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Video: Spring gardening tips for St. Louisans
ST. LOUIS (KSDK) – It didn’t seem like it Tuesday, but spring is just two weeks away.
That means it’s time to get out into your yard and do some work.
Heidi Glaus stopped by the Missouri Botanical Garden for some advice from the experts. Watch the video players above and to the left of this story to see her interview.
KSDK
Press release submitted by Orion Library.
Ken White, co-owner of the Corn Crib Nursery, will speak at the Western District Library in Orion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 at the Western District Library, Orion.
Mr. White will discuss spring preparations for lawn and garden, and will give tips about when and how to prune, fertilize, and care for plants.
He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in ornamental horticulture. He began working for his dad in 1972 when the Corn Crib was an open air market with strawberry fields and a pumpkin patch. Later the Corn Crib phased out of the vegetables and into a nursery. Ken and his brother, Duane, became partners in the late 1980’s when their dad retired.
No registration is required and there will be coffee and cookies.
JOPLIN, MO.— As spring gets closer, most of us want to add color to the yard, but mother nature can throw a wrench in our plans. Before you spring into digging and gardening, you may want to rethink what you can do with your green thumb.
“Certain crops you’re going to have to cover, whether it be with milk jugs, sheets, or some kind of protection. It’d be a great time right now to start to raise your garden, where it can be above ground,” states Rusty Boucher, Joplin Greenhouse Employee.
Although it’s easy to get caught up in the “pretty and pink” aisle, try going green right now.
“Spring time is a great time to plant trees, shrubs,” says Boucher.
If you just can’t resist the temptation to brighten your yard, add Petunias to that list. This years garden trends are organic plants and fairy gardens. With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, you can add a little luck to your gardening spread.
“For those of you with Irish blood, we do have Shamrocks,” says Boucher.
Employees at The Greenhouse tell us planting seeds deep in the soil is key to a successful bloom.
Spring is right around the corner and HGTV is helping fans get ready for it with tips on how to plan a classic kitchen garden filled with healthy vegetables as well as herbs and fruit.
Today HGTV reminded fans there is still time left for newbies to plant a productive vegetable garden. HGTV Gardens is offering useful ways to turn any space into a place to grow fresh produce. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is an affordable way to stay healthy and make recipes taste even better.
HGTV Reminds Fans to Start a Vegetable Garden Now
Often people purchase seeds to start vegetables at home. Those who miss that window of opportunity will spend more to buy seedlings later in the season. HGTV took to Facebook today to remind fans there is still plenty of time to start a vegetable garden. HGTV Gardens is featuring a few must-have tips to get you started. While you’re in the kitchen, consider a few of the HGTV Kitchen Cousins ideas to revamp the room.
One Facebook fan commented, “Not a newbie…but I am running a little late this year. So I am planning to start some seeds this week.” In a few weeks, those seeds will turn into plants than can be used to start a thriving kitchen garden. Daylight savings time is just a few days away so there will be more sun as well as spring rain to help new plants grow. By harvest time, you will have plenty of fresh produce to add to your favorite recipes.
HGTV Garden Tips for Great Vegetables, Fruit and Herbs
Some people have limited space but still want to grow their own produce. HGTV Gardens offers some fantastic ways to make it happen at your house. Crops can be mixed into flower borders. Recently HGTV shared ideas for making a raised garden bed that can be done almost anywhere. Window boxes can be filled with vegetable plants. Make the most of space by training fruit to grow against walls. Put climbing vegetables and vines on a trellis. In a courtyard or on a patio, many crops can be planted in pots or hanging baskets. This is often referred to as a container garden. These pots can even be moved around to make the most of sunny areas during the day.
If you have a container garden, you can plant dwarf fruit trees and compact vegetables. Ornamental plants for a kitchen garden include chard, kale and cabbage. Hang plants by the back or front door in a basket. Choose colorful ones such as tomatoes or strawberries or fragrant herbs. You can even use an old colander to make your own hanging basket. Raised bed gardens are pretty and make the most of a small area. You can also control the soil to grow a variety of crops. Use netting or fabric to try to keep pests out of your garden.
