Lilies that mean Something

I had mentioned my friend Ed Karlsson last year on one of my posts entitled the Lamium Man. Ed is now teaching a horticulture program at the Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital. The Hort program is helping those with developemental disabilities.

I was excited when he called me this year and said that the students had grown Asiatic Lilies. The students planted the bulbs in late Winter in #1 containers. They planted close to twenty different varieties. To help out the students I purchased several hundred of their lilies. These lilies are available for sale from us now. I had my sister Denise hold one of the lilies up so you could see how large the flowers are on these lilies. The fragrance is outstanding too!

Westfield in Bloom Update

I apologize for the lack of blog post frequency lately. I've been putting in quite a bit of time to updating the Westfieldinbloom.com blog, and getting ready for the Judges from America in Bloom.

Here are the links to some of the posts that were made this week. There is some pretty cool things going on for the competition. Visit westfieldinbloom.com to see all of the posts.

• Call for Pictures! - Win a $100 Gift Card
• Newcomer's Club - Adding Blooms and Remembering
• Elm Street Restaurant Row
• Well Manicured Lawns and Gardens
• 143 Dahlias in Bloom - The Caruana House
• Lovely Victorian on Historic Dudley Avenue
• Fight SMA Duck Race at Mindowaskin Park
• The Chelmsford Condominums
• Downtown Westfield Corporation Entrance
• Garden Club of Westfield - In our Corner of Westfi...
• Acquaviva delle fonti - In Bloom
• Expanding on their Homes Garden
• Public Works Installing Hanging Baskets.

Westfield in Bloom Concert

Welcome the America in Bloom Judges and Kick of the Summer with some Sweet Sounds Downtown!
Michael Craig Band
Thursday July 2nd 6:30 PM - 9 PM
North Ave Train Station,
Westfield NJ

Poll Results - How Much More work has to be done in the garden?

With all of the rain that we've had this June I was wondering what percentage of the garden was finished. The poll just closed, and here are the results. Maybe the rain will start to taper off now that Summer is about to begin.

I was astonished to see that more people haven't started then those that have finished.

I'm completely done pots and beds.	3 (6%)
I still have to Plant my Pots.	9 (20%)
I still have to Plant my Beds.	6 (13%)
I'm half way done.	7 (15%)
I have to fill in a few items.	25 (56%)
I'm just getting started.	6 (13%)

Be Still My Astilbe

I've always thought that the perennial Astilbe was an OK flower. It just never grabbed me in that way that makes me want to put them in my garden. I since changed my tune completely. Driving down East Dudley in Westfield there is the most stunning display of Astilbe that I've ever seen. It made me covet them for my garden. The Astilbe are color coordinated with the house, and it compliments it perfectly. Sometimes we try to put so many different things into our garden we forget that a large simple mass of one item can be even more effective.

For those that don't know, an Astilbe is a perennial that has deeply lobed, almost fern-like and airy foliage. It's flowers are feathery plumes that are born on tall stalks above the foliage. Flowers come in shades of white, pink, and red. Flowers stay in bloom several weeks and slowly fade in color as they dry.

They prefer partial shade and they generally are disease and insect free. Even when they're done blooming, their flowers will dry on the plant, and will still look attractive for several months.

Mom's Job is the Hardest

Mom's Job is the Hardest
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

In the back of the nursery we have a small field where we plant out tomatoes. For over fifty years, we've been having snapping turtles lay their eggs in the field. It generally happens near the full moon. This Spring has been particularly wet and muddy, so this time Mom the snapping turtle got herself extremely dirty. Snapping turtles get their name from their powerful jaws. I remember my dad telling me the story of how one actually bit through a shovel handle.

It will take approximately 90 days for the eggs to hatch!

Water Wise Urns at Mindowaskin Park

One of groups that I volunteer for is the Friends of Mindowaskin Park. Several times a year I plant the overlook at the front of the pond. One of the more frustrating parts of this task is that whatever I plant in the urns is subject to the whims of mother nature. I've planted them up before, and after a week of Summer weather, I'd return to find crispy plants.

This year I decided to work with what nature has to offer and plant them with plants that are normally used in xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is the use of plants that require little or no external watering. In the urns this year I used three different agaves. I tried an Agave in my container at home last year. I watered it once when I planted it May 16th, and it grew, and didn't require any watering for the rest of the Summer. For those that are familiar with Tequila, I'm sure your aware that they are made from agaves. The varities that I used in the urns are related, but are way to small to be used for Tequila. There's a closeup of Agave Happy Crown. The smaller agave in the third picture is Agave ' Victoria-Reginae'.
Along with the Agaves I planted a few Desert Rose which are in the Aeonium family. They look like giant hens and chicks, but have a longer stem.
The complete list of varieties are:
Aeonium arboreum atropurpurium
Aeonium arboreum
Agave 'Victoria-Reginae'
Agave 'Happy Crown'
Agave desmettiana 'Variegata' - This is the large center piece of the urns
Aloe 'Silver Ridge'
Graphtopetalum paraguayense- Ghost Plant
Kalanchoe thyrisflora 'Flapjacks'
Sedum nussbaumerianum - Golden Sedum
Sedum hispanicum 'Aureum'
None of these should require water, and the urns should be happy until its pansy season in the fall.
I should also mention that these plants are look but don't touch. Although they don't have thorns like cactus do, they still have sharp points at the edge of their leaves. Its part of the plants natural protection that keeps them from being eaten by the animals.

