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August 28, 2007

I found cheap ceramic pots!

I am always stunned at the price of ceramic plant pots at garden centers. It's clay and water, folks! Needless to say I was THRILLED when I found large terra cotta plant pots for sale at IKEA this weekend for $3.99. No joke! They're on sale now, but their normal price is only $8.99. For those of us that are in constant need of new containers for our plant splurges, these pots are a wonderful solution for the budget-conscious gardener. Click here to find an IKEA store near you.

August 14, 2007

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Holes punched in rose leaves? Leafcutter bee!

Knock Out Rose plants get a lot of flack, but you have to admit that they ROCK in the garden. Specially bred, Knock Outs provide spectacular color throughout the spring, summer and fall, and they resist most of the diseases that afflict roses.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that my beautiful Rainbow Knock Out plants looked as if someone had attacked with a hole puncher! The leaves have neat, circular holes in them, and I've never able to pinpoint the culprit until now. Thanks to a recent article in the Rocky Mountain News, I now know that these holes are signing of the leafcutter bee.

I love gardening because I learn something new every day! 

Birdhouse Gourds - So hot right now!

Birdhouse gourds

Photo courtesy of pallensmith.com 

Even P. Allen Smith has jumped on the birdhouse gourd bandwagon this summer. Adding to our previous discussion of birdhouse gourds, check out Smith's tips for creating a bird hideaway out of these beautiful and vigorous vines.

August 03, 2007

Keep your tomato plants flowering


At the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Conference in January, I learned some great tips about growing veggies organically. One invaluable tip that will help tomato growers get through the summer's heat is to add magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) to each plant either through incorporating a handful at planting time and again after first fruit set, or to spray an Epsom salts solution over plants when they start to show signs of slowing down. Read more about this tip and why it works here.

About Xylem & Phloem

A celebration of life in the garden, Xylem & Phloem chronicles the horticulture adventures of Dallas gardener Callie Works-Leary.
Learn more about Callie and X&P.

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