This Inside Dirt Blog

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET! In This Issue: * Featured Website: Your Garden Club * Garden News: The 7th Annual Scott’s Give Back to Grow Awards * Garden Bargains: Crocs at an Affordable Price * Garden Blog: Earth Friendly Gardening * From my Garden... * What’s New at iloveplants.com Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for June 2006

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Bare Bones Gardening
* Featured Flower: Gladiolus
* Featured Vegetable: Onion
* Featured Herb: Basil * Garden Folklore: Summer Solstice
* Garden News: The 2006 All-American Daylily Selections
* Garden Wisdom: Lawn Care Tips
* Garden Bargains: Bargains on Perennials
* Garden Blog: How Mary’s Garden Grows * From my Garden..

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

The flowers of summer are filling gardens and creating dreams of an endless summer of blooms in the heart of gardeners. Summer is a busy time spent in the garden, so we’ve included lots of great gardening information for you. Our featured web site, Bare Bones Gardening, offers some great suggestions on cutting costs in the garden without sacrificing your dream garden. You’ll also learn more about growing gladiolus, onions and basil.

We’ve also included photos and information on the winners of the 2006 All-American Daylily Selections. Read about the Summer Solstice, lawn care tips and save money on some of your favorite perennial plants. Flower lovers will enjoy visiting Mary’s garden blog and website where she reveals her secret passion for a particular color of flowers. And don’t forget to visit my garden blog to see what’s blooming in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

“It is the month of June, the month of leaves and roses when pleasant sights salute the eyes, and pleasant scents the noses.” - N.P. Willis

FEATURED WEBSITE: Bare Bones Gardening
Gardening can become an expensive habit, as Ron Williams, father of four, freelance writer, horticulturist and creator of the Bare Bones Gardening web site well knows. Ron enjoys discovering ways to garden smarter and sharing those ideas with other gardeners. He has successfully done that in the articles contained on his site, which provide ideas of ways to save money in the garden. Visit Bare Bones Gardening for tips on gardening economically.

FEATURED FLOWER: Gladiolus
Gladiolus, originally known as “corn lilies,” were discovered growing over 2,000 years ago in Asia Minor. They are terrific as a cut flower to enjoy indoors, and with over 180 species available they come in a variety of petal shapes and colors to choose from. Click here for growing tips from the North American Gladiolus Council.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Onion
Onions have been used for medicinal purposes for over 4,000 years. They are a member of the allium family and have been recommended as a food source in the fight against cancer and cardiovascular disease. They are cholesterol and fat free. Gardener’s choices include green, yellow, red and sweet onions, as well as many other varieties. Click here to read Growing Onions in the Home Garden by the Ohio State University Extension.

FEATURED HERB: Basil
Basil (Ocimum Basilicum), known as the “Herb of Love,” is a popular ingredient in Italian cooking. There are a large variety of interesting basils to choose from. It is easy to grow from seeds and thrives in the garden or containers. Click here to read Growing Basil, Herb of Love from GardenAction Mini-Project.

Gardening With the Moon
Full Moon – June 11th
New Moon – June 25th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: May 27 – June 11
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: June 12 – June 24

GARDEN FOLKLORE: The Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice also known as midsummer, occurs around the middle of June. It is a celebration of the beginning of summer and is the longest day of the year. Click here to learn more about the Summer Solstice from equinoxandsolstice.com.

GARDEN NEWS: The 2006 All American Daylily Winners
And the winners are… Persian Market and Buttered Popcorn. Both of these 2006 daylily winners are beautiful either paired together in the garden or grown separately. Buttered Popcorn is a yummy buttery yellow, while Persian Market boasts soft yellow-gold accents throughout the deep rose pink petals. Visit the All-American Daylily web site for more information on these 2006 winners.

“Gladioli generally hold court among the cut flowers of summer.” – Philip Swindells

GARDEN WISDOM: Summer Lawn Care Tips
The Yard Doctor provides a simple to-do list for maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn throughout the summer. Visit Briggs & Stratton’s website for the Yard Doctor’s Prescription for a Healthy Lawn.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Plant dependable perennials and save money!
June is Perennials Gardening Month according to the Perennial Gardening Association. Including perennials in the garden is a great way to save money and enjoy the dependable blooms of these hard-working garden plants. Visit Springhill Nursery for their buy one, get one for one cent sale and save on perennials.

