The Inside Dirt Blog

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 20:35:00 +0000

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Your Garden Club
* Garden News: The 7th Annual Scott’s Give Back to Grow Awards
* Garden Bargains: Crocs at an Affordable Price
* Garden Blog: Earth Friendly Gardening
* From my Garden...
* What’s New at iloveplants.com

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

Thank you for subscribing to The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com. Each month I review a new website, bring you up-to-date on the latest garden news and bargains, and give you an insider’s look at new websites and blogs added to iloveplants.com during the last month.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

“There shall be an eternal summer in the grateful heart.” - Celia Thaxter

FEATURED WEBSITE: Your Garden Club
Have you ever wanted to join a local garden club but just couldn’t find the extra time for meetings and activities? Well, the next best thing is an online garden club. At “Your Garden Club” (www.gardenclub.net), gardeners can share information and get answers to problems at a time that’s convenient for them. Cilenia who goes by the nickname, The Fake Hermit, is the gardener who dreamed up this idea. She created “Your Garden Club” so that gardeners could communicate with each other, swap plants and share helpful ideas. Each month they feature a slideshow of one of their member’s garden and those who don’t have their own garden blog, can add their thoughts or share their stories in the club blog. Drop by “Your Garden Club” today to see what’s going on.

GARDEN NEWS: 7th Annual Scott’s Give Back to Grow Awards
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company created these awards so that gardeners who generously donate their time by helping out with school gardens, urban gardens, community beautification programs and feed the hungry programs can be recognized for their efforts. If you know such an individual, you can submit their name for consideration. Click here to submit an individual you know for Scott’s Give Back to Grow Awards.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Affordable Crocs
Everywhere I go I see Crocs. Red ones, blue, yellow, pink – every color under the rainbow. What started out as a functional garden shoe has now gone mainstream, and has become a popular everyday shoe. My stepsister recently told me that she bought a pair for their built-in foot supports on the suggestion of her podiatrist. She was aghast at the $48 price tag she paid at a local department store. A quick check at a popular online shoe store revealed a price of $35.95. After doing a little more research, I discovered an affordable price of $29.95 at Park’s Seed Company. Their selections come in a range of colors, including red, sage, navy, khaki, lime, orange, black, light blue, purple, sea blue, chocolate and pink. Read more about the benefits of CROCS at Park Seed Co.

Visit Garden Bargains Online for more discounts and special offers.

GARDEN BLOG: Earth Friendly Gardening
A self-proclaimed “rat race refugee,” Caroline Brown became interested in sustainable gardening. From that interest grew her blog on earth friendly gardening practices where she shares the resources and information on how we all can garden in a more “earth-friendly” way. Visit Caroline’s Earth Friendly Gardening Blog to learn more about gardening in tandem with nature.

FROM MY GARDEN..
I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what’s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

For more great horticultural websites, please visit iloveplants.com – your online garden resource!

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for June 2006

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Wed, 31 May 2006 23:46:00 +0000

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Bare Bones Gardening
* Featured Flower: Gladiolus
* Featured Vegetable: Onion
* Featured Herb: Basil * Garden Folklore: Summer Solstice
* Garden News: The 2006 All-American Daylily Selections
* Garden Wisdom: Lawn Care Tips
* Garden Bargains: Bargains on Perennials
* Garden Blog: How Mary’s Garden Grows * From my Garden..

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

The flowers of summer are filling gardens and creating dreams of an endless summer of blooms in the heart of gardeners. Summer is a busy time spent in the garden, so we’ve included lots of great gardening information for you. Our featured web site, Bare Bones Gardening, offers some great suggestions on cutting costs in the garden without sacrificing your dream garden. You’ll also learn more about growing gladiolus, onions and basil.

We’ve also included photos and information on the winners of the 2006 All-American Daylily Selections. Read about the Summer Solstice, lawn care tips and save money on some of your favorite perennial plants. Flower lovers will enjoy visiting Mary’s garden blog and website where she reveals her secret passion for a particular color of flowers. And don’t forget to visit my garden blog to see what’s blooming in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

“It is the month of June, the month of leaves and roses when pleasant sights salute the eyes, and pleasant scents the noses.” - N.P. Willis

FEATURED WEBSITE: Bare Bones Gardening
Gardening can become an expensive habit, as Ron Williams, father of four, freelance writer, horticulturist and creator of the Bare Bones Gardening web site well knows. Ron enjoys discovering ways to garden smarter and sharing those ideas with other gardeners. He has successfully done that in the articles contained on his site, which provide ideas of ways to save money in the garden. Visit Bare Bones Gardening for tips on gardening economically.

FEATURED FLOWER: Gladiolus
Gladiolus, originally known as “corn lilies,” were discovered growing over 2,000 years ago in Asia Minor. They are terrific as a cut flower to enjoy indoors, and with over 180 species available they come in a variety of petal shapes and colors to choose from. Click here for growing tips from the North American Gladiolus Council.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Onion
Onions have been used for medicinal purposes for over 4,000 years. They are a member of the allium family and have been recommended as a food source in the fight against cancer and cardiovascular disease. They are cholesterol and fat free. Gardener’s choices include green, yellow, red and sweet onions, as well as many other varieties. Click here to read Growing Onions in the Home Garden by the Ohio State University Extension.

FEATURED HERB: Basil
Basil (Ocimum Basilicum), known as the “Herb of Love,” is a popular ingredient in Italian cooking. There are a large variety of interesting basils to choose from. It is easy to grow from seeds and thrives in the garden or containers. Click here to read Growing Basil, Herb of Love from GardenAction Mini-Project.

Gardening With the Moon
Full Moon – June 11th
New Moon – June 25th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: May 27 – June 11
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: June 12 – June 24

GARDEN FOLKLORE: The Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice also known as midsummer, occurs around the middle of June. It is a celebration of the beginning of summer and is the longest day of the year. Click here to learn more about the Summer Solstice from equinoxandsolstice.com.

GARDEN NEWS: The 2006 All American Daylily Winners
And the winners are… Persian Market and Buttered Popcorn. Both of these 2006 daylily winners are beautiful either paired together in the garden or grown separately. Buttered Popcorn is a yummy buttery yellow, while Persian Market boasts soft yellow-gold accents throughout the deep rose pink petals. Visit the All-American Daylily web site for more information on these 2006 winners.

“Gladioli generally hold court among the cut flowers of summer.” – Philip Swindells

GARDEN WISDOM: Summer Lawn Care Tips
The Yard Doctor provides a simple to-do list for maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn throughout the summer. Visit Briggs & Stratton’s website for the Yard Doctor’s Prescription for a Healthy Lawn.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Plant dependable perennials and save money!
June is Perennials Gardening Month according to the Perennial Gardening Association. Including perennials in the garden is a great way to save money and enjoy the dependable blooms of these hard-working garden plants. Visit Springhill Nursery for their buy one, get one for one cent sale and save on perennials.

Visit Garden Bargains Online for more discounts and special offers.

GARDEN BLOG: How Mary’s Garden Grows
Like many of us, Mary is a self-confessed “obsessed gardener.” However, her obsession goes a step further in that she loves every blue-blooming plant that exists. Her blog and web site “Blue Blooms the Blossoms of Mary’s Garden” chronicles her garden and obsession with blue flowers. You’ll enjoy reading more about Mary’s passion and if you’re like me, you’ll be surprised at how many varieties of flowers are available in blue. Visit How Mary’s Garden Grows blog. And don’t forget to visit her web site for all flowers in blue.

