The chemical companies just love the way Yardeners deal with pest insect and disease problems in the yard. Our basic modus operandi is to take care of the general maintenance of the yard and simply wait until an insect or disease problem shows up. Here's the good part. We identify the insect or disease, buy some chemical pesticide, apply it according to the label, and then sit back and wait until another problem comes along. The same problem usually returns next year, so then we go out and buy even more insecticide. We come back year after year; think grubs. . . .

reBlogged to insects organic environment on Apr 7, 2008, 3:11PM

Posted by jeffball@usol.com (Jeff Ball) Reblogged by Old Roses to environment, insects, organic on 2008-04-08, 18:13:12

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Helleborus niger is always the first hellebore to bloom in our garden, sometimes starting to open up its icy pink blooms in late February. Unfortunately it was rather underwhelming this year...

reBlogged to hellebore

Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to hellebore on 2008-04-08, 18:09:57

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This morning, I grudgingly listened to my still-weak body and called in sick to work. Then I flipped over and went back to sleep for a while. Wake up achey, find a more comfortable position, fall asleep for a while, repeat. . . .

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Blackswamp_Girl Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2008-04-08, 18:09:25

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reBlogged to succulents

Posted by Matt Reblogged by Old Roses to succulents on 2008-04-08, 18:08:32

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It looks like my camera is gone, gone, gone, and what a mental blow it does to my blogging desires. I still have a few pictures left over of some recent bloomers, and I will share those with you. In the meantime, I will be in the market for another Canon EOS 20D...I might need to buy a used one if anyone has any leads, my e-mail is chris@southernbulbs.com I will also let US Airways know about the incident. . . .

reBlogged to tools flowers bulbs

Posted by Bulb Hunter Reblogged by Old Roses to bulbs, flowers, tools on 2008-04-08, 18:08:14

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Common or Asiatic Dayflower: "Common or Asiatic Dayflower: Commelina communis"

I hate this weed more than any other in my garden.

reBlogged to weeds

Posted by Central FLA Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to weeds on 2008-04-08, 18:07:32

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reBlogged to seedlings

Posted by Rosengeranium Reblogged by Old Roses to seedlings on 2008-04-08, 18:07:18

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Earth Day 2008 (April 22) is right around the corner. The Earth Day celebration is virtually the holiday of environmentalism. Find out how you can modify your yard maintenance approach...

reBlogged to Earth_Day on Apr 7, 2008, 1:55AM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to Earth_Day on 2008-04-08, 18:07:03

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reBlogged to spring

Posted by Nickie Reblogged by Old Roses to spring on 2008-04-08, 18:06:48

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Golden Brodiaea
Triteleia ixioides 'Starlight'
(try-TELL-ay-uh) (iks-ee-OY-deez)
Synonyms: Pretty Face, Brodiaea ixioides, Calliprora ixioides, Ornithogalum ixioides

This West Coast native is often sold as a perennial and it is except to us Zone 5 and 6 gardeners. I have never got it to come back so I treat it as an annual. Other experiences and viewpoints are always welcome here at Digital Flower Pictures.com, so if you have had good luck over wintering it I would like to know. . . .

reBlogged to flowers on Apr 7, 2008, 7:10AM

Posted by Digital Flower Pictures Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2008-04-08, 18:06:10

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Time to start rationing water in the dry West. The Las Cruces (NM) Sun-News is urging you to stop wtaering your lawn, or better yet, to replace it entirely. . . .

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

Posted by blog@cactusjungle.com (cactusblog) Reblogged by Old Roses to watering on 2008-04-08, 18:05:46

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Judith D. Zuk Magnolia Plaza, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Check out the photo above, and select the largest size your bandwidth and screen size can handle. Place yourself in that picture, take a deep breath, and imagine the fragrance that saturated...

reBlogged to botanical_garden

Posted by Xris (Flatbush Gardener) Reblogged by Old Roses to botanical_garden on 2008-04-08, 18:05:11

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Submitted by the WNY Rose Society

The WNY Rose Society will be holding its monthly meeting at St Stephen's-Bethlehem UCC, 750 Wehrle Dr (near Union Rd) Amherst on Wed Apr 16th at 7 pm. The public is welcomed to participate in the night's program - Rose Based Floral Arrangements - presented by Gene Noto, an accredited ARS Rose Judge and Consulting Rosarian. Snacks served, open at no charge to the public. For information contact Dave Swanka at 833-5549 or dswanka at roadrunner dot com.

