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Beth Seemann (December 29, 2007)
Great looking garden pictures! |
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Joan from Niagara Falls, Canada (December 27, 2007)
My daughter from Wintrop, WA, told me about your site -- I have enjoyed my walk through your garden this evening - great variety of plants - great pictures of wildlife! Can't wait for spring! |
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Rose Rairie (December 19, 2007)
Love your website. Actually stumbled on it while searching for seed starting supplies. I will visit often. |
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LeAnn Oakes (December 18, 2007)
Rob, I am a horticulture student who absolutely loves your website. I have refered to it many, many times for the excellent pictures and information you provide. The only thing better than visiting your website would be to visit your gardens!! Keep up the great work! |
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Tammy (December 01, 2007)
Hello Rob, Lovely gardens, I will be doing my first year sale at home spring 2008, I fell in love with perennials a few years ago, hobby got out of control so I started setting up at farmers markets, quite fun. Love growing from seeds and cuttings, my veggie garden is now a filled with 6000 pots of perennials. My windows are lined with baggies of seeds in coffee filters, I think by the end of January my basement will be filled with seedlings. I love the space savings of your baggie method, I used 72 ct. plug trays and hated that some plug are empty, extra step but looking forward to all plugs filled with the slower grower. Thank you for this wonderful site. My kids have even taken an interest, one (16 year old) sold enough plants for gas money for a few months and the other (20 decided that she wanted some extra cash) glad we have 6 acres it may be filled with pots in the next year. Your info here is such a time saver with perennial growing. Thank you! |
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constant (November 26, 2007)
Hi Rob, is indeed nice! If I could ask for some advice will be great!:) I think is only one problem: I`m from Romania! |
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Dianne Valentine (November 03, 2007)
Hi Rob,Just discovered your site..it is FANTASTIC and your pictures are FABULOUS. THANK YOU. I will certainly consult your site for info before I start searching through book after book...what a time saver. I am learning SO much! |
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Ramonita B Wade (November 01, 2007)
Enjoy your site very much. It is very informative and easy to follow as I know nothing and am new at this |
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Flossye Turner (October 29, 2007)
I am looking for Armoracia rusticana 'Varigata' Seeds.
Thank you for any ideas on seads.
Flossye Turner |
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Ivancica, Daisy (October 29, 2007)
thanks for jour nice pictures, I will put You on my favorites, have a nice day |
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Marry Baars (October 23, 2007)
nice website, nice story, love from The Netherlands, we collect everything about Eryngiums, we have 23 different ones and 3 Cirsiums, most of them from Holland and U.K. Regards Marry and Martien BaarsWow, 23 eryngiums! I've got a ways to go... |
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Ankianka (October 21, 2007)
Hi there! What a lovely garden you have. I am a swedish gardenfreak who was searching the web for some pictures of Germander. And I just stumbled into your website. I will be back, I shall tell all of my garden friends first. |
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Wanda Gaines (October 16, 2007)
I am a new Master Gardener in Alabama. Thanks for the great plant descriptions, which I use to figure out what my "gift" plants are! Beautiful site, and thanks for the many pictures. |
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Leeann Redman (October 15, 2007)
I love it.
What an awesome website in so many way!
Very impressive.
Love your pictures & sharing of information.
I am wondering did you set the website up your self or did you have some one do it for you?
To Your Success, Health & Happiness
Leeann Redman |
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Venus (October 05, 2007)
I was just checking out your site and looking up some spiders. Thanks for the help. I have a big one out on my deck and well I dont like them. I just wanted to know what is was. thanks for the help. |
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Mahmood Al-Yousif (Bahrain) (October 01, 2007)
Inspirational!
While we live several timezones apart, I share your love of gardening. I am a pre-novice, to use your words, as I have only been involved in it for the last couple of years and the learning angle is still quite steep though very enjoyable yet frustrating.
Having your site and reading your experiences and details of the plants you share with us certainly adds an impetus for me to continue with my learning experience.
Well done and thank you and Amy for your generosity in sharing this valuable information. I hope that through my starter site I could reach the same level as you have so far.
Best regards
Mahmood Al-Yousif in Bahrain (Mahmood's blog) |
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nicole marillier (france) (September 29, 2007)
Hello, I "met" you onsearching photos of Aster latériflius Lady in Black, I am just at the beginning of the discovery of your garden, and I already discovered I have something in common with you : my lawn is not the most beautifull and does shrink every year ....