FROM MY GARDEN..
I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what’s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

“Shall I sing of happy hours numbered by opening and closing flowers.” - Hartley Coleridge

For more great horticultural websites, please visit iloveplants.com – your online garden resource!

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for May 2006

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Mon, 01 May 2006 13:32:00 +0000

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: National Gardening Association
* Featured Flower: Petunia
* Featured Vegetable: Tomato
* Featured Herb: Fennel
* Garden Folklore: Three Sisters Garden
* Garden News: The Pope John Paul II Commemorative Rose
* Garden Wisdom: Drought-Tolerant Plants for the Landscape
* Garden Bargains: Save on Flower Collections
* Garden Blog: Kenny’s Veggie Gardening Tips Blog
* From my Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

As the gardening season gets into full swing, we’ve got lots of great gardening information for you this month. Our featured web site, the National Gardening Association, offers something for every gardener. It is a great starting point for anyone who loves to garden. Learn more about growing a couple of America’s favorites – the petunia and tomato, as well as the less familiar fennel.

We’ve also included information on a collector’s rose offered by Jackson & Perkins, which contributes 10% of net sales to assist those who live in sub-Saharan Africa. Read about the Three Sisters Garden technique created by Native Americans, learn which plants are drought-tolerant, and save money by purchasing plants collections from White Flower Farm. All veggie gardeners will enjoy visiting this month’s garden blog, which includes a ton of advice. And don’t forget to visit my garden blog to see what’s blooming in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden. Susan

"Horticulturally, the month of May is opening night, homecoming and graduation day all rolled into one.” - Tammy Mossman

FEATURED WEBSITE: National Gardening Association
The National Gardening Association’s website offers a ton of information from articles, how-to projects, pest control, plant care guides, weed library and plant finder. You will also find message boards, seed swaps, regional reports, national news, a kid’s gardening section and much more. Visit the National Gardening Association website for a bounty of gardening information.

FEATURED FLOWER: Petunia
Petunias are a classic vintage garden flower. One of those stand-up performers that add a bright splash of color to the garden or a subtle delicate cottage-style look depending on the color you choose. New introductions of petunias offer the gardener more options for use in today’s garden. Click here to read Growing Petunias by Deborah Brown, University of Minnesota Extension for information on varieties, soil requirements, fertilize, watering needs and planting tips.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Tomato
The tomato is without a doubt one of today’s most popular homegrown vegetable. Who doesn’t look forward to the first bite of a homegrown, fresh picked tomato. This healthy vegetable, high in vitamin C, is easy to grow in containers, which makes them perfect for balconies or patios. Click here to read Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden by Marianne Riofrio, Ohio State University Extension for soil requirements, fertilizer, recommended cultivars and growing tips.

FEATURED HERB: Fennel
All parts of fennel (seeds, leaves and roots) are edible. This herb has a unique and tasty slightly licorice flavor when cooked. It originated in the Mediterranean and in medieval times was thought to ward off evil spirits. It is a great food source for ladybug larvae and a beautiful plant specimen in the garden growing 4 to 5 feet tall with sprays of yellow flowers. Click here to read about the history of fennel, as well as information on cultivating this herb at Botanical.com.

Gardening With the Moon
Full Moon – May 13th
New Moon – May 27th

PLANTING DATES: Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: April 27 – May 13
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: May 14 – May 26

GARDEN FOLKLORE: Three Sisters GardenNative Americans created the Three Sisters Garden technique, which consists of planting corn, beans and squash together. The three crops benefit each other. The corn provides a support for the beans to grow on. Bacteria, lives on the roots of beans and helps them absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it to a source that all three of the crops can use. The large leaves of squash shade the soil and reduce the number of weeds that grow. This unique companion planting technique is beneficial to all three crops and is a fun project for kids in the summer garden. Click here for guidelines on Creating a Three Sisters Garden” from kidsgardening.com.

For more information on companion planting see the Vegetable Companion Chart at GardenGuides.com.

GARDEN NEWS: The Pope John Paul II Commemorative RoseJackson & Perkins introduces the world premier of The Pope John Paul II Commemorative Rose. This unique collector's item is available on a limited basis - only 2,500 are available this year.The collection includes a Pope John Paul II bareroot rose, cast aluminum marker to place alongside the planted rose in your garden, an embossed keepsake which holds a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity, a full-color photograph of the rose and one of the late Pontiff's homilies.Ten percent of this rose's net sales benefit the poor of sub-Saharan Africa, one of the late Pontiff's closest concerns. Visit Jackson & Perkins for more information on the Pope John Paul II Commemorative Rose.

“A dry May and a leaking June, make the farmer whistle a merry tune.” – Old English Rhyme

GARDEN WISDOM: Drought-Tolerant Plants for the Garden If you’re adding new plants to your home landscape, you may want to consider including a host of drought-tolerant plants. These plants will reduce your watering time and will thrive during the heat and dry periods of summer. Visit Lowes.com for a list of Drought-Tolerant Plants.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Shade, Sun & Cutting Flower Collections
White Flower Farm makes designing a flowerbed easy with their successful plant collections. There is a plant collection for every garden. Choose from their Sunny Garden (16 plants of 7 varieties), Shady Garden (15 plants of 6 varieties) or Cutting Garden (21 plants of 7 varieties). What could be easier! Visit White Flower Farm for more information on these beautiful plant collections.

Visit Garden Bargains Online for more discounts and special offers.

GARDEN BLOG: Veggie Gardening Tips by Kenny PointIf you love growing your own vegetables, you will love Kenny’s blog. He generously shares his successful vegetable gardening tips, which include labor-saving techniques for gardening without pesticides and reaping a bounty of fresh healthy vegetables. You can even sign up to receive Kenny’s free gardening secrets e-newsletter. This is a guy who has created a simple, productive gardening method and is eager to share his experiences and love for gardening with others. Visit Kenny’s Veggie Gardening Tips blog.

FROM MY GARDEN..
I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what’s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.” - William Shakespeare

For more great horticultural websites, please visit iloveplants.com – your online garden resource!

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for April 2006

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 01:12:00 +0000

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Organic Rose Gardening
* Featured Flower: Edible Flowers
* Featured Vegetable: Artichoke
* Featured Herb: Sage
* Garden Folklore: The Sundial
* Garden News: Dutch Garden’s Survivor Tulip
* Garden Wisdom: Tree Planting Tips
* Garden Bargains: Save on Spring Offers!
* Garden Blog: Diana’s Baja Desert Garden Blog

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

I can see spring slowly beginning to spread northward through the garden blogs I visit on a regular basis. Many of the gardeners are sharing their enthusiasm for the first signs of spring by posting photos of spring flowers. Soon gardeners everywhere will be spending countless hours in the garden and enjoying every minute of it.

Our spring celebration brings a wave of interesting websites your way this month. Our featured web site, Organic Rose Gardening, is for those of you who would love to grow roses using less pesticides. Learn more about growing and cooking edible flowers and artichokes, as well as the many uses of sage. We’ve also included information on how you can contribute to the research efforts to fight breast cancer by purchasing the Survivor tulip offered by Dutch Gardens, and some great tree planting tips from The National Arbor Day Foundation. And be sure to read this month’s garden blog which includes some incredibly beautiful pictures, as well as my own garden blog to see what’s blooming in my zone 9 spring garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden. Susan

"Spring is sooner recognized by plants than man." Chinese proverb

FEATURED WEBSITE: Organic Rose Gardening

This website is for those of you who wish to grow roses in a more environmentally friendly way. It contains lots of valuable information arranged in a very simple and easy to navigate format. It begins with a little history of roses followed by an informative explanation of the delicate balance of how nature works. It includes topics on soil preparation, rose selection, companion planting, irrigation, mulching, pruning and deadheading, along with some additional tips for rose gardening success. This website is definitely a worthwhile visit for anyone who loves to grow roses. Click here to visit OrganicRoseGardening.com.

