I'm trying to pin down a date to host our annual Open Garden and since the Summer Solstice worked well last year, I'm going to schedule around that again. Who know that there was so much leeway and controversy in the exact date. Some sources say Summer Solstice in 2008 is on June 20, others say it is June 21. I mean the longest day of the year, should be pretty easy to measure and confirm, right? Maybe leap year or global warning has a few folks thrown off their game. When I do the NBC News at 4 garden segment tomorrow (Wed. 4/9) I'm going to quiz weather guru Veronica Johnson on the exact timing. For now, I'm setting the Open Garden date as June 21. More details and invitation will be posted as the date gets closer.
Thanks to Claire from Claires Garden http://clairesgarden.blogspot.com/ , and Sue from A Balcony Garden. http://balcony-garden.blogspot.com/ Both nominated me for E for excellent award.I am flattered thank you both! The rules state that I have to pick ten further blogs to pass it on. I have to think of twenty :). . .
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Posted by snappy Reblogged by Old Roses to awards, weather on 2008-04-10, 06:53:56
While shopping for some seeds at the terrific nursery section at Longs Drugs in Oakland, I came across packages of something called Gel 2 Root, little sealed cups of a patented rooting gel manufactured by Supa Plants in the U.K. I've never seen these before, but I had to give them a try. I got a box of two cups for $3.99; they also came in boxes of six for $12.99.
On its way to 5 PM here on the mountain. Although the sun is not as warm as it was a couple hours ago, the thermometer reads 53.6 and that's fine by me. Alex and I just returned from a walk with Karl the wonder dog and I have about 20 minutes to let fly with some thoughts before stuffing a roasting chicken and getting a few vegetables ready for tonight. Gail is away this afternoon and I promised to have dinner ready between 6:30 and 7. So far we're all on target. We have welcomed the warmth of spring and I am particularly pleased that the snow plow hasn't moved in a couple weeks. Last year this time we were deep in snow and we needed a boost. Now things are looking better. . . .
It’s been pretty raw outside for the past week but despite the wet and chilly conditions it’s an ideal time to get out and take care of a few transplanting tasks in the vegetable garden.
Sure, it’s not the most agreeable time for an organic gardener to be outdoors, but it is perfect weather for setting out hardy veggie transplants, relocating over wintered crops, or thinning direct seeded plants to give them additional space to grow and mature. . .
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on Dec 31, 1969, 6:59PM
This evergreen perennial features dark green, narrow foliage highlighted with silvery-white vertical variegation. Flowering in summer the pale purple flowers are followed by whitish-green berries. Well suited for use as a ground-cover or edging. Hardy in zone 6 this perennial grows to 10-12″ high and equal in spread. Keep evenly moist and plant in shade to part sun locations.
Ranunculus ficaria 'Brambling' rapidly puts out its leaves in the April sunshine. However there is something very odd, almost sinister in this little creeper raising its inky leaves out of the cold, wet earth into the bright days of early springtime. The leaves look somber, ancient and somehow weathered... almost funereal; not at all the type of leaf you'd expect in a brand spanking new spring plant. The leaves are triangular, with splashes of silver-gray with hints of plum, and a crow feather heart. Incongruously, when its flowers appear, they are bright, cheery buttercups of gold, riding just over its little dark sea of foliage. As if to show that it is, after all in a spring mood, its leaves gradually turn to mottled green before they disappear in summer until next year.
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to plants
Posted by IBOY Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2008-04-10, 06:51:04
See also Part 1: The Osborne Garden, and Part 2: Magnolia Plaza
The Rock Garden, viewed from just inside the southernmost entrance.
A year ago I "discovered" the Rock Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden:
I did get to see the Rock Garden as I...
They say that there's no such thing as bad press but after reading this article at the BBC, I'm not so sure anymore.
I've always said that the more we hear about compost in the news, the better it is for everyone. You know, to get the word out that it's good for the environment and all. Well I may have to retract that statement now. . . .
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to compost
Posted by Anthony Reblogged by Old Roses to compost on 2008-04-10, 06:45:38
Twenty years ago (gosh, has it been that long??), we lived in a tiny apartment with a postage stamp sized garden and I had just been bitten by the gardening bug. I read everything I could on gardening and I vividly remember discovering Barbara Damrosch’s The Garden Primer at the local library where I worked. It was full of practical advice dispensed in such an engaging manner and I ended up buying myself a copy. Since then, gardening publishing has changed somewhat and books are usually geared toward specific regions of the country. This can be a good thing – I’m sure I rely on The Southern Living Garden Book more than any other book in my library but folks in California and New England won’t get too much out of it. . . .
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to books
Posted by Phillip Reblogged by Old Roses to books on 2008-04-10, 06:45:17
My tulips have buds. I think at this point, we just see if the squirrels behave themselves. The rhodedendrons seem to have failed another year. Although, the buds that I thought I had spotted disappeared. Drats. I even pruned them last year.
Cherry trees throughout the neighborhoods are blossoming prettily. So, is the great white boulevard of pear trees outside of my development. Daffodils are lining the sides of the highway and exit ramps.
Sue in Milan here has generously given me an award for excellent blogging as she enjoys reading this. I faffed around a bit learning how to put it on the blog and there it is on the right, just under my new widget of the cat. Thank you, Sue. Wish I could send you some duck eggs as a thank you, but unless they're hard-boiled, don't think they'd survive!
By the way, Yin and Yang cannot decide whether they like this interloper widget, who miaowws, purrs and moves her head when the cursor is moved over her. I think she's cute.