Submitted by the WNY Rose Society

reBlogged to roses shows

Posted by Jane M. Reblogged by Old Roses to roses, shows on 2008-04-08, 18:04:39

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I wrote something about sprouting seeds (alfalfa and the like) for the two-part Grow Your Own special supplement that appeared in the Guardian and Observer this weekend. If you bought the Observer you can see a rather scary "demon eyes" picture of me and my sprouts on page 27 - if not you can read the piece online, thankfully sans picture. Both guides - vegetables and fruit - are well worth a look. They're clearly laid out, full of great advice, and replete with words of wisdom from the likes of Carol Klein, Bob Flowerdew and Joy Larkcom. Add culinary...

reBlogged to seeds on Apr 7, 2008, 8:54AM

Posted by Jane Perrone Reblogged by Old Roses to seeds on 2008-04-08, 18:04:23

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The soil is workable.
A bit too damp still, but I can ignore that small detail.

As is the case every year, the hubs had the usual fight with the rototiller. Apparently, just add oil and the motor will seize tight as a drum on you after it has started momentarily and then stalled. . . .

reBlogged to tools seeds planting

Posted by Tina Reblogged by Old Roses to planting, seeds, tools on 2008-04-08, 18:00:13

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Lately garden blogging has been so interesting…although I am coveting the weather either on the west coast, England or further southern states, there are still gardeners who live north of me, which means they are pretty much in the tundra. All kidding aside, no matter where you live, or what your growing conditions are, there will always be a gardener who would love to live in your climate instead of theirs. We all just suck it up and do our best with what we have to work with, though, don’t we?. . .

reBlogged to community_garden on Apr 7, 2008, 9:39AM

Posted by Amy Reblogged by Old Roses to community_garden on 2008-04-08, 17:59:15

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reBlogged to spring_fling on Apr 7, 2008, 11:37AM

Posted by Mr. McGregor's Daughter Reblogged by Old Roses to spring_fling on 2008-04-08, 17:58:34

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I like to finish my spring cleaning by the end of March, so I can devote more time to gardening the second the weather turns warm. (Never mind all...

reBlogged to lawn on Apr 6, 2008, 9:01PM

Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to lawn on 2008-04-08, 17:57:38

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Extension agents probably hear it a lot this time of year: What the heck is that alien orange thingy in my cedar tree. . .

reBlogged to fungus

Posted by Rurality Reblogged by Old Roses to fungus on 2008-04-08, 17:56:05

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As much as I get on my soapbox about killing invasive plants and going native, there's been actually very little progress in practicing what I preach. I planted a native fern and shrub last fall, and I'm pleased the fern is coming back and the shrub is still alive. . . .

reBlogged to natives invasives

Posted by Nelumbo Reblogged by Old Roses to invasives, natives on 2008-04-08, 17:55:37

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At the end of winter or in early spring, it's a good time to trim your ornamental grass. Cutting away the dried up grass makes room for new growth.

You can trim your ornamental grass with hedge clippers, a very sharp knife or even plain old scissors just like I'm using in this video.

reBlogged to grasses

Posted by Anthony Reblogged by Old Roses to grasses on 2008-04-08, 17:54:55

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It happened not too long ago when I organised a meeting in my office for some of our reception staff. They immediately commented on my pothos making mention that it was "...an old plant." Then a friend who visited our garden pointed to the hydrangea stating that it was "...a grandmother plant." A Grandmother plant? Sure, to him it was one of those plants that every grandma still has growing in their gardens, but younger gardeners tend to avoid. . . .

reBlogged to flowers plants on Apr 6, 2008, 6:57PM

Posted by scrobins@westnet.com.au (Stuart) Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers, plants on 2008-04-08, 17:53:17

