The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com - February 2007

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

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Garden Forums, Lists & Seed Swap
* Garden News: Gardening by the Moon Photo Contest
* Garden Project: Build a Backyard Parterre by Farmer's Almanac
* Garden Bargains: $25 off your $50 Purchase from van Bourgondien
* Garden Blog: May Dreams Gardens
* From my Garden… Simply Susan!

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

“Your first job is to prepare the soil. The best tool for this is your neighbor’s garden tiller. If your neighbor does not own a garden tiller, suggest that he buy one.” - Dave Berry

FEATURED WEBSITES: Garden Forums, Lists & Seed Swaps

February is a restless month for gardeners as old man winter continues his winter rampage. So what is a gardener to do until spring arrives? If you can’t live and breath plants in the garden, perhaps talking about them with other like-minded folks would temporarily soothe a restless garden soul. With that in mind, we are featuring a number of garden forums, lists & seed swaps that may appease the weary gardener until those pleasant days of spring arrive once again. On the next cold and miserable winter’s day when you’re stuck inside, pull up a chair and browse through our list of garden forums, lists and seed swap Web sites, and rate your favorites. You’re sure to find one that speaks to you.

This newsletter is sponsored by Wayside Gardens
Spring has arrived at Wayside Gardens with more than 100 new varieties of perennials, shrubs, roses and annuals to choose from. Don’t miss out on the new Rose Rainbow Knock-Out™ rose.

GARDEN NEWS: Gardening by the Moon Photo Contest

Calling all garden photographers. Divine Inspiration Publications, publisher of the Gardening by the Moon Calendar, is pleased to announce a Garden Art Photo Contest. We are looking for fun photos of your garden art which is homemade, something different than your average garden center birdbath,statuary/sundial type thing. Sculptures made out of natural materials, interesting trellises, stepping stones,planting containers, and creative bed designs will be considered. No people in the picture, please, but humor is good!

The winning photographs will be used in the 2008 Gardening by the Moon Calendar, and all winners will receive a free calendar. One $50 first prize will be awarded, and one second prize of $25. Deadline is February 20, so send in your photos soon!

To enter send your JPGs on a disc, labeled with your name and contact information, or photographs with a cardboard stiffener (so it won't get folded), to our mailing address: Divine Inspiration Publications, P.O. Box 2503, Guerneville, CA 95446. They should be good quality pictures and well focused. JPGs should be PC format disc, 300 dpi and about 5x7 (Because we are on a dial up connection I can't accept the photos by email). Send duplicates, as your submissions will not be returned. Winners will be announced in September 2007. If not enough photos are received to make a whole theme for next year, the top two winners will be paid, and the others kept on hold for another year.

GARDEN PROJECT: Build a Backyard Parterre

If you’re looking to add a little formality to your garden this spring, the Farmer’s Almanac offers a great idea in their “Build a Backyard Parterre” article by Louise Kehoe. A parterre is a slightly less formal type of knot garden. The article includes a detailed diagram with measurements and a step-by-step explanation for creating this beautiful design in your backyard.
Visit the Farmer’s Almanac for Parterre building plans.

The Art of the Kitchen Garden by Jan and Michael Gertley provides more information on creating informal parterre gardens.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: $25 off Orders of $50 from van Bourgondien

Take advantage of van Bourgondien's latest offer and receive $50 of plants for only $25!!!! Enter Promo Code KA1401A at checkout to receive discount. They work hard to ensure that you receive the highest quality bulbs and perennials. Choose from their great selection of bulbs and plants from dahlias and lilies to hostas and daylilies.

This is a great opportunity to add some new varieties to your perennial beds. Hurry because this offer expires February 28th!Don't forget to check out the helpful fints and best buys on bulbs from "The Bulb Lady®." Shop Van Bourgondien and Save Lots of Money.

Visit Garden Bargains Online for the latest coupons, discounts and special offers from nurseries and garden product companies.

GARDEN BLOG: May Dreams Gardens Blog

What better blog to feature in the month of February than May Dreams Gardens by Carol in Indiana. She so eloquently states that she arrived at her blog’s name, “because all year I dream of the days in May when the sun is warm, the skies are blue, the grass is green, and the garden is all new again!” Who can’t relate to that beautiful description of a May garden, especially in the middle of winter.

In her blog, she hopes to inspire all to “get out and do a little digging and hoeing in your own gardens, wherever and whatever that may be.” And I think you’ll agree with me that her love for gardening and people (and the Indianapolis Colts) shines through in her blog entries. She engages other gardeners to participate on her blog by asking questions throughout her posts and in her Garden Bloggers Book Club. She has a witty and playful writing style that makes you feel as though you know her personally. Click here to dream about May, along with Carol in her May Dreams Gardens Blog

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!

Find your gardening soul mate in 2007 at eHarmony.com. At eharmony they bring the matches to you based on your profile - no need to search. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and receive a FREE personality profile. Click here to take a tour.

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