Monthly Archives: December 2008

New Northern Gardener Available

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Mary Schier

If you are planning a garden or landscape renovation for this year, please pick up a copy of the January/February issue of Northern Gardener, which  is on bookstore shelves now. The magazine includes a story by Don Engebretson, a.k.a., the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Plant Seeds for New Year's!

Posted on December 29, 2008 by Mary Schier

Maybe it’s a little early, but I couldn’t resist setting out some of my winter sowing containers this weekend. Winter sowing is a method of starting perennials and some hardy annuals from seed in the winter. Michelle Mero Riedel, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Classes for Gardeners, Perennials, See it in Northern Gardener, Seed starting | 4 Comments

Garden Travels from Home

Posted on December 28, 2008 by Mary Schier

I enjoy visiting gardens while on vacation, but you can visit many gardens from the comfort of home through books, web sites, and DVDs. This Christmas, the man in my life gave me a trip to the gardens of Jane … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Garden Travel | 2 Comments

The Good Thing About Snow

Posted on December 21, 2008 by Mary Schier

Two inches here, three inches there, now we’re talking about decent snow cover. While shoveling the snow is a chore — although one I don’t mind — and driving in it can be hazardous, northern gardeners should rejoice with every … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate, Perennials | 2 Comments

GIY: Hot Trend (and Acronym) for 2009

Posted on December 15, 2008 by Mary Schier

It took me years to figure out that DIY meant Do-It-Yourself, but the acronym I’ve been hearing and seeing for 2009 is GIY — Grow It Yourself.  This was the No. 2 garden trend for 2009 identified by Garden Media … Continue reading →

Posted in Fruits and Vegetables, Garden Trends | Leave a comment

If You Love Garden Books….

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Mary Schier

Don’t miss the MSHS Holiday Open House, which will be held tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 13) and next Saturday (Dec. 20).  The open house features classes with a holiday theme, discounts on merchandise in the MSHS store, and a used garden … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

More Fun with Greenery

Posted on December 7, 2008 by Mary Schier

Making your own holiday wreath is easier than it looks. I followed (more or less) the instructions offered by Susan of The Shambles under Highland Butte, a fellow blogger from Oregon, to make two wreaths for our front and back … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, Decorating, Seasons | 1 Comment

Sedum in Snow Caps

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Mary Schier

Sedum is one of my favorite perennials. The plants look like little cabbages when they emerge in spring; the flowers change colors almost weekly in the summer, and then in the winter sedum lets the snow pile up, like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Perennials, Seasons | 1 Comment

The Pots of Northfield

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Mary Schier

This is my riff on the famous “Doors of….” poster series. It features the holiday container plantings I’ve seen around my hometown, Northfield, recently. This weekend promises to a busy one here, with Winter Walk scheduled for Thursday evening and … Continue reading →

Posted in Container Gardening, Decorating, Northfield, Seasons | 4 Comments

Holiday Containers by the Numbers, Part 2

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Mary Schier

With the basics of container design in mind (see previous post), I set up shop in the mudroom and gathered the equipment and materials for making a holiday container. These included: the pot filled to within 2 inches of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Container Gardening, Decorating, Seasons | 3 Comments