reBlogged to trees on Oct 17, 2007, 11:25PM

Posted by Rick Anderson Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2007-10-18, 18:58:55

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Yesterday my zinnias were covered with American painted lady butterflies, the most I've ever seen at one time. I'm not sure if they were migrating south and just stopped here on their way or if they had just recently emerged. They were very calm and didn't fly away when I got close, in fact I was able to get the camera within inches of them. . . .

reBlogged to flowers beneficials

Posted by Robin's Nesting Place Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, flowers on 2007-10-18, 18:57:40

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reBlogged to flowers beneficials

Posted by Robin's Nesting Place Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, flowers on 2007-10-18, 18:57:12

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Last fall when I cleaned up the front flower bed, I thought I had pulled up all of the purple coneflower, except for just a few right against the house, but I was mistaken. The bed was still full of it this year. So today I attempted to clean it up again. I dug up all that I could see. I'm sure some seeds will sprout next year and I'll have to do this again. The above picture is the before shot. (Oh, the blue garbage can in the picture is full of mulch from our recycle place, I used it on the side yard after planting.). . .

reBlogged to gardening

Posted by Robin's Nesting Place Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-10-18, 18:56:39

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You may never have heard of the Christmas Mountains. They are located northwest of Big Bend National Park. A 9300-acre tract of land there was donated to the state of Texas in 1991 by the Conservation Fund and the Richard King Mellon Foundation. . . .

reBlogged to environment on Oct 17, 2007, 5:36PM

Posted by Bill Reblogged by Old Roses to environment on 2007-10-18, 18:55:20

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There hasn’t been much gardening or blooming either going on around here lately.  Although we got an inch of rain last night which should help some.  It also brought the temps down so that it felt like fall.  I even thought I detected a hint of wood smoke in the air this morning. . .

reBlogged to autumn on Oct 17, 2007, 12:43PM

Posted by Bill Reblogged by Old Roses to autumn on 2007-10-18, 18:54:57

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reBlogged to shows

Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to shows on 2007-10-18, 18:54:26

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Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia 'Central Park Splendor'
(ULM-us) (par-vee-FOH-lee-uh)
Ulmaceae (ulm-AY-see-ay)
Synonyms: Lacebark Elm, ‘A. Ross Central Park’, ‘Across Central Park’

I saw this tree at the NYBG and it was quite beautiful. It has an interesting history, which you can read a bit on
here (Wikipedia)

and here:
Michigan Tech.edu

One thing about this Chinese Elm is the fact gardeners in Zone 5 can grow it; that is much hardier than species. . . .

reBlogged to trees on Oct 18, 2007, 5:58AM

Posted by Digital Flower Pictures Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2007-10-18, 18:54:17

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I love the macro feature of my camera but the camera I love to use best, a Panasonic DMC FX3, can't focus very closely, only about 2" from the subject. The other camera I bought mostly because of it's close macro ability and superior optics has proven to be a cumbersome beast so I rarely use it. That camera a Canon A620 is by no means a large camera and tiny compared to a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. Without add on lenses can focus down to an incredible 1cm which is about 3/8", giving you an extreme macro view of the subject which I wish the Pansonic could do. . . .

reBlogged to tools photos

Posted by Ki Reblogged by Old Roses to photos, tools on 2007-10-18, 18:53:28

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With all the rain we’ve been getting this past week, the grass in my neighborhood is still pretty green. But it won’t be long before the lawns lose their emerald glow and take on the dry brown hues of dead grass. If you don’t live in a part of the country that’s already gotten snow (sorry, Mom!), take some time this weekend to get your lawn in shape before the first frost hits. . .

reBlogged to lawns

Posted by Home Know-It-All Reblogged by Old Roses to lawns on 2007-10-18, 18:53:00

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reBlogged to weather

Posted by A wildlife gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-10-18, 18:52:40

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If you're looking for creative Halloween costumes, why not express your obsession for plants and all things relating to gardening? At least that's my ideal when it comes to Halloween costumes. . . .

reBlogged to autumn whimsy

Posted by Nelumbo Reblogged by Old Roses to autumn, whimsy on 2007-10-18, 18:52:15

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We've seen gravel mulch, glass mulch, rubber mulch - darn it, we've even seen coloured mulch. But just when you thought we'd seen it all, along comes a Kiwi vigneron who wants to try his hand at mulching with mussel shells. Mussel shells?

