Under the strawhat... Reflections on life, art, community, gardening

Apart from the strawhat this piece by Jenny Elliott, Co-Manager, Menomonie Open Market has little to do with gardening but does contain some good food for thought.
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Some gardening gift ideas for the 'green' people in your life

"We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. Each year as the holidays approach I try to remember Winston Churchill's words of wisdom: It's easy to buy something for a gardener, but it takes far more time to find the right gift. My first choice is always the homemade gift. But when you buy, make it that perfect thing." So says Maureen Gilmer and you can read the rest of her article here.

The Bearded Iris

The Bearded Iris is part of a family comprising some 300 species most of which are hardy throughout the U.S. There are varieties to suit all types of soil and light conditions. Some types bloom in early spring while others make their show through the summer. There are also repeat-blooming types which, as their name suggests, flower a second time in late summer and early fall.
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From Ukraine to Blossom and Fruit Drop

Ukraine is making headlines following their election.

What connection is there between Chariton in Lucas County and Ukraine? Or gardening for that matter? To find out follow the link.


Distinct squeaking. Loud hissing. And an ominous growl.

"Books are wonderful. Garden tours, lectures and public gardens offer a wealth of information and ideas. Paid professionals, whether designers or landscape architects, are invaluable if you can afford them." So says Sarah Robertson and continues "But I've got to say that some of my favorite sources of inspiration come from..." Read more..


What can cause trees to drop blossoms?

In contrast to the previous items, here is some straightforward advice on a genuine gardening problem. Read more...

Skagit Valley tulip bulbs

Skagit Valley tulip bulbs produce the fine blooms that are a feature of the Skagit Valley tulip festival held throughout the month of April each year. The valley is located in Skagit County, Washington State and can be reached by car from exits 221-231 off I-5 which passes right through the valley.

The Skagit Valley’s mild climate, evenly distributed rainfall and fertile farmlands provide an ideal environment for growing tulip bulbs. Bulb growing in the Skagit Valley was started by Mrs. Mary Brown Stewart who began with a few bulbs imported from Holland in 1906. Read more...

Fragrant Iris Bulbs

You might be surprised to learn just how many fragrant iris bulbs there are. Here are details of just a few that are available.
Iris reticulata is a very low-growing, fragrant plant that blooms from late February through early April. They derived their species name (reticulata) from the netted or reticulate pattern on the dry bulbs. The striking 2-3½ inch flowers range in varying shades of blue, purple or yellow and are borne on naked stems growing to 6 inches tall. Their flowers are quite large in relationship to the plant as a whole, and have a sweet violet fragrance. Read more...

A Spoonful of Sugar?

No, a spoonful of bee pollen and another of honey every day, a short walk and a bit of gardening. Those were the secrets behind the long life of Fred Hale, the world's oldest man, who has died in New York state just short of his 114th birthday. Read more...

Plant Asiatic Lilies for color and scent

For large striking scented flowers Oriental lilies are hard to beat but they are just one of many types of lily available to gardeners. Most types are easy to grow provided they have well drained soil and a sunny or lightly shaded position. The lily family comprises some eighty species but to achieve a succession of summer flowering they can be divided into five basic groups.

Asiatic Lilies start the display in early summer with mainly upward facing flowers borne on 24-30 inch stems. Hardy in zones 4-9. Read more...

These bulbs almost challenge you to make them fail.

Learn about the two bulbs that enjoy great popularity every winter for their beauty and ease of growth. You will also find out that not all sunshine is equal, and part of the fun of gardening is discovering these differences. Read more...

Gardening gift ideas for the holidays

Sounds an interesting headline but I am not overly impressed with the suggestions. Take a look and see what you think.

For more gardening gift ideas have a look at The Garden Supplies Advisor

It's Springtime downunder

For those of us who are now heading into the depths of winter here's something to lift your spirits and look forward to in a few months time.

"With good rains at the right time, gardens this Spring are simply blooming! Crabapple, Weigela and Iris blooms are the best they have been for five years. Roses are shaping up to add to this floriferous abundance as the weather warms up."
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On a more sober note have a look at this "Australia Backyards, Not Beach, Higher Cancer Risk"

Gardening Proverbs

Gardening Proverbs are full of wisdom and not a little wit. They are found all over the world and in all times from the distant past right up to the present day. Here are just a few for your enjoyment:-

A good garden is like a good book - you always enjoy starting it again
-- Unknown

Gardens, like money in the bank, accumulate interest as they grow
--Unknown Read more...

Gardening Zones

There are eleven gardening zones or plant hardiness zones in the United States and southern Canada. The USDA zone map gives a general indication of the minimum annual temperature for each zone so that you can find out which plants can be grown successfully in the area.

To find out the gardening zone for your area Read more...

Apparently we have got it all wrong.

"Now is a good time of year to attack some gardening traditions -- five, to be exact -- associated with planting trees and shrubs." So says Lee Reich. "Why now? Because the first tradition has to do with the best time to plant." Read more..

Worm Phobia?

New garden columnist admits to Worm Phobia. Read more...

Greenhouse Plans

When looking for greenhouse plans you will be spoilt for choice. There are numerous styles and sizes from which you will have to make your selection. To help you narrow down the possibilities you need to think about how you want to use your greenhouse. What type of plants do you wish to grow and how much space will they need? Is the greenhouse just for growing plants, or will it be used partly as a sunroom? Once you have answered these questions, then you can look at the various styles that are available. Read more...

Is it too late to force hardy bulbs for indoor displays?

After giving some timely advice on protecting your tender outdoor plants, Sarah Robertson answers in the affirmative, and then proceeds to give comprehensive instructions on how it should be done. Read more...

Can a sundial really tell the correct time?

"I am a sundial, and I make a botch
Of what is done far better by a watch"

So wrote Hilaire Belloc, but is this really fair? Sundials are the earliest known form of time-keeping having been used for some five thousand years. The Greek historian Herodotus stated that sundials were first used by the Chaldeans and Sumerians in Babylonia which was part of the modern Iraq. They used vertical rods on their buildings and noted the position of the shadow to record the passing of the hours. The concept was developed by the Greeks and Romans who constructed various different shapes of dial to enable them to tell the time and the season of the year. Usually these were bowl-shaped dials with vertical or horizontal gnomons (shadow-casters) and hour lines marked in the hollow of the bowl. Over the years more elaborate designs were produced until the advent of accurate clocks when the function of the sundial became more decorative than as a reliable means of telling the time. Read more...

"squirrels eats my tulip bulbs"

Yes, according to Wordtracker "squirrels eats my tulip bulbs" is typed into the Overture search box on average twice every day. Clearly there is a real problem here and the message boards and forums are full of helpful advice.
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Cheap Tulip Bulbs

Why are you looking for cheap tulip bulbs? Is it because you live in California or are you trying to discourage those annoying critters that eat all your best plants? Maybe youv'e been reading the Wall Street Journal recently or is it just that you're a cheapskate? Read more...