reBlogged to beneficials echinacea

Posted by Beverly Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, echinacea on 2007-08-14, 17:55:36

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reBlogged to weather

Posted by Tamara Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-08-14, 17:49:14

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I continually get confused between the names of some plants, and thus how to take care of them.  I thought I would get this straight, once and for all, and share it with you  in the mena time. . . .

reBlogged to hibiscus on Aug 13, 2007, 9:14PM

Posted by Lesli Peterson Reblogged by Old Roses to hibiscus on 2007-08-14, 17:48:52

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A while back I did a post on a new squash I am growing this year called Sunshine. I have been surprised at how vigorous the vine is and how many nice sized fruit is it bearing.

They are so pretty in their bright orange coats....they remind me of pumpkins!

reBlogged to squash

Posted by Connie Reblogged by Old Roses to squash on 2007-08-14, 17:48:32

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On a daily basis there is a garden inside the house I enjoy. Today, I'm remembering my Dad and his mother, my Grandmother. I'm also celebrating that I've been able to grow the garden a little more. Here is the addition to my garden:When my Grandmother died almost 20 years ago, a little before my wedding, my family sent me me home with a number if items from my Grandmother's house. This included a stainless flatware set that my husband and I still use every day. I'd never been able to confirm the manufacture or find any additional pieces, until now. All I had to go on was the "Rose USA Stainless" on the handles. As you can see in my new addition, I now know the pattern is from Sears Roebuck and Co. , which doesn't surprise me. This ceritificate is dated Dec. 25, 1958. My set is probably about the same age. . . .

reBlogged to gardeners

Posted by Petunia's Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to gardeners on 2007-08-14, 17:48:03

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I'm no good at flower arranging but I think these are pretty, mostly because they are all blooming in my garden right now.
I always wonder if most people cut flowers from their garden or just let them go until they are finished.

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Gina Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-14, 17:45:48

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One of my hummingbirds is getting quite fat. I've nicknamed her fatty fat. She really likes my new window feeder.

reBlogged to beneficials birds

Posted by Lisa Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, birds on 2007-08-14, 17:45:39

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Confederate Jasmine is a great plant to use for small Espalier projects around the house. All you need is strong fishing line, some rust-resistant screws or nails and a surface on which to let your creativity run wild. This one is only a few months old and it began life as a 3 (0r maybe 5) gallon nursery plant. . .

reBlogged to espalier

Posted by ldybug Reblogged by Old Roses to espalier on 2007-08-14, 17:45:09

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Forget the peppers, cukes and greens. This weekend, my garden was all about the tomato… and basil. . . .

reBlogged to tomatoes basil on Aug 13, 2007, 12:16PM

Posted by Jaime Chismar Reblogged by Old Roses to basil, tomatoes on 2007-08-14, 17:44:42

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My friend the Zebra Swallowtail was very good and posed for me the other day. I had not seen one of these before, or perhaps I have and have not paid much attention. We were touring some of the property at work, a vast cattle pasture, oak hammock type of land in the central part of the state and I happened to see this guy. I was thrilled that it stayed long enough for me to get several shots. . . .

reBlogged to beneficials on Aug 13, 2007, 11:25PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials on 2007-08-14, 17:43:58

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I have a theory about what happens to good intentions.

You know how when you are driving home from work, and you make that mental list of everything you are going to do when you get home? Then you get home and you think, "I'll just sit down for a minute on the couch to relax." Then the next thing you know, you are zapped and do nothing. What happened to those good intentions?. . .

reBlogged to gardening

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-08-14, 17:43:32

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reBlogged to flowers on Aug 13, 2007, 6:58PM

Posted by sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-14, 17:43:07

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This is the time of year to think about fixing a really lousy lawn. Grass seed or sod is best planted in September -- Labor Day weekend is ideal. If you have to do a major renovation, the first question is whether to use seed or sod. While sod gives you almost instant lawn, most folks think it is much more expensive than seeding the lawn. Not true. If you spread the costs over three years, seeding or sodding comes out at about the same amount of money. . . .

reBlogged to lawn on Aug 13, 2007, 9:25AM

Posted by jeffball@usol.com (Jeff Ball) Reblogged by Old Roses to lawn on 2007-08-14, 17:42:59

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Garden Podcasts for August 2007

reBlogged to podcast on Aug 13, 2007, 2:53PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to podcast on 2007-08-14, 17:42:32

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Quebec City is one of those charming cities you should really take the time to visit. I've been several times now and each time I get to see just a little bit more. To begin with, this is the provincial capital for the Province of Quebec in Canada and one of the most storied cities in North America. While it is an amazing city for wining and dining and living the good life, it is not particularly a city of large public gardens. . . .

reBlogged to gardens on Aug 13, 2007, 1:27PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-08-14, 17:42:28

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reBlogged to seeds

Posted by Colleen Vanderlinden (nospam@example.com) Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2007-08-14, 17:42:07

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reBlogged to compost

Posted by Colleen Vanderlinden (nospam@example.com) Reblogged by Old Roses to compost on 2007-08-14, 17:41:58

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I took the time to enjoy the peace in my garden.....

