it should be snowing here, with at least 6" on the ground this time of year. However to date only a sprinkling here and there but mostly rain. I am enjoying it but quite worried this means a searing hot spring & summer......so perhaps i will only grow tomatoes this year..i am a little worried about my fruit trees now...:praying:

Better Homes & Garden Tip............
 

:wateringgarden:

If you're new to gardening like myself, a recent article in the January issue suggests tips on sowing timelines, but mostly importantly they indicate if one has no clue to their area's average frost date they visit garden.com

The article also lists several seed companies and a bit of info on each.....

Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.....
 

The Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants, established in 1986, collects, preserves, and distributes historic plant varieties and strives to promote greater appreciation for the origins and evolution of garden plants.

The program centers on Thomas Jefferson's horticultural interests and the plants he grew at Monticello, and covers the broad history of plants cultivated in America by including varieties documented through the nineteenth century, and choice North American plants, a group of special interest to Jefferson himself.

According to a recent article in Better Homes & Gardens one can buy seeds of plants he tended in his garden at Monticello.

Winter tips for caring of plants inside from the Spruce website...
 

Pay Attention to Temperature
Most plants, like people, are comfortable in daytime temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees F. and nighttime temps above 50 degrees F. To provide that for your plants, keep them away from both cold drafts and sources of heat, like radiators, ovens, fireplaces and electronic devices. Fluctuations in temperature can be just as damaging as prolonged periods of heat or cold.

Low Humidity
Low humidity is probably the biggest hurdle to overcome during winter. The humidity level in heated homes can drop to 10 - 20% in winter and plants prefer a level closer to 50%. If you have a humidifier in your home, move your plants to a spot where they will enjoy its benefits. If you do not have a humidifier, you're going to need to raise the humidity level by other means.Start by clustering your plants in groups. Plants naturally release water through their leaves by transpiring and grouping them together will put that moisture to good use. If you have room in the bathroom or kitchen, these are the best rooms to congregate your plants, other than the one with the humidifier in it, because they accumulate the most moisture from showers and boiling water.:wateringgarden:

from the Bioadvanced website....
 

Winter is probably the easiest time of year to kill a houseplant. Grueling growing conditions like lower light levels, dry air, shorter days and chilly temperatures put houseplants through the paces.

The most common problem houseplants suffer from in winter is over watering. About 95% of houseplants need soil to dry out almost completely before watering. :smelling-flower:

From the Teleflora blog....
 

Give them ample sunlight

:smelling-flower:

Keep in mind that plants get the nourishment they need to grow from the sun. Do your best to give your potted plants as much light as you can during the winter months. Plants left directly under windows get the most light, but if you need to put it elsewhere in the room, leave it by the back wall of the room. If you leave your plants in places of the room that get enough sunlight, you won’t have to worry about looking into artificial sources of light during the winter. During the winter, your southern-facing windows will get the most sunlight. In order to effectively follow the previous tip, it’s best to keep your plants directly under sunlight from the southern-facing windows.

Winter tip from familyhandyman.com
 

Don’t Repot until spring, if possible.


Repotting is very tough on plants, and they will need all their strength in the winter. So hold off on repotting window plants until spring...:bouquet:

Winter garden don'ts from www.mnn.com
 

Fertilize.


This is a time for garden plants to go dormant and rest. Forcing them to start new growth before the ground warms in the spring not only interrupts this period when they are rejuvenating but ice storms and temperatures below freezing or even hard frosts will kill tender new growth.

Be creative...........
 

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...ffee-cakes.jpg


Think outside the box when it comes to containers..:wateringgarden:

If you like color … if you like bulbs … all different kinds of bulbs... I can't recommend these guys enough. I ordered from them a couple of times when I lived in NY. :koolaid:

COLOR BLENDS <-- linky

Then sell bulbs in bulk … so they're pretty economical vs what you'd pay at the Home Depot or Lowes or wherever else... and they're of much better quality. They sell single colors or in some pretty spectacular color combinations. Even if you're in a part of the country that doesn't really get proper "winters" … such as California… they can provide you with insight on how to get bulbs to work in your area. Ohh... they offer a free catalog too!

WOW, thanks! I have already spent WAY too much time on their site....

From Gardensalive....
 

Lucky Bamboo

Did you get some "Lucky Bamboo" over the holidays? Although these pretty plants do look like it, they're not a bamboo of any kind. They're a tropical plant called Dracaena that breaks all the houseplant rules. Most plants need lots of light; but direct sun will kill Lucky Bamboo. The ambient light in the average room is all it needs.
And while most plants would rot if their roots sat in water all the time, Lucky Bamboo requires that amount of constant moisture. But it is finicky about the water itself. The chlorine and fluoride in city tap water will turn the leaves yellow at first and then eventually kill the plant. Use spring water or distilled or purified water instead. Think of the bad karma if you killed your Lucky Bamboo :wateringgarden:

Great!! So glad you like them! I felt like I'd discovered a lil treasure when I found them. :)

Winter tips from savvygardening
 

Preping for a new garden

Planning a new garden bed for next summer in an area where grass or weeds are currently growing? Make it easy on yourself by starting the project right now. First, place a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard over the area, then pile on alternating layers of organic material like compost, leaves, pine needles, untreated grass clippings, and straw. In the spring, the grass and weeds underneath the pile will be dead, and your new garden bed will be ready to plant!

