The Garden's Gift

Plantopia

2008-05-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

Plantopia All natural soaps, bath salts and stationary. Plantopia, Inc. is proud to contribute to the Trees Across America Campaign and is committed to planting one tree every time three bars of their soap are sold. I was lucky enough to come across the owner of Plantopia at a recent Earth Day event. I purchased several of her soaps and I have to tell you they are everything advertised and more. I particularly like the Morning Mint since it smells so refreshing, although my husband prefers Bar None with zero fragrance. Check out their products and, as long as you're buying, get three so another tree can be planted. Happy Gardening.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Today is Mother's Day. I was wondering frankly if I was going to be able to celebrate this day with my mom after the last few months we've had. My mother had a heart attack. She was just bouncing back when she had a stroke. The harshest words I've ever heard in my life came from her doctor the day after her hospitalization with stroke. "Your mother is dying. It may be within the next few months or the next few years but her body is shutting down." With those words all kinds of thoughts flooded through my brain. She's 87 and all of her siblings have died around this age from heart related ailments. I don't know what it's like not to have my mom around, for good or for bad she's here. What will it be like? I'm getting older and now I must face my own mortality.

I had a dream roughly two years ago that she had died. Was my mind telling me to prepare or was it just one of those things that go away when we awake. I've never forgotten the feeling of devastation I experienced in that dream and I know there will be a day I will feel it again for real. So where are we now? My mother is very much alive and well. She has a little loss of memory but still very sharp for her age. I sent her roses for Mother's Day. She called to tell me she had never received long stemmed roses in her entire life - it took her 87 years to get them and she would never ever forget how beautiful they were. You know what else? I took her to church today for the first time in over 6 months. When we walked into church I told her not to worry about all the standing up and sitting down throughout the mass. Although it clearly was a trial for her she did it anyway. When I asked her why her response was, "Because I have to. I have to keep moving."

So, we'll see what happens within the next year or two or hopefully many more than that. I pray she proves the doctor wrong for a long time to come. But in the meantime, I still have my mom and we still have Mother's Day every day.

Sufficed to say that's why there have been no posts on this blog for several months. I'm not going to promise to write something regularly because I don't know if I will. Right now my mom has my free time and my heart. But I'll write as I can and keep you updated on her progress. Happy Gardening and for every Mom, Happy Mother's Day. You are loved.

Palm trees

2008-01-05T06:09:00.000-08:00

Interested in all things palm tree? Corey has the website for you. Palm Trees shows you everything you needed to know about palm trees, cycads, bromeliads and other tropical plants. There are pictures to view along with plant care information. You can also purchase palm trees and seeds by clicking on the links at the bottom of the site. There are also several links to visit from Corey's links page, and there's even a forum in which to participate. All great stuff. Go visit when you get the chance. Happy Gardening.

Blog Action Day-My contribution

2007-10-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

How does gardening affect environmental conservation? Earth-friendly gardening makes the difference between polluting the air, ground, and water around you and your loved ones including pets and wildlife. How you ask? Here are just a few examples:

Compost - using compost rather than fertilizers add nutrients to your soil without contamination. If you can't build a compost area outside, Mindy provides tips on creating a non-smelly version inside.

Mulch - using renewable resource mulch protects the eco-system. Rather than cypress mulch, try coir. The fibers come from the husk and inside layers of the cocunut. It is free from bacteria, is environmentally friendly and renewable. Other choices include pine straw and the leaves fallen on the ground from your own trees. Mulch keeps weeds under control and preserves moisture limiting water use.

Natural pest control - prevents leaching of chemicals into the ground and water and eliminates exposure to humans and animals. Mixtures of baking soda and water or soap and water will control bugs such as aphids, mealybugs as well as fungus and powdery mildew. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs will do the same thing.

Lawn mowers - choosing a push reel, cordless or electric mower prevents air pollution and the reliance on petroleum products all the while giving you great exercise.

Limit water use - planting drought tolerant plants and mulching conserves water, protects the environment, and saves you some hard earned dollars.

To read many, many more examples of protecting our environment contributed by bloggers around the world, go to Blog Action Day .

It's important for all of us. Happy Gardening.

Speaking of bees

2007-10-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about leafcutter bees? They cut pieces of leaves to line their nests. I used to see holes missing from my rose leaves all the time when I lived up north but never knew exactly what was causing the damage. I just happened across a 3 line note in a newspaper recently and was intrigued.

Pretty interesting fast facts about this insect:

they do not colonize like most bees; i.e., honeybees or wasps. Female bees do all the work to create next areas and provide food for their babies

leafcutter bees nest in areas that are easy to excavate such as soft rotted wood or pithy plants

leafcutters don't eat the pieces of leaves they cut but carry them back to their next to use as nest cells. Each cell is then provided with a mixture of nectar and pollen. The female lays an egg and seals each cell creating a nest tunnel. Each tunnel can contain a dozen or more cells forming a tube up to 8 inches in length. The bee babies will develop in the cells and emerge in the next season.

they are considered important pollinators of wildflowers, fruits and vegetables, and are common in the US.

my favorite fact - leafcutter bees are not aggressive toward people and will only sting if handled.

Bees are fascinating creatures, aren't they? Happy Gardening and special thanks to Rick at Order of the Bath for the picture.

What kind of blogger are you?

2007-10-09T06:33:00.000-07:00

Are you a blogger? Do you know what kind? To find out, take the Quiz at Blog Action Day. It's fun and free plus you get your own badge announcing to the world who are you. Here's mine. Happy Gardening.

National Toilet Repair Month

2007-09-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

What do National Toilet Repair Month and gardening have in common? Well, it's about water conservation. In the garden we try to plant drought tolerant and native plants that require less water use. Same thing in our homes - we find ways to reduce water usage such as fixing a leaking faucet or toilet. Why you ask? Two reasons - it supports the environment and saves money, and who wouldn't want to do both?

According to the IATP Trade Observatory, a leaking toilet can be one of the greatest sources of water waste in the home using up to 78,000 gallons of water a year or the equivalent of enough water to fill two average- size backyard swimming pools. The Environmental Protection Agency tells us that "the typical single-family suburban household uses at least 30 percent of their water outdoors for irrigation. Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water use goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff caused by overwatering."

For more information about water conservation in the garden, visit the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. To learn more about limiting water usage in your home, visit the EPA's links page. If it's specifically your toilet that needs repair, visit Fluidmaster for the how-tos including how to find a good plumber. And, just for fun, try taking the EPA's online water quiz. It's fun and a great way to learn more. Not to brag but I scored 765, making me a WaterSense Expert. What's your score? Happy Gardening and don't call the plumber pictured here. I don't think he'd be much help.

What flower are you?

2007-09-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

Well, the only way to find out is to take the quiz at Hanna's blog, This Garden is Illegal. While you're out there read her posts - she shares some great info and pictures. Happy Gardening.

Blog Action Day - October 15

2007-09-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

On October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind - the environment. Everyone participating will write about what relates to them and their vision of how to make a better future. Visit Blog Action Day for more information. I plan to join in, how about you? Happy Gardening.

Bees - not just for honey anymore

2007-09-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

Did you know that honeybees can be trained to sniff out explosives? It's true. In a study published last year, Los Alamos National Laboratory has proven that honeybees can be trained to find explosives. Apparently bees have a better sense of smell than dogs and have successfully smelled explosures in thousands of trials. The Department of Defense does not plan to use the bees for military purposes, but the study's leader, Timothy Haarmann, thinks it might make sense for other uses such as at airports or borders.

On another bee-related note, the honeybee population has been dropping significantly. Roughly 50% of hives have disappeared, and scientists are beginning to hone in on the culprit. They now believe it is a combination of a virus and a parasite. Losing huge numbers of honeybees could have a disastrous impact since they pollinate so many of our crops.

Finally, is it honeybee or honey bee? Either is correct. Entomologists use it as two words, most folks show it as one. For more honeybee information, visit the Backyard Beekeepers site. Happy Gardening.

Growing wintergreen

2007-09-01T05:37:00.000-07:00

I recently read a short article about how rodents (rats, raccoons, mice, etc.) dislike the smell of wintergreen. It went on to mention trash bags folks can purchase that are impregnated with the natural oils of wintergreen and eucalyptus. Apparently, this deters rodents from feasting on your garbage. This started me thinking if you could use the trash bags you already had and, when full, spray them with the oils mentioned. That led me to ask myself if a person could grow wintergreen and I had to question whether I had ever seen wintergreen as a nursery or garden center selection.

I let my fingers do the walking and found several sites offering wintergreen including Hartmann's, Spring Hill Nursery, Seedland, and Wayside Gardens to name a few. It is grown as a ground cover typically in zones 3-8. Gaultheria procumbens prefers shade but will grow in sun once well established. The plant forms white bell-shaped flowers in the summer becoming bright red berries in late fall, lasting until June of the following year. The berries contain the wintergreen oil as do the leaves. The leaves make a tea and the berries are edible. A word of caution, however. According to the CU Herb Society wintergreen oil is poisonous in large amounts and can actually be fatal to young children who drink it. They say the oil can also burn the skin although I assume you would have to slather it on like a sunscreen for that to happen.

Mystery solved - you can grow wintergreen and it's widely available in more northern climes. For us down in the south, do you think wintergreen gum in the trash bag will accomplish the same thing? Happy Gardening.

Rainbow

2007-08-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

My sister sent me this picture she took after a recent rainstorm. As she put it "just another example of the joys of FLA living." I absolutely agree - it almost takes my breath away. They say there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - I say it ends exactly where we live and Ozona/Palm Harbor is our pot of gold. Enjoy and Happy Gardening.

Weeding by example...

2007-08-19T11:04:00.001-07:00

That's exactly what this young man is doing. A victim of Hurricane Katrina, Jack McShane wanted to help bring back his hometown. Unfortunately, everyone said he was just too young to get involved. Well Jack decided he wasn't and now he not only participates in the clean up of a local park but has started mow-rons.org to support his mowing group. USA Today recently featured Jack - it is an inspiring story for all ages.

The group is 7 people strong with Jack as the youngest. Every Saturday these folks are at City Park keeping the area around the museum and bandstands cleaned up. Jack has stayed involved since the Fall of 2006 and never misses a weekend. He is truly "weeding by example". For more information about the group or how to donate, visit mow-rons.org. For more information about what is deemed "one of the largest urban greenbelts in the US, visit neworleanscitypark.com. Happy Gardening.

Argiope aurantia

2007-07-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

The web this spider weaves is fascinating, isn't it? Apparently the spider eats and then reforms it every night. I've never seen anything like it.

Black and yellow argiope are found throughout the US and Canada and are not considered harmful to humans. Happy Gardening.

Starting your seeds?

2007-04-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year and if you're anything like me you've already ordered your seeds. When they arrive, or just before, you check out your peat pots and starter soil to see if you have enough to get the seeds planted. Rather than using peat pots, try making starter pots out of newspaper. Why? Because it's

a resource you probably already have in your home and receive every day
a great way to recycle
prevents support of peat bog erosion
you can plant the pot and seedlings directly into the ground without disturbing the roots

So how do you do it? You can follow these simple directions. This article suggests using a Potmaker, but any small can will work just as easily.

If you don't have enough newspaper, try toilet paper rolls. Everybody has toilet paper rolls! The rolls are just the right size, you can fold the ends in to make the bottom of the pot, add soil and plant your seeds. Give it a try - you have nothing to lose. Happy Gardening.

It's Gardening time...

2007-04-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

and here are more links for your enjoyment.

Toadly Frogs carries a variety of what else? frog stuff. There are froggy collectables, frames, jewelry, kitchen frogs, holiday frogs...the list goes on and on. And of course they carry garden frogs-chimes, thermometers, rain gauges, and my favorite the frog doorbell. We have one just like it that brightens up our front doorway.
In the market for a new mailbox? Check out Mailboxixchange for wall mount or curbside options. They also offer among other things doormats, weathervanes, and address plaques.
Do you have bamboo in your yard and don't know how to keep it from spreading? Visit Bamboo Habitat for rhizome barrier. You can also find mats, stakes, fencing and more.
Garden accessories galore can be located at Heaven in Earth. Have you ever heard of a dibber? It's for planting seeds and bulbs and is available in two sizes. I liked the plant labels made from slate and copper as well as the recycled tyre tub - great idea for recycling.
Last but not least is a new garden blogger in Minnesota. Written by Jocelyn, The Garden Corner promises to offer lots of photographs and gardening advice as she moves through her experiences. Go check it out.

It's April. Get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather even if you are getting some of those unexpected snow flurries. It's still great fresh air after all those months of being cooped up. Happy Gardening and Happy Easter.

