GardenersCardiff answers:

No-I have not.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Http://www.gnomebisque.com/

FAQ on their site…
“Do you have unfinished (without color) gnomes available?”
Yes. Just specify ‘Unfinished (without color)’ by immediately e-mailing Customer Service after placing your order. Be sure to include your name and order number with the request. Prices and shipping rates are the same as finished gnomes.

GardenersCardiff answers:

The garden gnomes eventually.I ‘ll bring you a cooler of beer. However, I think your gnomes should suffer a little first for drinking all the beer in the fridge again, plus it is free entertainment. Cheers.

GardenersCardiff answers:

It sounds to me as if you should call your state Gnovernor, who will instruct the Attorney Gneneral to send in some Gnendarmes.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Checkout Springhill Nurseries. Their catalogs have “planned gardens” that are designed to compliment each other in color and bloom, with plants that bloom continually with plants that bloom at different times.

I don’t know if their website offers the same feature — but they’ll be more than happy to send you a catalog and a discount coupon.

These planned gardens — some for shade, some for sun, some for around a fence, next to the house, etc. Etc., will give you lots of info and inspiration. The catalog — as well as the site — will indicate the zone-hardiness for the plants they sell.

Your local garden center will also be helpful, as they will carry plants that are suitable for your locale.

Perennials will offer blooms only once, unfortunately. Annuals will continue to bloom through a season. The ideal is to create a garden with a mix of perennials and easy-to-deal-with annuals. The “exception” to this rule are roses. Hybrid bush roses will bloom intermittently from early summer to the first frost, but rarely will they have blooms continually.

All that aside, look into Columbines. They are billed as “biennials,” but are actually perennials — blooming their second or third year after planting from seed. You can get mature plants from the garden center, and they will reseed themselves, often creating offspring of unusual color. Generally, Columbines start blooming early-to-mid-May and continue through mid-to-late June. Columbines are beautiful, graceful, medium tall, and attract butterflies and humming birds, so I am always eager to suggest a gardener to get a few established in their yard.

Good luck and happy gardening.

ADDED: Laney made a good suggestion, but they are called Purple Cone Flowers, otherwise known as Echinacea. They are perennials, medium tall, and bloom from mid-summer to mid-to-late fall, so they do have a long blooming season. Another is bee balm. This is a perennial that spreads rapidly and comes in various purple to red flowers, is very aromatic, and true to its name, attracts bees and often hummingbirds. This also blooms from early-to-mid summer to late-fall. (Makes great potpourri also).

Http://springhillnursery.com/default.asp?t=xx&eid=081506&sid=411065&gclid=CNTH0aKUxZECFQUolgodJDiJ3Q

GardenersCardiff answers:

Http://gardeningzone.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=64&osCsid=2dbabafdee18f0c0b17cccea0265601c

GardenersCardiff answers:

Stark Brothers, Burpee, Gurneys Seed & Nursery Company, & Park Seed Company were the first catalogs I’ve ordered from years ago.
Stark Brothers http://www.starkbros.com/?fc=1
catalog http://www.starkbros.com/catalog.jsp
Burpee http://www.burpee.com/
catalog http://www.burpee.com/ancillary/catalogrequest.do
Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co
catalog http://gurneys.com/catalog_request_qas.asp
http://gurneys.com/Default.asp?sid=506379&eid=tlp&bhcd2=1205341182
Park Seed Company
cataloghttp://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=CatalogRequest
http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10066&storeId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=page1

From Dave’s Garden: “These 30 companies are currently the most highly rated within their database.
Antique RoseEmporium
http://www.antiqueroseemporium.com/
cataloghttp://www.antiqueroseemporium.com/mailinglist.html
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. Http://www.rareseeds.com/
catalog: http://rareseeds.com/catalog/
Bluestone Perennials
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/index.html
catalog http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/member/catalog_request.html?id=Sb8TDvyu
Brent and Becky’s Bulbs http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/
catalog http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/spring/helpcenter/catalogue.php
Brushwood Nursery:
http://www.gardenvines.com/catalog/
Buried Treasures http://www.buried-treasure.net/
Chamblee’s Rose Nursery catalog
http://www.chambleeroses.com/ContactUs.html
Classy Groundcovers:
http://classygroundcovers.com/?affl=dg
Direct Source Hostas http://www.directsourcehostas.com/
ECOLAGE: http://stores.homestead.com/ecolage/StoreFront.bok
Forestfarm http://www.forestfarm.com/cart/hardcopy.asp
Garden Crossings LLC http://www.gardencrossings.com/
Garden Store-N-More
http://www.gardenstore-n-more.com/servlet/StoreFront
Gardener’s Supply Company catalog:
http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Link-Requestacatalog
Hallson Gardens:
http://www.perennialnursery.com/
High Country Gardens http://www.highcountrygardens.com/
Katz Kuntry Kuttins http://www.katzkuntrykuttins.biz/
Lazy S’S Farm & Nursery http://www.lazyssfarm.com/plants.htm
Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.
Http://www.leevalley.com/home/CatalogSelect.aspx?c=2
Logee’s Greenhouses, Ltd. Http://www.logees.com/
Made in the Shade Gardens:
http://www.hostaguy.com/
Oakes Daylilies http://www.oakesdaylilies.com/supplier/home.php?id=s000
catalog http://www.oakesdaylilies.com/supplier/contact.php?id=s000&catreq=1
Old House Gardens – Heirloom Bulbs: , http://www.oldhousegardens.com/
Onalee’s Home-Grown Seeds & Plants:
http://onaleeseeds.bizhosting.com/index.html
Paradise Garden http://www.paradisegarden.com/shop/home.php
Select Seeds Antique Flowers http://www.selectseeds.com/
Sooner Plant Farm (home of Imagine Backyard Trees®)
http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.plants/index.htm
Territorial Seed Company http://www.territorialseed.com/
The Tasteful Garden http://www.tastefulgarden.com/store/pc/home.asp
Touch of Nature, Inc.
Http://www.touchofnature.com/
Article on good & bad plant mail-order companies:
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/gardens/plants-by-mail/

