(Via Idaho Gardener)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 23:19:53

Here’s what I planted in the garden today:

I may need to cover them with some plastic in the coldest part of winter, but right now, the large pots I used are sitting in the sunniest spots in the garden. Taking total advantage of that free solar power. I put the seeds of the red chard in with my other greens, which are already up three and four inches. I dusted the top of the seeds with a light layer of soil. Watered them in thoroughly. And now, I just sit back and wait. MMMM, good.

a

(Via Idaho Gardener)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 14:42:55

I have a thing for color. Big, bright, bold, beautiful color. No nude, beige, tan, taupe or ecru for this girl. Give me the Crayolas and a box of 96 if you please. And make it snappy.

So, I was doing a little research into a colorful acquaintance of mine, and it cost me. Boy, was it expensive research.

I was also overcome with another attack of “gotta have those too!” as it related to bulbs. Yes, more bulbs. For someone who swore she was not going to plant bulbs this year, I’ve certainly lost steely reserve. I think I have about 650 corms, bulbs, rhizomes, and tubers headed my way. And there are those extra bags of incidentals at the nursery the other day – the hot pink and orange lily flowered tulip collections.

I’m blaming the latest buying frenzy on a great and oh-so-enchanting-gardener+artist, one Miz Keeyla Meadows.

She has a new book coming out any day now, from Workman Publishing, The Fearless Color Garden and I can hardly wait.

Then I found her blog, Flirting with Flowers and I was off and shopping for more bulbs. She posted a list! NONONO! Don’t let me see that! NO NO NO. Here it is.

Ranunculus — Tecote Cafe, Salmon, Gold
Iris — Rustler, Pass the Wine, Brown Lasso, Tennison Ridge
Dutch Iris — Eye of the Tiger
Tulip — Menton, Black Parrot, Queen of the Night, Cairo, Gavota
Lily — Tango series, Honeybee, Halloween, Starburst, Spotted Salmon Tigerlily, Landini (the blackest lily)
Fritillaria — Persica, Rubra (Red Crown, Yellow Crown)

I’ve been a Keeyla fan for years, and just happened to run into her at Cafe Fanny last year. I gushed over her work, her first book and made a scene. Like the pied piper she is, she had Debra Prinzing, Lorene Edwards Forkner and I in tow in minutes, off to see her fantastic and colorful garden. I’ve promised Keeyla I would NOT publish photos of her garden until her book is out, so you will just have to be happy with the pictures of the garden visitors. And I will wait here for the bulbs to arrive.

a

(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 14:33:48

Deb and I spent a few days last week relaxing in Guildford, north-east of Perth. Deb had planned the getaway to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and after hiving out the kids to friends and family we indulged ourselves with a single agenda - relaxing. No computers, no squabbling children, no phones - just peace and quiet and a well-earned rest.

One of the reasons we love returning to Guildford is for its heritage buildings and being able to fossick through their second-hand and antique stores. In one such shop I came across a collection of gardening books that were all ridiculously priced low.

For instance, I picked up W.E Shewell-Cooper's The A. B. C. of Gardening for $1 - in hardcover and in excellent condition. The man was a brilliant organic horticulturalist who was the pioneer of the no-dig garden. His ABC series covered everything from fruit, flowers, vegetables and even cloche gardening.

While many of the English climactic nuances have little relevance here there is still a depth of knowledge that suggests many aspects of gardening are transferable no matter where in the world you live. A few days away only permitted me enough time to read the first few chapters but I'm keen to get into this little book even more.

The second book, costing a mere $3, was Jane Taylor's Climbing Plants, one of the Kew Gardening Guides series. It's an illustrated hardcover published in 1992 with a wealth of information on anything to do with creepers and climbing plants. Many of the climbers that she discusses are available here in Australia and while the growing conditions are vastly different there is a ton of information that can be derived from this gem. The impetus for buying this one is the struggle that I've had growing a few climbers in locations where they keep dying. Hopefully this book will have some remedy for their survival.

The final book was Lance Hattatt's, The Gardening Year. It's a beautiful illustrated hardcover that was published in 1997. This was the most expensive of the three - a humble $4 - but certainly aims to be one that I look forward to reading through soon. Of course, the English "Gardening Year" is the opposite of ours but I figured that if I transposed January for July I should be able to source some helpful tips and ideas.

It was quite a revelation to me to buy older books instead of the current, faddy garden books that line bookstore windows. In fact, I put one back on the shelf at Dymocks that was retailing for $45 knowing that I would be able to pick it up for $8 when it came through the book club at work - I know, I'm a scrooge. But the real interest for choosing some of these older books was to learn about their authors, gardeners who I had never heard of but had obviously trodden the garden path once or twice before me.

All in all, I left that store with eight dollars less in my pocket but a wealth of information in my hands.

(Via Snappy's Gardens Blog)

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 13:57:00

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 11:04:57

Herb gardening has become increasingly popular among nature lovers recently. People like to grow their own culinary herbs at home and a multitude of herb garden kits are available for beginners. There are containers to suit all gardens - indoors as well as outdoors. With a little creativity, a group of pots and urns, one can add greenery and aesthetics to even the smallest of home gardens.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 10:56:11

Herbs can be classified as annual, biennials and perennials according to the life span. Perennial herbs are preferred for the reason they grow for more than one season. Annuals and biennials herb garden plants must be replanted every year or the alternate years. A biennial grows slowly during its first year, lives over the winter, and then finally blooms in the second season.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 10:55:11

You must be wondering why of all the herb gardens, the Italian herb garden stands out. The reasons are many-fold. First and foremost, some of the most tastiest and famous cuisines that come from Italy contain its famed herbs like chives, basil and oregano. These combine to give a distinct flavor to Italian recipes. Every time you take a stroll in your Italian herb garden, the aroma of the potent and magical herbs make you feel like you are on a sojourn to the Mediterranean.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 10:49:56

For some people, gardening is a passionate hobby that they pursue along with their career, for others it can be just a favorite pastime which they enjoy doing whenever they have time in their hands. Both are ever eager to have their morning and evening stroll in the garden which is of their own creation. Gardening as a passionate hobby or just a pastime diverts the mind from the daily stress and worries, restores and rejuvenates the mind for the coming week.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 10:44:15

Origin of herbs can be traced back into the times of the ancient Egyptians and the Chinese. There are also references in the Bible and medieval documents that show herbs were used by most families in ancient era.

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

Posted by admin to Uncategorized on 2009-10-11, 08:31:31

Preparing your garden for an early spring planting starts in the fall. Organic gardening is a method of working in harmony with nature. Natural methods of gardening that are healthy for you and the environment.