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| DAISIES IN BURLINGTON 11-08-11. AMAZING! |
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2011
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| Aster 'Purple Dome' |
Lots of folks wondering about the pretty light purple flowers proliferating in Chittenden County this October. They are the Aster dumosus 'Danny Boy', also known as Michaelmas daisies; or Aster novae-angeliae 'Purple Dome'. The latter is a darker colored variety; the 'Danny Boy' is more lavender.
Home Depot has been selling the 'Purple Dome', which might explain the increase in sightings.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011
| October (section I) | |||||||||||||
| by Louise Glück | |||||||||||||
Is it winter again, is it cold again, didn't Frank just slip on the ice, didn't he heal, weren't the spring seeds planted didn't the night end, didn't the melting ice flood the narrow gutters wasn't my body rescued, wasn't it safe didn't the scar form, invisible above the injury terror and cold, didn't they just end, wasn't the back garden harrowed and planted-- I remember how the earth felt, red and dense, in stiff rows, weren't the seeds planted, didn't vines climb the south wall I can't hear your voice for the wind's cries, whistling over the bare ground I no longer care what sound it makes when was I silenced, when did it first seem pointless to describe that sound what it sounds like can't change what it is-- didn't the night end, wasn't the earth safe when it was planted didn't we plant the seeds, weren't we necessary to the earth, the vines, were they harvested? | |||||||||||||
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2011
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| 'Sunny Day' Coreopsis - Can you spot the bumblebee? |
These plants are one of the workhorses of the garden, with long-lasting blooms and very low on the "needy" scale. Just plop them somewhere with a lot of sun, deadhead 'em once in a while, and they'll do the rest. This particular cultivar is hardy to 30 freaking below. Man!
Now that I'm thinking of it, A lot of my customers don't grow Coreopsis. Maybe this snappy little plant will be moved up on my recommendation list.
If you love the color yellow, go for it!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011
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| Cosmos in an Essex Center field |
The roots were the size of Baby Ruth candy bars, some of them, and the flowers back in June were not spectacular, meaning it was time to cut 'em up. At the end, I was honored with a few divisions, which is a great perk in my business.
Throwing Peonies back in the ground can be tricky; plant too shallow and the eyes freeze, plant too deep and you might not get great blooms, if any at all.
Here's a link to a cool Peony place on the web. Peony's Envy is a well known nursery in New Jersey.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011
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| Hey! It's not 4 o'clock yet! |
I'd like to say I have a green thumb when it comes to Mirabilis, but not really. Truth is...I CAN'T GET RID OF 'EM. But I'm actually happy about it now, since they give off fall color.
*Some other flowers notable for fall color are Marigolds, Asters, Zinnias and Dusty Miller. If you plant Dusty Miller in late spring, don't give up the ship if they look beleaguered during the summer - they usually come back to a roaring presence in late summer/early fall.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
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| SEDUM COMING |
SEDUM TIDBITS
- Also known as Stonecrop, which is the perfect name to me. I have a gardening client who has pink Sedum growing on a bank with stones interspersed. Great contrast.
- After the first frost this fall, cut the stems back to about an inch from the soil.
- Every spring, sprinkle some compost around the base. No need for fancy additives.
Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant’s living roof has 10.4 acres of Sedum!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
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| Turtleheads |
I have two clients, one in Burlington and one in Essex, graced with the presence of the genus Chelone (kay-LOW-nee), otherwise known to most of us as Turtleheads, or Hot Lips.
These pretty pink flowers give great color to a garden in September, when choices are limited. Chelone is Zone 4 hardy, requires adequate moisture, and some type of acidy soil amendment once in a while, maybe some coffee grounds.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
These baby blue Petunias (pictured above) have been cranking since May. Amazing! We threw in some Dusty Miller for contrast.
Petunias are native to Argentina and are really a tropical flower, which is why I wait til the end of May to plant them - I find they are stronger, more vibrant and last longer if I don't throw them in the ground too early.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2011
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| Ladies and Gentlemen - the...Honeysuckle |
- We've been waiting for the splendid Lonicera (Trumpet Honeysuckle) sempervirens to dazzle us; it's at its best right now. A little unruly, but, hey, that's what my shears are for.
- I'm always interested where plant names come from - Lonicera come from the dashing renaissance botanist Adam Lonicer, who, in 1500's Germany, was a doctor, math whiz, botanist, publisher, writer and scholar. Whew! I guess one can accomplish a bunch when one isn't tied to a TV or cell phone.
