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 — Richmond, Virginia

Maymont Flower & Garden Show

The latest in horticulture, gardens, and a marketplace filled with goodies that will have you dreaming of spring. Learn more at seminars including those by  Master Gardener Rebecca Kolls  and Peggy Cornett, the Curator of Plants at Monticello.  Greater Richmond Convention Center, Thursday 1pm-9pm, Friday and Saturday, 11am – 9pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm. Adults  $10, Kids 12-17 $6. Check online for 2-for-1 offer.

http://macevents.com/show.cfm/eventID/139

February 10th -12th –  Nashville, Tennessee

Antiques and Garden Show

Horticulture booths featuring architectural elements for the house and garden, exquisite garden-related furnishings, orchids, unusual plant material and whimsical accessories. Suzanne Rheinstein, Garden Lecturer, will speak Friday at 1pm (additional cost). Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm, Nashville Convention Center. $15 at the door and $12 in advance.

www.antiquesandgardenshow.com/

February 11th – 19th  –  Denver, Colorado

Colorado Garden & Home Show

The Colorado Convention Center transforms into more than an acre of professionally landscaped gardens. 50 FREE educational seminars and how-to demonstrations for cutting edge gardening and home improvement ideas.   Check the website for daily hours.  Admission $12, Seniors (at the door) $10, children under 12, free.

www.gardeningcolorado.com/garden/colorado-garden-home-show

February 13th –  Saltash, Cornwall

BBC Gardeners’ Question Time Recording

The radio programmes are hosted by various groups, mainly gardening clubs and horticultural societies, and it’s the group that is responsible for the distribution of the tickets. This recording will take place at Saltash.net Community School, Wearde Rd., Saltash PL12 4AY. Doors open 5.30pm. Record starts 6.30pm.Tickets cost £2.50. Contact: Lynher View Allotment Association Ken Walsley. T: 01752 843 432.

www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/

February 14th & 15th –  London

RHS Plant and Design Show

Some of the UK’s best nurseries show a spectacular array of spring flowering plants to tempt inspired gardeners; garden accessories, books and tools will be available to buy from specialist shopping stands. Visitors will also be able to ‘ask the experts’ and pick up top tips about garden design. RHS Horticultural Halls, Greycoat Street and Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE. Free for RHS members, £5 for non-members.

www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events

February 16th – April 29th –  Montreal

Butterflies Go Free

Come to the Montreal Botanical Garden to talk to nature interpreters and admire over 2,000 butterflies and moths flitting about in the two Botanical Garden greenhouses. 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal. Check website for hours and prices.

www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/en/menu.htm

February 17th – 19th –  Allen, Texas

Allen Home and Garden Show

Remodeling, building, gardens and landscaping in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Speakers include Donna Moss, host of HGTV’s “Donna Decorates Dallas”. Allen Events Center,200 E. Stacy Rd. Allen, Texas 75002.    Friday 2pm – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm.  Adults, $9.50, Seniors, $7 under 16s free.

www.allenhomeandgardenshow.com

February 18th & 19th –  Sydney

Pool, Spa and Outdoor Living Expo 

Held at the Rosehill Gardens Event Centre – Rosehill Racecourse, each day from 9am – 5pm. Adults $15, concession $10, under 16s free.

www.poolexpo.com.au/  

February 18th – 26th — Toyko

Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival 2012

Everything orchids at the Toyko Dome:  display of Orchids by Wives of Ambassadors, the World of Koichi Ejiri, Photographer Takashi Kijima, Aquarium Exhibit by Okinawa Churaumi, Orchid World by Shogo Kariyazaki, Orchid Grower’s Contest, and more. Open 10am – 5:30pm. Adults ￥2,000. Evening Ticket ￥1,500 (after 3 p.m) sold only on the day. Children free.

http://tinyurl.com/7lyvb23

February 20th –  Bedford, UK

BBC Gardeners’ Question Time Recording

The radio programmes are hosted by various groups, mainly gardening clubs and horticultural societies, and it’s the group that is responsible for the distribution of the tickets. This recording will take place at Haynes Village Hall, Northwood End Rd., Haynes, Bedford, MK45 3QB. Doors open 5.30pm. Record starts 6.30pm, Tickets cost £2.50. Contact tdfhaines@aol.com.

