reBlogged to weather on Feb 15, 2008, 10:27AM

Posted by Digital Flower Pictures Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2008-02-16, 21:00:08

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I understand that black walnut trees have a compound that inhibits growth in certain plants. I intend to garden several yards away from one. What precautions should I take to ensure the safety of my veggies? Also, since the leaves and twigs cannot be composted, what procedure is necessary to prevent this material from contaminating the rest of my compostable leaves? (answer).

From The Old Farmer's Almanac.

reBlogged to trees on Feb 15, 2008, 11:00PM

Posted by The Old Farmer's Almanac Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2008-02-16, 20:59:35

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These appeared in the lawn at the start of the week - a sure sign that the mowing season will get under way shortly. I decided to dig some out and bring them inside and they were an amusement for several days. . . .

reBlogged to lawn

Posted by John Curtin Reblogged by Old Roses to lawn on 2008-02-16, 20:59:22

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Friday, February 15, 2008

I returned home to a quiet house this afternoon. Karl the wonder dog, was happy to see me and there was a sandwich in the fridge for a snack. The answering machine light was blinking but Karl wanted to go out and I had some packages to bring in. When I got back to the message it was unusual but welcomed. It was a message from a woman in Michigan who thought my Vermont Gardener blog on June 17 was very nice. . . .

reBlogged to blogs

Posted by George Africa Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2008-02-16, 20:58:57

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Unlike my giant elephant ear, this hibicus made it inside the house for the winter. I trim it back to make it smaller and neater and it overwinters in my living room. Been doing it for 3 years so far and the plant is doing just fine. . . .

reBlogged to hibiscus

Posted by Anthony Reblogged by Old Roses to hibiscus on 2008-02-16, 20:58:23

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Many perennials are tough and hardy and can be used to make even poor garden areas look bright and cheerful. Windy gardens, sandy soil, and other tough spots still bloom.

reBlogged to plants on Feb 15, 2008, 3:00AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2008-02-16, 20:58:01

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reBlogged to planting

Posted by Rosengeranium Reblogged by Old Roses to planting on 2008-02-16, 20:57:52

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There are a lot of things in my garden that I just don’t understand. And the more I garden, it sometimes feels that this list grows rather than shrinks. The more I learn about gardening, the more there is to learn. It’s a never ending process. And while I wouldn’t have it any other way, it can be a bit frustrating at times. . . .

reBlogged to gardening on Feb 15, 2008, 7:03AM

Posted by Doug Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardening on 2008-02-16, 20:57:43

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The Tour Eiffel in the Fog yesterday on Valentines day. Paris was cold, and foggy. It made for some atmospheric photos.

The three days away have caught up with me. More posts soon about the sites and flowers of Paris in Febuary.

reBlogged to weather

Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to weather on 2008-02-16, 20:57:20

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Way back when I asked you all if there was such a thing as winter interest in the garden, the overwhelming majority of you said you like to keep your...

reBlogged to pruning on Feb 15, 2008, 8:02PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to pruning on 2008-02-16, 20:57:12

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When next we join our intrepid cloves, we find six of the seven have sent up little pale green shoots that are visible above the dirt line. Wow, they move fast. I might have to move them outside on Monday. I'm certain the roots could use more time to get established, but I fear the amount of growth they're putting on in the chilly, but better than outside basement. . . .

reBlogged to garlic

Posted by millionbells Reblogged by Old Roses to garlic on 2008-02-16, 20:57:04

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I've noticed some subtle (and some not so subtle) changes in the animal/bird behavior in my backyard. Every morning, the first thing I do is take feed out to my platform feeder and check the water in the birdbath. What's that I'm hearing??? Little house finches are starting to make some noises... little chirping sounds that will soon lead up to their beautiful mating calls. There is nothing so beautiful to hear first thing in the morning. The Eurasian Ring Necked Doves are mating, and so are the squirrels (they're the not so subtle ones). And the Flickers are beginning their mating calls. Could it be that Spring is in the air??? Yea... can't come soon enough for me.

To celebrate, I submitted my list to the Great Backyard Bird Count that is now in progress until the 18th.

reBlogged to birds

Posted by Bev Reblogged by Old Roses to birds on 2008-02-16, 20:56:45

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Strawberry plants at the end of the bed. Beans blue lake on the trellis.

The green beans are cropping well. I pick a handfull most days at the moment. This is just about right. Steamed for dinner the children each eat one green bean and we eat the rest. And yes, the one green bean is eating on sufferance. One day they will realise what a joy fresh home grown (community grown) vegies really are. In the meantime, my husband and I sigh at our philistines and enjoy the bounty.

Blogged with Flock

reBlogged to beans vegetables on Feb 16, 2008, 2:40AM

Posted by Melissa McCloskey Reblogged by Old Roses to beans, vegetables on 2008-02-16, 20:56:23

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Welcome to the thirst shed of the week entry for 2008. Elaine Willett has a plot on the Hungerhill allotment site in Nottingham - reportedly the oldest such allotments/community gardens in Europe, and a grade 2* listed site. She writes: One of the features that made me fall in love with my plot (despite the thicket of brambles) is this little house, complete with tumble-down greenhouse. Elaine, you lucky, lucky thing! The summerhouse - which admittedly is perhaps a little too grand to be called a shed - looks utterly charming and potentially very useful. How wonderful to have a...

reBlogged to sheds on Jan 13, 2008, 4:03PM

Posted by Jane Perrone Reblogged by Old Roses to sheds on 2008-02-16, 20:56:03

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Seeds planted February 3, 2008

Nestled under the grow lights are my latest plantings: three types of peppers and two floral candidates for my flower box project. In peppers, I'm growing the sweet red Buran variety that did very well for me last year. . . .

reBlogged to seeds

Posted by Christa Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2008-02-16, 20:55:55

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Today is the first anniversary of Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. A year ago, Carol asked us to tell her what's blooming in our gardens on the 15th of every month. I'm astonished to find that I had something in bloom outdoors every month.

Let's get right to it then. I'm not going to post all the photos here, but the links are to my photos on Picasa. I have the same 3 plants in bloom that I've showed you in recent weeks - Crocus sieberi 'Firefly', Crocus ancyrensis 'Golden Bunch', and Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis). The crocuses were not happy about their ice bath on Wednesday, but the new flowers that have opened since then are fine.

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Entangled Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2008-02-16, 20:55:33

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