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Wednesday, March 23, 2005

The Basics of Wildlife Gardening

This link is a nice overview of the considerations that go into creating a garden that is attractive, and sensitive to the needs, of wildlife. Even the most urban lot can attract wildlife -- witness my nightly visits by opossums. Birds are easily attracted, as well. With just a few, simple modifications, you can bring a new depth of life to your backyard paradise.



Native Plants - The Basics of Wildlife Gardening

Weblog: Native Plants

Source: The Basics of Wildlife Gardening

Link: http://nativeplants.blogspot.com/
2005/03/basics-of-wildlife-gardening.html


Wild creatures, like people, have four basic needs: space within which they can find food, water and shelter. The goal of wildlife gardening in an urban or small acreage setting is to provide these needs within the confines of a relatively small area. It’s like developing a Wildlife Field of Dreams: create the habitat and they will come!



(Via PubSub: gardening.)

Garden Pleasures

Oh indeed, the pleasures of other people's gardens. Karen Moline in
NYT Travel Style Magazine sums it up wonderfully. I often find myself more relaxed in other people's gardens, quietly sipping an iced tea with no thoughts of mulch pruning or raking. It is a sad state of affairs that we can become so engrossed with our work that we don't take the time to enjoy what we have.


Let's make a pledge today to let the trees grow, the roses fade and the weeds jump, if only to spend a little time in the garden simply sitting and thinking...or maybe just sitting.


Be well!


(Note: Journalisimo is a wonderful site about fine pens, papers and the joy of using both. Worth a visit all on its own. -- Douglas)


Writing in Other People's Houses

I only knew that the house and grounds felt enchanted. The garden was ablaze with old roses. My many guests and I climbed nearby Templar ruins, stuffed ourselves with cabecou and cherries as fat as Ping-Pong balls and drank vats of plonk while waiting for the nightly parade of sheep in front of the house. The sheepdog yelped and nipped. The shepherd followed his flock -- in his car. Then we watched the bats circle in the endless twilight and agreed that there was nothing more relaxing than sitting in someone else's garden, unfettered by the obligation to deadhead the roses.



(Via Journalisimo | Back to Analog.)

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

Stuff: Fiskars PowerGear Pruner

As I have headed back into the garden recently, I remembered how much I like my Fiskars PowerGear Pruner. These have lasted for a long time with just a little sharpening every now and then. When I do the big rose pruning job at the end of each year, these are the pruners I want in my hand.



The bottom handle rotates as you close your hand and this helps to reduce the odd hand movements and stress that traditional pruners can cause. Even more, this tool allows me to attack much larger stems and branches than I probably should. I have never come close to breaking the blades or breaking them in any other way.


I love it when I find a tool that works. Sometimes I make the common mistake of buying a cheap product instead of something in the middle of the price curve. I am always disappointed when I do that and I have to remind myself that certain products are worth their price, even if you have to pay a little more for them.



You can find more reviews and information via the Amazon link to the right or at Fiskars web site at: http://www.fiskars.com/.

Monday, March 21, 2005

A Guide to Herbaceous Perennial Gardens in the United States and Canada

Looking for gardens to visit across the US? This guide, provided by the Perennial Plant Associations lists information about hundreds of gardens, botanical gardens and more.

A Guide to Herbaceous Perennial Gardens in the United States and Canada




This booklet is based on surveys being conducted in the United States and Canada by the Education Committee of the Perennial Plant Association since 1985. We are pleased to present the 5th edition of “A Guide to Herbaceous Perennial Gardens in the United States and Canada” with many new additions and revisions of gardens in the States and in Canada.


Our objectives are to identify locations of existing demonstration/display gardens accessible to the public where people can learn more about herbaceous perennial plants. We are committed to provide the ultimate consumers, the serious gardeners with the kind of information that leads to successful experiences with herbaceous perennials. We are also committed to our members for promoting the increasing use of herbaceous perennials in both public and private gardens.


Click the link above for more information!