www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/

February 22nd – 26th — Portland, Oregon

65th Annual Portland Home & Garden Show

Come to the Portland Expo Center to see the best of gardens, window, roofing and siding remodelers, and home security experts and top real estate agents.  Wednesday and Thursday  11am – 8pm, Friday 11am – 8pm, Saturday  10am – 8pm, Sunday: 10am – 6pm. General Admission  $10.00, under 12s free.

www.otshows.com/phs/  

February 24th – 26th — San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio Home Show

Over 400 exhibits of home, gardens, landscapes & water features at the Alamodome. Meet San Antonio’s finest Builders and Remodelers, and HGTV hosts Bob Guiney and Donna Moss. Friday 2pm – 8pm, Saturday 10am – 8pm, Sunday 11am – 6pm. Adults, $9.00, Seniors, $5.00, under 16s free.

www.sanantoniohomeshows.com/  

February 24th – 26th — Melbourne

Better Homes and Gardens LIVE! 

Better Homes and Gardens at the Royal Exhibition Building. Speakers include Graham Ross and the Garden Clinic, Tara Dennis, ‘Fast’ Ed, Karen Martini, Jason Hodges, Rob Palmer and Johanna Griggs. Doors each day 10am – 5pm. Adults $15 in advance / $20 at the door, under 16s free. Check website for 2-for-1 deals.

www.bhglive.com.au/melbourne

February 24th – 26th– Augusta, Georgia

Augusta Home and Garden Show

The James Brown Arena plays host to garden exhibits, arts, crafts and shopping. Seakers include Paul Brown from Discovery’s “Auction Kings” and Roger Hazard from A&E’s “Sell This House”. Open Friday 2pm – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm.  Adults $7.50, 14-16 $3.00, under 13s free.

www.augustahomeandgardenshow.com/   

March 2nd – 4th — Atlantic City, New Jersey

New Jersey Home and Garden Show

Remodeling and building experts, gardens and landscapes, sunrooms and patios, plus Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri of HGTV’s “Kitchen Cousins” . Atlantic City Convention Center, One Miss America Way. Friday 2pm- 7pm, Saturday  10pm- 7pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm. Adults $6.50, Seniors $5.00, under 16s free.

www.newjerseyhomeandgardenshow.com/  

When not playing with her new toys, my little helper has been keeping an eye on the drying flowers hanging quietly in the hallway closet. I have been reminded not a few times that I did promise her some wreath-making and the flowers “are done sleeping”. So,  this past weekend I threw an old sheet down over the kitchen table and got started.

First, I showed her how to poke the heads gently, to check for the proper stiffness. In late October we hung up some roses, heather, baby’s breath, and statice. The purple and yellow of the statice held up beautifully; the pink roses have faded a bit, and shrunk, but that is to be expected.

Traditional holiday, whether Christmas or New Year’s or Twelfth Night  (we missed that one, too… sigh), wreaths are made with textured leaves, twigs and berries, cedar, pine, fir, redwood, magnolia and oak clippings, parsley and sage, and of course lots and lots of holly, but if you find time closing in, forgo the darkest foliage and include more flowers. If you have a willow tree, lucky you, they make excellent bases for winter wreaths.

To get started, regardless of “ingredients”, all recipes are about the same. Use a wire wreath frame or even make your own from a wire coat hanger- just unbend and rebend into a circle. You can use the hook to hang your finished wreath. Finished wreaths will be about 2-3 inches larger than the frame, so judge accordingly.

Gather together scissors, fabric remnants or ribbons, pins – florist pins if you have them -  fishing line, wire and a selection of leaves, flowers and the like, with long stems.

Once you have a proper circle, or square, if that is your desire, attach floral wire – sometimes called paddle wire – anywhere along the frame. Tie it to the frame at that point with fishing nylon. and keep unspooling it and wrapping as you go around the frame. Heavy-duty thread can also be used, but it is a risky choice. Before things get bulky, attach a bit of wire on the back for hanging, or cut a length of ribbon and run it through the back so you can hang the wreath from a hook or nail.

I like to decide where the bows are going to be first. I cut 2 foot streamers of gold or textured ribbon, depending on the size of the finished wreath and how big you’d like the bows to be, and loop under the fishing line. Leave the ends loose for now.