It makes sense, really! In New Zealand they're hardly short on a steady supply of these little molluscs yet they're only valued for their meat. The shells end up as a wastage product. . . .

reBlogged to mulch on Oct 17, 2007, 7:34PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to mulch on 2007-10-18, 18:51:03

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I just love this display from Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, MD. I took the photo to file in my "ideas to steal" folder. I think this could work with lots of different messages and on various occasions -- from a birthday party to a corporate event to displaying your street address seasonally. The letters are painted on the Ghost pumpkins in this case, but you could carve and light them or use different squash, plant pots, etc. for the words. . . .

reBlogged to magazines

Posted by WashingtonGardener Reblogged by Old Roses to magazines on 2007-10-18, 18:50:31

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There is a new very interesting looking Australian blog called Bare Bones Gardening.

It’s all about gardening without spending money, something along the lines of what I posted about a few days ago and have advocated many times in past posts. Also included in the scope of this blog is gardening with disabilities. . .

reBlogged to blogs on Oct 17, 2007, 5:15AM

Posted by Patrick Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2007-10-18, 18:48:51

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One of the first trees I purchased for my new yard ten years ago was a fruitless Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua). I wasn't actually planning to buy this variety of tree but decided when I saw it at a garden center that a Sweet Gum tree that had all the good attributes of a Sweet Gum, but no fruiting, would be a good tree. . . .

reBlogged to trees

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2007-10-18, 18:48:11

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On the heels of all those blooms, here are some more. This is one of my favorite annuals and one that's super easy to grow from seed. The first year I had gazanias (2005), I bought the young plants at a local plant center. I let some of them go to seed and I saved it for the following year. . . .

reBlogged to gazania

Posted by Kylee Reblogged by Old Roses to gazania on 2007-10-18, 18:44:59

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My husband and I made a short trip to the Phoenix area of Arizona a couple of weeks ago. One of the highlights was visiting the Desert Botanical Garden outside of Phoenix.  I've never been particularly enamored of desert environments or flora, but I have a new appreciation now.  This Great Horned Owl was watching everything:

reBlogged to botanical_garden on Oct 17, 2007, 4:34PM

Posted by jdolangreen Reblogged by Old Roses to botanical_garden on 2007-10-18, 18:44:16

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I have a creative mind. I think outside the box a lot ... sometimes too far. But there are just some things I can't manage to wrap my brain around. I'm not a judgemantal person. In fact, it's the thing I try hardest to steer clear of in my life.

Until I bump into 'those' people. And they are everywhere! I choose to call 'em Chemies. And they have absolutely no qualms about giving you the long-assed list of crap they throw on their property! Amazing!. . .

reBlogged to environment

Posted by Tina Reblogged by Old Roses to environment on 2007-10-18, 18:43:51

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reBlogged to foliage on Oct 17, 2007, 10:36AM

Posted by Marie Freeman Reblogged by Old Roses to foliage on 2007-10-18, 18:39:55

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This is the Cyclamen today with its flowers now standing tall. This is my Fifth Post today with some real blogger gremlins preventing the photos showing. Im reblogging this one to show its revivial. I wander if you can get cyclamen in white too? I love the Variegated leaves which are heart shaped with serrated edges.
At Cats I saw a larger than life fake Cyclamen. It never needs watering, and will never die. I prefer the real life version with all the problems that plants can get.
It is a real life Persian jewel.

