reBlogged to clover

Posted by Kylee Reblogged by Old Roses to clover on 2007-08-07, 18:52:22

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Photo assistants have teased me many times over the years because I instinctively adjust my posture

reBlogged to photos on Aug 6, 2007, 12:11PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to photos on 2007-08-07, 18:51:56

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Note to self: I planted sweet potato slips on May 7, which means I need to harvest sometime after September 7. That gives me six weeks to solarize my bed, if I decide it's necessary, before the fall crop goes in.

reBlogged to vegetables

Posted by Central FLA Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to vegetables on 2007-08-07, 18:51:18

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I recently noticed a vine that had stretched from my neighbor's hedge onto and around a nearby old wash-line pole in my yard. Fearing it to be some sort of rash-inducing weed, I made a mental note to spray it with my poison ivy stuff and continued on my way.

Then, a few mornings ago, looking out my bathroom window upstairs I noticed a white bloom on the vine. 'Well, whatever it is,' I thought in my hazy morning consciousness, 'it blooms.' This morning I saw another flower and decided to investigate. Here's what I found:

reBlogged to vines

Posted by Beth Reblogged by Old Roses to vines on 2007-08-07, 18:51:07

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It's that time already!

Huh, this is the first year I've ever started harvesting and freezing veg before we've had a ripe tomato. The plants are huge, hanging heavy with toms and every single one of them is still green. I am not amused. We usually have cherries ripening way before now and a few weeks ahead of any other variety, but not this year. It's ok though. It just means I won't have to be making gallons of spaghetti sauce to freeze in the middle of trying to harvest everything else. . .

reBlogged to harvest

Posted by Tina Reblogged by Old Roses to harvest on 2007-08-07, 18:50:49

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How do I know when onions are ready for harvesting? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

reBlogged to onions on Aug 6, 2007, 11:00PM

Posted by The Old Farmer's Almanac Reblogged by Old Roses to onions on 2007-08-07, 18:50:30

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Hey, readers, I'm taking my site about sustainable gardening live and you're practically the first to know!  Take a look at Sustainable-Gardening.com and send me your ideas, feedback, corrections (even typographical - especially typographical) using comments here or by email.  Here on About this Site I to explain the method to my madness. . . .

reBlogged to blogs on Aug 6, 2007, 3:13PM

Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2007-08-07, 18:50:21

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Referring to all the recent hoopla over the retaining wall on Shirley-Ann and Herbert Leu's landscape as an "increasingly surreal controversy," David Bowermaster, reporter for The Seattle Times, fills us...

reBlogged to design on Aug 6, 2007, 2:44PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to design on 2007-08-07, 18:49:07

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Those of you currently engaged in a life-or-death struggle with crabgrass should find this article on organic lawn care both amusing and informative. The salient point to take away from...

reBlogged to lawns on Aug 6, 2007, 3:34AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to lawns on 2007-08-07, 18:48:54

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My propensity to plant every tree and shrub I can lay my hands on, in a woodland garden that was already shady, has not been a blessing for the roses... or what's left of the poor things.
However, that old saw about how a single rose can make a garden is actually true... here is Rockin' Robin.

reBlogged to roses

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to roses on 2007-08-07, 18:48:47

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Much has been written lately about the benefits of using native plants. I love the idealism and energy of many of those who champion natives, and the idea that natives are a good source for the "right plant" to put in a certain place in your garden makes sense. After all, if a plant is predisposed to living in your soil and climate, you won't be spending a lot of time and effort working to make it happy.

reBlogged to grasses

Posted by Blackswamp_Girl Reblogged by Old Roses to grasses on 2007-08-07, 18:48:39

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Today is a public holiday so I decided to be productive and get the grafting done as I had planned. Then I sowed some new seed and some old ones (although they might no longer be viable I just figured I should finish them and see if I get any results). . . .

reBlogged to propagation

Posted by Jade Reblogged by Old Roses to propagation on 2007-08-07, 18:47:49

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reBlogged to sunflowers

Posted by Jane Berger Reblogged by Old Roses to sunflowers on 2007-08-07, 18:47:26

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Anyone having a wander around our garden could not fail to notice a preponderance of wild flowers, many of them having been sown as annuals over the past sixteen years.
A great number have now become established among the perennial plants and flowers. . . .