Remembering Vali

2007-03-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

Vali died last week. He was absolutely the best boy in the entire world and we miss him dearly. Valentino came to us 16 years ago. He was a gangly little puppy who had escaped from his yard. My husband saw him and tried to make friends, but Vali was very shy. It took several hot dogs and lots of pets before he decided it was ok to give in and get in the car.

My husband called to tell me he had found a little black dog and wanted to bring him home. I was picturing a pure black terrier weighing about 10 pounds - what I saw was a brown and black German Shepherd/Chow mix weighing in at 35 pounds. The vet swore he wouldn't get much bigger, but a year later brought an additional 30 pounds. We weren't sure what we were going to name him, but I took one look at those gorgeous brown eyes and said it had to be Valentino. And so it was.

Vali had a wonderful temperament. He loved life and loved his family. He protected us but was always friendly with others. And he got along well with all of his brothers as each little rescue joined our brood. Well over a year ago Vali developed cancer. The doctor felt he would probably be with us for just a short period of time. But to our amazement and pleasure Vali proved him wrong and stayed with us until a few days ago. We were so blessed to have had him in our lives and we will never forget him. While he was still able to navigate the yard fairly well, he discovered the "jungle". This was a garden area that had been previously fenced off from the backyard, but when we put the new fence in we pushed it forward to allow this additional area for the boys to enjoy. It was one of Vali's favorite places to nose around in every chance he got. It was only fitting that we placed him there along with his brother Beau who left us just about the same time last year. We love you Vali and we'll look for you in the jungle. Happy Gardening.

Patio furniture and more

2006-12-26T07:17:00.000-08:00

Here's another link for you - Hampton's Buzaar sells patio furniture, fire pits, solar lights, arbors, and even outdoor tvs! Yes, you read it correctly - outdoor televisions. They are a little pricey but if you want the enjoyment of sitting on your patio or around the pool and catching your favorite show, then this is just the thing for you. Personally, I'd probably be watching a gardening show. Happy Gardening.

Bringing you natural living choices

2006-12-21T14:07:00.000-08:00

There's a new show soon to be in town. Beginning January 4, the Discovery Health Channel will feature Sara Snow who will be sharing ideas about living naturally. "Through compelling stories and everyday examples, Sara helps people take steps toward a more natural lifestyle, while introducing her audience to real people who are leading by example and already embracing a green, fresh lifestyle.

In each episode of GET FRESH WITH SARA SNOW, Sara visits companies and people who are forging the way and making a greener lifestyle accessible and practical. Recurring segments like “Vitaminute” provide steps toward a more natural, healthy lifestyle that could dramatically improve your personal health and wellness."

Here's a preview of her new show. Happy Gardening and make it organic.

Get Fresh With Sara Snow

Ladybug fly away home

2006-11-24T05:26:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about the latest allergy. It's ladybugs - isn't that a shocker? I had certainly never heard of it, and usually look for my little friends to make wishes. (There is a tale that ladybugs bring good luck.)

I saw an article about this phenomemon in September in Ladies' Home Journal and, more recently, The Washington Post did a piece about a lady who had an invasion in her dog kennel. At least 40,000 were sitting on the windowsill (hard to believe, but pix don't lie) and she called in an exterminator to remove the bugs.

Here's something even more headshaking. Apparently they emit a musky odor and leave yellowish stains called reflex bleeding when they die. AND they sting! I just can't believe it. My little ladybugs? Well, no. Acording to the latest article these bugs are the Asian lady beetle and have invaded the Eastern US over the last 13 years. Indian summer activated them and the local pest control companies deactivated them. With the arrival of much cooler weather hopefully all swarming is finished for the year. But be on the look out and use the best prevention methods - seal cracks around windows and doors. Happy Gardening and remember, next time you see red spots before your eyes it just might be the Asian lady beetle.

Links, links and more links

2006-10-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

I have had several requests for links over the last couple of months. I'm sharing them here in all their glory in case there's something that catches your gardening fancy:

Leo's Artistic Iron Garden Gates & Pot Racks. Custom Garden Gates, Wine Cellar Doors, Pot Racks & Stemware Racks

A new gardening forum by our friend Geoff at Outdoor Living Supplies

How about some wholesale gardening supplies - offering a wide range of lawn, garden, pond, gardening accessories and wild bird products to retail garden centers

Then there's Deborah's garden textiles - banners and cushions that are UV protected and machine washable

Greg offers landscaping ideas for folks who know they want to make a change but are not quite sure what to do

My old friend Tony has a new site called My Green Planet providing houses and food needs for song birds as well as bats and bees

And finally, Scott offers Handcrafted timber frame pergolas & arbors at Pacific Pergola

I'm sure you've noticed I haven't been posting a lot lately. My day job, as usual, has gotten in the way and I've joined up as webmaster for my favorite animal rescue group Lost Angels. So, I'll post as I can and I'll also be combining a couple of my pages to bring a little more zing (or is that bling) to my site. Stay tuned for more and Happy Gardening.

Brilliant red canna

2006-09-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Tried to grow it in the sun but it wasn't having fun,
tried to grow it on the side but it only tried to hide,
finally placed it in the pond and it's like I waved a magic wand...brilliant red canna blooming happily! Happy Gardening.

You are now entering

2006-09-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

...the Twilight Zone. Do you remember the television series called The Twilight Zone? Each week was a different story about entering a parallel dimension where unexplained things happened. This week I entered my own little personal Twilight Zone. Why? Because I learned a stranger than fiction factoid - Al Capone had a garden!

Come along with me to a time long long ago when gangsters ruled and liquor was prohibited. Follow me as we walk down a street in northern Wisconsin and find ourselves standing in front of an unassuming home called..."The Hideout". Slowly make your way past the front porch to the backyard beyond. There you will see a table and two chairs constructed from tree roots. Picture Al sitting there with his buddies and, as you overhear their conversation, Edward O'Hare says, "What's that heavenly fragrance?" "Well Eddie,that's jasmine. Isn't it wonderful?" exclaims Al Cappone. "If you like that, wait until the morning glories bloom."

It may be a reach but for all we know Al Cappone may have been a gardener in between his day job schinanigans. He really did have garden furniture at his home in northern Wisconsin and the pieces were later purchased from his old pal Eddie to be sold at auction. Ready to find out their sale price? The table sold for $10,200, the large chair for $7,200 and the smaller chair for $3,360. Total $20,760. Apparently the prices were more than the presale estimates because folks wanted something they could say was owned by Al Capone. An interesting story that really gets a person's mind working toward...the Twilight Zone. Happy Gardening.

Annuals are beautiful too

2006-08-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

I've been chewing on this one for quite some time now and I finally reached the point where I had to put in my two cents. There was a very short article in the paper about two months ago discussing the benefits of perennials vs annuals. The upshot of the article was that designer gardeners didn't lower themselves to add annuals to their gardens, and the piece literally ended with the following quote, "Friends don't let friends plant annuals."

My first thought was, how dare some group of snots come along and try to take the beauty and zen out of such a personal experience. Who are "they" to tell others that not only are annuals passe, but you are pretty much a goober if you plant them. Then I dismissed the whole thing for what it really was - a bag of cow manure - and promptly went out to commune with nature...until today.

Why today you ask? Well, it's August 20 and, as my dad used to say, hotter than the hinges of Hades. I wanted to garden but the humidity levels had me drenched before I even pulled out my gloves and trowel. Then I remembered I had recently purchased some coleus, a sweet potato vine, and a large terra cotta pot. So I got busy planting in the shade of my front porch, still sweaty but a lot more bearable. The plants are beautiful and guess what else? Dare I say it? They are annuals. These plants are easy to see from the kitchen, easy to care for, and will last for quite some time. In fact, I have some coleus that over-wintered and are on their second year on the front porch. Imagine that. So the next time someone tries to talk you down from putting annuals in your landscape, just turn to them with a smile and say, "I love annuals and I'm not afraid to plant them." Happy Gardening from one goober to another.

Crape myrtle

2006-08-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

I love crape myrtle. It makes such a gorgeous tree with it's beautiful flowers and almost weeping shape. Lagerstroemia indica originated in China and was named after Magnus von Lagerstroem (somehow I don't see a crape or a myrtle in that name, but maybe Magnus's nickname was Myrtle). Crapes can be trained into shrubs or, if allowed to grow, will become small trees. They flower in summer in colors range from pink to red to lavender and do best in sun with regular watering.

One of the things that people generally don't notice is the beauty of its trunk particularly as it gets up to about 8-10 feet tall. The trunk is mottled in a variety of grays and reminds me somewhat of a birch tree. Prune as spring approaches trimming up the older branches and either thinning to be more tree like or just removing weak limbs that won't flower. With a little care you will be rewarded with a lovely addition to the landscape. Happy Gardening.

Missing your garden gloves?

2006-07-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

If you live in this cat's neighborhood, now you know where they are. Happy Gardening.

Plants add value

2006-07-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

Did you know that landscaping your home can add resale value of roughly 7 percent? According to information provided by the American Nursery and Landscape Association, "homes with "excellent" landscaping can expect a sale price about 6 to 7 percent higher than equivalent houses with "good" landscaping, while improving landscaping from "average" to "good" can result in a 4 to 5 percent increase."

Landscaping can also reduce air conditioning costs and trees can help buffer unwanted noises. More great reasons to get outside and work in your garden. Happy Gardening.

Update on the ducks

2006-07-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

We had six babies, we think. Right after they hatched, Mama Duck took them into the water with Dad Duck keeping a very watchful eye. We haven't seen them since so we suspect they went to an area where they could hide to raise their brood. As soon as we see them swimming around again, we'll let you know. Happy Gardening.

Great America Backyard Campout tonight

2006-06-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever camped out in your own backyard? Have you ever thought about it? Well, The National Wildlife Federation wants you to try it. Launched last year, the backyard campout night is designed for families to rediscover the joys of nature and the environment.

According to NWF, 32,000 families participated last year. To join in the fun, go to NWF's site and register your campsite. When you do, your pup tent will show up on their US map and you'll also get lots of helpful hints about photography tips, a nocturnal wildlife guide, what to pack and recipes for your campfire.

So many people close themselves up in their homes and generally don't get to watch the birds go home at dusk, or hear the sounds of crickets chirping or frogs singing. It's an inexpensive way to enjoy your family and get reacquainted with Mother Nature. Why not give it a try? We plan to participate and I'll share our experience with you next time. Happy Gardening.

Memorial Day - remembering

2006-05-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

My dad met General Patton. Dad was in the army during World War II stationed in places like Africa, Egypt and Italy. Twice during those three years, Patton came through to survey the troops and spoke words of encouragement to my father. Patton was what legend remembers - 6'6" tall, an imposing figure carrying two pearl-handled pistols at his waist. Dad was lucky enough to return to his family with little physical injury, but always carries with him the horrors of the war he experienced.

My brother served two hitches in Vietnam. He too met some "famous" people but rarely speaks of his experiences there. Tom was scarred by the war emotionally; he was very young at only 17 when he first enlisted and he is haunted often by what he remembers. My brother-in-law Doug also served in Vietnam as did numerous classmates and cousins.

My nephew Doug, Tom's son, experienced Desert Storm. He learned to speak several languages but passed up the opportunity to work for the government as a translator. Luckily, Doug was not wounded and went back home to marry and raise his family.

My nephew JP recently returned from Iraq. He is a career Marine and although initially itching to go over and join his fellow troops, JP was more than excited to return home after several months spent in extremely dangerous situations.

I am exceedingly lucky sitting here today to have my dad, brother and nephews home along with so many other family and friends who have defended our country. There are many, many more men and women who were wounded or killed in service. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who died. It must also be a day to remember those who are still with us who lived through earthly nightmares to keep our nation safe. I am honored to have these brave men as part of my family.

Let's make compost

2006-05-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

Black gold, rich fuel. No I'm not talking about oil. I'm referring to compost, the stuff of legend your garden craves. People are starting their vegetable gardens now or are in the process of adding new annuals, perennials and shrubs. Many times the first thing they reach for after planting is fertilizer. Then they see insects and grab the pesticide. Compost is a much more effective fertilizer and is actually a great boon to insect control as well. It is comprised of a variety of yard waste, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps. Wood chips, sawdust and leaves are also usually included; meat products should not be added.

Compost conditions the soil enabling it to better hold air and water, drain more efficiently, and feed nutrients to the plants. Soil amended with compost usually produces plants with fewer insect and disease problems by encouraging a larger population of beneficial soil microorganisms that control harmful ones.

Compost is not only good for our plants but it also helps manage environmental concerns. Waste disposal has been and continues to be even more of an issue as landfills are maxed out. Many waste companies are either refusing to take yard waste or are charging extra to do so as it already takes up approximately 30% of filled space.