FEATURED FLOWER: Edible Flowers

Flowers have been used as an edible source for centuries by European, Asian, East Indian, Victorian English and Middle Eastern cultures. Today there is a renewed interest in including edible flowers in salads, teas, wines, spreads, marinades and many more types of dishes. But beware, not every flower is edible and it is very important to never eat flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides. Click here to read Edible Flowers by Linda Stradley on the What’s Cooking America website for a list of edible flowers and their uses.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Artichokes

An artichoke is a member of the sunflower family and is considered a thistle. Artichokes originated in Sicily and were considered a delicacy. They are a good source of vitamin C, and also provide Iron, Calcium, Vitamin A, potassium and folate. They are low in sodium and fat-free! Click here to read Farm & Garden’s article on Growing Artichokes.

FEATURED HERB: Sage

Sage (salvare) means “to save.” For many centuries, sage was considered to have healing properties. Sage can be easily grown from seeds and is used to flavor turkey, chicken and meat dishes. Click here to read more about Growing Sage by the National Gardening Association.

Gardening With the Moon

Full Moon – April 13th
New Moon – April 27th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: March 29 – April 13
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: April 14 – April 26

GARDEN FOLKLORE: The Sundial

Sundials have been placed on houses, churches, tombs and public buildings for centuries. The Egyptians were known to have used sundials as early as 1500 B.C. to mark the passage of time. They are a reliable source for telling time when placed in the proper position. Today they are used as a popular ornament in the garden.

At the time of their discovery it appears as though not everyone was pleased with the newfangled invention that carved our days into bits and pieces. Plautus, a comic playwright of the Roman Republic, was quoted as saying, “the gods confound the man who first found out how to distinguish hours. Who in this place set up a sundial to cut and hack my days so wretchedly into small pieces!” Click here to read the History of Sun Dial at ColorsOfIndia.com.

The attractive dragonfly sundial from Yardiac.com provides elegant style to any outdoor living space and is a great way to personalize your garden. It is made from 100% cast aluminum in America. It may be placed on any level surface or securely mounted to a simple wooden post or pedestal. It comes with a Lifetime Guarantee and a low price.Click here to purchase this dragonfly sundial from Yardiac.com.

GARDEN NEWS: Dutch Gardens Survivor Tulip

Dutch Gardens is joining the fight against breast cancer. For every package of Survivor Tulips sold they will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for continued research and community outreach programs. Click here to read more and to purchase the Survivor Tulip.

“When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.” – David Orr

GARDEN WISDOM: Tree Planting Tips

Trees are one of the hardest working members of the plant kingdom. According to The National Arbor Day Foundation, “trees absorb six tons of carbon dioxide and provide four tons of oxygen per acre. They filter out air and water polluntants, filter noise pollution, prevent erosion, provide shelter and food for wildlife, as well as reducing temperatures by an average of 9 degrees farenheit, thereby helping to reduce air-conditioning bills.”

Unfortunately, many full grown trees end up having to be removed because they were planted to close to a home or in an inappropriate location. Fortunately, The National Arbor Day Foundation provides some helpful tree planning tips that will help you “produce a landscape that will cool your home in summer and tame the winter winds.” Click here to read The Right Tree in the Right Place by The National Arbor Day Foundation.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Garden Supplies & Products

Receive $15 off your order of $100 or more from Wayside Gardens. Enter Bonus Code "waysidegardens01" at checkout. Offer Expires 4/7/06.

Click here to take advantage of this offer from Wayside Gardens and for the latest special offers, sales & discounts at Garden Bargains Online.

GARDEN BLOG: Diane’s Baja Desert Garden Blog

You are in for a feast of gorgeous garden photos in this month’s blog. Diane Varney has so eloquently captured the awesome beauty of a desert garden in these photos of her Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico garden. The earthy warm, yet bold tropical colors are truly a feast for the eyes and bring a new appreciation for how beautiful desert gardens can be. Even the weeds look beautiful in this garden. Click here to visit Diane’s Baja Desert Garden Blog.

FROM MY GARDEN..

I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what’s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

“The more we are separated from nature, the unhappier we get.” - Unknown

For more great horticultural websites, please visit iloveplants.com – your online garden resource!

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for March 2006

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 14:34:00 +0000

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: The Garden Grapevine
* Featured Flower: Daisy
* Featured Vegetable: Peppers
* Featured Herb: Chives
* Garden Folklore: Garden Gnomes
* Garden News: 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year
* Garden Wisdom: Spring Garden Supply Inventory
* Garden Bargains: Save on Spring Offers!
* Garden Blog: Moosey�s Country Garden

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

It won�t be long before spring comes knocking at the door. As the trees wake from their winter slumber, the delicate breath of warm breezes circle all around the colorful burst of flowers. It is this intoxicating picture of spring that has me longing for my favorite season.

To kick off the new spring gardening season we have some helpful websites and information for you this month. Our featured web site, The Garden Grapevine, has some great garden information for the picking. Learn more about growing daisies and the ever-popular peppers, as well as the many uses of chives. You�ll be intrigued by the mysterious garden gnome, delighted with the 2006 Perennial of the Year and totally entertained by this month�s garden blog. And don�t miss the pictures of spring in my zone 9 garden!

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

"Anyone who has a bulb has spring." - Anonymous

FEATURED WEBSITE: The Garden Grapevine
This simple, no-frills website offers gardeners plenty of good basic gardening information. You will find a lengthy list of articles on growing plants, garden tips and tricks that include how to create your own fruit-fly traps and manure tea. There is also plenty of do it yourself, money-saving garden projects. The birds in your garden will love the bird bath sauna and the bottom heater plans will help seeds sprout quicker. Click here to visit The Garden Grapevine.

FEATURED FLOWER: Daisy
What flower better represents the freshness of spring than the Daisy (Asteraceae). With over 1500 genera and 23,000 species it�s probably the largest family of flowering plants according to Daisy Paradise website. For information on growing daisies see their A to Z menu at the top of their homepage. Click here to visit Daisy Paradise.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Peppers
Peppers are one of the most popular vegetables grown by the home gardener. It�s not surprising since they are so easy to grow and contain high levels of vitamins and antioxidants. Click here for information on growing peppers by Steve Aegerter, Colorado Master Gardener at the Colorado State University Coop Extension.

FEATURED HERB: Chives
Delicate lavender flowers make the chive plant (Allium schoenoprasum) a popular plant for the garden. Used as borders or grown in containers, it is the smallest member of the onion family and imparts a flavorful taste to breads, salads and dips. Click here for information on growing chives by the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension.

Gardening With the Moon
Full Moon � March 14th
New Moon � March 29th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: February 28 � March 14
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: March 15 � March 28

GARDEN FOLKLORE: Garden Gnomes
It has always been considered good luck to have a gnome in the garden. These adorable wee men were first discovered in Germany in the 1800�s. Today they are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

These demur bearded stocky gentlemen add a bit of charm to a garden, as well as a mysterious note. But place one in your yard with care as these �gentle woodland creatures� are often kidnapped and held for ransom. Click here to read more about garden gnomes.
Purchase this adorable garden gnome from Lillian Vernon and bring a little luck of the wee people to your garden. Click here to purchase these garden gnomes (now on sale) for your garden.

