reBlogged to roses on Dec 1, 2007, 11:27PM

Posted by Melissa McCloskey Reblogged by Old Roses to roses on 2007-12-03, 00:27:55

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We live in the far north so our bird variety is limited. Pine & Evening Grosbeaks are regulars in the winter at our feeders along with chickadees and. . .

reBlogged to birds on Dec 1, 2007, 7:24PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to birds on 2007-12-03, 00:26:25

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A few years ago hornets were making a biiiiiiiigggggggg nest over my strawberry patch.They are mean, territorial and pack a punch! How would I be able. . .

reBlogged to pests on Dec 1, 2007, 5:10PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to pests on 2007-12-03, 00:26:05

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I have had such a long and exhausting (but productive) weekend, that I will have to postpone my Creature of the Month post until Monday. My apologies.

Here are a few photos I captured today in Eastern Washington. For those of you who live in northern climates, snow may seem very insignificant. But for a former LA resident who has recently moved to the Bay Area, it’s a novelty. It was so beautiful today!

Pic: New vineyard in snow.

Pic: Snow-covered grape vines.

Pic: Icicles.

reBlogged to weather on Dec 1, 2007, 3:25AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:24:54

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"Silently the snowflakes fall like wisps of dainty lace
Featherlike they flutter down and brush against my face
Gliding gently through the air they're caught up in the breeze
Then settle on the branches of frozen leafless trees."
Kathleen Gillum

As far as the eye can see my world is white

a blanket of newly fallen snow for
the angel to sink into and stay warm

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Naturegirl Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:24:41

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If there are any fans out there of Ashleigh´s garden blog (perhaps former garden blog, I don´t know if she intends to write on it anymore) My Dutch Garden, or her former Expat blog Stiched in Holland, she started a new blog called Ash in Amsterdam.

I´m sure she would be happy to catch up with any old friends she had from her old blogs, and well as make some new ones, if you care to stop by and read about the life of a Zimbabwean expat living in Amsterdam. She says she intends to do some posts about her garden too.

reBlogged to blogs on Dec 2, 2007, 11:35AM

Posted by Patrick Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2007-12-03, 00:24:05

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Isn't dreary winter weather reason enough to decorate your lawn or patio with outdoor holiday decorations? With the short days and long nights we're now enduring in the Northern Hemisphere,...

reBlogged to whimsy on Dec 2, 2007, 1:34AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to whimsy on 2007-12-03, 00:23:19

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The East Austin arts tour suddenly took a turn for the sticky.

Originally posted by Julie

reBlogged to flowers on Nov 30, 2007, 9:14PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2007-12-03, 00:23:09

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Join

Next Spring I think I’ll look for more day lilies. They make a lovely display in the garden, especially ones that bloom more than once each year. . .

reBlogged to lilies on Dec 2, 2007, 4:37AM

Posted by Tricia Reblogged by Old Roses to lilies on 2007-12-03, 00:22:03

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reBlogged to books

Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to books on 2007-12-03, 00:21:41

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I took this picture on Friday morning as I was waling out the truck. I jokingly said to myself that I had moved to Arizona, as that is what the colors reminded of. It was Friday I was looking forward to finishing up a couple of jobs for the year and having a quiet weekend. How can a day so full of promise go so awry. . .

reBlogged to weather on Dec 1, 2007, 6:02PM

Posted by Digital Flower Pictures Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:20:58

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The winter evening settles down
With smell of steaks in passageways.
Six o’clock.
The burnt-out ends of smoky days.
And now a gusty shower wraps
The grimy scraps
Of withered leaves about your feet
And newspapers from vacant lots. . .

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Blackswamp_Girl Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:20:24

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It took a while to arrive, and it didn't stick around--not for even an entire week--but I did finally get some good fall color this year. The unexpected star of the late show was this 'Diablo' (aka 'Monlo,' aka "Diabolo') purple ninebark, physocarpus opulifolius.