Start with the lightest color leaves, arranging several sprigs, stems outward, to make a curved row circling the form. Tuck the longer stems under the fishing line, and use the florist pins to attach the shorter stems.

Create a second and third row with the rest of the foliage so that the three rows are equidistant from each other. Be sure to keep all sprigs curving in the same direction and to overlap the sprigs to hide the pins.

Using the same technique, make overlapping rows all around the form. You should now have ten to twelve rows on the form. If you are adding berries or twigs or anything small, carefully attach them to wire and shove the wire deep into the wreath. Give it a good shake. If it moves, you’ll have to dig down into the wreath and press the ends of the berry-wire around the central wire to secure.

Now tie the bows, make any adjustments, and there you go. Remember, there are 12 days of Christmas, but January and February go on forever. That gives you lots of time to get beautiful homemade gifts into the hands and homes of those that will treasure them.

Francesca Biddle Weston

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 of exhibits, vendors and speakers showing off the latest in the world of home and garden. Master craftsmen will be on-site to show their wares. Adults $8, Seniors: $7, Under 12s Free. Friday and Sunday, 11am-6pm, Saturday 11am – 8pm.

www.bighomeshow.com/

January 9th — Peterborough, UK

Gardener’s Question Time

Live Q&A with the BBC Gardening Team. The recording will take place at Springfields Events Centre, Camelgate, Spalding, PE12 6ET. Doors open 5.30pm. Record starts 6.30pm. Tickets cost £2.50and must be purchased in advance from the Springfields Horticultural Society, 01775 724 843 or events@springfields.net.

January 12th and 19th — Melbourne, AUS

Twilight Garden Walk

Enjoy the tranquility of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne on this guided walk at 6-7.30pm. Bookings essential; phone (03) 9252 2429. 10 dollars adult, 8 dollars concessions.

www. rbg.vic.gov.au

January 12th — New South Wales, AUS

Guided Walk for Kids

Children aged five years and up can take a fun guided walk in the Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens looking for wild things to use in crafts; bookings (02) 4567 3000 or tomah@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Bells Line of Road via Bilpin New South Wales 2758.

www.mounttomahbotanicgarden.com.au

January 13th – 15th — Roanoke, Virginia

Roanoke Home and Garden Show

Everything for your home and garden, including hardscapes, building and landscape materials, a huge plant sale (Cash & Carry), and Orchid and Hydroponic growing supplies. Friday  13th: 2:00 – 7:00, Saturday 10:00 – 7:00, Sunday 15th: 11:00 – 5:00. Adults, $8.50, under 17, Free. Cash or checks only.

www.roanokehomeandgardenshow.com/

January 13th – 15th — Riverside, California

The Riverside Home & Garden Show

The Riverside Convention Center opens up for educational and informative demonstrations, displays and seminars on the newest ideas in home improvement, landscaping, swimming pools, decks, patios and gazebos. Friday 13th:  12 – 7, Saturday 14th: 10 – 7, Sunday 15th: 10-6.

www.homeshowconsultants.com/

January 14th — Tucson, Arizona

Compost Expo

Join the Tucson Organic Gardeners for the first ever “Tucson Compost Expo.”  Gardeners can shop,  compare and purchase what they need to have a productive organic garden. Also available will be composting equipment and  information. Admission is Free. 10am – 2pm. St. Marks Garden, 3809 E. 2nd St.

info@TucsonOrganicGardeners.org

January 23rd — London, UK

Gardener’s Question Time

Live Q&A with the BBC Gardening Team. The recording will take place at The Wolfson Theatre, Royal College Physicians, 11 St Andrews Place, London NW1 4LE. Doors open 5.30pm. Record starts 6.30pm. Tickets cost £2.50and must be purchased in advance. Contact Amy.Rooks@rcplondon.ac.uk.

