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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-23, 19:00:00

How can I make my nearly pot-bound clivia bloom? It's about 12 years old and has never flowered. (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)

Posted by admin to Gardening on 2008-03-23, 15:03:48

Time-lapse photography has always impressed me. I just imagined there was someone spending a lot of time behind a camera taking heaps of photos as a flower began to bloom or an egg started to crack open. It seemed logical to capture these incredible events, but who really has the patience for this stuff?

Well it seems that one guy, Ross Ching, not only has the patience for it but is also willing to explain how he does it. If you're wondering whether he has any credibility check out his latest work Eclectic 2.0. While the images are stunning it simply takes your breath away when you realise that this was all performed using his DSLR and not a video camera.

So, you want to know how he did it? Check out his <a href="
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-i-made-a-time-lapse-movie-with-my-dslr/" target="_blank">guest post at the Digital Photography School blog.

Which got me thinking, is it possible to do time-lapse photography with my non-DSLR? I've previously introduced my Olympus SP-560 UZ - which I still think is an awesome camera IMHO. After checking out what Ross has done, I can't imagine that it would be too hard to achieve with my digital camera.

Sure enough, it's not. The SP-560 comes complete with, as many digital cameras now do, time lapse as an option. It will let me take up to 99 shots with intervals of up to 99 minutes. Provided my batteries are fully-charged and I have some continuous lighting available it is possible to film a flower blossoming over a period of almost 7 days.

Knowing one has the power and using it are often two completely different paradigms. Yet I'm keen to put this feature to the test. It's now just a matter of finding a worthy subject. However I'm guessing there are also some other limitations to the equation.

1. Security - I can't just leave this propped up and unattended in the front garden.
2. Weather and/ or condensation - this could be a real problem especially if the time-lapse period extended throughout the night, which is very possible given the length of time some blooms take to open. There is an after-market waterproof housing (aff.) available and probably worth the effort if this is going to become something I explore more.
3. Batteries - obviously extending the camera's usage over a long period will drain the batteries even though it does go into sleep mode between intervals. The best bet for this is some high mAh rated rechargeables and even replacing them between days may be a helpful option.
4. Lighting - unless you want to use the effects of changed lighting over the time lapse period you may want to install some lighting that will be consistent. This benefit will obviously take some extra thinking through as well especially when it comes to the power source required.

So there you have it. While your images may not come up as good as Ross's - or they may even be better - time-lapse photography is not out of reach for most home gardeners. I can't wait to see some projects from other gardeners as you explore this option.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-23, 11:34:03

Growing plants in soils that have a high percentage of lime, (alkaline soils) is more a case of managing the soil correctly, than of choosing lime-tolerant plants. Here are some guidelines.

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-23, 10:56:00

I've always loved these stanzas of Tolkien's poem:

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-23, 10:56:00

I've always loved these stanzas of Tolkien's poem:

(Via gardenauthor)

Posted by admin to Easter, Easter crocus on 2008-03-23, 10:41:00

An especially Happy Easter, here on the banks of Lily Pond! Those two snow crocus buds, reluctant to open on the first, second or third day of spring, have succumbed to the sun's rays and are in bloom today.

A second reason to rejoice, is the discovery of a clump of striped 'Pickwick' mammoth crocus in full bloom, happy in the radiated warmth from the foundation. Tucked away, in back of the foundation planting, these were my Easter surprise... better than any chocolates or jelly beans... and more highly anticipated. Spring has arrived!

I hope everyone is enjoying a nice day with family and friends!

©Deb Lambert 2008

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Easter, snow on 2008-03-22, 22:22:00

The view from the Kitchen door this morning at 6.15am, with snow on the ground.It is still snowing now.Time for the walk to work soon.
Happy easter wherever you are in the world.

(Via Girl Gone Gardening)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-22, 22:04:00

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-03-22, 19:00:00

I have a cereus cactus that has never bloomed. It just keeps sending out shoots, getting long and leggy. How can I make it bloom? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

(Via Country Gardener)

Posted by admin to coyote, crabapples on 2008-03-22, 18:33:00

Coyote foraging for crabapple berries
Around supper time this evening, my husband looked out the window, and said, "Isn't that a coyote?"

Yes, and there it was in our crabapple orchard, looking for a snack. We even saw it pick the fruit right out of the tree. (My dog does this on occasion too.)

Our crabapple trees have persistent fruit, and the birds have been harvesting them of late, but I often wondered who else snacked out there because my dog, Toby, is often very keen to go under the crabs to check out the scents.

I got out the camera, and was able to take some pictures from the living room window. When the coyote moved behind a tree, I went outside to see if I could get closer, which I did manage without being noticed.

But by that time Toby had seen the coyote and was going nuts, barking up a storm. He was indoors, but loud enough for the coyote to hear. Then, the coyote spotted me and took off through the neighboring tree farm to the woods.

So coyotes eat crabapples. Who knew?


© Yvonne Cunnington, Country Gardener