In this age of Britneys and Brads, a time when everybody who doesn't already think they are a celebrity, wants to be one... I have a soft spot for both people and critters who live modest, unassuming lives in the little nooks and quiet spots in the world. . . .
reBlogged
to beneficials
Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials on 2007-10-05, 00:43:22
October 13-14, 2007 (Saturday-Sunday)
at Lost Valley Educational Center, Dexter, OR
We invite people ages 12 through 112 to join us to learn about fall ecology, indigenous tradition, and the harvest season here in the western Cascade foothills. Throughout this weekend of presentations, discussions, and activities, we'll explore how we can learn from one another and pass ecological wisdom and insights back and forth between generations. The schedule (subject to change) is as follows. . .
reBlogged
to environment
on Oct 2, 2007, 11:11PM
Posted by nathaniel
Reblogged by Old Roses to environment on 2007-10-05, 00:42:57
This is the side yard I have been working on, I hope to finish mulching tomorrow. I moved the grasses from the perennial butterfly garden and I really like them better here on the side. Carol, from May Dreams Gardens, had a post on large shrubs. I read that one with great interest because I'd love to have really large shrubs to block my view from this neighbor. . . .
It will be one week tomorrow since I saw the last hummingbird in my garden and I've been seeing fewer birds and butterflies too. Today, however I had quite a few butterflies visiting. There were several painted ladies, a couple of monarchs, a at least three or four cabbage whites and a yellow one that was probably some kind of sulpher, (I didn't get a good look at it because when I got closer it quickly flew to my neighbors yard). They were all here at the same time this afternoon so I enjoyed the opportunity to get a few more pictures of these gorgeous creatures. . . .
I first had this dish when someone brought it to my party 10 years ago-it was such a hit that several people, including myself, asked for the recipe. I usually make it for entertaining, and it’s always a hit with my Caribbean friends-–all who love ripe plantain. It’s a tasty side dish with meat or a vegetarian main course. . . .
reBlogged
to fruit recipes
Posted by Nicole Reblogged by Old Roses to fruit, recipes on 2007-10-05, 00:38:32
I have celebrated late summer the last several years by searching any milkweed plant I see, hoping to find monarch butterfly eggs or larvae. The last couple of years the search has proved unproductive but this year’s efforts with coworkers yielded two large larvae. These provided another chance to observe the amazing phenomenon of metamorphosis. . . .
I was watering the plants which is a daily occurrence these days as we haven't received significant precipitation in over a month, when I saw a flash of pink near our two Camellia plants. It was an aberrant bloom on our Camellia sasanqua but you can see another bud in the photo getting ready to bloom too. This is very early. I'll have to check but I think this bush didn't bloom until late October or early November last year. Most of the other buds are not nearly this far along. The flower is next to and facing the house so getting a good picture of it required a yogic position.
reBlogged
to camellia
Posted by Ki Reblogged by Old Roses to camellia on 2007-10-05, 00:37:46
I recently read an article in the Sept./Oct. issue of Cooks Illustrated magazine about the antibacterial properties of vinegar on smooth skin fruits. They used a 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar solution. This was of some interest to me because I read somewhere that people were getting ill from salmonella on the surface of cantaloupes that was transferred to the meat of the fruit by either poor handling and washing (no washing?) or simply the cutting action of the knife touching the surface of the skin and dragging the pathogens into the fruit. . . .
reBlogged
to tools
Posted by Ki Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2007-10-05, 00:37:33
I am often asked whether plants and fish can live in the pond throughout the winter. I have written two articles about overwintering your pond that will appear on the link above on October 5th and October 12th. . . .
reBlogged
to ponds
Posted by Jan Goldfield Reblogged by Old Roses to ponds on 2007-10-05, 00:36:54
There's an organic garden in Amityville that's run by the Sisters of St. Dominic. The endeavor, Sophia Garden, is a community-supported agricultural (CSA) mission that provides food to needy local families. It also sells "shares," as an agricultural co-op would, to its members, who also commit to a set hours of volunteer time working the land, pulling weeds, turning the compost pile, and harvesting crops. . . .
The verdict is in on the wild grape jelly I made last night. Yummy! And the texture is wonderful. I worried that it would end up too thick and hard to spread, sort of Jell-O-like, but it's perfect. Would I do it again? Absolutely! But I'll pick more grapes next time so I can make more of it at once. Maybe I'll even make strawberry jam next year from the berries in our garden. . . .
reBlogged
to fruit recipes
Posted by Kylee Reblogged by Old Roses to fruit, recipes on 2007-10-05, 00:35:56
It doesn't matter how old you are or how old you get, it's a big wide world out there and there will never be a shortage of new opportunities for learning. Ain't it great?
Earlier this year, Romie and I discovered wild grapes growing behind Our Little Acre, along Cunningham's Ditch. We'd lived here for 30 years and walked that path countless times, but until this summer we had no idea the grapes were there. I'd never even seen wild grapes growing before in my life and was thrilled with the find. . .
reBlogged
to fruit recipes
Posted by Kylee Reblogged by Old Roses to fruit, recipes on 2007-10-05, 00:35:34
This morning I took my wire rolling kitchen stand outdoors to touch up the paint. The wind was blowing, so I went way out past the garden to spray. Late this afternoon, I had my Nikon d200 out to see what I could photograph in the garden. I hadn’t had my 50mm lens out in a long time, so was using that to get a few shots of the blossoms on the herbs. When I came in, I decided to save myself a trip, so had the camera in one hand and the wire stand in the other. . . .
reBlogged
to foliage
on Oct 3, 2007, 5:05PM
Posted by Sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to foliage on 2007-10-05, 00:33:04
The very first post on this blog, in spring of 2006, was about a reality TV show. My kind of reality TV show. It's called "A Year at Kew" and it's a British series, available on DVD only in PAL format ( your DVD player might not play it - I had to buy a region free player with a PAL to NTSC converter ). There are also a couple of companion books available in both the UK and the USA. . . .
