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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-29, 12:30:53

Home gardeners are often disappointed with the performance of their perennial bedding plants and the appearance of their herbs and sub-shrubs. Pruning at the right time is usually the key to successfully growing such plants. At no time is this more important than in the spring.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-29, 12:23:53

Hydroponics is a method of gardening that uses no soil, but instead the plant's roots are immersed in a liquid solution of plant nutrients. Depending on the types of plants you wish to grow, you might want to select organic gardening supplies that would include organic hydroponic nutrients. Why is it important to grow plants organically?

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-29, 06:11:00

Snowdrop 'Trotter's Merlin' is thought to be a hybrid of Galanthus elwesii x plicatus. It is noteworthy for having the inner petals completely covered with green, except for a dainty white edging at the bottom. I assume the Trotter in this case is Dick Trotter, a well known gardener who has one of the most beautiful, deep colored colchicums named after him, and also a strain of hellebores. Now the next question is, why did he name this snowdrop cultivar Merlin? Was it because it was so magical that a snowdrop would pop up in his garden with all-green inner petals? I've alternatively tried to talk myself into thinking that the shape of the green spot resemble a magician with his arms extended, casting a spell. Maybe Dick's dog was named Merlin.
One thing I do know for sure, is that Trotter's Merlin is quite lovely on a bright spring day; now if I could just wave my magic wand and make my tiny clump of these bulbs turn into a thousand!

(Via gardenauthor)

Posted by admin to Lily Pond, bufflehead ducks, wood ducks on 2008-03-29, 05:33:00

"Drop-dead Gorgeous!"..... An exclamation reserved for well-dressed humans, sporting the finest in fashion. But for an admirer of the extravagant beauty of our natural world, this term is reserved for the most flamboyant of backyard guests. Below you see a case in point. This morning, I witnessed the return of two pairs of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa). They nested on the shores of Lily Pond last year, so I'm hoping these little ducks (17-20") will resume their residence. I mean, what other duck is worthy of such an accolade?.....


Unless it's the little Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)... a flashy black and white sensation, who returned to the shores of Lily Pond, just yesterday (last season, they stayed for several weeks, but did not nest here). The showy male is accompanied, everywhere he swims, by the darker, more compact female. She sports a white cheek spot and white wing patch. At 13-15" long, these fast-moving ducks are constantly diving (even during yesterday's mini snowstorm) and certainly deserve any compliment I pay them...

(Via Girl Gone Gardening)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-28, 23:06:00

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Goldfinch on 2008-03-28, 22:17:00

As I sat yesterday I saw this Juvenile Goldfinch sat above my garden, closer than they have ever come before.I have a feeder hung up now with black Thistle seed, with small holes for the birds to eat the seeds from.
The Finches usually stay on the Fir trees behind the Privet hedge.I have not seen any in my garden yet.I hope the Niger seed and sunflower hearts can entice them down.The Goldfinches are the most beautiful colours on the head and yellow wing bars.
I have two long days, so the birds can chill unwatched this weekend.The Sky is blue outside.I hope it stays dry long enough for the allotment to dry out a bit.
Have good weekends wherever your gardens are in the world.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-28, 19:00:00

What is the best way to rid my lawn of grubs? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-28, 18:05:00

I love every small flower bulb; I love them even more when they are just sticking their little noses out of the ground... testing the waters, so to speak. I love Bulbocodium vernum when it's just peeking up, more than I can communicate. It sits there for a day or so, then at the first sign of warm sun, no matter how fleeting, it just throws caution to the winds and billows its fragile little flower into full sail, hoping a honeybee comes along before the next freezing rain. Its pale lilac flower, which I must show if the sun ever reappears, is called 'Raggedy Robin'.

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-28, 13:22:00

Blossom flowers on a fruit tree at Swillington yesterday. I spent too much money but came back with lots of plants and some seed to attract the Goldfinches.

Iris Cantata at Hil's yesterday. They are like Monet paintings with Blue, white, and yellow.They were quite delicate. I hope my Dutch Iris grow on as well soon.

Back in my own garden the few Crocuses that have opened. They look spectacular as buds then either get eaten or deflate like popped balloons. Next years Crocus will go into the windowbox to see if they fare any better.
A wet and windy day.I just watched the birds.Its back to work over the weekend.I hope to dig the last ghost bed at the allotment on Monday if its dry..
There are so many projects and things growing, no shortage of subjects to blog about.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-28, 11:14:29

A simple, well looked after smaller garden is just as gratifying as a bigger one. You need precisely the same two things - some real old fashioned know-how and large amounts of perseverance. The Happy Home Gardener has put together six simple tips to help in keeping your gardening by the yard looking in good shape and good looking.