Thank you for sharing your garden love , I'll sure be back very often !!! |
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Angela Hedgepeth (September 22, 2007)
Thanks for the pictures. I'm trying to identify a bug that loves my rudebeckia that is about the size of a lightening bug but has yellow and black stripes. They have even been ontop of each other on the blooms. Are they good or bad? AngelaI can't identify your bug, but in general I'd say that if you can't see a bug doing damage, it's better to leave them be and contribute to your garden's biological diversity! |
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BeBe Fort Worth Texas (September 17, 2007)
There was a link to this site in Gardenbuddies - a fabulous place to visit. I'm glad to know about the sawfly larva. Put one in a bucket of water as it didn't look like a caterpilar to me. I butterfly garden but don't support flys or tomato hornworms. After reading some of these entries can't wait to spend time looking at the rest of your site. |
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Janet Copeland (September 10, 2007)
Hello, I accidently found your web site while searching for information about my new plant Blue Fortuna Agastache. I am a just beginning my gardening projects. When I "stumbled" upon your website I was overwhelmed by all the information and at the same time thankful that I now have somewhere to check to see how I'm doing. I am bookmarking it and am sure I will be visiting often. Thank you so much for sharing. You certainly have put your heart and soul into your gardening. I am so happy I found your site. I'll keep in touch. I am approximately three miles from the Florida border. I moved here from Atlanta 9 years ago and I feel like I am in a tropical paradise. I am fortunate enough to have a well-established orange tree and lemon tree. Beautiful old camilias, pecan trees and magnolias are on our property. It's a gardener's dream. I feel an obligation to learn about all these beautiful trees and plants and to maintain them. AND along the way I am finding out how much I love gardening. |
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Dolores from Newcastle, California (August 31, 2007)
Hello, I was trying to find out more about Flax-Linum and came across your website. I certainly wish I could have been at your plant sale as I love them. Where are you located? My guess is back east based on your garden journal. Delightful pictures and commentary.We garden in the Lehigh Valley. |
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Anne Cox, Toledo Ohio (August 30, 2007)
What gloriously beautiful eye candy after a day weeding, weed-whacking and mowing! Thank you for the injection of endorphins! |
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Sue (August 28, 2007)
I found your website a while ago while living in Florida. I bookmarked the page, and have just now come across it again, and am so glad I did. Your site is a very valuable one in my opinion and the time and effort you have put into it is great. I now live in Chester County in PA and will be visiting your site frequently to get lots of ideas. Thanks. |
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Anna Mollerstrom (August 25, 2007)
Hi, A very good homesite with very good plants pictures and describing - a pity it is in US, I should need your plants in Europe!
Have god all garden years!
With sunny greetings from Gothenburg, Sweden |
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Steve C (August 16, 2007)
This is all INCREDIBLE!!! I can't believe how exhaustively thorough and creative this gardening specialist is!
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Eyja (August 10, 2007)
Hi Rob. Thanke you for all the great informations and very helpful web site.
Best regards and greetings from Iceland. |
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mars_248@hotmail.com (July 29, 2007)
Hoi Rob,
Al surfend op het web naar ideeën om m\'n tuin in te richten, kwam ik via Google images, uit op jouw site. Geweldig!! Wat een moeite om (bijna) al je planten te fotograferen en op het net te zetten. Zoals je merkt heeft ook Nederland er iets aan!! Ik ben een pas beginnend tuinier(ster), maar door je site krijg ik er steeds meer zin in (vooral de pagina\'s met schaduw planten en die met de planten die het eerste jaar al bloeien (om de moed erin te houden...) Hartstikke bedankt vanuit Noord Brabant, Nederland ! Groetjes, Mars |
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Longxiao Gao (July 28, 2007)
Hi,here is from China, a Chinese Website of myself www.gaolongxiao.com which is about Henan's wild ornamental plants. I was moved by your webpages and your lovely plants. I love them absolutely, although I cannot swim freely in it with the help of my poor Englisn and my dictionary. Thanks !
Welcome to China and visit Her pretty plants.
