012 | 12:14 pm

  The latest post from Mar Vista's Bounty Hunter is live and ready for your perusal. Feast your eyes on some great legumes and find out how to cook them with a delicious recipe or two: Sun Coast Farms has its Finger on the Pulse (of Beans, that is)  ...

• Easy Homesteading: Making Paneer

  Christy Wilhelmi

  12 Jan 2012 | 8:47 am

  Paneer is an Indian cheese that could be considered the gateway cheese to cheese making. It's so easy and uses readily available ingredients, so if you are interested in trying cheese making, here's a good one to start with. This recipe comes from an old Indian cookbook I picked up in a discount bookstore about 15 years ago called Step by Step Indian Vegetarian Cooking by Louise Steele. It has some great ...

• How to Do a Home Soil Test for Citrus

  Christy Wilhelmi

  11 Jan 2012 | 11:47 am

  Growing up, my parents had orange trees and stone fruit trees that I swear were planted in unamended clay soil and were never - ever - fertilized. They thrived. My three citrus trees, on the other hand, which were planted with good drainage, plenty of compost and lots of care, are sad, sad, and more sad. What gives? Our top New Years' Resolution was to figure out what was wrong with our ...

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  DIY Small Garden Landscape Design

• Terracotta Pot Projects

  Jacky

  26 Jan 2012 | 3:52 pm

  Terracotta pots are cheap and sturdy and if you have a few extra lying around, maybe you can try one of the easy projects. Neither have instructions but look easy enough to do. Continue reading...You just finished reading Terracotta Pot Projects is a post from: Content in this feed is copyrighted Small Garden Love and may not be republished without written permission. This means you are welcome to foward the email to a friend or colleague but it's not ok to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website.

• Easy Concrete Garden Balls

  Jacky

  20 Jan 2012 | 7:47 am

  Want a cheap concrete garden ball for your garden, well if youv'e got some leftover old globe light covers then youre half way there. When I first saw the photos for this project I never imagined they had made it using those glas globes! Continue reading...You just finished reading Easy Concrete Garden Balls is a post from: Content in this feed is copyrighted Small Garden Love and may not be republished without written permission. This means you are welcome to foward the email to a friend or colleague but it's not ok to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website.

• SOPA Protest

  Jacky

  18 Jan 2012 | 12:22 pm

  I only found out about the SOPA (stop piracy online act) and PIPI (protect IP act) protest yesterday and did not have enough time to black out this site, since I worked at my day job till super late. But since I still want to show my support of the protest I decided to post this. Continue reading...You just finished reading SOPA Protest is a post from: Content in this feed is copyrighted Small Garden Love and may not be republished without written permission. This means you are welcome to foward the email to a friend or colleague but it's not ok to add the RSS feed automatically as content on…

• Pinecrest Botanical Gardens

  Jacky

  18 Jan 2012 | 11:27 am

  We visited Pinecrest Gardens this weekend, a beautiful botanical garden in the tiny city of Pinecrest, Fl. It was originally built in the 1930's to house what would become the world-famous Parrot Jungle attraction. In 2002 Parrot Jungle was moved to Miami Beach and the City of Pinecrest bought the land and made it into what it is today Continue reading...You just finished reading Pinecrest Botanical Gardens is a post from: Content in this feed is copyrighted Small Garden Love and may not be republished without written permission. This means you are welcome to foward the email to a friend or…

• Moss Obsessed

  Jacky

  13 Jan 2012 | 8:29 am

  I'll admit it, I LOVE MOSS!!! There's just something about it. Maybe it's the bright green color or because it's so squishy. I just want to pet it. Real live moss can be hard to come by in the dry months. The moss they sell at craft stores is preserved and the one at florist suppliers can be a little expensive. Continue reading...You just finished reading Moss Obsessed is a post from: Content in this feed is copyrighted Small Garden Love and may not be republished without written permission. This means you are welcome to foward the email to a friend or colleague but it's not ok to add the RSS…

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  A Verdant Life

• Gardening in the New Year

  3 Jan 2012 | 1:34 pm

  I recently caught up with a friend from Maine, where the ground regularly freezes to 6' deep and footings for walls need to be poured 8' deep to get below the frost line. Makes our winters here in Palo Alto seem positively tropical, and even though the recent frosts are sending lots of things rushing into dormancy, there's still plenty to do in the garden. Your roses may still look like they're

• Branding the Landscape

  8 Sep 2011 | 2:28 am

  Pop quiz: Is this my style, or my brand? I was having an interesting conversation with a colleague the other day about "branding" in landscape design and architecture, from my perspective as a former marketing guy. "What's the difference between 'brand' and 'style?" she asked. I opined that your style is the outward representation of your work, the "character" of your product. Most of us in

• Painting the Bridge

  27 Aug 2011 | 2:08 am

  In case you've ever wondered:  "Any Joe on the street can call himself a landscape designer. You don't need a degree. You don't need a license. That's a huge difference [compared to a Landscape Architect]." That's the wisdom of Dominic Zuccarelli, a 21-year-old landscape architecture major at Purdue University, as quoted by the Northwest Indiana Times.  *  *  *  *  * Bristle as I may at

• In Search of Greener Grass

  19 Jul 2011 | 1:21 pm

  The ASLA recently linked to the Synthetic Turf Council's new free guide, Synthetic Turf 360°, which promises "to showcase the numerous uses and benefits of synthetic turf [as] the first comprehensive, annotated tool of its kind". As skeptical as I am of marketing blather, especially from corporate consortia in almost any industry, I've got to say that description is just about spot-on. The guide

• Learning from the Big Guys, Pt. 7

  18 Jun 2011 | 1:15 pm

  It's been an incredibly busy year so far, leaving me with lots of thoughts swirling around in my head but precious little time to put them in writing. But my daily travels take me past a few examples of poor landscape planning, and I'm never too busy to learn from the big guys. Today we examine some examples of what happens when the age-old rule "right plant, right place" is broken. It's a great

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  Tangled Branches: Cultivated

• California Dreamin’, Part 2

  entangled

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:39 am

  So after the wedding, we stayed a few extra days in California to revisit some places we’d been to long ago, and find some new favorites. In one of the those totally serendipitous moments that makes travel fun, we drove through downtown Petaluma past an elegant old building with painted lettering on the windows announcing that it was a Seed Bank. Huh? You mean like real seeds? What is this place? Well, we were on our way to somewhere else, so we didn’t stop. But I looked it up later on the internet and said to the spouse “Damn, we should have stopped.” It turned out to…

