Kinghorn Gardens

Looking Forward to Winter

2008-11-13T15:39:00.002-06:00

Though Autumn is my favorite season, I always look forward to winter. Not just because of the holidays and family gatherings it brings, but its the snow I love! I have always loved being outside in the snow. Hearing it crunch under your feet, investigating the shape and beauty of individual snowflakes. Most of all I love the way that blankets of snow make plants more beautiful. There is nothing quite like the sight of a towering Norway Spruce layered with perfect white snow, or the way ice forms on the red crabapples on the Sugar Tyme crab outside the office window. I love the way that fall and winter allow you to see the structure of trees, the branching in stark contrast to the empty sky.

After the glory of autumn has passed and the world begins to look a bit bleak, it is the snow that I await.

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the

bone structure of the landscape -

the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter.

Something waits beneath it,

the whole story doesn't show."

~Andrew Wyeth

Going Green Together

2008-11-07T09:45:00.002-06:00

Presented in Five Parts

Part 5: Let it Rot!

Inevitably, every maintenance visit results with some sort of waste removal. All these branches, clippings, weeds and other debris adds up, resulting in a sizeable pile of waste which we must have hauled off. The disposal costs are passed along. But, what if we could return that waste to your garden? If you were willing to have an on-site composting area, the waste could be disposed of on-site; eliminating a waste removal fee. The compost created on-site could then be used in your garden to imiprove the organic component of the soil. Would you be willing to have an on-site compost bin? (to learn more about composting click here.)

Going Green Together

2008-11-07T09:12:00.002-06:00

Presented in Five Parts

Part 4: Budget Busters

Annuals are striking attention grabbers, but they can also be budget busters. What if we limit annuals to only high traffic areas and containers? Areas which have been annuals in the past can be converted to shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Though this may be more of an investment up front, it will save in the long run. Hardy shrubs, perennials, grasses and groundcovers can be used in seasonal containers and later planted in the landscape. What do you think of limiting areas of annuals?

Going Green Together

2008-11-07T08:58:00.002-06:00

Presented in Five Parts

Part 3: Soil not Dirt!

Soil is the single most important component of a successful garden. Constuction and compaction injure the soil and are detrimental to any garden. Soils must be allowed to heal. This is done by improving organic matter and improving soil texture. Instead of trying to do this all at once, why not phase in new projects and allow the soil to recover over time. Plant materials can be strategically layered into the garden over time, this after all is nature's way. What are your thoughts on staging and phasing projects as to allow for soil improvement?

Going Green Together

2008-11-07T08:16:00.002-06:00

Presented in Five Parts

Part 2: Be Patient

We have already discussed the importance of mulch as a necessary component of a successful garden. Perhaps we could benefit, both budget-wise and our garden, if we were more patient come spring. By allowing temperatures to warm up in spring, and waiting to mulch until May or June, we could greatly reduce the quantity of mulch we would need each spring. Plants would already have started growing and cover more area, therefore, reducing the amount of open space that would traditionally be mulched. Could you wait to have your garden mulched?

Going Green Together

2008-11-07T07:48:00.004-06:00

Presented in Five Parts

Part 1: Mulching

Mulching is an essential component of any garden. It protects the soil from erosion, reduces soil compaction, retains moisture, maintains soil temperature and provides a completed look to the landscape. It is this last point which enduces us into re-mulching every spring, thereby leading to gardens being over-mulched. It may be our desire to rush spring along, by brightening up our landscapes through new mulch each spring, whether needed or not. Perhaps we can freshen up the appearance of existing mulch rather than adding to an already adequate layer of it. Any thoughts?

Introducing...

2008-11-04T14:20:00.004-06:00

The Scottish born naturalist, John Muir, once wrote, "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." It is this philosophy which compelled us to develop Kinghorn Habitats. Our native Nebraska landscapes define who we are and what we value most. In earlier centuries it was the Lakota Sioux who learned to live in harmony with the landscape of the Great Plains. The Lakota's embraced a holistic philosophy that all things are connected. We too, strive to reconnect with our natural heritage to fulfill our role as conservator's of today's Nebraska.

"It is in quest of this goal that we present Kinghorn Habitats, a palette of four native landscapes designed for carefree, contientious living. Soothing Savannah. Panoramic Prairie. Wonderous Woodlands. Redolant River Valley. Each carefully conceived to create the king of environment that inspires thoughts of native Nebraska...and dreams of living in seamless unity with the wider world."