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by A wildlife gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-07, 18:47:17

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I am fighting a never ending war with the squash bugs! They refuse to die (actually, I'd be happy if they just left). I tried to do a garlic spray but I think they actually liked their new cologne. My friend, Tina (see favorite websites) found a recipe for a squash bug deterrent that actually included 2 cups of chopped up squash bugs. At first I was completely disgusted and wondered how anyone could even think of that kind of carnage, but I must admit it's looking better every day. I'm usually the person who saves spiders and moves any other kind of bug to a new home but these Squash bugs have tapped into some sort of kill or be killed response. . . .

reBlogged to pests harvest

Posted by lavendergardener Reblogged by Old Roses to harvest, pests on 2007-08-07, 18:46:40

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I shocked any number of my citified friends with my rodent-bitten tomato-eating. Protests came in from as far away as North Carolina pleading with me to return to something resembling urban life before it was too late.

(I must repeat, for those not in the know: Iowa City is not a city. I love it, but it’s a city in name only…)

But these well-wishing friends, these friends who think I’ve lost all touch with urban reality, should know that is not the case. Let it not be said that I will eat any tomato with a hint of beauty to it. . .

reBlogged to tomatoes pests on Aug 6, 2007, 11:41AM

Posted by inadvertentgardener Reblogged by Old Roses to pests, tomatoes on 2007-08-07, 18:46:08

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I posted a blog entry last week about my thoughts a about something called “rain gardens”. I simultaneously posted the piece on a listserv frequented by folks in the garden writing business. I got some really good feedback which I will try to summarize. . . .

reBlogged to gardens on Aug 6, 2007, 3:34PM

Posted by jeffball@usol.com (Jeff Ball) Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-08-07, 18:45:41

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Last week I shared some of the watering accessories that I have found over the years to be handy in making the watering task a bit easier. Here are some more. . . .

reBlogged to tools on Aug 6, 2007, 11:35AM

Posted by jeffball@usol.com (Jeff Ball) Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2007-08-07, 18:43:25

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reBlogged to weather

Posted by Leslie Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-08-07, 18:42:53

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We harvested our corn today..not a big crop by any means but everyone got to taste...and even the unpollinated ears served as a good visual for the kids as to how the corn grew. It takes a lot of space for what we got and maybe next year I can work on ideas to up our yield but the kids got a lot more than lunch out of it. And we had beans to go with it...we've actually been able to have beans twice a week for a couple of weeks and my husband and I have been eating them for dinner, too. So the beans are highly successful!

reBlogged to corn harvest

Posted by Leslie Reblogged by Old Roses to corn, harvest on 2007-08-07, 18:42:30

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Marge Perry has 3 Simple suggestions. Check 'em out and learn how to make Pasta with Salsa Cruda, Tomato and Olive Bruschetta, and Gazpacho.

reBlogged to tomatoes recipes

Posted by Jessica Damiano Reblogged by Old Roses to recipes, tomatoes on 2007-08-07, 18:42:17

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reBlogged to flowers

Posted by My Chutney Garden Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-07, 18:42:05

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reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Alice Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-08-07, 18:41:07

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For fans of multi-toned rose clusters (like 'Joseph's Coat')-- you just might like 'Disneyland'. This is its second year in a large pot, and it's doing quite well.

reBlogged to roses

Posted by lisa beerntsen Reblogged by Old Roses to roses on 2007-08-07, 18:40:40

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Today I took my first harvest from the turnip/carrot/scallion box and added nasturtium leaves to that. Unfortunately my husband made sallad of it before I had a chance to take a photo.

reBlogged to harvest

Posted by Rosengeranium Reblogged by Old Roses to harvest on 2007-08-07, 18:40:32

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A nomination isn't enough -- I need your vote! Please click the image at right to vote for Garden Detective for Best Hobby blog in the Blogger's Choice Awards. You guys ROCK!!!

reBlogged to blogs

Posted by Jessica Damiano Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2007-08-07, 18:40:20

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reBlogged to shows

Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to shows on 2007-08-07, 18:40:14

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Sorry to all my readers who have been checking in to find no updates for some while. It’s been a crazy few months with the selling of our home and the exciting news of the ‘almost’ purchase of a new home!

