You Want Me To Plant My Dahlias NOW???

You may want dahlias like these. Who wouldn’t? But if you read the first article on propagating, that might be too serious for you. After all, you can just go to the store, get a package of dahlia bulbs, and plop them in the ground in May. Or can you????

You can, if you are . . . → Read More: You Want Me To Plant My Dahlias NOW???

C is for Calla Lily, D is for Dahlia, and E is for Elephant Ears

Today is being brought to you by the letters C, D, and E. Just like Sesame Street is a perennial favorite for kids (I couldn’t help myself, pun intended), propagating is a perennial favorite for men – at least for mine.

D is for dahlias Mike is in the basement as we speak, happily nurturing . . . → Read More: C is for Calla Lily, D is for Dahlia, and E is for Elephant Ears

Dahlia Time – There be sprouts!

Its been several weeks since Mike started his dahlia tubers, and all is well in our basement. Sprouts, sprouts, and more sprouts. This is our second tray full. They’re in oasis under plain old fluorescent lights. Pretty cool, huh?

Here’s a sprout that will soon join its friends. Mike planted the tuber in potting . . . → Read More: Dahlia Time – There be sprouts!

OhWhatAWednesday – Winter Interest Or Sandals?

Winter interest or sandals?  That is the question.  I am sitting on my back porch (oh I can’t tell you that because a winter interest article would have to be written in the warmth of my home).  The question is still ‘Winter interest or sandals?’  I’d really rather not talk about winter interest.  I’d rather . . . → Read More: OhWhatAWednesday – Winter Interest Or Sandals?

Winter Interest Morphs into Spring To Do List

Oh my gosh. Regine was right. ‘Gardening IS housework you do outside’. Last week my garden was filled with Winter Interest. This week it is filled with Spring To Do Items. My many beautiful grasses have gone from wispy to weepy. Autumn joy sedum has no more joy. Little lumps of snow covered kale looked . . . → Read More: Winter Interest Morphs into Spring To Do List

Dahlia Time – Wake up Sleepyheads

Hello from a dahlia grower and propagator!

If you live in the Chicagoland area, it may be time to start growing the new lineup for your 2011 dahlia garden. This time of the year is reserved for those of us who propagate dahlias, sometimes turning 1 tuber into 10 or 15 plants. If you don’t . . . → Read More: Dahlia Time – Wake up Sleepyheads

OhWhatAWednesday – River Birch Bark

The picture says it all. River birch bark looks great in winter. The good news is that winter is just about over, even the snow you see in this picture is gone. Woohoo!

This is an installment in the OhWhatAWednesday series, where I dare to take on the task of finding something in my . . . → Read More: OhWhatAWednesday – River Birch Bark

The 2011 Chicago Flower & Garden (and Shopping) Show

You are bound to come home with something from the Chicago Flower & Garden Show. Whether its a shamwow (we’ve all fallen for that one haven’t we?) or something garden appropriate like the vibrating pillow (ok so maybe that one isn’t garden appropriate either), you’ve just got to shop at the show.

My very very . . . → Read More: The 2011 Chicago Flower & Garden (and Shopping) Show

The 2011 Chicago Flower & Garden (and Animal) Show

How is it that you see this at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show? and this? and this? All very explainable.

The dog is part of the CABRA cake decorating contest. Three preview cakes were on display, in anticipation of the Sunday March 13th competition. The finest cake decorators in the Chicagoland area will gather . . . → Read More: The 2011 Chicago Flower & Garden (and Animal) Show

OhWhatAWednesday – The Rose of Sharon Surprise

Spring is coming! I can feel when I’m out walking with the dog. The birds are singing, the geese are flying, and my fingers are not frozen. It just feels different, doesn’t it? I better get moving with what looks good in my yard in winter before I run out of winter. So we’ll do . . . → Read More: OhWhatAWednesday – The Rose of Sharon Surprise