Container Garden Valentine
Sending you all Virtual Roses
for Valentines Day
Carding Mill from David Austin Roses
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
aHa!
Roost Recycled Glass Wall Terrarium
I just got this gorgeous wall terrarium from my friend Jayme Jenkins, owner of aHa! Modern Living and author of the book, Garden Rules. I don't know if I'll plant it as a terrarium or use it as a hanging wall vase. I'll let you know (and see) what I decide.
I want everything that aHa! Modern Living sells, but here are a few links to a few of my favorite garden-y things. I do have a birthday coming up in May.....
Cobra Head Tool - While this is more essential for in-ground gardening than containers, I use it any time I have to pry or do some heavy duty poking. It's a monster in how sturdy it is and it's very well designed and balanced.
Soil Scoop - I LOVE this tool. It is great for scooping soil, but also for cutting the roots of pot bound plants. It is also great for scratching fertilizer into stubborn soil. For my full review....
Mesh Produce Bags - While I haven't used this brand, I have found that keeping my veggies, especially tomatoes, in mesh bags on the kitchen counter, is great for ripening while keeping fruit flies at bay.
Pot Pads - As you may already know, I'm a huge fan of keeping pots raised on pot feet. These pot pads are particularly good because they are not only attractive, they allow you to move heavy pots easily, without scratching your deck or floors. For more info on why elevating your pots can save your plants' lives.
West County Work Gloves - One of the few garden gloves that are comfortable, durable and cool looking. Full review.
Tis the Season for Garden Shows
Portland Flower Show - Display by Estabrooks
I just went to the trade show, New England Grows in Boston. It was lots of fun to see old friends, as well as new plants and products. I don't know if I was wearing rose colored glasses, but it definitely felt like the business of gardening and landscaping was rebounding. Where a few years ago it seemed like the garden world might never pull out of its economic funk, this year there was optimism in the air.
Thankfully, there is a movement and a huge emphasis on organics and sustainability. More and more plants are coming in biodegradable pots. Some, like these coco pots go right in the ground. Plantable and biodegradable pots are a great advance both for the health of plants and the planet. By planting something pot and all you can prevent transplant shock and save yourself from having to find a place to recycle old plastic nursery pots.
The Northwest Garden Show is going on now and check out this state-by-state list to see if there is a show in your area. Going is a great way to banish the winter blues and get psyched for spring.
Flower and Garden Shows from Gardening Guide, Marie Ianotti.
Container Gardening Resurrection
I have long been a proponent of tossing plants that are near death or look awful. However, my recent experiences are making me rethink this approach. After declaring my Meyer lemon tree a dead duck, it rebounded exhuberantly. Now my fig tree which has been looking near death for months, has three of the most beautiful new leaves and has even put out two figs on an otherwise completely bald plant.
I'm still struggling with a spider mite infestation which no amount of insecticidal soap will seem to quell. Sometimes I just want to toss all of the stricken plants, but I truly love several of them and they are worth fighting for.
While I am still in favor of tossing any plant that makes you unhappy, either because it looks awful or you just don't like it, I'm thinking that it's worth a lot of effort to resurrect a plant that you thought was beyond hope.
Celebrating Groundhog Day - NOT!!!
Thieving Groundhog With Pea Shoot in Whiskers
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
I now think of groundhog day as the one day of the year I get a free pass on whining and complaining and dissing groundhogs. In a perverse way, I actually kind of look forward to it. I will say that last summer we didn't have the infestation we are usually subject to. I even got to eat a few peas, which some summers the groundhog mows down before I even get a single pea.
Our groundhog population decline may be a result of a healthy and litter of fox cubs right near my container gardens. I keep looking out my window hoping that this year the foxes will rule again.
Groundhog Control
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
Container Gardening Picture of the Week - Orchids
Container Gardening Picture of the Week
Memoria Jay Yamada 'Kauai' at US Botanical Garden
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
More New Container Gardening Articles
Wardian Case at US Botanic Garden
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
Starting Container Garden Seeds
Tomato Seedlings
Photograph © Kerry Michaels
It is incredible to me, stuck in my zone 5(ish) mindset, but some of you are already starting seeds. I still have months to go, but here are a few articles to get you started.
Container Gardening Articles
Just a heads up on some new articles I've written this month.
5 Tips for Planting a Container Garden
Great Container Plant - Echeveria
Picture of the Week
Echeveria Pulvinata, 'Ruby'
Photo © Kerry Michaels