Visit Garden Bargains Online for more discounts and special offers.

GARDEN BLOG: How Mary’s Garden Grows
Like many of us, Mary is a self-confessed “obsessed gardener.” However, her obsession goes a step further in that she loves every blue-blooming plant that exists. Her blog and web site “Blue Blooms the Blossoms of Mary’s Garden” chronicles her garden and obsession with blue flowers. You’ll enjoy reading more about Mary’s passion and if you’re like me, you’ll be surprised at how many varieties of flowers are available in blue. Visit How Mary’s Garden Grows blog. And don’t forget to visit her web site for all flowers in blue.

FROM MY GARDEN..
I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what’s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

“Shall I sing of happy hours numbered by opening and closing flowers.” - Hartley Coleridge

For more great horticultural websites, please visit iloveplants.com – your online garden resource!

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for May 2006

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: National Gardening Association
* Featured Flower: Petunia
* Featured Vegetable: Tomato
* Featured Herb: Fennel
* Garden Folklore: Three Sisters Garden
* Garden News: The Pope John Paul II Commemorative Rose
* Garden Wisdom: Drought-Tolerant Plants for the Landscape
* Garden Bargains: Save on Flower Collections
* Garden Blog: Kenny’s Veggie Gardening Tips Blog
* From my Garden...

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

As the gardening season gets into full swing, we’ve got lots of great gardening information for you this month. Our featured web site, the National Gardening Association, offers something for every gardener. It is a great starting point for anyone who loves to garden. Learn more about growing a couple of America’s favorites – the petunia and tomato, as well as the less familiar fennel.

We’ve also included information on a collector’s rose offered by Jackson & Perkins, which contributes 10% of net sales to assist those who live in sub-Saharan Africa. Read about the Three Sisters Garden technique created by Native Americans, learn which plants are drought-tolerant, and save money by purchasing plants collections from White Flower Farm. All veggie gardeners will enjoy visiting this month’s garden blog, which includes a ton of advice. And don’t forget to visit my garden blog to see what’s blooming in my zone 9 garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden. Susan

"Horticulturally, the month of May is opening night, homecoming and graduation day all rolled into one.” - Tammy Mossman

FEATURED WEBSITE: National Gardening Association
The National Gardening Association’s website offers a ton of information from articles, how-to projects, pest control, plant care guides, weed library and plant finder. You will also find message boards, seed swaps, regional reports, national news, a kid’s gardening section and much more. Visit the National Gardening Association website for a bounty of gardening information.

FEATURED FLOWER: Petunia
Petunias are a classic vintage garden flower. One of those stand-up performers that add a bright splash of color to the garden or a subtle delicate cottage-style look depending on the color you choose. New introductions of petunias offer the gardener more options for use in today’s garden. Click here to read Growing Petunias by Deborah Brown, University of Minnesota Extension for information on varieties, soil requirements, fertilize, watering needs and planting tips.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Tomato
The tomato is without a doubt one of today’s most popular homegrown vegetable. Who doesn’t look forward to the first bite of a homegrown, fresh picked tomato. This healthy vegetable, high in vitamin C, is easy to grow in containers, which makes them perfect for balconies or patios. Click here to read Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden by Marianne Riofrio, Ohio State University Extension for soil requirements, fertilizer, recommended cultivars and growing tips.

FEATURED HERB: Fennel
All parts of fennel (seeds, leaves and roots) are edible. This herb has a unique and tasty slightly licorice flavor when cooked. It originated in the Mediterranean and in medieval times was thought to ward off evil spirits. It is a great food source for ladybug larvae and a beautiful plant specimen in the garden growing 4 to 5 feet tall with sprays of yellow flowers. Click here to read about the history of fennel, as well as information on cultivating this herb at Botanical.com.