January 25th – January 28th — Budapest, Hungary

Hungarian Garden Expo

A forum for and about gardeners and gardening in Hungary, held at the Budapest Fair Centre, 1101 Budapest Albertirsai út  10. Information available in English on their website.

www.kertkiallitas.hu

January 26th, 28th and 29th — Newport, AUS

Australia Day at the Native Zen Garden

Celebrate the holiday in the Native Zen Garden, an exciting coastal Australian plant garden set on a cliff top overlooking Newport beach. See Lilly-pillys, banksias, lomandra, grass and other native flora. Open 10am-4.30pm. Adults $8.00, Under 18s, Free. 27 Calvert Pde, Newport

January 28th & 29th — Devonport, Tasmania

Devonport Liliums Show

See the flower show at the East Devonport Recreation Centre, featuring one of Australia’s top displays of liliums, Oriental and Orienpet Hybrids, floral art and seed sales. Caroline Street, East Devonport, 03 6435 1298.

www.bloomingtasmania.com

 January 29th –  New Hope, Pennsylvania

Monarch Butterflies and Their Miraculous Migration

Join naturalist Mark Garland for an intimate look at the lives of monarch butterflies. Learn about conservation concerns and ways that you can help these seemingly fragile creatures. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938. 2-3 pm

www.bhwp.org

January 29th — Woking, Surrey, UK

Snowdrop Season

Bulb expert Lady Christine Skelmersdale describes the many attributes of these jewels of the winter garden. There will be a big range of varieties to purchase, together with all sorts of companion plants.11:30am, 2pm. The events are FREE, but please book a place by calling 0845 612 1253.

www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley

January 30th –  Denbigh, UK

Gardener’s Question Time

The BBC’s Gardener’s Question Time is in New East Wales, live,  to discuss the garden and take your questions.The recording will take place at Denbigh Town Hall. Crown Lane, Denbigh, LL16 3TB. Doors open 5.30pm. Record starts 6.30pm. Tickets cost £2.50, you must contact Sue Griffith,  07721 621 488

February 1st -5th — Muenster, Germany

Flower and Leisure Fair

The Fruhling Blumen Freizeit, North Rhine – Westphlia’s lagest indoor flower show, takes place at the Messe und Congress Centrum, Halle Münsterland. Daily 10am – 6pm. Adults 9 Euros, concessions 5 Euros. adult admission entitles use of all buses and trains in the area of  the VGM.

www.fbf-muenster.de

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 being Uncle Gordon, who fought  in the Italian Campaign, and my nephew’s imminent arrival, who might make an unexpected early appearance during these Christmas holidays.

In honour of this coming together of cultures, we take a look at Christmas across the world. I’ll be checking in post-Boxing Day, so until then, cherish the friendly faces you will spend the holidays with, and as always, love the life you live.

Arabella May Biddle

In Peru, Christmas is celebrated at midnight on the night of December 24th and the morning of December 25.  Children sleep all day so they can stay up to midnight, when traditionally the Christchild was born, to celebrate with fireworks. Peruvians also eat a kind of bread called panettone, which contains raisins and fruit in various markets.

In Uganda, the celebrants go to church and meet their families, but what differs is the type of celebration. Ugandans like to eat, drink and be very, very merry, and a lot of people can be seen dancing in the streets. A traditional meal is Luwombo, consists of smoked or baked meat, potatoes, bananas, and a mixture of spices and herbs wrapped in banana leaves and roasted. Amaranthus is collected to decorate the home, because of it’s brilliant red colour.

Mandatory for Christmas in Sweden and Denmark is a candle-trimmed Silver fir tree. Norwegian spruce is the slightly cheaper option for some families. Sweden and Denmark serve traditional foods such as herring, yams, and marzipan. Danes, who celebrate Christmas on the 24^th,  have a nice treat called Ris al’a Mande, a spiced rice pudding, that comes with a game included. The person receiving the serving containing a hidden almond must try to hide it from the inquisitive faces gathered around the table for as long as possible. There is usually a prize given to the winner. In Sweden you might enjoy surströmming, a fish soup served with slices of mandarin.

Although they share many similar traditions with their cousins in the United Kingdom, Australia has some key differences—most obviously, the weather. Christmas in Australia can take place on the beach, where children change the lyrics to “Jingle Bells” to include “Jingle Bells, jingle all the way. Christmas in Australia on a hot summer day, hey!”

Traditional holiday plants in Australia include Blandfordia grandiflora and Blandfordia nobilis (see photo), the large and slightly smaller types of Liliaceae, and the Christmas Bush, Bursaria spinosa, which is a thorny shrub that produces wonderful quantities of white flowers just in time for late December.

Perhaps the best known of all Christmas plants is the Poinsettia, which many people don’t realize comes from Mexico, where it is called Flor de Noche Buena. When you place yours in the drawing room, take a moment to think of Joel Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, who imported the plant to the US and started the entire process.

