DECEMBER 13, 2010

It's been a great season!

We'll be back in February.

November 22, 2010

Working Gardener's Journal

- Working near the lake today. The Echinacea are still in bloom! November 20!
- Put down some HollyTone plant food for the Rhodies, Mags, Azaleas, Hollies and a few others and then covered them for the winter with shredded leaves. Works wonders every year.
- Red Maples dumped their leaves this week, the latest I've seen for these trees.
- Am doing an experiment with the Peonies this year. Half of them were cut down to 3 inches, the other half left alone. I'll report back next spring.
- Super Wave Petunias were truly super this year.
Be back next week.

October 14, 2010











Working Gardener's Journal

- Ornamental peppers forging on, still looking perky; Dusty Miller makes nice companion. (picture above)
- Placed 8" Dianthus under Weeping Pea Shrub. Another nice combo.
- Finally cutting back Echinacea to ground. How sad.
- Moved some Daylilies. Wanted to do it earlier but didn't. Oh well - Daylilies are tough customers, they'll be okay.
- Put down some rubber mulch for client. Not a big fan of it, but neither are the bugs.
- Mulching leaves for future acid-loving plant mulch.

Working Gardener's Journal 9-15-10


- Planted Moonshine Yarrow, TS Coreopsis, Baja Daylilies, Russian Sage, Ground Sage, Chocolate Chip Ajuba and Coneflower, can't remember which one.

- Removed pesky oak leaves from the Autumn Joy Sedum. Oak leaves are surely not Autumn joy!

- Cleaned the water garden pumps. Found a dead frog and a bunch of Maple leaves.


                                                                                           Morning Glory

AUGUST 24, 2010

WHAT ARE THEY?


GARDENING NEWS - AUGUST 10, 2010

                                            Big Red Hibiscus


WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL

- Make sure Barber plants and Hollyhocks are staked.
- Cut Hosta stems
- Read the riot act to Clemmy, making sure the Clematis doesn't get too out of control on the arbor.
- Oh - stake the Buddleia "Lavender Eyes."
- Stop and enjoy the multi-colored Phlox.
- Plant spinach NOW!


                                                                                                                                                                      

GARDENING NEWS, JULY 19, 2010


 'WILLIAM BAFFIN' ROSES HANGIN' OUT AT THE HORT FARM

Hort Farm Workday
Workday on Saturday, July 17, tidying up the wonderful perennial beds at the UVM Hort Farm in South Burlington. Under the gentle guidance of Brian Vaughan, curator, an intrepid crew of 10 or so braved the heat and pulled weeds in record time, allowing us to stop for a break and a refreshing snack of lemonade and...DAYLILIES! Yup. We munched on Daylily flowers, which have a smooth texture and a buttery taste. Yum.

GARDENING NEWS - JULY 16, 2010

LION KING IRIS from Gardener's Supply

WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
- Liatris (Gay Feather) is marvelous. Simply marvelous, Darling. About 6 feet high and a soft purple flower like you read about.
- Bee Balm is cranking.
- Corn needs some rain
- Little yellow Coreopsis flowering and happy - loves sun!
- Hostas in Chittenden County in full bloom - looking good thanks to all the water in June
- Just one Clematis flower so far - hmmm.

GARDENING NEWS - JULY 9, 2010

 WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
- Experimented this year with single sunflower, away from others. Wonderful result, as seen.
- Planted incredibly cute PURPLE ornamental pepper plants for client. Found at Claussen's.
- Had to trim Redbud tree. How do you kill those things?
- Leaving radish plants around just for the heck of it and not doing anything to them. Voila! Cute flowers on tall growth.
 - Splendid color from Japanese Lilac about now. Off red. And I mean that in the nicest possible way.
- My own Jerusalem Artichokes are about ready to pop. Mellow yellow.

GARDENING NEWS - JULY 2, 2010

WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
Tying up Baptisia ( getting tall -the best is yet to come)
Cutting back spent Poppy foliage
Slightly trimming Rose detritus
Weeding around Buddleia
Planting wonderful ornamental purple pepper plant
Creating air circ for Delphs
Great anticipation for very healthy Jerusalem Artichokes
Hydrangeas starting to bloom (blue)
Potentillas looking nice

GARDENING NEWS - JUNE 26, 2010

THIS BEAUTY, AN INDIAN HOLLYHOCK, BLOOMED TODAY IN ESSEX.

