RHS - 2011 Gardening App for iPhone

The 2011 iPhone application from the Royal Horticultural Society - Grow Your Own – is designed to help you choose and grow fruit and vegetables - however much space or time you have. The base application is free and covers the 20 most popular varieties of fruit and veg. Within the application itself you can buy additional content bundles (for £1.79 each) to extend the content of the app.

We have listened to feedback on the 2010 version, and are now making all functionality available for free on the 20 basic fruit and veg profiles.

For Users who purchased Version 2.0 last year with an in-app upgrade, you will be able to upgrade to the new version for free, and the RHS will give you Vegetables 1 and Fruit as a thank you for your loyalty and feedback.

Top Horticulturalists' Go-To Books.

Barbara Mahany, of the Chicago Tribune, wrote in the article below, that top horticulturalists were surveyed from some of America's top gardens and asked what are the books that they turn to for inspiration and gardening answers.

1. "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses" (Stipes Publishing LLC) by Michael Dirr.
2. "Henry Mitchell on Gardening" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Mariner Books). Essays from the late, great American garden writer.
3. "Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation" (Timber Press) by Kirsten Albrecht Llamas.
4. "The Organic Lawn Care Manual: A Natural, Low-Maintenance System for a Beautiful, Safe Lawn" (Storey Publishing) by Paul Tukey.

 Link to article: Books that grow on America's' best gardeners

 List of the best gardening books from 2009:

1.  “Wicked Plants” by Amy Stewart.
   
2. “The American Meadow Garden,” by John Greenlee.
   
3. “Rodale’s Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening: The Indispensible Green Resource for Every Garden,” edited by Fern Marshall Bradley.
   
4. “Bulb,” by Anna Pavord.
   
5. “The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire and the Birth of an Obsession,” by Andrea Wulf.
   
6. “The Bizarre and Incredible World of Plants,” by Wolfgang Stuppy, Rob Kessler and Madeline Harley.
   
7. “American Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Gardening Techniques: The Indispensable illustrated Practical Guide,” edited by David Ellis, Fiona Gilsenan, Rita Pelczar and Graham Rice.
   
8. “Planthropology: The Myths, Mysteries and Miracles of My Garden Favorites” by Ken Druse.
   
9. “Home Outside: Creating the Landscape You Love,” by Julie Moir Messervy.

• Shop for these books here>

Indiana: Grow Organic clasess to begin

At least 17 instructors will present the course topics, which include history and philosophy of organic gardening, site planning and plant physiology, water and xeriscaping, soil and soil amendments, plant taxonomy, weed control, season extension, pruning, seed saving, seed starting and transplanting, annuals and perennials, insect interactions, plant pathology, genetically modified plants, tree planting and maintenance, composting / vermicomposting, vegetable gardens, and backyard habitat.

Optional Saturday field trips include a trip to an urban farm, a garden that grows medicinal and edible wild plants, the historic garden at Wylie House, and the permaculture garden in Green Acres neighborhood. There will also be a look at predators in the garden, a pruning primer and a lab at IU.

Read more at the Herald Times Online site>

Australia: ACS provides gardening, landscaping and horticulture courses

THE AUSTRALIAN Correspondence School (ACS) says it offers over 150 gardening courses, from short amateur courses to long professional qualification courses.

According to ACS, it has been working in horticulture, gardening and landscaping for the past three decades. Staffs include a dozen qualified and skilled horticultural experts, from across Australia, the UK and New Zealand.

The courses can cover around 100 hours for topics such as growing fruit or vegetables at home and landscaping home gardens.

ACS says the landscaping home garden course is designed to teach you how to design or renovate a home garden and then, how to maintain it. The subjects covered are relevant to both small and large landscapes, suitable for developing a new home garden, or improving an existing one.

The principal of ACS, John Mason is said to have been editor of for garden magazines and is an author of over 40 gardening books.