Gardening With the Moon
Full Moon – May 13th
New Moon – May 27th

PLANTING DATES: Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: April 27 – May 13
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: May 14 – May 26

GARDEN FOLKLORE: Three Sisters GardenNative Americans created the Three Sisters Garden technique, which consists of planting corn, beans and squash together. The three crops benefit each other. The corn provides a support for the beans to grow on. Bacteria, lives on the roots of beans and helps them absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it to a source that all three of the crops can use. The large leaves of squash shade the soil and reduce the number of weeds that grow. This unique companion planting technique is beneficial to all three crops and is a fun project for kids in the summer garden. Click here for guidelines on Creating a Three Sisters Garden” from kidsgardening.com.

For more information on companion planting see the Vegetable Companion Chart at GardenGuides.com.

GARDEN NEWS: The Pope John Paul II Commemorative RoseJackson & Perkins introduces the world premier of The Pope John Paul II Commemorative Rose. This unique collector's item is available on a limited basis - only 2,500 are available this year.The collection includes a Pope John Paul II bareroot rose, cast aluminum marker to place alongside the planted rose in your garden, an embossed keepsake which holds a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity, a full-color photograph of the rose and one of the late Pontiff's homilies.Ten percent of this rose's net sales benefit the poor of sub-Saharan Africa, one of the late Pontiff's closest concerns. Visit Jackson & Perkins for more information on the Pope John Paul II Commemorative Rose.

“A dry May and a leaking June, make the farmer whistle a merry tune.” – Old English Rhyme

GARDEN WISDOM: Drought-Tolerant Plants for the Garden If you’re adding new plants to your home landscape, you may want to consider including a host of drought-tolerant plants. These plants will reduce your watering time and will thrive during the heat and dry periods of summer. Visit Lowes.com for a list of Drought-Tolerant Plants.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Shade, Sun & Cutting Flower Collections
White Flower Farm makes designing a flowerbed easy with their successful plant collections. There is a plant collection for every garden. Choose from their Sunny Garden (16 plants of 7 varieties), Shady Garden (15 plants of 6 varieties) or Cutting Garden (21 plants of 7 varieties). What could be easier! Visit White Flower Farm for more information on these beautiful plant collections.

Visit Garden Bargains Online for more discounts and special offers.

GARDEN BLOG: Veggie Gardening Tips by Kenny PointIf you love growing your own vegetables, you will love Kenny’s blog. He generously shares his successful vegetable gardening tips, which include labor-saving techniques for gardening without pesticides and reaping a bounty of fresh healthy vegetables. You can even sign up to receive Kenny’s free gardening secrets e-newsletter. This is a guy who has created a simple, productive gardening method and is eager to share his experiences and love for gardening with others. Visit Kenny’s Veggie Gardening Tips blog.

FROM MY GARDEN..
I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what’s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.” - William Shakespeare

For more great horticultural websites, please visit iloveplants.com – your online garden resource!

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for April 2006

iloveplants.com - YOUR ONLINE RESOURCE FOR THE BEST GARDENING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Organic Rose Gardening
* Featured Flower: Edible Flowers
* Featured Vegetable: Artichoke
* Featured Herb: Sage
* Garden Folklore: The Sundial
* Garden News: Dutch Garden’s Survivor Tulip
* Garden Wisdom: Tree Planting Tips
* Garden Bargains: Save on Spring Offers!
* Garden Blog: Diana’s Baja Desert Garden Blog

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

I can see spring slowly beginning to spread northward through the garden blogs I visit on a regular basis. Many of the gardeners are sharing their enthusiasm for the first signs of spring by posting photos of spring flowers. Soon gardeners everywhere will be spending countless hours in the garden and enjoying every minute of it.

Our spring celebration brings a wave of interesting websites your way this month. Our featured web site, Organic Rose Gardening, is for those of you who would love to grow roses using less pesticides. Learn more about growing and cooking edible flowers and artichokes, as well as the many uses of sage. We’ve also included information on how you can contribute to the research efforts to fight breast cancer by purchasing the Survivor tulip offered by Dutch Gardens, and some great tree planting tips from The National Arbor Day Foundation. And be sure to read this month’s garden blog which includes some incredibly beautiful pictures, as well as my own garden blog to see what’s blooming in my zone 9 spring garden.

