May 16th, 2008
Every month May Dream’s Garden hosts Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day. Nothing in my garden wants to bloom this year. Overall this spring has been cool and wet (not just damp, WET). I think that’s why everything seems to be behind schedule in the bloom department. I have several buds, but I think they’re waiting for a sunny day to burst into full bloom, and we haven’t had many of those.
My daffodils, cherry blossoms, yellow tulips, and lilacs have come and gone, they were both spectacular while they lasted.
I have one lonely tulip still blooming, the rest are looking scraggly. It’s not the greatest photo, not sure how I got a black background.
The cranesbill geranium is happily blooming away outside my back door. I love it’s tiny purple blooms.
My irises are almost blooming… if we’d just get a little sunshine.
Garden Bloom Day images (c) Linette
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By linette -- 0 comments
May 15th, 2008
It’s easy to get the spray bottle out and blast your plants with insecticide to get rid of garden pests. The only problem is you have to eat those fruits and vegetables. You also want the bees and butterflies to pollinate your garden without dying.
Here are 5 ways to remove garden pests naturally. I’m not saying any of these methods are easy, but they do work.
1. Encourage beneficial insects, birds, and toads to visit your garden.
2. Hand pick bugs and drop them in soapy water.
3. Blast aphids and small bugs with a stream of plain, or soapy water. Don’t try this on extremely delicate plants.
4. Try sticky traps, and barriers for slugs and snails.
5. Remove and destroy affected plants and leaves if possible.
6. Give the affected plants a spray of Fels Napthia soap. It’s a bars soap, but you find it in the laundry detergent aisle at the grocery.
If all else fails, and you have to pick up the spray bottle, use the least invasive treatment possible. Spray only the infected plants or leaves, not your whole garden or yard.
Image: Stock.xchng
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By linette -- 3 comments
May 15th, 2008
There are several giveaways going on at the Lifestyles channel right now, and I don’t want you to miss any of them.
Simply Thrifty is giving away heirloom marigold seeds, just leave your favorite gardening tip before May 18th.
Tree Hugging Family has 5 boxes Skooperbox (enviro friendly disposal for pet doo doo) to give away, check it out before June 12th. They’re also giving away green toys, just in time for summer, enter by May 31st.
One Book Two Book is giving away a Mark My Time Digital Bookmark, enter before May 18th. She also has an autographed copy of “Letter Of Love From China” to give away, enter by May 17th.
Mad Cropper is sponsoring a random act of kindness. You can leave a comment explaining why someone you know deserves to win a Kodak Easy Share 5300 All in One Printer. Enter before May 28th.
Keeping the Castle just turned 3, and to celebrate they’re giving away Thompson’s Water Seal. Hurry for this one, it ends at midnight (EST) tonight.
Have fun, let me know if you win anything!
Image: stock.xchng
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By linette -- 2 comments
May 14th, 2008
Like I said last week, the Lifestyles channel is playing a fun game this month called 3 Doors Down. I started with Offbeat Homes last week, which is three doors down from Mother Earth’s Garden. This week I’m exploring One Book Two Book, by Susan Gunelius.
I’m a complete book-a-holic, is there a group for that? My husband thinks I have waaaaay too many books. I love children’s books, to mystery books. So I’m a regular reader of One Book Two Book. I look forward to seeing what wonderful book Susan’s going to tell me about each day.
Right now One Book Two Book has a contest going on where you can win a Mark My Time Digital Bookmark. Just leave a comment on the post between now and 11:59pm Saturday, May 17th (Eastern Time).
Susan has books for kids of all ages (including this big kid). Here are some of my recent favorites:
I think my son would love the Curious George Guides. I may have to get him a couple for summer reading.
From Little Acorns sounds like a great book to teach your child about nature and growing things.
One of my absolute favorite children’s books is Guess How Much I Love You.
The next time you’re looking for a good book to read check out One Book Two Book.
Image: istockphoto
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By linette -- 1 comment
May 13th, 2008
This little baby bunny looked so innocent by my garden the other night, but I know he’s not so innocent. He’s going to grow up and eat my green beans! But he does look sweet right now. I’ve never had a major problem with the rabbits in my garden. Some years they do nibble a few things.
Do you have a problem with rabbits in your garden? I’ve thought about a small fence to keep the dogs, cats, rabbits, and occasional groundhog out of the garden. I’m just not sure it’s worth the trouble.
Baby Bunny Image (c) Linette
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By linette -- 4 comments
May 11th, 2008
Here’s a bouquet of Mother’s Day flowers just for you. Have a wonderful day!
Flower Bouquet Image (c) Linette
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By linette -- 2 comments
May 11th, 2008
I told you how anything can be a container garden, here’s more proof. Here are a couple unique garden containers at my local garden center today.
Here’s a bicycle container garden.
And here’s your kitchen chair in the garden. Just cut out the seat and add a planter.
Unusual garden container images (c) Linette
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By linette -- 1 comment
May 10th, 2008
Here’s some weekend garden reading for you. I haven’t done a roundup for a while, so read, enjoy, and have a great weekend!
The Worlds Best Topiaries -Check out this quirky garden art.
Jennifer Garner Grows Her Own Food- or does she?
Toddler Proof Your Plants -This is part one of a two part series.
Non Toxic Plants For Pets -If your pets roam the garden try these pet friendly plants.
What kind of flower are you? Take the Flower Quiz to find out.
Tree Hugging Family has DIY Veggie Wash, I think I’m going to make some and give it a try.
Busy Family Meals (a new blog in the Lifesyles family) has spring greens with pesto vinaigrette.
I show you how to make simple spring cupcakes with candied flowers at She Knows Parties.
It’s been raining for two days, and I think the weeds are growing twice as fast as my flowers. I hope I can get back in the garden this weekend.
Image via Stock.xchng
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By linette -- 0 comments
May 9th, 2008
I’m starting to get addicted Twitter lately. It’s fun to tweet when something about gardening inspires me. It’s a challenge to keep the message short enough and still say what you want to say. If you’re on Twitter you can follow me for regular updates from the garden, and whatever else is on my mind at the time, I’m Linetteg on Twitter.
If you decide to follow me, let me know here, so I can return the favor. I’m always interested in hearing what fellow gardeners have to say.
You can also follow the entire Lifestyles channel at Twitter to keep up on the latest domestic goodness from all the blogs in the b5media Lifestyles channel.
Image from Stock.xchng
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By linette -- 0 comments
May 8th, 2008
I was at a small local greenhouse this weekend checking out their heirloom vegetable varieties. I walked past the geraniums, and I was instantly transformed back to grade school.
When I was in first grade my class walked to a local greenhouse to buy flowers for Mother’s Day. I remember seeing the geraniums and thinking they were the most beautiful flowers ever. Of course they were higher priced than most of the other plants, and I didn’t have enough money to buy one. I bought my mom a marigold instead, which she claimed to love.
I still love geraniums, they’re one of my favorite flowers. I purchased a large container of them a couple years ago for my mom for Mother’s Day.
It’s amazing how a simple scent can transform you back in time.
Geranium photo (c) Linette
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By linette -- 2 comments
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