Make plans now to join Melinda on her famous Garden Walks at Boerner Botanical Gardens in 2013! Download the schedule here.
Nationally renowned garden expert Melinda Myers helps everyday gardeners find success and ease in the garden through her Melinda’s Garden Moments radio segments. Melinda shares “must have” tips that hold the key to gardening success, learned through her more than 30 years of horticulture experience. Listeners from across the country find her gardener friendly, practical approach to gardening both refreshing and informative! On this page, Melinda shares some more extensive garden tips, which expand on the information provided in her one-minute radio segments.
New tips are added throughout each month, providing timely step-by-step tips on what you need to do next in your garden! Visit Melinda’s website www.melindamyers.com for more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and answers to your questions.
A vine-covered arch is a beautiful and traditional way to welcome visitors to a garden. And flanking the front entrance with vines is a colorful way to lead visitors to your front door.
Add to the appeal by using less common vines like five leaf akebia or lesser-used cultivars like the new Mandarin honeysuckle or Betty Corning Clematis or KLEM-A-TIS as the KLEM-A-TIS experts prefer.
Try incorporating vines into the garden at ground level.
Allow vines, like the climbing hydrangea, to ramble over stone or brick walls. It combines nicely with ferns, ginger and other shade tolerant plants. The stone’s rough surface is perfect for the rootlike holdfasts to adhere to.
And a Dutchman’s pipe can be trained on wires to create a summer screen or perfect frame for a shed or other structure.
Mask an old stump. Simply cover it with netting to allow the clematis tendrils to grab hold and move skyward.
A bit more information: And mix it up a bit. Combine two climbers like a rose and clematis to double the bloom power and extend the floral display.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Holes in Hosta leaves are a common sight no matter where you garden. Slugs are the most common culprit, but there are other possibilities.
Start by reviewing the weather. Frost damage, hail, and even falling maple seeds, many call “helicopters,” can damage these plants. Monitor the weather and the progression of the damage. If there are no more holes, it’s most likely one of these.
Sink a can of stale beer in the ground near your hostas or check under rocks and birdbaths in the morning. If slugs are the culprit, you’ll find them there. Continue trapping with the beer or try the eco-friendly iron phosphate products that just kill the slugs, but don’t harm people, wildlife and slug predators.
Earwigs are the other possibility. They prefer cool dark damp conditions like slugs. Set a crumpled paper out under a pot to trap them. If present you can live with the damage or try one of the more eco-friendly insecticides.
A bit more information: Earwigs are not harmful, but can be a nuisance when they find themselves inside your home. Just vacuum and dispose of these ugly intruders. Keep them out by sealing cracks and crevices in the foundation. If this is not working, you may decide to treat the foundation of your home with an insecticide labeled for this purpose. Just be sure to read and follow all label directions carefully.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Don’t let your sickly honeysuckle vine get you down. The abundance of beautiful flowers and hummingbirds that the goldflame, dropmore scarlet and other non-invasive honeysuckle vines attract, make it worth the occasional problems.
Powdery mildew is the most common disease on this plant. Growing honeysuckle in full sun and proper pruning will help minimize this disease problem. Once it develops you can live with the damage or use one of the eco-friendly controls like the Cornell baking soda mix, Neem oil or horticulture oil labeled for mildew control.
Aphids are often found feeding in large colonies on the honeysuckle’s new growth. A strong blast of water will help manage small populations. Insecticidal soap and horticulture oil will provide short-term relief. Weekly applications will be needed to get larger populations under control.
A bit more information: Make the Cornell University powdery mildew control solution by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 to 2.5 teaspoons of lightweight oil in one gallon of water. Remember when using “home remedies,” even those based on University research, it is best to test it on a leaf or two before treating your whole planting. And if powdery mildew is a yearly problem consider moving the plant to a sunnier location and thin out some of the older canes in late winter. Click here to watch my powdery mildew video.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Summer is the time for vacations and travel. And if you can’t find a plant sitter, you may need to get creative when it comes to keeping your indoor plants alive.
