Earthly Garden

The leaves on the trees are finally starting to change, and the air finally has that crispness to it. Fall is here! It seemed like it was never going to show up-temps around here have been downright summer like! Despite that, you’re probably finding your garden is slowly fading away. Even though it may be warm, the plants are reacting to the shorter days and cooler nights, which tell the plant that it’s work is done for the season. It’s time to pull up what plants are left, till the soil, and mulch. If you’d like some fall color, plant your beds with ornamental kale. This plant is hardy, easy to care for, and offers a burst of purple color for your garden. If mums are more your thing, look for Garden Mums, not Pot Mums. Garden Mums are perennials and can be planted outdoors, while Pot Mums are florist plants that offer color for a few weeks and then are best discarded. They won’t survive outdoors and it’s nearly impossible to get them to bloom again indoors. Gerbera Daisies are another good choice, although they need to be indoors. Put them in a sunny southern window and don’t let them dry out. You’ll be rewarded with lots of big beautiful blooms! Finally, Pansies are another good choice for fall color, in fact these little beauties prefer cool weather and will bloom right up till the snow flies. If you head out to purchase any of these wonderful plants, try and patronize your local nurseries and garden centers. Many offer activities and fall treats along with the plants(my local one has a pumpkin patch for the kids, a cornfield maze, and caramel apples freshly made!) The prices may be a little higher but you’ll get a lot for your buck!

fall flowers, fall gardening, mums, pansies, daisies, fall gardening, pumpkins

Good morning!

You may grow herbs and veggies for mouthwatering meals, and perhaps you even grow your own fruit, but did you know some flowers are tasty too? It’s true! Many flowers are completely edible and delicious as well. For example, Rose petals are sweet and make a great addition to salads, desserts, and even fish! Nasturtium’s have a peppery bite and work great in many dishes. Squash blossoms have a mild sweetness and are delectible. They can be fried or stuffed. Violets and pansies have a minty flavor that is lovely with lamb or desserts. Signet Marigolds are lemony scented and savory. Sprinkle the petals in soups or over potatoes.

Edible flowers also make beautiful garnishes and decorations for cakes and other desserts. You can use them as is or dip them in sugar for added sparkle.

If you’re tempted to try some of these flowers, please note that you must be sure they were grown organically,that is, with no pesticides or herbicides. This usually means growing your own from seed. Also, you should remove the pistols,sepals, stamens, and/or calyx of all flowers(except pansies and violets) before using to avoid any potential allergic reactions to the pollen.

Gardening Pic of the Day:

gardens,gardening,edible flowers,flowers

gardens, gardening, edible flowers, flowers

Good Morning!

Many gardeners believe that certain plant combinations have definite
benefits, and science has proven this is indeed true. For example, garlic
repells rose pests such as aphids, so it is often planted with them. As
a bonus, garlic’s flowers look great with them! Another great combination
is tomatoes and cabbage. Tomatoes repel cabbage worms, a common
cabbage pest. Dill is another great companion for cabbage. It attracts
wasps that eat cabbage worms and other pests,and in return, the
cabbages support the dill.

Here are some other great combinations:
Corn and Beans-the beans attract insects that feed on
pests like leafhoppers and army worms.
Radishes and Spinach-Radishes attract leaf miners away
from the spinach. The miners don’t harm the radishes themselves.
Cauliflower and Zinnias-the Zinnias attract lady bugs, a very
beneficial insect that helps protect the cauliflower.

There are lots of other great combinations.Think about planting tall plants
near shorter,sun sensitive onesto provide protection and shade,
or planting vining plants with upright plants to make the most of your
garden space. What combinations do you have in your garden?
Post here and let me know!

Gardening Pic of the Day:

gardens,gardening,plants,combination planting,repelling pests

gardens, gardening, plants, combination planting, repelling pests

Good Morning!

