March 30, 2019 |
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Weekly news from the National Gardening Association |
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 Do Freesias Bloom More Than Once A Year?  |
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"I planted some Freesias last winter, and they came up, and are blooming beautifully (despite having been totally flattened in a wind storm!). I have been pinching off the individual blooms as they die, to maintain the appearance of the plant, but there are green seed-pod looking things below at the bases of the flowers as well. Should these be removed, or should I leave them and just let the whole plant die back? Also, the bag that the bulbs came in indicates two blooming season; one in early spring and one in late summer. Does this mean that the Freesias will bloom again later this year, or does this indicate different blooming times depending when they are planted (the bag only shows one planting season, in fall)?" - Read the answer |
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GARDEN TOWER |
Have you tried the Garden Tower? We have one and love it. Features: Grow 50 Plants & Vegetables in Four Sq. Feet Compost & Garden in One — Nutrient Rich Gardening Minimal Upkeep & No Weeding Required — Rotates for easy accessibility
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ARTICLES TO READ |
Winter SquashNo vegetable is more linked to the fall, winter and holidays than winter squash. "Squash" is actually taken from a Massachusetts Indian word, askutasquash, meaning "eaten raw". Although native Americas may have eaten some winter squashes raw, we enjoy cooking them in pies, cakes, curries, casseroles, cookies and soups. The variety of winter squashes available to cook with can be staggering. From huge pumpkins (technically a winter squash) to diminutive delicata squashes, there's a shape, size, color, flavor, and texture of winter squash for just about every dish. 
Growing GardeniaGardenia is best known for their fragrant white flowers, gardenias are heat-loving evergreen shrubs that have become a gardening symbol in the Southeast. Another common name is cape jasmine. 
Lamb's Ear: Growing and Caring ForLamb's Ears is a very hardy and strong-growing perennial, with thick white-wooly foliage, valued as a dense, low growing, spreading bedding plant in the landscape. 
Growing PeoniesPeonies are renowned for their large, colorful, bowl-shaped, flowers and dark green foliage. Once established, these beauties are some of the longest-lived and most reliable garden plants. 
Growing GladiolusA classic cut flower, gladiolus produces tall flower spikes adorned with large, showy flowers. Often relegated to the cutting garden, gladiolus also suits the back of the border where the tall flowers can complement bushier plants. 
Early Spring Bloomer- The Oriental PoppySporting huge, cup-shaped blooms in early summer, the Oriental poppy is the most striking of the perennial poppies, and the delicate, papery flowers belie the plant's hardiness and durability. 
FoxglovesFoxglove bears tall, dramatic spikes of tubular flowers with speckled throats. Foxglove blooms in midsummer and adds elegance to a perennial border, woodland area, or shade garden. |
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AWESOME NEW PHOTOS FROM THIS WEEK |
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NOTABLE DISCUSSIONS FROM OUR FORUMS |
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HELP AMPLEHARVEST . ORG: |
AmpleHarvest.org (yes... that’s it’s real name) is an award winning nationwide nonprofit that enables millions of America’s home and community gardeners to donate their excess harvest to more than 8,400 food pantries in all 50 states (See the TED talk to learn more). They are asking for 5 minutes of your time to take a short survey (before April 15 if possible) learn how much excess food gardeners like you grow, and their desire to donate it to food pantries where possible. Regardless of if you grow 2 tomatoes in the kitchen window or have a small farm outback - you are invited to help. Please invite all of your gardening friends nationwide to also participate. The results will be made public for all to see. Thank you.
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THE NUMBERS FROM LAST WEEK: |
| 1,261 members joined. 4,670 posts written in our forums. 1,306 photos posted to the plant database. 887 plants added to personal inventory lists. |
