I have large tomatoes, plenty of them...that is not the trouble. Hornworms. and cracking, those are the troubles. Right now, I am picking the fruits just turning red and ripening them on my window. Hornworms are officially called Manduca quinquemaculata. As caterpillars they are voracious pests, munching through incredible amounts of your tomato harvest. How To Prevent Hornworms? Till … [Read more...] about Tomato Troubles
summer
Garden Furniture Brightens Up Outdoor Living
Garden furniture I wouldn't be without What Can't You Live Without? Favorite Garden Accessories Garden Benches Chairs Firepits and Fire Bowls Playhouses Bird Baths, Feeders, Houses Swings and swingsets Picnic tables and Patio sets Fountain Hot tub Patio seating and lounge chairs Grill or outdoor kitchen Is The Ticket Too Big? On "big ticket" items like … [Read more...] about Garden Furniture Brightens Up Outdoor Living
June Garden Report
More Of What's Happening In My Garden Proof that there is hope for the Sweetgum tree I learned that I can't judge a winter's toll until June, and even then it remains to be seen what a tough summer may inflict on the garden in general and shrubs and trees in particular. Here is what I have observed about my Central Ohio garden so far. > I thought two of the Sweet Gum … [Read more...] about June Garden Report
Lavender, Lavender, Where Art Thou?
Summer Lavender When we put in our stone walk many years ago, I envisioned it rimmed with a lavender hedge. Lavandula vera has been a feature lining the walkway, scenting the air, and providing the garden with charm ever since. The story does not have a happy ever after ending. It is more of a Romeo and Juliet tragedy because of the periodic deep frozen temperatures we endure every so … [Read more...] about Lavender, Lavender, Where Art Thou?
August Lilies
Lilies are one of the main joys of August, if you ask me. These are not the blooms of the Asian lilies that come earlier in the season, but those lushly fragrant Oriental lilies and the tall spires of Trumpet and Aurelian strains.These are opulent flowers, luxurious in color, form and perfume.If you don't have the late season lilies blooming in your garden, the time to order them is now, … [Read more...] about August Lilies
Globe Thistles And Other Nice Looking Xeriscape Plants
The last post was about thistles, since I had been hard at work in the garden getting rid of as many as I possibly could manage, but there are lovely garden flowers that have thistle characteristics without their tendency to elbow everything else out. Long ago, when planting my first garden on Glen Echo (isn't that a lovely name for a street? Too bad it was located right next to a raucous, busy … [Read more...] about Globe Thistles And Other Nice Looking Xeriscape Plants
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?
Where Should I Plant This Rose?
I know many of you have done this, too, so I don't feel quite so guilty. So many times I know better, but I can't resist nature, not of plants or my own at times. We are past the season of planting roses... the heat of summer is coming, but a beautiful rose plant was on sale. Forget the fact that you have no real place prepared for it, or even a vague idea of where to put it, it was a beautiful … [Read more...] about Where Should I Plant This Rose?
My Ohio Garden Resumes The Usual Summer Program
Fennel takes drought wellAfter the very remarkable weather we've had this summer, from damaging storms through wearying drought, the recent spate of rainstorms has brought something of normalcy to this Central Ohio garden. In fact, it is almost something of an ideal for this time of year, with cooler mornings, bright sunshine, blue skies- sometimes of brilliant intensity and sometimes a … [Read more...] about My Ohio Garden Resumes The Usual Summer Program
August is time to divide and plant perennials
Butterfly within the Lilac BranchesEvery year, August feels too hot and dry to be digging and planting, but late August is an especially good time to give new perennials a start in the garden. The trouble with this time of year is mainly the hot sticky weather for the gardener, and it is often too dry for the plants. That means attention to watering is usually necessary. Yes, you can wait until … [Read more...] about August is time to divide and plant perennials
Chicagoland Visit
Snapshots of Evanston Yards While in Chicago last week, I managed to visit my old neighborhood in Evanston, a suburb on the lake. The neighborhoods are still quiet and beautiful, the beaches alluring, but a few things have changed. The houses used to be almost uniformly painted in shade of light gray with deep gray trim. Now you will see a wide range of Craftsman era color. I think it … [Read more...] about Chicagoland Visit
Mid July Chores
It finally heated up and this is what we expect in July: hot muggy weather.It is time to keep up with the weeds, hoeing them out in the morning means that the hot sun is killing the weeds and not you. Afternoons are made for sipping lemonade in the shade of a tree. Look for bargains beginning in the garden sections of the stores.Keep your tomatoes and other veggies watered, either in the morning … [Read more...] about Mid July Chores