Anybody can compost. All that's needed is a small area for a bin (homemade or purchased), water, air, some organic material and the desire. Spending a small amount of time each week can help the environment while at the same time improving your soil and the health of your plants. So, who composts? On a larger scale, these students have started Project Compost using 700 to 1000 pounds of food waste from various sources on their campus daily. Then there is the NY City Compost Project, Washington State University Compost Team, and Maine even has a Compost School. There's even more to learn through the US Composting Council. Here at home we've started composting, how about you? Happy Gardening.

Discovery on a grassy bank

2006-05-13T05:01:00.000-07:00

We have waterfront property. Not like the rich and famous, but we are lucky enough to have a small pond at the back of our yard. We made the decision when we moved here that we would not fertilize or use pesticides on our lawn because we didn't want run off into the pond since there are fish and crabs that live there. Of course that was a pretty easy decision for us to make since we have never agreed with putting those things on a lawn to begin with, but that's another story.

The other decision we made was to let the grass grow around the edge of the bank. Of approximately 15 homes facing the pond we are the only ones. Now to their credit, two of our neighbors have allowed cattails to grow and that provides some protection for birds and fish. Back to the reasons we allowed the grass to grow. It

allows protection for birds and fish
reduces silt in the pond
provides a food source (insects) for the birds
encourages wildflowers to grow and attracts butterflies and dragon flies and
works as a semi-barrier for the dogs so they won't go down to the water to drink or swim and get sick from bacteria (which Duncan promptly did when we first moved in)

About two weeks ago we noticed kind of a hole burrowed through the grass. We didn't think too much of it speculating that it was probably the ducks coming into the yard to hang out at the patio and swim in our pool. Precisely the reason we installed the pool, just for their benefit don't you know. Then our dog Max got curious and stuck his nose in it. We called him to come back to us and he wouldn't budge. The next thing we knew he brought something out of it and dropped it on the ground. It was an egg!

We found a nest with what looks to be about 9 duck eggs in it. Doing some research, we learned that Mallards lay between 8-15 eggs at a time and they take approximately 28 days to hatch. We are now very careful about letting the dogs out without supervision. Max is a mother hen, so to speak, and likes to go over just to check on Mama and her brood every time he is in the yard. He just can't understand that she really doesn't need his big nose sticking through the grass while she's trying to keep her eggs protected. Oh, that egg he wanted to show us? He was so gentle with it there was no damage. So, in a another week or so we're going to be something - maybe an aunt and uncle? How cool is that. Happy Gardening and we'll keep you posted on the progress of our little extended family.

The merry month of May

2006-04-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's almost May! Two more days, my friend, and we will be smack dab in the middle of Spring meandering nicely toward Summer. As I sat here this morning looking out at the fully leafed-out trees, I wondered what holidays or happenings take place in May. Here's what I learned:

this is National Salad Month
it's also National Barbecue Month and Older Americans Month
the week of May 7 is Wildflower Week
the week of May 21 is Emergency Medical Services Week
special days include Bird day (4th), Mother's day (14th), Love a Tree day (16th), Water a Flower day (30th) and, of course Memorial day (30th)

And, just for good measure, here's a few wacky ones:

Lumpy Rug day (3rd) allowing celebrants to admire and enjoy a smooth rug.
Lost Sock Memorial day (9th) celebrates, you guessed it, all those unmatched socks you have in your drawer. Where do those socks go anyway?
Dance Like a Chicken day (14th) 'nuf said.
Sun Screen Day (27th) brings awareness about overexposure to the sun.

As President Barlett said in an old West Wing episode, "Oh, I could go on and on and on and on..." There are many ways to celebrate in the month of May. In fact, you could probably even start a few of your own. I personally like knowing that May is Date Your Mate month and that the first Friday in May is No Pants day. Happy Gardening, but be sure to wear your pants when you're out there pulling those weeds. Those mosquitoe bites could get ugly.

Bamboo

2006-04-27T05:06:00.000-07:00

Ever since we moved in 4 years ago, our neighbor has had the most gorgeous clumping bamboo planted next to our yard. It has grown to about 7 feet tall and about 5 feet wide. I absolutely love it and was thinking of asking for a piece to root.

The neighbor and I got talking yesterday as he was digging a hole to plant guess what? Bamboo, but not the clumping kind. He hates the clumping kind and is going to rip it out and throw it away. He wants the runner variety. At first he tried to tell me that it would only spread laterally along his yard. Then when I began questioning, he admitted that it would also spread dimensionally. But he was planting it so that he could get the width of a lawn mower between it and our fence so any shoots would be cut. If that didn't keep it in check he would use Round Up, he promised.

Here's what is giving me heartburn. Running bamboo is insidious if not properly controlled. I don't care if he promises me with his hand on his heart and offers me his first born child. That stuff will spread! Secondly, we have water pipes to our pool not far from that fence and the last thing we need is bamboo shoots growing in and around those pipes. The shoots will puncture the pipes.

So now we have to be on constant guard for this stuff since we have no control over what he plants. Our immediate recourse will be to put in a physical barrier of heavy milimeter plastic. I understand we will need to install it roughly two to three feet along the edge of our fence for it to effectively manage the rhizomes from spreading to our yard. We do not have the luxury of mowing any shoots in that area so this is our best alternative. Luckily we have a bamboo grower less than a mile from our home where we will be able to buy the barrier material. Let's hope it works. If not I'm getting a machete! Happy Gardening.

Ain't love grand?

2006-04-14T05:48:00.000-07:00

I was reading the local newspaper a couple of weeks ago about planned development in one of the older neighborhoods in Tampa. That's always a bitter sweet story. No one wants to lose the history but, by the same token, the area becomes so run down no one really wants to live there. Anyway, the reporter came across a vacant lot and there smack in the middle was this sight.

It is a palm tree with a camphor wrapped around it not once but twice, looking for all the world like a romantic embrace. The city arborist calls it "the love tree". It is very unusual -- when trees come together too closely, most of the time one will dominate and crowd out the other. In this instance, however, they grew together and essentially became one.

The good news is that these trees will not be removed to make way for development. Hopefully a park will be planned so everyone can enjoy the beauty of this unique site. Happy Gardening!

Hibiscus everywhere

2006-03-30T04:33:00.000-08:00

I am a hibiscus lover and I'm not afraid to admit it. I have several varieties in my yard and am transfixed by the beauty of the blooms and their depth of color. So imagine how pleased I was to learn of Jason's web site Strictly Hibiscus.

This site offers every color you can think of and then some. My favorites are generally in the yellow or red categories. I particularly like Sun Kissed - a mix of bright yellow edging with white and a magenta center, and Intense Passion - a double bloom with red, coral and yellow.

There's even a Hibiscus of the Month Club to check out. Go out and visit when you get the chance. It's worth it. Happy Gardening.

Xeriscape

2006-03-25T11:31:00.000-08:00

When folks hear the word Xeriscape many times they picture a hot, dry area lacking lush plants and grass. The truth is Xeriscape provides the best way to grow plants while conserving water. Xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeri for dry (needing little water) and embodies the principles of water conservation through creative landscaping.

To employ the fundamentals of Xeriscape, the first step is proper plan and design keeping water conservation top of mind. Both native and non-native plants will perform well in a properly planned Xeriscape landscape. While true drought-tolerant plants will thrive, all plants can grow when placed in the proper environment. The secret is grouping plants with similar water needs together o create different water use zones.

The use of soil amendments such as compost or manure provides nutrients, promotes stronger growth, and allows better water absorption. The addition of mulch reduces evaporation, keeps the soil cool, and reduces weed competition for water, space and nutrients. Mulching also helps capture rainwater by allowing hard rains to soak into the soil instead of running off into the street and drainage areas.

Grassy areas or turf can be included in a Xeriscape as long as it is properly managed. Limit the size of lawn areas and use the correct species of turf for the climate. Using native grasses or ground covers allow for controlled water usage and contribute to the beauty of the gardens.

Water conservation is a critical consideration in today's gardening. Planning and maintaining a Xeriscape garden is an ideal way to enjoy a beautiful landscape in a resource and water efficient way. Your local Cooperative Extension Service is a great resource for more information about Xeriscape. Happy Gardening.

Catkins

2006-03-10T04:33:00.000-08:00

No, it's not a cute name for a little furry animal. It's the stuff that drives folks crazy at this time of year. Catkins are the flowers from our oak trees. They are the little things that cover your car, patios, sidewalks and, more importantly, stuff up your nose and make your eyes water.

Produced by not just oaks but many other trees as well (hazel, poplar and birch to name a few), the name is derived from the Dutch katteken, or kitten, and refers to its resemblance to a cat's tail. It's ironic when you think of it because there are also many, many folks who are allergic to cats so why not to catkins?

The male catkins are the ones who drive everyone crazy. They are long just like a cat's tail and have more than a hundred little flowers. The flowers are unisexual and their purpose is to pollinate by the wind.

Interesting information, you say, but what about my watering eyes and itchy nose? Of course you can take the usual allergy medications knowing it will all blow over (no pun intended) within a few weeks. Or you can get even! Storm was out walking and, upon coming across Alder catkins, actually decided to eat them. He tried them raw, then boiled, and liked them so much he is ready to experiment with others. So, next time you see those catkins blowing through the air try catching a few for a snack. Let me know how it goes. Happy Gardening.

Remembering Beau

2006-03-08T05:08:00.000-08:00

We lost one of our best friends last week. Beau was a staple around our house. We rescued him from a kill shelter when he was a pup of 1 1/2 years old. Always timid and quiet, he kind of got the short end of the stick sometimes when it came to pets and play. But when the thunderstorms started, he got ALL the attention and stayed plastered to my lap until all danger was gone.

When Beau reached 16 it was clear he was having lots of difficulties from hearing to sight to severe arthritis in his legs. He finally let us know that he wanted to be a pup again and go play in the grass. So we let him go. It was a difficult and heartwrenching decision to make but one we knew we had to allow.

Beau is now with our other pets lying in the sun and playing together, although the cats would probably not deem it as play. We miss him as we miss all of the others but he will always be in our hearts. Have a good romp Beau.

On a frog mission

2006-01-28T05:07:00.000-08:00

My husband and I visited the Green Market yesterday. It was an absolutely beautiful sunny warm day and we enjoyed walking around the various booths. We stopped to chat with Donna of DonDro Gardens about an orchid I had given my husband that was not blooming.

Donna gave us some great advice, which I'll share in just a second, and as we talked further we noticed a cute little statue of a frog pushing wheelbarrow sitting on the table. Well, everyone who visits the booth loves the frog and wants one. Donna bought it in a yard sale and has been unable to locate any others like it. Me being the smartie that I am said that with all of the great links I have on my links page, I should easily be able to locate it.

Let me give anyone reading this a little piece of advice. Don't ever think it's that easy to find something someone else has been unable to locate. I do have many fabulous links on my site but after searching for several hours I reached the conclusion that I would not be able to find that particular frog. So I turned to the net.

If someone is a lover of frogs I have unearthed several sites that cater to you. Here are just a few:

I searched and searched and do you think I found that dang frog? Not on your life. There were a few that were similar and quite cute but none that looked like Donna's. And although I like frogs, I'm not looking for any to take up residence in my garden so I'm giving up the hunt.

Now for the orchid advice. We have a Phalaenopsis, which needs filtered sunlight, regular feeding and controlled watering. If you have orchids, visit the DonDro Gardens site for more information. Ribbit. Oops, I mean Happy Gardening.

Ack!

2006-01-21T04:51:00.000-08:00

Anyone else who has been down and out with a month long virus, raise your gardening tools! How miserable! The problem is that not only do most folks get sick with it once, it recurs spreading itself over about a month - a period of time that I'll never look back on fondly.

So what have I been doing while I've been sleeping or whimpering for chicken soup? I read a book or two. I highly recommend Memoirs of a Geisha. It's an engaging fictional tale of a young girl who is taken from her home at a very young age and groomed to be a geisha. She narrates the book and takes you all the way through her life from childhood to her senior years. (Don't I just sound like a book reviewer?)

Here's what else I've been reading:

Seeds of Change 2006 Catalog. From cover to cover this catalog is filled with gorgeous pictures of veggies, flowers, hand tools and even kitchen accessories. Their seeds are all organically grown and they have some recipes sprinkled throughout that are mouth-watering. Seeds of Change also has an enewsletter offering growing advice and featuring new plants.
Plant Delights Nursery catalog. This one is way too cool or, as my niece would say WICKED cool! They feature a huge selection of plants and wearables but the big eye opener is their cover. Plant Delights always has a fun cover and this catalog is no exception. For those of you who are Harry Potter fanatics, as I am, Spring 2006 spotlights The Hairy Potter and the Horticulturist's Apprentice. When you visit the site you can also see all of their past covers.
Waterwise Florida Landscapes. This booklet is produced by Florida's water management districts. It speaks to landscaping using the seven principles of Xeriscape. There are gorgeous photos and lists of plants and shrubs that do well in Florida. This a wonderful resource for Florida residents or anyone in warmer climates who may be water challenged.

