Books for the Gardener

Just about everyone knows that I am a reader. Therefore there is nothing (well, almost nothing) I like better as a gift than a book.  When I had regular paid employment I always prayed that the day after Christmas would be on a weekend so I could devote that day to reading my Christmas book. And I’ll confess, I often bought myself  a book – for just in case, but I never needed to worry.

Here are some reading suggestions for the reader and gardener on your list.

Right Rose Right Place: 359 Choices for Beds, Borders, Hedges and Screens, Containers, Fences, Trellises, and More by Peter Schneider  (Storey Publishing $19.95). If you’ve never grown a rose before, just browsing through this book with its glorious photographs of every kind of rose, you will decide you must have one. Or maybe ten. Not only will you be seduced by their loveliness, Peter Schneider, who has been growing roses for 30 years, will tell you how to do it easily and successfully. As the title says, all it takes is choosing the right rose for the right spot, and you are ninety percent there.

Schneider begins with a description of the versatility of the  rose family and what makes each rose family distinctive.

The main part of the book is divided by planting sites, in beds and borders, climbers, miniatures,  tree roses, etc. In each section are photographs of individual roses, with a description of their color, flower size, hardiness zone and hybridizer or family. This is a section you will ultimately want to read with a rose catalog by your side.

The final section is clear information about growing roses, from proper planting to dealing with  insect and disease problems and the odd ‘blind shoot.’

After spending an afternoon with Double Delight, Summer Dream, Souvenir de Malmaison, and Compassion you will be glad for the listing of reputable rose nurseries at the end of the book.

Bloom-Again Orchids: 50 Easy Care Orchids that Flower Again and Again and Again by judywhite (Timber Press $14.95)

An orchid plant in bloom makes a good holiday gift. It becomes a perfect gift when accompanied by this book. Actually, it would be best to refer to the book before buying an orchid in order to choose one that is most likely to live happily in the recipient’s house.

Judywhite  begins with general description of orchids and the care they need. Most orchids are epiphytes, growing on a tree in the tropics. There are terrestrial orchids that grow in the soil, but it has to be a ‘very loose, well drained soil.” Finally there are lithophytes that attach themselves to rocks.

For each orchid listed she has a 12 item check list that will detail their requirements and attributes including whether they have large flowers, sprays of multiple flowers, whether they have intense color and pattern, or fragrance.

For me, the most important things to know about any orchid I might buy is the light and temperature requirements. In general she says the orchids she has chosen can live on east, south or west windowsills..

She has established temperature ranges that she calls Warm. Which is days of 68 degrees or more, and temperatures no lower than 60 at night. The Intermediate temperature is 60 degrees during the day, and between 50 and 60 degrees at night. In my house I would need orchids that tolerate Cool temperatures of 55 degrees or higher during the day, and between 40 to 50 degrees at night.

Proper fertilization is also important. Judywhite remids us that orchids generally live in the jungle and get very little nourishment at a time. Her motto is “Water weekly weakly.”

Each orchid is photographed to give you a clear view of the differences in flower form. There are the cattelyas,  and phalaenopsis (moth orchids) which may be the most familiar, but there are many other others including those that resemble spiders, and octopuses, and those that smell like chocolate.

Books provide a lot of information and inspiration for the gardener, but other sources include horticultural societies. Membership ($35 for basic level)  in the American Horticultural Society includes 6 issues of the bi-monthly American Gardener magazine which has excellent articles about all aspects of gardening and plants, profiles of fascinating plant people, book reviews and more. Members also get discounts on books and programs, and entry fee to 240 garden shows and botanical gardens throughout the U.S. while supporting educational programs

Membership ($50 basic level)  in the Massachusetts Horticultural Society will give you a free ticket for the Boston Flower and Garden Show, back after last year’s hiatus, as well as subscriptions to Organic Gardening and Garden Design Magazines. Members also receive The Leaflet, the e-newsletter that comes by email. For a full listing of all the benefits and discounts, and a full description of the organization’s projects logon to the website.

Finally, right in our own backyard we have Nasami Nursery, a part of the New England Wildflower Society, the oldest conservation group in the country. Since we have all become so much more aware of the dangers of invasive plants and the benefits of native plants, we will find NEWFS an excellent resource. Basic membership is $50 and provides unlimited free admission to The Garden in the Woods, discounts at many nurseries including Nasami, discounts at many educational program, discounts in the gift shop, a regular e-newsletter, and access to the botanical library with more than 4,000 volumes.

The only drawback I can see to these organizations is the more you know, the more plants you will decide you need for your garden – but then Christmas will come again next year, too.

