tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102319442009-12-18T09:54:04.027-06:00Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-19053661570569332912009-11-26T12:02:00.001-06:002009-11-26T12:04:28.849-06:002009-11-26T12:04:28.849-06:00

Just ordered a bunch of these. What a great idea!Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-63854522022563099692009-11-05T22:06:00.004-06:002009-11-05T22:09:23.419-06:002009-11-05T22:09:23.419-06:00

The Dallas Observer recently ran this fascinating story about the difficulties city residents have faced in their efforts to begin a community garden. Seems to me like there's a lot more going on here that we'll find out about later. Make sure you read the comments after the article too.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-25331367442434878882009-07-30T21:16:00.005-05:002009-07-31T23:10:48.459-05:002009-07-31T23:10:48.459-05:00

Hopefully, rain lilies. This is Zephyranthes sp. 'Labuffarosa'

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-38091691612083382012009-07-25T19:23:00.008-05:002009-07-25T19:46:31.158-05:002009-07-25T19:46:31.158-05:00

Just wanted to, once again, share the love for Garden Crossings. They send you the best plants with the best packing method of anyone I've dealt with in the mail order plant business.Know, too, that many of the plants in my order were on sale. Ever ordered sale plants from other mail order places, only to receive the tiniest, sickliest, most pathetic sticks you've ever seen, usually tossed into

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-72869521837879775602009-07-21T08:02:00.004-05:002009-07-25T19:46:19.490-05:002009-07-25T19:46:19.490-05:00

Viewers of The Colbert Report are familiar with his frequent "Monkey on the Lam" spots, featuring real stories of escaped monkeys and their adventures.Well, here's the tale of a Monkey on the Take. He's been caught on tape robbing a local Dallas plant store.WFAA.com: Police believe monkey used to steal from businessConsidering how much I spend on plants each year, maybe I should trade in my

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-8264486389435573062009-07-20T12:15:00.005-05:002009-07-25T19:46:07.277-05:002009-07-25T19:46:07.277-05:00

Just placed a small-ish order with Garden Crossings. I've had a discount card sitting on my desk for awhile, begging to be used. (Use the code SAVENOW at checkout and receive $25 off a $99 order, or $15 off a $75 order, thru July 31!)I've had my eye on a couple of types of golden barberry, both of which are carried by GC. There's the dwarf low-growing beret-type 'Maria' and the upright

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-90038736922223620482009-07-14T21:42:00.005-05:002009-07-25T19:45:56.308-05:002009-07-25T19:45:56.308-05:00

I've been growing fish peppers for the past couple of years with limited success. In most attempts, I put the plants into my community garden plot and watched as they slowly got munched down to nubs by various varmints during the growing season.Well no more. I am now growing them in pots in the somewhat safe sanctuary of my own backyard, and my success has escalated...when I can keep the tobacco

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-62537028395690127022009-07-09T22:28:00.004-05:002009-07-25T19:45:44.433-05:002009-07-25T19:45:44.433-05:00

I planted this lily about three years ago and it hasn't bloomed until now. Gorgeous, yes? If memory serves (which it usually doesn't these days), I think this was a freebie/extra bulb from somewhere. What I do know is that it is a very fragrant Oriental lily called 'Stargazer'.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-66668704734775203352009-07-05T18:10:00.007-05:002009-07-25T19:44:45.881-05:002009-07-25T19:44:45.881-05:00

First, check out the picture of my "Siamese Twins" squash. This is a budding Zephyr squash, in actuality, but I guess the flower was double-pollinated? Pretty cool...I'd be interested to hear from any of you who have seen and/or experienced this before.Here's the rest of my harvest...the yellow crooknecks shown are what I picked just from this week...just from one plant! I've already resorted to

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-66617337117218613602009-06-30T19:21:00.001-05:002009-06-30T19:23:53.661-05:002009-06-30T19:23:53.661-05:00

Dallas' most progressive nursery, North Haven Gardens, is facing a fight with local (soon to be former, thankfully) councilman Mitchell Rasansky about supplying chickens at its store. The nursery did everything right but still got slammed by this idiot who, in the past has disputed the use of bat houses around the city. Read more here.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-70733071440876027582009-04-13T22:43:00.003-05:002009-07-25T19:45:31.167-05:002009-07-25T19:45:31.167-05:00

You're not aging...you're gardening! Apparently gardening isn't just really physically good for you - it will extend your life too. Please tell that to my body after a marathon weeding and raking session.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-16620420599050298532009-04-02T21:12:00.008-05:002009-07-25T19:45:16.759-05:002009-07-25T19:45:16.759-05:00

Everything seems to be "off" this year weather- and garden-wise, in one way or another. I saw a hummingbird today - the earliest ever - yet the juncos are still here. Some of my Louisiana irises are swelling with buds...at the same time as their usually-earlier German bearded and Siberian iris cousins are blooming. Nearly all of the tomatoes planted at the Community Garden perished in sub-zero,

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-55658788665649180192009-02-15T15:57:00.005-06:002009-02-15T16:07:29.626-06:002009-02-15T16:07:29.626-06:00

I'm always a little embarrassed to admit when I've ordered from Dutch Gardens. In my book, they're about one step above Spring Hill Nurseries as far as plant quality and reliable customer service...and that's not too good. But gosh, the pictures in their catalogs are intoxicating. I figured I couldn't go too wrong with daylilies and gladiolus - two of the toughest plants in existence. Here's what

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-20217472496515292042009-02-15T15:21:00.010-06:002009-02-15T15:55:14.839-06:002009-02-15T15:55:14.839-06:00

