Raindrops bounced across her driveway Tuesday morning as Liv Sallows grabbed an umbrella from her trunk and started walking toward her backyard.

A little rain wasn’t going to stop her.

“We’re wash-and-wear,” she joked.

Besides, there was work to be done in the garden.

Make that, gardens.

Sallows has multiple gardens on the Bestwick Avenue property she shares with husband David. The plots are huge by any standard, covering nearly every square metre of the landscape and holding so many flourishing species of plants, grasses and ornamental trees that it would be a challenge to try to count them.

“You see the Shasta daisies over there?” asked Sallows, pointing to a thicket of white flowers as wide and tall as a kitchen table. “I started 25 years ago with one packet of seeds in one corner of a garden.”

On Sunday, Sallows will be one of 15 homeowners to open their yards for the seventh annual Summer Garden and Pond Tour, a fundraiser organized by Lyons Landscaping in benefit of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

For $15, participants not only gain access to all 15 properties, but something better: the wisdom and experience of expert gardeners like Sallows.

“This is my passion,” said Sallows, who spends anywhere from one to six hours a day tending to her gardens.

That passion shows. Every corner of her property is a floral masterpiece. Wispy grasses, long-stem flowers, blossoming trees and vibrant succulents are everywhere — spilling from shaded or sun-drenched tiered beds at the front, sides and rear of the property.

Delphiniums, dahlias, angel trumpets, and begonias — you name it, she’s got it.

No only that, she’s happy to share all her secrets for success.

“It’s a passion with people who garden and are really keen on it that we need to go out and see what other people do, because they are all so different,” said Sallows.

“You glean ideas and information and knowledge from seeing how other people do things. It’s like peoples’ homes; we each decorate in our different styles . . . and it’s the same with gardens.”

Tickets to Sunday’s tour are available at Lyons Garden Centre, Kamloops Florist Ltd. and Legends Used Books. Proceeds go toward the Sept. 30 CIBC Run for the Cure, a fundraiser for the breast cancer foundation.

Wheaton, IL, June 07, 2012 –(PR.com)– Two unique gardens by Bruss Landscaping are being featured in a garden walk that will take place on June 16th, 2012 in downtown Glen Ellyn, IL.

The event, entitled Through the Garden Gate, invites the public to tour 7 unique garden spaces at homes throughout the architecturally rich community. Two gardens designed and installed by Bruss Landscaping are featured on the walk. The gardens by Bruss Landscaping are numbers 2 4 respectively, on the garden walk map.

The whimsical backyard railway garden called “Prairie Crossing” incorporates a large model railroad display with adjacent water features, streambed, unique specimen plantings, curving flagstone walkways, and patio.

The unconventional rooftop garden offers a rare view of the downtown Chicago skyline from its elevated deck location. The airy space features an outdoor kitchen and bar area with extensive container gardens comprised of interesting plant selections. Modern outdoor furnishings and stylish fire table complete the setting.

The annual Glen Ellyn garden walk marks the transition from spring to summer for the west suburban community and area garden aficionados. The gardens will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the walk, with Master Gardeners on hand at several locations to answer plant questions.

Tickets for the event are available on the Bridge Communities website and at participating Glen Ellyn retailers. View and download the map at: https://www.bridgecommunities.org/uploads/cms/documents/garden-walk-web-map-2012.pdf.

Bruss Landscaping, Inc.
Bruss Landscaping, Inc. is a third-generation family business founded in 1952, and is located in Wheaton, IL. The company specializes in residential landscape architecture and construction, serving homeowners in DuPage and eastern Kane counties. The firm employs two landscape architects and four landscape designers, with over 80 years combined experience. Bruss Landscaping is a member of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, the Glen Ellyn and Wheaton Chambers of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau. Owner Eric Bruss is a frequent contributor to Glancer Magazine, offering advice on all matters related to gardening and landscaping. In 2011 the company was honored by the magazine as a winner of their annual Reader’s Choice Award.

Bridge Communities
Bridge Communities is a non-profit organization that is based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Bridge Communities offers transitional housing and support services to homeless families that live and work in DuPage County. Founded in 1988 by community volunteers Mark Milligan and Bob Wahlgren, Bridge has grown to include nearly 100 units of transitional housing and 18 shared-equity home ownership condominium units. To learn more about their services and fund-raising events go to: https://www.bridgecommunities.org/What-we-do/index.html

(NECN: Eileen Curran, Walpole, Mass.) – Peonies, hydrangeas and roses–signs of the season, and for breast cancer patient Nicole Cataloni of Walpole, Ma, they are signs of hope.

“I think of a garden– as it dies off in winter and comes back to life– that’s kind of the process of cancer,” she said.  “You kind of think this current life you are living is dying away but you know you are blooming into a new life.”

     To help her in this new life is a small army of volunteers from the group Hope in Bloom.

     The group converges on the home of a breast cancer patient undergoing treatment and in one day creates a beautiful garden. It’s back breaking work–removing the old–and planting the new.

     Their hope is to help in the healing.

 “The plan to have a brand new front landscape for Nicky and her family to enjoy, said Roberta Hershon, founder and executive director of Hope in Bloom. “When they drive up to the house, they’ll see something positive, they’ll see something pretty.”

     Because battling cancer is not pretty–or easy.
        Cataloni has undergone surgery and chemo.

“By the end of the 6th cycle, I was really beaten,” said Cataloni.  “My body had just taken a beating.”

     She now faces radiation.

     Cataloni is mother to Madelyn, Dominic and TJ, and wife to Tom.  She was diagnosed last November. It was a shock. She had no family history and was only 33 years old.

“It is scary,” she said.  “The first thing I thought of was my children. It was scary to think of them being without their mom for the big things in life.”

     –And the small, like planting a single flower.

“Where’s a good place to plant this flower?” asked Madelyn.

   Hope in Bloom volunteers often times are breast cancer survivors themselves, or have lost a loved one to cancer–like landscape designer Brenda Irving.

“I had two parents who passed away from cancer,” said Irving, owner of Gardens with Spirit.  “I know it’s a time that’s very busy and it’s hard to get to your landscape (done). I walk away from here knowing the family doesn’t have to worry about the landscaping– it’s tidy, it’s fresh and that makes me feel great.”

     Hope in Bloom was started by Roberta Hershon in 2007, after her best friend Beverly died of breast cancer.

“What I was able to do was make sure she always had flowers in her house and her garden looked great,” said Hershon.  “I saw that through her treatment, she looked forward to a new bouquet. She felt better when something was around her with color and she really perked up.”

     Cataloni gets choked up when she thinks of the effort by all these volunteers.

“It’s just so touching, for somebody to come and provide this garden– it’s just very touching,” she said.  “I just want to thank them. I’m so grateful for the work they are doing.”

     Work that has transformed her yard, and touched her heart.

“This is the time of the year that I love to sit on those big front stairs over there and I will sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden. It really is giving hope and new life to cancer patients.”

     For more information on Hope in Bloom, go to hopeinbloom.org

If you go

What: Rotary Botanical Gardens’ 18th Annual Home Garden Tour

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 21, rain or shine.

Ticket booklets: $12 the day of the tour or $10 in advance. Tickets are available in Janesville at Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, or KW Greenery, 1328 E. Highway 14; or in Milton from Patty’s Plants, 819 E. High St. Children ages 12 and younger admitted free. The booklet also acts as a one-day entry pass into Rotary Botanical Gardens on July 21.

For more information: Call (608) 754-1779.

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Photo by Mark Kauzlarich

A wrought-iron gate serves as a welcoming point for the Skinners yard. It is one of many personal touches throughout the couple’s property.

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Photo by Mark Kauzlarich

Flowers surround a barn that serves as an outbuilding and shed on the Skinner property in Janesville. The home’s garden will be part of Rotary Botanical Gardens 18th Annual Home Garden Tour on July 21.

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Photo by Mark Kauzlarich

This metal work by the Skinners’ son, Tyson, is one of several in the gardens.

Gardeners can see the results of 14 years of landscaping when they visit the home of Tom and Sue Skinner.

“It’s an eclectic theme,” Sue said.

“And not really formal,” Tom said.

The couple’s garden is among seven home gardens and a botanic garden featured in this year’s Rotary Botanical Gardens Home Garden Tour on Saturday, July 21.

When the Skinners bought the North Parker Drive property, they found the landscape to be plain, overgrown and not their style.

They removed trees, replacing each with two new trees. They ripped out the slate patio in back of the house and the low hedge that bordered it. They removed concrete steps in front and replaced them with limestone to match the 1839 Greek revival house—one of the earliest homes of Janesville.

They resurrected the buried wire fence on the south side of the house and replaced the cedar posts of the front antique wrought iron fence with new concrete posts.

“We pretty much replaced everything,” Tom said.

We’re very interested in keeping with the history of the house,” Sue said.

A wood trellis, with a pattern that resembles a checkerboard, leans against the house. It came from an 1840 Greek Revival House in Illinois that was being demolished. Sue had extra trellis slats made into planters to match the trellis’ game board squares.

“We like old, vintage stuff. I love the patina,” she said.

Metal wire sculptures for planters, large copper flowers and whirligigs made by the couple’s son accent garden beds.

Pieces of glass, china and pottery Tom unearthed through the years while digging in the yard have been incorporated into sculptures Sue made as well as into a concrete serving table and patio tabletop.

“So we try to incorporate anything we find on the property into the yard/gardens,” Tom said. “This place is a treasure trove of artifacts.”

The Skinners have used vines and branches to create sculptures scattered throughout their gardens, which feature perennials and colorful bursts of annuals Sue started from seed.

Tom and Sue find unusual objects in interesting places for their gardens, such as a marble bench and black urns found at rummage sales, a bird bath base somebody had set out as trash, tin cutouts of two dogs from an estate sale and an outhouse turned gardening shed found online on Craig’s List.

Tom saved a historic Civil War summer kitchen that was featured in a 1976 Bicentennial edition of historic buildings of Rock County. After restoring the smallest example of a Greek revival building in the county, he decided to use it for storage.

Years later, Tom discovered that the person from whom he bought the outhouse was the son of the man who owned the summer kitchen.

For the most part, the Skinners are done landscaping.

“Now it’s maintenance,” Tom said.

HOME GARDEN TOUR FEATURED GARDENS

Tom and Sue Skinner, 2306 N. Parker Drive, Janesville.

See feature story.

Matt and Konya Schuh, 2365 N. Parker Drive, Janesville.

This property, nestled along the Rock River, features showy flowerbeds near entrance pillars that lead visitors to this stately home accented with flower containers, a Japanese maple and other plantings of colorful perennials and annuals. A swimming pool, pool house, fireplace, cooking area and fountain welcome guests to the backyard, which is bordered by a woodland edge that supports a wide range of wildlife giving guests a feeling of the country in the city.

Dave and Milly Babcock, 10118 N. Trescher Road, Milton.

This garden is perpetually a work in progress since there is always room for more flowerbeds. Situated adjacent to a 15-acre pond and surrounding woodland, this wildlife haven is accented by 45 wood duck houses, 10 bluebird houses and numerous bird feeders. Many of the flowers planted throughout this garden are intended to attract and feed the animals. A waterfall and pond with surrounding landscape were recently added to the garden that includes a variety of plants and wood-chipped paths into the woodlands.

Jeff and Penny Miller, 9106 N. Raven Drive, Milton.

This sloping property contains three acres of shade gardens with meandering trails that weave around 220,000 hostas representing more than 2,100 different varieties. It also features perennials, trees and shrubs, plus a 30,000-gallon pond with four waterfalls and benches to sit on and enjoy scenic views.

Dave and Barb Bendlin, 656 St. John’s Court, Milton.

For more than 12 years, the Bendlins have worked to create gardens that include rocks, stone paths, waterfalls, ponds and a stone shed that complements cottage-style gardens of perennials, ornamental grasses, flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs, plus dwarf and miniature conifers for year around color. They also designed and created hummingbird and butterfly gardens, plus rock, wildflower, vegetable, Asian and water gardens.

Mark and Karen Shulz, 4554 E. Hillcrest Drive, Milton.

This wooded lot features a long driveway bordered by a dry creek surrounded by hostas, ferns, hydrangeas, coral bells, Japanese maples and other shade-loving perennials. A sunny perennial bed that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds accents the back yard while a pond with a stream and Koi fits into the natural slope of the land. Ornamental edibles can be found in the vegetable garden while a copper arbor leads guests to a woodland path highlighted by hemlocks, redbuds, fringe tree, native viburnums, witch hazel, a seven sons tree and varieties of dogwood.

