tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27787471712780082092024-03-18T19:55:12.808-07:00The Green ThumbersThe Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-31908431433365821332011-09-12T11:18:00.000-07:002011-09-14T05:52:17.207-07:00Memories of Lawn Care...<p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTZiE_L4bX4xnb5W2JNPxmc9ZDl0AfH0fvAaPPN3Khl_flMLitd3HcOIzjaSg624N66bhQPvZpzWGkfvZ4HWhsFJmXlcZpbp_usPS6OpgLkWK8IsvWFBDN4fmn389pnKu6bglvXOwDXTp/s1600/bluegrass.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651596136019627474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTZiE_L4bX4xnb5W2JNPxmc9ZDl0AfH0fvAaPPN3Khl_flMLitd3HcOIzjaSg624N66bhQPvZpzWGkfvZ4HWhsFJmXlcZpbp_usPS6OpgLkWK8IsvWFBDN4fmn389pnKu6bglvXOwDXTp/s200/bluegrass.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoTZiE_L4bX4xnb5W2JNPxmc9ZDl0AfH0fvAaPPN3Khl_flMLitd3HcOIzjaSg624N66bhQPvZpzWGkfvZ4HWhsFJmXlcZpbp_usPS6OpgLkWK8IsvWFBDN4fmn389pnKu6bglvXOwDXTp/s1600/bluegrass.jpg"></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br />My Uncle Michael loved to work in the yard. In fact, he was a self-described fanatic!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />He was the first person I knew who had his own fertilizer cart and had a flawless bluegrass lawn. I was four years old when I first saw him work with his cart and I remember asking him what he was doing. He stopped and explained why it was important to "feed the lawn" on a regular basis to keep it healthy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When my cousin was assigned the chore of mowing the lawn, my uncle insisted he mow one direction and then the other so there were diamond shapes in the grass. My cousin inherited his father's love for the lawn...as an adult, he spends hours fertilizing it, killing weeds, and making it beautiful and healthy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My Dad liked to pick on his younger brother Michael. He knew how important that lawn was to him, but he still liked riding our horse (her name was Lucky) across Michael's front lawn. You can imagine how exasperated Michael became when he saw Lucky's hoof prints in his beautiful green turf!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If a healthy lawn and garden is important to you, you know how necessary regular maintenance is. September is the best time for planting grass seed -- early enough in the season for seeds to germinate and grass to grow before those cold winter temperatures settle in. At The Green Thumbers, we have a variety of grass seed types to fit your lawn's individual needs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It is also the time for strengthening you lawn for the winter. Scotts Lawn Pro Super Turf Builder with Wintergard is an excellent fertilizer which will help your lawn to be ready for the winter months ahead (if You are fertilizing your lawn on the Scotts 4 Step program, this product is Step 4).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Growing a healthy lawn takes patience and skill, but with a little effort and care, you can have a beautiful, healthy lawn all year round. Hopefully, no one will make hoof-prints in your front lawn.The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-67904037590568877212011-08-22T14:27:00.000-07:002011-08-23T14:06:24.112-07:00Mommy, What Kind of Flower is That?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx-9MWcs6y7VRKsGu60j7Qcz5toNDRc3z6L2Hx3Nkq81XzsyVyPvDyJEVxZBZEWNnnn4faVF1JV9n7E-HSzad-O_zqKGiZ4DIT8gY894Y_uPJZuFhZ-y31Mt4KAQQw-toW4N6cJJPK4Jz/s1600/Dandelion.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644160738924228386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx-9MWcs6y7VRKsGu60j7Qcz5toNDRc3z6L2Hx3Nkq81XzsyVyPvDyJEVxZBZEWNnnn4faVF1JV9n7E-HSzad-O_zqKGiZ4DIT8gY894Y_uPJZuFhZ-y31Mt4KAQQw-toW4N6cJJPK4Jz/s200/Dandelion.jpg" /></a>
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<br /><div>What kind of flower is that, Mommy?" I whispered as Mom and I knelt in the grass. I was four years old and we were out on one of our nature walks.
<br />That's a Dandelion," she told me.
<br />"Oh!" I gasped, in awe. I was easily impressed at that age. "I thought Dandelions were yellow. This is all white and fuzzy."
<br />"That's because it has gone to seed. if you blow on it, the little white seeds will blow away."
<br />I had done this before and it was one of my favorite things to do, but I hadn't realized that the white feathery things were Dandelions <em>or</em> seeds. I blew on the head of the flower and watched as the white seeds danced away on the breeze.
<br />"In a little while," Mom explained, "those seeds will land somewhere else and grow into brand new Dandelions."
<br />After a few minutes I asked her, "Mommy, why do you pull Dandelions out of your garden if they're flowers?"
<br />"Because they're weeds," she replied.
<br />"But how can a flower be a weed?"
<br />Mom smiled. "Anything that grows somewhere you don't want it to is a weed. Technically a rose can be a weed if it grows in the wrong place."
<br />"Does anybody have a Dandelion garden?"
<br />"I don't think so," she said.
<br />I didn't think this was fair. I decided that one day I would grow up and have my very own Dandelion garden...
<br />Many parents miss the opportunity to spend time with their children in nature, teaching them about things as simple as weeds in the back yard. What a lot of people don't realize is that this stuff, while simple and frivolous to many adults, can be exciting and fun for kids. Family fun, lasting memories can be made without money, great effort, or skill. All it takes is time, patience, and the willingness to listen and answer questions like, "Mommy, what kind of flower is that?"
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<br />The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-21881175548009478972011-08-08T12:07:00.000-07:002011-08-08T12:16:19.746-07:00Save the Tomatoes Now: Stop Blossom End Rot!Growers often are distressed to notice that a dry, sunken decay has developed on the blossom end (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opposite</span> the stem) of many fruit, especially the first fruit of the season. This can be very damaging, with losses of 50% or more in some years.
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<br />On Tomato and eggplant blossom-end rot usually begins as a small water-soaked area at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">blossom</span> end of the fruit. This may appear while the fruit is green or during ripening. As the lesion develops, it enlarges, becomes sunken, and turns black and leathery. on peppers, the affected area appears tan, and is sometimes mistaken for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sun scald</span>, which is white. Ultimately mold grows in the lesion and the fruit is lost.
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<br />Blossom-end rot is associated with a low concentration of calcium in the fruit. The problem is induced when demand for calcium exceeds supply. This may result from low calcium levels, drought stress, or excessive soil moisture fluctuations which reduce uptake and movement of calcium into the plant, or rapid, vegetative growth due to excessive nitrogen fertilization.
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<br />To improve the calcium content of the soil, try Shake 'N Feed by Miracle Grow. To stop and prevent Blossom End Rot over the next several weeks, spray your tomatoes, peppers and more with Yield Booster by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fertilome</span>.