• California Dreamin’

  entangled

  13 Jan 2012 | 11:06 am

  …on such a winter’s day.[1] Actually winter has been unusually pleasant this year and I’m sure it will soon punish me for saying that. We traveled to California in September for a wedding and a few days vacation and I just couldn’t get the blog restarted when we got back. But not because I don’t have anything wonderful to report – I do! We have happy memories of the trip – lots of fabulous food, wine, beer, cider (is there a theme here?) and even some plant-related tourist stops. More about those later. This post is about the beautiful bride’s…

• Pentapetes phoenicia

  entangled

  20 Sep 2011 | 8:01 am

  …is the mystery plant in the previous post. The flowers make me think of Abutilon – they have that nodding look – and they’re both in the Malvaceae family. It’s native to south Asia, where it’s a weed (of course) of rice fields. That reminds me that the Lantana standard I so admired at Monticello is also a weed in India (and probably not trained to a standard there). Thomas Jefferson may have acquired his Pentapetes seeds from Bernard McMahon, the Philadelphia nurseryman. There is apparently a range of red-to-pink shades. I only saw the red one, but pink is…

• Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello

  entangled

  18 Sep 2011 | 7:57 am

  Well, it took us five  years to get around to attending the Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello but I’m happy we made it there yesterday. We didn’t know quite what to expect, but it was something like a cross between a county fair and farmer’s market or craft festival. Central Virginia  is rich in local farms and businesses producing high quality food and other agricultural products, and the Heritage Harvest Festival attracted a good many of them to exhibit their wares. Some of the vendors/exhibitors were already well-known to us, so we concentrated on some we had not…

• Roasted Okra with Chimayo Pepper

  entangled

  17 Sep 2011 | 2:00 pm

  Harvest, September 4, 2011 A couple weeks ago I wrote about the Easiest Okra Recipe Ever. Or so I thought when I wrote it. Since then I’ve found an Even Easier Okra Recipe. Like the other one, it isn’t so much a recipe as an idea, but here goes. Preheat oven to 425°F. Wash okra, dry thoroughly, and cut into large chunks (say 1½ to 2 inches long). Toss the okra in a bowl with some olive oil. Place okra in roasting pan (or casserole dish, or ovenproof skillet, or whatever.) large enough to hold it in a single layer. Roast for about 20 minutes, stir, and then roast for about…

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  Fine Gardening - Gallery category posts

• Great thought about water gardening

  27 Jan 2012 | 2:25 pm

  Posted by Briannewalter Water gardening can be a great change from soil gardens and can also give great options for landscaping designs. It is a great way of relaxing and if handled properly, a most rewarding and worthwhile...

• A Newer Garden for Less

  26 Jan 2012 | 10:43 pm

  Posted by MissVict0ria   A Newer Garden for Less   A huge problem that gardeners face today is how to turn their old gardens into something new and interesting. Problem is, gardens take a lot of work, and...

• stunning mystery plant

  26 Jan 2012 | 9:14 pm

  Posted by esby white to pink/rose lantern-like clusters with blood-red tiny blossoms it was purchased at Menard's in MN and I suspect it may be an outdoor plant, rather than a houseplant.  can anyone identify...

• Icy Day

  25 Jan 2012 | 12:11 pm

  Posted by PineTwp It's nice to capture nature's beauty and save it for another day.

• 10 Attractive container gardening ideas

  23 Jan 2012 | 12:24 am

  Posted by Briannewalter   Container gardening is a splendid idea if you do not have enough cultivating area. There are a variety of planters available in the market which you can install in a small area to make it...

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  Veggie Gardening Tips

• Growing Baby Ginger as a Backyard Garden Vegetable Crop

  Kenny Point

  12 Jan 2012 | 7:11 am

  Growing baby ginger in the home garden sure sounds interesting; but isn’t ginger a tropical plant that’s not suitable for the climates here in the U.S.? Well not exactly, farmers and gardeners across the country are discovering that they can raise a crop of fresh ginger under a wide range of conditions and climates! I first gave the idea of growing ginger in the vegetable garden serious thought a year ago when I met Susan Anderson of East Branch Ginger at a PASA Farm Conference. The thing that immediately caught my eye was the gigantic, plump clusters of seed ginger on display at her…

• Gardening Tips for the New Year from Ira Wallace

  Kenny Point

  31 Dec 2011 | 5:00 pm

  Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (SESE) has been one of my favorite heirloom seed suppliers for over twenty years, and is the original source of the potato onion seed stock that I continue to grow today. I was pleased to receive some great gardening tips and ideas from Ira Wallace, a worker/owner at SESE, and a board member of the Organic Seed Alliance back in September. Ira presented four workshops at the Mother Earth News Fair on the topics of; Fall and Winter Gardening, Cultivating Herbs, Heirloom Tomatoes, and Growing Great Garlic. I later had the opportunity to interview her to gather…

• Innovative Composting and Gardening Ideas

  Kenny Point

  6 Dec 2011 | 7:23 am

  Barbara Pleasant is an author, gardener, and public speaker who loves sharing her experiences related to raising organic backyard gardens. I spoke with her during the summer and also sat in on a presentation of her innovative composting and gardening techniques. She describes compost gardening as the art of arranging perfect marriages between compost and the garden. Composting is considered a seasonal activity because it happens faster during the summer and a reductive process because you wind up with so much less than you begin with. Innovative Ideas for the Backyard Composter Home…

• Natural Beekeeping for the Home Gardener

  Kenny Point

  28 Oct 2011 | 7:06 am

  Gardeners recognize the plight of honeybees and the important role that they play in pollinating the crops that find their way unto our dining tables. The desire to lend a helping hand to the honeybee has led to the increasing popularity of backyard beekeeping as a hobby that fits in nicely with home gardening. James Zitting of Bee Landing spoke at the Mother Earth News Fair and met with me afterwards to share his tips to make sustainable beekeeping a feasible option for the backyard gardener. The following ideas highlight his philosophy and recommendations on caring for honeybees. A…

• Photos from the Fall Vegetable Garden

  Kenny Point

  19 Oct 2011 | 7:22 am

  The mild temps continue here in Central PA with yesterday’s high reaching into the 70’s. These are great times to enjoy a fall vegetable garden and to complete those final fall clean-up tasks before colder weather arrives. My garlic, shallots, and potato onions are all in the ground, the last seeds have been planted, and the cold frames and low tunnels are in place and ready to grow. Not much left to do in the garden besides harvest the crops as they mature, and to enjoy the scenery. Enjoying the Fall Garden as the Growing Season Lingers There are carrots, beets, parsnips, gobo, and…

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  Beautiful Wildlife Garden

• It’s a Worm…It’s a Slug… It’s a WHAT?

