Your All Things Plants weekly news: February 23, 2013

There were 7 new gardening ideas posted last week:

By chelle
February 23, 2013 Repurposing Material For Easier Vine Care
An old section of fence and a leaky tub can help you! (223 words - Read the full article)
(2 comments)

By Boopaints
February 22, 2013 Let your dreams be your guide
Start a dream list notebook that holds ideas, magazine photos, and ideas for your garden.
(no comments)

By Dutchlady1
February 21, 2013 Planting seeds and bulbs
A good rule of thumb for planting seeds or bulbs is that you should plant them the same depth as the size of the seed or bulb.
(one comment)

By Joannabanana
February 20, 2013 Growing cool: Osteospermum seedlings
For strong stocky seedlings, grow cool. Some plants, like osteosperman, require a vernalization period to produce flower buds. (113 words - Read the full article)
(12 comments)

By Skiekitty
February 19, 2013 African Violets are Easy to Grow
Contrary to popular belief, African Violets don't need to be babied. Don't over water them. Watering them once or twice a month is usually good enough. The most important thing to remember is not to place them in a sunny, hot window.
(12 comments)

By SongofJoy
February 18, 2013 2013 All-America Selections Award Winners
If you are anything like me, you spend what might be deemed as a considerable amount of time admiring and researching plants. After all, that’s what brought us together here at ATP. The All-America Selections have been made for 2013 and include some wonderful plants to consider for the year. (1,169 words - Read the full article)
(8 comments)

By Dutchlady1
February 17, 2013 Frugal seed starting mix
You can buy a 'soilless mix' to start seeds, but doing so can be expensive. It is perfectly OK to 'sterilize' your potting soil yourself in a regular oven. Be careful! Do not let it get too hot - 30 minutes at 180 to 200 degrees is ideal.
(12 comments)

The most active threads this week:
Subject OP Area Replies

OT- The Porch Swing - Winter 2013 daylily Daylilies forum 165

Weather In Your Garden - Winter 2012-2013 daylily Daylilies forum 98

Seriously seeking ANSWERS from people with EXPERIENCE! crittergarden All Things Gardening forum 57

LA Question Shannon Daylilies forum 41

Cameron's Shade Garden TexasPlumeria87 Garden Photos forum 32

Hibiscus, Geraniums Scented, Butterfly bushs,vines,Echinacea (cone flw.)Chefmike chefmike92 Co-ops, Group Buys and Classifieds forum 28

Sempervivum BB code practice valleylynn Sempervivum and Jovibarba forum 27

Banner for February 19, 2013 by mcash70 mcash70 Site Banners forum 23

Does anyone grow these? daylilydreams Lilies forum 22

The most active threads this week:
Subject	OP	Area	Replies
OT- The Porch Swing - Winter 2013	daylily	Daylilies forum	165
Weather In Your Garden - Winter 2012-2013	daylily	Daylilies forum	98
Seriously seeking ANSWERS from people with EXPERIENCE!	crittergarden	All Things Gardening forum	57
LA Question	Shannon	Daylilies forum	41
Cameron's Shade Garden	TexasPlumeria87	Garden Photos forum	32
Hibiscus, Geraniums Scented, Butterfly bushs,vines,Echinacea (cone flw.)Chefmike	chefmike92	Co-ops, Group Buys and Classifieds forum	28
Sempervivum BB code practice	valleylynn	Sempervivum and Jovibarba forum	27
Banner for February 19, 2013 by mcash70	mcash70	Site Banners forum	23
Does anyone grow these?	daylilydreams	Lilies forum	22

Some new recommendations from our members:

laurabonitahopkins recommended Annie's Heirloom Seeds and wrote:
Last year I made the decision to only purchase heirloom seeds going forward, and I have been really happy with the varieties I have purchased from Annie's Heirloom Seeds. The site is easy to use, and has good information about their products. I have had great success with almost all the seeds I've purchased. The prices are reasonable, and they ship very quickly. I just ordered some new varieties for this year's garden!

webesemps recommended Lone Pine Gardens and wrote:
Located in Northern CA, Lone Pine Gardens is celebrating their 30th Anniversary. The owners have their nursery business right outside their home and beautiful and interesting it is. With outdoor growing space for both succulents and bonzai starters and all sorts of specialized bonzai pottery, it is a lot to look at. Add to that greenhouses of cactus and tender succulents and bonzai-ed specimens that range from very small, very big, very young and very old. Some of the bonai arrangements are elegant and awe inspiring.