Source: Landscape Design News>

Plant selection for tight spaces

Think you don't have room? Never feel restricted again with these small problem solvers. David Leckey at Fine Gardening magazine provides suggestion on plant selections for those with challenging small gardening spaces. Ideas include the 'Diana' Weeping Larch as shown in the photo by Jennifer Benner. Read the full article at Fine Gardening>

Central Texas: August Gardening Events

Classes at The Natural Gardener.Saturdays through mid-September. 9 a.m. today: 'Hummingbirds: Myths & Facts.' The Natural Gardener, 8648 Old Bee Cave Road. Free. 288-6113.

Austin Public Library Green Living Talks.11 a.m. today: 'Conserve Energy and Save Money.' Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St. Free. www.ci.austin.tx.us/library.

Round Rock Community Garden Club meeting.9:15 a.m. Monday. The topic will be 'Orchids and Bromeliads.' Baca Center, 301 W. Bagdad St., Building 2, Round Rock. Free. 512-218-5499.

Heart O' Texas Orchid Society monthly meeting.6:45 p.m. open; 7:15 p.m. speaker Tuesday. Speaker Peter Tobias on orchid conservation. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. 251-2252.

The Austin Organic Gardening Club meeting. 7 p.m. Aug. 10. Fall planting and recommended planting varieties with Tim Miller, veteran dry land organic farmer, and Forrest Arnold, organic gardening consultant and master gardener. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. www.austinorganicgardeners.org.

Iris Society of Austin. 7 p.m. Aug. 11. Bring a dish of your favorite food and join the group for a delightful program about irises that grow in this area. Zilker Botanical Garden auditorium, 2220 Barton Springs Road. 477-8672.

The Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas.7 p.m. Aug. 13. Guest speaker is Flo Oxley. Georgetown Public Library, second floor, 402 W. Eighth St., Georgetown. Free. www.npsot.org/WilliamsonCounty/default.htm.

Fall Vegetable Gardening.10 a.m. Aug. 22. Free seminar. Riverplace Country Club, 4207 River Place Blvd. Free. www.tcmastergardeners.org.

17th Annual Texas Bamboo Festival.10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 23. Bamboo plants and crafts for sale. Lectures, presentations and live auction. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free; parking is $3. www.bamboocentral.net.

The Garden Club of Austin. 7 p.m. Aug. 27. 'Wild in the Shade: Creating a Woodland Garden' presented by Rekka Morris. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. 444-8765.

The Garden Club of Austin: 3rd Annual Fern Symposium.6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 28 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 29. Explore the world of ferns and identify and grow hardy, tropical novelty ferns for Austin. There will be ferns on display and to buy. Friday: travel night and dinner: $35. Saturday: seminars, tours and lunch: $30. Both days $60. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. www.fernfestival.org.

Austin Cactus and Succulent Society Fall Show and Sale.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5, 6, and 7. Rare and beautiful cacti and succulent species from around the world. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. www.austincss.com.
Source: www.statesman.com

Iris Society of Austin Annual Rhizome Sale of Irises.9 a.m. Sept. 12. Zilker Botanical Garden auditorium, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. 477-8672.

Do-It-Yourself Pond Building. 10 a.m. Sept. 19. Attend free seminar and learn step-by-step lessons on the basics of building a pond. American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Road. Free. www.tcmastergardeners.org.

Propagation 101: Growing Plants for your Garden.11 a.m. Sept. 26. Learn how to grow your own plants from seeds or existing plants. Yarborough branch, 2200 Hancock Drive. Free. www.tcmastergardeners.org.

First Austin African Violet Society annual Fall Show and Sale.10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Free. www.faavs.org.

Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association (CHTA) annual conference,"Good for the Soil, Good for the Soul"

Guelph - The 2009 CHTA conference, "Good for the Soil, Good for the Soul", highlights ways in which horticultural therapy (HT) and therapeutic horticulture (TH) nurture both the earth and ourselves. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about organic gardening techniques and to dig deeply into the connections with nature that make HT and TH programs so effective.

