Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Garnet Stem Chicory

http://ccgrow.com/phytotheca/chicory-garnet-stem-catalogna/

Would be a welcome addition to the garden.

Scorzonera

http://growingtaste.com/vegetables/scorzonera.shtml

Yet another perennial vegetable that I never heard of.

The more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to learn.

Cleopatra

http://all-americaselections.org/winners/details.cfm?WinID=613

Oregano does well in our garden, so we have high hopes for Cleopatra.

Blonde de Lyon

http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/Sorrel_Blonde_de_Lyon_p/her-sor01.htm

We grow Ruby Sorrel (AKA Bloody Sorrel, Bloody Dock) as an ornamental.

Blonde de Lyon is the gourmet culinary version of Ruby Sorrel.  We probably should try growing some, since Ruby Sorrel does so well in the garden.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Artichokes

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/4796/how-to-grow-artichokes

I would love to grow one as an ornamental, the flower is spectacular.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

The Gus

On Thursday, May 19, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I did some watering, also did some weeding, and performed other miscellaneous mundane tasks.

Counts as 3.0 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Invicta Gooseberry

https://www.jungseed.com/P/30184/Invicta+Gooseberry

I would love to add an Invicta to our very modest gooseberry collection.

Perry Pear Trees

http://www.orangepippintrees.com/trees/perry-pear-trees

I am amazed bordering on stupification that this is the first I have heard of this.

I consider myself to be fairly knowledgeable on gardening, but there are some odd gaps in that knowledge.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

The Gus

Today, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I dug holes for three hills of squash plants, and dug one of several holes for the pole beans.

I also did some weeding, picked some stones, and performed other miscellaneous mundane tasks.

Counts as 3.5 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Deer in the garden

A lone whitetail ran through the front yard about 7pm tonight.

Three days in a row I have seen a lone whitetail.

Deer near the garden

A lone whitetail crossed Parkview Lane in front of me last evening while walking the dog.

Softened Water on Plants

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=691#section-2

Complicated issues.

In areas where significant rain falls, the sodium gets flushed.

Fussy house plants that never see rain might be a problem.

The actual amount of sodium in softened water is low but depends on the hardness of the water (see Mayo Clinic link below).

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/water-softeners-sodium/faq-20058469

Thursday, May 5, 2016

The Gus

Today, I attended the regularly scheduled MGV work day at The Gus Green Thumb Garden (but now called The Fox TV6 Home Demonstration Garden or something like that).

I dug out the Edelweiss grape so that it can eventually be replaced by a Concord.

I planted that Edelweiss several years ago, but I never recorded the date on this blog.

I also did some weeding, and performed other miscellaneous mundane tasks.

Counts as 3.5 hours of MGV volunteer hours (includes drive time).

Fox in the garden

A fox ran through the garden just before dusk this evening.

Sure would be nice if it would do its part on the vole and rabbit problems.

History of Zephirine Drouhin Roses

http://www.1001-landscaping-ideas.com/zephirine-drouhin-roses.html

I am very interested in growing these thornless, shade tolerant, climbing roses.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Amorphophallus

https://brentandbeckysbulbs.com/Amorphophallus---konjac--SMALL-CORM-/Araceae/Amorphophallus/konjac

I would love to grow this, mainly for the scent, but we are going to need a lot more global warming before we reach zone 7.