Working gardener's journal
- Radishes are gone -can still be picked but mostly too spicy or mushy in flavor and texture
- Good June for corn. Corn loves the above average rainfall we're receiving.
- Still putting Zinnias in the ground. No problemo.
- Don't weedwack the Mallow. It's going to flower sometime.
- Very healthy Jack-in-the-Pulpit and Horseradish in client's gardens.
 LIGHT OF HEAVEN SHINING ON LOVELY MOUNTAIN LAUREL

GARDENING NEWS - JUNE, 2010

                                                Hang in there, Weigela!

WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL (continuing series)
 6/5/2010

Tending client's garden today in Burlington near the lake.
Weigela on its way out, starting to drop pretty crimson flowers on the ground.
Rhodies in full sun still looking glorious, others in the shade pretty much gone.
Getting rid of pesky excess Tradescantia, though I adore the cute little purple flowers. Kind of hate to get rid of it but it spreads so quickly. Named after John Tradescant, England, 1500's.
Sweet, compact flowering Almond  has finished it's run; what a glorious spring production.
Beautiful creamy white Peonies in full ambrosial bloom.
Roses looking heavenly.
Very pretty pinkish-red Columbine, beaming.
Buddleia starting to crank into overdrive.
Viburnum peeking out with little white bloomies.
Translucent special Hostas looking really cool.
Lupine, in purple and white, standing tall and proud.

GARDENING NEWS - MAY, 2010

Milton John -
 Poem
On May Morning
 by John Milton

Now the bright morning Star, Day's harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The Flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.
Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth, and warm desire,
Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,
Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early Song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

GARDENING NEWS - MAY, 2010

BLOOMTIME FESTIVAL RAPIDLY APPROACHING
With everything blooming so early, an added bonus to the fest will be the glorious Rhododendrons.

May 22, Saturday
10am – 3pm
16th Annual Bloomtime Festival & Burlington Garden Club (BGC) 76th Anniversary Plant Sale!
Open to the public. Come awaken your senses to the scents of lilacs, flowering crabapples, magnolias and more! Perennials, lilacs and gardening books will be on sale. UVM Greenhouse will be on hand selling indoor plants.


 

GARDENING NEWS - MAY, 2010

WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL (continuing series)
 Look at this cute little Hardy Almond  growing by the lake in Burlington. Pic was taken May 13.
Hardy Almonds have delightful pale pink flowers in late spring (usually) and don't require a heck of a lot of maintenance. The care I've given this one over the years has basically consisted of keeping the weeds from surrounding the base and throwing down some shredded leaves in the fall. No fertilizer, very little compost. 


14th  ANNUAL FLYNN GARDEN TOUR IS IN ...BURLINGTON 

If you remember, last year's tour was in the Champlain Islands, and was very well received. In 2008 it was South Burlington, and 2007, Essex . Here's the info from the Flynn.

Burlington Hosts 14th Annual Flynn Garden Tour

Sunday, July 11, 2010, 10 am to 3 pm
Tea included from 3 to 4 pm
Tickets go on sale May 25.

Flynn Garden Tour Friends of the Flynn bring its renowned Flynn Garden Tour back home to Burlington this year for a look at a variety of exceptional private gardens. This tour will delight both master gardeners and green thumbed novices alike. Enjoy garden talks, lunch, afternoon tea, and a raffle, all while helping support the Flynn's work with schoolchildren.
Contact Gina Haddock at 802-652-4533 or rhaddock@flynncenter.org for more information or for volunteer opportunities. We rely on enthusiastic volunteers to assist with organizing and supporting the tour, running the garden raffle, tea and more.

BLOG OF THE MONTH
We liked all the info about starting tomatoes, from the southern Vermont blog Garden Xing. Check out the really nice hoop house in the various photos on the site.

GARDENING NEWS - APRIL, 2010




COCOA MULCH AND DOGS
Interesting e-mail from the Addison County Humane Society.

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don't have a
pet, please pass this to those who do.

Over the weekend, the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased
Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. The dogs loved the way
it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden.
Their dog (Calypso) decided the mulch smelled good enough to eat and
devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical
when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way.
The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk .
Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further
investigation on the company's web site,

this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that "It is
true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch
can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each
individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it."

*Snopes site gives the following
information:http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp *

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and
other Garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called
'Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells li ke
chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and
die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate
which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic
quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to
caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of
garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions
and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the
ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of
theobromine.