Between the Rows  December 19, 2009

My Berry Bowl

Yesterday Elizabeth Licata at Garden Rant wrote about Tovah Martin’s new book, The New Terrarium. I haven’t ever made a terrarium but at least three and possibly four years ago a dear friend gave me a berry bowl for Christmas.  Elizabeth’s post reminded me that I hadn’t seen it for a while.  I went to look.

The berry bowl, planted with moss and partridgeberry (?) has always lived in our Great Room. It is usually not heated in the winter. Last  winter, because of new insulation, it actually got below freezing. At one point I must have moved the berry bowl from the shelves where it could be seen and enjoyed, to a corner of the shelf, hidden by pitchers and forgotten. The plastic wrap ‘lid’ was seriously dusty, but the plants thrived.

I’ve never opened the berry bowl, and never watered it. Having found it in the shadows, I set it on the kitchen table where it could get some sun and feel a little love. It was not long before I could see moisture condensing on the inside of the bowl, so I moved it out of the sun where it  could feel loved, but not so hot.

My berry bowl shows that it doesn’t take much, or maybe nothing but benign neglect, to keep a terrarium going. Still, I am going to get The New Terrarium Book because Tovah Martin says terrariums are a perfect place to grow orchids. I’d like to try that.

Gifts that Fit Like a Glove

            The dictionary defines the word gift as “Something that is bestowed voluntarily.” Sometimes, at this time of the year with Christmas garlands  around every product in the supermarket, drugstore, department store and  boutique there doesn’t seem to be much of the ‘voluntary’ available.

            And yet, sometimes a gift is not only truly voluntary, it is inspired, perfectly suited to the recipient at that particular moment, a gift that fills a secret need or desire. My first Greenfield Christmas was the first Christmas after my divorce and all the familiar traditions seemed long ago and faraway so it was not easy for my five children.

            I had a housemate, Wendy, who joined us (with her dog and eight puppies!) in September and left us just before Christmas to tend her injured mother, but not before she had given each of the children a gift. Chris received the Guiness Book of Records, something I never would have thought of, which kept all five busy for hours, but I especially remember that Wendy gave Betsy, age 9, a little flashlight to keep under her pillow because she had somehow learned that Betsy was newly afraid of the dark. This was not a gift to be shrieked over, but a gift to be kept close for its quiet comfort.

            Not every gift we give will achieve this kind of perfection, but I think gardeners are among the easiest people to delight. Any gift connected to the garden is an acknowledgement of the passion that the gardener has for her (or his) plot, and a message that the giver shares vicariously in that passion.

            I took a walk through my two favorite and local garden shops and found any number of things that would make ideal gifts for the gardener in your life, and even for yourself as you decorate for the holidays.

            I go past the Shelburne Farm and Garden Center at least once a week, and it is hard not to stop and see what is new. Pat Schmidt knows how I feel about solar power; she was quick to point out the solar powered fairy lights that come on automatically when it is dark enough. They can be strung on an outdoor wreath or other decoration. A string of 20 lights is $29.99, and a string of 48 is $34.99.

            SF&G also has energy saving LED lights: $19.99 for five huge blue and white snowflakes, and $29.99 for ten large bright icicles.  Festive lights are always an important part of holiday decorations, indoors and out.

            Those who require a houseplant or ten will always need a pretty pot. New England Pottery has a variety of pretty ceramic pots in pink, coral, yellow and blue in various sizes, including self watering pots so that if you go away for a week in the sun you won’t need to worry about your plants dying of drought.

            The Shelburne Farm and Garden people love the birds. They have birdfeeders of every description for every type of seed attracting every type of bird. I was particularly struck by the colorful and whimsical feeders that resembled bird houses. Of course they have 40 pound bags of seed as well ranging in price from $26. to $40. depending on the seed or seed mix.

            Gift certificates are available, as well.

            In Greenfield I frequently stop at the Greenfield Farmer’s Exchange on High Street because they have such a huge variety of items.

            My husband does not like the unlovely compost bowl by the kitchen sink and would probably like one of the 1 gallon handsome Compost Keepers. They come in a variety of styles, bamboo with a plastic insert for 39.95, bright ceramic for $26.99 or shiny stainless steel for $38.99.

            Every year I become more devoted to garden gloves. The Farmer’s Exchange has a full range of soft jersey gloves for adults and kids, the Atlas nitrile gloves that I particularly like for only $4.95, and West County leather gloves for $24.95. Different types of gloves for different types of chores. The bright colors in all types are cheerful, and make them a little less likely to be lost in the grass or weeds when you finally have to pull one off to complete some particularly delicate task.

            You can also give your gardener a head start on the growing season. Botanical Interests is a fairly new, family owned seed company. Seed packets of vegetables and flowers range between $3.49 and $3.99. The packets are so pretty they need no wrapping and would beautifully top a Christmas stocking.  I was interested to see that BI has seeds for the castor bean. This is a huge annual with large dark blue-green leaves tinged with red, and funny fuzzy beans.  I wouldn’t grow this if I had little children around because the beans are poisonous, but the plant is stunning. I would only need one or two. They are big!

