One of the first lessons gardeners learn about plants is they need NPK—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—to grow into healthy, strong plants. But just as important might be the EIP that gardeners bring to the garden. EIP? Yes, EIP—Enthusiasm, Imagination, and Perseverance. Allow me to explain. A gardener needs to bring their enthusiasm to gardening. No half-hearted attempts allowed. Bring it all. Your energy, your cheerful attitude, your belief that your garden will be an overwhelming … [Read more...] about EIP… Just as Important as NPK?
A Different Kind of Holiday Greenery
All throughout the land, on this first Sunday of Advent, on this eve of the first predicted snowfall of the season, gardeners everywhere are scurrying around putting the last of the garden to be bed. Hoses. Check. Disconnected and hauled into the garage. Pots. Check. Hauled into the garage or covered to keep them from getting too wet and freezing and then cracking. Veggie Garden. Check. Covered in leaves, along with the figs. Bulbs. Check. Planted. Hey, wait a dog-gone, tulip-picking minute! … [Read more...] about A Different Kind of Holiday Greenery
The Thanksgiving Thumper
The Thanksgiving Thumper was appalled when she hopped into a local hardware store in mid-November and saw a display of bright red Christmas poinsettias. And then she listened and realized that over the public address system, they were playing Christmas tunes. She wanted to run out of the store right that minute but she needed some hardware items to help Carol button up the house for the cold weather ahead.So she hopped through, got what she needed, glanced briefly at the … [Read more...] about The Thanksgiving Thumper
Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – November 2020
Welcome to Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day for November 2020.Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 6a garden in central Indiana, we've enjoyed some warm November days and some cold November days. Today is one of the cold days.But not so cold that I couldn't run out for a few minutes and take a couple of pictures.First up are these little button mums which are still sort of blooming and definitely showing color. Is it the variety, the location, or my gardening skills that are causing them to sort of … [Read more...] about Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – November 2020
Those Autumn Crocuses!
"Whoa, Nellie," I said to myself. "Those crocuses are sure multiplying and making a nice display in late autumn."And indeed they are.I assure you that I didn't plant that many autumn crocuses which could mean only one thing.Garden fairies here! We are garden fairies and we are pleased and chuffed to bits that Carol noticed how many crocuses we managed to make bloom this late in the year.For a while, we thought the rain was going to wash out our big display, but then a nice day came along … [Read more...] about Those Autumn Crocuses!
Garden Talk on Facebook
When you post about gardening on Facebook...Look, everyone, at my pretty flower. Like, like, like, screech, what's that? Oh, I almost got runover by that political ad. Wasn't expecting that! It's no one I'd ever vote for. They aren't even in my district! I'm going to just scroll past that and hey, are those some nice looking shoes or what? I didn't know I needed new shoes! And oh my goodness, I didn't know it was that person's birthday! Happy Birthday! I wonder who that person is? How did … [Read more...] about Garden Talk on Facebook