We just finished our first hangout on Google+. Jeff moderated the discussion, which was both lively and productive. He recorded it too and posted it on YouTube. (I’m trying to embed it here as well – may take me a few tweaks so bear with me. Once it’s on, I’ll delete this parenthetical comment.)
Stay tuned for our next hangout and feel free to join us – we don’t bite!
Do you ever get annoyed right after you eat a nice, ripe, homegrown tomato at those little pieces of tomato skin that get caught in your teeth, or even against the roof of your mouth? Sure, the tomatoes are worth it, but those little pieces of skin can drive me up the wall for hours afterwards, especially after eating a bunch of cherry tomatoes.
This post is about how I learned to get rid of those little tomato bits.… Continue reading this article “Tomatoes, Dingleberry Deer, and the Goose Poop”
For those people participating in the discussion on Google + tomorrow I just wanted to let you know that I will be inviting you to participate in a "hangout" a few minutes before the discussion is scheduled to begin. You will need to be on Google + to see and join this hangout. If for some reason you don’t see it, go to hangouts on the left side of the screen. Once you get to the hangouts screen you’ll see hangouts to join and this one should be there! … Continue reading this article “For those participating in the discussion tomorrow”
Since we have an almost 18-year-old with perpetual FDD (food deficit disorder), we do a lot of Costco shopping. I always take a walk down the bagged bulb aisle to see what interesting things I might try at home. This year I bought a bag of Tigridia grandiflora, aka peacock flower. Wow! What a lucky choice for me!
These iris family members have been flowering continuously since sometime in July. They do tend to be a bit floppy.… Continue reading this article “The coolest plant from Costco”
For all of you getting ready to participate with us on Google + on Thursday I need to get you into our circle, so if you could either search for me on Google + and friend me, or, alternatively, e-mail me (gillm003@umn.edu) and let me know you want to participate, that will be necessary for your participation.
We are planning to record this session and make it available on you-tube (assuming I can figure out all the technology).… Continue reading this article “Update on Google +”
My recent post on Seattle Public Utilities proposed restriction on the use of non-native plants for landscaping drew the ire of Taryn Evans of the Florida Native Plant Society. Taryn was critical not only of what I had to say but how I said it. She felt that my post was ‘clumsy’ and lacked a clear focus. In my defense, part of the perceived lack of clarity may stem from a lack of context. I alluded to several previous blog posts (including the references to using goats and schoolchildren to control invasives) but didn’t include the links – which are now listed at the end this post. … Continue reading this article “So, what’s your point?”
Over the past week the garden professors have been playing with something new, and we think it’s time to try it live with all of you.
Hopefully some of you are aware of Google and Google +. On Google + there is a feature called “Hangouts” which lets you interact directly with up to ten people at once using camera and microphone. More than that can participate by watching the discussion (though I’m still working that out on my computer — it should be ready by the time we go live.)… Continue reading this article “Get Ready for Something New”
Linda’s blue orchid (ick!) post may have led to this one subliminally.
I seem to have a thing for oddly-colored vegetables (see my orange cucumber post). When I saw this new tomato in the 2012 Johnny’s Seeds catalog, I had to have it.
‘Indigo Rose’ was bred by Dr. Jim Myers of Oregon State University. Jim wrote the book (literally) on Organic Plant Breeding – using traditional breeding methods to breed varieties of vegetables that perform well for organic farmers. … Continue reading this article “A Rose is a…Tomato?”
I was at a big box home improvement store yesterday, and after doing my legitimate business I felt myself drawn to the garden center. I smirked at the “drought tolerant cactus gardens” that had died from lack of water and the ever-popular GMO “cactus strawflower” (GMO = glue modified organism as illustrated in my January 13, 2010 post). Then I spotted my prey du jour: a blue orchid!
A disclaimer on the tag warns that new blooms will be white:
Oh, and the source of the magic? … Continue reading this article “Blue orchids?”
I just got back from the ISA meeting (that’s the International Society for Arboriculture) in Portland. 2000+ attendees, great talks, and lots of networking. One of the ideas that came up in late night discussions (always the best time for ideas!) was using this blog as a clearinghouse for speakers. So here’s the plan:
Our speaker’s bureau will be limited to those individuals who present current, relevant, science-based information in their presentations. I’ll create a new category for the blog called “Speaker’s Bureau” and each person who provides information will get an individual posting there.… Continue reading this article “A Speaker’s Bureau???”