tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35591372011-07-14T19:39:05.798-05:00The Good EarthMusings of a former marketing exec who is now thriving at home with husband and sonsHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comBlogger291100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-1176308309887921722007-04-11T11:15:00.000-05:002007-04-11T11:18:29.896-05:00This blog was moved several years ago to The Good Earth. Sorry for taking so long to post the new link, but I just found my ID and password!Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-841512722002-11-06T21:25:00.000-06:002002-11-06T21:25:32.580-06:00Thoughts to post:
Turkey Run trip
family shoot-out
cleaning the garden and other fall chores
$175 school gift order, 100 cans of food
Samson and the first snow
MG tips: quick release high nitrogen now
bulbs, corms and rhizomes are underground stems!
75% of disease is from fungus
volcano mulching
warning-caution-danger
Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-840388512002-11-04T21:19:00.000-06:002002-11-06T20:30:01.000-06:00If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
Marcus Tullius Cicero (106BC - 3BC) Roman statesman, scholar, orator
I love to read and am slightly obsessed with gardening. I suppose the right garden could meet the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing (fig leaves?). The right books stimulate mental processes and provide a fantasy life. Both garden and library can aidHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-821044302002-09-25T13:03:00.000-05:002002-11-06T21:22:54.000-06:00Hi Martha, thanks for resending the Blog link. It sounds like you are ordering some fabulous bulbs! Keep us updated as to what you learn in the master gardener classes so we can live vicariously through your experiences. jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06889497282360183570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-813291042002-09-08T17:42:00.000-05:002002-09-08T17:42:27.873-05:00Bulbs
I do this every fall, although I showed some restraint this year. Instead of 700-1000 bulbs to plant in late October, I only ordered 400 bulbs and I am sharing some with Ginny and my mother-in-law. The 50 Tulip Humilis Persian Pearl bulbs are small early blooming species tulips of yellow and magenta. Last year, I planted 25 of these tulips in clumps along the front walk and enjoyed them Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-811409292002-09-04T09:44:00.000-05:002002-09-04T09:50:19.000-05:00Martha, I'm not sure if anyone else saw the bulb order posting or is interested. I do know I want some orange foxtail, a variety of crocus for broadcasting, and tulips if I can decide on the colors. The next 2 days will be very intense for me - practicum lasts until 10 tonight and class until 8 tomorrow night with Zach needing help with French when I get home! Would Friday or this weekend be tooGinnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748156703324818236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-809557792002-08-31T08:05:00.000-05:002002-08-31T08:05:50.956-05:00Thanks for the reminder to place the order. Let me know what you want. I'm not sure what happened with the entry. Did anyone else see it?
I can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted anything. August has been a busy month. We went to the UP camping, second time this summer. Lake Superior has become our favorite spot. We celebrated the twins' 13th birthday with the Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-805669962002-08-22T08:29:00.000-05:002002-08-22T08:29:47.563-05:00Martha, did you already send in your bulb order? For some reason your 8/1 entry popped up this morning for the first time. Or perhaps I'm not signing on properly???? GinnyGinnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748156703324818236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-796846992002-08-01T07:30:00.000-05:002002-08-01T07:30:47.393-05:00Bulbs?
I'm getting ready to place a bulb order with Van Engelen. They sell in large quantities, so if anyone wants to split an order, let me know. Here is their website:
http://vanengelen.com/
I'm ordering Beau Monde tulips for my mother-in-law. Does anyone want some?
http://vanengelen.com/catview.cgi?_fn=Item&_recordnum=5070&_category=Tulips:GiantDarwin
I'm also thinking about ordering Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-796110282002-07-30T16:15:00.000-05:002002-07-30T16:15:03.286-05:00I'm starting to think about education as I get my family ready for school within the month. Here's a quote I'd like to share:
Education is not filling a pail, but lighting a fire.
~William Butler YeatsHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-795754562002-07-29T21:26:00.000-05:002002-07-29T21:26:34.766-05:00Perennial Plant Party
Ten years ago, when I just started my perennial bed, I was aghast at the cost and quality of plants available. Then I decided to invite gardening friends to a party to share their starts with me! My garden grew, my circle of gardening friends grew and now I can walk through my garden remembering my friends. The Siberian Iris is Mary L. The double daylily, tansy and Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-795480372002-07-29T08:58:00.000-05:002002-07-29T09:01:15.000-05:00As an amateur gardener, I have a keen interest in science. Thank you, Mary, for sending me these important new scientific theories.
New Scientific Theories: Winning entries from a contest sponsored by Omni Magazine.
4th Runner-Up
The earth may spin faster on its axis due to deforestation. Just as a figure skater's rate of spin increases when the arms are brought in close to the body, the Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-795343532002-07-28T23:22:00.000-05:002002-07-28T23:22:02.070-05:00Rain, glorious rain, today. The pond rose four inches! Maybe we will have to mow the lawn after all this summer.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-792858882002-07-22T22:51:00.000-05:002002-07-23T13:33:49.000-05:00Samson
We have a new puppy, a five month old yellow Labrador. The vet asked us if we wanted the puppy since its owner decided to put him to sleep rather than fix his broken paw. We got visitation rights on Sunday and today Samson is back at the vets for surgery. He is a delightful dog and we are well pleased. I did notice, though, that whenever we walked him, he pulled straight for the same Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-790156842002-07-16T07:38:00.000-05:002002-07-16T12:09:13.000-05:00Solarization
Steve and I tried solarization on our tree farm. For a significant amount of labor, the result was more vigorous weeds and grasses competing with the baby trees. Perhaps it would work better on a small scale after thoroughly preparing the beds. Then why not use newspaper and mulch? http://www.gardenguides.com/TipsandTechniques/solarization.htm
Tyrone couldn't let my July 13 Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-789606172002-07-14T23:56:00.000-05:002002-07-15T19:43:26.000-05:00My son Rick, who is not inclined to notice the garden, breezed past it today and said, "This is really beautiful. It is so tall and full." This remark gave me a disproportionate amount of pleasure, partly because of his sweet spontaneity and partly because I had been looking at the garden through critical gardener's eyes. I saw that the lady's mantle needed cut back, the lilies needed Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-789021312002-07-13T08:25:00.000-05:002002-07-13T22:36:56.000-05:00Gardening gives me so much pleasure, that I have tended to focus on the joys of gardening and neglected the joy of perseverance in the face of adversity. (I worked hard to put a positive spin on that statement!)