Fall Foliage

2008-10-27T15:06:00.008-06:00

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter" -Carol Bishop Hipps

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." -Nathaniel Hawthorne

"Autumn, the year's last, lovliest smile." -William Cullen Bryant

"If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before."

-Mitchell Burgess

The Life of a Tree

2008-10-09T15:13:00.003-06:00

Much like humans, trees go through different life stages as they age, with each stage distinguishable from the others by specific traits. As you look at the trees in your landscape, you may see examples of the following:

Infant Stage - Trees in this stage are thin and small with tender bark. They're very vulnerable at this point in ther life and may develop defense mechanisms (such as thorns) to discourage would-be predators.

Youth Stage - Trees in the youth stage have long, slender branches and pointed tops. Growth occurs rapidly during this stage, and proper tree architecture can be encouraged through pruning of weak or poorly developing branches.

Prime-of-Life Stage - By the time they've reached their prime, trees have long, strong branches and full, round topped crowns. Growth isn't as rapid during this stage, with the majority of the tree's energy going to flower and fruit production.

Middle-Age Stage - Limbs grow thicker and heavier during this stage, causing crowns to flatten out. Trees in this stage are more vulnerable to insects and disease, making regular care and maintenance more important than ever.

Senior Stage - In this stage, canopies are flat-topped and full of heavy limbs, some of which may be covered by short sprouts. As major limbs start dying, gaps may become visible in the canopy. Dead limbs should be pruned during this stage.

Twilight Stage - At this point, large limbs begin dying and breaking off from the tree, leaving behind a smaller crown made up of scattered limbs and short twigs.

Death Stage - Dead trees eventually fall apart and decay back into the soil. If you have a dead tree on your property in a hazardous location, it should be removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might consider leaving it in place to provide food and shelter for various forms of wildlife.

The species, location and amount of care a tree receives will determine the duration of each life stage. However, no matter what stage they're in, you can be sure that the trees on your property are making a valuable contribution to the environment we all share.

(Taken From Kinghorn Newsletter - Summer 2008)

Call the Pros to Prune

2008-10-08T15:54:00.005-06:00

Dormant Pruning Makes a Big Difference

We Can't emphasize enought the importance of professional pruning, and for very good reasons. Professional pruning of your valuable trees and shrubs not only keeps them healthier and better looking now, but protects them from a whole host of other potential problems down the road. The dormant season is a great time for pruning. Once leaves have dropped, it's much easier to see where work needs to be done. In addition, plants are less active during the cooler months, with less fluid moving throught the branches. This means that the wounds created from pruning will heal more quickly.

Avoid Storm Damage

Mahor snow storms can put a heavy load on your trees. If a tree has branch connections that are structurally weak, previously damaged limbs, or branches with too little space between them, snow accumulation can become a real problem. With selective pruning, the effects of snow storms on your trees can be minimized.

Nip Potential Problems in the Bud

Nearly all drastic repairs are preventable with regular, maintenance-level pruning. Split trees from weak joints, major limb removal due to cintact with other limbs, and complete plant removal can all result when regular pruning is neglected.

Your landscape is a big investment. With professional pruning, you'll be helping that investment to grow in beauty and value for many years to come. Now is a great time to schedule a tree and shrub evaluation to determine what types of pruning are needed on your property.

(Taken from Kinghorn Gardens Newsletter - Summer 2008)

As the Snow Melts

2008-03-03T10:44:00.003-06:00

“In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”
-Mark Twain

Our recent, albeit short-lived, spring-like weather has set off my desire to get back in the garden. The constant influx of spring seed catalogs is only fuel to the fire, making me all the more anxious for warmer weather. I took care this past fall to plant daffodils, tulips and grape hyacinth, so this spring I’ll not be envious of my neighbors (see Bulb Envy). Though I am anxiously awaiting the colorful spring display they promise, it is with more anticipation that I await for what they represent. That is the arrival of warm weather; the commencement of the gardening season. My favorite time of year to be in the garden. It is in the spring when I look at my garden as what it has the potential to become. Later in the summer I often look at my garden as what it should be, and what I did not accomplish. Everything is hopeful in spring.

“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.”
-Bern Williams

There is little else I look forward to more than those first few warm days in spring, when I can spend all day working in the garden. Cleaning up the last of the fallen leaves, completing what I failed to finish last fall before the winter weather set in, giving the yard a fresh clean look of which I have been desirous all winter long.