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden. Susan

"Spring is sooner recognized by plants than man." Chinese proverb

FEATURED WEBSITE: Organic Rose Gardening

This website is for those of you who wish to grow roses in a more environmentally friendly way. It contains lots of valuable information arranged in a very simple and easy to navigate format. It begins with a little history of roses followed by an informative explanation of the delicate balance of how nature works. It includes topics on soil preparation, rose selection, companion planting, irrigation, mulching, pruning and deadheading, along with some additional tips for rose gardening success. This website is definitely a worthwhile visit for anyone who loves to grow roses. Click here to visit OrganicRoseGardening.com.

FEATURED FLOWER: Edible Flowers

Flowers have been used as an edible source for centuries by European, Asian, East Indian, Victorian English and Middle Eastern cultures. Today there is a renewed interest in including edible flowers in salads, teas, wines, spreads, marinades and many more types of dishes. But beware, not every flower is edible and it is very important to never eat flowers that have been sprayed with pesticides. Click here to read Edible Flowers by Linda Stradley on the What’s Cooking America website for a list of edible flowers and their uses.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Artichokes

An artichoke is a member of the sunflower family and is considered a thistle. Artichokes originated in Sicily and were considered a delicacy. They are a good source of vitamin C, and also provide Iron, Calcium, Vitamin A, potassium and folate. They are low in sodium and fat-free! Click here to read Farm & Garden’s article on Growing Artichokes.

FEATURED HERB: Sage

Sage (salvare) means “to save.” For many centuries, sage was considered to have healing properties. Sage can be easily grown from seeds and is used to flavor turkey, chicken and meat dishes. Click here to read more about Growing Sage by the National Gardening Association.

Gardening With the Moon

Full Moon – April 13th
New Moon – April 27th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: March 29 – April 13
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: April 14 – April 26

GARDEN FOLKLORE: The Sundial

Sundials have been placed on houses, churches, tombs and public buildings for centuries. The Egyptians were known to have used sundials as early as 1500 B.C. to mark the passage of time. They are a reliable source for telling time when placed in the proper position. Today they are used as a popular ornament in the garden.

At the time of their discovery it appears as though not everyone was pleased with the newfangled invention that carved our days into bits and pieces. Plautus, a comic playwright of the Roman Republic, was quoted as saying, “the gods confound the man who first found out how to distinguish hours. Who in this place set up a sundial to cut and hack my days so wretchedly into small pieces!” Click here to read the History of Sun Dial at ColorsOfIndia.com.

The attractive dragonfly sundial from Yardiac.com provides elegant style to any outdoor living space and is a great way to personalize your garden. It is made from 100% cast aluminum in America. It may be placed on any level surface or securely mounted to a simple wooden post or pedestal. It comes with a Lifetime Guarantee and a low price.Click here to purchase this dragonfly sundial from Yardiac.com.

GARDEN NEWS: Dutch Gardens Survivor Tulip

Dutch Gardens is joining the fight against breast cancer. For every package of Survivor Tulips sold they will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for continued research and community outreach programs. Click here to read more and to purchase the Survivor Tulip.

“When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.” – David Orr

GARDEN WISDOM: Tree Planting Tips

Trees are one of the hardest working members of the plant kingdom. According to The National Arbor Day Foundation, “trees absorb six tons of carbon dioxide and provide four tons of oxygen per acre. They filter out air and water polluntants, filter noise pollution, prevent erosion, provide shelter and food for wildlife, as well as reducing temperatures by an average of 9 degrees farenheit, thereby helping to reduce air-conditioning bills.”

Unfortunately, many full grown trees end up having to be removed because they were planted to close to a home or in an inappropriate location. Fortunately, The National Arbor Day Foundation provides some helpful tree planning tips that will help you “produce a landscape that will cool your home in summer and tame the winter winds.” Click here to read The Right Tree in the Right Place by The National Arbor Day Foundation.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Garden Supplies & Products

Receive $15 off your order of $100 or more from Wayside Gardens. Enter Bonus Code "waysidegardens01" at checkout. Offer Expires 4/7/06.