GARDEN NEWS: 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year
Dianthus gratianopolitanus (�feuerhexe� Firewitch) has been designated the 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year by The Perennial Plant Association. Cheddar pink is the common name for this purplish-pink, fragrant dianthus. According to the Association �it is excellent as a border edger, as a rock garden plant or as a ground cover on a sunny slope. Click here for information and to view the 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year.

�I ask not for a larger garden, but for finer seeds.�

� Russel Herman Conwell

GARDEN WISDOM: Pre-spring GardeningTips
Spring is right around the corner and now is the time to organize and take inventory of your garden tools and supplies. Start by separating chemicals and placing them in a safe location out of the reach of children. Whenever possible replace toxic chemicals with earth-friendly products.

Use baskets, extra flower pots and plastic food containers to store garden tools, seed packets and supplies in. Store potting soil and orchid bark in plastic storage containers. As you organize and dispose of unneeded items, make a list of the supplies you will need for this year�s garden and order now to ensure delivery by springtime. Click here for Spring Gardening Sale on now at Yardiac.com.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Garden Supplies & Products
Free Shipping, spring sales and discounts on plants, seeds, tools and supplies now at Garden Bargains Online. Click here for the latest special offers, sales & discounts at Garden Bargains Online.

GARDEN BLOG: Moosey�s Country Garden
I must offer a warning to you before you visit MOOSEY�S COUNTRY GARDEN journal. Her journal is so large (since 1997) that you will want to make sure to schedule a block of time to sit down and enjoy this New Zealand�s gardener�s experiences. Her blog contains a treasure trove of beautiful photos to enjoy. She is a true country gardener who�s blog has gained popularity around the world. Click here to visit Moosey�s Country Garden.

FROM MY GARDEN: Simply Susan!
I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what�s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

Click here to see what�s new at iloveplants.com

�That God once loved a garden we learn in Holy Writ, and seeing gardens in the spring I well can credit it.� - Winifred Letts

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com - February 2006

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 14:34:00 +0000

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Perennial Resource
* Featured Flower: Rose
* Featured Vegetable: Leeks
* Featured Herb: Rosemary
* Garden Folklore: The Language of Flowers
* Garden News: Great Backyard Bird Count
* Garden Wisdom: Landscape Design Tips
* Garden Bargains: Save on Landscape Design Software
* Garden Blog: Takoma Gardener
* From my garden..
* See What's New at iloveplants.com

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

February always makes me think of flowers. I suppose it�s because of Valentine�s Day but also because spring is right around the corner and I love flowers. One can never have too many flowers in the garden. The web site we are featuring this month is all about flowers. If you love perennials, you will love this web site. And we�ve got more on flowers - the new roses for 2006 and the magical language of flowers. You will also find information on growing leeks and tips on landscape design.

Beginning this month we will feature a new �garden blog� each month. There are so many interesting blogs out in the blogosphere that I am delighted to bring them to you. And news From my Garden can be found on my garden blog, a link for which I have included in this newsletter.

Treat yourself to a fresh bouquet of spring flowers, a new rose bush or some love-in-a-mist, heart�s ease, sweet pea or forget-me-not seeds. Afterall, it is February!

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

"A flowerless room is a soulless room, to my way of thinking; but even a solitary little vase of a living flower may redeem it. - Vita Sackville-West

FEATURED WEBSITE: Perennial Resource

Perennial Resource brings you the latest information on perennials � how to use them and how to grow them. And who better to do this than Walter�s Gardens, a field grower of perennials. At Perennial Resources you�ll find over 1,000 plants in their perennial library, growing information, images of gardens and plant combinations, as well as landscape designs for creating beautiful perennial gardens. Click here to visit Perennial Resource.

FEATURED FLOWER: Rose

Roses (Rosa) have existed for some 35 million years according to discovered fossils. Over the years they have become symbols for love, beauty and war. With over 150 species available in today�s market, there is a rose for everyone. The new roses selected as winners for 2006 by the All-America Rose Selections � Julia Child, Rainbow Sorbet, Wild Blue Yonder and Tahitian Sunset � are a collection of warm, rich jewel-toned colors. Click here to view the All-America Rose Selections for 2006.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Leeks

Leeks are a member of the alum family (Allium porrum) which includes all types of onions and garlic. They are best known for their cleansing and detoxifying effects. Naturally low in fat, they supply more vitamins and minerals than onions or scallion. Their mild sweet flavor is perfect as an addition to soups. Click here for information on growing leeks by doityourself.com.

FEATURED HERB: Rosemary

Derived from the Latin word meaning �dew of the sea,� rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a native of southern Europe. It is a symbol for friendship. At one time it was thought to keep away evil spirits. It adds an aromatic fragrance to flower bouquets and a unique flavor to bread or marinades. Click here for information on growing rosemary by ehow.com.

Purchase flower and vegetable seeds from Park Seed Co. Providing vegetable seed and perennial seed to American gardens since 1868. Click here to order from Park Seed Co.

GARDENING WITH THE MOOM
Full Moon � February 12th
New Moon � February 27th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: January 29 � February 12
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: February 13 � February 26

GARDEN FOLKLORE: The Language of Flowers

Flowers have always been given to express a person�s sentiment. We use flowers in lieu of words to express love, friendship, sympathy or some other meaning. In 1818, Mme. Charlotte de la Tour of France published the first dictionary of flowers titled Le Language des Fleurs or The Language of Flowers.

While a red tulip stands for love, a yellow tulip says �I am hopelessly in love!� There are many ways to say I love you other than with red roses. If you wish to express the perfect sentiment to your valentine this month, me2u.com�s extensive list of flowers and their meanings will help you create a personalized romantic message. Click here to learn more about the language of flowers.

�Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.� John Harrigan

GARDEN NEWS: Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is scheduled for February 17 � 20th. You can join in and report your backyard findings online at the Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Click here for information on the Great Backyard Bird Count.

GARDEN WISDOM: Landscape & Garden Design Tips

Now is a great time to begin the daunting task of designing a new landscape or redesigning an existing flowerbed. Landscape & Garden Design Tips by Landscape USA comes to the rescue with their detailed step-by-step list that simplifies the process. Click here to read the Landscape & Garden Design Tips by Landscape USA.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Landscape Design Software

Save up to 16% on Garden Design Software at Amazon.com. Great selections to choose from as well as many other new bargains at Garden Bargains Online. Click here for a selection of landscape design software.

GARDEN BLOG: Takoma Gardener

The garden blog community is bringing gardeners together from all around the world to share their love for gardening. It is with great delight that iloveplants.com will feature a garden blog each month. In a world of negative news, it is uplifting to see people who are passionate about gardening and happy to share the beautiful environment they have created. As you read each blog, you�ll begin to feel as though you know these gardeners personally. It�s fun to share with like-minded people and many bloggers welcome your comments.

The TAKOMA GARDENER blog penned by Susan Harris in her Maryland Garden is a collection of posts on gardening, gardens, horticulture clubs, nature and plants. Susan told me, "I started my blog as a way to share my photos and experiences of gardening, but love it now for the community, which is worldwide and growing."

She writes as though she is speaking directly to you, sharing her excitement of the latest bargain she found at a favorite nursery or a recent visit to a public garden. Her enthusiasm for gardening shines through in every post. Click here to visit the Takoma Gardener.

FROM MY GARDEN..

I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what�s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

Click here to read more garden blogs at iloveplants.com.

Click here to create your own FREE garden blog at Live Journal.

