by angela@diggingbliss | Jul 23, 2007 | Uncategorized
I contacted the company to see where Perfectly Natural Weed ‘n Grass Killer could be purchased in greater Sacramento. Green Acres is apparently the only garden center selling it. Picked up a gallon yesterday, having gotten good results from it last year. Only one nursery… in Roseville… carries it? Sheesh!
BTW, the smaller bottle is ready to use, but you need an applicator for the gallon. I’m not sure how I’m going to apply it yet. I have a tank sprayer, but ugh. Maybe I can attach a sprayer directly to the gallon bottle, assuming it’s not a concentrate. We’ll see.
Ooh, maybe I still have the old ready-to-use bottle!
Green Acres Nursery & Supply
Address: 901 Galleria Blvd Roseville, CA 95678, US (Just South of the Galleria Mall on the right hand side)
Phone: 916-782-2273
by angela@diggingbliss | Jul 23, 2007 | Uncategorized
I came home with some fun stuff– Coleus ‘Royal Glissade’, Canna ‘Intrigue’, Agapanthus ‘New Blue’, Salvia ‘Purple Pastel’, Salpiglossis Royal Purple and ‘Black Heart’ potato vine. It was a hot summer afternoon, but a little heat couldn’t dim the dazzling array of plants and pots and garden toys at Bushnell’s, a beautiful nursery in a beautiful setting.
‘Storm Cloud’ agapanthus and ‘Intrigue’ canna were heavily discounted! I’m tempted to go back for more…
http://www.bushnellgardens.com/
by angela@diggingbliss | Jul 22, 2007 | Uncategorized
I thoroughly enjoyed Blithe Tomato. It was written by a small farmer, or rather, a man who farms organically on a small California farm and sells his produce at farmers’ markets. The book reads more like a series of personality profiles rather than an unfolding story, yet still paints a rather charming (though clearly not rose-colored) picture of farmers’ markets and small-scale farming.
You get a sense from author Mike Madison that his is a rich life, not always monetarily, but in quality. He works with the land, not against it, and his stories reveal a respect for nature and a tender eye toward farmers and farmers’ market customers. Madison strings words together in a pretty way, and he’s funny. Need I say more? Ok, I will. Blithe Tomato will make you want to slow down and appreciate your bounty, be it agricultural or floral or human or four-legged.
Blithe tomato not only had me fantasizing about working at a farmers’ market, it also got me back in the habit of going to farmers’ markets in my area. Thank you, Mike. Last week, I tasted the most incredible red-fleshed farmers’ market plums of my life.
Trivia fans will appreciate knowing that Mr. Madison is brother to famous foodie Deborah Madison.
With its catchy title, I had high hopes for The $64 Tomato. I’m glad I read it, but author William Alexander’s use of nastier and nastier pesticides and excruciatingly detailed accounts of trapping and killing garden invaders left me a little angry, grossed out and sad. Instead of working with the land, Alexander seeks to conquer it before it conquers him. I feel like he didn’t give organic gardening enough of a chance. William Alexander desperately needs to read Blithe Tomato.
by angela@diggingbliss | Jul 21, 2007 | Uncategorized
My friend “Weeder” gave me seeds of Impatiens balfourii last year or the year before and I’m happy to see it reseeds prolifically in my front porch pots. It requires shade here in the Valley and in my experience, its water requirements are average. Now that I think about it, I. balfourii tolerates my erratic watering schedule rather well.
Annie’s Annuals offers it in pots, but it’s super easy from seed. If a friend doesn’t have it, try seed swaps (GardenWeb, Dave’s Garden) or online sources.
While I was taking a few pictures, Emily wanted to see what all the fuss was about. She clearly thinks the fuss should be all about her, not Impatiens friggin’ balfourii.
