Why Tomatoes Have No Flavor
Tuesday July 31, 2012
Science finally discovered something useful. Yes, the same people who brought us the "eggs are bad, eggs are good, eggs are bad, eggs are good..." discourse have finally figured out ... Read More
Perfect Weather for Drying Flowers
Monday July 30, 2012
If you can't beat the drought, at least you can salvage some flowers by allowing them to dry gracefully. Dried flowers aren't quite as nice as fresh, but they certainly ... Read More
Can Your Garden Handle Drought?
Saturday July 28, 2012
This is the type of summer that really tests the hardiness of perennial flowers and shrubs (and gardeners). I will water my vegetables during dry spells, but my ornamental plants ... Read More
Foodie Friday - Lavender
Friday July 27, 2012
The comments from Wednesday's post prove how versatile lavender is. Aromatic lavender infuses a truly unique flavor in a huge variety of dishes and drinks. Personally, I could just inhale ... Read More
Olympian Gardeners
Thursday July 26, 2012
I'm a sucker for the Olympics. I love athletics and I have so much admiration for the talented folks who devote so much time training to be the best. I've ... Read More
Clematis Looking Brown? Don't Add Water.
Wednesday July 25, 2012
A lot of us have been having damp or humid summers and while a little water is great, too much prolonged dampness can cause all kinds of problems. Even ... Read More
Lavender Season
Tuesday July 24, 2012
There are certain plants that just evoke summer, like basil, tomatoes and lavender. While all three are versatile and indispensable, I am always amazed at the uses we've come up ... Read More
Keeping Your Plants Watered While on Vacation
Monday July 23, 2012
Vacations aren't very relaxing when you're worried that your beautiful garden is frying in the summer heat - a very real possibility. If there's one thing we can count on, ... Read More
Freezing Herbs
Sunday July 22, 2012
I've been using fresh herbs everyday and I'm utterly amazed the plants are still so large. I don't want them to got to seed in our untimely heat wave, so ... Read More
Late Blight Warning
Saturday July 21, 2012
Late blight is back on the east coast. There have been positive ids on tomato plants in North Carolina, New York and Pennsylvania. Late blight is hard to battle, ... Read More
Foodie Friday - Zucchini
Friday July 20, 2012
It's almost Sneak Some Zucchini on to Your Neighbor's Porch Day. In case they catch you in the act and ask "What am I supposed to do with all these?", ... Read More
Transplanting in This Heat
Thursday July 19, 2012
Summer is never the best time to move plants, but we can't always wait for the best time. When the choice is move it or lose it, I choose ... Read More
Edible Landscaping with Berries
Tuesday July 17, 2012
I'm still waiting for my blueberries to ripen. I have no idea what they could be waiting for, we've certainly had plenty of sunshine. But at least the assorted shades ... Read More
Nasturtium - From Rich Colors to Poor Man’s Capers
Monday July 16, 2012
Despite the heat, my nasturtium plants are holding their own. One of my most popular posts was when I wrote about using nasturtium seeds to make capers and this ... Read More
Helenium, Nothing to Sneeze At
Sunday July 15, 2012
Last month, we were talking about how some of the prettiest flowers have some of the most put-offish common names? Like lungwort and bugsbane, Helenium looks like ... Read More
What's Happening to the Cucumber Leaves?
Saturday July 14, 2012
Several of you have written to ask me what's wrong with your cucumber and squash vines. They have a white cast to them and you're worried it's a sign ... Read More
Foodie Friday - Green Beans
Friday July 13, 2012
The vegetable garden has been very generous this week and I have an abundance of beans. I'm picking them everyday and I've been looking for quick, new ways to serve ... Read More
Butterfly Goodies
Thursday July 12, 2012
My garden is all a flutter these days. It seems to be a good year for butterflies. I think having water in my garden is a big draw for a ... Read More
Oh, no! Blossom End Rot
Wednesday July 11, 2012
Even if you've never heard of blossom end rot, you've probably seen it on your tomatoes. It's one of the most common tomato growing problems out ... Read More
Winning Roses
Tuesday July 10, 2012
Our June garden photo challenges are always spectacular. Rose season may be fleeting, but these photos certainly linger in my memory. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you so ... Read More
Lemony Herbs
Monday July 9, 2012
I wish I could have a full-sized lemon tree. Lemons are so versatile in the kitchen and their scent seems to whet the palette while at the same time cleansing ... Read More
Got Shade? Fast-Growing Shade Trees and What to Plant Under Them
Sunday July 8, 2012
Right about now, I'll bet you're wishing you had planted a shade tree or two - 20 years ago. Large shade trees are invaluable in a landscape. They ... Read More
Sunflowers, Squirrels and Storms
Saturday July 7, 2012
This is the first year the squirrels have not used my sunflowers as a ladder into my vegetable garden. The sunflowers are blooming their little hearts out, but they got ... Read More
Dividing Bearded Iris
Thursday July 5, 2012
Bearded iris are one of my first flower memories. They are a wonderful pass along plant and paired with peonies, a site to behold in mid-spring. For the most part, ... Read More
Happy 4th of July
Wednesday July 4, 2012
I hope all my U.S. readers are out cheering parades and grilling hot dogs. Enjoy your day.
In honor of the 4th, here's a photo of the Fourth of July Rose, ... Read More
Earwigs - Friend or Foe?
Tuesday July 3, 2012
Judging from my emails, it must be earwig season. Great.
Earwigs are ominous looking insects that like damp, sheltered places. If that sounds like your garden, it's no wonder the ... Read More
Harvesting Garlic Early
Monday July 2, 2012
I had a lousy garlic year. Well, the garlic scapes were great, but my bulbs are puny. I suspect it's because we had such a mild winter. Even though I ... Read More
July Gardening Tips
Sunday July 1, 2012
July is an unpredictable month in the garden. About all you can count on is humidity. Gardeners just have to play it by ear. You know there ... Read More