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Naturegirl Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-08-14, 17:41:07

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Ruth Bancroft discusses Aloes in the Insidebayarea.com

MANY species of aloes come from South Africa, and these are often seen growing in California gardens. However, it comes as a surprise to many people to discover that the Arabian Peninsula is also home to several dozen kinds.

In many people's minds the Arabian Peninsula is a vast sea of scorching sand and barren rocks, and there is certainly plenty of this type of terrain there.

But parallel to the Red Sea coast, and bending around along the Indian Ocean coast to the east, there are rugged mountains which rise up high enough to capture clouds and provide a wide variety of habitats and micro-climates.

Interesting.

reBlogged to aloes on Aug 13, 2007, 1:44PM

Posted by blog@cactusjungle.com (cactusblog) Reblogged by Old Roses to aloes on 2007-08-14, 17:40:25

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Not so much in Los Angeles, according to the LA Times:

Sedum... as in the evergreen ground cover cited so often as a water-sipping lawn alternative. As in the heat-absorbing flora frequently employed on green rooftops. As in the versatile, low-maintenance species that work so well on slopes, in rock gardens, around pavers and as filler plants in containers.

While eye-arresting echeverias, otherworldly aeoniums and architectural Agave attenuata take center stage in succulent landscapes and magazine spreads, the poor sedum trudges on, underappreciated and barely recognized -- the character actor you know you've seen before, but you're just not sure where.

We like sedums. They are good. Happy Happy Joy Times.

reBlogged to sedum on Aug 13, 2007, 10:44AM

Posted by blog@cactusjungle.com (cactusblog) Reblogged by Old Roses to sedum on 2007-08-14, 17:40:18

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Another crisy August
At least we don't have to mow the grass as often. Dead grass don't grow, ya know.
And did I know petunias were that tough? Very durable critters~ even the marigolds struggle where the petunias (and the coreopsis and the ascelpia and the portulaca) are fine and dandy. . . .

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Christine of Epiphany Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-08-14, 17:40:08

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A refreshing and restful garden tour

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by Ilona Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-08-14, 17:39:23

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This beauty sat nice and posed for me. It is either a Diane Fritillary or a Spicebush Swallowtail. . .

reBlogged to beneficials flowers

Posted by Angie Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, flowers on 2007-08-14, 17:36:38

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reBlogged to whimsy

Posted by Crafty Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to whimsy on 2007-08-14, 17:34:22

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reBlogged to gardening

Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-08-14, 17:34:09

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reBlogged to blogs

Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2007-08-14, 17:33:30

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Here are a few of the sun loving perennial flowers you're definitely going to want in your garden. The full sun garden is a bit of a problem in that high heat levels can decimate flower production rather quickly. And while many of these plants will survive drought and high heat, the first thing you have to understand as a gardener is that water stress reduces flower production. A plant tends to shut down flower production as a first line of defense to stress. If you reduce the water, you reduce the flowering. . .

reBlogged to flowers on Aug 13, 2007, 8:37AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-14, 17:33:24

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"Stay away from my nest."

-----

Last Friday's Ark is here.

reBlogged to birds

Posted by Rurality Reblogged by Old Roses to birds on 2007-08-14, 17:33:05

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This is the other thing I like about mail order. Many of the plants I've been getting from Bluestone and Select Seed are very small when they arrive in May-much smaller than anything you'd see in a nursery. (In fact, most shoppers would be appalled at the thought of paying for these.). . .

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by EAL Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-14, 17:31:21

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All the rain the first half of the summer lulled me into forgetting to water the garden.   Now with a forecast of 105 today and nary a cloud in sight, I am dragging the hoses out of the shed again.  Also got to finally get out the solvent and spare PVC parts and fix the pipes on the north side of the house that froze last winter.  Being naturally lazy and there being no need for irrigation I’ve just had that entire section of the system switched off.

A neighbor came back from vacation last week and found one of his old oaks completely dead.    We had a number die last summer and there are several more that have just been hanging in.   They revived with the spring rains but I don’t think they will survive another period of stress.  I’m thinking of putting out  soaker hoses.

reBlogged to watering on Aug 13, 2007, 10:59AM

Posted by Bill Reblogged by Old Roses to watering on 2007-08-14, 17:30:43

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Are you considering having a well dug on your property? Drawing on a well for your landscape watering needs may save you money, in the long run. To help you...

reBlogged to watering on Aug 13, 2007, 2:44AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to watering on 2007-08-14, 17:30:22

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Polygonum bistorta 'Superbum'
(pol-LIG-go-num) (bis-TOR-tuh)
Synonyms: Adderwort, Dragonwort, Easter giant, Snakeweed, Easter Ledges

I saw this plant growing and blooming at Wave Hill a couple of weeks ago. It kind of looked like a weedy perennial but the flowers made up for that. The number and shape of the flowers was interesting. The color was not fantastic but it was not unattractive. The foliage is a nice color green. It looks like this plant would make a good ground cover in a rough area. The family, Polygonaceae, has some noxious weeds included in it but also a few plants that I enjoy. Mountain Fleece (Persicaria amplexicaulis) and Himalayan Fleece Flower (Persicaria affinis 'Border Jewel') are two good ones. . . .