Click here to see what�s new at iloveplants.com

�Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.� - Hans Christian Andersen

New Web Site for Gardeners Saves Time and Money

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 15:49:00 +0000

GardenBargainsOnline.com offers coupons, discounts, clearance sales and special offers on plants and garden supplies. See the latest Press Release at PRWeb.

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com - January 2006

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 21:29:00 +0000

January 2006

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: GardenNut.com
* Featured Flower: Pansies
* Featured Vegetable: Winter Squash
* Garden Folklore: Who is the Green Man? Do You Know?
* Garden News: 2006 All-America Selections
* Garden Wisdom: Mail-Order Tips
* Garden Bargains: Save on Spring Garden Supplies & Garden Journals
* From My Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

Happy new �gardening� year! It�s the start of a new gardening season and even though many of you won�t be heading out into the garden for a few months yet, there is plenty of work to do before spring arrives. It all starts with a little planning, and that�s where we come in. This month we�ve included information on a website where gardeners can exchange or buy seeds from other gardeners, the �new� 2006 All-America Selections, mail-order tips, garden bargains, featured plant and vegetable, a little garden folklore and what�s new in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

"Perhaps what moves us in winter is some reminiscence of far-off summer."
- Henry David Thoreau

FEATURED WEBSITE: GardenNut.com

This homespun website was created to provide a place for gardeners and small nurseries to buy, sell, trade or donate excess plants. Home gardeners can post an ad for free and everyone is invited to browse the ads in search of particular plants or hard to find seeds. It�s a great place to find affordable seeds. Click here to visit Garden Nut.

FEATURED FLOWER: Pansy

Shakespeare included the cheerful PANSY in his play �A Midsummer�s Night Dream� as a component of love potion. The pansy is also known as Heart�s Ease, Love-in-idleness, Johnny Jump-up and Ladies� Delight. Botany.com provides top-notch information on growing pansies. Click here to read about growing pansies.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Winter Squash

Winter Squash is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, protein, iron, calcium and antioxidants of vitamin A. The health benefits of squash include reducing the risk of cancer, coronary heart disease and hypertension. The University of Illinois provides a ton of information on varieties, when to plant, care, harvesting, common problems, and more. Click here to read about growing winter squash.

Gardening With the Moon
Full Moon - January 14th
New Moon - January 29th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: December 30th - January 14th
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: January 15th - January 28th

GARDEN FOLKLORE: Who is the Green Man? Do You Know?

The �Green Man,� who was named by Lady Raglan in 1939, is a medieval image appearing in churches and on gravestones throughout Europe. This unique image is of a man�s face surrounded by leaves and vines. The oldest images are somewhat scarier than the new versions of the 20th century.

No one is sure of the actual meaning behind the Green Man but many believe him to be the symbol of the natural cycle of life, the continuous regeneration of life and the interdependence of all things. This ancient image has regained popularity today as a modern ecological symbol. Click here to read more about The Green Man.

GARDEN NEWS: All New for 2006 - Flower & Vegetable Varieties

The 2006 All-America Selections are available for viewing. The varieties chosen produced the best results, and include 46 new flowers ranging from alyssums to zinnias; and 25 new fruit and vegetable varieties all deliciously described. Click here for information on the 2006 All-America Selections.

Purchase the 2006 All-America Selections seeds from Park Seed Co.
Providing vegetable seed and perennial seed to American gardens since 1868.

Enter the following description into their search box: 2006 AAS Seed Winners to find a list of the seeds. Click here to purchase the 2006 All-America Selections Seeds from Park Seed Co.

GARDEN WISDOM: Mail-Order Tips

It�s that time of year when nursery catalogs begin arriving in the mail. You feel like a kid as you flip through each catalog, enthusiastically creating your list of flower and vegetable seeds to purchase. Click here for some helpful mail-order tips.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Spring Garden Supplies

Hurry - Expiring 1/8/06 - Gardener's Supply Co.: Get 15% off orders of $25 or more! A great opportunity to stock up on spring garden supplies.

Garden journals, The Old Farmer's Almanac and Garden Calendar are on sale now at Amazon.com. A great selection includes Mary Engelbreit's Garden Journal, Three Year Garden Journal with Regional Gardening Guides and P. Allen Smith's Home Garden Journal.

Click here for the latest special offers, sales & discounts at Garden Bargains Online.

From My Garden�The Faces in my Garden!

I don�t have a Green Man in my garden, but I do have a number of faces watching me while I work. I smile when I come across one of the tree men located around my garden and I take a minute or two to talk with them. They are friendly tree spirits and their watchful eyes seem to follow my every move. The two tree men pictured above are Carlos and Max. The old-man winter face is the closest thing I have to the Green Man. At one time he had a beautiful mint green covering of mold spread evenly across his face. It sounds gross, but it really was pretty. The mold turned gray when he was wrapped in paper and packed for a move. Unfortunately, I've never been able to get the mold to grow back. And at last, a face of the moon. I love the shape of this moon and the serene look on his face. It looks like the perfect moon picture that you might find in a child's fairy tale. One thing for sure, these faces add a whimsical touch to my garden!

Happy new gardening year to all of you and may your garden bloom with abundance this year!

Susan

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - December 2005

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 14:53:00 +0000

December 2005

In This Issue:
* Decorate a Tree for Wildlife
* Garden Folklore for Holiday Plants
* Garden Wisdom - Winter Care for Houseplants
* Garden Bargains
* From My Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

The weather outside may be frightful, or at least cooler than normal for gardening, but that won't keep die-hard gardeners from participating in their favorite hobby. This month we've included a great outdoor project from the National Wildlife Federation that is lots of fun and beneficial for wildlife.

You will also find some helpful tips on caring for your houseplants during the winter months, some affordable gift suggestions for gardeners, interesting holiday garden folklore, as well as what's new at iloveplants.com and in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Wishing all of you a joyful holiday season!

Susan

"At Christmas I no more desire a rose than wish a snow in May's new fangled mirth; But like of each thing that in season grows." - William Shakespeare

Decorate a Tree in the Garden for Wildlife

Why not extend your holiday decorating out into the garden this year! Select a tree you can see from inside your home and place some yummy edible treats on it for the wildlife in your backyard. The National Wildlife Federation provides tips for this project in their article, "Decorating a Tree for Wildlife." They've included lots of tasty treats such as popcorn, peanuts, cranberries, grapes, apples and more. Also, included are suggestions from other gardeners across the country. One creative viewer sent in her recipes for Bread Birdseed Cookies, Friendly Snowmen, Yummy Seed Snow Angels and Bird Day Cake. All it takes is a little imagination to create a festive tree that will surely attract grateful birds to your backyard. Click here to read Decorating a Tree for Wildlife.

Did You Know?

There are many legends associated with holiday plants. For instance, did you know that the Christmas tree tradition began in Germany in 1604, or that the Aztec Indians cultivated poinsettias, or that most of the mistletoe sold today is harvested in Oklahoma and Texas, or that holly was considered sacred by the ancient Romans?

You can read more about these legends and others in the Iowa State Extension article entitled "The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants." Your gardening friends will surely be impressed with these interesting tidbits of plant folklore!!! Click here to read The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants.

Garden Wisdom � Winter Care for Houseplants

Old man winter may be blowing outside, but you can still enjoy and fuss over your indoor plants. Winter can be a stressful time for houseplants because of dryer air and shorter days. Keep your plants healthy with the tips provided in the "Winter Care for Houseplants" article from Kansas State University Extension. Click here for Tips on Winter Care for Houseplants.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant." - Anne Bradstreet

Garden Bargains Online

Check out Garden Bargains Online for the latest special offers, sales & discounts!