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...8w-Pf0irYzOxxR
Asrai Garden 1935 W North Ave, Chicago

Asrai Garden was founded by Elizabeth Cronin in 1999. It's a retail outpost known for stunning floral arrangements, luxurious fine jewelry, and magical curiosities. Besides floral they also carry hand-painted tarot cards and incense-bundles. Their new online shop highlights many of their offerings ......:bouquet:

https://www.asraigarden.com/#

Tips from The Week Magazine..........
 

This time of year may still be cold and gray, but there's a quick way to conjure some green indoors. Carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, parsnips, rutabagas, and celery root all sport edible greens when planted and set on a sunny windowsill. Just don't use potatoes-their sprouts are toxic....:wateringgarden:

Protect Plants with Cloches... tips from dengarden.com
 

Cloches are removable glass or plastic covers that protect plants from cold. Sometimes called bells or bell jars, most fit over individual plants, but some are large enough to cover a row. Like other covers, cloches should be placed over plants before the sun goes down and removed in the morning after the frost has thawed.

Glass cloches are highly ornamental. When you're not using them outside for frost protection, you can use them indoors over humidity-loving houseplants like violets. You can also use plastic cloches, which are generally less expensive than glass ones. But because they are lightweight, they must be staked into the ground to prevent them from blowing away in high winds.

Note: Since cloches used for cold protection are temporary measures, you may opt to create your own makeshift versions. Flower pots, Mason jars, baskets, and milk jugs with the bottoms removed can all be placed over plants to shield them from freeze and frost. :wateringgarden:

Hoping to get many helpful tips when I visit......
 

The Chicago Flower & Garden Show which takes place at Navy Pier March 20 - 24th. This event has been going since 1847 when the Chicago Horticultural Society hosted its first exhibition of Fruits and Flowers. It boasts a total of 170,000 square footage filled with vendors, landscapers, etc etc

There are also events such as a photography class showing how to use your smartphone to take and share flower pics and a "potting party" class where you can create your own container garden filled with colorful blooms.

Weather permitting, I'll be in Chicago around this time and can't wait to attend this..:wateringgarden:

I so miss Chicago and Navy Pier and the Miracle Mile...my nephews both graduated in one of the giant auditoriums at Navy Pier...one from Loyola and one from Du Paul...that place is beautiful, fun and amazing!

I hope you have a great time out there homoe!
Please post pics so I can live vicariously through you...

I would LOVE to post pics however I don't own a phone with a camera......LOL I keep life simple and use those Kodak disposal camera...

I am curious, did you live in Chicago at one time?

Someone informs me also that Macy's has a flower show around this time in March! I'll post when I either research this or obtain more info~

...
Yippie it's finally spring! So excited I wet my plants.......

Helpful tips from Sunset Magazine's April issue..
 

..

:wateringgarden:

When plotting vegetable bed group plants with similar irrigation needs:you'll save water and keep crops healthy.

Basil, cucumbers, and tomatoes all need consistent water. Herbs such as rosemary, sage, and thyme need only occasional water once they're established.

spring.....:wateringgarden:

bring May :smelling-flower:

5 Essential Spring Gardening Tips from HuffingtonPost...
 

Clean out the garden.

It's time to clean your garden and remove all the debris (leaves, leftover snow, etc.) Get rid of weeds, making sure that you get the roots so they won't grow back.

Revitalize the soil.

Because your soil is likely dried out and packed after winter, it's time to add moisture. Add organic material like compost or manure.

Trim old plants.

Plants that survived the winter will need to be pruned so they'll grow anew in the spring. Make sure to wait until mid-April or May in case there's an unexpected freeze. Blooming plants should be pruned right after they bloom to avoid cutting off future flowers.

Add mulch.

In addition to fertilizers and organic materials, you should think about adding mulch to your flower beds and garden. One to three inches of mulch helps to prevent weeds and diseases. It also keeps the moisture in the garden and maintains the temperature.

Plant new flowers and shrubs.

Once you've gotten the garden in shape and handled all of the old plants, it's time to turn your attention to new plants. Some recommendations for good spring plants include:

Pansies
Snapdragons
Vegetables like lettuce, peas and arugula
Redbuds
Transplanting tomato plants from indoor pots to outside
Lilacs
Tulips
You should lean towards planting more perennials rather than annuals, because annuals have to be replaced every year. This means you're making an investment in plants that will die every year and require replacement. Perennials, on the other hand, last for two to three years.:wateringgarden:

..:wateringgarden:

Several items we planted are growing like weeds, others not so much.....:smelling-flower:

I still have some Sunset mags my mom saved from the 60's and 70's. They're a hoot... the ladies... wives no doubt... are dressed to the nines... to garden! :p lol

Ditto here. :(



I just added a bunch of mulch to the front flower bed. I went with the traditional red much and then saw a house with black mulch! Damn! It looks so cooler... more striking! Any pluses or minuses to black mulch?