  Loret T. Setters

  27 Jan 2012 | 5:41 am

  Uncovered this Flatworm while gathering firewood My head is ready to explode since I’m still reeling from this week’s debacle involving the partnering of National Wildlife Federation with Scotts Miracle Gro. In order to regain my sanity, it is time to revert back to enjoy the oft-unexpected findings in my Beautiful Wildlife Garden. New critters always clear my mind…once I figure out what they heck they are. I was out gathering firewood two weeks back when Holopaw had its big two-hour freeze. Firewood piles always produce a most interesting assortment of critters which is why I always…

• A Mask Does Not a Bandit Make

  Kathy Vilim

  26 Jan 2012 | 6:03 am

  Raccoon, (Procyon lotor) Photo Courtesy of loomcom.com It was the wee hours, yet I was awake.  I glanced at the glass doors to the deck .. did I see eyes? Yes, I spied two yellow eyes. And..  there was a face attached.  I could make out a face with a mask!  The face moved away quickly as I slid open the door.  Raccoon!  A raccoon was after the big bag of dog food.  Ah hah!  Then, to my surprise, another face appeared:  there was a second Raccoon INSIDE the dog food bag! He was busily eating his meal while his friend stood guard!  Note to Self: Do not leave dog food outside. …

• David Mizejewski Defends National Wildlife Federation Partnership with Scotts Miracle Gro

  Carole Sevilla Brown

  25 Jan 2012 | 6:37 am

  David Mizejewski explains NWF decision to partner with Scotts Miracle Gro Listen to interview with David Mizejewski while you read:  Like so many others, I was stunned when I learned that the National Wildlife Federation had decided to team up with Scotts Miracle Gro in what they describe as a mutually beneficial relationship. Personally I find nothing at all beneficial about this, and I have a suspicion that NWF may have done irreparable harm to their reputation and credibility. I am well aware of the lure of partnering with Scotts. A while back our team here at Beautiful Wildlife Garden…

• Should the Sign Come Down?

  Kathy Green

  24 Jan 2012 | 8:35 am

  I have proudly had a "Certified Wildlife Habitat" logo on my Gardening for Nature blog for several years. Now what should I do with it? What does it mean now? Sometimes organizations make decisions that are simply too far out there to understand. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) just made one of those decisions. The NWF has decided to partner with the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. That’s right, the non-profit organization whose logo is “Wildlife Promise” and has a mission statement of “Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s…

• The Salvation of Seed Catalogs

  Ursula Vernon

  23 Jan 2012 | 4:00 am

  There comes a time in every person’s life when they reach an epiphany. When a great understanding comes upon them, and a voice of some deep inner knowing speaks, and says to them, with the force of an Old Testament prophet: You better not get more than twenty feet from a toilet for the next 72 hours, or you’ll be sorry! Yes, O reader, I have food poisoning or stomach flu or something along those lines. While the specific cause escapes me—was it the shepherd’s pie? The chicken alfredo? Exposure to Washington DC tap-water?—the end result is predictable and involves…

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  Vegetable Gardener - All featured posts

• Stark Bro's Nurseries and Orchards Catalog Review

  27 Jan 2012 | 4:39 pm

  Posted by WesternGardener Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards continues a long tradition of helping home gardeners grow fruit, nuts, berries and ornamental plants. Every catalog displays its tagline prominently: “A Growing Legacy Since 1816."

• Grow Heirloom Sweet and Hot Peppers in Your Vegetable Garden

  24 Jan 2012 | 7:44 pm

  Posted by ChrisMcLaughlin Just like all of the other vegetables out there, when you choose to grow heirloom sweet or bell peppers, a whole new world is opened up to you.

• Caging to Prevent Cross-Pollination of Vegetable Varieties

  21 Jan 2012 | 2:41 pm

  Posted by ChrisMcLaughlin Caging is one type of physical barrier technique that allows heirlooms and open-pollinated plants to produce pure seed.

• Fisher's Seeds Catalog

  21 Jan 2012 | 10:15 am

  Posted by WesternGardener Longing for an old-fashioned approach to vegetable gardening? Then you’ll appreciate the no-nonsense attitude of the catalog from Fisher’s Seeds in Belgrade, Mont.

• Bagging Plants to Prevent Cross-Pollination of Vegetables

  19 Jan 2012 | 8:03 pm

  Posted by ChrisMcLaughlin Keep your vegetable seeds pure by preventing cross-pollination with the bagging technique.

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  Fine Gardening - Blogs category featured posts

• Ten Rose Pruning Tips

  27 Jan 2012 | 11:03 am

  Posted by PFZimmerman Rose pruning time is coming and I've got ten tips for you.

• READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 3: This and that

  27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am

  Posted by mgervais One last day in Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus (for now...we're hoping Tim will keep sending in photos, yes?). Tim says, "This is an assortment of garden photos and plant portraits that arent...

• READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 2: The front yard

  26 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am

  Posted by mgervais Check out the next awesome transformation in Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus, Ohio! Tim says, "Our 100 year-old, suburban home sits up on a berm.  Besides being unappealing, it was somewhat...

• Five Common Pruning Mistakes, and How to Fix Them

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:30 pm

  Posted by FineGardening_Editor Have you ever pruned so ineptly that your tree or shrub looks like a caricature? Well, don't despair. Help is at hand.

• READER PHOTOS! Tim's garden in Ohio, Day 1: The gravel garden

  25 Jan 2012 | 12:00 am

  Posted by mgervais We're spending the next three days in Tim Vojt's garden in Columbus, Ohio. He's got lots of good stuff to show us! We'll start with his driveway gravel garden. Tim says, "I've been slowly...