<br />The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-18406739504826670282011-08-02T12:52:00.000-07:002011-08-05T11:40:25.076-07:00Fairy Gardening 101<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv78t1FIFVruY9B6H7QY3phQjsyvXN7U9_eaAdB6-vfgKxrIANKiNAFZhdLDfyGC4E9wYqYSCt9Hh7Lz_cp-H36-eZ2UegnDcqUla9i3uSzrOtVbHpgP0Ek7RcMay6TFSadLLkv8sFwZmN/s1600/fairy-garden.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 312px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636366919121186370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv78t1FIFVruY9B6H7QY3phQjsyvXN7U9_eaAdB6-vfgKxrIANKiNAFZhdLDfyGC4E9wYqYSCt9Hh7Lz_cp-H36-eZ2UegnDcqUla9i3uSzrOtVbHpgP0Ek7RcMay6TFSadLLkv8sFwZmN/s320/fairy-garden.jpg" /></a><br /></p><br /><div align="right">Fairy Gardens are adorable. There is no way around it...There's something about a miniature paradise accompanied by tiny accessories arranged in a little garden box that is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">irresistible</span>. The really cool thing about these gardens is that although there are plants that have been developed to use in them and there are trimmings <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recommended</span> by the manufacturer, a Fairy Gardener does not have to be limited to these options. Fairy gardens are limitless <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunities</span> for creativity and fun.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637442349803983634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPP11j-PG95WFh22xyFAqME7aVBOA6BO-qY7aOMgmPJ4b44N8fOVXkfqUTJSmx9ti3wG2wFR6CasaseOQ6caq4AwjE5PU5hFNQ1cLH1DoI9qvpcRjpt6B_QiELt9QwR5JT_y-drLeq7nb/s200/home.jpg" /><br />Some of you may be wondering, "What IS a Fairy Garden." A Fairy Garden is a tiny garden meant for imaginary fairies (or simply invisible or shy ones if you're a believer). These gardens are small -- small enough to fit in a gardening box and fit on a coffee table. You can put them outside in warm weather, but for people who live in an apartment or who have no yard and outdoor gardening space, these tiny planters are ideal. Fairy-Gardeners plant tiny plants and arrange <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">furniture</span> and landscaping items (paths, wheelbarrows, etc.) in the garden to make their "Fairy-Guests" as comfortable as possible. (for more information on Fairy Garden products, please visit <a href="http://www.fairygardening.com/">http://www.fairygardening.com/</a>).<br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Sometimes, however, garden centers might be out of the accessories and plants which are originally made for the Fairy Gardens, or a customer might not like the little elements <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">available</span> to decorate the planters. In either case, Fairy Gardeners can still be happy, creative, and enjoy working with their tiny planters...Here are a few suggestions:<br /><br />(1) Plants: Plants for your Fairy Garden only have to meet a few simple critera:<br />(a) They must be small (they have to fit into the tiny plant box)<br />(b) They must grow slowly (we can't have them outgrowing their planter, can we?)<br />(c) They must be cute (sorry, uglier plants like skunk cabbage need not apply for residency in a Fairy Garden)...<br /><br />Here are some suggestions for Fairy Garden Plants:<br />Ferns<br />Ivy<br />Coffee Plants<br />Podocarpus<br />Palm (Mini-ones of course)<br />Cactus Garden<br />Hens and Chickens (Note: Cacti and Hens and Chickens need a LOT of direct sunlight to stay healthy)...<br /><br />Once you've planted your fairy garden, you have to think about accessorizing it. Sometimes more creative people can feel limited by decorative items offered in stores, so here are some ideas for thinking outside the box: </p><br /><ul><br /><li>Toy stores (You could find everything from well-made miniature doll furnature for your garden to little trains and tracks ... maybe your fairies like to travel...) </li><br /><li>Craft Stores (You might find some unfinished mini-accessories here that you could decorate in your own way...if your favorite store has a doll-house section, be sure to check out the miniatures they have on sale there) </li><br /><li>Other departments of your garden center (if you want to make a rocky path for your fairies, most garden centers have pebbles and other small rocks for sale -- also be sure to look for things like wood chips and sand.) </li></ul>In conclusion, Fairy Gardens are an enjoyable way to garden inside your house, while using the whimsical side of your imagination. Although the size of the gardens may seem limiting to some people, they really are a lot of fun. And who knows? Maybe a real fairy will come to live in your Fairy Garden.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637111331829671970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqBKjnLAa9KwikdWRsic0ngPhvX7xbK3jcgWey5jTnifsTAi60n3u7m5PiwXSSL6_oIz0Kmmlcy-TXHCal6pB931iCo-JiVI31W70V02YalqAz8L4bsGHZDeMOVOQKs6lDwbjJaHK8KJA/s200/fairy_garden2.jpg" />The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-38170024008699457712011-06-14T14:50:00.001-07:002011-06-14T14:50:56.118-07:00Rainy Weather Risk!!!Anthracnose is a group of diseases that cause dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits. Often called leaf, shoot, or twig blight, tree anthracnose results from infection by a number of fungi. It can noticeably blight some trees such as sycamore, ash, oak, and evergreen elms. Because, anthracnose fungi need water to spread and infect, Infections on deciduous plants are more severe when prolonged spring rains occur after new growth appears.<br /><br />Leaves may curl, shrivel or have spots ranging from tan to black. The infected leaves will often drop at times the entire plant may shed its leaves. When the weather dries, new leaf growth will likely appear. Rake fallen infected leaves up quickly and discard.<br /><br />Fungicidal sprays can be used to manage anthracnose once it is present and in the future be sprayed to prevent anthracnose during especially wet springs. A natural method would be to use Liquid Copper Soap from Natural Guard. For continued disease resistance a systemic fungicide or broad spectrum fungicide would be a good option.The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-73804633535984199372011-05-31T08:19:00.000-07:002011-05-31T08:21:06.648-07:00Hydrangeas: Pink or BlueFor hydrangea blooms to be pink:<br />Add dolomitic lime several times a year to raise the pH use a fertilizer with high levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus helps to prevent aluminum from creeping into the system of the hydrangea. Choose a fertilizer close to the ratio of 25/10/10 (Phosphorus is the middle number).In areas that naturally produce blue hydrangeas (soils with aluminum), consider growing pink hydrangeas in large pots. If hydrangeas are grown in pots, it will be much easier to control the requirements for growing pink hydrangeas. <br /><br />For hydrangea blooms to be blue:<br />To ensure that aluminum ispresent, aluminum sulfate may be added to the soil around the hydrangeas. Mix 1 Tablespoon of aluminum sulfate per gallon of water to be applied to plants. Important: Water plants well in advance of application and put solution on cautiously. A fertilizer low in phosphorus and high in potassium is helpful in producing a good blue color(25/5/30 is good.)The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-11276103288629985552011-02-01T18:01:00.001-08:002011-02-01T18:01:33.070-08:00Re-blooming Amaryllis Bulbs<p><b>Growing Amaryllis!</b></p> <p>These bulbs are prized for their willingness to produce large and colorful blooms indoors in the fall (South African Amaryllis) or in the dead of winter (Dutch Amaryllis). </p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b>POTTING THE BULBS:</b> Pot bulbs individually in 6-7in pots or group 3 bulbs together in a 10-12in container. Begin by placing a well-drained potting mix in a plastic tub. Slowly add warm water and stir with your hand until the mix is moist but not soggy. Then fill the pot about half full with potting mix, set the bulb on top of the mix and fill in around the bulb with additional mix. Adjust the position of the bulb as needed, so that the top third of the bulb is exposed. The final level of the mix should be about 1/2in below the rim of the pot to allow for watering. Firm the mix and water lightly to settle it around the bulbs. </p> <p><img border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5" align="right" src="https://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs025/1102596373892/img/183.jpg" width="230" height="260" /></p> <p><b>PRE-BLOOM CARE OF AMARYLLIS:</b> Place the pot where the temperature remains above 60°F. The warmer the temperature (70-80°F night and day is ideal), the faster the bulb will sprout and grow. Providing bottom heat (by setting the pot on a propagation mat or on the top of a refrigerator) may help stimulate growth. Water only when the top inch of the potting mix is dry to the touch. Watering more frequently, particularly just after potting, can cause the bulb to rot. </p> <p>Growth generally begins in 2-8 weeks. Certain varieties of Amaryllis may take more time to sprout. As long as your bulb remains firm, be patient and take care not to overwater. Provide ample sunshine (a south-facing window or a sunroom) as soon as the bulb sprouts. Rotate the pot frequently to prevent the flower stalks from leaning toward the light. </p> <p><b></b></p> <p><b>REBUILDING THE BULB:</b> After flowering, your bulb is exhausted. If you want flowers next year (many people prefer simply to purchase new bulbs every fall), you must allow it to rebuild itself. After the last bloom fades, cut off the flower stalk 3-5 inches above the bulb, BUT DO NOT CUT THE LEAVES OFF. THEY PRODUCE FOOD THAT WILL BE STORED IN THE BULB. Put your plant in a sunny window (a south-facing one is best), water when the top inch of the potting mix is dry to the touch, and begin fertilizing with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month. When the danger of frost has passed in spring, set the pot outdoors in full sun or knock the bulb out of its pot and plant it in the ground in a sunny location. In fall -- we often wait until frost blackens the leaves -- bring the bulb indoors, cut the foliage off just above the bulb, and store it dry in a cool (55°F), dark place such as a basement for 8-10 weeks. Then pot (or repot) the bulb and water it. Thereafter, keep the potting mix almost dry until new growth emerges, and follow the instructions for potting bulbs.</p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-54075541037689617672010-06-12T13:28:00.001-07:002010-06-12T13:28:37.050-07:00Plants of the Week<p><strong><em><font size="4">NINEBARK DIABLO</font></em>:</strong></p> <p>These multi-branched, upright shrubs are fast growers. In spring, Diablo ninebark bears white or pinkish-white flowers that grow in clusters. The purplish foliage of Diablo ninebark plants (with a touch of red here and there) earn them the nickname, "purple ninebarks" or purple-leafed ninebarks." An increase in red color and a hint of bronze added to the purple in the leaves make them even more attractive in fall. Mature branches exhibit exfoliating bark, giving Diablo ninebark plants winter interest. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/TBPt4HKo58I/AAAAAAAAAN4/Yq_SHG7r5ZU/s1600-h/Diablo%20Ninebark%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Diablo Ninebark" border="0" alt="Diablo Ninebark" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/TBPt5bm1oSI/AAAAAAAAAN8/0QS4Q7jia-c/Diablo%20Ninebark_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="494" /></a> </p> <p>Besides it's aesthetic value in the landscape, Diablo is also loved for it's versatility. While it will flower best in full sun, it also thrives in partial shade.  Additionally this extremely hard plant, Diablo prefers a well drained soil, but can also be used as a wetland species -- while conversely...tolerating some drought!!</p> <p>Ninebark Diablo grows 8-10' tall with a similar spread.  It makes an excellent specimen plant or privacy hedge.  Many prefer a natural 'overgrown' look, but Diablo can be pruned after blooming to make it more compact or shaped.</p> <p><strong><em><font size="4">TWICE AS NICE DAYLILIES:</font></em></strong></p> <p>Traditionally in the midwest, perennials add background and greenery to the garden and the most powerful color punch comes from annuals.  Re-blooming daylilies offer summer-long bright and colorful blooms from a perennial plant. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/TBPt649jE9I/AAAAAAAAAOA/P40ZRIWqbrY/s1600-h/Daylilies%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Daylilies" border="0" alt="Daylilies" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/TBPt9BKSWGI/AAAAAAAAAOE/38SnLH_2PFI/Daylilies_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="318" /></a> </p> <p>The award-winning Plants that Work® "Twice as Nice" Daylily Collection represents some of the best hybridization and breeding the Daylily world has to offer. As America's most loved perennial, these selections offer a broad range of color, form and bloom time, with heights suitable for most any garden. And in most zones and under normal conditions, attentive gardening practices result in repeat blooms! "Twice as Nice" Daylily Collection continues to be a favorite choice of the home gardener including favorites like "Going Bananas", "Bright Sunser", and "Siloam Double Classic"</p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-12361639373873203322010-04-23T12:35:00.001-07:002010-04-23T12:35:19.484-07:00Thrillers, Fillers, and Spillers<p>Nothing says "welcome" or "relax" - it's summertime like a pot full of beaming flowers.  In our climate, perennials give color burst for moments each season.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S9H2blEB83I/AAAAAAAAANg/qCUwRPJ7ntw/s1600-h/Sweet%20Gerber%20Tropics%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Sweet Gerber Tropics" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="368" alt="Sweet Gerber Tropics" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S9H2cYeQvEI/AAAAAAAAANk/EINdad04rtQ/Sweet%20Gerber%20Tropics_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Containers are essential for color and style in the garden.  You can design your own amazing looking containers:</p> <blockquote> <p>- Be creative in your plant choices (think outside the 4 pack) </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>- Select plants that will thrive in the container and location</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>- Use a top quality potting mix...you keep hearing this, </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>  but it's MOST important</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>- Use a design scheme of <strong><em>thrillers, fillers and spillers... </em></strong> <p></p> </p> <strong>     Thrillers:</strong> Plants that bring punch to the containers</blockquote> <p></p> <p>        Common choices: green spike, coleus, evergreen shrub</p> <p>        Unique choices: cordyline, grasses, fuschia plant, or </p> <p>         tropical plants like this croton.</p> <p><strong>     Fillers</strong>: Plants that bring fullness to the containers</p> <p>        Common choices: pansies, begonias, verbena, geraniums,</p> <p>        impatiens, petunias</p> <p>        Unique choices: coralbells, hostas, herbs, strawberry  </p> <p>        plants, and even lettuce!</p> <p><strong>  Spillers:</strong> Plants that, well, spill out of your container</p> <p>        Common choices: vinca vine, asparagus fern, licorice, & ivy</p> <p>        Unique choices: ferns, sweet potato vine, ivy geranium</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S9H2c2InlCI/AAAAAAAAANo/GGSzWyeOWPo/s1600-h/tropical%20container%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="tropical container" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="387" alt="tropical container" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S9H2duchJ-I/AAAAAAAAANs/2Q3ftyXlTZE/tropical%20container_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" border="0" /></a></p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-62772998925252790362010-04-20T20:50:00.001-07:002010-04-20T20:50:45.203-07:00A few cool plants<p>Walking through the garden…I couldn’t help but notice some understated, unassuming plants that I just love!</p> <p><em>Nashika Willow:</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8515Dzu6NI/AAAAAAAAAMw/fgIhb3zVZfw/s1600-h/Blog%20205%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Blog 205" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="284" alt="Blog 205" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8515xX4oWI/AAAAAAAAAM0/ht0ujnOD5rE/Blog%20205_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Nashika Willow enjoys part sun/part shade…it has an interesting and airy branch structure.  It’s white and green variegated leaves add a pop of color and it has small blooms in spring… </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S85174kspqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/HYyWWNkFkRU/s1600-h/Blog%20206%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Blog 206" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="300" alt="Blog 206" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8518neW3nI/AAAAAAAAAM8/mWXeFJfVijQ/Blog%20206_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Lady’s mantle…is a low growing perennial.  It fills in nicely to create a sort of ground cover or border feature.  She’s my kind of lady because she prefers a little sunshine… </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S851-Q1Wm9I/AAAAAAAAANA/_gIdtaygD9k/s1600-h/Blog%20207%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Blog 207" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="306" alt="Blog 207" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S851_iezB5I/AAAAAAAAANI/11OZV5JxOaY/Blog%20207_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And no shade garden is complete without the stately Solomon’s seal…(on the left) It grows tall and proud and it’s white variegated leaves provide a beacon of light for the dark shade garden.  It’s dainty blooms are just delightful…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S852BpY70UI/AAAAAAAAANM/ps4oCyL_bnc/s1600-h/Blog%20210%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Blog 210" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="303" alt="Blog 210" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S852CdIfUhI/AAAAAAAAANQ/00oG-OvGomE/Blog%20210_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>None of these plants are as showy and fragrant as the lilacs about to burst into bloom…but they have a quiet well-deserved place in the garden…beyond May :)</p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S852EBgLCQI/AAAAAAAAANU/hYAeWtBKhqs/s1600-h/Blog%20218%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Blog 218" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="303" alt="Blog 218" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S852FFZALgI/AAAAAAAAANY/7bI91NaLTFM/Blog%20218_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" border="0" /></a></p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-21392445920265098622010-04-20T20:32:00.001-07:002010-04-20T20:32:38.547-07:00Lawn Care: 2 methods – 3 steps<p><font color="#008000" size="4">Fight, Feed & Seed for Spring</font> </p> <p>A few tips to keep in mind for your lawn in early spring:</p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#008000">FIGHT</font> weeds now:</p> <p>-  Early spring is the optimum time to prevent crabgrass! Crabgrass will germinate when the soil temperature reaches  approximately 60 degrees...so apply your crabgrass preventer now</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font color="#008000">FEED </font>your lawn:</p> <p>-  Fertilizing your lawn now will provide lusher, greener grass for bare feet in summer</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font color="#008000">SEED</font> your lawn:</p> <p>-  Spring is also a good time to repair patches or overseed your lawn.</p> </blockquote> <p></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#008000" size="5">GO ORGANIC – here’s how…</font></p> <p><font color="#008000">FIGHT</font> weeds now:</p> <p>-  Even organic gardeners dislike weeds!! Applying a natural weed blocker on the lawn <strong>now</strong> will 'smother' weeds like crabgrass, dandelions and other annaul weeds. Corn gluten meal is a common choice for organic gardeners. Well, that and a spade!!!</p> <p><font color="#008000">FEED</font> your lawn:</p> <p>-  Fertilizing organically can be done using a number of products and methods also.  The key to a healthy organic lawn is good, healthy soil.  Aeration is hugely beneficial in spring.  Following aeration, try a compost dressing or tea.  You can also purchase bagged fertilizers such as milorganite or Nature Guard's Soil Activator. </p> <p><font color="#008000">SEED </font>your lawn: <br />-  Seeding is very important in organic lawn care.  The more healthy grass thrives, the less room weeds have to invade.  Plant a mixed crop of grasses, so that if one or two varieties fail, the other varieties can fill in instead of weeds.  </p> <p>You can combine <font color="#008000">Fight, Feed, and Seed</font> with other green practices.  Raise your mower blade, let grass clippings compost onto the lawn, water more thoroughly less frequently. </p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-17257463775317261982010-04-13T21:45:00.001-07:002010-04-13T21:45:48.371-07:00How does your garden grow?<p> It seems just a few days ago we were asking…</p> <p>“When will the flowers get here??