When I first started this blog my intention was to post timely, regular advice for how to do everything in the garden. What a silly idea! I quickly realized I didn't have time and there are plenty of other full-time garden writers and horticulturalists putting out great how-to information on the web. I'm just a little part-timer who does this for fun. So this blog has turned into more of a record of what I'm doing in my own garden and garden coaching business, which I try to write in a way that will inform others who may need a little online help or who want to exchange advice.
The biggest problem with 'how-to' and plant information on the web is that it may not be written for a Calgary gardener's context. Our timelines are different, our soil and climate conditions are different (understatement of the year!) and many of those beautiful plants you see recommended out there just don't grow here.
So instead, I've decided to highlight some of the great posts I've read from other sources each month, with a few comments about their usefulness and applicability. Here they are for February!
Blogs and Blooms:
- Never too early to worry about bugs - Donna talks about hardy climbing cutworms (ew!)
- order her new book No Guff Vegetable gardening here - Donna is a local horticultural expert and as I describe above, local gardening advice is the best kind of advice!
Garden Buzz
- house plant pests - mealy bugs and scale - Nora is a local bug expert
- house plants pests - aphids and white flies and how to get rid of them
Houzz
- 8 great ways to use landscape pavers - this design blog has very inspiring pictures!
- 7 out-of-the-box retaining wall ideas
- The Kids Are All right - some more great photos of retaining walls and raised vegetable beds here
The Garden Professors
- Is local always better? - a balanced perspective on native plants and assisted migration
Garden Guru
- Garden Math - how to figure out how much soil, mulch or grass you need for a given area
Garden Rant
- Grow the Good Life - Why a Vegetable Garden will make you Happy, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise - a promo for a new book that looks like a good read
- and an excellent follow-up post from the author here which pretty much has me convinced to buy the book
The Home Outside
- Vegetable Gardening with Children - Julie talks about benefits, projects, and design ideas! Great stuff!
Garden Designers Roundtable
- the post this month is entitled "Edibles!" and includes links to 7 designer's posts about edible gardens. While American (so some of the plants highlighted don't grow in Calgary), there are plenty of good design ideas and the photos provide a "feast" for the eyes
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