In Bloom Now - Kousa Dogwood

I was at my son's Science fair last night and snapped a few pictures of the dogwood that was blooming.
The dogwood that's flowering now is called the Korean Dogwood. Its botanic name is Cornus 'kousa'.
They are more disease resistant than the traditional dogwood. They look quite a bit different since they flower after the leaves are out. (the traditional Cornus florida flowers before the leaves open)

Finally Got my Garden Planted

I'm a firm believer of the shoemaker's kids have no shoes...Generally my garden is one of the last to get done. I finally took a day and planted the front yard, and did my containers.

The white flowers growing in the front are a new variety of Gardenia 'Frost Proof' that is supposed to be winter hardy. I am a bit skeptical about its hardiness, and I'm testing it out, and will know better by next Spring. This will be a true test, since its in an area that gets afternoon sun, which is a true test for any broad leaf evergreen.

I'll be posting info on my containers and their progress later on.

Poll Results - Hanging Baskets

Begonia - Dragon Wing	2 (4%)
Begonia - Nonstop	1 (2%)
Fuscia	10 (20%)
Geranium	7 (14%)
Ivy	1 (2%)
Lobelia	2 (4%)
Million Bells - Calibrachoa	5 (10%)
Petunia	4 (8%)
Portulaca	7 (14%)
Scaevola	0 (0%)
Strawflower	0 (0%)
Verbena	7 (14%)
Other	2 (4%)

Peonys Envy - Her Garden Wins Hands Down

The phone rang last Saturday with a call from my friends Dale and Dave. They asked if I wanted to visit Peony's Envy in Bernardsville. Peony's Envy is a Nursery & Display Garden owned by Kathleen Gagan (pictured). Peony's Envy is the second largest peony grower in the United States. What a delight. Peonies as far as the eye could see. I took a bunch of pictures to share with you. The garden officially closes on June 15th, so if you want to visit you have to hurry up. There were still plenty of buds to open last weekend, and the cool weather we've had this week will mean there's still many to go.
 

Leaves of three let them be.

I was walking through the lowe's theater parking lot yesterday and noticed this extremely healthy looking vine growing along the fence...Large green leaves...it was filling in quite nicely indeed. The bad news is that the vine was poison ivy.

Poison ivy's leaves are born in clusters of three leaves. If your unlucky enough to have poison ivy in your yard. The best control is with roundup. You can still get poison ivy from dead vines, so you must use the utmost care in removing it. There is a product called tecnu that will break down the oils in your skin if you come in contact with the vine. We don't carry it, but a local pharmacy should.

-- Post From My iPhone

Earth Box Part II

The last Earth Box post was a late night insomniac version of my Earth Box Story...
This one is more serious... I have two earthbox testimonials one from My Dad, and the other from a customer:

I planted these boxes Six Weeks ago, and I can’t believe how well they filled out. My son David, told me they were impressive, but seeing is definitely believing. Wow!
-Ed Williams

And if you don’t believe my Dad, here’s one other testimonial from another of our customers:

My wife and I were first exposed to the EarthBox a few years ago when my uncle bought us one. We were skeptical of his extremely high endorsement until our Earthbox started to produce vegetables. Last year my one tomato plant produced approximately 60 tomatoes.
It's perfect for people who don't have green thumbs and who don't have a lot of room in their backyard. All you need to do is to prepare the EarthBox with the easy to follow instructions, don't let the water reservoir dry out, and try to give the plants as much sunlight as possible.
It saved us a lot of money on produce and herbs last summer and provided us with fresh and delicious tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, squash, basil and parsley. I highly recommend the Earth Box to anyone considering it.
-David Deramo

So what is an earthbox...its a well engineered container that is perfect for vegetable gardening...part of the secret to its success is to the large water resivoir. When you first put it together you follow the simple directions and you place soil in the corners which cause the water to wick through the box. Once packed you use the supplied dolomitic lime and fertilizer. You then place a cover over the top. (It looks like a shower cap.) What this cover does is hold the heat into the soil which causes quick rooting. Instead of watering the entire box, you water in a single fill tube on the side. You don't have to worry about over watering because there is an overflow. It has casters, so you can move it once planted.

If you don't have a lot of space, this is perfect. Have fun!

Presby Memorial Iris Garden - Montclair

Milton, the person that makes sure that our office runs smoothly, asked me if I ever was to the Presby Memorial Iris Garden in Montclair. It was one of those places that was on my list, but never had a chance to visit. Since I assumed that the Iris's were in peak bloom, I grabbed my camera and my girlfriend, and we made the trek to the gardens. (Only about a 30 minute drive). Wow, the Iris's were stunning. They didn't hit peak yet though, and I would think that this weekend would be ideal.

I attached a few of the pictures that I took. The garden suggests a $5 donation. Try to go either in the morning or the evening, the Iris's look best with that lighting.

Poll Results - What color impatiens are you planting this year?