The CHTA is delighted to welcome Marjorie Harris as the keynote speaker on Saturday, September 19th. One of Canada's best known garden writers, Marjorie has written 15 gardening books, including The Healing Garden and Pocket Gardening. Her latest book is a reissue of Ecological Gardening: Your Path to a Healthy Garden.

Read more>

Program cultivates self-esteem along with produce

By SARA EDMONDS
SKAGIT VALLEY HERALD

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. -- What started out as a simple survey of what would make life better for residents of La Casa San Jose apartments, turned into a youth program focusing on education and gardening. "Parents said they wanted a safe place where their kids could get help with their homework and have some recreational opportunities," said Leah VanderStoep, resident services coordinator for the Archdiocesan Housing Authority, which operates the 50-unit property for farm workers and their families. VanderStoep's survey led to a summer program that has blossomed - and with it a half-acre vegetable garden tended by the adult residents and their children, all of whom are Latino. Not only are the children gaining knowledge in gardening, the vegetables they plant are picked and taken home to be eaten. Read more>

Campers learn science of gardening at arboretum

By Ashley Boyd Staff Writer

Agroup of middle-school girls is getting their hands dirty this week while learning about gardening. Speakers at the DIRT campMaster gardener Betty Hardee spoke about composting.Libby Uzzell and Jean Henderson spoke about bluebirds and gave the girls tips for making birdhouses. Amanda Espy-Brown, an adjunct geography professor at UA, recently traveled to Africa and will speak today about the role African women play in agriculture in their countries.

Working in conjunction with Bama Dining and New College, the University of Alabama Arboretum is hosting a free, weeklong community service gardening workshop.
Environmentalism and sustainability are the focal points of the camp, which is called Alabama DIRT: Directed Investigations and Research for Teens.

“It’s teaching them about sustainability in terms of using our resources in a way that leaves resources for the next generation. They’re getting hands-on experience at a young age and will hopefully continue to grow plants on their own,” said Mary Jo Modica, horticulturalist for the arboretum. Read more>

Green Neighbors: Turn-of-the-(last) Century Gardening

By Ron Sullivan

Joe gave me an antique garden book as a 36th anniversary present. A true antique, over a century old: The Garden Book of California, by Belle Sumner Angier, 1906, Paul Elder and Company. It does not have an ISBN number, nor does the publisher’s address have a ZIP code. Last month I read, somewhere, a question regarding an heirloom watch that was having battery trouble. Heirloom watches have batteries? This Ain’t Right, the way It Ain’t Right to walk into an antique shop and see a display of LPs that you remember having sex to. The book does have a few uncut pages, which are a truly tantalizing dilemma: Do I preserve the antique value by leaving them uncut, or do I screw up the soft deckled margin by inexpertly cutting them? Read more>

Mystic Garden Club

The Mystic Garden Club was organized in 1924. It is a non-profit organization that encourages the love of gardening amoung amateurs and the sharing of knowledge about native plants. With the promotion and execution of civic beautification. The Mystic Garden Club promotes and encourages its members to contribute their knowledge for the enjoyment and education of the public.

http://www.mysticgardenclub.org/

A moon tree and space tomatoes

Photo: Alan Ladwig, senior adviser to the NASA administrator, looks at a newly planted moon sycamore tree, in honor of Earth Day and the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Program at NASA, at the National Arboretum in Washington on April 22, 2009. The tree was grown from a second-generation seed from seeds flown to the moon

All the talk today about the anniversary of the first landing on the moon brings back memories for many people. One of mine is about gardening.

Back in 1971, NASA astronaut Stuart Roosa, on his way to the moon aboard Apollo 14, took along seeds of five tree species – Douglas fir, loblolly pine, redwood, sweet gum, and sycamore. (Click here for more background and details.)

Roosa was a smoke jumper for the US Forest Service before he became an astronaut, so when he and the seeds returned from their historic journey, the Forest Service germinated the seeds. The resulting trees were dubbed “moon trees,” of course.