reBlogged to cyclamen

Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to cyclamen on 2007-10-18, 18:39:34

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I can finally upload my photo of the Costa Rican Phalenopsis. I have been emailing a Canadian Orchidophile over the past few months, a regular reader. He sends me regular orchid pics from his Treasure house of many beautiful and unusual orchids, as I love these strange looking flowers. . . .

reBlogged to orchids

Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to orchids on 2007-10-18, 18:39:25

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I'm trying again with fava beans. Early this spring I planted a crop that was overcome by black aphids. Since I had some seeds left over, I thought I'd try again this fall. I planted the last of my seeds September 19, a month ago. I now have 20 small plants from about 30 seeds. And the best thing - NO APHIDS!. . .

reBlogged to beans

Posted by carletongardener Reblogged by Old Roses to beans on 2007-10-18, 18:38:54

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[Double falls and a very shallow stream.]

Found this looking for examples of shallow streams that I consider a babbling brook type of stream.

A couple of upflow filters, a stream that is about 4.0′ wide, and only a inch or so deep. . ..

reBlogged to design on Oct 17, 2007, 2:49AM

Posted by Rick Anderson Reblogged by Old Roses to design on 2007-10-18, 18:38:05

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Am I getting ready for Halloween? People ask me this since my “ghostly” garden is the first thing you see when you drive up to my house. It sure looks that way. Last week, the weather...

reBlogged to gardens whimsy on Oct 17, 2007, 2:15AM

Posted by Green Talk Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens, whimsy on 2007-10-18, 18:37:16

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In preparation to try winter sowing for the first, I requested free seeds from the people over at wintersown.org. They came in the mail today!

It was very simple, I just mailed them a self addressed stamped envelope per the instructions on their website and the seeds arrived about a week later. They came wrapped in this little flyer that also tells me how to grow tomatoes in a bucket. . . .

reBlogged to winter_sowing seeds

Posted by Gina Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds, winter_sowing on 2007-10-18, 18:36:21

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The Eco-Lawn grass was a long time in coming to our garden. Originally, the landscapers gave us ordinary sod.

Newly Installed Sod in August 2003



From its first installation in 2003, until early 2006, the original sod in the "lawn patch" was fine. . . .

reBlogged to lawn

Posted by Karen Reblogged by Old Roses to lawn on 2007-10-18, 18:35:33

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

5 AM and 26.7 degrees here on the hill. This was the kind of temperature I expected a day ago but there's no doubt it's here today. The lawn grass is white and crunchy as I walked Karl the Wonder Dog. The air is crisp and serves as a reminder not to go too far from the back door without a jacket. Karl didn't like cold feet and he headed back to the house with great speed. He can go back to bed but I cannot. . . .

reBlogged to autumn

Posted by George Africa Reblogged by Old Roses to autumn on 2007-10-18, 18:33:43

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It's getting to be that time of year already. Time to get your pond prepped for winter. Be sure to remove all the debris on the bottom before cold weather sets in. The debris can contribute to toxicity in the winter, especially if the pond freezes over. If you can't remove the debris with a net, there are some nifty vacuums out there. With water conservation being an important issue in the world today, I am beginning to suggest vacuuming rather than total cleaning. I like this vacuum cleaner:

Pond o vac


So while you are prepping your garden beds, don't forget your pond.

reBlogged to ponds

Posted by Jan Goldfield Reblogged by Old Roses to ponds on 2007-10-18, 18:32:43

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My garden is officially done for this year. We hard our first really hard frost early this morning. This is a seed pod from the unusual queen anne’s lace plant I had this season with pink flowers along the edge. I am going to keep these seeds for sure.

reBlogged to weather on Oct 17, 2007, 8:57AM

Posted by Sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-10-18, 18:32:05

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reBlogged to peppers pumpkins whimsy