Start by creating a mini terrarium. Water your plants thoroughly. Set them in the sink or tub and cover with clear plastic. This closed system will keep your plants moist.
Or create a self-watering pot or system. Fill a plastic container, bucket, or tin with water. Run cotton or felt strips from the water reservoir into the pot. The water moves through the fabric to the container, keeping the potting mix moist.
Or use a capillary mat. Set a felt mat on the dish drainer beside the sink. Run the mat over the edge and into the sink filled with water. Place plants on the mat. The water will move through the mat and to the plants where it is needed.
And no matter what method is used – give it a test run before leaving town.
A bit more information: Double potting houseplants in clay pots can help extend the time between watering. Set the clay pot inside a slightly larger plastic pot. Fill the gap with moist sphagnum to slow drying and serve as a moisture reservoir.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Don’t forget the trees, even old established ones, when extended dry periods and droughts move in.
In fact, these should be a high priority since it takes many years to replace an established tree.
Always moisten the top 12 inches of soil under the dripline (the area directly located under the outer circumference of the tree branches) when watering deciduous trees and the same depth, but three to five feet beyond the dripline for evergreens.
Apply 10 gallons of water for every inch diameter of trunk. So a 4-inch diameter tree should receive about 40 gallons of water each week.
You can apply the water with a soaker hose, encircling the tree and covering the area under the dripline. Or make your own drip irrigation system with 5-gallon buckets. Drill several holes in the bottom of the buckets, set around the tree and fill with water.
And don’t forget to mulch. It conserves moisture, suppresses weeds and keeps weedwhips and lawn mowers away from the tree trunks.
A bit more information: Base your watering schedule on the soil and weather. Heavy clay soils and cool weather means less frequent watering. Fast draining soils and higher temperatures mean more frequent watering. Let your plants not your calendar be your guide.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Hot dry weather is hard on you and your plants, but great for many pests. So check your garden often for signs of problems.
Yellowing, speckled leaves and small spider webs are sure signs mites have taken up residence in your plants. These pests suck plant juices, causing the leaves to look somewhat silvery or bronze. As the population grows and feeding increases the leaves can turn yellow, brown and die. And by the time the webs are visible, if there are any, the mite population is very large.
So check plants regularly for damage as you’ll need a magnifying glass to see these tiny pests.
Start treatment with a strong blast of water on the upper and lower leaf surfaces and stems. Follow with insecticidal soap or horticulture oil. These eco-friendly products are effective against the mites yet safe for people, animals, and the mite’s natural predators. Repeat weekly as needed.
A bit more information: These tiny pests are members of the spider family so insecticides are not effective. Many insecticides kill the mite’s natural predators, leading to population explosions.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
It starts with one little plant. Next thing you know your garden is overrun with them. Some start from seeds that have been dormant in the soil for years while others move in on the wind, in soil additives or with garden transplants.
A few good strategies and a little persistence will help tame these unwelcome guests.
Start by removing existing weeds. Pull, dig, or use a cultivator to remove annual weeds. Keep cultivators away from good plants to avoid damaging the roots of your good plants.
Don’t compost, but rather dispose of perennial weeds like quackgrass and bindweed and invasive plants that can re-infest your garden.
Once the garden is weeded consider reducing future infestations. Mulching with leaves, non-invasive annual weeds that have not gone to seed, or other organic material will help reduce weeds, while conserving moisture. As the organic mulch breaks down it also helps improve the soil.
A bit more information: Research has shown that mulch is just as effective at preventing weeds as pre-emergent weed killers. So keep mulching away those unwanted plants.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Ants, lady beetles and a clear sticky substance on your leaves are good indications that aphids have moved into your garden for a meal.
These small tear-dropped shaped insects come in a variety of colors including black, brown, green, red, and peach.
These pests have needle-like mouthparts and suck plant juices, causing leaves to curl, yellow, brown become distorted and stunted when populations and feeding levels are high.
The aphids secrete a clear sticky substance called honeydew. Ants often move in to feed on this sweet tasty treat.
And if you see lady beetles, nature has moved in to control this pest. Both the adults and larvae can eat hundreds of aphids in one day.
Start treatment, if needed, with a strong blast of water. This dislodges and kills many of the aphids. Follow with eco-friendly products like insecticidal soap, Horticulture oil, or Neem. Repeat weekly as needed.
A bit more information: A black fungus called sooty mold will occasionally develop on this sticky liquid. The fungus feeds on the honeydew not the plant. Fortunately, controlling the aphids will help wash off and prevent the sooty mold.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
A bit of summer pruning goes a long way to keeping your raspberries healthy and productive. So get out the mosquito netting, long sleeves and pruners and get busy.
Summer and everbearing raspberries bear fruit on 2-year-old canes. Remove these canes to ground level once your harvest is made. They will not produce more fruit and their presence can increase the risk of insect and disease problems. This is also a good time to remove any damaged, insect-infested or discolored canes. Summer pruning increases air flow and light penetration, resulting in healthier plants and a better harvest next season.
Fall and everbearing raspberries form fruit on first year canes. You can manage these for a fall crop only. Wait until the dormant season and then cut the whole planting back to ground level. Or follow the guidelines for summer bearing raspberries if you want your everbearing raspberries to produce both summer and fall crops.
A bit more information: Don’t let a lack of space keep you from growing raspberries. The new compact and thornless Shortcake raspberry is great for a container or small space. You may not be freezing a large harvest, but you’ll be able to enjoy fresh-from-the-garden raspberries even in your small space.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Bring a bit of your garden’s beauty indoors for all to enjoy. Fresh cut flowers right from the garden make everyday a special occasion.
Collect flowers in the morning or evening when they are fully hydrated. Cut the flowering stems back to a set of healthy leaves or base of the flowering stems so the plant still looks good in the garden.
Take a bucket of water to the garden to keep flowers fresh and hydrated while you harvest the rest of your bouquet. Store cut flowers in a cool location until you are ready to use them.
Remove the lower leaves from the stems before arranging. Submerged leaves can lead to fungal growth and reduce vase life.
Recut the stem on a slight angle to prevent it from sitting square on the bottom of the vase, preventing the uptake of water.
Place the flowers in fresh water in a clean vase. Keep the vase filled with water and add a bit of commercial or homemade floral preservative to the water. Make your own preservative by mixing in clear sugary soda and a drop of bleach.
A bit more information: Any flower looks good in an arrangement, but some last longer than others. Try growing a few of these flowers to provide long-lasting added beauty in your arrangements. Consider adding Lisianthus (Eustoma) that lasts 10 days in a vase. Other annuals to try include the taller ageratums like Blue Horizon, cockscomb, cosmos, mealycup salvia, strawflower, pansy, nicotiana, statis, petunia, snapdragon, sunflower, sweet pea and zinnia are just a few of the annuals suited for cutting.
And, try using a few perennials in your arrangements as well like asters, mums, coreopsis, delphinium, coneflower, coral bells, lady’s mantle and phlox. For a bit of foliage use artemisia, dusty miller, hosta, lamb’s ear, lavender and twigs of euonymus and evergreens.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Grow your own natural sweetener. Use leaves of the Stevia plant to sweeten soups, sauces, or beverages.
Grow it outdoors during warm frost-free weather. It’s a perennial in USDA zones 8 and warmer, so those gardening in colder areas must grow Stevia like an annual.
Check garden centers and mail order catalogues for plants. Place stevia plants 12 inches apart in full sun or light shade with moist well-drained soils. You’ll get the best growth and most leaves during long warm days.
Water thoroughly and whenever the top few inches of soil are crumbly and slightly moist. Be sure to mulch by spreading a layer of evergreen needles, shredded leaves, or other organic matter over the soil surface to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve the soil.
Harvest leaves as needed for sweetening your dishes. I often eat a leaf when I am having a sweet craving.