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Hiking trails are abundant throughout the hills and

mountains of Phoenix. We have seen the

Chollas and the mighty Saguaros but today a new adventure

Are those deer I see!. . .

reBlogged to cacti

Posted by Naturegirl Reblogged by Old Roses to cacti on 2008-04-08, 17:52:27

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reBlogged to cats pests

Posted by Rurality Reblogged by Old Roses to cats, pests on 2008-04-08, 07:27:31

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reBlogged to spring_fling

Posted by Elizabeth Reblogged by Old Roses to spring_fling on 2008-04-08, 07:26:31

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reBlogged to blogs

Posted by Colleen Vanderlinden (nospam@example.com) Reblogged by Old Roses to blogs on 2008-04-08, 07:23:03

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There are at least 3 patches of these and since I know I only planted one of them, I'm assuming the rest must be left overs from previous owners. One popped up in the section where i removed exactly 65489 day lilies, that little guy must have just been smothered. . . .

reBlogged to flowers

Posted by Gina Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2008-04-08, 07:21:50

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I love shopping where the employees are free to express their exuberance! This would be at Windmill Nursery, Carmichael, CA. Next time I'm gonna ask him to carry plants to my p.u. while walking on his hands. ;>)

reBlogged to nursery

Posted by weeder1 Reblogged by Old Roses to nursery on 2008-04-08, 07:20:55

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I was sitting outside today, on the ground, taking pictures of flowers when several goldfinches made their way to the feeder. I had so much fun taking picture after picture of these delightful creatures. . . .

reBlogged to birds

Posted by Robin's Nesting Place Reblogged by Old Roses to birds on 2008-04-08, 07:17:54

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A

reBlogged to flowers on Apr 6, 2008, 8:49AM

Posted by inadvertentgardener Reblogged by Old Roses to flowers on 2008-04-08, 07:17:04

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"Blossom by blossom, the spring begins." ~ Algernon Swinburne

Just yesterday, the Iris reticulata 'Harmony' opened. It seemed as if they popped up out of the ground overnight and then all of a sudden, there were blooms. Amazing what a little warmth, spring rains and longer daylight will do. Even more amazing is what results from the little bulbs planted in the fall, once spring comes. . . .

reBlogged to iris

Posted by Kylee Reblogged by Old Roses to iris on 2008-04-08, 07:16:45

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California poppies are magnificent in spring. The boast both another worldly bud and a shockingly bright blossom. These flowers are from the police station in Laguna Beach, not far from my home.

reBlogged to poppies on Apr 6, 2008, 1:31PM

Posted by earlysnowdrop Reblogged by Old Roses to poppies on 2008-04-08, 07:16:06

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This fellow was showing off for the ladies up on Sunrise Peak Trail. The lizards are in full breeding color right now, very lizard sexy.

Picture taken March 22, 2008

reBlogged to beneficials on Apr 6, 2008, 10:42PM

Posted by Jenn Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials on 2008-04-08, 07:15:48

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It reached 60 degrees here for the first time since October 30th! The first daffodil bloomed today, although they see a bit stunted in height this year. The stores got their first shipments of pansies in as well. I had to pot up some pansies right away:) I also talked my husband into expanding our veggie garden. It was so small before it would always get overgrown. I cheated and bought some spinach plants from Home Depot. I usually grow them from seed, but it is so nice to see something green coming up in the garden.

reBlogged to weather daffodils pansy

Posted by Lisa Reblogged by Old Roses to daffodils, pansy, weather on 2008-04-08, 07:15:29

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Butterfly sitting on a blooming flower? No, you won't be seeing that for some months in the GWI property. But if you're in Austin right now, as I just was, you can see all kinds of butterflies on blooming plants that are perennials in this part of Texas, but exotics to me (I THINK this is Pride of Barbados). [EDIT: it is a type of milkweed. Really, I ought to have recognized it. Another embarrassing moment!] I spotted it in the butterfly garden of the Natural Gardener in Austin. . . .

reBlogged to flowers beneficials

Posted by EAL Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, flowers on 2008-04-08, 07:15:01

