Gardening

A Historian Looks Back at Victory Gardens

April 5, 2009

Imagine a world where millions of healthy kitchen gardens are created throughout the nation, for the rich and the poor, because the government makes it the patriotic thing to do. Is this idea some wild and strange utopian concept? Nope. It’s happened before in the United States. In fact, the seeds of this initiative sprouted […]

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The Victory Garden of Tomorrow

April 5, 2009

Call these art posters the answer to old-fashioned Victory Garden propaganda for the 21st century. At The Victory Garden of Tomorrow, Portland, Oregon-based artist Joe Wirtheim mixes vintage-style themes with contemporary concerns about organic foods, recycling, composting and more. Fun art that promotes a good cause. What could be better? Check ’em out!

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April in Paris

April 2, 2009

“The last time I saw ParisHer heart was warm and gay,I heard the laughter of her heart in every street café.” Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) The year was 2004. As my friend Marian Dunshee wandered the streets of Paris one April afternoon, she happened upon Au Nom de la Rose, a lovely little florist and […]

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When the Forsythia Blooms, Prune Roses

March 30, 2009
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I’m happy to report the forysthia are blooming in Idaho. That means it’s time to prune the roses. Pruning roses now rejuvenates the plant after a period of dormancy and stimulates growth. Before grabbing your clippers, however, keep these six simple steps in mind:

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Peas on Saint Paddy’s Day

March 17, 2009

It’s Saint Patrick’s Day. A day to celebrate your Irish heritage — even if your name happens to be Fong or Feinstein. A day to wear green — or get pinched. And a day to plant your peas — if you live in a temperate climate. I actually planted my peas a week ago in […]

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Regional Spring Chores

March 14, 2009

Say “spring” to gardeners in Southern California and it means something completely different than to gardeners in Vermont. That’s why it pays to focus on what applies to your particular growing zone. Here’s what these regional experts say are the most important gardening chores in spring: Northeast New York: New York Times Vermont: University of […]

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Seven Spring Chores

March 11, 2009

As the weather warms, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and start gardening. Here are seven spring chores to remember: Catch up on any fall chores you forgot last year. Pull back the mulch and clean fallen leaves, broken branches and other debris in the garden. They often are home to pests and pathogens […]

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Thoreau on Seeds

March 11, 2009

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”Henry David Thoreau

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Seed Sources

March 11, 2009

Looking for seeds? Here are just a few of my favorite seed sources: Seed Savers Exchange: This wonderful non-profit organization is preserving our culinary heritage by saving and sharing heirloom seeds from across the planet. More than 25,000 endangered plant varieties are maintained at Heritage Farm — the organization’s 890-acre headquarters near Decorah, Iowa. Their […]

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Why Hybrids?

March 10, 2009

Trying to decide between growing heirlooms or hybrids? Well, there are several reasons to consider hybrid seeds: A hybrid is produced by breeding at least two different plant varieties to create a “new and improved” version. A hybrid may offer better yields, improved disease resistance, smaller sizes, etc… than an heirloom. A hybrid can be […]

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