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
-Margaret Atwood

The weather this past weekend was so nice (at least for part of it) my urgency for the end of winter has increased. However, it is with much disgust that I know winter will remain for some very long weeks to come, occasionally teasing me with windows of spring weather. Until then, I will be making my plans for what my garden will become this year.

“Every year, back comes spring, with nasty little birds yapping their fool heads off and the ground all mucked up with plants.”
-Dorothy Parker

I Speak for the Trees....

2008-02-08T09:57:00.000-06:00

As Nebraskans, we work hard for our trees. We are not blessed with large forested areas. Instead we must forest our land ourselves; after all we are the home of Arbor Day. We are devastated at the loss or injury to our trees after a storm has ravished its way through our neighborhoods. We are still feeling the sting of the October snow storm of 1997, and the more recent ice storms of the last year.

I was shocked to learn that since 1977 Nebraska has experienced a 50% loss of its community tree resources (according to ReTree Nebraska). This decline in trees is not only due to these acts of extreme weather, but also combines with severe drought, poor species selection, poor planting practices, and the spread of disease. One disease of particular concern is Pine Wilt. Pine Wilt attacks Scotch and Austrian Pines, (which are planted in abundance across the state), killing them before one can realize they have been infected. Not only is Pine Wilt a current threat to the trees of Nebraska, but we must now consider the very real threat of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) which is currently annihilating all species of Ash (Fraxinus sp.) in some state just to the East of Nebraska. Unfortunately, Ash is a dominant species in Nebraska; therefore, the result of the EAB will be devastating. According to the ReTree Nebraska Initiative, the Emerald Ash Borer has the potential of wiping out 25% of Nebraska’s tree population. Urban tree removal and replacement due to EAB in Nebraska could total $1.65 billion. Most experts believe that it is not a matter of IF EAB will reach Nebraska, but WHEN.

Fortunately for Nebraskans, we have professionals who are determined to lessen the severity of devastation we as a state will endure. The ReTree Nebraska Initiative has been formed to,

“…raise public awareness of the value of trees, reverse the decline of Nebraska’s community tree resource and improve the diversity and sustainability of trees in communities in Nebraska for generations to come. The primary goal of ReTree Nebraska is to work in partnership with people across the state to foster the planting and proper maintenance of one million new trees in cities and towns over the next decade.”

For the future of Nebraska’s tree community it will be important to correctly plant and properly maintain a planting of diverse species of trees. This will prevent such widespread devastation should another species be attacked as the Ash is currently. The proper planting and management of trees is also important as it is the weak trees which are first attacked.

"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. I am the Lorax who speaks for the trees which you seem to be chopping as fast as you please. But I'm also in charge of the Brown Bar-ba-loots who played in the shade in their Bar-ba-loot suits and happily lived, eating Truffula Fruits."

-The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss

Exciting New Plants

2008-01-29T09:55:00.001-06:00

Each year new plant introductions are released, each with the promise of some unparalleled characteristic which will make that plant superior to all others. Usually these promises are include unmatched beauty, a new and exciting color, improved disease resistance or new dwarf size. It is interesting to see what new plants are introduced each year. Just when you think there are enough varieties of Heuchera in the world, eleven new ones are released. Not that I don’t like Heuchera, but perhaps there are some other species that would benefit from some research and new breeding. To me, many new plants are such slight variations from earlier plants, that one cannot tell them apart. I think it might be time to call an end (or slowdown) to new varieties of Spirea, Wiegela and Heuchera and perhaps concentrate more on native plant breeding. That’s not to say there aren’t some great plants that are released each year. In fact here are some plants I am excited to try out this year:

Schizachyrium scoparium ‘MinnblueA’
Blue Heaven Little Bluestem

I am really excited about testing out this new cultivar of little bluestem. Though new in 2007, I have not had much chance to use this promising new grass. If Blue Heaven lives up to its promises, this may become one of my favorite grasses. Introduced by the University of Minnesota, they claim it stands upright and has blue foliage, which turns red, purple and burgundy in fall. They refer to it as a “Blue Karl Foerster”.

