Brightest Moon of 2010

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Last night's moon was the brightest it will be for all of 2010.

Since it was 13F below 0, this is as good as it gets. No way was I sticking a toe outside last night!
No, you don't have to say it - I already know I'm a big woosie when it comes to the cold.






Happy growing! (when it warms up)

Gardening Trends; What's In And What's Out For 2010

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Well, now.

GMG 2010 Garden Trends (pdf)

• 1. Main Street is In. ----------------Wall Street is Out.
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• 2. Edible gardens are In. --------Lawns are Out.
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• 3. Slow Gardening is In. --------Instant gratification is Out.
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• 4. Mindful is In. --------------Bling is Out.
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• 5. Eco-Boosting is In. ------Chemical Dependent Gardens are Out.
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• 6. Multi-tasking is In. -------------Single-Purpose gardening is Out
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• 7. Perennials and Shrubs are In. ---------Divas are Out.

Doesn't look too much different than 2009's, does it?

GMG 2009 Garden Trends

-------What’s In--------------------------------What’s Out

• 1. Eco-Boosting is In!----------------Conspicuous Consumption is Out

• 2. Grow It Yourself (GIY) is In-------Doing it ALL for Me is Out

• 3. Blended gardens are In------------Segregated gardens are Out

• 4. Locavore is In---------------------Big carbon footprints are Out

• 5. Water is In-------------------------Water is Out

• 6. Outside is In-----------------------Inside is Out (But not “out”)

• 7. Info Lust is In----------------------Lack of Knowledge is Out

• 8. Quick & Simple is In----------------Over-the-top gardens are Out

• 9. Global Colors are In-----------------Safe colors are Out

• 10. Worldly is In-----------------------Cookie-cutter is Out

• 11. Bubbling is In-----------------------Excess is out

Happy (trendy) growing!

Reprecussions of Seed Bombing

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Ok, a disclaimer right off the bat - I am, in no way, advocating seed bombing usage in this capacity.
Laws are such (twistable?) interesting things.

This is part of an article from 'Good':

"So you want to wage peace and seed bomb that abandoned, litter-laden flowerbed on Central Boulevard. But in a disheartening moment of pragmatism, you wonder, "What will happen when the status quo’s lawyers get their hands on me?"

You could become the new property owner!: Counterintuitively, your illegal activities could be a step toward joining the landed gentry. Adverse possession or its cousin, prescriptive easement, may allow you to become the garden’s new owner. This lottery ticket of legal doctrines requires 1.) you must use the land as if you were its actual owner, and gardening it probably counts; 2.) your gardening must be visible for all to see—hoeing in secret won’t do; 3.) you must exclude the true owner, so if you lay down grass, the owner can’t use it for lawn bowling; 4.) your use has to be "adverse" to the true owner—if he gives you permission to be there, you’re not adversely possessing, you’re doing yard work for free; and 5.) you must use the property continuously for a time period prescribed by statute, usually five to 10 years.

It’s a long shot, but if you meet the criteria, the property is yours. "

Ummm . . . 'nuf said, I think.
And, hell yes, I AM thinking about where I can get away with this!

Happy growing! (On that abandoned lot, perhaps?)

Seed Saver Scams - Because the Sky is Falling

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Seed saving scams - They're out there. Lots of 'em.

And they bug me.
But there isn't much you can do about warning those who are uneducated in this area. Or those who refuse to become educated because, well, you know, it's all a huge government conspiracy, right? You need to grab that bucket of seed and stash it behind your hoard of guns and ammo because, ( insert random hypothetical fear here).

Nope, I can't afford those mega billboards plastered 50 to a state to warn people against these idiot scammers. Besides, if I did that, I'd be the next big thing ranted about by Limbaugh, and who in pity's name would want THAT? I'm saving my 15 minutes of fame for something really cool.

These scammers prey on people's numerous fears - name one, they're exploiting it - to make that quick buck. You know what they say about a fool and his money and there's one born every minute?

Matt Mattus has taken a little of this subject head-on with his post Who Will Bail Out This Seed Bank? Not Me, on his blog, Growing With Plants.

Very much worth a read. Kudos, Matt!!

So, how many people do you know that would fall for something like this? Even though you think you hang out with a smart group of folks, I bet there are more than you (secretly) ever imagined.

Happy (non scammed) growing!!
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Winter Sowing, Year Seven

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I finally got started with the first Winter Sown jugs of 2010 for year number 7.
Yay! Only 16 so far, but it's a start.

If you've never heard about it or tried it before, you can learn more about this method of ridiculously cheap and easy outside - yes, in the middle of winter - seed starting with recyclables (no lights, no damping off, no need to harden seedlings, fantastic germination rates) here:

WinterSown.org

and here:
FAQ's

Oh, and here:
Garden Web WS forum



Now, I need to scrounge some more containers.

And yes, it really works. This is what they look like come spring:


Happy Growing!
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GROW project

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If you're a garden blogger, go sign up here:

GROW project

For now, the seed Grow project is open to active garden bloggers within the U.S.

It's gonna be fun.
:)
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British Society is Frightened of Gardening

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British Society is frightened of gardening, says Alan Titchmarsh.

You know, I don't honestly know what to say to that . . .

A bit intimidated, maybe. Frightened? Nah. The Brits are usually up to try anything when given a chance. Besides, they're usually the ones first on the garden front with anything new and cool.

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