I don't know for sure that its Latin name means that its leaves are showy... but based on the plant's appearance I could easily buy that definition. . .

reBlogged to foliage

Posted by Blackswamp_Girl Reblogged by Old Roses to foliage on 2007-12-03, 00:19:51

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Welcome, Weekend Herb Blogging readers. Doesn't that look scrumptious? A crisp, shiny rosette of tsa tsoi, a tangy Chinese green that makes excellent stir fry material. . . .

reBlogged to vegetables

Posted by Strata Reblogged by Old Roses to vegetables on 2007-12-03, 00:19:07

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My garden is getting covered in snow. It started snowing about 9:30 this morning. Here are some pics from my back door:


10am

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Kathi Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:17:55

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A

reBlogged to birds weather on Dec 2, 2007, 2:17AM

Posted by Sandy Reblogged by Old Roses to birds, weather on 2007-12-03, 00:17:29

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A

reBlogged to design on Dec 2, 2007, 12:50AM

Posted by Rick Anderson Reblogged by Old Roses to design on 2007-12-03, 00:17:08

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I often sit on the sand of Playa Chacala early in the morning. I love to watch the sunlight move across the water toward me. I usually remember how grateful I am that I live in such a beautiful place. And that I can see something new every day. Well, really, I can see something new every second, if I stop to take the time to look. . . .

reBlogged to plants

Posted by Andee Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2007-12-03, 00:16:59

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reBlogged to succulents on Dec 1, 2007, 11:47AM

Posted by blog@cactusjungle.com (cactusblog) Reblogged by Old Roses to succulents on 2007-12-03, 00:16:34

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I recently moved into a very old home that came with a very old raspberry patch. I pruned and cleaned it out last year, but it didn't do well. Is there anything in particular that raspberry bushes like that may give my berries a boost for the coming summer? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

reBlogged to berries on Dec 1, 2007, 11:00PM

Posted by The Old Farmer's Almanac Reblogged by Old Roses to berries on 2007-12-03, 00:16:26

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reBlogged to weather

Posted by Tamara Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:16:16

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Miss Hathorn over at Mustardplaster has put together a very clever animation of her gardening year.

reBlogged to gardening whimsy on Dec 1, 2007, 10:08AM

Posted by Patrick Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening, whimsy on 2007-12-03, 00:15:49

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I'd been hearing bits and pieces about this new organization for awhile and it looks like things are getting going because they now have a website!

http://ccuh.ucdavis.edu/

Here's their "About Us" statement. . .

reBlogged to gardening on Dec 2, 2007, 12:02AM

Posted by Angela Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-12-03, 00:15:39

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This weekend I worked on my Coleus, every year I set side a portion of the garden for my collection of Coleuses. In this part of the country Coleuses are year around plants, but I find the heat of the summer is a bit much for these delicate plants. . . .

reBlogged to coleus

Posted by rusty in miami Reblogged by Old Roses to coleus on 2007-12-03, 00:15:08

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reBlogged to magazines

Posted by Susan Reblogged by Old Roses to magazines on 2007-12-03, 00:14:43

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I think my Schlumbergera truncata has decided to make a liar out of me- there may be five of these holiday cactus plants in on the conspiracy. After I made the post about which of these holiday cacti were the real and fake Christmas Cactus none of mine flowered for Thanksgiving and I think they did it on purpose. Two of them are flowering now and the three remaining should be flowering on or around Christmas at the rate they are going. . . .

reBlogged to houseplants

Posted by MrBrownThumb Reblogged by Old Roses to houseplants on 2007-12-03, 00:14:35

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reBlogged to houseplants

Posted by Nickie Reblogged by Old Roses to houseplants on 2007-12-03, 00:13:45

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reBlogged to vegetables cats

Posted by Nickie Reblogged by Old Roses to cats, vegetables on 2007-12-03, 00:13:24

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The Year 'Round Rose has added another season to its portfolio. Winter! We had a light snow overnight. The skies are turning blue now so there might not be much more added today.

