Looking To Buy Dahlias?

I have an two easy answers for those of you looking to buy dahlias.

My first choice to get dahlias for your garden is to buy established plants at the Chicago Botanic Gardens when Central States Dahlia Society has their sale. You get plants that our members have grown, tried and true. Plus . . . → Read More: Looking To Buy Dahlias?

Zinnia Seeds Are At Home Depot!

That title says it all. I could stop right here and have said enough with “Zinnia Seeds Are At Home Depot!”. Not just any zinnia seeds, but the great big beauties called State Fair. Some years we can’t find the seeds and have to buy plants, so I am pleased to announce that the . . . → Read More: Zinnia Seeds Are At Home Depot!

Say Yes To Red Flash Caladiums

Caladiums can be SO easy and SO pretty and SO inexpensive. I used to envy their bright colored leaves at the garden center, sigh at the high price to do my large area, then move on. Those days are long gone. For years now, I’ve planted Red Flash Caladium bulbs with total success.

This . . . → Read More: Say Yes To Red Flash Caladiums

Silver Brocade Artemisia – A Favorite Groundcover

Silver Brocade Artemisia by the Oak tree

Silver Brocade Artemisia might be a plant you don’t know. I hadn’t heard of it either till the day I bought it 5 years ago. I love the silver color and the texture. It boasts vigorous growth – which makes it a groundcover as far as I . . . → Read More: Silver Brocade Artemisia – A Favorite Groundcover

Aubrey, Our Puppy Gardener

Our Aubrey is becoming a gardener! At one year old, this cutie spends more time in the garden than Mike and I. Here she is “logging” some time.

Aubrey – Logging some time in the garden

What is it about puppies that we all love so much? Soft, cuddly, cute, destructive. Well, ok, they . . . → Read More: Aubrey, Our Puppy Gardener

How to Get Rid of Bugs (and Deer and Rabbits) That Attack Dahlias and Other Garden Plants

Central States Dahlia Society just put out a great list of pests that attack dahlias, and more importantly, how to get rid of said pests. We’re talking about bugs, deer, and rabbits.

Looking for more good info on dahlias, or a club near Chicagoland to give you tips and tricks to grow dahlias? See . . . → Read More: How to Get Rid of Bugs (and Deer and Rabbits) That Attack Dahlias and Other Garden Plants

Never Never Plant Star of Bethlehem

I started to get rid of horribly invasive Star of Bethlehem last year. And by started, I do believe I started what is going to be a multi-year project. This nasty little plant is such a deceiver. The leaves look like my scilla. They look like my grape hyacinths. It looks innocent. It looks . . . → Read More: Never Never Plant Star of Bethlehem

Getting The Garden Ready For Winter Interest

Sure, it’s tempting to call a gardening article this time of year something like “Putting the Garden to Bed” or “Autumn Cleanup”, but I’m going to instead go with a theme of “Winter Interest”. I’m going to show you one of my tricks to prepare the garden to be interesting even when summer breezes . . . → Read More: Getting The Garden Ready For Winter Interest

Wow – When the Asiatic Lilies Bloom, They REALLY Bloom

I knew the Asiatic lilies would be blooming soon, but even after having them for several years, I was amazed when they came through with such coordinated timing. After all, there were just a very few blooming in the last few days, then today they totally exploded with color.

Here’s the back 40, as . . . → Read More: Wow – When the Asiatic Lilies Bloom, They REALLY Bloom

“Lettuce” Begin!

“Lettuce” Begin – A perfect pun for what needs to be done – begin growing lettuce. I planted our lettuce seeds in two coal buckets yesterday. They are outside on our deck where bunnies can’t reach them. Lettuce is a cold weather crop. Start it now so its ready before it bolts and tastes bad. . . . → Read More: “Lettuce” Begin!