July / August 2007

From time to time, sit down in a favored spot in your garden, sip a glass of chilled wine, and inhale the scents of growing things. This won't get any potatoes planted, but it will peel away a few cares.
-- Texas Bix Bender

Summer seems to have sprung upon us, but the hottest months of the year are yet to come. The tendency may be to stay in the comfort of the air conditioner, but there is plenty to be done in our gardens. Staying on top of weeds is important this time of year, along with deadheading (the removal of spent blossoms), and, of course, watering. It has been said, "ten minutes of watering in the morning is worth one hour of watering in the evening." For this area, in particular, it is important to remember that. Many disease and fungus problems are at their worst during summer months. The air tends to be humid and steamy, and when water is thrown or sprinkled on the leaves of plants, the conditions become ripe for problems. Removing old and/or diseased plant parts can go a long way to keep spores from spreading. Do not leave these clippings on the ground. Discard them, entirely.

Then we can lay back and enjoy our efforts, from the comfort of a hammock, preferably with a cold beverage in hand. There are also lovely plants to be added, to perk things up when the heat leaves you feeling wilted.

There are new strains of Rudbeckia and Echinacea, just to mention a few. Rudbeckia "Green Wizard" is a must-have, this year. It lovely, combined with Rudbeckia maxima "Giant Coneflower" and Rudbeckia lacinata "Cutleaf Coneflower". Coneflowers rule the garden this time of year, and one can never have too many! They, along with Echinacea, are also excellent plants for wildlife. There are several new strains of Echinacea, but the ones with purpurea parentage are the more vigorous growers. Check out the Big Sky series, especially 'Sunset', with its vibrant orange flowers and rose fragrance. 'Coconut Lime' and 'after Midnight' are two more that are worthy of note.

Platycodon grandiflora 'Sentimental Blue' (near right) brightens up a shady spot in the perennial border right now, and Thumbergia alata 'Orange Wonder' (far right) is an annual vine that makes a "quick fix", along a trellis, fence, or arbor.

If you find yourself longing to recapture the essence of your travels, Musa, or banana, can be a fun addition to your surroundings. Musa 'Rowe Red' (left), is a striking plant with leaves of green striped with red; some reaching 6 '! The undersides of the leaves are also red. This tropical accent produces edible fruit when grown in a warm, sunny location. It is grown as an annual in most places, as it is only hardy in Zones 9 to 11. However, some have had success by planting very close to their houses, or using as a houseplant during the colder months.

For those of us who are lucky enough to have vegetable gardens, our pantries are getting full, hopefully. There is nothing like the taste of a freshly picked tomato, sliced, and placed on a hunk of good bread, topped with freshwater mozzarella, and a basil leaf, and drizzled with olive oil. Pop it under the broiler for a few minutes, and you are in bliss. If you're looking for ways to prolong the bounties of summer into fall and winter, here are a few tips for doing so:
Plant petunias with your tomatoes. Petunia foliage is deadly to several insects, including the larvae of the tomato hornworm.
Dip tomatoes into a solution of 1 quart water, the juice of one lemon, and 1 tablespoon of honey. They'll keep their color, as well as flavor.
Frozen zucchini can taste bland, but drying concentrates the flesh for its nutty flavor and crunch. Dried cucumbers are good, too, although they might be too small for dipping.
Try making "tomato leather". Whir fresh tomatoes in the blender, and cook them in a roasting pan, until as thick as catsup. Spread the resulting pulp 1/4 inch thick on a cookie tin line with foil. Return the tomato-pasted tin to the warm oven until the "leather" peels easily away from the foil and looks and feels, well, "leathery". Eat it plain or torn into bits or stirred into soup, casseroles, sauces, etc.

During the months of July and august, our hours are subject to change. (The heat gets to us, too). If you are concerned, please call ahead, so you won't be disappointed. We look forward to seeing you, and sharing our common bond---- Dirty Hands.

In the meantime, Live Happy and Plant Well!

June 2005
A plant in the world is an event, a happening, an arrow, and not a boring, bearded development.
-- Osip Mandelstam

Every year about this time, the pilgrimage to garden centers is in full throttle. It is an almost primordial force that draws us to seek out the verdant foliage, the calliope of colors, and the scents of nature itself. What is it about digging in the earth, and getting one’s hands dirty, that we find so appealing?

