In my last post I mentioned the preparations for the Chelsea Flower Show and this is the week that the show opens its doors to the public. Each year sees more and more ambitious designs to the extent that there is some adverse press comment that the structures are taking over from the flowers. For [...]
I found this article by Brian Minter about using vines to solve garden problems. “Looking for a simple but fast cover-up to screen an old fence or wall, an unsightly building or a nosy neighbour? Why not try some interesting and attractive vines?” His review covers most of the common vines including Virginia Creeper, Hummingbird [...]
Tags:aggressive plants·climbing plants·potting soil·thugs·vines
“No Excuses, Just Vegetables” is the title of an article by Mike Lieberman in which he shows how, with a little ingenuity, even apartment dwellers can grow their own veggies. “It’s worth the time and effort if you grow even one herb or vegetable. It will make a difference” he says. Of course he really [...]
Tags:balcony·containers·foraging·micro-greens·sprouts·vegetables·veggies
Shortly after I moved to my present home some seven years ago, I planted two plum trees. One was a greengage and the other a victoria plum. At the garden center there were several fine specimens of the victoria plum, but with the greengage it was a different story. As far as I can remember [...]
Tags:fruit trees·greengage·plum·victoria
I know it’s rather late but I have just noticed an article on new plants for 2011 and this has prompted me to check a few sites to see what new varieties are on offer this year. Black and white seem to be common themes with the Black Velvet petunia and the Coconut Ice sunflower [...]
Tags:burlap·DIY·gadgets·herb·new plants·Queen Anne's Lace·wild carrot
As someone who tries to stick to organic principles and avoids the use of pesticides wherever possible, I am always interested to hear of ways to encourage natural predators. We all know that ladybugs eat aphids and so I always try to give them a helping hand to find their prey. And there are now [...]
Tags:biocontrol·crabapple·gardener·invasive plants·natural predators·personality test
Vertical gardening is not a new idea. Garden writers have for many years suggested that people with small courtyard gardens should make the most of the space by growing climbing plants up the walls and fences bounding their property. But new forms of vertical gardening are emerging. Some like the “green wall” covered with ferns [...]
Tags:arbors·brown marmorated stink bug·Capability Brown·climbing plants·Diarmuid Gavin·fence·giant veggies·trellis·vertical gardening
I’ve just come across a recent study that claims that vegetables grown using chemical fertilizers contain more vitamins and so may be better for you than organic produce. This is a report by the British consumer magazine Which? and has caused some consternation among organic gardeners. The claims follow a two year study growing potatoes, [...]
Tags:chemical fertilizer·organic·pesticides·unusual seeds·vegetables
Maybe you think it’s still too cold, but “There are actually many tasks that need to be done in February to kick off a great growing season” according to Susan Owens a Celina resident and a Collin County Master Gardener. She recommends you should start with a soil test and then complete your pruning before [...]
Tags:Aquaponics·groundcover·hydroponics·lawn·pruning·Walls o’ Water
Image via Wikipedia As usual as the holiday season approaches there is no shortage of advice on suitable gifts for gardeners. Plants are popular presents, but some common varieties are a little tricky to care for indoors in the middle of winter. Poinsettias are a particular problem. In past years I have found articles advising [...]
Tags:amaryllis·Egypt·holiday plants·houseplants·mistletoe·pharaoh·poinsettias
