Your All Things Plants weekly news: December 28, 2013

There were 7 new gardening ideas posted last week:

By goldfinch4
December 28, 2013 Have a Bucket Handy
I always carry a 5 gallon bucket with a handle into the garden with me. I keep plant tie-wraps twisted onto the handle in case I need them. On the way to the garden, the bucket holds my tools. On my way back from the garden, it holds the weeds and spent flowers.
(one comment)

By Skiekitty
December 27, 2013 Choose the Shovel for the Soil Type
If you live in rocky soil / hard clay, use a fiberglass shovel to dig. The right tool for the job!
(4 comments)

By SongofJoy
December 26, 2013 Recycle Christmas Trees To Benefit Birds
Evergreen trees are good for protecting bird feeders from predators and wind. After the holidays, recycle your old Christmas tree to help the birds. (76 words - Read the full article)
(3 comments)

By Trish
December 25, 2013 What Was Under Your Tree?
After you've unwrapped your gifts, come share with us! Were there gardening related goodies for you? Did you give garden goodies to someone else? Do tell!!
(54 comments)

By Trish
December 24, 2013 Team Natural or Team All Faux
Continuing our fun ideas this week, let's talk about our holiday decor! Natural elements or all faux in your house. Share away- the more pictures, the better! (159 words - Read the full article)
(17 comments)

By Trish
December 23, 2013 Team Poinsettias or No Poinsettias?
Continuing with our fun chat threads, come share with us about this popular winter plant. (94 words - Read the full article)
(30 comments)

By Trish
December 22, 2013 Feeding the Birds
As we approach Christmas, we're turning the focus of our Ideas toward fun and chatty conversation. Today, let's talk about feeding the birds over the winter. (146 words - Read the full article)
(26 comments)

The most popular images last week from our plant database:

Photo of Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Spacecoast Burgundy Belle') by diggit:

Photo of Tower of Jewels (Echium wildpretii) by robertduval14:

Photo of Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Lake Country Sunshine') by diggit:

Photo of Daylily (Hemerocallis 'Raspberry Stitching') by floota:

Photo of (Cariniana legalis) by robertduval14:

Photo of Iris (Iris 'Alliteration') by virginiarose:

The most popular Multi-Plant Photos from last week:

Multi-plant photo by ge1836:

Multi-plant photo by ge1836:

Multi-plant photo by Paul2032:

Multi-plant photo by 4susiesjoy:

Multi-plant photo by Paul2032:

Multi-plant photo by ge1836:

Noteworthy acorn tips given this week:
6 people gave for a post in "Banner for December 22, 2013 by mcash70" by mcash70 6 people gave for a post in "Banner for December 23, 2013 by Bonehead" by Bonehead 5 people gave for a post in "Banner for December 25, 2013 by Paul2032" by Paul2032 5 people gave for a post in "Banner for December 24, 2013 by Paul2032" by Paul2032 3 people gave for a post in "Banner for December 26, 2013 by clintbrown" by clintbrown 3 people gave for a post in "Team all faux" by DavidofDeLand 2 people gave for the Multi-Plant Photo #863 by purpleinopp 2 people gave for the Multi-Plant Photo #850 by 4susiesjoy 2 people gave for a post in "Best performing perennials of 2013" by virginiarose 2 people gave for a post in "Coffee Forum" by AlohaHoya

The most active threads this week:
Subject OP Area Replies

Christmas Garden Gifts ShadyGreenThumb What Was Under Your Tree? 53

Our Favorite Oranges! Betja Daylilies forum 37

Banner for December 22, 2013 by mcash70 mcash70 Site Banners forum 28

blooms that hang diggit Daylilies forum 26

I wish you had a fireplace..... MaryE Blog post: The Yule Log 23

Alpines - seed starting - sprouting mixes and methods used chelle Rock Gardens forum 23