I go to Lone Pine Gardens to shop for succulents but always end up in the Bonzai greenhouse mesmerized by every single bonzai arrangement of either tree or shrub that reflect patience, creativity and beauty all in one pot! Don't expect any staff to hover over you while you browse; the owners are doing their own thing whether it's fertilizing in the back 40 or making lunch for the whole clan; there's lots to look at and to peacefully enjoy your outing in their gardens.

My photo is of jovibaras planted in bonzai planters which is what can happen when you shop at Lone Pine Gardens.

jvdubb recommended Diane's Flower Seeds and wrote:
My brother recommended Diane's. He had been buying from her for two years. This is my fifth year buying. You get plenty of seeds for your money. I never plant them all but find they are still good even four years later. Great packaging and you can also buy glacine envelopes. I will continue to buy from Diane's Seeds.

jvdubb recommended Swallowtail Garden Seeds and wrote:
I always buy too much from Swallowtail! They just have so much to choose. Great customer service. I once called them to ask a question, the woman helping me did not know the answer but she hopped right on the internet and got my question answered right away! Once my mom had just submitted an order and realized she forgot some items. She emailed them and the next day they confirmed they could add them to her order. Great germination too.

jvdubb recommended Summer Hill Seeds and wrote:
My mom and I have been buying seeds from Summer Hill for five years. We eagerly await the new selections. Lots of hard to find seeds. Robin always includes free seeds with purchase and somehow she knows exactly just what to pick! Amazing. Top notch customer service. Will forever order from Summer Hill.

Some new recommendations from our members:
laurabonitahopkins recommended Annie's Heirloom Seeds and wrote: Last year I made the decision to only purchase heirloom seeds going forward, and I have been really happy with the varieties I have purchased from Annie's Heirloom Seeds. The site is easy to use, and has good information about their products. I have had great success with almost all the seeds I've purchased. The prices are reasonable, and they ship very quickly. I just ordered some new varieties for this year's garden!
webesemps recommended Lone Pine Gardens and wrote: Located in Northern CA, Lone Pine Gardens is celebrating their 30th Anniversary. The owners have their nursery business right outside their home and beautiful and interesting it is. With outdoor growing space for both succulents and bonzai starters and all sorts of specialized bonzai pottery, it is a lot to look at. Add to that greenhouses of cactus and tender succulents and bonzai-ed specimens that range from very small, very big, very young and very old. Some of the bonai arrangements are elegant and awe inspiring. I go to Lone Pine Gardens to shop for succulents but always end up in the Bonzai greenhouse mesmerized by every single bonzai arrangement of either tree or shrub that reflect patience, creativity and beauty all in one pot! Don't expect any staff to hover over you while you browse; the owners are doing their own thing whether it's fertilizing in the back 40 or making lunch for the whole clan; there's lots to look at and to peacefully enjoy your outing in their gardens. My photo is of jovibaras planted in bonzai planters which is what can happen when you shop at Lone Pine Gardens.
jvdubb recommended Diane's Flower Seeds and wrote: My brother recommended Diane's. He had been buying from her for two years. This is my fifth year buying. You get plenty of seeds for your money. I never plant them all but find they are still good even four years later. Great packaging and you can also buy glacine envelopes. I will continue to buy from Diane's Seeds.
jvdubb recommended Swallowtail Garden Seeds and wrote: I always buy too much from Swallowtail! They just have so much to choose. Great customer service. I once called them to ask a question, the woman helping me did not know the answer but she hopped right on the internet and got my question answered right away! Once my mom had just submitted an order and realized she forgot some items. She emailed them and the next day they confirmed they could add them to her order. Great germination too.
jvdubb recommended Summer Hill Seeds and wrote: My mom and I have been buying seeds from Summer Hill for five years. We eagerly await the new selections. Lots of hard to find seeds. Robin always includes free seeds with purchase and somehow she knows exactly just what to pick! Amazing. Top notch customer service. Will forever order from Summer Hill.

Some numbers from last week:

84 new members.
103 new threads.
2,926 new posts.
1,241 new images to the plant database.
71 new comments in the plant database.