Green Thumb
Gardening has been a lifelong passion for Wende and she’d like to share her passion with her readers. Follow her as she writes about her gardening adventures, lists tasks to do depending on the season, and gives easy to understand gardening advice.
Ideas for Container Gardening
Now that Spring is here (almost) I'm sure the gardeners reading this are starting to dream of beautiful flowers blooming in their yards. It's also the time for gardening catalogs showing up in mailboxes, sales flyers for Steins and coupons from smaller greenhouses. I always treasure The Gardener's Idea Book from Proven Winners that comes in the mail. I got on their email list a few years ago and they automatically mail it out. http://www.provenwinners.com/ Proven Winners are particularly hardy annuals, perennials and shrubs and are available at several outlets. Their website will search for retailers near you. If you are a beginning gardener, they have lists of the easiest plants to grow and will make you look like a star if you follow their advice and water and feed your plants correctly.
Seeds 101
It's time to start some seeds indoors if you are the type that likes to do this. It's not for everyone, but if you have the time it can be really rewarding. I find it really helps pull you out of the winter doldrums most of us gardeners have as it gets us actually "doing" something garden-like instead of just dreaming about it!
USDA Unveils NEW Plant Hardiness Zone Map
Great News! After 20 years, the USDA has updated the Plant Hardiness Zones! Beware, our Zone 4 (or 5 depending on where you live) has now become Zone 5b (-15 to -10F). The new 13 zone map has been brought into the internet age with GIS-based interactive maps and more accurate zones that take into consideration things like elevation, terrain, and closeness to bodies of water. Using a 30 year timespan (unlike the 1990 version that used a 13 yr span), many more weather stations, and expert input from the climatic and horticultural community, the map is much more accurate than it was plus it shows a 5 degree increase (warmer) overall for the US.
Bumblebee In a Pollen Coma
We've been watching bees the last few days on my giant marigolds. They fly into the flowers and seem to just go into a coma. I thought they we're dying! But they eventually start moving and then fly away. Very strange!
Do You Grow Dishcloths?
I know, the headline grabbed you, right? It grabbed me too, and I had to read on. I get a daily email from TipNut.com and this was in with today's tips. I thought they must be kidding, but they aren't. Take a look at it!
A Fall Favorite - Ornamental Kale
As Fall brings freezing temps at night, annuals have all but disappeared, but that doesn't mean that your garden has to stop showing off. There are some cold temperature hardy plants that provide beautiful color and interesting shapes during this season. Ornamental kale is one of my favorites.