For adventurous people who want productive pets, try raising chickens. Hens can be kept in a small fenced area. They make a lot of waste and are best in a confined space. You don’t even need a rooster to get fresh eggs. Try a few creative growing ideas such as edible flowers. For example, sunflowers produce tasty seeds. Add pretty touches to an herb garden, such as a lavender border. Add arches or pergolas as well as a trellis to support crops such as zucchini. At the end of the season, you can harvest the zucchini to make a tasty bread. HGTV and HULIQ also offered some yummy suggestions for serving fresh spinach. The best produce this year may come from your own garden. It is a great way to get outdoor for exercise and eat healthy produce later in the season. Visit HGTV Gardens for more terrific ideas.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
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We aren’t feeling the warmth of Spring just yet, but inside the Coast Coliseum you couldn’t tell. As we prepare for the upcoming season, gardeners were making sure they’re prepared the days ahead.
“We have such a good time at the Garden Shows. We love seeing people that we’ve seen before, but we always get to meet so many new people. Particularly here on the Gulf Coast. Frankly there are always a lot more gardeners here every year,” Author and Garden Expert, Nellie Neal said.
Luckily for them, everything a garden fanatic could need was all under one roof. From potting soil, to seeds, and even top of the line advice. The idea for the show, that continues through Sunday, is to make even novice gardeners comfortable.
“It’s just a passion. Everybody coming is looking for something special, or to see bright things. It’s that first sign of Spring. Here it is, a cold gloomy day. Look around, this is Spring time,” vendor, Michele Varner said.
While outdoor living is seen as a pastime for many, there are others who see it as much more than a hobby. But whether or not you’ve utilized your green thumb, these experts say its never too late to start.
“Gardening really touches your soul. It’s one of the things in this world that, the more you put into it, the more you get out. It’s actually a great form of backyard therapy. We enjoy it because it makes us feel good. The better we feel, the better we do at everything else,” Neal said.
The Garden and Patio Show at the Coliseum wraps up Sunday at 4 p.m.
Copyright 2013 WLOX. All rights reserved.
Deborah Binder wanted some place to relax, and the dated bathrooms in her home just weren’t doing the job.
The Edmonds woman is a cancer survivor. When she and her husband, Gaetan Veilleux, bought a home two years ago, part of the deal was she would get a relaxing, spa-like bathroom.
She ended up redoing all three of the home’s bathrooms with the help of Emerald Design Kitchen and Bath of Everett. She also had a little luck: She entered a contest at a home show and won enough high-end countertops for all three bathrooms and her laundry room.
“She came in with a good overall feel for what she wanted,” said Karen Fugate, owner of Emerald Design and the designer. “Plus, she has beautiful taste.”
Binder wanted the remodel to stand the test time; the results feel rich and classic. The designer shared some wisdom that might come in handy on your remodel.
1. Tiles are going bigger. The tiles in the master bath are porcelain and 12-by-24 inches.
That reflects a trend toward the use of large tiles, particularly in bathrooms. It’s not uncommon to see tiles that are 18-by-18 inches or even 24-by-24. Some people shy away from tile because they assume the grout will stain or become discolored. That’s not the case if you choose an epoxy grout.
2. Go beyond granite. There’s no doubt that Binder lucked out when it comes to countertops. She won $5,000 in countertops from Cambria, a company that makes an engineered product made of quartz and resin.
The product is comparable to granite in quality, but it doesn’t need to be sealed. The color offerings number in the dozens, and the product is far more consistent in appearance than granite.
3. Do away with the shower curtain. Fugate encourages her clients to consider clear glass shower doors. This makes any bathroom feel bigger. It also allows beautiful tilework inside the bathroom to add to the visual appeal of the room.
Fugate places a wet-rated can light above the shower. It’s a nice practical touch but it also draws the eye and further enhances the feeling of spaciousness.
4. Get rid of the tub. People often assume getting rid of a bathtub will somehow hurt a home’s resale value. If you keep at least one tub in the house, that’s not true, Fugate said. Most people never use the bath, and would be better served with a large shower.
That’s exactly what Binder opted for in her 13-year-old son’s bathroom. Doing so made a small space feel larger.
5. If you want a soaking tub, go smaller. The old master bath featured a massive soaking tub with jets. Like most of Fugate’s clients, Binder wanted something smaller. The reason: Most water tanks aren’t big enough to supply the huge tubs with hot water.