</p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:07674d91-b1b7-49eb-91e1-99fa1ae47f1d" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!185&ct=photos"><img style="border:0px" alt="View waiting" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIJ1tNULI/AAAAAAAAAL4/8tsq0Yc8EzE/InlineRepresentation8c362038-2eaa-4468-bf66-9504162b79f2%5B21%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:449px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!185&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p> </p> <p>Well…we have flowers everywhere now and we wonder…</p> <p>Do you plant…</p> <p> </p> <p>The perpetually friendly face of gerbera daisies??</p> <p></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:c45f4f60-c934-42ea-9ce8-2cd560d13c20" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!181&ct=photos"><img style="border:0px" alt="View gerberas" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIKvaw7oI/AAAAAAAAAL8/61ByMDPwFI0/InlineRepresentationc9e4f0ef-f818-4f34-9d06-20a4da36734b%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:508px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!181&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <blockquote> <p> <p><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p>  </p> </blockquote> <p>The petite humility of a pansy?<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIMuneniI/AAAAAAAAAMA/VpDNzIP2-cU/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20020%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 020" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="297" alt="Green Thumbers 020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIN8Ep8AI/AAAAAAAAAME/XDsXMzlA65Q/Green%20Thumbers%20020_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" border="0" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#800080"><em></em></font></p> </blockquote> <p><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> <p> </p> <p>The over joyous osteos?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIP_tyioI/AAAAAAAAAMI/m7Nb1F3ndeU/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20032%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 032" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="466" alt="Green Thumbers 032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIRgEvXuI/AAAAAAAAAMM/sO9KD9XKkKg/Green%20Thumbers%20032_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" border="0" /></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#800080"><em></em></font></p> </blockquote> <p><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> <blockquote> <p> </p> </blockquote> <p align="left">The lovingly patient ranunculus?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VITv1CnEI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/_Ke7QHqY97s/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20034%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 034" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="391" alt="Green Thumbers 034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIVAL4F3I/AAAAAAAAAMU/783IH_QIiIs/Green%20Thumbers%20034_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" border="0" /></a>  </p> <blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> <p><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> </blockquote> <p>The politely pleasant petunia?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIXHWRIeI/AAAAAAAAAMY/GA84UT_qUeU/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20036%5B8%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 036" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="400" alt="Green Thumbers 036" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIY5u0zpI/AAAAAAAAAMc/T01PbYfhK_M/Green%20Thumbers%20036_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="518" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <blockquote> <p align="center"><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p> </p> </blockquote> <p align="left">The quiet, thoughtful fern?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIaRpqngI/AAAAAAAAAMg/4BrbAceFWWw/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20033%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 033" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="620" alt="Green Thumbers 033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIcLYTCgI/AAAAAAAAAMk/WlWpqbIYQEs/Green%20Thumbers%20033_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" border="0" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p> </p> </blockquote> <p>The timeless geranium?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIdXynfMI/AAAAAAAAAMo/5R91E4PqhA4/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20063%5B6%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 063" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="490" alt="Green Thumbers 063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S8VIe8RNSNI/AAAAAAAAAMs/LJm82LGtibc/Green%20Thumbers%20063_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" border="0" /></a> </p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#800080"><em></em></font></p> <p><em><font color="#800080"></font></em></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>I just wonder friends…what do you plant in your garden?</p></blockquote> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-62661555019216027242010-04-08T20:25:00.001-07:002010-04-08T20:25:00.056-07:00You say Potatoe I say Potato<p>Potatoes are relatively easy to grow and require little space.  It’s even feasible to grow potatoes in containers!  Potatoes are best planted now in early to mid spring because maximal tuber formation occurs at soil temperatures between 60° and 70°F. The tubers fail to form when the soil temperature reaches 80°F. Potatoes withstand light frosts in the spring.</p> <p>Consider these varieties:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76d7kNIq-I/AAAAAAAAALY/Il-9sbuVNxs/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20072%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 072" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Green Thumbers 072" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76d8KYgtBI/AAAAAAAAALc/tdVI1AlNBQk/Green%20Thumbers%20072_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76d9j793DI/AAAAAAAAALg/lXcA74BtwEM/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20069%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 069" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Green Thumbers 069" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76d_fjslBI/AAAAAAAAALk/OpCCqhcCaxk/Green%20Thumbers%20069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76eAD3AAqI/AAAAAAAAALo/tDXpZ5d8rHI/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20070%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 070" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Green Thumbers 070" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76eA0gtevI/AAAAAAAAALs/WvpKRJdWkTI/Green%20Thumbers%20070_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76eCOkCGlI/AAAAAAAAALw/bJPrZP0o6b8/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20071%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 071" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="Green Thumbers 071" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S76eCkomvaI/AAAAAAAAAL0/E58CKLAP8HA/Green%20Thumbers%20071_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><strong>Dakota Pearl</strong> has a very smooth, uniform, shape.  It has round tubers with bright white skin and flesh. Good for chipping and mashing. Mid season maturity. Disease resistant. Stores well</p> <p><strong>Kennebec</strong> is a large potato, and it looks very pretty with its light tan skin, nice uniform appearance and attractive white fleshy insides. Thin skin peels quickly. Resists blight. High yield. Winters well for a long storage time.</p> <p><strong>Yukon Gold</strong> is the most famous of the new wave of yellow-fleshed varieties now available. Long popular in Europe, these have good flavor and moist flesh, which many people claim requires less of the fattening condiments required by other potatoes. All-purpose. Early to mid-season. Keeps well.</p> <p><strong>Red Norland</strong> is a round tuber type with bright red skin. Medium yield potential. Good for boiling, roasting and salad.</p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-77041058484286683332010-04-04T17:27:00.001-07:002010-04-04T17:27:31.926-07:00Vegetable Gardens<p>A sight such as this…is beautiful, but rarely seen…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kuUm_WlkI/AAAAAAAAAKg/ZhY0VO8pjKY/s1600-h/Holidays20090924.jpg"><img title="Holidays 2009 092" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="370" alt="Holidays 2009 092" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kuWdMeb_I/AAAAAAAAAKk/38NH1GHFXEE/Holidays2009092_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Most families lack the land, the time, and the knowledge to host a large, traditional garden of vegetables lined up in proud rows ready to fight against sun, wind, and whatever comes there way until harvest.</p> <p>For the last couple of decades, vegetable gardening has been a quiet sport contended by retirees or the rare few, but it is now ‘en vogue’ to think local, think healthy and of course – think green.</p> <p>As a result more and more families are thinking outside of the box formerly known as the vegetable garden…</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kuYVPIdPI/AAAAAAAAAKo/Z-LFCCeGxw0/s1600-h/Holidays20090618.jpg"><img title="Holidays 2009 061" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="286" alt="Holidays 2009 061" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kuaEOVCkI/AAAAAAAAAKs/AFgdrmBKpGs/Holidays2009061_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Would you believe there are 5 tomato plants, 3 pepper plants, 10 onion sets, a handful of herbs and even a blueberry bush growing among this landscape of ornamental grasses and newly planted cutting flowers?</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kuaihay9I/AAAAAAAAAKw/XcsMu-ZpNSs/s1600-h/containergardening3.jpg"><img title="container gardening" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="387" alt="container gardening" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kubeTsr8I/AAAAAAAAAK0/QRLrRmZsamc/containergardening_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Of course container gardening is also a hot topic!!</em> </p> <p> </p> <p>If you already have decorative planters of flowers, consider mixing lettuce for cutting such as “Black-seeded Simpson” or “Buttercrunch” creating edible greenery in your containers.  For a punch of color consider “kale” or “swiss chard”. </p> <p> </p> <p>Some gardeners are creating signature touches by including a <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kubq2y_GI/AAAAAAAAAK4/pU-noWRXLkI/s1600-h/strawberry2.jpg"><img title="strawberry" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="124" alt="strawberry" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kucAI6WBI/AAAAAAAAAK8/AkKypDRCVZ0/strawberry_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" align="right" border="0" /></a>strawberry plant or pepper plant in each container they have…can you imagine…a bright red strawberry!!! What a wonderful surprise!!! </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Thoughts to consider when planning your vegetable garden:</p> <p>- What do you want?