            The Farmer’s Exchange also sells gift cards at a 10% discount, which means a $10 card only costs $9. I am a great believer in gift certificates and gift cards. I understand that many people in my family don’t know enough about gardens in general, or even my garden in particular to know what is needed or useful and that the gift card they choose will make it possible for me to have just what I need.

            Enjoy your shopping. There are people to be made happy, and it doesn’t necessarily take a lot of money.           

Between the Rows   December 12, 2009

The Landscape and Art

The artist Robert Strong Woodward spent most of his life in Buckland – and in a wheelchair. At the age of 21 he was injured in a hunting accident in California where he was living. Paralyzed from the waist down he returned to New England where he was born, studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and then moved to Buckland. It was his intent to make his living as an artist.

He was successful and many of his works capture the beauties of the New England Landscapes. I’d like to mention that he often came to Heath to paint our familiar landscapes. This year the Buckland Historical Society has put out its third Robert Strong Woodward calendar to benefit the Society. The painting above, The Golden Slope, belonged to Beulah Bondi, a famed Hollywood actress who appreared in movies like It’s a Wonderful Life, and TV series like The Waltons.  The calendar is $20 and for sale locally at the Buckland Town Hall and Buckland Library, Boswell’s Books and Sawyer Hall in Shelburne Falls and Andy’s Pine Shop in Greenfield.

Janet Gerry, a Buckland native, has just published Artist Against All Odds, a biography of Woodward intended for older children. Actually, anyone interested in the history and beauty of the area will enjoy the book, and the story of one of its most distinguished citizen. It would make for a great family Read Aloud during the holiday season. Janet grew up living two houses away from Woodward’s house and studio, hearing stories of his life which she has translated into a true story for the whole family.

Artist Against All Odds includes photographs of the artist, and color plates of a few of his paintings. The book costs $14.95 and is available at Boswells Books and Sawyer News in Shelburne Falls, and the World Eye Bookstore in Greenfield. You can also go online to order the book.

The book and calendar made excellent Christmas gifts. You can (possibly) give yourself a present by leaving a comment here and entering a drawing for Right Rose, Right Place by rose expert Peter Schneider and 2 dozen CowPots made of composted manure for seedstarting. I’ll have the drawing on Saturday, December 12.

Another Celebratory Giveaway

Right Rose Right Place

Because it is my second Blogoversary, both Storey Publishing and CowPots are making it possible to have two Give Aways.  Right Rose, Right Place: 359 Perfect Choices by rose lover and expert Peter Schneider will be a lovely and useful holiday treat for any rose gardener, or would-be rose gardener. There is advice here for the experienced gardener as well as for the novice.  I have already added a number of roses I never knew about to my must-have list. They are all marked reliable because I still don’t trust my warming climate. Schneider talks about every kind of rose, old roses, modern roses, climbing roses, tree roses, and roses for containers.  Just leave a comment and I’ll enter your name in a drawing that will be held in the morning on Saturday, December 12.

CowPots

But the CowPots people also wanted to help me celebrate twice. I have another two dozen Cowpots to send along with Right Rose Right Place.  Peat pots for seed starting help to deplete peat bogs, but cow manure is definitley a renewable resources.  CowPots are made of composted manure that will add fertilizer to your garden when they are planted, and will get your seeds off to a really good start. They are made by the Liquid Fence people who also make a line of products like Deer and Rabbit Repellent. I’ll be using this as the winter progresses to keep hungry deer away from my rhododendrons.

For those of you who have begun your holiday shopping, I have a local resource – Artspace on Mill Street is holding its annual Holiday Shop with gifts made by local artists and artisans. You will not be surpised to know that I could not resist notecards featuring a porcupine.

I’d rather have porcupines on cardstock rather than in my compost bin and keep them as a lovely country memory.  There are lots of other beautiful cards for sale, as well as art prints, blown glass ornaments, beautiful candles, jewelry, honey, CDs by local musicians and much much more. Gifts are priced under $50 with many under $25.  Shopping at Artspace supports arts education and artists – and the local economy. The Holiday Shop will continue through December 13, every day, 10 am to 6 pm except Sunday 1-6 pm.

Will She or Won’t She?

My Thanksgiving cactus has been budded for weeks and I thought she would be blooming right on time. But right on time is tomorrow!  I’m inviting her into the warm room of the house today.  I should have thought of that earlier.

There is no question that this calendar will prompt me to get everything done on time. This beautiful calendar prepared by the University of Massachusetts Extension Service has 12 gorgeous photos of plants, exotic, common and useful and tips about the timing of garden chores. There is room to write in some of your own reminders.

