Sunday February 12, 2012
The emails have started. It seems some of us never got around to planted our spring bulbs. We've all done it at some time; bought bulbs, but never planted them in the fall. I realize some of you still can't work, or perhaps even see, your soil yet. So if you do have spring blooming bulbs you stored away, at leasat check that they are still firm and plump, in a cool, dark spot.
We've heard from gardeners who've managed to salvage their bulbs, despite the oops. A couple of folks potted up their bulbs and put them in a cold garage to chill for the remainder of the winter. One person successfully stored her bulbs in the refrigerator, in a paper bag. Another simply spread them on the ground and dumped a large bag of soil over them.
So you do have options. Here are some more ideas of what to do with your unplanted spring blooming bulbs. If you have a trick to share, we'd love to hear it.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti.
Saturday February 11, 2012
I have a thing for blue. Maybe it's because I don't look terrific wearing it. I will plant any flower that comes close to a true blue. Very often I'm disappointed, but there are also times when I make a delightful discovery. Only once was I successful growing the Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia ) pictured here . It was a challenge for me, but it was worth it. Here's my list of favorite blue (bluish) flowers. If you have any to suggest, I'd love to hear about them.
Photo: Hedwig Storch (Creatvie Commons) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Hedwig_Storch
Friday February 10, 2012
Has Valentine's Day panic set in? Before you rush out to order the typical dozen roses, give some thought to expressing yourself more creatively with flowers. How about saying "Perfected Loveliness" with camellias? Maybe "Gratitude" with white bellflowers. Not the flower type at all? Send a basket of hazelnuts in hopes of a reconciliation.
If you can't decide, there are still always roses. Just be careful what color you choose... When it comes to the language of flowers, you have to watch what you say.
Photo: Sergio Dionisio / Getty Images Entertainment
Thursday February 9, 2012
The deadline for nominations for the 2012 About.com Gardening Readers' Choice Awards is Wednesday, February 15th. Get your favorites in the competition.
Nominations run January 18 - February 15th
Voting runs February 22 - March 21
Winners will be announced on March 30th!.
There's no prize -- just the bragging rights that come with getting recognized as "The Best", by the readers of a leading website, owned by The New York Times Co. Finalists and winners will receive a badge that they can place on their website and use in other promotional material.
You can read more about the awards. Sign up for my newsletter, if you'd like to get weekly updates (along with a lot of other gardening news and tips).
