1. I'm removing all the plants from the bed closest to the house . . . to start a veggie garden. I've interplanted some vegetables there, but have decided to clear the whole thing out for vegetables.  I've transplanted some perennials, and dug up callas and gladiolas. I have several varieties of lavender and sage that I will move in the springtime to strategic places within the bed to use an animal deterrents. I've still got to dig up cannas, japanese anemones, an agastache, a climbing rose, and a type 2 clematis.

2. I've cleaned out all the terracotta (and other temperature sensitive) containers. The annuals have petered out from the colder weather, so I tossed them in the compost pile. The pots have been cleaned and stored in the garage.

3. Just this week we've had the sprinkler system guys come out to winterize (or blow the water out of the pipes) the system. The folks we use are wonderful - always on time, return calls promptly, professional, reasonably priced, and capable. If you live in the Richmond, VA area and need the name of a sprinker company, I'd be happy to recommend these folks to you. Just let me know. 

4. I've sprayed once for winter growing annual weeds, but I will have to continue this battle all during the colder seasons. I'll use hand pulling, Preen, and sprays (but only on warmer days). Some weed sprays only work at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees - check your labels!

5. The leaves haven't started falling in any serious way, but the acorns are downright dangerous. A walk to the mailbox requires a hard hat! I'll get the blower out this weekend. I have to say that oaks are my least favorite trees - lots of deadwood, the leaves drop all winter long (extending the clean up season), and the acorns cause Daughter to slip on the driveway and sidewalks.

Soon the leaves will be down, so I'll have to rake up. The hard frosts will kill the perennials which will have to be cleaned up. The tools will need cleaning and sharpening. And the mowers will have to be winterized also. Lots to do still. . . I'm grinning. It's all good!

I hate them . . . they are unkind and make my yard look unkempt. But, at least they don't sling the mud.

Weeds steal, the little thieves, taking nutrients from my plants. They are the illegal aliens of my garden . . . sneaking over the border from my neighbor's yard (who apparently don't like to garden.)

Weeds are like politicians and entitlements. When they are brand new they deceive me into thinking they are something else. . . so I elect it . . . hoping for some unforseen treasure. Then, wham. It's too big, and out of control . . . I wonder whether I'll ever rid myself of it . . .  and it has the nerve to act like it's entitled to be there.

Weeds multiply incredibly fast . . . like taxes. There are taxes on everything. Weeds grow in every area of my yard: shade, sun, dry, moist . . . dependable, but in a BAD way.

What I like most about weeds is removing them. There's great satisfaction in clearing a bed of bad weeds. It's a very zen-like experience (except that Buddist's value all life . . . Okay, so it's not Zen-like, but rather contemplative.) It's dirt therapy at it's best.

I hope I don't get as disenchanted with weeding as I have with politics. I don't have a whole lot of hope that politics will change come January 2009; no matter who is elected today. I'm not naive enough to think that the weeds won't come back . . . just like all the problems in our government. It's too hard to figure out what the root of the problem is, let alone eradicate it!

But, I'm complaining too much. I still live in the greatest country in the world. I still think there are good people out there trying to do good for others. I still think there are folks who enter into service for their country with the best of intentions. I guess what they say about weeds is true of politics . . . a weed is any plant in the wrong place. A politician is a statesman in the wrong office.

arum italicum 'marmoratum'

My arums are growing in full to part shade on the north side of my zone 7 home. The soil is fairly dry as it is lives under the eaves of the house. It has rhizome-like roots, buried very deep in the soil. It's height and spread: about 12" tall and forms large clumps with time. It's leaves resemble caladiums or elephant ears in appearance (heart-shaped and attractive) . . . but, they aren't as colorful; only green with light green veins. The leaves produce paper-thin white spathes which both die back. The leaves are followed by rattle-like green spikes lined with green berries. The berries turn blaze-orange with time.

Pretty plant, but why is it backwards and strange? Timing. The leaves appear in early fall and stay green all winter long. The white spathes appear in spring and the orange berries in late spring. The plant dies with the beginning of summer.

Different and wonderful. Try it out in your garden for winter interest. By the way, I plant summer shade annuals (like impatiens and coleus) over the arum for the summer.

[Two words of warning here. 1. If you leave the orange berries to die back the plant will multiply and spread. 2. Removing the orange berries requires care - the plant "juices" are very irritating/burning to the skin. Wear gloves. Wash hands and arms immediately after handling the plant.]

I have been struggling with a bad case of poison ivy. I apparently got it from Hubby's clothing - picking it up off the floor to carry it to the washing machine (hint, hint, honey). There is no substitute for some advice and prescription meds from the M.D. So take my humble opinion with caution: poison ivy rash itches. Shocker, I know.

Topical creams = okay; Allergy medicines = good; oral steroids = good, but take time to work.

What can you do to provide some instant relief? Hubby found a great solution for the itching. Scalding hot water! Get the water as hot as you can stand it, run the rash under the sink (or use washclothes for those hard-to-get areas). It will hurt, and it will itch like crazy for about a minute . . . then, viola! The itching stops for a few hours! This trick has helped me get a couple of hours of sleep at a time. The allergy meds and the steriods ramp you up; add the itching and it's hard to sleep with a poison ivy rash. A little hot water does the trick.

Give it a try if you get desperate.

To read more on poison ivy: www.poisonivy.aesir.com

I've added some information to the plant list page. I've kept a running list of perennials, shrubs, and trees in my garden over the years. This list so far is a first attempt at a catalogue. Most of the plants I inherited with the house are listed by common name and their variety is still unknown.

Identifying varieties is a difficult process for me as it: 1. takes a lot of research 2. requires detailed information about the plant 3. usually requires me to have a photograph of the bloom, the leaves and branches, etc. It's incredibly time-consuming!

How did botanists ever do this without a computer and a camera? Amazing folks, botanists!

Talking about this gets me so excited . . . going outside now.

I love it. One tool does it all. I've opened bags of topsoil, cut through small roots and sprouts, removed tap-rooted weeds, easily dug through hard clay soil . . . on and on. I've put the garden scissors, the trowel, and the bulb shovel away. It is tough, strong and comfortable in my hand. I don't even carry around my tool bucket anymore!

Thumbs up!

(NOTE FROM HUBBY: I'm not a small guy, and when I'm metal-detecting, I can lean all my weight on this thing to pry up the ground and not worry about it bending!)

Well, I've applied certain of my "staying-at-home and just-trying-to-make-it-through-the-day" philosophy to gardening. In my efforts to rationalize a desire to stay an earth-friendly parent/gardener, I justify myself in the following ways.

A Stay-at-Home Mom's Top 5 Reasons to Go Organic

5. Nature is the Great Educator. Kids love animals. Synthetic pesticides often kill the very bugs and animals that will entertain your children for hours. Why eliminate such excellent playmates? Son and Daughter have loved the turtles, skinks, lizards, frogs, toads, hummingbirds, butterflies, hawks, bats, deer, rabbits . . . all which have visited our yard . . . These little critters keep Son and Daugher occupied for hours, so I have time to peruse my latest issue of The English Garden. Organics Educate!

4. Save on future medical bills. All those extra appendages that synthetics cause -- a nightmare in medical bills to remove! Nationalized healthcare - bah! Organics are safer.

3. Organics are available in almost every gardening section in any store. When I shop with my kids, the fewer the stops the better. "It's a pain to get the kids out of their car seats again" . . . no longer a legitimate excuse. Organics keep you out of the chiropractor's office for backpain . . . Daughter weighs 36 lbs - a hefty sum for the car seat/wrestle-mania smackdown.

2. We don't even need to go to the zoo, children's museum, science museum  . . . it's all in our backyard! No admissions fees that add up to more than the dividends on your stocks. Organics save money on entertainment and gas, too.

1. The look on Son's face when you explain that you're spreading blood, ground up fish, and/or poop in the garden beds . . . imagine the range of looks he'll give you. . . shock, disgust, then slowly, here it comes . . . admiration. He says to his friend, "Hey dude, my mom is spreading blood all over my yard. Isn't that totally cool? Come check it out." Organics make you the coolest mom in the neighborhood.

I live for moments like that . . . and for getting my hands dirty.

1. I have finished preparing my new island bed in the back yard . . . new plants will be going in from mail order, transplants from elsewhere in the garden, or from plant division. I'm very excited. Hubby and I finished removing sod, tilled the ground, added amendments (gypsum, greensand, and all purpose fertilizer), then added twelve 40lbs bags of organic topsoil, two 40 bags of organic humus, and eight 20lbs bags of compost. All of these amendments were mixed thoroughly by hand with a garden fork. I topped it all of with some Preen - a weed preventer. This product is not organic, but I think it's necessary. There is an organic version that uses cornmeal . . . when I can find it in the stores, I will try it. On the backbreaking scale this project has ranged pretty high, so I'm hoping what they say about hard work is true.

2. My order from Bluestone Perennials arrived yesterday. It was accurate, on time and the plants look pretty good. All are larger than I expected.

3. My cool season veggies are looking pretty okay. Some of the lettuces are going to be harvested for tonight's dinner, the broccoli is looking good, but no heads yet. The beans have had a disease which I think I've fixed for the time being. The beans have blossoms too. The Swiss chard looks yummy, colorful and vibrant. The critters still seem to be avoiding the garden. I've still got Irish Spring Bar Soap scattered everywhere, but I am out of the Liquid Fence. Let's hope I don't need it. My garden is small enough that one "unwelcomed visitor" would finish it off and be looking for an entre.