Longxiao Gao
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Mike The Fishmonger (July 28, 2007)
Lately, I've been searching for info on a few plants I've picked up at garden clubs sales and the like. Time and again, your pages are the most useful and attractive pages I find. Just wanted to say thanks for the amazing amount of work you've put into this, and thanks for sharing your plant knowledge with the internet! |
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Sandra Hill (July 28, 2007)
Very nice, very helpful website. Kudos to you!! |
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Barb J (July 22, 2007)
Rob, I visited your garden a year or so ago during the Parkland Garden Tour and had linked to your site, but lost it when my last computer crashed. Doing a search for a couple of plants I picked up at Dries in Macungie I regained your link. thanks! It's nice to know what works and doesn't in the LV. I'm trying that elusive eryngium alpinum. I was also trying to see if arisarum proboscideum can be anywhere near my walnuts. Sounds like that might not work either! |
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Tazuko (July 20, 2007)
What a fabulous site you've uproaded !!
So am I an impatient gardener.
I really treasure your `Quick-blooming perennials'page .
Thank you so much
Tazuko from Japan |
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Bjørg in Norway (July 20, 2007)
I was looking for a Campanula, and your web site was ther. Nice to read some of Your blog, Very good ! |
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Chuck Narrow (July 19, 2007)
It's nice to a web site with so much info on Geraniums. The close ups of the leaf structure is especially interesting. Now how about a page with pictures of the flowers.Well, I do have a bunch of small close-ups of the flowers towards the bottom of that page. |
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Gail .. from the UK (July 19, 2007)
Hi Rob, just come across your web site, it`s really nicly set out and easy to read. |
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Barbara near Chicago (July 14, 2007)
My first Scabiosa seed sprouted yesterday in a baggy! It is such a relief to not have to watch barren peat pots anymore. It's so depressing when nothing happens in them. Thanks for describing your methods for germination. I'm a happy gal now and have such plans for my garden... |
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M. Schneider, Stavanger Norway (July 12, 2007)
Inviting layout, Exquisite and inspiring pictures! A garden becomes a delightful, never ending university once you start observing the symbiosis of plants with insects. I just started an insect-friendly garden here in Stavanger where the bumblebees and hedgehogs rule, and there is a long road ahead for me so thanks for the good ideas!!I love hedgehogs! If only they'd live in America... |
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Rob skelton (July 12, 2007)
I am enjoying your site. I recently came to appreciate the Geraniums and have been collecting different varieties. A friend has done some hybridizing with them and has given me a good start. I am in north west Pa. and grow vegtables and perennials for market. my concentration is on Siberian, Ensata & louisiana iris along with liliul, Geraniums and primula. Really battling the dry weather and critters this season. |
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Elizabeth Clarkson (July 08, 2007)
Hi Rob, what a wonderful garden you have! I'm not even sure how I got to your website. I was searching for information on a Codonopsis molla that I picked up by mistake, I was reaching for a blue corydalis and got distracted, didn't realize what I had bought until I got it home. I'm sure it is an Asian Bellflower, it is very similar in leaf to your codonopsis. Although I recently became a master gardener, I wasn't having much luck until I found your site. I garden in Tottenham, Ontario a little bit north of Toronto, so many of your plants will grow here as well. I'll be adding you to my favorites! |
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Lenore Figueroa (July 01, 2007)
I reside in Queens New York. My backyard is full of Enchanters Nightshade. They mentioned that it usually visited by Syrphid flies. Your web site has been most helpful in my being able to identify these flies. Thank You |
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José uit Nederland (June 28, 2007)
Hallo Rob,
Afgelopen jaar ging het ruilen helemaal verkeerd, jammer.
Toch wil ik je even laten weten dat de Teucrium Hircanicum prachtig staat te schitteren in de tuin.
Nog bedankt voor de zaden.
Ik heb ook al andere mensen enthousiast gemaakt voor de 'baggy methode' van Deno, reuze enthousiast zijn ze.
Ik verwijs ze dan ook altijd naar jouw site, mag wel hé ?
Groetjes,
José
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Reda (June 26, 2007)
Love yoy web site. It helped me give the plant I have been looking for a name, perilla shiso, beefseake mint. I will put you on my favorites. Thanks, Reda in Texas |
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Lynn Schibeci (June 26, 2007)
Hello, Rob. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a long way from PA when it comes to gardening, for sure! Your website nevertheless has lots of information that's relevant to me here, and I really appreciate all the work you've done to put it together. |
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Allen Boatman-Horticulture Instructor (June 22, 2007)
I appreciate your information and photos on Solanum pyracanthos. It helped me a great deal.