One thing you may have noticed about this blog, if you've been reading it for a while, is that I don't talk that much about orchids. Sure, I have a tropical greenhouse, and I do grow a few ( mainly Coryanthes, Stanhopea, Cirrhopetalums and a Cymbidium ), but I'm no orchid nut. . . .
How do we know that summer is officially over now, a full 2 weeks after the equinox? Well, let me tell you. It's the end of extended summer hours at the nursery. We close at 5pm now every day again. Woohoo!
Turns out the endangered Pariette cactus from Utah is now considered 3 separate species, each to be protected. From the Deseret Morning News:
What was considered a single threatened cactus species in northeastern Utah and western Colorado is now officially three cacti species, all threatened, according to a ruling Tuesday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service....
The three species were once thought of as one type of plant, but DNA work shows they are separate species, says Tony Frates, rare plant coordinator for the Utah Native Plant Society in Salt Lake City. Besides the Pariette cactus, the other species designated as threatened are the Colorado hookless cactus and Uinta Basin hookless cactus.
Every Tuesday on the noon news they have a guest on newstalk: Dottie White from the Strawberry Geranium.
For years its been the orderly schedule of being in front of the boob tube at 12:17 with remote in hand ready to punch that volume button up enough to drown out sibling rivaly at the first sign of a raised voice - eyes and ears glued to that glowing screen, ready to catch every syllable of golden wisdom dripping from those knowledegable lips. . . .
reBlogged
to shows
Posted by Tina Reblogged by Old Roses to shows on 2007-10-05, 00:28:51
Susan, over at Garden Rant, says she's "been known to give up on plants before they've had a chance to really show me their stuff."
I just can't do it! Even if I've decided I hate a certain plant, I'll still give it the benefit of the doubt - for years. I might move them around, but they always get a chance at making me go, "Ooohhh!". . .
reBlogged
to plants
Posted by Tina Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2007-10-05, 00:28:31
Kim at A Study in Contrast posted a few days ago about what she found buried in her garden while digging post holes. I've also posted in the past about what an adventure it can be to dig a really big hole and find something you didn't expect. What treasures are down there just waiting to be dug up?. . .
reBlogged
to gardening
Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-10-05, 00:28:10
Soon, many of us will be raking leaves off our fall lawns -- assuming we can find the motivation! Well, here's a reminder as to the reason for this fall...
reBlogged
to lawn
on Oct 3, 2007, 3:52AM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to lawn on 2007-10-05, 00:27:12
Many people struggle to control moles in their lawns and gardens. Moles are not rodents. They are carnivorous animals whose main food source is earthworms and soil borne insects. They also feed on grubs, which is the basis for one of the most often quoted errors for mole control. Eliminating grubs from your lawn will not assure that you will eliminate moles as well. Well intended garden center and nursery staff members have told consumers for years that grub control equals mole control. . . .
True pepper people fight often fight over which peppers are the hottest in the world. They hang out in hot pepper forums and they can give you the Scoville Units for just about any pepper that you can name. And every year there's always a new hot pepper tale about some guy living in an exotic location such as India, Thailand or Hoboken who grew the hottest peppers ever. . . .
reBlogged
to peppers
Posted by Anthony Reblogged by Old Roses to peppers on 2007-10-05, 00:26:17
I haven't been in a very gardening mood lately. I love Chacala's year-around gardening climate, but sometimes it gets sort of old. And now that I have a "high-speed" internet connection at my place, I would rather read gardening blogs. Or take care of rental reservations for some of my neighbors, or swim, or visit somebody. Anything but gardening. . . .
In the United Kingdom, fall brings down the horse chestnuts and brings out the conkers competitors. Many thanks to James Wandersee and Renee Clary for coaching us in this fine, knuckle-busting form of human-plant entertainment.
As was suggested by one of my regular visitors I’m trying to find a little slice of peace. This beautiful photo of a Tiffany Rose in my garden does help. . .
reBlogged
to roses
on Oct 3, 2007, 2:40AM
Posted by Tricia Reblogged by Old Roses to roses on 2007-10-05, 00:23:26
This photo is called "Tom Thumb" (CC), the photgrafer is called Mykl Roventine, you find more of his photos and his profile here.
The other day I harvested my last carrots. They were pretty small. Like a thumb, more or less. And then it occurred to me that this carrot is named "Tom Thumb". Duh! I didn't expect the name to be so close to reality. But it's good to see, now I know this kind fits into smaller containers. I'll be able to save up on soil and to look out through my windows. . . .
If you are here for Wordless Wednesday please scroll down to the next post of the yellow rose.
I can’t tell how beautiful I thought this rose was. It is was orange but had the slightest tinge of red in it. I saw it from across the garden and knew that my camera was going to have trouble capturing the color. I did move my saturation from Vivid (+1) to Normal. I think I will start doing that when photographing very vivid orange and red flowers. Lucky it was very cloudy out or I wouldn’t have stood a chance. . . .
via prairie point on 1969-12-31, 19:00:00
There's an organic garden in Amityville that's run by the Sisters of St. Dominic. The endeavor, Sophia Garden, is a community-supported agricultural (CSA) mission that provides food to needy local families. It also sells "shares," as an agricultural co-op would, to its members, who also commit to a set hours of volunteer time working the land, pulling weeds, turning the compost pile, and harvesting crops. . . . 
What was considered a single threatened cactus species in northeastern Utah and western Colorado is now officially three cacti species, all threatened, according to a ruling Tuesday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service....
