Your All Things Plants weekly news: May 17, 2014

There were 7 new gardening ideas posted last week:

By dave
May 17, 2014 The 2014 All Things Plants Top 25 Summer Bulbs and Tubers
What a fun and diverse group of plants! Come on in and check out the report of the top 25 most active summer bulbs and tuber entries in our plants database. You will be surprised at some of the plants that made the list! (5,350 words - Read the full article)
(no comments)

By Eric4home
May 16, 2014 Movable Garden Paths
Do you need walkways in your garden? I've been using used carpet for my pathways for years. It's easy on the knees while planting and weeding, holds moisture in the soil, reduces soil compaction, and blocks weeds (160 words - Read the full article)
(13 comments)

By TBGDN
May 15, 2014 How Does Your Garden Grow?
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With silver bells and cockleshells and pretty maids all in a row. (All smiling, of course.) This old nursery rhyme leads us to believe there was an orderly garden decked out in flowers and pretty maidens lined up in a row! But, read on for a different train of thought. (784 words - Read the full article)
(5 comments)

By dave
May 14, 2014 ATP Podcast #56: Saving Money by Growing Your Own Food
In today's podcast, we discuss the ways you can dramatically help your grocery budget by growing vegetables! We focus on the easiest to grow plants that will also give you the most "bang for your buck." We also have our usual other segments, plus a bonus pinboard of bad ideas! (59 words - Read the full article)
(12 comments)

By farmerdill
May 13, 2014 Vole Wars
Growing plants entails a constant battle with the elements, insects, viruses, and bacteria. Even when we learn to live with these, other mammals slip in and upset our best efforts. Deer, groundhogs, and raccoons are major problems, but there are other small mammals that are both elusive and very destructive. (596 words - Read the full article)
(12 comments)

By dave
May 12, 2014 Summerizing Your Southern Garden
Up north, they winterize their gardens. Down in the south, we summerize them! Among the many pleasures of gardening in the south are long growing seasons and comfortable winters, but our long and hot summers can be brutal for us and our plants. Here is some advice on dealing with drought and heat in our gardens. (848 words - Read the full article)
(6 comments)

By TBGDN
May 11, 2014 Asparagus, a Spring Delicacy
Like asparagus? Try it fresh cut from the garden. You will find the flavor and texture far better than supermarket choices. A few easy steps will place this wonderful vegetable on your table in no time at all! (370 words - Read the full article)
(29 comments)

The most popular images last week from our plant database:

Photo of Hosta (Hosta 'White Feather') by Hazelcrestmikeb:

Photo of English Pea (Pisum sativum 'Green Arrow') by farmerdill:

Photo of Iris (Iris 'Picasso Moon') by Sharon:

Photo of Iris (Iris 'Chocolate Soup') by ARUBA1334:

Photo of Hoya (Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple') by mjsponies:

Photo of Coneflower (Echinacea 'White Mist') by petruske:

The most popular Multi-Plant Photos from last week:

Multi-plant photo by Calif_Sue:

Multi-plant photo by Paul2032:

Multi-plant photo by Paul2032:

Multi-plant photo by Calif_Sue:

Multi-plant photo by lovemyhouse:

Multi-plant photo by ge1836:

Noteworthy acorn tips given this week:
5 people gave for post #613433 in "Banner for May 14, 2014 by TBGDN" by TBGDN
4 people gave for the idea "Asparagus, a Spring Delicacy" by TBGDN
4 people gave for post #612530 in "Banner for May 13, 2014 by Calif_Sue" by Calif_Sue
4 people gave for the Multi-Plant Photo #1327 by Calif_Sue
4 people gave for post #614289 in "Banner for May 15, 2014 by Natalie" by Natalie
4 people gave for the idea "Vole Wars" by farmerdill
4 people gave for post #610916 in "Banner for May 11, 2014 by Joannabanana" by Joannabanana
3 people gave for post #614222 in "Iris Database" by pardalinum
3 people gave for the idea "Summerizing Your Southern Garden" by dave
3 people gave for post #615133 in "Banner for May 16, 2014 by rocklady" by rocklady

Noteworthy acorn tips given this week:
5 people gave for post #613433 in "Banner for May 14, 2014 by TBGDN" by TBGDN 4 people gave for the idea "Asparagus, a Spring Delicacy" by TBGDN 4 people gave for post #612530 in "Banner for May 13, 2014 by Calif_Sue" by Calif_Sue 4 people gave for the Multi-Plant Photo #1327 by Calif_Sue 4 people gave for post #614289 in "Banner for May 15, 2014 by Natalie" by Natalie 4 people gave for the idea "Vole Wars" by farmerdill 4 people gave for post #610916 in "Banner for May 11, 2014 by Joannabanana" by Joannabanana 3 people gave for post #614222 in "Iris Database" by pardalinum 3 people gave for the idea "Summerizing Your Southern Garden" by dave 3 people gave for post #615133 in "Banner for May 16, 2014 by rocklady" by rocklady

The most active threads this week:
Subject OP Area Replies

Announcing the winners! dave The May Shade Gardens and Tropical Bulbs Not-A-Raffle-Raffle! 49