- I'm always reminded to mulch the roots of my client's Honeysuckle, never do, and the thing always looks fabulous, darling. La-de-da.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011
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| 3-in-1 Butterfly Bush |
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| Hydrangea - up close and personal |
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
- What a great time for Butterfly Bush lovers. One of my clients has a beautiful multi-color Buddleia, ordered through a catalog. The lavender, magenta and white flowers are mixed together and look positively stunning - right now. Up top is a pic of a 3-in-1 Butterfly Bush from Spring Hill Nursery.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2011
A COUNTRY INCIDENT
Absorbed in planting bulbs, that work of hope,
I was startled by a loud human voice,
“Do go on working while I talk. Don’t stop!”
And I was caught upon the difficult choice—
To yield the last half hour of precious light,
Or to stay on my knees, absurd and rude;
I willed her to be gone with all my might,
This kindly neighbor who destroyed a mood;
I could not think of next spring any more,
I had to re-assess the way I live.
Long after I went in and closed the door,
I pondered on the crude imperative.
What it is to be caught up in each day
Like a child fighting imaginary wars,
Converting work into this passionate play,
A rounded whole made up of different chores
Which one might name haphazard meditation.
And yet an unexpected call destroys
Or puts to rout my primitive elation:
Why be so serious about mere joys?
Is this where some outmoded madness lies,
Poet as recluse? No, what comes to me
Is how my father looked out of his eyes,
And how he fought for his own passionate play.
He could tear up unread and throw away
Communications from officialdom,
And, courteous in every other way,
Would not brook anything that kept him from
Those lively dialogues with man’s whole past
That were his intimate and fruitful pleasure.
Impetuous, impatient to the last,
“Be adamant, keep clear, strike for your treasure!”
I hear the youthful ardor in his voice
(And so I must forgive a self in (labor).
I feel his unrepentant smiling choice,
(And so I ask forgiveness of my neighbor).
I was startled by a loud human voice,
“Do go on working while I talk. Don’t stop!”
And I was caught upon the difficult choice—
To yield the last half hour of precious light,
Or to stay on my knees, absurd and rude;
I willed her to be gone with all my might,
This kindly neighbor who destroyed a mood;
I could not think of next spring any more,
I had to re-assess the way I live.
Long after I went in and closed the door,
I pondered on the crude imperative.
What it is to be caught up in each day
Like a child fighting imaginary wars,
Converting work into this passionate play,
A rounded whole made up of different chores
Which one might name haphazard meditation.
And yet an unexpected call destroys
Or puts to rout my primitive elation:
Why be so serious about mere joys?
Is this where some outmoded madness lies,
Poet as recluse? No, what comes to me
Is how my father looked out of his eyes,
And how he fought for his own passionate play.
He could tear up unread and throw away
Communications from officialdom,
And, courteous in every other way,
Would not brook anything that kept him from
Those lively dialogues with man’s whole past
That were his intimate and fruitful pleasure.
Impetuous, impatient to the last,
“Be adamant, keep clear, strike for your treasure!”
I hear the youthful ardor in his voice
(And so I must forgive a self in (labor).
I feel his unrepentant smiling choice,
(And so I ask forgiveness of my neighbor).
May Sarton
(If one enjoys the garden, one might appreciate May Sarton's journals, especially Plant Dreaming Deep)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2011
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011
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| What is more beautiful - a rainbow or Phlox? |
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
* It's time for the Phlox festival! This wonderful native plant is a joy for working gardeners, as it gives us a shout from Mother Nature, as if she is saying," Hey, I ain't done yet!"Please don't let water puddle up with Phlox; they can suffer from mildew and fungi, along with mites looking for food and moisture.
Believe it or not, Phlox don't need a lot of fert this time of year, better to give them a good dose in the spring.
Have you seen hummingbirds feeding from your Phlox? Turns out that Phlox has a high nectar count, enabling the H-birds to beef up for their winter trip down south.
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011
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| HOLY COLEUS, BATMAN! * Remember - you can take cuttings from Coleus in the fall and grow neat looking houseplants for winter. Most Coleus root easily. * The variety 'Black Magic', is sun tolerant and can hang out in crappy soil. * If you keep Coleus inside, don't water too much. Let the soil dry a bit before watering. If your Coleus is outside, don't let it stay wet. It's a tropical plant, and is semi-drought tolerant. |
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2011
| Quiz: What are these? |
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
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| 'Magic Fire' |
- Spent yesterday planting Rhododendrons and 'Magic Fire' Hydrangeas. With Rhodies, one must make sure not to set the base in too deep, for the roots are shallow and poor placement can affect flower production. With the 'Magic Fire', the flowers turn, magically, from white to red in late summer.
