http://bggarden.com/blog Creative Living and Growing in the Heartland by BGgarden.com Wed, 15 May 2013 14:53:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 Copyright © The BGgarden Blog 2013 ohgarden@gmail.com (Bren Haas of BGgarden.com) ohgarden@gmail.com (Bren Haas of BGgarden.com) 1440 http://bggarden.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/PodwidgetAd1.jpg http://bggarden.com/blog 144 144 Creative Living and Growing in the Heartland by BGgarden.com gardening, ipad, iphone, google, garden, roses, veggies, blooms, garden, how-to Bren Haas of BGgarden.com Bren Haas of BGgarden.com ohgarden@gmail.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/05/14/biltmorerosetrials-17-18/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/05/14/biltmorerosetrials-17-18/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 16:05:56 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=9484 @BiltmoreEstate on Twitter for complete Biltmore ..... ( more) ]]> http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/05/14/biltmorerosetrials-17-18/feed/ 0 0:56:58 I'm excited to share as I journey down to North Carolina from my Ohio garden to share from this amazing event. I hope you will join in the conversation on Twitter by adding #BiltmoreRoseTrials to any questions you may have about the event or images[...] I'm excited to share as I journey down to North Carolina from my Ohio garden to share from this amazing event. I hope you will join in the conversation on Twitter by adding #BiltmoreRoseTrials to any questions you may have about the event or images being shared. I will do my best to get you an answer on location. Images from the event will be streaming on my website ( right column under Biltmore logo) May 17-18 for the International Rose Trial Competition. And please be sure to follow @BiltmoreEstate on Twitter for complete Biltmore ..... ( more) Gardening, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/03/01/its-cool-to-have-dirty-fingernails/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/03/01/its-cool-to-have-dirty-fingernails/#comments Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:34:31 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=8466 http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/03/01/its-cool-to-have-dirty-fingernails/feed/ 5 0:12:18 Are you like me and constantly have dirty fingernails because you just love to dig into the healthy soil with the greatest tool in the garden? This week on #gardenchat Twitter chat forum we welcome Bonnie Plants friend Mary Beth Shaddix as our guest[...] Are you like me and constantly have dirty fingernails because you just love to dig into the healthy soil with the greatest tool in the garden? This week on #gardenchat Twitter chat forum we welcome Bonnie Plants friend Mary Beth Shaddix as our guest host who will be giving our audience sure ways to get growing successfully in the veggie and herb garden.  If you are not into gardening you will should listen to my podcast attached to this blog post for some inspiring information that will get you in the garden.  I’ve been growing food for over 30 years now and I can’t think of a more positive experience so please ask me for more information by commenting on this blog post! During the #gardenchat event on March 4 ,2013 ( this Monday!) participants have the chance to win a ‘Dirty Fingernail Club’  t-shirt thanks to our friends at Bonnie Plants. Details on how you could be one of the lucky winners of this t-shirt check out the #gardenchat blog post ” Are you a member of the Dirty Fingernail Club?”   Growing veggies and herbs with support on social media from growers who care : Mary Beth Shaddix shares some tips and how-to grow advice you won’t want to miss.   Don’t forget to tell me what you think – I’d love to hear from you so comment on this blog post! #gardenchat, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/02/13/why-grow-that/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/02/13/why-grow-that/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:42:07 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=8269 garden magazine or on social media sites like Pinterest only to find that you can't grow it in our garden zone? I've always had an obsession]]> http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/02/13/why-grow-that/feed/ 4 0:23:59 Who hasn't fallen in love with an amazing shrub in their favorite garden magazine or on social media sites like Pinterest only to find that you can't grow it in our garden zone? I've always had an obsession Who hasn't fallen in love with an amazing shrub in their favorite garden magazine or on social media sites like Pinterest only to find that you can't grow it in our garden zone? I've always had an obsession #gardenchat, #NWFGS, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/02/04/you-can-grow-roses/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/02/04/you-can-grow-roses/#comments Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:23:40 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=8232 http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/02/04/you-can-grow-roses/feed/ 0 0:27:28 Do you remember the first time you saw a Knock Out rose shrub?  What was your impression of that new promise to be able to have a rose garden with ease in your home garden? I will admit when I first saw the Knock Out at the garden center I was worki[...] Do you remember the first time you saw a Knock Out rose shrub?  What was your impression of that new promise to be able to have a rose garden with ease in your home garden? I will admit when I first saw the Knock Out at the garden center I was working at about 8 years ago I had my doubts.   