http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/ The Grow Spot is a gardening community with forums on Urban Gardening, Organic Gardening, Growing to Eat, and more. The Grow Spot is also resource for information on all sorts of garden plants, flowers, trees and all things that grow. No green thumb required! en Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:13:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/images/evomisc/rss.jpg http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/ http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/nighthawk50/37-hello-everyone.html Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:41:24 GMT Hello everyone, Sometimes, being a member of a group of people who share the same interests is more about the people themselves, than the... Hello everyone,
Sometimes, being a member of a group of people who share the same
interests is more about the people themselves, than the interests we
share. Now is one of those times for us to work together to help one of
our own.
Our sky brother, Michael Kee has embarked on a valiant battle
against a rare but treatable form of cancer. For various reasons, the
financial impact of his treatment will be considerable. We will be
putting together some fund raising events (fly-in, music?) to try to
help Mike and Laurie weather this storm, and Michael has asked me to
help get the following information out to all of his friends and fellow
pilots.
Michael will be working on a blog to keep people informed of his
progress, because unfortunately, part of his treatment will involve some
difficulty in speaking, for a while. The blog is
http://www.michaelkee.org. It is in its infancy, and there is a bit of
learning about blogs involved for Mike.
Of course, you can also email Michael directly at nighthawkmk@yahoo.com.
With news like this, people often say "let me know if I can help",
well, you can, and we hope you will.
Beyond attending the fund raisers we are working on, you can send a
contribution to any Frontier Bank branch for deposit into "Michael Kee's
Health Care Account". Michael is working on trying to get a Pay Pal
account that can be accessed via his blog, as well. Your help is
appreciated greatly!
As his friend, and flying brother, I want everyone to know that
Michael has a very positive outlook about his cancer and the treatments
he has committed himself to, and is already showing some very
encouraging results.
More info about our fund raising activities will be posted here as
we finalize them. Thanks everybody!
Dave Schy USHGA 18966 ]]> nighthawk50 http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/nighthawk50/37-hello-everyone.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/lulugardens/36-tweaking-the-garden.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:30:08 GMT Spent a couple hours in the garden this morning tweaking this space and that. It's great excercise. By the time I was done, I felt spent and like I had really accomplished something. I had gone to the garden store over the weekend and I was determined to get my new plants into the ground before too much time had gone by and the plants were at risk of suffering from too little water or being neglected in those teeny pots they come in.

So, I pulled up the old arugula and the zuchinni that was taking up half the garden space and put in some asparagus, lettuce and tomatoes instead. I'm excited to see how these new additions are going to do. My old tomato plant that I just pulled up today was a dud and I'm hoping this new one will do better. This spot was such a winner with the tomatoes last year so I'm not sure why I had a hard time with is this time around. I guess I'll be able to tell more about what happened by watching how this new plant does in this same spot.

I now have more zuchinni than I know what to do with. Zuchinni pancakes, zuchinni muffins, sauteed zuchinni.....

And I've got this big pile of garden waste that won't even begin to fit in my small composting operation. Oh well.... you do what you can. ]]> lulugardens http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/lulugardens/36-tweaking-the-garden.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/hartless/35-the-war-on-japanese-knotweed.html Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:47:09 GMT AKA Ornamental Bamboo or Mexican Bamboo, this is one nasty invasive plant! A large (and ever-expanding) patch of it is growing on the farm property.... AKA Ornamental Bamboo or Mexican Bamboo, this is one nasty invasive plant! A large (and ever-expanding) patch of it is growing on the farm property. Burning it down only seemed to fertilize it, and pulling it out was followed by rapid re-growth. Digging it out is not an option, since the roots can go down 9 feet or more.

