Garden Plants and Gardening Forum - The Grow Spot http://www.thegrowspot.com/know 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 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:11:17 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/images/evomisc/rss.jpg Garden Plants and Gardening Forum - The Grow Spot http://www.thegrowspot.com/know Meet the family http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/meet-the-family-54828.html Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:22:02 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Classic Gardening (http://www.classicgardening.blogspot.com/) Image:... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Classic Gardening

They may not be the most handsome brood, but they are mine.

Read More at Classic Gardening... ]]> Gardening Around the Web Classic Gardening http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/meet-the-family-54828.html Thank God for Cyprus http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/thank-god-for-cyprus-54827.html Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:22:02 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Classic Gardening (http://www.classicgardening.blogspot.com/) Image:... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Classic Gardening

Just look at this scene of devastation. Two weeks ago these were healthy tomatoes on the cusp of ripeness. Now, after 14 days of English summer rain, they are brown, lumpy and prey to the giant slugs that have flourished in this unseasonable weather. Thank God, then, that I’ve been enjoying the fruit, trees, vegetables and gardens of Northern Cyprus while everything has fallen apart at home. I'll be blogging about what I found.




Read More at Classic Gardening... ]]> Gardening Around the Web Classic Gardening http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/thank-god-for-cyprus-54827.html Cyprus 1: Carob http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/cyprus-1-carob-54826.html Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:22:02 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Classic Gardening (http://www.classicgardening.blogspot.com/) Image:... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Classic Gardening

If you believe the guide books, Carob is a staple crop of Cyprus; a valuable ingredient of confectionery and a caffeine-free alternative to chocolate. Indeed, getting on for 100 years ago it was the island’s chief export. Carob trees (that's one top left) offered a crop from land so steep and arid it was otherwise unproductive.

The countryside around Girne, the principal port on Cyprus’s north coast, is said by such guides to be planted extensively with olive, carob and nuts. But we struggled to find them.

Infact, the land is planted these days with half-finished villa developments, for which the orchards have been grubbed out. Unfortunately, the Brits who these villas were designed to attract just don’t have the money to buy them any more, and so they sit, mouldering, alongside the heaps of grubbed-up trees.

But we did find some that had survived.

Carob beans hang from their hosts in clusters of long brown shiny pods like suntanned runner beans. We watched a man knocking them down with a stick in the courtyard of Girne castle. He gathered them, stripped off the thick, fibrous outer covering and dropped the little shiny beans into a bottle of iced water.

I’d love to known what he was going to do with them, but we didn’t have the Turkish to ask. He was discarding the pods, which the books will tell you are just as good a source of carob flavour as the beans.

We looked for carob extract in shops but drew a blank. So then we asked all round the enormous Wednesday market - an acre of locally produced fruit, vegetables, nuts and sweetmeats held on a car park opposite the police station.

Eventually we were directed to a small stall that, among plastic bottles of home bottled olive oil, offered a few containers of, thick, cholcoately carob juice.



I dipped my finger in and tasted a wonderfully thick, earthy flavour – packed full of liquorice and dark sugar. Once home, we had to cook with it.

You’ll find several recipes here


What puzzles me is that any recipe book talks about carob powder, so when we decided to make carob muffins, we had to busk it a bit. But, you know what, they taste great.





There's a good deal more about the carob here.






Read More at Classic Gardening... ]]> Gardening Around the Web Classic Gardening http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/cyprus-1-carob-54826.html Georgia Grower http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f11/georgia-grower-54825.html Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:39:46 GMT hello; located in coastal georgia and love to grow. hello;
located in coastal georgia and love to grow. ]]> Introductions sagolady http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f11/georgia-grower-54825.html Flooding http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f12/flooding-54823.html Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:01:17 GMT Hi to all. am Mary and am having serious garden flooding problem. It have been raining for days and I have to wear boots to get out of my house.... Hi to all. am Mary and am having serious garden flooding problem. It have been raining for days and I have to wear boots to get out of my house.
Most garden plants will survive a few days’ immersion in water, but the roots will need oxygen.
Do you think that Stormbag - Alternative Sandbag can help me ? I need to know if it's not a fake, can someone tell me more about it please.
Waiting for you, Thanks ]]> Off Topic MaryM http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f12/flooding-54823.html late summer bloomers http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/late-summer-bloomers-54822.html Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:11:37 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Digging In The Dirt (http://jengarden.blogspot.com/) here are a couple of pictures of some... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Digging In The Dirt