A smaller, well-made tub can be just as comfortable, more affordable and take up far less space. And the water stays hot longer.
6. Go higher with cabinets and showerheads. If you own an older home, chances are your cabinets are a bit lower than a contemporary home. As people have gotten taller, so has the countertop level.
Fugate recommends also taking a look at the showerhead heights. Many builders put them in a little lower than is comfortable for taller folks. It doesn’t cost much more if the tub is coming out to adjust the height upward a few inches.
7. Replace wall-to-wall mirrors with framed mirrors. Most builders install mirrors that stretch the length of the wall above the bathroom vanity. A simple way to add some class and individuality to a room is to replace that wall-to-wall mirror with something framed.
It doesn’t have to be expensive. Binder finished the frame on her powder room mirror herself. The result is charming.
8. Keep what you can out of the landfill. Binder didn’t want to see still-good cabinets, fixtures and other items go straight into the trash. She took special effort to list them on Craigslist and find new homes.
In some cases, she made a bit of cash. Her polished brass fixtures were picked up by a dealer who ships them to Ghana for resale, where gold-colored fixtures are all the rage.
Emerald Design Kitchen Bath
The company continues to work with clients, despite a fire in November that destroyed the showroom in a brick building at 1814 Hewitt Ave.
The business has insurance and is working through the claims process, said owner Karen Fugate. It’s been tough on the business. Eventually, they plan to re-open a showroom.
In the mean time, Fugate and two other full-time designers continue to take on new projects. They’re working out of her home, just like when the business started nearly two decades ago.
Contact Emerald Design Kitchen Bath at 425-258-2600, or go online to www.greatremodels.com.
Elk Grove is still a ways away from sunny, 80-degree-plus days, but preparing a vegetable garden, flower bed or front yard for spring can start now.
In the attached video, Kyle d’Alquen of Big Oak Nursery gives five tips to prepare for the spring gardening season.
Big Oak Nursery is located at 11071 Grant Line Rd., and can be reached at 916-686-1180.
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What are your favorite gardening tips? What are you planting this season? Tell us in the comments section below.
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AS Mother’s Day approaches, there’s a wealth of choice of presents for the gardening mum, whatever your budget. Hannah Stephenson selects some of the best
From seed collections to fashion-conscious gloves for the green-fingered and innovative tool ranges, no gardening mother should be without a gift on Mothering Sunday.
There’s a plethora of choice, whatever your budget, from small seed collections and mug toppers for under a fiver to more extravagant floral fragrances and practical tools which are easy for mum to manage as well as dad.
Here’s just a few of the gifts on offer:
£5 OR UNDER
If your mother’s cuppa always goes cold when she’s working in the garden, treat her to a MugTopper, a clever accessory that creates an airtight seal on the top of a mug or glass, preserving the heat inside a warm drink and ensuring a cold drink stays cool, even in the sun. It also stops insects getting inside a drink. Four designs feature a rose, a bow, a mouse and a cat on top of each (£4.99 for a set of four, from www.apollohousewares.com).
Wild flowers have become much more popular in recent years and if your mother has an area of garden which she’d like to transform into a mini meadow, there are endless possibilities with collections of flower seed mixes from meadowinmygarden.co.uk. This innovative range contains seed mixes, using annual and annual/perennial seed combinations chosen for their beauty, low maintenance and cost effectiveness of their results. There is a seed mix suitable for various specific soils and aspects, open spaces, under tress, nooks and crannies, as well as tall species ideal for bouquets. For full details of the ranges, which start at £2.99, visit www.meadowinmygarden.co.uk.
£10 OR UNDER
If you want to say it with roses, BQ is launching a limited edition Amazing Mum rose on March 1 to raise funds for the charity founded by Prince Harry, Sentebale. The pink rose launches as part of activity to support the BQ Sentebale Forget-me-not Garden which will be unveiled at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. (£7.98, available in 50 stores. For details, go to www.diy.com). A donation of 20% of the purchase price will go to Sentebale.
