Monthly Archives: July 2008

Bloom Tuesday, No. 12

Posted on July 29, 2008 by Mary Schier

Bloom Tuesday? It felt a bit like doom Tuesday, what with the car breaking down in the Target parking lot, the phone lines getting cut at my office (no internet or phone all afternoon), and yet another dog-related health crisis. … Continue reading →

Posted in America in Bloom, Bloom Tuesday | 3 Comments

What's Up with Begonias?

Posted on July 24, 2008 by Mary Schier

A reader e-mailed me about a problem with his begonias, which he says are performing much more poorly than they have in previous years. Here’s how he described the problem: ” The begonias were planted on Mother’s Day in rows … Continue reading →

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Bloom Tuesday, No. 11

Posted on July 22, 2008 by Mary Schier

Last night, while walking the dog about 9 p.m., my husband commented that it seemed darker than usual. We have crossed over to the backside of summer, and as if they know it cannot last forever, the summer flowers are … Continue reading →

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Taking Better Garden Photos

Posted on July 21, 2008 by Mary Schier

Many gardeners like to take pictures of their gardens, partly to keep records of how things look and partly out of the parent-like pride people rightly feel about their gardens. Getting good garden shots is not easy–as I have certainly … Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Photography, See it in Northern Gardener | 3 Comments

Garden Trends: The Cool Stuff

Posted on July 19, 2008 by Mary Schier

Who knew my Mom was so cutting edge? In Florida this winter, she showed me her containers, a trio of nice-looking decorative pots, each with a single Sunpatiens impatiens in it. “I’m not putting all kinds of plants in my … Continue reading →

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Garden Trends: The Big Picture

Posted on July 18, 2008 by Mary Schier

While gardening is often viewed as a classic, homespun activity, it is as shaped by trends and fashions just as much as clothing, home decor, or music. Ed Lyon, director of the Allen Centennial Gardens at the University of Wisconsin … Continue reading →

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Another Knockout Coming in 2009

Posted on July 18, 2008 by Mary Schier

Good news for lazy rose growers: Another Knockout® rose will be available next year, and this one is white. William Radler, the Milwaukee breeder who created the incredibly popular Knockout roses in his backyard, told a group of Midwest Master … Continue reading →

Posted in Roses | 2 Comments

Schmoozing with the Master Gardeners

Posted on July 16, 2008 by Mary Schier

Despite a lot of rough weather in Wisconsin, I’ve arrived in Milwaukee for the Midwest Regional Conference of Master Gardeners, which has attracted gardeners from Minnesota to Michigan. Full disclosure: I am NOT a master gardener–far from it! But consistent … Continue reading →

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Bloom Tuesday, No. 10

Posted on July 15, 2008 by Mary Schier

The summer flowers are in full bloom now, and for that, I am grateful. The perennial bed near my front door tends to look a little–um, how shall I put this?–scruffy–until July when the rudbeckia and coneflowers come in. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Bloom Tuesday, Perennials | 2 Comments

A Tale of Two Tomatoes

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Mary Schier

I bought the two tomatoes pictured here on the same day, from the same vendor and have fertilized and watered them in nearly identical ways. They are different varieties, but each tomato came in the same size pot, a 4-incher. … Continue reading →

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