</p> <blockquote> <p>Spend some time at dinner one evening jotting down all that the fruits and vegetables you would like to grow. The next night, highlight your top priorities on the list.</p> </blockquote> <p>- How much time?</p> <blockquote> <p>Write down how much time you can dedicate each day and each week to tending…including watering, weeding, and harvest.</p> </blockquote> <p>- How much space?</p> <blockquote> <p>Decide how many containers how many sections of your yard or current flower beds you can dedicate.</p> </blockquote> <p>After you have this information on paper, draw a sketch of the spaces you are considering.</p> <blockquote> <p>-Highlight or shade orange areas that are full sun or receive sunlight in morning and afternoon</p> <p>-Highlight or shade yellow areas that are part sun (shaded partially in either afternoon or morning)</p> <p>- Highlight or shade blue areas that are mostly shady</p> </blockquote> <p>Now you can match up the types of plants from your priority list that match that spaces you currently have available.  A little pocket here and there can really put to use when you have the right plants in the right place.  <br /></p> <p><em>Helpful Hint: For busy gardeners, put your plants near areas that you use…walkways, patios, and near the most common entrance of your home.  This will make it easier to water and not forget your plants when your schedule gets hectic!</em></p> <p><em></em></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kucYmNdFI/AAAAAAAAALA/5iNmgf3lw4Q/s1600-h/familygardening4.jpg"><img title="family gardening" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="179" alt="family gardening" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S7kuc8AiW8I/AAAAAAAAALE/pK0YpWcXws0/familygardening_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" align="left" border="0" /></a> </p> </blockquote> <p align="right">Success is motivating.</p> <p align="right">Start small.</p> <p align="right">Think outside the box.</p> <p align="right"><em>When you enjoy the fun and taste of harvest…you will want to add more next year!</em></p> <p align="right"><em></em></p> <p align="right"><em></em></p> <p align="center">For more on starting your vegetable garden on a budget…consider <a href="http://thegreenthumbers.blogspot.com/2010/03/simple-seed-starting.html">Starting Seeds</a> with a little help from <a href="http://www.drearth.com">Dr. Earth</a>!</p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-37089360655583827332010-04-04T17:11:00.000-07:002010-04-04T17:39:50.191-07:00Dr. Earth Tea<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Fertilizer Tea...it's easy!<br /></div></span><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456440059835990370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYwLSY5lGonK-CXwmAY0ldjJcyfTse6Z9si_bMaQGK2m6qaE0NrfZRE9sARZ2s7W5TNBsUGrX-ERc4mZXzsQBvM0b5LOxbCv0BYNjFmgGHhX0qr0nrPQVFD7Ad8sGNGiMEee0fxdtsBZI/s320/Dr+Earth.jpg" border="0" /> Fill a bucket with water. Use 1 cup of Dr. Earth <em>Starter Fertilizer</em> for every gallon of water. (A good method is to use 5 cups in a 5 gallon bucket)</p><p>Stir and let the mixture sit for 24 hours.</p><p>After 24 hours, stir well. Strain the solids and mulch soilds around the root zone. </p><p>Use the liquid tea for foliar feed or deep root feeding. </p><p>Use 1-2 cups per plant (2-4 cups for larger plants) </p><p>This can be done at planting and repeated monthly if desired.</p>---------------------------------<br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Compost Tea</span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><p align="left"><br />You will need a - 5gallon bucket.<br />Fill the bucket 3/4 full with water and let it sit for 24 hours (to allow chlorine gas to evaporate). </p><p align="left">After 24 hours, add approximately 1 gallon of Dr. Earth Pro-biotic soil and 1 ounce of unsulfured molasses (extra food for the microbes!) to the water. </p><p align="left">Stir the soil and water well until the soil is completely wet and the water is a rich, dark brown color. Use your tea within 24 hours of ''brewing.'' </p><p align="left"><strong>How to apply-</strong></p><p align="left">Soil Drench Application-<br />Apply directly to the soil around your plants at a rate of 1 cup ''tea'' to your plants monthly.<br /></p><p align="left">Foliar Application- Sprayer or Watering can -<br />Filter resulting tea through folded cheesecloth. </p><p align="left">If using a watering can, pour liquid full strength over foliage of plants as you water tea mixture in to the planting area. </p><p align="left">Apply the strained tea with a standard pump sprayer both to the top and bottom on leaves. </p><p align="left">Do not throw the solid material away; add it to the soil as mulch around any plant in the garden.</p>The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-25866284534513056802010-03-26T13:16:00.001-07:002010-03-26T13:16:10.695-07:00A peek at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show<p>Right away I noticed tulips and hyacinths tucked into every kind of landscape!  I L-O-ve this!!! In the northern tundra we wait soooo long for spring to bloom.  Spring bulbs give us color before our shrubs and perennials have warmed up for the season.  The whole left from spring bulbs is the perfect place to fill in annuals for color punch the rest of the season…</p> <p></p> <div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:134dbd70-e4a6-4305-bb2c-2ee639c1deae" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!153&ct=photos"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Tulips" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60Vm2BcSMI/AAAAAAAAAJc/eEwf2C9zNFo/InlineRepresentation2cdfa62a-17c7-4f7d-9c42-4f54b7901c69%5B17%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:672px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!153&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p>Another trend that I L-O-ve was the frequent use of kale and purple cabbage.  Again, I L-O-ve this because it lends cool-tolerant color for early spring and late autumn.  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VohCidZI/AAAAAAAAAJg/WaxJO6--3Dw/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20046%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 046" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="398" alt="Flower show & Kane County 046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VqvIzB5I/AAAAAAAAAJk/X2nGAYQZWIc/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20046_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="521" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This picture shows cacti…but replacing it with kale would be a really great statement especially for early spring or late fall!! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VrXd3hVI/AAAAAAAAAJo/6HVc35S3TzI/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20038%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 038" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="407" alt="Flower show & Kane County 038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VsNjf-kI/AAAAAAAAAJs/gzpRBnboyr4/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20038_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>My favorite is always LUCIOUS containers!!!</p> <p>Dusty Miller is a fun surprise here…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VtmxFzuI/AAAAAAAAAJw/bpl3n1-dq0g/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20065%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 065" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="589" alt="Flower show & Kane County 065" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VvQqQASI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/H9XSpA8OJPs/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20065_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The boxwood is a great backdrop for this colorful mix of bulbs, annuals, and trailing vines…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VxVp8UcI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/DJknZNcWlio/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20050%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 050" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="411" alt="Flower show & Kane County 050" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60VzWoXjSI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/pZePIBkHsfI/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20050_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This monochromatic scheme brings elegance and tranquility --- plus it can be over-wintered indoors…prolonging your investment</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60V04575hI/AAAAAAAAAKA/07vLFDwDGL8/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20054%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 054" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="545" alt="Flower show & Kane County 054" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60V8EetqDI/AAAAAAAAAKE/HbTuHUPSbpM/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20054_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The Green Thumbers floral team started talking in January about the importance of botanicals in arrangements this year…and guess what….they were right on!!!!  (No surprise though:) )</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60V9oY3jFI/AAAAAAAAAKI/A7Tt2aPQGfA/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20064%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 064" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="609" alt="Flower show & Kane County 064" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60V_kAVcRI/AAAAAAAAAKM/sOTAyxq6zXY/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20064_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60WBGVhdKI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/ZClqDToNvlc/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20041%5B7%5D.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 041" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="361" alt="Flower show & Kane County 041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S60WCSrWs-I/AAAAAAAAAKU/AtoXrzTe3FY/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20041_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p>Hope you are inspired…it’s time to start getting dirty hands!!!!</p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-63820355200677709532010-03-20T12:02:00.000-07:002010-03-20T19:38:50.053-07:00Grills website page<p><a href="http://www.weber.com/us/"><img title="Weber welcome" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="187" alt="Weber welcome" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6Umi-tRd8I/AAAAAAAAAI4/6Rv9bC6dgmA/Weber%20welcome%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6Umjes1UkI/AAAAAAAAAI8/6LgKWHOC0E0/s1600-h/Home_FindRecipeBtn[2].jpg"></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:6;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:36;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Weber</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Grills</span>...