It wasn’t until the end of the season and that pink Knock Out rose shrub was one of the last on the shelf marked at 50% off that I decided to bring it home to my garden.   By the end of the summer that year I had planted an additional Knock Out next in place of a hybrid tea rose I had terribly failed with the year before.  This was the beginning of my addiction to adding roses to my Ohio garden.   It was an honor to talk with Paul Zimmerman of PaulZimmermanRoses.com on the podcast attached to this blog post. I have been learning from him via his resourceful website about roses for over a year now and enjoying his tweets daily. When I started reading his bio for research before the podcast I started getting really nervous about our scheduled interview because I found he has a background in writing and television.  Within the first few seconds of our phone conversation I was totally at ease realizing he was just an everyday grower like me … only he may have a few more battle wounds from being a real rosarian. . Follow Paul’s Tweets about Roses at @PZimmermanRoses Paul’s “Roses Are Plants, Too”  blog can be found on the website of Fine Gardening Magazine.  It contains rose care tips, rose history, roses you need to know and a whole host of other rose related information. Click Here to check out his informative blog. Paul Zimmerman Shares Everyday Roses  Gardening, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/01/28/gardening-with-confidence-with-helen-yoest/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/01/28/gardening-with-confidence-with-helen-yoest/#comments Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:19:13 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=8189 http://bggarden.com/blog/2013/01/28/gardening-with-confidence-with-helen-yoest/feed/ 11 0:19:23 Forward in Helen’s book by P.Allen Smith She embraces gardening with her southern charm and style that shines through in her writings.  Helen Yoest is the owner of Gardening With Confidence™ website and can be found monthly in many of our favo[...] Forward in Helen’s book by P.Allen Smith She embraces gardening with her southern charm and style that shines through in her writings.  Helen Yoest is the owner of Gardening With Confidence™ website and can be found monthly in many of our favorite gardening magazines like  Better Homes and Gardens, Country Gardens, Traditional Home, and Southern Living Magazine.  Mid 2012 her very first book came out and I was honored to have it featured as a giveaway on the #gardenchat network.  Gardening with Confidence: 50 Ways to Adding Style for Personal Creativity (GWC Press, 2012) is Helen Yoest first book and I hope the beginning of a book publishing trend for her.  I met Ms.Yoest a few years back at a Costa Farms event in Florida where I was honored to be among many outstanding writers for today’s garden world.  From the moment we met and she greeted me with a hug as if we had been friends forever.  I will admit I was extremely nervous to meet one of my favorite editors in person. What an honor it must be for Helen to have Home and Garden expert  P.Allen Smith write the Forward in her book.  I couldn’t agree with Allen more when he writes ‘Gardening with Confidence – 50 Ways to add style for personal creativity is a true labor of Helen Yoest’s love of our common pursuit.’  Helen’s love for couching people to grow creative gardens presented in this book will inspire you to try new approaches in your garden that you never dreamed of.  During my conversation in the podcast featured in this post I’ was totally inspired to make my mailbox garden my ‘calling card’ as Helen stated in the presentation. One of my favorite chapters on Kids in the Garden I’m looking forward to seeing Helen in person at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show that takes place on  February 20-24 in Seattle Washington.  This is an amazing show and it is no surprise that Helen will be joining the show as a speaker from her North Carolina garden.   Below is information about Helen Yoest presentation at the show.  Be sure to follow #nwfgs on Twitter for current information about the upcoming show. Gardening with Confidence Adding Style for Personal Creativity Fri, Feb 22 at 12 pm / Hood Room ‘Gardening with Confidence’ is designed to give you insight on the basics of adding and arranging the components of your garden. The confidence you’ll gain in knowing how to add design features, while developing your own personal style, will help you take your garden to the levels seen in the fantastic gardens that inspired you to begin your own work of art. Helen will help you discover what kind of garden you want, and how to get there, with savvy style and creative confidence.   You can find Helen Yoest at : Follow Helen online at: Website: www.gardeningwithconfidence.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/helenyoest and www.facebook.com/gardeningwithconfidence Twitter: www.twitter.com/helenyoest Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/gwithc/     #NWFGS, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/11/28/conifers-christmas-care-potted-tree/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/11/28/conifers-christmas-care-potted-tree/#comments Thu, 29 Nov 2012 04:18:02 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=7554 http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/11/28/conifers-christmas-care-potted-tree/feed/ 5 0:19:16 One of the freshest and uplifting scents in nature is that of the conifer; Any cone-bearing tree. Who doesn’t enjoy a walk in a wooded area loaded with evergreens and pines? I don’t remember the story of why trees like the Douglas Fir w[...] One of the freshest and uplifting scents in nature is that of the conifer; Any cone-bearing