Blue(ish pink)	3 (6%)
Carmine	0 (0%)
Deep Pink	12 (26%)
Mixed - Regular	5 (11%)
Mixed - Pastel	6 (13%)
Orange	6 (13%)
Red	6 (13%)
Salmon	6 (13%)
Violet	9 (20%)
White	16 (35%)
Other	0 (0%)
I don't Plant Impatiens	2 (4%)

America in Bloom Judges are Coming to Westfield!

Westfield, NJ - Downtown Westfield Corporation and Williams Nursery of Westfield have teamed up for Westfield to be awarded a national "America in Bloom" award. The America in Bloom contest awards community applicants for their efforts in the following categories: tidiness, environmental, community involvement, heritage, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floral display, and turf and ground cover areas. The DWC and Williams Nursery are partnering with the Town of Westfield and other community organizations like the Garden Club of Westfield, Rake & Hoe Garden Club, Friends of Mindowaskin, Master Gardeners, and many other volunteers to help Westfield win the contest.

Two judges will be visiting Westfield on July 2 and 3 as part of the AIB national beautification campaign and contest. Westfield is one of 39 cities competing in 10 population categories in this friendly contest that promotes community involvement, patriotism, and civic pride along with beautiful landscapes.

America in Bloom is modeled after Canada’s successful Communities in Bloom program, which began more than eight years ago with just 29 cities and has grown to include several hundred competing provincially, nationally, and internationally. AIB began on a small scale in 2001 when four US cities were mentored by Canadian cities in environmental awareness, community involvement, heritage, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floral displays, and turf and ground cover areas.

Judges are professionally trained volunteers. While many are retirees with careers devoted to public gardening and municipal grounds keeping, others are master gardeners and civic activists. The same pair of judges will evaluate each community within a population category.

America in Bloom judges begin their journey in the Southeast in June and will finish the end of July. In their travels, they will witness the same community spirit that made Canada’s program so successful. “In speaking with participants, I find a new-found enthusiasm for their neighbors and the community they live in,” says Alex Pearl, AIB’s chief justice. “Municipalities, businesses, and individuals are willing to pitch in. Little efforts go a long way to include so many people. America in Bloom is building pride through the use of plants.”

The results of the competition will be revealed at the America in Bloom awards symposium in October in Hershey, PA. In addition to the awards banquet, there will be educational seminars and tours to horticultural attractions in the area. For local information about Westfield’s participation or to submit stories and digital photos of your Westfield residence, business or outdoor environment, contact Sherry Cronin at Downtown Westfield Corporation or Dave Williams at Williams Nursery at info@westfieldinbloom.com or visit the website at www.westfieldinbloom.com. For additional information on the national program, contact America in Bloom at 614-487-1117 or visit www.americainbloom.org.

A Man of Many Talents

I wanted to share this hand painted drawing with my readers. It is done by our Hardgood's Manager Tim O'Neil. A unique concept drawing for barges that are not being used. Turning them into greenhouses.

Tim is trained as a fine artist, and does Architectural Renderings. Visit his website at Artcorenderings.com for more information.

Mother's Day Commercial now running on HGTV

From Williams Nursery Mother's Day

White Out Rose - Knock Out

White Out Rose - Knock Out
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

What if you could have as many white flowers in the garden as the snow flakes we had this winter? A virtual blizzard of bright white blossoms would be absolutely stunning.
Some wishes do come true. This year the Conard-Pyle Company (known for their Star Roses) is introducing a new rose called White Out™. For those that are familiar with the Knock Out series of roses, you may have heard of Bill Radler. He is the rose breeder that has brought us the Knock Out Roses. I believe he is significantly responsible for changing the entire rose industry by engineering roses that are truly easy to grow. White Out™ is the newest introduction from Bill Radler. It looks like it’s going to be the best white shrub rose ever available. It will reach a height of about three to three and a half feet tall. It has pure white petals. Each flower is an open style with five petals. Unlike many other white roses, the foliage is a dark green, with the young foliage almost black. It is a very compact grower. White Out™ is the closest thing to a white Knock Out rose. White Out™ is considered disease resistant, but in really humid weather it may get a bit of black spot. It’s because of the black spot that White Out™ is not called White Knock Out. Just remember all roses need lots of sun, so pick a sunny location when deciding placement. For a spectacular effect, interplant White Out™ with Knock Out.

First Hummingbird Sighted

I was working up in the office when I heard on our radio..."there's a hummingbird in the bleeding hearts and columbine." I grabbed my camera and went down to the perennial department. The hummingbird had left the bleeding hearts, but stopped for a quick feeding on the nepeta.

Hummingbirds are a common sighting at Williams. Now that they've arrived, stop in and look carefully. You have a very good chance at seeing one. 

Growing a Pizza Garden

Last Friday, we had a delightful evening with the 4-h's as Jim Nichnadowic gave a hands on Pizza gardening workshop. Kids got to dig holes, learn about proper planting, feeding, and how to amend the soil. A fun evening!
Thanks Jim! 
 
 
 

Master Gardeners help community “go green” for 20th consecutive year

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County will be holding their 20th annual Spring Fair & Plant Sale on Sunday, May 17, from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at Trailside Nature Center in Mountainside.