Coffee Forum sfrangu Ask a Question forum 21

2014 Seed catalogues mom2goldens Seeds forum 19

Self-sowing plants in the rock garden JuneOntario Rock Gardens forum 19

The most active threads this week:
Subject	OP	Area	Replies
Christmas Garden Gifts	ShadyGreenThumb	What Was Under Your Tree?	53
Our Favorite Oranges!	Betja	Daylilies forum	37
Banner for December 22, 2013 by mcash70	mcash70	Site Banners forum	28
blooms that hang	diggit	Daylilies forum	26
I wish you had a fireplace.....	MaryE	Blog post: The Yule Log	23
Alpines - seed starting - sprouting mixes and methods used	chelle	Rock Gardens forum	23
Coffee Forum	sfrangu	Ask a Question forum	21
2014 Seed catalogues	mom2goldens	Seeds forum	19
Self-sowing plants in the rock garden	JuneOntario	Rock Gardens forum	19

Some new recommendations from our members:

Katem recommended West Coast Seeds Ltd and wrote:
This company sells solitary mason bee cocoons and some supplies for them. Mason bees are excellent pollinators - more efficient than honey bees. They hardly ever sting and the sting is not venomous. I have been stung only once and it was like a small mosquito bite. These hardworking bees will increase your fruit crops, increase seed production, and make your flowers brighter. They are fascinating animals and, with the honey bee in decline, we need alternative pollinators Now. Crownbees.com in Washington State have a more extensive product line. katem

greene recommended Amishland Heirloom Seeds and wrote:
As the sole owner of Amishland Heirloom Seeds in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Lisa Von Saunders grows and sells heirloom seeds; all natural, no pesticides, no GMOs. Items are sometimes limited and do sell out quickly. Some unusual offerings are: Sikkim, a cucumber from the Himalayas, Beck Snake River Island muskmelon, Japanese Yubari King Type canteloupe, Borchanskyy Heirloom Russian watermelon, Hmong Red cucumber, and Claytonia aka Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata/Montia perfoliata), which I have been looking for, over 100 types of tomatoes, including Belarusian/Russian/Ukrainian varieties, a good variety of eggplants, beans, and peas, and even some old-timey flowers. She only ships to addresses within the US and has reasonable shipping charges.

901Bertwood recommended Schreiner's Iris Gardens and wrote:
I have been ordering from Schreiners for about 18 years. I love the robust bulbs and always good variety of bonus plants. When I had to downsize due to health, I had my iris garden transplanted to the botanical gardens here in Memphis. I still have Queen's Circle plants in pots on my condo patio and they are doing just fine. Bert in Memphis

Some new recommendations from our members:
Katem recommended West Coast Seeds Ltd and wrote: This company sells solitary mason bee cocoons and some supplies for them. Mason bees are excellent pollinators - more efficient than honey bees. They hardly ever sting and the sting is not venomous. I have been stung only once and it was like a small mosquito bite. These hardworking bees will increase your fruit crops, increase seed production, and make your flowers brighter. They are fascinating animals and, with the honey bee in decline, we need alternative pollinators Now. Crownbees.com in Washington State have a more extensive product line. katem
greene recommended Amishland Heirloom Seeds and wrote: As the sole owner of Amishland Heirloom Seeds in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Lisa Von Saunders grows and sells heirloom seeds; all natural, no pesticides, no GMOs. Items are sometimes limited and do sell out quickly. Some unusual offerings are: Sikkim, a cucumber from the Himalayas, Beck Snake River Island muskmelon, Japanese Yubari King Type canteloupe, Borchanskyy Heirloom Russian watermelon, Hmong Red cucumber, and Claytonia aka Miner's Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata/Montia perfoliata), which I have been looking for, over 100 types of tomatoes, including Belarusian/Russian/Ukrainian varieties, a good variety of eggplants, beans, and peas, and even some old-timey flowers. She only ships to addresses within the US and has reasonable shipping charges.
901Bertwood recommended Schreiner's Iris Gardens and wrote: I have been ordering from Schreiners for about 18 years. I love the robust bulbs and always good variety of bonus plants. When I had to downsize due to health, I had my iris garden transplanted to the botanical gardens here in Memphis. I still have Queen's Circle plants in pots on my condo patio and they are doing just fine. Bert in Memphis

Some numbers from last week:

24 new members.
101 new threads.
2,487 new posts.
758 new images to the plant database.
83 new comments in the plant database.
15 new Multi-Plant photos.