While again we’ll be sad to leave here, it’s become a little easier to accept as our new ‘almost’ home has the most gorgeous garden on half an acre in a small rural community about 300 yards from the ocean! The current owner is a horticulturalist and has landscaped the property beautifully. There is also a lovely kitchen garden with a peach tree we think, and I’m really hoping I’ll be able to grow my beans there. . . .

reBlogged to gardens on Aug 6, 2007, 1:34PM

Posted by anne Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-08-07, 18:39:58

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What is the best time to plant hollyhock seeds? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

reBlogged to hollyhock seeds on Aug 5, 2007, 11:00PM

Posted by The Old Farmer's Almanac Reblogged by Old Roses to hollyhock, seeds on 2007-08-07, 18:39:12

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Bolivian Rainbow Pepper's first little purple bloom...

reBlogged to peppers on Aug 6, 2007, 1:05AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to peppers on 2007-08-07, 18:39:01

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reBlogged to flowers

Posted by A wildlife gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-07, 18:38:40

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We can use the sprinkler for three hours this morning and again this evening, oh happy day.

My back yard was as far as I can tell, a swamp before some contractor decided it would make a fine residence for something other than polliwogs.

The Ligularia is looking happy and I can only think there is a mess of water under it's feet, perhaps part of an underground stream.

reBlogged to watering

Posted by J.P. Reblogged by Old Roses to watering on 2007-08-07, 18:38:11

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reBlogged to magazines

Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to magazines on 2007-08-07, 18:37:44

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Today was another early start, Kento waking at six again. After watching the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, I set about sowing some of the seeds I bought over the weekend. Most of the translating was done once back. From left to right: Spinach, orai (all right) a hybrid produced in Denmark Kohlrabi, Grand Duke from Italy* Beetroot, a Detroit . . .

reBlogged to seeds

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2007-08-07, 18:35:21

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We've had quite a cold winter this year, and we are eagerly looking forward to the Spring. In the absence of Hoya blooms we have been enjoying some nice coloured leaves which are the result of the bright Winter light we get here. From the top left clockwise.... H. pottsii. H. anulata. H. mindorensis. H. camphorifolia.

reBlogged to foliage

Posted by roybe Reblogged by Old Roses to foliage on 2007-08-07, 18:34:09

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Evidently my family are creatures of habit. Just as festivals and holidays are celebrated at the same time each year, I now declare the first weekend of August as Pickle Days!

Without realizing it we made our garden fresh pickles on the same weekend this year as we did last year. Last year we were beginners and broke a couple of jars adding them to the hot water. This year we felt like pros since we didn't break any jars and unlike last year, we actually had the tools you are supposed to have for canning. . . .

reBlogged to cucumbers recipes

Posted by Marc Reblogged by Old Roses to cucumbers, recipes on 2007-08-07, 18:33:53

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It's that time of year - gluts of produce and people start avoiding you.

This is the mornings harvest of climbing beans and there'll probably be more by this evening. At any rate we'll be harvesting daily for the next few weeks, blanching and freezing as we go. . . .

reBlogged to beans

Posted by John Curtin Reblogged by Old Roses to beans on 2007-08-07, 18:32:57

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The Lavatera flower under the Fir tree, mum called it a Monkey Tree but I cannot find it on google that looks like that.

The Squirrel getting into the photos again climbing up the Hazel tree. . . .

reBlogged to trees

Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2007-08-07, 18:32:26

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Indian Summer Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer'
(rud-BEK-ee-a) (HER-tuh)

This is a Black-eyed Susan that has huge flowers. They are up to several inches across. It is sometimes listed as an annual, biennial or perennial. My plants are on their second year so the jury is still out on that. I have a lot of seedlings so even if they die out this year I will have something. It gets quite tall (3 to 4 feet) and has a spread of about 18 inches.

It is named after one of my favorite times of year, Indian Summer.

reBlogged to rudbeckia

Posted by Digital Flower Pictures Reblogged by Old Roses to rudbeckia on 2007-08-07, 18:31:51

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reBlogged to containers

Posted by Naturegirl Reblogged by Old Roses to containers on 2007-08-07, 07:00:47

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After a lot of rain we have sun since two days, tomorrow it will have rain.

Rosa Redoute from Austin

Stipa tenuissima, I loooove this gras, it is a delight. . .

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Hillside Garden Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-07, 07:00:20

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reBlogged to vines

Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to vines on 2007-08-07, 06:59:47

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I have received some comments asking about the 'Ava' Agastache that I featured with the sleeping bee. Since this is one of my VERY favorite plants (gosh, what isn't) I decided to do a post dedicated to it.


This is the third year for this plant. It is getting shadowed by a large Russian Sage next to it, which I keep cutting back so that 'Ava' can get more sun. . . .

reBlogged to agastache

Posted by Bev Reblogged by Old Roses to agastache on 2007-08-07, 06:59:38

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When I designed my "hellstrips" I knew that the plant/bush that I wanted as the mainstay would be Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). I planted about 20 of them. Not only do I love the beautif