joene's garden: joene's garden

By joenesgarden, 8 months and 15 days ago

No weather whining allowed

Every gardener and garden lover I've encountered over the last week is more than anxious for the rain/mist/fog to end. I've heard weather-related comments such as is it ever going to stop raining, time to start building an ark, we're starting to mold. But Connecticut gardeners really have no cause to whine – we've had minimal to no flooding and no tornados or highly damaging winds. Our weather has been far from perfect making it easy to fall into a wet soggy mope. But I prefer to look at our minor weather woes in a positive light. Here's five ways to embrace our long stretch of wet weather.

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By joenesgarden, 9 months and 24 days ago

Lyme-ticks thrive in Japanese barberry thickets

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA This time of year the undergrowth of Connecticut woodlands begins to show a tinge of green. This color is certainly welcome relief after a long winter. Too bad so much of this color is due to invasive Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii de Candolle). This thorny shrub dominates unmanaged wooded areas. Deer don't eat it and birds spread it by eating and dispersing the shrubs'  prolific fall berries. Japanese barberry quickly grows into large thickets that provide cover for mice and an ideal environment for immature blacklegged ticks -  the very ticks that carry Lyme disease. In their early life, ticks are susceptible to desiccation – they need high-humidity at the ground level to thrive. Japanese barberry accommodate young ticks by leafing out earlier than most native shrubbery. The early leaves help maintain moisture levels at ground level by blocking drying sunshine.

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By joenesgarden, 1 year ago

Breathe a little easier…

Take a moment to look around your home or office. Stop your gaze on any plants you see. Now consider what these plants do for you on a daily basis.

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By joenesgarden, 1 year and 1 month ago

Gift ideas gardeners and plant lovers?

I'm guessing that most people who read this blog are already gardeners and plant lovers, and therefore have a long list of great gift ideas for gardeners and plant lovers. On my list, gardening gloves are always at the top.  I go through multiple pairs every year and try to have one or two clean, unused pairs at the ready. Once a pair becomes too muddy or too wet, or comes in contact with poison ivy, I reach for  fresh gloves. It's pretty common to see four or five pairs of rinsed out or washed gloves drying in the sun while clipped to a fence in my yard.

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By joenesgarden, 1 year and 2 months ago

Houseplants: old friends and new

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMy houseplants receive minimal care – sometimes  neglect – while I'm preoccupied with outdoor gardening. But almost without fail, they thrive. They seem to know that my attention will again focus their way when cold nights turn to cold days and forces the bulk of my gardening attention inside. My houseplants understand that they  - not the showy iris or the ripening tomatoes - sooth my gardening urges when most everything on the outside of the glass is winter brown or covered with glistening snow.

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  • Misjudged collaboration causes an NWF GOOPs:
    • joenesgarden: Jean, I'm glad I could bring you updated news regarding NWF's GOOPs. I agree that the NWF has some credibility rebuilding to accomplish.
    • Jean: Joene, I had seen all the posts about the Scott's-NWF "partnership" but had missed the turnaround news; thanks for bringing me up to date. In these times when ordinary people often feel powerless, it's good to know that popular outrage made a real difference. (I think it's going to take more, though, for NWF to...
    • joenesgarden: Debbie, NWF's GOOPs certainly seemed to be an eye opener for many NWF collaborators. Only time will tell whether NWF's reputation is sullied.
    • Debbie/GardenofPossibilities: Joene, What a good example of a major GOOPs. As Laurrie noted, it's unbelievable that NWF never mentioned the groundswell of outrage as a factor in the decision to end the partnership. I guess regadless of how/why it happened, most people are pleased it's over. BTW, thanks for the shout-out.
    • joenesgarden: Laurrie, The NWF's GOOPs may direct more followers to local wildlife-protecting and environmental organizations. This would be a good thing.
    • Laurrie: Talk about a gardening oops, this was a monster one. Absolute debacle. It's interesting that when they rescinded the partnership they blamed it on the lawsuits and gave no credit to the groundswell of public outrage. Never mentioned that at all. Unbelievable. My OOPS is on my blog today and...
  • Connecticut’s new planting zones:
    • joenesgarden: Jean, I think all seasoned gardeners understand zone map recommendations are no substitute for knowing your property, as your experience with temperature extremes in your Maine garden illustrates. I'm honored you named me as one of your Versatile Bloggers. I would participate if not for the sharing rules ... thanks anyway. I hope...
    • Jean: Joene, I was just looking at the new hardiness zones for Maine, and it brought home your point about knowing your own garden conditions. On the new map, my town has been moved from the boundary of zones 4b and 5a firmly into 5b. But the low temperature for zone 5b is -15F, and I...

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