News
Garden SOS Walk
March 7, 2010
Walk around your garden to check for any plants that may have heaved or “popped” out of the earth over the cold winter. Replant perennials and over-wintered annuals by digging a deeper hole. Then top dress with new mulch. The fluctuating soil temperatures from freezing to thawing pushes the plants out of their original holes.
Pick up any branches, dropped fruit or diseased leaves as you walk. Your efforts to keep the garden clean saves you time this spring.
Citizen Scientists Needed for Project Budburst
February 17, 2010
Pick a shrub, grass, conifer, wildflower or tree in your yard and document it’s date of first leaf, first flower and more throughout the year. Register and report your findings on-line to participate in Project BudBurst. Thanks to your help in recording the timing of various aspects of growth — you’ll contribute to valuable environmental information that can be compared to historical records. With this information, scientists can learn more about how weather and climate change affects people and environments around the globe.
Over 100 botanists, researchers and scientists are involved in Project Budburst managed by The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. The project is operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) under a cooperative agreement with its primary sponsor, The National Science Foundation.
So get your mom, the kids and other families on your block to get outside and take a closer look!
Gifts for your Gardener Valentine!
February 12, 2010
As your gardener sweetheart dreams of you — and warmer weather — show you really care. Cupid suggests–
Yes to Felco brand by-pass pruners; Micheal Durr’s book, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants; a gift certificate from your local nursery; membership to a local garden; a subscription to a gardening magazine or a contribution to a local school’s garden project. If you are in the metro Washington, D.C. area — add a gift certificate for a landscape consultation by Denise Vogt Designs, Interiors and Landscapes (rate $60.00/hour. )
Cupid suggests a black plastic garden trug to hold all your sweeties goodies. Add a handmade card and really make her/his heart go lub-dub.
Heavy Snow Havoc for Trees and Shrubs
February 10, 2010
Heavy snow cover on trees and shrubs can damage valuable landscaping by breaking limbs and pulling down branches. Protect your investment by clearing snow from your plants. Lifting the weight of the snow is sometimes enough to allow plants to spring back to their upright position! Read my earlier Post on best methods for removing snow, January 8, Snow and Ice Removal from Shrubs. Home and business owners should be aware of another potential problem! Foundation plantings are in harm’s way when snow on your roof begins to melt and crash to the ground.
After a heavy winter of snow, expect your spring clean up to include careful pruning of damaged plants. It may include removal of plants and trees too damaged to be saved. It’s an opportunity to revitalize your landscaping. Contact a reliable landscape designer for advice on plant care and design considerations.
On the positive side, birds and other wildlife benefit from exposed plantings. You have increased their options for food and shelter. Thank you, thank you.
Armchair Gardeners, Seeds in “Arty” Packs
January 31, 2010
The Hudson Valley Seed Library (HVSL) site brightened my cabin fever day. The library’s goal is to develop a network of organic and certified naturally grown seed growers in their area (Accord, NY). This year they offer over 25 varieties of locally grown seeds. They also offer seed packs of seeds from member gardeners and farmers and seeds from wholesale suppliers. Each pack comes with detailed planting instructions.
If their good intentions and hard work don’t impress you, their creative seed pack artwork should. Their snazzy seed “art packs” images are designed by different artists who were asked to interpret the beauty inherent in “heirloom gardening and seed-saving. “
Ken Greene and Doug Muller run the HVSL operation. Linda-Brook Guenther puts in a lot of hours, too. Wendy Hollender is the artist behind the fabulous illustration on the Basil Bouquet seed pack.
