Your All Things Plants newsletter for June 4, 2012

• 37 new members.
• 190 new threads.
• 3,577 new posts.
• 1,858 new images to the plant database.
• 59 new comments in the plant database.

The most popular images this week from our database: Photo of Lily (Lilium 'Starlette') by stilldew: Photo of Violet Trumpet Vine (Clytostoma callistegioides) by Yasuko: Photo of Flame Lily (Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana') by jmorth: Photo of Clematis (Clematis 'Arabella') by goldfinch4: Photo of California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica 'Apricot Chiffon') by Calif_Sue:

There were 12 new gardening ideas posted last week:

By LarryR June 4, 2012 What's Blooming in May “The flowery May, who from her green lap throws, The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose." (John Milton) The cornucopia of color that is May in the Midwest certainly does include the cowslip and the primrose, but ever so many more interesting and beautiful varieties. Follow me into the garden and see what's blooming at Cottage-in-the-Meadow in May. (1,046 words - Read the full article) (3 comments)

By clintbrown June 4, 2012 Shake, shake, shake, shake your plants When you purchase plants at Lowes or other big box stores, they often are potted in potting mix that consists of mostly bark. If you don't remove some of this before planting out, the plants will often die a slow, painful death. (183 words - Read the full article) (2 comments)

By lilylady June 3, 2012 Garden Tour with Bobbie Brooks (lilylady) I am happy to have found this delightful group of gardeners here this past winter and I participate mostly in the daylily group. Trish asked me to participate in sharing my gardens and I am happy to do so. Please enlarge all photos. (675 words - Read the full article) (13 comments)

By paulgrow June 3, 2012 Pesto takes a new direction Do you realize that there are many ways to make pesto besides using the traditional basil as the main ingredient? Almost any leafy green can be substituted for basil to make this culinary treat. (239 words - Read the full article) (6 comments)

By goldfinch4 June 2, 2012 A quick tip Cut flowers or bouquets don't have to be displayed in a vase. Anything that holds water will work. (5 comments)

By Mindy03 June 2, 2012 June plants for honey bees Summer is coming with longer days and hotter temperatures. June is still a great month for honey bees but they may not produce as much honey as the days get hotter. (205 words - Read the full article) (10 comments)

By Trish June 1, 2012 Lazy S'S Farm: A Review Today's review is the fabulous Lazy S'S Farm. Join me as we look at what one of the largest mail order suppliers has to offer. (716 words - Read the full article) (11 comments)

By Ridesredmule June 1, 2012 A quick tip I use an old metal milk crate to sit on when I pull weeds. It is a lot better than squatting or on your knees. Paint it so that you can find it easily in your yard. Plastic milk crates would probably work too. (14 comments)

By SongofJoy May 31, 2012 Seed bombs A fun, easy, and environmentally friendly way to plant large or difficult to reach areas is with seed bombs. A typical recipe for seed bombs is: 5 parts dry powdered natural clay, 3 parts dry organic compost,1 part seed,1-2 parts water. After mixing together all of the dry ingredients, slowly add water to the mixture until the mixture sticks together but isn't too wet or too dry and crumbly that you cannot roll it into balls. Roll into quarter size balls. Let dry for 48-72 hours. Bombs away! (4 comments)

By LarryR May 30, 2012 Knock Out Roses look fabulous in pots In the past several years, the Knock Out series of roses has enjoyed great popularity among gardeners. These roses grow well under all kinds of garden conditions, but did you know that they do well in pots, too? (505 words - Read the full article) (54 comments)

By critterologist May 30, 2012 A labeling tip For no-fade labels that show up well on black or green nursery pots, use a Sharpie Silver Metallic Marker. I use them to mark cell packs (aka "sheet pots"), too. The labels are still legible 3 years later, even in full sun. (9 comments)

By goldfinch4 May 29, 2012 A mouse tip Fresh mint repels mice. Every couple of weeks pick a fresh handful and spread it around the area where mice are a problem. (6 comments)