Your All Things Plants weekly news: May 18, 2013

There were 7 new gardening ideas posted last week:

By Sharon
May 18, 2013 In Support of Vines and Climbers
Are you in an ongoing battle with climbers that insist on invading your space? Do they double in size overnight and block your way out the door? Here are a couple of ideas that might help. (966 words - Read the full article)
(5 comments)

By Xeramtheum
May 17, 2013 Easy Way To Deep Water a Large Bed
As I morph into a Cranky Little Old Lady, working in the garden takes just a little bit longer each year, I'm always trying to figure out ways to save time and make it easier on me. One of the things that took a lot of time was deep watering large beds. (125 words - Read the full article)
(no comments)

By jvdubb
May 16, 2013 Your Sempervivum May Not Be Dead!
If a pest has eaten the center of your Sempervivum, don't automatically discard it. Sometimes with a little patience and protection the center will start to grow back!
(one comment)

By dave
May 15, 2013 ATP Podcast #18: A Checklist of May Gardening Chores
It's mid May and most of the country is hopefully in the middle of springtime, and that means it's time to review what's happened so far and contemplate those important springtime tasks that need doing.
(no comments)

By Xeramtheum
May 14, 2013 Weeding With the Bread Knife
I’m the first to admit I’m a lazy gardener to some degree. One of the worst chores for me, especially as I have positional vertigo, was weeding large beds. Again, enter the most versatile of garden tools, the Bread Knife! (107 words - Read the full article)
(14 comments)

By goldfinch4
May 13, 2013 Serpentine Layering
Most vines propagate well by serpentine layering. Dig a shallow trench next to the base of the vine. Take a section of the vine long enough to lay on the ground. Make a small cut on the bottom of the vine a couple feet away from the base. Bury the portion of the vine where it’s cut. You may want to anchor it down with a pin or small rock. Depending on the type of vine, the roots should form in several weeks to several months.
(8 comments)

By wildflowers
May 12, 2013 Improve Clay Soil
This isn't a quick fix, but if you have areas where you simply cannot garden due to the heavy clay soil, Gypsum (aka calcium sulfate) can improve the soil structure. There's no need to dig or till the gypsum in. Just add it to the top of the clay soil. The Gypsum will break up the clay on a molecular level, allowing water to permeate through. It's best to apply several applications (over a year or more) before you add your other amendments and finally begin your new garden. We've done this and I think it's worth the time. Gypsum can also be used to remove sodium from saline soils.
(one comment)

The most popular images last week from our plant database:

Photo of Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Stenciled di Fresco') by tink3472:

Photo of American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) by GoneTropical:

Photo of American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) by GoneTropical:

Photo of American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) by GoneTropical:

Photo of American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) by robertduval14:

Photo of Iris (Iris 'Paisano') by aaronbeck13:

The most active threads this week:
Subject OP Area Replies

OT - The Porch Swing • Spring 2013 daylily Daylilies forum 105

HELP!!!!!! Marmot in my garden. mcash70 All Things Gardening forum 41

Adding plants button isn't working with IE Shannon Site Talk forum 39

Awesome way to start the morning .... Xeramtheum Sandbox forum 22

Planted Basket gg5 Containers forum 21

ATP Series: The Daylilies of Bob Carr daylily Daylilies forum 16

Hanover Blooms Misawa77 Irises forum 14

Need help with Slugs! Redhorseeg Daylilies forum 14

Just curious about ATG dmurray407 Site Talk forum 14

The most active threads this week:
Subject	OP	Area	Replies
OT - The Porch Swing • Spring 2013	daylily	Daylilies forum	105
HELP!!!!!! Marmot in my garden.	mcash70	All Things Gardening forum	41
Adding plants button isn't working with IE	Shannon	Site Talk forum	39
Awesome way to start the morning ....	Xeramtheum	Sandbox forum	22
Planted Basket	gg5	Containers forum	21
ATP Series: The Daylilies of Bob Carr	daylily	Daylilies forum	16
Hanover Blooms	Misawa77	Irises forum	14
Need help with Slugs!	Redhorseeg	Daylilies forum	14
Just curious about ATG	dmurray407	Site Talk forum	14

Some new recommendations from our members:

gardenersdetective recommended Plant Delights Nursery, Inc. and wrote:
I had the pleasure of visiting during their open house and I can say it was absolutely worth flying from MO to NC to view their beautiful Juniper garden. By far they had the best looking Hostas and nursery stock I have ever seen anywhere, and I have been to many garden centers and botanical gardens all over the world. Do not hesitate to order from Plant Delights Nursery. I have seen for myself. You will not be disappointed.

If you have a chance to visit during an open house, you will also enjoy Tony's Garden Art and sense of humor.

Some new recommendations from our members:
gardenersdetective recommended Plant Delights Nursery, Inc. and wrote: I had the pleasure of visiting during their open house and I can say it was absolutely worth flying from MO to NC to view their beautiful Juniper garden. By far they had the best looking Hostas and nursery stock I have ever seen anywhere, and I have been to many garden centers and botanical gardens all over the world. Do not hesitate to order from Plant Delights Nursery. I have seen for myself. You will not be disappointed. If you have a chance to visit during an open house, you will also enjoy Tony's Garden Art and sense of humor.

Some numbers from last week:

72 new members.
127 new threads.
3,259 new posts.
1,317 new images to the plant database.
60 new comments in the plant database.