Spring season is always a matter of logistics when you live in a cold climate. In temperate Ohio we go from cold-can't-do-anything conditions to hot-don't-want-to-do-anything weather with only a fleeting spring in between. We can count on two months to get soil prepared and everything planted. Some years there may be some earlier breaks and if we don't mind working very early in the mornings and … [Read more...] about Garden Logistics
garden chores
A Basic Guide To Essential Garden Tools For Beginners
What, When, How To Use Garden Tools Just starting out as a new homeowner? Get the garden tools you need. Tips on which essentials a newbie gardener should buy. Hint: if it decorates a wall, you aren't using it. | What Essential Tools Do I Need to Garden? There are an array of tools in every garden center and hardware store, and some look like they were dreamed up after eating too late at … [Read more...] about A Basic Guide To Essential Garden Tools For Beginners
More for me than you, Garden Planning
I haven't surfed garden blogs in forever, it seems. But today was different and I garnered some great ideas that I hope to put to work for me this year. We'll see. It all depends on both how diligent I am and how much traveling I need to do. (Since I am the sole gardener, traveling can really put a wrench into my gardening plans). OK. Idea #1 Growing a blue garden phlox called 'Moody Blues'. … [Read more...] about More for me than you, Garden Planning
Late Winter Is Time To Prune
Best Time To Prune Visualizing how to cut tree branches If we get a break in the weather (which we will, eventually), it will be ideal time to get the pruning tools out and clean up winter damage, trim out fruit trees, and cut back many clematis vines. Those that bloom on new wood are prime candidates for pruning, although those which are scrubby looking, like quince bushes … [Read more...] about Late Winter Is Time To Prune
Winter Arrived Early
Blustery Day, Past Year's Losses Today is briefly warmer and blustery with high winds and rain, but it is more like a January thaw than the beige autumn Indian summer that we might normally expect. I don't know that there is a clear sense of "normal" in our gardens anymore. Still, the patterns of the seasons are not so far off that they would be … [Read more...] about Winter Arrived Early
The Down And Dirty Weeding Tool List
The Bare Essentials Some essentials when brand new I've done a lot of tweeting and writing about weeding this season. There are a couple of reasons for that including the unusually wonderful weather (from my perspective, anyway), and my desire to have my yard look like I actually garden, despite many trips to visit the children and grandchildren. The weather: It has been a … [Read more...] about The Down And Dirty Weeding Tool List
What I’m Weeding Out
Catching Up With Summer Working Away At the Frontline I swore to myself I wouldn't do this, but I miscalculated how much I wanted to spend time with grandkids (even though it meant numerous 9 hr. trips). I am now playing catch up with the garden weeds, long grass, and a veritable jungle out there. So in the spirit of "making lemonade", I thought I would let you know the … [Read more...] about What I’m Weeding Out
Posted, A Short Garden Tip Video
Mini-tutorial when you only have a minute On Care Of Ornamental Grass I wanted to add to the videos made for Ilona's Garden Youtube channel. I like short tips videos, so I made one while showing my son how to cut down the leftovers from last season. I have so many chores that I am delegating some of the ones that don't need any expertise. This is one of those easy tasks, just point and … [Read more...] about Posted, A Short Garden Tip Video
Garden Chores For March, No Digging Yet
Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn' buds on ice No real attempts at garden chores yet, but not everyone is like Ohio, still in the throes of winter. There were some blue skies, yesterday, however! I will likely remember this winter for a long time to come. On Ilona's Garden some new pages were posted (1) a chores reminder for this month, along with (2) a new page on daffodils. I love … [Read more...] about Garden Chores For March, No Digging Yet
The Ailing Weeder
That is me. I went on a marathon binge of weeding last week - the weather was so lovely and I was feeling full of zip and determination. I had missed the garden... it seemed that I was spending more time on the road and in the house and needed some of the rejuvenation of getting work done in the garden.So work I did, so proud of myself for being able to push on and not ask anyone for help. … [Read more...] about The Ailing Weeder
News In A Nutshell
The corn as it tasseled in late July We are finally getting summer season weather- at the final ending days of August . Not that I'm complaining, because I thought all those pseudo June days were simply glorious. But I'm not getting much weeding done with those new tools I bought, now that heat and humidity have returned. After so many years, and doing without my faithful weeders all … [Read more...] about News In A Nutshell
Canadian Thistles, Are They The Bane Of Your Garden?
I don't know anyone who says they like this plant. We all call it a weed, and doggedly work to eradicate it from our yards. That has been one of my occupations of late, and I find there is something of an art to ridding the garden of Cirsium arvense, as horticultural Latin nomenclature labels it. What makes Cirsium arvense so difficult- that it tempts even a saint to utter unrepeatable words? … [Read more...] about Canadian Thistles, Are They The Bane Of Your Garden?