Top 15 Spring Projects

Posted on 26 Feb 2010 - by The Author In: Uncategorized

Well, this week is all about those most important projects in the garden for the spring. 

Which is delightful to hear, considering how undelightful our weather has been these past few weeks.

But speaking of delights, I have to share a couple of photos of things that have really delighted us around the office lately. 

I’m talking a true Delight…Plum Delight, actually.  In all of the cold, soggy gloom these past few weeks, it has been a breath of fresh air to see the Plum Delight Loropetalum blooming around the office and the neighborhoods in Houston.  Here are few peeks at those hot pink pom pon flowers the loropetalum produces:

Plum delight among the bamboo

 

Plum Delight–a real delight this time of year!

It’s just so nice to see the few things producing color right now: the nandina, the japonica camellias, and the loropetalum. 

Of course there’s always the winter color annuals–pansies, snapdragons, etc, but the perennials are just like a special little gift when they produce in the final days of winter like this.

Things also start to look up when there’s a nice fresh layer of mulch on the ground.  We just hit the office with about, oh, 54 yards of Nature’s Way mulch, and wow do things look nice.  Shawn and Blinda wandered out the front door of the office to take a look, and I grabbed a couple of photos of them as they stood in the waning light at the front door:

Blinda and Shawn considering the effects of Nature's Way "black gold"

Okay, back to work

 Back to this week’s show.  Shawn and Blinda are encouraging the following points this week for getting back out in the yard. 

They want you to

1. Get inspired
2. Get educated
3. Get help
4. Bring your dreams right down to earth
5. Don’t forfeit the present for the unknown future

Basically, don’t hold back!  Start dreaming about what you could have in your yard, what makes you tick, what would really get you out there and spending some real time outdoors.

Then learn about what it is you really need to make those dreams happen.  Research a little about a pool, look into those tropical plants you love, find out if that tree you’ve been wanting really grows in Houston.

And then acknowledge the need for some outside help.  You don’t need to do it all on your own!  You can HAVE the things you’re looking for in a front or backyard design, and there are professionals available who can design them for you. 

(like this one:)

Michael Shawn Kelly...not just an entertaining radio host!

Shawn and Blinda also have some great interviews with garden experts this week…check them out below!

Annie Spiegelman–Annie is Talkin’ Dirt, at least regarding her book of the same title.  This is the Dirt Diva herself, and she’s got some great information and advice about gardning without starting chemical warfare in your own backyard!

Alina Dizik—Alina covers some points she makes in her online article about Kids in the Winter Garden.  There are all kinds of great ways to get kids inolved in gardening, even when the weather is terrible.

Keith Davis—Keith, of Buchanan’s Native Plants, talks to us about refreshing pots that might be full of a lot of freeze-damaged (or just plain dead!) plants. 

Bevery Welch—Beverly Welch talks to us about all the goings on at Arbor Gate,  from the items you may buy there to the Veggie Class going on there today!

Rayomond Haak—Raymond talks to us about Haak Winery & all the fun things going on there in Santa Fe, Texas.  It’s only a short drive from Houston, and there’s always a fun event or delicious meal to be had there to accompany their awesome wine.

Susan Wood—Susan offesr some great ideas from the Herb Society of America.  What herbs really grow well here in Houston, and when can you attend an Herb Society meeting?  Susan’s got your answers!

Finally, they talk with Chef Chris Crowder, who tops off the show with truly delicous recipes for grilling veggies for this time of year–carrots, asparagus, even bok choy, which he recommends boiling a little with some lemon zest, even ginger first.  Mmm, healthy and delicious!  Thanks, Chris!