Share my passion for all things gardening!
In early August, I traveled to Buffalo, NY. It was, for the annual conference of the Association for Garden Communicators. In addition to attending workshops and networking with my colleagues, we were in for a treat. We got to visit of private gardens that were a part of this year’s Garden Walk. It has been billed as “America’s largest garden […]
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The Friends of Manito will be holding their fall plant sale and it’s time to organize our plant shopping lists! My garden column is a preview of the sale. That way, you’ll know what to expect. In it, I highlight five wonderful plants that will be available. Here is a link to it in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Colorful […]
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I have to tell you that writing today’s column was such a pleasure for me! In it, I recalled my early exposure to gardening. That came from my Grandmother (shown at left), my Mom, and my oldest sister. Here is a link to it, in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review. A love of gardening is a legacy worth passing from […]
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We gardeners are all familiar with blossom-end rot in tomatoes, right? Well, how about in zucchinis? 2017 marks the first time I’ve ever experienced this on my zucchini plants and I’m shocked! It’s been a hot, dry summer and apparently those plants decided the tomatoes shouldn’t have all the fun. Initially, I was seeing some small, yellowing and shriveling zucchinis […]
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We’re all in the thick of harvest season, aren’t we? Are you a newbie vegetable gardener or a seasoned veteran? Well, the timing of when to harvest vegetables can be tricky at times. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! In my column in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review, I do my best to take the mystery out of it. […]
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Are you looking for easy-care perennials to add some pizzazz to your garden? Daylilies are truly one of the best plants you can buy. They have breathtaking blossoms and attractive strap-like foliage that looks good all season long. They don’t need a ton of water, and they’ll even deadhead themselves for you! A visit to Lasting Dreams Daylilies While on […]
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My husband and I have lived on a 5-acre property for 27 years now. Even though we’ll want to downsize at some point, neither of us can picture ourselves on a tiny city lot! Well, Master Gardener colleague Kurt Madison and his wife Margot Casstevens have made the move from 10 acres to a city lot, and are adapting quite […]
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Don’t let flies prevent you from enjoying your porch, patio or deck this summer. There is no need to spray poisonous chemicals to control them, however. Our neighbor boards horses and we keep chickens. Between these two sources, there is a potential for a lot of flies. We have been using the Rescue Fly Traps since 1993 with great success. Their early […]
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I thought it would be helpful to write a column on some of the problems that can come up. I’m specifically talking about garden pests that can be very challenging. Here is a link to my column in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review: Identify the pest before choosing the remedy. (or you can read my column lower in this post) […]
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Last fall, I took a course on permaculture. I really wanted to gain a better understanding of what it’s all about. In the final class, we were introduced to Beth Mort, who presented a wonderful lecture. She spoke about how she uses permaculture principles in her own life and to help others design their landscapes. Beth owns Zinnia Designs for that […]
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