I like the first page of the calendar which lists attractive plants for pollinators at every season. Sometimes we forget that bees and other pollinators need shrubs and trees as well as the perennials that put in our gardens.

The calendar makes a great gift. To order go to www.umassgardencalendar.org or send $12 payable to UMass and mail to: Garden Calendar, c/o Mailrite, 78 River Road South, Putney, VT 05346.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Gifts for the Gardener

My gift shopping schedule fell to pieces when ice began falling out of the sky last week. But there is still time for the last minute shopping that any of us have to do.

I’m a gardener and I love presents so I don’t think it is hard to shop for a gardener. It’s not that we are greedy, it’s just that there are always new gadgets and equipment to try. Gloves, boots and clogs wear out and need to be replaced. Aching bones need to be soothed in a bubble bath and hands smoothed with creams.

I stopped at the Shelburne Farm and Garden Center on Route 2 and saw that they are once again selling LED (light emitting diode) Christmas lights for $30. I stocked up on these last year as part of my energy saving efforts. LED lights use a fraction of the energy used by regular lights. I have white snowflake LED lights that have a slight bluish cast for the windows, and colored tree lights that almost look like gumdrops on the tree.

Because we gardeners love birds that keep our environment in balance, the SF&GC has lots of bird feeders, big ones and little ones, from $5 to $80. They have net thistle sock feeders or $4 and special oriole food for $3. I had no idea that orioles liked feeders and food similar to hummingbirds. A trip to the store is educational.

In addition there are big sacks of all kinds of seed mixes costing about $35 as well as suet cakes in various sizes, with blueberries, or peanuts, or sunflower hearts. Costs vary from $3 to $10. Suet is an important part of a bird’s winter diet.

Then I was off to the Greenfield Farmers Co-op Exchange on High Street. They also have LED Christmas lights. Everyone wants to save energy, and money, wherever they can.

When I was having so much trouble with my hip (before replacement surgery) I became aware of the benefits of tools with extendable handles. Corona makes a family of such tools with steel handles that extend from 18 to 32 inches. There is a small rake, a hoe/cultivator and a trowel, each costing about $12. Corona also makes a sturdy 24 inch bypass pruner for $30.

I like Corona tools because in addition to their good quality they have bright red handles. I don’t know about you, but I have spent any number of hours looking for tools I’ve forgotten in the grass or in the flower bed. Of course, I have a friend who had the same problem and he wrapped all his tool handles in orange fluorescent tape. Maybe a roll of bright tape could be stuffed in a stocking to brighten up favorite old tools.

Harvesting vegetables can be a dirty business. Pike’s Original Maine Garden Hod is a wood and heavy coated wire ‘basket’ that allows the gardener to give vegetables a good wash with a hose before bringing them into the kitchen. A small one (about 8 by 16 inches) is $35 and a larger one (about 10 by 20 inches) is $40.

I stopped at GreenFields Market and found a whole garden in the skin care department. Avalon Organics lavender bath and shower get or lotion are both just under $19 for 32 ounces. One With Nature Triple Milled Rose Petal Soap is made with Dead Sea salt and shea butter. One bar is $3.69. Triple milling means a bar will last a lot longer than a bar of Dial.

Wise Ways Herbals Rose Garden body powder does not contain talc, and costs $6. Favorite fragrances for these toiletries seem to be rose, rosemary, lavender, orange and lemon, scents that sooth or invigorate. Naturally I always go for the rosy fragrances.

We gardeners know how to get dirty, and scratched, but we can enjoy a fragrant cleaning up process.

Gardeners need bowls and vases. The Shelburne Artists Cooperative on Bridge Street has beautiful wooden bowls made by Deb Lively, ranging in price from $200 to $900. Filled with fruit or vegetables they’d make a creative centerpiece.

In addition there are simple or stunning blown glass vases by Tucker Litchfield, Leslie Kearsley and Keith Cerone. Prices range from $20 to $500.

You can give a gardener, or a non-gardener, a plant. A brilliant poinsettia or cyclamen will brighten the holidays for anyone, whether or not they are interested in trying to carry over til next Christmas. At Plants for Pleasure on Bridge Street in Shelburne you can buy poinsettias ranging in price from $8 to $42, peace lillies from $4 to $25, Norfolk Island pines from $6 to $45, or gorgeous little mini-vases blown by Michael Armstrong.

Not all gifts are found in a shop with a price tag. We can always give the gift of love and labor in the garden. What about a promissory note for 2 hours of weeding, or lawn mowing or any directed labor? Or the promise of a perennial division? An afternoon of steamy jelly making?

Any gift we choose is really a wish for the recipient’s happiness and well being. I wish you happy and well throughout this whole holiday season.

December 20, 2008