Hydrangea paniculata ‘DVPpinky’
Pinky Winky Hydrangea

There have been quite a few new Hydrangea introductions in the last couple of years, which have seemed to live up to their promises. Therefore, I am excited for this next introduction. This variety of Panicle Hydrangea is claimed to have fourteen inch blooms, which begin white and fade to pink. It also has strong, red stems to hold those enormous blooms upright. Should this hydrangea live up to its promises of fourteen inch blooms, I may forgive it for its terrible name. I may have to come up with a nick name for this one; I don’t think I can bring myself to call it by name.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
Caradonna Salvia

Okay, so this is not a new release. In fact, I’m not sure when it came out. However, in the last year it has become more available. This Salvia which grows to 30 inches in height has wonderful blue-ish purple flowers which are borne on erect purple - black stems. This variety will also will bloom from May through July, though may require some deadheading.

Winter Landscapes

2008-01-24T10:39:00.000-06:00

Many people do not regard the winters of the Midwest to be a time when one can appreciate landscapes. However, is it not the desolate winter months when one would most appreciate a garden? Some plants are at their best in the winter. Though they may be dormant it is the season of their glory.

When imprisoned inside due to frigid temperatures and bone chilling wind, nothing can motivate me to go outside. That is, until I look out the window and see plants covered in snow, ice or hoarfrost. I am compelled to slip on some boots and possible a hat, grab my camera and traipse across the icy snow and photograph frozen plants. More than just the traditional evergreens – pines, firs and spruces – but the ornamental grasses, herbaceous seed heads, and interesting branching. Here is a list of some of my favorite plants for the winter landscape.

Ilex verticillata (winterberry)
Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple)
Hamamelis vernalis (witch hazel)
Hydrangea quercifolia (Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Ostrya virginiana (Eastern Hophornbeam)
Malus sp. (crabapple with persistent fruit)
Hydrangea sp. (leave seed heads on)
Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem)
Echinacea (coneflower – seed heads)Sedum sp. (tall sedum – seed heads)
Solidago sp. (goldenrod – seed heads)
Sorghastrum nutans (Indian Grass)
Panicum virgatum (Switch Grass)

Ten Tips for Turning Waste Into Compost

2007-10-22T15:30:00.000-06:00

What is Compost?

Compost is an aerobic mixture of decomposed matter which is produced by the breakdown of organic matter (yard waste, kitchen waste, paper) to form an organic fertilizer.

Why should I compost at home?

1.) It enriches the soil naturally (a soil conditioner, mulch and fertilizer in one)
2.) Studies have shown compost helps prevent plants from pests and diseases.
3.) It benefits the environment – one-third of all household waste can be composted.
4.) It will reduce your need for chemical fertilizers
5.) It’s Free!

Ten Tips for Turning Waste into Compost:

1. Make your compost pile the right size. If you make your pile too small, you may run out of room to quickly, a pile that is too big will be difficult to manage. A good size to begin with is 3 feet by 3 feet.

2. Keep a small bin under your sink for compostable food scraps. This way you won’t be running out to the compost pile constantly. Though, you will want to routinely empty it every day or two.

3. To ensure your compost decomposes quickly, keep your pile in direct sunlight. It will decompose fastest between 120-160 degrees F. Piles will decompose at cooler temperatures, though it will take longer.

4. Does your compost pile have an unpleasant odor? If so, try turning it with a pitch fork to create air spaces which will limit the anaerobic microbes, and stimulate the aerobic microbe activity. If that doesn’t work, you may have too much in the way of nitrogen rich (green) material, try turning in some carbon rich (brown) material such as dry leaves, pine needles or straw.

5. Too much of one material will off-set the balance (and can create that unwanted odor). Make sure you have a balance of green and brown materials.

6. Don’t let your compost pile become to wet or too dry. If the pile becomes too wet, an unpleasant odor may develop, add some wood chips to help absorb the excess water. If the pile is too dry materials will not break down properly, add some water a little at a time. The appropriate moisture level in a compost pile is that of a wrung-out sponge.

7. Finished compost should smell earthy and look and feel like rich dark soil. The volume of the cured compost will be less than half of what you started with, but will be much more dense.

8. Many composting bins are available commercially, though you do not need to buy one to start a compost pile. You can have a pile directly on the ground with nothing containing it, though you may want to lay some larger sticks or branches on the ground for air circulation. A wooden shipping pallet also makes a great base.

9. When possible break down or shred you materials. This will help to speed up the decomposition process.

10. Don’t have space for a compost pile in your yard? Try composting with worms! This can be done in a self contained bin inside or outside! To learn more about worms turning your waste in to compost check out Worms Eat My Garbage, by Mary Appelhof.

