A Gardener's Notebook

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Garden Tips from February 2012

By Douglas E. Welch on March 8th, 2012

Here are the Garden Tips and questions shared via the @gardenersnotebk Twitter account.

Follow @gardenersnotebk

[Tip] Are you ready for Spring? Now is the time for tool repair and tool purchases. Be ready to go when the snow melts.
Free Garden Desktop Wallpapers for Feb 2012 – Cherry Blossoms http://dlvr.it/19Cw7t
Free Garden Wallpaper for your smartphone – Cherry Blossoms http://dlvr.it/19CzZl
[Tip] Thinking about making my own potting soil with my own compost? You? What do you like for seedlings?
FIve garden-related Twitter Chats to check out http://dlvr.it/19Z9MT
[Tip] Info on Rosemary Propogation from Fine Gardening – http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/rosemary-outdoors-and-in.aspx
[Tip] When pulling weeds/grass you have to get the roots. Otherwise it can spring right back up. Not easy, but necessary.
[Tip] Now is the time to spruce up your tools and other equipment. Spring is coming fast. Be ready for it!
[Tip] Could get get more cuttings and starts from your friends and neighbors and reduce your big-box-store shopping? Hmmm?
[?] How will you keep your garden weed free this year? Do you worry about weeding at all? Share your tips!

DIY, How-to, Landscape, Projects, Recycle Comments turned off

Another beautiful use of bottle edging in the garden.

By Douglas E. Welch on March 8th, 2012

Here is another person who has used wine and water bottles to edge paths in their garden. I think it looks quite nice. Where I was quite haphazard with my color selection, it looks like they took the time to keep the same, or similar, colors together.

I haven’t yet finished my one bed with bottle, but photos like this give me the impetus to move ahead, finish that job and maybe start another area. Many thanks for that!

Source: tumblr.sproutrobot.com via Douglas on Pinterest

Flowers, Nature/Outdoors, Photos, Plants Comments turned off

Free Desktop Wallpaper for March 2012 – Daisies

By Douglas E. Welch on March 1st, 2012

Here is a selection of free wallpapers for your computer desktop or smartphone. Right-click and select Save Image As… to download them to your own computer.

Desktop Wallpaper – Plain

Daisy wallpaper

Desktop Wallpaper with March Calendar

Smartphone (iPhone/Droid) Wallpaper

Daisy iphone wallpaper

Books, Education, How-to, News, Video Comments turned off

New Sunset Western Garden Book available

By Douglas E. Welch on February 29th, 2012

I have written about the Sunset Western Garden Book in the past and always consider it my go-to guide for gardening info. The great news is that there is now a new edition of the book available. My own copy is a bit old now, probably from around 1996, so it might just be time to upgrade. Of course, the danger is I will go “down the rabbit hole” and spend more time reading about gardening than doing it. (LAUGH)

You can find further information on this new edition by visiting the Sunset Western Garden Book Press Room.

Via Garden Rant

Events, Nature/Outdoors Comments turned off

Events: Spring Garden Tours in Southern California

By Douglas E. Welch on February 28th, 2012

The Los Angeles Times has this overview of various garden tours happening in the LA area. My only issue is that most of them seem very pricy. Garden tours should be open to as many people as possible. With high prices we risk perpetuating the snobbish appeal of gardens much like that of wine or food. Some events are fundraising, which is a noble task, but I am all for spreading the joy of gardens and gardening with everyone…even those who can’t afford or justify $20-45 for a tour.

Spring garden tours in Southern California

We offer our annual list of spring garden tours for your calendar-marking pleasure. Be sure to check websites for more information and updates, because some events do sell out. Additions to the list and suggestions are welcome via reader comments.

Read the entire article

Equipment, Photos 1 comment

Photo: Oh to be so organized in my garden shed

By Douglas E. Welch on February 25th, 2012

I came across this picture on Pinterest the other day. For the record, this looks NOTHING like my garage where my garden tools are stored. I only WISH it did. Still, I guess it is something to strive for. It is certainly true the being organized can help you get things done in less time with less fuss. It takes time itself, though, so many of us ignore that part in favor of being out with the plants.

Source: finegardening.com via Douglas on Pinterest

This photo, and some others that can be found after the link, are from Fine Gardening and Associate Editor, Michelle Gervai. She says, “A few weeks ago I took advantage of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program and got to visit Linda Allard’s gorgeous garden in Washington, Connecticut.”

Equipment, News, Tools Comments turned off

Recall: ECHO Recalls Backpack Blowers Due to Fire Hazard

By Douglas E. Welch on February 23rd, 2012

I don’t often see a lot of recalls, but this one caught my eye on Google+ a little while ago.

ECHO Recalls Backpack Blowers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Gas Powered Backpack Blower

Units: About 16,000

Manufacturer: ECHO Inc., of Lake Zurich, Ill.

Hazard: The fuel line between the fuel tank and carburetor could have been damaged during assembly leading to fuel leakage, posing a fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported

Read entire recall notice

Nature/Outdoors, Photos, Plants Comments turned off

Photo: Wisteria in the sun

By Douglas E. Welch on February 18th, 2012

Our wisteria vines have sprung into leaf this week. It is always quite amazing how quickly they can go from dead looking stems to luxurious growth. No flowers this year, unfortunately, but I hope removing a tree recently might give them enough light to flower next year.

DIY, How-to, Nature/Outdoors, Recycle 3 comments

Recycle: Pallet trellis for vegetable garden climbers

By Douglas E. Welch on February 16th, 2012

I love to see folks reusing and recycling old materials and this pallet trellis looks to be as simple as they come. Attach some supports to the side and you have a trellis for growing cucumbers, squash and just about anything else that likes to climb.

Source: earthlytenthomestead.wordpress.com via Douglas on Pinterest

Farm, Flowers, Photos, Plants 2 comments

Striking Photo of Lavender Fields and Farmhouse

By Douglas E. Welch on February 15th, 2012

I came across this photo on Pinterest.com and was struck by the amazing colors.

Source: tumblr.com via Douglas on Pinterest

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