The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - April 2004

In This Issue:
* Our Top Website Choices for April on Herbs and Container Gardening.

Happy Spring greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

Spring has arrived and in most parts of the country gardeners are busy in the garden doing what they love to do. The National Gardening Association has designated April as "National Garden Month." It's not hard to see why they have chosen April as the month to "Celebrate the Power of Gardening!" It's a wonderful time of the year, and with each new flower that blooms so does our sense of wonder and delight.

This month we are featuring our most highly rated websites on herbs. Herbs are magical plants in their ability to delight our senses, flavor our food, and provide herbal remedies. They are a great addition to any garden.

We have also included a couple of spring garden bargains this month and some timely information on the many plant and garden related celebrations in April.

Enjoy Spring and "celebrate the power of gardening" as you indulge in one of your favorite pasttimes.

GROW YOUR OWN HERBS

Herbs are unique plants in that they appeal to our sense of smell, touch, site and taste. Growing herbs is not only fun, but very useful as well. So, if you�re long on interest, but short on �thyme� these favorite websites are packed with the information you need to grow your own herbs.

Our viewers have given these websites top ratings!

Growing Herbs in the Garden (Rated 10) is a well-written article by James C. Schmidt (University of Illinois) on various ways to grow herbs. So, however you choose to grow herbs you will find information on choosing a site and preparing the soil or incorporating them into your existing landscape or growing them in containers.

HerbNet (Rated 10) is a large site with tons of information on everything herbal � growing tips, products, facts, remedies, events, an herbal exchange and more.

For folks who garden in the Pacific Northwest our viewers recommend the herb page on the Rainy Side Gardeners (Rated 10) website. It contains great tips for growing herbs in your moist climate.

This article entitled Herbs (Rated 8) by the University of Illinois Extension is a quick-read with an herbal glossary and to-the-point tips on getting started, harvesting, drying,and freezing herbs, as well as suggested uses with food.

Visit these websites on our HERB PAGE where you will also find 54 mailorder sources to purchase herb plants and seeds from.

Our Top Website Picks for Garden Information

A favorite website listed in our Garden Information Directory that viewers have rated a 10 is:

ContainerGardeningTips.com which touts itself as �a complete guide to container gardening.� This website packs a lot of information into a small site on gardening in containers, including the advantages, how to get started, various containers available, essential tools and lists of the best plants, flowers, vegetables and herbs to grow in containers. A must read for those who love to garden in containers.

Our Top Website Picks for Garden Products

WindowBox.com is the biggest name in little gardens. You won�t be disappointed with the creative selection of handcrafted, wooden and metal windowboxes offered here. They also have an array of ceramic, hanging, wall and self-watering (great for vacations) containers, as well as brackets, plant stands, kid�s gardening kits, supplies and more.

The Gardener�s Bookshelf

These books offer beneficial tips on growing herbs and their many uses.

Little Herb Gardens: Simple Secrets for Glorious Gardens by G. Brennan & M. Luebbermann offers growing instructions for over 30 herbs, with ideas on planning, maintenance, harvesting and cooking. This is a warm and inviting book that is useful in the kitchen and the garden.

The Edible Container Garden by Michael Guerra explains how to plant, grow and harvest vegetables, edible flowers, fruits and herbs when time & space are limited. Illustrated with beautiful color photos this book will create a bounty of edible delights.

The Herbfarm Cookbook by Jerry Traunfeld (Chef at Herbfarm Restaurant near Seattle) includes 200 recipes, information on growing herbs and how to use them to transform your own favorite dishes.

Garden Celebrations for April

Celebrate Arbor Day

Celebrate Arbor Day on April 30th by planting a tree. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and provide oxygen in return. They reduce temperatures by an average of 9 degrees which helps reduce your air conditioning bill. For more information on Arbor Day visit the National Arbor Day Foundation websiite.


Every Day should be Earth Day

We officially celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, but each day we can do things that help improve our environment, especially in the garden. PRDDY offers easy to do suggestions for Recycling in the Garden which can save you money and help the environment.

America in Bloom

America in Bloom s a nationwide community beautification competition. If you are interested in helping your community to spruce up and green up, please visit their website for more details on this program sponsored by The National Garden Bureau.

GARDEN BARGAINS

Visit our GARDEN BARGAINS page for the latest special offers, discounts and sales offered by nurseries and garden product companies.

In closing, why not add a little sensory delight to your garden this Spring with herbs. Your taste buds will thank you! And if you are planting your vegetable garden you might want to Plant a Row for the Hungry and donate it to your local food bank.

Susan Myers

The Inside Dirt at iloveplants.com - March 2004

In This Issue:
* Our Top Website Choices for Heirloom Plants

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

Spring is right around the corner. Here in the South, I look forward to the warm Spring breezes and the colorful blooms of azaleas that can be found in almost every yard. With each new tree that bursts forth in all of its Spring green glory I feel the renewal of life, the miracle of nature and the beginning of my favorite season of the year!

This month we are featuring our viewer's favorite websites on Heirloom plants. Heirlooms are our connection to the gardens and the gardeners of the past. As you will see in the websites on our Heirloom Page, there are many people who relish these "living antiques" and are dedicated to preserving them for future generations.

HEIRLOOM PLANTS - A living link to the past

There is no doubt that heirloom plants are a treasure � a piece of living history that we can grow and enjoy, just as much as our ancestors before us.

Here is a collection of some of our viewers favorite heirloom plant websites.

Heirlooms, Historical Plants and Folklore by Georgiana Marshen is a gem of an article loaded with timeless information on heirloom plants.

The Heirloom Gardener magazine is a must-have for the serious heirloom gardener. Each issue contains comprehensive articles on growing heirloom vegetables and plants, as well as their history, cultivation and beautiful photos of old seed packets. Lots of great information!

Our Top Website Picks for Garden Products

Thomas Jefferson loved to garden and kept detailed information on vegetables and flowers that he grew at Monticello. Today you can purchase the same heirloom seeds, bulbs and plant varieties that Jefferson grew from their Twinleaf Catalog. See their �Index of Common Names� to select from among 111 varieties of seeds, seed samplers, bulbs, perennials, annuals, herbs & vegetables.


Visit our HEIRLOOM PAGE to view these websites, as well as lists of organizations that offer seed exchange programs and information websites with tips for growing heirlooms and saving seeds. And 111 mailorder sources to purchase heirloom bulbs, fragrant plants, herbs, Native American species, roses, vegetables, coleus, fruit, irises, perennials and seeds from.

The Gardener�s Bookshelf

Anyone who loves to include plants from the past in their garden will find these books indispensable. Click on any of the three book links below to find additional books on heirloom gardening.

Passalong Plants by Steve Bender describes 117 plants (with 82 color photos) that have been passed down through the generations from one person to another.

Heirloom Country Gardens by Sarah Wolfgang is a timeless treasure for today�s gardeners. It contains various garden layouts, and an alphabetical listing of vegetables, flowers, herbs and fruits.

Heirloom Vegetable Gardening by William W. Weaver is a master gardener�s guide to planting, seed saving and cultural history.

GARDEN BARGAINS

Visit our GARDEN BARGAINS page for the latest special offers, discounts and sales from nurseries and garden product companies.

In closing, this is a busy time of the year preparing for warmer days and a return to the garden. I hope you have found the special offers we included this month to be useful to you in saving money on your plant and supply purchases. Keep dreaming, spring is just around the corner!

Susan Myers

The Insider Dirt at iloveplants.com - February 2004

In this issue:
* Our Top Website Choices for February on Birds

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

February is the month of love, and we've got a lineup of websites, and gift suggestions you are going to love. We start out with our viewers favorite sites for bird lovers, followed by the National Garden Bureau's designation of 2004 as the year of the dianthus and pea.

February is a bright point in the midst of winter. A time to celebrate love. While most people might think of romantic love, I like to expand that thought and think of it as the month to celebrate all things I love. So celebrate all month (and everyday of the year) by surrounding yourself with the people and things you love!

A GARDEN FOR THE BIRDS

More than 65 million people in the United States enjoy feeding birds. A garden would not be complete without the harmonious sounds and delightful antics of birds.

Here are two of the most popular birding websites on iloveplants.com. Our viewers have rated these two websites a �10� � the highest rating possible:

BIRDING/WILD BIRDS by About.com - Here you will find some great articles on wild bird photography, fascinating folklore, birds and cold weather, birds and their feathers, field guides, songs & calls, book reviews, plus free feeder and bird house plans, and that�s just for starters. Lots of super information!

BIRD SOURCE � Birding with a Purpose - The Audubon Society and Cornell Lab of Ornithology has on ongoing project to track and count birds. They are seeking volunteers across the country to participate in The Great Backyard Bird Count scheduled for February 13-16, 2004. Visit their site to see how to participate and log your observations online. It�s lots of fun and very easy to do.

For more information on attracting and feeding birds, as well as plants that attract birds visit our BIRD page.

Our Top Website Picks for Garden Products

February is National Bird Feeding Month.

A BIRD'S WORLD - If you love birds you will love �A Bird�s World.� This company offers an endless supply of everything for birds. Your choice of pedestal, premium, artistic, college, specie or martin birdhouses, as well as domed, tube, specialty, globe, haven, squirrel-proof, hummingbird and exotic bird feeders. You will also find some unique gift ideas, water fountains, wildlife art, and bat, butterfly, and ladybug houses. Some really great selections for the garden!

Our Top Website Picks for Garden Information

Our REGIONAL GARDENING directory is chock full of gardening information for all 50 states. If the weather is keeping you indoors this is a great place to surf for information on local garden clubs, regional growing advice, and local nurseries.

THE GARDENER'S BOOKSHELF

Since February is the month for cupids, hearts and love we have a very special book on our bookshelf for you this month.

The Language of Flowers: Symbols & Myths by Marina Heilmeyer. Flowers have a long history of symbolism and have been included in myths, poetry and the Bible. Heilmeyer is both a botanist and art historian and in her book you will find incredibly beautiful pictures of flowers along with their meanings and associations. It�s a must have for anyone who loves flowers.

If you are looking for a unique valentine gift, give this book to your sweetheart along with a flower that matches your feelings. I guarantee you can�t go wrong!!!!

2004 is the Year of the Dianthus and Pea

The National Garden Bureau, Inc. celebrates 2004 as the year of the Dianthus and Pea. For the history and growing information on these two plants visit their website.

Visit our GARDEN BARGAINS directory for the latest special offers, discounts and sales offered by nurseries and garden product companies.