tree. Who doesn’t enjoy a walk in a wooded area loaded with evergreens and pines? I don’t remember the story of why trees like the Douglas Fir were picked as the ‘official’ Christmas tree but if I were to guess it is because conifers have an amazing fragrance. Just a few years ago we had our families very first cut tree in our home for Christmas. I can’ remember having a cut tree growing up in the 70′s and 80′s but never carried on that tradition as an adult when I became a home owner. The experience of having a cut tree for Christmas was  memorable with the pine scent that filled our home and the fun we had picking it out at the garden center. During my visit to Hidden Lake Gardens Ron gave us a first class tour of some of the most amazing conifers in North America. In the last two years I have become a big fan of conifer gardens and the magic they hold.  I’m finding it harder to entertain the idea of having a cut live tree in my home after growing and maintaining a few pines in my landscaped gardens.  I’ve been growing a few conifers including the fir that is commonly used for cutting has made me more sensitive to the idea of killing a hidden treasures just for a week of pleasure in the home. I feel like such a ‘tree hugger’ saying that … ‘bah – hum-bug’ right?! I know the trees that are cut down are grown just for the cutting. With all this in mind I reminisce of a recent trip to Hidden Lake Gardens with my friends Ron Elardo and Maria Devries.     The image above was one of my favorite conifers in the garden located in the Harper Collection of Dwarf & Rare Conifers  located in Hidden Lake Gardens. Wouldn’t this be adorable potted up and a single gold star hanging from it being used inside as a Christmas tree?  Better yet , wouldn’t this be amazing in my Ohio landscape this spring? #justsayin     Ron has an extensive collection of conifers in containers in his home garden.  The image above is one of my favorite varieties that he owns.   Any one of these conifers pictured in the image above would look amazing as a Christmas tree if you ask me!  Ron gifted Maria and I with one of his container conifers to take home the day we visited.  Mine are cozy next to my greenhouse for the winter and I have 6 months to decide where I’m going to plant it in my Ohio landscape.     It amazes me how many different varieties of conifers there are … not to mention all that Ron has in his Michigan home and garden.  Podcast  with @Whadyacallit : Container Conifer How-To’s In the podcast today Ron shares with us how to keep a container conifer for Christmas indoors.  You will also hear some great tips about maintaining a cut tree and planting the potted conifer.  ind out more about todays podcast guest host Ron Elardo at Whadyacallit Gardening .com Check out my Podcast with Ron Elardo – The Conifer Expert @Whadyacallit sharing Container Conifer How-to’s       Gardening, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/09/17/outdoor-space/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/09/17/outdoor-space/#comments Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:46:41 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=6762 http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/09/17/outdoor-space/feed/ 0 0:30:06 My Garden In Ohio … AKA as a Yard A few days ago I had the honor of speaking with one of my favorite West coast garden writer friends.  I was so excited to hear all about his upcoming garden lectures and his new book coming out in early 2013 t[...] My Garden In Ohio … AKA as a Yard A few days ago I had the honor of speaking with one of my favorite West coast garden writer friends.  I was so excited to hear all about his upcoming garden lectures and his new book coming out in early 2013 that I wasn’t ready when he asked me  ‘What do you call your yard?‘.  Dahhhhh…… Trick question?!  I always refer to my yard or living space as my garden.   I really thought Billy Goodnick, Santa Barbara garden designer was calling me on a ‘no-no’ because I’m never quite sure if it is ‘legal’ in gardening terms to  call me inter yard my garden.  Well it appears I maybe correct and Billy is sharing with everyone how you can turn your yard into a  garden of your dreams! Billy Goodnick will be starting his lectures this weekend in my home state of Ohio.  Be sure to click on over to the image above which will take you to his Facebook page “Yards: Turn Any Outdoor Space Into the Garden of Your Dreams’.   On that page you will find upcoming events as well as images and teases about the booking coming out next March.   If you are able to come to Dayton, Ohio September 22 you will want to click here to find out more information on how you can attend Billy’s garden event that will surely inspire you to get in the garden. Be sure to check out my conversation with @gardenwiseguy Billy Goodnick on by clicking the podcast below.   podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/03/30/star-garden/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/03/30/star-garden/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:24:51 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=5633 http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/03/30/star-garden/feed/ 8 0:21:54 The seasons seem to be a bit out of sync with one another after we were thrust into Summer as the official date of spring arrived.  A week after spring arrived the cooler more seasonable temperatures arrived bringing a few below freezing nights that[...] The seasons seem to be a bit out of sync with one another after we were thrust into Summer as the official date of spring arrived.  A week after spring arrived the cooler more seasonable temperatures arrived bringing a few below freezing nights that were sure to damage the new summer growth on the shrubs and perennials.  