Another Mexican Christmas tradition is Atole, a warm sweet beverage thickened with cornmeal. It sounds so delightful we’ve included the recipe below. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• Milk or water — 5 cups
• Cornmeal or Masa harina — 1/2 cup
• Brown sugar — 1/4 cup
• Cinnamon — 1/2 teaspoon
• Vanilla — 1 teaspoon
• Chocolate shavings – as desired

1. Whisk the milk or water, masa harina, sugar and cinnamon in a large saucepan until smooth.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to stir until thickened, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla and most of the chocolate. Sprinkle remaining chocolate shavings on top. Serve hot in mugs.

As I find it is so important to get the entire family involved in setting the house up for the hoildays, I asked my daughter what she would like to help with. “Elves!” she answered, meaning unpacking the heirloom collection of festive animal-esque figurines and placing them on almost any flat surface. It should be noted that a) half of those naughty noddies are from last year’s January sale at John Lewis, the half that aren’t chipped or, well, too twee for words, and b) she has the heavy hand of a six year old decorator. I heavily edited her work after she went to bed.

The next day we got busy on making wreaths, with which I guarantee your child will love to help.

The first step of this process in drying the flowers you will need. We can discuss the actual construction in another post.

Most of the flowers you will dry require hanging upside down in an airy and warm place, preferably in the dark, but at least in low light. Strong light will bleach out the colours– is that what you want? Fading of pigment is an oxidation chemical reaction, which requires water and light. Flowers of course contain water, which we are going to remove. The light is removed , the water dries up, the reaction stops. Once the water is removed completely, you can reintroduce the dried flower into the light. Allow plenty of room for air circulation between the hanging bunches, as this will aid the drying process and prevent mould forming, but you don’t want a breeze. We are using the closet near the laundry room. The laundry room cupboard is far too humid.

Pick flowers when they are dry, and divide up into small bunches. We found quite a few lingering in the garden. Gently shake flowers to remove any bugs, or let your six year old do an inspection. My girl isn’t squeamish at all. Remove thorns -parent, this is your job -  and any damaged leaves or flowers

Tie each with an elastic.  Most of the time, the bunches are going to be hung upside down, so you’ll have to source a place for this.

Most flowers will take around two weeks to dry. Test each by flexing the head of the flower – carefully. If it gives, then it is not yet ready.

Okay, here are the exceptions. Although it sounds contradictory, some flowers need to be dried upright in water. Hydrangea, Lady’s Mantle and Gypsophila should have their stems placed in a vase with about an inch of water in the bottom. They will siphon up fluids, while drying out on top. By the time the flowers have used all the water, they will have dried successfully. Another oddball is Cape Gold Daisies, or Geelsewejaartjie, also called straw daisies. Don’t pick these little sweethearts too late — take them inside when the outer two or three rings of petals have developed. If the centre of the flower is on view, you’ve missed the window.

Now to hang and start the drying process. Find an old cotton sheet, and cut 3 or 4 inch slits here and there. Once you hang the flowers from the rack, you’ll be covering them up with this, ghost-style. Make sure the sheet won’t scrape the floor, as the point is to have air circulating fully.

Your flowers are bundled and your drying location selected.  Simply hang your bundles on your drying rack, rod or line. My daughter and I used an old tie-rack of my husband’s that, if memory serves, was a Christmas gift from his boss about ten years ago, and have never really been fully put to use.

If your flower stems are sturdy, use plastic clothes-pegs to secure at the rubberbanded location. You can also use paper clips (goodness, do those come in handy around the house!) and bend into little S-hooks, and then just hang over the rack, tie-rack or hastily-strung up wire.

Now, wait about two weeks. Check the dryness by doing the snap-test: most flowers are dry enough when the end of the stalk snaps off cleanly. The stem inside should be dry to the touch and sight.

Snip off your rubber bands and separate each individual flower. Trim off any unsavoury bits, and you are ready to make a wreath, which we will discuss next time.

Until then, I’m distracting my pint-sized decorator by making more S-hooks than we will ever use. Keeps her away from the elves.