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011
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| July blooming 'Lion King' Iris |
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| 3 shades of Astilbe |
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
- Planted some Dwarf Bee Balm for a customer today (Monarda x. 'Petite Delight'). Beautiful lavender pink flowers and dark green foliage. Let's see if it stays at a foot and a half!
- What a glorious time to have many colors of Astilbe to greet us in the morn. The reds, pinks, creams and lilacs. An old-timer told me that Astilbes can be divided even in flower but I've never tried it. They are one tough plant, though.
- Want an Iris that is still in bloom in July? Think about the 'Lion King', a stately Japanese Iris which is lighter purple with a splash of white. A customer has three in bloom right now, July 14.(See above pic which came from White Flower Farm)
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011
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| WISH THE MAGNOLIA TREE WAS STILL IN BLOOM |
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
- - Time to give the tomatoes some chow; they like seafood, more particularly fish emulsion. After spreading it, you just have to hold your nose for a couple of days!
- - Aren't the Astilbes brilliant this year, most likely from the soggy spring. One of my clients has a beautiful spread of burgundy, creme and soft red Astilbes mixed in with some cute Primula. Or would it be Primuli?
- - Ahhh! My Brussel Sprout leaves have holes! Time to get in the shed and see where I misplaced the Neem Oil.
- - The Jerusalem Artichokes are getting there, about 7 feet tall and looking feisty. Can't wait for those darling yellow flowers. Thanks for the division, Gwen. I hope you can smell the flowers from above.
- - Sometimes I can't believe I get paid to weed, among other things. Weeding can be super when one has Bach Cello Suites on the headphones.
23rd of June, 2011
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| Lovely iris hangin' with Sammy Spirea |
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
- Still planting. Threw in some Cinnamon Basil (cute little flowers), Peppermint, Greek Oregano and dill.
- Some tips for your annuals.
Celosia - they love sun but droop if overwatered.
Cosmos - only water if plant is wilting.
Marigold - deadhead liberally
Petunias - love the sun and water
- Hollytoned the Astilbes, as they like their dirt on the acidic side.
- Peonies saying bye-bye. Must remember to add wood ash to the roots this fall.
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
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| THE INSIDE OF A FOXGLOVE (Digitalis) |
* After working in the garden, it's time for Iris spring. (pun, pun, pun)
* If one hasn't cleaned up their ornamental grasses, one should promptly do it now.
* Threw some coffee grounds around the Bleeding Hearts and could swear they instantly got stronger, bigger, and better!
* Planted some Dutchman's Pipe. (They're great if you need something to climb up the side of the house!)
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2011
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| Lots of rain - lots of Trilliums |
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
* Almost time to put in the Supertunias; they are remarkable annuals that come in cool colors, a vibrant pink, black velvet, sangria, and many more.
* Great time to sprinkle some coffee grounds around the Astilbes; they like their soil a little on the acidy side. With all this rain, my personal Astilbes are looking strong.
* Had some extra Muracid left, so I threw it on the Bleeding Hearts. Keep an eye out for aphids on these plants.
* I have one client with healthy Geraniums all over the place. I like to shake them and smell the sweet perfume for a while.
* Put up the Peony cages
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011
WORKING GARDENER'S JOURNAL
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| Lilac injured yet putting out buds |
but soon enough not to do any harm.
* Also cut back Astilbe; new growth looking positive.
* Spread coffee grounds around Rhodies and Viburnums.
* Cut back Dusty Millers. They are a tricky plant; in some areas in Chittenden County they thrive with zero attention, other areas they need protection, ie: near a wall or hedging.
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2011
DAILY "ROUNDUP"
Do you use Roundup or know someone that does? Check this out from Dr Mercola.
Monsanto's herbicidal chemical glyphosate could cause infertility or cancer. It may also be speeding the growth of super weeds and causing worrying changes to plants and soil.
The chemical, which has long been touted as a safe part of global food production, is now at a crossroads. Regulators in the United States and Canada are conducting a formal review of glyphosate's safety, even as lawsuits are pending and some groups are calling for a global ban.
According to Reuters:
Monsanto plans to include GM soybean oil in every product it can -- baked goods, baking mixes, breakfast cereals, cheeses, frozen dairy desserts, pasta, gravies and sauces, fruit juices, snack foods, candy, soups, and more.