So, there in a nutshell is where I've been since Christmas. I'm just about back to normal, or as normal as I can be. Look for more frequent postings as my strength increases...now where's that chicken soup. Happy Gardening.

Watch out for those holiday plants

2005-12-17T09:16:00.000-08:00

As the holidays approach, many of us will receive holiday plants as gifts or purchase them to decorate our homes. Poinsettias by the fireplace sure lend a festive air to the season, and who doesn't have a sprig of mistletoe hanging by the front door. We need to remember, however, that several decorative plants are poisonous to our pets.

Mistletoe and holly can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The berries of these plants are attractive, easily swallowed, and potentially fatal if consumed. Poinsettias, like the leaves of most any plant, can also cause stomach upset. Amaryllis and Christmas cactus can both cause severe depression, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.

So what can you do if you want to have the plants but ensure the safety of your pets? The most obvious answer is to use artificial mistletoe and holly. There are many silk varieties available that look just like the real thing and still keep those kisses coming! You can also keep plants out of your pet's reach by not placing them on the floor or in areas where you allow your four legged companions. Finally, if you just have to have Aunt Mary's poinsettia gift out by the tree for everyone to see try spraying the leaves with Bitter Apple repellant.

If your pet does eat the plants remember that, in most cases, the severity of the problem caused by these products will depend on the amount ingested and the size and age of the dog. When in doubt, call your veterinarian or Poison Control Center for further information.

Here's wishing you and your family a safe and happy holiday. Happy Gardening.

Here's a chuckle

2005-11-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a cartoon from our friend at Funky Bird Boxes. Enjoy. Happy Gardening.

Christmas gifts

2005-11-26T07:09:00.000-08:00

Speaking of how time flies, can you believe it's almost Christmas again? Wow - I don't know about you but it sure snuck up on me. With the arrival of the season come the usual traditions. Putting up the Christmas village, trimming the tree, making a list and checking it twice, and shopping the day after Thanksgiving just to name a few.

As you write down names with that big blank spot next to it, here are a couple of ideas for your favorite gardening friends and relatives. Here's my disclaimer - I have no affiliation with any of the companies I mention nor have I necessarily tried their products. I just think there some great ideas out there that I bring to you for your reading pleasure.

Ergonomic tools: Fist Grip Tools. These tools are lighter in weight so easier to carry around, and made of stainless steel so they don't rust. The tools are available in long reach and add-ons and, the best thing as far as I'm concerned, is that they have yellow handles. I don't know about you but I have a habit of putting my hand tools down and then can't find them for the pile of weeds or clippings.
Garden kneeling pads: When I start pulling weeds I have to be up close and personal. That's where kneeling pads sure come in handy. Salamander Graphix makes some really interesting pads, not the usual red styrefomey type. You can get a huge colorful sunflower or a daisy or even a gorgeous purple butterfly.
The Chiller Bandana: What a great idea when it's hot and sweaty outside. The premise is that the bandana is soaked in cool water and will keep it's wearer much more comfortable for several hours. It can be reused and just needs to be rinsed out periodically with a mild soap and water mix.
Moisture Meter: Want to find out if your plants are thirsty? Use a moisture meter. This one is electronic, can be used for both indoor and outdoor plants, and comes with a plant guide.
Christmas plants: If you're not sure what to get, there are always the usual Christmas plants - Poinsettia, Christmas cactus, Amaryllis and Tulips. And here's a little known tidbit of information. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day . The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who is credited with introducing the native Mexican plant to the United States.

Oh, by the way. That Christmas village tradition I mentioned above? I think it's a holiday virus spread by looking at village houses and figurines. My husband and I were immune for several years until we came in contact with my sister during the holiday season. After purchasing many little doodads for OUR village, our only hope is that we can spread the bug to someone else before it overtakes our whole house! Happy Gardening.

Time sure flies

2005-11-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

Whether having fun or not, time just seems to fly by like a leaf in the wind. I was talking with my sister last night and she asked why I had not written anything since mid-October. Well, I knew it had been awhile but had not realized a month had passed since my last post.

What can I say? It's the day job, the dog ate my notes, the rain ran the print, yada yada yada, did I say the dog ate my notes? Okay, I have no excuse other than to say life kept moving on and the blog took a bit of a back burner. I have a "roll" of film ready to share and as soon as the pics are spiffed up, I'll put them on the site. In the meantime, the dog ate my notes. Happy Gardening.

P.S. Happy birthday to my Dad. I love you.

Sometimes reading is as good as gardening

2005-10-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

My husband and I had a date today. Married for over 10 years and together for much longer, it's kind of fun to be able to say we had a date. We treated ourselves to lunch and then roamed around a fairly new open air shopping mall for quite a few hours getting in the walking we kept promising ourselves we would begin. One of the stores we visited was Borders Books. Wow - what a great way to be involved in gardening when you're not actually out there with your fingers in the soil.

There was a plethora of reading material from annuals to perennials, to the correct tools to water gardening. You name it it was there. More and more garden books are including full color gorgeous pictures of flowers and plants. The tool book even had Martha Stewart-like pictures of the gardening implements.

I leafed through several books but walked away empty-handed only because I have two shelves full at home. But it was a great way to spend a lovely fall day and tomorrow I'll be trimming shrubs and all the other fun things gardeners love to do. Guess I'll also have to plan to get another walk in. Happy Gardening.

Red ginger

2005-09-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever visited your local hardware store and purchase some bagged rhizomes? Did you bring them home all excited to see if they would look as good as the picture only to have them never sprout at all? That has happened to me more times than I can count. But I finally got lucky with my red ginger.

Shopping at Lowe's for some annuals late last spring I nosed around in the stacked boxes of bulbs and found a bag labeled Red Ginger. I thought for two bucks I'd give it a try. Surprise of surprises it not only sprouted, it grew to about 4 feet tall and now has a red cone.

Of course I have to have a name for my prize so I turned to my Stokes Tropicals Plant Guide knowing I would find it there. Sure enough it is a Zingiber Zerumbet Shampoo Ginger aka Pine Cone ginger. The plant grows about 6 feet tall in partial shade and produces green cones mid-summer. Little yellow flowers appear under the bracts of the cone before it then turns bright red. It prefers a semi moist soil and should spread and produce more plants next year. For those who live in a more seasonal climate, you can grow this plant well in a container.

Here's some fun facts. According to our friends at Floridata, this plant is called shampoo ginger because of the milk-like substance in the cone used in shampoo in Asia and Hawaii. It also soothe toothaches and stomach discomforts. Beautiful and useful to boot. Of course the leaves get a little beat up in the wind, but who cares? What a bargain! Happy Gardening.

Love grass

2005-09-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

Walking through Beckett Lake Nursery a few weeks ago, we couldn't help but start singing once we picked up these little guys. What were we singing? The Love Boat of course!

Not really, but we did bring home some purple love grasses. AKA eragrostis spectobilis, purple love grass grows well in zones 5-9 and produces purple plumes in the fall. It's a very airy type of grass often described as a purple haze when it sets flower in the late summer/early fall timeframe.

This grass loves a sunny area and dry, sandy soil although it will tolerate some moisture. It's a good thing because we are planting it down toward the pond. I'll take some pics in the spring and let you see how it fares. Happy Gardening and remember...Love, exciting and new....

I love my Black & Decker tools, and other updates

2005-08-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't written anything in about 3 weeks due to a fun extended visit from relatives. So here's a few tidbits to bring myself current:

My Black & Decker cordless mower and weedwacker are the best things since sliced bread. Since we had visitors I had little time to mow and trim the yard. The lawn had grown for a little more than two weeks so this morning I decided to have at it. The wacker cleaned up the edges in no time flat. The mower cut the entire 70' by 240' backyard without even breathing hard. Kudos to B&D for some fantastic products - highly recommended for those of you who don't want to deal with gas implements.
You may recall I mentioned adding a side bed in the backyard next to the patio. I planted two dwarf oleanders and a thrayllis along with a few stray elephant ear rhizomes. Here's what I learned over the summer - the elephant ears shot up like Jack's beanstalk and covered the dwarf oleander. That wouldn't have been that big of a deal except that by shading the oleanders, the little caterpillars that love to chew on their leaves got away with murder. Those babies stripped one of the oleander shrubs like nothing I've ever seen. Consequently, I'll be relocating one of the oleanders and a couple of the elephant ears.
The cherry tomato plant that kept our squirrel friends fed and us entertained with their antics has passed on. Somewhere in all the guest madness the tomato plant did not get watered regularly and withered away. Of course, you'd of thought that Mr. Squirrel would have brought out his own watering can to keep the supply coming but I guess he needs some gardening lessons.
The same thing sort of happened to those hibiscus cuttings I was bragging about. Of the 9 started, about 4 are still living. Those babies will be planted this weekend right after Katrina's bands move through.
The moorhens residing in the pond behind our home have had three new chicks. I guess two little guys got tired of their water because they have taken to swimming in our pool. While they're lounging in the water, Mom and Dad provide snacks!
Finally, an update on the senior pups I told you about. Pepper and his little buddy Poncho have been adopted together and are as happy as they can be in their new home. Their new mom had just lost her little dog to old age so it was just fitting that she gave these two little guys a place to call their own. Thank you, Linda, for taking them into your heart. Tasha and Adrian have also found wonderful loving homes. Both are doing well and very happy. There are always more out there waiting so please keep seniors in mind when you think of adopting. I have also started publishing a newsletter for Lost Angels so if you are interested in being included on the mailing list, please send me your email address.

That's all for now and I think that's plenty for two weeks! Happy Gardening.

Favorite garden centers

2005-08-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

Do you have a favorite garden center you just love to visit even when you aren't sure what you want to buy? Or even when you think there is no more room to add new plants? I sure do. Up north it was Valley View Farms AND Maxalea Nursery. Here so far it's only one - Beckett Lake Nursery.

This weekend was the big "Beckett Bucks" sale. When we visited in May, every plant purchased got an equivalent dollar for dollar in Beckett bucks. The bucks were saved up for the big sale in August. I kept checking the calendar for the days and Saturday morning we packed ourselves up early, went to breakfast, and then drove over to the nursery.

There were rows and rows of shrubs, vines, ferns, annuals, perennials and trees. We wandered through the aisles and then meandered again. My husband would stop to look at something, we would discuss the particular plant, and we would mosey on down to another. Occasionally we would ask one of the owners a question and then we would walk around again. The clearance center provided a wealth of finds at good prices.

Two hours later we had a cart full - a gorgeous double pink hibiscus 1/2 price, a huge begonia 1/2 price, a couple of LOVE grasses that I'll tell you more about at another time, a few ferns (my husband's favorite plant) and, the piece de resistance, a crinum lily. I have been salivating over crinums ever since we moved here and I always said they were too expensive. Low and behold Beckett had one for $20 and I got it for $10 with my Beckett bucks! What a deal.

All in all it was a fabulous day and we saved a lot of dollars with our Beckett bucks. The best part is that my husband enjoyed it as much as I did. We'll be back there again when the weather cools and find a few more things to fill the empty spaces in the garden. I can't wait. Happy Gardening.

Tasha has a home

2005-08-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that Tasha, the little chihuahua, has found a home. Don'tcha just love it when things go well for a little four-legged friend in need?

Update on our featured seniors

2005-07-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

Good news! Little Margie has found a home. She was adopted on Sunday by a wonderful couple with two little Bichons. How great for her and what a fantastic life she can look forward to.

Little Tasha is still available, as are Pepper and Adrian, and here's her picture. What a sweetie pie and she sure could use a good home. Please contact our friends at Lost Angels to find out more about this little gal. Happy Gardening.

Seniors need love too

2005-07-23T06:14:00.000-07:00

So you're taking a break from working in the garden. You have your feet up and a cold drink in your hand, but what's missing? A loving little companion, that's what. Dogs enjoy our gardens just as much as we do. I can attest to that based on the shenanigans of our 5 little buggers. Lizard hunting, fish watching, and lying in a pile of just pulled weeds are the favorite pasttimes of our 3 littlest guys. Vali, our shepherd, loves to roll in the grass while Beau, our interior designer wannabe, lays around catching the breeze.