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  Carrots and Kids

• {So What If It's Cold}

  Deb

  17 Jan 2012 | 11:17 am

  Following on from my last post, it is, naturally, now winter proper. I am sat here with a very cold nose, wearing four layers and contemplating a fifth. Of course, it is not really the weather for blogging either. Really, I should be ironing.... And when I used to run a gardening club I decreed it wasn't the weather for gardening. Oh, I know there are things to do but it was always nice to have a break. Now I am a helper whose main responsibility is to just turn up, we are ploughing on. This week we replenished a dead hedge. It's quite cool, but something you'd need a lot of space for I…

• {Feels Like Spring}

  Deb

  12 Jan 2012 | 2:06 am

  I admit I have been enjoying this weather. Out and about the other day, it really felt like spring. And I know, I do, that isn't good. No doubt we will have some bad weather, I keep seeing snow shovels and sledges for sale everywhere. That in itself is unusual, I'm sure I never used to. I read about someone hearing a blackbird singing the other morning. And how it might turn out to be a challenging gardening year because there has been no cold snap to kill off pests. Although I haven't missed the snow this year, I have missed the crunchy, frosty mornings. But despite all of that, all the…

• {gardening with glue}

  Deb

  3 Jan 2012 | 11:33 am

  The weather has been grim. I'm pretty sure it's been horrid throughout the whole of the UK. And strange. After the hardest rain I've seen in a long time there was blue sky. But I'm not complaining. After all I wasn't out in it. But I am hoping this is not a sign of things to come, weather-wise, in 2012. Please. Still, it did mean that I could get on with doing a rather favourite form of gardening. That of gardening with glue. While I like reading gardening books, it's pictures that help form my ideas and get me inspired. So in lieu of seed catalogues which are winging their way to me, I cut…

• {gardening goals}

  Deb

  2 Jan 2012 | 4:27 pm

  I'm not normally a fan of the new year but after the December I've had I am greeting 2012 like an old friend, and smothering it in kisses. And because this blog shouldn't be a depository for all my moaning I won't go on about the car that cost £1,700 to fix, the boiler that broke down or a lurgy picked up at school that saw all seven of us ill with three on antibiotics. All in the two weeks before Christmas. But no, I'm not dwelling on that or the utter exhaustion that has shrouded these holidays. To say I am looking forward to a bit of peace tomorrow is probably understating it somewhat.

• {The Ultimate Thrifty Tip}

  Deb

  4 Dec 2011 | 5:55 pm

  I'll be honest, I don't really do thrifty or frugal. It's not that I couldn't do with a few pointers in that department. I'm the first to admit that cutting back is not an area of expertise. But I won't let that stop me from offering you the ultimate thrifty tip! At this stage you're probably looking a bit puzzled and wondering what on earth I think I'm doing. What, me? Obviously we could all do with some help in cutting back. I have been doing this in lots of ways, from not buying new books to eschewing the tumble dryer. But the best way to help our finances - the ultimate thrifty tip which…

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  Tsubo-en Zen-garden diary

• Late winter or no winter 2011/2012

  Karesansui

  22 Jan 2012 | 7:09 am

  So far we have not seen any real winter weather. It is more like an extremely long autum. Last week we had the very first frost of this season on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17nd of January 2012. This is exceptionally late! And it actually lasted only 2 nights, and only just below 0°C. What [...]

• Wisteria sinensis winter pruning

  Karesansui

  1 Dec 2011 | 5:17 am

  Over winter the Wisteria side shoots need to get pruned back to 6 to 10 cm long (2.5 – 4 inch), leaving only 2 or 3 buds on the side-shoots. These will be the flowering spurs on the Wisteria. This pruning should be carried out each year. The only shoots to be left untouched [...]

• Японский Сад «Цубо-Ен», Japanese garden “Tsubo-en” in Ukraine magazine

  Karesansui

  22 Oct 2011 | 8:22 am

  An article about our garden written by Olga van Saane has been published in September 2011 issue of the garden-magazine “Neskuchniy Garden” («Нескучный Сад») in Ukraine. An abstract of the article, in the Russian-language, can also be found on the blog of the article author. Posts you might also like: Late [...]

• Most beautiful spot in province of Flevoland nomination

  Karesansui

  26 Aug 2011 | 3:25 pm

  Yes! With 24 other places we have been nominated as “Most beautiful spot in the province of Flevoland“. The search of this spot is to commemorate the fact that this year our province officially exists 25 year. The inauguration was on 27 Juni 1985 but the work to create this “New land” [...]

• Abies procera “Glauca” (Noble Fir) tidy-up

  Karesansui

  26 Jul 2011 | 5:35 am

  This is part of the activity I discussed in Niwaki-trees annual pruning and trimming for shape and size. Because of the exceptional attributes of this Abies I wanted to show some additional photo’s, and here they are. This is about our Abies procera “Glauca” (Noble Fir or Blue Noble Fir). In its native [...]

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  Chicago Botanic Garden Blog

• What’s in Bloom This Winter?

  admin

  18 Jan 2012 | 11:22 am

  In this video, Boyce Tankersley takes us on a tour of what’s in bloom in the three Greenhouses in the Regenstein Center. We’ll learn about carnivorous plants, a Sago Palm and some giant aloe plants. He also shows us a plant that blooms outdoors even in winter. Visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/inbloom for more information. View the video on YouTube here.

• Camp CBG Registration is Open

  admin

  5 Dec 2011 | 2:53 pm

  Summer camp seems far away, but Camp CBG registration is open early this year. Discover what makes these camps unique, with 75% of the time spent outdoors learning about the natural world. New this year are two-week camps for 6-9 year olds. Learn more at http://www.chicagobotanic.org/camp/summercamp. View the video on YouTube here.

• How to Decorate Gingerbread Houses

  admin

  28 Nov 2011 | 11:09 am

  Pastry chef Kathy Skutecki shows you how to decorate gingerbread houses like the ones she made for the entrance to the Wonderland Express exhibition. Visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland for more information. View the video on YouTube here.

• Wreaths of Wonderland Express

  admin

  23 Nov 2011 | 2:08 pm

  Nancy Clifton, horticultural program specialist, shows us some of the wreaths she made for the Wonderland Express exhibition. She also shows you how to make a simple mixed pine cone wreath on a grapevine base. You can take classes with Nancy through the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden or get ideas at Wonderland Express, Nov. 25, 2011 through Jan. 1, 2012. Visit http://www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland for more information. View the video on YouTube here.