A bit more information: Wait for cool short days at the end of the growing season when the sweetness is most intense to make large harvests for drying. Cut, bundle, and hang stems upside down to dry. Knock leaves off the stem and save dried leaves in an airtight jar. Grind the leaves by hand or use a coffee grinder to crush the leaves and release the sweetness. Dried leaves stored in an airtight jar will last for several years.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
You don’t need much space to enjoy a few wonders of nature. In fact, you can create your own bog garden to enjoy on your patio, balcony or deck.
Carnivorous plants like the pitcher plant and sundew grow in wet acidic environments known as bogs. Curly reed, elephant ear, chameleon plant and moneywort grow in our gardens, but also wet soggy areas in or next to ponds.
Once you select the plants, find an all-weather pot without drainage holes. Mix equal parts of clean sharp sand and peat to create your planting mix.
Arrange your plants to provide a pleasing display, making sure the tall plants do not overshadow the smaller ones. Set the plants in the planting mix so the crowns are just above the soil surface.
Grow in a sunny location and water as needed. Tap water is usually okay, but rainwater or water collected in your rain barrel, or dehumidifier will be even better.
A bit more information: Consider a water garden in a container. Many garden centers sell individual water plants or ready to submerge arrangements. All you need is a water tight container and plants. For more details see my tip on Container Water Gardens.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
A colorful landscape is a thing of beauty to enjoy with your eyes. But it should also appeal to your other senses.
Sweet autumn clematis bursts into bloom each fall creating a beautiful and fragrant welcome to visitors. And the buzzing of the bees adds to the enjoyment.
Fragrant flowers of fall blooming bugbane add a bit of sweet perfume to shade gardens. And include a few fragrant flowers like Heliotrope, alyssum and nicotiana to containers on your balcony or deck.
The rustle of the tree leaves, ornamental grasses, and wind chimes plus water moving in fountains and waterfalls add another dimension of enjoyment to the landscape.
The soft fuzzy leaves of lambs’ ears and silver sage beg to be petted while scented geraniums release fragrance with each petting.
The color, texture and flavor of sage, Rosemary and other herbs add beauty and edibility to containers and gardens.
A bit more information: Add a fragrant welcome for your guests. Use ornamental and fragrant trees and shrubs near the front entrance of your home. Daphne, lilacs, some crabapples and others provide seasonal bloom and fragrance. Then add a few containers or fill nearby flower beds with fragrant annuals.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
When is it ok...
Over the weekend I went to a party and Miley Cyrus was there with her mom promoting her new album. I've seen Miley a million times on T.V. or in magazines but meeting her in person made me think...is it ever ok to tell someone they are too skinny? Miley is very nice but my first reaction was "Wow she is way to skinny". Of course I kept my mouth shut but everyone at the party was whispering the same thing. I hope she has success with her new album and comes to Wisconsin soon for cheese and beer! lol!
My recent Hollywood murder mystery adventure! Part 2
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday in Los Angeles, California. I awake from Friday night's TNT catered/planned festivites, where a criminal got shot atop the famous Beverly Wilshire Hotel, tried to figure out who hired the murderer and got ready to interteview the stars of TNT's Monday Night shows Major Crimes and King & Maxwell.
PICTURE: Van McNeil w Jon Tenny / Sean King (King & Maxwell) Mondays, 9pm, TNT.
Jon Tenny / Sean King talks about Milwaukee, his new show King & Maxwell and what it's all about...
So, I finish my interviews and head back to my room to get ready for a cast party at this awesome club called Boulevard 3.
Everything was to the nines and everyone was having a good time! Food, drinks, dancing, the Hollywood stars... and then, THIS happened!
The murder mystery continues...
It almost felt like we were on these TNT shows! Trying to put the peices together, collecting evidence, interviewing suspects, all to figure out whodunnit!
Get your, "crime solving" ON! Monday Nights starting at 8pm on TNT w Major Crimes AND King & Maxwell OR get caught up online at www.TNTDrama.com
Remembering NOLA!
I don't know if you have ever been to Mardi Gras (February/March) in New Orleans, Lousiana but if you get the chance GO!
I got to experience Mardi Gras before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2006 and lemme tell you, it was an experience! From all the parades, colorful costumes, beads and coconuts to the French Quarter and Burbon Street craziness there is NOTHING quite like Mardi Gras!