Fabulous Fall

2007-09-21T11:12:00.000-06:00

Recent weather has made me yearn for the return of autumn. With its cools days, crisp air and wonderful colors marking the end of the growing season, fall is easily my favorite time of year. Though historically in poetry and literature Autumn has been a time of year which authors and poets consider to be melancholy, it beckons me outside more than any other time of year. Yard work once again becomes enjoyable, neighborhood walks become a symphony of crisp leaves crunching under your feet. I become mesmerized by the orange glow of sugar maples and serviceberry’s, the russet hues of prairie grasses, and the bright reds of Virginia sweetspires, oaks and maples – all in their final glory before the long winter hibernation. I believe we treasure autumn as we know what dreary weather awaits us in the coming months. It is a small reprieve between the hot, humid days of summer and the cold gray days of winter. We know we must take advantage of this break in weather while we can, after we have been imprisoned in air conditioned houses during the intense heat of the summer and before we cozy up in front of a warm fire during the winter months.

Some of my favorite plants for fall color are:

Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple)
Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)
Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
Acer miyabeii (State Street Maple)
Amelanchier grandifolia (Serviceberry)
Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
Hamamelis vernalis ‘Autumn Embers’ (Witchhazel)
Aesculus glabra (Ohio Buckeye)
Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’ (Chokeberry)
Bouteloa curtipendula (Sideoats Grama)
Geranium maculatum (Cranes-bill)
Panicum sp. (Switchgrass)
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)

Plants I Dig....

2007-07-20T14:47:00.000-06:00

Geraniums

No not those bright annual geraniums, but hardy, perennial Geraniums. It seems like there is one for almost every situation. I love Geranium cantabrigiense as a low groundcover which flowers in spring. ‘Karmina’ has pinkish flowers while ‘Biokovo’ and ‘St. Ola’ are white selections. One of the great features of this species is its fall color of red to purple and its nearly evergreen foliage. My favorite geraniums for their endless flowering abilities are ‘Rozanne’ and ‘Jolly Bee’ (both are hybrids). Almost indistinguishable from each other, both boast violet-blue flowers from May through September.

Blue Muffin Viburnum

This new cultivar of Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) has many excellent qualities. It is a compact deciduous shrub growing 3-5 feet tall and wide. Its white spring flowers give way to blue berries later in the season. In fall it supposedly gets reddish-purple in fall, though I have known it to be yellow. Though the berries and fall color are great, it is the texture of the plant which I find most appealing. Its bright green serrate leaves are beautiful as they are.

Little-leaf Linden

The little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) is easily one of my favorite trees, especially when allowed to branch to the ground. Though it does not offer any fall color to speak of, there are plenty of qualities which make this tree worth planting. In my opinion, there is no plant which offers a fragrance to top the linden; it in itself is enough of a reason to include one in your landscape. Not every landscape lends itself to a linden, as they are typically quite large. Lindens in general have attractive foliage, are densely branched and have a very regal form, all of which makes it one of my favorite trees.

What’s the deal with Mulch?

2007-06-14T16:33:00.002-06:00

A trip to any garden center this summer will present you with many different options for mulch in your garden. They range from cypress and cedar to pine mulch and nuggets, now there is red and brown dyed, cocoa shells and even rubber. Yes, rubber mulch! And don’t forget all the different choices of rock mulch. So how do you know which one is best? Of course personal preference will play somewhat of a role in which product you will choose, as will the size of the garden and of course your budget. But what is the best for the plants? Obviously natural products (wood mulch, pine mulch, etc.) are better for the plants. They retain moisture to help keep plants cool and wet, and they break down to improve the soil. Rock and rubber mulches do not retain moisture and can actually absorb heat and be detrimental to plant health. But where in nature do you see wood chips naturally occurring at the base of a tree, shrub or perennial. You don’t. In a forest or wooded area you may see leaf litter or pine needles carpeting the ground.

As a matter of my personal preference, I detest both rock and rubber mulches and any mulch that has been dyed. With rock mulch landscape fabric is generally used, as is some type of edging (which can stretch a budget thin pretty quickly). Not to mention it is expensive, and heavy, and hard to expand or change a bed, or add any new plants in the future. It also restricts plants from spreading to cover the ground. In my garden it is my intention that one day the mulch will not even be seen, as the plants will grow to cover it up. Don’t even get me started on rubber mulch, especially the colored ones. Sure these products might be appropriate for a playground setting – but in a garden? In my opinion, absolutely unacceptable, and at $10-15 a bag, who can afford any plants?