From My Garden�

Holiday Greetings

Wishing you a magical Holiday Season filled with the fresh scent of pine, the luminous sparkle of poinsettias, a sprig of mistletoe from someone special, a warm cup of spiced apple cider, and plenty of time to savor it all.

Warmest wishes,
Susan

Click here to visit iloveplants.com - Your #1 Resource for Garden Information on the Internet.

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - November 2005

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 14:41:00 +0000

In This Issue:
* Pass-along Plants
* Garden Wisdom � Putting the Garden Tools Away for Winter
* Garden Bargains
* Rate & Review a Website
* From My Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

As the air grows cooler, the heart grows warmer with thanks and gratitude during the month of November. There is so much to be grateful for, and the love for plants that gardeners have is one small blessing that we each share. One way that we share our love for plants is by sharing them with others, and this month we�re featuring a wonderful article on pass-along plants.

You will also find some helpful tips on cleaning and storing your garden tools for the winter. And as usual, there are some money-saving garden bargains, website reviews, garden folklore, as well as what's new at iloveplants.com and in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Wishing all of you a warm and joyful Thanksgiving holiday!

Susan

�A garden is a link to the passing seasons� - Sheryl London

Pass-along Plants

Pass-along plants are very near and dear to my heart. In my garden, I have the offspring of an angel trumpet and a golden candlestick plant that my mother grew when I was a young girl. I�ve also got several orchid cactus� from my aunt in Germany, amaryllis from the garden of the woman who used to baby sit me, bromeliads from another aunt, daylilies from my step-father, mint from my mother-in-law, morning glory from a friend, as well as several other plants received from a neighbor who loves to garden and share her bounty.

Gardener�s are generous in spirit and eager to share with others, which is why I think you will really enjoy this article called, �Pass-along Plants, Passing on Values� from The Christian Science Monitor. This article is bound to bring back welcome memories of a relative�s garden. Click here to read about Pass-along Plants.

Did You Know?

Early English settlers introduced cider to America by bringing seeds with them upon their arrival to the new land. Hard cider quickly became one of the most popular beverages in its day, largely in part to the efforts of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), who planted a large number of trees across the Midwest. Click here to read more about Johnny Appleseed.

Garden Wisdom � Putting Away the Garden Tools for Winter

Once the fall garden chores have been completed, its time to put the garden tools away until spring. But before you do, Ed Hume Seeds offers some simple and easy tips for cleaning and storing tools so they will last longer. Click here for the Tips on Putting Away Garden Tools for Winter.

�Nature is not at variance with Art, nor Art with Nature, they both being servants of His Providence. Art is the perfection of Nature�Nature is the Art of God.� � Thomas Browne, Religio Medici, 1635

Garden Bargains Online

Check out Garden Bargains Online for the latest special offers, sales & discounts!

In My Garden�

Nature has a way of keeping us on our toes. For the most part, she seems predictable but then when you least expect it, things can change. We experienced that in October when Hurricane Wilma and a cold front blew through hand in hand. A first for us! I popped outside early on the morning Wilma arrived hoping to rescue my gazing ball before the wind whisked it away. I was expecting to be blanketed by the heavy humid air that accompanies such storms, but to my surprise the wind felt like a blast of arctic air (a little exaggeration, but in Florida fifty degrees feels like arctic air to us). It served as a reminder to me that the unexpected can be a pleasant surprise. The mix of a volatile tropical storm with a cold front from the North produced a unique fall storm for us � a much needed watering and the arrival of fall. Hurray!

Susan Myers

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - October 2005

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:07:00 +0000

In This Issue:
* Wild About Gardening
* Garden News - Dig In Dirt Garden Blogs
* Garden Wisdom - Compost those Fall Leaves
* Garden Bargains
* From My Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

Fall is arriving in all of its coloful splendor. While the days may be growing shorter, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the garden. The milder temps have a way of rejuvenating us, and there is much fun to be had planting cool season annuals, bulbs and yes, even raking the abundance of leaves drifting to the ground.

Each month we feature the best garden websites and information on the internet that we can find. This month I've found a website on providing a place for wildlife in your garden, and a very interesting new type of online garden journal called a blog. There's also some handy advice on how to make good use of the fall leaves. And as usual, you'll find some money-saving garden bargains, website reviews, garden folklore, as well as what's new at iloveplants.com and in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

"Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe, Autumn Resignation

WILD ABOUT GARDENING

Plants and flowers create a beautiful garden, but it's the wildlife that brings a garden to life. One can spend endless time watching the antics of busy squirrels or listening to the melodies of song birds. Wild About Gardening is a website devoted to bringing harmony to your garden. It is loaded with valuable tips on how your garden can meet the needs of wildlife, while preventing problems.

Creating habitats that attract a multitude of wildlife is easy with specific information for butterflies and other pollinators, amphibians and reptiles, birds, bats, beneficial insects and hummingbirds. Learn how to provide homes for a multitude of creatures or just for a group or two.

Other information includes features on plants, articles, plant encyclopedia and gardening calendar. There is a lot of great information on this website! Click here to visit Wild About Gardening.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pumpkins and pumpkin pie are a sure sign that fall has arrived. Native Americans dried strips of pumpkins and wove them into mats. They also roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them.

The origin of pumpkin pie occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes. Click here for more pumpkin history.

Garden News � GARDEN BLOGS ON THE GROW!

For those of you who like to keep notes and pictures of your garden, there is a new type of online tool available to help you do so. It is called a "web" "log" or blog, for short. A blog, simply put, is an online journal. There are lots of garden blogs currently online and with its current popularity, there are sure to be plenty more in the future.

Blogs are easy to set up and flexible enough so that you can add graphics, photos, link to other websites and receive comments from viewers. You can choose to keep your blog private (for your use only) or you can share it with other online gardeners.

"Dig in Dirt" Garden Blogs is specifically designed with gardeners in mind. It is a community of gardeners writing about and sharing their gardens with others. They currently have about 640 public blogs and 9 private blogs on their website.
Click here to visit Dig in Dirt Garden Blogs

MORE GARDEN BLOGS

iloveplants.com contains a directory of garden blogs that viewers have written to us about. If you have a current garden blog or a soon to be one, please contact me with the URL and I will gladly include it on our list. Click here to read the garden blogs listed on iloveplants.com

Garden Wisdom � COMPOST THOSE FALL LEAVES!

WAIT! Don't toss those bags of raked leaves out to the curb. Those colorful leaves contain magic. Not only do they dazzle us with their striking colors, they also provide our gardens with much needed nutrients. If tossed out, the leaves are unable to complete their natural cycle in the garden. As they die and decompose they bring new life to the soil. Just another reminder that all in nature is recyclable and renewable.

You can find more information on composting fall leaves at Plantalk by Colorado State Extension. Click here to find out more about composting fall leaves.

"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE

Pacific Callas offers cala lily bulbs in all colors at wholesale prices! Click here to visit Pacific Callas.

From my garden...

Autumn is my second favorite season. While it's true that we don't experience the dramatic color display that many parts of the country do, there definitely are signs to be seen by the observant eye. The golden raintrees are breaking out in gold color which will eventually turn to auburn. Holly berries are turning red and squirrels are busy burying their acorn harvest. The days are shorter and the temps are milder. Northern birds are arriving daily and fall vegetable gardens are well under way.

The reduced humidity is drawing me back out into the garden which is in need of a major trim. Hot weather and steamy rainshowers have doubled the size of most tropical-weather plants. The pothos vine (see photo) wrapped around the oak tree has become a monster. It's hard to believe this tame house plant has a truly wild side.

