Growing Wisdom - Dave Epstein http://www.growingwisdom.com Hosted by well-known New England meteorologist and horticulturist David Epstein, Growing Wisdom is a weekly video podcast presenting hands-on gardening advice and inspiration for home gardeners. The GrowingWisdom.com website contains compelling articles, podcasts and blogs that provide timely, week-by-week instruction on topics such as flower and vegetable gardens, lawn care and garden pests. en-us Growing Wisdom http://www.growingwisdom.com/images/rssLogo.gif http://www.growingwisdom.com 266 146 How Long Can You Keep Seeds? http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=9&sid=1&cid=548 Most gardeners have a few seed packets laying around the house or garage.It's important to test them for germination before you spend the time planting them.Doing a homemade germination test is super simple.Start with at least ten seeds to test for germination, although you can use more if you have them.Space the seeds evenly on a paper towel keeping them from the edge.Now roll the paper towel and wet it.Do not soak it,...]]> Mon 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST How To Start Seeds http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=9&sid=1&cid=547 Steps
A Sunny WindowPlace trays in a sunny window. Invest in some cool-white florescent bulbs if you don't have a lot of sun.
Contai...]]> Sun 07 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST Learning About Living Walls http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=28&sid=1&cid=545 New England Grows provides continuing education and contact hours for horticultural professionals, as well as one of the most popular green industry trade shows in North America. There are many seminars at New England Grows including this year's on Living Walls. Living walls have been around since the hanging gardens of Babylon and modern day living walls can be added to any landscape large or small.

One of my favorite plants for the front of the border is Lamb's Ears. Lamb's Ears is a low growing spreader with very fuzzy, pale, silvery gray-green foliage. The plant has great leaves that are soft and kids love to touch them.The plant does get a tall purple spike in the summer but I cut it off. Lambs ear loves full-sun and well drained soil....]]> Wed 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST Growing Wisdom Videos Update http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=21&sid=1&cid=543 Growing Wisdom is a weekly video show that focuses on helping homeowners and horticultural professionals.
You can watch videos at http://www.GrowingWisdom.com for free and send in your questions to Growing Wisdom.There are hundreds of videos on everything from how to start seeds, to growing perennials and even lawn care videos.Check out Growing Wisdom.com and h...]]> Mon 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST Small Leafed Rhododendron In Design http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=1&sid=1&cid=542 Rhododendrons are a great plant to add winter interest to any garden.Using small leafed rhododendron is more unique way of designing rather than use the larger leafed types.
Rhododendron shrubs like acidic soil that is well-drained and rich.The roots are shallow and fibrous and the soil must not be very wet or very dry.The ph of the soil should be 5.5 or less.If you have soil that is not acid...]]> Fri 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST How To Grow Leucothoe http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=27&sid=1&cid=541 Leucothoe, a relative of the Pieris, is a great plant for shade. The foliage is somewhat leathery and spring blossoms look like little bells. Finding an evergreen shrub that can take full-shade can be a challenge. Leucothoe is one of a few shrubs that likes full shade. You can grow it in full sun if there is enough moisture, but winter winds and dry weather will kill the plant. The plant will spread via runners so give it enough room to grow. Also, be sure that you have good moist rich ...]]> Tue 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST Growing Asters http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=2&sid=1&cid=540 Asters are a fall favorite for any perennial garden. They come in a variety of colors and heights perfect for autumn.

The Aster produce large clusters of delicate daisy-like flowers in white, purple, lavender, pink or red. They are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, depending on the variety.

Asters should be planted in full sun and will tolerate a variety of soil types. They will flop in shade, but they will tolerate light shade.You should plant them 18" a...]]> Sun 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST Identifying Clearweed. http://www.growingwisdom.com/index.aspx?pid=28&sid=1&cid=537 Clearweed is a common woodland plant that occurs in many parts of the country from the midwest to the northeast. It can be a nuisance in the garden as it can take over and grow in large clumps. It can be found in poorly drained areas of upland forests, floodplain forests, crevices in rocky canyons, and shady or partially shaded wetland areas, including seeps, borders of small streams. You can find this weed in large colonies as it reseeds itself very easily. The caterpillars of th...]]> Thu 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST