There is no way to sugarcoat the challenges many of us in the Mid-Atlantic region have faced this summer. The inconsistency of rainfall and the extreme high temperatures have greatly impacted our efforts to garden successfully. Even with valiant efforts to apply supplemental irrigation, I have witnessed a wide range of plant material showing signs of drought stress that I have rarely witnessed in my 15-plus years of gardening in this region. To say it is cause for concern would be an understatement. As a result, in the last few months I have been repeatedly asked how we can prepare our beloved gardens to reduce heat and moisture stress for future growing seasons. One answer to this conundrum is to add organic matter to the soil in the form of compost.
Whimsey in the Garden
07.08.2024 - 06:02 / finegardening.com / GPOD Contributor
Hi GPODers!
While plants are our bread and butter here at Fine Gardening, we all know that garden design involves so much more than just great plants. Hardscaping like paths and patios, structures like arbors, arches, and gazebos all bring personality and help tie a design together. Though usually on a smaller scale, garden art is the additional flavor that can turn a great garden into really special space.
This art appreciation post was sparked by a very fun and fabulously unique submission from Diane Jaeger, showcasing an incredible, up-cycled piece of garden art that brings so much whimsy and personality to her already gorgeous garden (to see more of Diane’s beautiful garden, check out her previous submissions: Diane’s Garden in Illinois, Revisiting Diane’s Garden in Illinois, and Vibrant Spring Colors in Diane’s Illinois Garden).
I have not posted in a long time, but thought this might be something that you would enjoy.
My sister and I have had a ‘thing’ with shoes for years, and I happened to see this at a garage sale and was thrilled! Painted it and placed it in the yard, and I love it—I hope you do as well!
For shoe lovers like Diane and her sisters, or for anyone who appreciates the all things with quirks and character, this chair is an incredible find. I personally love the look of the wear and tear on this piece fresh from the garage sale, but Diane gave it even more life with a bit of paint.
Diane was not afraid to bring the color! I wouldn’t have guess this piece could get anymore fantastical, but Diane picked a color scheme that makes this shoe look like it stepped right out of the pages of Alice in Wonderland.
And in the garden is looks even more fabulous. Not only bringing a beautiful pop of fun color
Should gardeners welcome all wildlife to their gardens?
I heard a rustling behind me and turned to see a huge tortoise disappearing under a shrub! That was 25 years ago in South Africa. I was thrilled to see the creature but my fellow gardeners quickly loaded it onto a wheelbarrow bound for the veld (the open grassland) beyond the garden.
Bitterroot Secret Garden Tour: The Alice in Wonderland Garden
Hi GPODers!
Sarah Price's ideas for a naturalistic and sustainable planting scheme | House & Garden
A conversation with Sarah Price about how she designs her planting schemes is fascinating. She works in an unfettered way, with no specific planting plans but an intuitive sense of the plants that will work well together to form the nature-inspired compositions she is known for. Her gardens are like exquisite paintings, comprising layers of detail with a gentle succession of plants that provide interest for most of the year. This summer combination comes from Sarah’s own garden on the edge of Abergavenny. Here, she has created different areas and habitats, including a dry garden in the old walled kitchen garden.
Creating a playroom in the loft: the perfect solution for a growing family
Collaborative post
2-for-1 Gardens to Visit - Summer holiday special
Join us this summer as we explore some of the UK’s best 2-for-1 Gardens to visit in August, for fun days out with all the family. Whether it’s an adventure playground or woodland trail for the kids, or a rose garden or restored Elizabethan garden for the horticulturalists, there is plenty to enjoy at these gardens. Visit using your 2-for-1 Gardens card to save money on your trips to all these wonderful gardens.
Coping with extreme weather, with cornell’s daniel weitoish
I SUSPECT I’m not alone when I say that weather extremes in recent growing seasons have made me feel a bit like a stranger in a strange land in my own garden, wondering what will bloom when and when to do what. And most of all, wondering what madness is coming next.
How Much Should You Water Your Garden in Extreme Heat?
Extreme heat waves are stressful for almost every type of plant in your garden, from flowers and vegetables to shrubs and trees—but especially for container-grown plants.
Everyone Should Know Hyssop Benefits and Uses in Garden
This small woody shrub belonging to the mint family is grown for its fragrant, edible, and medicinal leaves and flowers. Growing hyssop has a host of health benefits and is also useful in maintaining a thriving, pest-free garden. Let’s dig in!
