Garden Necessities

In this morning’s Worcester Telegram, it is exciting to see a school involved in one of my favorite gardening chores: composting. For me, it’s a daily ritual, like morning coffee where food by-products (and my coffee grounds) produce my ‘black gold.’ Quabbin’s program takes composting to another level by teaching the students how to produce and market the end results. A quick excerpt from the article: “Quabbin’s program of composting cafeteria waste, using the compost to establish an organic garden, and then either selling harvested crops at the local farmers market or using them in the school cafeteria is unique.”

Kudos to those involved. This proves an effective use of grant money but more importantly, it teaches and motivates our kids with a hands-on, start to finish farm project. It’s training them to get their hands dirty, to work the soil and to reap the end benefits. How cool is that! The inspirational gardening thought of the day is by Anne Scott-James. “However small your garden, you must provide for two of the serious gardener's necessities, a tool shed and a compost heap.” See the full Telegram article, “A healthy garden of their own: Composting program at Quabbin plants seeds to success” at http://telegram.com/article/20090831/NEWS/908310335/1101 and post your comments. Tell the students and those involved about their good works. Inspire these young learners to keep connected to the land.

Seasonal Changes

Late August is that time of year for back to school shopping, the last of the summer barbeques and a change in air that signals fall is right around the corner. Although there may be hot days in store for us, it’s time to plan the list of fall garden chores. The first chore on my list is to recharge my writing batteries. I’ll be back to the five-day blog soon. In the meantime, enjoy the corn, peaches and tomatoes.

Seasonal Bargains

Late summer is often a good time to hunt for bargains and add to your plant palette. Unfortunately, with the economy still in a state of flux, there may be more close-out sales like the one I received notice of this weekend from Ashdown Roses in South Carolina. All roses $5.95 while they last. They are closing their plant sales as of October 1st. You can find out more information by going directly to their website at http://www.ashdownroses.com/index.asp

If you are a peony lover, now is the time to select and place your order. A great resource located in Minnesota is Swenson Gardens. http://www.swensongardens.com/ The rootstock is amazing though not inexpensive. Klehm’s Song Sparrow http://www.songsparrow.com/ is another mail order company specializing in peonies and other assorted perennials. The peony rootstock is smaller in size but Klehm’s developed many varieties and offers a wide selection to finish off your garden. Be certain to follow the planting directions as they must be set at the right height. Also, if you want to divide and transplant any peonies, fall is the season. As always, monitor the weather.

If you aren’t one for shopping by mail order, visit your local nurseries. Carefully inspect your plant materials. Make certain you purchase the most vigorous stock you can find in the selection. With perennials, if they look tired, they most likely are tired. A plant in the pot too long can become root bound. Not a great choice, even at discounted prices.

Be a frugal plant shopper and enjoy the seasonal bargains. If you don’t want to end up like Steven Wright, the comedian, “I went to a general store but they wouldn't let me buy anything specific”, then do your homework. Research what you want to add to your garden before the end of the season. On that note, the inspirational gardening thought of the day, “"A garden is never so good as it will be next year."-- Thomas Cooper