So I'm going to try an organic solution on it soon that involves using vinegar and lemon juice. I'll post the results of this latest assault against it here. Keeping my fingers crossed... ]]> hartless http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/hartless/35-the-war-on-japanese-knotweed.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/southeasttallytown/34-i-havent-had-water-3-days.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:08:03 GMT We have been getting our afternoon showers the past three days and my plants are watered when I get home. It has even been raining at my house... We have been getting our afternoon showers the past three days and my plants are watered when I get home. It has even been raining at my house during the night and when I wake up the deck is wet so I know the plants are getting plenty of water. I have been watering because my plants were not established yet. Most were installed with the house in late November and it was very dry in April and May. So I was watering every night. I feel like I'm on vacation now that I don't have to water. Yeah, June and afternoon rain showers. ]]> southeasttallytown http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/southeasttallytown/34-i-havent-had-water-3-days.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/southeasttallytown/30-my-new-compost-bin-excited.html Wed, 21 May 2008 14:21:51 GMT I am so excited about my new compost bin. I ordered a couple of weeks ago and I received it yesterday. It took all of 10 minutes to set up in the... I am so excited about my new compost bin. I ordered a couple of weeks ago and I received it yesterday. It took all of 10 minutes to set up in the yard and the best part is that it collects the liquid for compost tea so I feel like I got a two for one. I can't wait to start using it. ]]> southeasttallytown http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/southeasttallytown/30-my-new-compost-bin-excited.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/farmergal508/29-potato-patch-pests.html Mon, 19 May 2008 17:39:13 GMT Potato Patch Pests are usually six legged. Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)might be the worst ones. CPB in my log book. These... Potato Patch Pests are usually six legged. Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)might be the worst ones.

CPB in my log book. These nasty beetles feast on potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and petunias. CPBs in adult and larval stage eat the leaves and stems of the plants, not the roots. This cuts down on how well the plant can photosynthesize and gives you reduced potato yields.

CPB adults are yellowish orange with black spots behind their heads and 10 black stripes on their wing covers. (Get out your magnifying glass, look close and count them!)

They spend the winter as pupae in the soil and emerge in late spring and WALK to host plants. CPBs lay clusters of yellow, oval-shaped eggs. The larvae hatch and feed for up to 3 weeks before they pupate in the soil. These prolific critters can have 3 generations per year in the South.

The easiest way to prevent damage to your potato crop is to make a barrier between the pest and the plants with a lightweight floating row cover. Place the row cover over the potatoes after planting and leave it on until you are ready to harvest.

If you don't use a row cover, inspect those plants DAILY and MORE often. Spread a heavy layer of straw mulch around your potato plants. This straw "hilling" really made a difference last year. The mulch holds in moisture and prevents weeds (you knew that) but it also makes it harder for the CPBs to FIND your potatoes! The mulch is also a micro-habitat that suits natural predators, like ground beetles, which feed on larvae, and lady beetles and lacewings, which feed on eggs and larvae.

Organic farmers and gardeners are familiar with companion planings, so plant coriander, sweet alyssum, fennel, dill, and cosmos around your potato patch and attract beneficial insects.

Plant potato varieties that mature before reach their height in early summer: 'Caribe', 'Superior', or 'Yukon Gold'.

Another way to prevent insect pests is to use a plastic-lined, V-shaped trench to reduce the number of adults that can get into the potato patch. (Remember, they are WALKING.) As head for the plants, they fall into the trench and can't get out. Destroy them all.

This takes diligence every morning too. But if you are an organic farmer, you already know that every day is one step closer to the crop and many steps in the direction of a healthy earth. It is your choice to manage your crops without harmful pesticides. It is work. But it is good work. And the potatoes are your reward. ]]> Farmergal508 http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/farmergal508/29-potato-patch-pests.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/buddabing/28-bradford-pear-tree.html Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:11:15 GMT I planted 5 Bradford pears 4 years ago. Can anyone tell me why they have not bloomed like the other ornamental pear trees in the area? They get... I planted 5 Bradford pears 4 years ago. Can anyone tell me why they have not bloomed like the other ornamental pear trees in the area? They get enough sunlight. I have not fertilized them, should I?

Fustrated in PA ]]> buddabing http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/buddabing/28-bradford-pear-tree.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/audrey-dance/27-fallen-angels-journal-friday-3-28.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:02:46 GMT Hello Journal I am very proud of myself , I did all of my work in record time. That must be why I was so tired yesterday I fell asleep whenever I... Hello Journal

I am very proud of myself , I did all of my work in record time. That must be why I was so tired yesterday I fell asleep whenever I sat down to get comfy.

