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Valentine's Day Should be Moved to June
Whose bright idea was it to put a holiday that requires flowers in the middle of winter? I know the feast day for a saint started it, but...

Julia Watson
Feb 1, 20232 min read
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Pruning Roses
In my last post, I said that a gardener should be resting in January, but the exception is pruning roses. That can start in December (but...

Julia Watson
Jan 26, 20233 min read
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The Gardener at Rest
If you’re not resting in January, maybe you should be. Personally, I get restless about this time each year – I’m itching to be out in...

Julia Watson
Jan 24, 20232 min read
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Our Flower Year in Review - 2022
The last day of the year is a fitting time to look back at the past year and share a few favorite photos. January -February - March Bulbs...

Julia Watson
Dec 31, 20223 min read
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Flowers That Last
I’m looking at an orange marigold in a bud vase – it’s on my studio shelf as I write this. It’s been there for twelve days now and it...

Julia Watson
Nov 4, 20223 min read
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Early Tulips
I used to say, “If you can dig a hole, you can grow tulips.” That was when I was a gardener, and it still holds true for anyone who...

Julia Watson
Mar 3, 20223 min read
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Narcissus or Daffodils?
Our daffodils have started blooming and they’re a welcome sight after a couple of months without flowers. But not everyone likes them;...

Julia Watson
Feb 8, 20222 min read
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Our Flower Year in Review - 2021
I took a little time off from this blog to enjoy the holidays and to rest from garden chores. But now it’s a good time to look back at...

Julia Watson
Jan 9, 20223 min read
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Growing from Seed - Part 2
Seeding Are you ready? Do you have your seeds and seed trays? Did you remember to wet your soil mix so that it’s not dry and flyaway? OK...

Julia Watson
Dec 14, 20214 min read
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Growing from Seed - Part 1
If you want a lot of plants without spending a fortune at the nursery, start from seeds. Once you learn basic techniques and find the...

Julia Watson
Dec 8, 20214 min read
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Looking Back on November
November was our last month of harvesting flowers and selling arrangements, and chrysanthemums were the stars. I wrote about my favorites...

Julia Watson
Nov 30, 20211 min read
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Planting Plugs
I’m finally finished planting the plugs I bought from Farmer Bailey. Plugs are seedlings that have been grown in trays of 100-200 small...

Julia Watson
Nov 23, 20212 min read
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Our Best 2021 Chrysanthemums
A few mums in afternoon dappled sunlight - gorgeous! Annie Girl in the center UPDATED FOR 2025 - WE NOW GROW HEIRLOOM MUMS TO SELL...

Julia Watson
Nov 16, 20213 min read
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November is the Messiest Month
In November there’s a lull in my garden. The peak of flowers is over and done, the plants are slowing down. My plans for next year are...

Julia Watson
Nov 10, 20212 min read
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Statice
Dried flowers are not my thing, as I said in the previous post here. But statice, like strawflower, is valuable to any farmer-florist and...

Julia Watson
Oct 22, 20212 min read
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Strawflowers
Dried flowers are not my thing. I tried a few times, then decided to pass on the whole endeavor because frankly, it’s too much work for...

Julia Watson
Oct 20, 20211 min read
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The Birds and the Bees, Good Bugs and Spiders Too
In my last post, Bugs in the Garden, I listed a few bad bugs* – aphids, thrip, etc. But there are also good bugs* and helpful creatures...

Julia Watson
Oct 16, 20212 min read
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Bugs in the Garden
What should you do if you see a few bugs in your garden? Look closer of course! You need to find out if it’s a friend or foe. There are...

Julia Watson
Oct 16, 20213 min read
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Looking for a Downturn
A fall arrangement that includes fuchsia 'Galfrey Lye'. No, this post isn't about the economy - it's about flower arranging, but the...

Julia Watson
Oct 8, 20212 min read
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September in Review
A quick bouquet made from leftovers, including a huge State Fair zinnia. Everything in the garden slows down by late September - except...

Julia Watson
Oct 6, 20211 min read
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One Gardener's Journey
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