At Dirty Hands Garden Center, we are passionate about our calling. We do our utmost to provide you with an admirable selection of the latest and greatest, in annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, and everything in between. We have the newest in Echinaceas, including “Razzmataz”, “Meadowbrite Orange”, and “Meadowbrite Mango”, just to name a few.

If you haven’t visited us lately, you are in for a pleasant surprise! We have begun a serious re-vamping of the premises, and are filled to the brim with all your gardening needs, including over 500 roses-- the complete “Knock-Out” series, David Austins, the Romantica series, and more. The recent addition of Rich Earth soil amendment to our line of organics provides you with the most complete selection available in one place.

The water temps are finally reaching a consistent 55 degrees, and our water gardening plants are looking full and lush. We have a nice offering of water lilies, as well as the favorites to complete your garden ponds.

According to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, our jeweled avian friends (hummingbirds) were “scheduled” to arrive April 13. As of this writing however, no reports have yet been made, according to Debbie Pupa, founder and intrepid leader of A.R.K.. Still, it is a good time to dust off your hummer feeders, and remind yourself of the homemade recipe for safe, successful birding: One part sugar to four parts water. Use “real” sugar, so substitutes, and do not add food coloring!

We at Dirty Hands Garden Center look forward to seeing you again, soon. In the meantime, Live well, plant happy!

May/June 2006

If you want to be happy for an hour, drink wine. If you want to be happy for a day, run away. If you want to be happy for a year, get married. If you want to be happy forever, be a gardener.
-- Ancient Greek saying

Spring is officially here, with summer not far behind. There is so much happening in our gardens; it's difficult to absorb it all. Every day, a new little sprout appears, stretching out its little leaves, in a yawning embrace of the light and warmer temperatures. Many of you have planted seeds in eager anticipation of being rewarded with the fruits (and veggies) of your labors. Every day our lovely customers come in and share their favorite ways of enjoying their gardens. During the next few months, we hope to in turn, share them with you. In the mean time, let us tell you about some this year's favorites at Dirty Hands Garden Center.

Pinellia Pedatisecta, or sweet arum, is another often overlooked shade perennial that proves green is a "color", too! Its large arrow shaped leaves frame long narrow yellow-green spaths, creating a sensual appeal in moist areas. It does like to spread and re-seed, making it a lovely choice, nestled in low-light areas.

Heuchera, or Coral Bells, are shade loving perennials that encompass a wide range of leaf colorations as well as textures. These are intriguing plants with airy clusters of flowers held on wiry stems above dense mounds of rounded, lobed foliage. They prefer moist, but well-drained soil. They are attractive to nectar seekers and are deer resistant. Their delicate blooms do nicely as a cut flower. 'Crème Brulee' has an array of hues, ranging from peach to burgundy to pale green, all on one plant! With so many colorations, it pairs nicely with many other shade lovers, such as Lysimachia Mummularia aurea, the chartreuse hostas, the red astilbes, and other heucheras. It packs a punch when planted beside "Sparkling Burgundy".

Paeonia, or "garden peony" have captured our hearts this spring, with their abundance of incredible, large, fragrant blossoms. They are relatively trouble-free, long-lived perennials that prefer a well-drained mostly sunny location. The long stems make them a likely candidate for a large vase. Their colors are pinks, reds, and whites, but some are streaked or multi-colored, like 'Sorbet'. Once planted, they do resent being moved, and it's important to not plant them too deeply. You will see your gorgeous plants being busily visited by ants. Do not be alarmed! They have a symbiotic relationship that is fun to observe. Peonies are sure to become a happy memory in your garden.

Speaking of happy memories, May is certainly a month for those! There are many graduations, weddings, and other transitions bringing us cause for celebrations. To those of you who are in the midst of these delightful occasions (and you know who you are), we extend to each and every one of you our most heartfelt blessings and congratulations. We are honored and proud to be a part of your joy!

To each and every one of you who are a mother, we wish you the most wonderful observance of who you are, and the love you share. Woo- Hoo!