4. Water restrictions have been lifted in my area, because of a couple of major storms that have come through, and temperatures have steadily dropped. It was 57 degrees last night for a low. No leaves changing yet, but I've been forced to wear a coat to the bus stop in the mornings.

Gotta get those new plants in the ground . . . hope the sandbox isn't too wet for the kiddos to play in while I work. Planning on getting my hands dirty tonight.

I've started a new perennial bed. I've never done this before, start to finish. It will be a 30' x 5' island in the middle of the back yard. I've been following Andre Viette's recommendations as outlined in his books and on his website www.inthegardenradio.com (check out "Preparing the Bed" in the tips & advice section.)

Hubby sprayed the grass with a turf killer. We've worked on removing the sod slowly - it is a serious workout in the heat and humidity. I hope to get the last bit of sod up, edge with bricks, and loosen/till the soil this weekend (going to call Ms. Utility today!). I've got the recommended amendments already (Plant Tone, gypsum, greensand, Osmocote.) This weekend I hope to get some topsoil and compost in the trailer. The edging bricks are leftovers from Hubby's parents. They had some walkways installed -- lucky me! Thanks Grandmom, PopPop and G.G.

Hubby will have to help, because it's beefy manly work (wink, wink). Besides I love to see (not smell) him working hard with his work boots and shorts - it's fabulous. Hauling the bricks, the topsoil (for 8-10" deep) and the compost . . . I'd rather have someone else do that.  Then, there's the mixing too. Everywhere you read the gardening guru's tell you, "Make sure the soil is healthy. It's by far the most important aspect of gardening." I agree. Get it right the first time.

It's the planting I love . . . the creativity and imagination realized. Such satisfaction and enjoyment in the end product . . . my pastors will see a sermon there!

Almost all the plants in this new bed will be transplants and divisions from elsewhere in the yard. I will buy more of the same plants to fill in where there's an empty spot. I don't forsee any other plants needing to be added. The bed will be greens, purples and light pinks. . . so imagine a dogwood and a pink crape myrtle as bookends. Caryopteris, miscanthus, and russian sage for height and winter interest. Also peonies, tall and creeping sedums, heucheras, catmint, mazus, veronica, stachys, echinops, and phlox.

Can't wait for next spring . . . Inspired to get your hands dirty? I am.

The first thing to remember is that nurseries are businesses. They are trying to sell you something. They use all the typical marketing skills to get you to purchase . . . so, be a smart consumer. Before I order I always refer to the Garden Watchdog page on www.Davesgarden.com. These pages list hundreds of mailorder nurseries with customer reviews as positive, neutral and negative. Dave also has a list of the top 30 companies. This is a great resource!

On with my list:

1. Double check the growing conditions the plant requires with an outside source (like the USDA Plant site http://plants.usda.gov) including USDA zone, and water/light requirements. Also consider the mature height/spread of a plant and the time it will take to achieve mature size. What other characteristics does the plant have? What's its shape? How do the leaves sit on the branches? Does the seed self-sow?

2. Be aware of great photos! Those great blooms featured in the catalogue photo -- it might take years (depending on the size of the plant you've purchased) to get. Often the photos are only of the plant bloom; what does the rest of the plant look like?

3. Be aware of short descriptions. What does the plant look like year round? Here's an example. I was at a favorite nursery (in person) in the off season just looking around. A Harry Lauder's walking stick corylus avellana contorta was on sale for half-price. I loved it until an older gentleman walked by and offered his advice. "The shrub has no leaves. If you buy it now, you'll put it in a prominent place in your landscape to rightly show it off. The problem is that Harry Lauder's is a very non-descript plant 7-8 months of the year. It's boring with leaves." I took it off my cart and gladly saved myself $50.

4. Do your research. My favorite resource for researching plants is The American Horticultural Society's A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Its thick and expensive . . . use the local library's copy or www.google.com the latin name of your plant for a reputable website.

5. Find a photo of the plant (especially shrubs and trees) with some kind of height reference like a ruler. That full page photo of the most beautiful flower may only be 2" in diameter!

6. Check on bloom length . . . What does the plant look like out of flower? If a plant looks great for the two weeks it blooms, and horrible the rest of the year, is it the right plant for you?

7. Beware of the name! I've seen companies use latin names in place of a common name to disguise plants with bad reputations. Invasive vines, prolific self-seeders, finicky plants have all be "renamed" to make them more appealing. Beware.

8. Other important considerations: What is the nursery's return policy? Shipping dates? How are the plants packaged?

Now, let me say that most companies have great reputations, and are willing to rectify any legitimate customer complaints. The onus is on the buyer to make sure that we are aware of what we are ordering.

caveat emptor -- adepto vestri manuum immunda (buyer beware -- get your hands dirty)