Gardening Tips

New Northwest garden books run from yard art to organic flowersNews from The Seattle Times:
NORTHWEST GARDEN writers are coming on strong this spring, with books on everything from free-range chickens to crafting a pergola of plumbing pipes. Gardening is nothing if not local, so you can be sure that the featured plants, techniques and materials suit our climate. Every one of these authors gardens in the Seattle area — except for Willi Galloway, but Portland qualifies as local.
“Handmade Garden Projects: Step-by-Step Instructions for Creative Garden Features, Containers, Lighting & [...] Continue Reading…

If the Chelsea Flower Show is too posh for you, try the Chelsea FringeNews from The Independent:Chelsea clashed with Bayern Munich in the Champions League last night, and tomorrow the Chelsea Flower Show will burst into life. But there is a third institution carrying the name of London’s most upmarket district: the Chelsea Fringe, a three-week festival of nearly 80 gardening-themed events which began yesterday.
In its first year, the Chelsea Fringe features gardens, art installations and performances, which are mostly free and open to all ages.
The Independent on Sunday [...] Continue Reading…

‘Grow, Cook, Eat’ for aspiring gardeners, cooksNews from San Francisco Chronicle:

Sasquach Books
Willi Galloway shows readers not only how to grow food, such as fava beans, but how to prepare it as well, in “Grow, Cook, Eat: A Food Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening.”

These days the news is full of food trends. Most of them, including eating locally, eating more healthfully, eating organic food and vegetarianism, encourage us to use fresh ingredients – advice that leads us into the garden.
“Grow, Cook, Eat: A Food Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening” is [...] Continue Reading…

For gardeners and other plant-lovers, here’s a sampling of regional events:News from Philadelphia Inquirer:
For gardeners and other plant-lovers, here’s a sampling of regional events:
Bucks County Designer House & Gardens Premier designers & landscapers revitalize an 1850s Dutch Colonial house, barn & pool into a timeless Bucks County estate. Bucks County Designer House & Gardens, 3864 Spring Valley Rd., Doylestown; Reservations recommended: 215-345-2191. www.buckscountydesignerhouse.org/. $ 20-$ 25. 5/18.
” Burlington County Gardeners Association Plant Faire Plant sale featuring vegetables, herbs & ornamentals. New Albany Road Recreation Center, 109 New [...] Continue Reading…

Garden Tips: Get to know which insects, diseases threaten tomatoesNews from Memphis Commercial Appeal:
Tomatoes, the most popular vegetable grown in home gardens, can be attacked by a number of diseases and insects.
Blossom end rot causes the bottom of the tomato to turn dark and hard. There is no cure for this, but it can be prevented.
Have your soil tested for the proper pH. Blossom end rot is caused by a lack of calcium in the soil. Tomatoes need a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Also, keep tomatoes moist [...] Continue Reading…

Secret gardens revealed in AmsterdamNews from Kansas City Star:

By KATHY VAN MULLEKOM
Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)

By KATHY VAN MULLEKOM
Updated: 2012-05-17T12:07:37Z

During the third weekend of June, 30 of the most private gardens in Amsterdam are open to the public as part of Open Garden Days. Some of them are opening for the first time ever, according to a press release from the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions.
The gardens, hidden behind the stately facades and canals of Amsterdam, are true oases of peace and greenery – many of them [...] Continue Reading…

Concord landscape designer offers tips on vertical gardeningNews from San Jose Mercury News:

CONCORD — Susan Morrison says that while her garden may be small, it’s filled with huge possibilities.
It’s a sanctuary and retreat at the end of a long workday for Morrison and her husband, or when she’s looking for inspiration during solo time. Surrounding her are a variety of flowers and plants, including “Betty Boop” roses, Rhododendrons, succulents and herbs. In the middle of the garden stands a metal sculpture by artist Chad Glashoff.
“That’s my peace lady,” said [...] Continue Reading…

Gardening Book Teaches Easier Vegetable Seed StartingNews from Albany Times Union:
Seeds of the Month Club retailer and “Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person” author, Michael C. Podlesny, recently released the 2nd edition of his book, adding in areas to emphasize how easy and more cost effective it is to start a vegetable garden from seed.
Burlington, NJ (PRWEB) May 14, 2012
Seeds of the Month Club retailer and Vegetable Gardening for the Average Person author, Michael C. Podlesny, recently released the 2nd edition of his book, adding in areas to emphasize [...] Continue Reading…

Gardeners’ Fair coming to Wellesley on SundayNews from Boston.com:

By Evan Allen, Town Correspondent
Looking to spruce up your yard for the summer time? Head over to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Annual Gardener’s Fair at Elm Bank in Wellesley on Sunday, May 20.
Attendees will be able to purchase perennials, trees, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and dozens of varieties of tomatoes.
White Flower Farm will bring The Great Tomato Celebration – over 80 tomato varieties and experts to talk about differences in flavor, yield, disease resistance and planting.
Deer eating your garden? Figure it out [...] Continue Reading…

Victory Gardens to Sprout Up with Saturday BlitzNews from Patch.com:
Access to fresh, healthy food is a right, Gretchen Mead says, even for city dwellers.
A small army of volunteers will take to yards in Milwaukee and Shorewood next week, pushing some hundreds of pounds of soil and seeding more than 220 raised beds in the Victory Garden Initiative’s fourth annual “Victory Garden Blitz.”
The message: look beyond the produce aisle and into their own yards.
“We’re going to be moving close to 300 yards of soil all around the city, so it’s [...] Continue Reading…