If you’re like me and love botanical prints and art, you’ll love the new gardening related stamps out there! Canada Post has released some absolutely gorgeous Lilac Stamps:

And the United States Post Office has a series of vegetable stamps called “Crops of the Americas”

Even if you don’t collect stamps, these will look great framed and hanging on your wall. The artwork and photography are top notch and they depict a gardeners favorite things-flowers and veggies!

gardening,gardens,lilacs,vegetables,Canada Post, USPS,Crops of America

gardening, gardens, lilacs, vegetables, Canada Post, USPS, Crops of America

Good Morning!

I spent most of yesterday on the road from NYC to my parents home in Boston. Along the way I saw quite a variety of wildflowers growing on the sides of the road, in a rainbow of colors! Purples, whites, yellows, blues, and pinks. While these flowers do help add a bit of beauty to our highways, it’s important to note that many of them are not native to the areas they are now growing in, and many are considered invasive and even noxious! Just about every state has a list of plants they ask gardeners to avoid. Check with your county extension office to find out what’s on your state’s list. You may think that wildflowers, native or not, are harmless, but you’d be wrong. Just ask anyone in the south about Kudzu! This weed is EVERYWHERE down there, and it just keeps growing and growing. Non native species can cause great harm, doing everything from taking away food sources for native birds and animals, choking rivers and streams, and even causing severe injury to anyone unlucky enough to run across them! One example is Giant Hogweed. Any skin contact results in severe blistering that turns into blackish scars. The plant is from Asia and was introduced here as an ornamental. Now it’s a noxious and very dangerous weed! To find out more about invasive species and what you can do, contact your local County Extension Office or Master Gardener program.

Gardening Picture of the Day:

invasive species,weeds,wildflowers,giant hogweed,kudzu

invasive species, weeds, wildflowers, giant hogweed, kudzu

Good Morning!
I am getting married in just about 6 weeks(yikes!)and I thought I’d share some tips on how to incorporate your love of gardening into your wedding!
1. Buy flats of annuals and perennials and some pretty pots, and use them to make centerpieces.
2. Give away tree seedings or packets of flower seeds as favors.
3. Instead of a fancy bouquet from a florist, make one out of pretty herbs like lavender and sage.
4. Give your guests pretty organza bags of lavender to toss instead of rice or confetti.
5. Instead of a guest book have your guests sign a large planter or windowbox. Use a permanent marker like a Sharpie.
In addition to bringing a touch of the garden to your wedding, these ideas are also economical and will give you and your guests a lasting reminder of your special day!

Garden Pic of the Day:

weddings, gardening, garden weddings,wedding decor

weddings, gardening, garden weddings, wedding decor

Photo copyright ©2007 by Bobbi A. Chukran

iris, flower bulb, purple iris

This morning it’s 27-degrees and all thoughts about early planting of spring tomatoes have been replaced by worries that I might lose my little lime tree that’s been living in a pot on the porch since last year at this time. Actually, I’m surprised it has lived this long. This winter has been harsh here for us in many ways–more icy storms and colder temperatures. Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise, and will kill off some of the grasshopper eggs I know are lurking underneath the cedar mulch that covers my garden paths…nature’s way of dealing with bugs!

My new grow light stand (a late Christmas gift) I ordered finally got here, and even though it’s a bit late for us, I’ll be starting tomato, pepper and herb seedlings myself this year. It will be nice not to be tied to the small inventory of hybrid varieties that the local garden center sells, and I can space the timing out instead of buying them all at once. I’ll be starting some Brandywine tomatoes, a popular, tasty heirloom. I always grow cherry tomatoes, too, for salads, and those do well in pots as long as they are fed some fish emulsion or liquid seaweed.

I’ve been going through all my garden photos, and will be posting more of those as I find them.

Happy Valentine’s Day, all!

Dig it!

bobbi c.
All photos and text Copyright©2005-2007 by Bobbi A. Chukran

insects in garden, grow light stand, antique rose, white heirloom rose, lime tree in container