Just as well since yesterday I found a small buffet/sideboard at my favorite charity/second-hand shop and we have to pick it up today. OK, also a heavy wooden Post Office table/desk (75% off!). It will fit in our office and maybe motivate me to organize the office, AGAIN. I only stopped by there last night to check for vintage Christmas items...

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Petunia's Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:13:01

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Tonight!

High Hand Nursery
Phone: 916-660-0117
Date: December 1, 2007
Time: 4pm-9pm
Location: 3750 Taylor Road, Loomis, CA 95650
Cost: Your generous, unwrapped toy donations are greatly appreciated.

"Have you ever roasted chestnuts? Most people only sing about it. On Saturday, Dec 1st from 4 to 9 p.m., you'll have your chance. High Hand Nursery is hosting a traditional Christmas in our century-old fruit shed. . . .

reBlogged to nursery on Dec 1, 2007, 5:54PM

Posted by Angela Reblogged by Old Roses to nursery on 2007-12-03, 00:12:05

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Grab the Photo Hunt code. Photo Theme. Visit participants.

This weeks theme is RED

This is an orangey red tiger lily that grows each year in my garden.

I love looking out my kitchen window in the morning and seeing their fiery color in the bright sun. They really are quite pretty when grown in large clumps. . .

reBlogged to lilies on Dec 1, 2007, 3:16PM

Posted by Tricia Reblogged by Old Roses to lilies on 2007-12-03, 00:11:42

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As landscaping enthusiasts, we know that holly and ivy aren't especially closely related, right? So in the Christmas carol, "The Holly and the Ivy," why are they paired off in...

reBlogged to plants on Dec 1, 2007, 1:21AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2007-12-03, 00:11:17

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Saturday, December 1, 2007

Just 5 PM here on the mountain and the wind continues to blow as the temperature drops still lower. Today's high of 11.9 degrees is now back down to 2.2 degrees and the prediction for tonight is below zero as a major storm front approaches. I put out two large pieces of suet for the birds today and until the sun went out of sight, a variety of birds spent more time with the suet than with the seeds. The only bird that wasn't interested was a single, lonesome looking mourning dove. . . .

reBlogged to tools

Posted by George Africa Reblogged by Old Roses to tools on 2007-12-03, 00:11:10

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The season's unprecendented drought, which I wrote about obsessively all summer - the driest it's been in almost 50 years in southern Ontario - never really broke.

The fall continued to be very dry, and we didn't get a decent rainfall until after US Thanksgiving (Nov. 22). Then - just before the cold weather arrived - we got more than two inches on two rainy days. This weekend, we're in for a winter storm with freezing rain. Not good. . .

reBlogged to weather

Posted by Yvonne Cunnington Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2007-12-03, 00:10:48

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Do you ever just get in the mood to craft?

On these days I often end up roaming the isles of Hobby Lobby or AC Moore. Usually I can find inspiration a new baggie of beads for making a necklace or a decorative piece of wood to paint and decorate. Browsing through a craft store can be as addictive for me as a seed catalog or bookstore.

But today I had a new idea- look to nature for my inspiration. . .

reBlogged to whimsy

Posted by Nelumbo Reblogged by Old Roses to whimsy on 2007-12-03, 00:10:29

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DECEMBER

If you can, dig a hole to put your live holiday tree in. Store the soil you dig out in the garage, or other non-frozen place so you can just dump it into the hole after the tree is planted. . .

reBlogged to gardening

Posted by North Country Maturing Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2007-12-03, 00:10:05

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Every year for many years my husband and I go to a local greenhouse that grows thousands of poinsettias, I take lots of pictures, we walk around and admire all the varieties and each year we walk away with the usual bright red one which is always our favorite. This is just something small but it is has become one of the highlights of the holiday season for me. The first picture is of the plant we purchased the other is just one of the greenhouses, there are more. . . .

reBlogged to poinsettia

Posted by Iowa Gardening Woman Reblogged by Old Roses to poinsettia on 2007-12-03, 00:09:47