Allen |
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Judy Eastman (June 19, 2007)
Thanks for the weather reports all these years. I know little about gardening and hope you will keep this up. |
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Monica irish (June 19, 2007)
Hello, my mother is from Hazelton, many relatives still in the area, beautiful part of PA.love Jim Thorpe thank you for your interesting site. |
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Linda (June 18, 2007)
I was so pleased to find your site and the information on Carex Morrowii (mine is Silver Sceptre). It has been looking a bit worse for wear the past couple of years and I wasn't sure if I should be cutting it back or not. Thanks for your pictures and commments. |
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Sarah (June 13, 2007)
Could you share a bit more of your approach to soil and amendments? Only compost, or additional fertilizers, enzymes, etc? (Ready about Chippy too!) I loved looking at the 'wildlife', AKA bugs, so what else do you do to manage? For example, what about beetles that want to destroy roses and lilies? I imagine you are pretty busy... REALLY busy!... but any info would be appreciated. Daily, weekly, and monthly rituals?! THANKS! Wonderful website.Yeah, I've been meaning to write about my approach to gardening, chemicals, etc. for some time. Never quite find time to do it... I use very little synthetic fertilizer (just a bit on the lawn once in a while), but a fair amount of compost. Nothing fancier than that. While I'm not fundamentally opposed to using pesticides, I rarely use them - I aim for a balanced ecosystem (too bad that Japanese beetles aren't part of the food chain). |
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Mikepaker (June 10, 2007)
I AM ENGINEER MIKE PAKER ,I WISH TO USE THIS MEDIUM TO THANK GOD AND MR SOLOMON ON HIS SPIRITUAL HEALING POWER OF HIV AND AIDS .I AM A LIVING WITNESS AND I WISH TO LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT HIV IS A SPIRITUAL DISEASE ,HELP ME LET THE WORLD KNOW AND IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM CONTACT THE GREAT PROPHET SOLOMON. THANKS ENG MIKE
E-mail :mikepaker555@yahoo.es |
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gregorinimargarita@hotmail.com (May 30, 2007)
maravilloso no se puede cree. soy de argentina y aca no hay tanta variedad de palntas
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Penny (May 28, 2007)
I'm taking plant ID classes, and your photos and info are INVALUABLE!!! I can't thank you enough for your multiple photos and close ups of leaves. I have learned a lot about plants I've never heard of from your site, since of course looking at one plant leads to another.... |
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Dianne (May 26, 2007)
Thanks, I have a master plan for my barren yard and don't know some of the plants listed by my designer. Your site has been greatly appreciated actually showing me some up close specimans and your successes. Inspirational and educational, Thanks. |
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maureen gannon (May 24, 2007)
I found your info on thalictrum very interesting. I did not know there were any dwarf varieties! You noted that you have not had the yellow variety self-sow in your garden. I had mine for three years and then boom..........seedlings everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!! This year alone I have dug up about 25 2-year plants and have several seedlings starting anew from last years seeds!Wow - I've had that happen with other plants (the delayed-onset self-seeding, that is), including amsonia tabernaemontana - but not with T. flavum, which has been in our garden for about 8 years now. |
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Ewan d-m (May 16, 2007)
hello to all at this lovely garden website.
My name is Ewan and im a horticulture student from Toronto canada, now living in Hamilton Ontario.
I just wanted to say how beautiful all your plants are and what a great collection you have.
my garden is very similar as i have many different variety's and cultivars of the same species and just alot of interesting stuff.
My garden is about 120ft by 40ft and the zone im in fluctuates between 6a and 7a. I live at the base of the hamilton mountain and being in a micro climate is great as i like to gamble with soft perennials and other plants that aren't supposed to grow here. I didn't even know Eastern Canada had zone 7 climate! Learn something new every day :-) |
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Michele S (May 14, 2007)
Thank you so much for putting this excellent site together! I just found it, quite by accident, and was very surprised to find out I am your neighbor (Whitehall).
I only wish I would have found this site a couple weeks sooner so I could have attended the plant sale! |
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Mary Carr Ollman (May 13, 2007)
Rob,
For the fifth year now I've greatly enjoyed coming to your plant sale, and have sent friends also. Being greedy, I only send very good friends with whom I'd like to share this find. Plants, shrubs and trees that I have purchased in past years are just flourishing.
