(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-28, 20:13:00

It seems to me that since we have four seasons to the year, each three months long, that there is plenty of time and opportunity for each type of weather to occur in its own proper season; it all doesn't need to try crowding into January.
Thursday it got down to -15 at night; today it is to be in the upper 50's with thunderstorms; by tomorrow night it's going to be back down below zero, with twenty below zero wind chills and snow... that's about 125 degrees of turnaround in five days. I don't think it's asking too much to expect a little order and decorum in our weather... hmmmm?
Talk about frost-heaving in the garden; I think I just saw a primrose sailing over a five foot tall viburnum this morning.

(Via Gardening Question of the Day (from the Old Farmer's Almanac))

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-28, 20:00:00

All my tulips died last season, although they did fine the previous two years. Only some late-planted bulbs bloomed. Why? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

(Via grow this)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-28, 14:41:00

“It is a human trait to hate who you harm.”
Tacitus

Last night, between downpours of rain, two feral cats sang an angry serenade outside our porch door where they had converged to eat the handful of dried cat food I leave on the steps every morning. I feel so sorry for the skinny scruffy guys, one of whom has visible scars and patches of missing fur. There we saw them in the light of a flashlight through the window: facing each other inches apart with their ears back and fur puffed up, talking trash so loud that at first, we thought it was a police siren racing and ambulance siren up the hill. Pictured here is my drought-deciduous ficus petiolaris about as full as it ever gets, between the same rocks I think the cats live in.

Although they left once the food was gone, we don’t know who ate it, and we don’t think the cats ever actually fought one another. Perhaps they’re related or otherwise known to each other. While there was clearly little love between them, it seemed like neither had much appetite for a fight. I interpreted their closeness in space to the fact that they knew each other and the threat they each posed to the other.

I’m leaving food out because I hate to see the effects of the “mean streets” of our neighborhood on their daily struggle to get food without becoming food.

Besides, I’m pretty sure they’re keeping rodents out of the vicinity. My faithful spouse says we can’t know whether the food disappearing nightly is taken by possum, skunk or rat. But the confrontation last night was enough proof for me to keep feeding the cats. I may hate rats – who I prefer to call ground squirrels – but when I consider the cats may find them almost as edible as the kibble, I can’t hate the rats enough to poison them any more.

Clearly, I’ll never be a naturalist comfortable with the wildlife I live amidst, patient enough to identify and observe them. I suppose the simple reason for this is that I fear creepy crawly things. Take, for example, spiders. Here’s my asparagus fern (I think “meyerii”) in a brittle old plastic pot – the most spider-ish plant in the yard.

Just thinking about spiders reminds me of one of bravest things I ever did. I once smashed a spider with my bare hands when I saw it on the tile next to the bathtub where my small daughter played innocently with her rubber duck. That was more than 30 years ago, but I still remember the thrill of confirming that my maternal instincts were so automatic as to protect my child at the risk of my own life. I touched a spider with my bear hands!

I can still feel the exact spot on the palm of my left hand where I stared in awe at the still-squirming spider guts that proved my bravery. Man, I hate spiders.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-28, 14:07:12

Gardening is a popular hobby for many but for some the many health benefits can prove to be crucial for their wellbeing. This article looks at some of the obvious, and not so obvious, health benefits. It also offers advice for those who may be ill or physically impaired.

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to house mouse, wildlife on 2008-01-28, 11:24:00

This is a house mouse I think. He had light brown fur, little pink ears and feet, and had a penchant for the cereal seeds left for the abscent birds.
He started darting out between the paver by the water bowl and the seeds that i pu out around the rose bush.
I did not know mousey was active during the day but he scampered back and fourth about fourty times. If I lifted the Paver there would be a stockpile of seed secreted by the scampering mouse.
An opportunist mouse, the second one after the field mouse in the amazon boxes.I love photographing wild Britain, when you get unexpected garden guests.
There is more than enough seed to feed the birds and a stray mouse.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-28, 10:53:27

Damage caused to trees and shrubs from pruning can often be fatal. Here are some guidelines for pruning that takes the future health of the plant into account.

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Garden birds, Goldfinch on 2008-01-28, 10:17:00

The birds sat in the denuded Fir tree with blue skys above them. They have cute red and black faces with dark wings, with yellow wing bars.
It was a quiet day in the garden due to building work being directly behind the wild strip. I did however see a mouse stashing the ground feeders bird seed.
He was hiding beneath the pavers where the vegetable bag gardens are going to be.The mouse was busy carrying bird seed away.
I am going back to Harlow Carr after Paris in Febuary. I hope that the Harlow Carr gardens are bursting with Spring colour at the end of Febuary. They have four resident pigs now, after the Emmerdale pigs went back to TV work.
I will try not to take 300 photos like I have done every previous visit (three times last year).I get tempted when there is so many plants, tree's, flowers, sculptures, and water to look at.

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-28, 09:43:41

What separates your backyard paradise from the remaining houses on the block? Whether you've just recently purchased a home, or have lived in a neighborhood for such a long time you'd just like to spice it up a little, you've come to the right spot! We'll help you to decide on fun garden and landscape ideas that surely get your mind turning and put a new twist on your backyard!

(Via Girl Gone Gardening)

Posted by admin to video on 2008-01-28, 09:20:00

(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-28, 09:19:47

Despite the reflective tranquility of a still feature, for most people it is the sight and sound of moving water that really appeals, and there is nothing more striking than water cascading down a waterfall or running along a stream. Just as with pools, falls can come in many guises - formal or informal, straight or meandering, turbulent or trickling, falling steeply or almost level.