MAPLE TREE DISCUSSION AT ECHO
Received e-mail from Echo re: talk with Tim Wilmont, UVM Extension maple guy.
-

Come mingle and expand your mind at ECHO Thursday, May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is a free, 21+ event with a cash bar that opens 6:30 p.m. and complimentary hors d'oeuvres provided by Sigma Xi. The discussion will begin at 7 p.m.
Join Tim Wilmot, UVM Extension Maple Specialist from the Proctor Maple Research Center will help us consider both threats to the maple trees themselves, as well as changes and forces that might affect only the syrup industry.

What might happen if global climate change results in the loss of freezing and thawing days that make the sap flow? Might pollution cause us to believe our maple syrup is tainted? Are there other “sticking points” you can think of that syrup lovers should be concerned about?
A little about Tim:

Tim Wilmot has been a researcher at the UVM Proctor Maple Research Center in Underhill Center since 1986. One of his principal interests is the sap flow mechanism of sugar maple, and the interactions among temperature, sap pressure, and sap flow rate. During the sugaring season he conducts experiments connected to these phenomena, (a portion of which can be seen on his webpage “TREEMET” found on the Proctor Center website) as well as on related issues, such as the effects of vacuum on sap flow, the optimal timing of tapping for sugarmakers, and other aspects of sap collection.

A second research interest is forest nutrition and relationships among soil and foliar chemistry, tree growth and vigor, and sap sugar production in maple stands. In 2004 Tim was appointed UVM Extension’s full-time maple specialist. This position combines research with outreach and education, and Tim’s responsibilities include planning and facilitating educational programs for maple producers, as well as writing and talking about maple research, both his own and that of his colleagues.

 

You can read more about these issues and get further background information on the threats to Vermont Maples by visiting our website.
If you are planning to attend this event at ECHO, we encourage you to bring your handheld device to participate on Twitter @vtcafesci, available via our free Wi-Fi Internet access. You'll be interacting with other audience members, our online webcast audience, and can even submit comments or questions to the speaker electronically.
Any questions? Contact Linda Bowden

ECHO’s Café Scientifique, based on the popular European salon concept, is a chance for science and culture to intersect. The discussions, led by acknowledged experts, are free, 21+ events with a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres provided by Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society.  

GARDENING NEWS - APRIL, 2010

VERMONT GARDEN PARK

The good times have begun again at Vermont Garden Park, located on the National Gardening Association grounds in South Burlington. This wonderful site includes at least ten demonstration gardens, along with trails and sitting areas.

On Thursday, April 22, a hardy swarm of gardeners, led by the inimitable Jan DeSarno, cleaned out the American Cottage Garden, being careful not to disturb the various Tulips, Daffodils, Hibiscus, Hyacinths, and the spunky early bloomer, Helleborus "Green Corsican."






   Helleborus "Green Corsican"

GARDENING NEWS - APRIL, 2010

RED PHLOX NATION
Wow wee! If you're into Phlox like we are, discover what we just discovered. Perennial Pleasures Nursery in East Hardwick is Phlox crazy! They have an annual Phlox Fest in early August with tours, tea, and, get this, doorprizes! Doorprizes rock!
Anyway, catch more info at their splendid site (nice slideshow) , which will give you directions, tour times and even the history of, yup, you guessed it -  Phlox!

Oh - why does GardenVt love Phlox? 
Because they come in ten million colors and usually don't need staking, which is a bonus for working gardeners like us.


GARDENING NEWS APRIL, 2010



SPECTACULAR FLOWER HILL FARM PHOTOS
Here are some stunning shots of magnolias, sweet scilla and hellebores, among others from the Williamsburg, Ma B and B.

GOT AZALEAS AND OAK TREES?
* Remember, cut up oak leaves are a great mulch/fertilizer for azaleas, on account of the acidity. Try it out but make sure the leaves are shredded to avoid ground rot.


This Lilac is cut almost all the way though and still producing buds! Amazing!

 WARM EARLY SPRING AFFECTING PLANTS
*** Whether it's my crocuses that flower early and die early, the lilacs that are budding way too soon, or the wondrous daffodils showing splendid color earlier than I can remember, the warmth of late winter and early spring presents it's own set of problems. 
Matt Sutkoski of the Burlington Free Press has a great piece on what happens when warm/frost cycles hit grapes, apples and maples.

GARDEN TRAVELS
* If you have Dish Network in Vermont, tune to channel 266 and watch GardenTravels, with the hilarious Dave Egbert. It's on the Angel2 network at various times during the week. Dave journeys around the country spotlighting beautiful and unique gardens in his own inimitable way.

