The garden fork is one of the most important tools one could have living in their shed. Apart from the pick it's probably the first tool we grab when the job requires a little more grunt. It's multiple pronged action can loosen soil with minimal damage to plant roots; aerate the compost heap; and, divide those clumping perennials without too much fuss.
Most of us gardeners would have at least one garden fork in our arsenal, and some would have a few more. But is it essential to even have one?. . .
reBlogged
to tools
on Sep 19, 2007, 7:20PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2007-09-20, 06:22:50
Big bluestem for Blackswamp Girl...awhile back, I'd left a comment regarding Little Bluestem Grass on Kim's blog, stating that I have Big Bluestem but not the little one. She remarked that she may not have room for Big Bluestem, and how big is it, anyway? Finally, I am posting my size estimation for Kim...better late than never! This is my friend, let's call her "Smiley", standing next to my Big Bluestem. Smiley is about 5'4", and as you can see, Big Bluestem is taller than her by quite a bit. I would estimate it at 6 feet tall or so. But there's more to size than height....
reBlogged
to grasses
Posted by lisa Reblogged by Old Roses to grasses on 2007-09-20, 06:22:29
Now I don't think that either Horticulture or The American Gardeneractually copied each other -- but I was stunned when both mags arrived in my mailbox the same day this week and both featured Colchicums on the cover. Sure a fall blooming bulb is a great choice, but what are the odds? Thank goodness I did not go with the bulb-theme cover also! The local newstand's garden section could have been a solid display of bright pink.
Ok, in case you have not read the story (which is all over the news), take a minute to read it. Go on… I’ll wait.
Oh, good. You are back. Okay, so are you thinking what I am thinking? Like GOSH HOW STUPID CAN PEOPLE BE?
Never mind that this woman was technically resisting an officer. Never. . .
reBlogged
to lawn watering environment
on Sep 19, 2007, 5:33PM
The weather here in Southeast PA has taken a definite turn, with daily high temperatures now in the low 70s and a new crispness in the air. It's really starting to feel like fall. But the 'Americana Rose Splash' zonal geraniums are still going strong, providing an oasis of summer color that continues unabated.
The front group of plants shows three bud clumps:
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to geraniums
Posted by Beth Reblogged by Old Roses to geraniums on 2007-09-20, 06:16:37
It's my birthday today and although I hardly think it's strictly true, it seems the whole world is conspiring to celebrate the day with me. It's one of those very mild, last-of-the-summer days when even the air, like the headiest mead, is intoxicating!. . .
reBlogged
to gardens
Posted by Kati Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2007-09-20, 06:16:13
Here's the bed I prepared for my fall lettuce. I hope to get out there to seed and transplant this evening. I plan to sow the lettuce very dense. Soon there will be lots of space to transplant it to as the summer crops are finishing up.
Here's an article I found at Kitchen Gardener's about high yield commercial vegetable varieties that are getting bigger and less healthy.
A recent study they cite found that "the more a tomato weighs, the lower its concentration of lycopene, a natural anti-cancer chemical that makes tomatoes red. There is also less vitamin C and beta carotene, a nutrient linked to vitamin A." Also, "higher-yield crops decrease the concentrations of cancer-fighting chemicals and anti-toxins -- known as phytonutrients or phytochemicals."
Well, I'm growing some really tiny veggies: carrots, garlic, etc. But I still would like to grow a BIG pumpkin.
Every so often, a much ignored segment of plant fandom experiences a renaissance. That's quietly happened over the past couple of years among the ten or fifteen of us who are vitally interested in ant plants.
I was able to order, this late summer, not one or two or three different myrmecodias, but a total of eight different ant plants, right off of e-bay. And I could have had eight different ant ferns ... if I were willing to pay through the nose for it. . . .
There are few plants that create as much excitement as does Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomalasubsp. petiolaris) especially when seen in full bloom, lighting up the trunk of a tall oak tree. This is an outstanding plant that deserves greater use. Climbing Hydrangea is native to the woodlands of Japan and coastal China. The lacy, creamy-white blooms are 6 to 10" in diameter and appear in late June or early July. The blooms are actually comprised of numerous small flowers, some fertile and some sterile. The sterile flowers are larger and showier and encircle the smaller fertile flowers in the center of the bloom. . . .
reBlogged
to hydrangea
Posted by Tim Wood Reblogged by Old Roses to hydrangea on 2007-09-20, 06:15:03
Fuschias from the Flower show. Like beautiful pink angels..mine have all died horribly this year so it was good to see some lovely plants. Enormous hanging baskets of pendulous flowers.I like the Angel/Ballet Dancer flowers the most, ahead of the tubular flowers. I have been shrinking the photos to see how much quicker it is to upload them.It works pretty well. Do you all miss the large photos I normally post? A garden would be empty without some Fuschias.I have seen them growing as shrubs and hedges almost, as well as in hanging baskets. Last year I had a pink fuschia/White Petunia mix in a hanging basket which worked quite well. I have Fuschia Alice Hoffman regrowing from its woody branches, and the unknown variety from Tatton Park for a Pound. All the others have keeled over, Sigh. There is always next year to grow them...