</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:36;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:36;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:36;">Grilling done R</span><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:36;">ight!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:6;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:180%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:180%;">Gas and Charcoal grills to meet every </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:180%;">budget and every chef's desires...</span></p><p align="center"><align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:180%;"></span></p><div align="center"><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:b5868527-88ff-41fd-8fff-a31573018e26" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; FLOAT: none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; WIDTH: 400px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!135&ct=photos"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="View Weber Grill at The Green Thumbers" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6UtVEjjuzI/AAAAAAAAAJM/buUKbWFTSoE/InlineRepresentation5d48afb0-6858-4541-8c0b-9d6f6c37278c%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a> <div style="WIDTH: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><a href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!135&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div></div></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.weber.com/grills/default.aspx?glid=3&mid=20"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Summit Series</span></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><a href="http://www.weber.com/grills/default.aspx?glid=5&mid=21"><span style="font-family:verdana;">One Touch</span></a> <span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></div><blockquote><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.weber.com/grills/default.aspx?glid=3&mid=20"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Genesis Series</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><a href="http://www.weber.com/grills/default.aspx?glid=6&mid=33"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Weber Q Series</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.weber.com/grills/default.aspx?glid=1&mid=2"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Spirit Series</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><a href="http://www.weber.com/grills/default.aspx?glid=4&mid=25"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Performer Grills</span></a> </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:180%;">PLUS…</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:130%;">Grilling Accessories make it FUN and EASY </span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:130%;">to cook your next </span><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:130%;">meal on the GRILL!!</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:130%;">The Green Thumbers offers cookbooks, utensils, grill covers, grill accessories and more!!!</span></p></blockquote><p align="right"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p>Make the weekends menu easy!!</p><p><a href="http://www.weber.com/recipes/"><img title="Home_FindRecipeBtn" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="110" alt="Home_FindRecipeBtn" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6UmkgMG8QI/AAAAAAAAAJI/KNOx5u2PHlE/Home_FindRecipeBtn_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="right" border="0" /></a>Weekly Grilling Recipes. <a href="http://www.weber.com/support/email/">Sign up here</a>.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Heavy;font-size:36;">Gourmet Gardens</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Heavy;font-size:180%;">by The Green Thumbers</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Franklin Gothic Heavy;font-size:180%;">A great addition to any BBQ!! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6UtXEMjsSI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/ZEojoI25ujY/s1600-h/Green%20Thumbers%20007[2].jpg"><img title="Green Thumbers 007" style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="184" alt="Green Thumbers 007" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6UtXnOmRgI/AAAAAAAAAJU/idUU8sB_Ouo/Green%20Thumbers%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </span></p>The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-33904905278542831532010-03-18T15:27:00.001-07:002010-03-18T15:27:03.233-07:00Prune – is that a fruit?<p>The idea of “pruning” sends many people running out of the garden!!  What do you prune? When do you prune it? How do you prune it? What kind of pruner do you use????</p> <p>Here is a very plain-language simple look at pruning for Early Spring…remember…this is for Early Spring…</p> <p>What do you prune?</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">> Deciduous shrubs and trees (remember the “D” in deciduous can trigger your memory that deciduous plants “die back” in spring…thanks to my 5th grade science teacher for the memory trick:) )</p> <p align="left">> Roses</p> <p align="left">> All perennials</p> <p align="left">> All ornamental grasses </p> </blockquote> <p align="left">How do you prune it?</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">> For shape, prune shrubs accordingly</p> <p align="left">> To encourage new growth, prune shrubs back 1/3…in other words…prune it back to 2/3 of the size it is now</p> <p align="left">> To encourage better health or tame an overgrown shrub…use “hard cut” pruning method.  In other words do the opposite as above…Cut back 2/3…leaving the shrub 1/3 of the size it is now</p> </blockquote> <p align="left">What kind of pruner do you use????</p> <blockquote> <p align="center">> Anvil pruner: Used to trim woody or dead branches<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KoiZyvnnI/AAAAAAAAAHU/iM6Jf_oAXiY/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20009%5B5%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 009" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="260" alt="The Green Thumbers 009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6Koi3rVOlI/AAAAAAAAAHY/6iPjbF72wiE/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20009_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">>Bypass Pruner: Used to trim healthy branches <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KojhxyyTI/AAAAAAAAAHc/embLVC1Et74/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20008%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 008" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="260" alt="The Green Thumbers 008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KokE4n1uI/AAAAAAAAAHg/dA5QR54wMEE/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20008_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">>Hedge or Grass Shears: Use for perennials or shaping soft shrub branches<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6Kok4cHENI/AAAAAAAAAHk/jyP-fK0S41E/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20007%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 007" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="260" alt="The Green Thumbers 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KolcAIiGI/AAAAAAAAAHo/rz98NhTSjbw/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20007_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">>A Knife: as in from the kitchen:) Use like a scythe to release frustration and take down dead foliage <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KonEMPhQI/AAAAAAAAAHs/bXxwMRKoaK0/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20020%5B3%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 020" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="200" alt="The Green Thumbers 020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KoniA6RrI/AAAAAAAAAHw/223VCSUjyYw/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20020_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a>>Cutters: What my 2 year old uses to help!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KooHSBDMI/AAAAAAAAAH0/YKzJFsdZeJU/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20016%5B4%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 016" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="204" alt="The Green Thumbers 016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KooiwS9NI/AAAAAAAAAH4/1EpmfFuiPxc/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20016_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="158" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">Electric Hedge Trimmer:  To make the job on grasses very easy and make me feel very, very powerful</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KoqmlHBVI/AAAAAAAAAH8/BNTcS7CJ4fs/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20030%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 030" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="The Green Thumbers 030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6KorAAeqDI/AAAAAAAAAIA/-y8mZGuJ_x8/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> </blockquote> <p align="left"> And lastly…before you have a funeral for your shrub consider </p> <p align="left">that this guy is still alive…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6Kos8hLM1I/AAAAAAAAAIE/rEEDPNKzTdg/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20028%5B5%5D.jpg">(although living in my shadow – HA!)<img title="The Green Thumbers 028" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="The Green Thumbers 028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6Kotlzq-CI/AAAAAAAAAIM/_p18TuiNum0/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20028_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a>  This is cut back hard…very hard…but there <em>is</em> still life in there because the stems are pliable and fleshy.  I trimmed (note: with my anvil pruner) the dead branches.  </p> <p align="left">The finger test is always a good test with deciduous shrubs…if you can break it off…it’s a dead branch…if it bends…there’s still hope!!!  I will first root stimulate, then fertilize, water, and of course…pray!</p> <p align="left">Happy pruning!!!</p> <p align="left">PS…feel free to leave your questions or tips in the comments…we can all learn from each other…</p> <p align="left">And of course…come in to see us or visit <a href="http://www.thegreenthumbers.com">www.thegreenthumbers.com</a></p> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-84384997624552532802010-03-17T13:58:00.001-07:002010-03-17T21:02:05.940-07:00Simple Seed Starting<p>A great way to enjoy SPRING and save money is growing your own plants from seeds!