Monthly Archives: October 2011
Rosa Brunonii: the Himalayan Musk Rose
| October 25, 2011 | Posted by admin under Rose |
This is the rose that has been masquerading for half a century or more as “the musk rose”. Chances are still good that if you purchase a “musk rose” or a plant of Rosa moschata at your local nursery, R. brunonii is what you will get.
Storing Fuchsias Over Winter
| October 20, 2011 | Posted by admin under Flower Gardening |
Fuchsias flower their hearts out all summer long, so it’s not surprising that they appreciate a rest during the cold winter months. The arrival of chilly nights in autumn signals the natural end to their flowering performance for the year. It is a terrible waste to let the frost kill off such hard-working beauties, especially…
Planting Companions for Bulbs
| October 20, 2011 | Posted by admin under Bulbs |
One of my favorite ways of using bulbs is to create a carpet of color under a tree or shrub. Miniature drifts of bluebells in May, a golden stretch of aconites in winter, or for autumn a lilac haze of autumn crocus or colchicum, all look splendid and can introduce an extra season of color…
A Guide to Growing Potatoes
| October 16, 2011 | Posted by admin under Vegetable Gardening |
Of all the treasures of the Incas, the potato, was the most maligned, mistrusted, yet precious, import to Europe via the Spanish conquistadors. I’m not sure what happened to all the gold they pilfered, but their potato legacy is still with us. Potatoes are a nutritional gold mine, containing, among other things, enough vitamin C…
Creating a Trough Garden
| October 15, 2011 | Posted by admin under Gardening |
Trough gardens are an attractive way to display a variety of alpine plants, and these gardens can be part of your outdoor landscape all year-round. We’ll show you how to not only plant the garden but make the stone-like trough container as well. Making the Trough Materials: (available at home and garden centers) 1 part…
Birdbaths and Small Garden Ponds: Landscaping Hints & Alternate Design
| October 14, 2011 | Posted by admin under Landscape Design |
A garden is not only plants. The use of stone, water, and other natural materials will greatly enhance the beauty of a garden setting. Water and stone can transform a plain garden into a more natural and dramatic landscape. Small garden ponds and birdbaths are easy to install with liners. It can be beneficial if…
Overwintering the Water Garden
| October 14, 2011 | Posted by admin under Gardening |
Ideally, water gardens in cold climates are 3 feet or more at their deepest point; hardy aquatic plants can usually be left outdoors if they are submerged in winter to 3 feet or more. Tropical aquatic plants can either be treated as annuals (this is a kind way of saying left to die in a…
African Violets: Care and Culture
| October 14, 2011 | Posted by admin under Flower Gardening |
For years, my family kept our African violets in the bathroom. Apparently, the plants loved the humidity – the foliage looked great. The only problem was that there wasn’t enough light to make them flower. Not that there’s anything wrong with foliage plants. After all, a healthy African violet (Saintpaulia spp.) grows into a beautiful…
Selecting Bulbs: A Few Simple Guidelines to Assure a Grand Return on Your Investment
| October 14, 2011 | Posted by admin under Bulbs |
What would spring be like without the cheerful blooms of bulbs such as daffodils and tulips? If you want your garden to be awash with color in a few months time, now is the time to buy some bulbs for next year’s display. When choosing spring-flowering bulbs, select the best of the bunch, and expect…
Landscaping Your Septic System
| October 10, 2011 | Posted by admin under Landscape Design |
As septic systems become more complex and expensive, landscaping to maximize their life is an excellent investment. This article tells you how. What is a Septic System? A septic system treats both your home’s sewage and gray water from showers, sinks etc. All waste water is piped to a septic tank from where it is…