Francesca Biddle Weston

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 31^st.

www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

through January 8^th –  Boise, Idaho, USA

Winter Garden aGlow

15th Annual Winter Garden aGlow at the Idaho Botanical Garden – a dazzling display of nearly 250,000 sparkling lights artfully displayed throughout the holiday season. Virtual tour available on the website.  Daily, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m (garden closes promptly at 9:30 p.m.) Open rain or shine, also open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Adults: $8.00; Children 4-12: $4.00; Members: $4.00 under 3, free.

www.idahobotanicgarden.org

through January –  Valencia, Spain

Olive Picking and Meditation Retreat

A working spiritual retreat. Harvest 250 olive-laden trees, meditate, garden  and hill walk in a place of natural beauty and peace.

www.amitavati.com

December 6^th – Atlanta, USA

Landscape Basics and Design Fundamentals

Get the most out of your garden by applying simple fundamentals of landscape design. Learn how to combine color theory with plant textures and forms to aid the plant selection process. Consider different design styles and come away prepared to make your garden a success. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Call for details.

www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

December 7, 9 & 10 – Washington DC, USA

Gardening and History in the Smithsonian Gardens

Learn about gardening from Cindy Brown, a Smithsonian Gardens education specialist, and tour the spectacular Enid A. Haupt and Mary Livingston Ripley Gardens. Afterward, participants create botanical crafts to take home. Event is 2 ½ hours, limited to 25 participants. Dress for weather. 10am start on Wednesday and Saturday, 2pm start on Friday.

http://residentassociates.org

December 7^th – Mullingar, Ireland

Christmas Floral Demonstration

An evening with designer florist Richard Haslam at Belvedere House. Doors will open at 7.30pm for mulled wine reception; Floral demonstration will begin at 8pm. All floral arrangement made on the night will be raffled on the night. Book now at +353 (0)44-9349060. Tickets are €10 each.

http://www.belvedere-house.ie

December 10 & 17 – St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Horticultural Workshops

Variety of horticulture specialty classes offered every Saturday at the Sunken Gardens. Contact guest services for programs and holiday availability. Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

www.stpete.org/sunken

December 10^th – Pretoria, South Africa

Carols by Candlelight Concert

Enjoy the sounds of Irish Pipes and Drums, followed by an inspiring performance by the Mzansi Youth Choir at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden.  Tickets for all concerts are available at www.ticketbreak.co.za Price: R50.00, Pre-sale at gardens: R50.00, Senior Citizens: R40.00; Children under 13: free. Gates open at4pm, show starts at 6pm.

E.Adams@sanbi.org.za

December 10^th –  Vancouver, BC

Van Dusen Botanic Gardens Bird Walk

Meet at the Garden entrance. Join Jeremy Gordon for a birding exploration in the Garden. Rain or shine. Free for Members or with Garden admission. , 10 a.m.

December  10 & 11th

Holiday Wreath & Centrepiece Sale at the Van Dusen Botanic Gardens

Decorate your home with a holiday centerpiece. Presented by VanDusen Dried Flower Arrangers, in the Entrance Pavilion.   Available at Tickets Tonight, the Garden Shop or the gate. Adults, $13.50, Senior (65+): $10.00, Youth (13-18): $10.00, Child (3-12): $7.50. Family tickets, $31.00, Members: $10.75

www.vandusengarden.org

December 12^th —  Kent, UK, December 13^th – Gloucestershire, UK

BBC Gardener’s  Question Time Taping

The radio programme recordings will take place at The Sinden Theatre, Homewood School, Ashford Rd.,TN30 6LT, and King George’s Hall, Chapel Lane, Mickleton GL55 6SD.  Doors open 5.30pm. Record starts 6.30pm. Tickets cost £2.50. The Sinden Theatre Box Office T: 01580 763 826. For Gloucestershire, call Sandra Reed 01386 438026.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f

December 23^rd — USA

Deadline for application — I Can Grow Youth Garden Awards

The 2012 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award will be presented to established or start-up school and community gardens that demonstrate well-developed and staffed plans for a youth-centered educational program, with an emphasis on nutrition and food production, environmental awareness, social responsibility and scholastic integration.

www.burpeehomegardens.com

December 29 – 31^st – Belmont, North Carolina, USA

Holiday Lights at the Garden

Tour the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and the Orchid Conservatory (open January 1^st). Enjoy pianist James East from 6-9pm.

www.dsbg.org/

December 26 – 28^th – Queens, NYC

Holiday Open House

Work off holiday meals with a walk through the gardens of Queens Farm. Enjoy tours of the decorated farmhouse, craft activity for the children and mulled cider. Admission: free. 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

www.queensfarm.org/

The spring brings with it an annoying pest, the slug.