here are a couple of pictures of some actual flowers from my yard. (shocking, I know.)



I love these single hollyhock flowers. They're so old fashioned!!



This is the only color there is in this garden. I looked for more a while back, but it was hard to find anything that wasn't a double blossom. I should look again.



there used to be lots of different glads in the garden, but they've all slowly died off except for these beautiful yellow ones, a pink one, and a couple of purple ones. Definitely should plant some more! they do well here. I think some red ones would be lovely. (they come in red, don't they?) I know some people think they look like funeral flowers, but I think they're nice.



detail with pollen.

I'd also really like to get some dahlias. I saw some lovely examples at the State Fair this past weekend.

Read More at Digging In The Dirt... ]]> Gardening Around the Web Digging In The Dirt http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/late-summer-bloomers-54822.html The first green vertical wall in China was finished http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f13/first-green-vertical-wall-china-finished-54821.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:16:47 GMT The first green vertical wall in China was finished successfully in Wuhan Seven One middle school. The project was desighed and completed by Wuhan... The first green vertical wall in China was finished successfully in Wuhan Seven One middle school.
The project was desighed and completed by Wuhan AN YOU S&T CO.,LTD, used the sub-vertical green technology.It maked the laboratory building`s wall of Seven One middle school be vertical greened for a large area immediately in 13 days.The wall has the effectivenesses such as dust keeping,noise reduction,landscaping,and has becomed a bright new landscape of the school.
Once you enter the school gate,you will be completely attracted by the 200㎡`s green wall.
It used the automatic irrigation system that has the effectivenesses of fertilization and application.These effectivenesses will make the later conservation more scientific,stringent and simpler.
Î人°²ÓѿƼ¼ÓÐÏÞ¹«Ë¾ ]]> Grow Spot News and Announcements ANYOU in China http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f13/first-green-vertical-wall-china-finished-54821.html August 31st http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/august-31st-54820.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:03:01 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: KeeWee's Garden

It was close to 70 degrees here today, just perfect for spending the day outdoors in the garden.

I put a few wheelbarrows full of pea gravel around the out side of the vegetable garden to neaten it up a bit and to keep the weeds under control. Any weeds which come up through the gravel, will get a squirt of roundup.

These nice plump tomatoes are just showing a touch of pink. I trimmed off any of the large leaves which were covering the fruit, so the sun would hasten ripening.


The Bearded Iris given to me by a friend, have been planted in a newly created garden, along the outside of the fence, surrounding the vegetable garden.Today I put a layer of mulch around the Iris to conserve moisture.


Just a few more days and I will be tasting these beauties.


Almost ready for Zucchini bread.


This little guy was on the outside of the garden looking in, as I was going about the business of pulling a few weeds, and trimming any shabby leaves off of some of the Swiss Chard, Broccoli and kohlrabi. He sure did enjoy the trimmings when I dropped them in front of his nose.





Read More at KeeWee's Garden... ]]> Gardening Around the Web http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/august-31st-54820.html The Forgotten Garden http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/the-forgotten-garden-54819.html Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:17:27 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Obsessive Gardener (http://obsessivegardener.blogspot.com/) I got back from my trip last week... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Obsessive Gardener

I got back from my trip last week Tuesday. It was a fantastic adventure! Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. SO much to see and do -- waterfalls, mountains, oceans, geysers, glaciers, amazing rock formations, castles, sea birds, dolphins, riding the train and ferry, blooming heather, Stonehenge, and, of course GARDENS!!