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The Osborne Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden I spent most of yesterday and couple of hours today at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. There were several things that drew me to the gardens this weekend: Yesterday morning I attended a meeting of the newly...

reBlogged to botanical_garden

Posted by Xris (Flatbush Gardener) Reblogged by Old Roses to botanical_garden on 2008-04-08, 07:14:30

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Angeregt durch Astrantias Post über Sempervivum habe ich mich aufgemacht, die kleinen Dachwurze, wie wir sie nennen, zu fotografieren. Seit meiner Kindheit habe ich Töpfe mit Wutze, es werden immer mehr! Wer welche hat, gibt welche ab und bekommt welche von mir. Ich kaufe keine in Gartenmärkten, meist sind sie überdüngt, groß und leiden später unter Blattläusen und anderen Schädlingen. Schließlich sind es Magerköstler, die ich nur gelegentlich mit einem Schlückchen sehr verdünntem Flüssigdünger gieße.

reBlogged to succulents

Posted by Hillside Garden Reblogged by Old Roses to succulents on 2008-04-08, 07:13:54

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me: "Hi Mr. Public Works Director, you left a note on my door saying you won't dispose of the shrubs that we removed from the front yard. . .

reBlogged to shrubs

Posted by Gina Reblogged by Old Roses to shrubs on 2008-04-08, 07:13:24

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It was a soggy wet weekend and besides getting some weeding and maintenance work done around the yard, the major changes have centered around the corner garden:Here is what this area looked like one short month ago. In between the thunderstorms I planted variegated ginger(1.), multiple bulbs, and two queen palms(2.). "What?" you say. "I don't remember queen palms on Wicked's plan." Well, sometimes you make the plan, and sometimes the Garden Center does. Yesterday while shopping I found these palms on sale for $5.99 each!!!! When you find a deal like that, you re-evaluate your plan. I strongly considered a field of queen palms, but restrained myself with only two. As they get larger I think it will provide the more intimate feeling that my online inspiration had. Check out this Chocolate Mint coleus, which I also planted in the corner garden. I can't resist anything called chocolate mint. Yummy! I'd show you where I planted it, but is raining too hard, so this is a shot of some cuttings. I hope to get lots of babies from these plants.

reBlogged to plants

Posted by Wicked Gardener Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2008-04-08, 07:12:58

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Thirteen -days- nights after Easter: More night shots of the dogwood we’ve been watching. I thought the first night shot was so cool that I’d try it again when it wasn’t raining. Plus, I was taking that first one at just before midnight with my flash set up on a tripod off-camera. My neighbor, [...]

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

Posted by Julie Walton Shaver Reblogged by Old Roses to trees on 2008-04-08, 07:12:36

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reBlogged to books

Posted by Gotta Garden Reblogged by Old Roses to books on 2008-04-08, 07:11:55

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When I moved to the Sonoran Desert, I took the time to select out the plants that I thought had a fighting chance of survival down here.  I still took a lot of losses that first summer. 

There is no way to understand the impact of that low humidity/high heat until you live through several months of it.  Michigan one year had a week of weather that was in the high 90s with 'low' humidity of around 40%.  Ha ha.  Low?  Low is 4% - how little did I know. . . .

reBlogged to houseplants on Apr 6, 2008, 7:30PM

Posted by Jenn Reblogged by Old Roses to houseplants on 2008-04-08, 07:11:35

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This is a sad commentary on my cleaning-up habits in the fall.
You put the garden away tidy, right?
Well, I did when I was thirty.
Now, not so much. Okay, now not at all.



Poor Buddha took a hit from a passing bird. I'm not sure whether it's respectful to place a sunhat on his head so I guess I'll go along with the thought that Buddha is gentle and forgiving.

Anyway, it's so mooshy out there that I can't do any serious tidying up of plant or deity, so I'll wait.

reBlogged to gardens

Posted by J.P. Reblogged by Old Roses to Gardens on 2008-04-08, 07:11:09

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This is my first full weekend off after a long winter and long busy season at my job. I had such grand plans for Saturday: Get up early, clean the house in the morning while the sun warmed the earth after Friday's rain, and then get outside to do some more gard