Birds, bees and butterflies are featured in lifestyle artist Katie Alice’s vintage-inspired tableware and this floral-patterned porcelain tankard mug from her English Garden collection may provide inspiration for the gardener. (£6, from www.english-table.com and selected garden centres)
If you miss phone calls or text messages when you’re tending the garden, Briers’ new Pruner Pouch offers a solution, comprising secateurs and a pouch complete with a mobile phone pocket. Fitted with a belt clip, the Pruner Pouch enables you to stay contactable while you’re out gardening. (£10.99, www.briersltd.co.uk)
Mothers who save their own seeds would welcome a pretty, eco-friendly gift of a set of five stylish recycled cardboard seed saver tubs from the new Eco range from Burgon Ball (£6.95, www.burgonandball.com)
Orchids are still a hugely popular gift idea and if your mother has three, you could buy her the ideal container to show them off. Ebertsankey has just launched the Luzern 3, a contemporary single pot made of injection moulded plastic, which houses three separate plants and is available in fuchsia, white and granite. (£8.99 from good garden centres and DIY stores. For more information, visit www.ebertsankey.com)
£20 OR UNDER
Bird lovers can welcome visitors to their home with an unusual ornamental Birdies Wall Pocket, which can be filled with different flowers and foliage with each season. Designed in California, it’s made of rustic metal with three charming blue birds, which are often referred to as Blue Birds of Happiness, perched on the edge of the pocket (£18.95, www.home2garden.co.uk).
A gardener can never have too many gloves, but Ethel gloves are designed to specifically fit the contours of a woman’s hands – so they’re comfortable and pretty at the same time. The Jubilee, a creamy fleur-de-lis pattern against a royal blue background, is a timeless classic, made from two-way stretch Spandex with reinforced fingertips and is machine-washable. (£13.50, www.ethelgloves.co.uk and Amazon)
Gardening shoes don’t have to be boring any more thanks to a new range of designs from Back Door Shoes, including a pretty red and cream roses print. These shoes have no air holes in them so don’t let water through but are washable and ideal for just popping out on to the patio or up the garden without getting your feet wet (£20, www.backdoorshoes.co.uk).
£30 AND UNDER
Keen vegetable gardeners who are going away later this year may appreciate the new Growbag Waterer from Hozelock, which keeps plants watered for up to 14 days. By simply placing a growbag on top of the waterer, the integral capillary matting transfers the required amount of water from the reservoir to the compost. (£24.99, available from leading garden and DIY stores)
If your mother loves to keep the flowers she has grown, this new flower press from Nether Wallop will preserve many of the pretty blooms as keepsakes. The kit comes with acid-free blotting paper, cardboard separators and full instructions. (£29.95, www.netherwalloptrading.com)
OVER £30
To really pamper your mother, look no further than the Alison Claire Natural Beauty range, all with long-lasting natural scents. Featuring an anti-ageing cream containing natural moisturisers, orange and patchouli hand cream, peppermint and witch hazel foot cream, rose geranium body lotion and mango body butter, it is beautifully presented in a pink and white gift box lined with pink tissue paper. (£55, www.alisonclairenaturalbeauty.com)
Gardening mums often end up doing the spade work but there is help at hand for the more labour-intensive jobs such as hedge-trimming. Check out the new Bosch AHS 45-15, a lithium-ion battery-operated gem of a machine, which is light, easy to use and doesn’t have any of those awkward wires which always seem to get in the way (£89.99, BQ, information at www.bosch-garden.co.uk).
AS Mother’s Day approaches, there’s a wealth of choice of presents for the gardening mum, whatever your budget. Hannah Stephenson selects some of the best
From seed collections to fashion-conscious gloves for the green-fingered and innovative tool ranges, no gardening mother should be without a gift on Mothering Sunday.
There’s a plethora of choice, whatever your budget, from small seed collections and mug toppers for under a fiver to more extravagant floral fragrances and practical tools which are easy for mum to manage as well as dad.
Here’s just a few of the gifts on offer:
£5 OR UNDER
If your mother’s cuppa always goes cold when she’s working in the garden, treat her to a MugTopper, a clever accessory that creates an airtight seal on the top of a mug or glass, preserving the heat inside a warm drink and ensuring a cold drink stays cool, even in the sun. It also stops insects getting inside a drink. Four designs feature a rose, a bow, a mouse and a cat on top of each (£4.99 for a set of four, from www.apollohousewares.com).
