A dry rain barrel and cracks in the soil are good indicators of the state of my landscape.
July 22, 2011 Read more
planting
While searching for the perfect tree to plant in our front yard, I asked the garden center owner, “When is the right time to plant a tree?”
July 14, 2011 Read more
When it’s scorching hot, we are all less eager to work in the garden. Unless the girls are swimming, I get a list of heat complaints within five minutes of being outside. Despite the heat, it was time to go spud hunting (potato harvesting).
Planning a youth garden camp takes time, creativity and a lot of help! I have led this particular youth camp for several years now and strive to make each one hands-on, educational and fun.
June 21, 2011 Read more
Today we were out weeding…again. I explained to our two-year-old that if it has a flower it is NOT a weed, please do not pull it! I know some weeds, like dandelions, have flowers, but the weeds we were pulling today did not have flowers.
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It’s flattering that they seek my advice. My friends assume that since I am a master gardener, write a garden blog, and a have a college degree in agriculture, I should know exactly what is wrong with their plant and have the answer to fix it!
I love digging in the dirt! It’s probably why I buy so many annuals every year- more digging! The one annual that I plant every year is the begonia. It always looks great from the road and provides the color I desire for that part of the landscape.
May 13, 2011 Read more
Seven years ago we bought our first home! In those seven years, we completely destroyed the carpet in the living room. It has had every conceivable substance spilled on it (let your imagination go wild)!
This week, I received a call from my next door neighbor, Marilyn. She was at the grocery store and they had just unloaded a fine selection of Japanese maples (I find it amazing you can buy trees at almost any grocery store during spring).
I just used my last garden onion and it’s March! I did a little dance and expressed gratitude to the onion for bringing flavor to our dinner. I have failed at winter preservation in the past. This year, I finally got it right. We have enjoyed onions all winter long without shopping the produce aisle at the grocery store.
Within three weeks, conditions will be favorable for planting potatoes and peas. But I know that my garden soil needs a little TLC before I start digging.
March 8, 2011 Read more