Monthly Archives: May 2010

Garden Conservancy Tour Yields Eye Candy

May 31, 2010 0

by Susan Harris

If you’re familiar with the Garden Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving America’s best gardens, you know that their “Open Days” garden tours are top-notch, usually grand and always interesting.   …

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Phytophthora Root Rot on Shrubs and Trees

May 29, 2010 0

By Gene Sumi

There is a fungal root disease that is widespread in our region, but is little known to the average gardener.  Its targets are our favorite shrubs and trees, including rhododendron, …

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Sides from the Garden to go with the Grill

May 26, 2010 0

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Kitchen Gardener Cook

 

Last week we gave you crabcakes on the grill and this week…it’s fresh from the farm (or your garden) for the side dishes. The beet salad …

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Time to Prune Cherry Laurels (Azaleas, too)

May 26, 2010 7

by Gardening Coach Susan Harris

Lots of homeowners are looking for evergreen shrubs to cover up the foundation of their house, or to create screening and privacy from their neighbors.  That may be …

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Should I Spray My Tomatoes Now For Late Blight?

May 25, 2010 0

By Gene Sumi

The jury is still out as to whether we will have problems with the latest strain of late blight (Phytophthora infestens) on tomato and potato crops in Maryland.  Our hope is …

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Front-yard make-over. Goodbye lawn, hello creeping perennials.

May 23, 2010 3

by Gardening Coach  Susan Harris

I liked my front lawn just fine, really.  The perfect oval surrounded by mixed borders looked nicely put together, and the lawn took all of five minutes to …

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Grillfest Crab Cakes

May 19, 2010 0

 

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Kitchen Gardener Cook

I was just asked by the chief blogger of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation if I had a great recipe using some form of blue crabs …

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5 Great Shrubs to Fill Up the Garden

May 19, 2010 5

by Gardening Coach Susan Harris

Lately I’ve heard from several gardeners who’ve been at it a while and seen big improvements, but there’s still something missing in their gardens – fullness.   And my quick …

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Late Blight Spotted

May 17, 2010 0

Authorities don’t know yet if Late Blight could repeat its 2009 devastation of tomatoes and potatoes  in 2010, but it WAS  detected last week in a greenhouse in St. Mary’s County.   The University of …

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Gardening Tools and Supplies to Keep Closeby

May 16, 2010 1

by Gardening Coach Susan Harris

You know how gardening magazines show us only the prettiest spots in only the prettiest gardens?  Not that I’m not knocking it, coz I like seeing …

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Growing Those Tomatoes in Containers

May 12, 2010 1

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Kitchen Gardener Cook

How PERFECT-Homestead Gardens has ALL of their outdoor pottery 20-60% off !

 

Tomatoes are the cornerstone for my kitchen garden and perhaps for most folks …

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Shrubs and Perennials that Brighten the Shade

May 12, 2010 7

by Gardening Coach Susan Harris

I’m a big fan of shade gardens, and of the many, surprisingly colorful plants that tolerate shade.   But I just know there are gardeners out there buying flats of annuals (impatiens, …

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My favorite perennials in May

May 10, 2010 1

by Gardening Coach Susan Harris

I’m always on the look-out for easy-care perennials to recommend, and here are some of the easiest, most sustainable garden plants there are for the garden, …

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Happy Mother’s Day, and a Last-Minute Gift Idea

May 8, 2010 0

by Susan Harris

Okay, you moms probably just want a day off from all your responsibilities, but how about photos of some awesome private gardens for a little inspiration?   I snapped these in …

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Spring Harvest for Mothers Day…STRAWBERRIES

May 5, 2010 0

Seasonal Cooking with Rita Calvert~The Kitchen Gardener Cook

 

 

 

 

Before we explore strawberries and fabulous recipes…some newsy notes:

I simply could not resist the above picture and …

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Wow’ed by Ladew Gardens

May 5, 2010 0

by Susan Harris
In a nod to National Public Gardens Day on Friday, how about some scenes from my visit last week to Ladew Gardens in Monkton, Maryland.   I hope …

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Flower Carpet roses make the garden photo-ready in a hurry – I hope.

May 3, 2010 2

by Gardening Coach Susan Harris
You all know what to find out that company is coming, right?  But what about when the media’s coming?  A photographer for a home and garden magazine, perhaps?  …

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Mulch and the Middle-Aged Gardener

May 1, 2010 1

by Susan Harris
Have you finished putting down fresh mulch in all your borders yet?  This is THE biggest job of the year for most gardeners – especially if you include all …

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