The Master Gardener Helpliners will answer your gardening questions, and demonstrate gardening and composting methods. There will also be displays on mosquito control, and the beauty of trees.
If you want to learn how to grow a vegetable garden, this is the place to get answers. They will be conducting tours of their Community Sharing Garden, where over 2,000 lbs. of fresh vegetables were grown by volunteers and donated to community food banks and churches last year. Among the wide variety of plants for sale will be the hard-to-find Ramapo tomato, as well as many other vegetables.

Visit their website at http://www.mastergardeners-uc.org/ for more information about the Master Gardener program, or for directions to the garden.

What is with these Upside Down Topsy TurvyTomato Plants?

I was going to talk about these things several weeks ago because I thought they looked silly, and I'm usually not inclined to buy things I see on those infomercials. I belong to a garden center networking group, and the buzz on our message board is that they can't keep these Topsy Turvy items in-stock. I personally was thinking these things are like the Japanese Beetle traps...novelty, but not needed. But I have been wrong before. My son wanted me to grab some at target the other day. I then tried to get them from my distributor and they're out. Does anyone have any actual experience with them?

Park Clean Up Day

The friends of Mindowaskin Park present Park Clean Up Day. Saturday April 25th 2009. Time 9am-12PM.
Bring your friends and family and spend the morning helping to beautify Mindowaskin. Show your support for the centerpiece of Westfield. Earn service hours! Light refreshements will be provided. Contact Mindowasking@verizon.net

Happy Earth Day!!!

For quite a number of years, the Union County Freeholders have been providing trees to schools, and community groups to be planted for Arbor Day. James Nichnadowicz, the Union County 4-h Agent instructs how the trees are planted. One hundred trees get planted in our county yearly because of this program. This year the tree that we selected was a disease resistant crab apple. Shown is myself and Freeholder Deborah Scanlon, and one of the recipient groups. (Out of all of the years we've done this, this was the first year it's rained, but everyone is still smiling:-)

What's in Bloom Now - Flowering Plum

There are lots of trees blooming right now. This is one of my favorites, the purple leaf plum.

Here is the information from our website:
Prunus cerasifera 'Krauter Vesuvius' ('Vesuvius')'
Cherry Plum 'Krauter Vesuvius' ('Vesuvius')', Myrobalan Plum 'Krauter Vesuvius' ('Vesuvius')', Purple Leaf Plum 'Krauter Vesuvius' ('Vesuvius')'

Sun/Water Requirements:

No specific shade requirements.
Moderate climate.

Climate / Hardiness Zones:

Zone 4 to Zone 8
Provider notes: "Supposedly quite heat tolerant"

Growth:

Range: Grows from 15' to 30'.
Rate: Relatively fast growth.
Provider notes: "Similar to 'Thundercloud' but more upright oval-rounded"

Flowers:

Colors: Pink
Season(s): Spring

Foliage:

Deciduous
Color: Leaves are purple in the summer. Leaves are purple in the fall.

Fruit:

Color: Red, Purple
Season(s): Summer

Landscape Value:
Can be used as an ornamental plant.
Can be used as a specimen plant.
Can be used as a grouping plant.

Favorite Tree - Poll Results

Here are the Poll Results for your favorite tree. I was surprised that Cherries scored over 40%, but then again after seeing all the cherries in Branch Brook Park last week I understand.

Cherry - Upright	17 (17%)
Cherry - Weeping	25 (26%)
Dogwood	14 (14%)
Magnolia - Saucer	14 (14%)
Magnolia -Star	9 (9%)
Pear - Flowering	4 (4%)
Plum - Flowering	2 (2%)
Red Bud	9 (9%)
Serviceberry	2 (2%)
Not Sure of the Name	0 (0%)
Other	3 (3%)

Family Tree Planting

We were delighted to be location for the Tree Planting workshop that was taught by Union County 4-H representative James Nichnadowicz. Approximately 20 famileis showed up to take part in learing how to plant a tree.  
 
 

Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park

One of nature's fireworks show's is at Branch Brook Park in Newark.
This was my fisrt year that I went, and I'm sorry that I missed all of the others. The cherry trees are at their peak this weekend. You owe it to yourself to see them. It may be a bit crowded, but its worth it!

If you don't want to drive, you can do what I did. I took the train to Newark Penn, and then took the short light rail ride to the branch brook park exit. For those that have concerns, the Newark Subway was clean, and safe. When you exit the subway, head to the left of the Tennis Court. Branch Brook Park is huge, but the majority of the cherries are to the right. How many trees? I didn't count them, but they just added several thousand trees to this established collection last year.

Grow Your Own Vegetables - Poll Results

This will be my first Veggie Year.	6 (13%)
Growning More Veggies, Same amount of Flowers.	25 (58%)
More Veggies, Less Flowers	3 (6%)
Total Veggie - No Flowers	1 (2%)
No Veggies - Just Flowers	8 (18%)

Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday April 11th 2pm

Williams Nursery at 524 Springfield Ave. Westfield will be having its Thirteeth annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 11th at 2pm. There will be over 5000 eggs filled with candy & toys, and 25 special prize eggs, which can be traded for bigger prizes. Take your picture with the Easter Bunny. The Egg Hunt is only for Children 10 and under. There is no charge for this event. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early since the Hunt starts at exactly 2pm.
For further information call 908-232-4076.