I would like a night blooming garden!
 

https://www.ibelieveinmothernature.c...-1-660x330.jpg

A lot of people don’t realize you can grow plants and flowers that bloom at night. Cultivating a magical moon garden is a great way to get in touch with nature, and it provides a beautiful and fragrant backdrop for your moonlight rituals in the summer. If you plant these lovelies close to your house, you can open the windows and take advantage of their aromas as you sleep.

Many night-blooming plants are white and give a luminous appearance in the moonlight.

If you plant them in a circle or a crescent shape, when they bloom, you’ll have the moon herself right there “as above, so below.”

NIGHT BLOOMING PLANTS

Moonflower: Yes, it should be painfully obvious, but the Moonflower does bloom at night. It releases a slightly lemony scent when it opens up, and during the day the white flowers are tightly shut. Some species of this climbing plant, a cousin of the Morning Glory, can get up to eight feet long*. The flowers, when open, are around 5 – 6″ in diameter.

Evening Primrose: This perennial spreads rapidly, and can cover a lot of ground for you. The pale pinkish-white flowers open at dusk and release a sweet aroma.

Night Phlox: these pretties open up at dusk, and have a fragrance reminiscent of honey or vanilla.

Evening Stock: the tiny purple and pink flowers aren’t very fancy, but they smell divine when they open at night.

Angel’s Trumpet: Another vine, this annual spreads like crazy. It is trumpet-shaped, white flowers have a bell-like appearance when open.
Night Gladiolus: this plant isn’t nocturnal, but that’s when the creamy yellow flowers smell the strongest — it’s a very spicy scent that’s a glorious addition to any night garden.

Moonflowers only bloom at night, and the bloom is wilted by morning. They have a really sweet, heavenly smell…


by Patti Wigington of www.thoughtco.com

Tip about keeping plants nutrient rich during heat.......
 

:wateringgarden:

Compost teas help! Companies such as Malibu Compost sell packets that make up to 20 gallons.:bouquet:


We had success using Bu's Brew Biodynamic last year during our unusally hot summer.

Gardening for fall and winter.......
 

Sat July 20th Sky Nursey 18528 Aurora Ave N Shoreline WA Free



Wondering what to plant for your fall and winter food harvest :thanksgiving:

Come enjoy the day receiving tips and advice from the experts...


Sidebar: If you can't make it there perhaps check in your local area..

Edible Plants Walk.........
 

:wateringgarden:

Sat Jul 27th 10 a.m. Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center 1625 118th Ave S.E. Bellevue WA


See the difference between blackberry plants, intro to plants that can be eaten.

For more info phone : 1-206-443-2925

Lyte, my knowledge is theoretical from the degree I'm taking rather than from experience, but yes. Apparently darker mulches will help absorb heat and warm the ground (so good in cooler climates), whilst lighter ones will cool the ground (better in warmer climates; some plants' roots do not like too much warmth) - and reflect light back up to plants helping their photosynthesis. At night, black mulches will allow heat to escape faster, whilst lighter mulches will retain heat better. Its horses for courses as to what is best for your particular situation.

Thank you! Well, it's hot as hell in Texas during the summer time, the time one usually refreshes the layer of mulch. Fortunately, I've got nothing but ornamental grasses growing in that bed so they can stand the heat. Next year... black mulch it is!! :koolaid:

Gardening
 

I had a late bloomer show up this week. A beautiful red rose, so pretty and fragrant. I wish that I knew how to post the photo.

Definitely made my day.

:rrose:

Christmas Tree substitutes..........
 

If you're not wanting to go through all the work of putting up a tree why not consider investing in something that can double as a tree and then afterwards a plant. I found this idea in the Dec issue of Chicago Magazine and stores there where to purchase them but no doubt they'd be nurseries in your area that carried them as well.

Norfolk Island Pine..This is basically a Christmas tree masquerading as a plant. The fronds are not very strong but if you place ornaments (light in weight) closer to the trunk they should hold.

Autograph Tree...Scratch messages into the waxy leaves. Guests can leave wishes of their New Year's goals.

Umbrella Tree...This is a shrubby so if you want more of a tree-like look prune the leaves at the bottom.

Peruvian Apple Cactus...Wrap it in LED lights, which don't produce a lot of heat. You can cover the plant all the way, it's dormant during winter.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d4/61...77a332f5df.jpg

Norfolk Island Pine

https://images.fineartamerica.com/im...toria-lamp.jpg


Autograph tree

https://img.papyrusonline.com/media/...ciOjcyMH0~.jpg



Umbrella tree........

https://66.media.tumblr.com/2f5743d1...qq7no1_640.jpg






Peruvian Apple Cactus..