Jo Anns iris ge1836 Irises forum 42

Scheduled maintenance tomorrow dave Site Talk forum 39

Historics... which ones are standouts in your garden? Henhouse Irises forum 35

My first asparagus from my garden Oberon46 Asparagus, a Spring Delicacy 26

Adding a plant since I do not understand what to enter in the fields CDsSister Plant Database forum 25

Banner for May 14, 2014 by TBGDN TBGDN Site Banners forum 23

Mounting Orchids (and some talk about Bulbos) terrafirma Orchids forum 23

Beautiful Beards.....some close-ups. Paul2032 Irises forum 23

The most active threads this week:
Subject	OP	Area	Replies
Announcing the winners!	dave	The May Shade Gardens and Tropical Bulbs Not-A-Raffle-Raffle!	49
Jo Anns iris	ge1836	Irises forum	42
Scheduled maintenance tomorrow	dave	Site Talk forum	39
Historics... which ones are standouts in your garden?	Henhouse	Irises forum	35
My first asparagus from my garden	Oberon46	Asparagus, a Spring Delicacy	26
Adding a plant since I do not understand what to enter in the fields	CDsSister	Plant Database forum	25
Banner for May 14, 2014 by TBGDN	TBGDN	Site Banners forum	23
Mounting Orchids (and some talk about Bulbos)	terrafirma	Orchids forum	23
Beautiful Beards.....some close-ups.	Paul2032	Irises forum	23

Some new recommendations from our members:

eclayne recommended Tropiflora and wrote:
I've placed a few orders with Tropiflora, in the latest was Anchomanes difformis var. welwitschii. Like other plants I received from them, the packing was professional and the plants were extremely impressive. Shipped bare root and in leaf! The root system is massive and perfect. A company I'm very comfortable recommending to friends.

RickCorey recommended DripWorks and wrote:
Their website and catalog taught me enough to set up my own system. Their variety of drippers, sprayers, spinners, fittings, timers, filters, etc., etc. is extensive but not overwhelming. They are my default go-to online irrigation source.

dave recommended Hughes Plant Farm and wrote:
Great plant farm! Everyone in this area seems to know about Hughes because it's the place to go for cheap, cheap, cheap plants. They sell bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, herbs, and trees. Their selection is not all that amazing, but you really just can't beat their price. They have several hoop houses full of miscellaneous plants at giveaway prices. Just walk through and grab what you want. The plant prices are not marked, though, so ask at the front for your price list. They'll hand you a paper that itemizes their prices. Just carry it with you and refer to it when you see something you like. Cash and check only.

dave recommended Joe Smith Farms and wrote:
A nice garden center just outside Jacksonville. They have a good selection of trees, shrubs, roses, fruits, perennials and more. They also sell fountains and birdbaths and the like. Their cactus selection is excellent. Prices can be a little high but the quality of the plants makes the prices seem fair.

dave recommended Davis Plant Farm and wrote:
This is a pretty low key operation. Numerous large greenhouses filled with plants that they propagated themselves. It's a true plant farm and it's not pretty like a garden center, but you can find some quality plants for very reasonable prices. My one complaint is that they never seem to have cultivars of anything. Just common plants labeled as "red" or "blue", etc. Still, it's a great place to pick up inexpensive herbs, ferns, hanging baskets, annual bedding plants and the like.

Some new recommendations from our members:
eclayne recommended Tropiflora and wrote: I've placed a few orders with Tropiflora, in the latest was Anchomanes difformis var. welwitschii. Like other plants I received from them, the packing was professional and the plants were extremely impressive. Shipped bare root and in leaf! The root system is massive and perfect. A company I'm very comfortable recommending to friends.
RickCorey recommended DripWorks and wrote: Their website and catalog taught me enough to set up my own system. Their variety of drippers, sprayers, spinners, fittings, timers, filters, etc., etc. is extensive but not overwhelming. They are my default go-to online irrigation source.
dave recommended Hughes Plant Farm and wrote: Great plant farm! Everyone in this area seems to know about Hughes because it's the place to go for cheap, cheap, cheap plants. They sell bedding plants, hanging baskets, perennials, herbs, and trees. Their selection is not all that amazing, but you really just can't beat their price. They have several hoop houses full of miscellaneous plants at giveaway prices. Just walk through and grab what you want. The plant prices are not marked, though, so ask at the front for your price list. They'll hand you a paper that itemizes their prices. Just carry it with you and refer to it when you see something you like. Cash and check only.
dave recommended Joe Smith Farms and wrote: A nice garden center just outside Jacksonville. They have a good selection of trees, shrubs, roses, fruits, perennials and more. They also sell fountains and birdbaths and the like. Their cactus selection is excellent. Prices can be a little high but the quality of the plants makes the prices seem fair.
dave recommended Davis Plant Farm and wrote: This is a pretty low key operation. Numerous large greenhouses filled with plants that they propagated themselves. It's a true plant farm and it's not pretty like a garden center, but you can find some quality plants for very reasonable prices. My one complaint is that they never seem to have cultivars of anything. Just common plants labeled as "red" or "blue", etc. Still, it's a great place to pick up inexpensive herbs, ferns, hanging baskets, annual bedding plants and the like.

Some numbers from last week:

250 new members.
256 new threads.
5,835 new posts.
1,835 new images to the plant database.
24 new comments in the plant database.
24 new Multi-Plant photos.