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to awards
Posted by ladyluz Reblogged by Old Roses to awards on 2008-04-10, 06:44:02
Last week was quite a week. First there was the article in the Wall Street Journal which mentioned The Balcony Garden and sent my stats soaring. Then on Sunday, it was my birthday and without knowing it, Leslie of Growing a Garden in Davis sent me a surprise birthday present. And here it is ....
An E for Excellence award. Thank you Leslie!
The award originates with Katarina of Roses and Stuff who had the idea of a “circulating” award which would be passed on by the holders to ten other blogs. . .
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Posted by Sue Swift Reblogged by Old Roses to awards on 2008-04-10, 06:41:00
Organic Gardening Magazine is the leading monthly publication in its field and continues the legacy of J.I. Rodales original relationship between the declining American soil and healthy American people.
Prevention of human illness starts with a basically healthy diet, using healthier soil, natural techniques and generally learning to steward the land rather than devastate it, as is so often done in traditional agriculture. . .
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to magazines
on Apr 8, 2008, 3:58PM
Posted by admin Reblogged by Old Roses to magazines on 2008-04-10, 06:37:27
Available only in Canada through Chapters/Indigo bookstores
It's had a cover makeover and a name change to Basic Gardening, but the content of my book is identical to the original version, Clueless in the Garden: A Guide for the Horticulturally Helpless, which has been out of print for about a year.
When the book came out five years ago (has it already been that long?), the "Dummies" series was popular. The publisher Key Porter, had the me-too idea of commissioning a number of "Clueless" books on topics like cooking, wine, etc. . . .
If you’re in the DC region, you might want to check out this exhibit. No, you *will* want to check out this exhibit. Won’t you?
From the News Release
On February 15, 2008 the National Museum of Natural History opened its doors and invited visitors to feel the flutter™ in one of its most educational, entertaining and experiential exhibits to date. To help visitors get an up-close and unique look at how butterflies and plants have evolved and diversified together over millions of years, Butterflies features: (more…),. . .
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on Apr 8, 2008, 9:04AM
Posted by Doug Reblogged by Old Roses to beneficials, shows on 2008-04-10, 06:23:29
Too proud to inspire pity, I'm including a photo of my kickass crocuses instead of the current state of my backyard. I'll post those when I can hide behind the 'after' shots.
Well, it's finally time to pay the piper. Regular visitors here know about the cesspool installation that wreaked havoc on my backyard last summer. Not that it was Shangri La before being reduced to a mud pit. Not by a long shot. . .
April brings no shortage of things to do outside in the yard. The list may seem overwhelming but take it a few steps at a time and your garden and lawn will be sure to grow all season long.
Now is the time to prune roses. The exception is the rambler rose. They bloom on last year's wood so leave them alone until after they flower.
Plant new roses now. This is a great time to put in a new rose bush so it is well establis...
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on Apr 8, 2008, 1:00AM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to pruning, roses on 2008-04-10, 06:22:09
Do you ever look at your lawn and wish the grass were thicker but don't want to start from square one digging up the entire yard? If you have some grass, but your lawn is a bit thin overseeding might be just right for you. Overseeding involves putting down grass seed to augment thin areas.
You can actually overseed at any time as long as the seed does not dry out. However, spring and fall are your best bets for success. I have actually thrown seed down in the w...
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to lawn
on Apr 8, 2008, 1:00AM
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to lawn on 2008-04-10, 06:21:57
The cashier's fingers fly, her concentration is intense but her smile radiates. The exchange of currency is enthusiastic as beaming shoppers, delighted with their acquisitions, recount tales of the hunt with their neighbors in line. Reminiscent of stories told around the fire, each shopper gesturing wildly, like dancers of old. This community of kindred souls comes together for the spring hunt, eager for the season to unfold into summer and its promised bounty. In fall, they will gather again, laying in a larder of color and texture for the upcoming spring. And so the cycle goes.
Many people, myself included, look forward to this sale, put on by the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon (HPSO), with great anticipation. Already one of the largest and most extensive plant sales in the Northwest and now -- a new venue, an expanded purpose. What an exciting year for the HPSO Plant Sale. . .
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to plants
Posted by Darcy Reblogged by Old Roses to plants on 2008-04-10, 06:21:39
We always know when it's really spring when the first hummingbirds are sighted. I was in the garden the other day and got buzzed by one that was quite miffed that we hadn't hung out the feeders yet. They did have a few salvia blossoms to nibble on, but that didn't satisfy them. Husband got busy and hung the feeder, but so far they are ignoring it. . . .
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to birds
Posted by About Bobbi C. Reblogged by Old Roses to birds on 2008-04-10, 06:13:06
One of the segments I included in my "10-Ways to Incorporate Art Into Your Garden"presentation at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival was on creative mulch ideas. Gardeners know that top dressing garden soil with mulch is an effective step in conserving soil moisture and retarding weed growth. That's all good, but I ...
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to mulch
Posted by Reblogged by Old Roses to mulch on 2008-04-10, 06:12:35
via Wicked Gardener on 1969-12-31, 19:00:00
I'm trying to pin down a date to host our annual Open Garden and since the Summer Solstice worked well last year, I'm going to schedule around that again. Who know that there was so much leeway and controversy in the exact date. Some sources say Summer Solstice in 2008 is on June 20, others say it is June 21. I mean the longest day of the year, should be pretty easy to measure and confirm, right? Maybe leap year or global warning has a few folks thrown off their game. When I do the 
~ Hydrangea gracing 
Won’t you? 