BLOG OF THE MONTH
GGW PICTURE THIS WINNERS - MARCH 2010
* The effervescent site Gardening Gone Wild has released the results of their contest, entitled Awakening.
Check out not only great pics of early spring, but get to know some blogs where the entries originated.
Gardening Gone Wild, out of Pennsylvania, has a flurry of activity on it's site, featuring guest contributors, galleries, advice and much more. It's also our blog of the month. Congrats, GGW!

GARDENING NEWS - MARCH, 2010




SPRING GARDEN CHECKLIST

*Sent to us from our friends at the Herb Companion.

PRUNING CRABAPPLE TREES AT THE HORT FARM
Great time at the UVM Hort farm on Saturday, March 27. Curator Mark (coyote) B. and his sidekick Paul led the pruning workshop, attacking some crabbies on the west side that really needed attention. About 20 people attended, including a gaggle of master gardeners.
The important points laid out by Mark were:
1. Cut all deadwood and crossed branches.
2. Think of where each branch will be in five years. Have a reason for each cut.
3. Only chop 25 or 30 per cent each year to reduce trauma.


BENNINGTON COMMUNITY GARDENS ROCK!
*Nice story about the Bennington community gardens from horticulturist Shelly Stiles, who is the district manager with the Bennington County Conservation District. She also recounts memories of a gone but not forgotten community garden in NYC; the growing of a hardy orange, golf-ball size, that smelled like warm honey, and the rose that Babe Ruth planted.
You can link to the Bennington Banner article here.

GORGEOUS GARDENS AND GREEN LIVING SHOW SUMMARY
*One of the reasons I started this blog was because I felt the Vermont gardening community did not get enough press. The Gorgeous Gardens show is a great example. While there was plenty of coverage on the front end, there has been scant coverage on the back end, after the show. Sometimes I can't make a show but would love to read all about it, as if I was there. Details on how the 'Gorgeous' show went are almost non-existent, but the Rutland Herald comes shining through. Here's a nice wrap-up of Saturday's gathering from Susan Smallheer at the Herald.

MAPLE CREEMEES AT BRAGG FARM IN EAST MONTPELIER
*We took a family trip to Bragg Farm on Saturday, March 13 and enjoyed some ultrayummy maple creemees, which are made with grade B syrup. Jeff, Barb and crew made us feel like we were visiting relatives. Going for a ride ? Keep them in mind.
Here's a great piece about the Bragg's from one of our favorite new Vermont blogs, Happy Vermont.


Last year. our small white crocuses were up by March 26. What about this year?


SURPRISE!
March 12, 2010. Crocuses spotted facing east. Little purple and yellow buggers. Way early!

COFFEE GROUNDS AND GARDENING

* As a working gardener, I delight in being able to use natural sources as fertilizers and soil enhancers. I care for a number of rhododendron sets, and often recommend or actually use coffee grounds in place of, or along with, Muracid. Here is a nice article from Kathy LaLiberte, Director of Gardening at Gardener's Supply. She describes the different ways that she uses coffee grounds around the flower and veggie gardens, and also the compost pile.

In The Garden is back!
WJOY-AM 1230 - Thursday mornings from 9-10 starting March 4 through October.

* You know spring is right around the corner when you hear Charlie Nardozzi and Ginny McGehee talkin' gardening, food, baseball among many other subjects on Thursday mornings. Their first show in 2010 was March 4, and they covered seed starting, Christmas Cacti, the Yankees (woo-hoo), and the Philly flower show, along with numerous other tidbits. They are a wonderful precursor to another exciting growing season!

BLOG OF THE MONTH IS...
*...Dave's Garden. All we can say is - WOW!

TOP 10 RULES for SPRING GARDENING
*Just for kicks, we subscribe to HGTV.com and were sent this nice article complete with great spring garden photos.

Gardening news - February, 2010

* Thinking seeds? We are. In fact, a week ago, we planted some Cosmos Bipinnatus and, gosh - they're three feet high already! Just kidding. But they are bolting out of the starting gate. Almost time for a new pot.
For great seed journalism, take a peek at Cheryl Dorschner's article Seed purveyors: A regional sampler from New England. Good stuff.

*VERMONT NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION AWARDS
As of this posting, the Burlington Free Press is the only media venue we've seen which covered the first annual industry awards (2-10-2010) from Green Works. Winners include Landshapes, Treeworks and Middlebury College, among others. See the article here.

*Isn't this light purple rose beautiful? I found a few of these at a flower shop in Essex.

*Stumbled on an article by Henry Homeyer listing all the spring garden shows in the northeast. Yeehaw! What a find. it's an index and description of displays from Norwich to Philly.
This is the first comprehensive roster of 2010 show information that we've seen anywhere.