During this time many garden connections have been boosting of planting annuals out in their below zone 5 gardens.  I recently acquired a few new roses from my friends at The Conard Pyle Company and I can’t begin to tell you how excited I’m to make up a new rose bed just for them.  Luckily I tweeted out to my friend @RedneckRosarian on Twitter.  He is the one to ask if you have any questions about roses and you are sure to get an answer with in hours of tweeting him a question.  Gotta love social media in the garden world! This Morning I shared a live stream #gardenwalk in my garden.   I made two videos just in case you missed the first tweet about the ‘event’.    In the video I share my late April landscape near my front porch and a few of my roses I’m growing thanks to inspiration and help from my friend Chris  of #rosechat. IF you can’t view these please visit my Youtube.com site at : BGgardenLive. I want to do a shout out to Chris VanCleave and share with you about his new BlogTalk Radio Channel #rosechat. Click on the image below to find out more about the Channel. My friend Chris took the time to share some basic rose care tips for spring with me in this short podcast.  I hope you will listen in as we talk roses.  My favorite part of the podcast is when Chris challenges everyone who listens in to add a rose shrub / bush to their garden. Gardening, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/03/29/raking-weeding-planting/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/03/29/raking-weeding-planting/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:54:30 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=5650 http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/03/29/raking-weeding-planting/feed/ 8 0:15:03 It’s officially Spring …. I know the actual date was seven days ago but now that the normal temperatures are back it is time to celebrate!  This time of year finds me out soaking up the spring sunshine and out of the house we just spent [...] It’s officially Spring …. I know the actual date was seven days ago but now that the normal temperatures are back it is time to celebrate!  This time of year finds me out soaking up the spring sunshine and out of the house we just spent the cold winter months taking shelter in. Conversing with my non-garden friends I’m finding they are not as excited as I am about raking the grass.  I figure anything that gets me outside and making my surroundings a prettier place to enjoy in the upcoming months is where I want to be!  Wide Open Space in my Garden  I know it is a weed but it sure is pretty…… After I’ve raked a good percent of the spots in the yard that seem bare and discolored from winter damage it is time to get pulling weeds.   You might consider using a tool like the one I use in the video below to physically remove the dandelions rather then using a chemical. The last but most important thing to do is to spread the grass seed.  I’ve been known to waste plenty of seed by grabbing hand fulls and just throwing it where I felt it was needed.  Little did I know that was totally wasteful and didn’t save any spring maintenance time.  Last Autumn  I was given a new spreaders called a SNAP by Scotts Lawn Care.  After using this tool and talking with my friend Emily this maybe my favorite tool that best helps me get my yard ready for summer.  I was able to complete my grass planting job  in the areas around my gardens in no time flat with seed to spare. Short video of a few basic grass maintenance going on in my garden right now. Can you imagine trying to pull all the weeds in that front meadow area featured in the video above?  For the past 5 years I’ve been staying away from chemicals in my grass and continue to pull the thistle and dandelion weeds as needed.  It is impossible to remove them all by hand but I do want to note that if you make sure you keep up with planting grass seed the weeds are usually crowded out. I’m excited to hear what you are doing in your garden and lawn this time of year and I hope you will share with me by commenting on this post! Early this week I spoke with my friend Emily who works over in Marysville Ohio at The Scotts Company.  She is new to gardening and I’m excited to share with her some new growing technique growing natural.  We talked about the new seed spreader and I had a few questions about the sun & shade seed.  Listen in as we talk basic grass maintenance that should be going on in your garden this time of year and I hope it inspires you to think basics and get out and enjoy spring!   Recommended by a blogger friend of my I want to note that the products featured in this blog post today were gifts and I was not paid by anyone to post information. Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/01/13/floral-symphony-nwfgs/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/01/13/floral-symphony-nwfgs/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:10:18 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=5363 http://bggarden.com/blog/2012/01/13/floral-symphony-nwfgs/feed/ 12 0:21:40 While much of the country has white mulch covering their gardens, Janet Endsley and her crew work hard moving the soil indoors to inspire the Northwest with A  Floral Symphony.  The Northwest Flower and Garden Show is a five day spectacular event fi[...] While much of the country has white mulch covering their gardens, Janet Endsley and her crew work hard moving the soil indoors to inspire the Northwest with A  Floral Symphony.  The Northwest Flower and Garden Show is a five day spectacular event filled with one of a kind garden art, music and of course garden displays designed by award winning artist. I had the privileged of speaking with Janet the other day on the phone and I”m thrilled to share our conversation about the show via a podcast attached to this blog post.  