Read more>

'How do I salvage a flower bed or garden overtaken by weeds, without a lot of work?'

Jaipi Sixbear
Go to Jaipi's Home Page
Denver Gardening Examiner

I was with you until you said without a ton of work, Tammy. Unfortunately, gardening is a very pleasurable activity that takes a ton of work. There is really no way to salvage an overgrown area without a little elbow grease. What you can do is split up the work into several projects spread over a few days.

Read more:

Gardening at altitude: Top 10 landscaping tips : Home and Garden : Boulder Daily Camera

By Carol O'Meara Tuesday, July 7, 2009 Just once in your life, what would it feel like to be a trendsetter? In one fleeting moment to have the world following your lead before it's hip or cool. How could a gardener achieve this? Wacky hairstyles, outrageous clothes, odd cars or geeky tech tools we can understand, but when you spend your days cooing over worms and discussing the merits of manure, you don't exactly get a lot groupies. Read more:
Gardening at altitude: Top 10 landscaping tips : Home and Garden : Boulder Daily Camera Source: dailycamera.com

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Gardening for health

Cheyenne Robertson
Go to Cheyenne's Home Page
Dallas Mind and Body Examiner

Can the simple act of planting and tending a garden promote health and wellness? You bet! And in more ways than you think.

Read more:
Gardening for health

Posted using ShareThis

Master gardeners are an invaluable resource to university systems

By Joe Lamp'l, Scripps Howard News Service

If you really want to get those gardening questions answered, ask a master gardener. We've all heard the reference before and many of us have used this valuable free service. But just what is a master gardener, and how does one achieve such a designation?

Master gardeners are volunteers. Above all, they have one thing in common: They're passionate about gardening and horticulture and want to share their time and knowledge. Most are not professional gardeners or horticulturists. In fact, many come into the program as novices.

Others have been gardening all their lives.

Read more:

Hometown: Children plant garden for food shelf in Jericho

By Lynn Monty • Free Press Staff Writer • June 24, 2009

After working as a physical education teacher for 30 years, Susan Adams of Underhill decided to retire and take up gardening. She took a Master Gardening course at the University of Vermont this winter and is sprucing up the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library with the help of Underhill ID School students. This is the first year the library will be a Master Gardening site.

The third- and fourth-graders in Tracy Walker and Pam Bloch’s classes planted a vegetable garden for the local food shelf at the library June 1. Students implemented a composting program at the school last year as a fourth grade initiative to promote leadership. They started with one composter for snack trash and have now filled four composters that will be used for the garden at the library.

“We thought it would be fun because the school is adjacent to the library and this really connects with their science unit,” Adams said.

Read more:

Special Populations develops Horticultural Therapy Program

www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com

The city of Cape Coral's Special Populations program has developed a Horticultural Therapy Program for its participants to teach the benefits of gardening. The participants in the Adult Day Training program are cultivating basil and mint, lima beans, cantaloupe, peanuts, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes and sunflowers. They are responsible for tending to the crops and harvesting them at the appropriate time.

The Special Pops horticulture areas are located in the courtyards at the Freida B. Smith Special Populations Center at 400 Santa Barbara Blvd., next to Lake Kennedy Senior Center. One courtyard has a ground bed, and the other courtyard has container gardens.

The Horticultural Therapy Program provides the opportunity for the Special Pops participants to learn about gardening and watch as herbs, fruits and vegetables grow from bare grounds and containers in the courtyards. The group uses natural mulch and collects rain in barrels for watering. They also learn about sunlight and nutrient requirements; weeding and pruning; and watching weather conditions to know how much water and sun a particular crop requires.

The group already harvested its first crops of basil, mint and lima beans, which were provided to Pops Caf - the cafeteria in the Cape Coral City Hall. The herbs and vegetables are used in some of the home-made recipes prepared at the caf.

The city of Cape Coral's Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for the Special Populations Program, which provides continuing education, employment training and recreation for persons with developmental disabilities.

For more information on the Special Pops program, citizens can call 239-574-0574.

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