The European Collard Dove has rapidly spread across North America in the past 30 years and is often confused with the common ring-neck dove which is a common cage bird and if often released. Here is a good page to help you with discerning which bird you are seeing.
http://www.internationaldovesociety.com/RNColorPics/RNECDCompare.htm
The weather has been warm enough lately to allow some early bug populations to take off! Nip these in the bud using environmentally safe pesticides.
Arthur
www.arthurinthegarden.com
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Saturday, April 19, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Is winter back?
One last cold snap to remind everyone that Winter is not over, yet! This should be the last, though. The rain has made everything nice and green. The trees are just about all leaved out. Its looks like Spring is over but the temps don't say it yet!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Farmer's Market time
Its time to visit the farmer markets. I am all about buying local to support our local farmers and to keep the money local, too!
http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com/
http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/facilities/markets/raleigh/
www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
http://www.localharvest.org/
http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com/
http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/facilities/markets/raleigh/
www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
http://www.localharvest.org/
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Garden Balsam
Old Fashioned Garden Balsam
Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a native of India and is known for it's quick growth from seed to bloom. The annual blooms are slightly hidden by the dark green foliage, but both are pretty and charming. If given plenty of sun, rich soil and water it will spread out about 12 inches wide and it will grow to two foot tall. Double Camellia Mix, which is easy to locate in seed catalogs, grows to about 10 inches tall and has a double bloom which is very pretty. The stems are thick and sturdy, so they won't need support.
You will find varieties in white, pink, rose, red, orange, lavender, purple as well as combinations of colors. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost if you'd like early blooms, but they can also be direct seeded in the soil when frost has passed. Balsam transplants well, even when in bloom, which is a definite plus if you tend to plant too many and need to make room, as I have been known to do on occasion!
Though balsam has very short stemmed blooms that can't be used as traditional cut flowers, they can be cut and floated in glass bowls for a pretty summer accent. The blooms are similar to small open roses or camellias. Though the bedding impatients, available in garden centers are far more popular, I think Garden Balsam is a lovely old fashioned plant that should be added to everyone's garden.
Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a native of India and is known for it's quick growth from seed to bloom. The annual blooms are slightly hidden by the dark green foliage, but both are pretty and charming. If given plenty of sun, rich soil and water it will spread out about 12 inches wide and it will grow to two foot tall. Double Camellia Mix, which is easy to locate in seed catalogs, grows to about 10 inches tall and has a double bloom which is very pretty. The stems are thick and sturdy, so they won't need support.
You will find varieties in white, pink, rose, red, orange, lavender, purple as well as combinations of colors. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost if you'd like early blooms, but they can also be direct seeded in the soil when frost has passed. Balsam transplants well, even when in bloom, which is a definite plus if you tend to plant too many and need to make room, as I have been known to do on occasion!
Though balsam has very short stemmed blooms that can't be used as traditional cut flowers, they can be cut and floated in glass bowls for a pretty summer accent. The blooms are similar to small open roses or camellias. Though the bedding impatients, available in garden centers are far more popular, I think Garden Balsam is a lovely old fashioned plant that should be added to everyone's garden.
You can usually find the seed in the heirloom section in the garden center or on on-line
Flower Seed Resources:-Thompson&Morgan Seeds--Nature Hills Nursery -Park Seed-Monticello Garden Shop
http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week337.shtml
Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a native of India and is known for it's quick growth from seed to bloom. The annual blooms are slightly hidden by the dark green foliage, but both are pretty and charming. If given plenty of sun, rich soil and water it will spread out about 12 inches wide and it will grow to two foot tall. Double Camellia Mix, which is easy to locate in seed catalogs, grows to about 10 inches tall and has a double bloom which is very pretty. The stems are thick and sturdy, so they won't need support.
You will find varieties in white, pink, rose, red, orange, lavender, purple as well as combinations of colors. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost if you'd like early blooms, but they can also be direct seeded in the soil when frost has passed. Balsam transplants well, even when in bloom, which is a definite plus if you tend to plant too many and need to make room, as I have been known to do on occasion!
Though balsam has very short stemmed blooms that can't be used as traditional cut flowers, they can be cut and floated in glass bowls for a pretty summer accent. The blooms are similar to small open roses or camellias. Though the bedding impatients, available in garden centers are far more popular, I think Garden Balsam is a lovely old fashioned plant that should be added to everyone's garden.
Garden Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) is a native of India and is known for it's quick growth from seed to bloom. The annual blooms are slightly hidden by the dark green foliage, but both are pretty and charming. If given plenty of sun, rich soil and water it will spread out about 12 inches wide and it will grow to two foot tall. Double Camellia Mix, which is easy to locate in seed catalogs, grows to about 10 inches tall and has a double bloom which is very pretty. The stems are thick and sturdy, so they won't need support.
You will find varieties in white, pink, rose, red, orange, lavender, purple as well as combinations of colors. Start your seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost if you'd like early blooms, but they can also be direct seeded in the soil when frost has passed. Balsam transplants well, even when in bloom, which is a definite plus if you tend to plant too many and need to make room, as I have been known to do on occasion!
Though balsam has very short stemmed blooms that can't be used as traditional cut flowers, they can be cut and floated in glass bowls for a pretty summer accent. The blooms are similar to small open roses or camellias. Though the bedding impatients, available in garden centers are far more popular, I think Garden Balsam is a lovely old fashioned plant that should be added to everyone's garden.
You can usually find the seed in the heirloom section in the garden center or on on-line
Flower Seed Resources:-Thompson&Morgan Seeds--Nature Hills Nursery -Park Seed-Monticello Garden Shop
http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week337.shtml
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Wind, Rain, and a little cold!
The nearly week of regular rains have been welcomed. Unfortunately, the cold has damaged some blooming plants such as my Asian magnolia. The winds help in clearing dead limbs and such. If you have a limb grinder you could add them to you compost for you garden.
Remember, in planning for you garden this year its important to remember the drought and don't plant too much that needs regular watering. This will save you money on wasted plants that die (like I did) or on plants that are not going to thrive.
Remember, in planning for you garden this year its important to remember the drought and don't plant too much that needs regular watering. This will save you money on wasted plants that die (like I did) or on plants that are not going to thrive.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Make your own seed starter pots!!
http://underwoodgardens.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/836
Paper PotMaker
Ingenious, environmentally friendly way to recycle newspaper into 2 1/4 in. seedling pots which hold water remarkably well and can be planted directly into the garden. Economical and easy - even a child can do it. Made of solid maple to last for years and even become an heirloom.
Paper PotMaker
Ingenious, environmentally friendly way to recycle newspaper into 2 1/4 in. seedling pots which hold water remarkably well and can be planted directly into the garden. Economical and easy - even a child can do it. Made of solid maple to last for years and even become an heirloom.
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