Doug and Mary Agard, 4967 N. Grandview Drive, Milton.

This 3-acre lot sits on a hill bordering the Ice Age Trail, where its homeowners have spent the past 26 years clearing the oak woodlands of invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle and replanting a variety of shade-tolerant plants and shrubs. Pathways also have been developed and a small pond with a waterfall has been incorporated with native prairie plants to attract birds.

Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville.

This 20-acre nonprofit botanic garden features 20 different garden areas and 4,000 varieties of plants. Of the themed gardens, many have an international focus such as the Japanese, Scottish, French formal, Italian and English Cottage gardens. The less formally structured gardens include fern and moss gardens that have been recognized by the Hardy Fern Foundation, as well as shade, prairie and woodland gardens. There also is a visitor center, gift shop and facility that can be rented for wedding receptions, reunions, memorial and meeting.

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Englewood Lawn and Landscapes celebrates 10 years in the Tri-Cities

 

When James Schnepel was a young boy growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois, he always enjoyed helping out with his family’s garden and flowerbeds. As he grew up, if he wasn’t doing his farm duties he could likely be found assisting his grandmother with landscaping chores. Because of his natural desire and passion working with gardens and landscaping, it was no surprise when he made the decision to incorporate his lifelong interest into his college and professional career.

After graduating from Mississippi State University with a Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Schnepel decided to do a global job-hunting search. About six months ago, he arrived in Kingsport – after several interviews and research – to work for Englewood Lawn and Landscapes and has felt right at home ever since with the company.

In February 2002, Englewood Lawn and Landscapes, LLC, was started by owners Mike Duncan and Tim Simounet in Mike’s garage with two used pickups and tools out of their basements. Over the years, Duncan and Simounet took the smart growth approach by slowly expanding and adding employees as the business took off and their client base grew. Six years ago, Englewood moved to Kingsport due to their growing Kingsport client base and to have a central location to best serve the entire Tri-Cities.

Englewood Lawn and Landscapes is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year and Schnepel feels fortunate to have found such a welcoming company that allows him the freedom to express his landscaping ideas in a positive atmosphere.

Along with general landscaping, Englewood provides a wide array of maintenance services such as mulching, lawn aeration, insect and weed control, and customized lawn-care treatments, just to name a few services. They also provide landscape design consultation, irrigation, hardscapes, outdoor lighting, water features, natural stone work, outdoor living spaces as well as outdoor kitchens.

Schnepel is quick to point out that customer service is essential to every employee at Englewood and that customers become friends and part of the Englewood family.

“I absolutely love working here and I have the best customers. Everyone here has been welcoming and willing to listen to my ideas and showcase my knowledge and abilities through my education and experience,” said Schnepel.

He laughingly notes that it was intimidating coming into a large company as the “new kid from the midwest” but has found everyone, especially his customers, to be extremely gracious, friendly and open to new ideas, high quality work and something unique for their landscapes.

Schnepel works with an extremely talented design team which features three full-time designers. Tim Simounet leads the design team, leading Schnepel and Jarett Crump in sales for the company. Crump also holds a B.S. in Landscape Horticulture. With over 30 years experience and multiple collegiate degrees, Englewood features one of the most educated and diverse design teams in the region.

Schnepel is excited about the possibilities with Englewood and the Tri-Cities. His master’s program focused on green technology, which included rain gardens.

“I am seeing green technology being introduced as ordinances and I hope myself and Englewood can become a part of that process,” said Schnepel.

For more information on Englewood Lawn and Landscapes or to schedule a free estimate, call 423-726-2481, visit their website at www.englewoodlandscapes.com or, for regular updates and opportunities to win great prizes for your landscape, “Like” them on Facebook.

　

　

　

　

　

MY only wish at this time, gardening friends, is for that rather cold SW wind to ease off. When the wind drops, old JF normally brings in a clear, sunny, still day, so yours truly is hoping JF gets cracking before long.

As previously mentioned in my column, this year seems to be flying by. We are now entering the middle month of the year, so it is again time to introduce the Rose of the Month feature.

The rose for June is Double Delight, one which a garden friend says is her favourite. Read on and form your own opinion.

