Gardening Question of the Day for Monday, January 28, 2008

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-27, 20:00:00

What's the best way to keep pigweed from coming back in our garden in Michigan? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Morning Light, Frost and Neighbor Cow

(Via A Larrapin Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-27, 19:43:00

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This was the silvery view outside my studio door this morning.

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Giant Pumpkin Contest

(Via Girl Gone Gardening)

Posted by admin to Grow-A-Long Fun, cheapskate finds, seeds, veggies on 2008-01-27, 18:02:00

21*, 85% humidity, calm wind, fair There are some who are still or havent yet ordered seeds---This is just a friendly reminder about my Giant Pumpkin' Growing Contest. Nobody has yet to really sign up-----> There will be a prize people!! FREE garden stuff if you win! Come on, go buy your giant pumpkin seeds and jump on board!

Garden Microclimates… Pluses And Minuses

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-27, 17:50:00




Our garden lies at the upper end of a small, south-facing and south-sloping valley, with a four acre pond filling the bottom of the valley. The pond keeps us a little cooler in summer, warmer in early winter, but colder in mid-winter through spring... a draw. South-facing means we are hotter in summer but warmer in winter... now this would be a draw too, unless you love elepidote (big-leaved) rhododendrons. The blinding sunlight of late winter, with snow on the ground, and the soil still frozen solid is like putting your rhodys in the microwave every day... not recommended.
I hadn't planned on expanding our one acre garden, but I've made an exception for the rhododendrons; last fall I moved the deer fence along the east boundary to allow me to plant rhododendrons on a steep slope protected somewhat from the winter afternoon sun. In addition to being on a slope, there is a four foot tall yew hedge along the lip of the ravine giving this area some extra afternoon shade. I will, of course, also therefore have some winter wind protection, too. The slope is so steep that I'm going to build terraced beds with square-cut timbers.
After this, I'm absolutely done expanding the garden... really.
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Lawn Weeds - Search and Destroy

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-27, 15:25:01

There is nothing worse than a patch of weeds to destroy the appearance of your lawn. Weeds can be killed and eradicated from your lawn with the right knowledge, preparation, and care. Learn how to get rid of these pesky lawn parasites.

National Treasures

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Garden bird, rspb on 2008-01-27, 12:39:00


I have not taken part in the RSPB's gardenwatch day yet, due to working on the weekend it was held the 26th-27th January.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/
I might sit tomorrow for an hour how many garden birds visit my garden. Then use the internet to send my data to the Rspb.
They use it every year as an impromptu snapshot of how the native birds of Britain are doing. Every persons postcode is used to log the sightings on one hour of watching. It can be done in gardens or parks, and the time length is short enough that most people can manage it.
From all the data the RSPB can calculate bird populations and abundance (or scarcity) in any given area or the UK as a whole. This can reflect their future policies and which birds need protecting if they are to remain as a distinct species within the UK.
I think the BBC will publish a news story soon about the Top Ten British garden birds sighted over this weekend, in March.
It was originally used to get children into looking at birds in natural environments back in 1979. Over 400,000 people took part last year spotting some 6 millions birds in 235,000 gardens. Somebody realised you could get adults involved whether bird experts or amateurs.
The awareness of the environment and climate change has made a whole new generation of green gardeners and nature lovers. Who appreciate the Flora and Fauna of Britain as a national treasure.
All we need now is Nicholas Cage with some binoculars and a British Garden Birds book.I have worked all weekend. From dark in the morning at 530am to finishing at 810pm when its dark again. Two Dark days but am off tomorrow. The garden is calling me.....

Hydroponic Mini Greenhouse

(Via Aaron’s Home and Garden)

Posted by admin to Hydroponic Mini Greenhouse, Planters on 2008-01-27, 08:10:29

Hydro Greenhouse 2 is a tabletop hydroponic mini greenhouse for ages eight and up; an educational product manufactured by Uncle Miltons Back 2 Nature line for a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow, focusing on children and parents alike.

The world we have come to know is suffering from the threat of environmental collapse, and we know this, what will make the difference? Knowledge and the courage to use that knowledge on a more sustainable path for tomorrow.

A tomorrow that has an impact on our lifestyle, and hydroponics can help us teach our children about cause and effect.

A tabletop hydroponic mini-greenhouse like the Hydro Greenhouse 2 is the perfect thing for children eight years old and up and adults will enjoy it as well, especially because it can be placed near the workspace, capable of growing flowers, plants, herbs, vegetables and even fruits, without soil.

Growing without soil may be one of our planets most important future technologies, and it will happen sooner than we might expect, as we open our minds to more alternate lifestyles, lifestyles that are healthier and wiser than the ones we have been living until now.

As computers have taken this most recent generation of children into a virtual reality unlike any other most adults knew as children, hydroponics may be one of the leading supplies of human food sources as those same children grow into adulthood; Uncle Milton believes it is better that they learn about the future while they are still young.

This starter kit in hydroponics is for all ages, comes with a grow bed, nutrient rich solution, greenhouse incubator, auto-feed system that lasts two weeks without need of refill, nutrient reservoir and gardening tools, measuring 19″ x 10″ x 12″ and shipping at 2.5 pounds.

The Hydro Greenhouse 2 tabletop hydroponic mini-greenhouse is the perfect starter kit for all ages, and anyone looking to get a deeper understanding of sustainability; just plant the seeds, add the liquid fertilizing solution, water, watch the plants grow at astounding rates, and harvest, for a better, more sustainable future for the children ofour childrens children, that starts with you, right now.

Path in Progress

(Via A Larrapin Garden)

Posted by admin to garden on 2008-01-26, 21:41:00

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If I hope to get ahead of the bermuda grass in my garden paths, I guess I better start in January. I just wish the folks who thought bermuda grass was a good idea had checked into that common name of "Devil Grass!"  
My plan of attack is to cover the dormant grass in leaves, top with thick cardboard and more leaves. When the spring rains wet it all down I hope it will rot out the bermuda grass. This is the only non-chemical way I've found to overcome it. I got the idea from noticing that a thick layer of oak leaves that have matted down over the lawn and left patches of bermuda-free zone (for a while, at least). 
I'll let you know what happens. Thanks for stopping by!

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Gardening Question of the Day for Sunday, January 27, 2008

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-26, 20:00:00

How do I overwinter a plumbago? I live in the Northeast. (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

Overgrown Garden Pathways

(Via An Iowa Garden)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2008-01-26, 13:27:00





While I made some good progress this last year in cleaning up and clearing up some of my overgrown garden paths, there are a number that probably won't be changed... and that's not all bad.
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