It was sooo hard to train my Clematis/ I had to get up on a ladder and clim to the top of it , almost seven feet in the air I was. And I say I am afraid of heights ??? I think that what knocked me out yesterday was because of my battle with one of my fears in which I was victorious.Maybe this weekend I will re-attempt my heroism and clim to the top of my gazebo and fix the tile roofing myself!....

Now, I do not want to be too brave Miss Wendy Cat -a-ratt-ta-ta-ta -ta-ta-ta-tah
"So I pray for rain..HaHaHalleluia That I may wade to the water children.

What? I don't know either Halt!!! Who goes there? It is just I . stop scaring me mr. mean old monster grouch. Just cause you live in the garbage can don't mean you ain't speacial... Go make your own dreams and be content take joy in the flower that blooms everyday, or you'll miss out on the little thangs. stop your hustlin' and a bustlin' sit down and look! The grass just moved....Aw shucks you miss it Yoesemity Sam.

OH Pirate ! says the Rabbi sold I to the merchant ships. I better stop my preaching.

Now I have a list I must get on too....
I was playing with wood yesterday after my plight with my Cmatis. and it seems that I am going to make a few small benches to sit around in the garden, since I am small and meek. They will look like little childeren's toy thangs.

So it won't be a threat to Mr.Youknowwho.

Everybody likes plants , maybe you can win him over a bit and send him and his family some sunshine....I actually planted a few creeping roses on the boundaries as a friendly gesture with the woman of the house next door.

Which is never home,poor thing and has to work for the husband. Call me old fasion but eventually a Woman is her Home and That is why I pride myself to keep it clean and tidy. I can't count on any of the help to help.

Lazy,Rotten,MEN-DUDES, Which I refer to as my DH. And then he wants me to get a job? Who is going to take care of the house I ask myself? Not by itself it ain't !!! We cannot afford to have a grounds keep, which is my duty
anyway I am not going to give my J-O-B to some MAN-DUDE to stamp all over my Roses and flowers,herbs,bulbs,grasses,shrubs and his dad even threatened to "piss on my willow fencing!!!!" (SAY IT GIRL..)Now, I am not going to let any hoodlums come trashing my house again. I have put up my own security system which I can sit by and watch any activities especially at night when the drunks come outta the local public house, you'd think they want to lynch you or something. Just cause I am a neighbor that doesn't drink my weekends away and stay in my garden for hours alone and sometimes I sing and dance to keep myself accompanied...I am Strange???? I have no intrest in that behavior. Maybe I can't speak, maybe I choose not to. I don't think they have heard of the monks that take a speech-fast..or when they do not speak to each other ever...I like that I think it is a cool thing to do.Why waste energy in actual speach when you can keep a journal.

Thank you Blogg you truly are a good friend of mine!

Now to get to work on those benches time to get paper,ruler first I have to firgure out the design on paper then I will get to the actual cutting of wood, which I am sure I can work his saw.But he won't let me near it..Grunt Grunt DH

Anywho better go now
Have a good morning ya'll :) ]]> Audrey Dance http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/audrey-dance/27-fallen-angels-journal-friday-3-28.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/audrey-dance/26-fallen-angels-journal-wednesday-03-26.html Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:57:18 GMT Frist entry SPRING IS HERE YA'LL

Finally today I get to go outside , the sun is out and smilling :)

My chorses for today are :

Try to train my Clematis Ruebens to go up support,which means It's Twine-Time . But I have to be careful since it is showing off her buds which in a few weeks I'll be blessed by these amazing pink flowers cascading from the support.

I have a nice vision of sitting besides it in it's shade having a mint julep and reading a book.While listening to song birds and a nearby watering fountain that comes out only when the weather is warm enough to do such thangs.

But for now its just work, work,work,dream ,dream, dream.

I still don't have a place to park my derriere in this vision...Well , in the vision I have a place .

I have a surprise for ya'll .... YES!!! MORE WORK

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:
I make myself laugh, Well I better get a scooting , Scooter !