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Digital Flower Pictures Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-08-14, 17:30:00

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This is hardy Hibiscus 'Old Yella'. It is supposedly named such because it has pale yellow flowers. I grant you, its buds are slightly creamy, but for me the flowers open white with a pink wash... Old Pinky? Regardless, it is a lovely thing, with what seems to be rather heavy substance for a hibiscus almost a foot across. I have it blooming right next to Hibiscus 'Fireball'... I guess subtlety is not my strong suit.

reBlogged to hibiscus

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to hibiscus on 2007-08-14, 17:29:29

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One of our favorite rain lilies is just beginning to open up. It is a pink one by the name of Zephyrantes labufarosea. Ours seem to bloom late summer into mid fall, but other growers have had success from the beginning of the summer all the way into the fall. There are also different spellings involved. We have chosen the one through which we originally received and identified the bulb. . . .

reBlogged to bulbs

Posted by Chris Reblogged by Old Roses to bulbs on 2007-08-14, 17:28:56

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It's hard to believe that I am 49 years old today. I still feel like a kid most of the time - maybe someday I'll decide to grow up!


I harvested my first Wayahead Tomato. It's too bad only one of these plants survived the hail storm back in May - they look like fine tomatoes. . . .

reBlogged to harvest

Posted by Kathi Reblogged by Old Roses to harvest on 2007-08-14, 17:27:33

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Most succulents need full sun and are not (really) suitable for cultivation indoors. But there are also quite a few exceptions. Sometimes we advise nursery customers from Cape Town to keep certain plants indoors because of the local environment. Regulary we are approached by restaurant owners for low maintenance table arrangements. . .

reBlogged to succulents on Aug 13, 2007, 4:56AM

Posted by soekershof Reblogged by Old Roses to succulents on 2007-08-14, 17:27:04

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Time for a new suite of photos documenting my experiment.

Let's start with my thripsberidden herbgarden. I do apologise for the blured photo; I have a disagreement with my camera. I want to take nice close ups, it says it can't. However, I've sprayed this garden with clean water from the dryer several times a day this week. The plants seems to do better, although they are not 100% healthy yet. The new leaves of the parsley have less dry spots than the old ones. I still don't know if this treatment is enough, but it looks hopefull. . . .

reBlogged to parsley

Posted by Rosengeranium Reblogged by Old Roses to parsley on 2007-08-14, 17:26:42

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We live out in the country, which is really great. With a country setting comes lots of animals; hungry animals. We see many raccoons, foxes, opossums, and deer. This winter we went walking in the woods behind the garden and was amazed at all of the animal tracks we saw in the snow.

It looked like all the different animals got together and had a party. . . .

reBlogged to gardening

Posted by Marc Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-08-14, 17:25:40

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Calling all braggarts with the biggest and best veggies. Kitchen gardens international is holding a contest for a video featuring your star vegetables and the first prize is $500 plus a lot of publicity.

For full details visit their website at www.kitchengardensinternational.org

reBlogged to tomatoes

Posted by Carolyn gail Reblogged by Old Roses to tomatoes on 2007-08-14, 17:24:50

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reBlogged to pests tools

Posted by earlysnowdrop Reblogged by Old Roses to pests, tools on 2007-08-14, 06:38:44

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The Sweetbay Magnolias, M. virginiana bloomed in spring and I lamented the end of this years fragrant flowers. As I was walking around our yard today, I was accosted by a sweet familiar scent and was surprised to see yet another flower on the Sweetbay. This one totally took me by surprise as I thought I inspected the trees for any other buds and saw none. The trees stopped blooming about 2 months ago so this is an anomaly but a very nice one indeed. This flower seemed to be especially full and beautiful. Possibly because it had access to all the nutrients it needed as there are no other flowers the tree needs to provide food for.

I love these wonderful surprises. Makes gardening even more worthwhile than it already is.

reBlogged to trees

Posted by Ki Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2007-08-14, 06:38:24

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Tied for third is plenty good enough when it comes to setting the record for the most number of consecutive days above ninety degrees in Indianapolis. Lucky us, we did it today! If we have six more days of temperatures reaching 90 or above, then we'll tie the 1936 first place record of 19 days. Seven more days and 2007 gets first place outright! . . .

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-08-14, 06:37:48

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Are cities generally warmer than the more rural areas near them? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

reBlogged to weather on Aug 12, 2007, 11:00PM

Posted by The Old Farmer's Almanac Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-08-14, 06:37:21

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We just got the latest issue of Garden Design Magazine and in the “shopping” section an article titled “Urban Outfitter” talks about San Francisco’s newest nursery, Flora Grubb. The article says the opening “raises the bar for garden centers everywhere”.

We talked about this nursery back in June and again in July. In the article the author Donna Dorian calls Flora, “California’s horticultural fashionista”. The nursery “announces the new age of the urban nursery-and raises the bar for garden centers everywhere.”. . .

reBlogged to nursery

Posted by Trey Pitsenberger Reblogged by Old Roses to nursery on 2007-08-14, 06:37:03

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