Our favorite animal rescue group here in Florida does some great work. They are a no kill shelter with volunteers who work tirelessly to find good, loving dogs a good, loving home. Here's the rub. Everyone wants the cute younger ones, but the older dogs are still waiting for someone to call their own. My friend Kelly has 4 little dogs ready for adoption. Three are 8 years of age and one is 9 and all really need a home. Let me share with you her own words:

Pepper, an adorable shih tzu, is approximately 8 years old. I think he is younger. Very cute and very playful. We had to have his teeth pulled due to an old fracture of the jaw. They think he might have been kicked and then teeth rotted. He is a wonderful pup.

Margie, a chihuahua, is a very spunky little lady. Full of herself. Loves to go for car rides. Begs with her front paws. Loves to be carried and held. BONUS she weighs only 4 pounds and 8 years old. I think she too might be younger.

Adrian, a chihuahua, is also a wonderful little guy. He is little and loves attention. He weighs 8 pounds. Very sweet and a little quiet and shy. Nice kid.

Last but not least Tasha. She is a 5 pound Maltese who has 3 teeth. She is approx 9. She is full of life and very spunky. Possible liver disease, running tests now, we are hoping someone will still take her and let her live out her life as peacefully and happily as possible. I know it is a lot to ask but someone might enjoy her for many years to come. I do know she feels a lot better now than she did on the shelter floor. I would be willing to work out her adoption fee - Most important to find her place to enjoy her life. She is not a sickly little thing at all! She's bright and a little goof ball. Very spunky. BONUS she only weighs 5 pounds. OWNER SURRENDER Can you imagine that? She goes to all the doors every once and a while looking for her family. It is very obvious that she loved them a lot.

Our home is a living, breathing example of what fun it can be living with seniors. Vali, Beau and Duncan are 15 years old. Yes there's a little arthritis with two of them and yes there's a cataract problem with one, but the love they give us is boundless. And the fact that they have a yard to play in and can still roll around in the grass when they want to tells me every day that we did the right thing. Our 2 other guys are younger - 2 1/2 years old - and they were also rescues, one from Kelly's group. They also jazz things up a bit around here and keep the older guys moving a bit more than they might. We really love our boys and don't know what our lives would have been like without them.

So, as you're sitting back and taking a breather from all that gardening work please find it in your heart to bring a little senior or two into your life. You won't regret it and our friends at Lost Angels Animal Rescue will thank you as will I. Oh - if you're interested in meeting Tasha we'll be adding her pic within the next couple of days. Stay tuned. Happy Gardening.

Did you hear the one about...

2005-07-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

the 2,000 year old seed? For real - I'm not making this up. Apparently Israel doctors and scientists have actually germinated a date seed that they estimate to be about 2,000 years old. The story behind the seed is that it was highly praised in the Bible and Koran for its qualities and no longer existed. Three seeds were found in Masada during an excavation and one has actually sprouted.

Even though only one is growing, that's still pretty exciting considering its age. According to the scientist who is running the project, dates need to grow 30 years to reach maturity and it's the female that bears fruit and is considered holy. So the upshot is the scientist has no way of knowing if it's male or female and it will be years before she finds out.

But you know what I say? Heck - who cares? The fact that the seed still had the stamina to sprout is one for the history books. And with that kind of determination I'm guessing it's female. Wouldn't you? Happy Gardening.

Acorns predict the weather

2005-07-09T04:50:00.000-07:00

As Louisiana residents prepare for a possible hit from Hurricane Dennis, reporters are speaking with as many folks as they can. One older gentleman was in his backyard as a reporter approached and asked if he thought they would bear the brunt of the storm. The old-timer responded, "If there's acorns on the tree there's no hurricane. If there's no acorns there is a hurricane." The reporter asked the inevitable question and the answer was "there's only leaves, no acorns."

Is it an old-wives tale or is it an accurate way to predict weather? We've all heard about squirrels stocking up in autumn in prep for a hard winter. But this is summer so one of my husband's first questions was were there acorns on oaks at this time of year. I learned that black oaks do have acorns throughout the year because they take two years to ripen before falling. White oaks apparently take upwards of 50 years before they even form acorns.

But how do acorns alert us to upcoming storms? It's not so much that the acorns don't form or they fall prematurely, they have a little help from our animal friends. According to an article in the Taiwan News Online, animals have an early warning system for bad weather. The author cites several examples from tornadoes to the recent tsunami. So what of the acorns? Squirrels apparently gather them up saving for bad weather whether it be rain or snow. My guess then is that the old gentleman's acorns are stored somewhere while the squirrels watch the weather and wait. Oh, this article also answered a question I had last year about where the butterflies go as hurricanes approach -- they head for trees and sheltered rocky areas. Our thoughts are with our Gulf neighbors and their animal friends as Dennis approaches and we pray you remain safe. Happy Gardening.

Did I read that correctly?

2005-07-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

Gardening has been around since who knows when. Folks have always worked in their yards. It's a relaxing pasttime and very satisfying when you step back and view the results. Apparently gardening items are now the rage in antiques.

According to a recent newspaper article, the mid-1800s saw the introduction of lawn mowers and various garden statuary. Many gardeners owned wheelbarrows and sprinklers as well as shovels and shears. Gardening was in such fashion that flowers such as bleeding heart were introduced and pictured on dinner plates and rugs.

Well, here's your antiques update for the day. Trowels and small tools more than 25 years old are now collectible. I don't know about you, but I still have many of my gardening tools that just happen to be older than that. Of course like the TV ad I'm only 29 but somehow I got my hands on those old diggers and the like. So the question is, do I treat these things like antiques and squirrel them away somewhere for display? Or do I pretty much go about my business and enjoy gardening secure in the knowledge that my tools may be worth zillions some day? Happy Gardening and be sure to take a second look at those old rusty hand shovels sitting around in the garage. You might be sitting on a gold mine!

Looking for a reference book?

2005-06-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

During my prolonged bout with the virus I was reading everything I could get my hands on. As I was feeling better but still not good enough to be outside, I turned to all of my gardening reference books to keep me warm. Here's one I totally forgot I had: Simon & Schuster's Guide to Plants and Flowers.

What a great book. It's filled with gorgeous color photos of everything from camellias to pickerel weed and lots of stuff in between. I purchased this well before we moved to Florida at The Nature Company. And just for good measure I got it's companion Simon & Schuster's Guide to Cacti and Succulents. Check them out when you get a chance, and don't wait until you're sick to do it. Happy Gardening.

Tomato thief

2005-06-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

I finally succeeded in growing some decent tomatoes and what happens? A thief sweeps down in the night and the next thing I know the fruit is gone! Ok - I'm embellishing a bit. The thief didn't sweep down in the night. It was the middle of the afternoon and it was our little friend, Mr. Squirrel. He plays lots of chase games with his pals in our oaks and palms and loves running along our porch railing. We had seen him sitting on our front porch many times before but didn't realize he had an ulterior motive. Now we know it wasn't just our view that kept this guy coming around. Happy Gardening and save a tomato or two for your favorite squirrel.

I have a confession to make

2005-06-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

My garden is full of weeds. There are so many weeds that it's becoming difficult to see the plants particularly in the foliage garden. So what's my excuse? Virus!

Almost 3 weeks ago my husband starting sneezing and came down with a horrific cold. Just as he was feeling better I started. Rather than bouncing back like he did, I got worse to the point where I decided it was an infection and required antibiotics. Well, that wasn't the case. Apparently there is a virus going around right now sneaking its way into people's sinus passages and lying in wait like a snake ready to strike. My doctor clucked in sympathy, all the while telling me that she could only treat the symptoms and time would do the rest.

I don't know about you, but it bugs the heck out of me to sit around doing nothing. Even at my worst, I still itch to get outside and water or mow. So imagine how difficult it has been for me to sit inside and watch the weeds take over. The good news is that I am feeling better but, being on the verge of bronchitis earlier this week, I'm not too eager to push my luck and run outside. So while I sit here and feel sorry for myself I've decided to make a list of all the garden tasks I want to accomplish as soon as I'm 100%. Things like pull the weeds in both front beds, edge all the gardens, put mulch in the front and side gardens, find just the right place for the new concrete bench we bought a month ago that's still sitting in the dang garage, lay down the little patio for the bench, etc. etc. I'm already tired! Happy Gardening.

Lounging and reading

2005-06-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of the long, warm days of summer comes swimming and lounging around the pool. I don't know about you, but when I'm lying in the sun I enjoy reading. But the hard part is I need sunglasses and am farsighted. What's a book/sun lover to do? Weeding glasses! Yep - weeding glasses. Out of the Blue sells sun-tinted reading glasses just for folks like me. I've often said someone should invent the product and now it's available. You can choose your style, power, color and you get a colorful case. What could be better than that. The company also offers regular sunglasses and clear readers. Go check it out - I know I'm already picking out mine. Now, where's that sunscreen? Happy Gardening.

Angelonia

2005-06-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

I'm baaaccccckkkkk! My monitor fried so it was kinda hard to write a blog without a screen to see what I was saying. Luckily it was still under warranty and HP got me back up and running today. So on to Angelonia.

What a romantic sounding name, isn't it? This plant has been rolling around in my brain for the last month and a half so here's the rest of that story. Six weeks ago my dad had to have heart surgery. While we were spending the day at the hospital, my sisters and I walked my mom outside hoping to get her mind off what was going on inside. A tough proposition considering they've been married almost 63 years but we felt it was at least worth the effort. On the table was a copy of the local newspaper complete with a Home Depot ad. My mother likes all plants that flower, so she immediately turned to the garden page and there was a list of various plants carried including Angelonia. No pic, just the name so Mom asked me what it was. I didn't know but just happened to be reading a gardening book I had just purchased and turned to the index to see if it was listed. No such luck. I told her I would check it out when I got home and promptly forgot. Obviously my mind was elsewhere - the good news is my dad made it through the surgery and is home recuperating as we speak.

A few weeks later my older sister visited Lowes and bought a few plants for my mom's garden. One didn't have a name tag but Carol liked it, purchased it and plopped it in the front bed (turns out it was Angelonia). Shortly thereafter I was at Lowe's and saw a sign for - you guessed it - Angelonia but there was none. So I bought a bunch of other stuff and again forgot about it. What else did I buy you ask? Lantana -yellow and multi-color, purslane - considered a weed in the north but flowers and spreads just like mexican rose so is prized here, and lavender cosmos. Gorgeous stuff. Today, I was connecting my new monitor and had to crawl under my desk to do so. I found a few gardening magazines along with a bunch of dust bunnies (I have to fire that housekeeper) and started glancing through them. You'll never guess what jumped out. Not a cock-a-roach, or as we so elegantly refer to them palmetto bugs, but an article about Angelonia. Ok, I thought to myself, this is getting a little freaky. For some unknown reason, a higher power than me wants me to be aware of Angelonia and what better way to create awareness than to write about it. Hence this article and the long-winded explanation.

So, now you're intrigued. What, you ask, is Angelonia? Well, some nurseries call it summer snapdragon. It's an annual that flowers from spring through fall with delicate blooms ranging from white to purple. Angelonia is drought and heat tolerant, and in zones 8 and higher is considered a perennial. It's a delicate-looking flower and attracts butterflies. Growing to about 18 inches high, Angelonia makes a great border plant. One of these days I just may add it to mine. Happy Gardening.

Gloxinia

2005-05-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have had a gloxinia plant for at least four years if not more. When we purchased it we plopped it into a terra cotta pot, watered it and put it in a semi-shady spot. That's it. It's never been fed or pampered yet here it is several years later just as gorgeous as the day we brought it home. Gloxinia, or Sinningia speciosa, is from Brazil and is usually considered an indoor or greenhouse plant. It likes some water and temps in the 70s. The flowers are absolutely gorgeous and look just like velvet. This picture was taken late day just as I finished watering the gardens.

Did you know there is a Gloxinia society? Yep - the American Gloxinia & Gesneriad Society probably has a club near you. What is gesneriad, you ask? Well, it's a family of over 2500 plants best known for the African Violet. Learn something new every day. Happy Gardening.

Lemon geranium

2005-05-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Every day when I walk up the stairs to our front porch I get a whiff of lemon. It's one of the cleanest, most refreshing smells and all I ever get is just a hint of it. Not an overpowering smell like someone who puts on too much perfume but just enough to make a person turn their head and wonder where the scent is coming from. It's the lemon geranium!

The first time I ever learned of this plant was when my husband and I went to Charlottesville, VA and visited Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. There were plants on the property available for sale that supposedly he had grown and among those were scented geraniums. We purchased the rose and lemon geraniums.

We had not seen them in Florida until recently when Lowe's was offering "mosquito plants". Same thing. The plant is a lemon balm geranium actually known as a pelargonium and I'm guessing the citrus smell supposedly keeps the skeeters at bay. We brought two home and they have grown into a mass about 4 feet wide by about 2 feet in height. I'm planning to make some cuttings and spread them around the entire yard, it's just that refreshing to smell!

