Gardening for the birds I’ve met many bird watchers in Bluff Country. I will admit that I now own several pair of binoculars. Although I am quite a novice at this hobby, it is very enjoyable! We have a tiny bird family, some sort of wren, that has a lovely song. We have named them: Randy, Rhonda, Ryan and Renee. I can’t tell any of them apart yet, as they seem to be an extra … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
I’ve got plants in tough places... We all have it; the frustrating spot in the garden where nothing seems to want to grow. Many gardeners respond by planting tough plants. Hosta for shade, even though the deer eat it. Iris for full sun, even though the bloom time is so short. Some plants, although challenging to find, are great candidates for tough spaces in the landscape. The … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
Phlox Orioles and hummingbirds have returned to Bluff Country. This usually occurs just before the bloom time of creeping phlox, one of the most popular ground cover perennials. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is an evergreen ground over that loves full sun. I have seen it draped over the edge of a retaining wall, defining a garden edge, and growing en masse down a steep … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
Gardening for the senses Gardening is certainly a hands-on activity. From gently patting seeds into the soil to pulling weeds out, your hands are constantly involved. Looking around the garden, we see shades of every color. The fragrance of scented flowers floats through the air. Using all five of your senses can heighten your gardening experience, and even take you back … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
So many people are returning to gardening or starting out for the first time. One of the groups that I am a member of has over 3,000 new members! Plant people are always excited and happy to share knowledge. Instead of writing a typical column this month, I decided to reach out to one of many gardening groups for some inspiration. The question asked was: If you were to give a … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady: Lower garden maintenance with the correct plant
The horticultural industry has a saying: “Right plant, right location.” How does one know what the right location is? Start by looking at the plant tag. Besides the plant name in both English and Latin, the tag should include some growing information. Zones: The USDA came up with a way to determine a plant’s hardiness based on the coldest winter temps. Most of Bluff Country … [Read more...]
Ease into gardening with perennials
Starting a new garden can be intimidating. Seasoned gardeners will often try to give advice that they have accumulated over a lifetime. This can sound like a foreign language to a novice. Don’t worry too much. Creating a new perennial garden, while it can be hard work initially, will reward you for years to come. For the beginner, my advice is: keep it simple! Remove all … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
Growing up in a large family, dinner was always an important topic of discussion. Every week, each of us four kids would give a meal suggestion. My brother’s pick was typically overruled because he always wanted steak. The oldest sibling asked for spaghetti every week. The youngest was easily pleased with macaroni and cheese or chicken nuggets. I fall somewhere in the middle, … [Read more...]
To clean or not to clean
To clean or not to clean Fall comes quickly in Bluff Country, and this year is no exception. The summer vegetable gardens are done, but a few leafy greens, carrots and leeks still remain here and there. Asters and Chrysanthemum may still have a few lingering flowers, but most of the perennials have stopped blooming. Ornamental grasses blow and rustle in the breeze, their … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
By Jessi Jablonski How much should I water? One of the most asked questions to gardeners is “How much water does the garden need?” The simple answer is about one inch of water per week. How you water is just as important as how much you water. There are many variables that go into determining each garden’s needs. Let us review some of the factors that can influence your … [Read more...]