My daughter and I discovered a new butterfly in the yard. It was a white peacock butterfly that summers in Central Florida and returns to South Florida for the winter. We had never seen one before and were excited to make the new discovery. I was sitting outside the other day enjoying the moist coolness of the early morning air and the concert of the mockingbird. He was singing at the top of his lungs. One song after another, he continued on -clear and unabated - delivering his own gift to the new day.

I'll see you next month! Susan

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - September 2005

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 13:34:00 +0000

In This Issue:
* Gardeners Rate Favorite Vegetable Varieties
* Garden Wisdom - Deer Tolerant Plants
* Garden Bargains
* From My Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

It is September, and as usual I find myself wondering where the year has gone. For many of you the gardening season will begin to wind down as fall approaches, but for those in hot climates the onset of milder temps will spur on more garden activity.

Wherever your garden may be, it is my intention to feature the best garden websites and information on the Internet in this newsletter. This month I've found a very helpful website where gardeners can rate the vegetables varieties they grow. There's also a helpful guide for selecting plants for your garden that won't attract the local deer, and for those of you who love to snap pictures of your garden, be sure to check out the photography contest. And as usual, you'll find some garden bargains, website reviews, garden folklore, as well as what's new at iloveplants.com and in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it provides you with some beneficial gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

"The more one gardens, the more one learns; and the more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows." - Vita Sackville-West

Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners

With the vast amount of vegetable varieties available on the market today, how do you know which ones will do best? In the past, gardeners learned through trial and error but today there is an easier way. Cornell University has created a website where gardeners can rate their experience with more than 2,000 vegetable varieties. Listed on their homepage for quick reference are the 10 most popular varieties grown, as well as the top 10 rated varieties. This website is a great resource for selecting the best and most tasty vegetable varieties for your own garden.
Click here to visit Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners and rate the vegetables in your garden.

Did You Know?

"In the Civil War, the Cherokee Rose was often planted as a memorial on the graves of fallen heroes by their surviving comrades." Ernest Wilson, Aristocrats of the Garden, 1926.

Antique rose enthusiasts and history buffs should find this tidbit of plant history fascinating. The next time you're in a cemetery, take a look around and see if you can spot the white flowers blooming on the Cherokee Rose.

Garden Wisdom

Are the deer turning your garden into a fast food restaurant? If so, you'll want to take the advice of the University of Georgia Extension and replace plants deer love to eat with those less palatable to their taste buds. In their horticultural fact sheet entitled Deer-Tolerant Ornamental Plants you will find a list of plants deer love to eat, plants that they will occasionally munch on and a more extensive list of those known to have a higher degree of deer tolerance. These lists could save you a lot of time, money and frustration, while letting you appreciate the beauty of the deer who live around you. Click here to find out more about deer-resistant plants.

"Truths and roses have thorns about them." - Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854

Garden Bargains Online

Reserve your fall bulbs now from BLOOMING BULB and save 10% plus free shipping! Click here to reserve your fall bulbs at Blooming Bulb.

From my garden...

August has been a dry month for us this summer. Without our usual rainfall the weather has felt hotter than normal, but the garden is holding up well. The sycamore tree leaves are beginning to turn brown (a natural process at this time of year), and soon there will be some subtle changes in the early morning temperatures and the golden raintrees will shower us with their bright yellow blooms.

In Florida we are fortunate to have two vegetable gardening seasons. In preparation for our fall garden we planted some Seminole pumpkin squash (an heirloom variety that the Seminole Indians planted) that we started from seeds. We also planted a yellow oxheart tomato and a couple of cucumber vines. I'll soon be adding several plants of parsley and dill to the garden, some for us and some for the butterflies. This month I've included a picture looking down from a second story balcony of my shade garden. It's full of bromeliads (a/k/a hurricane plants), fern, peacock ginger, impatiens and geraniums.

The other day I was tossing out some old bread to the birds when I noticed an anxious squirrel was eyeing me cautiously. I'm sure he was wishing I would hurry up and leave so he could get to the bread before the birds. There was a soft warm breeze and the butterflies seemed to glide effortlessly on the air currents, soaking up the warmth of the sun. A cormorant was perched on a dead tree branch poking out of the lake, holding his wings out to dry while a couple of anole lizards were playfully chasing each other around the oak tree. As I turned around to go back inside, I was glad that I decided to linger for a little while and enjoy the small wonders of nature that each day provides.

I'll see you next month! Susan

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - August 2005

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 13:30:00 +0000

In This Issue:
*The Veggie Lady
*Kitchen Gardener�s International
*How to Save Seeds
*Flower Blooming Tips
*Garden Bargains

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

August is the quintessential summer month. Hot weather, summer showers, fresh cut grass and vegetables - lots of vegetables! With vegetable gardens beginning to reach their peak, we�ve included lots of information from the Veggie Lady and Kitchen Gardener�s International. We�ve also included some tips to keep your summer flowers blooming and on saving seeds for next season.

The nurseries are running their summer clearance sales this month, so there are plenty of garden bargains to be had. Check out our Garden Bargains section for the latest offers!

�To get the best results, you must talk to your vegetables.� - Prince Charles

Our Featured Website for August is THE VEGGIE LADY.

The Veggie Lady offers �FREE� organic gardening advice to all who will listen. Toni Salter, also known as The Veggie Lady provides tips on what to do in the garden each month, as well as a monthly planting guide, organic pest and disease control, featured plants, free e-newsletter and more. Click here to visit The Veggie Lady.

Did You Know?

The hard black seeds of Cannas are used for Buddhist rosaries. The word Canna means �help from Buddha.�

GARDEN NEWS:

If you like to garden and cook, the Kitchen Gardeners International Organization is a website you won�t want to miss. Visit their forums to share experiences and seek helpful advice from other like-minded kitchen gardeners. Take advantage of their resources on organic gardening, composting, cooking, food storage, seed exchange and more. Click here to find out more about Kitchen Gardeners International.

�Let us be grateful to people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.� -Marcel Proust

How To Save Seeds

Seeds of Diversity has published a new edition of their popular �How to Save Seeds� book. It contains the basic principles in seed saving, and the procedures to save vegetables in certain families to encourage or avoid pollination with another family. This practical book is written for the novice seed-saver and expert alike. It is easy to understand and filled with a wealth of knowledge. Click here to visit Seeds of Diversity website to purchase the book.

Flower Blooming Tips for the Summer Garden

Remove spent flowers to prevent perennials from using their energy on seed production, and to stimulate reblooming. Click here to visit the Farmer�s Almanac for more Summer Gardening Advice.
Garden Bargains

Summer clearance sales abound this month. Take advantage of these specials to keep your garden going strong into fall. Click here to visit Garden Bargains Online.

The memories of a summer garden seem to stay with us forever. Whether you prefer the vibrant shades of flowers boasting in the sun or the mellow hues of the soothing shade garden, summer is definitely the time to enjoy the garden.

Susan Myers

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com for July 2005

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 17:19:00 +0000

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

Like a garden that is constantly changing and evolving, iloveplants.com's homepage is undergoing a major renovation. Over the summer we'll be working to streamline our look and make it easier for you to find the information you need more quickly. I believe you will find the changes to be helpful.

June kicks off the summer gardening season and this month's issue includes some helpful information, as well as fun projects. Our featured website - Gardening With Kids - has some great ideas on how you can share your love for gardening with kids. We've also included an article on how-to create your dream garden, and an update on the Garden Conservancy's Open Days tour schedule.