I learned that there is a lemon geranium and a lemon balm geranium - the difference is primarily in the size of the leaves - but any way you cut it, no pun intended, it's a great plant to have in the garden. Happy Gardening and be sure to give it a try.

It's a tomato!

2005-05-11T18:18:00.000-07:00

I finally did it - I grew tomatos for the first time since we moved here. Now granted I cheated just a bit by purchasing a tomato plant that had a couple of fruit already started. But the real trick was keeping the thing alive long enough to harvest the fruit. The proof that I am not a tomato killer is in. Not only have we enjoyed three tomatos from this little plant there is still at least one more growing. I don't know if the secret is that I put it on the front porch rather than planting it in the garden or that it is within view of the kitchen so it gets watered more frequently. Whatever it is I finally earned my tomato thumb. Happy Gardening.

Plant names, who'da thunk it?

2005-05-06T13:47:00.000-07:00

In searching through a perennial reference book today I was struck by the silliness of some of the plant names I read. Birthwort - it's actually wild ginger, but where the heck did the name come from? I have visions of a big wart being conceived and growing beyond all proportion. How about Saxifrage? Is that anything like supercalifragilistic... you know the rest. It's actually Astilbe.

Some names conjure up visions of walking through flowering meadows like Buttercup family. Some remind me of England, for some reason, like Bellflower family. But the one that really got me chuckling was the Fumitory family. The plant is actually Dicentra or bleeding heart but all I could envision was someone stomping around yelling and screaming at the top of their lungs. There's plenty more where these came from - Spurge, Lizard's Tail, Figwort, Smartweed, Rue (like the gravy), and one of my personal favorites, Madder (madder as a hatter?). Oh well, call them what they will (a rose by any other name and all that) all plants are pleasing in their own way. But when the Dogbane shows up, I'm getting the flea spray. Happy Gardening.

Why I'm Southern-it's in the genes

2005-04-30T05:38:00.000-07:00

I hope you saw the invite that all the bloggers in the Southern Blogs ring shared. "Southern Blogs Ring, the premier source on Southern culture, manner, missive and nostalgia will be holding a group blog to celebrate being alive, southern and free all at the same time." You may be asking yourself what the topic of discussion will be so here it is. The topic for the day is why I consider myself Southern.

I've talked about the Southern Blogs ring before and how being southern is for all those bloggers who take pride in the rich heritage of their southernness: the south side, south of France, south of the border, southpaws, South Bend, or just plain south of center. I fit in by being a southpaw and pretty south of center but that's a whole 'nother post. So I started thinking about what my contribution to the group post would be and here's what I came up with - it's definitely in the genes. My dad is originally from Virginia, my mom is from Louisiana, I was born and raised in Maryland and now live happily in Florida. Virginia and Maryland may not seem real south to true southerners but my mother's heritage from Louisiana gives me the gold key to the southern door.

Here's the story about my mom - her dad worked on a plantation and, sad to say, he was a slave master. It was that time in the country and there's nothing that can be changed about it, so there it is. My mother and her siblings were actually born on plantations such as Evergreen and, I believe, Houmas House or it may have been Oak Alley. Nonetheless, that's a pretty cool heritage to have, minus the slave stuff of course, and my mother has lots of stories to share. She is quite the southern belle even to this day and that, my friends, is a whole 'nother blog or five. Anyway, I come by southernness honestly. All my remaining relatives in Louisiana have that lush Louisiana speak - better than Dennis Quaid in the Big Easy - and to this day I get a chill every time I speak to or hear someone with that Luziana accent. Whoo Cher.

So I'm southern. My sister, Dee, is so southern she can conjure up a gris-gris and make it stick! I'm thinkin' that's a whole other blog story that I'll share some day. In the meantime, I'm southern, I feel southern and that's the end of the story for now. Oh, and for good measure I really am a southpaw. If you are southern, feel southern or have any inkling of southern in your genes join the ring. You'll be glad you did. Happy Gardening.

A new blog...

2005-04-29T04:48:00.000-07:00

and a bit of clover history from Dave in Massachusetts. Dave responded to a note I had on my Plant Tips page regarding the benefits of clover. So many folks try to eradicate it from their lawns and don't fully understand all the good that clover brings. Dave mentioned that "it was actually added to quality seed mixes until (in the 1940s) the development of selective herbicides that killed broad-leaved plants but left grasses alone. Since the chemicals killed clover, clover had to be "demonized" -- making a drawback into a positive for the herbicides."

Wooded Paths is the new blog by Dave, who'll be writing about gardening on a partially wooded house site, with "public" (access to pedestrians and bicycles) and private paths into the woods. Go take a look when you get a chance. Happy Gardening, and thanks again Dave for the history lesson.

A gardener's game

2005-04-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

I was spreading mulch in my side garden today and, as usual, my mind was wandering to all things plant like. For some goofy reason I started listing plants in my mind from A-Z just to see if I could do it. The more I thought about it the more intriguing it became. When I came in for lunch, I told my husband about it and he started trying to list plants. "Ah, not as easy as it sounds," he said. "Sounds like a blog." What do you think? Can you list a plant (any type) from A-Z without looking in your garden or any reference books or the internet? I'll bet you can. Want to see my results? I've got to confess I was stumped at U and X:

Agapanthus
Beach sunflower
Croton
Dahlia
Euphorbia
Fern
Gerbera daisy
Heliconia
Iris
Jatrophia
Kangaroo paws
Liatris
Mint
Niemburgia
Oleander
Pansy
Queen palm
Rhododendron
Saliva
Tulip
U
Verbena
Wisteria
X
Yucca
Zinnia

My husband came to my rescue on U for Umbrella tree but we just couldn't come up with anything for X so I finally cheated and found Xeranthemum. Give it a try - you may just surprise yourself as to how many plants you know. Happy Gardening.

Dogproofing the backyard...

2005-04-24T05:42:00.000-07:00

or how the heck did they get out? As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we have a new baby in the house. Full of energy, Nicky tears around the yard sniffing everything and creating total havoc for the other boys. Not only does he cause trouble with the other guys by jumping in their faces, Nicky is also an escapee. We don't believe it is intentional, but rather more of a game for him to explore new sights and sounds and see how quickly Mom and Dad will come running after him.

We've had a few scares. The first outbound trip was when my sister Dee came to visit. Duncan, our affenpinscher, decided it was time to lead the new little bugger astray so he ran through the door followed closely by Nicky. My husband set out on foot and I jumped in the car. Duncan, as you can guess not only a troublemaker but a former runner, came back right away. After all, he had ditched the kid and was happy to have his home and family back exactly the way he wanted it. Nicky was about 2 blocks away where we were able to coax him into the car and bring him home safely. There were two other adventures with Nicky - one escape through an open garage door, shame on us, and another we thought by climbing the fence, shame on him.

Things started to settle down and we kept a very close eye on his every move. Then came last Sunday morning. Harlan had taken the boys out for their morning constitutional while I lounged at the kitchen bar with the paper and coffee. Then it happened. I heard my husband yelling for Nicky and sprinting across the backyard. I went out the front door knowing that the little shit had taken off again - not sure how but knowing full well he would be out front. I grabbed the car keys, jumped in the car and drove slowly down about 4 houses where Nicky was sniffing around. I opened the car door, called softly for him to come, fully expecting he would, and then sat astounded as he laughed at me (or it sure seemed that way) and took off down the street. Ah - he had learned a new game. Let's get Mom to chase me in the car. Sure enough, he would run ahead and wait for me. As I approached and called his name, he would take off again. Now, picture this or maybe not. He's running, stops to sniff and lets me catch up. Then takes off again. I'm in my car in a bathrobe with no shoes, no drawers and no driver's license. Can you imagine what a police officer would have said to me if I had been stopped? "Alright lady, this isn't the time of day or neighborhood to be peddling your wares. I'm runnin' you in!" Holy gaucamole! Will that damn dog ever stop??!! Finally, what seemed like miles but was more like three blocks Nicky had to poop. I took advantage of the opportunity, grabbed his butt and threw him in the car.

Needless to say, Nicky was grounded for life after the bathrobe fiasco. He was on a leash from then until we could figure out how he escaped. It took a while but we realized that, with the lack of rain, the pond had evaporated enough that he could get around the cattails and go visit the neighbor's yard. Ah ha! The light bulb went off and we knew we had to extend the fence into the water. Especially after Max decided to go exploring on the other side of the yard the next day and visited the other neighbor! The good news is Max loves having a home and came to Harlan as soon as he was called, but who needs dogs running all over the neighborhood. There's enough of that without our contributions. So, long story long. Harlan fixed the fence yesterday by extending it on both sides about 5 feet into the water. We finally let Nick off the leash but still stay within eyeshot just in case. So, moral of the story is this. Next time you see a woman running around your neighborhood half-nekkid be kind. She may be looking for her little dog. Happy Gardening.

Hey y'all

2005-04-18T17:21:00.000-07:00

Southern Blogs Ring, the premier source on Southern culture, manner, missive and nostalgia will be holding a group blog to celebrate being alive, southern and free all at the same time.

Y’all are cordially invited Saturday April 30th to attend our first neighborhood cotillion and brunch.

The menu will be a light repast of Southern classics and down home cooked tales served up with Southern style and taste by your hosts:

The Green Cutting Board
Animal Broadcast Network
Wacky Southern Housewife
The World According to Tish
The Garden's Gift
Which Blair Project
Florida Gardening
A Southern Belle's Musings
An American Housewife
Garden Stuff
Southern Porch

Guests will be offered words, photographs, entertainment and some surprises, to be sure. So plan to attend and spend some time with us in the South.

Unearthed walkways

2005-04-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

I was reading Better Homes & Garden recently and there was an article about a woman who had purchased a home with a stable. The information went on to report that this woman, a gardener, just happened to be digging around and uncovered a brick. One brick led to another and she wound up discovering a crosswalk from her home to the stable. Reading about her reminded me of a similar experience with our home in Maryland.

I had envisioned a garden in our backyard in front of an old brick barbeque that was not usable without a lot of renovation. Using my trowel, I started to remove some sod and hit something hard. Same kind of thing for me - I began pulling up sod and discovered an entire brick patio smack in front of the barbeque. What a cool find. We wound up planting creeping thyme among the bricks and used the barbeque to house container plants. But here's the rest of the story. Apparently the woman from whom we purchased the house had lived there all of her life from the time of her parents and through her two marriages. She had one child who, when of age, went into the military to fight in WWII. He came home on leave and built her the barbeque and patio. When he returned to duty, her son was killed in a freak accident. He fell off the back of a truck hitting his head.

Here's why I'm telling you the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would say. When my husband and I had built out our gardens complete with fish pond, we took a picture and sent it to my folks so they could see our property. They had already relocated from Maryland at that time so never saw our house. A week later I called to see how they were doing and my Dad asked, "Who is that soldier in the picture you sent?" Did I just give you chills? That was my reaction - I said, "What soldier?" He told me there was a soldier standing next to the barbeque looking toward the house as though he had posed for the picture. I told my dad there was no one in the yard at the time the picture was taken, but he insisted. He also sent me the picture back with the area circled so we could see it. When we received the pic, there was no person standing in the circle. So the question is did my Dad see Edith's son or are we just NOT seeing him? Who knows but based on other experiences we had living there, I would venture to guess he was there all the time overseeing our efforts. Happy Gardening and Edith, if you're looking over my shoulder, this one's for you.

Boy did I get a deal

2005-03-31T18:02:00.000-08:00

My mother was leafing through the Sunday paper and saw a circular for Walmart advertising 100 day lily bulbs for 7 dollars and something. What a deal! She waited until Wednesday evening to tell me about it and then said, "if anyone happens to be going to Walmart they could pick up those bulbs." Hint, hint. Being the good daughter that I try to be, I stopped by Walmart today to get the darn bulbs. Well, you guessed it. They were sold out. I looked inside and around the box and no day lily bulbs to be found. (Just after I searched, another lady came along behind me who not only did the same thing but more - she turned the box upside down hoping to find either bulbs underneath or possibly hiding in the cardboard flap.)