Click here to take advantage of this offer from Wayside Gardens and for the latest special offers, sales & discounts at Garden Bargains Online.

GARDEN BLOG: Diane’s Baja Desert Garden Blog

You are in for a feast of gorgeous garden photos in this month’s blog. Diane Varney has so eloquently captured the awesome beauty of a desert garden in these photos of her Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico garden. The earthy warm, yet bold tropical colors are truly a feast for the eyes and bring a new appreciation for how beautiful desert gardens can be. Even the weeds look beautiful in this garden. Click here to visit Diane’s Baja Desert Garden Blog.

FROM MY GARDEN..

I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what’s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

“The more we are separated from nature, the unhappier we get.” - Unknown

For more great horticultural websites, please visit iloveplants.com – your online garden resource!

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com for March 2006

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: The Garden Grapevine
* Featured Flower: Daisy
* Featured Vegetable: Peppers
* Featured Herb: Chives
* Garden Folklore: Garden Gnomes
* Garden News: 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year
* Garden Wisdom: Spring Garden Supply Inventory
* Garden Bargains: Save on Spring Offers!
* Garden Blog: Moosey�s Country Garden

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

It won�t be long before spring comes knocking at the door. As the trees wake from their winter slumber, the delicate breath of warm breezes circle all around the colorful burst of flowers. It is this intoxicating picture of spring that has me longing for my favorite season.

To kick off the new spring gardening season we have some helpful websites and information for you this month. Our featured web site, The Garden Grapevine, has some great garden information for the picking. Learn more about growing daisies and the ever-popular peppers, as well as the many uses of chives. You�ll be intrigued by the mysterious garden gnome, delighted with the 2006 Perennial of the Year and totally entertained by this month�s garden blog. And don�t miss the pictures of spring in my zone 9 garden!

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

"Anyone who has a bulb has spring." - Anonymous

FEATURED WEBSITE: The Garden Grapevine
This simple, no-frills website offers gardeners plenty of good basic gardening information. You will find a lengthy list of articles on growing plants, garden tips and tricks that include how to create your own fruit-fly traps and manure tea. There is also plenty of do it yourself, money-saving garden projects. The birds in your garden will love the bird bath sauna and the bottom heater plans will help seeds sprout quicker. Click here to visit The Garden Grapevine.

FEATURED FLOWER: Daisy
What flower better represents the freshness of spring than the Daisy (Asteraceae). With over 1500 genera and 23,000 species it�s probably the largest family of flowering plants according to Daisy Paradise website. For information on growing daisies see their A to Z menu at the top of their homepage. Click here to visit Daisy Paradise.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Peppers
Peppers are one of the most popular vegetables grown by the home gardener. It�s not surprising since they are so easy to grow and contain high levels of vitamins and antioxidants. Click here for information on growing peppers by Steve Aegerter, Colorado Master Gardener at the Colorado State University Coop Extension.

FEATURED HERB: Chives
Delicate lavender flowers make the chive plant (Allium schoenoprasum) a popular plant for the garden. Used as borders or grown in containers, it is the smallest member of the onion family and imparts a flavorful taste to breads, salads and dips. Click here for information on growing chives by the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension.

Gardening With the Moon
Full Moon � March 14th
New Moon � March 29th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: February 28 � March 14
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: March 15 � March 28

GARDEN FOLKLORE: Garden Gnomes
It has always been considered good luck to have a gnome in the garden. These adorable wee men were first discovered in Germany in the 1800�s. Today they are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.

These demur bearded stocky gentlemen add a bit of charm to a garden, as well as a mysterious note. But place one in your yard with care as these �gentle woodland creatures� are often kidnapped and held for ransom. Click here to read more about garden gnomes.
Purchase this adorable garden gnome from Lillian Vernon and bring a little luck of the wee people to your garden. Click here to purchase these garden gnomes (now on sale) for your garden.

GARDEN NEWS: 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year
Dianthus gratianopolitanus (�feuerhexe� Firewitch) has been designated the 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year by The Perennial Plant Association. Cheddar pink is the common name for this purplish-pink, fragrant dianthus. According to the Association �it is excellent as a border edger, as a rock garden plant or as a ground cover on a sunny slope. Click here for information and to view the 2006 Perennial Plant of the Year.