Don't forget to check out this month's garden bargains, and the latest "From My Garden..." where you can see "tree man" in my zone 9 garden! Summer is arriving, so have fun planting and creating your very own colorful summer garden!

Susan Myers

p.s. If you enjoy our newsletter, please share it with your gardening friends by using the email box at the end of this newsletter to forward it to them. Thank you!

�There is something of summer in the hum of insects� - Walter Savage Landor

Our Featured Website for July is the WEEKEND GARDENER.

They provide horticulture tips for busy people in their website which is designed to simplify gardening by helping you choose the right plants, tools and techniques and breaking the activities into manageable weekly tasks. Their goal is to help folks with limited time create a beautiful garden and still have time to enjoy it. Click here to visit the Weekend Gardner.
Did You Know?

It was an American Indian who first domesticated the plant into a single headed plant with a variety of seed colors including black, white, red and black/white striped. For more fascinating facts about the Sunflower see the History of the Amazing Sunflower by the National Sunflower Association.

GARDEN NEWS:

1st ANNUAL POND TOUR NORTH AMERICA
is sponsored by the North American Water Garden Society. It is a two-day event in which private water gardens in communities across the continent will open to visitors. Click here for more information about this tour or to find a tour in your area.

�What a delight it is when, of a morning I get up and go out to find in full bloom a flower that yesterday was not there.� -Tachibana Akemi

All-American Daylilies for 2005
The All-American Daylilies for 2005 are Red Volunteer and Miss Mary Mary. Click here for more information on the All-American Daylily Selection Council�s Daylilies for 2005.

Water Saving Tips in the Garden

Saving water in the garden is as easy as adjusting your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass retains water better. For more helpful tips on saving water, visit Earth Share�s website.
This is a busy time for gardeners. We�re up to our elbows in dirt and loving every minute of it. Have fun creating the garden of your dreams!

Susan Myers

iloveplants.com - YOUR #1 RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com for June 2005

smyers@iloveplants.com (Susan Myers) — Thu, 16 Jun 2005 13:36:00 +0000

In This Issue:
* Gardening with Kids!
* Garden Conservancy - Garden Tours Schedule
* Garden Bargains
* What's New at iloveplants.com!
* From My Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

Like a garden that is constantly changing and evolving, iloveplants.com's homepage is undergoing a major renovation. Over the summer we'll be working to streamline our look and make it easier for you to find the information you need more quickly. I believe you will find the changes to be helpful.

June kicks off the summer gardening season and this month's issue includes some helpful information, as well as fun projects. Our featured website - Gardening With Kids - has some great ideas on how you can share your love for gardening with kids. We've also included an article on how-to create your dream garden, and an update on the Garden Conservancy's Open Days tour schedule.

Don't forget to check out this month's garden bargains, and the latest "From My Garden..." where you can see "tree man" in my zone 9 garden! Summer is arriving, so have fun planting and creating your very own colorful summer garden!

Susan
Susan Myers

p.s. If you enjoy our newsletter, please share it with your gardening friends by using the email box at the end of this newsletter to forward it to them. Thank you!

What a delight it is when of a morning, I get up and go out to find in full bloom a flower that yesterday was not there. - Tachibana Akemi

GARDENING WITH KIDS

What kid doesn't like to get his or her hands in the dirt? By sharing your passion for gardening with your kids, grandchildren or a neighbor's kids you just may spark a life-long love for gardening in their curious little minds. GARDENING WITH KIDS is a nice resource with some fun projects for those busy little hands.

Click here to visit Gardening With Kids

GARDEN CONSERVANCY OPEN DAYS TOUR

The Garden Conservancy is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of opening America's best private gardens to the public. In 21 states across the U.S. there will be 63 gardens open to visitors on specific dates. Strolling through a garden is not only enjoyable, but a great way to garner ideas for your own garden. If you're traveling this summer, you may want to check their list of open gardens to find one to visit.

Click here to view the Garden Conservancy's Open Days Tour Schedule

This Newsletter is sponsored by - The Tasteful Garden
The Tasteful Garden, it's all about the flavor. We have plants for Tasteful Garden treats such as Mammoth Basil, French Sorrel, Barbeque Rosemary, Lemon Verbena, Bay Laurel and Pineapple Sage!

Check out our 45 Heirloom and Hybrid tomatoes as well as many other vegetables and edible plants. We have recipes, growing tips, our herb encyclopedia and insect information. Order online and read more about growing a kitchen garden at www.tastefulgarden.com.

Click here to visit The Tasteful Garden

THE LATEST WEBSITE REVIEWS

Here is a sampling of reviews we received on websites in May.

The Daylily Barn (Located in the Plants and Seed Directory/Daylilies/Plant & Seed Sources) received the following review from Nyokia - "Beautiful site, great daylilies, great folks!

Blackrock Farm (Located in the Regional Gardening Directory/Maine/Local Garden Centers) received the following review from J. Mallen - "Great site, very pretty.

Hyrdo-Stacker (Located in the Garden Products Directory/Hydroponic Supplies Category) received the following review from Pat - "They sell a "vertical garden," which is something I haven't seen before. It looks pretty neat!

I invite you to rate and review websites, especially companies that you purchase plants or products from via mail-order, so that other gardeners can share in the benefit of your experience. To review a website just go to any website throughout iloveplants.com, click on "review it" in the upper right hand corner and type your review. There will be a delay in your review being posted, as all reviews are scanned for inappropriate and offensive language.

Click here to access iloveplants.com homepage and review a website.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE - Shop now and save money!

Spring Hill Nursery�s One Cent Sale. Buy one plant and get another for one cent.

Lillian Vernon - Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more. Enter Code: 865840100 at checkout.

All garden tools and ornaments at Collections, Etc. for $14.99 or less.

Great selection of bonsai trees from Bonsai Boy for under $30.

Purchase summer bulbs now at Breck�s Bulbs and save $25 off a $50 order!

Reserve your fall bulbs now at Blooming Bulb and save 10%.

Get $5 off any purchase over $50 at the Better Homes and Gardens Store! Use coupon code: SAVE5

Save $20 on a $40 order for environmentally friendly garden supplies from Gardens Alive

Click here to visit Garden Bargains Online to take advantage of these specials and for more money-saving offers!

WHAT'S NEW AT ILOVEPLANTS.COM

Check out the NEW websites added to iloveplants.com in the month of May!
Click here to see what's new at iloveplants.com

FROM MY GARDEN...

Our (almost) daily summer rains are beginning, and with great relief. As the heat and humidity begins to build, it becomes more and more difficult to maintain the plants and lawn with sprinklers on a mandatory two-day watering regimen.

As our cleome plants fade, we are collecting the seeds for fall planting. The purple agapanthus and society garlic are adding a touch of color to our front yard, as well as a beautiful "Knock-Out" rose I received as a gift from my sister. This rose truly is a "knock-out." It blooms non-stop most of the year with few pest or disease problems, and the color is stunning.

We planted sunflowers and cosmos for summer color. And one of my very favorite plants - caladiums - have emerged from the ground to add splashes of color to the shaded areas.

This month I've included pictures of one of my favorite caladiums combined in a pot with silver fern, and my very own "tree man" which my daughter calls Carlos. I'm thinking of adding a few more of these adorable forest faces to my trees to create my very own forest of "tree men." I bought this inexpensive one at Lillian Vernon. These days you can find me relaxing on my back deck talking to Carlos. Happy summer gardening! Susan

iloveplants.com - YOUR #1 RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET