In a seed there is a promise

Posted on September 29, 2011 by vickstersvine

D. Landreth Seed Company

Since 1784 – that’s a crazy 217 years – the D. Landreth Seed Company (New Freedom, PA) has been providing its customers with one of the most extensive selections of fine lawn and garden seeds in the world. The founders introduced into the United States some of the most beloved flowers and vegetables known today including the zinnia, the white potato, various tomatoes, and Bloomsdale spinach. They are the oldest seed house and the fifth oldest continuously operated business in the United States. The company is passionate in its quest for excellence in quality, service and innovation.

Today, the firm is in deep financial trouble and may have to close. If that would happen it would be a serious blow to everyone – whether they understand the impact or not. Personnel from the Smithsonian say that Landreth’s bound catalogs may be the only collection of its kind in the world – a historical journey from 1839 to present day telling the story of America’s journey in history in agriculture and horticulture.

In order to dig their way out of the financial hole the company is currently promoting the purchase of their 2012 seed catalog ($5). It is more than a seed catalog as it contains data from their library of catalogs and tons of history information about the flowers, herbs and vegetables we eat. Time is of the essence. They must raise this money QUICKLY. If you are inclined, please listen to a public radio piece that aired this week HERE to hear more on this. Then if you decide to order a catalog, place your order HERE.

D. Landreth was the ONLY seed company I could find that offered a favorite bean of mine: a European heirloom purple pole bean called “Purple Peacock”. If you are what you eat, I’d be a purple pole bean, at least while they are in season. Or an ear of sweet corn. Or a watermelon. It’s a toss-up.

Ohio Gardening with Melinda Myers

I forgot to note the other speakers speakers that will be at the October 2 event at Cox Arboretum. They include: Marvin Duren (Marvin’s Organic Gardens); Christine & Tony Carpenter (Beyond The Greenhouse); Tomasz Przepiorkowski (Studebaker Nursery); Eric Sauer (Cypripedium Landscape Architecture); and Yvonne Dunphe (Five Rivers MetroParks). Event location: Cox Arboretum. Fee: $10 (includes light lunch). Registration: available online (www.metroparks.org) or call Five Rivers MetroPark (937-434-9005).

I have a question

I know it is the season for the dreaded FRUIT FLY, but how do you deal with their fall invasion? Feel free to share by posting your comments.

I spy…..

Posted on September 27, 2011 by vickstersvine

This morning’s Tuesday Trek at Grant Park with Centerville-Washington Park District’s naturalist, Lucy, revealed many wonderful finds. There were surprises in the prairie, at the pond side and in the woods. It doesn’t get better than this.

Calico Aster (Symphytotricum lateriflorum)

Goldenrod (Solidago sp.)

Rough Goldenrod (Solidago rugosa)

Snakeweed (Ageratina altissima)

Grasshopper on Queen Anne's Lace

Black & Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia)

An orbweaver spider (probably Neoscona crucifera) at breakfast

Someone else's breakfast (on a duck nest box)

Sales Opportunities

Greene County Master Gardener sale – October 1

9 am to 1 pm at the Greene County Extension Office (100 Fairground Road, Xenia OH 45385). Features houseplants, perennials, gardening books and more. Call 937-372-9971.

Educational Opportunities

Ohio Gardening – October 2

Gardening expert, TV & radio host, author and columnist Melinda Myers will be speaking at Cox Arboretum October 2. She has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments which air on 89 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly “Gardeners’ Questions” newspaper column. Melinda hosted “The Plant Doctor” radio program for over 20 years as well as Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. Melinda has a master’s degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure. Her web site is www.melindamyers.com

Don’t miss Ohio Gardening, Sunday, October 2, 9 am to 4:15 pm. Registration starts at 8:30 am. Fee is $ 10 and includes light lunch. Registration is available online (www.metroparks.org ) or call 434-9005.

MetroParks Forestry Practices – October 15

1-4:30 pm, In-depth review of Five Rivers MetroParks’ best forestry practices and connections to local neighborhood trees. Mark Klunk, Conservation Manager and Wendi Van Buren, Urban Forester will introduce forestry practices and the importance of trees in your own neighborhoods. The outdoor hiking portion of the program will highlight beautiful forest types and review the forest management practices within MetroParks. Reservations required and space is limited. Call (937) 277-4178 or register online. At http://www.metroparks.org/Parks/ViewEvents.aspx?Park=Germantown . Meet at Germantown MetroPark’s Facility Maintenance Building Classroom at 6675 Conservancy Rd, Germantown Ohio 45327.

Greenest Zoo in America

Posted on September 11, 2011 by vickstersvine

Cincinnati Zoo Solar Panels

If you haven’t visited the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden recently, you may not know about one of its newest additions. A baby tiger? A baby elephant? Nope. The big news this past April was the arrival of one of the largest public urban solar displays in the country. 6,400 photovoltaic solar collection panels covers assembled 15-18′ above the parking lot now give cover to 800 of the 1000 parking spaces. The $11 million project is designed to produce 1.56 MW (megawatts) of power; about 20% of the zoo’s annual needs or enough to power 200 homes. It is a wonderful perk to be able to park your car in the shade!

Educational Opportunities

Thursday, September 15. DIAGNOSTIC WALK ABOUT with Pam Bennett, OSU Extension. Cox Arboretum. 6-8 pm. Last Walk About of the season. Your chance to see what has been bugging your garden, connecting theory with practical applications in the garden, and learn from one of the best. Pam talk about what is happening around the state, and walk through the grounds to talk about what is happening in the Dayton gardens/landscapes.

Saturday, September 17, 10 am. Knollwood Garden Center. It’s time to begin preparing your houseplants and tropicals for the move indoors. Knollwood’s Barb Kedler will show you the steps to take for a smooth, bug- and stress-free transition. Continue your gardening through the fall & winter months with indoor combo pots & fun projects.

Saturday, September 24, 10 am & 11 am. Knollwood Garden Center. Behind The Scenes with Poinsettias, Mums, and Propagation. Head to Knollwood’s growing facility in Beavercreek for a change in seasons: learn about the process it takes to grow beautiful poinsettias, how garden mums are grown outdoors for best results, and how propagation of succulents and coleus is done (definitely try this at home!) Space is limited, reservations required. 937-426-0861. Maps will be available in the week prior to the event.

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8-9. Knollwood Garden Center. Build your Own Scarecrow. Greene County Master Gardeners are helping with the family activity. Stop in Saturday (10-4) or Sunday (11-4) and build a funny scarecrow for the yard. Burlap head, straw, twine and a simple frame as well as a variety of clothes will be provided. Fee for supplies is $15, of which $10 goes directly to the Master Gardeners for their variety of community service projects.

Conservation Opportunities

Tuesday, September 13. Germantown – Ohio Prairie Seed Nursery 7745 Conservancy Road. 9 am-3 pm. Prairie seed harvest, plant shrub seedlings, clean up/weed nursery planting beds, open up pond/willow cut back…propagation, ID, and multitude of skill building opportunities. There will be a grill out for lunch…or bring a brown bag. Come for the morning, the afternoon, or stay all day.

Tuesday, September 20. Germantown Nature Center – 6910 Boomershine Road. 9 am – 2 pm. A new installation Rain Garden needs some extra TLC in its early stages. Great time to learn about native plants, rain garden design, and of course…weed ID.

Sales Alerts

Grandma’s Gardens: Trees 25-40% off; perennials 30-50% off; 1-gallon mums 5/$35.

Knollwood Garden Center: Redeem your Bonus Bucks in September! Also, at least 20% off trees & shrubs; 50% off hostas; 40% off perennials; 25% off fountains.

Seibenthaler’s Garden Center: 61st Annual Tree & Nursery Sale exclusively at the Beavercreek Nursery & Garden Center on Sept 24th & 25th and Oct 1st and 2nd. Trees & shrubs will be up to 75% off.

Baker’s Acres: (25 miles NE of Columbus) Annual September sale. Sept 12–18: 30% off; Sept 19–25: 40% off; Sept 26–Oct 2: 50% off; Oct 3–9: 51% off. Includes most plants and soil products. All pottery is Buy One/Get One at Half Price (Of equal or lesser value) – excludes terra cotta pots. Tropicals, annuals and begonias are already 50% off. Sale does not include garden mums, pansies, fall combinations, fall vegetables, ornamental cabbage and kale or any other new fall crops.

And the winners are…..

Posted on September 4, 2011 by vickstersvine

The Garden Club Federation of Dayton & Vicinity proudly presented two very successful flower shows during the Montgomery County (Dayton OH) Fair’s run August 31-September 5. The Coliseum Building was the place to be to view some of the best from the Miami Valley area’s gardeners and floral designers. As flower show chair, I share the shows’ success with my committee chairs and their many able helpers – it could not have happened without all of you! Congratulations to all of the winners. Enjoy these photos of those winning rosette awards!

PS: Please spread the word about Vickster’s Vine and help connect gardeners and nature lovers alike. We’ll accomplish much more when we are connected.