Your All Things Plants weekly news

for February 7, 2015

This Week's Gardening Ideas:

Use a Tall Shepherd Hook To Hang Suet Feeders

By Newyorkrita
February 7, 2015
Use a Tall Shepherd Hook To Hang Suet Feeders

Keep the suet away from squirrels and raccoons by using a shepherd hook to hang the suet cage. (86 words - Read the full article)

A Look at the Database Contributions from This Week

By dave
February 6, 2015
A Look at the Database Contributions from This Week

The Celebration Week for the database is coming to a close, so let's look back on the week and see what was posted, who posted it, and what were the most noteworthy contributions. (413 words - Read the full article)

ATP Podcast #77: Chatting about our Plant Database

By dave
February 5, 2015
ATP Podcast #77: Chatting about our Plant Database

Is it possible to spend over 30 minutes talking about the All Things Plants Database? Yes! There's so much to talk about, from the custom databases, parentage of cultivars, multi-plant images, comments, moderators, green pages, planting calendars, growers reports, and so much more!

Let's Do a Mid-Week Check on the Database Contest

By dave
February 4, 2015
Let's Do a Mid-Week Check on the Database Contest

As you all know, this week we are hosting a contest in the Plant Database. The two most active users will receive gift certificates from Victory Seed Company. Well, we're halfway through with the week, so let's see what the numbers look like so far. (190 words - Read the full article)

All About the Custom Databases

By dave
February 3, 2015
All About the Custom Databases

In today's article, I'll explain what our custom databases are, why we made them, how they work, and what kinds of powers they give us in using the database. Anyone interested in a specific kind of plant will likely find this information quite informative and useful! (1,033 words - Read the full article)

Let's Hear from the Database Moderators

By dave
February 2, 2015
Let's Hear from the Database Moderators

One of the biggest strengths of our plant database is that we have it sectioned off into "custom databases," each dedicated to a specific kind of plant, and that members can be given power to moderate every aspect of those areas. Come read what our moderators think about the database in this interesting multi-person interview! (1,976 words - Read the full article)

Two Database Features You May Not Know About

By dave
February 1, 2015
Two Database Features You May Not Know About

We have a powerful photo browsing tool that I want to make sure you know about, and we have a planting calendar tool that hooks into the database and makes planning your vegetable garden a breeze. (434 words - Read the full article)

The most popular images last week from our plant database:

By kniphofia:
Image from plant ID 86774
By vitrsna:
Image from plant ID 87250
By tarev:
Image from plant ID 117430
By purpleinopp:
Image from plant ID 79335
By ARUBA1334:
Image from plant ID 673088
By Metrosideros:
Image from plant ID 112642
By kniphofia:
Image from plant ID 229096
By Kelli:
Image from plant ID 176822
By kniphofia:
Image from plant ID 77398

The most popular Multi-Plant Photos from last week:

Photo by bamira:
Image by bamira
Photo by kniphofia:
Image by kniphofia
Photo by Paul2032:
Image by Paul2032
Photo by blue23rose:
Image by blue23rose
Photo by jmorth:
Image by jmorth
Photo by blue23rose:
Image by blue23rose
Photo by blue23rose:
Image by blue23rose
Photo by FleudeLisCanna:
Image by FleudeLisCanna
Photo by jmorth:
Image by jmorth

Noteworthy acorn tips given this week:

3 people gave for a photo of Mexican Flame Vine (Pseudogynoxys chenopodioides) by vitrsna

3 people gave for post #780236 in "Banner for February 5, 2015 by wildflowers" by wildflowers

2 people gave for the Multi-Plant Photo #2576 by Paul2032

2 people gave for a photo of Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) by purpleinopp

2 people gave for a photo of Concrete Leaf Living Stone (Titanopsis calcarea) by tarev

2 people gave for a photo of Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) by blue23rose

2 people gave for a photo of Lily (Lilium ciliatum) by kniphofia

2 people gave for post #777318 in "Microbadge Suggestions for a Specific Garden Related Addiction" by texaskitty111

2 people gave for a photo of Giant Himalayan Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense) by kniphofia