So, if you've never been or just want to scratch that itch again, our friends at Six Flags Great America will be doing it Mardi Gras style all weekend and I have your FREE tickets to go!
Of course, you can enjoy ALL that Six Flags has to offer, like Batman The Ride Backwards, X-Fight and the NEW Ignite Grand Finale but the streets of Orleans Place will be transformed THIS WEEKEND so you can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Bourbon Street including live music, parades and fireworks, as well as authentic food and drinks from New Orleans.
Want more information? Click here.
Wanna win tickets to go? Listen between Noon-4p ALL WEEK for your chance to win!
Good luck and 414.799.1099
BACON Debate - Best way to cook...
In honor of Father's Day, I thought I would finally settle the age old question...
What is the best/proper way to cook bacon?
To settle such a debate I called the experts! Renowned food writer/author/critic (New York Times), Peter Kaminsky joined me to talk about his new book he wrote alongside Marie Rama called, "Bacon Nation".
In the book you will find 125 different recipies, from breakfest to dessert, that include BACON!!
So... What IS the best/proper way to cook bacon? Find out what Peter says below and don't forget to enjoy some bacon this weekend! :)
More about Bacon Nation...click here.
Managing Picnic Beetles
Eat up and clean up to keep those little black beetles from enjoying your harvest.
Known as picnic beetles, sap beetles, or little black bugs, these scavengers can be found in overripe strawberries and raspberries, cracks in ripe tomatoes, ears of corn and more.
Since they are attracted to overripe and damaged fruit, regular harvesting and sanitation will help keep these pests at bay. Avoid pesticides that require a waiting period before you can continue to harvest as this delays picking and will result in even more overripe fruit that attracts more beetles into your garden.
Some gardeners find trapping effective. You may want to try this popular recipe: Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup dark corn syrup, one cake of yeast, and a spoonful of vinegar. Place the mixture in a container outside the garden. Use it to attract the beetles away from the garden, trap and drown them.
A bit more information: Any fermenting plant juices will also work. Some gardeners report success using ripe bananas and melon to attract and trap these insects.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Eat All Your Vegetables Day – June 17th
Load up your plate with fresh-from-the garden produce as you celebrate Eat All Your Vegetables Day on June 17th.
Use this day to inspire new additions to your vegetable garden while encouraging reluctant veggie eaters to try something new. Once they try some fresh vegetables they may be willing to make them a regular part of their diet. And, if you get them to grow their own, they are even more likely to partake.
Once you're inspired, look for extra space to add more vegetables to the landscape. Start by calculating the number of days left in your growing season. Simply count from the anticipated planting date to the average date of the first fall frost in your area. Check plant tags and seed packets for the number of days needed from planting until harvest. Make a list of these vegetables.
Then look for vacant spaces in flowerbeds, mixed borders and containers. And train vines crops up decorative trellises and fences.
A bit more information: Here are a few short season crops you may want to consider. Plant seeds and be ready to harvest radishes, leaf lettuce, spinach and chard in 40 days. Beets, bush snap beans, cucumbers and kohlrabi are ready to harvest in 50 to 60 days. Carrots, Chinese cabbage, and turnips take about 10 days longer.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
My recent Hollywood murder mystery adventure!
Every now and then, "work" takes me out to the West Coast but THIS trip was a little different. Lemme explain...
This adventure begins at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, (Pretty Woman, Bevery Hills Cop) where I was put up for the weekend for a TNT event! If you're are asking what TNT is, you probably already know, it's the TV channel... the one that is so familiar with drama, it's in their slogan... TNT - We Know Drama.
Anyway, me and my buddy check in, go up to our respective rooms and get ready for a gatering on the roof of the hotel later that night. Little did we know we would witness a "shootout" between police and a hired killer! It was up to everyone in attendence to figure out who at the party was responsible, by the end of the weekend.
There were clues... LOTS of clues!
Text messages, twitter accounts, pictures and more!
