By Jeff I finally understand what it takes to construct a rain garden. Nancy and I spent a morning this week listening to several experts on the subject. We came away with the concern that the “rain garden enthusiasts” are taking the same path as was taken by the first organic gardeners and the folks into native plants. Here are the rules. You can’t break our rules. Yes, it takes a lot of work but that’s the way it is, so deal with it. They are limiting their market to a very small percentage of the population. . . .
Once upon on a time, there was a lovely little monarda. It was small and white and dainty. The gardener bought it, took it home and planted it in her garden. And it grew. And grew. And grew. . .
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to monarda
on Aug 3, 2007, 1:07PM
Posted by Connie Nelson Reblogged by Old Roses to monarda on 2007-08-04, 00:32:29
When I see an article in the Irish Independant newspaper called "How to keep the green in your garden", I figure it must be worth reading. I mean, who would know better than the Irish?
Alas, it's not a terribly exciting article. She does recommend something called a "strawberry tree". Now what the heck is that? Do strawberries now grow on trees? How did I miss that one?
Slow blog day. Sorry.
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to gardening
on Aug 3, 2007, 2:52PM
Posted by Sandy G Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-08-04, 00:32:09
Solanum dulcamara is native to Europe and Asia but it has naturalized in many areas, North America being one of them where it is an invasive weed. Here in Chicago you can find it growing in roadsides and empty lots but it is also commonly found growing in gardens. The flowers and fruits in the photos above were growing in a neighbor's garden happily growing up the chain link fence. In gardens this plant can scramble over plants, trees and shrubs and be hard to control. . . .
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to weeds
Posted by MrBrownThumb Reblogged by Old Roses to weeds on 2007-08-04, 00:31:39
Who has the sweetest sweet corn? Me or my sister? This post was going to be about how my corn just wasn't producing good ears and I had to accept a hand out from my sister so I could taste good sweet corn at least once this summer. . . .
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to corn
Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to corn on 2007-08-04, 00:30:49
I saw another tiger swallowtail this evening and was able to get a few pictures. From this angle it looks beautiful, but the poor thing was missing a large portion of the other wing. . . .
Not all the plants that I bought on that day are blooming but some are. Here is what I brought home along with an update on how they are doing. Thank you all for your suggestions! I'll post pictures of your recommended plants here and there as I'm able to tear myself away from the kitchen garden. . . .
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to flowers
Posted by Gina Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-04, 00:27:03
My son has been gone all week camping with his grandparents. We have been busy doing chores around the house that we never seem to have time to do. Things are looking good! The back deck and pergola are finally stained and my husband is painting the french doors on the back of the house. The garden gates have been primed and are also ready to be painted. After that we are going to attack the bottom garden and get it cleaned up and ready for the new compost and hopefully fall planting. I love progress.
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to gardening
on Aug 3, 2007, 11:54AM
Posted by sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-08-04, 00:26:36
IThere are a couple of good reasons we don't usually start perennial flowers from seed. First, it can take a year or two before you actually see any flowers....
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to seeds
on Aug 2, 2007, 9:50PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2007-08-04, 00:26:21
Just scatter my ashes somewhere in my garden I think this ornamental grass would make a lovely tombstone
I saw an interesting thing in the paper recently about the Baby Boomer generation. Bless their hearts, the Baby Boomers have changed so much of this landscape we call life . Thanks to them once again, funeral services , as we know it, have changed as well. The traditional service is out, and a themed service, such as fish-related for an avid fisherman, golf-theme for the golfer, etc. are the latest trend. Making a CD of the service and sending it to relatives and friends who weren't able to attend the service is also popular. . . .
"The garden is the most visible opportunity for self-expression in most of our lives. Why waste this on suburban sameness when it can dance and sing?". . .
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to gardens
Posted by Ilona Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-08-04, 00:25:27
It has been such a dry, dry season. I am very thankful that we had so much rain this past winter. Seems as if there is always some area that needs water. I have been collecting rain water and use that as much as possible. . . .
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to weather
Posted by Angie Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-08-04, 00:25:03
Here are the 4 Rouge vif d'Etampes pumpkin plants. There is one young Wyatt's Wonderthat will fill in the middle, hopefully. The late sprouting Snackjackswill have some competing to do for space, but I'll try to make room. I'm using burlap green coffee bags and other grass blockers between the vines, leaving space between the bags for the little roots along the vines to reach the ground. In the last week, the vines have outpaced the bag laying, though! If the developing pumpkins make it to orange, I'll have some to share.
Just in from turning on the hoses as the hot, hot weather is drying out the potted plants faster than we can water. Gail and Winnie watered until dark last night until hunger for supper became more important that drooping plants. This morning it's 76 degrees out and an immediate reminder of yesterday's heat. The Fairbanks Museum reported that yesterday in 1975 New England heat records of 100 in Cornwall,Vermont and 107 in Boston, Massachusetts were set. We won't get close to that today but there is a stuffiness in the air that guarantees an afternoon thunderstorm. Lots of rain in a short amount of time calms the dust on the road but does almost nothing for the gardens. . . .
This is part of a mid-summer review series with an overview and evaluation of each garden area, including the right front border, left front border, side border, both front entrances, the rose garden, the "garden-to-be" and all the containers.
When I moved in nearly nine years ago the right front border included azaleas and vinca. The house had been vacant for several years, so everything yard- and garden-wise was pretty out-of-control. The azaleas were severely sparse and misshapen, but I didn't want to get rid of them. I love azaleas -- they're absolutely gorgeous in bloom, that's all there is to it. . . .
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to landscape
Posted by Beth Reblogged by Old Roses to landscape on 2007-08-04, 00:23:13
Oh my gosh. I’m just in from being in the garden for about an hour. I went outside to take some photos of flowers that have already been blooming for a week or two. You know how it is, if...
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to weather
on Aug 2, 2007, 9:18PM
Posted by Tricia Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-08-04, 00:21:48
To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.
~ Jane Austen ~
Yes, I had such a relaxing afternoon in the sun yesterday, what a joy! Join me now as I share some pictures of this lazy day! And at the end of this post, I am pleased to announce the three lucky winners of my free lupine seed give away! By the way, my little cherub above is taking a break from gardening, too!. . .
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to flowers
Posted by Anita Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-04, 00:21:31
Perhaps you've heard about the invasions of tent caterpillars in the past, but you've never paid much attention? Fact is, these tree pests can lay waste to forests once they...
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to pests
on Aug 2, 2007, 4:22AM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to pests on 2007-08-04, 00:19:32
A few years ago artist's easels starting popping up in gardens. Some people would simple place empty frames on them, letting the garden behind become the picture. Then I started noticing actual paintings in gardens: hanging on fences, placed on easels, suspended from trellises...I think it would be really fun to have a painting of the garden in the garden, showing that exact area. I must work on that. . . .
More and more homeowners understand that the landscaping of the home is a valuable investment. For example the landscaping of a patio can raise property values by an estimated 12.4%...
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to landscape
on Aug 2, 2007, 6:40AM
Posted by Plant Pro Reblogged by Old Roses to landscape on 2007-08-04, 00:17:32
via Morning Glories on 1969-12-31, 19:00:00
From this angle it looks beautiful, but the poor thing was missing a large portion of the other wing. . . .
Yes, I had such a relaxing afternoon in the sun yesterday, what a joy! Join me now as I share some pictures of this lazy day! And at the end of this post, I am pleased to announce the three lucky winners of my free lupine seed give away! By the way, my little cherub above is taking a break from gardening, too!. . .