Williams Nursery Easter Egg Hunt 2008

This is the video from the 6-10 year olds hunt from last year. Happy Easter!

New Arrival - Little Lanterns

Aquilegia canadensis 'Little Lanterns'
is a wildflower native to North America. Commonly known as Columbine, it has dainty nodding flowers that are fiery red with a yellow corolla. This particular Columbine is more compact than other varieties, growing only 10 to 12 inches tall. These perennials prefer sun or partial shade. They bloom from early spring through midsummer, thriving in average, well drained soil. If they are happy in their environment, Columbines will self sow and naturalize in a woodland garden. They are attract hummingbirds and make an excellent cut flower.

New Arrival - Milky Way

 
 
Pulmonaria 'Milky Way'
is a show stopper in the spring garden. Wine pink blooms that fade to blue cover the plant in spring. In addition to the beautiful flowers, the green leaves are speckled with silvery spots that glow in shady sites. These speckles keep the foliage interesting even after the flowers fade. Pulmonaria has the unfortunate common name of Lungwort, derived from the spotting on the leaves which were said to resemble the X ray of unhealthy, spotted lungs. Despite its common name, Pulmonaria brings a beautiful and colorful accent to a shady garden. Growing to about 12 inches tall, they attract hummingbirds and are extremely deer resistant.

New Arrival - True Blue Flowers

 
Corydalis 'Canary Feathers'
Corydalis flex. 'Purple Leaf' What amazing blue flowers! Foliage is bronze tinged with clusters of violet blue flowers. All Corydalis prefer partial to mostly shady sites, making them a perfect perennial for the woodland garden. The ideal soil should be rich and evenly moist. They make excellent companions with Ferns and Hostas, and are extremely tough despite their delicate appearance.

Too Few to Feature...but wow!

We only have five of these perennial Viola's Left. The variety is called Viola 'Columbine'. These are absolutely stunning! 

New Arrival - Wonderful Ground Cover

 

Creeping phlox, commonly called Mountain Pinks can provide beautiful color in the spring perennial garden. Masses of dainty flowers in white, pink, red or lavender provide a stunning display from early to mid spring. The rich evergreen needlelike foliage forms low growing dense mats, excellent for edging, cascading over walls, or as a ground cover. Mountain pinks thrive in full sun and grow to about 6 inches tall. They have a spreading habit of growth and can cover an area three times their original width. The variety pictured is called Phlox subulata 'Fort Hill'. It has deep pinkish-rose flowers. Once established, Mountain pinks are extremely drought tolerant and low maintenance.

Earth Day Photo Contest

I wanted to share this contest info. What a great way to participate in Earth Day/Arbor Day!



IGES Earth Day Photo Contest for Grades 5-8

Win a Digital Camera; Photos must be snapped April 22-29

2009 Earth Day Photo Contest Banner Graphic

For Immediate Release
April 2, 2009

Contest Web Site: www.strategies.org/EarthDayPhoto

IGES logoEarth is a system of connected parts -- air, land, water and life. Each part is constantly changing, and affecting and being affected by the other parts. Of all the seasons, changes are especially noticeable during spring. Birds migrate across the sky as the weather warms. Creek waters rise as melted snow trickles down from distant mountains. Spring showers give life to plants and wildlife. And thunderstorms and tornadoes are spawned as warm and cold air clash.

During the week of Earth Day (April 22), U.S. students in grades 5-8 can be part of a unique national effort to capture our changing world. Anytime from Wednesday April 22 through Wednesday April 29, 2009, take a photograph of something that is changing in your local environment. It could be a change occurring in your backyard, outside your school, in a local park, or off in the distance toward the horizon.

Then, research and write an explanation of the photograph (400 words or less) that answers the following questions:

· What is the change taking place in your photograph?
· What part or parts of the Earth system may be causing the change?
· Was the change expected?
· How might the change impact surrounding areas, including people?
· How might this picture look different in the future?

Entries will be judged by Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) staff based on relevance to topic (depiction of change in the environment), uniqueness and overall appearance of the photo, and thoroughness of the written explanation.

The top three winners will receive a digital camera, digital photo frame and digital photo keychain, respectively. The top 10 winners will receive their photograph in a special frame commemorating Earth Day 2009, and their photographs and accompanying descriptions will be featured along with selected honorable mentions on the IGES Web site, www.strategies.org.

Entries must be received by email or postmarked by May 9, 2009. Winners will be announced on the IGES Web site around June 2, 2009.

For submission instructions, entry form, and suggestions for using this activity in the classroom, please visit:

www.strategies.org/EarthDayPhoto

About IGES: Located in Arlington, Va., IGES was established in 1994 and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supported by public and private entities. IGES is a trusted leader in Earth and space science education, communication and outreach, and in fostering national and international cooperation in observing the Earth.

Sponsor a Student Contest: Is your company or organization looking for a way to support science education? Contact IGES at info@strategies.org for sponsorship opportunities. In addition to the photo contest for grades 5-8, IGES offers a science-themed art contest for students in grades 2-4, and cash awards for grades 9-12 students demonstrating the best use of geospatial tools or data to study Earth.

