In depth gardening advice from an expert gardener
Torch Lily in Early Spring by Abe K
A reader wanted TheGardenLady to identify a flower that she liked. It is an Kniphofia (the k is silent) and people seem to pronounce the name in a few different ways as you will hear when you watch this video.
It also has a number of common names including Tritoma, Red hot poker, Torch lily or Poker plant. See here.
The finished compost bin by London Permaculture
I just learned that the first full week in May is International Compost Awareness Week or ICAW. Since I know that all the readers of TheGardenLady blog are composting all their leaves and garbage (except for bones, meat, grease or carnivore feces, like dog and cat poop) I believe you are aware of composting every week of the year. But just in case some new reader does not know about composting, please start becoming aware of composting THIS week and continue doing it for the rest of your gardening lives. (See here and here and here)
Gardening from a Wheelchair by mikecogh
Many people love to garden, but because of health issues they think they no longer are capable of working in the garden. “Nurturing something and watching it grow can be very therapeutic and rewarding, helping people take their minds off their pain and lets them feel that they are accomplishing something worthwhile.â€
Because gardening is such a healing activity health providers are trying to find methods whereby people with pain can continue working in their gardens.
Is there anyone who doesn’t love rhododendrons? ThisGardenLady certainly finds them beautiful. The word “rhododendron”, which includes the azalea in the family, comes from the Greek meaning Rose Tree. It is the national flower of Nepal which must make the country look like Shangri-La when they are in bloom.
One of the breeders of rhododendrons was Hank Schannen. Mr. Schannen had been a recipient of the Gold Medal of the American Rhododendron Society and a former board member of the Rhododendron Species Foundation. He started a nursery to showcase and sell his rhododendrons called Rare Find Nursery in Jackson, NJ.  Though Hank Schannen had passed away a few years ago, we are fortunate that his partner and associates have kept the Rare Find Nursery going. And though they sell excellent other plants, the rhododendron is still the star of the nursery.
Continue reading “Rare Find Nursery – A Great Nursery for Rhododendrons”
rhododendron by mozzercork
Rats, I missed sending out information about the Tulip Festival in Seattle and the Azalea Festivals happening around the country.
But lots of Rhododendron Festivals are going to be taking place in the US during May and June that I hope some readers will be able to attend. I read that after Roses, Rhododendrons are the next most popular flower.
Mmmmmm fertilizer by jcarbaugh
TheGardenLady received this comment from Laura.
I just had to share this with you. Like you, I’m upset that Schultz discontinued their Bloom Plus fertilizer. I am hoping that they bring it back! Unlike you, I didn’t know till it was too late and now I can’t find it anywhere, not on ebay, not on amazon, nowhere. The smart people like you bought it up! I’ll keep bugging the folks at Schultz and see if they might consider bringing it back : )
TheGardenLady did write a post that spoke glowingly about the fertilizer that helped produce more flowers because of its high phosphorus content. Besides the phosphorus in the fertilizer there is nitrogen and potassium. Fertilizer is used to boost the growth of plants.
Dill by eye of einstein
TheGardenLady walks around checking her garden daily to see what is coming up. Though mostly this is a flower garden, I do have herbs and a few edible plants growing among the flowers and I want to see if there are spots where more vegetables can be squeezed in.
Coming up all over my flower beds is my favorite herb, dill. I didn’t plant it. It arrived a number of years ago, I assume, in some other plant I bought. Lucky for me. And I’m so happy it is spreading all over. I love the feathery leaves of the dill plant, I think it adds a nice dimension to the flower bed. A neighbor also loved the look and asked me what was that “exotic” plant I had growing. Imagine her surprise.
Continue reading “Herbs and Edible Plants in TheGardenLady’s Garden”
Wangari Maathai by e pants
Here are just a few of the people who have done and who are doing amazing gardening or environmental projects for Earth Day and everyday.
There is a man in Baltimore who wants to create a tranquil city. For almost three decades, Gene DeSantis has made it his mission to plant trees throughout Baltimore — with nearly 14 thousand of them planted so far. You can read about Gene DeSantis here.
He reminds people of that famed American naturalist before him, Johnny Appleseed, who spread apple seeds throughout the United States. If you do not know about Johnny Appleseed and his kind and generous ways, his great leadership in conservation and the symbolic importance he attributed to apples, read about him here.
Continue reading “Earthshakers – Amazing People Doing Amazing Things For The Earth”
Firethorn, Pyracantha, little yellow berries on bush, NC 280 and old NC 280 by Martin LaBar (on hiatus)
TheGardenLady received this question from LaNelle.
You have named several pests/diseases of pyracantha: Mine suddenly have limbs dying in the middle of limbs/trunks. These are established bushes for privacy fence. How can I save them?
There are a number of different diseases of the pyracantha shrub. See here or here.
One disease is called Fireblight. Fireblight is a systemic bacterial disease which is spread by aphids, bugs, birds and even the wind and rain. It can kill the plant. Fireblight is easily spread and can quickly spread from plant to plant. The disease is easy to spot. Affected leaves start to turn black and cracked as if they have been burnt by fire, giving it its name Fireblight. It causes the dieback of stems and leaves. Bacterial ooze often is associated with blighted tissues.
Are you lucky? Espoma organic fertilizers is having a Green Garden Sweepstakes.
A Master Gardener friend swears by Espoma organic fertilizers. So I decided that I would try my luck at winning a year’s supply of their fertilizer.
You can try to win, too. Go here and read about the sweepstakes to see if it is worth your while to enter. You don’t have to buy anything. This Sweepstake ends on June 5th, so you have plenty of time. You can submit one entry per day. The only thing is that you have to be over 18 and you have to give them some information- like your address and phone number, etc.
I do hope one of TheGardenLady readers is the lucky winner. Let us know if you are. From the good things I hear about the Espoma products, I think you will be a happy winner.