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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 08:54:38

Did you know that worms will eat organic matter 3 to 4 times quicker than your backyard composter? And with a lot less effort. It is simple, it costs nothing to run at all, it is not time consuming, and you can make lots of very organic natural fertilizer free, that won't burn your lawn or hurt your plants if you use too much like the commercial products.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 08:18:17

There are a number of ornamental garden plants that one should be wary of for safety reasons, such as those that are highly poisonous, allergenic, or posses dangerous thorns. Although the health and well-being of your family is obviously of primary concern, it should also be remembered that there are many categories of plant that while not being dangerous to people, are liable to become unmanageable. Thereby causing the garden to fall well below the standard you expected and dreamed of. In short there are types of plant that create conditions that can ruin your garden.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-02-28, 08:16:38

Twenty years ago, you would not have found many containers suitable for gardening. You could have only found a small number of clay pot and cachepots.

(Via The Blogging Nurseryman - The Art of Running a Small Garden Center or Nursery)

Posted by admin to California, The Big Boys, independent, nursery, retail on 2008-02-28, 08:00:39

Pike Nurseries which went on the action block, has had various assets bought up by several different people and companies. This one caught my attention. Armstrong Garden Centers of California has bought the Charlotte, NC store for over $5 million. They get the right to use the Pike Name as well as some other retail locations and assets.

Armstrong nurseries have been a southern California staple for years. They have begun moving into northern California with the opening of their store in Dublin, in the Bay Area. Now they are moving into North Carolina. Here is a list of all the Armstrong Stores and their locations.

With over thirty-two stores when does an “independent” cross that divide to “chain store”? Is this move to a completely different environment than California a good one for this organization. I have my doubts, but I haven’t been following Armstrong that closely.

Armstrong does seem to be a lot like Pike Nurseries was, so it may be a good fit. Armstrong Nurseries have a generally good reputation from what I can gather, so it’s nice that where there was a Pike Nursery there will now be an Armstrong (Pike) to shop at. I am just wondering about a move outside of the region they have worked for so many years. While the drought won’t last for ever, what will Armstrong do until then? They have to get the store up and running before spring only to stare straight into the face of water restrictions and negative press. It will be interesting to watch.

(Via Girl Gone Gardening)

Posted by admin to Flowers, photos on 2008-02-28, 07:48:00

17*, feels like 8*, 55% humidity, W 7 mph wind, fair My bloomers right now.

(Via EnjoyGardening)

Posted by admin to Jim's Notebook on 2008-02-28, 07:30:02

Hits & Misses: Boss moss & one of these things is not like the other
Question of the Week: How do I know what type of mulch to use?
The Business: Recreating Eden presents “A Mother’s Legacy”

As the days get longer and our greenhouse plants grow more aggressively, the one comment often heard on our weekly walks is that certain, leafy plants are “badly in need of a haircut.” Normally, I would agree that plants such as passion flowers or fuchsias could use a good trim to bring them into line, but Monday’s Oscar Awards may have changed my thinking. The epiphany came to me while Javier Bardem delivered his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor in the film, No Country for Old Men and acknowledged that although he is a great actor, his bad coif played an important roll in helping him pick up one of those golden boys. Hmm…perhaps, this year, we could save bunch of labour on pruning and instead market Javier Bardem plants…it was just a thought.

Hits & Misses
Hit: Boss Moss
There is something plain old irresistible about the Scotch moss (Sagina subulata aurea) and the Irish moss (Sagina subulata) we’re growing. I don’t know if it’s the colour, texture or elegant simplicity that I love, but both are fantastic species that I wouldn’t be without. The Scotch moss is golden, while the Irish moss is a deeper green—but both are excellent shade plants for containers.

Miss: One of These Things Is Not Like the Other
It’s amazing just how different two similar varieties of bedding plants can be. A couple of weeks ago, we ‘stuck’ (yes, that really is the industry term for placing un-rooted cuttings into a rooting medium) two varieties of bacopa in our propagation greenhouse and waited patiently for them to initiate roots. The two varieties were placed side by side and treated identically. But did they respond indentically? Umm…no. The one variety called ‘Copa Rose’ produced thick lush leaves and lots of vigorous roots. The other (which will remain nameless!) looked emaciated and horrible and made a beeline to the compost bin. Needless to say, the literature that accompanied the bacopa to the bin extolled the beauty of the flowers but somehow left out the fine print about vigour. I guess a grower’s greenhouse is where glossy brochures and reality collide.

Question of the Week
How do I know what type of mulch to use?
There are two commonly used types of mulch: inorganic (rock based) and organic (plant based). Inorganic mulches are best used in alpine gardens, where they are needed to keep moisture away from the crowns of plants, and in Japanese gardens, where they are integral to design. Organic mulches are preferred in most other gardens because they improve the soil and are more economical. Organic mulches vary in particle size, ranging from compost (more of a top-dressing than a mulch) to bark chunks. The size chosen depends on the amount of attractiveness that’s desired. If appearance is not a concern, you may opt for arborist’s chips, which can often be obtained free of charge. If appearance is important, cocoa bean hulls or dyed wood chips can be used.

Organic mulches decompose over time and need to be topped up periodically.

The Business
Monday, March 3, “A Mother’s Legacy”
We are very excited to announce that Recreating Eden, Vision TV’s Gemini Award-winning spiritual gardening series, will be present an episode dedicated to our mother, Lois. It’s called “A Mother’s Legacy” and will air Monday, March 3, Channel 93. Check the Vision TV website for the show time in your city.

Trend Spotting

Tillandsia is a fascinating genus of air plants that is sure to raise a few eyebrows. Air plants are epiphytes, meaning their roots grow above ground, attaching themselves to rocks or other plants. Furry scales on their foliage allow them to absorb water and nutrients from the air and airborne dust. Plants that don’t need soil or containers!—what’s not to like?

Did You Know?
Coffee comes from the Arabic word kahveh, meaning stimulant.

“The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.”
–Gertrude S. Wister

(Via Plant Care)

Posted by admin to Aglaonema, Bromeliads, Dracaena, Ficus, Gardening, House Plants Care, Indoor Color, Palms, Plant Pictures, Spathiphyllum, Troubleshooting, orchids on 2008-02-28, 06:14:53

It’s Time to Celebrate Spring!

Springtime is right at our doorsteps.

After the long winter it’s time for the growing season, pruning, giving those house plants a good thorough cleaning, repotting… if necessary and overall getting those plants in shape!

• But what about your houseplants?
• Where do you start?
• Who do you ask?

When house plants leave the nursery, their entire “how to” care information now sits in the hands of the local nursery or garden center. They know some basics on lots of plants but not the real inside scoop. Sort of like an office temp…

You’ve probably asked plant care questions, tried your hand at watering, fertilizing, repotting, moving plants around… But your efforts don’t deliver results!

You’re Frustrated!

That’s why I decided to do something about it.

I created a simple, extremely effective, easy to read, easy to apply, care guide on indoor house plants that anyone can understand and put to use.

If you’re serious about making your houseplants look their best! … Click the link for this
Special Guide!

Bring on the Spring!