According to Forbes:
According to Robin's extensive documentation, this is because what really matters to Monsanto is control of the world seed market. To that end, they have genetically engineered seeds that are resistant to, and therefore dependent on, Roundup, Monsanto's herbicide, which nets them gigantic profits.
Green Left reports:
Do you use Roundup or know someone that does? Check this out from Dr Mercola.
Monsanto Chemical Shown to Cause Infertility and Super Weeds
Posted By Dr. Mercola | April 29 2011 | 4,699 views
Monsanto's herbicidal chemical glyphosate could cause infertility or cancer. It may also be speeding the growth of super weeds and causing worrying changes to plants and soil.The chemical, which has long been touted as a safe part of global food production, is now at a crossroads. Regulators in the United States and Canada are conducting a formal review of glyphosate's safety, even as lawsuits are pending and some groups are calling for a global ban.
According to Reuters:
"Environmentalists, consumer groups and plant scientists from several countries are warning that heavy use of the chemical over the years is causing dangerous problems for plants, people and animals alike."Monsanto is also only an FDA approval away from its latest monstrosity -- soybeans that have been genetically modified to produce omega-3 fats. That FDA approval is expected this year.
Monsanto plans to include GM soybean oil in every product it can -- baked goods, baking mixes, breakfast cereals, cheeses, frozen dairy desserts, pasta, gravies and sauces, fruit juices, snack foods, candy, soups, and more.
According to Forbes:
"Monsanto is so despised by environmentalists that Google's first suggested search term for the St. Louis company is 'Monsanto evil.' Readers ... voted Monsanto the world's most evil corporation in a January poll, giving the corporation a whopping 51 percent of the vote."Marie-Monique Robin, author of The World According To Monsanto, says that for all Monsanto's talk about the ecological and humanitarian benefits of its chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the solutions have never been delivered.
According to Robin's extensive documentation, this is because what really matters to Monsanto is control of the world seed market. To that end, they have genetically engineered seeds that are resistant to, and therefore dependent on, Roundup, Monsanto's herbicide, which nets them gigantic profits.
Green Left reports:
"GMOs and Roundup, says Robin, are amongst the 'most dangerous products of modern times', joining a list that is heavily populated by other Monsanto products such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin and bovine growth hormones.You can click on the Green Left link below to read the full story of Monsanto's criminal history.
In all cases, Monsanto has been fully aware of their harmfulness yet has lied about their dangers with an impunity conferred by the collusion between the company and the public health and environmental authorities of successive U.S. governments."
Sources:
| Dr. Mercola's Comments: |   |
March 22, 2011
Hi folks -
Crocus Pocus
- Guess whose Crocuses are blooming. Yes. The purple and yellow darlings are on their way. It helps to have them close to the house, facing east.Batman and Robin
-Super gardeners and WJOY showmen Charlie Nardozzi and Len Perry teaming up for a tour of Vermont gardens and nurseries in July. Some of the places visited will be the Rockefeller gardens in Woodstock, Hayward Gardens in Putney, and Walker Farms in Dummerston. Here's a link from Perry's Perennials.Get Crabby
If you have crabapple trees, now is the time to prune 'em. If you can get through the snow, that is.
MARCH 3, 2011
Hi folks -
THEY"RE BACK
It's a sure sign of spring when you turn on WJOY in March and hear Charlie and Ginny talking "In the Garden".
Yup, their first show of 2011 was this morn, and they mentioned various flower shows, seed starting (get your onions going!), new varieties and a few other things. Charlie was also told that he needs singing lessons from Stan the Cabbie. Good stuff. Catch the replay Saturday at 10 a.m.
It'll cost a family of four about 36 bucks just to get in the door. Wow! Hope it's worth it.
THEY"RE BACK
It's a sure sign of spring when you turn on WJOY in March and hear Charlie and Ginny talking "In the Garden".
Yup, their first show of 2011 was this morn, and they mentioned various flower shows, seed starting (get your onions going!), new varieties and a few other things. Charlie was also told that he needs singing lessons from Stan the Cabbie. Good stuff. Catch the replay Saturday at 10 a.m.
VERMONT FLOWER SHOW
Heard some grumbling about the 15 dollar admission charge at the upcoming Vermont Flower show.It'll cost a family of four about 36 bucks just to get in the door. Wow! Hope it's worth it.
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How Did Roundup Become so Popular?
Cancer, Infertility and Plague Epidemics
A Threat to Future Food Crops (and the Food Chain That Depends on Them)
Superweeds are Getting Out of Control
Monsanto's in it for the Money
Will the EPA Take Action Before it's Too Late?