Wild flowers have become much more popular in recent years and if your mother has an area of garden which she’d like to transform into a mini meadow, there are endless possibilities with collections of flower seed mixes from meadowinmygarden.co.uk. This innovative range contains seed mixes, using annual and annual/perennial seed combinations chosen for their beauty, low maintenance and cost effectiveness of their results. There is a seed mix suitable for various specific soils and aspects, open spaces, under tress, nooks and crannies, as well as tall species ideal for bouquets. For full details of the ranges, which start at £2.99, visit www.meadowinmygarden.co.uk.
£10 OR UNDER
If you want to say it with roses, BQ is launching a limited edition Amazing Mum rose on March 1 to raise funds for the charity founded by Prince Harry, Sentebale. The pink rose launches as part of activity to support the BQ Sentebale Forget-me-not Garden which will be unveiled at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. (£7.98, available in 50 stores. For details, go to www.diy.com). A donation of 20% of the purchase price will go to Sentebale.
Birds, bees and butterflies are featured in lifestyle artist Katie Alice’s vintage-inspired tableware and this floral-patterned porcelain tankard mug from her English Garden collection may provide inspiration for the gardener. (£6, from www.english-table.com and selected garden centres)
If you miss phone calls or text messages when you’re tending the garden, Briers’ new Pruner Pouch offers a solution, comprising secateurs and a pouch complete with a mobile phone pocket. Fitted with a belt clip, the Pruner Pouch enables you to stay contactable while you’re out gardening. (£10.99, www.briersltd.co.uk)
Mothers who save their own seeds would welcome a pretty, eco-friendly gift of a set of five stylish recycled cardboard seed saver tubs from the new Eco range from Burgon Ball (£6.95, www.burgonandball.com)
Orchids are still a hugely popular gift idea and if your mother has three, you could buy her the ideal container to show them off. Ebertsankey has just launched the Luzern 3, a contemporary single pot made of injection moulded plastic, which houses three separate plants and is available in fuchsia, white and granite. (£8.99 from good garden centres and DIY stores. For more information, visit www.ebertsankey.com)
£20 OR UNDER
Bird lovers can welcome visitors to their home with an unusual ornamental Birdies Wall Pocket, which can be filled with different flowers and foliage with each season. Designed in California, it’s made of rustic metal with three charming blue birds, which are often referred to as Blue Birds of Happiness, perched on the edge of the pocket (£18.95, www.home2garden.co.uk).
A gardener can never have too many gloves, but Ethel gloves are designed to specifically fit the contours of a woman’s hands – so they’re comfortable and pretty at the same time. The Jubilee, a creamy fleur-de-lis pattern against a royal blue background, is a timeless classic, made from two-way stretch Spandex with reinforced fingertips and is machine-washable. (£13.50, www.ethelgloves.co.uk and Amazon)
Gardening shoes don’t have to be boring any more thanks to a new range of designs from Back Door Shoes, including a pretty red and cream roses print. These shoes have no air holes in them so don’t let water through but are washable and ideal for just popping out on to the patio or up the garden without getting your feet wet (£20, www.backdoorshoes.co.uk).
£30 AND UNDER
Keen vegetable gardeners who are going away later this year may appreciate the new Growbag Waterer from Hozelock, which keeps plants watered for up to 14 days. By simply placing a growbag on top of the waterer, the integral capillary matting transfers the required amount of water from the reservoir to the compost. (£24.99, available from leading garden and DIY stores)
If your mother loves to keep the flowers she has grown, this new flower press from Nether Wallop will preserve many of the pretty blooms as keepsakes. The kit comes with acid-free blotting paper, cardboard separators and full instructions. (£29.95, www.netherwalloptrading.com)
OVER £30
To really pamper your mother, look no further than the Alison Claire Natural Beauty range, all with long-lasting natural scents. Featuring an anti-ageing cream containing natural moisturisers, orange and patchouli hand cream, peppermint and witch hazel foot cream, rose geranium body lotion and mango body butter, it is beautifully presented in a pink and white gift box lined with pink tissue paper. (£55, www.alisonclairenaturalbeauty.com)
Gardening mums often end up doing the spade work but there is help at hand for the more labour-intensive jobs such as hedge-trimming. Check out the new Bosch AHS 45-15, a lithium-ion battery-operated gem of a machine, which is light, easy to use and doesn’t have any of those awkward wires which always seem to get in the way (£89.99, BQ, information at www.bosch-garden.co.uk).