Posted by lavendergardener Reblogged by Old Roses to peppers, pumpkins, whimsy on 2007-10-18, 07:02:15

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reBlogged to botanical_garden

Posted by Jane Berger Reblogged by Old Roses to botanical_garden on 2007-10-18, 07:01:11

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This is an area of the garden under construction; eventually a babbling stream will run downhill at the bottom of this ravine, emptying into the four acre pond that fills the bottom of our little valley, then water will be pumped back uphill. This stream has been in the "conceptual planning" stage for so long, that it's become somewhat of a joke amongst regular garden visitors. But, it's getting closer; I can almost hear the water running now... or is Liz just doing a load of laundry?

reBlogged to ponds

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to ponds on 2007-10-18, 07:00:45

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Now, this is the real Leucosceptrum stellipilum: pinkish-mauve flowers (check!); large, coarse leaves (check!); spelled right (check... it's not leucoseptum, stelliperum, or stellipillum). I like the day-glow electric blue anthers; a nice touch on a bright raspberry flower. The bees like it too.
So I do bring you accurate plant information on this blog... just not always right away.

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-10-18, 07:00:33

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I'm sorry about the lack of new posts here this year. Between various circumstances in my life and my determination to write a novel, I have not been able to stretch myself far enough to keep up with active gardening or active blogging. My energy is unfortunately rather limited. Happy gardening to all of you.

If you want a bit of an idea of what I'm up to, you can check out The Walrus Said, but posts are not very frequent there either.

reBlogged to blogs

Posted by Janet Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2007-10-18, 07:00:17

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(c) 2007 Val Webb They lasted all through the blistering heat of our Alabama summer, but today I finally cut back the remaining purple coneflowers and brought some inside to paint. Here is the resulting gouache-and-colored-pencil artwork. I painted them on a sheet of deliciously rough amate’ paper, which we brought back from the public market . . .

reBlogged to echinacea on Dec 31, 1969, 6:59PM

Posted by valwebb Reblogged by Old Roses to echinacea on 2007-10-18, 07:00:01

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The students have come back to Cambridge with the task of identity-creation ahead. John Levett (who created his awhile back) opens his bulb order—too many—and searches for an open bench—too few.

Originally posted by Julie

reBlogged to bulbs on Oct 16, 2007, 6:44PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to bulbs on 2007-10-18, 06:59:32

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I've begun my quest to complete task number 5 on my Saturday To Do list, the one I started last weekend.

Task number 5 is "Go buy a tree. Plant a tree". Easier written down than done. . . .

reBlogged to trees

Posted by Carol Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2007-10-18, 06:55:43

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Patrick of Bifurcated Carrots posted recently on his harvest of Mr Little's Yetholm Gypsy Potato and it reminded me that I put a reasonable crop of Golden Wonder in store. Grown from tubers given to me by an allotment neighbour...

reBlogged to potatoes

Posted by John Curtin Reblogged by Old Roses to potatoes on 2007-10-18, 06:55:17

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According to legend, the Native Americans called this first sprinkling of snow "Termination Dust." Time to terminate projects and chores before the winter comes. I love this concept. So, every year this time I make a list of termination chores. . . .

reBlogged to organic

Posted by Bev Reblogged by Old Roses to organic on 2007-10-18, 06:54:59

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reBlogged to cosmos

Posted by Beth Reblogged by Old Roses to cosmos on 2007-10-18, 06:54:29

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I keep meaning to get up to Decorah—a field trip to Seed Savers’ Heritage Farm has been on my list of things to do since I started gardening, and here has gone another season, and I never made it up there.

Hmm. I sense the start of a 2008 Resolutions list. . . .

reBlogged to seeds on Oct 17, 2007, 9:39AM

Posted by inadvertentgardener Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2007-10-18, 06:54:11

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reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-10-18, 06:53:27

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reBlogged to vegetables community_garden

Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to community_garden, vegetables on 2007-10-18, 06:53:19

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