If slugs are a problem in your garden, consider using organic pest control methods to dispose of them, you’ll find them quite nearby.

Start at the beginning with throwing them out of their homes. Rake up your mulch in spring and compost it. Then, start your garden in open soil and wait two months to add a fresh blanket of mulch.

A few years ago, more American scientists, looking for organic ways to kill slugs, found that quack grass (also known as dog grass, or twitch) contains a substance toxic to slugs. Since then, many backyard slug slayers have experimented with feeding the little monsters quackgrass treats, which are made by mixing chopped, dried quackgrass leaves with corn bran, cornstarch and beer. The gifts are placed randomly in the garden, to much effect.

Another option is spraying coffee on plants, in fact caffeine in any form is not good, excepting colas. The sugar there will bring a host of new problems into the garden. Most chemists will sell caffeine pills that you can mix with water and spray directly onto the plants.

The most famous organic remedy is of course, lager. Put an inch or so of any beer in a cup, bury it in the garden nearly to the rim and the slug party will end in tragedy, with a few victims floating in the morning. If you don’t mind the look of it, pour two inches of beer into plastic drink bottles and lay them on their sides in the garden, caps off. The slugs will crawl in and drown. Dump them out and start over again every few days.

Enjoy the southern hemisphere spring rains, for it means summer is on its way!

Arabella May Biddle

I always burn the leftover cuttings from my cherries and gooseberries so that they don’t spread any infection around the garden. You should do so with apricot trees as well. It’s also good maintenance to rake away the leaves from amongst the trunks. This prevents leaf-borne diseases from recurring. It also reduces habitat for mice, which like to be destructive to fruit trees. You can cut the grass around the base of the tree as well if you’re up to it. My great-niece and nephew are big enough now to rake up the leaves, though not big enough for the mower, and over the next two weekends they will earn their Christmas money!

If your trees are young, they will need a tree guard placed around the trunks to prevent those hungry mice, voles and rabbits from nibbling the bark off your tree during winter, when natural vegetation pickings are slim. Homemade guards are effective and are dirt cheap. Cut the bottoms and tops off of 2-litre soda bottles to create cylinders (do take the nasty labels off, too). Place them over the tree, putting each one on the outside of the bottle below it to form a tube that is at least 25 centimetres high. Make two holes at the top and at the bottom. Run string through the holes and tie the tube to a wooden stake. Make sure your plastic is stuck into the ground just a bit – the more entrenched it is, the better. For the sake of aesthetics, wrap these up in a piece of burlap, and you’re set.

My friend Alastair is a huge proponent of painting this tree trunks — what do you think of this idea, dear reader? His garden, if that is what you would call such a large and wonderful estate, gets quite a bit of snow, as he is north of Hadrian’s Wall.  Each fall his trees, apple and pear and the lot, get a fresh coat of white latex paint (a watered down solution) up the trunks and onto where the lowest branches meet. This prevents sunscald. Alastair swears by it, and offers his wonderful Invincible pears as proof. Myself, I don’t bother, as snow is not a problem, much, for me, and I am not so in favour of the appearance.

Whether or not you choose to paint, get yourself prepared for the coming cold. I shall be out in the garden today, looking out for any tent caterpillars

Tent Caterpillar

(see a photo I’ve included – I’m very glad to report those are not inhabitating in my garden this year!)

and pulling down their cobwebby little homes. If there are eggs laid upon, you should be able to see them, but my motto is, why bother looking? With my trusty broom in hand I shall sweep my trees clean and get my garden ready for the winter!

Love the life you live,

Arabella May Biddle

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 when nitrogen based fertilizers were first created, but because they were still far too expensive for the average farmer or gardener to use, there was no widespread usage of chemical fertilizers until the beginning of the 20th century. Now they are available at the local garden centre.

Unfortunately, studies show that despite greatly increasing food production for people in developing nations, the growing use of nitrogen as a nutrient is affecting people’s health. Does this outweigh the benefits? What are we to think?