�I ask not for a larger garden, but for finer seeds.�

� Russel Herman Conwell

GARDEN WISDOM: Pre-spring GardeningTips
Spring is right around the corner and now is the time to organize and take inventory of your garden tools and supplies. Start by separating chemicals and placing them in a safe location out of the reach of children. Whenever possible replace toxic chemicals with earth-friendly products.

Use baskets, extra flower pots and plastic food containers to store garden tools, seed packets and supplies in. Store potting soil and orchid bark in plastic storage containers. As you organize and dispose of unneeded items, make a list of the supplies you will need for this year�s garden and order now to ensure delivery by springtime. Click here for Spring Gardening Sale on now at Yardiac.com.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Garden Supplies & Products
Free Shipping, spring sales and discounts on plants, seeds, tools and supplies now at Garden Bargains Online. Click here for the latest special offers, sales & discounts at Garden Bargains Online.

GARDEN BLOG: Moosey�s Country Garden
I must offer a warning to you before you visit MOOSEY�S COUNTRY GARDEN journal. Her journal is so large (since 1997) that you will want to make sure to schedule a block of time to sit down and enjoy this New Zealand�s gardener�s experiences. Her blog contains a treasure trove of beautiful photos to enjoy. She is a true country gardener who�s blog has gained popularity around the world. Click here to visit Moosey�s Country Garden.

FROM MY GARDEN: Simply Susan!
I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what�s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

To create your own free garden blog visit LiveJournal.com.

Click here to see what�s new at iloveplants.com

�That God once loved a garden we learn in Holy Writ, and seeing gardens in the spring I well can credit it.� - Winifred Letts

The Inside Dirt @ iloveplants.com - February 2006

In This Issue:
* Featured Website: Perennial Resource
* Featured Flower: Rose
* Featured Vegetable: Leeks
* Featured Herb: Rosemary
* Garden Folklore: The Language of Flowers
* Garden News: Great Backyard Bird Count
* Garden Wisdom: Landscape Design Tips
* Garden Bargains: Save on Landscape Design Software
* Garden Blog: Takoma Gardener
* From my garden..
* See What's New at iloveplants.com

Greetings fellow gardeners and a warm welcome to all of our new subscribers!

February always makes me think of flowers. I suppose it�s because of Valentine�s Day but also because spring is right around the corner and I love flowers. One can never have too many flowers in the garden. The web site we are featuring this month is all about flowers. If you love perennials, you will love this web site. And we�ve got more on flowers - the new roses for 2006 and the magical language of flowers. You will also find information on growing leeks and tips on landscape design.

Beginning this month we will feature a new �garden blog� each month. There are so many interesting blogs out in the blogosphere that I am delighted to bring them to you. And news From my Garden can be found on my garden blog, a link for which I have included in this newsletter.

Treat yourself to a fresh bouquet of spring flowers, a new rose bush or some love-in-a-mist, heart�s ease, sweet pea or forget-me-not seeds. Afterall, it is February!

I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter and that it contains some helpful gardening information. Drop me a line anytime you like with requests for future information or just to say hi and let me know what's growing in your garden.

Susan

"A flowerless room is a soulless room, to my way of thinking; but even a solitary little vase of a living flower may redeem it. - Vita Sackville-West

FEATURED WEBSITE: Perennial Resource

Perennial Resource brings you the latest information on perennials � how to use them and how to grow them. And who better to do this than Walter�s Gardens, a field grower of perennials. At Perennial Resources you�ll find over 1,000 plants in their perennial library, growing information, images of gardens and plant combinations, as well as landscape designs for creating beautiful perennial gardens. Click here to visit Perennial Resource.

FEATURED FLOWER: Rose

Roses (Rosa) have existed for some 35 million years according to discovered fossils. Over the years they have become symbols for love, beauty and war. With over 150 species available in today�s market, there is a rose for everyone. The new roses selected as winners for 2006 by the All-America Rose Selections � Julia Child, Rainbow Sorbet, Wild Blue Yonder and Tahitian Sunset � are a collection of warm, rich jewel-toned colors. Click here to view the All-America Rose Selections for 2006.