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THE TREE



Oh to be free of myself,
With nothing left to remember,
To have my heart as bare
As a tree in December. . .

reBlogged to trees whimsy

Posted by Carolyn gail Reblogged by Old Roses to trees, whimsy on 2007-12-03, 00:09:25

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Maybe it's the weather today; it is sleeting now with a raw wind that is starting to howl and gust, with freezing rain forecast for this afternoon... at any rate, I feel a snippy comment coming on about one of the plants in our garden: Disporopsis arisanensis never does anything. I should be grateful that it's even here, as it's from Taiwan and is rated as zone 7 by most (though I see where Bob at Arrowhead Alpines grows it outdoors, and I suppose he is zone 6). It is almost evergreen here; the above picture was taken yesterday... most years it looks fine until maybe January, then if it's not covered with some leaves, it gets partly crisped when the temperatures get down close to zero. . . .

reBlogged to weather plants

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to plants, weather on 2007-12-03, 00:08:39

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In the garden I really have trouble with this time of year, when everything is so obviously shutting down and preparing for winter. Canadian Thanksgiving weekend has long been touted as the ultimate time for fall colour in our area. I think that is changing, and it's certainly not true this year. This year there is still an awful lot of green, and we haven't packed away the shorts and sandals yet.

The Last Echinacea



Although it is unseasonably warm right now (the high temperatures and humidity would not be out of place in July), it doesn't take much to remind one that we are not in the midst of the long hot days of summer.

Under the Deborah Maple



We should be enjoying crisp fall days, wearing sweaters and crunching leaves underfoot. Instead, stepping outside is uncomfortably like stepping into a sauna bath, though the evening light still fades at 7:00, and some leaves are still turning their autumn colours and falling to the ground.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple Leaves



Bleah!

But to say that it is all ugly would be misleading. Last year I bought a little caryopteris bush, and though it doesn't seem to have grown much this year (which is not surprising, since it the label says it stays compact), it does -- finally -- have a couple of blooms.

Caryopteris incana 'Jason'



And the hosta 'Red October' is living up to its name, blooming still when other hostas' flower stalks are crisp and brown and curling into themselves.

'Red October' Hosta



And some of the colour in the garden is definitely what you would expect of autumn.

Dying Heuchera Leaf



Climbing Vine on the Fence



Cutleaf Sumac


Photos belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com and may not be used without permission.

It would just be nice to wear long sleeves for a change, you know?

(I know. It will happen soon enough. Last year we had a snowstorm on October 12.)

reBlogged

Posted by Karen Reblogged by Old Roses to on 2007-12-03, 00:03:55

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Long time readers of this blog will know a few things about this garden:

1. We harvest rainwater.



2. We use mulch.

In Spring



Late Summer



And Fall



3. We compost.



4. Our garden is friendly to wildlife.

Skunks



Jackrabbits



A Turtle



A Daylily-Loving Frog



A Gorilla (Just Kidding)



And many, many others including squirrels, snakes, hawks, songbirds and other wild birds (bluejays, cardinals, mourning doves, downy woodpeckers), and that's not even mentioning the insects, both harmful and beneficial. So anyway, I think we've got this aspect of the environment covered quite well.

5. We've tried to eliminate most of our lawn. (This is a work in progress). Here we show a section of lawn replaced with eco-grass.

Eco-grass Earlier this Year (Looks Better Now in Cooler Weather)


Photos belong to kbgardenblog.blogspot.com and may not be used without permission.

So, when it came to Blog Action Day on the Environment, I really didn't have to look beyond my own blog for inspiration on what to write about. However, I did look at some resources offered on the Blog Action Day site. Here is some more information from treehuggers and concerned scientists that you might want to check out:

1. How to Green Your Gardening


2. Lush Yards with Less Water


3. Backyard Biodiversity


4. Make the Most of Your Mulch

reBlogged

Posted by Karen Reblogged by Old Roses to on 2007-12-03, 00:03:54

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