EE Week Photo Blog Contest: Do you have a positive story of how you and your organization are bringing environmental education to students? National Environmental Education Week would like to hear about it. Upload your own photos and stories -- about activities either inside or outside the classroom before, during or after EE Week -- on the EE Week Photo Blog. Entries will be accepted April 20, 2009 through May 22, 2009. See http://www.eeweek.org/photoblog for more information.

CONTACT
Dan Stillman
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
(703) 312-7138 (Phone)
(703) 312-8657 (FAX)
Email: dan_stillman@strategies.org

Tulips in Bloom

I finally got to do a little clean up and gardening at home. (The shoemakers kids have no shoes) I replaced the cut branches of the winter with a mixture of different tulip varieties. I wanted to share these pictures with you, since the tulips are all coming in bloom. The great light rain on Saturday added the nice water droplet beads on the flowers.

Carry away a basket of Spring

Just unloaded these wicker baskets of Spring. They are filled with lots of cool season annuals such as pansies, ranunculus, martha washington geraniums, and sunscape daises. These make a great plant on the front step, or on a table. A perfect gift for Easter.

Frost Free?

One of the most common questions that we get this time of year is "when is the last chance of frost?"

Since weathermen seem to have a hard enough time predicting yesterday's weather let alone tommorow's this is a tricky question to answer.

We've had years where we haven't had a frost after the 10th of April. We've also had years where there has been a frost towards the end of May. This is generally the exception to the rule. Generally the chances of a frost after the first of May is fairly low. The trees have also leafed out by this time, and this actually offers protection to the plants that are under them.

Some plants have more tolerance to frost than others. The cool season annuals such as pansies, primrose and rannunculus can handle a frost with no problems, and can actually tolerate temperatures in the low 20's. Annuals such as impatiens are far less tolerant of the cold weather, and can not take any frost.

The national weather service does have a probability chart that covers the westfield/cranford area.

Temperature		Probability
will fall below		90%	50%	10%
	36F	1-May	14-May	26-May
Frost	32F	14-Apr	30-Apr	17-May
Freeze	28F	30-Mar	15-Apr	2-May

What this means is that there is only a 10% chance that there will be a frost after May 17th.

Poll Results - When do you plan to get back in the garden?

I've already been in the Garden 28 (46%)

This Weekend 7 (11%)

Next Weekend 7 (11%)

Next Month 18 (30%)

Forsythia Peaking Out! Spring is getting Closer

Finally! I always think that one of the first true signs of Spring is the Robin's playing in the grass, and the forsythia blooming in the garden. The robins were out in full force yesterday, and I spied a bright yellow forsythia bloom.

Did you know you can bring some Spring inside by taking some cuttings of the forsythia and placing them in a vase of water. The flowers will open up within a few days inside. You can do this all winter long, but earlier in the winter, it takes more time to get them to open.

If you don't have forsythia to cut, we have some great plants that just arrived. Forsythia is one of the easiest shrubs to grow. Plant in a sunny location, and they're off and running.


 

The Irony of Spring

Well its official...as of 3 minutes ago (7:44) Spring has started. When I looked out the window, it was snowing like crazy. At least Spring Snows don't last for very long. When I looked out the another window I noticed a jogger running by the house in shorts. Consider the dusting of snow, Winter's final send off. The snow won't be around by this afternoon.

Don't worry about the little snowdrops, the pansies and the crocus in the garden. The snow doesn't make them unhappy. I was just thinking how my snowdrops didn't even get to experience the snow when blooming this year. Snowdrops get their name because they are one of the earliest bulbs to bloom, and often their white flowers appear popping out of the snow. I took this picture in Echo Lake Park on Thursday.

Happy Spring!

 

Daffodil sighting!!!

Wow, these daffodils win for first out. I saw these in Echo lake park today. They were just across from the renovated lake.

-- Post From My iPhone

Fruit Trees

Fruit Trees 2009

Royal Gala Apple

Dwarf: The very
best-eating apple, sweet and crunchy, matures in late summer. This
red-orange apple brings the highest prices in grocery stores and
fruit markets. Pollinator required. Zone 5.

Golden Delicious
Apple

Dwarf: The original
Golden Delicious is still the best. Sweet and spicy. Most popular
apple world over. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Rynbrandt Cherry -
sweet
Semi-dwarf: Large,
sweet, firm, jet-black cherries. Resistant to disease and cracking.
Upright, spreading tree with nice form. Very hardy. Pollinator
required. Zone 5.

Danube Cherry -
Hungarian Tart (Erdi Botermo cv.)

Semi-dwarf: Danube
produces an abundant crop of large, juicy, glossy dark red fruit with
semi-firm flesh and delicious sweet-tart flavor. A naturally dwarf
tree. Self-pollinating. Zone 4.

Jubileum Cherry
– Hungarian Tart (Erdi Jubileum cv.)