MaryMary, the flourishing part is to your credit - I just get them off to a good start! |
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danny grantham (May 07, 2007)
Nice site and info. I was looking for info on growing Esperanza-Yellow Bells from seed. |
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Flavio V Gallegos (May 06, 2007)
Very good site that I found useful. |
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Cindy Kerr (May 04, 2007)
This is my first visit here, enjoying the view of your lovely landscaping. |
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Kim Fallon (May 04, 2007)
Wonderful website, Rob. I am thinking about moving into the world of perennials (i'm usually an annual only person) and your site is a wealth of information for a beginner. Thank you. I hope to make your sale tomorrow. |
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Robin Mazakas (May 02, 2007)
I love your site. It is so interesting to see all the lovly varieties of plants and flowers. You seem to defiantly love playing in your garden. The pictures speak volumes. |
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cookie (April 27, 2007)
In all the years of plant Googling I have been doing online, this is the first time I came across your site. I don't know how I missed it. You have done a fantastic job of cataloging and describing plants. I have spent a couple of hours visiting here. I look forward to trading some seeds this fall! |
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mary davis (April 24, 2007)
i enjoy your gardens and plsnts and to purchase plants from you ,very healthy plants |
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elaine Kurtz (April 20, 2007)
I was hoping to to find out about Parkland Garden Club activities. I thought this was the way they put them on line I lost my hardcopy. Sorry this site was not that I thought
Elaine KurtThis is not a general site for the Parkland Garden Club, but you can find a bit of information about their garden tour on this page. |
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Rachel (April 18, 2007)
My gardening conditions are about as different from yours as could possibly be - I live near Jerusalem, Israel - (My garden is about the size of your vegetable patch, we don't get rain half the year and we have strong winds from the west every afternoon!!), but your site with its wonderful closeup pictures, maps and info is an inspiration all the same. |
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Mollym (April 17, 2007)
Terrific site -- I found it searching for the (current) family of Veronica, and have bookmarked in my "science" folder as well as "Garden." It's that good. |
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Natalie Parker (April 15, 2007)
I have a mostly shady area along the back of my yard that is well over 100 feet long. We are finally replacing the poison ivy back there with some shade loving plants. TIME AFTER TIME, google has sent me links to your plants to explain the various plants that I'm considering. My only regret is that I'm now tempted to drive from NC to your plant sale! :) Thanks for a lovely site that inspires and enlightens. What a treasure to have on my quick links. |
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susan lucas (April 12, 2007)
Found your site while trying to find out about a plant a friend had given me Enjoyed look and will come back again. |
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Bernadette B (April 10, 2007)
I'm from N.B. Canada, zone 4. Thanks for such a simple way to inform people about plants. It's really easy to navigate here. I love your site.
I will bookmark this place for future references. |
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Mariann Hessing (April 08, 2007)
Happy Easter! I love your site - love the pictures. I am an avid gardener here in the Cheaspeake Bay western shore. Thank you fro such a lovely place to visit. |
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Barbara Campbell (April 06, 2007)
Rob, I always enjoy reading your website. I will let the garden club know the date of your plant sale. Thanks for mentioning us on your site we have gotten a few members because they found us through you.
Barbara Campbell
Parkland Garden Club |
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Mari (April 05, 2007)
Hi Rob. Happy Easter! Nice to know you added more amsonias. All lovely pictures(You made me envious!! Mine are still too small to have a flower.) Like your site very much as I can see the whole plant. I'll come back to check on more photos. Ciao! |
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courtney (April 02, 2007)
I'm glad to hear how you start your seedlings. I germinate mine in Ziploc freezer bags from Sam's--they have the white strips on them. Having a shortage always of plastic pots, I have started seedlings in tin cans and put them in my window(I got this from the Amish who do the same thing). Gardening should be a delightful experience, not an expensive one! |
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John Dunbar (April 01, 2007)
I found your site after when doing a search for carex morrowii 'Ice Dance', very good information. I will be back as we have recently built and are establishing new landscaping. We live on the opposite side of the continent (southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia) but just about the same climate zone, we are actually in zone 7. It is great to get first hand info from someone who is actually a real gardener. I am really tired of looking at the care instructions that come with the plants I buy, "Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil in sun to partial shade". Anybody can grow anything under those conditions!! |
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Katy (March 29, 2007)
I like your site very much! Lot´s of nice ideas, will come back often I think! |
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Nancy Ryan (March 29, 2007)
My goodness! You sure do a lot of work on this site! And how wonderful of you to share this all with us! You and your family should be very proud! I enjoy your site so much! It gives me ideas for my yard! So thank-you very much for sharing this gift with us! |
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Margaret Gentile (March 28, 2007)
This was like a trip to my favorite garden center. Browse, dally, go back to the parts that were my favorites! Thanks!That's a nice compliment, Margaret - thanks! Come back anytime. |
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Danielle Gerdsen (March 26, 2007)
I like that you have pic's with the flowers it is easyer for me to pick wat i want!!!! |
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Fraidson Luz (March 25, 2007)
Fantastic!!! |
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Gentil (March 23, 2007)
You have a verry nice site . Greetzzz from Belgium . Annick and Gentil.