2 people gave for post #779767 in "The Circle of Life: everything else" by dirtdorphins

The most active threads this week:

Subject OP Area Replies
Iris by the Alphabet - Part 4MuddymittsIrises forum388
Our Orchid blooms in February 2015UrsulaOrchids forum53
Potatoes: when to harvest?gemini_sageEdibles and Preserving forum32
The ones that were wrong.needrainIrises forum30
Fickle February 2015AnnaZFarming forum27
Planning the flower gardenfreedombelAll Things Gardening forum27
Adios, Dave's GardendrdawgSandbox forum27
Winter blast herefreedombelSandbox forum26
Backyard Birds - February 2015plantladylinGardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum23

Some new reviews from the ATP Green Pages:

vitrsna recommended Everwilde Farms, Inc. and wrote:

I've been ordering seeds from Everwilde Farms for a few years (maybe 4 or 5 years) and have only positive experiences to report. There is never a problem with any aspect of the process. In addition I have always received higher than normal germination rates from their seeds. This company is in my 5 top go-to places when I need seeds and I recommend it without reservation.

dirtdigger recommended Daylilies By The Pond and wrote:

I received large healthy daylily fans. Plants were carefully packed and arrived in great shape.

dirtdigger recommended Shaw's Sunshine Gardens and wrote:

I received great plants from their 50% off fall sale. Daylilies with multiple fans arrived in great shape and have done well.

dirtdigger recommended Solaris Farms and wrote:

I received healthy multiple fans with great roots and a lovely bonus plant. Excellent customer service along with quality plants at good prices.

dirtdigger recommended Roberts Flower Supply (orchid mix.com) and wrote:

Offers a wide array of growing supplies and media for those who like to make their own mixes. Fantastic customer service, with emails answered quickly and products shipped promptly.

dirtdorphins recommended Flowers by the Sea and wrote:

Great selection, superior service, high quality plants and impeccable shipping-- Absolutely recommend!

grannysgarden recommended Winterberry Iris Gardens and wrote:

This vendor is a reliable grower and stands behind their irises. They are great communicators and make sure their customers are happy. I am always pleased with the percentage of first year bloom I get on irises I buy from them. They are talented iris hybridizers and are generous with bonus irises when you buy from them.

texaskitty111 recommended Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply and wrote:

Received 10 more original (with thorns) boysenberry plants today as I'm supplementing the thornless variety. They had masses of roots and many plant spikes starting. Since I ordered them delivered earlier than they can be planted, I put them in the largest planter I have, and covered the roots with potting soil. Everything I've ordered from peacefulvalley.com has been excellent quality

dormantsrule recommended OutbackTuff Tools Co and wrote:

The CANNON – Adjustable Hose Nozzle Gun I'm in love with this hose nozzle, which has 10 settings, from a mist to high power pressure nozzle. I bought mine from amazon.com a bit cheaper. It has solved 2 issues for me: replacing hose nozzles that leak and crack and having a pressure washer for cleaning. If I could just find a hose that isn't either too heavy or kinks, I would be thrilled. From the site: •LEAK PROOF: 3 Washers ( Set of 2 on Inside Body + 1 on Bottom Barrel) makes it 100% Leak Proof •UNBREAKABLE: Inner Barrel is made of a single piece (as opposed to 2 or 3 pieces for other nozzles) that makes the nozzle absolutely “unbreakable” •SOLID BRASS NOZZLE: Heavy-Duty construction that will last for your lifetime •STAINLESS IRON TRIGGER & PAINTED CAST IRON BODY: Heavy-Duty construction that will last for your lifetime •MULTIPLE (10) PATTERNS: Flexible and Adjustable from a fine mist, to a moderate spray, to a super powerful jet stream (Rotating from Left to Right) •ROCKET POWER: Awesome pressure and force, contained in a small body •CONSISTENT FLOW & SHUT-OFF: Uniform water flow in all positions & ability to completely shut water off •LIFETIME QUALITY GUARANTEE:Hassle Free “Return & Replace” Policy for Life On Amazon, search for B00LH7NB06

We keep growing, because ATP is where all the excitement is these days! Check out these numbers from last week: