This week’s grab bag is pretty eclectic, which is how I like it! We’ve got everything from a book giveaway, to photos of LOTB readers’ metal animal sculptures, to a garden gnome census. Oh, and be sure to check out my guest post on goodLife {eats}. It’s an overview of edible container gardening.
Great Blog Reading
- Have you been thinking about trying a little canning/pickling this season? Food in Jars has a copy of Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It to give away.
- Welcome Mike to LA, the land of year round gardening. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do in our great climate.
- Vote for Urban Gardens to win a Webby Award. Robin does a great job covering trends in the urban gardening scene.
- aHa Modern Living points out how the right vase can make flower arranging a breeze. I gave one of the vases she shows as a gift to my mom, and I can attest to how cool a single bud looks in it!
- If you like looking at pretty photos of gardens (like I do!) then check out a new-to-me blog called The Photo Garden Bee.
My Own Links to Share
First, don’t forget about the April blog carnival. The topic is whimsical container gardens. I know several of you have awesome ideas for this topic, so let’s see ‘em! Second, I wanted to direct you to a search engine I created that will search over 20 different seed companies for whatever variety it is you desire. A pretty useful tool when you have your mind set on a hard to find plant (which is why I created it!).
Don’t Forget About Monarchs
Photo by mightyquinninwky©™
This time of year, Monarch butterflies are migrating north. Which is all well and good, except they have to fly through areas that are now heavily suburan and urbanized. Monarchs lay their eggs on one plant, and one plant only. Milkweed. When our prairies were mowed down to build homes or a new high rise, milkweed plants became fewer and farther between. You can help Monarchs out by planting a pot full of milkweed for them if you live in their migration path.
Metal Animal Sculpture
After yesterday’s post about armadillo and giraffe sculpture, several people shared photos of their (or their clients) animal sculptures. They add a lot of fun and whimsy to a garden:
- Bob has a metal flamingo gracing his porch.
- Laura also has flamingos.
- Susan has a client that really loves metal animals, they have a tortoise and egrets, to name two.
- Vicky has a very happy frog (and really cool flooring).
Corny Gardening Joke
Photo by Darwin Bell
What should you put into your garden to watch over your beets? A metro-gnome!
Container Gardening in the News
- The New York Times covers felt containers that seem pretty similar to the Smart Pots I’m testing out.
- Has anyone ever grown an Egg Fruit Tree? I wonder if they would do well in containers.
- The Seattle Times wrote about new varieties of plants that have become available, among them a dwarf magnolia tree.
- This year marks the first ever garden gnome census in Springfield, IL.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I just looked up milkweed. Lots of pretty different varieties. I think I am going to have to go back to the nursery this weekend…again. They just teased me today when I went in that I can’t get enough. It’s true though, I love planting and we have a large garden and backyard.
We have a lot of butterfly bushes in our area. In the fall they will be covered with upwards of 50 monarchs as they head down south for the winter. It’s an amazing sight!
Thanks so much for your shout out for the Webbys! We urban gardeners support each other!
I love the grab bag. You uncover a lot of material I have not come across. Thanks Fern! Matti
thanks for another grab bag, and your gust blog was great!