Semi-dwarf: High
quality variety, prized for its large, firm, very dark purple fruit.
Tart and sweet at the same time, it is great for fresh eating and
preserves. A naturally dwarf tree. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Montmorency Cherry
– tart

Semi-dwarf: Fruit has a
bright red skin and juicy yellow flesh. Trees are vigorous growers,
early bearers and heavy producers. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Royal Ann Cherry
– Sweet

Semi-dwarf: Produces
large, sweet fruit that is light yellow with a pinkish blush.
Excellent fresh eating and canning. Not compatible with Bing.
Pollinator required. Zone 5.

Green Gage Plum
– European

Semi-dwarf: The fruit
has green and yellow skin with rich, golden flesh. A sweet plum with
a very distinctive flavor. The fruit is oval in shape. Good for fresh
eating as well as desserts and preserves. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Shiro Plum –
Japanese

Dwarf: The only
Japanese variety we offer that produces a dark yellow fruit. Fruit is
very juicy and medium in size. Pollinator required. Zone 5.

Santa Rosa Plum
– Japanese

Dwarf: This large plum
with its deep red-purple skin and amber flesh is juicy and delicious.
Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Stanley Prune Plum
– European

Dwarf: A blue, medium
sized plum, oval in shape. Freestone, very hardy, yields consistent
large crops. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Redgold Nectarine

Dwarf: This variety
produces an excellent dessert quality red fruit which is sweet and
juicy when fully mature. Freestone. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Sunglo Nectarine

Dwarf: A fuzzless
peach. This variety is a heavy producer of mid-season fruit with
beautiful color and exceptional flavor. Freestone. Self-pollinating.
Zone 5.

Burbank July Elberta Peach
Dwarf: Large, juicy,
yellow fleshed peach developed by Luthur Burbank. The best for fresh
eating. Mid-season. Freestone. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Redhaven Peach

Dwarf: The standard by
which all peaches are compared. Yellow fleshed. Exceptionally hardy.
Matures early and crops heavily. Semi-freestone. Self-pollinating.
Zone 5.

Summer Pearl Peach

Dwarf: A very hardy,
white-fleshed, mid-to-late season variety. It has fantastic fruit
quality and excellent flesh firmness. Freestone. Self-pollinating.
Zone 5.

Jiro Persimmon
(Diospyros kaki)

Asian Persimmon. Very
good cold-hardy cultivar with large, sweet, orange-red fruit and
upright tree form. Ripens in late October. Fruit is delicious when
firm like an apple or let it soften like a tomato for a sweeter
flavor. Non-astringent. Mature 10-12’. Self-pollinating. Zone
6.

Nikita’s Gift
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana x kaki)

Ukrainian Persimmon.
This variety bears abundant crops of 2-1/2” diameter,
reddish-orange fruit. Fruit is sweet and flavorful. Fruit must fully
soften before eating. The orange-yellow fall foliage is also
strikingly beautiful. Mature 10-12’. Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Brown Turkey Fig
(Ficus carica)

Handsome, low, bushy
plant produces medium to large elongated purple-brown fruit.
Everbearing beginning in early June. Mature size 10’.
Self-pollinating. Zone 5.

Wow...what a difference a few days make in blooms.

Its amazing what a few days of warmer temperatures do to bring on the onset of Spring. I was driving through Echo Lake Park yesterday, and over the back I saw a mass of purple flowers. I ran home got my camera, and took these crocus pictures. It was the first flowers that I noticed in Spring. Today, I looked in my backyard and pow...crocus and snowdrops in bloom, then I looked over at my neighbors yard, and pow...lots more crocus!

The white flowers are snowdrops (galanthus) that were growing in my back yard. This is the latest that they've started to bloom in a long time. They usually start to bloom in February.

The tiny crocus in Echo Lake park and my yard are crocus species, which tend to be a bit smaller than the giant crocus. The main advantage is that they naturalize better than the regular crocus.

New Arrival - Perennial Hellebores Green Corscican

Spring Flowers at Williams
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

Hellebores have just arrived at Williams Nursery. If you've never grown them, you don't know what you're missing. They are one of the earliest blooming plants in the garden. In fact, you can expect to see them flowering from February to April, depending upon the variety. They range in color from white, pale pink to dark pink, deep purple and even green. Although the flowers do not last very long in cut in arrangements, they are beautiful floating in a dish of water, and they last for a long time. Unlike many other perennials, Hellebores are evergreen, which means their leaves do not die back in winter. Even though their bloom time is very early, they remain attractive as a foliage plant for the entire year. If you have a problem with deer, rest assured that they will not eat Hellebores. If you're itching for some late winter color from a super hardy, low maintenance perennial, stop by and see our Hellebores.

New Arrival - Perennial Leopard's Bane

Spring Flowers at Williams
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

These just arrived today in bloom. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Grows 12-15 inches tall.

Vibrant golden flowers brighten the springtime garden. Beautiful cut for spring bouquets. Attractive planted with spring bulbs, forget-me-nots and candy tuft. May go dormant in summer heat. Best planted in small groupings among perennials with spreading leaves.

New Arrival - Perennial Rock Cress

Spring Flowers at Williams
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

Just arrived today in bloom, is Ararabis blepharophylla 'Spring Charm', also known as Rock Cress. Grows in full sun, and will grow 6-8" tall.

Abundant, fragrant flowers and attractive foliage make this a wonderful small-scale ground cover. Attractive cascading over stones or as edging near the front of the garden. Shear after blooming to encourage new growth and a neat appearance.