Plus a whole cast of characters from detectives, forensic lab technicinans, suspects and even a special appearance from the Los Angeles Department of Corner office!
If you're a murder myster junkie, even if you're not, this is kind of stuff you will encounter if you're watching TNT on Monday Nights! And let me be the first to warn you, IT SUCKS YOU RIGHT IN!
Let's begin with, "Major Crimes" who's first season I missed despite rave reviews from critics and fans. This show gives you all the tools to figure out WHO killed, in this first episode it's the BIG TIME film-producers wife. It's a great show that will leave you wanting more! BTW you can catch up on Season One by visiting TNTDrama.com or take a sneak peek of Season Two, which premeieres tonight at 8pm on TNT..click here.
PICTURE: Van McNeil w Major Crimes cast members, L, Tony Dension (Lt. Andy Flynn), C, Mary McDonnell (Capt. Sharon Raydor), R, G.W. Bailey (Lt. Provenza).
TO BE CONTINUED...STAY TUNED FOR MORE!
Visit a Farmer’s Market and Plan Your Garden
Farmers Markets are on the rise as more and more of us are looking for locally grown fresh produce. You may be surprised to find one or more popping up near your home.
Get the most out of your visit with a little advance planning.
Check out the internet for a list of farmer's markets in your area. Confirm the dates and hours of operation. Many include a list of vendors with links to their website and the week's featured produce.
Gather those cloth bags used when buying groceries. It makes managing all the produce easier and you will reduce the number of plastic bags headed to recycling or the garbage.
Take cash and lots of small bills. This makes it easier for the farmer and speeds up shopping. And you'll have more time to visit every single booth.
Look for and try new and different vegetables. It will help you plan future additions to your edible garden.
A bit more information: Eat first so you buy less or go hungry and plan on staying for a meal or snack. Many markets serve coffee and pastries or tasty meals. And take the whole family to enjoy this shopping experience. Many have kids' activities and music for all to enjoy.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Weed Your Garden Day – June 13th
Break out the cupcakes and balloons and get ready to celebrate Weed Your Garden Day on June 13th.
The thrill of the party may wane a bit when family and friends discover your true motivation. But, adding a festive spirit to garden tasks can make it more fun and you're more likely to make them happen.
Try a round robin of eating and weeding with friends. It is a great way to work in some social time and help each other tackle the weeds in the garden.
Barter a bit of weeding for a home cooked meal, pie, photography or other hobby or skill you prefer over weeding.
Hire some help – it's ok to admit the weeds won this round. Once under control, it will be easier for you to keep up with weeding and other garden care.
Once the garden is weeded, mulch it to reduce future weed infestations. Shredded leaves and evergreen needles are perfect for flowerbeds and vegetable gardens.
A bit more information: Woodchips and shredded bark make nice mulch around trees, shrubs and pathways. Do not put fabric weed barrier beneath these and other organic mulch. As the mulch decomposes it provides a great environment for weed seeds to sprout and grow through.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Nudge Your Bougainvillea Into Bloom
Nudge your potted bougainvillea into bloom with proper growing conditions and proper care.
Grow these blooming beauties in full sun. You'll get the best flower display during the shorter days of early spring and early fall. Plus the cooler night temperatures of 60 degrees or cooler will also promote bloom.
Keep your bougainvillea potbound to further encourage bloom. Repotting too soon results in lots of leaves and stems and delays flowering. During the growing season, allow the plants to dry slightly before watering again.
Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer with phosphorous, like Milorganite, to meet most of your plants season-long needs. Or apply a soluble flowering plant fertilizer to moist soil once a month.
Prune away any unwanted growth throughout the summer. And occasionally pinch out the growing tips to encourage more compact growth. Wear gloves and long sleeves to minimize direct contact with the thorns.
A bit more information: Start new plants from 4 to 6 inch long cuttings. Stick the cut end into a moist well-drained potting mix or mix of peatmoss and perlite. Roots should appear in 4 to 6 weeks. Repot if needed in a slightly larger container.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Heaven on Earth!