</p><blockquote><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCGqkkLHI/AAAAAAAAAGE/hH_d2mk-Fhk/s1600-h/Blog0803.jpg"><img title="Blog 080" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="331" alt="Blog 080" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCHBeY8rI/AAAAAAAAAGI/erzdXSV56a0/Blog080_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center">This is a great project to do with children!! They learn not just from the process, but also from knowing where there food comes from…</p></blockquote><p>Here’s a look at some very easy seeds to start. </p><p>Start with a simple plastic growing flat with a dome… <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCIzOwcpI/AAAAAAAAAGM/nuRQQ7JgjaI/s1600-h/Blog0813.jpg"><img title="Blog 081" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="240" alt="Blog 081" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCJSeh-JI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/AGqz9sFjeXQ/Blog081_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" border="0" /></a> </p><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:e4eab80d-8646-45dd-90a3-edd567598ea8" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; FLOAT: none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; WIDTH: 340px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!125&ct=photos"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="View Seeds" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCKCxZTYI/AAAAAAAAAGU/dV7sPbKqbas/InlineRepresentation1824ca5c-8184-4072-ab87-5fad0497f394.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a> <div style="WIDTH: 340px; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><a href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!125&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div></div><p align="center">Dr. Earth made it very easy to start seeds ORGANICALLY this year!!!</p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.drearth.com"><img title="Blog 085" style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="260" alt="Blog 085" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCKr2A7EI/AAAAAAAAAGY/dcl6ZFlK08E/Blog%20085%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center">(Click the pic for more on Dr. Earth)</p><p align="center">Step 1: Use a high quality potting soil and mix in 2 tablespoons of Dr. Earth ORGANIC fertilizer with one quart of soil.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCMJEv3vI/AAAAAAAAAGc/HGrzcjKYgGY/s1600-h/Blog0862.jpg"><img title="Blog 086" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="Blog 086" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCM10Bl6I/AAAAAAAAAGg/qePDc2FxZNA/Blog086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center">Fill each cell to about 2/3 with mixture <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCNxFGJdI/AAAAAAAAAGk/n2L35yAcQzo/s1600-h/FlowershowKaneCounty0012.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 001" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="Flower show & Kane County 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCOFl8RaI/AAAAAAAAAGo/WwZ1myd6g3M/FlowershowKaneCounty001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center">Drop Seeds into mixture</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCPasfZbI/AAAAAAAAAGs/A8NhYQwExPg/s1600-h/FlowershowKaneCounty0032.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 003" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="Flower show & Kane County 003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCQNokDAI/AAAAAAAAAGw/p6mRghzhk7s/FlowershowKaneCounty003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Cover lightly with a dusting of more soil mixture<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCRgGgNCI/AAAAAAAAAG0/-EMlCw0_X8g/s1600-h/FlowershowKaneCounty0022.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 002" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="Flower show & Kane County 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCSP8umsI/AAAAAAAAAG4/1tRXwQjMhOs/FlowershowKaneCounty002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Label cells according to seeds planted</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCTkTRbFI/AAAAAAAAAG8/BbRj2KLuB5M/s1600-h/FlowershowKaneCounty0042.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 004" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="Flower show & Kane County 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCUbt_PrI/AAAAAAAAAHA/Y08Vddl-8FE/FlowershowKaneCounty004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Water thoroughly</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCWC8W9xI/AAAAAAAAAHE/gr13xkaRShM/s1600-h/FlowershowKaneCounty0062.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 006" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="184" alt="Flower show & Kane County 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCWl8Q6NI/AAAAAAAAAHI/gmI0y-YySAs/FlowershowKaneCounty006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Cover with dome and set in warm, sunny window…</p><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCYhuKUcI/AAAAAAAAAHM/HFHP9-M8Pkk/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20&%20Kane%20County%20007.jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County 007" style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" height="200" alt="Flower show & Kane County 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S6FCZCEP3mI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/oZ0Qp9M5K_4/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County%20007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" border="0" /></a> </p><p align="center">The inside of the dome should become moist after a few days. Just about the time you have forgotten about it…you will have little sprouts coming up just like ours!!</p><p align="center">We L-O-ve Dr. Earth!!</p><p align="center">Check back soon to find out what to do next, but right now…grab a friend or your family and START SOME SEEDS!!!</p><p align="center">Stop into <a href="http://www.thegreenthumbers.com/">The Green Thumbers</a> for a FREE magazine about organic growing and vegetable garding complements of <a href="http://www.drearth.com/">Dr. Earth</a> :)</p>The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-15646502886458223452010-03-15T12:26:00.001-07:002010-03-15T12:26:49.245-07:00Spring Chores in the Sunshine<p>I’m sure the warm weather has gardeners all over the Quad Cities just itching to get their hands dirty!  The feel of the warm sun on our skin and the beckoning of empty forlorn containers beckon to be played with, fill up, and fussed over…</p> <p>Although I hate to think about it and spoil the fun…it is still too early for most beautiful blooms…however, all due respect given to the hyacinths, daffodils, tulips and iris sprouting their pretty green heads as eager to start the season as we are!</p> <p>A few ideas on “safe” garden chores during this time of ‘EARLY SPRING’.</p> <blockquote> <p align="center"> Pull out pots of tender plants that have been over-wintered.  Trim back growth, celebrate signs of green like these chives!!  Give a little water and put them in a sunny window to prepare them for going back outside very soon!!!</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56Jix2ba0I/AAAAAAAAAEM/mITscXYJ0O4/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 001" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="The Green Thumbers 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JjeqndTI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/kNEOE667AAU/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">There’s always plenty of sidewalk and patio clean up!!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56Jlb59zxI/AAAAAAAAAEU/JUrfRBgC9V0/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 003" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="The Green Thumbers 003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56Jlzvg_II/AAAAAAAAAEY/OO0-bXnFUDk/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">Do not get too eager to remove debris from all beds unless you are going to lay a thick mulch right away…</p> <p align="center">The natural mulch of nature that we call debris is a warm winter blanket for tender perennials, but there’s always one of these to pull!!!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JnKqdC8I/AAAAAAAAAEc/UizsLvboCX4/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20017%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 017" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="The Green Thumbers 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JnorCmuI/AAAAAAAAAEg/OOV53mKVBMA/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">It’s also good to make notes of upcoming spring projects to be done…</p> <p align="center">I spotted this creeping charley…and need to pick up some Weed Free Zone at The Green Thumbers for an application when it’s a bit warmer…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JqgjGM7I/AAAAAAAAAEk/mR6N2cMteqY/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20018%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 018" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="The Green Thumbers 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JrHr_blI/AAAAAAAAAEo/M9X-UPKKzAw/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">It’s also a wonderful time to prune overgrown shrubs like this barberry and other summer to fall blooming shrubs… </p> <p align="center">BE SURE NOT TO CUT SPRING FLOWERING SHRUBS like lilacs!!! <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56Jt5OIHhI/AAAAAAAAAEs/38J76gpeg3s/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20021%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 021" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="The Green Thumbers 021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JuoM5keI/AAAAAAAAAEw/TnVWBapqNIc/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JxalCi3I/AAAAAAAAAE0/gcYrB85FdyQ/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20022%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 022" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="The Green Thumbers 022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56Jxz0_zlI/AAAAAAAAAE4/V0JM3qnxCmo/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">Pull out a few garden accessories to perk your mood…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56JzQERPWI/AAAAAAAAAE8/gdcFqYRFYIM/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 002" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="The Green Thumbers 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56Jzz9_EbI/AAAAAAAAAFA/pylrYYSCVws/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center">Uncover tender plants covered in the garden like this 1st year Japanese maple…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J1W1UWbI/AAAAAAAAAFE/4qRbB1Nx1CE/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20012%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 012" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="The Green Thumbers 012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J1yAW8qI/AAAAAAAAAFI/BdHHQZbIZgo/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center">Leave trunks wrapped until after Easter though to protect from winter sunburn.