Pussy Willows - Kid's Love them!

Spring Flowers at Williams
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

Another arrival today was some cute pussy willows. The white fuzzy part is actually the flower bud. Kids just love the way they feel. Great for a wet location.

Spring Pansy Flowers Arrive at Williams

Spring Pansy Flowers at Williams
Originally uploaded by williamsnursery

Our Spring Pansies have just arrived. This is a new ruffled variety, 'Frizzle Sizzle Yellow/Blue'. Over 50 other varieties.

NJ Flower and Garden Show Long Time NJ Tradition

As we work our way through winter, we start to get more and more excited of the approach of Spring. One of the first area flower shows in the are is the New Jersey Flower and Garden Show.

This show has been around for a long time. Originally located in Morristown NJ, then to Somerset it is now held in Edison on Feb 12-15.

Although we no longer have a garden at the show, its still a great location to see some great Springtime color. I included a few pictures here from the Williams Archives. The first is my father Ed receiving an award in 1967. The second is the garden that he built to win that award.

Here is the list of this years gardens:
2009 Garden Descriptions:

HEART AND SOUL OF THE GARDEN
A screen with a round bamboo window divides a garden of two “rooms.” The passionate side features flowers in hot and steamy reds, yellows and oranges and seating perfect for a lovers’ tryst. The soulful half is a study in moody blues, purples and greens with a soothing fountain to create an aura of calm contemplation.

Created by students of the Landscape Architecture Department at Rutgers University under the guidance of Bruce Crawford, director of Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick.

GREEN GROWS THE GARDEN
Eco-conscious practices are highlighted in a backyard setting that features a rainbow of brilliant tulips, daffodils, crape myrtle and hydrangeas combined with colorful native plants designed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. In the vegetable patch, a cornucopia of edible delights. Underneath it all, a reverence for healthy soil.

ARBOR DAYS
A screen of witch hazel and cherry trees and a dense thicket of evergreens make this pretty and practical garden a secluded hideaway among the flowers. Picture yourself tucked under the arbor with a small pond at either hand and a view of blooming roses, daylilies, coreopsis and phlox. It’s a perfect place to while away a summer afternoon.

EASTERN TRAJECTORY
Ease your mind into the meditative spirit of the East. An imposing stone pagoda, crowned with a serene statue of the Buddha, and a pool featuring a pair of bronze cranes set the mood in a garden inspired by Asian culture. The curving path invites movement through a landscape where cherry trees form a lacy canopy overhead. A carpet of color-splashed foliage and a panorama of cheerful spring bulbs and perennials take you directly to the heart of spring.

COLOR YOUR WORLD
Enter a compact garden setting through lit pillars. Everything is included to make your backyard your retreat. A patio surrounded by blooming flowers, a trickling pond enclosed by a stone wall makes this setting complete and an option for any New Jersey backyard.

WATER WORLD
Against a painted backdrop of Japanese mountains, a stream tumbles down a waterfall, flows under a bridge and spills into a pond where jewel-toned koi swim. This garden combines Japanese elements with contemporary American design.

FOUR SEASONS OF COLOR
"While some gardens are designed for specific seasons, many landscapes are viewed all year long. Stroll through a series of garden rooms designed to accent the wide array of colors available to the creative gardener during all 12 months. It is a colorful world all year long!"

RETREAT TO NATURE
Looking for a tranquil escape from everyday drudgery? Shed your worries in this serene garden retreat where meandering paths thread through a bounty of flowers and lead to elegant, secluded pergola. If this garden were yours, you could sit back, take in nature’s beauty…and relax at last.

RAINWATER HARVESTING
GROUNDS KEEPER is excited to showcase this eco-friendly outdoor garden room emphasizing the capturing of rainwater for future use in our gardens. Our rainwater harvesting system and pondless water feature, along with our bubbling urn sitting on permeable pavers will both be a delight to not only see and hear, but to learn how they work. The beauty of our unique container garden creates a wonderful sense of enclosure for relaxing and entertaining. As you stroll through our “room”, we hope you enjoy our carefully selected plant material as much as we do. The “exotics”, some of which are surprisingly hardy plants, can be enjoyed in all of our outdoor spaces with the right attention to their needs.

Tom Castranova from the gardener news was kind enough to give me a coupon to post online to save $2 towards the admission. Click this link to download it.

Wow...Ground Hog heralds early Spring!

groundhog
Originally uploaded by qmnonic

For those that watched the news this morning, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. For those living way out there in Pennsylvania, they're going to have six more weeks of Winter.

NJ and NY's groundhogs seem to take a bit of a different approach. Perhaps their fast paced lifestyle here has conditioned them not run away from their own shadows.

I would also listen more to a ground hog that was in our own region then to one that was several hundred miles away. The two closest groundhogs that are considered weather experts are Essex Ed who calls the turleback zoo his home, and Charles G. Hogg of Staten Island. Both of these groundhogs didn't see their shadows, indicating an early Spring.

Unfortunately for Charles, if he's wrong, he may be out of a job. Mayor Bloomberg was joking with Charles this morning, and like many animals that are morning challenged, Charles took a bite out of the Mayors hand.