Hi. ^^ This is my first post, but ive been lurking for about a year now. You guys got me through the winter here. =P I live in western australia, and we've in the middle of our summer. My garden is looking fabulous and my tomatos are starting to ripen so I thought Id post some pictures. This is my second year with a garden, although I helped my parents in theirs a lot growing up. I mostly like to grow edible things.

( Pictures! =) )

I know things are slow this time of year but I thought I'd go ahead and pose a question, even if I don't get around to planting till later. I live in north Florida, zone 8B, and I have a small area by my driveway/gate that is begging for a plant. It's a difficult spot - it's shady, sandy, and usually dry except for when it rains (the gutter spout is right next to it so I'm sure it would get overflow). Any suggestions?

I got my very first seed catalog yesterday in the mail.  I didn't have time to do much more than flip through a few pages but I can see how gardening can become an addictive hobby quickly. I'm excited to be able to sit down and ooh and ahh over all those bright, colorful, glossy pictures.

Note to self: You're still poor.  You cannot buy a bunch of stuff, no matter how pretty the pictures are!  lol  :-)

Wood Blewits are mushrooms that are commonly hunted and eaten in Western Europe, and are even cultivated there. They occur all over North America as well, and can be found during colder months growing on leaves, pine needles or garden mulch. They're pretty distinctive--you don't see a lot of violet mushrooms! They typically occur in small clusters or in fairy rings, have a very distinct, fruity aroma and leave a pale pink spore print.


So I was in a park on Friday and I found a dozen or so. As I was pulling them up, I had an idea...
( More pics and whatnot, and THE PLAN. )

i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

diygifts
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cooking_club
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I got a surprise gift of two poinsettias today, and I've been doing some reading on how to care for them. Direct sunlight, water when dry, etc. My house gets no direct light through the windows though, will putting it under the reflected florescent light with my other plants be ok?

I've also read up a little on how to get them to bloom year after year. Something about cutting them back after they start to wilt, then putting them outside in the summer, bringing them inside during the fall, and giving them at least 14 hours of total darkness through roughly Thanksgiving before bringing them out into the light again. Does this sound about right? Thanks guys. :D

Edit: Photo behind cut. Does it need to be replanted? I can never tell for sure; both are about the same size.
( Photo )

stepstomarrow
When granddaughter, Jada, was born with leukemia, a donor-match was located and Jada made a miraculous recovery. In honor of her grandaughter's health, Jeanna has decided to walk across the country (in the dead of winter) to raise awareness and build support for the bone marrow registry (all that's required is a cheek swab). Follow Jeanna's remarkable journey as she travels the United States by foot.

We got a few 70 degree days across the weekend so I went ahead and took the caterpillars back outside to the milkweed plant, and set up a mini greenhouse with a heater. It's easier to maintain than keeping them in a tank inside, and they get to have fresh plant to eat.

They've gotten HUGE! I am betting Frijoles margaritas with one of my friends that they will change by Monday.

One big fella munching away

The 2 remaining bigs

Little Numero Fiveo still catching up

Well I finally got my dahlia bulbs dug up yesterday before we settle into a deep cold snap here in the Boston area. Can you suggest a good way to store them for the winter? I have tried peat moss in paper bags with mixed results. Since I paid some good money for these plants I would like to give them the best chance of surviving the winter. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey Gardeners: What plant do you most want for Christmas?

My gift to myself this year is 1 1/2 bushels of daffodil bulbs that I caught on sale for $60. (I had thought they'd take an extra coupon to bring the total down to $35 but no, they won't.)
It'll be here TOMORROW! And naturally it's below freezing so I can't get out and do any early hole digging today.