Still the question remains; what is the best mulch? For me, it is a natural product which will end up benefiting my plants and soil. Sure, I may have to replenish it each year, but it’s worth the investment.

UPDATE, April 24, 2008: Through my sitemeter I am noticing that there are many people searching for rubber mulch. My recommendation is DON'T USE IT. It has no benefits for the plants or soil, it will NEVER break down. It does not retain water to keep roots cool and moist. My suggestion is to use a natural, shredded wood product - that means no dye. In gardens with dyed mulch (red or black) that is what the eye is drawn to...why would you want the mulch to be the main focus of your garden??

Your Edging Solution

2007-05-03T13:44:00.000-06:00

Since the weather has turned nice out and gardeners are hard at work freshening up their gardens, I though I would discuss the use of a natural or Victorian edge. I recently wrote a response to a question on edging for Fine Gardening Magazine, so I thought I could briefly touch on the subject here:

A trip to any home improvement store or garden center will provide you with many different options for edging your garden beds. With so many products available its hard to know which product will work the best, and edging materials can add up to be pretty expensive – money most of us would rather invest in plants. The most common options for edging seem to be: wood (in the form of railroad ties or landscape timbers), metal (aluminum or steel), plastic (that dreadful black roll top), concrete, stone pavers and bricks. Some of these can but good edgers (metal for example is a great edger for hardscapes), but most of these I would not recommend. Most people are after low maintenance for everything in their garden – even edging. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a maintenance free edging. Turf grass and weeds can easily grow between pavers or concrete edgers, plastic edging gets eaten up by passing mowers, wood rots, and in our part of the country most edgers can get heaved out of the ground during freeze-thaw cycle.

The best bet for an economical solution for a bed edge is a natural trenched edge (AKA Victorian edge. This is the most cost effective solution – all it takes is a little elbow grease. For this type of edge, use a sharp spade to cut vertically into the turf at the edge of the bed. Then remove soil to a depth of 3 to 4 inches at a 45 degree angle to the freshly cut edge. With a rake smooth out the remaining soil (see picture below). To maintain the edge, it should be retrenched in spring or as needed. Not only is this edge easy and cost effective, it also blends into the landscape, letting the plants be the focal point.

Bulb Envy

2007-03-27T08:46:00.000-06:00

At last signs of spring are popping up everywhere. I have been anxiously awaiting the onset of spring – waiting for buds to once again swell with new life and the world to again turn green, but most of all I have been waiting for spring bulbs to emerge. Nothing announces spring quite like vibrant displays of daffodils, tulips, hyacinth and crocus – to name a few. These bold displays are what I have been waiting for all winter – and these cheerful flowers never seem to disappoint with their lively colors. This spring is my first as a homeowner, and I have to admit I have bulb envy. I failed to plant bulbs last fall, and now regret my mistake. I visualize how great my house would look with bright colored tulips and allium dancing before it. I promise myself that this fall I will not fail to plant bulbs, in fact, to make up for this spring I will probably go a little over-board. So this spring, as I see wonderful displays of spring bulbs, my thoughts will be of planning my spring garden for next year.

"Earth laughs in flower."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Welcome!

2007-03-06T12:28:00.000-06:00

Welcome to The Garden Thymes Blog!! This blog is meant to open a dialogue for anyone interested in any aspect of gardening. It is intended to be a forum where knowledge and experience are exchanged and ideas discussed.

Gardening, of some sort, has existed nearly as long as humans - the practice of cultivating seeds for food predates history. Historically, gardens were either places of tranquility – where one could become closer to God, or, utilitarian - where food and medicines were grown.

Gardens have long been the obsession of novelists, painters and poets. Though gardening itself has been considered art, it is also a science. The management and selection of plants for the environment in which they will live is a science. Combining science and art is the only means to a successful landscape.

Should it not be remembered that in setting a garden we are painting - a picture of hundreds of feet or yards instead of so many inches, painted with living flowers and seen by open daylight - so that to paint it rightly is a debt that we owe to the beauty of flowers and to the light of the sun.

-William Robinson - The English Flower Garden and Home Grounds, 1883