Gardening Blog

At the end of August, I attended a garden writer’s symposium and two trade shows that featured a tempting array of new products headed to the consumer starting in January. From green lawn paint to a sensational burgundy and blue-gray sedum groundcover, I have plenty to share with you.

In March, Tom Wagner, the tomato breeder who created Green Zebra, Banana Legs and more, sent me seeds for four blue, open-pollinated, tomatoes he’s stabilizing for market.

Despite drought, heat and lately deluge, cucumbers produce prodigiously. It’s their manner.

I’m out in the garden these Dog Days of Summer cutting flowers to dry for wreaths and bouquets to brighten those endless gray, frigid days of the upcoming winter.

Many gardeners complain they can’t grow any plants in the shade other than hostas. And those are devoured by slugs. Embrace the shade!

Have you planted beans yet in your garden? I haven’t and am pushing myself out the door this afternoon to plant before it’s too late.

Roses have changed, and it’s about time! The emphasis now is on roses grown on their own roots and shrub and disease-resistant landscape types—ones that you can truly plant and almost forget. They’re no longer intimidating prima donnas, which makes me very happy.