This rose was introduced into the world of roses in 1977. It is a hybrid tea rose, developed from a freelance partnership of American rose breeders, Herbert C Swim and Oliver L Weeks.

These two virtually dominated American rose breeding from 1950-1960 and three you make know of, Master Lincoln, Pink Parfait and Royal Highness, were developed by these two breeders.

The blooms, which develop from longish, pointed buds are not especially large but are well shaped with a high centre and are very fragrant.

The flower period is from spring to autumn and the petals are of an ivory colour at the centre and when exposed to the sun, the outer edges turn to a crimson colouring during the repeat flowering.

Double Delight has a parentage of Granada X Garden Party, and has been awarded with the Baden-Baden Gold Medal in 1976; the Roman Gold Medal in 1976; the All-American Rose Selection in 1977; the Belfast Fragrance Prize in 1980; the James Alexander Gamble Rose Fragrance Medal in 1986 and, in that same year was voted Best in the World by the World Rose Convention.

All in all, readers, quite an impressive award listing, so if interested in obtaining a specimen, best of luck in your search.

Now to a gentle reminder, in 10 more days, the WHS Garden Extravaganza will start.

If more information is needed, call secretary Margot Cory on 4661 1414, or president Graham Gillam on 4661 3156.

To gardening friend Barbara now, to continue answering queries about the Camellia which was started in last week’s column.

Barbara, methinks you would be amazed if you could discover just how many cultivars have been developed from the species so far discovered.

The numbers for this will range into thousand upon thousands and there are new species still being discovered, so further numbers of cultivars will be developed.

Will be in touch with you shortly, ‘cos a descriptive list of species and cultivars will be far too large for this column, and abbreviation of information will not do the plant justice.

Old Lacka Space is really putting on a stop act now, so one has to quit.

Here’s an ender quote from Dale Carnegie, a bit of logic here: “Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain – and most fools do”.

‘Til next week, happy gardening.

Read more lifestyle stories.

Landscaping with cactus has been an acquired taste for many gardeners, but it appears the appetite for the robust plants is growing. Lingering drought, watering bans and low-maintenance requirements are making cacti more popular.

Their striking flowers, unusual shapes and longevity add to the appeal. “There’s a high reward ratio with cactus,” said Scott Calhoun, author of “The Gardener’s Guide to Cactus” (Timber Press, 2012). “Take the aesthetics alone. They’re extraordinarily beautiful. Even when they’re out of flower, they have graceful patterns on them. “Calhoun, who lives in Tucson, Arizona, said he has encountered enthusiasm for cacti even in areas where people can’t easily grow them, such as Japan, Thailand and the Czech Republic. “They simply put them in pots and haul them in and out,” he said. Cacti can live for decades, a real value, Calhoun said. “Some of these plants you can pass down to your kids and your kids can pass them down to their kids.”

“They’re known to grow above the 14,000-foot (4,267-meter) level on mountains in Colorado and as far north as Canada’s Northwest Territories,” Calhoun said. “There’s a great diversity of cold-hardy cactus to be had.”

Cacti are succulents, native to the New World. Approximately 250 of the recognized 3,000 species are found in North America.

If you’re going to plant cacti, put temperature-tested plants, cuttings or seeds – preferably those native to your area – in places with southern exposures, if possible. Give them at least six hours of sun per day.

Provide a bed of 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 centimeters) of sandy soil, supplemented by granite or gravel mulch. Be stingy about watering, particularly in autumn when the plants are evaporating away any surplus moisture.

“Once cacti are established, they don’t need any extra watering and only a little supplemental watering when it’s extremely hot and dry,” said David Salman, founder and chief horticulturist for High Country Gardens, an online and mail-order company in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “I do give them some organic fertilizers – particularly if I’m trying to optimize their flowering and accelerate their growth. Cacti don’t react well to chemicals that people commonly use throughout their landscapes.”

Calhoun also recommends integrating cacti with other plants. “That’s the way they grow in nature,” he said.

Cacti may be stuck with a prickly reputation, but there are spineless, scented and edible varieties, he said: “The hardy Beehive has fragrant flowers followed by edible fruit that tastes like strawberries.”

Cactus is the clever gardener’s alternative, said Richard Ward, owner of The Dry Garden Nursery in Oakland, Calif.

“Water loving plants (like roses) are the dinosaurs of the past,” Ward said. “They’re like gas-guzzlers on the road. People are pretty much going for water-wise gardens they can install and pretty much forget about.”

”From today they will be able to water where necessary to get new gardens,
lawns and plants established, and their clients will be able to continue
this for up to 28 days.”

The water company has agreed a code of practice with the Horticultural Trades
Association (HTA), the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), the
Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) and other landscape trade bodies to
ensure supplies are not wasted.

It has vowed to lift restrictions for the rest of its 8.8 million customers as
soon as possible.

”While the topsy-turvy British weather – record downpours after a record dry
spell – has been working in our favour lately, we need to see how much water
gets deep underground where we need it for what could still be a hot-dry
summer,” Mr Aylard added.

Another six water companies are granting businesses a reprieve from the ban,
Thames Water said.

Tim Briercliffe, director of business development for the HTA and APL, said:
”We are delighted that water companies have reviewed the restrictions on
the landscape trade in light of the recent rainfall.

”Our members were facing serious business challenges as a result of the
restrictions and this was likely to get worse with lost contracts and job
losses. Much of this can now be averted thanks to this decision.

”Our members fully support the need for water efficiency and will do all they
can to carry out water efficient practices, such as the use of drip watering
systems, and to promote these to their customers.”

Tim Mudge, chief executive of the TGA, said: ”We’re pleased that the water
companies have recognised the important role turf plays in helping replenish
our water supplies.

”The turf industry has already been hit hard by the hosepipe ban, with our
members reporting a number of redundancies and reductions in sales of up to
60%.

”We hope the exemption will improve the situation as people begin to buy and
lay turf again.”

Earlier this month, the Environment Agency confirmed groundwater levels were
still low across the country and parts of East Anglia and the South East
remain in drought despite the downpours.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has raised the possibility of
standpipes returning to UK streets, saying heavy rain has not solved water
shortages and that a wet winter is needed to ensure supplies returned to
normal levels.

The beautiful giant candles make a show.

ONE of the most popular of Australian native plants is the Banksia family, that contains a very broad range of plants from ground covers to low and tall shrubs as well as trees.

The brightly coloured flowers make an extraordinary display, and even when those flowers fade, they are still eye-catchers.

Their growing requirements are easy to provide: they need well-drained soil, and thrive in full sun to dappled shade.

As their native habitat is usually in poorly fed soil, if you need to feed them at any time, provide only those fertilisers low in

phosphorous, and you’ll find there are some good ones available stating they are ideal for natives.

If you notice at any time the leaves are yellowing, it is safer and quicker to provide iron chelates following a good thorough watering.

There are some outstanding Banksias flowering at present.

We enjoyed seeing some of the lovely tall shrub form B. oblongifolia displaying their soft honey coloured flowers in the Wappa Dam park this week, while the magnificent B. giant candles is making a real spectacle of itself at Fairhill Nursery, on Fairhill Road, Yandina.

Giant candles, which are a cross between B. ericifolia and spinulosa, grows about 5-6m tall, and 1.5m wide, and produces absolute masses of the largest flowers you can imagine – 40-50cm long from now through winter into spring.

Into the bargain, these beauties are also most attractive to honey-eating birds, and the rainbow lorikeets that were happily feeding in the tall shrub we were admiring, absolutely ignored us being right near them.

So, if you’re looking to attract birds to your garden, and seeking something colourful in the garden for the winter, don’t look past this one. And, while you’re about it, consider some of the many groundcover and lower shrub forms available.

Breakfast with the Birds

We also learned while we were at Fairhill that the next Breakfast with the Birds is coming soon.

Go along and be guided through the garden by one of the members of the Wednesday Club – birdlovers who know the gardens well – and you could see 60-plus species of birds throughout the area.

The bird walk will be followed by a delicious breakfast at

Elements Restaurant in the nursery, then Nick will provide a brief talk on the right plants to attract birds to your garden.

If you are interested in this event, give them a call on 5446 7088 or email them on retail@fairhill.com.au.

Those blessed weeds

As readers know, we often write and advise you to eliminate those weeds that are the most opportunistic plants in the garden.