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J36esJzI/AAAAAAAAAFM/JN9r2IZ0mn4/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 013" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="The Green Thumbers 013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J4nEvawI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/JyORmKM5xx4/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a>    </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center">It’a a great time to cut back ornamental grasses also! Leave about 1/3 of the brown stalks to support the height of new growth.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J6-GvGtI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ws1JiAvXaEY/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20005%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 005" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="The Green Thumbers 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J7awGWaI/AAAAAAAAAFY/YaAotCivKjo/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p align="center">Celebrate every little sign of green sprout!!!!    </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J9RnL-4I/AAAAAAAAAFc/hw5HD1dHYFU/s1600-h/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20025%5B2%5D.jpg"><img title="The Green Thumbers 025" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="The Green Thumbers 025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S56J-FU4EKI/AAAAAAAAAFg/46xHzmHyKHg/The%20Green%20Thumbers%20025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a></p></blockquote> The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-21349342345956013392010-03-08T07:37:00.001-08:002010-03-08T11:24:54.403-08:00Well Said with Walligraphy as seen on Paula Sands<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S5UZrXLZkHI/AAAAAAAAACY/1t_vi_PHyWM/s1600-h/Flower%20show%20&%20Kane%20County[4].jpg"><img title="Flower show & Kane County" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="212" alt="Flower show & Kane County" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S5UZr7s_JjI/AAAAAAAAACc/twi4pTzXErQ/Flower%20show%20%26%20Kane%20County_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" border="0" /></a>A picture paints a thousand words they say…but sometimes you just need a few words to share the heart of your home… </p><p>Most people are becoming at least a little familiar with vinyl wall words – have you tried it yet?</p><p>It is such an easy way to bring punch to any room. </p><p>You can use wall words on a variety of surfaces…mirrors as seen on the TV demo today (March 8th) on <a href="http://www.kwqc.com/">Paula Sands for The Green Thumbers</a>. But also on old windows, flower pots, buckets, cabinet doors and anything else your creative mind can scheme… </p><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:119cc95e-ed1c-46c7-b5ce-0c23a47608ed" style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; FLOAT: none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!106&ct=photos"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="View Wall Words" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S5UZsFDPbcI/AAAAAAAAACg/zZxD2TwED7g/InlineRepresentationcb7bcbe4-b974-4b1e-bd84-fb62eaba37fb.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a> <div style="WIDTH: 340px; TEXT-ALIGN: right"><a href="http://cid-cb9e2dbb66d652fa.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=CB9E2DBB66D652FA!106&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div></div><p></p><p>Every home should have some entry welcome or ‘warning’ ! </p><p>I offer both at my home :)</p><blockquote><p>For my visitors…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S5UZsg4hQUI/AAAAAAAAACk/g91s5sVWvNE/s1600-h/Blog%20054[3].jpg"><img title="Blog 054" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="219" alt="Blog 054" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S5UZtWNHKPI/AAAAAAAAACo/kZh1BpDcerU/Blog%20054_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" border="0" /></a></p><p>For my boys…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S5UZuNI1a6I/AAAAAAAAACs/UI3c21VyJB0/s1600-h/Blog%20056[3].jpg"><img title="Blog 056" style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" height="160" alt="Blog 056" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_q4-0isxuT1A/S5UZuvVTcPI/AAAAAAAAACw/kfc-oCeT4HE/Blog%20056_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" border="0" /></a></p></blockquote><p>Many great phrases are offered in store at <a href="http://www.thegreenthumbers.com/">The Green Thumbers…</a>we can also set up customization by emailing me (see profile).</p><p>Hope you enjoy the demo and pick out a great place to share the heart of your home…</p><p>A few tips: </p><p>- Lay your lettering out flat for easier installation. </p><p>- The smoother the surface, the better the finished decal will look</p><p>- Use a flat tool (even a credit card) to smooth out the letters</p><p>- It peels off the wall later, so it’s great for renters or people like me who L-O-ve change!</p><p>- Think outside the ‘wall’…flower pots, doors, sides of bath tubs…almost anywhere!</p><p>GREAT GIFT IDEAS <em>personalized </em>from <em><a href="http://greenthumbers.danielsondesigns.com/">The Green Thumbers</a></em></p><p><em>Picture frames and wall art<a href="http://greenthumbers.danielsondesigns.com/"><img alt="" src="http://thestudio.danielsondesigns.com/DisplayShowcase.aspx?SKU=1052" /></a></em></p><p>It is FUN, FUN, FUN to design your own</p><p><em><img alt="" src="http://thestudio.danielsondesigns.com/DisplayShowcase.aspx?SKU=1035" /></em></p><p>You don’t even have to commit to the design right away..</p><p><a href="http://greenthumbers.danielsondesigns.com/"><img alt="" src="http://thestudio.danielsondesigns.com/DisplayShowcase.aspx?SKU=1014" /></a> </p><p>You can save your design online…</p><p>Click on any of the pictures to HAVE FUN NOW:)</p><p><a href="http://greenthumbers.danielsondesigns.com/"><img alt="" src="http://thestudio.danielsondesigns.com/DisplayShowcase.aspx?SKU=1029" /></a><a href="http://greenthumbers.danielsondesigns.com/"><img alt="" src="http://thestudio.danielsondesigns.com/DisplayShowcase.aspx?SKU=1197" /></a></p><p>Please tell me if you enjoyed the site and include a note that you found it here if you order!! Have fun – I hope you L-O-ve it!!!</p>The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-71071337537335976412010-02-16T19:54:00.000-08:002010-02-16T20:00:03.757-08:00Think outside the box...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvk2XmvT8hVmgSa_RvSOZTjWs9oIUpzN8Zm0R7brYVte12j3ZIoDsxaoo_1f3cZwugkVJWVGgJBDuuzOxLe85MFkyGO81EwZAl6GXXHVRfmPj_rdaw9chujcbBIzNFSiPUsRbKOlu2QQ6e/s1600-h/Copy+(5)+of+Holidays+2009+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439056583950707106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvk2XmvT8hVmgSa_RvSOZTjWs9oIUpzN8Zm0R7brYVte12j3ZIoDsxaoo_1f3cZwugkVJWVGgJBDuuzOxLe85MFkyGO81EwZAl6GXXHVRfmPj_rdaw9chujcbBIzNFSiPUsRbKOlu2QQ6e/s320/Copy+(5)+of+Holidays+2009+051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>"Think outside of the impatiens, geranium box"</div><div> </div><div>Plan now for PIZAZZ on the patio later!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADqyMsDjWBJN_oe1XYudI6d2-LS3bUk9WdUFp-XOYPizbp9Or-IE3sm9oEHv0fa9M8HYpECpsKyYqiNaop_sNmf0fxg6T-Tg4jTR303BUSSEHZ4p6-SzcHtVYgwdK38BhjSNNmH3KRVIe/s1600-h/Copy+(2)+of+Holidays+2009+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439056595230503714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADqyMsDjWBJN_oe1XYudI6d2-LS3bUk9WdUFp-XOYPizbp9Or-IE3sm9oEHv0fa9M8HYpECpsKyYqiNaop_sNmf0fxg6T-Tg4jTR303BUSSEHZ4p6-SzcHtVYgwdK38BhjSNNmH3KRVIe/s320/Copy+(2)+of+Holidays+2009+054.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div>What a clever privacy screen...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADqyMsDjWBJN_oe1XYudI6d2-LS3bUk9WdUFp-XOYPizbp9Or-IE3sm9oEHv0fa9M8HYpECpsKyYqiNaop_sNmf0fxg6T-Tg4jTR303BUSSEHZ4p6-SzcHtVYgwdK38BhjSNNmH3KRVIe/s1600-h/Copy+(2)+of+Holidays+2009+054.jpg"></a></div></div>The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-38571437025918451462010-01-29T17:56:00.000-08:002010-01-29T18:17:02.201-08:00Sunny Days are HereThe sun came out to play and I had a short spell of spring fever. I headed for the potting shed and realized- baby...it's cold outside!!<br /><br />First I adorned my doorstep with thrillers, fillers and spillers! I put impatiens, coleus and trailing ivy in the baskets on the front porch. Now, I'm a traditionalist...I must have a red geranium as my gardener signature, but I wanted friends to know that I do realize it's 2010, so I included sweet potato vine and cordyline...<br /><br />I planted 3 rows of zinnias, dahlias and sunflowers to keep my vase looking luscious on the table all summer long. I planted my early girl tomatoes and beefsteak tomatoes for the big guy~ and the little one!<br /><br />Now...I wouldn't be a gardener if I didn't harass people to take my zuchinni so I musn't forget that...perhaps it can go out by the alley and then folks can "pick their own"!! The flower bed out front looked a little boring in July and August before the mums came in to bloom, so I think I'll plant a few coneflowers too...I'm in love with Harvest Moon, so I'll start with that...<br /><br />Well, that's about enough for today...but tomorrow if the sun is still spilling down it's inviting rays here in this comfy spot by the window I'm gonna grab my journal and some hot tea and continue to plant or...I mean...plan my garden...The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778747171278008209.post-56669077116113941442010-01-05T11:46:00.000-08:002010-01-05T11:51:59.445-08:00coming soon!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYkgTDs2nD8ODP0CJhqu1JAgSOx_P8QZ1dOvQVf0atPzUlSxOcMWx2Vk_IkR7jdPyTW3BhcNaHpf_zS40Vuq4JX4hwtXNO9uWm_tQgjzVEg0orNt-TAvQOk4BKHsGdwB7GGj2q-QChfk2/s1600-h/bird-feeding-600.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423345873235415010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 277px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYkgTDs2nD8ODP0CJhqu1JAgSOx_P8QZ1dOvQVf0atPzUlSxOcMWx2Vk_IkR7jdPyTW3BhcNaHpf_zS40Vuq4JX4hwtXNO9uWm_tQgjzVEg0orNt-TAvQOk4BKHsGdwB7GGj2q-QChfk2/s400/bird-feeding-600.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>we're off to buy for NEXT Christmas - no, I won't start a countdown yet! When we return I will post about new trends and some exciting things coming up. For now, check out our sale items before you pack away all the Christmas stuff, water those poinsettias and get something for those poor freezing birds!</div><br /><div></div>The Green Thumbershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15218882713500839609noreply@blogger.com0