I think I hear the Voice of "Echo" trying to call "Narcissus". :p

Talk you you later my garden-journal-blog-a doodle-dandy-sweetheart. smooches ]]> Audrey Dance http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/audrey-dance/26-fallen-angels-journal-wednesday-03-26.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/gardner/25-journal.html Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:46:46 GMT today was a beautiful spring day. my husband and i got to repair garden fence, turn soil in vegetable garden, move some daylilies to new garden, and... today was a beautiful spring day. my husband and i got to repair garden fence, turn soil in vegetable garden, move some daylilies to new garden, and pull weeds and trim grass in jonquil garden. even picked up/raked up branches and then burned them. ]]> Gardner http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/gardner/25-journal.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/honeybees/24-putting-down-roots.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:33:28 GMT The spring weather in Northern Florida is beautiful. Being a native of Ohio and having lived in Delaware for the past 8 years, March feels more like... The spring weather in Northern Florida is beautiful. Being a native of Ohio and having lived in Delaware for the past 8 years, March feels more like June, compared to my internal barometer/thermometer. We bought a house 6 months ago and it's a cute cottage style (circa 1985) in a lovely & freindly neighborhood of many different styles from ranches to mansions on the Pensacola Bay. So, I've decided to "play up" the cottage style in my yard.

I began last week. There were several overgrown bushes and sagos directly in front of the white porch railing, which runs the entire length of the front. It was very crowded, unsightly and blocked the best feature of the house. I trimmed the huge sagos and a palm tree located in the front corner of the house between the porch and garage. I made perennial flower gardens on both sides. The house is brick with pale yellow siding in the front porch area. In the fall, I sanded and painted the shutters and front door a deep blue called "Daring Indigo." I love the challenge of finding as many blue and purple flowers as possible. I use this color as my base and mix bold little splashes of yellow, white pinks or reds. I'm nearly finished. I transplanted the large shrubs further out into the yard and will plant a few trees with them to create more privacy and visual interest. Most of the perennials I planted directly along the porch railing bloom all year long in this part of Florida, but will not grow above the railing, leaving architectural interest. The flowers will be beautiful as seen through the porch slats and it has a more open feel, but the larger plants further out into the yard give a nice barrier to the outside, framing the corners of the property line. All I need is a few more bags of mushroom compost and more mulch and I'm finished with this phase of the front garden. I will post photos when the plants grow up and bloom. I've been doing what I call "nomadic" gardening while living in air force base housing for the past 8 years. I made the most of my little space. It's wonderful to finally be able to put down roots, both literally and figuratively! ]]> honeybees http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/honeybees/24-putting-down-roots.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/honeybees/23-putting-down-roots.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:31:27 GMT The spring weather in Northern Florida is beautiful. Being a native of Ohio and having lived in Delaware for the past 8 years, March feels more like... The spring weather in Northern Florida is beautiful. Being a native of Ohio and having lived in Delaware for the past 8 years, March feels more like June, compared to my internal barometer/thermometer. We bought a house 6 months ago and it's a cute cottage style (circa 1985) in a lovely & freindly neighborhood of many different styles from ranches to mansions on the Pensacola Bay. So, I've decided to "play up" the cottage style in my yard.

I began last week. There were several overgrown bushes and sagos directly in front of the white porch railing, which runs the entire length of the front. It was very crowded, unsightly and blocked the best feature of the house. I trimmed the huge sagos and a palm tree located in the front corner of the house between the porch and garage. I made perennial flower gardens on both sides. The house is brick with pale yellow siding in the front porch area. In the fall, I sanded and painted the shutters and front door a deep blue called "Daring Indigo." I love the challenge of finding as many blue and purple flowers as possible. I use this color as my base and mix bold little splashes of yellow, white pinks or reds. I'm nearly finished. I transplanted the large shrubs further out into the yard and will plant a few trees with them to create more privacy and visual interest. Most of the perennials I planted directly along the porch railing bloom all year long in this part of Florida, but will not grow above the railing, leaving architectural interest. The flowers will be beautiful as seen through the porch slats and it has a more open feel, but the larger plants further out into the yard give a nice barrier to the outside, framing the corners of the property line. All I need is a few more bags of mushroom compost and more mulch and I'm finished with this phase of the front garden. I will post photos when the plants grow up and bloom. ]]> honeybees http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/honeybees/23-putting-down-roots.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/daffodil-girl/22-cold-snowy-windy-day-mid-march.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:26:08 GMT Well, the weather was forcast to be driving snow, high winds and showery with rain and hail stones.:( For us on our allotment site it is tradition... Well, the weather was forcast to be driving snow, high winds and showery with rain and hail stones.:(
For us on our allotment site it is tradition to plant the first earlies of the potato's at Easter Weekend, althought I have had my allocated potato beds covered and snug for the winter I think it is 2 weeks too early to be planting and also far too cold especially with heavy frosts anticipated, so my Arran Pilot variety can wait !!