Also, Mr Homeyer shares the wording from a funny bumper sticker he's seen in the past.
One can catch all of this and more on the darn good website Gardening-Guy.com, including old New York Times articles. Enjoy.

* NORTH HILL BOYS IN CONNECTICUT
Yup, they're in the news again. The team of Eck and Winterrowd gave a presentation to a standing- room- only crowd at the Connecticut Hort Society. Hartford Courant has the story.

* THE MEDITATIVE GARDENER
Vermont author and Master Gardener Cheryl Wilfong presents a book combining the worlds of meditation and gardening. Publishers Weekly writeup.

* BLOG OF THE MONTH
Our blog of the month is Cold Climate Gardening, a tidy, busy, fun blog out of upstate New York. Read their latest and enjoy.

* FIVE REASONS TO PLANT HERBAL GROUNDCOVERS
Sent to us by the Herbal Companion.

* *GARDENER'S SUPPLY ANNOUNCES WINTER SEMINARS
Seminars run from Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 to Saturday, April 24, 2010. There are 13 of them, with presenters ranging from author/square foot gardener/engineer/TV personality Mel Bartholomew (well worth the twenty bucks!) to local expert
Charlie Nardozzi ( well worth the ten bucks!).

*
*INTERESTED IN BATS?
South Burlington "bat advocate", or "bat-vocate" Barry Genzlinger will talk about White Nose Disease.
UVM Hort Farm - Feb. 6 - 10am-noon

Gardening News - January, 2010



*PLANT CHANGES POLLINATORS!

Cunning Nicotiana plant magically switches pollinating from night to morn to blow off Hornworm stalkers! Recent issue of Current Biology explains.

*
What's the 2010 Herb of the Year?
According to the Herb Companion, it's this.

*
UVM Plant and Soil Scientist Exposes Crazy Snakeworm
Josef Gorres makes the Free Press with his research of a worm with a big appetite. Read the article.


*GARDENER'S SUPPLY ANNOUNCES WINTER SEMINARS
Seminars run from Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 to Saturday, April 24, 2010. There are 13 of them, with presenters ranging from author/square foot gardener/engineer/TV personality Mel Bartholomew (well worth the twenty bucks!) to local expert
Charlie Nardozzi ( well worth the ten bucks!).

*LAST CHANCE FOR MASTER GARDENER COURSE SIGNUP

Deadline is Thursday, January 21. More info from Master Gardener site.


*BOSTON FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW MARCH 27
Buy tickets now for the March show.
Green Mountain Tours is also going to the show, hosted by Dave Hamlen from Hamlen's Garden Center.


*WHAT COLOR IS A MARSH MARIGOLD?
Wanna see a nice pic of a Marsh Marigold, courtesy of Vermont Wildflower Farm?
Here you go.


*INTERESTED IN BATS?
South Burlington "bat advocate", or "bat-vocate" Barry Genzlinger will talk about White Nose Disease.
UVM Hort Farm - Feb. 6 - 10am-noon


*THINKING ABOUT SEED STARTING?
Excellent piece from Friends of Burlington Gardens.


*BLOG OF THE MONTH - GARDEN RANT
This is our blog of the month. Geez, we could be on this site all year and not get to everything! Check it out.
  • Richard Hawke of the Chicago Botanic Garden will be speaking at the Northern New England nursery conference in Concord, N.H. UVM is a cosponsor. Foster's .com has the details.
  • Henry Homeyer has a great new article on problem plants entitled 'Do Not Try This at Home'. It gave me a different outlook on the Queen of the Prairie.
  • Hurry, hurry! Vt. Master Gardener course 2010 deadline is January 21, 2010 and starts on February 2, 2010. More info from the Vermont Master Gardener website.
  • The North Hill gardening duo, Eck and Winterrowd (sounds like a 60's folk group), are once again gracing the pages of the Times Sunday Book Review, this time on account of their very special book, Our Life In Gardens, being presented in paperback form. Wow! Has it been almost a year since I read the book after seeing the boys at the Vermont Flower show in Essex. Geez! Time flies when you're getting older! Ha-ha.
  • UVM's Leonard Perry gets some ink in the Times, talking about vertical gardening. Yup! Vertical gardening. Learn about it here.
  • USDA recently plunked 41 million dollars into an emergency fund to help Massachusetts fight the Asian Longhorned Beetle, an invasive pest which attacks healthy hardwood trees. Click for USDA report.