Calendar of Gardening Events for February

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Each Sunday in February — Port Logan, Scotland Snowdrop Festival Explore the mild climate of the Logan Botanic Garden  at the south-western tip of Scotland for snowdrops and sights of new life. Open February 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th from 10:00 until 16:00. No booking required. Adult £3.50, concessions £3, child £1, family £8. www.rbge.org.uk   February 9th – 12th… Read more »

Wreaths – Not Just for Christmas

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Wreaths aren’t just for Christmas, which is very good news, as there are two …. let’s say, not quite finished… wreaths in our sunroom ,waiting patiently for attention that did not arrive before Christmas. I’m sure you can all relate to the rush that the weeks before Christmas become, and especially this year at our house, as my daughter has… Read more »

January Calendar of Gardening Events

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January 4th and 5th — Tacoma, Washington Volunteer to Build a Rain Garden The Washington Stormwater Center needs help in creating a Rain Garden. Volunteers are welcome on days above between 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Advanced registration is required. Email: masonraingardens@gmail.com. www.wastormwatercenter.org   January 6th – 8th — Tampa, Florida Florida’s Largest Home Show Tampa Convention Center holds thousands… Read more »

Merry Christmas Friends!

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Merry Christmas Friends,   I shall be spending the holidays with quite an assortment of friends and family this year, from the far corners of the world and some places that one would never be able to place upon a map. My humble abode will be chockablock with no less than sixteen people representing six different countries, with the oldest… Read more »

Just in Time for Holiday Wreaths

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Hello all, and thanks for the opportunity to jump in while my Aunt Arabella takes a well deserved respite at her “little country home”. I doubt she remembers where it all begins and ends, but she has told me she has to put together her equally extensive Christmas card list, so I’m happy to check in with an update on… Read more »

December Gardeners Event Calendar

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through January 7th – Atlanta, USA Garden Lights Holiday Nights A blockbuster nighttime event, Garden Lights keeps it green by using nearly 1 million energy-efficient LED lights to put on a show at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Tickets $18.95 Adult,  $12.95 3-12, little ones free. Member discounts available. Nightly 5-10pm, closed Dec 24 and 31st. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org through January 8th — … Read more »

ORGANIC METHODS TO REMOVE SLUGS

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While those of us in the northern parts of the world are battening down the hatches in anticipation of a harsh winter (UK and Ireland readers, have you been hearing about that, too? Horrible predictions from some American scientists studying the sun) we have many friends smelling the first scents of spring. Lucky you, Aussies and Aucklanders and Argentines! Another… Read more »

Orchards Ready For Winter

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That wonderful smell in the air just might be gooseberries burning. Not the pies– hopefully a kitchen timer and a watchful child will let you know when those are ready to come out of the oven– but the branches and brambles of this season’s gooseberries are being burnt in anticipation of the winter. I always burn the leftover cuttings from… Read more »

Why nitrogen based fertilizers are expensive to us in more ways than one

Organic gardeners are always trying to work in harmony with nature, continually looking to conserve the nutrients in the earth and replenishing those that have been used as our plants grow. In earlier times, all gardening and agriculture was essentially organic as there were no artificial chemical fertilizers easily or widely available. This began to change in the mid 1800’s… Read more »

Wonderful Garden Events – November

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through November 9th — New Plymouth & Taranaki, New Zealand Taranaki Rhododendron Festival Recognised as New Zealand’s  finest regional celebration of gardens and gardeners. Almost 50 gardens open their gates during this popular garden festival. enquiries@rhodo.co.nz   November 12th, 13th — Launceston, Tasmania Launceston Horticultural Society Rose, Iris & Rhododendron Show Features creative floral art, container-grown plants, junior exhibits and… Read more »