FEATURED VEGETABLE: Leeks

Leeks are a member of the alum family (Allium porrum) which includes all types of onions and garlic. They are best known for their cleansing and detoxifying effects. Naturally low in fat, they supply more vitamins and minerals than onions or scallion. Their mild sweet flavor is perfect as an addition to soups. Click here for information on growing leeks by doityourself.com.

FEATURED HERB: Rosemary

Derived from the Latin word meaning �dew of the sea,� rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a native of southern Europe. It is a symbol for friendship. At one time it was thought to keep away evil spirits. It adds an aromatic fragrance to flower bouquets and a unique flavor to bread or marinades. Click here for information on growing rosemary by ehow.com.

Purchase flower and vegetable seeds from Park Seed Co. Providing vegetable seed and perennial seed to American gardens since 1868. Click here to order from Park Seed Co.

GARDENING WITH THE MOOM
Full Moon � February 12th
New Moon � February 27th

PLANTING DATES:
Flowers & Above Ground Vegetables: January 29 � February 12
Flower Bulbs & Root Vegetables: February 13 � February 26

GARDEN FOLKLORE: The Language of Flowers

Flowers have always been given to express a person�s sentiment. We use flowers in lieu of words to express love, friendship, sympathy or some other meaning. In 1818, Mme. Charlotte de la Tour of France published the first dictionary of flowers titled Le Language des Fleurs or The Language of Flowers.

While a red tulip stands for love, a yellow tulip says �I am hopelessly in love!� There are many ways to say I love you other than with red roses. If you wish to express the perfect sentiment to your valentine this month, me2u.com�s extensive list of flowers and their meanings will help you create a personalized romantic message. Click here to learn more about the language of flowers.

�Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.� John Harrigan

GARDEN NEWS: Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is scheduled for February 17 � 20th. You can join in and report your backyard findings online at the Audubon Society and Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Click here for information on the Great Backyard Bird Count.

GARDEN WISDOM: Landscape & Garden Design Tips

Now is a great time to begin the daunting task of designing a new landscape or redesigning an existing flowerbed. Landscape & Garden Design Tips by Landscape USA comes to the rescue with their detailed step-by-step list that simplifies the process. Click here to read the Landscape & Garden Design Tips by Landscape USA.

GARDEN BARGAINS ONLINE: Save on Landscape Design Software

Save up to 16% on Garden Design Software at Amazon.com. Great selections to choose from as well as many other new bargains at Garden Bargains Online. Click here for a selection of landscape design software.

GARDEN BLOG: Takoma Gardener

The garden blog community is bringing gardeners together from all around the world to share their love for gardening. It is with great delight that iloveplants.com will feature a garden blog each month. In a world of negative news, it is uplifting to see people who are passionate about gardening and happy to share the beautiful environment they have created. As you read each blog, you�ll begin to feel as though you know these gardeners personally. It�s fun to share with like-minded people and many bloggers welcome your comments.

The TAKOMA GARDENER blog penned by Susan Harris in her Maryland Garden is a collection of posts on gardening, gardens, horticulture clubs, nature and plants. Susan told me, "I started my blog as a way to share my photos and experiences of gardening, but love it now for the community, which is worldwide and growing."

She writes as though she is speaking directly to you, sharing her excitement of the latest bargain she found at a favorite nursery or a recent visit to a public garden. Her enthusiasm for gardening shines through in every post. Click here to visit the Takoma Gardener.

FROM MY GARDEN..

I have now taken to the cultivation of my own garden blog. Please visit Simply Susan! to see what�s happening in my zone 9 garden and please be sure to leave your footprints by posting a comment. I would love to hear from you! Click here to visit Simply Susan!

Click here to read more garden blogs at iloveplants.com.

Click here to create your own FREE garden blog at Live Journal.

Click here to see what�s new at iloveplants.com

�Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.� - Hans Christian Andersen

New Web Site for Gardeners Saves Time and Money

GardenBargainsOnline.com offers coupons, discounts, clearance sales and special offers on plants and garden supplies. See the latest Press Release at PRWeb.