Sun, snow, rivers, streams and...the mountains! That's what I saw while I was vacationing over the weekend in Denver and Vail, Colorado.
It's always been one of my favorite places to visit because the mountain views, in my opinion, are a glimpse of heaven on earth.
I was able to sit on a few rooftop patios downtown, I went horseback riding in the Rockies in Beaver Creek and then I was able to sit in a hot tub in Vail while sipping my morning coffee (this photo is my view from the hot tub). Yes, I fell back in love with Colorado during my visit and I hope to be back there sometime soon!
Heaven on Earth!
Sun, snow, rivers, streams and...the mountains! That's what I saw while I was vacationing over the weekend in Denver and Vail, Colorado.
It's always been one of my favorite places to visit because the mountain views, in my opinion, are a glimpse of heaven on earth.
I was able to sit on a few rooftop patios downtown, I went horseback riding in the Rockies in Beaver Creek and then I was able to sit in a hot tub in Vail while sipping my morning coffee (this photo is my view from the hot tub). Yes, I fell back in love with Colorado during my visit and I hope to be back there sometime soon!
PIC: Cool Clouds
I took this picture from the rooftop of a friends condo in Chicago. We were having cocktails tonight when the storm was rolling in. Super cool clouds!
Shade Combinations for Attracting Hummingbirds
Don't let shade stop you from attracting hummingbirds to your garden. Include a few hummingbird favorites in the garden or container plantings.
Fuchsia is a favorite of shade gardeners and hummingbirds. Try using one of the upright types like Thalia, Gartenmeister or Firecracker with its variegated leaves. Add a fern for texture and wire vine as a groundcover in the garden or spiller in the container.
Consider adding a few or quite a few Dragon wing begonias to the garden. The large plants put on a show all summer long with the red and pink flowers. They combine nicely with impatiens, another hummingbird favorite. And surround this combination with a groundcover or trailer of Silver Falls Dichondra.
Include a backdrop of summer long bloom you and the hummingbirds will enjoy. Train a honeysuckle vine onto a fence or decorative trellis for screening and hummingbird appeal. Try the mildew resistant Major Wheeler.
A bit more information: For more ideas on attracting birds and butterflies to your garden visit www.birdsandblooms.com . See projects and ideas on attracting wildlife to the garden and you'll find my answers to common garden questions. Also, be sure to look for my article "Make Room for Hummingbirds and Butterflies" in the June/July 2013 issue of Birds & Blooms magazine.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Buttered Rum, Southern Comfort - Colorful Perennials for the Garden
How about a bit of Buttered Rum or Southern Comfort in the garden? No, I am not talking about a drink, but rather a few colorful perennials.
Heucherella 'Buttered Rum' is a hybrid with coral bells, known as Heuchera. And foamflower, called Tiarella as its parents. The maple shaped leaves have a caramel edge and are topped with white flowers in spring.
Southern Comfort coral bells have cinnamon peach leaves that mature to amber. The white flowers on this plant appear in summer.
Finish off your planting with a little dessert. Peach Flambe coral bells have bright peach leaves in the cooler months of spring and fall. The leaves turn a softer peach in summer and plum purple for winter.
Use a combination of these and other coral bells and foamflowers to create a tapestry of color in your partial shade to full sun gardens. Be sure to keep the soil slightly moist throughout the season.
A bit more information: Add some Dolce® Key Lime Pie to the dessert buffet. This coral bell has chartreuse foliage all season long. The heart shaped leaves are mottled with lime green. Mix a few with dark green or blue-green hostas for an eye-catching combination.
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Start by reviewing the weather. Frost damage, hail, and even falling maple seeds, many call “helicopters,” can damage these plants. Monitor the weather and the progression of the damage. If there are no more holes, it’s most likely one of these.
Start by creating a mini terrarium. Water your plants thoroughly. Set them in the sink or tub and cover with clear plastic. This closed system will keep your plants moist. 
Always moisten the top 12 inches of soil under the dripline (the area directly located under the outer circumference of the tree branches) when watering deciduous trees and the same depth, but three to five feet beyond the dripline for evergreens. 