Mother Earth News’s Honor Roll of seed companies offering a good, varied selection of open- pollinated vegetable and flower seeds, as well as untreated and/or organically grown seeds:
1. Baker Creek Heirloom Seed
http://www.rareseeds.com/
2. Bountiful Gardens http://www.bountifulgardens.org
3. Cook’s Garden http://www.cooksgarden.com
4. FEDCO Seeds Http://www.fedcoseeds.com
5. Heirloom Seeds http://www.heirloomseeds.com
6. High Mowing Organic Seeds http://www.highmowingseeds.com
7. Johnny’s Selected Seeds http://www.johnnyseeds.com
8. Natural Gardening Co http://www.naturalgardening.com
9. Nichols Garden Nursery http://www.nicholsgardennursery.com
10. Peaceful Valley Farm Supply http://www.groworganic.com
11. Salt Spring Seeds http://www.saltspringseeds.com
12. Seeds of Change http://www.seedsofchange.com
13. Seed Savers Exchange http://www.seedsavers.org
14. Seeds for the South http://www.seedsforthesouth.com
15. Seeds Trust http://www.seedstrust.com
16. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
http://www.southernexposure.com
17. Sow Organic Seed Co http://www.organicseed.com
18. Territorial Seed Co http://www.territorial-seed.com
19. Underwood Gardens http://www.underwoodgardens.com
20. Victory Seeds http://www.victoryseeds.com
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2005-04-01/Finding-Great-Garden-Seeds.aspx

Other nurseries & seed companies:
Gardens Alive!
Http://www.gardensalive.com/default.asp?sid=100309&eid=&bhcd2=1205347805
Harris Seeds http://gardeners.harrisseeds.com/catalog.asp
Jackson & Perkins http://www.jacksonandperkins.com/gifts/store/BECHomePageView?storeId=10053&catalogId=10005&langId=-1
https://www.jacksonandperkins.com/gifts/store/BECCatalogRequestView?storeId=10053&catalogId=10005&langId=-1&krypto=Pxq6jEcjtKR3BL9ZfzKXEv01A7lkOpbIanrvmL%2BCvV8Kn8U5ZTIgv33ecrKD%2FHUSI%2FDBW6ei6Ec%3D
Jung Quality Seeds http://www.jungseed.com/
Nichols Garden Nursery http://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/
Plant Delights http://www.plantdelights.com/
Richter’s http://www.richters.com/
Raintree Nursery http://www.raintreenursery.com/
Songsparrow Perennial Farm http://www.songsparrow.com/
Van Bourgondien http://www.dutchbulbs.com/
Vesey’s Seeds http://www.veseys.com/us/en/
WhiteFlower Farm http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/
Brecks
http://brecks.com/category.asp?c=40&sid=714159&EID=112707BR&eicioi=328677&bhcd2=1205338781
Greenwood Nursery
http://www.greenwoodnursery.com/page.cfm/10372
Wayside Gardens
http://www.waysidegardens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10151&langId=-1&mainPage=toptenpage
Spring Hill Nursery
http://springhillnursery.com/Default.asp?

GardenersCardiff answers:

Well, garden catalogues claim some bulbs grow up to 65cm
If you’re prepared to stake them for support-sure you could make them grow taller.
Last year some of my Lily bulbs which were advertised to grow to 55-60cm grew to about 110 cm’s.
You just need something to lean them against though !
Daffs get blown over by the wind quite easily, and as they seem to flower only at the top, I’m not sure what the advantage would be in havng taller ones….

M : )

GardenersCardiff answers:

Any place that sells garden supplies. It is a very popular form of fertilizer, Home Depot has it, but I’m gonna have to recommend your local garden supplier.

GardenersCardiff answers:

It is said that in Olive Garden we may find a never ending supply of bread sticks. Lead me there and I shall follow!

