The Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)The ponytail palm is one of the most common succulent trees in cultivation. Its interesting form and ease of care make it an excellent house plant or patio plant, given good drainage and lots of light.
Light and Darkness in Our EnvironmentCan we discuss LIGHT? -Not natural sunlight or how much you need or don't need for plants to grow properly, but the light that we as humans beings generate, especially in the last 50 years or so. Could you take a moment to think over your relationship with light in your gardens and on your property?
Filling Holes/Cavities in TreesIs it possible to save or prolong the life of a tree with holes or cavities in it? YES, it is!
Cheat Sempervivum GravelEspecially during quarantine, people (at least where I am, in CA) haven't really been able to get to garden centers/nurseries. This was a big deal for me when I got my first sempervivums, because they need a certain type of gravel on top of the soil in order for the leaves not to rot. How did I manage without being able to get the special gravel?
Plumbing Tools for GardeningLet's think outside of the box. I love using things for other than their original purpose. A pipe cutter can be used to cut branches just as easily as it cuts pipes into pieces.
Vegetable Victory Garden Webinar by Charlie NardozziIn honor of Earth Day, and to support those new gardeners trying vegetable gardening for the first time due to the pandemic, Charlie is offering this free 1-hour long webinar all about the basics of vegetable gardening. It includes information on siting the garden, soil, vegetable varieties, planting schemes, maintenance, and more.
Good News From the Garden- AprilLet's (virtually) meet and lift our spirits by sharing some Gardening Good News. What's blooming and growing in your garden this month?
Good News from the Garden, late MarchOur lives are currently dominated by news. Let's lift our spirits with some good news from our gardens!
Book: The Beginner's Guide to Growing Herbs and their Culinary, Medicinal and Mystical PropertiesSure, it's snowing outside, but everyone knows a smart gardener starts planning before the first signs of Spring. In 2019, Unsolicited Press released "The Beginner's Guide to Growing Herbs and their Culinary, Medicinal and Mystical Properties" by Gary Carter, a comprehensive herbal gardening book to help gardeners diversify their gardens.
Anthers opening up (dehiscence) on AmaryllisFor an amaryllis flower to release pollen, the anther that holds the pollen must first mature and open. This splitting open of the anthers is called dehiscence.
Pretty PetchoasThere's a new annual on the spring planting scene that's giving petunias and calibrachoas a run for their money. Meet the petchoa. The name looks and sounds strange, but it's merely the combination of the first part of "petunia" and the last part of "calibrachoa." The plant itself is a cross of the two.
Growing Perennial Foods: A field guide to raising resilient herbs, fruits & vegetables: A Book ReviewRight from the beginning of the book, you really get the idea that not only does Acadia know what she's talking about, she is passionate about it! This book isn't technical, but also doesn't talk down to readers. Acadia is right there with you, explaining everything, encouraging you, and giving you all the info you need on growing various perennial vegetables. I love that she covers not just the details about varieties but how to grow and harvest each one.
For Member Begonia LoversThe Louisiana E-Branch of the American Begonia Society has a new website: www.bayoubegonia.com. We hope you will visit and don't forget the ABS site: www.begonias.org.
100 Years of Celebrating the IrisFor 100 years the American Iris Society has been working with and for iris hybridizers, growers and iris lovers (irisarians) to promote and advance the "flower of the rainbow."
Propagating Amaryllis Seeds by FloatingAlthough an exercise in patience, growing Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) bulbs from seed can be advantageous and offers the opportunity to hybridize something new, exciting and different in the world of Amaryllis.
Three Ways to have a "Wild" Time GardeningEach year as we rediscover the emerging beauty of our gardens, we can also welcome and enjoy birds, butterflies, pollinators and other wildlife. Garden for Wildlife Month in May and National Pollinator Week, June 18-24, 2018 remind us to prepare our gardens as a habitat for wildlife. Here are starter tips for wild friendly gardening.
Reptile and Amphibian Public Opinion SurveyAs someone who enjoys gardening and probably encounters reptiles and amphibians in the course of their activity, the Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research invites you to take the 2017 Reptile and Amphibian Public Opinion Survey.
National Pollinator Garden Network Closing In on Million Pollinator Garden Challenge GoalNational, regional, conservation, and gardening groups fight the decline of pollinator species by calling on all Americans to do their part
Vegetable Gardening For DummiesWant to grow your own vegetables? You can do it the fun and easy way with this practical guide. From selecting the right spot to preparing the soil to harvesting, Vegetable Gardening For Dummies, 2nd Edition shows you how to successfully raise vegetables regardless of the size of your plot or your dietary needs.
Voting Open for National Garden Bureau’s 2017 Therapeutic Garden GrantGrant aims to build and enhance therapeutic gardens across North America.
Organic Farmer and Gardener Apprenticeship in Ecological HorticultureAspiring organic farmers and gardeners are invited to apply for the 2018 Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Now celebrating its 50th year, the Apprenticeship is the longest running university-based organic farming training program in the U.S. Deadline to apply is September 30.
Announcing the new Garden.org Ask a Question: KnowledgebaseWe have launched a brand new Q&A feature for our members to enjoy. Ask questions, give answers, post comments on existing answers, and vote on your favorite items.
All-America Selections Now Accepting Herbaceous Perennial Entries for TrialingAll-America Selections, the only non-profit trialing organization for plants that demonstrate great garden performance throughout all of North America, is now accepting entries into their 2018-2021 (three winter) Herbaceous Perennial trial.
Bloomberg Reports Bees Are Bouncing Back from Colony Collapse DisorderThe number of U.S. honeybees, a critical component to agricultural production, rose in 2017 from a year earlier, and deaths of the insects attributed to a mysterious malady that’s affected hives in North America and Europe declined, according a U.S. Department of Agriculture honeybee health survey released Tuesday.