(http://users.telenet.be/annigenti) |
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Carla Nelson (March 17, 2007)
Enjoy your website. It's so helpful and informative. Just to let you know, I've included info about it on my website: www.fairygoodthymes.com If you care to check it out the small article is on the 4th page of the site (sources, events, recipes, etc. - in a feature called Sharey-Fairy.Why, thanks Carla! I'm honored to be featured on your page. Fairy enthusiasts, do check out Carla's site linked above. |
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Brian Simpson (March 11, 2007)
Hello Rob - or should I say g'day mate! I was searching the web for a dewcription of the plant "Jewel of Opar / Flame Flower" and I happened on your site. I enjoyed looking at your photos. It's autumn here down-under although we still had temperatures of 37 degrees on last Saturday and expect the hot weather to continue for a few weeks yet - it makes gardening difficult. We have water restrictions in force at the moment and although I'm (we're) not into gardening as much as you, we still like a little colour by planting annuals. We live in Grange, a suburb of Adelaide in South Australia. Thanks for the lovely photos of your family garden.
Best Regards, Brian and Mary.Thanks for writing - hope you get some rainy relief from the hot soon! |
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iambloomin (March 09, 2007)
found your site lookin for info and Thalictrum delavayi 'HEWITT'S DOUBLE'.
Kool site..I APPRECIATE your style. Im a prairie gardener in rural central Illinios z5. Wind is the culprit here as well as clay soil. On what was a l/2 acre of lawn, I've enjoyed creating raised beds...the lawn continues to shrink. THANX for sharing :^) |
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donna dohm/Fernley,NV (February 27, 2007)
found your website by accident. just wanted to tell you that it is one of the best I have ever come across. Thanks for all the great information. oh yea, love your pond, wish mine was as big as yours. |
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William Brown (February 25, 2007)
Very informative site without being so technical. I'm in 8b & always like to try new plants but realize that you must stick to zonal restrictions, somewhat.
We've had alyssum blooming all winter even though we dropped into the mid 20's several times.It has always been a tough plant & so easy to grow. Very glad to have found your site! |
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Dianne Power (February 24, 2007)
Your web site is fantastic, informative, and very inspiring. Thanks |
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Asparagus Gardener (February 22, 2007)
I have enjoyed your site very much. There is a lot of really good gardening information there. I have bookmarked your site so I can find my way back. Aspargus Gardener |
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Mary Beth, Michigan (February 15, 2007)
Just had to let you know how much I like the Premier Pgx. It is the best mix I have ever used. It is so wettable, does not dry out as quickly as so many other brands do, and the texture is just right. Every time I make up a batch I am so glad that I tracked this brand down. Will never use anything else again! Thanks,Rob! |
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dan jones lancaster, ohio (February 12, 2007)
I enjoyed reading your journal. I think I'll try the baggy method for bergenia that I would like to get started. I've tried other methods for starting it and have not had any luck. |
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Jackie from Illinois (February 06, 2007)
I am from a small rural community, am 54 years old, and a housewife for 25 years. Been starting seeds at home for as long as I can remember, and am always looking for the cheapest, most effictient way to start as many seeds as possible. The fact is, when you start seeds at home, you can mail order any hybrid that you want, not having to buy what they grow at local nurseries. The bottom line: anyone can do this, seeds need growing medium, water,and light. You are very much like me. I found your site by searching for seed starting supplies and you made me realize that others improvise like I do. You come as close as I have ever seen to being committed to not spending all that money at nurserys for the plants that you want (need) and to be willing to work a little for plants that are actually better and healthier than nursery-bought. I have a huge vegetable garden and many flower beds to fill, and start all applicable seeds under regular shop lights like you only they are set up differently and in different areas of the house. Over the years, I have accumulated about 35 two-bulb shop light fixtures, 6 of which suspended on hooks with chains on the bottom of an old kitchen table will light up 10 standard flats. Others are set up in my dirt floor cellar where the furnace keeps things warm and there is more room. (The electric company loves me.) I buy professional 3-ft.sqare potting soil bales at my local nurseryin Feb. of each year and use it to start seeds, then