• Willow Arrangements in the Heritage Garden

  admin

  18 Nov 2011 | 10:00 am

  The horticulturists at the Garden created a new winter display in the Heritage Garden this year. As part of the Wonderland Express exhibition, they arranged willow branches and evergreens to great effect. See how it was done with this video, then come see it for yourself! http://www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland. View the video on YouTube here.

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  About.com Trees and Shrubs

• Mystery Monday - Chinese New Year Edition

  23 Jan 2012 | 5:12 pm

  Happy Chinese New Year! We had fun learning about it today in our class (grades 1-3), so I wanted to do a special edition of Mystery Monday to continue the celebration....Read Full Post

• December Roundup for Trees and Shrubs

  31 Dec 2011 | 1:41 pm

  While I did have a tropical Christmas in Southern California (the temperatures were around 75 degrees - pure heaven!), I've been freezing away here in Utah for the past few months. The trees and shrubs, for the most part, are bare and the botanical world slumbers away....Read Full Post

• Don't Throw Your Christmas Tree Away - Recycle It!

  25 Dec 2011 | 6:20 pm

  Christmas trees are such an interesting idea. You cut down a live tree, plunk it down in your living room, then toss it to the curb after Christmas is over. The production of Christmas trees itself is actually not so bad for the environment - many trees are replanted each year to provide future crops, which can produce oxygen and facilitate the removal of carbon dioxide. It seems like such a waste, though, to just send it to the landfills....Read Full Post

• The 12 Trees and Shrubs of Christmas: Day 12

  24 Dec 2011 | 11:00 pm

  On the twelfth day of Christmas My true love gave to me Twelve Christmas camellias One common name for Camellia sasanqua is the Christmas camellia. It's natural with the bright red blooms and the lush green leaves. Christmas camellias are great for USDA zones 8-11....Read Full Post

• The 12 Trees and Shrubs of Christmas: Day 11

  23 Dec 2011 | 11:00 pm

  On the eleventh day of Christmas My true love gave to me Eleven acorn ornaments Acorns have long been part of the Christmas season in Germany. They believe that oak trees are sacred. As Xmasdays.com says, "Acorns are also believed to represent the rebirth of life as witnessed by the coming of the Christ child." They are used to decorate the Christmas tree....Read Full Post

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  Miss Rumphius' Rules

• Luxury Pizza Oven: Wood Stone Ovens

  Susan aka Miss. R

  26 Jan 2012 | 6:28 am

  Last night I was invited to a dinner cooked entirely in a Wood Stone Oven.  A relatively new addition to the myriad of luxury products available for outdoor kitchens,  Wood Stone has adapted its commercial product–California Pizza Kitchen uses their ovens–for outdoor home use. On the patio... The food was delicious and the product was impressive.  These ovens can be wood fired, gas fired or a combination of both.  They heat consistently because they are a single ceramic unit–a problem I have had when trying to cook in a kit built oven.  I like to cook as well as…

• Garden Designers Roundtable: Reality Check! Designers Save Money

  Susan aka Miss. R

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:45 am

    This post is a bit of a rant because I find that so many people don’t really get it. Landscape renovations and installations are as big a construction project as any bathroom, kitchen or home addition. Few would attempt those without a having a detailed plan or hiring qualified contractors, yet many people with a shovel and a free weekend believe that they can build their landscapes themselves. Worse yet are those who profess to be professionals and do not have the training or skills to mitigate even the most basic of landscape related problems. (The tortured River Birch below…

• Marimekko, outdoor fabric please?

  Susan aka Miss. R

  23 Jan 2012 | 5:10 am

  If there were ever fabric prints suited for outdoor use they would be Marimekko. When their new store opened on Fifth Avenue in NYC in October I was thrilled. The Flatiron neighborhood shop I finally visited in early December and my first taste of what I hoped would come was outide in the adjacent square– the umbrellas in the classic Unikko pattern over cafe tables and chairs. Out came my camera phone to snap the Fatboy brand tag to explore later.  I was in a hurry to get inside! Fatboy Marimekko Market umbrella On first glance, this was a treasure trove of possibilities.  Bold,…

• Art and Garden: Sarah Illenberger

  Susan aka Miss. R

  20 Jan 2012 | 8:16 am

  I ran across these flower and plant images created by Sarah Illenberger last night. I was still thinking about them this morning.  When that happens, I don’t wait, I share. Heart Spine Breathe I think they are haunting and beautiful.

• Garden Ideas from Ikea

  Susan aka Miss. R

  19 Jan 2012 | 7:35 am

  Yesterday I took a friend heading to warmer climes to the airport.  After I dropped her off I decided have a cheap lunch at the nearly adjacent Ikea.  I wasn’t looking for garden inspiration, but that’s what I found. Only one of these items was meant for use in a garden or on a patio, but that’s where I would use all of  them. Right at the top of the escalator I spotted these powder coated stackable chairs.  They were in an interior display, but could easily go outside. Red Stackable Chair They also come in a few other colors–I really like the blue.   Under $50,…

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  The Gardening Blog

• Something new for Someone new

  Christine

  25 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm

  It seems that whenever I add something new, someone new turns up to inspect my garden … A week or so ago when I spotted the little Rooibeksysie (Common Wax-bill) eating the apples in the bird feeder, I asked what I should be doing to attract different and new birds to my garden. One suggestion I got from Clare at Curbstone Valley Farm was to add different fruit and she suggested citrus. [...]

• A few words about grasses on Wednesday

  Christine

  24 Jan 2012 | 6:00 pm

  I know I go on a bit about ornamental grasses and how much I love them (are you tired of this subject yet?) and so rather than bore you with another one of my rants on how amazing, spectacular and gorgeous grasses are, I thought today I would show you in photographs why grasses belong in my garden … The Mexican Petunia is a beautiful plant in its own right and looks [...]

• Heat of the Summer

  Barbara

  24 Jan 2012 | 5:00 am

  The heat of the summer days does take its toll on the garden. It is usually 2-3 degrees higher here than in the city of Cape Town. So if my friend, Christine, says its 30 degrees in her garden, than its usually 33 degrees here. A few of my plants are now dropping leaves and flowers – notably the fuchsia, but my neighbour was very surprised to see it still blooming, so [...]

• Prehistoric bug

  Barbara

  23 Jan 2012 | 2:00 pm

  Well, if the Ghost Mantis was not unusual enough for you – check out this prehistoric looking bug!! I found it on the fig tree – two of them!!! One must be a female (the bigger one). I am busy looking on the internet ….. does anyone have a clue??   This is the female before she let go of the branch and tumbled to the ground. I would imagine this is [...]

• Ghost Mantis in my garden

  Barbara

  22 Jan 2012 | 2:48 pm

  Today was a BIG clean up day in the garden because the heat of summer ebbed a bit! I was pulling out old, woody herbs in the Patio Patch, and was startled to see this AMAZING thing!!! What was it?? Ran to get my camera and macro lens and found out it was an exotic Praying Mantis. Oh my WORD!! I have never seen anything like it before! Take a look! I [...]

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  Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens

• Plants in Poetry

  Kelly Brenner

  27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 am

  Plants are beneficial for a lot of reasons such as providing habitat and food for wildlife. However, lest we forget, plants are also important to humans, not just for food and shelter, but for the arts. In the first of a short series of posts I’m going to look at some of the arts in which plants have been an inspiration. The first is poetry, the idea came to me while reading Weeds: In Defense of Nature’s Most Unloved Plants by Richard Mabey, a fascinating book about the most resilient plants (and the subject of another future post). In it he discusses some of these weeds and how…

• Scotts Latest Miracle: Was the National Wildlife Federation Duped?

  Sue Reed

  26 Jan 2012 | 6:39 am

  ScottsMiracle-Gro is in the lawn and garden business. The National Wildlife Federation is in the environmental protection business. Scotts makes profits for its shareholders while NWF is just a non-profit organization, but both need money to operate. One earns money by selling products. The other gets funding by selling ideas and ideals. Both are businesses. Both employ scads of people who want to keep their jobs. And the management of both businesses do what they have to do, to protect their own interests and keep their organizations afloat. Scotts’ income has declined recently. The…

• Scotts and National Wildlife Federation: Toxic Partners?

  Vincent Vizachero

  25 Jan 2012 | 8:35 am

  For the past few days, the National Wildlife Federation – who describe themselves as working “to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future” – has been weathering a firestorm of criticism for their decision to partner with Scotts Miracle-Gro – who describe themselves as “the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products.” This might seem like a natural fit, until you realize that a significant portion of those branded consumer lawn and garden products are toxic environmental pollutants. The…

• Hardscapes and Their Role in the Native Garden

  Rob Moore

  24 Jan 2012 | 6:21 am

  A DG path crosses a dry creek bed in Corona. When people think of creating  a native garden the first thing that typically comes to mind is plant material. Images of specific varieties pop up in the mind’s eye along with characteristic flower color, aroma, foliage texture and ability to attract one’s favorite garden-friendly wildlife. Rounding out the general idea is how said plants will fill in the space putting the final touch on the mental image of a dream garden. These are exciting aspects that all of us who enjoy gardening look forward to. Yet there is a critical step that precedes…

• National Wildlife Federation Teams up With Scotts Miracle Gro?

  Carole Sevilla Brown

  23 Jan 2012 | 5:14 pm

  [ Update: my interview with David Mizejewski of NWF defending this decision] No, that title  is not a mistake. The National Wildlife Federation and Scott’s Miracle Gro have teamed up. This was rumored to be taking place several months ago, but today it has become a reality. While my heart sank when I read the news, I had to ask myself “WHY?” Why would an organization whose goal is to educate homeowners, schools, and communities about the value of creating wildlife habitat and protecting the environment team up with a corporation who sells billions of dollars of pesticides…

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  Big Blog Of Gardening

• Switchgrass, Sedum, Solomon’s Seal, Turtlehead: Choice perennials for 2012

  Todd

  25 Jan 2012 | 2:53 pm

  "Hot Lips", "Angelina", and "Northwind" are among the Perennial Plant Association's top picks of new cultivars for 2012

• How to grow perfect tomatoes part 2

  Todd

  23 Jan 2012 | 8:00 am

  Tomato quality is affected by many factors: soil, weather, planting depth, pruning and other considerations

• How to grow perfect tomatoes part 1

  Todd

  5 Jan 2012 | 6:16 pm

  Tomatoes are the most popular garden vegetable in the world. These tips will get you on your way to growing the best you've ever had.

• What to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays

  Todd

  28 Dec 2011 | 6:00 pm

  27 million live Christmas trees are sold each year and many end up in landfills. Here are some ideas on how to re-purpose or recycle your Christmas tree.

• Dangers Of High Fructose Corn Syrup-Definitely Not A Sweet Surprise

  Todd

  20 Dec 2011 | 3:36 pm

  Is high fructose corn syrup just as safe as table sugar? The corn industry has been trying to convince us of that, but their ads don't pass the truth test

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  The Pond Blog

• Guide to Choosing a Camera

  Bill

  6 Jan 2012 | 4:07 pm

    I get asked fairly often for advice on buying a camera. Gardening is a great way to get into photography, and water gardening is especially conducive to learning to take great pictures. Helping someone find the right camera for them, though, is not advice that’s easy to give, as there can be so many factors involved. Over at The Verge this week they put together a pretty good introductory guide to a lot of these factors. It’s broad and easy to understand, and I think that it covers a lot of what most camera shoppers need to know. I don’t, of course, agree across the…

• Opening Green Smoke Lily Wallpaper

  Bill

  16 Dec 2011 | 6:23 am

    Today’s wallpaper is a beautiful tropical lily that I photographed during my recent trip to our partner nursery. It’s a Green Smoke lily, with pale blue tips to the petals that I absolutely fell in love with. This photo is a great example of how using narrow depth of field while taking a garden photo can lead to unexpected results. My goal with this picture was to keep the heart of the lily in focus with narrow depth, allowing a tiny amount of bokeh on the petals and much more on the pads behind the bloom. I didn’t realize until I was editing the photos later that the…

• Colorfalls, The Lighted Waterfall

  scot

  20 Nov 2011 | 7:33 am

    “You know what would look cool here?  A waterfall made of light!” — if you’ve ever looked at your yard (or anywhere, really) and thought this, then you need to check out the Colorfalls made by Atlantic Water Gardens. Basically they created a system that makes it easy to add a sheer waterfall to a retaining wall, spa, pool, etc.  Then they added LED lights in a way that makes it look like the light is flowing down the water. The effect is very cool: At Loch Ness we sell a lot of these. I think it’s because the people that want a water feature want…