I popped in to my little patch of heaven anyway to check on my onion sets that I am bringing on in little cells ready to plant out in a fortnight, they are doing just fine.

My greenhouse is not heated but it has a good layer of bubblewrap keeping the frosts at bay, I have also put up a smaller mini greenhouse inside it, this is to give early sowings of various vegetable seeds that extra bit of warmth - I shall post my results once germination happens!!:):) ]]> Daffodil Girl http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/daffodil-girl/22-cold-snowy-windy-day-mid-march.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/gbronner/21-winter-spring.html Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:36:31 GMT Well what a wonderful thought to contemplate. I was out yesterday trying to get the grounds equipment organized and ready for some work out on the... Well what a wonderful thought to contemplate. I was out yesterday trying to get the grounds equipment organized and ready for some work out on the grounds next week. On the way home I got a call from someone wanting me to stop by today and evaluate their home turf as it has been declining over the last several years and is looking very thin. The kind of call I like best because it is always challenging to diagnose problems and come up with a solution.

Normally I would be excited about these activities but then a Notice from the National Weather Service. A winter storm watch is in effect from late tonight until Friday evening. Potential snow fall in our area 6″ to 8″ Yeah!!!! that is the way to start spring. I really hope that the storm track changes in the next 12 hours because I prefer the thought of some rain especially now.

I am not being greedy in wanting no snow I am actually more concerned abut the poor Easter Bunny. It is hard enough having to tote all those eggs around but to do it and then have to carry a snow shovel as well to hide them now that is going to slow him down a bit.

The other consideration is that a wet snow at this time could cause a lot of problems for trees and shrubs by weighing down the branches and causing them to split or snap. Not to mention what it will do to the budget. This has certainly been a rough winter here at the Urban Garden weather wise. The City of Chicago is already spent 20 million dollars more than it budgeted in snow removal . We are not spending that kind of money but at 30 call outs and over 19 inches more snow than average we certainly have not spent this kind of money on a snow season in over 10 years. This is not so much a problem for me and the grounds crew as we know when snow comes we have to remove it. The current administration on the other hand has not been through a snow season like this and I am sure the mounting cost is not helping them keep their budget in order. It is easily cost us at least twice what we normally spend for snow and ice abatement this year. Hopefully we will all be sleeping through the night tonight but in Chicago the only thing certain is if you don’t like the weather stick around foe 10 minutes because it is sure to change. ]]> gbronner http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/gbronner/21-winter-spring.html http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/weedme/20-a-bit-day-allotment-garden-disastor.html Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:26:39 GMT It started out ok, i have re desgined it again and again! I have now planted up my first earlies back breaking work i dont mind saying!! This year... It started out ok, i have re desgined it again and again!

I have now planted up my first earlies back breaking work i dont mind saying!! This year i am going to try laying down a manure mix of horse and alpaca poop!! it was well watered in and covered! I will let you know in due course of the progress!!

My oinon and shallot sets are now in as well, and garlic is growing ike a good 'un!

My green pepper is now fruiting in the greenhouse (one that i rescued from the allotment when we had our first fosts) so am well pleased with that!

All my seedlings are doing well except fo the leeks!!!! what am i doing wrong??well i dont know, i do everything they say on the packet and they start well, then just fall over and die! its quite sad really.

TIP : dont plant foxgloves any where near chickens!!!! it can kill them..... i found this out with a near fatal encounter when my chciken "Speckels" decided it was fair game to eat mams flowers...... it gave her hallocinations and made her very sleepy as it slows the heart, (dont know what it does in humans, dont want to find out!) but as luck would have it she is fine again and laying eggs ten to the dozen! haha. I have now moved the foxgloves and put them up the allotment away from the kids!! just in case!

I have planted up some mammoth pumpkin seeds allthough its probably too early but hey! live and learn.

XX weedme XX ]]> weedme http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/blogs/weedme/20-a-bit-day-allotment-garden-disastor.html