The climate in most of the places that I visited were mild and rainy, great conditions for growing things. I took lots of pictures. LOTS of pictures! And they will be coming once I sort through the 5027 pictures and video that we took!

There were enormous, gorgeous gardens at the castles that we visited, but even the homes and businesses had fantastic gardens as well. Every garden I saw gave me ideas for my own garden back home. I couldn't wait to get started.

But first... I have a new adventure! Taming the jungle that three weeks neglect made of my garden.






Hardly looks as though it could even be the same garden that I left (see previous post).
My vegetable garden looks even worse. I lost just about everything but the tomatoes and peppers.
Oh well. It was worth it!

Read More at Obsessive Gardener... ]]> Gardening Around the Web The Obsessive Gardener http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/the-forgotten-garden-54819.html herbal medicine. http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f3/herbal-medicine-54818.html Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:44:27 GMT Hi everybody.
I'm peter and I'm interested in herbal medicine. I was wondering if any one here knows about Anredera leptostachys? I'm looking for information on it's medicinal value. Can anyone help me? are there any sitesthat I should know about? thank you. ]]> Organic Gardening pffrau http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f3/herbal-medicine-54818.html Sculpturals http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/sculpturals-54817.html Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:55:24 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Caribbean Garden (http://caribbeangarden.blogspot.com/) Image:... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Caribbean Garden



Sculptural or architectural plants are plants with bold, eye catching forms.

This is a group of plants often overlooked when designing a garden, including Caribbean gardens. Sculptural plants create height and interest from all angles, thus adding depth to a garden.

These plants can be also used as focal points or at the back for a dramatic effect.



Think of these plants as sculpture or architecture-adding stars, columns and spheres to your garden






Sculptural plants also look great at all times-not only when they are in bloom. Many have a distinctive winter presence – look at these branches of plumeria in winter n Laung Prabang (wonderfully mixed with the blood red leaves in the first pic)





San Francisco is one place where people don’t shirk away from making bold statements with plants.




In Asian garden design plants are used extensively as sculptural elements, both in the urban and rural contexts.

Laung Prabang, Laos




Hanoi, Vietnam


Siem Reap, Cambodia



These leaves are like living sculpture.






On a smaller scale, echevieras, kalonchoes and other succulents provide sculptural interest.






In warm and dry regions aloes, agaves and grasses are so lovely and require little care. the first pics were taken at the Flora Grubb in San Francisco,and the last at a resort here.







Bamboos make great focal points and are used extensively in Asia.




Read more at Caribbean Garden... ]]> Gardening Around the Web A Caribbean Garden http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/sculpturals-54817.html summertime walk http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/summertime-walk-54816.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:51:30 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Digging In The Dirt (http://jengarden.blogspot.com/) Here are some photos of plants I like... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Digging In The Dirt

Here are some photos of plants I like spotted on recent walks around the neighborhood.


This garden had some BEAUTIFUL peonies this spring.


Same garden, a little further down the sidewalk. I love cosmos! I used to have cosmos, and I think I need to have them again.


This is so pretty in person.


This isn't the best vantage point of this garden, but they've got a lot going on in a very small space. Corn, bamboo, sunflowers, sweet peas and much much more. I like the low-grass look.

Read More at Digging In The Dirt... ]]> Gardening Around the Web Digging In The Dirt http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/summertime-walk-54816.html <![CDATA[Big Girls & Gardens]]> http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/big-girls-and-gardens-54815.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:50:47 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: High Altitude Gardening & Cooking

I've known this young lady since she was knee high to a Sangria bottle.

Lots of people worry about growing old. I kind of like it. Oh, I don't particularly care for the big mirror in the bathroom any longer. (Never did.)

But, when I look beyond that, I feel like I'm heading into this amazing new chapter of my life. My daughter is an adult. Her gardening friend, Noel, is an adult.