GardenersCardiff answers:

Many garden Catalogs sell Praying Mantises in the spring. Try a farm and garden supply store, they will be able to help you.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Yes, you can plant outside once the weather has warmed. It is best to wait until the night temperatures are in the 60’s every night. We usually wait till the temps are between 68 and 70 degrees. Lots of people wait until after Mother’s Day to plant seeds. Your packets will have all the information on the back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.

Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.

Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.

Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.

And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.

To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.

Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:

http://www.waysidegardens.com
http://www.dutchbulbs.com
http://www.jacksonandperkins.com (Roses)
http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com

Other catalogs:
http://www.leevalley.com
http://www.gardeners.com
http://www.GardensAlive.com
http://www.deerbusters.com (all types of animal control)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Container/pots/window boxes needs:

All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.

Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:

http://www.fernlea.com/awesomeaccents/recipes.html

GardenersCardiff answers:

Garden Bon Bons – look like candies, but are seeds for growing Italian Herbs or Herbs for Tea
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/garden-bon-bon-sets

Chicobag Produce Stand www.chicobag.com $15.99 – machine washable 3 reusable bags in a cute pouch – reusable collection is very cute

Wrap-n-Mat – www.wrap-n-mat.com – disposable sandwich and snack baggies $6.99-$8.99

If you have an Olive Oil & Balsamic Tasting Gallery near you, go and get either Blueberry or Raspberry – they are great on salads and unbelievable on ice cream. Here’s what it looks like: http://oliversevoo.com/ about $20

GardenersCardiff answers:

I would get her some hand tools to go with the gloves and seeds. Also put some lotion for her hands and some sunscreen, as well as a hat. You may want to check at your local nursery and pick her up a gift certificate to get her started. Books and magazines are also a very good idea, as well as some pads for her knees — gardening can be pretty tough on the knees/body. Don’t forget the water bottle for her and a watering can for the plants.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Local garden centres are probably best – otherwise http://www.diy-supplies.co.uk has plenty of gardening and outdoor equipment. It allows you to search all the major household DIY and garden retailers (like Wickes, B&Q, Robert Dyas) and loads of gardening shops using one search.

GardenersCardiff answers:

The Green Thumb, Garden and Pet Supply
(your last name here)’s Garden and Pet Supply
the Garden of Eden, Lawn and Pet Supply
Mother Earth, Garden and Pet supply
Farmer’s Essentials,Garden and Pet supply

maybe these will help or give you some ideas

GardenersCardiff answers:

Take a good look at what you have available, and try and utilise that. I think gardens should develope naturally,ie. You alter to suit your own ideas, thoughts etc.

Happy gardening (I love gardening)

GardenersCardiff answers:

I, too, was late in starting my garden this year, as we just moved to this house, and I’m going to try for a fall veggie garden. I know that if I start preparing the beds now, my spring garden will be great! As will yours…

As for ants, try an assortment of natural remedies before you go chemical, if you can. Here is a link that has just gobs of ideas.
Http://ms.essortment.com/pestcontrolgar_reor.htm

The best way I’ve found is to follow the Texas Two-Step method. No, it’s not a dance step, but something the Texas A&M came up with…an organic way of ridding your yard/lawn/garden of ants. You start with Green Light Fire Ant Killer with Spinosad, and follow up with Orange Guard.
Here is the link: (I’ve seen it at Wally World) http://www.cleanairgardening.com/fireants.html

Happy Gardening!

GardenersCardiff answers:

The “Do It Yourself Network” has ideas. Besides “Landscape”, use other search terms (gardening, walkways, pool, fountains….) to find more. I noticed on the HopePage, they had a link for “water walkway” — sounds interesting, but didn’t check it out.

Http://www.diynetwork.com/

Also, the public library and home improvement center [i.e., Lowe’s, Home Depot] have books and magazines you can skim through — buy/borrow or not.

Like DIYnetwork, there are also a lot of TV programs on gardening & landscaping — discovery, TLC channels … They are really interesting.

This site does Landscapes (and has a search box). There’s a link on it’s HomePage (currently) on “yards and gardens”.

Http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh

These sites offer ideas:

http://www.bechtelslandscape.com/landscape-ideas.shtml

http://www.landscapegardeningonline.com/

http://www.gardenrailway.org.uk/

This site looks like it may be REAL helpful:

http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/landscapedesign5.html

Do a search for “landscape ideas” (and use other terms) in your browser. Search for “parts” of landscaping (like pools, rock, cement structiures/statues, patio furniture, decks…). The results listed usually have their products set in gardens and yards — and you can get ideas. Like this site (check out the links (buttons) across the top):

http://www.bridgewaterlandscape.com/

And, search famous gardens (like botanical gardens … Like Marie Selby Botanical Garden, Sarasota FL), if you know of any, and look at their settings for ideas.

Peace. Have fun!!!!!

GardenersCardiff answers:

It’s a great magazine although there aren’t many beauty tips in it, just mostly about home and garden and they have wonderful recipes. It’s worth the money to subscribe instead of buying off the stand. I know you must be excited about getting your own place, Good Luck!