Rain
Or lack thereof. The ground is cracked and dry. The potted plants droop daily. I bought sprinklers for the first time, but try to be judicious in their use. While we have no Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-787775242002-07-10T09:47:00.000-05:002002-07-10T09:47:15.536-05:00I'm falling in love with pale pink flowers with yellow centers and perhaps a bit of white. My pink daylily with a buttery center has just started to bloom. I have a David Austin rose with this coloring (Mary something or other). The Angelique tulips I planted last fall has the same coloring. Does anyone know of any other flowers with this coloring. It looks like a gentle sunrise with the Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-787595632002-07-09T22:26:00.000-05:002002-07-09T22:26:09.053-05:00I've invited some other gardeners to join this blog, so I hope to see their thoughts about gardening and nature. I had little time today to enjoy it though, between running boys to baseball, doctor, martial arts and basketball. So I think I need to go out and soak up the night sky...maybe I'll float in the pool and enjoy the night. Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-786973232002-07-08T14:28:00.000-05:002002-07-08T14:33:57.000-05:00I haven't forgotten about the good earth. I've just been busy enjoying it. The Botanical Conservatory Garden Walk was several weeks ago and two of the gardens were created by friends of mine. The walk inspired me to scheme about my own garden; specifically, I want to better define my garden rooms. This would involve more hardscaping, including fences, gates, bridges and arbors, as well as Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-779782242002-06-20T08:35:00.000-05:002002-06-20T21:27:31.000-05:00Ophidiophobia. Only my good friend Renee would know the word for snake phobia. I need a mnemonic to remember this word. When I see a snake, I'll think: ooph. I die. Oh!
I saw a painted turtle laying eggs. She did not choose a very isolated spot. The eggs are about six inches off the driveway. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Last year, we saw a snapping turtle lay eggs in my Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-778300972002-06-16T22:24:00.000-05:002002-06-16T22:24:29.200-05:00Father's Day. I've been thinking a lot about my father this week. It's been over eight years since he died and I miss him. Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-777662252002-06-14T23:08:00.000-05:002002-06-14T23:08:12.483-05:00Last night we stopped by the river on our way to clean out the barn at the Highlands. Eddie was there and decided to get his boat out of the barn. When we got the boat to the property, Eddie suggested we launch it. Our eyes lit up and off we went to the boat ramp in Leo. It was after nine when we finally got underway. There is nothing like the river at night. Eddie steered into the V, whichHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-775938782002-06-10T22:25:00.000-05:002002-06-11T07:53:54.000-05:00It was a day of tree frogs, black snakes and painted turtles.
Three tree frogs have made their home underneath the edge of our pool. Maybe we should call them vinyl-liner frogs and not tree frogs. I had to rescue a gazillion tadpoles and put them in the natural pond before the chemicals mutated them into who-knows-what. Two tree frogs were mating today on the filter hose. I don't know if Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-775468952002-06-09T21:02:00.000-05:002002-06-09T21:02:07.356-05:00A good friend sent me this today:
Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed vs. a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-775050282002-06-08T13:13:00.000-05:002002-06-08T13:18:55.000-05:00Once again I've started too many garden projects and the days are going too fast for me to complete them. I need to use those project management skills I honed when I was launching e-commerce sites! I have a new perennial border that needs planted and I'm tempted to stuff the plants in rather than design it. Ten shrubs in pots are waiting for me to decide their permanent home. The pool stillHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-774872672002-06-07T22:33:00.000-05:002002-06-07T22:35:51.000-05:00I'm new to this bloggin stuff...as you can tell. I read the blogs late into the night, then they kept me awake. Thank you God for taking me past being young and tortured. I remember so well. I want to reach out to these souls. Tell them to quit the job that's eating them alive. Tell them it's OK not to drink/dope/sex if you don't want to. Tell them that nothing is as important as intimacy.Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-774477292002-06-06T22:54:00.000-05:002002-06-10T13:17:43.000-05:00Haiku composed on the way home from our property on the river after catching a Gatorade bottle of lightning bugs:
Fireflies in the night
My boys and I catch in flight
Summer bugs of light.
Honeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3559137.post-774045482002-06-05T22:57:00.000-05:002002-06-05T22:57:48.820-05:00I just returned from a stroll through my garden tonight. After a day of gentle rain, the air is heavy, pure and sweet. The garden is faintly illuminated by stars, fireflies (the first of the season!) and the white flowers - columbine, daisies, iris, peonies. The heavy spice scent is from the dianthus I planted just for the fragrance, although I enjoy the small fringed flowers of palest pink onHoneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14501740547528188534noreply@blogger.com