Realizing they were probably sold out and, at the price advertised were never going to get more in, I decided to take a stroll through their garden area. Keeping an eye out for Ranger Raccoon (my last visit to the Walmart garden had me making an abrupt turn inside after spotting a HUGE raccoon sauntering around the aisles) and realizing there were too many shoppers around for him to make a showing, I slowly circled through all of the plant aisles. On my second trip past the usual Easter stuff I found a hibiscus bush that looked a little tough. There on the pot was a red sticker - CLEARANCE PRICE - REDUCED - 50% OFF - big as life. The adrenalin started to flow and I grabbed the plant and stuck it in my cart. Pretty soon I saw more red stickers - plaintain $1.88. It's hosta! I'd been thinking of ordering some hosta for the shady area under the oak tree but the minimum price before shipping was 4 bucks a plant. This was a deal so I grabbed 7 of those babies. Then there was a daisy 50% off and an elephant ear and... Well, you guessed it 70 bucks later I'm rolling my cart out the door, but I got a haul. I'm so excited and can't wait to get going in the garden this weekend. Nicotiana in the new shade garden (you'll see more of that soon), a baby palm for the pool area, a pink azalea for another shady area. Is it Saturday yet? No day lillies for Mom but I'm going to Lowe's tomorrow and will grab some to make her happy. I'm not such a bad daughter after all. Happy Gardening.

Artichokes

2005-03-27T15:45:00.000-08:00

My husband and I were discussing how much we enjoy artichokes and wondering how they were grown. Always up for plant research, I learned that there are actually two kinds of artichokes - Jerusalem and Globe. Jerusalem is the type where you can eat the tuber; the Globe is well the globe. You know, the ones you usually see on cooking shows. We've tried preparing the entire vegetable and it's ok, but we prefer the heart so it's easier to purchase the canned variety. But, wouldn't it be nice if we could grow our own?

Artichokes were introduced to California in the late 1800s by Italian farmers and here's a bit of trivia, Marilyn Monroe was the first official California Artichoke Queen of Castroville, supposedly the artichoke capital of the world. The vegetable is actually a thistle and a member of the sunflower family. Requiring a temperate climate that remains fairly steady all year round - in other words, no frost and no severe heat - it will grow 6 feet in width and about 4 feet high.

So the question remains - can we grow our own? Nope. Based on what I've read we might be able to but it's just not worth the effort. Not that we have severe heat, but it gets pretty humid and apparently the plant takes a lot of attention. As much as I think I would like the challenge, it will be easier to go to the grocery store and buy Vigo hearts. I'll stick to the stuff I know. Happy Gardening.

Dish garden gifts

2005-03-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

We've all gotten them - dish garden gifts - to commemorate an anniversary, birthday, or other special occasion. We had one sitting on our front porch that had been given to my mother-in-law when she was planning to move here. She stayed in Maryland and we kept the plants. Over time a couple of the plants looked ok and a couple more looked pretty scraggly. The dracaena and croton were growing, although the croton was getting a bit leggy, but one of the the dieffenbachia was dying.

Last weekend when the gardening bug bit, I decided it was time to clean up the plants on the front porch and either give them a proper burial or nurture them into growth. The dracaena moved to the new garden (more about that later) while the croton and both dieffenbachia stayed out front. While one of the dieffs still had leaves, the other was barely a stub but I decided to give it a chance. I cleaned up the flower box, added new soil and placed both dieffs in the planter with a basil plant, two chives and a croton. As the croton gets larger, I will move it to the side garden but for now it's gaining strength where it is. The soil is richer and everything is frequently watered. Oh, and the dieff that I gave up for lost? Take a look at the picture on the frog's right. It's got green! And, see the little sprout behind it? That's one of the tulip bulbs from last Easter - the brown bag trick seems to have worked after all. Happy Gardening.

Call me a tree hugger

2005-03-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

The most recent Plow & Hearth catalog arrived in the mail yesterday. As I leafed through it, I saw something called Forest Faces that looked kind of fun. I had intended to write a small article about it and provide a couple of sources. As I surfed around to get more information, I learned that the faces are applied to the trees using nails. So, in order to have something cutesy in the garden a person is required to put nails in their tree. The individual face components then hang from the nails. According to the National Gardening Association, no harm is done to the tree. I beg to differ. Any time you purposefully put an object into a tree that will tear its bark or puncture a limb, it causes harm. It may not kill the tree, but it could result in a disease entering the weakened tree and eventually causing death or at a minimum threatening its integrity. Not only that, but a nail can rust and rust will cause a scar that again can result in a weakened tree. According to the Ohio State University Extension Service, wounds through the bark start the process that leads to decay. Now not all wounds lead to decay, but the chances are pretty good it could happen.

So here's my take on the subject. If you want to put something fun and cutesy in the garden, go with a statue. There's plenty of adorable little animals to choose from. If you want to make faces, do it in the mirror. It will still be fun and it won't damage a tree. Happy Gardening.

Fuzzy trees

2005-03-14T12:38:00.000-08:00

I'm riding down the street last week with my sisters on the way to the Mall. My oldest sister points out the window and says, "What is that fuzzy tree?" Fuzzy tree? I look and expect to see something very soft and kind of furry but there's nothing fitting the description. So I ask "what the heck are you pointing at"? and she points again. This time I see what she's referring to. It's a bottlebrush tree.

Callistemon or bottlebrush, is native to Australia. The flowers are actually long, soft bristle-like stamens hence the bottlebrush reference. There are shrubs and trees in this family. The most common is callistemon rigidus or stiff bottlebrush. This tree will grow up to 20 feet with a 10 foot spread and bloom, depending on the climate, from spring through fall. The flowers are interesting but here's the downside. It's a messy tree. My experience is not only do the flowers fall and are difficult to wash off surfaces, the seed pods drop everywhere once they have aged. Take it from me. If you want to have this tree in your yard, make sure it's far away from the house and driveway. You'll enjoy it more that way. Happy Gardening.

Cat litter revisited

2005-03-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Feline Pine? There have been many commercials about the product over the last few months and I've been wondering what all the fuss is about. My husband and I talked about it since it's supposed to be more environmentally friendly than the usual cat litter products on the market. I was shopping the other day with my sister, better known as PTFP (part-time FLA person), and came across Feline Pine so decided to purchase it.

According to the package and the website, this litter is made from 100% pure pine - no new trees were cut to make it. There are no chemical additives and there's no silica dust. For all of you who are owned by cats, you know that the dust gets a little annoying when prepping a clean box. I get all choked up and it's not because I love cleaning up after my cat.

Continuing to read through the verbiage on the bag, there is no trash because Feline Pine can be scooped, flushed or mulched. Mulched? Apparently the pine pellets absorb the liquids and break down into sawdust. After about two weeks all the pellets will dissolve and can be used as landscape mulch or compost. Now, I'm all about recycling and keeping the environment clean. But using this as mulch? Doesn't it stand to reason there's got to be a little bit of urine odor if the pellets absorb it? And, if that's the case, if the sawdust is added to the landscape aren't I then creating a huge litter box for the neighborhood kitties? I can see it all now. Joe's cat down the street catches wind of the new litter box in town and invites all his friends over to hang out. Next thing you know we'll have to start charging a cover fee and providing refreshments. Not to mention what a celebrity Girlfriend, our loving little pain-in-the-rump, will become. Somehow I don't think she's much into being in the spotlight these days. Anyway, we'll give this new product a try but will hold the mulch idea until we've seen what it can do in a controlled environment. The good news is that the company offers a rebate for new users so the first bag is free. Happy Gardening and stay tuned for more.

We did it again

2005-03-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

By now I'm sure you know what crazy nuts we are about animals. In the time my husband and I have been together we have rescued nine animals. Six became part of our family - three were taken to our vet for various reasons. This does not count the numerous turtles, birds and sundry others Harlan has rescued in his travels since we've lived here in Florida. Not too long ago we gave a home to a little schnauzer mix who had been a statistic of the hurricanes. We drove four hours south of here to get him and don't regret it for a second.

The problem is that our other dogs are older and do not want to play. They are seniors at 13 years old and this little guy is only 2 with lots of energy. We kept thinking that the other guys would rally and start running around in the yard a little more but it never happened. So, you guessed it. We decided Max needed a playmate. We started searching on petfinder.com (see the icon on the right side of my site) and ultimately found the newest member of our family through Lost Angels Animal Rescue. Kelly, one of the founding members of Lost Angels, is all heart. She has numerous dogs at her home at any one time. All of the dogs are rescues either from the streets or from kill shelters. She and her friends work tirelessly to find them permanent homes. All of the animals are well cared for - they are brought current on all shots, spayed or neutered, and treated for any other medical problems before they are adopted. This group is all volunteer. They work full time jobs and spend their free time taking care of animals. What wonderful people they are.

So, here's our newest little guy, Nicky. Why did we name him Nicky? Well, about six weeks ago we lost our cat to kidney failure. And just about six weeks ago Kelly saved this little guy from a kill shelter and did everything she could to find him a home. We just got thinking about it and came to the realization that in some way our other Nicky may have just come back as this little guy since their personalities are so similar. Nicky is getting used to his new home. He's been running around in the backyard sniffing all the new smells, watching the birds in the pond and even drinking out of the pool. He's even started trying to get Max and the other guys to play. It's a crazy life but well worth it. We will be supporting Lost Angels from now on and every time Nicky gives us a kiss, we'll be very glad we do. Happy Gardening.

Have I mentioned the Southern Blogs ring?

2005-02-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure I have. I belong and am actually co-ringmaster, if you will, with my husband. We've had some folks want to link up who have that "southern" state of mind. What is that exactly? Well, it's for all those bloggers who take pride in the rich heritage of their southernness: the south side, south of France, south of the border, southpaws, South Bend, or just plain south of center. I fit in by being a southpaw and pretty south of center but that's a whole 'nother post.

My husband has been taking care of the ring so I decided to visit the ring member sites today. Here's one that makes me chuckle - A Wacky Southern Housewife. She tells it like it is with a little twist of humor. Her post about her Dad in the closet is a riot. We've just gone through all the trying pre-arrangements for my Dad and Mom. Mom wants the coffin and the whole schmeer - Dad wants to be cremated and doesn't really care where his ashes wind up. Her remembrance of her mother's ashes being scattered and her Dad's wishes are too funny. You've got to go read this and all of Scarlett's other entries. It's not about gardening, but who cares. You'll get a few chuckles for sure. Happy Gardening.

Wanna see my garden cart?

2005-02-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

I am so proud! I put together my garden cart today. It was not too difficult and I only had to ask for help twice - once in the midst of assembly when I was instructed to "turn it over on its wheels carefully". The other was when I connected the side rail backward. Otherwise, I did an awesome job if I do say so myself. So what, you may ask, is a garden cart. It's somewhat like a little red wagon only a bit bigger, yellow and with mesh floor and sides. Ok - not like a little red wagon at all but you get the idea.

I've been gardening for a number of years and always moving things around the yard by hook or by crook. I've carried my shovels and rakes out of the garage while trying to balance a garbage can and my hand tools. I have hauled more bags of mulch than I can count not to mention the number of plants brought home from the garden center just waiting to be planted. As an old friend of ours says - ai yi yi yi yi.

My husband came up with the idea of getting me a garden cart for my birthday. It was quite a pleasant surprise but of course needed to be assembled. So it sat in the garage for two months until I decided this was the weekend to accomplish the task.

The weather was gorgeous - mid 70s and sunny with just the slightest breeze. The gardening bug bit and it bit hard. After mowing and trimming the lawn I said to myself, "Self - it's time to put together the cart" so I did. Now I'm ready. I've got the cart all set to go, all my tools in one place and the weather is cooperating. We're even supposed to get some long needed rain in the next few days. All I need now are some plants and some bags of mulch, then more plants and more bags of mulch and so on and so on. Happy Gardening.

Office gardens

2005-02-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but there was a time I was working in a luxurious 6 foot by 6 foot cubicle. You're probably scoffing and thinking "luxurious"? Well, yes. The alternative was a 4 foot by 6 foot cubicle and I just happened to be high enough on the totem pole that I earned the 6 by 6 size. Anyway, cubicles and the cubicle environment work well for a business but not necessarily for the folks who have to work there. So it's kind of nice when there is an opportunity to view some greenery and not just through the occasional window.

I received an email the other day from the HGTV website talking about cubicle gardens, which took me on the mind journey I mention above. Luckily I no longer work in a cubicle environment but I do remember having a plant or two around to brighten the area up and make it seem more homey. The HGTV newsletter recommends low light plants such as "pothos, aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei), jade plant (Crassula argentea), kentia palm (Howeia forsteriana), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), peace lily (although it won't flower in low light) and possibly two of the most tolerant of low-light conditions, the Chinese evergreen, or Aglaonema modestum (10 foot-candles), and cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)."