And... well... sooner or later I just might start treating them like adults! Instead of the middle school brats I fondly remember.

I always knew this kid had special talents and this picture is proof positive. It's her first ever stab at transforming her backyard into a self-sustaining plot of land. (Check out that pumpkin!)

You grow, girl. Now we just need to talk you into a BBQ.

With love,
Kate

Read More at High Altitude Gardening & Cooking... ]]> Gardening Around the Web High Altitude Gardening http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/big-girls-and-gardens-54815.html Carbon Neutral Living On A Massive Scale http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f12/carbon-neutral-living-on-massive-scale-54809.html Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:41:50 GMT Image: http://www.thegrowspot.com/img/carbon-neutral-pyramid.jpg World Architecture News reports...


World Architecture News reports (via Engadget) that there's a concept to build a massive, carbon neutral housing project in Dubai:

Quote:
The 2.3-square kilometer building would be able to house over 1 million people and be "almost totally self-sufficient energy-wise.
A perfect place for vertical gardens! I wonder if they are self-sufficient for food and water too? That would be impressive. ]]> Off Topic smgardener http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f12/carbon-neutral-living-on-massive-scale-54809.html A spicy post! http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/a-spicy-post-54807.html Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:46:26 GMT This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Caribbean Garden (http://caribbeangarden.blogspot.com/) I promise lots of spicy photos! Here... This content is syndicated via RSS from the blog: Caribbean Garden

I promise lots of spicy photos!

Here are some of the frequently used spices in the Caribbean



Turmeric is what most people in the Caribbean refer to when they say “saffron”. Needless to say, that caused me quite a bit of confusion while growing up and reading certain recipes that called for saffron- I couldn’t think of how on earth turmeric could possible enhance a sweet dessert.

Similarly, bananas are called “figs” and for the life of me I couldn’t understand Easter mass as a small child when the priest read about Judas hanging himself from a fig tree. I always thought that hanging from a soft and floppy leaved banana tree must be a very ineffective way of killing oneself! Also, I doubted they had bananas in the mid east then. I broached the subject one day with my father, and his explanation of what a fig tree really is cleared that up in my mind. Obviously many others still don’t know what a fig tree is, as for Easter you still see effigies of Judas hanging from banana tress! LOL

Turmeric can be mixed with yoghurt as a facial mask or with sea salt and mineral or massage oil for a body scrub (as I learned in the Spa in Asia)..



From the land of Usian Bolt comes allspice, also known as Jamaica pepper. This spice is the dried unripe fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant. The name "allspice" was coined by the English, who thought it combined the flavour of several aromatic spices, namely cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In Jamaica the leaves are also used in cooking, and ground as part of the famous jerk seasoning.



On this tray the allspice leaves are under the nutmegs. Only in Grenada do I get nutmeg ice cream, which tastes wonderful. The reddish lacy things are mace, the covering or arillus of the seed. (I think this is what they use to make the ice cream. Take my advice and buy whole nutmegs and grind fresh as needed, the ground stuff tastes like nothing.

Then we see whole cloves, used extensively in certain drinks, roasting meats etc. Under he cloves is a bay rum leaf. This is what people in the Caribbean refer to when they say "bay leaf". Its lends a wonderful aroma and flavour to many Caribbean dishes.

On the top are sticks of Cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum), a close relative to cinnamon and used much the same way.



The red seeds are roucou, or annatto, a spice from the achiote trees of the Americas. It is used both as a red food coloring and a flavoring.
Roucou, or annatto is also used extensively in commercial cheese, butter and margarine production to give that nice deep yellow/orange colour.

The other seeds are fenugreek or methi, used in Indian cooking here.

Achiote is sometimes called the lipstick-tree and is a very attractive tree.



Read more at Caribbean Garden... ]]> Gardening Around the Web A Caribbean Garden http://www.thegrowspot.com/know/f9/a-spicy-post-54807.html