According to scientists from a few American Universities (Rice University and the University of Colorado at Boulder were two that I saw mentioned), changes in the global nitrogen cycle, while beneficial in increasing crops, pose a growing health risk. “Roughly half of the inorganic nitrogen ever used on the planet has occurred in the past 15 years.” Amazing.

“The overuse of nitrogen fertilizers can lead to a number of problems, including air and water pollution,” the Colorado study says. There are also health concerns for those of us getting up in age, who might be more at risk for respiratory ailments and heart disease. Scarier still, there are many science boffins looking into links between overuse of nitrogen fertilisers and several cancers.

So what to do? The easiest, from my perspective, is to grow, and buy, organic. As I talk about in my book, Easy Guide to Organic Gardening, it doesn’t have to be hard. For those of you who supplement your garden with store-bought produce, the obvious recommendation is to point you toward the organic section (better still, go to famer’s markets). If you are looking to buy organic produce, you might find it does cost a little more, so start gradually. The five with which to begin are apples, peaches, strawberries, celery and spinach.

It pays to think about what it took to get your food to your plate.

Arabella May Biddle

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 a variety of cut flowers. Plant sales and advice from plant experts.  St Ailbe’s Hall, Margaret Street, Launceston. Entry $2 Saturday 2pm-5pm; Sunday 9am-4pm.

www.bloomingtasmania.com

November 12 — Glendora, California

Vegetables in Pots

Learn how to grow edibles year-round. Experts show you how to plant your own winter veggie and herb garden in your favorite container.  Armstrong Garden Centers, Route 66, Glendora. 9am.

www.armstronggarden.com

November 12th — Birmingham, Alabama

Hikes for the Tikes

Join nationally known story-teller, Ashley Hulsey Coutch, for a story and a nature hike through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.  Hands-on activities if the weather is not pleasant. 10am – noon. FREE.

www.bbgardens.org

November 12th, 13th — Belmont, Victoria, Australia

Geelong Bonsai Show

A display of 120 plus magnificent trees,demonstrations and advice on your projects, and a well-stocked trading table. Adults $4. 10-5, 10-4pm. Masonic Centre, Regent Street, Belmont, Vic

www.geelongaustralia.com.au

November 18th – 20th — Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington Home and Garden Show

Fantastic feature gardens, products and demonstrations, and give-aways. Dedicated section for garden products & services. Adults $8, Seniors Special Friday Only $5, under 16 Free (w adult). 10-6pm, Sun til 5pm.

www.homeandgardenshow.co.nz/shows/wellington-home-garden-show/

November 24th — Kew Gardens, London

Exploring Natural China

Author Heather Angel discusses her latest visit to China, where she photographed  verdant bamboo forests, spectacular caves, lush rainforests and exquisite alpine flowers.Thursday 24 November 7pm.  Jodrell Lecture Theatre. Tickets: £5 (£4 Friends, Premier Friends). Booking required.

www.kew.org

November 25th – 27th — Nelson, New Zealand

Nelson Home and Garden Show 2011

One of New Zealand’s most important and interesting home and garden products exhibitions. Showcases all type of garden care products, home and garden furniture, home and garden lighting, home and garden decoration products.  Trafalgar Centre, Paru Paru Rd. Adults $6, seniors special ONLY on Friday $3, under 16 free with adult. 10am – 5pm.

www.homeandgardenshow.co.nz/

25th – 27th November — Mexico City

Expo Casa y Jardin

The Home and Garden Expo offers products and services to decorate, to innovate and renovate interior, exterior and garden spaces. World Trade Center , Col. Napoles.

www.tradex.mx

28th November  – Coral Gables, Florida

Plants and People Program for Alzheimer’s

Fairchild Gardens presents the Plants and People Program for Alzheimer’s. Early to mid-stage patients and their caregivers will be treated to lunch and an exclusive and interactive tram tour of Fairchild. 11:30 a.m. Free, but registration  required one week in advance.

www.fairchildgarden.org

2nd December — Coral Gables, Florida

The Plant ID Workshop

Bring a cutting from your plant to Fairchild’s Herbarium team on the first Friday of every month. Space is limited to the first twelve people that reserve online. Please no photographs, real specimens only. Fairchild’s Center for Tropical Plant Conservation in the front seminar room, located at 11935 Old Cutler Road. 1pm.

www.fairchildgarden.org