• Visiting the Nursery

  Bill

  11 Nov 2011 | 7:55 am

  In the last several months I’ve found myself spending a lot more time in beautiful Charleston, SC. This opened up a great opportunity to visit our partner nursery, Charleston Aquatic Nursery. I let them know I was coming, grabbed my camera and a monopod, and headed out. Driving around Charleston is a uniquely varied experience. It’s not a tiny city with nearly 700 thousand people in the metro area, and of course it has all of the expected things from a city that size. It’s a very water-heavy town, with rivers, streams, marshes, and of course the harbor, all spanned by…

• Photographing an Old Friend

  Bill

  21 Oct 2011 | 11:44 am

    Each year at my mom’s house we have a bit of a tradition: photographing the pink lotus. Because lotus blooms don’t tend to last very long, we have a limited window with each bloom that comes up. It’s a pale pink flower that contrasts strongly with the dark rocks and ivy that back it in her pond, making it a particularly photogenic specimen. I’m not going to say that things can get ugly in the limited time we have to photograph these blooms, but some mocking emails have certainly been received by family photographers who happened to be out of town during the best…

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  Nigel Gnome grows a vegetable

• Have eaten corn!

  Nigel Gnome

  21 Jan 2012 | 12:30 am

  Went mad and picked the largest cob, and ate it!It was still a bit small but beautifully formed and tasted tender and sweet!Yay for more.Spread granular fertilizer around all the vegetables and then watered it alll in so there should be a good growth boost.Nipped the growing tops of both tomato plants today, any more extensions and I would not have been able to reach the fruit when ripe.Plums are falling to the ground at 4-5 a day and they are tasting nice. Very excited about the eggplants, magnificent specimens! Afternoon photo(click to enlarge)  A pair of monarchs locked in epic…

• Middle summer I guess

  Nigel Gnome

  15 Jan 2012 | 1:09 am

  The weather is quite unpredictable, seems to happily swap from sun to rain at a moment's notice. It hasn't been the sort of summer that forces you outside for cool air, I hope it still comes, those nice long evenings outside with candles (and mossies) do feel like a real summer.Have been using the barbie almost daily though! :)The beans I planted the other day are up and looking good, the old lot are almost done now.The corn is getting pretty close to harvest, the plants are huge and the cobs are fatteningMade some teepees for the ever growing aubergine plants, pulled apart an old trellis and…

• 2012 and all's well

  Nigel Gnome

  6 Jan 2012 | 10:11 pm

  so far anyway...:)The corn is now as tall as an elephant's eye, taller I recon. There seem to be two cobs forming on each stalk, apparently one to two is as good as it gets for sweet corn. They are starting to fatten up now so hopefully it won't be too long till eating time.Here is a photo of me and the cat taken by Miss GnomeThe plaited garlic had to be hurriedly unplaited and most of the husks removed. I don't think they dried out enough before I tied them up, the stems were beginning to rot! Now we have a large airy basket in a dark corner of the pantry that will keep them hopefully.They…

• Last days of 2011

  Nigel Gnome

  29 Dec 2011 | 5:39 pm

  Everything is growing well, picked the first zucchini yesterday. Eggplants are beginning to show growth from the leaf joints and I have put paving stones between them for extra warmth and moisture retention.The corn is having sex all over the patch!These tendrils have appeared out of the very tip of the stalk. When you tap the stem a fine mist of pollen drifts down. Whilst below them where the leaves are attached bulges have formed and opened their tops to reveal the fronds of the cobs, each one has to be pollinated to form a single kernel. Plums are now starting to look nice, we…

• About Garlic and tomatoes and stuff

  Nigel Gnome

  17 Dec 2011 | 11:58 pm

  Lots of stuff, with some rainy days everything is happy and growing madly, I swear you can almost see the corn doing it. I've had to pop in a fence to keep them in their place. There are fluffy things starting to poke out the top!The aubergine plants look very happy and there was a good lot of beans, the yellow ones grow much faster than the green ones.Dug up the rest of the spudsbut the tomatoes have a blight, removed these as the rest look OK so far, fingers crossed and a good copper spray when it's a dry day.Plaited the rest of the garlic crop, most satisfying!The plums are starting…

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  Flowerona

• Flowerona reflects: weddings & wallpaper

  Rona

  27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm

  It’s been just a little bit hectic this week in ‘Flowerona Land’…in a good way!  I feel as if my feet have hardly touched the ground. Anyhow, here’s what I’ve been up to: Out & about Monday Went to Birmingham to visit the Interiors UK trade show with Carole, Arianna and Kate from the dbcollective. Sourced lots of floral-related designs to feature on Flowerona and the Heart Home blog. Plus attended great presentations by Channel 4′s George Clarke, Ellie Tennant and Barbara Chandler. It was also lovely to meet Tamara Kelly, Shopping Editor…

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 – Preview of the Show Gardens

  Rona

  26 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm

  One of the highlights of 2011 for me was attending the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. And today’s blog post features an overview of the Show Gardens, together with a selection of photos which I took at the event. I know it’s only January (!) but there’s already a lot of buzz about this year’s show which takes place from Tuesday, 22nd to Saturday, 26th May. I’ve been following some of the Show Garden designers on Twitter and reading their blogs to see how they’re progressing with their plans. There’ll be eighteen Show Gardens this year and…

• Interview with florist Robbie Honey

  Rona

  25 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm

  I’m delighted to feature an interview with the very talented florist, Robbie Honey, together with images of his stunning arrangements. Could you tell us what prompted you to become a florist and when did you start your business? Growing up in Africa, ‘florist’ was not on the tick list for boys of what you could be when you grew up. However, I have always loved flowers and as soon as I could walk, I requested a wheel barrow, some gardening tools and a flower bed of my own… I left school at sixteen to study horticulture with the intent of becoming a flower farmer in my…

• Wedding Wednesday : Beautiful floral-inspired dresses, accessories & jewellery from BHLDN

  Rona

  24 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm

  Thank you very much for all your lovely feedback about my new blog post series, Wedding Wednesday, which started last week. Today’s blog post features beautiful wedding dresses, accessories and jewellery from BHLDN. They’re an American company and since I blogged about them last February, they now deliver to the UK, which is wonderful news! My favourite wedding dress from their range is the Divine Downpour Gown, pictured above on the left.  Made from sheer chiffon, it’s adorned with hundreds of hand-applied glass crystals and hand-made flowers. The other designs shown are…

• Beautiful floral-inspired greeting cards from Alice Palace

  Rona

  23 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pm

  Today’s post features a selection of beautiful floral-inspired greeting cards by Alice Palace. The company is run by two very talented Evesham-based sisters, Alice and Liz. Alice designs all the products and Liz is the studio manager. I love the four cards in their ‘Favourite Flowers’ range consisting of a pansy and gerbera (which are above), plus rose and sunflower (below). And from their ‘Lovely love love’ range are these cute designs… Illustrated by hand, I love the collage effect and quirky nature of their cards which are published in England.