Gardeners will have noticed that following rain, the plants that take off faster than anything else are weeds.

So, if you want to save some water and nutrients for the plants you really want, get rid of the weeds.

Apply the hoe to them as they appear, remove the larger ones roots and all, and if necessary, apply weed poison, always being careful to avoid getting it on your precious plants.

Among the many ways to make it easier for yourself is to only spray weedkiller on a wind-free day, and if you’re still not confident, paint it on to the leaves of the weeds.

An excellent tip our family used quite often in our nursery was the following from Phil Dudman’s The Garden Guru.

Boil a kettle of water and carry carefully into the garden. As you wander around, pour the hot water into the centre of the weeds.

You can, of course, refill and boil the kettle as often as you need it, and finally, make a cup of tea, and wander around sipping and feeling good at the results you get very quickly.

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(ARA) – Window boxes overflowing with blooms, decorative pots lining the driveway with striking colors, and even a flowering vine climbing up the mailbox – the growing season have arrived, and it is time to decorate the landscape.

The latest gardening trend is growing your own produce, so incorporate edible plants as a beautiful compliment to the typical annuals and perennials. This year, spice up the landscaping decor with some tasty options.

Edible plants – whether herbs, vegetables, fruits or flowers – add a creative variety of interest to your landscape, and also produce a delicious bounty for your dinner table come harvest time.

Here are some ideas to help incorporate edible plants into your landscaping:

* Decorate an arbor in the garden, along a walkway or near the house with grape vines. These vines can help shade an area and also can produce grapes good for eating, juicing, making into jams or jellies, or even wine. Different grapes thrive in different areas of the country, so research your region first before attempting to start some vines.

* Switch to edible flowers like nasturtium, violets, chamomile, dandelion, hollyhock, honeysuckle, and pansies in your window boxes and decorative pots. Do not eat flowers grown for ornamental purposes, instead, start edible flowers as seeds and grow them yourself. These flowers work great in salads, teas, summery drinks like sweetened tea, mocktails, and lemonade, and also can be crystallized to decorate cakes. To crystallize flowers, separate the flowers from the stem, and wash and dry the bloom. Heat up an equal parts water and sugar until the sugar dissolves, and the liquid becomes an amber color. Let the syrup cool. Take flower blooms and quickly dip the pedals into the liquid mixture, turn back over and let dry blossom face up. Stronger petals with form and shape work well.

* Mix an herb or two into container gardens. Lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano and lemon grass are just a few that grow extremely well in containers, and mix attractively with other blooming flowers. Not only are the herbs edible, but also emit delicious scents when picked or touched, making a great choice for window boxes or path plantings.

* Pot a tomato plant right in the front yard. Or, the backyard. Tomatoes grow well in full sunlight, and are decorative when the vines drape along a trellis or arbor. Tomatoes also work well as a natural screen along a porch or patio. Also good for use on an arbor or trellis are cucumbers, smaller melons and squash, beans and peas. Inter-plant vines with containers or landscaping, and your small vegetable garden will get a pop of interest to make it stand out – and provide a great harvest for your family.

* Create a hedge with berries. Try blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and even gooseberries to make a unique hedge along the edge of your property. Just remember, your family will not be the only samplers of the fruits. Consider covering the hedge with netting to help keep birds from stealing all the berries.

As you are planning new edible gardens, stock up on all the materials needed to give these plants great growing power. Be sure to use a high quality potting mix when planting container gardens, such as Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix or Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix. For in-ground or raised bed gardens, try Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Garden Soil that holds up to 25 percent more water than native soils. Miracle-Gro also offers Organic Choice Garden Soil, with natural fertilizer that provides both quick and slow release nitrogen feeding for lush, vibrant plants. A 2- to 3-inch layer of one of these soils can be worked into existing beds for a great boost of organic matter to amend native soils each year. And do not forget to feed your plants throughout the growing season. This can easily be done at the same time you water with the Miracle-Gro LiquaFeed Advance Feeder. The sprayer attaches to your garden hose, making watering easy and great for your plants.

Combining beautiful landscaping with delicious foods to serve at dinner is sure to create many compliments – both from visitors enjoying the front and backyard views, and from dinner guests enjoying the produce harvest. Follow these tips and this year your garden will look good enough to eat.