Herb - Chives

Chives are one of my favorite herbs. They're trouble-free, easy to grow, have beautiful flowers, and it's oniony flavor taste so good in soups, baked potatoes, and cottage cheese to name a few. They do well in full sun with a well-drained and rich organic soil. The tops die down in winter, so there's no maintenance involved.

Chives are the smallest member of the onion family and are found growing in clumps in Asia, Europe and North America. The plant naturally repels insects in the garden, and the juice from the leaves can also be useful against fungal infections, mildew and scab. It's also been useful to lower blood pressure to a lesser extent than garlic.

Chives' culinary uses are with fish, potatoes and soups and are usually found in grocery stores year round. Gardeners can also dry-freeze the chive leaves with good success for winter use.

my glitter flowers garden

Hi friends; because I like the colours and like flowers; and since some of neat glitter graphics in messages.

Why are Honey Bees dying off?

Imagine a world without honey bees!

Have a look at this research article and see for yourself the reasons why we

as gardeners should be very concerned: Just click on the attached link below...

When Can We Water?

Due to the significant rainfall in the early weeks of September, Raleigh water customers may water their lawn and plants THREE days a week. Under the new rules residents with odd numbered addresses may water lawns on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Those with even numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Sprinkler systems may operate between midnight and 10 a.m. Sprinklers attached to garden hoses are allowed between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Watering with a hand-held hose is not restricted. Although we have more access to water, it does not mean we should not do our best to conserve it.

Here are several tools available to help you do this:

Timers: These are a must have. They allow you to water whenever you need to, even if you are not at home. Just set the timer to water when and how long you need it. The timer will turn on and off automatically. This will allow you to take that well deserved vacation without stressing about your plants.

Drip Irrigation: This is the most efficient way to water your plantings. Water is applied directly to the base of the plants and drips into the soil. This eliminates runoff and delivers 100% of the water to the plant roots.

Soaker Hoses: Weave them around your plants and water weeps out the entire length of the hose. These are easy to install and are an excellent choice for plants that are close together.

Sprinklers: These are not the most efficient way to water, but are getting better. You can now choose from a ton of different styles that water in different shapes. You can also control the distance and width of the sprinkling path with some models.

Some other things to consider when looking for watering accessories:

Quick-connects: These allow for easy connecting and disconnecting of your watering tools.

Rain sensors: Hook these up to your water timer so your sprinkler does not run when it has recently rained.

Plant Nannies: Connect a drink bottle filled with water to these for extended watering of containers.

With the right combination of these water accessories and a little help from Mother Nature, protecting your green leaved investment should be no problem. For more information on the current water restrictions, visit http://www.raleighnc.gov

Ornamental Cabbage and Kale

Home gardeners who wish to have year-round color in their flower beds and borders are faced with a dilemma in attempting to locate appropriate plants for use in late autumn and winter. One group of plants that has been developed to fit in this time slot are the ornamental cabbages and kales. Both are classified as Brassica oleracea (the same as edible cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflower), but the ornamentals are better for coloring the garden than they are for eating. While these plants are listed as flowering cabbage and kale, they are grown for their colorful leaves, not for their flowers.

Growing ornamental cabbage, ornamental kale: Grow in large pots in a soil mix and feed weekly with a water-soluble fertilizer as recommended on the package. Transplant to the garden or display container in September. Before transplanting, remove tatty bottom leaves. Plant into the ground so that the crown of leaves is flush with the soil surface (roots will grow along the buried stem).

Propagating ornamental cabbage, ornamental kale: Start new plants from seeds. Sow 6 weeks in advance of outdoor planting at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not cover the cabbage seeds since light aids germination, conversely, cover kale seeds with 1/4 inch of soil.

Uses for ornamental cabbage, ornamental kale: Kale or cabbage are best planted in areas where you can peer into the center-on slopes, doorsteps, decks, and patios. They're also successful in ground beds and in large plantings.

Ornamental cabbage, ornamental kale related varieties: Dynasty Series cabbage in link, red, or white have semi-waved leaves. Ornamental kale in red or white include: Chidori Series, Osaka Series, and Nagoya Series, which are all heavily fringed and especially uniform, and the Peacock Series, which is more compact than others.

Winter Daphne

The Winter Daphne (Daphne adora) is a native of China and Japan. It is a beautiful rounded, evergreen shrub with deep, glossy green leaves that is extremely fragrant with deep purple, pink and white flowers.

The Winter Daphne thrives in well-drained soil with morning and filtered sunlight. This plant is a wonderful gift or addition to your garden to brighten up grey late winter and early spring days. Ideal for use by an entry or beautiful against a wall or near a patio or deck where its fragrance can be appreciated.

To Reduce Global Warming....Plant a Tree!

If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon doxide during its lifetime!

Environmental Benefits of Trees

In addition to the aesthetic beauty a tree brings, there are many other benefits, one of which is an environmental one!

Trees alter the environment in which we live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water, and harboring wildlife. Climate control is obtained by moderating the effects of sun, wind, and rain. Radiant energy from the sun is absorbed or deflected by leaves on deciduous trees in the summer and is only filtered by branches of deciduous trees in winter. We are cooler when we stand in the shade of trees and are not exposed to direct sunlight. In winter, we value the radiant energy of the sun. Therefore, we should plant only small or deciduous trees on the south side of homes.

Wind speed and direction can be affected by trees. The more compact the foliage on the tree or group of trees, the greater the influence of the windbreak. The downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail is initially absorbed or deflected by trees, which provides some protection for people, pets, and buildings. Trees intercept water, store some of it, and reduce storm runoff and the possibility of flooding. By planting trees and shrubs, we return to a more natural, less artificial environment.

Now in Stock: Over 250 Camellias (20 different Varieties)

Camellias have beguiled southern landscapes for over 100 years!

They can generally withstand winter temperatures as low as 10 degrees; they can be grown anywhere if you protect them and keep the roots from freezing. Camellias are shallow rooted, like the shade, and do the best in loose, fertile soil that is slightly acid. They do not like poor drainage. Fall is usually the best time for planting camellias. Select a planting site that provides alternate sunshine and shade in summer, some shade in winter, and protection from winter winds. Planting under a tall pine tree or on the north side of a building can provide these conditions.