add Osmocote to the potting mix when transplanting the seedlings into cell packs. Whole packets of seeds are started in labelled flats (1 1/2" tall cut-out bottoms of milk jugs), filled with soil in a warm area where the lights are kept close to the soil to speed germination, then after the seedlings are big enough to handle, I transplant them into the 36-cell packs (I used to use 72-cell packs but the seedlings get root bound too quickly) which push right under the table of lights. The cells packs are set in flats with holes and that is set in a flat without holes to protect my floor and watering is a controlled process done with a watering can. When spring is almost here, since I don't have a greenhouse, I put up a temporary one on the south side of my house using wire arches and painter's 3 mil plastic sheeting and the colder weather things can go outside to harden and that makes room for the warm weather seedlings in the house and basement. People give me their used plastic cells packs, trays, pots, etc. and yes, I wash all in a bleach solution every fall. For people visiting your website for advice or for fun, you may want to have a chapter II to mention the time commitment involved in starting seeds, watering every day, dealing with dampening off fungus, the black gnats, getting outdoor beds ready, actual transplanting of new plants, weed problems, sun-shade needs of different plants, best way to fertilize, and after seed-starting things that make starting your own seeds so worth all the trouble. I would also like to hear how you deal with that incessant twang of spring fever in January and February before it is time to start the seeds. I enjoyed your website. Would like to hear more from a no-nonsense, down to earth person like you.Yep, it sure takes time, and a commitment to keeping up with things. As for that January twang - I start on my seed activities in October (for seeds that need cold treatments), and continue at a slow pace through December. But the activity picks up in January, and by now (early February), I have five shoplights going to provide lights to the seedlings that have made their appearance. As usual, I'll run out of space under the lights by sometime in March... |
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Rina B (January 24, 2007)
Thanks!! When I wrote in the google bar for seed starting supply list I was expecting to get a lot of companies. I got them but you as well!!!! Exactly what I needed. Someone to tell you hey, this is what I use and this is what works for me. Thank again. |
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natuurmanjak !!!!!! (Guido) (January 17, 2007)
Dear garden friends you have a beautiful garden, flowers and plant its almost same as here, I bring out you a virtual visit, of Belgium!!!!! I greet you there in Canada Guido (natuurmanjak)(http://natuurmanjak.skynetblogs.be) |
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Carolyn (January 17, 2007)
All I can say is awesome, am relly learning a lot here and Thanks to the menber of Dave's Garden for placing your link up. Might be stuck here for a couple days LOL I'm in South Carolina and as they say your never to old to learn something. |
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Elouise-Anna Evelyn Chauch (January 16, 2007)
I wonder if there are any picture of lavender's life cycle on this website. Lavender are so cool and as Barbara said, lovely and fun. it could be made into so many things from soap to tea!it is absolutely amasing!please answer if able
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Barbara (January 15, 2007)
Absolutely lovely and fun. |
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Evad (January 12, 2007)
Bob, AWESOME site, we love it, nice work thanks for the ideas. Found you by a search on "Google" for plants... Someday our garden will be that complete. |
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JoAnn (January 12, 2007)
Found your site through a link at Dave's Garden and was delighted to find you are located in Allentown, PA! We lived in Bethlehem and I worked at Hechinger's (when it was still there)for many years until we moved to the deep south 5 years ago. Our kids still live in Bethlehem and Stockertown. Your site is very informative and a very useful tool I'm sure I'll be using often.Hi JoAnn- I remember Hechingers! It disappeared soon after I moved to the area... |
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Carl (January 08, 2007)
Excellent website for the beginning gardner. |
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betty from Washington (January 07, 2007)
Hey Rob ,Gosh I used to hate gardening, my husband loves it and always wants us to try stuff in the garden but i never really cared till i saw this site , it's so amzing all the discriptons and things , tell you the truth we also made love in the garden , i've always said no before but it was the best ever, so glad you made this site love bets |
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Loretta DeMarco (January 02, 2007)
Great site Rob. I've found lots of helpful information. |
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