Here's something I knew intuitively that was confirmed by the newsletter - most indoor plants don't die from neglect. The culprit is overwatering. We worry so much about taking proper care of the plants that we wind up killing them with kindness, literally. There are a couple of things you can do to avoid overwatering. One is to use a moisture meter - they are available in all garden stores and let you know when the plant is thirsty. The other way to test the soil - use your finger. Put your finger in the soil below the surface. If it feels dry add some water. If it feels moist don't. Ah, the magic of fingers. The newsletter also recommends providing humidity. Most office conditions are pretty darn dry, so you'll need to keep a mister nearby. Spritz the leaves a few times a week. You'll have a happy plant and a happier environment in which to work. Happy Gardening.

At long last

2005-02-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

All of my mastheads are finished! It has been a long time coming, but every masthead on every page has now been changed. I hope the new page designs reflect just a little more of the awe and beauty of the garden. All but two were designed around photographs from Andrew Stenning, and I want to extend my sincere thanks for his generosity in allowing me to use them. Of all of Andrew's photos displayed on my pages, the bee is the one I enjoy most. The bee is three dimensional - he's so real he looks as though he is coming right out of the picture. So can you guess which ones are mine? I'll give you a hint - one is the century plant. The other is the laughing froggie man, without a doubt one of my favorite pals in the landscape. He is obviously having as much fun with the plants as I do. Every time I see him I smile and I hope you will too. Happy Gardening.

Botanical Gardens

2005-01-31T05:38:00.000-08:00

Wherever I've lived (and that hasn't been a whole heck of a lot of places truth be told) I've always been lucky enough to live within reasonable driving distance of beautiful botanical gardens. I grew up in Maryland and on many occasions visited Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. My husband and I along with our friends would drive about 2 hours to arrive at Longwood at opening time. We would then amble through the acres and acres of gardens oohing and aahing along the way. The greenhouse alone was one of the most gorgeous sights we'd ever seen - constantly changing for seasons and holidays. Ladew Topiary Gardens was another treat within an hour's drive. Henry Ladew created beautiful gardens on 15 of his 22 acres. The topiaries by themselves were well worth the visit.

Now that we're in Florida we've learned that there are many great places in fairly close proximity. The most easily accessible is Sunken Gardens. Located in St. Petersburg, this six acre landscape is over 100 years old. It originally belonged to the Turner family and was purchased by the City of St. Pete in 1995 to preserve the beauty for everyone to see. Just over the Skyway Bridge is the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, named after the original owner who donated the grounds to Sarasota. I haven't visited either of these gardens yet but they are on my "to do" list.

Here's the one I really, really want to visit - the Thomas Alva Edison winter estate in Fort Myers. Edison was not only an inventor but a botanist who looked to plants to help solve problems. For instance, did you know that Edison used bamboo fibers in his early light bulb filaments? Or that he used Spanish moss as stuffing for car seats? I sure didn't. There's lots more to be learned and even more impressive, Henry Ford purchased the neighboring property so not only the 14 acres of the Edison estate but also the 3.5 acre Ford estate are readily available for all to see. Edison's estate was donated to Fort Myers in 1947 and the Ford estate did the same in 1988. I have been in Fort Myers but have not yet had the opportunity to visit the Edison and Ford estates. But I promise this. My plan is to take a day off and rook my husband into driving down with me. It's only about 2 1/2 hours from here and a fairly easy drive. If that doesn't work, then plan B is to grab my sister, you know her better as Part Time FLA person, on one of her next visits and talk her into driving down to Fort Myers with me to enjoy these gorgeous gardens. Of course, these gardens are just the tip of the Florida iceberg. I'm sure there are many, many more to learn about. Happy Gardening and look for a botanical garden near you. You'll be very glad you did.

It's official - it's a zen thing

2005-01-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

I've been under the weather the last few days with the creeping crud. Just walking across the living room floor has felt like running a 10 mile marathon so I have limited my activities to vegging out in front of the tv. Yesterday with tea, tissues and cough drops at the ready I draped myself over the sofa and turned on HGTV, one of my favorite stations.

A new show came on, Rock Gardens, hosted by Michelle Phillips. For those of you who don't remember, she was one of the mamas from The Mamas and the Papas. Michelle started talking about some "rockers" like the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish, Grace Slick from Jefferson Starship, and Micky Dolenz from The Monkees. The first guest was John Oates from Hall and Oates. He and his wife have a big spread up in Colorado and love to work in the gardens. John talked about how he enjoys mowing the lawn and then the words came out of his mouth. "I like mowing," he said. "It's kind of a zen thing." Wow! I couldn't believe my ears. I thought I was the only one who enjoyed mowing the lawn, but now I know. Of course he has 5 acres and uses a John Deere tractor to cut, but there's still some overall similarities. It's relaxing, it's a job that you can see the results of pretty quickly, and it's a back to nature kind of thing. I love it and now I know I'm not the only one. So, it's now official - it's a zen thing. Happy Gardening.

Earthly Goods rocks!

2005-01-17T06:04:00.000-08:00

About a week ago I was contacted by Stephen Brown, owner of Earthly Goods, requesting a link to his site. I visited his website and was so impressed by his product selection that I featured his company on my Plant Resources page. I am now the happy owner of a ceramic tree frog - one of his company's newest additions and I have to tell you that I'm even more impressed.

The picture on the website doesn't do it justice. My tree frog is brown and speckled with blue and gold. The ceramic work is exceptional and the speckles are somewhat translucent against the brown changing intensity with the light. The frog is also much larger than I anticipated. Even though the description mentioned a 6 inch size, it sure seemed larger when I took it out of the box. My husband and I really like the little frog and will probably put it in the new patio area in the backyard. In the meantime, I'm going to have to go back and see what other little goodies I can find. Thanks, Stephen, for telling me about your site so I could share it with everyone. Happy Gardening and be sure to visit Earthly Goods - tell 'em I sent you.

Plant a row

2005-01-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of "Plant a Row"? Well, I had not until I saw Andrew Stenning's article. Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) started in Anchorage, Alaska when Jeff Lowenfels, a garden columnist, asked folks to plant a row of vegetables for the local soup kitchen, Beans Cafe. In five years, a total of one million pounds of veggies had been grown and since that time one million pounds of food is now grown each year. The Garden Writers Foundation now administers the PAR program. The purpose of PAR is "to create and sustain a grassroots program whereby garden writers utilize their media position with local newspapers, magazines and radio/TV programs to encourage their readers/listeners to donate their surplus garden produce to local food banks, soup kitchens and service organizations to help feed America’s hungry." When you visit the GWA site, you can make a donation or even start your own PAR campaign. There's also lots of other worthwhile information listed. So when your seed catalogs arrive, think about planting one more row. Happy Gardening.

Florida Gardening masthead updated

2005-01-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

As promised a few weeks ago, my Florida Gardening masthead has been revised. A big thank you to Andrew Stenning for his fabulous photograph, and kudos to my husband for his redesign assistance. Go visit Andrew's site when you get the opportunity as well as Harlan's. I think you'll enjoy both of them. Happy Gardening.

For my international friends

2004-12-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

The BBC News is holding a contest for participants to design an eco-friendly garden. According to the article, they want folks "to come up with a garden which is a relaxing green space for you, your family and friends, uses natural resources in a sustainable way and encourages a wide range of plant and wildlife". Entries will be based on climate, species diversity, materials, aesthetics, and practicality. One winner will receive a copy of The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, by the Henry Doubleday Research Foundation and will be featured in the BBC News. Closing date for entries is January 21, 2005. Good luck and let me know how you fare. Happy Gardening.

Christmas on the Levee

2004-12-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

My mother is a southern belle - she grew up in a little town called Gramercy located in Louisiana. In fact, she and her siblings were born on plantations in St. James Parish. Anyway, Gramercy is about 15 feet above sea level, and skims the Mississippi River. The town is surrounded by a levee, about 40 feet high, that holds the Mississippi back from flooding the town.

A Christmas tradition exists in St. James Parish and it's quite amazing to see. The townfolk build structures such as teepees (most common), firetrucks, log cabins, etc. and, as darkness settles on Christmas Eve, they are set fire to light the way for Papa Noel. Then everyone goes to the Gramercy Fire Dept. for gumbo and other goodies. Gramercy is known as the Bonfire Capital of the World. This tradition goes back many, many years and I have been lucky enough to witness it at least twice. Now that my folks are living here in Florida and many of our aunts and uncles are gone, we find fewer reasons to visit Gramercy so we miss the town and all the great people who live there. But we don't forget the awesome experience. Merry Christmas to everyone everywhere and Happy Gardening.

Merry Christmas. Ready for snow?

2004-12-24T17:37:00.000-08:00

Here's a site where you can make your own snowflakes rather than being at the mercy of the weather. Go visit Snowdays and have some fun designing. Happy Holidays!

Now I've "heard" everything

2004-12-22T05:43:00.000-08:00

Consider this. You go out to the garden and lose yourself in thought as you trim a shrub here, pick a flower there. Zen is all around. All of a sudden you start to hear ringing. What's that you ask as you shake your head to come out of your reverie. And then it happens again - that incessant, mind-numbing ringing of a cell phone. Yikes!

I was reading through a magazine recently (sorry, but I can't find the article or I would link to it for you) and there was a short mention of a new gardening carrier. It's a "bucket" that allows you to carry all your needed tools around the yard with you so you're not searching for the trowel and all you have is your hoe. But this carrier is new age - it now includes a pocket for your cell phone. How nifty is that? Not! What happened to the zen of gardening? What happened to losing yourself in the beauty and quiet that surrounds you?

Now, don't get me wrong. I totally understand the need to be close to a phone. I share caregiving responsibility for my elderly parents and am never far from contact. But there's a time and place for everything. If one of my folks was ill, I would probably want to have my cell phone nearby. Otherwise, I go into the house frequently enough and the ringer on our phone is loud enough that if someone is trying to reach me I feel fairly certain that they could do so quickly. So, here's my thought on the subject. Nix the phone unless there is a family emergency. Wrap yourself in the spirituality of the garden. Take advantage of the zen so you can go back to the world feeling refreshed and ready to endure those nagging, mind-numbing rings. And, if you want to buy the new carrier? Put a bottle of wine in it instead. That will really contribute to the zen. Happy Gardening.

Murry Hill 5 is back

2004-12-21T17:28:00.000-08:00

One of my fellow bloggers is back online! Murray Hill 5 surprised me one day by listing me as one of her favorite reads. I was so pleased by the mention and impressed by her site that I made sure to mention her and add her link to my links page. Deb took a break in August after her baby arrived and I wasn't sure if she would be back or not. But sure enough she's been posting for about a week and includes a recent pic of the babe. Go visit her site when you can.

What did she say???

2004-12-10T17:04:00.000-08:00

Abby Bartlet looks at Jeb, during a West Wing episode, and says "You go from nothing to say, to I have too much to say, to I have to study agriculture, to I don't give a damn????" Well, that's kinda how I've been feeling lately. Sometimes it's difficult to come up with a subject for the blog. And other times I have so many things I want to talk about I don't even know where to begin. So the blog will sit for a week or so while I'm eating bon bons (yeah right). The truth is I'll sit here and make a list of things that I really want to write about and then it's all about finding the time to do it. Between working all week (my day job gets in the way), working on house projects all weekend and being an early-to-bed kind of person, I'm having a tough time sitting back and talking about one of the things I love best - gardening.

Anyway, enough feeling sorry for myself... My Christmas cactus is blooming! My sister gave us Christmas cacti last year for, you guessed it, Christmas of all things. I was pretty excited about it knowing that cacti are pretty easy to take care of and don't need a lot of water as long as they get a lot of light. So in my usual smug I-know-so-much-about-gardening kind of way, I promptly went about killing the poor things. First I watered them and out on the front porch they went. Very shortly thereafter there were burn spots evident from the sun. Oops - too much light. So I brought them back into the kitchen. They seemed to be doing ok but looked dry so I watered. And so did my husband. And so did I - you get the picture. The plants were beginning to drown in our best efforts.

I happened to be visting my mother one day and recalled how her Christmas cactus is always blooming. She keeps hers in the bathroom window and it seems very happy there. Then it occurred to me - it must thrive on neglect! (Sorry Ma, but you know how you can be about things.) I vowed to begin neglecting my cacti as soon as I returned home. And ignore them I did. Sure enough one of the plants decided to start forming buds and it finally bloomed yesterday. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful christmas cactus flowers I have ever seen. It's an unusual coral color with a fuchia stamen - just gorgeous. So it just goes to show you - just when you think you know something you learn that a little bit of knowledge along with 75 cents may get you one small cup of coffee. Happy Gardening.

Blog is the #1 word

2004-12-07T05:38:00.000-08:00

Did you know that "blog" is the number one word researched in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary? Yep. Folks are coming to understand the power of the web - a place for them to share their personal thoughts, hobbies, and knowledge among many other things. Kinda goes hand in hand with the question "why we blog". Happy Gardening.