I'm a big fan of comic books from the 1930s to the 1970s, and have a huge interest in the creators and history of the various companies that put out these books back then. TwoMorrows Publishing specializes in books and magazines pertaining to comic book history.
Since this past winter was so warm, I have been expecting a lot of bugs this summer. So have many other gardeners I have talked to. I am trying to use organic methods to keep them out of my garden this year. I have plenty of birds in the yard, so they will help quite a bit. I also planted marigolds around the edges of my vegetable garden to help deter the bugs. I have also noticed a lot of ladybugs crawling around the yard and have spotted a couple of praying mantises, too. These two insects are voracious eaters of other (mostly harmful) insects.
Like everyone else in the area, I have to deal with less than adequate rainfall this year. In fact, a large part of the country has to cope with drought conditions this year. Lawns are stressed, gardens are stressed, and trees and shrubs are stressed, too. This makes the gardener stressed. Fortunately, our area isn’t in the worst of the drought conditions. So with a little work, we can save most of our gardens and plants.
I have recently noticed some magical new gardens popping up on various blogs and websites. These tiny landscapes have all the features of your typical garden, arbors, paths, benches, and other gardening accoutrements only in miniature. What is the purpose of these verdant mini gardens? Why, they’re fairy gardens, of course!
I have a crazy addiction that I can't seem to find a cure for. I'm addicted to Mad Men, AMC's superb drama set in the world of Madison Avenue in the 1960s. The set design, acting, writing, and costume design are all first rate. It's won multiple Emmy Awards and is one of the most discussed shows on cable TV.
Herbs are some of my favorite plants. I love their beautiful foliage, their colorful flowers, and their savory flavors. But my favorite thing about herbs is their fragrance! From their leaves to their flowers, herbs are some of the most highly scented plants in the garden. Herbs are valued for their medicinal and therapeutic uses, too.
I just got done reading this incredible oral history of the U.S. Navy SEALs. Navy SEALs: A Complete History From World War II to the Present is a comprehensive history of America's elite fighting team from their days as the Underwater Demolition Teams, or UDT's, in World War II to the early 21st century. Told in their own words, the Team members detail the rough training and combat conditions they encountered, from the beaches at Normandy to the frozen wastes of Korea and the jungles of Vietnam. It concludes with the SEALs' role in the current Middle Eastern crisis.
One of the most popular and enduring of all garden flowers is the rose. It also happens to be my favorite flower. The romance of this ancient flower appeals to my dreamy nature. I have to say though, of all the different types of roses, I love the antique varieties the most. Antique or heritage roses are considered to be the varieties in existence before 1867, which is the date the first official hybridized rose was introduced. Their fragrance is amazing, and the flowers are so full of petals that I often wonder how they can hold them all.
One of the most well-known of all the herbs is lavender. It’s one of the most useful herbs, too. From cooking to crafts, lavender can be used in many ways. One of the most common uses of lavender is for sachets. Its signature aroma has freshened linen closets for generations. The stems of lavender are also woven into lavender wands and baskets.
One of the best things you can do for your garden is to add compost. Compost adds vital nutrients to the soil and encourages beneficial bacteria and fungi. All of these help plants grow and produce. Compost also introduces organic matter to the soil. Adding organic matter helps improve drainage and texture, too. Composting is also a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste.