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  Sprinkler Juice

• How to Save Water Using a Sprinkler System

  18 Jan 2012 | 4:25 pm

  If your New Year's resolution this year is to find ways to save, a good place to start is researching how to save water using a sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems can be expensive, and we all know... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Sprinkler Head Protection

  12 Jan 2012 | 5:25 pm

  If you've ever mowed a lawn, you have probably broken a sprinkler head or two. I know I have. When I was 10, my friend and I mowed lawns during the summer to fund our weekly bike rides to the nearby... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• How to Fertilize a Lawn

  10 Jan 2012 | 4:18 pm

  Preparing to fertilize a lawn can be a real chore. Things get confusing really fast, especially if you start researching online. My hope is to give you a very basic rundown of what you need to know... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Why Paint Tree Trunks White?

  4 Jan 2012 | 4:09 pm

  It is not uncommon to see a line of trees that have had their trunks painted white. What is common, however, is not understanding why someone would do this. There are many reasons why a person might... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• Tripod Sprinklers

  28 Dec 2011 | 3:58 pm

  Learn about the different types of Tripod Sprinklers and let me help you determine if a Tripod Sprinkler is right for your lawn, garden, or plantation. The Anatomy of Tripod SprinklersTripod... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

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  HerbGardening

• Gardening Lessons and Garden Tips

  Garden Inspire

  21 Jan 2012 | 11:25 am

  Sign up here for my email newsletter to receive two free gardening lessons and weekly garden tips.  Also, “like” my Facebook page for additional ideas.   Don’t forget to check my website for additional gardening information and a calendar of classes and events! Tagged: garden tips, gardening classes, gardening lessons

• Herb and Spice Christmas Ornaments

  Garden Inspire

  20 Dec 2011 | 9:25 am

  I have made Christmas ornaments with herbs including tiny wreaths made with a homemade woodsy potpourri, small balls covered with potpourri, fabric shapes stuffed with ground spices, and pomanders made from tangerines, small apples, small pears, and small lemons.   Applesauce mixed with ground cinnamon and/or cloves until it becomes like clay and rolled into balls [...]

• Gifts for Gardeners

  Garden Inspire

  8 Dec 2011 | 7:44 pm

  Need ideas for gifts for gardeners (or for you)? Some possibilities could be tools, indoor plants (what about a Vanilla vine?), seeds, seed starting supplies, catalogs, books, magazines or ezines, plant markers, books, or ebooks. Not only gardening tools but what about tools for preserving, storing, or using the harvest? Compile a list of resources [...]

• Herb Gardening Becoming More Popular

  Garden Inspire

  21 Nov 2011 | 10:45 pm

  I have noticed more interest in herb growing  – especially for cooking and medicinal use.  Several people have commented to me about the increased price of fresh herbs which has motivated them to begin growing their own.  Herbs are also used much more in cooking than they were when my parents and grandparents were younger.  [...]

• New Website – Free Gardening Lesson and Tips

  Garden Inspire

  17 Nov 2011 | 10:57 am

  I have created a new website offering free gardening lessons and garden tips.  Please pass on this link to anyone you know who may be interested.  Join me on Facebook Tagged: garden tips, gardening lesson, learn to garden

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  Backyard 2 Eden Blog

• Ahhh Coffee

  Cassidy Frost

  28 Jan 2012 | 1:08 am

   

• History Of Windsocks

  Cassidy Frost

  28 Jan 2012 | 1:04 am

  Butterflies Twistair Windsock History shows that Romans also used windsocks as far back as 105 A.D. for military banners.  It is believed that they were used to represent different military groups. In 1800′s “wind-sails” were used to funnel air down to the lower compartments of a ship.  They were shaped like  a wide tube or funnel made out of canvas.  It is believed the Windsock was fashioned after the wind sail, and was later recreated for the use of airplanes to help determine wind direction and speed.  Now they are a common site at airports, and you may sometimes see…

• Where Do Windsocks Come From

  Cassidy Frost

  22 Jan 2012 | 12:28 am

  Rainbow Scales Fish Windsock Centuries ago the Japanese  were the first to use windsocks.  They were originally hung on a tall bamboo pole on “Boys Day”, to celebrate all the male offspring.  One was flown for the father of the house, and one for each of his sons.  The father’s Windsock was often black, and  the eldest son was red,  and one was represented for each additional son in other bright colors.  They were also flown to celebrate the birth of a son.  These first windsocks were made in the shape of a koi fish, and were called koi noburi.  They were made out…

• Different Uses of Wind Chimes Throughout The Ages

  Cassidy Frost

  20 Jan 2012 | 12:37 am

  Many believe that wind chimes are also good for the health. The reverberant and vibration of the sound is believed to release emotional blockages in the body, sooth the mind, and relieve stress, causing a more conscious awareness and connection with the spirit. The soothing tinkling so Autumn Leaves Capiz Wind Chimes Grapes Capiz Wind Chimes und is thought to encourage relaxation while diminishing tension and anger. Long ago people also used Wind Chimes to predict the weather.  They didn’t have highly sophisticated ways of predicting the weather like we do today.  Farmers and…

• Where Do Wind Chimes Come From

  Cassidy Frost

  16 Jan 2012 | 11:29 pm

  Wind chimes were first made back in prehistoric times by many cultures. And through the ages have continued to remain popular for their decorative appeal and sound. In Rome, wind chimes were called titinnabulum. And were used much like today, and put in gardens where wind would pass through them causing them to produce a tinkling sound.  It was thought the noise would chase the evil spirits away, and invite the good spirits to stay. In the second century in India very large pagodas became popular, then later in China. Buddhists would use wind chimes and bells abundantly, by the hundreds or…