I was going through my collection of flower seeds and was truly amazed at how old some of them were. Sunflower seeds from 2001, marigold seeds harvested from plants I had...gosh, I can't remember when. Maybe from before I was married, even. I ended up pitching most of the old seeds, as they probably weren't viable anyway, but I decided to try the sunflower and marigold just for the heck of it.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-34688039614550829752009-02-04T22:11:00.006-06:002009-02-04T22:24:02.332-06:002009-02-04T22:24:02.332-06:00

...but deliver us from weevil?It's a difficult time of year for gardeners, at least, Southern gardeners. Spring is so close we can almost smell it. I look around the yard and see my daffodils blooming and I want to start doing things. Things like cleaning up dead plant debris and trimming off ornamental grasses and planting stuff. You know...gardening. But alas, it's still a bit too early.After

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-209623029291016822009-01-24T11:42:00.002-06:002009-01-24T11:50:20.415-06:002009-01-24T11:50:20.415-06:00

Well, I've placed my bi-annual plant order with Bluestone Perennials. I hope some of you took advantage of their 15% off early bird special. I had a bunch of little coupons from them too, so I ended up saving over $30. When you consider that many of these plants come as 3-packs, the value is outstanding. I've had good luck overall with their plant quality as well - a couple of disappointments

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-60810298705106456152009-01-21T21:44:00.006-06:002009-01-21T22:11:40.085-06:002009-01-21T22:11:40.085-06:00

Yesterday's inauguration has brought a feeling of hopefulness and much-needed change to our country. Kind of like how seed-starting does for me during winter's doldrums.And that's not to diminish the importance of either occurrence. Just as I am in awe of our new president's sense of fairness and humility, I am always humbled by the simple yet hopeful task of starting seeds for the coming season.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-87497936599710240452009-01-05T22:46:00.005-06:002009-01-05T23:01:09.450-06:002009-01-05T23:01:09.450-06:00

So I'm starting off 2009 with a few personal gardening resolutions that have been posted for all to see over at Dave's Garden.Some are ambitious (like not killing any more orchids), while others are just plain necessary (like being more active at the Plano Community Garden). But I'm optimistic about the new year, and not just for good gardening.After building two 2'x 2' raised beds and filling

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-44445365518536561632008-10-22T15:32:00.005-05:002008-10-22T15:37:00.056-05:002008-10-22T15:37:00.056-05:00

Found this little fella lounging on my blue rue this morning, even though the plant is small and still in a nursery container. I moved it under my patio rocking chair when the weather suddenly turned windy and chilly. Hopefully he'll hang around and pupate. I believe he is a 4th instar Black Swallowtail.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-50556780365370000612008-10-04T13:46:00.016-05:002008-10-04T14:19:19.770-05:002008-10-04T14:19:19.770-05:00

I am trying a new bulb company this year, Easy to Grow Bulbs. They come highly recommended by Garden Watchdog reviewers.My order is supposed to arrive Wednesday. I'm taking Friday off to celebrate my 46th birthday by playing in the dirt...teehee! Here's what I'm getting: Anemone Lord LieutenantDutch Iris Bronze BeautyLily, Trumpet Black DragonTulip SaxatilisTulip Clusiana CynthiaIris Pallida

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-18449689612580378812008-09-20T11:22:00.004-05:002008-09-20T11:35:42.762-05:002008-09-20T11:35:42.762-05:00

Calgary man gets a year for growing opium poppiesI just ordered some seeds of Papaver Somniferum, but not for umm...."high tea" purposes. I just think they're pretty, and a big challenge to grow here in Texas. Stressed Plants Release Aspirin-like Chemical"Fascinating," as Mr. Spock would say. I especially love the part about plants communicating with each other.

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-109572240221483562008-09-11T18:07:00.011-05:002008-09-11T18:26:07.147-05:002008-09-11T18:26:07.147-05:00

Well, Ike is headed this way this weekend, probably in the form of a Tropical Storm. My particular area is expected to get 2-4" of rain and some pretty good sustained winds, but nothing terribly major, although the soil is already a little swampy from recent rains. Areas to the east and south of us could see some bad stuff, however.The National Weather Service is warning people to prepare by

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-39239123796468957622008-09-06T09:22:00.004-05:002008-09-06T09:28:56.883-05:002008-09-06T09:28:56.883-05:00

I like the glow of my backyard gardens in late summer. The white flowers of the autumn clematis on the back fence really sparkle, and in the morning light, the swaying brooms on the Zebra Grass catch the sun in a lovely manner.And here's a look at the afore-mentioned woodpecker. Actually, there might be a pair of them; this looks like a female to me, and I know I've seen a male with the complete

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-6431774279970274112008-09-01T18:01:00.003-05:002008-09-01T18:11:15.329-05:002008-09-01T18:11:15.329-05:00

It's inevitable that DFW will see some much-needed rain from Hurricane Gustav in a couple of days. As I write this, my beloved New Orleans seems to be hanging in there, and that's great news.Speaking of weather, I really wonder what kind of winter we're going to have here in North Central Texas. One Farmer's Almanac is predicting slightly colder and drier than usual, while NOAA says the

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10231944.post-82903120797957958222008-08-24T21:46:00.006-05:002008-08-24T22:01:21.287-05:002008-08-24T22:01:21.287-05:00

I've got several plant orders scheduled for early- and mid-September. Much as my darling husband hates to hear it, it's nice to have the plant-buying bug back again!From Digging Dog Nursery:Eupatorium rugosum ChocolateHelictotrichon sempervirens Sapphire FountainOriganum RosenkuppelPanicum virgatum Heavy MetalPenstemon mexicali Sunburst RubyPenstemon ThornSalvia argenteaFrom

Tamarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06845173449321024791noreply@blogger.com3