In this presentation you will get a better understanding of what it takes to put together an amazing show like this Seattle event as well as find out some fun gardening facts about Janet. One click over to The Northwest Flower and Garden Show website and you will quickly see that talented writer Janet truly loves her job.  The website is a ‘cyber flower event’ itself, filled with show facts as well as valuable gardening information. Click Image Above To Visit NWFGS Site Mark your calendar for Monday, January 16 for  when Janet Endsley @NWFGS   will be our guest host on #gardenchat .  She will be sharing current show information as well answering any questions you may have about this garden show.  Even if you can’t make it all the way to Seattle for this event in February it is inspiring to  follow along using social media.  The designs, speakers, market place and  other garden related events being shared Feb. 8-12 from the show will get you in the garden. podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2011/10/23/helping-communities-grow-starts-in-school-gardens/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2011/10/23/helping-communities-grow-starts-in-school-gardens/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:59:12 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=5168 http://bggarden.com/blog/2011/10/23/helping-communities-grow-starts-in-school-gardens/feed/ 6 0:10:16 Carol & Kerrie are at it again … spreading their love for growing around this Autumn with the Seed Keeper Project.   I had the privilege of speaking with them this afternoon to get the facts on what I could do to make a difference in the s[...] Carol & Kerrie are at it again … spreading their love for growing around this Autumn with the Seed Keeper Project.   I had the privilege of speaking with them this afternoon to get the facts on what I could do to make a difference in the school of my choice. The Seed Keeper Ladies in their booth at IGC11 / Chicago Navy Pier Here’s how you can make a difference in the garden at your favorite school :  Each Monday The Seed Keeper Company is going to list five states they randomly pull out of a seed keeper kit. And you thought Monday’s couldn’t be any funnier with #gardenchat and all! If the state your  school is located in that you would like to nominate for the Seed Keeper Project is chosen please submit the schools at that time on their Facebook page.   Go to The Seed Keeper Company on Facebook where the states will be listed.  You have until Friday of that week to list the school of your choice from the five states chosen on Monday. On Friday of each week the Seed Keeper Girls will place all of the nominations in a Seed Keeper and draw a winner for each of the 5 states.  The winning schools receive a Seed Keeper and Certificate recognizing their school gardening efforts as well as a note letting them know you are responsible for their win.The Seed Keeper Project will conclude the week of December 21, 2012.  You can read all about this project on the The Seed Keeper Project Page. The Herb Garden Located in the Childrens Garden / Garfield Park Indy Above is a photo of the beautiful Garfield Park Childrens’ garden I toured this summer with the Garden Writers Association .  I just love the herbs planted in this beautiful recycled tires that the children painted. Be sure to check out my podcast with Carol and Kerrie from the Seed Keeper Company explaining all the details about this school garden project.    If you have any questions be sure to visit their site or you can leave me a question in this blog post. podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no http://bggarden.com/blog/2011/09/28/rosechat-on-healthy-roses-year-round/ http://bggarden.com/blog/2011/09/28/rosechat-on-healthy-roses-year-round/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:51:51 +0000 Bren http://bggarden.com/blog/?p=5095 http://bggarden.com/blog/2011/09/28/rosechat-on-healthy-roses-year-round/feed/ 8 0:17:30 Back in early Spring I  tweeted a S.O.S. out to my gardening friends on #gardenchat.  It was  no surprise that I was connect to at least a dozen garden enthusiast all eager to help with advice or at least rally the troops for more information.  Onc[...] Back in early Spring I  tweeted a S.O.S. out to my gardening friends on #gardenchat.  It was  no surprise that I was connect to at least a dozen garden enthusiast all eager to help with advice or at least rally the troops for more information.  Once the questions were answered and my fear of roses were overcome I’ve continued to share my healthy roses to this day.   Read more about the advice I was given using social media and how it gave me healthy rose blooms all season long.   The pruning advice provided by Chris at @RedneckRosarian give my  landscape  color from roses unlike I’d ever experienced before.  In the image above I share with you my roses by Proven Winners and Knock Out that are still blooming crazy along with my mums here in Ohio. Click Above Image To Visit Chris Site Filled with Amazing Roses! To ensure continuous blooms for next year I made a quick call to my dear friend Chris.   In the podcast today you will learn basic rose care for Autumn gardens.    If you have any additional questions be sure to tweet into #rosechat tonight on Twitter.  You can find more information about that event at #rosechat. Did you know that disease  can hang around till next year if you don’t clean up around the rose shrub the correct way?  Listen into these tips from @redneckrosarian. Gardening, podcast Bren Haas of BGgarden.com no no