Monthly Archives: December 2011

Roasting marshmallows on the solstice

Fire and Resolutions

On the shortest day of the year, the employees of Gardener's Supply gather for a moment of personal reflection. Each of us writes one of the year's regrets on a scrap of paper. Then, Jim Feinson, our company president leads us into the crisp December air, where a copper fire pit blazes. We toss our regrets into the fire and toast marshmallows in the flames. We also write a personal resolution for the coming year, place it in a sealed envelope with our name on it, and give them to Jim. These sealed Read more [...]

Red-Carpet Plants

The announcement of award-winning plants might not generate the buzz of the Academy Awards — at least not among the general public. But if you're a gardener who likes to stay on top of the latest and greatest, then perusing plant awards offers a glimpse into what to expect at garden centers this spring. More Learn more about the groups that choose award-winners in my article, Red-Carpet Plants. The announcement of award-winning plants might not generate the buzz of the Academy Awards — at Read more [...]

Amaryllis, Again

Many people wonder if you can get amaryllis bulbs to rebloom. Yes! It's easy because amaryllis are forgiving plants. Amaryllis benefit from a summer outdoors. For best growth and bloom potential, remove them from pots and plant them in the ground. "The flowers faded months ago, but I can't bear to throw it out. I'd like to save it and see if I can get it to bloom again. What should I do?" Blooming amaryllis bulbs make spectacular holiday gifts and recipients invariably want to keep the Read more [...]

Save a Seed or Two

I'm finally getting around to tidying up some of my flower gardens, and one of the benefits of my tardiness is that there are plenty of seedpods filled with ripe seeds. In a matter of minutes I collected hundreds of seeds for replanting. Saving seeds is one of gardening's best-kept secrets. When else in life can you get something for nothing? Some seeds, like these from a columbine seedpod, are especially small. I'm finally getting around to tidying up some of my flower gardens, and Read more [...]