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to fuschia
Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to fuschia on 2007-09-20, 06:14:27
After seeing Angies toad Lillys I had to blog the one good photo I took off this one.It was nestled on the edge of a Floral Display. http://gardens-n-junk.blogspot.com/2007/09/toads-in-gardenlilies-that-is.html Small but perfectly formed flowers with the beautiful patterned Petals. I must get some of these when i do finally garden! The post title is almost like the traditional British dish toad in the hole, sausages cooked in a batter mix in the oven. yum yum, with Gravy...
reBlogged
to lilies
Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to lilies on 2007-09-20, 06:14:16
Japanese Iris for ABC Wednesday Iris ensata (EYE-ris) (en-SA-tuh)
If you are here for Wordless Wednesday scroll down to the next post.
I originally planned to have Impatiens as my ‘ABC’ photo but I was foiled as when I got to work on Tuesday I found I had forgotten my memory card. Duh! I usually keep extras in the truck but since I have been out shooting a lot they are filled up. The one that I had ‘cleaned’ was sitting on my desk. I might invest in a couple of larger cards so they don’t fill up all the time. Since I do shoot a lot of pictures (shush, I should be working during some of that time) I have to periodically go through my hard drive and get rid of the pictures I am not going to use. . . .
Photo by permission from True Media LLC
How many of you are trying to live a greener life? We try to recycle more, turn off the lights, and buy more environmentally friendly products. There are...
What would the harvest season be without winter squash? Yet how many home gardeners still grow them? Sure they look beautiful in their fall colors, on display in the produce...
reBlogged
to squash
on Sep 18, 2007, 9:20PM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to squash on 2007-09-20, 06:10:02
One of the many advantages of being married to Liz, is that I get to see a fair number of walking sticks, for she has extremely sharp eyes for picking out odd little critters. Walking sticks belong to the insect order Phasmatodea (from the Greek phasma, meaning phantom, due to the unique ability of these insects to "disappear"). . . .
reBlogged
to insects
Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to insects on 2007-09-20, 06:09:52
Nature abhors a vacuum -- and so does your landscape! Landscape designer, Joel M. Lerner learned this lesson the hard way: on his own landscape! "Because we stay so busy...
reBlogged
to design
on Sep 19, 2007, 2:20AM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to design on 2007-09-20, 06:09:24
I have nesting fever right now. We're having gorgeous late summer days: near frost in the mornings, rising to a perfect* temperature in the afternoons. * I'm the one who determines what perfect is, in case you were wondering all this time. I'm working hard to get a bunch of half-done garden and yard projects done completed the snow comes, and then perhaps I can find my way back to some serious cooking and quiltmaking, in between all that other stuff that motherhood entails. . . .
In Whetstone Park on the west side of Columbus, lies a showcase of roses the likes of which I've never seen before. As Mom and I walked through the entrance and saw what lay in front of us, we knew we'd hit the mother lode of rose blooms. Thirteen acres. 11,000 rose bushes. 350 varieties, including the newest hybrids as well as heritage roses dating back to the 1500s. . . .
A late afternoon walk through Charles Church's fields in Valle Crucis was exactly what this gal needed. The Burley tobacco has been speared and wilts on wooden stakes for the next couple of days before it is tucked into the barn to air dry for a couple of months.
Not so long along it was common place to see tobacco fields such as this one all over the High Country. The staked tobacco reminds me of praying monks--or miniature teepees. For many reasons, Burley tobacco farming is no longer the cash crop it used to be and a smart part of the Appalachian cultural way of life is quickly disappearing....
reBlogged
to tobacco
on Sep 19, 2007, 8:17AM
Posted by Marie Freeman Reblogged by Old Roses to tobacco on 2007-09-20, 06:07:06
On our way to our ‘summerhouse’ we decided to stop at The Botanical Garden in Uppsala . Uppsala is halfway and perfect for a quick stop. Do some shopping, have lunch or do something more interesting like this time a visit to a botanical garden. Miss M and I chose to have coffee first at a very nice Café called ‘Fågelsången’. The sun was shining from a crystal clear September sky so we were able to sit outside and enjoy our coffee and cake, watching all the people passing by. Next stop was the Botanical Garden in Uppsala. We were very glad to find out that there was an exhibition 'Harvest at Botan' in the Orangery of Linneanum. . . .
Making applesauce is so easy and so yummy. The apple tree is loaded and canning some enables us to enjoy that apple goodness all year long.
Wash apples and cut into pieces - no need to core or peel. I do cut any obvious bad spots off of the apples. Since I do not spray my apples at all - they aren't always the prettiest, but they are fine for applesauce. . . .
reBlogged
to fruit recipes
Posted by Kathi Reblogged by Old Roses to fruit, recipes on 2007-09-20, 06:06:14
via Snappy's Gardens Blog on 1969-12-31, 19:00:00
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